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• Home buying • Backyard garden • Increase your resale value • Spring into doing it yourself
2014SPRING HOME
Advertising supplement to The Issaquah Press, Sammamish Review, SnoValley Star and Newcastle News
By Vincent M. Rosanova
The prepara-tions made by home-owners to put their homes on the market are initi-ated with a clear objective in mind. That is, to garner the highest possible price the home will bring based on location, living space, quality of construction and design.
The spring/summer of 2014 could be the first time since the Great Recession of
2007-2008 that home sellers can truly be optimistic about getting an acceptably good price for their homes within a reasonable period of time. What makes this possible is the fact that mortgage inter-est rates remain very low, and home values have recov-ered considerably and have been seen to sustain positive growth for the long term.
According to the Jann Swanson article, “Fannie sur-vey hints at warmer spring for housing,” published on the Mortgage News Daily website, Fannie Mae’s “most recent National Housing Survey” indicates that home buying and selling activity will pick up substantially this spring. It also says expecta-
tions for continued increases in home prices over the next 12 months have been high (45 percent to 50 percent of respondents over the past year shares this opinion) and remain so today, according to the survey.
With this in mind, it is necessary for home sell-ers to present their homes to prospective buyers in the very best aesthetically appealing condition pos-sible. Begin with exterior
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Spring will bring a warmer home-buying and selling season
curb appeal, since this is the initial impression for inter-ested buyers. It is important that the lawn be mowed and well-trimmed; the backyard be raked free of twigs, leaves and dried-up vines; driveways, sidewalks and other paved areas and painted surfaces should be thoroughly cleansed of the effects of previous harsh weather; and the windows should be polished to a sparkling shine.
A homeowner’s goal is to do everything possible to distinguish his or her home from all other competing properties on the market. It is common knowledge that a potential homebuyer might view up to 15 homes, or more, if he or she does not find one that is suit-able. But homebuyers have also been known to decide on the first home they see because of a positive impres-sion made upon them at first viewing.
So, every seller’s objec-tive — especially during this more active peak selling season is to present a home that makes that kind of “I’m-irresistible-buy-me-now” impression on a homebuyer
as those choice properties will usually fetch the higher end of the price range. Often, a staging specialist can inexpensively be utilized to de-clutter and maximize the look of your home if a quick and inexpensive make-over is in order.
Equally important are the preparations made by homebuyers in this competi-tive lower inventory market, which are based upon pre-senting yourself as a buyer that can without question close while also securing the very best financing fit for their home purchase as they can achieve. Perhaps nearly as important as the price the homebuyer ultimately pays for a home of his or her choice is the loan type and interest rate he or she obtains to finance a new home.
Buyer preparations should also include gather-ing the requisite income, asset and credit documents for availability to their mort-gage lender. Any cleaning up a prospective homebuyer engages in will probably pertain to credit issues.
A meeting with a mort-gage professional to discuss financing should be an early
priority for prospective buy-ers as almost 40 percent of sales in the past year have been all cash. Those buyers are your competitors.
This is not to say that homebuyers do not have other preparatory work to do, as they should research market values, neighbor-hoods, school districts and amenities, along with possibly other professional services, including those of a buyer’s broker who will rep-resent your interests during the process.
So, yes, both buyer and seller must prepare equally well in a market that is expected to be the most active in many years. It is likely that home sellers, as well as home buyers, will have far more to do this season than in the recent past as a result of the stiff competition they face with inventories lower than nor-mal and lending standards continuing to remain con-servative.
Vincent M. Rosanova is president of the Redmond Mortgage Corp. and Front Street Mortgage. Reach him at 868-9255 or [email protected].
What to knowRead the Fannie Mae
National Housing Survey at
http://bit.ly/1mvud4x.
Vincent Rosanova
A homeowner’s goal is to do everything possible to distinguish his or her home from all other competing properties on the market. It is common knowledge that a potential homebuyer might view up to 15 homes, or more, if he or she does not find one that is suitable. But homebuyers have also been known to decide on the first home they see because of a positive impression made upon them at first viewing.
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With the housing market recovery under way and interest rates low but on the rise, experts say now is a good time to buy a home.
While searching for a home can be exciting, it’s one step in the process. Determining your budget and assembling a team of specialists to help navigate the process can be just as important.
Here are some tips from Discover Home Loans to help make starting the search for your home as easy as pos-sible:
Lay a financial foundationPrior to searching for a
home, it’s important to get a handle on your finances. Obtain a copy of your credit report. Identify items that may affect your score and repair them.
Put together a framework to save money for a down payment, which can range from 3.5 percent to 20 per-cent of the total purchase price of the home, depend-ing on the lender and type of loan you choose. Establish
a budget and contribute to a high-yield savings account regularly. For convenience purposes, consider making automatic deposits.
Secure a mortgage banker
The next step is finding a mortgage banker you can rely on and have a rapport with. Look for one who will educate you about the loan process and help you make choices that best fit your financial situation.
Other important differen-tiating factors are choosing a mortgage banker who spe-cializes in purchase loans and provides fully underwritten preapprovals. It’s also impor-tant that your mortgage banker and real estate agent work as a team to determine the best loan solution for you.
Identify a budget range
Once you’ve found a mortgage banker, work with him or her to identify how much you can spend on your home. The best way to do that is to get preapproved for
a loan. A preapproval means you qualify for a particular loan amount based on your verified income and credit information.
Getting a fully underwrit-ten preapproval from your mortgage banker will give you confidence during the home shopping process. Plus, having a preapproval helps the seller take your offer seri-ously.
Find a real estate agent
Finally, find a real estate agent who specializes in your area. Ask friends and family for recommendations, or look for suggestions from a repu-table business.
Once you’ve found the home you’re interested in buying, notify your mortgage banker to finish the financing process.
Many more tips and home-buying resources are available online at www.DiscoverHomeLoans.com.
Source: StatePoint
Navigate home buying with easeBy (c) Andy Dean — Fotolia.com
Spring is in the air, so it’s time to give your home an exterior makeover and add curb appeal. A few simple tricks can help boost your home’s profile, and ensure visitors get a good first impression when they arrive on your doorstep.
Make a statement with your front door
Your front door is one of the first things people notice about your home. Is your door drab, drafty or just plain past its prime? Make a bold statement and improve your home’s energy effi-ciency with a new Energy Star-qualified front door. Consider options with decorative glass accents and stunning sidelights to add more natural light while maintaining a sense of style and privacy.
Accessorize with new hardware
Replace your front door hardware for a quick, easy facelift. Choose hard-ware finishes consistent with those of your home’s light fixtures, mailbox and house numbers to maintain a polished, cohesive look. You’ll be surprised what a difference new hardware on your front door can make in creating a posi-tive look and feel.
Refresh exterior and trim colors
Now is also the time to add a new storm door to help keep out the ele-ments, or to add a refreshing coat of paint on your existing exterior doors for a fresh look.
For a dramatic change, repaint your home’s exterior. You can also change trim color to refresh your home’s exterior impact. When updating trim, choose color schemes that match your home’s primary exterior color, or complement it with a fresh twist.
Accent with lightingFor night-time curb appeal and safety,
add a row of exterior accent lighting to illuminate a walking path with ground-insert solar lights. Or consider solar spotlights to bring out landscaping or architectural focal points. Install new matching light fixtures outside your front door, garage door or patio door to create an inviting feel and provide well-lit door-ways to greet you and visiting neighbors and guests.
Create points of interest with plants
Add pops of color by arranging pot-ted plants around your front door, or on a porch or deck. Incorporate planters or container gardens of varied sizes, shapes and colors to add visual interest. Also, planting flowerbeds along driveways and walkways gives your home a softer, more inviting feel.
Source: BPT
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By Jane Garrison
My weeds are gorgeous. They almost break into song at this time of year.
As I laborious-ly pulled them last weekend, I was marveling at their lush green texture and the bril-liant flowers of buttercups, dandelions and Dirty Robert. Good gardeners shouldn’t have this stuff in their yards, so don’t tell anybody.
As I looked at each plant, I thought, that’s a nice speci-men. What’s the big deal any-
way? These are lovely plants. If you’re near-sighted, a field full of dandelions can look like the sought-after wildflower mead-ow. Buttercups make a cheer-ful year-round groundcover, and Dirty Robert in dappled shade on the forest floor is so pretty it brings tears to your eyes. I suppose it could be its rank odor.
What’s wrong with people? Why do we pick on these poor plants and label them weeds?
The reason is simple. There are too many of them. Anything that repro-duces that easily is consid-ered a weed. They can take over a bed of perennials or a lawn while you’re at the grocery store. If you have them in your yard, many of
your neighbors know they’ll have to work harder to keep them out of their yards. They won’t like you for this.
Even worse are the nox-ious weeds like ivy, Scotch broom and blackberries, capable of smothering every-thing around them, includ-ing trees and natural habi-tats, turning large areas into a monoculture of one plant type. Even if you think they are pretty, tasty or whatever, they are considered a threat to our environment.
Before Columbus, nature was in good balance with intricate, varied plant com-munities, now impacted by huge areas of noxious weeds. To protect the environment from further deterioration, King County
has put them on the nox-ious weed list, which means we are not allowed to have them in our yards.
There are two ways to get rid of weeds that don’t involve chemicals — both hard to do.
q Root them out by hand, and then never let them grow again for three growing seasons. Without leaves, the roots can’t grow, so they die.
q Another method takes longer. Shade out some weeds with shrub or tree masses.
When you see shelf after
Weeds like it here, tooMaster gardener’s cornerWith Jane Garrison
Jane Garrison
Continued on Page 7
Whether personalizing a new home or revitalizing an old room, the start of spring is when newly imagined spaces could become do-it-yourself realities.
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to mean getting rid of everything in the garage. Familiar pieces showcased in a special way can be a con-versation starter.
Have an old bicycle you don’t ride anymore? Use its components to construct a unique piece of furniture. Create a rotating wine rack made out of a bicycle wheel. Or make a shelf and coat rack from a repurposed bicy-cle crank-set and handlebars.
Vintage and contempo-
rary design elements can create rustic contemporary looks. Consider gluing pieces of metal and wood together to construct an industrial-style coffee table.
Recycled wooden pallets and cable spools are trend-ing on Pinterest in 2014, as DIYers turn them into coffee tables, desks and wall art. For a quick and simple patio transformation, spray paint large, wooden cable spools
and use them as outdoor tables.
People are discovering new ways to make beauti-ful items more functional. That fabulous bench in your entryway may be storing winter coats in a secret stor-age space, but your guests never need to know.
Enhance storage by hanging an old door hori-zontally and attaching metal hooks to make an instant
mudroom by your entryway. Wire baskets glued to wood shelves become a great home for keys, shoes and outdoor accessories.
No time to build any-thing? Hang a shoe rack on the back of a door, and you have a perfect set of com-partments to hold supplies in any room.
Source: NewsUSA
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shelf of weed-killing chemi-cals in stores, it’s easy to think that they are OK to use. Most are not, and are a danger to habitats, the groundwater and the envi-ronment. Do your research and don’t just spray every-thing out of desperation.
Weed control is a daunt-ing task in our jungle, especially in a big yard. If you need help with tools, chemicals, safety hazards and environmental concerns, get a free copy of “Grow Smart, Grow Safe,” prepared by the Washington Toxics Coalition, (www.watoxics.org). Or check out the King County Noxious Weed Control Program (http://1.usa.gov/1i6EIuR). It can give you advice on your particular situation.
Jane Garrison is a local landscape architect who gardens in glacial till on the Sammamish Plateau.
Try these simple spring home decorating trends
From Page 6
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OK, don’t panic.If you’re one of those
homeowners who’s been moaning about how hard it has been trying to sell your house, your bargain-ing power — you remember that concept, right? — hasn’t been completely devastated just because a flood of new foreclosures is expected to hit the market as a result of the recent $25 billion “robo-sign-ing” mortgage settlement.
While studies have shown your own property value could take up to another 4 percent hit if you’re within a quarter-mile of a foreclo-sure ultimately snapped up at auction or taken back by the lender, the thing to remember is this: Most buy-ers today are only interested
in homes that are “move-in-ready,” so if yours isn’t ... well, there’s your problem.
So, which “fixes” are worth it, and which aren’t?
Worth it: Addressing major maintenance and safety issues. Would you buy a house with faulty electrical wiring? Enough said.
Not worth it: Major bath renovations. Whatever you do might not suit the buyer, and meanwhile, you’d have spent as much as tens of thousands of dollars. Stick to things like repairing cracked shower doors. Save your visions of a modern-day spa for your own new abode.
Worth it: Ripping up old carpeting. Whether you replace it with new carpets or refinish the underlying wood
floor is less important than getting rid of an eyesore.
Not worth it: Major kitchen renovations. Same “taste” issue as the bath issue above.
Worth it: Anything that enhances “curb appeal.” If the first thing prospective buyers notice even before exiting their cars is that your roof looks like it’s been whipped by a tornado, say, chances are you’ve already lost the sale.
Not worth it: Anything that screams clutter. The less of “you” there is, the more likely prospective buyers are to imagine themselves hap-pily living there.
Source: NewsUSA
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It’s time to start dream-ing of a spring home make-over. Sources of design inspiration, like Pinterest, are plentiful and can help make your home decor and reno-vation projects easy and fun. In fact, now is the season to gather ideas and get started.
Warm up to colorA fresh coat of paint is an
inexpensive way to transform a tired look into a vibrant vision. Choosing the per-fect shade is often the most time-consuming and nerve-wracking part of the process. Knowing this, paint manu-facturers are coming to the rescue and providing many new tools to help give you the color confidence you need.
Pick up small-size paint samples tinted in your favor-ite shades and apply directly to the walls you’re inter-ested in painting. These will help you visualize how the entire space will look before investing time and money on a large painting project.
Simple samplingOnce you have a sample
size of your perfect shade of paint, it’s time to test your hunch. Apply the sample paint on several walls. This will help you envision the color’s look in various light sources, both natural and artificial.
Be sure to check the paint-ed wall at different times of the day — giving you a truer
view of the end results. If you prefer, you can paint large white poster boards with your sample paint and move them around the room to verify your vision.
When testing multiple colors, avoid painting sample strips too close together as this might distort the appearance of the color. When you’re happy with a color selection, head to a local retailer to pur-chase the paint tinted in the quantities you need.
Size up your projectsThe fun doesn’t have
to stop with the walls. Try stenciling your favorite inspi-rational sayings or words of wisdom on your living room or office area walls. Another quick project is to use the samples to paint the trim on picture frames or mirrors to coordinate with your newly painted room.
Add some final touches
After you plan your painting projects, it’s impor-tant to prepare for the small details and finishing touches
that help bring everything together. Break out the hot glue gun, some of your favorite springtime silk flow-ers and bright ribbons to make a whimsical wreath for the entrance to your home. When April showers bring May flowers, you will already have the perfect entryway accessory to wel-come in the new season — and guests.
Whether entertaining friends and family or simply relaxing alone with a good book, having an outdoor oasis is crucial to enjoying warmer days and nights. To give your patio some pizzazz, why not create some decorative, weather-proof pillows or cushions? Utilize durable, all-weather fabrics in complemen-tary hues and patterns to achieve the lounge-worthy look you’re craving. This small sewing project will add a level of comfort and creativity to an otherwise boring patio set.
As the end of winter is upon us, it’s time to plan for spring home improvement plans. By conjuring up some great ideas for the upcom-ing season now, you’ll have more time to enjoy the beauty of the warmer months ahead.
Source: BPT
Now is the time to spring into DIY action with home-improvement ideas
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After a busy workweek, it can be hard to get moti-vated to complete chores and tasks around the house. And knowing what tasks to do and when to do them may not come intuitively for everyone. But neglecting home maintenance is a mis-take, experts say.
With this in mind, here are several examples of how to maintain your home and why it’s important:
Avoiding replacements
q Mineral deposit build-up in your refrigerator’s ice maker can eventually cause a leak that could damage the refrigerator and its contents. Clean water lines annually to prevent the need for a major appliance replacement.
q Lubricate your garage door for smooth operation and to delay the need for parts replacement.
Improving safetyq Lint build-up in dryer
ducts is flammable and a common cause of house fires. An annual cleaning eliminates this dangerous situation. You should also regularly clean your dryer’s lint filter, certainly after every couple of loads.
q Likewise, you can pre-vent fires with checks on electrical and gas equipment and fireplaces.
q Maintain the air quality of your home by replacing or cleaning the filters on your home’s heating system quarterly, or as needed.
q A regular schedule of battery replacement for your
home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors could be life-saving.
Reducing utility billsq Periodically ensuring
that your home is prop-erly sealed and insulated can lower utility bills. Use weather stripping to close gaps around windows and doors.
q On an annual basis, inspect heating and cooling equipment to ensure it’s running optimally.
q Ensure your fireplace damper closes and opens properly. When your fire-place is not in use, keep the damper closed to maximize your climate-controlled envi-ronment.
Improving valueA house in worn condi-
tion can lose 10 percent of its previous appraised value, whereas proactive main-tenance can increase the appraised value each year by 1 percent, according to the National Association of Realtors.
And you don’t have to invest a ton to improve your home’s value. Plenty of projects offer great returns on investment. This becomes especially impor-tant if your home is on the market.
From replacing elements of your home’s exterior to updating your kitchen, your real estate agent can offer suggestions for updates that can help you sell.
Source: StatePoint
Keep up with home maintenanceBy (c) iStockPhoto.com
Spring Home 15
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The benefits of having your own backyard veg-etable garden are plentiful, and can include significant lifestyle impacts, such as healthier eating habits, money-saving perks and more.
A relaxing, healthful hobby
Looking for a hobby that allows you to contribute to the health of your family? Take up gardening. Beyond producing nutritious foods, it can help you teach your family about local agricul-ture, all while basking in the tranquility of the great outdoors.
Though starting your own home garden can be intimidating, there are a few simple steps to get you started. Once developed, your garden can yield fruits and vegetables from early spring into the fall.
1) Do some research
Find out what veg-etables grow best in your area and when is the right time to plant and harvest. Many local university extension programs have this information readily available online. For each plant, consider the amount of water needed, how much sunlight is required and whether it should be started from seed or a
transplanted seedling.
2) Choose a good spot
Keep in mind vegetables need at least six hours of sun each day, so plant away from the shade of buildings, trees and shrubs. Planting close to your house may make you more likely to bring your harvest right into your kitchen, and will help you remember to weed and water.
Including rain and irriga-tion, your garden needs at least one inch of water per week. Make sure you can easily access a water supply nearby. Be sure to choose a level area of your yard so when watering it will not pool in lower areas.
3) Clear the area
Use your garden hose or a string to mark the area for proper placement of your garden. Use a sod lifter or garden spade, keeping the area level and removing as little topsoil as possible. Next, use a round point shovel to dig into the soil about 12 inches, breaking it up and removing clumps. To encourage proper drain-age and escape light freezes in early spring and fall, con-struct a raised bed by creat-ing a border with wood slats and filling in with soil.
4) Prepare the soil
Use a rake to create a
smooth finish and remove debris or stones on the surface. You may want to add manure, compost or soil additives to provide additional nutrients in the soil.
5) Plant your seeds
Determine whether you will be starting your plants from seeds or transplanting small seedlings. Be sure to research how much room each plant will need and plot the layout of your garden. Dig V-shaped fur-rows using a warren hoe or the edge of a garden hoe. Carefully distribute the seeds in the furrows evenly and in accordance with the instruc-tions on the seed packet. Cover the seeds, pat down gently and then water thor-oughly.
Source: Family Features
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Photos courtesy of Getty Images
Grow a bountiful backyard garden in five easy steps
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With spring cleaning sea-son soon upon us, people want to be out with the old and in with the new. During this time of transi-tion, garage sales abound as one person’s trash turns into another person’s treasure.
To host a successful garage sale, there are many things to prepare for and consider:
Time it right
Many neighborhoods schedule an annual date for all homes to participate and will promote the date on your behalf. If your neighborhood doesn’t set a date, consult your local newspaper for upcoming community events in order to plan around them. Some
say a weekend around the 1st or 15th of the month is most profitable, but if you’re competing with the town fair, live entertainment will trump your toddler’s toys.
Stage for a salePlan the layout of your
merchandise with custom-ers in mind. Staging similar items together, like chil-dren’s toys on a small table or electronic items near an outlet for testing, will help bargain hunters hone in quickly on items they want.
Organize for safe shopping
As rummage shopping trips are often family out-ings, make sure outdoor and garage items are secured
out of children’s reach and cords are tied up to reduce tripping hazards.
Be inviting, but cautiousGreeting guests as they
arrive offers a chance to quickly evaluate whom you’re letting near your home and valuables. Be available for questions they might have about mer-chandise, and reassure the quality of goods by allowing customers to test or exam-ine them before purchasing. Always monitor shoppers and keep an eye on higher-priced items, especially if they’re placed near the road.
Monitor your moneyWith all of the bargain-
ing and movement during a sale, cash can get lost in the shuffle — especially if you are conducting a group sale with neighbors or friends. Theft at garage sales is a common worry, so take precautions by counting and separating your quarters and bills before shoppers arrive. Secure the money in a safe and convenient place.
Source: First Alert
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With spring cleaning comes garage salesSpring Home
Get noticedTake out a garage sale ad with The Issaquah Press and get more
customers to your sale. Call 392-6434.
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