How to Prep Your Home For Vacation

If you’re heading out of town soon, you’re likely packing and preparing. But have you given thought to the home you’re leaving behind?

Webber offers the following tips to prepare the home before leaving for vacation:

Unplug appliances – Appliances continue to use energy even when the device is turned off. It is best to unplug all devices including phone chargers, computers, televisions and coffee pots. This will not only save energy, but it will prevent damage from lightning strikes and power surges.

Adjust air conditioning – The air conditioning system uses a significant amount of energy. Turn the temperature up 10 degrees higher than it is usually set, or have a professional install a programmable thermostat that can be adjusted to turn on and cool the home just before returning from vacation.

Clean garbage disposal – The waste disposal is notorious for developing unpleasant odors while the house is empty. It is wise to flush the garbage disposal out with ½ cup of white vinegar and hot water while the disposal is turned on.

Change the setting on the water heater – There is no need to heat water for an empty home. Adjust the water heater to vacation mode. If the water heater does not have a vacation mode, turn the temperature down. This will save a significant amount of money on the energy bill.

Put lights on a timer – According to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), there are more than 2.15 million burglaries each year, with the majority occurring in the peak vacation months of July and August. If a home is dark, it is a sure sign that someone is not home. Put a couple of lamps on a timer inside the home. Set these to go on and off at different intervals. This will give the illusion that someone is home and make the home less vulnerable to burglaries.

Treat stagnant water in toilet – Water left inactive in the toilet can produce a foul odor and a difficult to remove ring that forms around the toilet bowl. To prevent this, place ½ cup of bleach in the toilet bowl just before leaving home.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties WingHaven/Lake St Louis                   Office, 636-720-3000 & St Charles County Office 636-720-1100                   Experience, Integrity & Teamwork, “Successful Formula For Better Results”

Local Real Estate Offices & Company Honors Military Veterans ALL year long with Freedom Wall & Military Program

Veterans Day is a special day that our nation reflects and honors those who have served or those currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. Veterans of World War I and II, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan have given so much preserving our freedoms and liberties. We felt that one day a year wasn’t enough and wanted to honor these amazing people all year-long.

Our Office and entire Company have such an appreciation and close bond with our veterans so last month (March 2016) our Military Wall (pictured above) honoring our Past, Present and Future Veterans was brought to life in our office and will show appreciation today and always to those who have served.

As a company Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties recognized we needed to do our part to pay it forward to these veterans.  We implemented the Select Military Scholarship Program for Veterans and their significant others. This program is designed to help make the transition from military work life to civilian work life a little easier for our Veterans. Our program offers a bundled set of services to assist Veterans and their spouses with the costs and their entry into the field of real estate. For more information visit- BHHS Select Military Scholarship Program

Every year during the Holidays we are a drop off location and supporter of the Marines, Toys for Tots Campaign.  If you want more information on this worthy cause, visit Toys for Tots…And yes, today and every is very special as we honor all our Veterans and we remember “Freedom Isn’t Free”

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties WingHaven/Lake St Louis                   Office, 636-720-3000 & St Charles County Office 636-720-1100                   Experience, Integrity & Teamwork, “Successful Formula For Better Results”

Voted Top Work Place by St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2014 & 2015

 

 

 

Please Welcome Susan Bearry to the BHHS WingHaven/Lake St Louis Office

Please join me in giving Susan Bearry a warm welcome to the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties WingHaven/Lake St Louis Branch. Susan recently obtained her license and is dedicated to learning this business while delivering outstanding service and results for her customers and clients.

We couldn’t be more excited Susan has decided to join our BHHS WingHaven Team and know she will be a great addition to our BHHS Select Properties Family.     Give her a call today or check out her website-YourStCharlesCountyHome.com

Come see what all the hype is about!!! There really is a HUGE advantage and difference with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties.The BIGGEST name in Real Estate! What are you waiting for? Call today to set up your confidential meeting…

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties WingHaven/Lake St Louis                   Office, 636-720-3000 & St Charles County Office 636-720-1100                   Experience, Integrity & Teamwork, “Successful Formula For Better Results”

Voted Top Work Place by St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2014 & 2015

How to Prepare for Your Future Home Purchase

Planning to buy a home in the near future? The sooner you get your money situation in shape, the easier it’ll be to take on a mortgage loan. Here’s how you can prepare your credit and finances for a future home purchase.

Pay Your Bills on Time

Focus on building your credit history. The best way to do this is to make sure you pay your bills and rent on time. According to Bankrate:”‘There is no single element that can so dramatically impact the success of an application as your credit history,” says Brian Israel, vice president of Chicago-based Harris Trust and Savings Bank’s residential mortgage division. ‘Another thing, of course, is savings. People should have a good disciplined savings pattern. That’s the kind of behavior that’s going to make them a successful homeowner.'”

To develop a disciplined savings pattern, check out the post on how to start saving for a home down payment.

Also, make sure you pay your rent on time each month. According to Realtor, mortgage lenders want the last 12 months of cancelled checks if you’re renting from a private landlord. If they see you’ve skipped a month, they’ll consider it a “mortgage late.” Realtor says this can hurt your chances of being approved. Also, make sure your checks are dated consistently around the same time each month.

Monitor Your Credit

Stay on top of your credit history and learn how to read and understand your credit report.

Look for inaccuracies, which can hurt your credit score and affect your future mortgage application. If there are any discrepancies, you’ll have to dispute them with the credit bureaus. Here are some sample letters for filing a dispute.

Maybe you have delinquent accounts. These can be accounts that are late, charged-off, sent to collections, etc. These delinquencies can kill your chances of getting a mortgage, as lenders won’t think you can make your monthly payments. Finance writer LaToya Irby suggests you pay off all delinquent accounts before applying for a mortgage:”You need to establish a pattern of timely payments to get approved for a mortgage and get a competitive interest rate. If you have a recent late payment – or you’ve just paid off some delinquencies – wait at least six months before applying for a mortgage. The older the delinquency, the better your credit looks.”

It’s important to note that if you have toxic debt, it might be a sign that you’re living beyond your means. If you have issues with overspending, it’s important to deal with them before you decide to buy a home. The costs and responsibility of home ownership can be overwhelming if your money habits are out of control.

Have Three Trade Lines

Realtor says that most lenders want you to have at least three trade lines (credit cards, student loans, etc.) that have been open for at least a year.

“If you only have one card, open two more now. Your credit score may go down a bit, but you will probably need to wait a year to establish some credit history, so it will adjust back up soon.”

Similarly, Daily Finance adds that closing accounts might be a bad idea.

“Closing a major credit card can actually do damage to a credit score. Lenders look at the balance on revolving credit accounts in terms of its ratio to total available credit. Closing an account can have the unintended consequence of raising the ratio.”

Save and Increase Your Down Payment

A bigger down payment won’t guarantee your loan approval, but it certainly helps. According to Global Post: “The larger the down payment you come up with, the lower their risk. The theory goes like this: If you’ve already invested a large sum of money in your home, you’ll be less likely to stop making payments if you suffer a financial crisis. You’ll have, as lenders say, ‘more skin in the game.'”

If you can find ways to do it, start saving more. Consider a savings vehicle that offers a reasonable return without being too risky.

Do Your Research

Research and understand the costs associated with home ownership. There will be property taxes and insurance. You might have higher utility bills or homeowner’s fees. Maintenance, repair and decorating might also cost more than you think.

Similarly, you should research your mortgage options. Financial expert Liz Pulliam Weston writes: “A lot of people are losing their homes today because they didn’t understand what kind of mortgage they had or they accepted bad advice. The low teaser payments that allowed them to buy a more expensive house have jumped skyward, leaving them unable to pay.”

She suggests a traditional, fixed-rate mortgage.

Avoid Big Purchases

It’s important to have an active credit history. But as you get closer to applying for a mortgage, it’s time to cool it. Bankrate says you should avoid big purchases as you prepare to apply:

“First off, don’t make any big purchases over the next couple of months. Besides the obvious fact that it makes less money available for the down payment, it might require you to get yet another loan.”

They say that a large debt—a $15,000 car loan, for example—will look bad to the lender’s scoring systems.

Shelve Credit Usage 45 Days Before Applying

Mint suggests you pay off your credit cards, and then not using them for at least 45 days before applying for a mortgage.

“Paying the cards off 45 days in advance is plenty of lead-time. You can continue to use your debit, prepaid debit, or gift cards because those don’t show up on your credit reports.”

If you think home ownership is in your future, plan to tackle it responsibly. Get your credit and finances in order today to make the whole process easier in the future.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties

WingHaven/Lake St Louis- 636-720-3000 & St Charles County- 636-720-1100

Experience, Integrity & Teamwork, “Successful Formula For Better Results”

Voted Top Work Place by St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2014 & 2015

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This article by Kristin Wong originally appeared in Two Cents, a new blog from Lifehacker all about personal finance.
Here is a link to the original article: http://twocents.lifehacker.com/how-to-prepare-for-your-future-home-purchase-now-1562420833

Boone Bridge Demolition Scheduled for Tomorrow Morning…

Starting at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, February 18, crews will close all lanes on eastbound and westbound I-64 between Boone’s Crossing in St. Louis County and Route K in St. Charles County.  Additional closures include:

• 9 a.m. – the ramps from Chesterfield Airport Road and North Outer Road to westbound I-64 will close.
• 9:45 a.m. – the ramps from Route 94 and Research Park to eastbound I-64 and the ramp from Boone’s Crossing to westbound I-64 will close.

The interstate will be closed for approximately an hour.  All lanes will reopen after debris from the demolition has been removed from I-64.  This will be the first of two blasts to take down the old bridge.  The second demolition will be held at a later date.

There is limited public viewing for the blast, but those interested in watching can park at the Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex located at 17925 North Outer 40 Road.  Parking is at the west end, between the A Fields parking lot.  Spectators will then have to walk down the Monarch Levee Trail for about a mile to the posted viewing area.

Drone operators are advised that there will be no flying allowed due to the proximity to Spirit of St. Louis Airport.Construction on the $111 million Boone Bridge project began in January 2013.  The new eastbound bridge opened to traffic in June.  The 1980s bridge was then rehabbed and opened to westbound traffic in November.

Information for this blog provided by MoDot. For more information on the I-64 Daniel Boone Missouri River Bridge project, go to www.modot.org/boonebridge.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties WingHaven/Lake St Louis                   Office, 636-720-3000 & St Charles County Office 636-720-1100                   Experience, Integrity & Teamwork, “Successful Formula For Better Results”

Voted Top Work Place by St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2014 & 2015

 

Please Welcome Heather Crawford to the BHHS Saint Charles County Branch

Please join me in giving Heather Crawford a warm welcome to the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties St Charles County Office. Heather recently obtained her license and is dedicated to learning this business while delivering outstanding service and results for her customers and clients.

We couldn’t be more excited Heather has decided to join our BHHS St Charles Team and know she will be a great addition to our BHHS Select Properties Family. Give her a call today or check out her website-HousesForSaleByHeather.com

The agents just keep coming!!! There really is a HUGE advantage and difference with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties.The BIGGEST name in Real Estate! What are you waiting for? Call today to set up your confidential meeting…

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties WingHaven/Lake St Louis                   Office, 636-720-3000 & St Charles County Office 636-720-1100                   Experience, Integrity & Teamwork, “Successful Formula For Better Results”

Voted Top Work Place by St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2014 & 2015

Welcome Zahara Kilper to the BHHS WingHaven/Lake St Louis Office

Please join me in giving Zahara Kilper a warm welcome to the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties WingHaven/Lake St Louis Office. Zahara recently obtained her license and comes from a strong real estate family background in residential and commercial real estate. She is dedicated to learning the business while delivering outstanding service and results for her customers and clients.

We couldn’t be more excited Zahara has decided to join our BHHS WingHaven Team and know she will be a great addition to our BHHS Select Properties Family. Give Zahara a call today or check out her website- www.zkilper-properties.com

The agents just keep coming!!! There really is a HUGE advantage and difference with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties.The BIGGEST name in Real Estate! What are you waiting for? Call today to set up your confidential meeting…

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties WingHaven/Lake St Louis                   Office, 636-720-3000 & St Charles County Office 636-720-1100                   Experience, Integrity & Teamwork, “Successful Formula For Better Results”

Voted Top Work Place by St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2014 & 2015

Welcome Kelli Cradick to the BHHS Select Properties WingHaven/Lake St Louis Office

Please join me in giving Kelli Cradick a warm welcome to the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties WingHaven/Lake St Louis Office. Kelli recently obtained her license and is dedicated to learning this business while delivering outstanding service and results for her customers and clients.

We couldn’t be more excited Kelli has decided to join our BHHS WingHaven Team and know she will be a great addition to our BHHS Select Properties Family. Give her a call today or check out her website- http://www.KelliCradick.com 

The agents just keep coming!!! There really is a HUGE advantage and difference with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties.The BIGGEST name in Real Estate! What are you waiting for? Call today to set up your confidential meeting…

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties WingHaven/Lake St Louis                   Office, 636-720-3000 & St Charles County Office 636-720-1100                   Experience, Integrity & Teamwork, “Successful Formula For Better Results”

Voted Top Work Place by St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2014 & 2015

Choosing the Best Mattress for You

Health experts agree the average mattress should be replaced after 10-15 years. But traditional mattress types have given way to new breeds. If you are in the market for a new mattress, which type is best for you?

“The only way to choose the right mattress is to lie on it for at least 20 minutes,” said Omaha mattress store manager Joe Paginolo. “Don’t let anyone rush you. Get comfy in the position you usually sleep in—and try it out for at least that long.”

Paginolo points out some of the pros and cons of four basic mattress types:

Innerspring

• Pros: They range in firmness, price and fluffiness of the pillow top to satisfy nearly everyone’s preference and budget.
• Cons – The cheapest may not have enough springs and cushioning to offer proper support. Be sure the mattress you choose has at least 390 coils. Firmer versions are best for the overweight and people with chronic back pain.

Memory foam

• Pros: By molding to the shape of your body as your weight shifts through the night, memory foam reduces pressure points and relieves pain. Memory foam also absorbs movement, so if you sleep with a partner, you’re not likely to be disturbed by his tossing and turning.
• Cons – Because they are temperature sensitive, they soften and mold with body heat, so they can make you feel hot during the night. Also, some memory foam mattresses have been known to emit an unpleasant chemical smell.

Latex

• Pros – Made from either natural or synthetic rubber, they provide a very firm, bouncy support that is uniform throughout the bed. They are supportive but comfortable for most sleepers.
• Cons – If you don’t like the feel of a firm mattress, latex is probably not the right choice for you.

Air mattresses – (Unlike the blow-up kind you use for overnight guests, the high-end types known as ‘sleep number’ beds use air-filled chambers instead of coils, and are covered by a foam layer on top.)

• Pros – The firmness of each side can be altered, so they are a good choice for couples who have different firmness preferences.
• Cons – They can tend to pop up on one side when you sit on the other. Be sure your choice has multiple chambers, so this does not occur.

***Choosing the Best Mattress for You was written By- Barbara Pronin***

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties WingHaven/Lake St Louis                   Office, 636-720-3000 & St Charles County Office 636-720-1100                   Experience, Integrity & Teamwork, “Successful Formula For Better Results”

Voted Top Work Place by St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2014 & 2015

 

New Study Suggests Strong Outlook for Green Home

During the prolonged housing downturn, green homes provided support to the ailing residential market and now promise to be an important element of the recovering market as well, according to a new study conducted by Dodge Data & Analytics, in partnership with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and with the support of Ply Gem Industries, a leading manufacturer of exterior building products in North America.

Despite the headwinds created by growing concerns about the cost of building green, a high percentage of home builders and re-modelers are already building green and expect to do so in the future. While home builders and re-modelers report that consumers of all ages are interested in green, the study also finds that consumers age 55 and older are the most important group driving the current green market. The findings also demonstrate that consumers’ association of green with healthier homes leads to even higher potential for growth in the future, as do increased use of renewable technologies by 2018. To download the new study, “Green and Healthier Homes: Engaging Consumers of All Ages in Sustainable Living SmartMarket Report,” click here.

• The 2015 study, which surveyed 232 builders and re-modelers from across the U.S., demonstrates that they recognize the benefits of green building:
• Over half (54 percent) of home builders are currently constructing at least 16% of their new homes green, and 39% of re-modelers report that at least 16% of their remodeling projects are green.
• By 2020, nearly all (81 percent) home builders will be constructing that level of green, with over half (51 percent) building at least 60 percent of their new homes green.

By 2020, re-modelers report a similar level of growth, with nearly three-quarters (74 percent) making at least 16% of their projects green, and over one-third (36 percent) completing over 60 percent of their projects green.

These expectations of higher green involvement emerge despite growing concerns about the cost of building green. 77 percent of home builders and re-modelers report that building green has an incremental cost over traditional construction of 5 percent or more, notably higher than the 60 percent in 2014 and 58% in 2011 who noted that level of increased cost. While higher cost is also the top obstacle to green reported, it does not appear to have dampened the drive toward green in the market.

“Builders and re-modelers have long recognized that green is the future of home building,” said NAHB Chairman Tom Woods, a home builder from Blue Springs, MO. “Since we first began partnering on this study with Dodge Data & Analytics in 2006, we’ve seen that commitment grow. The study’s recent findings reinforce this continued growth, with new homeowner feedback showing a desire and expectation that new homes be high-performing, particularly when it comes to energy conservation. Most builders recognize that they need to be at least conversant in green to stay competitive.”

One key factor driving the growth of green is the association of green homes with healthier living. Home builders and re-modelers certainly recognize the potential: most (83 percent) believe that consumers will pay more for homes that are healthier.

“We have seen the commercial sector of the construction industry focus on the impact of buildings on the health of their occupants in the last few years, but these findings suggest that attention to healthier homes may offer an even higher gain for green in the residential market,” said Steve Jones, Senior Director of Industry Insights at Dodge Data & Analytics, “especially as consumers become better informed about the features that make homes more sustainable and healthier, and begin to demand them.”

Another factor leading to growth in the residential market is the increasing use of renewable energy. The study demonstrates that the use of renewable technologies is expected to grow across the board, revealing an interest in energy performance that goes beyond green. By 2018, nearly half of home builders and re-modelers expect to be using solar photo-voltaic (48 percent) and ground source heat pump (52 percent) technologies. Net zero homes are also emerging as an important trend, with nearly one-quarter (21 percent) of home builders having built a net zero home in the last two years.

One interesting finding of the new study is that the greatest impetus for green homes comes, not from millennials as many people might expect, but from consumers age 55 and older. Data from the study suggest that greater familiarity with home features leads to an emphasis on home performance. Therefore, as the environmentally minded millennials gain more experience with home ownership, it is quite possible that there could be even greater demand for green in the future.

To download the new study, “Green and Healthier Homes: Engaging Consumers of All Ages in Sustainable Living” SmartMarket Report, click here.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties WingHaven/Lake St Louis                   Office, 636-720-3000 & St Charles County Office 636-720-1100                   Experience, Integrity & Teamwork, “Successful Formula For Better Results”

Voted Top Work Place by St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2014 & 2015