Charlotte Real Estate & More

Seller Tips:  How Is the Insulation in Your Charlotte Home?

Now that fall is almost behind us, it’s a good time to get up in the attic and assess your insulation.  There may well be peaks and valleys in it that are less than ideal for keeping your Charlotte home comfortable and energy-efficient, especially if it’s been a while since your insulation was installed.

Don’t worry–it’s not a daunting task; insulation can easily be blown in over what you already have.  Blown-in cellulose insulation is a good option because it is also considered a “green” product, is highly effective and is less costly than fiberglass.  Here are a few benefits to adding cellulose insulation to your existing insulation in your home:

• Makes your home quieter.  Insulation affords soundproofing benefits.
• Pest Control.  Now you can get cellulose insulation that is also treated with boric acid, a safe insecticide that is effective against both types of termites and cockroaches.
• Prevents mold.  Boric acid is also effective against mold and mildew. This prevention is continuous after installation.
• Recycle while you insulate.  As they say, if you don’t buy recycled, you’re not recycling. Cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper and treated with a flame retardant for safety.
• Decreases air infiltration. Cellulose insulation outperforms fiberglass.
• Saves money. Of course, the main reason to insulate is to reduce the cost of heating and cooling your Charlotte home.
• Increases comfort. You’ll be surprised at how snug your home feels after adding to your insulation.
• Earns a tax credit.  (Saved the best for last!)  Note, this is not just a deduction. A tax credit is directly applied to the amount of tax you owe.  This credit is equal to 10 percent of the insulation cost (labor is not included), with a cap of $500.  This incentive expires at the end of 2011.

Added insulation is also a good selling point in these competitive times that is often overlooked as a ‘bonus.‘   Added insulation will continue to be a good investment in the future with increasing energy costs.

Looking for a home that’s already well insulated?  I can help you find it. Contact me today at (704) 491-3310 or Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com.

Read more: http://www.icharlotterealestate.com/how-is-the-insulation-in-your-charlotte-home/#ixzz1db6yuBtS

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

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Five Tips to Make Your Charlotte Home’s Bathroom Greener

No, this isn't about painting your bathroom walls green or adding green tile to your bath!  We’re all into being as 'Green' as possible these days.  Everything from recycling to lighting, we do everything that we possibly can to save our beautiful earth. We’ve considered ways to save in our kitchens but, what about our baths?  Let’s look at a few ways that you can make your Charlotte home’s bathroom more eco-friendly.

Here are some tips on saving water and more in your home baths:

• Turn down the water heater. Hot water heaters use nearly 20 percent of the average Charlotte home’s energy. Most manufacturers preset hot water heaters at 140 degrees. Reducing water temperature by 10 degrees saves 3 to 5 percent in energy costs. In most cases 120 degrees is perfectly comfortable.
• Fix the toilet. A leaky toilet wastes unimaginable amounts of precious water. In addition, toilets made before 1990 use an average of 3.5 gallons with every flush.  (Low-flow models use as little as .8 gallons.) But you don’t have to replace your toilet to save. To retrofit an old toilet, opt for this free fix and save ½ gallon per flush: Fill an empty 2-liter bottle three-quarters full with sand or stones; fill the rest with water and place it in the tank as far from the valve as possible.
• Don’t use commercial drain cleaners.  Common drain cleaners contain lye, hydrochloric acid and trichloroethane—toxins that corrode the plumbing in your Charlotte home’s bathroom and linger in the water supply. For a safe alternative, use this easy method: Pour ¼ cup baking soda down the drain followed by ½ cup vinegar. Cover tightly until the bubbling stops and flush with a gallon of boiling water. Repeat if necessary.
• Replace or upgrade your old faucet. Faucets account for more than 15 percent of indoor household water use, so reducing their flow (by up to 30 percent) with WaterSense-labeled products will amount to huge savings. If you don’t want to replace your old faucets, you can achieve the same water savings with very inexpensive faucet aerators.
• Use recycled toilet paper.  According to Greenpeace, Americans could save more than 400,000 trees if each family bought a roll of recycled toilet paper—just once.

Want to buy a home that already has a green bathroom? I can help. Give me a call today at (704) 491-3310 or email me at Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com.

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

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4 Charlotte Home Remodeling Myths Debunked

Home improvement shows tell you that you can add $20,000 to $40,000 to the value of your Charlotte home by doing a simple remodel on virtually any room or outdoor space.  While you can get a return on your investment for most remodeling projects, the increase to your home value is not always as high as the home improvement shows claim.

Myth #1:  If you put $20,000 into a kitchen remodel, your home’s value will increase by $40,000.

Fact:  The average kitchen remodel costs $40,000.  This is on a mid-range remodel, not a high-end remodel.  The average return you can expect is 80 to 95% or about $36,000 on a $40,000 remodel.

Myth #2: Updating a bathroom can add as much as $20,000 to your bottom line.

Fact:  The average bathroom remodel will net about a 70% return.  To gain the type of return some of the home improvement shows claim, you would need to add another bathroom to your Charlotte home.

Myth #3:  Hardwood floors return 100% of the money you invest in them.

Fact:  Hardwood will get you a big bang for your buck, but not every buyer wants the upkeep associated with hardwood.  Children and pets can be tough on wood floors.

Myth #4:  Adding an outdoor space will be counted as living space when you resell.

Fact:  Although outdoor space is wonderful, it is not considered living space by appraisers.  According to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the living space or square footage that counts in a home appraisal is the space above grade (ground) that is finished (has walls, floors, and ceilings), heated from the same source and all connected.  However, adding this space does give you a hefty return on investment.

For help on what to do to improve the resale value of your Charlotte home, give me a call at (704) 491-3310 or email me at Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com.

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

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Give Your Dad’s Charlotte Home the Gift of Renovation this Father’s Day

Today’s buyers generally want modernized, updated properties. In a lot of markets, features like stainless steel appliances and granite countertops are almost expected, especially in higher price ranges. As your Father’s Day gift this month, help your dad add value to his Charlotte home.

Five renovation tips that are great gifts and will increase value:

1. Windows and doors - Almost any upgrade to windows, exterior doors or the garage door will add value to a property and increase its security. However, if you want to make a big impact, splurge for energy-saving windows. These will be especially appealing to buyers looking to lower their carbon footprints and those looking to lower their utility bills — which is everyone!
2. Curb appeal – The outside of a house is the first thing buyers see, so it makes sense to spend money to keep it looking its best. With a few new plants, a hedge trimmer, a paintbrush and a shovel, even the most inexperienced DIYer can make a significant impact on a property’s curb appeal.
3. Kitchens and baths - Everyone uses them daily and would like them to be as nice as possible. Any money spent updating the kitchen and bathrooms will see a positive return when your Dad decides to sell his Charlotte home.
4. Don’t overdo it – Almost everyone wants granite counters, but maybe you live in a laminate neighborhood. Don’t spend so much on updates that your house is far and away the most expensive per square foot in the neighborhood. As a general rule, it’s always hard to sell the most expensive property on the block.
5. Sweat the small stuff - A few bucks spent on new light switches, faucets and doorknobs can go a long way to improving the look of a house, without any major investment.

Would you like more renovation ideas that would make great Father’s Day gifts for your Dad’s Charlotte home? Give me a call today or email me.

Read more: http://www.icharlotterealestate.com/give-your-dad%e2%80%99s-charlotte-home-the-gift-of-renovation-this-father%e2%80%99s-day/#ixzz1PhXY7EpH

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

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Projects that Don’t Add Value to Your Charlotte Home for Sale

We’ve discussed projects to do to your Charlotte home for sale that will add value when you ultimately re-sell.  Now, there is no simple way to discover which home-improvement projects will truly yield the highest return when you’re ready to sell your home.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder even in house hunting!  There are many variables that come into play such as the state of the real estate market when you put your Charlotte home up for sale, how old your home is, and the style of your home.  

Here are several costly projects to pass up if you want to get the biggest bang for your buck in Charlotte home renovation:

Extravagant Landscaping

Buyers expect a well-maintained yard; they don't expect the home's value to increase because of it. Beautiful landscaping may encourage potential buyers to take a closer look at your Charlotte home for sale, but it most likely will not add to the selling price.  If a buyer is unable or unwilling to put in the effort to maintain an elaborate garden, it becomes a negative feature rather than a positive one.

Swimming Pool

A swimming pool seems like fun to have, but can actually be more of a hassle than a pleasure. Many potential buyers consider swimming pools very expensive and time consuming to maintain.  Buyers may say no to an otherwise perfect house if it has a pool. Or, they may include in the contract a stipulation that the seller has to take down an above-ground pool or fill in an in-ground pool, at their own expense, before closing. 

High-End Upgrades

Buyers don’t want to see the absolute cheapest renovations in a Charlotte home for sale, but they also don’t want to pay more for the highest-priced upgrades that they don’t need.   Marble countertops in a kitchen and a built-in sauna in a bathroom are nice, but unless you have a high-end home in a high-end neighborhood, don’t expect to get your money back from these upgrades.

Don’t spend thousands of dollars on a home-improvement project that will not increase your home's value when it comes time to sell.  Do spend money on projects that will make your home a wonderful place to live in now and that may increase the selling price when you’re ready to sell.  We're happy to offer a free consultation regarding home improvements as well as a list of Charlotte contractors for you to interview.

Are you ready to sell your home?  I can help.  Give me a call or email me today.

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

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Hiring the Best Contractor for Your Charlotte Real Estate Project in Four Easy Steps

Whether you need a contractor for a minor plumbing project or a major project like a room addition, it’s important to evaluate potential contractors before hiring them.  Here are 5 easy steps to finding the best contractor for your Charlotte real estate project:
Get multiple quotes.  Even in emergency situations, such as a toilet overflowing onto your hardwoods in the living room, take the time to get 2 or 3 estimates.  Haste can cost a lot more than the hardwood replacement in your Charlotte real estate.

1.  Check references.  Ask the contractors who you interview for a few customer references.  Talk with the former clients of the contractor you’re considering.  Ask what it was like working with the contractor.  Two of great questions to ask are:
What was your favorite thing about the contractor? 
What was your least favorite thing about the contractor?

2.  Call the insurance and licensing board.  Confirm that the contractor you’re thinking about hiring has adequate and current liability coverage and a current license.  Just asking the contractor is not sufficient.

3.  Search for complaints.  Search online on the company name plus the word “complaints.”  It’s often surprising what you’ll find.  Also, check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been registered with them and confirm their current grade with the BBB.

4.  Negotiate a maximum hourly rate.  If the job goes quickly, you won’t pay what could be a higher estimate.

I know it’s easier to just hire the first contractor who returns your call.  Although it speaks volumes when the contractor promptly returns your call, don’t hire the first one who does!  Taking the easy way out can cost you hours, days or weeks of frustration and hundreds of dollars.

Need the name of a professional contractor for your Charlotte real estate project?   I’ve worked with several great contractors and would be happy to give you some recommendations.  Give me a call today at (704)491-3310 or email me at Debe@DebeMaxwell.com.

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

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New Year Projects:  Five Renovation Ideas that Increase the Value of Your Charlotte Home

Whether you’re planning on selling soon or just want a comfortable home to live in now, or a New Year project to undertake, here are five projects that increase your Charlotte home’s comfort and value:

Unveil hidden hardwood floors:  Is there hardwood flooring hiding beneath your Charlotte home’s carpet?  If you're not sure, pull up the carpet in an unnoticeable corner and investigate; this can easily be done with a flat head screwdriver.  If you find wood floors, you’ll probably need to refinish them, but that’s a lot less expensive than installing new hardwood flooring.

Install flooring in your bathroom:  Installation is typically the most expensive part of this home improvement, so if you can do it yourself, you’ll save quite a bit of money.  Choosing a neutral-colored tile adds the most value.  So, head out to the DIY store, take a class on how to install tile yourself and if you feel comfortable, here’s your project!

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

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Home Maintenance 101:  Fall Checklist

The leaves are beginning to change color, nights are getting cooler and pumpkins are now beginning to grace the porches all across Charlotte.  All signs are pointing to the fact that fall is here!

As a homeowner, that means it’s time to begin your fall preventative maintenance on your Charlotte home.  To help you get started, here’s a quick checklist:  

• Have a professional heating contractor inspect your Charlotte home’s heating system.   An annual furnace inspection ensures that your heating system is operating at peak efficiency and most importantly that it is running safely.

• Replace your furnace filter.  Furnace filters need to be replaced frequently to allow your heating system to operate properly.  A dirty filter actually makes the system work harder to pull air through the vents, causing premature aging of your system.

• Hire a certified chimney sweeper.  Have the sweeper/cleaner inspect your wood burning stove or fireplace and clean the chimney.

• Prepare your pipes.   We had more burst pipes in Charlotte last year than ever before!  We rarely had issues with ruptured pipes before but, because we were so unprepared last year, there were major issues all across the city.  Nationwide, approximately 250,000 families have their homes ruined due to water pipes that freeze and burst.  Prepare your pipes, both inside and outside, before the cold weather hits.  Caulk around pipes where they enter your home.  Insulate pipes in unheated areas.  If you have a separate valve for outside faucets, shut it off.  If you don't have a separate valve to turn off outside faucets, wrap outside faucets or hose bibs.

• Check your home for water damage.  Inspect your home for water stains on the ceilings or leaks under the bathroom and kitchen sinks.  Minor water damage may seem trivial, but can lead to real problems, including a weakened roof, rotten boards and/or flooring and even mold issues.

• Tend to your garden tools and equipment.  Empty the gas out of your lawn and garden equipment.  This removes flammable liquid from your garage/storage shed.  Drain water from garden hoses and sprinklers.  Clean shovels, hoes, trowels and spades.  Take your lawn mower and gas-powered equipment in for servicing so that they’re like new and ready for the spring.

• Inspect your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.  Replace batteries and clean the alarms if needed.

• Examine your caulking.  To prevent water from seeping into the sub-flooring, inspect and repair the caulking around your bathroom fixtures.  To reduce heat loss, inspect and repair the caulking around doors, windows and outlets.

Want more home maintenance tips like these?  Subscribe to my blog now.  It’s free, fast and easy.  Or, email me, and I’ll set up your free subscription for you.

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

Disclosure of material contained within.

Winter Home Maintenance Tips for Homeowners in Charlotte NC

Now that the holiday decorations are all packed nicely away, it's time to do a little home interior maintenance.  While you're 'stuck' indoors for a couple more cold winter months, you may as well address the interior maintenance so you're free to head outdoors as soon as spring arrives!  Here are a few items that are quick fixes to stay on top of home maintenance:

• You're cleaning out you 2009 files anyway, be sure to check your home appliance warranties--if they're about to expire, negotiate a new contract with your provider.  This is one warranty that I will never be without during the first 5 - 7 years of ownership--they're worth their weight in gold!
  
   
  
  
  

• If your appliances have seen better days and you know you'll soon be in the market for a new one (or two), home imporvement and appliance stores tend to bargain price last year's models this time of the year.  Check the 'scratch and dent' areas too--chances are the scratch or dent is in an area that is not visible once the appliance is installed.  These can generally be found at steep discount prices.
  
  

• Do you have photos of the interior items in your home for insurance purposes?  Should you suffer a natural disaster or an accident in your home, it's nice to have photos of each item of value to you.  A video works just as well.  File the photos or video away in your fireproof safe or in your safety deposit box.
  

• Mark you calendar for routine maintenance for the upcoming months--- the HVAC will need to be serviced in early spring.  Negotiate your contract with your HVAC provider. 
  

• Be sure to have plenty of air filters on hand--buying in quantity is less expensive in the long run and remember to change them every 30 days. 
  
  
  

• Got a squeaky floor?  Locate the origin of the squeak and use a galvanized finish nail or screw to secure the floor to the joist.  You can do this whether you have access to the floor or not.  If you don't feel comfortable doing this yourself, I'll bet your handyman would be happy to do this for you!
  
  
  
  

• Where's that knob?  Did the drawer pull come right off when you were serving Thanksgiving dinner?  These things happen at the WORST times, don't they?!  Well, take one to the home improvement or specialty store and find it's match.  Are you feeling creative?  Is that bathroom in need of a little pick-me-up?  Why not change out ALL of the knobs?  It could be an inexpensive fix for a whole new look in your bathrooms or kitchen.

• It's COLD outside!  Homeowners in Charlotte NC are worried about ruptured pipes more than we've ever worried!  Be sure that your pipes are wrapped or that you leave a faucet dripping if you're going to be away for any length of time.  Ruptured pipes can happen even if you're home but, here are a few good tips for preventing burst pipes.

Now, snuggle up by the fireplace with a good book and enjoy the winter!

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

Disclosure of material contained within.