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Article by T.J. Porter Featured Expertise by Jason Gelios When you’re a first-time homebuyer looking through home listings or touring homes, you may come across houses for sale “as is.” It may seem like all homes come as they are, but in real estate, the term “as is” has a specific meaning that’s important for homebuyers to understand.
What ‘As Is’ Means Buying a home as is means the seller won’t make repairs or improvements before closing. It also means the seller won’t provide a seller’s disclosure or credits for potential defects, and is making no guarantees that the home is in good condition. “Purchasing a home as is simply means the buyer is agreeing to purchase a home, in its current condition, without the seller making any repairs or changes to the property,” says Jason Gelios, a Birmingham, Michigan-based Realtor and author. “The buyer will be responsible for making any repairs needed after closing.” Article by Kelly Walters You may need to swap out your mop.
Someone, somewhere probably gave you some bad information, which is why you may have some bad habits. Here are three things you need to stop doing in July: #1 Stop Watering Grass at Night Running the sprinklers late at night might seem smart, since it’s cool and you’re less likely to soak dog walkers. But without sun to dry grass, water clings, encouraging fungal growth. Instead, water your lawn in the morning when the air is still cool, and the sun’s on its way. #2 Stop Closing Vents in Unused Rooms It seems so logical: If you close the vents (or doors) to rooms you’re not using, you won’t have to pay to cool those rooms. But alas, your HVAC will work just as hard, no matter how many vents are open. You may even wind up throwing the whole system off-balance, decreasing efficiency and costing you more money. #3 Stop Using String Mops Use microfiber mops; they’re cleaner! One study of health care facilities (where clean really counts) showed disinfectant cleaner applied with string mops only reduces microbial levels by 68%, compared to microfiber mops at 95%. Those stats are worth a mop swap. Article by Kelley Walters Now’s the time to stock up on paint.
When it’s hot outside, smart homeowners focus their energies inside on these four tasks. You know, like taking advantage of your nice, cool basement. #1 Organize the Basement The two most common types of clutter? Old clothes and seasonal items. Just the kind of stuff that winds up in the basement. So this month, face your messy basement head on. Not only will you regain space, but you’ll also save time and could even knock back clutter-related depression. (Yeah, that’s a thing.) Now that you’ve got it organized, maybe it’s a good time to consider this next project: #2 Finish the Basement The solution to a cramped house could be right under your feet. Transforming an unfinished basement into a media room, home office — or even a rentable space — builds equity, upping your home’s resale value. Start this project now, and you can kick back and enjoy your new space all winter long. #3 Buy Paint on Sale July. Not really the time of year you think of painting, right? It’s usually too hot and humid. Probably why so many places put paint on sale this month. Stock up now, and you’ll be ready for that painting project on your fall to-do list. (P.S. Latex and acrylic paint can last up to 10 years; oil-based, up to 15.) #4 Hit Up Recycling Centers Summer is home improvement season. That also makes it the savvy buyer’s time to seek out deals at recycling centers and home improvement resale stores. Since this is project time — not to mention moving season — lots of folks are ditching their old stuff. Take advantage and grab it up at super-low prices. Article by HouseLogic Hardwood is a top choice for flooring. What options are right for you?
For years, homeowners have preferred hardwood flooring. These floors are an investment because they’re timeless and durable. On top of that, you can choose from different colors, stains, and grains to get the look you want. Because hardwood floors are popular, they can help homes sell faster and increase your home’s value. Installing new wood flooring can recoup 118% of their cost, according to the National Association of REALTORS® “2022 Remodeling Impact Report.” That made it one of the survey’s top two interior remodeling projects for cost recovery, behind hardwood floor refinishing. Another benefit of wood flooring is you don’t need to replace it, unlike carpet or tile flooring. Instead, you an simply resand or refurbish it, saving money over time. Even though wood floors have so many benefits, they have a few downsides. For example, wear and tear can easily dent and scratch them, and mold, detergents, water, and termites can damage them. If you’re considering replacing or updating your floors, follow these basics to help you find the right hardwood flooring. Refinishing vs. New Floor Installation A new hardwood floor has a lot of selling points, but it may not be in your budget. In that case, you can refinish your existing floors to make them look brand new without the high price tag. If you’re unsure which way to go, have a professional look at your floors. With an objective opinion, you can more easily decide if refinishing is right for you. Of course, if you refinish your existing floors, you’ll spend less than you would on installation. Refinishing can cost $1.50 to $5 per square foot without staining and $2 to $7 per square foot with it. But new hardwood floors run $9 to $12 per square foot. Considerations for Choosing the Right Hardwood Flooring In choosing the type of hardwood you want, you’ll select from engineered or hardwood flooring, and prefinished or finished on-site. You can also pick from different wood types and plank widths. Engineered vs. Solid Hardwood Flooring Solid hardwood planks are single pieces of wood, while engineered hardwood combines multiple layers of hardwood. Interlocking options make installing engineered hardwood easier. Another plus for engineered hardwood floors: They reduce moisture problems you’d usually find in standard hardwood flooring. Both types typically cost $5 to $15 per square foot. Prefinished vs. Finished On-site Prefinished hardwood floors are finished at a factory, and a coat of polyurethane tops each board. Site-finished hardwood is shipped to your home unfinished, and the process of sanding, staining, and sealing is done after the floor is installed. Prefinished boards have more uniform color and staining, and some come with anti-scratch coating. But with site-finished planks, you can test and select stains and finishes that work with your interior. Many flooring experts can provide on-site guidance to help you find the best match for your home. Unfinished boards cost less per square foot, but prefinished boards cost a bit less overall because of installation. Wood Types: Grain and Color Wood flooring comes in different styles and shades, including grains and light and dark colors. Grain The way the wood flooring is cut and sliced determines the grain. Your floor’s wood grain is like its own unique fingerprint. Because no two look alike, this feature adds character to your home. The three common types of wood grain are flat, straight, and curly. Color Wood flooring is available in a wide range of colors. Trending colors include beige and gray tones, natural-looking wood, and dark charcoal or black stains. Look for wood colors that complement your home’s overall design and your lifestyle. Darker wood floors will show scuffs and scratches more easily, while wear and tear will be less visible on lighter floors. Keep in mind that applying stains on-site will alter the natural colors of the wood. Most floor teams will help you select stains that hit your goal hues. Plank Width The plank width of your hardwood floors can make a world of difference in your finished floor design. You can make a room look bigger or smaller depending on the width. If you choose wider wood planks, you’ll get a rustic or modern upscale look to your home. The wider the planks, the fewer the seams you’ll have. Wide plank flooring ranges from five inches to 12 inches. More narrow plank flooring boards can work well in smaller spaces and add a clean, contemporary look. Standard plank widths are between three inches and 4.75 inches. Alternatives to Hardwood Flooring Despite wood floor advantages, they aren’t in everyone’s budget. Here are some alternatives for a great look minus the hefty price tag. Bamboo Bamboo flooring is a budget-friendly option that comes from the bamboo plant. The bamboo is sliced, shredded, and pressed with heat to form wood-like boards. Pros Bamboo floors resist pests and are durable, easy to maintain, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. They also cost much less per square foot than most solid hardwoods. Cons These floors react to moisture, so they’re not a good choice in a humid climate. They also may show scratches more easily, and the range of tones and finishes is more limited. Laminate Laminate flooring is made of multiple layers of products combined through lamination, and it resembles wood flooring. Pros These floors come in planks or tiles that snap together, making them easy for DIYers. They aren’t made from trees and are extremely durable (great for high-traffic areas). Maintenance is easy, too. Cons Once laminate floors start to lose their sparkle, they can’t be refinished. You’ll have to replace them. Because laminate is made with plastic and sometimes formaldehyde, it isn’t environmentally friendly. People with chemical sensitivities should make sure that any laminates conform to health regulations. Moisture may damage some laminate flooring, so it shouldn’t be used in bathrooms or laundry rooms. Luxury Vinyl Planks Luxury vinyl plank flooring is made of several layers of vinyl and often includes a layer of long-wearing urethane. It’s available in a lot of styles and resembles different species of wood, according to FixR. Pros Installation uses a click-lock floating process that’s easy to DIY. You can choose from several thicknesses and qualities. Durability makes LVP floors a good choice for homes with kids and pets. Cons The material used in LVP isn’t sustainable. It likely won’t have as high a return on investment as wood floors. Questions to Ask Your Flooring Contractor When it comes to your home, you want information. Here are some critical questions to ask your flooring contractor so that you’re well informed before and during the installation process.
 Jason Gelios sits down with Gary Nowak from the Wish I Knew Podcast Show to discuss these highlights:
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AuthorJason Gelios is a Husband and Father. After that, a Top Producing REALTOR®, Author of the books 'Think like a REALTOR®' and 'Beating The Force Of Average', Creator of The AskJasonGelios Real Estate Show and Expert Media Contributor to media outlets across the country. Archives
November 2023
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