If you want to make improvements to your home, you may want to take a second look at Houzz.com. Cited as a source for inspiration and collaboration and research for home owners everywhere, Houzz is also a source for hiring local contracting professionals, too.

With more than sixty categories of home related projects to choose from, including interior remodeling contractors and outdoor living space professionals, Houzz is more than just a place to get great ideas for your home. Houzz is also a great source for you to find the interior designers, architects, and landscapers for your home who created and constructed those designs in the first place!

Increased home values often result in homeowners deciding to make changes in their homes, whether due to a potential sale or just a quality of life improvement, and technology makes this process so much easier.

“Homeowners and professionals alike are telling us that they are moving forward with more building, renovation and design projects this year,” said Liza Hausman, VP Community at Houzz. “Houzz provides homeowners with the absolute best resource to find the right professional for their project.”

As a homeowner, ideas for improving your home may come in many forms, but Houzz.com is definitely a resource to be considered. Another resource to consider when determining whether a home improvement will add to your home value is your local real estate expert. If you would like some tips on projects that will help to increase the resale value of your home, please give me a call!

Home buyers everywhere are bemoaning the lack of inventory and if you happen to be in the market to buy your home, there are a few things you should know.

When you find the perfect home, make an offer.

Don’t wait, don’t bargain.

Offer your best possible price and a high deposit with all your personal details, including a fantastic story about why you want why you NEED that house to be your home!

You see, the offer you write may be your ONLY chance to win the home, your home, and you want to give it your best shot.

In a housing market, like ours, where inventory is low and homes are only staying on the market for a short amount of time, multiple offers are being submitted on each home. Most are near or at asking price and some are beyond it.

Home sellers need to evaluate several offers and if yours is one of many (your agent should be able to tell you if other parties have indicated interest), it needs to stand out. That’s where your story comes in (along with your best price offer and earnest deposit).

3 Steps to Writing the Best Offer For Your Home

1. Offer up as much cash as you can in the form of an earnest deposit with the best possible price you can pay.
2. If you need lending, get pre-approved and formalize it by including a letter from your lender as part of your offer.
3. Write a from the heart appeal that explains your feelings about the house and why you need their home to be your home. If you have a good personal story, share it as well. Some home sellers are motivated by more than price and if they can “see” you in the home, it could make a difference.

Current market conditions may be tempting you to sell your home while demand is high and interest rates are low. However, before jumping into the sale of your home, you may want to spend a few minutes consulting with a local real estate professional, like me, to make sure you understand contingencies and what they mean in terms of the order in which you sell your home and purchase another.

You may have several choices, from an early listing and rent back option to a quick sale or placement of a contingency.  A trusted real estate agent can explain the differences between each and determine which is the best alternative for your home sale.

No matter what you decide to do, many decisions will need to be made. Plan for higher than usual expenses as you navigate through dual transactions, since you could be supporting both households for a brief amount of time. Knowing housing market trends and comparable neighborhood sales  will help you to feel more comfortable with the process of selling your home and also give you a ballpark estimate on possible proceeds.

Deciding To Buy Your Next Home

Once you have an estimate on the sale of your house, you can start looking for your new one. You’ll need to determine where you want to live and the size home you are seeking, as well as put together a wish list for your new home. If you are relocating to an area far away, seek a real estate agent and/or mortgage lender referral from friends or family or ask me for suggestions, as well.  Different areas require varied strategies in home buying, so a local expert is always your best bet for finding the right home when you are making a big move.

Although the recently released NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) illustrated decreases from April’s 273 to 258, news throughout the United States continues to bode well. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) even feels confident about the future of the housing market and your home.  Do you?

In fact in a newly released, “Housing Now” video shown here Jeff Blankert explains a recent rise in single family home statistics stating that the current 1.2% rise in the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices is at an all time best since 2006.

“The fact that over 70 percent of all U.S. metros are holding onto their spots on the improving list is definitely good news, and representative of the generally brightening outlook for housing markets nationwide,” said NAHB Chairman Rick Judson, who builds homes in Charlotte, N.C.

Kurt Pfotenhauer, vice chairman of First American Title Insurance Company, echoed that sentiment, saying, “Today’s report shows that the majority of U.S. metros are experiencing strengthening house prices, employment and permitting activity, which is a much more positive picture than the one we were seeing a year ago,” he said . “That’s the big picture on which consumers need to focus.”

The IMI tracks housing trends throughout the United States, analyzing signs of improving economic health. Studying employment growth, house price appreciation, and single-family home permits in various areas, the IMI requires gain in all three instances for at least six consecutive months in order for an area to be placed on the improving markets list.  Have you seen improvements in your home and neighborhood in the last few months?

You can view all 258 metropolitan areas listed on the IMI by visiting the NAHB website.

Are you a “Do-It-Yourselfer” when it comes to making repairs and improvements to your home?

May is National Home Remodeling Month and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers are using increased seasonal awareness to outline risks that a DIY approach can bring in terms of safety, time and hidden costs.

Reports from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Census Bureau show that 37 % of home remodeling projects completed in 2010-2011 were done by homeowners themselves.

“Remodeling can be complex and often times full of surprises, even for experts like our members,” said NAHB Remodelers Chairman Bill Shaw, GMR, GMB, CGP. “DIY projects should be rewarding and fun, but if your DIY can’t be completed in the planned price range or your safety is at risk, leave the work in the hands of professional remodelers.”

NAHB suggested a review of these tips before commencing a remodel project on your home.

Safety - If it requires licensing to complete or compromises the integrity of your structure, walk away and hire a professional. Wear proper protective gear and be especially careful when using new tools as unfamiliarity increases risk.
Cost - Review quality and warranty specifications of your purchases. Incorrect installation can result in a warranty being disputed.
Time - Contractors are required to provide timelines, progress updates, and projected finish dates. If time is important to you, a recommended contractor can get the job done according to your schedule. Would you be able to do the same?

Click here to access the Directory of Professional Remodelers.

Improving the landscape around your home is not just about good looks. Home value can also increase with fine-tuned and maintained landscaping. Before hiring a landscape designer to reconstruct your home, it’s helpful to compile a list of questions. You may share images of design styles and verify license and insurance, as well. The right landscaping combines local elements and weather conditions, as well as energy efficiency.

Your outdoor landscaping can also serve as a sound or visual barrier. Many options are available from furniture placement to the planting of tall shrubs along a home’s border.

According to Better Homes and Gardens, the Top Trends for Your Home in 2013 Include:

• Fragrance Producing Gardens
• Variation in Color of Flowers & Greenery
• Bulb Gardens
• Vegetable & Fruit Combination Gardens
• Grocery Gardens
• Old Fashioned Looks
• Paver Designs Incorporated in Gardens
• Garden Seating
• Herb Gardens
• Butterfly Gardens
• Hanging Plant Gardens
• Texture Gardens

Whether you are in a new home and just beginning your gardening plans or are in the home you’ve had for years, many of these gardening ideas may appeal to you.  As you consider your home and the landscape style that will surround it, consulting with a professional landscaper may give you additional perspective and save you from a expensive mistake.  Please call me for recommendations, should you need a referral.

Miami Beach home sales and demand for Miami Beach homes have risen in the past year with inventory dropping as Sellers and Buyers take advantage of Miami Beach’s prime housing market. While buyers have been snapping up choice Miami Beach luxury properties for sale, more and more Miami Beach homeowners are gearing up to put their waterfront Miami Beach homes for sale on the market. For some sellers the process of selling a Miami Beach home can be quick, especially with cash buyers flooding the market, while other homeowners prefer taking a slower approach to selling to an optimal buyer of their choice. Most home owners with properties for sale in Miami Beach’s waterfront neighborhoods and luxury Island communities have questions on when to sell, pricing, staging, the current market trends, and all the steps involved in selling their home, which can be a overwhelming or worrisome process. The right Miami Beach Real Estate Agent can walk you through the entire process of preparing to Sell your Miami Beach home and assist you in a relatively stress-free sale of your Miami Beach home, while understanding your timeline and needs. And though you many Miami Beach homeowners may be anxious to sell while home prices are higher, consideration should be taken to walk through the process with your agent to make the best sale, from listing your Miami Beach home for sale to the final closing.

Pricing is one major factor with Sellers look to put their Miami Beach waterfront homes for sale, With recent increases in home pricing it is more important than ever to make sure your home pricing is on par or comparable with your Miami Beach neighborhood area recent or closed sales. No matter the condition of your Miami Beach home, whether being sold in prime shape or as-is, with record low inventories, you may find your home attracts more interest than you had planned simply because of its in demand Miami Beach real estate location.

If you are seeking top dollar for your Miami Beach home, you need to make sure it is properly staged. Touch up paint, tend the landscape, clean up everything, and shift furniture as directed by your Miami beach real estate agent to have the best success. The sooner your Miami Beach home is ready to show, the more interest you will have since fewer properties are available for sale now. Over the last month mortgage interest rates have dropped, as well, allowing home buyers to qualify for better rates and larger amounts. Click here to see average current rates as reported by Freddie Mac and good luck in your home sale!

Miami Beach Real Estate is on an upward trend in sales and pricing, with strong demand from luxury Miami Beach home buyers. Even better is the news about mortgage rates dropping, a great advantage if your looking to buy or sell your Miami beach Home. If your a Miami Beach seller , chances are you will have more interested buyers for your Miami Beach waterfront home for sale. As a Buyer, low mortgage rates are a great benefit, as the average fixed mortgage rate dropped again last week, according to the Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), providing more buying power and incentive if you are looking to buy your Miami Beach home.

Nationwide, the 30 year fixed decreased to an average 3.41% with a 0.7 point (last year’s same date comparison was at 3.90%), which is also great news for the local Miami Beach housing market. The 15 year fixed rate mortgage dropped, as well, down to 2.64% with a 0.7 point (last year the 15 year FRM was at 3.13%) which spells relief for those selling Miami Beach homes who are looking for well qualified Miami Beach real estate buyers. You can now Sell your Miami Beach home easier,  faster and with more confidence  since these mortgage rates are dropping.

In the Miami Beach housing market, as well as other markets in the US, adjustable rate mortgages fluctuated as well, with the 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable averaging at 2.60% (0.5 point), down from an average 2.62% from the previous week. The 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM increased a tenth of a percentage to 2.63% (0.4 point), great news for selling your Miami beach waterfront home. Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist of Freddie Mac, explained the changes and low interest rates, saying, “Mortgage rates nudged lower this week as consumer spending showed signs of weakness. Retail sales contracted for the second time in three months, falling 0.4 percent in March. In addition, the University of Michigan reported their Consumer Sentiment Index dropped 6.3 points in April to settle at 72.3, its lowest level since July. The April reading snapped a streak of three consecutive gains.”Low interest rates make it the prime time to lock in a mortgage rate and find your Miami Beach home Sale. If you have been thinking about buying or selling your Miami Beach home, please find a Miami Beach home specialist. You can also give me a call, as a Miami Beach real estate Agent, I can assess your needs and qualifications to get you in your new Miami Beach home if your a buyer or find a qualified buyer to sell your Miami Beach home if your a seller.

The housing market and what it means for your home is definitely a hot topic of late.  No matter where you turn, you can catch an “expert” discussing historical growth, the housing “bubble” or market scarcity and options for buying and selling your home.

Even Fannie’s Mae Economic & Strategic Research Group report released on April 17th, indicates a 3.2 percent surge in economic growth over the first quarter, and seems to be setting the stage for an even healthier housing market, as it predicts continued increases and potential economic growth of 2.3 percent throughout the rest of 2013.

Despite other significant issues that could impact consumer spending, Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae Chief Economist, indicates that hope may remain in housing trends, stating, “…the housing recovery continues to broaden and may be more robust than we anticipate, helping to offset fiscal headwinds.”

Considering that potential home buyers may need some assurance and coaching as they enter this changing housing market, Fannie Mae has launched a new online CreditSmart® tutorial to guide individuals as they seek to make wise financial decisions, including many which could lead to the purchase of your home.

A multilingual curriculum, Christina Diaz Malone, Freddie Mac Vice President of Corporate Relations and Housing Outreach believes CreditSmart® will reassure home buyers explaining, “Our new online CreditSmart® tutorial is a stepping stone to homeownership, especially for working families who are unsure how to start household budgets or build the personal savings and strong credit for the future.”

With twelve modules on the importance of credit and money management, goal setting, banking, financial traps, and becoming a homeowner, CreditSmart® provides resources and practical help for those just entering the housing market as well as homeowners that may be struggling in their current situations.  You may find that some of the material can benefit you in your home and financing search, making it worth taking a look.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and if you want to find the perfect gift for your Mom or wife this year, it’s time to start thinking (and be sure to avoid buying something useful for your home)! The list below outlines some traditional gifts, but if you are really adventurous, consider checking her Pinterest account for more personalized ideas of what appeals to the woman in your life.

Moms everywhere are moved by personalized jewelry and lockets, memory keepers, and photos of their children. That’s not to say that a trip to the spa or a get-away wouldn’t be gratefully received, but when a mother has to coordinate the care of small children to use the gift, it can be difficult, so make sure you plan those details along with the gift.

If a trip away from your home isn’t possible, bring treatments direct to the Mom in your life with a collection of pampering lotions, skin care or makeup collections. Or, try a virtual vacation of sorts, and purchase an e-reader or tablet for the special Mother in your life. If your Mom already has one that she uses, then consider a gift card to Amazon or iTunes or a similar service where books are available for instant download, providing a chance for quick escape from life’s daily cares which staying physically inside your home.

Gifts to Bring a Smile To Your Mom (and Your Home):

• Thoughtful Note of Gratitude (include with a gift below for best results)
• Personalized Jewelry (lockets, engraved charms, birthstones, etc.)
• Personalized Gifts Featuring Her Children (large laughing photos, artsy representations, framed art created by the kids)
• Get-Aways (that she doesn’t have to coordinate)
• Tickets to Experience Life (theatre, gourmet cooking class, hang gliding, yoga – search sites like Groupon for ideas)
• Gift Cards (to services or shops she wants to patronize)
• E-Reader or Tablet Device (working and loaded, ready to go)
• Spa Services to a Local Favorite (manicure & pedicure, massage, wraps, etc.)
• Beautiful Flowers (everyone can appreciate a little vibrancy)
• Chocolate (but be careful not to sabotage known fitness plans)