Your Home – September 2010

No More Tangles

Tired of heading to the computer room every time you want to look something up? A wireless network can offer a solution. Even if you’re not fluent in tech-speak, setting up a network is easy. If your computer isn’t already outfitted with wireless capabilities (most newer models are), there’s an easy fix: desktops need a USB wireless adapter; laptops need a wireless card. If your desktop is already using all of its available USB ports, you can buy a hub that plugs into the computer, leaving open ports on the hub that are still connected.

Once you begin to set up the network, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it’s best to purchase a wireless router versus a wireless access point. Access points let one user access a single network, while routers allow for more than one computer to access the same network using one IP address that is provided to connected computers. Another key difference between a router and an access point is that routers include firewall technology for better network security.

When choosing a router, pay attention to the letter after the speed (it’ll be “a,” “b,” “g,” or “n,” in order alphabetically from oldest to newest). Though “n” is the newest choice, the better choice may be “g” if you don’t have the latest computer model. If not fully compatible, you might experience a lag in service.

If you live in a large home rather than an apartment, you may want to purchase a signal booster. It will increase the strength of the base station, improving wireless connections throughout the home. If you choose to go without a signal booster, choose a central location for the router, such as the living room or den, where you would most likely use your computer.

Be sure to secure your network with passwords and network names that are difficult to guess. If possible, enable settings to WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) encryption versus WEP (Wired Equivalency Privacy), which offers better protection from would-be hackers.

Code Of Conduct

Want to build a new staircase or add a porch to your home? In addition to researching costs, be sure to find out if your new project adheres to local building codes.

Your contractor should know associated building codes for specific projects, but if you want to do your own additional research, there are a few ways to find up-to-date codes.  Want to build a new staircase or add a porch to your home? In addition to researching costs, be sure to find out if your new project adheres to local building codes.

Your contractor should know associated building codes for specific projects, but if you want to do your own additional research, there are a few ways to find up-to-date codes.  The best way to find them – collectively called International Building Codes (IBC) – is to head to the reference section of your local library.  Or you can find an explanation of codes on the building section of your local county and state government websites.  You should be able to find codes within these department websites.  The International Code Council (iccsafe.org) is dedicated to developing a single set of comprehensive and coordinated national model construction codes, and also can offer insight on building codes.  Common queries might include how large a building can be in a specific area or mandatory fire prevention additions.

These codes are available in print form, but they are updated frequently, so it’s best to go to the website for the most recent versions of codes.

Fast Fact

Overwatering your houseplants is the No. 1 mistake homeowners make. To check if your plant needs watering, place a finger up to two inches into the soil. If your finger is dry, the plant needs hydration.

Island Time

Whether you’re looking for more prep space, a bar area or more storage options, an island is a great kitchen addition. But if you haven’t found a ready-made option at the store that suits your needs, you can build one yourself. It’s easier than you might think, as long as you keep these tips in mind.

First, make sure your kitchen is large enough to accommodate an island. Experts recommend leaving between four feet to 54 inches around all sides of the island to allow for easy opening of the cabinet doors. You can go as low as three feet, but it’ll be a tight squeeze. Use tape on the floor to measure where the island would be to determine if the space is right.

To form a kitchen island, buy packaged cabinets at local home goods stores and then attach them to one another. These cabinets can come preassembled, or you can do it yourself. When screwing the cabinets together, put spacers in between the cabinets and be sure that all exterior surfaces are flush before fastening the units together. Take care when buying cabinet hardware to ensure it matches or complements the rest of your kitchen.

Preassembled cabinets will need a backing to make the cabinets appear as one cohesive unit. Beadboard is a good option for this, and ranges in price from $20 to $40 per bolt depending on the material. Beadboard is easily affixed to the backs of the cabinets with glue and nails, but will give the kitchen island a professional look.

Lastly, be choosy in selecting countertops. If you’ll be preparing food, make sure that the finish and material is conducive to the task at hand — for example, a polyurethane top would not be the best option for chopping veggies, since it’s not always food safe. Instead, choose a stone such as granite or marble or even ceramic tiles for a decorative touch that can withstand utensils scraping the surface.

Did you know?

When raking leaves, short sweeps are better than long ones.

Topeka Market Report through July 2010

 

July solds (transactions actually closed) were down by 95 units, or about 31% vs June, which is very typical for this time of year. Year to date (YTD) through July for 2010 had 1611 units sold, up 174 units or about 12.1% from the same period last year. There were 211 units sold in July 2010, compared to 293 in July of 2009. The average sale price of the solds (YTD) was $122,401 compared to $124,434 in 2009.

As of 7-31-10, there were 1358 active (for sale) properties listed on the market, with an average list price of $146,123. Total listings input (includes currently active, sold, pending, expired & withdrawn) as of the end of July, 2010 were 3565, compared to 3232 for the same period in 2009 and 3681 in 2008. I find that many of you are stunned to know the volume of real estate transactions that occur in Topeka – are you?

The absorption rate for the current inventory of single family units is 6.7 months, compared to 7.7 months in 2009. In 2008, we were at 4.3 months, and in 2007 we were at 4.4 months.

Average days on the market (DOM) for sold units was 76 for 2010 at the end of July, compared to 74 in 2009, 74 in 2008 and 66 in 2008.

The Topeka Area Association of REALTORS also has statistics put together by Dr. Stanley Longhofer of the Wichita State University Center for Real Estate that I am sharing with you here  if you are interested.

2504 SW Wexford Dr – Immaculate 5-year old Sherwood Park 2-story!

Audit Your Insurance

Your Home – August 2010

Kitchen Design Trends

Even as homebuyers look to downsize their homes, kitchens are taking up a larger percentage of the overall floor plan. Once-popular home theaters and dining rooms are making way for larger kitchens, according to design experts with General Electric.

“The kitchen has become the new living space, and it’s expanding in both size and comfort to accommodate everyday life and entertaining,” says Marc Hottenroth, manager of GE Appliance’s Industrial Design Organization. “The attention to detail that once went into the selection of the leather sofa, plasma TV and Oriental rug in the family room is now going into the selection of appliances, countertops and accent lighting.”

Kitchen islands and dedicated work spaces for special hobbies, such as wine tasting or baking, continue to grow in popularity. Homeowners are creating custom work spaces with under-counter refrigerator drawers and wine refrigerators.

For busy families that want faster cooking and easier clean-up, induction cooktop stoves are a popular choice. Induction cooktop stoves boil water faster than gas or electric cooktops, and spills are easier to clean because they don’t cook onto the stovetop.

Stainless steel is still the finish of choice for appliances, but homeowners also are choosing more energy-efficient models. Another design trend for 2010 is the creative use of lighting, such as combining overhead can lighting with accent lights to highlight design elements.

Whether it’s adding a custom work space, highlighting design elements with light or creating comfortable living spaces within the kitchen, homeowners are finding creative ways to design the kitchen to suit their day-to-day needs.

Homebuyer Must-Haves, Turnoffs

When shopping for a new home, homebuyers tend to look for space, and lots of it. According to a May 2010 survey by ZipRealty, a garage or parking space is the most sought-after home feature, followed by a master suite, ample storage space, walk-in closets and a guest bedroom. A home located on a quiet cul-de-sac is more likely to appeal to families, while a location on a busy street may be a turnoff. Other buyer turnoffs are structural damage, bad odors, and an awkward floor plan.

The top ten most sought-after home features are:
1. Garage or parking space
2. Master suite
3. Ample storage space
4. Large or walk-in closets
5. Guest bedroom
6. Outdoor entertainment area
7. Gourmet or updated kitchen
8. Breakfast room or eat-in kitchen
9. Large yard
10. Wood floors

Source: ZipRealty

Fast Fact

About two-thirds of U.S. homes (65 percent) currently have central air-conditioning and another 21 percent have window units. By contrast, only 17 percent of U.S. homes had central A/C in 1973.

Source: 2009 American Housing Survey

No Regrets for Most Homeowners

Even amidst the backdrop of a difficult economy, 90 percent of homeowners say they do not regret purchasing their current home, according to a recent survey by Bankrate. Of the owners who do regret buying their homes, the most common reasons were
because they could not sell their home or they could
not afford the monthly mortgage payments.

The survey also finds that fixed-rate mortgages are becoming more popular. Nearly four out of five homeowners (79 percent) say they have a fixed-rate mortgage for their home, and 90 percent of owners who earn more than $75,000 annually say their home was paid for with a fixed-rate mortgage

A growing number of Americans are more knowledgeable about mortgages. Only 8 percent say they do not know what type of mortgage they have, down from 26 percent who said so two years ago.

Pedal Pushers

Bicycling magazine ranked America’s top 50 biking cities, and Minneapolis comes out on top. The publication graded cities with populations of 100,000 or more based on whether or not they feature bike-friendly amenities, such as segregated bike lanes, municipal bike racks and bike boulevards. Selected cities “must also support a vibrant and diverse bike culture, and…must have smart, savvy bike shops.”

Minneapolis, which features 120 miles of on- and off-street facilities and indoor bike parking, topped the list, followed by Portland, Ore.;
Boulder, Colo.; Seattle;
and Eugene, Ore.

DID YOU KNOW?

The average home produces 200,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year, the equivalent produced by 25 mid-size vehicles.

Source: Science-Facts.com

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