Monthly Newsletter

A Special Message

I am pleased to present you with the latest issue of Life@Home. Delivered to home buyers, sellers and owners on a monthly basis, this electronic newsletter is

designed to give you the real estate information that is important to you. In each issue, you will find practical tips and articles related to buying, selling or

owning a home, as well as the latest news on real estate trends. I hope that you enjoy this issue of Life@Home. If I can be of any assistance, please do not

hesitate to contact me.

Thinking of Renovating? What Improvements Give You the Most Bang for Your Buck?

When Robin Benedick remodeled the kitchen and bath in her three-bedroom, 40-year-old home in Hollywood, Fla., she wasn’t thinking about selling. She spent

about $40,000 to update the master bath and kitchen with new fixtures and neutral colors. “The changes we made were definitely worth it because they

improved the value of our house and upgraded it,” she says.

Turns out Benedick did exactly the right thing to not only make her house more comfortable but to improve its sales value in the future.

Updates make a house more marketable, says Michael Hydeck, a remodeler in Telford, Pa., and vice president of the National Association of the Remodeling

Industry. Buyers do not want to be inconvenienced by remodeling and prefer newer kitchens and baths, he adds.

According to Remodeling magazine’s 2008-09 Cost vs. Value Report, a midrange bathroom remodel will recoup 74.6% of its cost on sale—even more than a

bathroom addition, which nets only 63.5% of cost. A major kitchen remodel will recoup 76% of its cost.

With money tight, however, many homeowners can’t afford a major remodel. Still, experts say there are things you can do to update your home and improve its

ability to sell. Hydeck recommends cosmetic changes such as refacing cabinets, replacing countertops, tile or appliances, and painting.

According to Remodeling, improvements that improve a home’s energy efficiency also add to its value because buyers understand these updates will save

them money on their utility bills every month. As a result, replacement of vinyl siding will recoup 80.7% of its cost on sale, and wood window replacement will

recoup 77.7%.

Before you embark on a remodeling project, consult with a reputable local remodeling firm about construction costs—and call our CENTURY 21 Office to speak

with an agent who can tell you about home prices in the area.

Five Maintenance Issues Homeowners Shouldn’t Ignore

Sure, times are tough, and money is tight. It may be tempting to put off home repairs. And while it’s okay to rebuild your patio when you get that long-awaited

bonus, some repairs can’t be ignored because they can cause thousands of dollars in damage--or worse, they might affect your family’s health.

The June 2009 issue of Consumer Reports listed five “red flags of home maintenance” that need immediate attention--even in a bad economy.

1. Keep water away from the house. Gutters, downspouts and leaders collect rainwater and move it away from the house. Check the gutter system seasonally.

Also, make sure that soil slopes away from the house.

2. Inspect the roof. Use binoculars to spot damaged or missing shingles, and check for cracks around chimneys, skylights and roof valleys, all common sources of

leaks.

3. Keep bugs out. Termites and carpenter ants can do major damage, so inspect the exterior of your home for signs of their presence, and keep mulch, firewood

and shrubbery away from the foundation.

4. Avoid mold. Inspect the interior of the house for signs of mold. If indoor mold covers less than 10 square feet, you can treat it yourself with a bleach solution.

Professional help is needed for larger areas.

5. Seal foundation cracks. Hairline cracks can be filled with epoxy. For cracks wider than 3/16”, however, consider hiring a structural engineer to inspect. These

can be a problem.

Most Boomers Plan to Stay Put as They Age

According to a study released in April 2009 by the National Association of Home Builders, most Baby Boomers plan to stay in their current home as they age.

However, a growing number—over 1.2 million households, the study says—are choosing to move into age-restricted, active-adult communities.

Featured Listings

5 Sutcliffe Ave Lincoln, RI 02865

MLS ID: 942338

Wonderful home for 1st time homeowner/downsizer. Newer boiler, hot water tank, 200 amp service, updated EIK,

one car attached garage, fenced yard, freshly painted throughout.