Small Changes Look Big in Your Goodyear Home

Maybe when you bought your Goodyear home, you dreamed of growing old there. You envisioned future generations coming to visit and saw yourself establishing lifelong neighborhood friends.

However, as much as you still love it, over time, your home may have gotten a little worn in areas. Perhaps you’ve just noticed changes in styles and decorating trends or watched the remodel of a nearby house. Either way, at some point everyone feels the need to make changes, and your home is a great place to start.

If you look through home improvement magazines or spend a lot of time on Pinterest, you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of time and money others say you have to spend to update your home. In reality, with a little ingenuity, you can easily update the feel of your home in a weekend.

Your front door is a good place to start if you’re looking for an easy update. If replacing the door is out of your budget, think about painting it a new color. Changing the house numbers or outdoor lighting are other easy and inexpensive fixes that your guests and neighbors will notice.

The kitchen is the heart of your home, so if it feels outdated or dark, you can change it up pretty easily. Installing a new backsplash is a great weekend project that can really lighten up a room. Ceiling tiles, wallpaper, or a chalkboard are all inexpensive additions, too. Replacing an old faucet is one more easy change, as is replacing the hardware on the cabinets in your home. If you have more time to commit, you might even think about painting your cabinets. It’s an inexpensive way to get a more modern look.

The master bedroom is another often neglected room in your home. If yours lacks flair, consider reviving the furniture in your room or making yourself a headboard. Anything from off the shelf units to old doors or window shutters can be converted into a headboard. Collage techniques involving family photographs or postcards from trips you’ve taken can create a very individual look.

Have fun with your updates and don’t get discouraged by glossy magazines and big budgets! Your home can be beautiful and stylish, even on a budget.
.

Are You Aware of Your Goodyear Home Mortgage Option

Have you considered refinancing your Goodyear home lately? If so, you are not alone.

According to the Freddie Mac Quarterly Refinance Report, many homeowners throughout the United States lowered monthly mortgage payments, shortened the length of their loans, and utilized fixed mortgage rates in the second quarter of 2013. Historically low home loan rates assisted in this process.

The report showed a 3% increase in borrowers who chose to shorten their loan term (now at 31%), and that 65% of homeowners maintained their current loan length. Only 4% of borrowers lengthened their loan term.

Fixed rates were an overwhelming product of choice, encompassing 95% of the loans, leaving only 2% of second quarter refinanced home loans as adjustable rate mortgages.

You may be asking what this means for your home.

In actual dollars and cents, the average homeowner's mortgage rate was reduced by 1.9 percentage points or 35%, resulting in a savings of $3,700 in interest on a $200,000 loan in the next 12 months. HARP was another popular loan product, and resulted in a reduction of $4,300 in interest during the first 12 months for many homeowners.

Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist commented on the big picture, saying, "Borrowers' refinance characteristics remained fairly consistent with the previous quarter. The cash-out amount, while increasing, continues to remain low by historical standards. And with mortgage rates still near their historic lows, over 30 percent of refinancing borrowers chose to shorten their loan term. On net, borrowers will save approximately $6 billion in interest over the next 12 months, which they can put towards savings, paying down debt or supporting additional expenditures. Further, the estimated $9.5 billion in 'cash-out' activity will further augment borrowers' investment and consumption spending."

Read more about mortgage rates and how they can affect you and your home and follow industry trends by visiting theFreddie Mac website or Call Rodney Barnes Real Estate (623-217-7548) for more refinance options.
.

Should You Remodel Your Home?

Is your home no longer the home of your dreams? Do you look around your home with your partner and constantly see outdated rooms and projects that you would love to see completed?

If you answered yes, you need to realize that you are not the only ones facing this issue. Yet, the options can be overwhelming, costly, stressful, and very hard on a relationship. Living through a remodel is very tough.

Dealing with all of the decisions, designs, colors, and contractors coming in and out can lead to a high level of stress. Disagreements on appliances, room layouts, furniture choices, and what to do with that a particular beloved object can lead to feeling dissatisfied with a partner. Budgetary problems can elevate an already tense situation. A recent study by Houzz.com shows that in some cases (about 12% of those surveyed) a remodel can even lead to thoughts of separation or divorce.

Why chance it? Put your home on the market and shop for the home of your dreams, rather than starting yet another project. Find a move in ready home that fits your tastes and lifestyle.

Skip the unnecessary strain on your life and embark on a new adventure in your new home. Sometimes starting fresh is the best way find that satisfaction and peace you have been looking for. Peace that will permit you to fall in love with your partner all over again as you fall in love with your new home.

On the other hand, according to the Houzz.com study, a newly remodeled home can be good for your marriage, too. 84% of those surveyed found themselves choosing to spend more time at home post-remodel,presenting you with a happy result if you decide to stay and remodel your home.

If you are ready to make a change and sell your current home and/or look for a new place to call yours, give me a call at 623.217.7548.

Landscaping Your Home for Sustainable Beauty

How beautiful is the landscaping of your home?

Does it flow with the lines of your house and blend well with your neighborhood?

Have you noticed others making upgrades over the summer and dreamed a bit about making some improvements yourself?

If you have been thinking about a new look for your home and backyard, you'll be interested in hearing about some of the latest methods of landscaping.

Especially in areas where drought is a concern, sustainability is a big focus these days. Both native plants which are more drought tolerant and low maintenance and edible plants create useful and sustainable landscaping. Herbs, lettuces and other vegetables also contribute to a feeling of self-sufficiency and can be fun to use when preparing meals, especially if young children reside in or visit your home.

Landscaping Your Home Can Be Sustainable, Fun & Relaxing

As the economy improves, homeowners also seem to be making material choices involving natural wood, fabric and stone materials, further adhering to the sustainability trend. Many homeowners are creating more living space in their homes by finishing and equipping patios and decks as outdoor kitchens and entertainment areas. Of course, you'll continue to see water features and fountains of all sorts in landscape design, created from both luxury and "found" materials, as there's nothing quite like the sound of water cascading softly when creating a personal retreat.

What is your favorite trend in landscaping? Have you recently made any additions to the exterior of your home that you suspect have either increased its sales value or have elevated its value to you personally? Would you consider your landscaping to be sustainable?

Rodney Barnes Real Estate 623-217-7548

Join me on Facebook: Click Facebook Link Here!

Maintaining Your Goodyear Home in The Changing Seasons

Previous | Next | Back to blog main page

Labor Day has passed, which means it’s time to get ready for fall. An important task is to prepare the landscaping around your Goodyear home for the cooler months. You don’t want spring to roll around and discover that your once-lovely landscaping has been ruined.

Be sure to rake up any leaves that fall on your lawn. The changing colors of autumn leaves are beautiful. However, if you let the leaves pile up on your lawn, it can get damaged as clumps of old leaves may prevent the grass from getting sufficient oxygen.

If you have decorative bushes or roses planted around your home, now is the time to stop pruning them. Pruning encourages new growth and since you don’t want to risk your plants with a growth spurt in the winter, it's time to let them begin to wind down. The exception to the no-pruning rule is dead wood, which needs to be removed to prevent bugs from nesting.

While pruning should be stopped, feeding must continue. Be sure your plants are adequately nourished for the lean winter months. Add fertilizer and compost to the soil and thoroughly weed your garden beds as well. Weeds should be easier to pull as the weather cools and the plants start to wither and dry up.

Now is also a great time to plant perennials in many places. Bulbs especially will get a head start on growing a strong root system during the cooler months so that your home can be filled with beautiful blossoms come spring. Taking the time now to clean up, clear out, and prepare will have you enjoying your landscaping and your home throughout the coming seasons.

Rodney Barnes Real Estate 623-217-7548

Tips For Upgrading Kitchen Flooring in Your Home

The kitchen is the heart of your home, literally as well as figuratively. That means it's a room in need of a sturdy floor that can cope with spills, dropped dishes, and stomping feet (even if the feet are small). It's also a room that has a lot of foot traffic and may even the room you use for entertaining and family gatherings.

Kitchens are usually an area of constant use and are a keystone to any home. When replacing the floor in your kitchen, it is extremely important to think about your needs and lifestyle to determine the type of floor that is right for you.

Ask these questions about the flooring in your home:

• Do you have or will you have kids or pets?
• What is your budget?
• Is your house formal and elegant or relaxed and casual?
• Are you planning to live in your home for years to come or are you thinking of selling?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you’re ready to think about specific flooring options. Flooring comes in many shapes, styles, sizes, and finishes.

Wood floors are certainly a beautiful option for your home, although they can be very expensive. Wood is also vulnerable to warping and water damages  from appliances. For the look of wood with more durability, porcelain tiles that look like wood may be an option to consider. Another good alternative to wood is bamboo.  Tile is a versatile option for the kitchen in your home, as well. Tile comes in many colors and can go with lots of different styles.

No matter which material you choose for the flooring in your home, you'll find a new floor can instantly revive your kitchen. Before making a decision, visit a few showrooms and ask your friends and neighbors what they like and dislike about their floors. You may find that your discovery leads to you making an expected choice in flooring. Good luck!

Rodney Barnes Real Estate 623.217.7548

Tips For Selling Your Goodyear Home

No matter where you live or are selling your home, there are simple things that play an important role in how welcome your potential buyers will feel. Showing off your home in its best possible light is extremely important, so pay attention to the little things! Consult the list below or ask me for even more specific details on how to get your home "show-ready."

Selling Your Home? Things To Note...

Make sure you home is seen as cool. Not cool, as in achieving an almost perfect style or look, but as in temperature. Now is not the time to save money on your electric bill. It pays to set your thermostat so that your home will be between 60 and 70 degrees if you live in a warm area. Walking into a home that is the perfect temperature helps buyers feel as though your home is meant for them (and already anticipating their needs). Plus, if they are coming in from the heat, the cool air will be a welcome relief!

Stock cold water bottles and other treats. When you host an open house , be sure to stock up on water bottle and place them in plain sight to welcome attendees.

If your buyer feels taken care of, you are more likely to receive an offer on your home. And, since even home buying is an emotional purchase, you may also want to include sweet smelling cookies or bars in the mix of refreshments.  If you are considering selling your home give me a call at 623.217.7548