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Displaying blog entries 11-15 of 15

2204 Robinhood

Thursday, March 12, 2009
by crussell
Beautiful flowing plan with abundance of windows overlooking gorgeous wooded-fenced lot, columns seperating dining room and living room, daylight basement with 14x13 workshop, brick paver patio, pre-approval with offer. Stop! Imagine yourself living in an exquisite home on a gorgeous wooded, fenced lot in a beautiful Sherwood forest. A flowing floor plan, 1st floor master suite and abundance of windows create an air of majesty in this four bedroom, 3.5 bath walk out ranch. This home has special places for everyone-family fun galore in the daylight basement's game room, wet bar and family room. You'll love entertaining on the brick paver patio or using the screened-in porch. Indulge a hobby in the workshop, read quietly in the den or relax by one of three fireplaces. If you've dreamed of a magical home on a beautiful lot in a wonderful neighborhood, complete with a home warranty protection plan, you've found it!

When Viewing A Home, Always Be On The Lookout For These Things Even Before You Hire An Inspector

Thursday, March 12, 2009
by lheraty
Home IconMore and more people are considering purchasing houses that are being sold due to foreclosure or at auction. Many of these homes may have had lapses in maintenance or other issues that home buyers must be wary of. Never purchase a home without hiring an inspector to look it over first. Here are some of the problems that you can be on the look out for during the viewing stage, which can cause a buyer significant and costly problems:
  • Too many homes for sale on the street. Are any boarded up? Always keep an eye on the other houses near the one that you may purchase. They will tell you a lot about your possible future investment.
  • Outdoor maintenance is often very telling of what is going on “underneath”. If the home you are looking at has straggly foundation plants or broken gutters, what else could be wrong?
  • Foundation damage is always a major consideration. Check for proper grading and cracks bigger than 1/3 of an inch. Many times this can mean major structural issues.
  • Strong odors outside and inside almost always indicate something “bad”. Investigate further.
  • Be on the lookout for flickering lights and always check face plates for heat. This could mean faulty wiring.
  • Windows with fog or water in between double-paned windows can signify trouble lurking.
  • Stains and/or saggy walls usually indicate water damage, mildew or mold. An inspector must check for leaks and mold.
  • Keep your eyes peeled during your tour for pests and rodents. Seeing evidence at this early stage is never a positive sign.

Key Points Of Interest On Obama’s Foreclosure-Prevention Plan

Monday, March 9, 2009
by lheraty
Chesky Krumlov Some key points on Obama’s foreclosure-prevention plan:
  • Loan terms may be modified by reducing payments for distressed borrowers
  • Refinancing for those current on payments, but have little or no equity in their home
  • Plan starts right away and is strictly for primary residences that are not vacant or condemned
  • Call your loan servicer for help to see if you qualify
  • There are no fees for this type of loan modification
  • To be eligible, your loan must be owned or guaranteed by a government-backed mortgage company such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac
  • Modification plan ends on December 31st of 2012
  • Loans can be modified one time only
More information is available at financialstability.gov

Homeowners With Pets: How To Keep Your House Pet-Friendly…Not Pet-Dirty

Friday, March 6, 2009
by lheraty
Dog Any homeowner who lives with a pet knows that when you share your house with one of these beloved creatures, you give up the word “spotless” as a way to describe your home…forever. Here are some tips to keep your house as clean and fresh-smelling as possible despite your pet’s, let’s just say, “untidiness”.
  • Pet hair has an aroma. Usually, it’s not a good one. Vacuum regularly, even if the pet hair in question matches your furniture and you cannot see it. I promise you, your guests can smell it. Dyson makes a vacuum especially for picking up animal hair.
  • This is obvious, but a regularly bathed pet makes for a clean house. Think of how happy they are when it’s all over! Keeping pet’s nails trimmed also cuts down on scratched floors and fabrics.
  • Look into Crypton. It’s a stain-resistant fabric that includes suedes and twills. As always, leather and Ultrasuede are great choices for pet owners.
  • If you can, nix the wall-to-wall carpeting. It absorbs odors, traps pet hair and soaks up stains.
  • Stick to rubber toys if you have a mad chewer. Pig’s ears and rawhide bones are not only terrible for your pet’s health, but if they make it inside your home, they will stain your floor and furniture.
To learn about more interesting things for your home with pets go to www.everydaystudio.com and www.animalhousestyle.com.

Cleaning Your Deck Is So Easy, You Can Do It Yourself With These Tips

Tuesday, March 3, 2009
by lheraty
Wood background Many homes have decks that are wonderful for enjoying the great outdoors, whether you are entertaining a crowd or just relaxing and enjoying the sunshine with a good book. Unfortunately, decks require maintenance to keep them looking fresh, clean and splinter free. If you are thinking about embarking upon a useful spring cleaning project, cleaning your deck is a great place to start. Proper maintenance is essential to extending the life of your deck. First, look over your deck carefully for any sections that may need repair. Next, thoroughly sweep it off. After that, you must arm yourself with a power-washer. These can be rented if you do not own one. There are a variety of deck cleaners available, but the best choice is an oxalic acid-based one. These clean your wood nicely, prevent rust, kill mildew and are even plant-friendly. If you have tough mildew stains, you will need to use oxygen bleach to remove the stains. Next you must coat it to keep it looking beautiful.

Displaying blog entries 11-15 of 15

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Photo of Cathy Russell Real Estate
Cathy Russell
The Russell Company
2522 Covington St.
West Lafayette IN 47906
(765) 426-7000
(765) 335-5588
Fax: (765) 497-1003
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