Two: Look for the Energy Star Label. Energy Star-qualified refrigerators use about half as much energy as refrigerators made before 1993.

Three: Get Unplugged. Many home electronics still consume energy even when they are turned off. Many devices with a “standby mode” will continue to use power. Also, chargers and power adapters continue to draw power from the wall socket even if the device is not attached. Unplug these devices or use a power strip to turn off multiple units, when they aren’t being used to make sure that you aren’t wasting energy.

Four: Double-Up on Windows. Replacing old single-pane windows with double pane-windows helps reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in the summer.

Five: Turn Down the Thermostat. Lowering you thermostat by just one degree can reduce costs by about four percent.

Six: Sustainable Floors. Cork flooring not only looks great, but it’s also natural insulator. So when you look into purchasing flooring, consider using bamboo, cork or another sustainable material.

Seven: Earth-Friendly Decks. A lot of deck material comes from tropical hardwoods. These woods look great and stand up to the elements for a very long time.

Eight: Low-Flow Faucets. Low-flow water fixtures such as showerheads, faucets and toilets reduce water consumption and water heating costs by as much as 50 percent.

Nine: Buy Renewable Energy. Check with your local utility company and see if you can purchase renewable energy.

Ten: Recycle! After you replace all those inefficient, windows and fixtures, make sure you recycle all that metal and glass. By recycling half of your household waste, you can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. Find more information about programs in your area at www.recycle.com.

Folsom Luxury Homes and Land Specialist

Our motto is to always “Do the Right Thing”, starting with providing premier executive real estate service to buyers and sellers of Folsom, Granite Bay, and El Dorado Hills luxury homes and land.

For more information from California Home Network visit Patrick Warholic, The Internet Home Marketing Specialist for free, no registration required, MLS home and property searches with amazing results at your fingertips, along with its ease of use, no registration required advanced home search features that will simply astound you. You can even search for energy saving features. California Home Network provides free real estate reports, information for sellers, information for buyers, and find out exactly what your home is worth with a free home valuation, with current up-to-date market information provided for you.

Learn how how you can be mortgage free in 8 to 11 years without re-financing. Ask for your free House Payment Free analysis.

Contact Patrick Warholic, Realtor, CCRA, SRES, ASP, and e-PRO certified.

In many American homes, the change of seasons is a signal for storing away some stuff and pulling out other supplies. Whether it’s yard tools or summer clothes, we all have items we put into storage for awhile, and pull out those things we need for another season, like holiday decorations. If you’re selling your home, you should try to store away extra items to make your home appear more spacious.

“A” is for Assessment

What do you have and where can you put it? Take a look at all your stuff and then take a look at where you can tuck it away in your home. Walk through the home with a pad and pen and dedicate an hour of your time to finish this first step.

“B” is for Banish and Box

While this may sound easy, it’s where the hard decisions get made. Box up what you’re going to keep and banish what needs to be thrown out, held for a yard sale or given to charity.

“C” is for Control

These two steps keep your storage areas neat and organized. They should also become a routine part of your storage plan. Maintaining your storage areas with smaller containers (such as see-through boxes, file folders or portable hanging racks) will keep items orderly and easily identifiable. Cardboard or plastic boxes with removable lids are your best bet for corralling stuff. The boxes are easy to handle and uniform in size.

When selling your home and if in doubt of what things should be stored away, ask your Realtor, he/she can give you some fantastic ideas.

Folsom Luxury Homes and Land Specialist

Our motto is to always “Do the Right Thing”, starting with providing premier executive real estate service to buyers and sellers of Folsom, Granite Bay, and El Dorado Hills luxury homes and land.

For more information from California Home Network visit Patrick Warholic, The Internet Home Marketing Specialist for free, no registration required, MLS home and property searches with amazing home search results at your fingertips, along with its ease of use, no registration required advanced home search features that will simply astound you. You can even search by using the new Google Map search, and even do a home search for energy saving features. Are you looking for extra storage space or RV access? Well, you can search for that too.

California Home Network also provides free real estate reports, information for sellers, information for buyers, and find out exactly what your home is worth with a free home valuation, with current up-to-date market information provided for you.

Learn how how you can be mortgage free in 8 to 11 years without re-financing. Ask for your free House Payment Free analysis.

Contact Patrick Warholic, Realtor, CCRA, SRES, ASP, and e-PRO certified.

Today many lenders are more flexible and allow a greater percentage of monthly income to go toward mortgage payments. But they are more stringent on credit card balances. Lenders often count 5% of the balance as a borrower’s monthly payment, instead of the credit card’s minimum payment. If you are planning to pay off some debts before you apply for a loan, consider the ones with the largest monthly payment. Many lenders, for example, prefer to have a car loan paid off, because borrowers are not likely to go out and buy a new car right away. On the other hand, if credit cards are paid off, a borrower might start charging again.

Should I wait until interest rates drop?

Time is money. Can you afford to wait? Of course home buyers want to buy when interest rates are at their lowest. When interest rates are at near-record lows, potential buyers or homeowners looking to move up are asking themselves if the time is right to act. But no one can predict with certainty where rates are headed at any particular time. Waiting for a bottoming out may instead provide time for rates to rise.

What’s the debt-to-income ratio lenders use to qualify borrowers?

Many lenders use two ratios when they decide whether to approve a mortgage. If, for example, the ratios are 28/36, the “front” ratio of 28% means the lender will allow a mortgage payment (including principal, interest, taxes and insurance) of up to 28% of the borrower’s monthly pre-tax income. The “back” ratio of 36% means all loan and credit payments cannot exceed 36% of the borrower’s monthly income.

For more information visit the California Home Network, your:
Folsom Luxury Homes and Land Specialist

Our motto is to always “Do the Right Thing”, starting with providing premier executive real estate service to buyers and sellers of Folsom, Granite Bay, and El Dorado Hills luxury homes and land.

For more information from California Home Network visit Patrick Warholic, The Internet Home Marketing Specialist for free, no registration required, MLS home and property searches with amazing home search results at your fingertips, along with its ease of use, no registration required advanced home search features that will simply astound you. You can even search by using the new Google Map search, and even do a home search for energy saving features. Are you looking for great real estate deals, short sales, or bank owned properties? With this powerful home search engine that information is right at your fingertips now.

California Home Network also provides free real estate reports, information for sellers, information for buyers, and find out exactly what your home is worth with a free home valuation, with current up-to-date market information provided for you.

Learn how how you can be mortgage free in 8 to 11 years without re-financing. Ask for your free House Payment Free analysis.

Contact Patrick Warholic, Realtor, CCRA, SRES, ASP, and e-PRO certified.

To qualify for the full exclusion, you typically must have owned the home and lived in it as your primary residence for at least two of the five years prior to sale.

This exclusion applies only to your primary residence. Even someone who couldn’t pass those tests might qualify to exclude most or all of the gain under certain circumstances. The seller may be eligible for a reduced exclusion if that person had to sell because of a “change in place of employment”, health reasons or “unforeseen circumstances.” What are unforeseen circumstances? Examples cited by the Internal Revenue Service include divorce, death, or “multiple births resulting from the same pregnancy.”

Some think they’re required to buy a new home to qualify for this home-sale gain exclusion. That’s wrong. They’re probably thinking about a law that was repealed about a decade ago, under which you could defer tax on the gain on the sale of your home by rolling over the proceeds into a new home that cost as much as, or more than, the old one. Congress eliminated that law, in part because it was viewed as unfair to people who wanted to downsize and buy a less expensive home or to sell and move into a rental. Contact Patrick Warholic, your Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and Granite Bay Realtor for details.

Folsom Luxury Homes and Land Specialist

Our motto is to always “Do the Right Thing”, starting with providing premier executive real estate service to buyers and sellers of Folsom, Granite Bay, and El Dorado Hills luxury homes and land.

For more information from California Home Network visit Patrick Warholic, The Internet Home Marketing Specialist for free, no registration required, MLS home and property searches with amazing home search results at your fingertips, along with its ease of use, no registration required advanced home search features that will simply astound you. You can even search by using the new Google Map search, with community search parameters, and even do a home search for energy saving features too. Are you looking for great real estate deals, short sales, or bank owned properties? With this powerful home search engine that information is right at your fingertips now.

California Home Network also provides free real estate reports, information for sellers, information for buyers, and find out exactly what your home is worth with a free home valuation, with current up-to-date market information provided for you.

Learn how how you can be mortgage free in 8 to 11 years without re-financing. Ask for your free House Payment Free analysis.

Contact Patrick Warholic, Realtor, CCRA, SRES, ASP, and e-PRO certified.

1. Before school starts. Communication with the school administration should start as early as possible by mail or while visiting the destination area on a house-hunting trip. Take the child by the school and walk around, check in the classrooms and where the restrooms are located. Those coming from gifted or other special programs or magnet schools, check with the school secretary on extracurricular activities.
2. During the school year. If the move is during the school year, parents should check back with the school and monitor their children’s work to be sure they are adjusting well and are in the correct levels or classes. But don’t expect disaster. Often “new kids” are a popular novelty during the year, and nothing beats the bus for making new friends.
3. Making friends is important. A good social adjustment at the start is just as important as academic adjustment – especially for junior high or middle school students. While a teacher may assign a buddy for the new child for the first few days in elementary school, junior high students are often left to fend for themselves. Parents can help by making a point of finding at least one schoolmate for their child and arranging a meeting before starting school.

Check with your Realtor for your local schools and also neighborhood after school programs to meet other children.

Folsom Luxury Homes and Land Specialist

Our motto is to always “Do the Right Thing”, starting with providing premier executive real estate service to buyers and sellers of Folsom, Granite Bay, and El Dorado Hills luxury homes and land.

For more information from California Home Network visit Patrick Warholic, The Internet Home Marketing Specialist for free, no registration required, MLS home and property searches with amazing home search results at your fingertips, along with its ease of use, no registration required advanced home search features that will simply astound you. You can even search by using the new Google Map search, with community search parameters, and even do a home search for energy saving features too. Maybe you are looking for a new home investment property. Well, now you can find great real estate deals with REO bank owned properties and short sale homes listed in the MLS directory. This information is right at your fingertips, and no registration is required.

California Home Network also provides free real estate reports, information for sellers, information for buyers, and find out exactly what your home is worth with a free home valuation, with current up-to-date market information provided for you.

Learn how how you can be mortgage free in 8 to 11 years without re-financing. Ask for your free House Payment Free analysis.

Contact Patrick Warholic, Realtor, CCRA, SRES, ASP, and e-PRO certified.

Indicators for a Strong Market in Multi-Family Housing Units

• Single and Non-Traditional households represent the majority of housing consumers.
• Single Women make up nearly a quarter of the homebuyer market and they prefer Multi-family Housing.
• Condos are also gaining interest among first time home buyers, empty nesters and retirees.
• Condos are great second homes
• And usually they are owner occupied instead of renters.

If condos are such a good investment – why are there so many for sale?

The supply outweighs the demands. When a single home is offered, that is one home on the market but when a developer sells a project, it is usually 500 plus homes to the market. An oversupply doesn’t always mean the product is deficient. When affordable housing is available, why would you pass it up? Ask your Realtor about the great Condominiums or Townhomes in your area. Your Realtor has the connections for exactly what you are looking for.

Folsom Luxury Homes and Land Specialist

Our motto is to always “Do the Right Thing”, starting with providing premier executive real estate service to buyers and sellers of Folsom, Granite Bay, and El Dorado Hills luxury homes and land.

For more information from California Home Network visit Patrick Warholic, The Internet Home Marketing Specialist for free, no registration required, MLS home and property searches with amazing home search results at your fingertips, along with its ease of use, no registration required advanced home search features that will simply astound you. You can even search by using the new Google Map search, with community search parameters, and even do a home search for energy saving features too. If you are looking for a condo or town house, you can select just that criteria. Maybe you are looking for a new home investment property. Well, now you can find great real estate deals with REO bank owned properties and short sale homes listed in the MLS directory. This information is right at your fingertips.

California Home Network also provides free real estate reports, information for sellers, information for buyers, and find out exactly what your home is worth with a free home valuation, with current up-to-date market information provided for you.

Learn how how you can be mortgage free in 8 to 11 years without re-financing. Ask for your free House Payment Free analysis.

Contact Patrick Warholic, Realtor, CCRA, SRES, ASP, and e-PRO certified.

When to Call the Pros:

Once personal items and extra furniture have been removed, sellers may want to invest some money in hiring professional cleaners to clean the carpets and wash the windows. Sellers looking to keep staging expenses small and not disrupting too much of their daily routine may want to focus on the exterior of the home…curb appeal is what’s likely to get buyers interested in seeing the inside.

Rooms that Sell the House:

Interested in increasing asking price and generating more interest in your property? Then spend the few extra dollars and spruce up the kitchen and the bathrooms. People underestimate the high impact of just swapping out the cabinet hardware and faucets for updated styles. If you have a larger budget to play with then consider upgrading the countertop, replacing a laminate flooring with an alternative to hardwood or tile. Sellers need to keep in mind that buyers may have a different taste and a few staging updates might prove more attractive to buyers than being stuck with an expensive upgrade that they don’t like.

Staging:

It’s likely that a designer that doesn’t have the emotional attachment to the property can better dress a home for the widest range potential buyers. If the budget allows, hire a professional home stager, or ask your Realtor if they can recommend someone to stage your home.

Folsom Luxury Homes and Land Specialist

Our motto is to always “Do the Right Thing”, starting with providing premier executive real estate service to buyers and sellers of Folsom, Granite Bay, and El Dorado Hills luxury homes and land.

For more information from California Home Network visit Patrick Warholic, The Internet Home Marketing Specialist for free, no registration required, MLS home and property searches with amazing home search results at your fingertips, along with its ease of use, no registration required advanced home search features that will simply amaze you. You can even perform a home search by using the new Google Map home search feature, with advanced community search parameters, and even do an advanced home search for energy saving features too. Maybe you are looking for a new home investment property. Well, now you can find great real estate deals with REO bank owned properties and short sale homes listed in the MLS directory. This real estate information is right at your fingertips, and once again, no registration is required.

California Home Network also provides free real estate reports, information for sellers, information for buyers, and find out exactly what your home is worth with a free home valuation, with current up-to-date market information provided for you.

Learn how how you can be mortgage free in 8 to 11 years without re-financing. Ask for your free House Payment Free analysis.

Contact Patrick Warholic, Realtor, CCRA, SRES, ASP, and e-PRO certified.

Maximize Your Air Conditioning:

Open windows and use a portable fan instead of running the A/C. Use a fan along with your window air conditioner to spread the cool air though out the house. Don’t put lamps or televisions near your A/C thermostat; the heat from these devices can cause the air conditioner to run longer. Consider installing a whole house fan that pulls air through open windows and exhausts it through the roof, which can cool the home quickly and reducing energy up to a third in comparison to an air conditioner.

Little Things Add Up:

Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescents, they produce the same amount of light but use a fifth of the energy and heat. Air-dry dishes instead of using dishwasher dry cycle. Use microwave oven instead of electric oven. Plug home electronics into power strips and turn power strips off when not in use. Lower the thermostat on the water heater, 115 degrees is comfortable for most uses. Take showers instead of baths to reduce use of hot water. Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.

And remember, if your home is on the market, your Realtor may suggest the air conditioner be on during open houses. A cooler home is more inviting in warm weather.

Folsom Luxury Homes and Land Specialist

Our motto is to always “Do the Right Thing”, starting with providing premier executive real estate service to buyers and sellers of Folsom, Granite Bay, and El Dorado Hills luxury homes and land.

For more information from California Home Network visit Patrick Warholic, The Internet Home Marketing Specialist for free, no registration required, MLS home and property searches with amazing home search results at your fingertips, along with its ease of use, no registration required advanced home search features that will simply amaze you. You can even perform a home search by using the new Google Map home search feature, with advanced community search parameters, and even do an advanced home search for energy saving features too. Maybe you are looking for a new home investment property. Well, now you can find great real estate deals with REO bank owned properties and short sale homes listed in the MLS directory. This real estate information is right at your fingertips, and once again, no registration is required.

California Home Network also provides free real estate reports, information for sellers, information for buyers, and find out exactly what your home is worth with a free home valuation, with current up-to-date market information provided for you.

Learn how how you can be mortgage free in 8 to 11 years without re-financing. Ask for your free House Payment Free analysis.

Contact Patrick Warholic, Realtor, CCRA, SRES, ASP, and e-PRO certified.

Jittery buyers bolt before they sign on the dotted line. Others walk away after an offer is made. The National Association of Realtors reports more than 10 percent of real estate transactions fail and buyer’s remorse is often a factor when deals fall through. For some, it boils down to money. most buyers often “feel guilty about wanting things” and they feel guilty about spending the money on things like a house, also it may be money they really don’t have or more than they spent before. The consequences of buyer’s remorse aren’t just emotional. When buyers walk away from transactions after a formal offer is made, they may lose earnest monies or expose themselves to lawsuits.

Homeowners can avoid second-guessing themselves if they are diligent and patient in their search for housing.

1. Don’t jump at the first thing, your Realtor will advise you to look at the comparatives.

2. Your agent might also counsel you to consider not only aesthetics and financing, but also length of commute, tolerance for yard work and area amenities.

Other tips:

1. Hire an interior designer to help you adapt your sense of style to your new space.

2. Jot down impressions of homes you may consider buying, making a list of pros and cons.

3. Take the initiative to meet your new neighbors. Offer a welcome gift in
reverse such as a bouquet of flowers from your new garden.

4. Say the proper goodbye to your former home. Remind yourself what was good about living there — and why you’re moving.

5. Get to know the neighborhood. Visit the shops and stores nearest your new home, and say hello to the owners.

Your Realtor will have other ideas to help you consider All the Angles.
Folsom Luxury Homes and Land Specialist

Our motto is to always “Do the Right Thing”, starting with providing premier executive real estate service to buyers and sellers of Folsom, Granite Bay, and El Dorado Hills luxury homes and land. Find your dream home today.

For more information from California Home Network visit Patrick Warholic, The Internet Home Marketing Specialist for free, no registration required, MLS home and property searches with amazing home search results at your fingertips, along with its ease of use, no registration required advanced home search features that will simply amaze you. You can even perform a home search by using the new Google Map home search feature, with advanced community search parameters, and even do an advanced home search for energy saving features too. Maybe you are searching for a new home investment property or a great deal on a second home. Well, now you can find great real estate deals with REO bank owned properties and short sale homes listed in the MLS directory. This real estate information is right at your fingertips, and once again, no registration is required.

California Home Network also provides free real estate reports, information for sellers, information for buyers, and find out exactly what your home is worth with a free home valuation, with current up-to-date market information provided for you.

Learn how how you can be mortgage free in 8 to 11 years without re-financing. Ask for your free House Payment Free analysis.

Contact Patrick Warholic, Realtor, CCRA, SRES, ASP, and e-PRO certified.

Here are some tips on how to make the downsizing process go smoothly:

Buy First. If possible, buy your new home before you sell the old one. It’s better to buy what you’re going to go to first so you can see what kind of space you’re physically getting into. That way, when it’s time to sell your place, there isn’t so much pressure — you have more freedom. If you have the equity, it works well. If you don’t, it’s a harder decision to make.

Take Your Time. Family members have a tendency to pressure downsizers to move more quickly than they want to, Sometimes the process can take a couple of years. Make sure you really like the place you’re moving to, and know what you’re getting yourself into.

Move-In-Ready Properties. If time is short, concentrate in looking for a development that has an inventory of finished units, as well as a furnished model home — that will give you a clear picture of what your home will look like.

Ask Around. Find a broker who is experienced in downsizing transactions by talking to people who have recently been through the process. A Good Realtor will ask you questions about your lifestyle; yard work, stairs, attached garage, community involvement.

Folsom Luxury Homes and Land Specialist

Our motto is to always “Do the Right Thing”, starting with providing premier executive real estate service to buyers and sellers of Folsom, Granite Bay, and El Dorado Hills luxury homes and land. Find the home that is just right for you and your spouse.

For more information from California Home Network visit Patrick Warholic, The Internet Home Marketing Specialist for free, no registration required, MLS home and property searches with amazing home search results at your fingertips, along with its ease of use, no registration required advanced home search features that will simply amaze you. You can even perform a home search by using the new Google Map home search feature, with advanced community search parameters, and even do an advanced home search for energy saving features too. Maybe you are searching for a new home investment property or a great deal on a second home. Well, now you can find great real estate deals with REO bank owned properties and short sale homes listed in the MLS directory. This real estate information is right at your fingertips, and once again, no registration is required.

California Home Network also provides free real estate reports, information for sellers, information for buyers, and find out exactly what your home is worth with a free home valuation, with current up-to-date market information provided for you.

Learn how how you can be mortgage free in 8 to 11 years without re-financing. Ask for your free House Payment Free analysis.

Contact Patrick Warholic, Realtor, CCRA, SRES, ASP, and e-PRO certified.