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Letter from the Editors Getting a home ready to sell isn’t always easy. It’s why we always touch on important topics in every issue of HomeFit.

In this issue, we talk about a concept that can help you understand and realize the importance of staging. The outcome should make your house look as neutral as a model home. Buyers will then see the basic structure, and visually place their own stuff in the box. Attractively arranged touches will be irresistible to buyers.

Like staging is for the inside of your home; landscaping is for the outside. The inside of your home can be staged perfectly, but if the outside lacks curb appeal then your effort will go wasted.

A home’s front yard is the potential buyer’s initial introduction to a property. We share some simple and affordable tips for whipping it into top shape.

You’ll find these tips helpful even if you’re not planning to sell right now.

How often have you watched TV shows on cable where a homeowner chooses to sell or keep their home after some renovation? It happens frequently! Use our ideas on staging and landscaping to turn your home into the castle you always wanted!

Feel free to contact us if you have questions or would like your friends and family added to our distribution list.

Debbie and Geneva

This is not an advertisement to extend consumer credit. All loans are subject to credit and property approval. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Not all products are available in all states or for all loan amounts. Other restrictions apply. Weststar Mortgage Corporation. NMLS# 93243. Equal Housing Lender.

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CONTENTS

6. Does Landscaping Really Help with Selling Your Home?

4. Staging Touches that Make Your Home Irresistible to Buyers

8. Turn Your New Home into a Castle

10. How to Save Money Being Energy Efficient

12. What is Considered Square Footage When Calculating Your Home

14. 10 Questions to Ask if this House is for You

This magazine is published monthly. Entire contents are copyright protected under law where applicable. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or use of content in any manner without permission is strictly prohibited. All images are copyright protection of 123RF.com and its photographers.

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Staging Touches that Make Your Home Irresistible to Buyers A home is nothing more than a box holding your stuff. You have memories on film, in china figurines or collector’s items, in books and media and in furniture, rugs and paintings.

Each of these memories tells your family story. The box could look ultra-classy, chic or fashionably retro.

What it won’t do is speak to a buyer. How you live is different from how a buyer perceives your home.

If you had a yard sale, for example, the items you sell would need to be attractively arranged, so a buyer would want them.

It’s the same principle with your house. That’s where staging comes in.

Lose the Clutter

Have you toured model homes? The walls are sparkling white, the carpet springs when you step on it, and the accessories are minimal.

There is space in the model home. That’s what attracts you to it. You can visualize your things fitting into the house.

If you want to sell your house, then it must be de-cluttered. Rent a self-storage unit. Into it you place all furnishings except what you need for every-day life.

Stack your books, collections and all but one or two paintings for each room. Put away the towering floral arrangements, potted trees with Christmas lights and floor-to-ceiling sculptures. Leave each room with one or two pieces of furniture,

bare floor and carpet with no floor rugs and only enough decoration to impart a sense of color and texture.

It will look similar to a model home with plenty of space and atmosphere.

Cleaning the House

Nothing turns off a buyer more than entering the kitchen and seeing grease buildup everywhere.

In the bathroom, hair and toothpaste specks on the walls, sinks and cabinetry will make a buyer frown.

Hand prints on the walls and door frames painted with gray prints of children braking their rush into the room can be a turn off to buyers.

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After de-cluttering the house, consider these tips for cleaning your home so it sparkles.

• Bathrooms receive special attention from buyers. Scour the glass shower doors and remove soap film from shower walls and tub. One cup vinegar to two cups water will clean it well.

• Kitchens receive attention before bathrooms. Clean the vent over the range to remove grease and dust. Clean the top of the refrigerator and its sides to remove dirt, dust, food particles and hand prints.

• Wipe down every surface in the kitchen with a green cleaner. You don’t want the kitchen to smell like chemicals. Buyers don’t want to eat food cooked in a kitchen smelling like industrial cleaner.

• Wash the windows. It’s easy to do with a wand washer and a garden hose on the outside. Inside, the sparkling windows will impress buyers.

• Clean and dust each room as thoroughly as possible for best results.

Upgrades

Upgrades are advisable if the appliances or bathroom fixtures are outdated.

Chrome ovens and refrigerators for the kitchen are trending now. If the counters are scratched or outdated, butcher block or granite counters will look nice.

The bathroom might benefit from a new pedestal sink instead

of an outdated vanity. It would show off the space in the bathroom.

Other rooms will benefit from simple refurbishment.

• Brighten hardwood floors with a mixture of lemon juice and olive oil. It’s a natural floor polish.

• Buyers love built-ins. Accentuate them tastefully so that the built-ins shine and not your collections.

• Bedrooms are for resting. Take out everything but the bed and a dresser. A few accent pieces are fine, but don’t clutter the space.

• Master bedrooms should impress buyers. Stick to one color scheme in bedding and window treatments. A four-post bed impresses buyers, especially when they have sheer hangings.

• Stage rooms for one purpose. Buyers are confused by multi-purpose rooms. They will think there aren’t enough rooms in the house.

• Stage one room with a desk, chair, lamp and bookcase for a home office.

• Stage another room with a yoga mat and soft music as a yoga room or meditation room.

Outdoors

Trim the yard, get new plants and refurbish the deck for a good first impression for buyers.

Sand and treat the wood of the deck, place potted plants around, and jazz up the furniture with an umbrella and bright cushions.

If you have an outdoor room, clean the kitchen, furniture and fire pit. Buyers like to see themselves entertaining in an outdoor room.

Your box should look as neutral as a model home. Buyers will then see the basic structure, and visually place their own stuff in the box. Attractively arranged touches will be irresistible to buyers.

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Does Landscaping Really Help with Selling Your Home? Landscaping makes more of a difference than you might realize when it comes time you sell your home. I have noticed so many different types of landscaping during my time as a homeowner, and have a good idea of what does and doesn’t work.

There have been houses I’ve encountered that I wouldn’t check into any further because of poor landscaping, and I’m sure there are others who feel the same way.

What Role Does Curb Appeal Play?

According to HGTV (http://

www.hgtv.com/landscaping/landscaping-tips-that-can-help-sell-your-home/index.html), 10 percent of your home’s value can increase just with the right landscaping.

If the landscaping plays that large a role in a home’s value, it is easy to see why this needs to be a priority for homeowners.

Most people who are searching homes place a high priority on curb appeal. If the outside of the home doesn’t catch the eye of a buyer driving by the house, it’s unlikely they will call the real estate agent for a closer look.

Here are things I have found that attract the most attention of potential buyers shopping based on curb appeal:

• Properly trimmed lawn, trees and shrubs

• Mulched flower beds that are well-maintained, with dead plants removed and replaced

• Colorful displays of flowers placed in noticeable areas

Although these might seem like small changes, they actually account for a lot more than people realize. I’ve found

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that even if you start with a few changes, it will make a difference.

Don’t Overlook Small Details

It’s easy to overlook smaller things that can contribute to a messy-looking yard, such as cigarette butts, leaves and other bits of debris.

Small, but noticeable, things like this can make it look as though the yard is never cleaned.

Flowerbeds, other mulched areas and areas with gravel should also be checked for debris, especially after a period of windy weather. Watch for plastic bags or bits of older paper that cling to plants or fencing around flowerbeds.

Mulched and Graveled Areas

I’ve personally observed that many homeowners who use

mulch or gravel don’t notice when some of it has washed away until there are significant bare patches.

Since these are both important for good weed control, this is something to protect against.

Mulch or pebbles can both be easily raked back into place. The best thing to do is add additional mulch or gravel in areas where it has thinned out for a better appearance.

Try keeping mulch and gravel contained to prevent them from washing away in the first place.

A low border made from bricks or fieldstones is usually quite effective. Always make sure that whatever is used as a border around your mulch and gravel naturally blends in with the rest of the yard. This leads to my next suggestion, which is very important to consider.

Do Lawn Ornaments Help or Hurt?

Generally speaking, lawn ornaments can be more of a liability than an asset when you’re selling a house.

When a prospective buyer looks at your yard, they need to see it as they will be using it. Your particular taste in lawn decorations might be quite off-putting to a potential buyer.

Another thing to keep in mind is that having too many decorations in your yard can make it look needlessly small.

Always remember the buyer’s perspective. The appearance of some yards simply would not work for my needs if they look too small.

Place Yourself in Their Shoes

If you’ve spent a lot of money on a landscaped garden or pond, you will certainly feel a sense of accomplishment. However, why are some buyers less than enthusiastic about such things? Simply put, these touches, while very attractive, appear high-maintenance to many buyers.

Landscaping is very important, and I hope that you will find these suggestions helpful. A home’s front yard is the potential buyer’s initial introduction to the property. Make it all count by ensuring that everything is in top shape.

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Turn Your New Home into a Castle

If you are a new homeowner, it is possible to turn a bland home into a beautiful and functional oasis for the family to enjoy in the years to come.

The key is proper planning and obtaining the right tools along with some DIY skills to reduce the renovation budget.

There are several great interior decorating magazines that contain pictures to inspire those who want their homes to look elegant and the design themes are numerous. Here are some tips on turning your home into a castle.

Green Your New Home

More families are looking for ways to slash their energy bills and the best way to do this is to incorporate green renovations into your home.

Start by installing a tankless water heater that is gas-based because it is more eco-friendly and it is more cost-efficient than the electric tankless water heater.

Purchase new appliances that are both stylish and energy efficient. Look for the Energy Star seal when shopping for appliances to know if it’s energy efficient.

Bamboo flooring gives the home a rustic look and this is why some designers use it for the kitchen, bathroom and living room floors. Since bamboo comes from the bamboo plant, it is a green home improvement. Cork flooring is also eco-friendly.

You can install solar panels on the roof to save on energy bills and maintain a green lifestyle.

My New Home Is A Fixer Upper. How Can I Remodel On A Budget?

Your home may be a drab fixer upper but with research, help from others and a working

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budget, you can turn your fixer upper into the most stylish and comfortable home in the neighborhood.

• Update older doorknobs, doors and handles for more modern but inexpensive and high quality ones that best match the design theme you have in mind.

• Take out the drab carpet and refinish your hardwood floors or install new flooring. This makes a huge difference in the style and you don’t have to spend a fortune since most home improvement stores offer discounts on flooring and flooring supplies.

• Get rid of boring wallpaper and paint the walls in bold and neutral colors in every room.For example, if you want the kitchen to reflect Paris, you can paint the walls navy blue and white. For the bathroom wall colors consider peach, light yellow, powder blue, light pink, mocha, beige or gray/green combination.

• After you paint the walls you can accessorize the room with home décor items that complement the wall colors.

Hiring The Right Contractors

Before you hire a contractor you need to research his credentials and verify that he is licensed and experienced.

Ask how long he has been in business and ask for references from his past five clients to get an idea of how satisfied they were with his work.

The contractor should be willing to show samples of his past work and don’t choose the cheapest one that comes along. Get estimates from multiple contractors before making your decision to hire.

The contractor should communicate easily and be able to carry out the concept you have in mind for the home’s design.

The Big Picture

When it comes to renovating your new home, there are no limits to what you can do. If you love outrageous and colorful home décor, you can design your home this way or you can tone it down with neutral colors and minimalist design.

Keep your budget in mind when renovating and if you’re not confident in your decorating abilities then hire an interior decorator.

A high quality home renovation will take research and help from others but as long as you plan correctly, your home will become a relaxing and beautiful castle for years to come.

Finally, enjoy the process and you can treat yourself after everything is finished. Renovating your home is like redesigning your entire life!

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How to Save Money Being Energy EfficientWhen it comes to saving money on energy costs there are four main categories.

• Heating and Air Conditioning

• Lighting

• Electronics and Appliances

• Heating Water

I have found that there are many ways we can all save money on each of these categories without investing a lot of money.

Some ways don’t cost a single penny, while others may require a little cash up front, but the rewards more than make up for it.

Heating and Air Conditioning

Setting the thermostat back ten degrees when asleep or not at home can save up to 10 percent monthly.

If you are fortunate to have a working fireplace, turn the thermostat down to 55°. Take advantage of that wood burning heat. Just remember to close the damper after the embers are completely out so that heat doesn’t escape through the chimney.

Another way to be energy efficient is to keep air from escaping by sealing any gaps around the windows and doors with caulk.

If you need to replace the windows, choose Energy Star qualified ones. Also, use your window treatments as more than a decoration. Open blinds, shades, and drapes to allow in the sun’s heat during cold periods. On hot days, keep them closed to block out that natural warmth.

Have routine maintenance for the furnace and AC. This keeps them running efficiently and safely which will save you money in the end.

If you need to replace them, choose efficient models. Furnaces with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency of 92 or higher are best, while the AC should have a Seasonal Efficiency Rating of at least 14.

Use fans when running the air conditioner. Having the air circulating will help your home feel cooler and it means you can set the thermostat a few degrees higher.

Whenever possible, use natural gas. Switching from other

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energy sources to natural gas saves money on heating, drying laundry, and even cooking.

Lighting

You’ll save money and electricity by using the proper lights along with energy efficient bulbs.

Remember Mom and Dad saying to turn off the lights when you’re not in a room? That was good advice.

Another low cost way to save money on lighting is by adding dimmer switches to the indoor lights. Motion sensors and timers work wonderfully on the outdoor lights.

When replacing light bulbs select Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs or Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs. This simple change saves as much as 75% in energy usage.

Electronics and Appliances

Use a moisture sensor rather than a timer on your clothes dryer.

The sensor stops the drying cycle once it detects a lack of moisture. This saves energy costs and time as well as prevents clothes from shrinking.

When it comes to electronics, it is best to unplug them when they aren’t needed, especially if you’ll be away from home for

any stretch of time. Always turn off games and computers, and check the power management settings as well. The factory default setting isn’t always the most energy efficient.

Plug electronics into a power strip so you can make sure everything gets turned off with just one switch. The new “smart power strips” will turn off automatically when the devices are not in use.

When it comes to the refrigerator and freezer, make sure its size suits your needs. Cooling an area larger than you’ll ever need can be very wasteful.

When it is time to replace your current model, again look for the Energy Star label. Older refrigerators that don’t fall under their requirements can actually cost twice as much to run.

Heating Water

Set the water heater at 120° F. and wait to wash clothing that

requires hot water until you have a full load. It saves water and heating costs. Use cold water when possible and have the rinse cycle set to cold. This also saves energy costs.

Tankless water heaters are cheaper to use, but they cost more to install. This is especially true when replacing a traditional heater and additional plumbing is needed. Estimate the cost to install and run each version before actually making a decision.

If gas hot water tanks are not an option for you, think about getting a heat pump model. These are two to three times more efficient than traditional electric hot water tanks.

Making changes to be more energy efficient lowers your energy consumption and you are rewarded with greater savings. Start today by evaluating where you can begin your transition to becoming more energy efficient and enjoy a better lifestyle.

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What is Considered Square Footage When Calculating Your Home Finding the gross amount of square footage in your home is easy if it is square or rectangle, but some rooms may not qualify for inclusion in your calculations.

To start the process, multiply the length by the width of your home. You can double the result initially if you have a two story home, and then plan to deduct open space on the second floor for the stairway.

Create a drawing of the perimeter of your home so that you can calculate the space of areas that are outside of its basic square or rectangular shape.

Complying with Standard Requirements

Four specifications define what you can include as square footage, and meeting one, two or three of the requirements is not enough. Your home must comply with all four of the specifications to produce a legitimate number that is acceptable.

1. Space Occupied by Humans

Often referred to as “living space”, the area in your home that is fit for occupancy by people qualifies for inclusion in square footage calculations.

Space that is intended for human occupation provides creature comforts that are generally accepted features of a home.

2. Presence of a Heating and Cooling System

To indicate the permanence of space that is occupied by people, a home must have a conventional heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. A home that does not have a permanent way to provide heated or cooled air is not considered as a typical space for human occupation.

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3. Use of Traditional Building Materials

Floors, walls and ceilings must have coverings that are typically used for interior construction. If your home has rooms with bare concrete floors, open ceilings that reveal roof supports in the attic or unfinished wallboard, you cannot include them in your square footage.

4. Direct Connection to Another Finished Area

Each room that is counted in square footage must directly adjoin another room that is finished with traditional construction materials and methods. Access to a finished room from one that is not equally complete eliminates it from your calculations.

Handling Special Circumstances

Stairways, closets and hallways are included in square footage, but basement and attic rooms are usually excluded.

Requirements that apply to these special circumstances include:

• Stairways. The upper area of a stairway is usually larger than the entry on the lower area, and calculations of the floor space for a second floor must not include open space. Calculate the area of the opening and deduct it from the total for that floor.

• Closets and Hallways. When halls and closets are used as part of the functional living space of your home and they comply with the standards that apply to other areas, you can include them in your square footage.

• Basements. Finished rooms in your basement do not generally comply with the standards for calculating square footage. The lack of windows is a detriment in a space that is meant for human occupation, and having only one escape route in case of fire or flood is another disqualifying element. A finished basement may add some value to your home when a real estate agent compares it to another that may not have one, but it is best not to include it in your calculations.

• Attics. Finished rooms in your attic have the same

disqualifying characteristics as those in your basement. However, if your home is an A-frame or a chalet-style structure, some rooms may qualify as acceptable attic space. They must meet the requirements for living space, but a sloping roof limits the amount that is usable. To get a fair estimate, include only the area where a five foot person can stand erect. If the majority of a room, 50 percent or more, does not have a ceiling that is at least seven feet high, then you cannot include it.

• Utility Rooms. Storage rooms for your water heater, furnace or other utility items are included in overall square footage. They may not have appointments that are as elegant as those in other areas of your home, but you can include them if they meet the requirements for living space.

• Excluded Spaces. Areas that are not available for inclusion in your square footage calculations include your garage and attached deck, guest house, and exterior porches.

By carefully measuring the dimensions of your home and evaluating the suitableness of rooms for occupancy by people, you can get a reasonable approximation of the square footage in your home.

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10 Questions to Ask if this House is for You Have you found the perfect home and are ready to buy it? Congratulations! It’s a major step, and it will put you in a different bracket.

You’ll be able to talk about crabgrass, backyard barbecues and bay windows. However, there are a few things for which you should be prepared.

You might have to wait for your purchase, until you save enough money to cover everything. There are expenditures beyond closing costs that you need to consider.

Answer these ten questions so you’ll know whether the house is right for you.

1. How Much Can You Afford for a Down Payment?

Saving up to pay more than the usual five percent is a good idea. You’ll avoid paying some extra fees.

2. How Much More Will You Be Expected to Pay?

Keep in mind you’ll need homeowners insurance before you sign the papers at closing. Research the property taxes as

well. Compute one figure for mortgage, insurance and taxes, and save for it each month.

3. Will You Resell the House in Five or Thirty Years?

Closing costs can seem like a maze. Costs can include:

• Commissions

• Title insurance

• Excise taxes

• Lender points

• Inspection fees

• Recording fees

• Surveys

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It will seem as if you’re paying all this at once. It can be eye-opening. If you’re not going to stay in the house for long, it might be better to rent.

4. What Other Monies Should be Considered?

Before you get to closing, you’ll need to think about other expenditures.

• You might decide on an addition in the future, or perhaps refinishing the basement and/or attic.

• Don’t forget the roof. It will need to be replaced within ten to 15 years.

• The electrical and plumbing could use a checkup around that time too.

• Remember to check the windows and ducts for leaks.

• Will you need fencing?

• Would you like to create a wonderland of landscaping?

• You might want upgraded appliances.

• You might want to paint and get hardwood floors or new carpet to suit your tastes.

• Do you have enough furniture, pots and pans, dishes and curtains?

These expenditures can be budgeted down the road, but you might want to think about them.

5. Does the House Feel Like Home?

Now that you’ve thought out the money, what about the house?

When you walked in, did it feel welcoming? Trust your instincts. If you answered yes, then the house could be right for you.

6. Is the Location Right?

Do you want the house close to a major highway so you will not be late for work due to distance?

If convenience is important, is the house close to schools, churches and shopping?

If you’re active, is the house close to sports and entertainment areas?

7. Is the View Right?

This isn’t as frivolous as it sounds. If you admire purple mountains’ majesty, then this could be the house for you.

If you prefer running in the park and walking to work, then consider a house closer to town.

If you work late or work two jobs, when would you enjoy the view?

Weigh your lifestyle against the house’s surroundings.

8. Is the Neighborhood a Good Fit?

Neighborhoods are an important factor in home searches. Will

the resale value appreciate in this neighborhood? Is it zoned for future commercial ventures? The safety of the neighborhood is also a large part of choosing a home.

9. What is the Status of the Trees?

Make no mistake, trees are important. They act as a windbreak, filter rainfall into the water table and shade the house on hot days.

If the trees are old or damaged, they could fall. What is the proximity of the trees location to the home? Is there danger of any trees toppling the home causing severe damage?

10. Why Do You Want to Buy a House?

Are all your friends buying a house and you feel you should too?

Do you consider a house an investment in the future? You could take advantage of tax breaks.

Does it just feel right to you? Can you see friends and family gathering in the backyard for barbecues? Is the dining room perfect for entertaining business associates? Will your decorations make this house worthy of a magazine cover during the holidays?

Know thyself, and this could be the right house for you.

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