3 Value Adding Landscaping Tips

It took long enough, but the spring weather is finally here!  The warm weather always makes me anxious to get outside and spruce up my yard.  Landscaping is a great way to get exercise, add curb appeal, and increase the value of your home.. talk about a productive activity!  Below are some tips to consider before getting your hands down in the dirt:

-          You want to redo your landscaping but aren’t sure on a budget, well consider this… About 10% of a homes value should be in its landscaping.  So let’s say you have a $200,000 house, about $20,000 of that value should be in the plants, walkways, trees, etc.  That $20,000 isn’t just product, also consider labor expenses. 

-          Okay I have the budget, but how big should I go? When designing the front of home, your landscape design should extend half the distance of the height of your home.  For example, let’s say you have a 30 foot Colonial, your landscaping should extend 15 feet from the foundation into the front yard.  A landscaped yard following these specs will add curb appeal and provide for a grand look.  

-          Curves and winding paths are in.. straight lines and rigid corners are out!  I come from a family of engineers and they find this concept hard to grasp. Having all your little shrubs in a row like soldiers does very little to add curb appeal. In fact it’s more barricading than inviting.  Create a more natural surrounding with bunches of flowers and a winding walkway.  Kidney shaped flower beds and soft curves create a more park-like setting. Experiment with pavers and add curves for a softer more welcoming feel.

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed or would like a professional I do have resources who can provide landscape designs and estimates.  Happy landscaping!   

Zillow To Add Rental Zestimate

I read a pretty interesting article today about Zillow offering a "Rent Zestimate."  Similar to their "Home Zestimate", the Rent Zestimate will provide an estimated monthly rent payment.  Based on the fact that 75% of tenants don't negotiate their rent, Zillow feels their Rent Zestimate will be fairly accurate.

This is going to be a great tool and resource for us as Realtors to use.  I know I sometimes have difficulty coming up with a rental price because the MLS isn't flooded with rentals.  I typically go to Craig's List to get a better idea of what an area is bearing for rental prices.  I'm looking forward to what Zillow has to say for our market area.

Top Immediate Energy Payback Projects

Everyone is looking to save money and energy these days and make their home more efficient.  The truth is buyers are also looking for these details in the homes they are seeking.  Here are a few tips to make your home more efficient, put more money in your pocket, and appeal to a wider range of buyers!

Projects with Immediate Payback (0 to 6 months)
Wrap the Water Heater Until you're ready to upgrade to a super-efficient, on-demand water heater (which costs about 25% less to operate than the big tank in your basement because it heats only the water you need), get the most from your existing one by covering it with a water heater blanket.  This insulated jacket fits over the tank to help reduce the gas, oil, or electricity that's required to keep hot water and at the ready.  You can install it in just a few minutes.  And while you're at it, insulate the first five feet of hot-water pipe after it exits the tank and the last five feed of cold-water supply before it enters the tank.  Together, these fixes will yield an immediate 15% reduction in the heater's operating costs.                      
COST: $30                                      PAYBACK: up to $50 per year.

Install a Programmable Thermostat Turning down the thermostat 7 degrees at bedtime will knock 10% off your heating costs, but who wants to wake up to a frigid house?  A programmable thermostat automatically drops the heat at night and cranks it up in the morning, so the house is warm before your alarm clock rings.  Program it to lower the heat again while you're at work and the kids are in school all day and you'll reap additional savings.  Best of all, many of these battery-operated units are easy to install yourself.  COST: $30 to $80                           PAYBACK: $100 to $250 per year

Seal Gaps and Cracks Check the attic floor and basement ceiling for gaps around pip and wire penetrations and fill them with insulating foam, such as Great Stuff, which expands to fill any void you find.  Check doors and windows for air leaks and seal with self-adhesive weatherstripping.                                   COST: $50 for all the Great Stuff and weatherstripping you'll need    PAYBACK: $100 to $250 per year

Use Compact Fluorescent Bulbs If you replace conventional incandescent light bulbs with CFLs, you can slash as much as 15% off your household electricity bills.  Look for bulbs with the highest Color Rendering Index you can find - generally in the low- to mid-80s, compared with early CFLs which scored about 70, and incandescents, which have a CRI of 100.                                                                               
COST: about $3 each; $60 to replace 20 bulbs, two-thirds of the bulbs in a typical house                 PAYBACK: as much as $10 a year for one high-use bulbs; $150-$170 a year for 20 CFLs

The BEST Italian Pastries in Connecticut

One of the greatest perks of being in sales is the ability to drive around the state and explore the wonderful mom and pop shops.  Being Italian I am a sucker for authentic homemade Italian pastries.  Lucky for me on my way back from a listing I took in Cromwell, I found Patty Cakes!

Patty Cakes is a truly authentic Italian pastry and deli shop.  They are located on RT 3 (948 Cromwell Avenue, Rocky Hill, CT 06067).  I was greeted by a friendly staff and was asked to sample their cannoli filling.  O-M-G! Hands down the creamiest, smoothest, richest, and best filling I have ever experienced.  Couple that with a fresh, crunchy cannoli shell.. you have a match made in heaven! 

In addition to purchasing 3 cannolis I tried a ricotta square and pistachio cake.  Both equally delectable in freshness and quality.  The ricotta square was sweet, moist and had morsels of chocolate chips in every bite.  The pistachio cake was unlike any cake I’ve ever had.  I was pleasantly surprised to taste that yummy ricotta filling in the cannoli in the cake!

Although I couldn’t contain myself in sampling before I snapped a shot, here is what the pastries look like. 

I HIGHLY recommend everyone tries Patty Cakes in Rocky Hill.  I know I will be there for their zeppoles on St. Joseph’s Day.  Happy eating!! :)

Top 5 Home Upgrades When Selling Your Home

Updating and upgrading your home can add value, but what repairs really recoup your investment?  Home sellers in the Greater Hartford area are facing the harsh reality of falling home prices.  One way to ensure top dollar for you home is to make small upgrades. Use this list as a guideline for investing into your home’s appearance prior to selling it to get the biggest bang for the buck. 

1. Vinyl Siding Replacement (85%) – Siding your home will run about $12,000 but you will recoup over $10,000 of the repair.  Remember, first impressions are EVERYTHING!  Ensuring your home has curb appeal will covert drive-bys into showings.  Also, vinyl siding in maintenance free, another plus for your potential home buyer. 
2. Minor Kitchen Remodel (79.7%) – A minor kitchen remodel generally runs about $23,000 with a recoup of $18,000 of the cost.  Here are a few tips to maximize your budget.  Reface old cabinets rather than purchase new.  Add new hardware to modernize the feel of your kitchen.  Splurge on glass backsplashes which add color and a luxurious feel. Thinner granite countertops with a beveled edge are a great way to add value without busting your wallet.  Look for mid-range appliances that mimic the high end.  If you have funds to only replace one appliance, go for the fridge and do stainless.
3. Garage Door Replacement (79.4%) – A new steel garage door runs about $1,400 and you will recoup about $1,100 of this expense.  Only replace the garage door if it is worn and tired looking.  Again, the garage door increases the curb appeal of your home.  Consider this repair especially if you have a front facing garage door. 
4. Wood Deck Addition (70.4%) – A wood deck in general will cost $12,000 and you will recoup about $8,700 of the investment.  This is a quick way to add outdoor living space; one of the hottest trends in real estate.  Consider wood over the composite materials.  Composite will run you about 25% more in the cost of materials and will only increase your return by about 4%.
5. Attic Bedroom Remodel (69.6%) – Building an attic bedroom (with full bath and living area) runs about $58,700 and will add an additional $41,000 to the value of your home.  Buyers are becoming more aware of homes with additional living space.  By 2008, 20% of young adults 24-35 years old are living in their parent’s home; up for 11% in 1980. This is one of the cheapest ways to add living space.

These are the top 5 home upgrades to consider when selling your home in Hartford or Tolland County.  This list was compiled from the National Association of Realtors in their annual Cost vs. Value Report.  To view the report in it’s entirety visit http://www.costvsvalue.com/  To have your property specific questions answered on a home upgrade for resale purposes contact Julie Tetreault at julieismyrealta@gmail.com

Best Home Upgrades When Selling

Cost vs. Value Report
Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the National Association of Realtor's webinar on cost vs. value.  Every year they publish a report based on the best home repairs and upgrades when selling.  The information was fascinating and I found to be very much in line with the trends here in CT.  In this buyers market, more and more of my sellers are looking for advice as to what improvements will give them the "biggest bang for their buck" while attracting the most buyers.  Here are some of the findings….

Nationally the best upgrade for a home was modifying an older, wood front door to a steel door with a 102% cost recoup; a project I have overlooked.   Typically when I critique a home, I’m going through the kitchen and baths with some fixup tips on light fixtures, hardware, and paint choices...never considering the front door.  The increase in curb appeal and savings in energy are what gives this repair high marks. 

I found the projects for my market area, Hartford, CT, to be fairly accurate with siding being the number 1 project, minor kitchen remodel the number 2 project, and a wood deck addition as the number 3 project. Although I don't have clients specifically requesting vinyl siding, it does improve the curb appeal and thus a client’s first impressions.  The first 10 seconds a buyer spends in your home will determine if they will purchase the home, therefore first impressions are critical.  Minor kitchen remodels I still believe are the best way to recoup an investment.  Between cabinet refacing, new hardware, updated light fixtures, and some neutral paint.. you can make a kitchen shine.  One trend of note is the use of glass back splashes, mid range appliances that mimic high end appliances, and thinner granite with a beveled edge are great ways to add luxury to a kitchen without adding price.

As they mentioned in the webinar outdoor spaces have become the new trend in real estate.  I couldn't agree more! Outdoor patios and kitchens this past year were big items on my client's list of "must haves." We installed a beautiful paver patio at our house this year. It's a great investment if you're staying at your house, but probably not the best investment if moving.

To read more about the survey and see how your area compares, visit www.costvsvalue.com.  For a specific question regarding an update to your home, contact me at julieismyrealta@gmail.com

Julie Tetreault
Wallace Tustin Tetreault Realty
www.MyRealta.com

Step by Step guide to buying a HUD home

With all the buzz of home affordability going up, you have decided to pursue buying a HUD home… now what? Purchasing a HUD home is slightly different than the conventional home buying process. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth transaction.

Step 1: Find a registered HUD broker.  Only a registered HUD broker may show you a HUD home for sale.  These brokers have access to the properties, disclosures, home inspection reports, and are well versed in the bidding process. 

Step 2: Now you’ve found the HUD home you want to buy, next is the bidding process.  Meet with your registered HUD broker to submit your bid via the internet.  The bids are opened at the same time each day with a preference going to the highest net HUD receives on a property.  If a house is listed to sell, it’s most likely in your best interest to bid list price or higher.  Consult with your registered HUD broker for advice.  

Step 3: Congrats! You’re offer has been accepted, now you have 48 hours to submit the hard copy paper work.  Your designated HUD broker will require from you the following: a copy of your driver’s license and social security card.  A certified bank check for your deposit in the amount of $1000 (or $500 if purchasing a house less than $50,000).  You will also be required to sign and initial the purchase and sales contract plus additional addendums.  It is imperative you submit the package to HUD in it’s entirety with NO errors, otherwise they can and will reject the offer and put it back on the market. 

Step 4: The waiting game… About 5 days later you will receive a package from HUD.  This will be your “closing packet.”  Here you will have the information of who to call to ask permission to setup inspections and begin the closing process.  If you are doing a home inspection you assume all risk and liability to any damage caused to the property.  You must also dewinterize and rewinterize the property after completing the inspection.  Utilities must also be placed in the buyer’s name.  Remember when buying a HUD home, it is sold “as-is.”  Therefore HUD will not make any provisions to complete any repairs. 

Step 5: The attorney orders the title search, you obtain your mortgage/bring cash and the house is yours!

It is easy to buy a HUD home for sale, but you want to make sure you’re protected and work with an agent who is familiar with the process. Julie Tetreault of Wallace Tustin Tetreault is a designated HUD broker and is familiar with the process.  Visit her website, www.MyRealta.com for more information or contact her with your HUD home buying questions, julieismyrealta@gmail.com

Coventry Lake Home For Sale

Are you looking to live by the lake year round?  If so, this lake house for sale in Coventry, CT offers the lifestyle you’re looking for.   Located within walking distance to Coventry Lake, this lake home for sale features a double lot with frontage on two roads.  Walk to the sandy beach and enjoy the private beach rights or kayak on Coventry Lake. 

Coventry, CT is a rural town of about 12,000 and is located in Tolland County.  The town offers historical sites, antique shops, two public beaches, and numerous boat launches.  Get the feel of the country while being within a commuting distance to the Hartford area.

Want to see more pictures of this 2 bedroom lake home in Coventry? Check out the photos below.  If you would like to know more about this lake home in Coventry, or other Coventry homes for sale, contact Julie Tétreault of Wallace Tustin Tétreault Realty at 860.539.0263. 

41 Lake Road COVENTRY, CT Cozy Bungalow just a short walk to the beach! 2BR/1BA Single Family House $144,900 Year Built 1940 Sq Footage 971 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking Unspecified Lot Size .29 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month Description Short walk to the lake from this cozy Bungalow! Spacious living room and enclosed front porch. Double lot with frontage on 2 road for possible subdivide. Cleared backyard with covered patio and storage shed. Newer thermopane windows and heating system. Property Features Central heat Hardwood floor Tile floor Living room Dining room Refrigerator Stove/Oven Washer Dryer Laundry area - inside Balcony, Deck, or Patio Yard Community Features Lake Other Special Features Oak Grove Subdivision Beach Rights City Sewer Additional Photos Exterior Front Exterior Back Backyard Patio with Pergola Walk to the beach! Contact Info Julie Tetreault Wallace-Tustin Realty REB.0788108 (860) 539-0263 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing