Decorating for the Holidays with your Home on the Market

Add tasteful, generic decorations. “Tasteful decorations can be an asset to a sale,” says David Iannuccilli, CRS, GRI, and co-broker/owner of RE/MAX Professionals in East Greenwich, R.I. But since taste is subjective, we asked Iannuccilli and other pros to define what good holiday taste looks like—and doesn’t. Most define it as “elegant,” “simple,” and “quiet.” Iannuccilli specifies a minimalist approach--one wreath, one tree, one dining table centerpiece. Dana recommends a tall narrow tree to emphasize a room’s height and conserve floor space. In the don’t-do list, Dana cites no “cute” wreaths with gingerbread men or oversized inflatable snowmen on front yards. She also suggests steering clear of personalized objects such as monogrammed stockings. “When decorations get too personal, people have a hard time picturing themselves in the home,” she says. Pat Heydlauff, a feng shui expert in Palm Beach County, Fla., recommends no or few religious symbols, whether crèches or menorahs. Trade nonseasonal for seasonal decorations. To avoid clutter, remove a nonholiday accessory for each seasonal accessory added, says Dana. Don’t imitate Scrooge. Even if decorating seems a Herculean task, don't avoid all decorations. “People expect some, and they add warmth,” says Dana. Think green…and metallic, and white. Too much red and green can backfire. Practitioners suggest a neutral palette of fresh greens, elegant silvers and golds, and classic whites. Karen Fornash, a real estate guru in New York, favors vases of white roses, lilies, and freesia, complemented by evergreens. Christi Page, owner of Top Drawer Hardware in Santa Monica, Ca., suggests replacing a few knobs in a bathroom or kitchen with ones that add a touch of seasonal color. Remember the joy of entertaining. Because home entertaining connotes happy homeownership, builder David Cohen of Hampden Design & Construction in Newton, Mass., suggests staging a kitchen as if you were going to throw a cozy holiday party. “People don’t want things to look stark at the holidays,” he says. Be mindful of valuable gifts. Keep most holiday presents and family heirlooms out of sight to avoid distracting buyers, says Gregg Goldsholl, a practitioner with Weichert Realtors in Larchmont, N.Y. Doing so also is a smart precaution for open houses. “Not all people who tour a home are trustworthy,” Dana says. Keep up decorations for a limited time. While most homeowners love prolonging the holiday spirit, experts suggest curtailing it when the house is on the market. Dave Sears, co-founder of OptHome, a homeownership resource Web site in Winchester, Mass., advises a maximum of two weeks before and two after Christmas. Add warmth and energy. Nothing says holidays more than twinkling lights and crackling fires, but make smart choices. Lights, which also help illuminate a home’s exterior in the dark—particularly important in winter when many showings take place—shouldn’t be left on all the time. Select efficient LED bulbs and use them with motion detectors or timers, says Rozanne Weissman, senior director of consumer campaigns with the nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy in Washington, D.C. To get a fire going quickly and make clean-up easier, consider manufactured logs, says Mendy Aul, with Pine Mountain in Daleville, Ind. Minimize smells. Holiday aromas—baked goods and live greens—enhance seasonal decor, but overly strong odors from air fresheners and candles may send buyers running, says Deanne Kory, senior vice president with The Corcoran Group in New York. Leave out a plate of cookies, which buyers will associate with the spirit of giving. Play soothing music. Most people get their fill of jingles and carols, so nonseasonal favorites that appeal year-round. Remember winter’s threat, shovel walks rather than have snow and ice become part of the décor. Remember - less is always best. Happy Holidays!

Tips for a Greener Day

Are you one of the Millions of Americans that print the receipt after making an ATM transaction, look at the balance, and throw the receipt away? Of the Billions of transactions every year - If everyone would stop printing their receipts, the paper saved would span the earth 15 times! Also, consider the number of extra paper napkins you take in a restaurant! Do you really need them? Most of them get thrown away! Reduce, Reuse and Recycle! Excerpts from the Today Show, November 19, 2008

10 Things Going Right

10 THINGS GOING RIGHT from Kiplingers.com 11/14/08 Never in modern memory have Americans been so gloomy about their future. A record 90% of registered voters say the country is seriously off on the wrong track, according to the most recent ABC News poll. A long economic slump lasting well into 2009 looks likely. But take heart. The editors of Kiplinger's Personal Finance and Kiplinger's forecasting came up with ten things going right these days. See if you agree: Oil Loses Its Swagger With the U.S. and global economy hurting, oil prices have dropped more than 50% in just three months, from $147 a barrel in July to the $65-$70 range. Remember $80-100 fill-ups at the gas station pump? The national average for a gallon of gasoline is below $3.00, from $4.11 in March, and should stay below $3.50 through next year. Prices for home heating oil and natural gas are also headed lower this winter than last. A Tipping Point for the Auto Industry After years of talk and false starts, finally, all the major carmakers are furiously developing hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles that could lessen our dependence on foreign oil. Meanwhile, desperate dealers are offering unheard-of incentives on new, gas-fired models. For example, Toyota is offering $1,000 cash back and 0% financing on the 2009 Camry, the most popular car in America. Don't drive much? If you've always wanted an SUV or truck, the discounting on some models is extraordinary. Interest Rates Are Low and Headed Lower The prime rate is at 4.5%, which is driving down interest rates on home-equity lines of credit and some consumer loans. The interest rate on a traditional 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is averaging 6.5%, the highest it's been since the summer of '07, but still not too far from the historic low of 5.8% reached in 2003-05 and 1963-65. Homes Are More Affordable Real estate, which was overpriced during the housing bubble, has returned to earth. That's especially good news for first-time home buyers who were priced out of the market. While scare stories persist of credit drying up, the reality is more a return to traditional lending standards that had been thrown overboard-recklessly in many cases-by lenders. That means to qualify you usually need a 20% down payment, sufficient annual income, good credit and a tolerable load of debt. Your Bank Savings Have Never Been Safer The $700-billion federal rescue plan more than doubles the amount of federal deposit insurance on individual bank accounts, to $250,000 from $100,000. Uncle Sam sweetened the pot further on October 14 by providing unlimited FDIC insurance on the non-interest-bearing accounts of virtually all of the nation's small businesses. Plus, a new temporary federal insurance program covers the full value if your money-market-fund shares fall below a net asset value of $1.00 (called "breaking the buck"). The program provides coverage for shareholders for the amount they owned on September 19, 2008. Stocks Are on Sale, and Many Bonds Offer Terrific Yields The current bear market is in the range of the 1973-74 and 2000-2002 downturns, the two worst retreats since World War II. That's the bad news. The good news: Individual blue chips are selling at bargain prices. For example, shares of AT&T (symbol T) sell for about eight times estimated 2009 earnings and yield 6%. Networking giant Cisco Systems (CSCO) sells for only ten times earnings estimates for its July 2009 fiscal year. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), as steady an Eddie as you'll find, sells for just 13 times '09 forecasts, and Google (GOOG) is going for less than 15 times estimates. Triple-A-rated tax-free bonds, an extraordinarily safe investment, are paying 5%-plus for ten years and 6% for 20. That's more than the Treasury offers for bonds of the same maturity. The Miracle of Technological Innovation Continues Been to Best Buy, Sam's or Costco lately? For $799, you can buy a 42-inch, high-definition flat-panel TV that will knock your socks off. Throw in another $200, and you can get a surround-sound system to truly transform your den into a home theater. A top-of-the-line PC with more memory than you'll ever use now costs $1,000; high-end laptops with all the bells and whistles go for $1,200, down from $2,000-$4,000 five years ago. And giant leaps in handheld devices, such as Apple's new iPhone, have revolutionized the way people interact with the world. (Use our PriceGrabber tool to compare prices.) Prosperity Reigns in the Heartland The fall harvest is shaping up as one of the best ever, despite the destructive weather and floods in the Mississippi River corridor since last spring. Exports of U.S. farm products will increase more than 40% by value this year. And recent years of high profits have allowed farmers to pay down debt so low that it accounts for a measly 9% of their assets -- providing all the credit they'll need for 2009 operations. At home, while food prices jumped sharply earlier this year, the weak economy is now expected to slow further price increases. A New Tone in Washington Whether it's Barack Obama or John McCain who enters the White House in January, election of a new chief executive should provide at least 100 days of galvanizing certainty for markets, and a new direction and sense of purpose for the country. Shoppers Can Expect Great Gift Buys This Holiday Season Retailers depend on robust end-of-year sales to turn a profit, but for 2008, the National Federation of Retailers forecasts holiday spending will increase only 2.2% from last year. That won't even beat inflation. It's good news for bargain hunters, though. Both brick-and-mortar and online retailers are gearing up to offer huge discounts to boost sales. For example, Deal News predicts a DUAL Core Intel Laptop will go for as low as $299 on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and a Canon PowerShot SD1100 (recommended in our Simple Tech picks) will go for a very low $139. So chin up. We've been through hard times before. To quote Rudyard Kipling, "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs ..."

Winter Weather Home Prevention - Tip 4 (2008)

Watering Hoses! Remember in cold climates - its important to drain all of the water from garden hoses before the first freeze! You can use an air compressor to help blow them dry. Any water remianing in the hose is forced out the other end leaving it dray and ready for storage!

Portable Generator Hazards

With the extensive usage of portable generators in the NE Kansas area last Winter, we want to offer yet another resource regarding Safety of using this equipment. Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed, but they also can be hazardous. The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, electric shock of electrocution, fire and burns. Every year, people die in incidents related to portable generator use. Most of the incidents associated with portable generators reported to CSPC involve CO poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially-enclosed spaces. To view this article in full, view at htt;://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/portgen.html

Clearing the Indoor Air

While you are locked up over the winter did you ever wonder how safe your indoor air quality is? Your awareness of important gases is critical. Heres a few to pay attention to... 1) Radon - a colorless, odorless gas produced from the rock and soil. US Envt Prot. Agency estimates 1 in 15 homes across the nation reach dangerous levels of radon gases in homes. It comes in from the soil and deep private wells. Over time, lung problems can arise. Consider testing your home for radon gases - you can find them at your local hardware store or at major discount stores or call your local Envt Protection Agency for a list of reputable inspectors. 2) Carbon Monoxide - Gas furnaces, fireplaces or wood and coal stoves built before 1985 are more likely to have problems with carbon monoxide then with later models. This colorless, odorless gas can be present anyweher that fuel burning appliances are not being vented property - Note another blog mentioned re: generator safety during storms - Again, make sure your house has a carbon monoxide detector - found whereever smoke detectors are purchased. 3) Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)- Odors from new carpet, paint and furniture while a nice improvement to your home can also be dangerous VOCS. Ex. Formaldehyde(found in glue in particleboard and furniture) can also be dangerous causing many symptoms. Buy products that are VOC free or make sure items / households are aired out for a few days before they're installed or you live in environment. 4) Second Hand Smoke - Even when filtered thru air purifiers, 2nd hand smoke is dangerous, causing ear infections, asthma and sudden infant death in children. If you must smoke do it outside. 5) Dust and Allergens - Rural homes and workplaces have a disadvantage when it comes to dust and allergens. Pollen, road and field dust and animal dander can trigger asthma attacks, or make lung disesases worse. Keep windows closed during times when dust and pollen are high. You can go to www.pollen.com to find more information regarding your State! Information pulled from Americanprofile.com, by Maggie Koerth-Baker of Minneapolis

New Weekly Fox Team Listings

New Listing at 2646 SW Sherwood Park Dr. - Topeka. 3BR, 2.5 Bath, Full unfin bsmt, 2 car gar - priced in the $170's!

Hogue Constructions 'Heston' Design offers large open living w/ 22 ft vaulted ceilings, function and efficiencies and add'l growth room all in one! Mstr Suite isoversized w/ window seat, his/hers walkin closets, double vanity. Lrg add'l full bath on 2nd floor. Gas fireplace w/ tile abstract, open stairwell w/ pot shelves,and plenty of storage thru home, incl. lg pantry & linen closets.2 Daylight windows, pre-plumb & open space in bsmt allows for much expansion! Specialdetails thru home offer warmth! Call today to view!

Winter Weather Home Prevention - Tip 3 (2008)

The Cold weather season is approaching Fast! While watching the leaves turn deep shades and hues, tailgating on Football Fridays and planning for upcoming holidays with family and friends are top on our minds, it is vital not to forget important winter home maintenance. Here is your newest tip to help get you thru the cold weather season and hopefully help put some cash back in your pockets: TIP #3 Checking your homes insulating system is one of the fastest and most cost-efficient ways to use a whole house approach to reduce energy waste and maximize your energy dollars. You can increase the comfort of your home while reducing your heating and cooling needs by up to 30% by investing just a few hundred dollars in proper insulation and weatherization products. Check your home for air tightness. Here are a few tips: · Locate a leak – caulk, seal or weather-strip. Check doors and windows that leak air too. · Caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, ducting or electrical wiring penetrates through exterior walls, floors, ceilings and soffits over cabinets. · Install rubber gaskets behind outlet and switch plates on exterior walls. · Look for dirty spots in your insulation, which often indicate holes where air leaks into and out of our home. · Install storm windows over single pane windows · When the fireplace is not in use, keep the flue damper tightly closed.

Insurance Tip: Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Kellerman Insurance reminds all households to not only change your batteries in your smoke detectors this time of year but also consider purchasing a carbon monoxide detector. Common sources of carbon monoxide include oil and gas furnaces, stove/gas ranges, gas line leaks, gas water heaters, generators and space heaters. Remember carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, with a detector you can help keep your family safe. Kellerman Insurance is having a drawing for a carbon monoxide detector. Email us by November 30, 2008 to enter! EMAIL: Kellerman@KellermanInsurance.com (submitted by Kellerman Insurance)

New Weekly Fox Team Listings

New Listing at 404 Friend - Soldier Kansas Priced at $77,500! 2 Bedrooms 2 Baths on 1.9 acres with LARGE attached 2 car garage, lots of work space and could fit 4 cars easily. Adorable front and back porch. Many updates thru home incl. kitchen and baths. 2nd floor bedroom is not incl. in county sq ftg but is large enough that it could be separated into 2 bedrooms. There are 2 large living room / great room areas on the main floor and a separate mud room/laundry room! Must visit today - call 305.1636 to view!

Fox Team Holiday Promotion 2008

The Fox Team has kicked off our Annual Holiday Promotion! Visit any Fox Team Home during November 1 thru November 30th and sign in to win a tray of homemade goodies. The trays to be given away are sponsored by Kansas Secured Title and the Fox Team. Need not be present to win. For more information on how you can enter, contact Craig and Sara Fox at 785.364.0424 or fox2@holtonks.net. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Winter Weather Home Prevention - Tip 2 (2008)

The Cold weather season is approaching Fast! While watching the leaves turn deep shades and hues, tailgating on Football Fridays and planning for upcoming holidays with family and friends are top on our minds, it is vital not to forget important winter home maintenance. Here is your newest tip to help get you thru the cold weather season and hopefully help put some cash back in your pockets: TIP #2 It is important to regulate the heat temperature inside your home so water lines and standard cold weather wear and tear do not create major problems. If your home is vacant and your water lines have been shut down it is extremely critical that you have your water lines professionally 'winterized'. We have seen too often the smallest amount of water left in lines create thousands of dollars in damage to a home!

VOTE NOVEMBER 4th!

Don't forget to get out and Vote November 4th if you have not already!