Radio Realty

From Kirk Olsen…Certified Appraiser (and one fine Marimba Palyer)

There’s a new system in the works for reporting the number of bathrooms in an appraisal report.

 The number of full baths is shown to the left of the decimal

 The number of half baths is shown to the right of the decimal

 Notice that there is no longer any distinction between a ¾ bath and a full bath

• 1.1 = One full bathroom (toilet, sink, shower) and one half bath (just a toilet and a sink)
• 2.3 = Two full bathrooms (both have toilets and sinks–one has a tub, the other a shower.) and three half baths
• 2.0 = Two full bathrooms (Commentary would be used to capture other non-conforming details that do not qualify as a half or full bath, such as, “The house has a sink in the garage and a toilet in the basement.”)

This is part of an overall effort to create a national standard for the fields in the appraisal forms. It will be fully in place by September 1, 2011, but the process is already underway.

 Remember…if it happens to Real Estate…It Matters to you!

Podcast Radio Realty from www.RadioRealty.us

I’m Chris Story…your Host for Great Adventures in Real Estate!

This year will quite possibly go down in the record books as one of the best years ever to get into real estate investing, whether investing in your first home or investing in real estate to provide housing to others who aren’t in the market yet. 

• Why you ask?

 When asking a seasoned investor when the best time to buy is, they will always smile and say “30 Years ago!” and while smiling will say the second best time is right now!

There have always been market fluctuations in all investment vehicles.  Usually hindsight is 20-20; history will show us when the exact perfect month and year to buy and sell was, however, since we live in the PRESENT we look at what is going on currently to evaluate these things.

• Low interest rates and some of the lowest prices we have seen in years combine to make this summer the time to get out there and “tear it up!” 
• A dictionary describes tear as “creating an opening for yourself.”  Let’s look at four principles that make up our acronym “tear” to help us remember!

 We have all read and heard about the “Law of Attraction”; that what we think about we bring about!  But it does take more than just thinking about it, we need to attach emotion and desire to that goal to bring real “results!”

 T.E.A.R. it up, our Thoughts lead to having strong Emotions about what we want, leading us to Action, that action will bring us Results!  If you want to get started, or grow your existing real estate business, then consider this your “wake up call” and get out there and tear it up!  Create an “opening” for yourself and find that type of real estate investment that fits your goals! 

 T:  Thoughts

E:  Emotions

A:  Actions

R:  Results

Remember, thoughts lead us to emotions, emotions lead us to action, and actions will bring results!  Make those results have a positive impact on your investment goals by contacting your REALTOR(R) that has experience and qualifications in this area!

Erick Watkins

Owner/Broker

Alaska 1st Realty, Inc

47255 Princeton Ave, Suite 1

Soldotna, AK  99669

907-260-SOLD (7653)

907-398-8858  cell

www.Alaska1stRealty.com 

5 Things You Shouldn’t Have to Pay For

• Let’s start with text messages. Any parent to a 14-year-old knows that texting can easily get out of hand and amount to hundreds of dollars, if not more, each year. With free smart phone applications you can text at no charge. Examples include TextFree Unlimited for iPhone users and textPlus for Android customers. If you have a Blackberry, switch to Blackberry Messenger to send free texts to other Blackberry users.
• Next, you don’t need to shell out any cash for books, e-Books or DVDs thanks to the local library. Billy Parrott, library manager at the New York Public Library in Battery Park City, New York, figures library card holders could save hundreds of dollars a month by taking advantage of their library’s wide inventory of media.
• Exercise also carries no costs. Fitness web sites, like FitOrbit and MyHomePersonalTrainer provide free workout routines and video exercises at no cost. Lululemon stores nationwide also hold free yoga classes each week.
• Planning a trip? Your lodging can be free. For one, you can swap homes with other travelers through sites like Digsville and HomeExchange. You can also take a volunteer vacation, which sometimes includes free accommodations in exchange for your volunteering time. Examples in the U.S. include: The Pacific Crest Trail Association, The American Hiking Society and The Colorado Trail Foundation.
• Becoming a pet owner can be absolutely free when adopting from a local shelter. Of course you’ll still need to pay for its tests and vaccinations, but otherwise the pet is yours.

I would add to the list….buying a HOME!  You never as a buyer should have to pay for your REALTOR…The Homer Owner / Seller has already agreed to compensate your Agent.  Now that is a deal…

(And Home Owners…When you are paying for the Services of a Realtor…the money that you save in Marketing Time and potential losses due to not knowing the market or contractual mishaps you are not really paying either.  The ultimate win win!)

From:

Farnoosh Torabi
Monday, April 25, 2011

http://financiallyfit.yahoo.com/finance/article-112609-9434-1-5-things-you-shouldnt-have-to-pay-for?ywaad=ad0035

I’m Chris Story wishing you Health, Wealth and Happiness!

Tony’s Tips for “Aligning Exterior Door Locks and Deadbolts”.  

Once a Door has been properly installed it is just as important that the Door Locks are correctly installed and aligned from the door to the door frame. A couple things need to be looked at first before the Door Lock and/or the Deadbolt is realigned.

First:  The door must be securely attached to the door frame via its hinges (where it swings from) and the door needs to be level. If the door hinges are not securely fastened to the Door Jamb/Frame then the door will never close properly overtime.

• Check that the door is level (horizontal, vertical and inboard/outboard) and make sure all the hinge screws are tight. Loose screws will allow the door to sag and misalign the door lock and deadbolt to the Door Jamb/Frame.
• Loose screws can sometimes be tightened by reinstalling them with a little glue on a couple tooth picks inserted in the screw holes. If this doesn’t help then longer screws are in order. If the loose screws are on the inboard side (towards the center of the door frame) of the hinges, then replace these with 3 ½ inch screws so they can go all the way through the door frame and screw into the wall stud that the door frame is attached and shimmed to. I like square-drive deck screws since they are very strong.
• Note: Only the inboard screws should be done this way since the outboards screws are not likely to screw into the stubs, but instead into the drywall. Drywall will never tighten the screws.

Second:  Make sure the door’s weather strip is in place and in proper condition. Also make sure it’s the right thickness and not bowing the door away from the Jamb Door Stop. If light is visible around the door when it’s closed then the weather stripping is usually at fault. Don’t use multiple layers!

• Now that the hinge screws are all tight and the weather stripping is correctly installed then it’s time to align the Door Lock and Deadbolt to the Door Jamb (frame).
• To do this, first open the door enough to position the Door Lock latch up against the door trim.  Now take a pencil and mark where the latch is resting against the door trim. This is where the Striker Plate needs to be centered at. Lots of times the winter frost heaves have moved the door jamb/frame and the latch is no longer fitting within the striker plate opening. This is the same for the Deadbolt.
• If the Striker Plate is not aligned to the pencil marks on the door trim then the Striker Plate needs to be moved accordingly. Reposition the Striker Plate centered to your pencil marks you made on the door trim. Mark the outside perimeter of the Striker Plate to its new position with a pencil. Take a Utility Knife and cut along the pencil mark you made for the Striker Plate. Take a small Chisel and remove just enough material to make the Striker Plate fit flush to the Door Jamb surface. Reposition the Striker Plate and drill pilot holes for the screws. Reinstall the Striker Plate and close the door. If the door moves in or out and seems to be shaky then take the Striker Plate back out and bend  its tab a little and reinstall it until the shaking stops. Check the Deadbolt to see if it’s centered. If not, move its Strike Plate also.

Now the door should work all year round and keep the door tight to the weather stripping.

From Radio Realty…..April 27th 2011

• Would you pay $4,000,000 for this Home?

• Could you imagine your GREEN friends reaction?
• “WHY do you hate TREES?” 
• What an Amazing work of ART!

For the Entire Story on this home visit:  http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/a-texas-log-cabin-for-4-million.html 

I’m Chris Story wishing you Health, Wealth and Happiness!

• Paints have come a long way Baby… in the last 20 plus years and none more than the Latex family of paints.
•  Latex paints no longer contain any Latex, or rubber, so the name now basically means nothing more than “water based” (usually 30% water). Oil–based paints were the most prevalently used paints outdoors, due mostly to their longevity. Latex paints now days have may advancements. Latex paints now come in more color options; application uses, usually cheaper costs, easier to use and clean-up and has less smell (VOC’s) than Oil. Oils have their benefits too, but Latex is slowly eliminating Oils since the harsh chemicals contained in them are bad for the environment.
• One thing to keep in mind with Latex is not to paint below 45 degrees. The colder the temperature the harder it is to apply, soak in and dry correctly. Latex can’t tolerate freezing weather while painting.
• Oil Based Paints are more tolerant of extreme cold and bad weather conditions so they are the better choice during the cold weather months in Alaska.
• Another thing to keep in mind is don’t store any paint outdoors in sheds, garages, etc. because either type of paint can’t tolerate the freeze–thaw cycles and once it is frozen into a solid state they are useless. Every Spring I see this happen to someone that just had their house painted the summer before. Frozen Paint Blobs are worthless and are Hazardous waste and have to be disposed of accordingly at the dump (hazardous wastes recycle days).

The basic exterior painting method is as easy as 1 – 2 – 3:   

(Hint:  use Oil paint on top of Oil, Latex on top of Latex.)

1.  Painting on the opposite type of paint has its concerns but it can be crossed if the correct surface preparation and Premier Paint for the application is used.
2. Never use interior paints outdoors. They won’t last because they don’t have the right exterior additives. See the attached websites below to cross over paint types, if you must.

(If you don’t know if the existing paint is Oil or Latex you can test it with a rag dripped in denatured (rubbing) alcohol. Rub the alcohol on the old paint and if it rubs the paint off its Latex/Acrylic. If it doesn’t- it’s Oil Based. Also, Latex paint will dent easily from fingernail pressure. Dried Latex paint will bend easily. Oil based paint tends to will snap when bent. All paints should be stored indoors above 50 degrees. Shelf life is usually 2 to 5 years. Once it’s been opened to the air it degrades shelf life. Air, temperature and humidity are the enemies to shelf life.)

     3.   When painting raw exterior wood (such as Cedar Siding) it can be painted with latex or oil based paints. Each has its pro’s and con’s. My preference on exterior raw wood is Oil-based premiers and paints because they soak deeper into the wood pores, hide surface scratches better, usually last longer, and can be used during bad weather. It is messier to use but it’s also more tolerant to moist conditions. If you will be using oil finish (top coat) paint, then you have to use an oil based primer. Exterior Latex can be applied over a previously Oil painted surface but you must use a shellac primer first.  If you will be using exterior latex finish paint then you can use a latex or oil primer.

Another Siding option, instead of Cedar Siding, is to use “Fiber Cement Boards”, also known as “Hardie board” (James Hardie), “Dutch Lap”, “MaxiPlank” (Maxi Tile), etc. which can be Stained, or Acrylic (Latex) painted. I used MaxiPlank on my house and love it. Before I digress I’ll have to save this for another edition. Let’s just leave with this note- it’s a lot cheaper than Cedar Lap Siding, bug and fire resistant.

Visit these websites for more info ~

Exterior paint- Latex vs. Oil:

http://www.ehow.com/about_6324606_latex-oil-exterior-paint.html

Latex over Oil paint:

http://www.ehow.com/how_8046261_paint-over-oil-base-paint.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_6715397_using-paint-over-oil-primer.html

Oil over Latex exterior paint:

http://www.ehow.com/how_7858621_steps-paint-over-latex-paint.html

Painting Hardiplank Siding:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4793895_paint-hardie-plank-siding.html

Tony is justintime@acsalaska.net 

~The State of Your economy ~

  I spoke with a business banker this week who is in the know; around the peninsula new business loans are up nearly 20%

 This is a very good sign. This is the year where anything is possible. 

 No excuses

 No reasons you can’t succeed in that new venture. No reason you can’t make the changes in your life except the ones you create. We are in charge of our economy.

I can’t change the economy on the whole but I can change my whole economy

 AND SO CAN YOU!

 This is the ultimate power available to each of us.

Failure accepts No alibis, and success requires no excuses.

Become a no matter what thinker and spread the good news.

 Stop confessing your fears to the world.

 No one needs pessimism. Right now we need more than ever to be positive. Don’t like what’s going on… Get involved and make a change. Make a difference.

 Concerned about property values…..what are you doing to enhance yours?

 Start with you. Your assets. Your economy. Effect the change you wish to see in others in you first.

 Start with you and watch the others follow. Like magic you can send a positive message to the world and make a difference right where you are…right now.

Start with you….start right now.

 I’m Chris Story wishing you Health, Wealth and Happiness!

Check out this chart…Alaska is second from the bottom. 

If it Happens to Real Estate…it Matters to YOU!  Alaska continues to Lead the Nation in Stability. 

How to catch a Butterfly…or buyer

To catch a butterfly you must become attractive. 

Success is not something you go after…it is something you attract by being attractive.

At first this may sound like some sort of new age excuse for why it’s OK that you’ve not achieved what you’re after.  “Just sit back and let it come to you man.”

The reality is however, that you must work at becoming attractive.  This is not a passive process whereby you do nothing and get something. 

Think back to when you were a kid and wanted to catch a butterfly.  How well did it work out to run after them flapping your arms and making all kinds of commotion? 

To be successful at catching a butterfly you have to be first of all in the right place.  Where is that?  Wherever the butterflies are. 

You can’t catch them in the mall, or sitting in your living room.  You have got to take the action to get out where they are.  Once there, you must be still and become an attractive landing zone.  Wearing a bright colored shirt and staying calm will be more effective than chasing the butterfly here and there.  You may end up with one in your hands this way; however, it is just as likely to be smashed beyond repair. 

Taking your success by force is possible; however, it may leave you damaged beyond repair. 

Success is something you attract to you, by becoming attractive. 

The same is true of your home.  If you are considering selling your home, the first thing you must evaluate is your level of attractiveness.  Will you be attracting buyers?

And are you in the right place?  Where is that?  Wherever buyers are.  Is your property attractive?  Look through the eyes of a buyer.  Also, price according to the context of YOUR market. 

Now more than ever you must be listed with a Realtor.  Your home must be on multiple listings at the RIGHT PRICE!

• Being successful in selling is no different than catching butterflies.  Be still, be in the right place…and become attractive in the marketplace. 

I’m Chris Story wishing you Health, Wealth and Happiness!

Tony’s Tips for simple painting steps to follow are:

- Prepping the walls for prime/paint is the most important part of the task. Any nail/screw holes, push pins, cracks, dents, etc. will show through like a magnifying glass. Clean grease and oil off the surfaces. Tape off all non-painted surfaces.

-          Patch holes with spackling and let it dry (30 minutes) before you apply paint. Remove excess spackle from the surface or it will show through the painted surface.

-          Remove outlet/switch covers from the walls prior to painting.

-          Before you start painting, wet your brush just enough so it doesn’t drip any water. Pre-wetting helps spread the paint without leaving brush marks and makes cleaning the brush much easier.

-          “Cut in” all the corners first. This means paint a 3” section around the perimeter of the wall. Once the perimeter is done then use the roller to fill in the inside area.

-          Start towards the top of the wall and go in rows (left to right), or columns (up and down). Most painters go in the up and down fashion. If the paint “runs” then you’re putting on too much.

-          Apply paint in a “W” pattern on the wall, or ceiling, about 3 to 4 feet square on the first pass. Put more paint on the roller and on the second pass fill in the rest of the “W” to overlap the area you started and spread out the paint evenly to cover the entire 3 to 4 square block.

-          Do not let a 3 to 4 square section of paint dry before you apply the next section. You have to finish a wall while its “wet” or the paint will dry in patches and become visible at the end of the task. It’ll look like checker boards.

-          If the roller starts to sound like Velcro as your painting that means you’re “pulling” the paint off the wall and you need more paint on the roller.

-          Clean the brushes in warm water, dry them off and wrap them in a paper towel to maintain their form. Make sure to close the lid on the paint can.

A good job has nothing to do with luck. It has everything to do with prep and execution. Paint ON!

Tony is Justintime@acsalaska.net