​Carrying auto loans will be more expensive

While interest rates on auto loans didn’t see an immediate jump with the Federal Reserve’s announcement, future increases will eventually hit consumers in noticeable ways. With auto loans tied directly to the Fed’s benchmark rate, an interest rate increase will impact new loans (existing auto loans are fixed). In addition, with subsequent interest rate increases, the cost of vehicles themselves could rise as some dealers opt to decrease inventory in an attempt to skirt the cost of paying higher interest on the cars in their lots. Other dealers might stick to promotional offers and sales to incentivize sales, but these offers are reserved for those with good to excellent credit. (Shoot for 720 to land the best rates.)

Credit cards could see an interest rate creep

Your credit card company may have lured you in with the promise of a low interest rate, but there is something important you should understand about credit cards: Their rates are variable, not fixed. So an increase in rates could shift your overall financial picture in two notable ways — by increasing your monthly minimum payment and lengthening the amount of time it takes to pay off your debt.


However, maintaining a high credit score now might allow you to land a 0% introductory APR credit card offer and do a balance transfer before a change in the interest rate environment forces card providers to nix these offers. (Just make sure you read the fine print and fully understand the ramifications of not paying off your debt before the introductory rate expires.) Even the simple act of moving balances over to a low-interest card and aggressively paying down your debt now can have a big impact on how much you end up paying as well as your overall financial picture.

Source: Forbes.com
​http://www.forbes.com/sites/trulia/2016/02/11/surprise-your-credit-score-matters-more-than-ever-in-2016/#17636f28572f

Most home sellers know their house will undergo a home inspection after a sale contract is signed as a condition of closing. The inspector most likely will point out all of the "imperfections" the sellers have endured as part of their personal Home-Sweet-Home.

However, some of these repairs will need to be fixed - or addressed with a financial reduction negotiated if the seller wants to close on the sale of their home.

Wouldn't it be easier to make these repairs prior to listing your home...if you are going to make them anyway?

​And more importantly, if a seller could get a higher sales price by making the repairs and/or a faster sale if they are done, shouldn't they be fixed before the first open house or

When people romanticize about The Alternative being better than The Current, they frequently muse about "the grass is always greener". The gardening reference may be an easy visual but ask any gardener and they will tell you that having green grass takes a lot of work....mulching and mowing and watering and weeding and fertilizing and more.

So when people are looking for their "Dream House" and think The Next One is going to be the perfect one, it may be time for them to look at their current home.

Every property big and small needs the same attention to maintenance and repair so that it retains it value.  No one likes to do the little things that need fixing - cracked caulk, missing roof shingles, drafty windows, outdated mechanicals, leaky faucets, running toilets, cracked paint, peeling wallpaper, chipped molding - but these are the things that will maximize the value of your home.

When it comes times to sell, you want your "grass" (a.k.a. your house) to be as green as you can get it.

Maybe that Dream Home is where you live right now.

Happy Spring.

​Source: Realtor.com

​Dual showerheads can make you feel as though you’re bathing in a water fall, more so if your bathroom décor has a tropical vibe. Don’t worry about the water consumption though, shower heads can be adjusted to give you a glorious downpour without wasting water.

Hey, want a new kitchen? Maybe a better question would be: Who doesn’t? The kitchen is one of the two most popular rooms to renovate, and quite possibly the star attraction for most buyers looking at a home. After all, It’s a place to make food, share food, socialize (while eating food), and spend time with family (no food necessary!). Bottom line: You’re likely to spend a disproportionate slice of your time in this part of your home. So why not make it great?

Don’t just open up your kitchen, integrate it

Yes, everyone knows that an open-plan living area is brighter and airier, but somehow the kitchen always ends up looking like … a kitchen. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Pick appliances with finishes that mimic cabinets, and show off your shelves with objects and books, just like you would in your living room.

Gutierrez says the design solutions he profiles in his book aren’t just focused on the kitchen—they also “seek to achieve an aesthetic unity” with the living and dining areas.

“The best results are truly original, beautiful, and, above all, very practical.”

​Play with materials

Gutierrez says one of the main trends he noticed was the wider-than-ever variety of materials being used in kitchens today. Ceramic, stone, glass, and lacquer are taking their place alongside stainless steel. And best of all, designers are mixing and matching them with abandon.

“The more different the materials, the more interesting and intense the resulting combination,” he writes. While concrete is “the preferred construction material for modern architecture,” ceramic is an up-and-comer that’s both attractive and resistant—it’s even been used in space exploration. Hey, if it’s good enough for the astronauts, it’s good enough for your kitchen.

But it’s nice to know that traditional materials haven’t lost their luster either. The all-time favorite? Good ol’ wood.

​Go all white—or all black!

“White has many benefits: it looks harmonious and creates a sense of cleanliness,” Gutierrez writes. “Combined with red it is unbeatable.”

In fact, the monochromatic look always makes a strong design statement, whether it’s light or dark. The use of dark-stained wood adds a natural touch to this hypermodern black kitchen/dining room.

Source: Realtor.com
http://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/best-new-ideas-in-kitchens-2/
​

​Choose a Great Color Scheme

Color can change a home in a way no other thing can. It can affect how people feel, enlarge or shrink a space, or raise and lower ceilings. When you understand how color combinations work, you can choose a color scheme that works for your home. Don’t just paint your walls white and expect buyers to come running. White in combination with colorful accent walls would work better. Remember to always focus on creating a warm and welcoming environment - white can often feel too sterile.

Visually increase the square footage with space saving furniture

If you live in a smaller home, you can easily maximize the available space by opting for multi-functional furniture. Ottomans serving as coffee tables and additional seats or stools that can be used as side tables are ideal for making a small home appear more spacious and attractive. Another example of such double duty furniture is the sofa that works as a bedside table. Just make sure to stick with light or neutral color furniture to keep the entire room looking spacious.

​Choose modern home furniture for buyer appeal

When choosing furniture for home staging, it’s important to choose furniture pieces that won't outdate your home. When people shop for a house, they usually begin their search online and the first thing they look at are the pictures of your staged home. In fact, photographs are what make potential buyers come and inspect your house in person. And as some patterns and colors photograph better than others, it’s essential to stick with them.

Source: Homestaging.com
​

An online presence is a vital component of a real estate professional's marketing strategy. Because today's consumers want accurate information quickly and conveniently, real estate professionals must harness the features and capabilities of online marketing to meet these ever-increasing needs. In this field guide you will find an overview of online marketing basics, tips on marketing your website, and information on how to use email and blogging. You will also find NAR's trademark and policy issues, as well as a variety of useful websites that can take your internet marketing to new heights. (C. Dodge, Information Specialist)

Field Guide to Effective Online Marketing
(Updated December 2014)

An online presence is a vital component of a real estate professional's marketing strategy. Because today's consumers want accurate information quickly and conveniently, real estate professionals must harness the features and capabilities of online marketing to meet these ever-increasing needs. In this field guide you will find an overview of online marketing basics, tips on marketing your website, and information on how to use email and blogging. You will also find NAR's trademark and policy issues, as well as a variety of useful websites that can take your internet marketing to new heights. (C. Dodge, Information Specialist)

Did You ​Know...
...92% of homebuyers used the Internet as an information source
...76% of Internet homebuyers drove by or viewed a home they saw online
...43% of buyers first found their home on the Internet

Source: Realtor.org
​http://www.realtor.org/FIELD-GUIDES/FIELD-GUIDE-TO-EFFECTIVE-ONLINE-MARKETING

Source: homebuying.about.com
​http://homebuying.about.com/od/homeshopping/qt/091107_homeinsp.htm

Windows

Windows play a very important factor in the curb appeal of your home.  New windows on a home make the house look new and fresh, whereas older, outdated windows can make the home seem run down and old.  We all know first impression counts for a lot, especially in real estate.  Older windows can also cause other issues, such as bad airflow in a home if the windows do not open or get stuck.  If the windows are not insulated well, they will now be able to keep the air out of the home.  This is a huge issue in climates with bad winters, such as the Chicago area where I live.  This alone can cause your heating bill to double in cost!

Heating/cooling

Heating and cooling systems are another aspect of home that the buyer assumes to be perfect when they buy.  Whatever your home uses for heating and cooling, make sure that all systems are working properly.  You do not want to get a good offer on your home, only to have it ruined by the heating and cooling systems not passing inspections.  As with the roof, repairing these issues can be expensive, and no buyer wants to take on that task.  Buyers want to feel as comfortable as possible when they move into their new home, and heating as cooling systems play a huge role in that.

Landscaping

 

Landscaping is another important factor to consider when thinking about the curb appeal of your home. You may want to consider either putting some sweat equity into your landscaping, or hiring a landscaping company to come and spruce things up.  Buyers may be deterred from purchasing your home if they have to walk through a jungle to get to the front door.  Good landscaping can do wonders for bringing out the best in your home.

Roof
​
Okay, we all know that your kitchen and your bathrooms are two of the most important selling features of your home, and they should be improved upon as much as possible.  Here are some other aspects that are often overlooked when thinking about home improvements to sell a home. For more home selling ideas, read tips for selling your home in Chicago’s real estate market.




 

Source: Realtytimes

By Jonathan Goode, LandThink.com

Buying your first piece of rural land can be very exciting. First time land buyers often tell me, “I want to buy a piece of land, but I don’t really know what I am doing.” Buying land is something most people do only a couple of times in their life, so this article is aimed at increasing your chances of having a successful transaction.

The list of questions and information contained in this article are not meant to be exhaustive or to give legal or other professional advice, but are for general informational purposes only. You should seek the counsel of a licensed attorney or other professional about your particular situation.

The following list of 24 Buyer Due Diligence Questions to ask is meant to be a helpful checklist to determine if a property fits your needs.