Are you Considering a Post Quarantine Move from you Home?
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The real estate industry right now is just like flying an airplane and building it at the same time. Can you picture how that looks for the passengers? The worry? The frantic study of the blueprints? The hunt for the right tools? The scrambling to get the parts to fit together? That is our new real estate reality, where we are recreating the way our entire industry does business. |
We are rewriting all the rules and learning all these new ways of doing things so that we can continue to operate, even in the midst of this health crisis.
The biggest challenge that we have faced during this COVID-19 pandemic in the real estate industry is how to safely show homes to potential buyers without risking the health of everyone involved. Agents everywhere have been creating their own showing procedures and here are our SAFE practices
So, what does S.A.F.E. Showing mean, exactly? Let me explain it to you.
Tom Stachler is a licensed real estate broker working in the Ann Arbor, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Ypsilanti and Milan realty market marketing homes, condos and commercial listings for sale. Looking to put your home, house or land up for sale. Contact us today.
20 Ways to Save Money and Stretch Your Household Budget
These days, it seems like everyone’s looking for ways to cut costs and stretch their income further. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce your household expenses without making radical changes to your standard of living. When combined, these small adjustments can add up to significant savings each month. Here are 20 things you can start doing today to lower your bills, secure better deals, and begin working toward your financial goals.
1. Refinance Your Mortgage - For prime borrowers, mortgage rates are at or near historic lows. Depending on your current mortgage rate and the terms you choose, refinancing could save you a sizable amount on your monthly payments. There are fees and closing costs associated with refinancing, so you’ll need to talk to your lender to find out if refinancing is a good option for you.
2. Evaluate Your Insurance Policies - If it’s been a while since you priced Home or auto insurance, it may be worthwhile to do some comparison shopping. Get quotes from at least three insurers or independent agents. Try bundling your policies to see if there’s a discount. And inquire about raising your deductible, which should lower your premium. 1
3. Bundle Cable, Phone, and Internet - You can also save money by bundling your cable, phone, and internet services together. Shop around to see who is willing to give you the best deal. If switching is too much of a hassle, ask your current provider to match or beat their competitor’s offer.
4. Better Yet, Cut the Cord on Cable - In many cases, you can save even more if you cancel your cable subscription altogether. An antenna should give you access to the major stations, and many of your favorite shows are probably available on-demand through a less expensive streaming service subscription.
5. Revisit Your Wireless Plan - You can often save by switching from a big brand to an independent, low-cost carrier. If that’s not feasible, ask your current provider for a better deal or consider downgrading to a cheaper plan.
6. Adjust Your Thermostat - Turning your thermostat up or down a few degrees can have a noticeable impact on your monthly heating and cooling costs. To maximize efficiency, change your filters regularly, and make sure your windows and doors are well insulated.
7. Use Less Hot Water - After heating and cooling, hot water accounts for the second largest energy expense in most homes. 2 To cut back, repair any leaks or dripping faucets, install low-flow fixtures, only run your dishwasher when full, and wash clothes in cold water when possible.
8. Lower Overall Water Consumption - To decrease your water usage, take shorter showers, and turn off the sink while you brush your teeth and wash your hands. If you don’t have a low-flow toilet, retrofit your current one with a toilet tank bank or fill cycle diverter. And irrigate your lawn in the morning or evening to minimize evaporation. 3
9. Conserve Electricity - Save electricity by shutting off your computer at night and installing energy-efficient LED light bulbs. You can minimize standby or “vampire” power drain by utilizing power strips and unplugging idle appliances. 4
10. Purchase a Home Warranty - While there is an upfront cost, a home warranty can provide some protection and peace of mind when it comes to unexpected home repair costs. Most plans provide coverage for major systems (like electrical, plumbing, and HVAC) and appliances (such as your dishwasher, stove, or refrigerator).
11. Outsource Less - From lawn care to grocery shopping to minor home repairs, we pay people to do a lot of things our parents and grandparents did themselves. To save money, try cutting back on the frequency of these services or taking some of them on yourself.
12. Prepare Your Own Meals - It costs nearly five times more to have a meal delivered than it does to cook it at home. 5 And home cooking doesn’t just save money; it’s healthier, cuts down on calorie consumption, and can offer a fun activity for families to do together.
13. Plan Your Menu in Advance - Meal planning is deciding before you shop what you and your family will eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It can help you lower your overall food bill, eliminate waste, and minimize impulse purchases. When possible, buy produce that is in season, and utilize nutrient-rich but inexpensive protein sources like eggs, beans, ground turkey, and canned tuna.
14. Plant a Garden - You can save even more on produce by growing it yourself. If you have space in your yard, start-up costs are relatively minimal. Gardening can be a rewarding and enjoyable (not to mention delicious) hobby for the whole family. And it could save you around $600 per year at the grocery store! 6
15. Review Memberships and Subscriptions - Are you paying for services and subscriptions you no longer need, want, or can utilize? Determine if there are any that you should suspend or cancel.
16. Give Homemade Gifts - Who wouldn’t appreciate a scratch birthday cake or tin of cookies? And if you enjoy crafting, Pinterest and Instagram are full of inspiring ideas. Show your recipient how much you care with a homemade gift from the heart.
17. Minimize Your Debt Payments - The best way to reduce a debt payment is to pay down the balance. But if that’s not an option right now, try to negotiate a better interest rate. If you have a good credit score, you may be able to qualify for a balance transfer to a 0% or low-interest rate credit card. Keep in mind, the rate may expire after a certain period—so be sure to read the fine print.
18. Get a Cash-back Credit Card - If you regularly pay your credit card balance in full, a cash-back credit card can be a good way to earn a little money back each month. However, they often come with high-interest rates and fees if you carry a balance. Commit to only using it for purchases you can afford.
19. Ask for Deals and Discounts - It may feel awkward at first, but becoming a master haggler can save you a lot of money. Many companies are willing to negotiate under the right circumstances. Always inquire about special promotions or incentives. See if they are able to price match (or beat) their competitors. And if an item is slightly defective or nearing its expiration date, ask for a discount.
20. Track Your Household Budget - One of the most effective ways to reduce household expenses is to set a budget—and stick to it. A budget can help you see where your money is going and identify areas where you can cut back. By setting reasonable limits, you’ll be able to reach your financial goals faster. WE’RE HERE TO HELP We would love to help you meet your financial goals. Whether you want to refinance your mortgage, save up for a down payment, or simply find lower-cost alternatives for home repairs, maintenance, or utilities, we are happy to provide our insights and referrals. And if you have plans to buy or sell a home this year, we can discuss the steps you should be taking to financially prepare. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation! The above references an opinion and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be financial advice. Consult a financial professional for advice regarding your individual needs.
Sources:
1. Insurance Information Institute - https://www.iii.org/article/twelve-ways-to-lower-your-homeowners-insurance-costs
2. Department of Energy - https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/water-heating/reduce-hot-water-use-energy-savings
3. Money Crashers - https://www.moneycrashers.com/ways-conserve-water/
4. Harvard University - https://green.harvard.edu/tools-resources/poster/top-5-steps-reduce-your-energy-consumption
5. Forbes - https://www.forbes.com/sites/priceonomics/2018/07/10/heres-how-much-money-do-you-save-by-cooking-athome/#2c53b2f35e54 6. Money - https://money.com/gardening-grocery-savings/
Using Modern Tech to Buy or Sell Real Estate
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With much of the country mostly staying Home, it's not your typical spring homebuying season. You might think social distancing has made it difficult to meet with lenders, view properties and sign paperwork, but fortunately that's not the case. |
In fact, prospective buyers and sellers continue to move forward with their housing needs and doing so with safety in mind.
While the process may look a little different, modern technology is making it possible and, in some ways, more convenient.
So how does it work?
Curbside & Video Closings: E-signing technology means there’s no need to meet in person to sign most of the closing documents, or any other paperwork needed for closings though many lenders still want "wet signatures" prompting curbside or reserved closing rooms.
So bottom line, the way we buy and sell homes may have changed for now, but it’s still an active and essential market. If you have any questions about making a move, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Tom Stachler and his team are always on the cutting edge of technology and marketing success. Check out this website for listings and more resources for the Dexter, Saline, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Milan and surrounding home purchase or listings communities.
You’d love to have a backyard pool but either can’t afford it or don’t have the time it takes to care for it. Aside from that, backyard space can also hinder the idea of having a pool installed. I have two words for you in situations like this: Spool Pool (small pool).
A spool is a hybrid pool of sorts, combining the words “spa” and “pool”, and as you might have guessed, it’s bigger than a spa or hot tub, but smaller than a traditional in-ground swimming pool. Spool pools give you the option to add special features such as high-powered jets, which give you that luxurious spa feel. Sometimes referred to as a “cocktail pool”, a spool pool can be anywhere from 10 to 16 feet long and 6 to 8 feet wide, providing plenty of room to stretch out, swim a few laps, or just cool off on a hot summer day — or evening — with friends!
One of the reasons for the growing popularity of “spools” is the fact that they don’t take up a lot of space, which means if you’ve got a small yard, you may still be able to have a pool — albeit a small one. You might not want to train for the Olympics in a spool pool, but you can still swim shorter laps for exercise, and it’s every bit as refreshing as a standard-sized pool on a hot, sunny summer day.
Another perk you get with the installation of a spool? You’re free to use the rest of your yard for other things, like a patio with room for dining or maybe even an outdoor kitchen. Even people with room for standard-sized in-ground pools are opting to go the “spool” route instead for that very reason, according to some owners of pool and spa companies.
Spools have spa-like features like water jets, and some even come with dividers so that you can use one part of your spool for swimming and one for lounging with a tall glass of lemonade or a cold beer, just as you would with a hot tub.
Adjust the temperature up for a spa-like experience, and turn it down if you want to cool off or do some aquatic exercising. This might be one of the best features a spool offers. Make a temperature adjustment and you won’t have to wait hours to notice the difference. The smaller size means that a spool heats up — or cools down — quickly and efficiently as compared with a standard in-ground pool. That also means you’re likely to extend your swimming season, too, since you can simply heat up your spool when the night air in the fall makes the water a little too cool to use comfortably during the day when the air temperature starts to heat back up.
With adding anything new to your Home, you want to make sure you do extensive research to make sure it’s the right move for you. Do not forget about permits as well. Keep in mind, they vary from state to state. But nonetheless, you’ll need one if you’re planning on adding a pool.
Before adding anything new to your home, there are always things to consider. Is spool pool the right move for you? It could be, if:
Adding a spool pool a great alternative to full-sized swimming pools, offering many of the same benefits without eating up the majority of your yard! Adding a spool will also jazz up your backyard during the summer months. With that, you’ll be the talk of the town and the most popular neighbor!
CHECK OUT THE OTHER HANDY Links THIS WEBSITE HAS TO OFFER
Watch our New Video Below
CLICK BELOW TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY Well we have all be hunkered down and keeping busy. Most have revived projects they have been meaning to get to, others like me seem to be busier than ever working from Home using digital applications like zoom and HouseParty to keep in touch with clients, associates, family and friends.
At times we get a little stir crazy finding new things to do and want to get out or dress up (out of our PJ's) and just go out for drive thru or carry out food or groceries etc so we don't go crazy and smother our spouse in the middle of the night in their sleep (just kidding) ...... perhaps you heard that joke already?
Maybe use the comments below to share your status or favorite home story after watching our new video below.
Tom Stachler is a State of Michigan Licensed broker and builder selling or marketing homes and condos in the Ann Arbor, Saline, Dexter, Ypsilanti and surrounding markets. Use the helpful resource Links in this website for real estate and community information.
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Answer: YES! And here's why now is a great time...
We've been in a "seller's market" for a few years now, meaning that there has been more demand from buyers than home inventory for sale. This means that many homes have had bidding wars, with multiple offers driving up prices and leaving many potential buyers with no home at all.
But that's not the case right now. Inventory is tight
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In addition to traditional SBA funding programs, the CARES Act established several new temporary programs to address the COVID-19 outbreak.
This loan program provides loan forgiveness for retaining employees by temporarily expanding the traditional SBA 7(a) loan program.
This loan advance will provide up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties.
Enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.
The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Displaying blog entries 31-40 of 279