Q. I've seen many new home developements with vaulted ceilings, mini-vineyards, huge houses on little tiny lots...Why can't some developer built some homes for us regular people?
A normal sized home with plenty of closet space and a decent (not designer) kitchen that is set more than 3 feet from the neighbors house.
I realize that they need to make money, but more people could afford homes in this state if the builders weren't catering to people who already own 2 and 3 houses.
Your perspective/opinion is welcome.
I know what you mean about the 'cookie cutter' houses. My father just bought a new one and there are cracks all over.
Also I have looked at older homes and people have been doing the same thing. Fixing them up with marble this and corian that. Unless you buy a major fixer yourself.
10 years ago I could have bought a house in the SF bay area on my $10/hr job. Suppose those days never to return?
A normal sized home with plenty of closet space and a decent (not designer) kitchen that is set more than 3 feet from the neighbors house.
I realize that they need to make money, but more people could afford homes in this state if the builders weren't catering to people who already own 2 and 3 houses.
Your perspective/opinion is welcome.
I know what you mean about the 'cookie cutter' houses. My father just bought a new one and there are cracks all over.
Also I have looked at older homes and people have been doing the same thing. Fixing them up with marble this and corian that. Unless you buy a major fixer yourself.
10 years ago I could have bought a house in the SF bay area on my $10/hr job. Suppose those days never to return?
A. They have a certain amount of LAND for a development. That's all they have, and they are not getting any more. For this, they paid $X, and once they have it, it's going to be years going through the permit process.
Furthermore, it's silly, but people buy a property based upon the structure and the amenities. Well, it's not silly to make that one of the factors, but people go overboard. They will buy a 5 bedroom 2800 square foot house on a 3000 square foot lot before they'll buy a 3 bedroom 1800 square foot house on a 20,000 square foot lot. The same structure is really worth a lot more when it's on a bigger lot, and even a lesser structure may really be worth more if it's on a bigger lot, as is likely to be the case here. Add travertine and granite countertops and the fact that it's *new* to the 2800 square footer, and you've got people willing to pay $800k for the first property as opposed to maybe $550k for the second.
The developer knows this at least as well as your average real estate agent. The developer has all of this researched down the the last centimeter of the lot lines. They are not in business to build wonderful homes that people are going to be happy in forever; they are in business to make money, and the blinged-out houses on the smallest possible lots bring in the most money for that developer. The fact that you're the very first person to live in the house is a further attraction to the kind of person who buys new cars, which is to say, most of the population, and it's worth serious $$ to that developer's bottom line.
Nor is the developer alone in this endeavor. They wouldn't make the most money from homes like that if people didn't pay the most money for homes like that. You want the real culprits in this scenario, look around you in any large crowd. It's all to easy to blame the developer, but the desires of the average home buyer and the regulatory environment both played huge factors in getting the state of new housing to where it is now.
There are ways to potentially fix the problem - but none of them has any measurable political support. Your best bet is to find a good buyer's agent to defeat the problem on a retail level, that is, for yourself, because wholesale solutions are not likely until people get rational about solving society's problems.
Furthermore, it's silly, but people buy a property based upon the structure and the amenities. Well, it's not silly to make that one of the factors, but people go overboard. They will buy a 5 bedroom 2800 square foot house on a 3000 square foot lot before they'll buy a 3 bedroom 1800 square foot house on a 20,000 square foot lot. The same structure is really worth a lot more when it's on a bigger lot, and even a lesser structure may really be worth more if it's on a bigger lot, as is likely to be the case here. Add travertine and granite countertops and the fact that it's *new* to the 2800 square footer, and you've got people willing to pay $800k for the first property as opposed to maybe $550k for the second.
The developer knows this at least as well as your average real estate agent. The developer has all of this researched down the the last centimeter of the lot lines. They are not in business to build wonderful homes that people are going to be happy in forever; they are in business to make money, and the blinged-out houses on the smallest possible lots bring in the most money for that developer. The fact that you're the very first person to live in the house is a further attraction to the kind of person who buys new cars, which is to say, most of the population, and it's worth serious $$ to that developer's bottom line.
Nor is the developer alone in this endeavor. They wouldn't make the most money from homes like that if people didn't pay the most money for homes like that. You want the real culprits in this scenario, look around you in any large crowd. It's all to easy to blame the developer, but the desires of the average home buyer and the regulatory environment both played huge factors in getting the state of new housing to where it is now.
There are ways to potentially fix the problem - but none of them has any measurable political support. Your best bet is to find a good buyer's agent to defeat the problem on a retail level, that is, for yourself, because wholesale solutions are not likely until people get rational about solving society's problems.
How do we increase the value of our home?
Q. We bought a home 3 years ago and are trying to make changes to add appraisal value to our home. We have a inground pool, 4 acres, Nice house.
When we moved in there wasn't much landscaping that had been done, so we added 30 6 foot trees. At a point right now where we would like to use our money and time wisely. Need to know the best thing to increase the property value. We have 3 baths 4 bedrooms, all new appliances, unfinished basement.
Please help!
When we moved in there wasn't much landscaping that had been done, so we added 30 6 foot trees. At a point right now where we would like to use our money and time wisely. Need to know the best thing to increase the property value. We have 3 baths 4 bedrooms, all new appliances, unfinished basement.
Please help!
A. First stop spending- now! Trees are nice but 30? Not a cost effective benefit for so many. And not cheap either.
Pools many times are a liability unless you live in California or Florida. Keep it since you have it. Is there a pool house for the equipment? Do you fill the pool with city water or well water? A well is usable for washing the car, filling the pool and a landscape sprinkler system. You'd need a small well house that can be made of stacked stone veneer for effect. Include a latern light near the door and 2 side windows; it is a pump house and needs to look it. Also need a small heater to prevent freezing or the ability to winterize it easily yourself.
Nice landscaping adds curb appeal, and gets buyers in the door. Red and yellow blooming plants that flower throughout the warm months give color to an all green yard. Tulips, phlox, day lilies, tall grasses strategically placed are good. Monkey grass is good for areas you want to keep low maintenance- use 2 varieties for visual effect. Use pine needles for mulch to keep unwanted grasses out of flowering beds. Never use a pine bark, pine chips or soft woods for mulch; soft wood attrack wood destroying insects. Landscaping lights work too. Presure wash the side walks, gutters, eves, sofits, and siding. A nice area with a gazebo is inviting in the back yard area. No wild animal concrete statues, people, St Peter or Cupid statues are ok. An arbor is a nice touch too.
Master bed rooms: fresh paint- use light to med. tinted earth tones. Master baths need a masculine feel, never feminine. Same for remaining baths. New cabinet hardware, a window over the bath tub to let in natural light is good, tile in bathrooms is good- staggered pattern, wood floors in master bedroom is good. A garden tub is good (whirlpools are not cost effective an seldom used) as is a low rise (short step) shower with handicap bars in the shower and a seat to sit on. Use elongated toilets throughout, again include handicap bars. You open your home to a lot of other people even aging people if you make it friendly up front. And use lever handles door operators.
Basement: Add a playroom and an up-flush half bath. A bar sink would be good but not cost effective. Just be reasonable in what you do, do not make your home the biggest on the block. That drags your value down and the neighbors up. Use floresent lighting where ever possible, even flood lights. This helps keep operating cost down.
Kitchen: you have already updated the appliances. Cabinet hardware is a good choice, minimal or no wall paper, inc the dining area. Red encourages eating, that is why restaurants use red, avoid it unless you are running a restaurant. Tile floors are good, use a varied pattern, not a straight line square but off-set, it gives the eye something to see. Under counter lighting is good. Lots of counter top and cabinet space, Lazy Susan is a so-so, if you have it ok, do not add, but a well planned pantry with wire shelves and spaced efficiently will be a hit. Laundry room off kitchen is good. Counter tops of Avonite or Corian is good, granite is over kill and now dated. Light cherry or honey oak cabinets are good, wood darkens as it ages. Did I say NO BLUE?!?! NO BLUE!!
A 3 car garage is good, an out-building for lawn equipment is great- with electric, and this may well substitute for the 3rd garage area if you have it not already. This can also be a rustic looking structure, board and bat type siding and stacked stone at the front around the doors but not over the doors,use more wood. Hardy plank is good too, if the home is brick or stone paint the garge the same color as the trim if Hardy plank is used. Design it deep enough for a boat, min 24 ft deep. Add a motion sensor exterior light as well. I also am fond of a 30 ft. flag pole with Old Glory waving proudly, be sure to have a flood lamp positioned to illuminate it at night. That may look real good bentered in the front yard. If there is room, in the front yard a circle/horse shoe shaped drive adds usable, functionable parking area. Line both driveway sides with monkey grass. Landscaping flood lamps that shine "up" the wall bewteen windows on the front is ok or shine on a feature like maybe the front door is good. Paint the front door black, or fire engine red. No antique brass, shiney brass is ok brushed aluminum better. Green is a last resort, never purple, or some other color. OK to match shutters with front door, they are paintable too.
These are good cost effective things you can do, add appeal and get a good return, but no return will yield 100% the first year. All will enhance the opportunity to get the best price when you go to sell down the road. Always think of your exit when you go in to buy. What ever issues the last owner had, unless you correct them you too will have to over come them.
I've seen and sold a lot of homes. You'd be amazed at what people do- and are proud of it. Just do not make your inprovements too specific to YOUR tastes. You can go to the Parade of Homes in your area or open house and see the things I've mentioned to get a feel of what to do before you invest. Once you have seen these and made your plan THEN SPEND money, because now you have an clear objective and will more wisely buy.
Best wishes to you in your effort.
Pools many times are a liability unless you live in California or Florida. Keep it since you have it. Is there a pool house for the equipment? Do you fill the pool with city water or well water? A well is usable for washing the car, filling the pool and a landscape sprinkler system. You'd need a small well house that can be made of stacked stone veneer for effect. Include a latern light near the door and 2 side windows; it is a pump house and needs to look it. Also need a small heater to prevent freezing or the ability to winterize it easily yourself.
Nice landscaping adds curb appeal, and gets buyers in the door. Red and yellow blooming plants that flower throughout the warm months give color to an all green yard. Tulips, phlox, day lilies, tall grasses strategically placed are good. Monkey grass is good for areas you want to keep low maintenance- use 2 varieties for visual effect. Use pine needles for mulch to keep unwanted grasses out of flowering beds. Never use a pine bark, pine chips or soft woods for mulch; soft wood attrack wood destroying insects. Landscaping lights work too. Presure wash the side walks, gutters, eves, sofits, and siding. A nice area with a gazebo is inviting in the back yard area. No wild animal concrete statues, people, St Peter or Cupid statues are ok. An arbor is a nice touch too.
Master bed rooms: fresh paint- use light to med. tinted earth tones. Master baths need a masculine feel, never feminine. Same for remaining baths. New cabinet hardware, a window over the bath tub to let in natural light is good, tile in bathrooms is good- staggered pattern, wood floors in master bedroom is good. A garden tub is good (whirlpools are not cost effective an seldom used) as is a low rise (short step) shower with handicap bars in the shower and a seat to sit on. Use elongated toilets throughout, again include handicap bars. You open your home to a lot of other people even aging people if you make it friendly up front. And use lever handles door operators.
Basement: Add a playroom and an up-flush half bath. A bar sink would be good but not cost effective. Just be reasonable in what you do, do not make your home the biggest on the block. That drags your value down and the neighbors up. Use floresent lighting where ever possible, even flood lights. This helps keep operating cost down.
Kitchen: you have already updated the appliances. Cabinet hardware is a good choice, minimal or no wall paper, inc the dining area. Red encourages eating, that is why restaurants use red, avoid it unless you are running a restaurant. Tile floors are good, use a varied pattern, not a straight line square but off-set, it gives the eye something to see. Under counter lighting is good. Lots of counter top and cabinet space, Lazy Susan is a so-so, if you have it ok, do not add, but a well planned pantry with wire shelves and spaced efficiently will be a hit. Laundry room off kitchen is good. Counter tops of Avonite or Corian is good, granite is over kill and now dated. Light cherry or honey oak cabinets are good, wood darkens as it ages. Did I say NO BLUE?!?! NO BLUE!!
A 3 car garage is good, an out-building for lawn equipment is great- with electric, and this may well substitute for the 3rd garage area if you have it not already. This can also be a rustic looking structure, board and bat type siding and stacked stone at the front around the doors but not over the doors,use more wood. Hardy plank is good too, if the home is brick or stone paint the garge the same color as the trim if Hardy plank is used. Design it deep enough for a boat, min 24 ft deep. Add a motion sensor exterior light as well. I also am fond of a 30 ft. flag pole with Old Glory waving proudly, be sure to have a flood lamp positioned to illuminate it at night. That may look real good bentered in the front yard. If there is room, in the front yard a circle/horse shoe shaped drive adds usable, functionable parking area. Line both driveway sides with monkey grass. Landscaping flood lamps that shine "up" the wall bewteen windows on the front is ok or shine on a feature like maybe the front door is good. Paint the front door black, or fire engine red. No antique brass, shiney brass is ok brushed aluminum better. Green is a last resort, never purple, or some other color. OK to match shutters with front door, they are paintable too.
These are good cost effective things you can do, add appeal and get a good return, but no return will yield 100% the first year. All will enhance the opportunity to get the best price when you go to sell down the road. Always think of your exit when you go in to buy. What ever issues the last owner had, unless you correct them you too will have to over come them.
I've seen and sold a lot of homes. You'd be amazed at what people do- and are proud of it. Just do not make your inprovements too specific to YOUR tastes. You can go to the Parade of Homes in your area or open house and see the things I've mentioned to get a feel of what to do before you invest. Once you have seen these and made your plan THEN SPEND money, because now you have an clear objective and will more wisely buy.
Best wishes to you in your effort.
how can I cool a 50sq ft room?
Q. Is there any other way than getting a room air conditioner for cooling a small room? The room is in my garage and granite I do live in California where it get up into the 100's. I just don't know how I would put one in the garage? Is there any way of cooling the room? Any cheaper way to go? I dunno if I can put a air conditioner if I don't have a window at all... please help thanks
NO WINDOWS
NO WINDOWS
A. If it gets to 100, you need a/c. You don't have to have a window but you will have to cut a hole in your garage to accommodate the a/c. Window a/c are so cheap these days and economical and are 120. With the economy setting, you can just set the temp for everyday use and it won't come on unless it gets that hot. I prefer window units because of that. I turn the one in the room I'm in lower for the day and turn the one in the bedroom down when I go to bed. You can put in ceiling fans and do all sorts of things but there is nothing worse than a room that's 100, air moving or not. Just be sure you have a plug in where you cut the hole...and one that doesn't have a lot of other stuff plugged into it and beware of bearing walls.
What would you want in your dream house?
Q. Witch rooms would you want to be very large (what size)(what do you want in it) and whatever. The one with most detail get the 10 pts
A. Kitchen: I would like a huge kitchen with the theme pale yellow and polka dotted dishes. The counter tops would be a nice granite color. I would have a cook to do the cooking unless I wanted to bake something then I would do it.
Living room: I would want lots of NON-leather couches and a large flat screen tv, a typical coffee table, the color scheme would be fallish and each wall would be painted a different color, one a brownish red, one brown, one orange and one a darker green. I would also have a fireplace on one wall.
Music Room: Hand painted guitars on a white wall for the walls, guitars, an electric keyboard, a natural grand piano, a flute, a set of drums and a recording studio.
Den: Couches and a coffee table and a giant iMac. Walls painted a pastel green, white couches and a white carpet, white desk for computer.
Dining room: Painted a deep red with a mahogany wood table that seats 8 people, hardwood floor, floral paintings.
Bedroom (my room): Would change all the time but for the most part the walls would be white and splatter painted ALL different colors. The bedding would be black and speckled all different colors, the carpet would be a pastel green. I would have a desk like a do now, big and a bulliten board built into the top part and trophies on top of that. A LARGE wall to floor book case with all my favorite books. a vanity desk with a mirror above it where i would brush my hair and change my earrings. The wall art would be mostly my art and posters of surfers (GIRL) surfers :). Complete with a walk-in closet and my own bathroom. (OH ALSO A FRIDGE :D)
Arcade: Complete with a Wii, PS3, xbox 360 and a flat screen tv for those. A trampoline and a pinball machine too. The walls would be white and I'd draw with crayon on them all different pictures. (Maybe video game characters like Mario)
Living room: I would want lots of NON-leather couches and a large flat screen tv, a typical coffee table, the color scheme would be fallish and each wall would be painted a different color, one a brownish red, one brown, one orange and one a darker green. I would also have a fireplace on one wall.
Music Room: Hand painted guitars on a white wall for the walls, guitars, an electric keyboard, a natural grand piano, a flute, a set of drums and a recording studio.
Den: Couches and a coffee table and a giant iMac. Walls painted a pastel green, white couches and a white carpet, white desk for computer.
Dining room: Painted a deep red with a mahogany wood table that seats 8 people, hardwood floor, floral paintings.
Bedroom (my room): Would change all the time but for the most part the walls would be white and splatter painted ALL different colors. The bedding would be black and speckled all different colors, the carpet would be a pastel green. I would have a desk like a do now, big and a bulliten board built into the top part and trophies on top of that. A LARGE wall to floor book case with all my favorite books. a vanity desk with a mirror above it where i would brush my hair and change my earrings. The wall art would be mostly my art and posters of surfers (GIRL) surfers :). Complete with a walk-in closet and my own bathroom. (OH ALSO A FRIDGE :D)
Arcade: Complete with a Wii, PS3, xbox 360 and a flat screen tv for those. A trampoline and a pinball machine too. The walls would be white and I'd draw with crayon on them all different pictures. (Maybe video game characters like Mario)
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Title Post: Only the rich can buy a home in California?
Rating: 94% based on 1258 ratings. 4,3 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
Rating: 94% based on 1258 ratings. 4,3 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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