Top 10 Real Estate Markets in the U.S.

WHO MADE THE CUT?


HINT: Louisville Made the List!

Families in the market for a house are shopping at the right time: Nationally, homes are near the most affordable they've been in 18 years. In the fourth quarter of 2009 housing was 62.4 percent more affordable than the same time a year earlier, according to the Housing Opportunity Index, published quarterly by the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo.

Also looking strong is Louisville, Ky., a city whose low foreclosure rate — only 1.15 percent of homes are in foreclosure, half the national average — illuminates it as one of the cities least affected by this aspect of the dramatic housing market collapse of the past three years. Louisville had less......Read More!

Slideshow of America's Best Housing Markets





Article By: Francesca Levy/ Courtesy Of: Forbes.com

Melissa Simms
RE/MAX Associates
Louisville, Kentucky
MelissaSimms@remax.net

Great Weekend Projects For Your Home

GET YOUR HOME READY TO SELL

August 25, 2009---I've heard many times, "We should have done this a long time ago." Usually this is some large project that sellers have put off year after year, living with their home as it is versus updating it to what they have wanted. Maybe it's just simple projects such as faux painting a bathroom, taking down wallpaper, or even changing the hardware of cabinetry. Stop procrastinating! Go ahead and paint the bedroom & take down that 60's wallpaper, update the linoleum to tile, re-paint the kitchen cabinets, tear down that wall & make your family room larger; whatever your project is you are much better off to allocate the funds needed and complete it.

Don't just talk about how you "want to do this" and "need to do that", but never get it completed. Make the decision to do these projects within your budget. It's best to do the projects you want starting from the date you move in. Make a "To Do" list and write a due date beside it for when this project needs to be completed, so you are more likely to actually finish them.

Moving in One Year:
1. Get a market analysis on your home to see what it is worth based on all aspects of the buying public. Many agents will work up a competitive market analysis for you at no cost. *Make sure to ask!
2. See what you owe on your home.
3. Estimate or get prices for the cost of your updates. (Working on yourself or a hiring?)
4. Decide which, if not all, updates can be completed.
5. Enjoy! Love your house before you leave it.

Moving in 5-10 Years:
1. Decide which projects are best long-term and will add the most value to your home.
2. Make a timeline of the projects that are "This Year" and those "Next Year".
3. Enjoy!

Best Low Cost Home Improvements:
1. Painting
The color of a room can drastically change it's overall appearance
2. Hardware
Cabinet pulls, door knobs, etc.
3. Window Treatments
Change out the old or dark colored curtains/ new blinds
4. Wallpaper
Take it down!
5. Appliances
Order new doors or face panels from the manufacturer so they match
6. Vinyl Floor
Put easy-to-apply vinyl tile directly over old flooring
7. Light Fixtures
Change out that old brass with an up-to-date style
8. Organize
Clean out & store neatly. Go through it ALL! Have a "Keep", "Toss" & "Donate" pile. Store the "Keep" items nicely in wicker baskets & bins.
9. Garden
Clean up the landscaping. Buy some perennials that will grow year after year. Draw out your design & color scheme prior to purchasing any plants. Make sure to note areas of shade & sun!

Best Rooms to Remodel:
1. Kitchen
It can be costly, but an updated kitchen is attractive to all buyers. New cabinets, new floors, or a complete re-design are always a plus.
2. Bathroom
No one wants a teeny tiny bathroom or shower. Update the sink, mirror & lighting fixtures or even tear down the wall to make it larger. Maximize space!
3. Master Bedroom/Bathroom
Most people want their home to be a place of relaxation. A coat of paint, new carpet, new walk-in rain shower, or even added windows & lighting in the bath can make a big difference in the atmosphere. We all want to come home to a spa!

The easiest way to decide if you should remodel a certain room or not, is to think about it objectively. Ask yourself these questions:
1. Would it improve the look of my home when I sell?
2. Is it appealing to the vast majority of the public?
3. Is it too trendy to the times?
4. Does it help the home function better?
5. Does this make my home too "built up" as compared to those around me?

Feeling inspired? Go to Lowe's and sign up for weekend classes to do the work on your own, talk to friends, watch HGTV, decide what to fix up and then get it completed.

Good Luck!

Melissa Simms
Realtor

RE/MAX Associates- Louisville, KY

MelissaSimms@remax.net