Owning a Home is an Investment. How Will Your Home Appreciate in Value Over Time?

Homeownership as an Investment: The Role of Price Appreciation

by The KCM Crew on May 27, 2015 

We recently posted on the results from the latest Home Price Expectation Survey (HPES) showing where residential home prices are headed over the next five years. Today, we want to show you what the results of the report could mean to you.

A good portion of every family’s wealth comes from the equity in the home they live in. As the value of their home (an asset) increases so does their equity. Let’s look at a possible case scenario based on the latest HPES.

Here is a chart showing the survey’s projections on annual appreciation over the next five years:

We then looked at the five-year impact this would have on the equity of a family that purchased a home in January for $250,000:

Their family wealth (based on increased equity) would increase by $47,772 over those five years.

Bottom Line

If you don’t yet own, perhaps you should be thinking about purchasing. If you already own, maybe it’s time to move up to enjoy your dream home and also ride the increase in equity of the larger asset.

Add a Garden Oasis to Your Back Yard - Even at the Beach

Create a Garden Paradise

Garden Ideas

Urban living doesn't mean you can't create a gardener's paradise. Spectacular gardens can grow in unexpected places. Here are a few tips on how to create a rooftop or patio garden.

Check Zoning Rules -- Before you start, consult your local zoning bylaws, municipal building requirements and your HOA (if you have one). Adding a rooftop or patio garden may require reinforcing the structure and possibly a permit.

Plan Your Space -- Decide how you intend to use the space. Are you trying to enhance the view from the inside or do you want an outdoor space for relaxing or entertaining? Once you map out the main design elements, you can plan your container garden around them.

Consider Weight -- Keep containers lightweight by using soilless potting mixes, planter inserts or lightweight containers, especially if you plan on growing plants that require a lot of water.

Choose Sturdy Plants -- Pick plants that can handle the elements. Compact shrubs and hardy perennials that are ideal for container gardening include boxwood, cedar, euonymus, ferns, grasses, lavender, yews, dwarf conifers and succulents.

Think Safe and Secure -- Consider adding walls or a lattice structure to provide a safety barrier and protect plants from wind damage. It's also a good idea to secure planters to keep them from toppling over.

Raise Planters -- Protect your rooftop or patio from rot and water damage by placing planters on bases or feet to prevent water from pooling underneath. Raising planters also allows for air circulation to the roots, encouraging stronger root development.

Water Regularly -- Remember that container gardens are more susceptible to drying out so use moisture-retaining gel grains or mulch to lessen evaporation, or consider installing a drip irrigation system.

Safety and Security issues are different problems that require different lighting solutions

Worried about Safety? Lights Can Help!

Lighting for Safety or Security - Different Needs

1. Motion-activated or motion-sensor lighting: The lighting turns on when something or someone passes the area being covered by a motion sensor. The light only turns on when triggered by motion, not by how dark or light it might be outside. It turns off when the motion isn’t detected anymore, which saves on electricity. This lighting is often mounted near the garage to light up when you get out of your car and startles intruders. Be sure it’s mounted high; otherwise, a burglar might try to unscrew it to disable it. Also, insure these lights are protected from the elements by a weatherproof box.
2. All-night lighting: It provides constant lighting, so it would be hard for an intruder to enter your home without being seen. You can set it to turn on at dusk and off at dawn with a timer or a photo cell. Since it uses a lot of electricity, consider using a solar-powered version.
3. Hi/low combination lighting: This lighting offers illumination when you need it. When someone passes by, the motion sensor makes the lights brighten. Overnight, it uses a low-intensity light.
4. Moonlight effect: It’s lighting that’s not stronger than that of a full moon, and yet it’s strong enough to make shadows and highlights. This soft form of lighting gets rid of dark areas where an intruder might hide and spotlights movement on your property.
5. Floodlights: Use them to light a dark garage, stairway or entryway. Light the way for your family to enter the home after dark and discourage intruders from trying to enter. Position floodlights high up enough so that they cast a wide cone of light.
    

What's the Difference between a humidifier and a dehumidifier - Which One Do You Need?

Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers: Do You Need One, the Other—Or Both!

 Choosing a Humidifier or Dehumidifier - Lowe's

Whole-House Dehumidifiers

Whole-house dehumidifiers help control and regulate the humidity throughout your house automatically by removing moisture from the air. They tend to be energy efficient and easy to maintain. They are generally located in the basement, so you can’t see them, and you are less likely to hear them.

You might need one if you want to control your home’s growth of mold, dust mites and mildew, any of which can lead to allergies. A whole-home dehumidifier can prevent this growth. It can also help decrease how fast metal rusts, extending the lives of appliances and plumbing systems.

Here's how it works: dehumidifiers pull warm, moist air from every room in your home. The air passes over a cool surface and its moisture condenses, running into a container or a drain outside the house. The drier air then recirculates. Some units are connected to the cooling or heating system’s ductwork; others are separate, independent, self-contained units.

Whole-House Humidifiers

A whole-house humidifier can increase your home’s moisture and humidity levels. Typically, they are controlled by a humidistat, which senses the moisture in the air and lets you set the humidity level you want digitally or manually. The amount of water consumed and humidification you need varies based on the size of your home, the home’s construction and your specific humidifier. They are energy efficient since they help your home feel warmer at a lower temperature. And it’s cheaper to run the whole-house humidifier than raising your thermostat.

You might need it if you want to reduce viruses that increase your likelihood of flu, colds or respiratory issues, since these viruses tend to multiply in dry environments. A whole-house humidifier lowers the strength of these viruses. Also, dry air can damage household objects like wooden instruments, wood furniture and hardwood floors, as well as fragile artwork. Increasing the home’s humidity will help prevent these from being damaged.

Also, dry air can cause cracked, dry and itchy skin; dry mouth; itchy, dry eyes; nosebleeds; sore throats and sinus problems; aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms; as well as a host of other health issues. Humidifiers can alleviate these conditions.

Here's how it works: In a forced-air heating system, the units bring moisture directly into the system. Typically, air blows through a wet wick and then into a duct. The system brings the moisture to every room in the house. They don’t need to be refilled since they’re linked to your home’s water supply.

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Where Should I Retire? [INFOGRAPHIC]

by The KCM Crew on May 1, 2015 in For Buyers, For Sellers

Some Highlights From The Report:

• 80% of all pre-retirees in the South Atlantic region plan to stay there in retirement
• 4 out of 10 pre-retirees plan to relocate in retirement
• Retirees in the South Central Region are most satisfied with their Cost of Living
• For more information or to read the full report: Click Here

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