7 easy ways to revitalize your space and boost your mood

With many Americans spending a lot more time at home, you may find your house taking on the roles of office, classroom, gym and community center — and it’s easy to feel uninspired by your surroundings after occupying the same space day in, day out. But all hope is not lost: There are simple and inexpensive ways to transform your home into a fresh and stimulating environment. Give your home some TLC with these seven tips from interior decorators, feng shui experts and design enthusiasts.

Break it up

If you’re working at home, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by conflicting responsibilities. To help stay on track, designate different areas for specific activities. It’s important to ‘compartmentalize’ your living space. Assign specific areas for fitness, work and leisure: Dig out a yoga mat from under the bed and dedicate an area to working out. Clean and organize the desk in the living room or office to serve as a ‘command station’ for going online and making phone calls. The bedroom doubles as another workspace and is perfect for napping or watching movies in bed. If you live in a studio, you can simulate separate “rooms” by splitting up the space with curtains, bookshelves or other furniture.

Experiment with color

Painting the walls is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to immediately invigorate any home. For a classic look that will hold up against almost any decor, opt for cool neutrals; if you prefer something more dramatic, consider adding a pop of color to a feature wall. Feng shui experts and interior designers recommend greens and blues: they are most associated with health, calm and well being. If you’re not ready to commit to painting, it is suggested to use accessories like throw pillows, an area rug, curtains or artwork to bring color into your space.

Streamline and declutter

With millions of us now living and working alongside family members, significant others and roommates, our homes may suddenly seem more cramped than ever before. There’s no better way to create spatial harmony than decluttering: it works a powerful magic in that it gets your entire space up to speed with you.  Experts recommend starting small with a contained space like a bathroom, which “will give you a quick feeling of accomplishment and encourage you to do the next space.” The benefits of a tidy space extend beyond aesthetics — research has found that clearing clutter can lower stress levels.

Do a digital detox

The digital detox movement is not new, but it’s worth revisiting in this climate of constant COVID-19 news and social media chatter. Though it’s important to stay informed about the health crisis, it’s easy to slip from a healthy level of engagement to compulsive checking. To reduce screen dependence, set up manageable boundaries based on time or place. For example, designate dinnertime as phone-free, or remove mobile tech devices from your bedroom for a daily reset.

Invigorate with scents

Scent is a powerful vehicle for uplifting your mood. Every room should have a different scent track to score your moment. Use woody scents like cedar, palo santo, oud, copal and frankincense to feel grounded; rosemary for invigoration; and incense to focus and meditate. There are many ways to suffuse a room with scent — candles, oil diffusers, air mists and fresh flowers, to name a few. For a more subtle effect, crack open a window to balance out your chosen fragrance with fresh air.

Greenify and purify

While you’re staying put, there’s no better time to bring the outside world in. If there’s one thing that makes a space feel livable, it’s some elements of green. Not only do plants bring light and color, they also add oxygen to your home — something that many of us could use more of as we hunker down indoors. Consider the level of care you want to give: Some folks may find something less fussy to be easier to deal with, whereas others may want a more ‘high-maintenance’ plant that requires attention every day. Whichever plant you choose, she says that the ritual of maintaining it can be deeply healing.

Lighten up

Natural light is the top office perk, according to a study of workplace benefits published in the Harvard Business Review. If your home is now your office, you have more control than ever over the light conditions of your workday. To maximize your exposure to natural light, position your desk near a window and keep drapes and shades open during the daytime. If you don’t have much natural light coming in, it is recommended to affix aluminum mini-blinds to your windows. You can direct or cut out light (and inquisitive neighbors across the street) as needed, and when the sun hits them just right, you can use them to throw light into the room without getting blinded. Adding reflective surfaces — like a mirror, lacquered table, or chrome lamp — enhances the light in dark rooms.

Let’s say you’re selling your house. And before you even get a chance to snap listing photos and put it on the market, a buyer comes along. Perhaps the buyer makes you an offer you just can’t refuse. Congratulations, you just cut out many steps of the home-selling process—showings, open houses, and haggling over price.

With an offer in hand, you might be asking what commission an agent would receive if the agent were to get involved at this stage of the home-selling process. But keep in mind what may seem like a straightforward transaction between a seller and buyer once an offer is accepted is usually not all that simple. You still have a marathon to finish before getting to the closing table. We’ve broken down the home-selling process into steps to see what an agent could help you with.

Commissions explained

Neither federal nor state laws govern commission rates, which means commissions are fully negotiable. And negotiating the commission is between you and your agent.

To crunch some general numbers, if a home sells for $250,000 at a 6% commission, the seller’s agent would get $15,000. However, keep in mind commission rates usually vary depending on the state you live in and among brokerages. Always talk with several agents about your particular home-selling needs. Find out if and how they would want to handle the sale to a buyer found by the seller.

The offer

In this scenario, a buyer made you an offer and you accepted. However, it’s time to take a step back: Keep in mind verbal offers are not legally binding in real estate transactions. Agents usually supply a variety of forms such as Residential Purchase Agreements to get offers in writing. These forms vary to conform to state and local laws, and eventually become a binding sales contract. The forms are also known as a purchase agreement, an earnest money agreement, or a deposit receipt. It’s also essential that an offer contains every element needed to serve as a blueprint for the final sale.

An agent can also handle a buyer’s earnest money—usually 1% to 2% of the home’s purchase price—by depositing it in an escrow account held by a third party such as a real estate closing company, an attorney, or a title company agent. Remember, escrow protects sellers. You get to keep that money if a buyer bails on a transaction that’s underway.

The terms of the sale and contingencies

While it may seem the hard part is over if a seller found a buyer on their own, many obstacles can occur during the contract period that will require an agent’s skill to keep the deal together. For instance, an agent will ask if you and your buyer agree on not just the sales price but also the terms of the sale. Terms within a purchase agreement include basic information such as the names of the parties involved, the legal description of the property to be transferred, and the agreed-upon price. But terms also list crucial details such as what personal property will be included in the sale (e.g., appliances or fixtures). Leaving any terms of sale out of the purchase agreement can come back to haunt the buyer, the seller, or both.

An agent will also ensure contingencies are added to your contract. Standard contingencies include a buyer securing financing, a home inspection, repairs, and an appraisal—which is crucial to the mortgage process.

The closing

Remember, you need multiple legal documents for the closing, including a clean title. This step is usually done by an attorney, who collects a fee at the closing. But a real estate agent usually handles getting to the actual closing table by setting a date, coordinating everyone’s schedule, and ensuring all the needed paperwork (which is usually a mound of documents) is ready and correctly signed.

The bottom line

If a real estate professional can assist you, their compensation is a matter of negotiation between you and the agent. Hiring an agent to write the offer and guide it toward the closing table is a smart move.

Laurel Jonas- REALTOR®

Northwest Realty Group

2022 N. Government Way Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

208-758-9000

208homesforsale@gmail.com

208homesforsale.com

Can one agent represent both parties? The answer: It depends. Buyers and sellers sometimes have the option of entering into a dual agency relationship with their real estate agent. Although this is not necessarily a problem, you should be aware of exactly what a dual real estate agency means and the restrictions it can place on your agent.

What is a dual real estate agency?

The term “agency” refers to the relationship that you, as a buyer or seller, have with your real estate agent. Dual agencies can occur with two agents or with a single agent. A dual agency with two agents can occur when the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent are licensed under the same broker. In a dual agency with a single agent, potential buyers may ask a seller’s real estate agent to submit an offer on their behalf. In this case, the agent is acting as a dual agent.

Dual real estate agency disclosure

Because dual agencies represent a conflict of interest for the buyer and seller, some states don’t allow them. In states where dual agencies are legal, however, the law requires that a dual real estate agent inform both the buyer and seller of a dual real estate agency. These two parties must also sign consent forms indicating that they understand the concept of dual agency, as well as the restrictions imposed on the real estate agent by this type of agreement. If either the buyer or the seller refuses to sign the dual agency agreement, the transaction cannot continue. Once the dual agency agreement is executed, the real estate agent becomes known as the disclosed dual agent.

Disadvantages of dual agencies

Dual agency imposes some restrictions on a real estate agent. The agent is required to treat both buyer and seller with fairness and honesty. The agent is required to provide full disclosure concerning the property to the buyer, but they cannot reveal confidential information about the seller. When the time comes to make an offer, a dual real estate agent cannot advise the buyer on how much to offer, nor can they advise the seller to accept or reject an offer. In a New York Department of State memo, consumers are advised to be wary of dual agency relationships. The memo states that when a person enters into a dual agency relationship, they are forfeiting their right to that agent’s loyalty. The agent then cannot advance the interests of either party.

Laurel Jonas- REALTOR®

Northwest Realty Group

2022 N. Government Way Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

208-758-9000

208homesforsale@gmail.com

208homesforsale.com

Once, it was the room that no one would show in movies or even mention in polite company—but these days, a fabulous bathroom is a prime home feature, and for many proud owners, the subject of major bragging rights. They’re luxurious! They’re high-tech and functional! They’re beautiful! Plus—and here’s the real point—today’s HGTV-savvy homeowners know that upgrading their bathroom is likely to impress buyers and boost home valuations.

Bathroom remodels now rival kitchens in popularity. The bathroom is reinforcing its place as an important room in a home. But unlike the increasingly public kitchen, the bathroom has evolved into a private haven—a tranquil space for relaxation and self-indulgence.

A spa experience in your home

Bathrooms are getaways that have the power of revitalizing and soothing body and soul. To create the feel of a spa, keep the design and features minimal, use a neutral color palette, and make sure there’s lots of natural light, he advises. Also, avoid clutter. After all, “an elegant and relaxed bathroom needs a little space.”

Indoor-outdoor flow—and we don’t mean the water

You might think that the top things you’d want in a bathroom are a reasonable degree of privacy and some good ventilation. And you wouldn’t exactly be wrong. But let’s add another factor to the list: Bathrooms that embrace their natural surroundings offer exciting design possibilities. After all, what better way to enjoy nature than showering outdoors? That is, assuming the neighbors aren’t close by. These days privacy is “not so much a matter of hiding ourselves from others, but about shielding ourselves from the outside frenzy.” As a matter of practicality, of course, floor-to-ceiling windows allow the feeling of being outside without little inconveniences like dead leaves in your freshly washed hair. Even simpler, maximize a view of a natural landscape.

Decor that could fit in the living room

When it comes to planning, design, and decorating, bathrooms are just as important (if not more) as any other room in a home. Think beyond your towel colors. The Houzz survey found that 15% of respondents put a chandelier in their master bathroom for a luxe look. Vintage fittings are a popular trend; vintage features such as Venetian mirrors and Victorian bathtubs and washbasins. For those who prefer a more contemporary style, there are streamlined fittings made of stone, marble, or even high-quality recycled plastic or translucent resin.

Technology with a gentle touch

Technology is already making its way into the bathroom, but very subtly with features such as touch-sensitive taps and toilets that fully wash, dry, and deodorize you to become more common. Already, homeowners in the Houzz survey favor making their bathrooms cozy with radiant heat flooring (26%) and towel warmers (11%). Towel warmers are an affordable indulgence that come in various designs and configurations to accommodate any possible needs. No matter what, though, high-tech features should not interfere with a quiet soak in a hot tub. No beeps or blinking lights!

Fashion that doesn’t leave function behind

At the end of the day, whether your dream bathroom resembles a spa, a Moroccan bathhouse, or, oddly enough, Mamie Eisenhower’s powder room, it has to serve your needs. Organization and accessibility are key. Make best use of the available space. A functional bathroom that looks good will still be practical and look sharp a decade later. Sure, you’ll probably change some details over the years, but invest now in organization solutions and a layout that works. It’s also smart to think long term about accessibility—the Houzz survey found that baby boomers are big on features such as grab bars and curb less showers. Bathrooms are the second costliest room in the home for renovations, experts say. So, when you’re planning your remodel, make sure you’ll end up with a bathroom you’ll love for years to come.

Laurel Jonas- REALTOR®

Northwest Realty Group

2022 N. Government Way Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

208-758-9000

208homesforsale@gmail.com

208homesforsale.com

Whether you're ready to buy your first home or just need an acronym refresher, keep this glossary handy. You don’t need a real estate license to find your dream home, but it does help to become familiar with real estate jargon you might encounter during the process. When searching for a home or applying for a mortgage, you may hear your real estate agent or lender use any of the terms or acronyms below. Keep this four-part guide handy — you’ll be fluent in the language of home buying before you know it.

When you’re searching for a home:

Approved for short sale: A term that indicates that a homeowner’s bank has approved a reduced listing price on a home, and the home is ready for resale.

Buyers market: Market conditions that exist when homes for sale outnumber buyers. Homes sit on the market a long time, and prices drop.

Comparative market analysis (CMA): An in-depth analysis, prepared by a real estate agent, that determines the estimated value of a home based on recently sold homes of similar condition, size, features and age that are located in the same area.

Comps: Or comparable sales, are homes in a given area that have sold within the past six months that a real estate agent uses to determine a home’s value.

Days on market (DOM): The number of days a property listing is considered active.

Listing price: The price of a home, as set by the seller.

Multiple listing service (MLS): A database where real estate agents list properties for sale.

Sellers market: Market conditions that exist when buyers outnumber homes for sale. Bidding wars are common.

Short sale: The sale of a home by an owner who owes more on the home than it’s worth. The owner’s bank must approve a lower listing price before the home can be sold.

When you’re applying for a mortgage:

Back-end ratio: One of two debt-to-income ratios that a lender analyzes to determine a borrower’s eligibility for a home loan. The ratio compares the borrower’s monthly debt payments to gross income.

Depository institutions: Banks, savings and loans, and credit unions. These institutions underwrite as well as set home loan pricing in-house.

Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): A ratio that compares a home buyer’s expenses to gross income.

Housing ratio: One of two debt-to-income ratios that a lender analyzes to determine a borrower’s eligibility for a home loan. The ratio compares total housing cost (principal, homeowners insurance, taxes and private mortgage insurance) to gross income.

Loan estimate: A three-page document sent to an applicant three days after they apply for a home loan. The document includes loan terms, monthly payment and closing costs.

Loan-to-value ratio (LTV): The amount of the loan divided by the price of the house. Lenders reward lower LTV ratios.

Origination fee: A fee, charged by a broker or lender, to initiate and complete the home loan application process.

Pre-approval: A thorough assessment of a borrower’s income, assets and other data to determine a loan amount they would qualify for. A real estate agent will request a pre-approval or pre-qualification letter before showing a buyer a home.

Pre-qualification: A basic assessment of income, assets and credit score to determine what, if any, loan programs a borrower might qualify for. A real estate agent will request a pre-approval or pre-qualification letter before showing a buyer a home.

Underwriting: A process a lender follows to assess a home loan applicant’s income, assets and credit, and the risk involved in offering the applicant a mortgage.

When you’re shopping for a mortgage:

Conventional loan: A home loan not guaranteed by a government agency, such as the FHA or the VA.

Down payment: A certain portion of the home’s purchase price that a buyer must pay. A minimum requirement is often dictated by the loan type.

Fannie Mae: A government-sponsored enterprise chartered in 1938 to help ensure a reliable and affordable supply of mortgage funds throughout the country.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA): A government agency created by the National Housing Act of 1934 that insures loans made by private lenders.

FHA 203(k): A rehabilitation loan backed by the federal government that permits home buyers to finance money into a mortgage to repair, improve or upgrade a home.

Foreclosure: A property repossessed by a bank when the owner fails to make mortgage payments.

Freddie Mac: A government agency chartered by Congress in 1970 to provide a constant source of mortgage funding for the nation’s housing markets.

Mortgage broker: A licensed professional who works on behalf of the buyer to secure financing through a bank or other lending institution.

Mortgage interest rate: The price of borrowing money. The base rate is set by the Federal Reserve and then customized per borrower, based on credit score, down payment, property type and points the buyer pays to lower the rate.

Piggyback loan: A combination of loans bundled to avoid private mortgage insurance. One loan covers 80% of the home’s value, another loan covers 10% to 15% of the home’s value, and the buyer contributes the remainder.

Principal, interest, property taxes and homeowners insurance (PITI): The components of a monthly mortgage payment.

Private mortgage insurance (PMI): A fee charged to borrowers who make a down payment that is less than 20% of the home’s value. The fee, 0.3% to 1.5% of the yearly loan amount, can be canceled in certain circumstances when the borrower reaches 20% equity.

Points: Prepaid interest owed at closing, with one point representing 1% of the loan. Paying points, which are tax deductible, will lower the monthly mortgage payment.

When you’ve chosen a home:

American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI): A not-for-profit professional association that sets and promotes standards for property inspections. Look for this accreditation or something similar when shopping for a home inspector.

Cash-value policy: A homeowners insurance policy that pays the replacement cost of a home, minus depreciation, should damage occur.

Closing costs: Fees associated with the purchase of a home that are due at the end of the sales transaction. Fees may include the appraisal, the home inspection, a title search, a pest inspection and more. Buyers should budget for an amount that is 1% to 3% of the home’s purchase price.

Contingencies: Conditions written into a home purchase contract that protect the buyer should issues arise with financing, the home inspection, etc.

Earnest money: A security deposit made by the buyer to assure the seller of his or her intent to purchase.

Escrow account: An account required by a lender and funded by a buyer’s mortgage payment to pay the buyer’s homeowners insurance and property taxes.

Escrow state: A state in which an escrow agent is responsible for closing.

Home inspection: A nondestructive visual look at the systems in a building. Inspection occurs when the home is under contract or in escrow.

Homeowners insurance: A policy that protects the structure of the home, its contents, injury to others and living expenses should damage occur.

In escrow: A period of time (30 days or longer) after a buyer has made an offer on a home and a seller has accepted. During this time, the home is inspected and appraised, and the title searched for liens, etc.

Title insurance: Insurance that protects the buyer and lender should an individual or entity step forward with a claim that was attached to the property before the seller transferred legal ownership of the property or “title” to the buyer.

Transfer taxes: Fees imposed by the state, county or municipality on transfer of title.

Under contract: A period of time (30 days or longer) after a buyer has made an offer on a home and a seller has accepted. During this time, the home is inspected and appraised, and the title is searched for liens, etc.

Walkthrough: A buyer’s final inspection of a home before closing.

When you own a home:

Equity: A percentage of the home’s value owned by the homeowner.

Homeowners association (HOA): The governing body of a housing development, condo or townhome complex that sets rules and regulations. They charge dues used to maintain common areas.

Property tax exemption: A reduction in taxes based on specific criteria, such as installation of a renewable energy system or rehabilitation of a historic home.

Tax lien: The government’s legal claim against property when the homeowner neglects or fails to pay a tax debt.

Laurel Jonas- REALTOR®

Northwest Realty Group

2022 N. Government Way Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

208-758-9000

208homesforsale@gmail.com

208homesforsale.com

You want to get projects done around the house, but you lack the skills, desire, or the time to DIY. The other side of the coin—hiring it all out—is an expensive option you’d like to avoid. What to do? BIY, that’s what.

BIY—buy-it-yourself—is a smart, middle ground for those who want to upgrade their homes, be actively involved in the process, and keep a lid on the budget. BIY efforts can save up to 20% on home improvements by shopping for bargains and eliminating contractor markups on materials and finishes. It’s a growing trend industry experts and big-box home improvement centers are watching closely, defining BIY as its own genre. It has been found that about 17% of homeowners have completed BIY projects and that demographics play a role. Many millennials don’t have the same DIY mindset that their parents had, but they still want to be hands on when it comes to fixing up and improving their homes. They know how to buy stuff. Mining online information is second nature for millennial BIYers, who eagerly search for price comparisons, peer product reviews, and instructional videos.

The BIY Basics

Buy-it-yourselfers research the materials, finishes, and appliances their project requires, then shop for the best deals possible on the items, purchase them, and have them delivered to the work site. That way, they avoid markups that a contractor or subcontractor routinely applies to the materials they buy. A BIYer also does these things:

• Avoids any hourly charges a contractor adds for picking up and delivering the BIY materials
• Negotiates directly with suppliers for the best price on items
• Is able to find bargains a contractor may overlook

Good BIYers work closely with their contractor or builder to decide which products and materials make sense for the BIYer to tackle—and which are best left to the contractor.

The BIY Skill Set

• You might not know which end of a hammer to use, but you’ll still need a good set of skills that include the following:
• A thorough understanding of the scope of your project
• A shop-until-you-drop mind-set
• An obsession with due dates and delivery schedules
• A willingness to communicate tirelessly with your contractor or handyman
• Understanding Your Contractor’s POV

Although it may sound like shopping and buying are your primary BIY duties, your number one priority is to have good communication with your builder or subcontractor. Tell prospective contractors upfront about wanting to BIY. Traditionally, contractors have purchased materials and scheduled delivery. They often have established relationships with suppliers that offer steep discounts to them. The contractor in turn marks up 50% or more on those discounted practices. It’s a standard practice in an industry where margins are narrow.

However, many contractors are willing to forgo traditional pricing in order to secure steady work—good news for BIY homeowners. Home improvement centers help by hooking up contractors with homeowners—a practice that is on the rise over the past several years. A contractor’s main concern is a BIYer holding up their end of the bargain by ensuring everything is delivered to the job site on time so that work proceeds smoothly. For you, this means ordering exactly the right types and quantities of materials, and pinning down delivery dates and times. Let your contractor know of any changes (a delivery truck got stuck in Reno) right away.

The Remodeling Contract

Your remodeling contract should clearly state what materials, appliances, and finishes you will supply, and approximate delivery dates. Your contractor needs this information before he can prepare an accurate bid for the work. Any changes to your responsibilities should be stated in writing and signed by both the contractor and you. You’ll want to make sure that any casual suggestions for changes to the scope of your project (and what you’ll provide) don’t result in a contractor dispute.

What to BIY and What Not To

Stick to buying items that will be visible when the project’s done and leave everything else for your contractor to get. Not only will you oversee high-profile finishes, materials, and appliances, but you’ll be assured of getting the look that makes you happy. Here are items that make sense for the BIYer to get.

In the kitchen, consider these for BIY:

• Kitchen cabinets
• Cabinet hardware (pulls and knobs)
• Countertops
• Flooring
• Appliances
• Sinks
• Faucets
• Light fixtures

In the bathroom, these items are smart to BIY:

• Tubs and modular shower enclosures
• Wall tile
• Flooring
• Faucets, shower heads, and tub fillers
• Vanities and cabinets
• Toilets and bidets
• Sinks
• Light fixtures
• Exhaust fans
• Countertops

Around the house, BIY is the way to go for these items:

• Flooring
• Permanent light fixtures
• Siding
• Entry doors
• Interior doors
• Garage doors
• Exterior light fixtures
• Paint
• Landscaping block and stone

Almost everything else is best left to your contractor, including lumber, fasteners, sheathing, concrete, plumbing pipes, electrical wiring, HVAC components, and insulation. Other items are a matter of coordinating with your contractor or designer. Roofing, for example, requires specialized knowledge of how to measure roofs and estimate materials. Once estimated, however, you can choose the style and shop for the right price. Just be sure that you and your contractor are on the same page about your involvement.

Other items requiring this specialized knowledge include these home fixtures:

• Windows. Between rough openings, replacement options, and window sizes themselves, leave the ordering to your pro.
• Gutters and downspouts. Some runs of gutter may be too long to handle repeated expansion and contraction caused by temperature fluctuations. Have a pro advise.
• Paving materials. Brick, stone, asphalt, and concrete require a good knowledge of thickness requirements for the base as well as the paving material itself. Let a pro help.
• Insulation. This item doesn’t really benefit from BIY; your contractor will know local codes and installation techniques.
• Masonry. For siding veneers and landscaping, you pick the type of stone or brick and let an experienced hand do the ordering and return unused materials.

How to Buy It Right

Ah! The fun part! If you’re working with a designer/builder or hiring an architect, you’ll have plans for the finished project. Those plans should include a materials take-off—a list of everything needed for the project. Armed with that list, you’ll be able to shop for exactly the right amount of materials and calculate the price. Confer with your contractor so you’ll both agree on the items you’ll be buying.

Beware of making changes. For example, if plans call for a 36-inch gas range, but while shopping you find an amazing deal on a 36-inch electric range, you might gum up the works if you buy it. The size is right but your contractor may have already run a gas line—not an electrical circuit—to your range location. Could you still make the switch? Sure, but you’ll pay for any extra work. In addition, the change takes time and may throw other subcontractors off their schedules.

What If There’s No Contractor?

If your job is fairly small and you’re planning on using a carpenter or handyman for the work, then you’ll have to do all the measuring and purchasing yourself.

Here’s helpful advice to get it right:

Measure twice and cut once is the old saying, and it’s a good one. Always double check measurements, and write everything down in a project notebook or in a notebook app you’ll always have with you on your mobile phone or tablet. Your job is made easier by the many materials calculators available online, as well as home improvement apps you can download to your mobile device. Big-box stores offer them at their websites, and you can search according to your needs. Lowe’s, for example, has helpful calculators for flooring, paint, mulch, wallpaper, and other materials.

Add 10% to measurements of walls, floors, ceilings, and other large surfaces. That ensures you’ll have enough materials to cover broken pieces and slip-ups.

Enlist help when measuring cabinets and countertops. Home improvement stores have design centers that will help you fit cabinets correctly. They’ll send out subcontractors—free of charge—to measure your space to ensure accuracy. Ditto for countertop fabricators. Most insist on taking their own measurements and checking walls for squareness to ensure a good fit.

 Watch out for oddballs. Not your handyman—your choices. If you’re picking one-of-a-kind items from overseas or the salvage yard, make sure your handyman is up for the challenge. And make sure you’re ready to cough up a few extra bucks for the extra work and creative solutions required.

Managing delivery. Keep the job running smoothly by managing delivery dates and times. Make sure you or someone you trust will be there to oversee arrival and storage.

Pinpoint delivery times. When ordering, try to establish exact times for delivery of materials and appliances. Record the vendor’s customer service number and give them a ring two or three days prior to delivery to make sure it’ll be on time. Make sure your contractor or handyman knows those critical delivery dates and times.

Clear a space in your garage or spare room, or somewhere on site to stash materials and other goods. There’s nothing wrong with stockpiling materials ahead of installation dates if you have a place to put them.

One More Thing

It bears repeating—the BIY path is one of collaboration and communication. You’ve signed on to be part of a team, however small it may be. Be a good team player, make sure everything runs smoothly, and you’ll end up saving money on your remodel.

Laurel Jonas- REALTOR®

Northwest Realty Group

2022 N. Government Way Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

208-758-9000

208homesforsale@gmail.com

208homesforsale.com

Let’s say you’re selling your house. And before you even get a chance to snap listing photos and put it on the market, a buyer comes along. Perhaps the buyer makes you an offer you just can’t refuse. Congratulations, you just cut out many steps of the home-selling process—showings, open houses, and haggling over price.

With an offer in hand, you might be asking what commission an agent would receive if the agent were to get involved at this stage of the home-selling process. But keep in mind what may seem like a straightforward transaction between a seller and buyer once an offer is accepted is usually not all that simple. You still have a marathon to finish before getting to the closing table. We’ve broken down the home-selling process into steps to see what an agent could help you with.

Commissions explained

Neither federal nor state laws govern commission rates, which means commissions are fully negotiable. And negotiating the commission is between you and your agent.

To crunch some general numbers, if a home sells for $250,000 at a 6% commission, the seller’s agent would get $15,000. However, keep in mind commission rates usually vary depending on the state you live in and among brokerages. Always talk with several agents about your particular home-selling needs. Find out if and how they would want to handle the sale to a buyer found by the seller.

The offer

In this scenario, a buyer made you an offer and you accepted. However, it’s time to take a step back: Keep in mind verbal offers are not legally binding in real estate transactions. Agents usually supply a variety of forms such as Residential Purchase Agreements to get offers in writing. These forms vary to conform to state and local laws, and eventually become a binding sales contract. The forms are also known as a purchase agreement, an earnest money agreement, or a deposit receipt. It’s also essential that an offer contains every element needed to serve as a blueprint for the final sale.

An agent can also handle a buyer’s earnest money—usually 1% to 2% of the home’s purchase price—by depositing it in an escrow account held by a third party such as a real estate closing company, an attorney, or a title company agent. Remember, escrow protects sellers. You get to keep that money if a buyer bails on a transaction that’s underway.

The terms of the sale and contingencies

While it may seem the hard part is over if a seller found a buyer on their own, many obstacles can occur during the contract period that will require an agent’s skill to keep the deal together. For instance, an agent will ask if you and your buyer agree on not just the sales price but also the terms of the sale. Terms within a purchase agreement include basic information such as the names of the parties involved, the legal description of the property to be transferred, and the agreed-upon price. But terms also list crucial details such as what personal property will be included in the sale (e.g., appliances or fixtures). Leaving any terms of sale out of the purchase agreement can come back to haunt the buyer, the seller, or both.

An agent will also ensure contingencies are added to your contract. Standard contingencies include a buyer securing financing, a home inspection, repairs, and an appraisal—which is crucial to the mortgage process.

The closing

Remember, you need multiple legal documents for the closing, including a clean title. This step is usually done by an attorney, who collects a fee at the closing. But a real estate agent usually handles getting to the actual closing table by setting a date, coordinating everyone’s schedule, and ensuring all the needed paperwork (which is usually a mound of documents) is ready and correctly signed.

The bottom line

If a real estate professional can assist you, their compensation is a matter of negotiation between you and the agent. Hiring an agent to write the offer and guide it toward the closing table is a smart move.

Laurel Jonas- REALTOR®

Northwest Realty Group

2022 N. Government Way Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

208-758-9000

208homesforsale@gmail.com

208homesforsale.com

New listings are down from 293 last February to 227 last month. Pending sales are also down approx. 22.4%. This isn't welcoming news to an already low inventory market.

Our current inventory supply is a just half a months worth. A healthy market is 6 months. This is driving up the home values. Basic supply and demand.

Will the market crash like 2008? 

In 2008 40% of homes were investment properties. In economically difficulty times people sell their investment properties not their primary residence. Today about 10%-11% are investment properties. It would take an increase of over 70% more homes to come on the market just to make it a normal market, not even tip the scales in the buyer's favor.

So my answer is, No.

Laurel Jonas- REALTOR®

Northwest Realty Group

2022 N. Government Way Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

208-758-9000

208homesforsale@gmail.com

208homesforsale.com

Plumbers do the dirtiest of work, but somehow the profession has garnered a reputation for rip-offs. But where would you be without them? Where would your bathroom be?

And let’s be honest. We don’t schedule plumbing appointments months in advance. Plumbers are the ones we frantically call at 2 a.m., with water pooling up around our ankles and stolen hotel monogrammed towels strewed across the floor. We call plumbers mid meltdown, and somehow they have to explain the inner workings of our pumps and valves in plain English and jump to action before more damage is done.

Just because it’s a dirty job doesn’t mean its practitioners don’t deserve our respect—or our understanding. Here are nine things plumbers wish you, their clients, knew to clear the air—or the drains, so to speak.

Your drains are dirty. Really dirty. But that doesn’t mean you are.

People have no concept of what they’re flushing down the toilet. You probably assumed that it’s pretty gross down there, but if you’ve never watched someone snake your toilet or shower, it may surprise you just how gross it is. But that’s normal. The amount of muck pulled out of your drains isn’t a reflection of your cleanliness—or of your plumber’s skill. The least helpful thing you can do is remark on how appalling the bathroom looks mid renovation. They know, and it will get better. There’s nothing sexy about sewer lines, but when they don’t work, you sure notice it.

They’ll clean up after themselves—but not after you.

Even though the process might be messy, good plumbers will leave your home exactly as they found it. They want it to look just like it did when they got there. But that doesn’t mean they’ll clean up your messes. If they walk into a bathroom and there’s already sewage all over the bathroom, they will get the clog undone, but they don’t carry a full line of janitorial supplies on the truck. Most plumbers try to go above and beyond, but sometimes it’s gonna take a coat of paint and new flooring, not just cleaning to fix the space.

 Don’t feel bad for calling late at night.

Plumbing is a 24-hour-a-day job, so no reputable plumber will be miffed by a midnight emergency. Call and they’ll answer. They don’t get mad. Sometimes they get the better jobs that way because you  couldn’t get anybody else.

Don’t overestimate your DIY abilities.

Unless you’re seriously handy, leave plumbing to professionals. Know your limits. Some people  don’t need a plumber. Some get the wrong tool, taking a small problem and making it a big problem because you shouldn’t have pried. That turns what could have been a quick fix and an easy job into a strenuous ordeal that could involve pulling up floorboards or tearing into your walls. Yes, sometimes you can save money. But wouldn’t you rather spend a small amount of money now than a huge amount later? Plumbers may have to deal with waste, but that doesn’t mean they like wastefulness. If your mechanical abilities are low, leave it alone.

 Stick around or leave during the job—it doesn’t matter to them.

Don’t feel bad about hanging around while your plumber is working. Unless you are really grumpy, they don’t mind you watching. In fact, many plumbers prefer it if you stay—that way you can answer questions about the home in case an emergency arises.

 Maintain your appliances.

Your home does not take care of itself, even if it’s new. Most water heaters require yearly maintenance, like flushing them out and checking the anode rod for corrosion. You should regularly check your water shut-off valve for corrosion, too. Some retail stores will perform that for you, but if yours doesn’t, don’t ignore your duties. Instructions are in the owner’s manual, but a lot of people don’t maintain the plumbing in their home. That can cut down its lifespan and cause issues down the line.

Don’t wait for a crisis.

Hear a faucet dripping or a toilet running? Got a small leak in the basement? Call your plumber now, before it becomes a major emergency and your basement floods—or something equally tragic happens. If proper maintenance occurs or full attention is paid, the problem won’t rise to that level. Be aware. Fixing a small problem is far easier on your wallet—and won’t require a major renovation.

Know your home.

Quick: Where’s your shut-off valve? If you don’t know, go find out now—you’ll save your plumber precious time if something goes wrong (and save your house from further water damage). That way, if there’s a leak, or you notice water spraying or not turning off, you have the ability to turn it off at the source.

Plumbing can be expensive.

But just because it’s expensive doesn’t mean it’s a rip-off. People don’t realize how expensive plumbing can be. It requires time, expertise, training, and materials to bring things up to code. While you should always get several estimates, don’t dismiss one just because it’s expensive. When you hire cheap plumbers, chances are good you’ll get what you pay for—and they won’t provide the same guaranteed service as pricier plumbers.

Not that price alone determines quality. Check reviews online and even the Better Business Bureau to make sure the plumber you’re hiring has the integrity and the ability to handle a situation if it escalates. In particular, make sure the plumber is licensed and insured. If uninsured plumbers were injured on your property they may be able to sue you for damages—and if they destroy your pipes while working on them, they could just skip town, leaving you to pay for yet another plumber to do the repairs.

Laurel Jonas- REALTOR®

Northwest Realty Group

2022 N. Government Way Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

208-758-9000

208homesforsale@gmail.com

208homesforsale.com

Installing crown and other types of molding is an easy upgrade that can give a classy, traditional look to your home and add to its value. A good miter saw, which can make cross-cuts at various angles, and some patience make this a feasible do-it-yourself project. Not up on your molding lingo? Let’s start with the basics: Molding is a strip or block of wood that has been machined at a mill into any of a variety of designs, dimensions, and styles. It is used as decorative trim.

Framing a doorway

Front doors are a natural place for moldings. The decorative additions allow you to create a sense of grandeur for people entering the house. You can use moldings around both the outside and inside of the door. An architrave, or header, is the horizontal molding on the top of a door. Two common styles of headers are Craftsman and fluted (grooved). A keystone, or an angled block, placed in the center of the heading would give your door an even more ornate feel. The sides of the door can also be trimmed with fluted or plain casings. Interior doors can be dressed up with moldings, too. A narrow molding placed in rectangles gives a plain door a higher-class look. Wider moldings along the door frame can add style to almost any room.

Injecting flair to upper walls or cabinets

Crown molding can add flair to kitchen cabinets. It softens the transition from vertical wall to horizontal ceiling. Two or more shapes of moldings or profiles can be combined to create an individual, distinctive look. Cornice moldings project horizontally from a wall—”cornice” comes from the Italian “cornice,” meaning “ledge.”

Adding distinction to lower walls

In the dining and living rooms, panel molding and wainscoting are common wall treatments. Panel moldings come in a variety of shapes and dimensions. Wainscoting is paneling that has evenly spaced vertical grooves. Both are applied to the lower portion of interior walls. Chair rail is molding applied along the wall at the height a chair back would reach in a formal dining room, to protect the walls from being scraped.

Moldings can be used to add detail to baseboards and around window and door casings. A plinth block is used where the baseboard meets a door casing. Moldings are also helpful in older houses to cover gaps where the floor and wall do not meet or where a window jamb and the wall are not aligned. Moldings are a wonderful way to upgrade your home. Even if you need to hire a contractor for the installation, moldings are still a relatively cost-effective way to infuse your home with style.

Laurel Jonas- REALTOR®

Northwest Realty Group

2022 N. Government Way Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

208-758-9000

208homesforsale@gmail.com

208homesforsale.com