10 Tips for Taking Care of Wood Furniture

RISMEDIA, Friday, April 22, 2016— Quality wood furniture can last a lifetime and is often a treasured heirloom, passed down through multiple generations. Still, even the highest quality wood is susceptible to scratches and abrasions if not properly cared for.

When purchasing furniture, it’s always a good idea to ask for specific cleaning and care instructions. For furnishings already in your home, here are 10 tips to keep the wood looking its best for many generations to come.

      

1. Don’t Mistreat Furniture
To avoid rings and heat damage, always use coasters when setting glasses or mugs on wood tables, and never place hot food directly on them without the protection of a trivet or potholder. Incorporate decorative placemats or a tablecloth to protect your dining room table from food and drink spills.

2. Avoid Environmental Damage
Sunlight, heat and other environmental factors can wreak havoc on your fine wood. Don’t place valuable furniture in front of uncovered windows, vents or fireplaces, as the light and heat can damage and fade the wood.

3. Dust Often
No one really likes to dust, but the chore is one of the best ways to take care of your furniture. Airborne particles can build a filmy layer on wood that scratches the surface. Frequent dusting keeps this buildup from happening. Always use soft cloth like cotton T-shirts, cloth diapers or microfiber to avoid damage. Lambswool dusters are great for ornate carvings or hard to reach places because they effectively attract and hold dust.



4. Keep Your Wood Clean
Sometimes dusting isn’t enough and you’ll find it necessary to clean your wood furniture. Never use all-purpose cleaners, which can cause damage to the finish. If you have a spot that is heavily soiled or sticky, dip a cloth in water that contains a mild dish detergent. Wring it out as much as possible and gently wipe the area. Be sure to follow up with a rinse from a damp cloth containing just water, then immediately wipe with a soft dry cloth.

5. Protect Your Wood
Most commercial polishes and sprays contain either petroleum distillates or silicone oil to for a fresh and shiny finish, and to offer some protection for your wood. Make sure not to use too much product, because it can cause buildup that combines with dirt to create a dull, sticky film. Always be sure to buff well when using products to help avoid this buildup, and never use these products with a wax protectant because the combination will result in another gooey mess.

6. Treat Wear and Tear
Even with the best care, wood furniture can sustain injuries. For minor nicks and scratches use a product like Old English Scratch Cover. This liquid polish hides abrasions, restoring the wood’s inherent beauty.

If damage is too extensive to be treated with polishes or touch up sticks and you aren’t quite ready to give up your treasured fixture, you may need to resort to something more drastic. Painting a piece of damaged furniture will breathe new life into it and give it several more good years. Painting also allows you to save time by skipping sanding, something you can’t do if you opt to re-stain.

7. Re-Oil Dry Wood
If furniture has been stored and becomes overly dry, you may need to re-oil it. Begin by cleaning it with Murphy’s Oil Soap or another appropriate cleaner, and then prepare the surface with #0000 steel wool, always working with the grain. Liberally apply your furniture oiland let it soak into the wood for about 15 minutes. It you are going to apply a protective coating, let your furniture set for at least 24 hours before proceeding.

8. Re-Wax as Needed
Depending on the finish, some furniture may have a wax protective coating. As these pieces age it may be necessary to re-wax the surface for continued protection. Always prepare the surface with fine #0000 steel wool then wipe with a soft cloth to remove any residue. Apply a coat of wax and spread it with a Scotch Brite pad, using light pressure and always following the grain. Don’t allow the wax to set for more than 20 minutes. Remove the excess wax with a clean Scotch Brite pad, and buff with a soft cloth until the surface feels smooth to the touch.

9. Keep Wood Smelling Fresh
Sometimes older pieces will develop an unpleasant odor, especially if they’ve been stored. You can sprinkle the surface with baking soda to freshen it up, and place a pan of charcoal inside drawers to absorb smells that emanate from inside. You can even leave the piece outside in a shaded area on a warm, dry day to give relief from a malodorous stench and make your furniture good as new.

10. Remove Tough Stains
Despite your best efforts, sometimes the inevitable happens and your beautiful wood furniture gets stained. No matter what kind of stain you have, be sure to clean it as quickly as possible — the longer it sits, the harder it will be to remove.

• For white rings from wet glasses, apply a paste of equal amounts white toothpaste and baking soda. Rub it into the stain until it’s gone. Then, wipe off the furniture and buff with a dry cloth.
• For dark spots from water damage, try gently blotting the stain with a cloth soaked in vinegar.
• For crayon marks, apply mayonnaise over the area. Let it sit for a couple of minutes before rubbing clean with a damp cloth and buffing with a dry cloth.

Taking proper care of your wood furniture isn’t hard or even that time-consuming, and the reward for your effort will be a home filled with beautiful wood furniture that looks and feels as good as the day you got it — now and for years to come.

Megan Wild is a home improvement specialist who loves fixing up old homes and making them beautiful and functional again. When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking in the great outdoors or tweeting house information @Megan_Wild.

This post was originally published on RISMedia's blog, Housecall. Check the blog daily for top real estate tips and trends.

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Vacation Home Sales Reach 2nd Highest Mark Since 2006 [INFOGRAPHIC]

by The KCM Crew on April 15, 2016 in For Buyers, For Sellers, Infographics

Some Highlights:

• 58% of vacation homes purchased were single family homes.
• 51% of vacation homes that were purchased were found online.
• The median price of a vacation home is up 28% from 2014.

Safety & Protecting Valuables ... Uncluttering a Garage .... Home is Where the Space is ...

HOME MATTERS - Susan Antigone Real Estate News

A few articles in my Home Matters Newsletter- 


Shining a Light on Showing Safety: Protect Your Valuables

Selling your home can be a time-consuming process, especially when it comes to cleaning and organizing before last-minute showings. While it may seem as if your to-do list is a mile long, 

Simple Tips to Unclutter the Garage and Set the Stage for a Successful Sale

When selling a home, staging is an important piece of the puzzle that can’t be overlooked. From the kitchen to the bedrooms and bathrooms, staging is a great way to make sure your home

Millennials Look beyond Urban Areas When Putting Down Roots

The 2016 National Association of REALTORS® Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends study revealed that more millennials are purchasing single-family houses outside of urban areas

9 Step Guide to Preparing for Your First Time Home Purchase

                                             Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Homebuyers

RISMEDIA, Tuesday, April 12, 2016— (TNS)—Here’s a secret for first-time homebuyers: No two homebuying experiences are the same. Even with a Zillow sneak peak, a shopper never really knows what homes will look like until they see them in person or what snags they’ll encounter once mortgage lenders and home inspectors get involved.

For some people, it’s the unpredictability of the experience that makes it most exciting. Others prefer to go in armed with as much knowledge as possible. If you fall in the second camp, and you’ve been eyeing open houses, this nine-step guide can help you prepare for your first time buying a house.

Figure Out If Buying Is a Good Idea 

Some first-time homebuyers don’t know that homeownership isn’t right for everyone. There are several scenarios in which renting might be a better option, according to financial planner Katie Brewer, such as the following:

• You plan to move to a new area in the next few years. The costs associated with buying a home can total between 5 and 8 percent of the purchase price of a new home. It can take at least four years — or more in a down market — to recoup that cost in increased market value.
   
• You like having location flexibility. If you’re in a bustling part of town but think you might want something quieter when you settle down, then homeownership might cramp your style — for now.
   
• You don’t want to deal with home maintenance. When the toilet breaks and you’re renting, the landlord sends someone to repair it. If you’re the owner, you have to be prepared to make your own repairs — and to pay for them, too.

Check Your Credit  

Even the most meticulous bill payers can be surprised to find dings on their credit reports. Bills get sent to old addresses, and creditors sometimes make mistakes. You might find someone else’s credit mistakes commingled with your history if that person has the same name or a name similar to yours. Worse yet, you might unwittingly be the victim of credit fraud or identity theft.

“Make sure you don’t encounter any surprises when you’re applying for loans,” says Brewer. She suggested pulling your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com or directly from each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, TransUnion and Experian — to check for errors or other problems.

Fix Any Errors and Improve Your Score 

“Improving your credit score, even by just a few points, can help you get better financing terms when shopping for a mortgage,” says Ross Anthony, a real estate agent in San Diego. “Interest rates, points and even city-funded first-time homebuyer assistance programs can all be influenced by your credit rating.”

To improve your credit score:

• Contact each of the three credit bureaus and report any errors.
• Pay down your credit card debt.
• Pay off any small balances.
• Make sure to pay all of your bills on time. 

Your lender might have more ideas and options for enhancing your credit score, says Anthony. “Give yourself at least six months to see results,” he says.

Find a Lender

Most buyers spend several months working closely with their chosen lender. You want to make sure you’ve picked someone who understands your financial vision and won’t push products that aren’t in your best interest.

“Many unprepared homebuyers wait until they find their perfect home before seriously sitting down with someone to work through the numbers,” says Anthony. This can be a huge financial mistake. If you haven’t lined up a lender, and you find the home of your dreams, you might feel rushed into picking a mortgage provider.

“Pick a person you trust after talking on the phone with them,” says Matt Oliver, a senior loan consultant in Glendale, Ariz. “You can pick one person to do the prequalification and then shop rates and fees when you get a purchase contract.” It might require a couple of extra steps, but it’s the best way, he added.

Anthony suggested interviewing at least three lenders and getting a prequalification or even preapproval, which holds more weight, before starting your home search. “The more you’ve done upfront, the stronger your offer will be when you get to the negotiating table,” he says.

To get preapproved, you’ll need at least the following:

• Bank statements for the two most recent months
• Verification for the source of your down payment
• Tax returns from the last two years
• A copy of your driver’s license and Social Security card

Set Your Buying Budget

“Most folks underestimate how much their costs will be until they meet with me,” says Casey Fleming, mortgage advisor and author of “The Loan Guide: How to Get the Best Possible Mortgage.” Think about how much cash you have to pay the upfront costs, which will include your down payment and closing costs, as well as what you can afford to fork over each month in mortgage, tax and insurance payments.

“All of your fixed expenses — including the mortgage, student loans, car loans, utilities, cellphone, day care, subscriptions and any other fixed expenses — should be no more than 50 percent of your take-home pay,” says Brewer. “The mortgage company only looks at your income and your loan payments, and not at the rest of your expenses, to determine how much they will lend to you.”

In other words, it’s up to you, not your lender, to figure out how much mortgage you can comfortably afford.

Make a List of Must-Haves 

Decide ahead of time what your ideal house includes, what your deal breakers are and where you’re willing to compromise. “At the risk of sounding pessimistic, it is highly unlikely you will find the perfect home with every feature you want in your ideal price range,” says Anthony. “It just doesn’t happen very often. There will be compromises.”

Anthony suggested each spouse or partner rank his or her top five needs, along with the reasons for each. “If you can establish the ‘why,’ you’ll find it’s often more important than the ‘what,’” he says.

When emotions run high during the home search, as they inevitably do, a prepared list can provide added clarity to your decision-making process.

Find an Agent

When searching for a real estate agent, consider the agent’s industry expertise, of course, but also how willing he seems to jump in and help you when things get messy. First-time — and sometimes second- or third-time — homebuyers can get emotional and make mistakes, some of which can fracture a deal or cost a lot of money to correct.

“REALTORS® are usually compensated (by) the seller of a property,” says Brewer. Make sure you’re working with someone who can see past the compensation structure and keep your needs at the forefront of the home search.

Brewer suggested that homebuyers interview several real estate agents. Don’t settle until you find the one who’s a good fit for you.

Prepare for Emotional Ups and Downs  

Home shopping online can be a blast. The reality of pounding the pavement in search of the perfect house can sometimes be a drag.

“You might not get the first house that you put an offer on,” says Brewer. “You might fall in love with a house online but find out that it doesn’t look as great in person.”

Even after a contract has been signed, there can be problems closing the sale. Your home inspector might find mold in the basement. The home might not appraise for the expected value. Your name could be spelled wrong on the title documents.

All of these glitches could delay your settlement date or even cause your deal to fall through. Get excited about buying your first home, but always remember that it’s not a done deal until you’ve been handed your new keys at the closing table.

Get Ready for a Settlement  

Settlement is when your new home becomes yours officially. You’ll sit down with your title agent or attorney — or possibly both — and sign a mountain of paperwork. Be prepared with a cashier’s check for the down payment, says Oliver. “It will need to match the bank name from the statements you provided to your mortgage lender. It can’t come from an account that’s been undisclosed.”

Finally, settlement is when you’ll be handed the keys to your new house. It’s time to break open a bottle of champagne and celebrate — but probably not in the title agent’s office. Do that in the comfort of your new home, instead.

© 2016 GOBankingRates.com, a ConsumerTrack web property
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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Believe it or Not! Mortgage Rates Reach New Low .... Buy Now ... Save Later

                                                     Mortgage Rates Reach New Low

RISMEDIA, Friday, April 15, 2016— Mortgage rates declined slightly from the previous week to reach a new low for the year, according to results from Freddie Mac's recently released Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®).

"Demand for Treasuries remained high this week, driving yields to their lowest point since February,” says Sean Becketti, chief economist of Freddie Mac. “In response, the 30-year mortgage rate fell 1 basis point to 3.58 percent. This rate represents yet another low for 2016 and the lowest mark since May 2013."

PMMS results show the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.58 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending April 14, 2016, down from last week when they averaged 3.59 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.67 percent.

The 15-year FRM this week averaged 2.86 percent with an average 0.5 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.88 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 2.94 percent.

Additionally, the 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.84 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.82 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.88 percent.

For more information, visit www.freddiemac.com. 

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I'd like to provide the most up-to-date interest rates at Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC. This is an indication of mortgage rates at the time this document is published. Specific rates are quoted based on a borrower’s qualifying criteria, credit score, equity, property type, and any applicable state-specific requirements. I would like the opportunity to provide specific rate quotes to your clients based on their specific needs.

REFERRAL PARTNER RATE SHEET April 15, 2016   Rate APR Points 30 Year Fixed 3.500% 3.636% 0.375 15 Year Fixed 2.750% 3.014% 0.375 5 Year ARM 2.750% 3.365% 0.125 5/5 ARM (>$417K) 3.375% 3.331% 0.000 5 Year FHA ARM 2.875% 3.738% 0.000 30 Year FHA 3.250% 4.308% 0.000 30 Year VA  3.250% 3.631% 0.000 5 Year VA ARM 2.875% 2.995% 0.000 30 Year USDA 3.250% 4.101% 0.000 Two Step 15/15 ARM 3.750% 3.614% 0.000 30 Year Jumbo 3.625% 3.685% 0.250

Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC and I look forward to working with you to develop client relationships that last a lifetime. Please contact me at 410-937-1520 or lisa.diesel@phmloans.com if I can assist you or any of your clients.

Remodel Your Kitchen and Open It To Entertaining Your Friends

7 Kitchen Upgrade Ideas That Won't Break the Bank

From:  Dottie Wells, Branch Mgr Bethany Beach DE L&F Blog 

The average cost for a full kitchen remodel is around $20,000, and of course, that dollar amount changes with the size of the room and types of materials selected. But not everything has to happen all at once or involve multiple zeros in the cost estimate. Today we are going to examine several kitchen remodel ideas that won't break the bank.

A full overhaul of your kitchen breaks down into these cost categories, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association:
 

•     Design fees: 4%.
•     Installation: 17%.
•     Appliances and ventilation: 14%.
•     Cabinetry and hardware: 29%.
•     Countertops: 10%.
•     Lighting: 5%.
•     Flooring: 7%.
•     Doors and windows: 4%.
•     Walls and ceilings: 5%.
•     Faucets and plumbing: 4%.
•     Other: 1%.

Using this as our baseline, we can maneuver through the remodeling waters safely, and throw your bank account a life preserver.

Begin in the middle. Let's start in the middle of this list with some lighting and flooring options. Keeping with the average cost figure, replacing floors and lights in your kitchen will run approximately $2,400. You can save money by pulling up the floors or removing light fixtures yourself. But do what you feel comfortable with — not all of us are DIY superstars.

Wood floors in kitchens are quite the rage these days. Whether you use actual wood or a woodlike laminate, wood floors can give your kitchen an old-world charm.

LED lighting is an eco-friendly upgrade for kitchen lights. Consider installing them under cabinets for a contemporary feel. They use less energy and reduce your electric bill. Win-win.

Views and portals. Moving on to doors and windows, again keeping with the average cost, you're looking at $800 for replacement. Use this time to upgrade to a new or decorative door, even if it leads to a garage.

Storage revisited. With cabinets tallying 29% of the cost, they are the bulk of the expense. But consider painting or resurfacing as a cost-effective alternative to replacing. Change out pulls and handles to complement your new color scheme and add visual interest.

Walls and ceilings. Ceilings and walls tend to blend in kitchens, but you can make them stand out to change the schematic of your kitchen design. Wallpaper is making a comeback with some vibrant patterns and colors. Look around and see how you could add color or texture through wallpaper or a new paint color.

Go with the flow. Find your inner nerd when it comes to faucet design. A newfangled water flow concept can be heavenly. Plus, most of the new products have water-conserving specifications built into the fixtures. How great is that? Reduce water usage while admiring your new sink accessories.

Mini-model your kitchen for a big difference without the hefty price tag.

Selling Your Home Now May Be A Good Idea! Ask A Realtor To Determine Its Fair Market Value.

What You Need to Know About Selling Your Home Right Now!

 From:  Dottie Wells, Branch Mgr.,  Bethany Beach DE, L&F Blog

If you live in California, you are really in luck in 2016. Real estate prices are rapidly increasing due to the hot job market. Even if you don't live in the Golden State, the market is trending in your favor too if you have decided to sell your home. Keep your eye on the following factors in order to make this a financially beneficial experience.

1. It's a seller's market. It is, but this also depends on where you live in the country. If the economy in a particular region has bounced back strong since the downturn that began in 2008, home prices will be higher because more people will be coming to that area for employment. There are some places, such as San Francisco and throughout Silicon Valley, where home prices have reached or even exceeded theboom years of the early 2000s. Make sure that you do your research to determine how strong job prospects are in your region.

2. The price must be right. It is going to be more important than ever to work with an experienced, licensed Realtor who understands your local market. You will need to price your home at the going market rate that reflects not only the value of your home but the neighborhood where it is located. Price too high, and there will be little interest in your property; too low, and potential buyers may wonder what hidden issues your property may have.

3. Going up. Mortgage rates also have a significant effect on the dollar figure that you use to price your home. While mortgage rates have been historically low in order to make homes more affordable, this is a trend that will most likely be ending in the near future. The Fed's interest rate increase in December hasn't had an appreciable difference on mortgage rates, but this will most likely not always be the case. Be aware that as mortgage rates increase, the amount of home that a buyer will be able to afford will decrease.

4. List during peak season. Take full advantage of the old rules of supply and demand. When the most people are looking to purchase a home is the best time to put yours on the market. The spring and summer months between April and June are generally the hottest time for buyers and a great opportunity for you to take advantage of potential bidding wars and faster sales.

5. Incentives. Incentives in a seller's market? It may not seem typical, but last year more than a third of all home sellers offered incentives. With the majority of the market made up of first-time homebuyers, providing incentives could result in higher profit and a faster sale for you. 

Want to chat about the status of the market in our area? Connect with me today to get started.