Not for the Faint of Heart

I've been selling real estate since 2004 and what I'm finally understanding is that this is not a business for the faint of heart. These days people understand how important the real estate sector is to the economy. What many people who venture into this business don't understand is just how hard this is, emotionally, physically, mentally. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy what I do but man can it be difficult. It's so easy to get off track too. I was so excited about writing this blog when I started many years ago and I lost interest because the work of just selling real estate became so tough. We'll be in a new year in two months and I've promised myself that I will be the best that I can be and sell the heck out of this market. What I've gained over the years is a greater appreciation of my ability to solve problems, to bring people together and to manage expectations. So let the fun continue! Oh by the way, I'm never too busy for your referrals either.
The Washington Post's Real Estate section today has an interesting story about the lack of affordable housing in the DC area. I'm not sure I agree with the article but take a look and see what you think: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/29/AR2009102905141.html.

Until next time, remember you can rest when you die.

Living Green

Make your home energy self-sufficient in some surprisingly simple steps: as indicated by an article in Saturday's Washington Post

Passive Solar Energy

Advantage: Energy that costs nothing, unless a couple of trees need to be cut down to allow the sunlight in.
Disadvantages: Most new houses are built in subdivisions where the front of the house faces the street. Passive solar design might mean your house would face the back yard or side yard.

Tight Building Envelope

Advantages: Allows a tight envelope to be formed around your house so little energy escapes.
Disadvantage: Slightly higher initial cost.

Renewable Energy

Solar: The electricity you generate from the sun powers anything in the house.

• Advantages: Clean and, once paid off, an investment that keeps on producing. If you make more energy with the sun than you need, it can go into the utility grid, spinning your meter backward and generating a credit.
• Disadvantages: Expensive: It would cost $40,000 to $60,000 to take an average American house completely off the grid with solar.

Wind: Wind energy has improved dramatically in the past few years. Systems are now quiet, and if the wind blows at more than 8 miles per hour, it creates energy that can be used for anything that requires electricity in your home, including heating or cooling.

• Advantages: Takes your system 20 to 30 percent off the grid when there is a good wind. If you produce more energy than you need, it goes into the utility grid, spinning your meter backward and generating a credit.
• Disadvantages: No wind, no energy. There are often ordinances on tower height.

Efficient Heating, Cooling

Heat pumps: A high-efficiency heat-pump system provides the same comfort as its standard-efficiency brethren but uses 10 to 20 percent less energy. A heat pump is the most efficient system for the money invested. The expense is about 15 percent to 20 percent more than the cost of a standard system and, as a result, these pay for themselves in three to five years.

• Advantages: Refrigerant that's less damaging to the environment than the refrigerant used in standard systems. Zoned systems put energy only where needed instead of everywhere. Why heat the whole house when you need the warmth only on the first floor? Will cool even when outside temperatures top 100 degrees.
• Disadvantages: Costs more initially. Needs a backup heat source if temperature goes below 20 degrees outside. This backup can be electric or fossil fuel (propane, fuel oil) and is designed to kick in as needed.

Geothermal: This system uses the natural heat of the earth to heat and cool a house. It works well in large and small homes but requires electricity to run.

• Advantage: Extremely efficient.
• Disadvantages: The initial outlay is sizable, and although it is efficient, you remain on the grid.

Radiant heat: This system consists of pipes installed beneath the floor that heat the floor. Similar to hot water baseboard heat, it is a low-temperature radiator system that runs through every square foot of your floor. Electricity does not work well for this system and so is not recommended. Propane is the fuel of choice, though solar energy can complement this system.

• Advantage: Less expensive than geothermal.
• Disadvantages: Not necessarily less than high-efficiency heat pumps, especially when you factor in the cost of propane vs. the cost of electricity. Does not cool.

Water Heaters

On-demand hot water: On-demand systems heat water only as it is needed. They have been used throughout Europe since World War II. Important note: If the water needs to be treated, it must be treated before it enters the hot water heating system.

• Advantages: Saves energy, cost-efficient.
• Disadvantages: You are still on the power grid. The systems that run on electricity do not work nearly as well as those that use propane. Propane costs have almost doubled in the past year.

Solar water heaters: A water system requires only a couple of solar panels and heats water throughout the year. Given the tax incentives, this system earns back the cost in three to seven years and then keeps going.

• Advantages: Tax credits, heats water off the grid.
  Disadvantage: Cloudy days mean your backup system, usually electric or propane, will turn on automatically to make sure you are never without hot water.

Go Green...Toward Energy Self-Sufficiency In Some Surprisingly Simple Steps

Angela Jones
www.AngelaJonesRealEstate.com

A Look at Affordable Security Systems

There is some new technology when it comes to home security. Do your research, some new systems can keep you safe while possibly even saving money.

As examples of the expanding choices available, here's a quick look at four systems that use modern options -- high tech and low tech, centrally monitored or able to notify you directly if there's an issue.

1. For flexible direct alerting without monthly fees, Sensaphone's Model 400, list price $395, monitors electrical power, high or low temperature, and noise level.

2. For people who have replaced land-line telephones with cellphone or Internet voice service, McLean's Alarm.com takes a different approach. The system connects via a two-way cellular network to an operations center. This system handles traditional alarms such as intrusion and fire as well as non-emergent activities like children returning from school or someone opening a liquor cabinet. This system can also sound an alert if a desired event doesn't happen, such as an elderly parent occasionally moving around. Video connections provides a remote "grannycam" if that option is needed. Monitoring is always on, unlike with many home alarm systems. Price ranges from $300 on up to over $1000 plus monitoring fees.

3. A simple, self-installed intrusion-detection technology comes from LaserShield. Its starter kit, costing $199.99 (plus monitoring fees), includes a master alarm unit, an infrared wireless detection unit, two key-chain remotes and a device to prevent animal-triggered false alarms. Only the master unit needs a telephone connection; units have panic buttons and battery backup.

4. For flexible and modular security, AT&T's Remote Monitor system provides functions ranging from minimal (one door/window intrusion sensor and one camera) to comprehensive (multiple cameras including pan and tilt capability; water, temperature, motion and intrusion sensors; power controller, lamp dimmer; thermostat). Four starter kits are available, ranging from $199 to $899 plus monitoring fees.

All systems have disadvantages as well as the touted features; he pointed out that initial and monthly cost, troubleshooting procedures, customer service, and coverage hours all affect long-term satisfaction. Do your reasearch to find the best system for you and your family. Click here to read the entire Washington Post article.

Stay Safe...

Angela Jones
www.AngelaJonesRealEstate.com

Pouring Cash Into the Bath

Every home seller who's serious about the job knows that scrubbing, de-cluttering, and all manner of primping are mandatory. But how far should you go in making expensive repairs to a bathroom?

Buyers pay a lot of attention to bathrooms. They know it's expensive to remodel, and they're mightily turned off by disrepair. And plenty of homes in this area have bath tiles in horrid hues of yellow, pink, blue and green that cry out for replacement.

A bathroom rehab can move to the top of the to-do list when other parts of the home have already been updated. Buyers tend to expect that a whole house is of similar quality.

If you have already updated the kitchen and other parts of the house, a shabby, old bathroom can stick in buyers' memories, turning your lovely, reasonably priced home into the one shoppers remember as "the house with the ugly blue tiles."

But is it worth remodeling just to help along a sale? To find out, read the following Washington Post article "Pouring Cash Into the Bath".

See You Next Week...

Angela Jones
www.AngelaJonesRealEstate.com

Relaxation, in Rotation

Have you and your family been thinking about purchasing a vacation home but think that you just can't afford 2 mortgages? You may find an answer to your problem in this Washington Post Article written by Karen Tanner Allen. Relaxation, in Rotation discusses the trend of families and friends purchasing vacation homes together, kind of like a "mini timeshare". Allowing families to get away without breaking the bank. This arrangement has multiple families sharing the mortgage as well as the day to day expenses.

If this is something that you may be serious about, you might want to also read Preventing Conflict, Preserving Fun. This related article may give you some helpful hints on drafting a vacation home contract.

Stay Cool...It's Hot Out There!

Angela Jones
AngelaJonesRealEstate.com

For First-Time Buyers, Tempting Prices but Tougher Rules

If you're a first-time home buyer, you'll find it a little harder to qualify for a mortgage than your counterpart did two years ago. There are loans out there...read this Washington Post article written by Ilyce R. Glink and Samuel J. Tamkin...to see what kinds of loans are available and might fit the bill for you.

Happy June!

Angela Jones
AngelaJonesRealEstate.com

America's Most Expensive Homes

Are you as interested as I am in how the uber-rich live? Check out some of America's Most Expensive Homes. There are quite a few homes featured, from a $165 million dollar mansion in Beverly Hills to a $125 million dollar manor in Greenwich, CT...we can dream can't we?

Have a good week!

Angela Jones
AngelaJonesRealEstate.com