FASCINATING WEEK

What a fascinating week it has been.....

After all that we have been through in 2012 with mother nature, this year is also proving no different.
In the news over the last few days we have seen coverage showing meteor showers that look on TV and by video recording like some epic film set from the film, The day after tomorrow.

What will we see from nature next throw at us. One thing for all of us to  to check is that home insurance policy, for as we have seen over the last few days in the world, being a home owner these days anything can happen.
Are you covered for falling objects?


"To Finish the Basement or Not Finish the Basement that is the question"

I have been asked in the past my advise on whether a selling client should finish that basement or leave it dark as a storage working area...

Firstly I would say that in my opinion while finishing a basement may not add much actual dollar to the value of your home you should consider the appeal and attraction a finished basement can give buyers. It also can make your marketed and presented home different over your neighbors, you want to be a silver penny in amongst the rest.
Firstly get to know your area homes, I like to take listing new clients sometimes to other properties already listed, it gives them an insight as to where they sit in standards.
I also would ask yourself these questions, Do your neighbors mostly have finished basements, does your agent feel the basement needs to be finished for the majority of buyers he has experience of, if the answer is yes then in my opinion invest and make that basement part of your living walking area as part of your home.
Your home can then be more desireable and more in-line as to what buyers today are looking for.

Do not do it poorly or rough, a prospective buyer will see right through it and think how much it will cost to make it good. Also do not over improve it by being to lavish. Should you choose to finish the basement, be careful not to over-improve it.
One rule for your own sake, make sure you obtain all the required permits - if you don't, it will bite you in the end to sell!
There are companies that will transform basements who are specialists and make it a real part of your home.


Contact a local, trusted realtor and ask for his or her professional opinion.
He/she will be able to give you a larger view of what improvements are selling homes, as well as what improvements are truly a waste of money.
He/She will also be able to give you a realistic picture of what your competitor homes look like and give you a current market value for your home - with and without finishing your basement.
Do not forget to ask for a market valuation, CMA, competitive market analysis they give a clear picture done correctly.
A noteworthy point is that a bedroom in a basement to be legal needs to have at least one full window, check with your local authority over the codes to follow.
Do not forget either that improving your sq footage can increases your taxes.
If you intend to borrow money to do the amends when it comes to borrowing the monies to do the upgrade the bank will want and insist on an appraisers opinion.

Growing Family....lets convert the Garage...

Are you beginning to see your garage in a new light, as invaluable extra living space?
If done with care, the new space can be matched in with your home for a seamless finish, and the work can take, at best, as little as just a couple of weeks.
Integral garages are the most straightforward to convert and involve minimal disruption to your home.

Before you go ahead, it's worth discussing the advantages of an extra room against a usable garage in your area with local Real estate agent, and the resulting impact on the value of your home.

People I find are converting garages into extra lounges, offices, playrooms and utility rooms.
I have even seen where a garage conversion made the kitchen cleverly extended into the garage, but the appearance from the front of the house for planning reasons looked the same. The owners kept the garage door and behind it was a small storage area. This can be a turn off for a buyer.
Integral garages in older homes are often too small to hold today's larger cars, and tend to be used for storage instead. Bear in mind that by converting it to living space you'll have some serious dejunking to do.
Cars have become bigger but garages in older properties where not so large, so they are increasingly used for storage. Example....If you have a Porsche or old Mustang, a garage will be worth more to you than the storage, while someone with a family car may not be so concerned and welcome the change.

Please again ensure you follow the codes seeking approval and I would suggest you keep the floors if possible to the height of the original house floor level, blending it in so it all follows through for the potential buyer to accept. Keep the same style and decoration as to colors too.
Talk to a good agent getting their input to make sure you are not going to make your property difficult to sell in the future.