4 Garage Dangers You May Have Overlooked

By Tarsila Wey, First Alert, Allstate Insurance

Do you cringe when you open your garage door? All of that clutter - from gardening tools, old furniture and sports equipment to half-empty paint cans and pesticides - limits the usability of the space and, what's more, it's exposed for all your guests and neighbors to see.

Rolling down the door won't make that mess, or the potential safety hazards, disappear (trust me, I've tried). So consider devoting some time to making your garage safer and more functional. Here are a few garage organization and safety measures to guide you:

1. Clutter

You don't have to sell your car in order to have super-sized storage capacity. Separate items into categories such as auto supplies, lawn and garden tools, holiday decorations and sports equipment. Then pitch, donate or sell the items you don't need or use. Invest in wall organization and storage solutions such as shelving units, cabinets or peg boards to keep the floor clear of clutter. This can also help reduce the risk of people tripping and falling.

2. Fire Hazards

Garages aren't exempt from the rules of fire safety. Combustible chemicals such as fertilizer, paint thinner, pesticides and gasoline can create especially dangerous fires. Identify, organize and properly store all flammable products (in a well-ventilated area, in their original containers). Follow disposal instructions on product labels and properly dispose of old materials that are collecting dust or have expired. I recommend keeping a fire extinguisher on hand - but make sure you have the right kind. Fire extinguishers are categorized into five general classes; you may want to consider Class B/C extinguishers for the garage because they are able to fight fires involving grease, oil, gasoline, kerosene and flammable liquids, as well as energized electrical equipment.

3. Carbon Monoxide Fumes

In attached garages, fumes from vehicle exhaust can build up quickly and seep inside your home. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced through fuel-burning equipment and engine-powered machines, including portable generators and cars.  Having carbon monoxide alarms installed on every level of your home and near sleeping areas can be crucial to ensuring your family's safety in the event that fumes do enter your home. This colorless, odorless gas can only be detected through the use of alarms. But, even with CO alarms in place, remember that it's never safe to leave a vehicle running while parked in the garage, even if the garage door is open.

4. Security Breaches

Garage doors can provide easy entry points for burglars. Never leave your door open after you leave the house. The door leading from the garage into your home should always be locked, too. Installing motion sensor lights above your garage door can also help deter a nighttime break-in through the garage.

Garage safety can be easy to achieve with a few simple steps. So, set aside some time, get organized and reclaim that space.

Homeowners and Appraisers Grew Further Apart in June

by Kevin Graham of Quicken Loans

The gap between homeowners’ expectations and appraisers’ opinions grew slightly in June, as appraised values were 1.93% lower than homeowner expectations. In comparison, the difference was 1.89% in May.

Home values were up 0.84% since last month. This is a 4.47% rise since June of last year.

Home Price Perception Index (HPPI)

Although a 1.93% difference in the opinions of homeowners and appraisers is certainly not a huge gap by any measure, it does represent a widening of the gap month to month, with May coming in at 1.89% lower than expected nationwide.

Quicken Loans Chief Economist Bob Walters said even small differences in opinion potentially have a huge impact by the time buyers and homeowners reach the closing table.

“Perception is everything. It can make or break a home sale or mortgage refinance,” said Walters. “That’s why it’s so important for homeowners to realize how they perceive their home’s value could vary widely from how an appraiser views it. If the estimate is lower by just a few percentage points, the buyer could need to bring as much as another several thousand dollars to the table to avoid having to restructure the loan.”

If you take a look at the regional differences, the West remains closest to equilibrium, with the residents rating their homes just 1.70% higher than appraisers. In the South, the difference was 1.90%, followed by the Midwest at 2.02%. The Northeast brings up the rear, with homeowners overestimating their property values by 2.14%.

If you look at metropolitan areas, homeowners in Denver have the most undervalued homes, with appraisers reading home values 3.23% higher than homeowners. Philadelphia may be the home of the Flyers, but its residents really need to ground their appraisal expectations, as they’re valuing their homes 3.40% higher than appraisers do. Sunny San Diego wins the prize for closest to the bull’s-eye, undervaluing their homes by just 0.11%.

Home Value Index (HVI)

Home values continued their rising trend in June, up 0.84%. In the past year, values have been up 4.47%.

Walters said nationwide value trends are definitely affecting local opinions.

“Nationally, home value increases are well within the healthy range,” said Walters. “Although, the variances across the country can influence owners’ perception. Owners in the West, where appraised values are rising more quickly, tend to underestimate their home’s value. The opposite is true for those in the Northeast, with appraised values showing slower growth.”

The West leads the way again in terms of price appreciation, up to 1.45% for the month and 5.84% on the year. The Midwest played runner-up, rising 0.87% in June and 3.57% annually. The South came next, rising 0.66% month-to-month and 4.62% on the year. Finally the Northeast was up 0.17%, with a modest 2.07% yearly price growth.

The Dos and Don’ts of Home Decorating

by Krystal Beers on July 17, 2015

Decorating doesn’t come easy to everyone, including me. I’ve lived in my home for almost a year now and I’m still working at the whole decorating thing. I’ve read magazines. I’ve watched home decorating shows. I’ve spent countless hours online looking at all the so-called perfect bathrooms, living rooms and kitchens. I so desperately want my home decorated to perfection, but if there’s one thing I’ve realized it’s there is no such thing as perfect (at least not in my house). Perfectly imperfect, yes. Perfect? No.

I know I’m not alone when it comes to my decorating skill set, but I’m working at it. Recently, I reached out to some professionals for advice on decorating dos and don’ts. Here’s what they had to say.

Do Invest in Your Own Comfort and Style

“Expect to invest a minimum of 1% of your home’s value into maintenance and upgrades each year,” says Darla DeMorrow, certified professional organizer at HeartWork Organizing,. “So a home worth $500,000 will need at least $5,000 of upgrades and maintenance to stay in good shape. Don’t wait until you sell to enjoy a lovely, well-maintained home,” she says.

Do Start with What You Love

The Dos and Don’ts of Home Decorating - Quicken Loans Zing Blog
I am absolutely head-over-heels in love with this painting. It was hand painted by my friend Lauren just for my living room! I can’t imagine my living room without it.


“If you have a large-scale painting that really sings to you, emotionally as well as aesthetically, start there. Work your color scheme around it, and choose furnishings that play it up, either reflecting it or contrasting,” suggests Sally Morse, director of creative services at Hunter Douglas.

Do Use Mirrors to Expand Your Space

Amy Bell, of Red Chair Home Interiors, suggests using mirrors to visually expand your space. But, don’t hang them so the only thing they reflect is the ceiling fan. “Adding a mirror can be like adding a window, so it’s important to be mindful of the view that is reflected.”

Do Repurpose

When my friend Kristina found this hutch at Salvation Army, it was a dingy white. It took her about two weeks to transform it into this beautiful turquoise masterpiece.


Professional organizer at ACK! Organizing, Alison Kero, says she’s had pieces of furniture she’s used for a different purpose every time she’s moved. “Don’t be afraid to use a plant holder for your candles, a baker’s rack to hold your plants, or a quirky table as a decorative piece,” she says.

“Painted furniture is definitely a trend these days,” says DeMorrow. “Repurpose treasures from your family or second-hand stores easily and to your taste. Add one painted piece in a bold color like sapphire blue or sunshine yellow, or paint mismatched furniture all white to create a coordinated look.”

Do Focus on the Outside

“When decorating your home, your exterior matters just as much as your interior,” says StrataShops Anna Daugherty. “Changing the look of the outside of your home can be as simple as a new coat of paint, some simple landscaping, or some new walkway lights.”

Don’t Forget to Use a Tape Measure

“Many people tend to gauge the dimensions of an object with their eyes and this could end up being a disaster when you’ve already went to the store and bought all the items,” says Celeste from Live in a Story. “Always write down the dimensions and double check them before heading out
to make your purchases.”

Don’t Pigeonhole Yourself into One Style

“Your home should be a bit eclectic and personal,” says Corinne Von Guenthner, in-house designer at Allen Construction. “A variety of styles will help your home evolve over time, and not be stuck in one style or time period.”

Don’t Rush to Commit to Paint or Wall Décor

“One of the biggest complaints I hear from people in the decorating process is that they painted their walls or installed art first thing and later regretted the results,” says Paula Berberian, creative director of Brewster Home Fashions. “It’s difficult to visualize how an empty space will look after it’s filled with furniture and accessories, and paint is a hefty commitment that can become an unwanted hassle if you change your mind.”

Don’t Buy It Just Because It’s Cheap

“I’ve seen so many clients buy something just because it was cheap. Buy items you absolutely love and are excited to use or at least look at. Buy quality pieces rather than going for cost- you’ll be happier with your decision every time,” says Kero.

Don’t Be Afraid to Move Things Around

“When placing furniture, live with what you have put together for a few days. If it isn’t working, the flow isn’t right or it’s difficult to function properly in the space, then move things around,” says Von Guenthner.

In the end, decorating should be fun. If it’s causing you grief and frustration, step back and take another look. “The key is to choose what is most important to you and go from there, says Morse. “Remember, there are many designers who say, if you love it, you can make it work.”

10 Ways to Make Your Home Worth More

A home is a huge investment for many people, so why not make it worth even more? HGTV counts down to the No. 1 way to get the most bang for your buck.

Note that HGTV.com has many helpful hints for improving your home.

#10: Refurbish the Basement
Many basements are plain, empty and unused spaces that rarely see any visitors. Why let all that space go to waste? Create an entertainment area that will "wow" your guests! Adding a fabulous bar area, seating and beautiful finishes will add character and value to your home.

#9: Put In a Deck
There's nothing like relaxing on a deck in the summertime with a cool drink in your hand. If you don't already have one, build one! On average, when a homeowner adds a deck to their home, they are likely to recoup approximately 76 percent return on their investment; however, you don't want your deck to be too big or too small -- it shouldn't be more than a third of your house. Most decks cost about $10,000, give or take. An appraiser's No. 1 rule is finding homes that are very similar within a mile away of your home, so matching your improvements to the homes in your neighborhood is very important.

#8: Do a Major Bath Remodel
Transform an ugly duckling into a swan of a master bath by finding more space -- but not with an addition. Stealing space can be a better solution if you can find the extra square footage. Open up a closet to make more room, create separate his-and-her areas with separate sinks, or add a skylight to bring in valuable natural light. Updating tub and tile are also good ideas.

#7: Paint, Paint, Paint
Don't be afraid of paint. It is one of the easiest and inexpensive things to do to dramatically change the look of your home. Here are some tips: If you are not sure about your color sense, bring in a professional color specialist to help. Also, think classic and neutral. A future buyer needs to be able to picture his or her things in the room, and too much personalization can prevent that. If your painting skills are below par, hire someone. In the end, it evens out because nothing is worse then a bad paint job. So fight your fear of commitment, and splash a little color on those walls!

#6: Add On to the Attic
Renovate your attic. The space above a garage is often small, dusty and cramped space and sometimes rarely even used for storage. Why not turn it into a bedroom suite? Add as many windows as possible for that precious natural light. Recessed windows, hardwood flooring, built-ins and custom seating are also great ways to add value.

#5: Build a Second Floor
Adding a second story can do more than just create square footage. It can bring balance to an uneven house. A flat roof over a garage can be an eyesore as well as a huge waste of space. You could solve both problems at the same time by adding on to the top of the garage. Use all that dead space to build a master suite or a reading room. You will not only add space, but you will also add tremendous curb appeal.

#4: Keep Rooms Flexible
Does your home have a unique specialty room? No one's saying you need to give up your "special place," but it's important to hold back a little. Too much customization can be a problem if you ever plan to sell your home, so try not to overdo it. Things like hardwood floors, wiring for cable, phone and DSL, and plenty of windows are good ways to customize while keeping the room versatile. Another idea is to make the space one that can easily be converted into a guest suite, studio, family room or a den.

#3: Revive the Kitchen
If you get creative and think about some small changes you can make in your kitchen, you won't have to spend a ton of money. Take down the rooster wallpaper and paint it a neutral color, for example. More and more buyers are expecting some standard items in a kitchen -- things like stainless-steel appliances and hardware. Throw in new light fixtures and you've got a great-looking, updated space. Also, some people are looking for gourmet kitchens. Whether they can cook or not, a kitchen is a huge prospect for a buyer. Bottom line: kitchens sell houses, so investing in an improvement in this room is the way to go.

#2: Make Minor Bathroom Changes
Minor changes can be advantageous because they cost less and often net a greater return than the investment. If you have old tile or a dated tub, sink and toilet, consider replacing those items. If you keep the same layout there's not a lot of expense that has to go into it. Updating light fixtures, linens and accessories are easy ways to breathe new life into the space.

And the No. 1 way to make your home worth more?

#1: Spruce Up the Siding
It may not be glamorous, but replacing siding is our No. 1 pick for home improvements that add value to your home. Here is your chance to make a great first impression in the real estate world. If your siding is in bad shape, your home is going to earn the title of fixer-upper. You can usually judge a book by its cover, so old siding sets the tone for expectations of what potential buyers will find inside the house. Try adding curb appeal and lower maintenance with composite siding. Cement board siding is efficient, it lasts, and it's no maintenance.

Real Estate Wholesaler

Thinking of selling your house? 5 Reasons to do it NOW!

Posted in the Woodridge Patch by Elena Taylor, September 23, 2013

Many now realize that it is a great time to buy a home. Today, I want to look at why it might also be an opportune time to sell your house. Here are the Top 5 Reasons I believe now may be a perfect time to put your house on the market.


1.) Demand Is High

The most recent Existing Home Sales Report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) showed a 17.2 percent increase in sales over July 2012; sales have remained above year-ago levels for 25 months. There are buyers out there right now and they are serious about purchasing.


2.) Supply Is Beginning to Increase


Total housing inventory last month rose 5.6% to 2.28 million homes for sale. This represents a 5.1-month supply at the current sales pace, compared with 4.3 months in January. Many expect inventory to continue to rise as 3.2 million homeowners escaped the shackles of negative equity in the last 12 months and an additional 1.9 million are expected to enter positive equity in the next 12 months. Selling now while demand is high and before supply increases may garner you your best price.


3.) New Construction Is Coming Back

Over the last several years, most homeowners selling their home did not have to compete with a new construction project around the block. As the market is recovering, more and more builders are jumping back in. These ‘shiny’ new homes will again become competition as they are an attractive alternative for many purchasers.


4.) Interest Rates Are Rising

According to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey, interest rates for a 30-year mortgage have shot up to 4.57% which represents a jump of more than a full point since the beginning of the year. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae,Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors are in unison projecting that rates will continue to climb.

Whether you are moving up or moving down, your housing expense will be more a year from now if a mortgage is necessary to purchase your next home.


5.) It’s Time to Move On with Your Life

Look at the reason you are thinking about selling and decide whether it is worth waiting. Is the possibility of a few extra dollars more important than being with family; more important than your health; more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should?

You already know the answers to the questions we just asked. You have the power to take back control of your situation by putting the house on the market today. The time may have come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire. That is what is truly important.

Tell Me Again: How Does Rent to Own Work?

What is the difference between renting and Rent to Own?

How much do you need to put down to move out of the Rental Rat Trap and toward Home Ownership with a Rent to Own property?

Find out here:

Typically, when you rent -- as you probably know -- before you can move in you pay first month's rent plus a security deposit equivalent to one to two month's rent, depending on the owner and/or the how the owner feels about your credit score. So on a rental in the $1,500 range, $3,000 would cover first month's rent and security deposit. If the owner wants two months security deposit, as many owners require, or one and a half month's security deposit, you'll need more than $3,000 to move into a $1,500 per month home.

With a typical Rent to Own, the tenant/buyer puts down an amount as "option" fee, usually beginning in the $5,000 range, plus first month's rent -- so around $6,500 to get into a Rent to Own on a $1,500 per month property. The option fee is what locks in the "first right of refusal to purchase" and locks in the agreed upon purchase price.

Because the owner is giving up first right of refusal and locking in a purchase price in a Rent to Own contract, the option fee is non-refundable. He wants to know that you're serious about buying, and that you will take the steps necessary to qualify for a mortgage -- improving your credit or increasing your income are the usual courses of action -- so that you will follow through with the purchase.

Do you have a tax return coming, or a family member who could help you get into that range do to Rent to Own?

Have you spoken with a mortgage broker to find out what you need to do to qualify for a mortgage, or how soon you could qualify, and for how much?

Lenders are finally starting to loosen up a little bit after the freeze they put on home lending for the past 6 years.

If you think you're close, now is the time to speak with a mortgage broker and take the steps needed to qualify. Home prices and mortgage rates are going up. It's turning into a seller's market again.

Delaying purchasing a home could end up costing a buyer 10s or hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional purchase price and interest payments over what you would pay right now....