Real Estate and *stuff *
A real person helping real people with real estate
You can scroll the shelf using ← and → keys
Apple innovator Steve Jobs embraced small-is-better kitchens ahead of his time
November 19, 2011
Looks like Steve Jobs was an iconoclast when it came to homes and kitchens, too.
Although Americans lately have embraced smaller homes, shrinking their average size by 5% from 2007 to 2010, Jobs thought smaller was better even 18 years ago, according to British kitchen designer Johnny Grey, who worked with Jobs in the mid-1990s. (See Johnny Grey’s blog on the kitchen design)
“Remarkably, for one of the world’s richest individuals, Jobs lived in modest style,” says Grey about the Palo Alto home that Jobs and his wife, Laurene, called their “cottage.” The center of family life was a cozy kitchen with white cabinets, tiled tops, and wooden edges.
Grey and Jobs worked together on a kitchen design that was contemporary and compact.
“Shaker simplicity was often his default position,” Grey says. “I suspect he became more of a modernist in the late nineties.”
Unfortunately, Jobs never constructed the kitchen.
“He was a very private person and reluctant to have contractors work around him,” Grey says, “powerfully disliking noise, mess and invasion of their home.”
Do you have any memories of Steve Jobs? Have you ever designed a project that you didn’t construct?
Fred and Ethel finish their Worcester County travel week with RE/MAX
November 16, 2011
Fred and Ethel…the BNI Whales are just finishing up their week with RE/MAX. They aren’t quite ready to take on the blue R but they are close! Most of the day was not very exciting for them with price changes, property inspection reports, client files and short sale updating with the lenders. They declined pictures for the most part. I think Ethel is getting camera-shy.
They spent some time with some new buyers looking at foreclosure condos in Marlborough and Grafton. They had a good time and it was nice to get to know some new people. Dan and Dan are just starting out with their search and we looked a few different areas so they could start to get a feel for what was available in their price range. Time well spent!
We did walk into a foreclosure on Hosmer Street. The complex is undergoing renovations but has been hit hard with short sales and foreclosures which makes it difficult for the association to maintain their budget. There is a 2 bedroom unit that I had shown when it was short sale and I’m not sure how we crossed paths but I found my business card on their living floor amiss the belongings they did not have time to take when they were foreclosed on. I wish they would have reached out – I might have been able to sell the condo short instead of them having to endure a foreclosure. It’s a huge difference – a short sale affects their credit for a much shorter time and future employers don’t ask if someone has short saled…but they do ask if they have had a foreclosure. Sad.
The BNI Whales moved past this moment and marched on to an appointment with their new clients in Marlborough. Fred and Ethel helped list their condo on Friday and we received a full price offer on Sunday which we officially accepted this evening! They are SO EXCITED!!! We also signed their offer to purchase a new house in Southborough! YAY!!! Fingers and fins are crossed for them!
This is was the last day I will spend with the BNI Whales until the next time I win them. I hope that they enjoyed it as much as I did! I also hope that you reach out to find out more about the 7 Hills BNI Group! We do need more members and it has been a fantastic group to be a part of! If you want to be more successful in your business…it’s the place to be!
Fred and Ethel recover from Short Sale Monday
November 15, 2011
Fred and Ethel – the BNI Whales that have been traveling with me since our meeting last week – apologize for being absent yesterday. Monday consumed them as they realized how much time and energy is needed to successfully close a short sale. They were back in full force today though! Spreading the word about the great stuff that can happen with BNI!
The whales started the day posing on the might jeep while it was being loaded with all the necessary items to carry out a full day of real-iting (Fred and Ethel have quite the sense of humor). They are looking forward to get out and away from the desk and the phone after yesterday!
Fred and Ethel stopped by 10 Dighton Street in Worcester which closed last week to pick up the signs and the lockbox. The new owner was home and they wished him well! Fred thought this was a great way to start the day!
Stopping again on the way into the office for a weekly inspection on a foreclosure listing. 18 Burncoat Street in Leicester is a foreclosure that just came out of contract and is back on the market. With a new price of $59,500 and a passing Title V – it’s a great buy!
Into the office for Business Builders. Business Builders is an accountability group that meets bi-weekly and is run by Pam Crawford. It helps keep Realtors ON track by holding them accountable to their goals. What works, what doesn’t and most importantly…what are we actually doing that generates business. Great group! It’s nice to connect with the other agents in the office too.
Fred and Ethel set up in the office for a few hours before the next appointment. Confirming that their recent buyers are good with their pre-qual on a house that needs a new septic, recalling all the banks involved in the short sales, letting the new rental clients that they…above four other applications…got the rental they wanted and then off again!
After a few stops – checking in at a broker’s open to preview a new construction in Leicester…stopping in on the sellers of 10 Dighton in Worcester to wish them well in their trip south for the winter and finally…
Staples. Ugh! Fred and Ethel feel the same love/hate feeling that I do…so many things that could be used…so much money could be spent! Must…keep…to…budget!! This would be a time to consult with Andrea Goodman…Swampdrainer! She keeps business…in business by keeping their PnL’s tight! At any rate…Fred and Ethel learn that jump drives fail and they must be replaced.
Ending the day with Wes Oliver from Prestige Mortgage at Picadilly’s in Westborough for a frosty cold one and nice chat…Fred and Ethel finally get home to spend some quality time with the huskies…
Tree Falls Over Property Line: Who Pays? Who Picks Up the Pieces?
November 10, 2011
If a neighbor’s tree falls over your property line, file an insurance claim for repairs and cleanup. No house damage? Check if chopping and hauling debris is covered.
When a tree falls
Your neighbor is responsible when a tree falls over your shared property line only if you can prove he was aware that his tree was a hazard and refused to remedy the problem. Regardless, your insurance company restores your property first, and later decides whether or not to pursue reimbursement from the neighbor or his insurer if the neighbor was negligent in maintaining the tree.
Before a tree falls
Write a letter to your neighbor before his dead, diseased or listing tree falls through your roof or over your property line.
The letter should include:
- Description of the problem
- Photographs
- Request for action
- Attorney letterhead–not necessary but indicates you mean business.
Trim their trees
If the limbs of a tree hang over your property line, you may trim the branches up to the property line, but not cut down the entire tree. If a tree dies after your little pruning, the neighbor can pursue a claim against you in civil or small claims court. Depending on the laws of your state, your neighbor may have to prove the damage was deliberate or caused by negligence, but may also be able to recover up to three times the value of the tree.
Before you cut, tell your neighbors what you intend to do to protect your property. They may offer to trim the whole tree instead of risking your half-oaked job.
Your tree falls
It’s always a good idea to take care of your big and beautiful trees, and keep receipts for trimmings and other care.
But if your tree falls over a neighbor’s property line, do nothing until their insurance company contacts you. You may not be liable unless you knew or should have known the tree was in a dangerous condition. If you pruned a tree or shored up trunks to prevent problems, gather your receipts to prove your diligence.
Energy Monitors: Seeing is Believing — and Saving
October 28, 2011
Energy monitors make managing your power consumption enjoyable and easy to do. And we’re using energy today! BRR!
The Prius Effect in your living room
Researchers have shown that the well-known hybrid car saves energy for two reasons: It efficiently uses both gasoline and electric power, and it also provides a display screen that lets drivers track their real-time MPG efficiency.
Various environmental reports have suggested that home-based energy monitors have the same effect–keeping an eye on the display screens encourages savings of up to 10% of a home’s heating and cooling costs.
Do-it-yourself monitoring
Energy usage monitors are readily available and affordable. A system like TED–The Energy Detective ($120 to $455)–has a measuring unit connected to your home’s circuit breaker panel. Data, such as energy consumed in watts and dollars, is sent to another unit called the Gateway, which delivers energy usage info to your computer or wireless dashboard. TED stores up to 10 years of data.
Similar systems are available from Blue Line ($100) and the upcoming EnergyHub.
Smarter meters
Utility companies are starting to replace analog electricity meters with digital smart meters that offer two-way communication, allowing utilities to regulate energy distribution more effectively. Smart meters transmit info via a secure radio frequency network so that utility workers don’t have to brave growling dogs and muddy side yards to read your meter.
If your home is one of the early adopters, you can track your hourly energy usage through your utility’s web-based application. That way, you can discover when in the day is electricity the cheapest, and schedule laundry and other power-hungry tasks for that time. In addition, your utility can send you a detailed electricity bill instead of an estimate of charges.
Smart meters also can transmit data to indoor display units that work like off-the-shelf energy usage monitors. A smart meter also can include details on gas usage.
Note that smart meters require professional installation by your utility, so call to find out if your home is on their roadmap.
Google your savings
If you want more use out of the real-time data, Google’s free PowerMeter is an advanced web-based graphical application that works with your home’s smart meter or energy monitor to track usage over time, set energy savings goals, and predict your energy bill based on usage.
The software can help you tailor your usage to bring down costs. It’s available through devices such as TED and utility companies such as San Diego Gas & Electric.
Affordable portables
If outfitting your entire home for energy monitoring isn’t feasible, you can still track the energy use of household items with the small, portable Belkin Conserve Insight ($30). It can tell you an appliance’s usage in dollars, carbon dioxide emitted, and watts consumed, and it offers monthly and yearly estimated costs.
Similar devices from Kill A Watt EZ include an energy usage monitor power strip, and range from $16 to $60.
Photos from the event
October 21, 2011
Here are some great photos from the “Come Share Your Spirit” open house – at the height of the evening there were almost 40 people visiting the house!
Here are some people learning how to research a home through street listings and existing documents of the Ware Historical Society.
Hearing about ‘yester years’ and ‘days gone by’
My favorite room in the house. The study has built-in bookshelves (and used to have many more according to our historian), a window seat, fireplace, pocket doors and is just so inviting! Imagine this on a snow night with a fire going and a good book!
All together it was a very successful open house and really helped to show this beautiful victorian still needs a new owner!
Small business Sunday video blog…going to straight to your belly!
October 16, 2011
Leslie Houssan is a Pampered Chef extraordinaire in Worcester County. She is up to date on the latest and greatest for all things in your kitchen! Give Leslie a call and she’ll fill you in. You can reach her at 774-276-0205, ljhpchef@yahoo.com or http://www.pamperedchef.biz/4lesliehoussan.
Here is a sample of what she can share with you:
“Greasy, expensive takeout food will be a thing of the past when you invest in these kitchen workhorses! Prepare easy, delicious recipes at only $2 a serving* your family will love.”
Costs of Adding a Fireplace
October 14, 2011
Everyone loves a fireplace…especially as we start the winter season here in New England but there is cost. Luckily there is still a tax credit too! Installing a wood-burning, gas-burning, gel-fuel, or electric fireplace to your house costs $400 to $10,000, depending on the type of fireplace you select.
If your budget is really tight, a free-standing gel-fuel or electric fireplace eliminates installation costs. But be aware that some bare-bones alternatives don’t completely succeed in mimicking a real wood fire.
Check local building codes for possible restrictions on the types of fireplaces that can be installed in your area.
Costs of a wood-burning fireplace
An open-hearth, wood-burning fireplace—like the ones you see in mountain resort hotels—requires the help of a skilled, professional mason and a budget approaching (and often exceeding) $10,000.
For an existing home, considerable renovation work is required, including a foundation to carry the weight of the firebox and chimney, and the cost of the chimney itself.
Expect to pay $7,000 to $10,000 or more.
- Cost saver tip: Go for a drywall surround and a simple, wall-mounted mantle.
Costs of a gas-burning fireplace
A fireplace unit that burns natural gas or propane runs about $2,000 for the basic materials package. Installation and finishing typically add $2,500.
- Cost saver tip: Switch to a simpler surround and mantle, and get a direct-vent fireplace so you don’t need a chimney. Or, opt for a vent-free gas fireplace for $400 or so. Hiring a professional to install a gas line or a connection to a propane tank adds about $1,000.
Your least-expensive option
A gel-fuel fireplace or an electric fireplace starts under $400. With a portable unit, that’s the total cost since the fireplace is ready to use once you remove the packaging.
Because there’s no flue or chimney, it’s easy to install TVs or other electronic gear directly above an electric fireplace. If you include a mantle package, expect to pay $800 to $1,600. One perk available: sound effects that mimic the crackle and pop of a real fire.
Ongoing costs
Estimate your energy costs by using a fuel cost comparison calculator. Gel fuel, not included in the calculator, costs $3 per 13-ounce can, enough for three hours.
For a wood-burning fireplace, figure on $100 to $200 a year for chimney cleaning. Gas fireplaces need an annual service check ($100 to $150) plus a chimney inspection. Gel-fuel and electric fireplaces don’t need regular maintenance.
Tax credits for fireplace inserts
Through Dec. 31, 2011, you may qualify for a federal tax credit for up to $300 in costs, if you install a biomass (wood- or pellet-burning) fireplace insert that’s at least 75% fuel-efficient.
Real Estate and *stuff * 