changescapeweb, Author at Sandra Meranda

October 1, 2011 by changescapeweb Leave a Comment

Buying a Home with a Family

COLDWELL BANKER SHARES THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A HOME WITH FAMILY IN MIND

For many people, finding a new home is more than a matter of personal taste and individual finance – it’s a family affair. Buying a new home to accommodate a growing family is an exciting step in one’s life, but it can also be a balancing act. Communication and planning are key to any successful home-buying experience. Moving to a new home while expecting a child or preparing for a family down the road makes anticipating your future needs all the more important. What may make a perfect starter home for a couple might not work as well when children come into the picture.

A recent survey released by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC found that 65 percent of homeowners who are also parents purchased their first home before becoming pregnant or within one year of their child’s birth. For those consumers who are in a similar position, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC offers the following five factors to consider when buying a home with family in mind:

Proximity to family. Nearly half of the homeowner respondents in a recent survey from Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC reported that they live less than 10 minutes from extended family members, with 72 percent choosing to live within 30 minutes. Buying a home that is close to family members can provide support, help and guidance that can be a great benefit both emotionally and financially. With extended family nearby, families have the opportunity to spend more time together and even save money on occasion. The cost of babysitters and long distance travel to visit relatives can really add up!

Existing floor plan. Each family has its own unique dynamic and should take its distinctive needs into consideration when exploring different floor plans. While having a master bedroom upstairs and the other rooms downstairs may work for some families, others may prefer to have all of the bedrooms on the same level.

Surrounding neighborhood. The neighborhood looks different from the eyes of a parent. It’s wise to get an idea of what the neighborhood offers for children, such as local recreational centers, parks or playgrounds as well as the school system, before deciding on an area to live. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC recommends home buyers utilize online tools such as Coldwell Banker On Location that can offer consumers a wealth of local market information.

Future lifestyle needs. They say children grow up in the blink of an eye. Make sure the home you purchase leaves growing room and will still fit your family’s needs a few years down the road, especially if there are plans for more children.

Budget. One of the most important things for all potential homeowners to consider is their personal budget. Growing a family and having children usually means a growing list of expenses as well. Estimate monthly expenses along with a mortgage payment to ensure all financial commitments can be reasonably met.

A top real estate agent can help you make an informed decision about buying a home with your family in St. Charles or St. Louis Missouri home. My team specializes in St. Charles County and St. Louis County. If you are considering selling your home, please contact Sandra Meranda and I’ll get you moving!

Photo Credit – Images_of_Money

September 21, 2011 by changescapeweb Leave a Comment

10 Quick Facts About Consumer Behavior on Facebook

Facebook seems to be everywhere today. The number of users and the amount of time that they spend on Facebook is amazing. So with all the focus on Facebook, especially on eve of f8 – The Facebook Developers Conference – and all of the major announcements that are expected, it is important to consider how customers really behave on Facebook and how they interact with brands.

The study, conducted by Constant Contact and research firm Chadwick Martin Bailey, analyzed the behavior of 1,491 consumers ages 18 and older throughout the United States and revealed a number of details about how people interact with brands on the world’s largest social network.

Most people Like a business or brand on Facebook because they are either a customer, or they are looking for a discount or promotion.

Most participation with a brand is passive – by reading the news feeds. Only about 30% share experiences and news, or post about the brand.

Over three-fourths of people have never unliked a brand, with people over 35 more likely to remain a fan.

The study also pointed to a number of encouraging stats for businesses, including:

56% of consumers said they are more likely to recommend a brand to a friend after becoming a fan on Facebook

51% of consumers said they are more likely to buy a product since becoming a fan on Facebook

78% of consumers who “Like” brands on Facebook said they “Like” fewer than ten brands

I’d love to know your thoughts on your personal experiences with Facebook, either as a brand or a consumer!

10 Quick Facts You Should Know About Consumer Behavior on Facebook

View more presentations from Constant Contact

September 20, 2011 by changescapeweb Leave a Comment

Top ten clients for a real estate agent

Who are the best clients for a real estate agent? Well, there are a lot of reasons why people buy or sell homes. Working with a top real estate agent can make the experience better for most people regardless of circumstance. Here are a few situations where people choose to work with real estate agents to buy or sell their homes.

1. First Time Home Buyers. This pertains to anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the last 3 years. Home prices are lower than they have been in a long time, and so are interest rates. As a result, now is a great time for first time home buyers!

2. Bankruptcy, Foreclosures, Short Sales, and Money Problems. Unfortunately, many people find themselves in difficult situations in these difficult times. Contacting a top real estate agent earlier in the process can help people in these situations.

3. Family Changes. Divorce, Marriage, and having a baby often cause people to think about buying a home or finding a new home.

4. New construction. If you hear someone you know who is talking about building a new home, please encourage them to talk to a real estate agent. The people at the construction office work for the construction company. They do not work for you and therefore may not represent your best interests. They also already factor in the commission of a real estate agent too.

5. Rehabbing and/or buying rental and investment properties. Even if you plan to rehab, it is best to work with a real estate agent. Regardless of whether the property is going to be your primary residence, or whether you are buying rental or investment properties, a top real estate agent can play a critical role for you in securing the best deal.

6. All the kids have left the home, empty-nest syndrome. When the kids leave home, your needs change. Downsizing, moving to the city or a new part of town, or just want a second home – these are all important reasons to work with a top real estate agent.

7. Older (more mature) folks who can’t take care of their big home or yard and want a smaller home or villa. Or they want to move to Florida or another warmer place.

8. Parents & grandparents move to be near their kids or GRANDKIDS, who are now living in another city.

9. Moving for job reasons or transfer.

10. Anyone you know is moving from ANYWHERE TO ANYWHERE in the country, I can refer them to a top agent ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

A top real estate agent can help you make an informed decision about kitchen remodeling to help you sell your St. Charles or St. Louis Missouri home. My team specializes in St. Charles County and St. Louis County. If you are considering selling your home, please contact Sandra Meranda and I’ll get you moving!

August 17, 2011 by changescapeweb Leave a Comment

Kitchen Remodeling on a Budget: Tips & Ideas

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Kitchen remodeling has value whether you continue to live in your home or you decide to sell your home. Did you know that there are many great kitchen remodeling ideas that you can do on a budget? Here’s an article that talks about tips and ideas to remodel your kitchen on a budget.

Feb 2011 from American Home Shield:

The kitchen is one of the most popular rooms in a home, so why not make yours really stand out? Whether you’re selling or simply want to upgrade, here are some simple tips and ideas to get you started without breaking the bank:

Plan ahead and find patterns, colors and textures that you like from magazines, home improvement stores and the Internet.
Set a budget! Know what upgrades will give you the most value for your money and do your best to stick with your budget.
Make a plan and do one thing at a time, especially if you’re going to do it yourself.

So where should you start?

Cabinets
Repaint or stain your cabinet doors and add new hardware. This is one of the easiest and least expensive upgrades you can do that makes a big difference. If you need advice on what works best with the cabinets you have, take a door into your local home improvement store and ask for professional advice.

Kitchen Counter Tops
Counter tops can be expensive if you’re going for granite, but that’s not your only option. You can opt for concrete or granite overlay. Do your research to find what suits your budget and style best.

Kitchen Floors
Your choices are endless when it comes to updating your kitchen floors. From peel-and-stick tile to laminate wood flooring and travertine, the sky is the limit— but be mindful of your budget! Bring home samples of the flooring based on your style and budget before you make a final decision. Many real estate professionals agree that a kitchen remodel splurge should be saved for the countertops and not the floors, so keep this in mind when deciding. You want to make sure you get great value from any upgrades you do.

Saving Money on Kitchen Appliances
If your appliances are in good working order and match in color and style, save your budget for more beneficial upgrades. If your appliances look really dated or don’t match the new look of your kitchen, you may want to consider finding some great scratch and dent deals.

Did you know that appliances can be painted? A professional paint job can turn your white appliances into fresh, new-looking ones. You can also buy appliance-safe paint at your home improvement store and do it yourself.

Kitchen Lightening
Installing modern lighting is amazingly simple if your kitchen is already wired for overhead lighting. A new chandelier can make a big difference, and you can find options for less than $150! To make an even bigger impact, be sure to install a dimmer switch. You’ll be surprised what a difference a little “mood switch” can make.

The options are endless for remodeling your kitchen on a budget. The hardest part is deciding which upgrades will make the biggest difference on the smallest budget. Just be sure to do your research and to set realistic goals. And last, but not least, enjoy the project by making it your own.

Image: mod kitchen 7, a Creative Commons Attribution image from kitchendesigner’s photostream

August 11, 2011 by changescapeweb Leave a Comment

10 Upgrades Under $100 to Boost a Home’s Value

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Thinking of selling your St. Charles or St. Louis County home? There are definitely some very cost effective things that can help boost your home’s value. Here’s a great article that highlights 10 upgrades under $100.

You might assume that only big-budget home renovations will produce valuable results. But there’s good news for homeowners on a budget. Plenty of inexpensive upgrades — like these — can pay off when it comes time to sell.

August 2011 From American Home Shield:

Add a fresh coat of paint. At about $30 a gallon, paint is one of the least expensive ways to spruce up your living space. Add paint in neutral, earth-tone colors to bring out the best in each room.

Explore energy updates. Evaluate your home’s energy efficiency by going to the U.S. Department of Energy website. There, you can get tips to make improvements that sellers will appreciate.

Fix minor plumbing and electrical problems. It’s worth your while to take care of these problems before a potential buyer uncovers them during a home inspection.

Add storage. Lack of closet space can be a deal breaker for some buyers. Adding a DIY wire or laminate system to all closets will give them the appearance of being more spacious and organized.

Let light in. Ditch dark and heavy drapes for simple wood blinds and/or upholstered cornices. Update or add lighting fixtures — wall lights, lamps, ceiling fans with lights — to give the rooms a bright, more updated look.

Give kitchen appliances a facelift. Mismatched appliances can make a kitchen look outdated — but that doesn’t mean you need to replace them. Many appliances can be updated with new doors or face panels.

Don’t neglect the bathroom. Simple fixes can make a bathroom look more modern in no time. Get a new shower curtain, switch out the old toilet seat with a new one and replace drab or damaged flooring with vinyl tiles.

Update your front door. It’s the first part of your house that potential homebuyers see. Give it a fresh cost of paint and consider switching out your current lock-and-handle set for a sturdy, more modern piece of hardware.

Power up. Rent a power washer — it’s less expensive than hiring someone to do it — and thoroughly clean your house’s exterior.

Curb appeal. When it comes to your yard, definitely sweat the small stuff. Clean up clutter and have it hauled away or store it in the shed. Get rid of weeds and add some in-season plants and flowers to your walkway or in pots on your front porch. Make sure to mow your lawn as needed — potential homebuyers frequently drive by unannounced.

A top real estate agent can help you make an informed decision about the right upgrades to help you sell your St. Charles or St. Louis Missouri home. My team specializes in St. Charles County and St. Louis County. If you are considering selling your home, please contact Sandra Meranda and I’ll get you moving!

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

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