When To DIY and When To Get Help

Homeowners can see expenses add up quickly. From home improvement projects to ticky-tack repairs, people are looking to avoid additional costs for their home. But what projects make sense to take care of on your own, and which ones need professional assistance? Here are some examples that will help guide your plans and know which projects to DIY and when to get help!

DIY Projects 

Clogged pipes

You can often fix these with plungers or commercial drain cleaning products.

Broken toilet handle

If your toilet doesn’t flush, remove the tank lid and see if the chain is detached from the lever.

HVAC maintenance

You can easily change your system’s filter yourself. 

Blown fuse

Simply throwing the switch in your circuit breaker could get your power back on.

New light switches

It’s fairly easy to replace a switch. Just make sure you turn off the circuit breaker before touching any electrical outlet. home improvement 101 When to DIY and when to hire help Trained Professional Required

Trained Professional Required

Major electrical work

Anything involving wiring can be extremely dangerous and should be left to a licensed electrician. ÄExtensive plumbing replacement— Replacing any fixtures can cause extensive flooding if not done properly.

VAC installation

Since these are some of the more expensive pieces of equipment in your home, don’t try installing units yourself, as it may void the warranty.

Remodeling Projects

Don't start knocking down or building new walls without discussing the idea with a maintenance or remodeling professional.

Do it yourself or Hire a Professional?  You have to make that call depending on your confidence.  I have many resources if you are in need of a plumber, electrician, or remodel contractor.  Feel free to reach out to me for a professional.  Or a move-in ready homes or new construction homes.  Please reach out to me for any help.  970-672-6069  Margaret Herdt at Turn Key Realtyhttps://www.turnkeyrealtyco.com/.

Homeownership! shelter, stability, wealth, and pride

Homeownership is not just a roof over your head! It represents shelter, stability, wealth, and pride! For decades, homeownership has been an important part of the American Dream!  It is the biggest investment you will make in your life.  But, it's also the most rewarding and exciting.

Times are uncertain right now but statistically, there are reasons you are better off as a homeowner vs a renter.  

Non-Financial Benefits

1. Educational Achievement: Homeownership has a positive impact on academic achievement, including reading and math performance in children 3-12 years old.
2. Civic Participation: “Owning a home means owning a part of the neighborhood.” Homeowners have a stronger connection to their neighborhood and are more committed to volunteer.
3. Health Benefits: Adjusting for a range of demographic, socioeconomic and housing-related characteristics, homeowners have a substantial health advantage over renters.
4. Public Assistance: The reports show 47% of homeowners use their home equity credit lines to help pay other debts, diminishing their need for public assistance.
5. Property Maintenance and Improvement: A well-maintained home not only generates benefits through consumption and safety, but a high-quality structure also raises mental health.
6. Pride of Ownership: This place is unique.  It's “yours.” You can customize it according to your likes and personality.

In addition to financial benefits, homeownership also brings significant social benefits. These not only pertain to the family, but extend to the communities, the state, and the country!

Financial Reasons - Buying a home is an investment in your future!

1. Appreciation: On average, home prices are appreciating annually at a rate of 3.6%. This helps to create a safety net.
2. Forced Savings: Your mortgage is like a forced savings plan! With each payment, you are reducing the principal of your loan.
3. Home Equity: Homeownership builds equity every single month. You can later use that equity to start a business, send your children to college, etc.
4. Net Worth: A homeowners’ net worth is 44x greater than renters! This gives you the financial freedom to invest.  
5. Stability: Rent prices are projected to increase by 2.3% in 2020! A fixed mortgage payment allows you to save for future projects and guard against inflation. According to the National Association of Realtors, after 6 years, you will be putting money in your pocket vs renting.  
6. Tax Benefits: The government has created tax benefits to encourage customers to purchase. (Talk to your CPA to see which benefits apply to you).

Statisticians/economists at the National Association of Realtors research these facts daily and have for centuries.  Don't put off having shelter, stability, wealth, and pride of ownership.  You deserve that to yourself.  

How Martin Luther King Day Relates to Federal Fair Housing

Today is Martin Luther King Day.  Celebrate Civil Rights and the Federal Fair Housing Act.

Five days after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr, the Federal Fair Housing Act was passed.  It essentially extended the same discrimination protections contained within the 1964 Civil Rights Act to the housing industry.

Within the Federal Fair Housing Act, those individuals (realtors, lenders, property managers, etc) who facilitate a housing transaction must adhere to the rules of this Act. 

The classes of people this act protects are:

• Color
• Disability
• Familia Status  
• Parents who have one or more children under the age of 18 living with them.
• Legal guardians who have one or more children under the age of 18 living with them.
• The designee of the parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of 18. This designation must have been made in writing by the child’s parent or legal guardian.
• A person in the process of being granted legal custody of a child under the age of 18.
• Pregnant women.
• National Origin
• Race
• Religion
• Sex

Examples of discriminatory housing allegations based on membership in a protected class may include, refusal to rent, unequal terms and conditions, discriminatory financing, failure to provide reasonable accommodation or modification for a person with a disability, refusal to sell, and retaliating against someone who has exercised his/her fair housing rights.  These are just a few examples.  

We've come a long way since Dr. King changed the world, but we still have a ways to go.  Discrimination still exists in our country, even in the housing industry.  If you feel you are a victim of Federal Fair Housing, you have one year to file a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Division

Here at Turn Key Realty, our agents have taken extensive training on Federal Fair Housing.  We pride ourselves abiding by the rules set for by National Association of Realtors and Federal Fair Housing.

Basement Remodel - What's Your Return

Basement Conversion to Living Area

I have sellers ask me all the time what they should improve.  Recently, I had a gentleman in Greeley, Colorado ask if he should finish his basement and will it be worth the expense.  According to the National Association of Realtor® Research Department, this is what they found.

Consumers’ Viewpoint After Completing the Project: 

• The top reason for doing the project: to add features/improve livability - 57 percent.
• Second most common reason: moved into the home and want to customize - 16 percent.
• Most important result: better functionality and livability - 52 percent.
• Eighty-one percent said they have a greater desire to be home since completing the project, 65 percent have an increased sense of enjoyment when they are at home, and 77 percent have a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project.
• Joy Score: 9.5 B

Seven percent of REALTORS® have suggested sellers convert a basement to a living area before attempting to sell, but only two percent said the project most recently helped cinch a deal for them, resulting in a closed sale.

Cost Recovery:

• NARI Remodelers’ cost estimate: $40,000.
• REALTORS®’ estimated cost recovered: $25,000.
• Percent of value recovered from the project: 63 percent.

So, as you can see it is more than likely not going to make the home sell faster but will give more enjoyment to the new buyer.  While you recover some of the costs it's not 100%

If you are interested in remodeling, I have contractors who are capable of finishing a basement.  Call me at 970-672-6069  Margaret Herdt Turn Key Realty 

Spend More Time in a Beautiful Kitchen - Kitchen Trends 2019

What better way to spend a snowy day, than in a beautiful kitchen and a home that you own and enjoy.  Oh sure, you can go out to eat and all of that, but when you have an amazing kitchen to cook in and family to share it with, why go out.  

According to Forbes the U.S. falls very close to the middle of the pack at 3 hours 27 minutes per day in the kitchen.  The majority of this work involves cooking and cleaning; overall, an average of 2 hours and 8 minutes per day are spent on meal preparation and clean up.  That doesn't leave us much time to eat and enjoy our food, family and friends.  Maybe you need an update?  Here are a few trends that are new for 2019.

Patterned Flooring

Patterned flooring is becoming a look for 2019.  Whether it is in the kitchen or bath, patterned floors can add so much character to a room.  You can add color, design, and an different feel to a room if your focal point is the flooring.  I would like to spend my time in this kitchen.  How about you? 

Another idea that is changing in the kitchen is:

Retro designs

Colored appliances and the retro look appliances are a hit right now.   Granted they are not like the real "ice boxes" of yesteryear but they have the look. 

Black and Gold 

Black and gold appliances with a matt finish are replacing the white kitchens of the last few years.  Stainless steel is also trending out.  A warmer feel to the kitchen is being designed to add a calmer "mood".

Remodel Costs

If you are thinking your kitchen needs an update then maybe a remodel might be in order. 

The cost to update your kitchen in Northern Colorado can be a little as $6,000 or as much or more than $27,000.  The benefits will out weigh the costs.  Your beautiful kitchen will be more enjoyable to be in and your return on investment can be as much as 80% depending on what you do. 

Your Northern Colorado Real Estate Resource 

Loveland, CO Walking Trails

Colorado is known for it's healthy people.  One of the great benefits we have in Loveland, is all of the walking trails and bike trails.  What better way to improve your health and see the sites of Loveland than by walking.  You can walk by a lake, look at beautiful homes, walk by parks, or enjoy the peace and quite of the foothills. 

Walking Trail Map

Most subdivisions in Loveland have a walking trail nearby or at least within a short drive.  22 miles of trails border the city.  One of my favorite is the trail by Horseshoe Lake and Boyd Lake.  It's so beautiful to look at the lake. You will also meet bikers and others walkers who will greet you with a smile.

There are many other paths around town that are not on this major route. They are smaller and pass through the subdivisions or parks.

Major Walking map of Loveland

Maps are available to pick up at numerous locations around the city, including the Loveland Visitor's Center, Boyd Lake State Park, Chilson Recreation Center, various bicycle shops, or at the Parks & Recreation administrative office (500 E. Third St., Suite 200). 

If you are interested in more information about the different kinds of trails and locations, go to the City of Loveland.

Move To Loveland

It's a great place to live.  Not only is it beautiful, but if you are looking for a healthy place to live or relocate to, reach out to me at 970-672-6069.  Turn Key Realty will help you buy the perfect real estate to stay happy and healthy.