Moving: How to Hire the Pros

Have you ever noticed how busy your friends and family members become on your moving day? Can you blame them? Moving is tough, manual labor. The only reason that folks might be willing to help is in the hopes you'll reciprocate when it's their turn to move.  Being able to round up enough people to help with the move is just one consideration when determining whether to hire a moving company or just do it yourself. Here are a few other considerations:

• Time: How much time do you have to devote to the move? If you're relocating because of a new job and you're on a time crunch, professional movers will save you a lot of time.

• Distance: How far away are you moving? Interstate moves involve a lot of driving with possible overnight stops along the way. Do you feel safe leaving your belongings in the parking lot overnight?

• Money: If you're on a tight budget, a full-service mover may be out of the realm of possibility for you.

Types of Moving Companies

Moving companies have evolved from the days when the massive truck pulled up to the house and loaded pre-packed boxes and furniture for the move to a new location. Today, you have a number of choices to consider when hiring moving assistance:

• Pack it yourself and hire professionals to load and deliver.

• Hire professionals to pack, load and deliver. Some companies offer unpacking services as well.

• Hire a professional with a truck. You pack, you load and he drives.

Of course, like most things in life, the more services you desire, the more you'll pay.

Choosing a Moving Company

Finding the right moving company for your needs is probably one of the most challenging aspects of the moving process. Ask friends, colleagues and family members for a referral. If that doesn't work, the National Association of Realtors® suggests that you choose a mover that is a member of the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA).

Interview representatives from several companies and ask lots of questions:

• Ask about the moving company's responsibilities if items are damaged while in their care.
• Are employees bonded?
• Verify the mover's license.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints against the company.
• Don't accept telephone quotes. The only way to get an accurate quote is for the mover to assess your situation in person.
• Ask for an itemized breakdown of all fees the company charges and explanations of any that you don't understand.

Federal law requires movers to supply you with the booklet: "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move." In it you will find information about your mover's responsibilities and how to make the move go smoothly.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) warns consumers to never sign a mover's blank documents. These papers are binding contracts and should be read thoroughly before signing. If there are blanks, other than one for the weight of your items, line them through or refuse to sign until the blanks are filled in.

For help with choosing a mover and information on how to protect yourself and your belongings during the move, visit the DOT's website.

Looking to browse homes currently for sale in your area for free? Visit WheatonHomes4Sale.com now and start today!

Information and real estate service provided by Katie Oakes at Keller Williams Premiere Properties for Wheaton Homes For Sale.

Considering Kitchen Layouts

The single-guy-who-nukes-his-dinner-every-night crowd probably doesn't care about a good kitchen. To the rest of us, the kitchen can make or break a real estate deal. To a lot of people a kitchen isn't just a room in which to prepare meals. It's a homework area, a place to sit with a neighbor over a cup of coffee, and, in the case of the country kitchen, an area where the family gathers to share the day's stories. If you're not that single guy with a microwave, evaluating kitchens will be an important aspect of your house hunt.

Classic Kitchen Design: The Work Triangle

One element of classic kitchen design remains constant throughout the years: the work triangle. The triangle's three points are the refrigerator, the oven and the sink, and its purpose is to ensure efficiency and good traffic flow.

To picture the triangle, consider how you work in the kitchen. When preparing a meal you move between the refrigerator, the stove and the sink. Good kitchen design places these elements in a triangle. Which element is at the apex of the triangle depends on the kitchen's layout. There are four distinct kitchen layouts, and within each of them the work triangle remains a constant: the galley, the "L" shape, the "U" shape and the "G" shape or peninsula.

Within the kitchen triangle there should be an area for food preparation, such as a cutting block, counter or island.

While the work triangle is a well-known aspect of kitchen design, many kitchen layouts either ignore it or have a deeply flawed triangle. When you're looking at a kitchen, keep the work triangle in mind. Even small kitchen layouts can be functional and practical if the work triangle is properly integrated.

Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets play a dual role in the kitchen. They are both functional and, hopefully, decorative. Deep cabinets are ideal for storage of seldom-used and oversized items, while shallow cabinets work best for small, frequently used items, such as spices. When viewing a house you're considering purchasing, take a look inside each kitchen cabinet with an eye toward whether it will accommodate your kitchen equipment.

The location of kitchen cabinets is also important. You should be able to reach the pantry and cooking supplies without having to deviate from the kitchen work triangle.

Kitchen Design Extras

A number of features are wonderful surprises when house hunting, even if they're not essential to kitchen layouts:

• Breakfast nooks
• Fridges and dishwashers disguised by cabinetry
• Garbage disposal units
• Kitchen islands
• Recessed lighting
• Big pantries

Lighting can Enhance Kitchen Layouts

Avid cooks understand the importance of good lighting in the kitchen. Homebuyers, on the other hand, seem to give it a cursory glance. If you cook, even if it's just family meals, good lighting is essential. Turn on the lights – all of them. Try to picture the room as it will be at night, while you're cooking dinner. If the light is insufficient, is there a way to add more light? Some of the big-box department and import stores carry inexpensive under-counter lighting that you can install with just a screwdriver.

Information and service provided by Katie Oakes with Keller Williams Premiere Properties. Start your home search now at WheatonHomes4Sale.com to view the official listing information and pictures for homes listed for sale in your area.

Glen Ellyn Homes For Sale: Market Update October 2012

PRICE TRENDSThe median list price in October for single family homes in Glen Ellyn is$429,900. The list prices dropped by-6.31% from the previous month. The price per square foot for listings in this area is $198. The median sale price in July for single family homes is $400,000. The sale prices dropped by -10.61% from the previous month.  The price per square foot for sales in this area is $173.

MARKET INVENTORY TRENDS
The number of active listings in Glen Ellyn dropped by 3.3% from the previous month. The median number of days active properties have been listed is 82. This is significantly shorter than the national average. The number of sales in July dropped by 60% from the previous month.

PROPERTY OWNERSHIP TRENDS
The percent of unoccupied properties is very low in Glen Ellyn. It is -9.51%below the national average. The percent of owner occupied properties in Glen Ellyn is 10.28%above the national average.

Browse official listing information and pictures for homes listed for sale in Glen Ellyn. Not looking in Glen Ellyn? Just visit WheatonHomes4Sale.com now and start a search in your area!

Services and information provided by Katie Oakes with Keller Williams Premiere Properties in Glen Ellyn, IL.

Carol Stream Homes For Sale: Market Update September 2012

The inventory of homes for sale in Carol Stream has been contracting over the past months and from September 2011 to September 2012 homes listed for sale have decreased by 16.6%. Over the same time frame homes under contract and pending sale are up by 114.1% and homes that have sold have increased by 39.3%. 

The median price of homes in Carol Stream have also been experiencing some noticeable changes from September 2011 to September 2012. Homes that are selling now are selling at a 52.5% increase from a year ago while homes that are just being listed for sale now are up 21.7% higher than they were from last September.

The shrinking number of homes on the market along with other indications of prices having hit bottom in the past few months signify a turn around in the housing market, and specifically in Carol Stream. Take advantage of these rock bottom prices while they are still around and visit WheatonHomes4Sale.com to start searching for available properties right now! CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL THE HOMES FOR SALE IN CAROL STREAM

Learn more about Carol Stream including community information and data regarding the local schools in Carol Stream here.




Information and services provided by Katie Oakes with Keller Williams Premiere Properties.

Wheaton Homes For Sale: Market Update September 2012

The inventory of homes for sale in Wheaton has been contracting over the past months and from September 2011 to September 2012 homes listed for sale have decreased by 12.6%. Over the same time frame homes under contract are up by 105.2% and homes that have sold have increased by 74.2%. 

The median price of homes in Wheaton have also been experiencing some noticeable changes from September 2011 to September 2012. Homes that are selling now are selling at a 5.6% increase from a year ago while homes that are just being listed for sale now are up 18% higher than they were from last September.

The shrinking number of homes on the market along with other indications of prices having hit bottom in the past few months signify a turn around in the housing market, and specifically in Wheaton. Take advantage of these rock bottom prices while they are still around and visit WheatonHomes4Sale.com to start searching for available properties right now!




Information and service provided by Wheaton Homes For Sale and Katie Oakes with Keller Williams Premiere Properties

Buying Vacation Home Properties: What You Need to Know

Ah, the vay-cay! We work for it, we live for it -- typically fifty weeks of the year. When the time finally rolls around, many Americans have their own slice of heaven in which to spend their well-deserved time off: a vacation home. Whether it's a cottage by the beach, a house in the mountains or a condo on the Las Vegas Strip, it begs you to unpack and relax.

If you're thinking about buying a vacation home, there are some things you should consider.

Buying a Vacation Home Means Managing two Mortgages

If you're not a member of the 1 percent, you may find that managing more than one mortgage is challenging. Your vacation home should be a haven, not a place that stresses you out because it costs so much every month. So, before considering the purchase, make sure that you can comfortably afford the extra payment every month.

"The basic rule of thumb is that your housing costs - including those for your primary home - should be a third of your overall income," cautions Jay Mastilak, senior vice president for PNC Investments. Housing costs, as most homeowners know, add up to more than a mortgage payment. You'll want to consider all of the costs listed below as part of the total cost of your vacation home.

Up-Front Costs of Buying a Vacation Home

Think back to when you purchased your primary residence. Remember the piece of paper they handed you at the closing table? You'll get another one when you close on the vacation home, itemizing just how much it cost to purchase the home, above and beyond the purchase price. Closing costs are a bear, as any homeowner will attest. These include:

• recording fees
• loan origination fees
• credit report fee
• title insurance premium
• private mortgage insurance
• points
• homeowner's insurance
• escrow deposits
• miscellaneous fees

Many of these expenses can be avoided if you pay cash for the purchase, according to the experts at the University of Rhode Island.

Ongoing Expenses of Owning a Vacation Home

Aside from a monthly mortgage, other costs you'll likely incur include:

• annual condo or homeowners association fees
• annual property taxes
• insurance
• landscaping costs
• maintenance costs
• security during the off-season
• travel costs
• utilities

Maintenance fees may be particularly high on homes that are very old, very large or have pools or other amenities that need regular attention.

Vacation House Rentals: Renting Your Second Home

One way to offset the cost of your second home is to find a tenant to rent your home while you're away.

If you want to let out for a substantial portion of the year, you'll have to take taxes into account. U.S.-based homeowners must adhere to a "14-day Rule" that states a vacation home can be rented out for up to two full weeks without being taxed. Any longer, and the rental income is subject to federal income tax.

If you are considering renting out the home, don't forget the obvious risks of opening your home to tenants, such as wear-and-tear or trouble collecting rent. And you'll want to calculate how long of a period you will need to rent the home to cover costs: Christine Hrib Karpinski, author of "How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner," reports that in most places, vacation homes need to be rented out at least 15 weeks out of the year for a homeowner to break even.

Overall, one of the biggest considerations when purchasing a vacation home is determining if you can afford it. Then, consider how often you'll use the home and if it's feasible to rent it out when you aren't using it. If the numbers crunch, those 50 weeks of work become even more worth it.

Start browsing for home for sale in your area by visiting WheatonHomes4Sale.com now!

Smart Real Estate Investing for the New Rebound

A new real estate boom appears to be taking root and spreading across the U.S. especially in Wheaton and the surrounding areas, but is this really the investment opportunity of a lifetime or are we being set up for another exploding bubble?

What Would Warren Buffett Do?

Legendary investor Warren Buffett has been known to dominate the headlines and even made the cover of Time Magazine, so what's he talking about? Buffett's recent crusade has been focused on selling the benefits of real estate investing and pointing out an array of indicators which suggest a new, extended period of growth. This is a view being echoed around the country from veteran real estate agents who say, in certain markets, a seller's market is definitely here again.

The New Gold Rush is On ...

Those who can afford it are bidding on packages of 500 rental properties being offered by Fannie Mae, while others are racing to foreclosure auctions or bidding on as many short sales as they can.

Prices are as close to bottom as most can predict, and the fear is that soaring home prices (due to shrinking inventories), the potential evaporation of REO and short sale opportunities in the near future, and a potential rise in mortgage rates will cause the best opportunities to fade quickly.

In principal the strategy appears to be sound. After all, banks are now paying selected homeowners up to $35,000 to complete short sales and get out, making cutting deals a breeze for investors. But are we getting set up for another great fall?

Over-Confidence Breeds Dangerous Speculation: Are You Being Fooled?

It truly is a great time to invest in real estate for those who buy wisely, buy low and have the finances to do so. Unfortunately, the contagion of overconfidence already seems to be infecting the masses, luring novices into acquiring properties they believe they can flip like the investors on a reality TV show.

Stories are emerging of buyers overpaying for homes and multifamily apartment buildings and even a surge in investing in the junk subprime securities which were supposedly to blame for the whole housing crash six years ago. It seems some people will never learn or just enjoy gambling.

How to Invest Wisely in the New Rebound

When utilized wisely as part of a diverse portfolio, real estate investment can be the best move for most Americans to build wealth and subsidize their incomes in retirement. Between passive cash flow, appreciation as a hedge against inflation, and depreciation to offset taxes, it is incredibly attractive. However, there are a few rules which must be followed:

1. Define Your Goals

Before acquiring any property, ensure that you have defined your financial and personal goals and that your investment decisions are aligned with them.

2. Is Your Home the Worst Investment You can Make?

For many, purchasing a home can create forced savings and eventually become the best investment they ever make. However, your own residence and home equity should never be something to gamble with. It's where you live; your investments are for paying for that. Don't confuse the two.

3. Don't Invest in Real Estate Until You Are Financially Ready

Real estate is somewhere to put your money to work for you. No money down real estate investing is possible, and it can be a way to make money, but if you bite off more than you can chew and don't have any savings or reserves, you are asking for bankruptcy.

Make sure you are prepared for the worst, have separate personal savings which are sufficient to carry you through for several months, and have an exit strategy before you get in as well as a plan B and C.

Don't Believe the Hype!

There are many ways to invest in real estate and even more silver-tongued professional sales people to pitch them. Choose a solid strategy and be wary of distractions that can lead you into investing in all types of exotic locations and structures you don't really understand.

Note investing, construction, commercial properties and starting property management companies can all be exciting and profitable, but just as with stocks, it may be safer to invest in what you know.

Protecting Yourself Against Market Fluctuations

The most important thing for anyone considering real estate investment is to get educated. Don't worry, this doesn't mean having to go back to school or picking between tacky late-night infomercial products. However, it does mean learning more about the potential risks, how to protect against them, real estate cycles and the signs of negative fluctuations to watch for.

Buy-and-hold investing and creating a portfolio of rental properties is hot right now and has the potential to create incredible wealth over the long term. Just realize how long you may have to hold your investment and what the penalties could be if you need to cash out early in less buoyant times.

Visit WheatonHomes4Sale.com now to start browsing for homes for sale in your area for free!

DIY Jewelry Organization

Check out how to make this cute DIY jewelry organizer! I chose to hang mine on the side of my wardrobe and by using Command Picture Hanging Strips (pictured below) the removal and installation will be quick and mess free! Scroll down to see what you will need...

What you will need:

• Pre-finished white board or a piece of wood that you have lying around would work
• Black paint [and white if you need to finish the board yourself]
• Scotch Painters tape, the kind I used is pictured below
• 5 screw in hooks
• Package of 3M Command Large Picture Hanging Strips

How to make it:

1. Take any piece of wood you have lying around, if you don't have anything readily handy try heading to your local arts and crafts supply store and they may have pre-finished pieces of wood specifically designed for crafts! The piece I used was 18 inches by 4 inches.

2. Paint the entire piece white, you will want to use two coats of white. If you buy a piece of wood that is already pre-finished with white paint skip this step.

3. Use painters tape to cover the sections of the board that you want to remain white for your Chevron design. I used 1 inch wide tape, pictured below and it worked great. You can make the Chevron pattern as vertical or horizontal as you want.

4. Paint around the tape with black paint. Make sure your brush stroke are going in the same direction. Again you will want to do at least coats.

5. Remove the tape and let the board completely dry.

6.  Purchase any kind of cute screw in hooks to hang your jewelry. I used something similar to the hook pictured below but mine were painted white. I used 5 hooks and measure to space them out evenly across the board.

  

7. Apply your command picture hanging strips and attach wherever you want. I used three strips since I will be using this piece to hold heavier necklaces.

How to Reduce Indoor Air Pollutants in Your Home

When you think of indoor pollution, those grotesque, blown-up images of dust mites might come to mind. Tiny bugs living in our mattresses are only one source of pollution, however. Different types of indoor pollution include air and water pollutants, cleaning products and cosmetics.

Most of us think of our home as a haven - a safe place where we are protected from the rest of the world. But sometimes extra care needs to be taken to create a healthy home.

What Causes Indoor Air Pollution?

While we might be wary of smog and acid rain, outdoor pollutants probably don't affect us nearly as much as indoor pollutants do. Concentrations of indoor pollutants are 25 to 62 percent greater than outdoor levels. Because Americans spend 80 to 90 percent of their time indoors, they're at risk for serious health problems.

Sources of air pollution include wood-burning stoves, tobacco smoke, cooking and heating appliances, and vapors from building materials, and furniture. Paints, sealants, and other finishes can also be harmful. Radon, a radioactive gas that's released from inside the earth, is also a pollutant, and can be found concentrated in some basements.

Reducing Indoor Air Pollution

Many of the products we use every day generate indoor air pollution. One of the best ways to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate the sources of the pollution.

• Choose non-toxic furnishings, flooring, finishes and supplies.
• Eliminate toxic household cleaners from your home.
• Seal or enclose asbestos-coated sources.
• Provide adequate ventilation by opening windows or using fans.
• Switch to an environmentally-safe dry cleaner.
• Add some houseplants.
• Discourage smoking indoors.
• Have air ducts cleaned.
• Have lead-based paint professionally removed.
• Vent clothes dryers to outdoors.
• Remove water-damaged carpets.
• Test basements for radon gas.

Natural Pollutants

Biological contaminants are another type of pollutant that affects the indoor environment. Pet dander, dust mites and other microorganisms that occur naturally can settle in carpets and other fabrics. Bacteria, molds, mildew and insect or rodent droppings are also dangerous. These allergens can trigger allergies and sometimes lead to serious illnesses such as asthma in some people.

Use flooring options like wood, cork, tile, stone or bamboo to reduce the number of allergens in the home. These flooring materials don't emit fumes or harbor microorganisms and are easier to keep clean than carpeting.

Air purifiers and mechanical ventilation systems can help keep indoor air healthy. They can reduce levels of humidity, which creates a breeding ground for bacteria, mold and mildew. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends keeping humidity levels below 30 to 50 percent.

Check out WheatonHomes4Sale.com to browse official listing information of homes listed for sale in your area or to find out how much your home is worth.