A bright and well-lit home can dramatically change the mood of your home and help you feel relaxed and comfortable all year long. Here are some tips to lighten up your home and make the rooms look big and inviting:
* Choose different types of lighting to avoid the expense of installing windows or skylights. Lamps or other accent lighting can make a dull room appear elegant or small rooms seem larger.
* If you have a room with a dark wall or a narrow, dark hallway, hang a group of pictures and light them with adjustable halogen track lighting to create the effect of a photo gallery.
* Paint ceilings a light color to avoid making them seem lower than they are and give the room a cramped feel.
* Use color to add cheer to a room. Pink and green tones have a calming effect while darker colors, such as red, tend to cause agitation. Neutral wall tones create a harmonious environment. Bright colors should be used as accents in pillows, artwork or flowers.
* When selecting paint, tape large color chips together on a wall to get a better idea of the shades you like. When you’ve narrowed your choices down, buy a quart of 2 or 3 colors and paint 1 or 2 foot squares next to each other on both shaded and brightly lit walls. Choose the color that looks best in both kinds of light.
Call or send The Davidson Team an email if you’d like the names of decorators, contractors, or other service providers.
A Different Kind of Garage Sale
Instead of having a traditional garage sale, perhaps you should consider putting your garage sale online. Free online classified ads like Craig’s List or fee-based auction sites like eBay make it easy to do. Here’s how:
Take your time: The beauty of an online garage sale is that you don’t need to sell all your unwanted belongings at once. Instead you can post them online as soon as you decide to get rid of them.
Price it right: Search online to learn prices of comparable items and price yours to sell if you don’t want to be stuck with them later on.
Use pictures: Use a digital camera to take shots of your items. One picture is worth hundreds of words of description. Provide written descriptions, including dimensions and be sure to indicate any defect or areas of wear or damage.
Payment: Items listed on local classified sites like Craig’s List are usually paid for as cash at delivery on a first-come, first-served basis. Winning bidders on auction sites like eBay use PayPal to pay with their credit card. Setting up an account with PayPal is free and easy.
Shipping: Auction sites let you specify a flat rate for shipping or allow buyers to compute and pay for shipping costs. Craig’s List buyers will pick up their purchase from you once you’ve both agreed on the price so there are no shipping costs at all.
By getting rid of unwanted items through an online garage sale you’ll make your home feel more spacious and have fewer items to pack if you decide to make a move.Please call or send us an email if we can answer any real estate related questions. We appreciate the opportunity to be your real estate resource.
Take your time: The beauty of an online garage sale is that you don’t need to sell all your unwanted belongings at once. Instead you can post them online as soon as you decide to get rid of them.
Price it right: Search online to learn prices of comparable items and price yours to sell if you don’t want to be stuck with them later on.
Use pictures: Use a digital camera to take shots of your items. One picture is worth hundreds of words of description. Provide written descriptions, including dimensions and be sure to indicate any defect or areas of wear or damage.
Payment: Items listed on local classified sites like Craig’s List are usually paid for as cash at delivery on a first-come, first-served basis. Winning bidders on auction sites like eBay use PayPal to pay with their credit card. Setting up an account with PayPal is free and easy.
Shipping: Auction sites let you specify a flat rate for shipping or allow buyers to compute and pay for shipping costs. Craig’s List buyers will pick up their purchase from you once you’ve both agreed on the price so there are no shipping costs at all.
By getting rid of unwanted items through an online garage sale you’ll make your home feel more spacious and have fewer items to pack if you decide to make a move.Please call or send us an email if we can answer any real estate related questions. We appreciate the opportunity to be your real estate resource.
First Time Home Buyers: Part 8 of 8
Grading Local Schools
When thinking of buying a home, most people research various neighborhood amenities, including local schools. Regardless of whether you have children, schools can affect property values and are an important consideration when buying a home.
Here are four ways to tell if area schools are having problems:
Local test scores low or dropping
Low test scores can be a product of resource shortages, poor teachers, lack of commitment by the school district or parents.
Student enrollment dropping
If fewer families are moving into the neighborhood, or parents are choosing schools outside the neighborhood, the school may be having problems.
Poorly maintained or vandalized buildings
Inadequate upkeep may be a sign of funding shortages and low involvement from parents.
Troubles at PTA meetings
Tension among parents or between parents and the school's teachers or management may indicate serious problems in a school.
If you have any doubts about the school quality in your target neighborhoods, please give The Davidson Team a call and we'll be happy to discuss them with you. Learning about local schools helps you make an informed choice about where you live.
First Time Home Buyer: Part 7 of 8
What Goes Into Your Monthly Mortgage Payment
When you’re thinking of buying a home, you may wonder what your mortgage payment will look like. When you have a mortgage, you’ll have several different portions of your payment each month.
Your mortgage payment consists of principal, interest, taxes and insurance (often abbreviated as “PITI”), and sometimes additional fees, such as homeowners association dues.
Principal is the money you borrowed to purchase the home.
Interest is the cost of borrowing money.
Taxes are paid by homeowners to local governments, and are usually a percentage of the assessed property value.
Insurance helps protect against financial loss from fire, natural disasters or other hazards. Most lenders require you to have a homeowner’s insurance policy on your home because it will help protect their investment as well as yours.
Remember, many loan quotes will only include your principal and interest. You’ll also need to factor in the taxes and insurance to calculate your total monthly mortgage payment.
When you’re ready to take the next step to buying your home, please give The Davidson Team a call. We’ll be happy to explain the process further and help you narrow your home search.
When you’re thinking of buying a home, you may wonder what your mortgage payment will look like. When you have a mortgage, you’ll have several different portions of your payment each month.
Your mortgage payment consists of principal, interest, taxes and insurance (often abbreviated as “PITI”), and sometimes additional fees, such as homeowners association dues.
Principal is the money you borrowed to purchase the home.
Interest is the cost of borrowing money.
Taxes are paid by homeowners to local governments, and are usually a percentage of the assessed property value.
Insurance helps protect against financial loss from fire, natural disasters or other hazards. Most lenders require you to have a homeowner’s insurance policy on your home because it will help protect their investment as well as yours.
Remember, many loan quotes will only include your principal and interest. You’ll also need to factor in the taxes and insurance to calculate your total monthly mortgage payment.
When you’re ready to take the next step to buying your home, please give The Davidson Team a call. We’ll be happy to explain the process further and help you narrow your home search.
First Time Home Buyer: Part 6 of 8
All About Down Payments
An important aspect of getting a home loan is saving money for your down payment. You have many choices to make your home more affordable to you.
Lenders used to require a down payment of at least 20 percent of the home's price. These days, however, many lenders offer flexible home loan programs allowing you to put very little down -- three percent or less of the home price. For some buyers it's possible to buy a home with no down payment at all, or to receive help from local down payment assistance programs.
If you decide to pay make a down payment less than 20 percent, your lender may require Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), which protects the lender in case you cannot repay the mortgage. Talk with your mortgage professional to find out the smartest deal for you.
You'll also need to pay for closing costs, which are costs associated with initiating a loan. These can include loan origination fees, discount points, attorney fees, recording fees and pre-paids. They often will total from three to five percent of the price of the home.
Once you have you down payment and loan pre-approval, it's simply a matter of finding the right house. Please call or email The Davidson Team when you're ready to take this next step towards owning your own home.
First Time Home Buyer: Part 5 of 8
Choosing the neighborhood for your home
Buying a home is an investment in the neighborhood as well as the house. In fact, the character and amenities of the neighborhood may be as important to the property value as the house itself. No matter what kind of neighborhood you're looking for, it's important to know its history and future when you decide to buy.
Here's what to research:
1. Recent sales - Find out if the market is slow and what homes have been selling for.
2. Homes now for sale - What homes are listed in the area, and are they listed above past sales? This will give you a good idea of the area's overall market value.
3. Home appreciation - Historical data on sales gives the best indicator of a neighborhood's potential. Are homes appreciating at 3%, 5%, 10% or higher every year?
4. Schools - School scores and district boundaries are very important to research before moving into a neighborhood. The closest school is not always in your district, and school scores reveal if a neighborhood is invested in the schools' success.
5. Crime - Get the hard facts about any problems in the neighborhood -- don't depend on anecdotal information.
6. Demographics and growth - Find out how the area is growing and changing.
7. Community -- Learn about neighborhood features, such as public schools, shopping areas, parks, commuting options and more.
The Davidson Team can help you with this information-please give us a call or email us any questions you have. You'll find that the more you know about the neighborhoods you're considering, the easier it will be to narrow your search for your new home.
First Time Home Buyer: Part 4 of 8
The Importance of Pre-approval
Pre-approval can be a very valuable step towards purchasing a home. Many home buyers get pre-qualified for a home loan early on, and then become pre-approved before beginning a serious home search. By completing your mortgage application prior to choosing a home, you can get a pre-approval letter stating how much home you can afford.
Your pre-approval letter lets you know exactly how much you can spend, and it shows home sellers and real estate agents that you're serious about buying a home. This may give you leverage in the negotiation process. Many sellers actually prefer to work with pre-approved buyers, especially in hot real estate markets.
To find a mortgage professional and get started with your pre-approval for a loan, please call or email The Davidson Team. Our goal is to provide you with practical information as you consider your next move.
First Time Home Buyer: Part 3 of 8
How Much Home You Can Afford
First-time buyers are often unsure about the financial aspects of buying a home, and you may have many questions swirling in your head. How much can I afford? Do I need a large down payment?
Your home price range will be determined by your income, credit history, the cash you have for a down payment and closing costs, and your debt. How much you earn compared to how much you owe will likely determine how much the bank allows you to borrow.
The financial rule of thumb is: your total monthly debt service, which will include your monthly mortgage, shouldn't be more than about 36 percent of your gross monthly income. Most experts say that your monthly housing expense, including taxes and insurance, should not exceed about 28 percent of your gross monthly income.
Naturally, every situation is different, and each lender has different rules about working with buyers. A number of choices within your control can affect your monthly payment as well. For example, you might choose an adjustable rate loan, which has a lower initial payment than a fixed rate program. Similarly, a larger down payment may lower your monthly payment.
If you'd like more information about how much home you can afford, please call or email The Davidson Team. We can help you get the mortgage information you need.
First-time buyers are often unsure about the financial aspects of buying a home, and you may have many questions swirling in your head. How much can I afford? Do I need a large down payment?
Your home price range will be determined by your income, credit history, the cash you have for a down payment and closing costs, and your debt. How much you earn compared to how much you owe will likely determine how much the bank allows you to borrow.
The financial rule of thumb is: your total monthly debt service, which will include your monthly mortgage, shouldn't be more than about 36 percent of your gross monthly income. Most experts say that your monthly housing expense, including taxes and insurance, should not exceed about 28 percent of your gross monthly income.
Naturally, every situation is different, and each lender has different rules about working with buyers. A number of choices within your control can affect your monthly payment as well. For example, you might choose an adjustable rate loan, which has a lower initial payment than a fixed rate program. Similarly, a larger down payment may lower your monthly payment.
If you'd like more information about how much home you can afford, please call or email The Davidson Team. We can help you get the mortgage information you need.
New Listing: 2027 Woodridge, Wenatchee, WA 98801
You can find this week's featured listing at:
http://www.wenatcheehouses.com/address.php?property_ID=12
A must see! Won Best Overall Value, Best Technology, Best Kitchen & Best Master Suite in the 2007 NCHBA Tour of Homes. Brand new Craftsman style home with gorgeous water feature and fully landscaped yard. Outstanding master suite with jetted tub, beautifully tiled shower and large walk in closet. Birch cabinets in chestnut and stainless steel appliances. Includes a top-of-line sound system!
Warm regards,
The Davidson Team
http://www.wenatcheehouses.com/address.php?property_ID=12
A must see! Won Best Overall Value, Best Technology, Best Kitchen & Best Master Suite in the 2007 NCHBA Tour of Homes. Brand new Craftsman style home with gorgeous water feature and fully landscaped yard. Outstanding master suite with jetted tub, beautifully tiled shower and large walk in closet. Birch cabinets in chestnut and stainless steel appliances. Includes a top-of-line sound system!
Warm regards,
The Davidson Team
First Time Home Buyer: Part 2 of 8
Considering Making a Move?
When you're thinking about making a move, the first steps in the home buying process are:
1. Deciding when you want to make your move
2. Considering how much money you would like to spend
3. Thinking about what type of home you would like
4. Deciding where you would like to live
The next step is usually finding out how much loan you can qualify for and deciding the type of financing will work best for you.
If you're in the "thinking about it" stage, you will want to speak with a lender about receiving pre-qualification. If you choose to become pre-qualified, the lender will determine how much you can borrow based on financial information you provide to the lender. Pre-qualification is useful for making preliminary decisions about how much home you can afford, but does not assess your creditworthiness.
You will need to fill out a loan application and go through the lender's loan approval process at a later date. When you decide to buy a home, you will want to become pre-approved for a loan prior to beginning your home search.
Please don't hesitate to call or email The Davidson Team for additional information about the buying process. Our goal is to provide you with practical information as you consider your next move. And, when you're ready to make your move, we'll help you find your dream home and handle all the details of the transaction, so all you need to do is pack!
Blaine's Recipe of the Week - 10/3/07
Pot Roast Tacos and Grilled Corn
2 pounds beef shoulder
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 large onion, sliced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, (recommended: San Marzano)
1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon ground cumin
3 bay leaves
Vegetable oil, for deep frying
6 fresh medium corn tortillas
Kosher salt
3 cups finely shredded white cabbage
Guacamole, recipe follows
1/4 bunch fresh cilantro leaves
For the simple salsa:
1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained, reserving the juice (recommended: San Marzano)
1 small red onion, roughly chopped
1 Serrano chile
1 garlic clove, roughly chopped
2 limes, juiced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Season all sides of the beef with a fair amount of salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven, or other heavy pot that has a tight cover, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over moderately high heat. Add the garlic and the beef to the pot, browning the meat on all sides, taking the time to get a nice crust on the outside. Add the onion and allow to lightly brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, plus 1 tomato can of water, spices, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and add enough water to cover the meat. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer with a lid for 3 hours until the meat is fork tender. Let meat cool in the liquid. Shred meat, add 3 count of olive oil and set aside.
Heat a large pot of oil over medium heat. When oil reaches 350 degrees F, fry the corn tortillas 1 at a time. Place the tortilla in the oil and wait about 30 seconds. Then use the handle of a wooden spoon to press down into the center of the tortilla and fold it in the middle. Hold down for a few seconds waiting for the tortilla to form into taco shell and then drain on paper towels. Season with salt.
For the simple salsa: To make salsa, pulse all the ingredients, except the tomato juice, in a food processor. Add the reserved tomato juice if the salsa is too thick. Drizzle salsa with olive oil, cover with plastic wrap and set aside, allowing the flavors to marry.
To assemble the tacos: Lay some shredded cabbage as a base. Top with some shredded beef. Serve alongside Guacamole and salsa. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
Guacamole:
6 ripe avocados
3 limes, juiced
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, smashed then minced
2 serrano chiles, cut into rounds
1 big handful fresh cilantro with stems, about 1/2 cup, finely chopped
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Halve and pit the avocados. With a tablespoon, scoop out the flesh into a mixing bowl. Mash the avocados using either a fork or potato masher, leaving them still a bit chunky. Add the remaining ingredients, and fold everything together. Drizzle with a little olive oil, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper and give it 1 final mix with a fork.
Lay a piece of plastic wrap tight on the surface of the guacamole so it doesn't brown and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Corn:
Grill corn until outside is blistered and has some color. Spread the following sauce on corn: 2 parts sour cream, 1 part mayo and 2 tablespoons cilantro. Then sprinkle with parmesean cheese and chili powder, and top with lime.
2 pounds beef shoulder
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 large onion, sliced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, (recommended: San Marzano)
1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon ground cumin
3 bay leaves
Vegetable oil, for deep frying
6 fresh medium corn tortillas
Kosher salt
3 cups finely shredded white cabbage
Guacamole, recipe follows
1/4 bunch fresh cilantro leaves
For the simple salsa:
1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained, reserving the juice (recommended: San Marzano)
1 small red onion, roughly chopped
1 Serrano chile
1 garlic clove, roughly chopped
2 limes, juiced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Season all sides of the beef with a fair amount of salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven, or other heavy pot that has a tight cover, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over moderately high heat. Add the garlic and the beef to the pot, browning the meat on all sides, taking the time to get a nice crust on the outside. Add the onion and allow to lightly brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, plus 1 tomato can of water, spices, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and add enough water to cover the meat. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer with a lid for 3 hours until the meat is fork tender. Let meat cool in the liquid. Shred meat, add 3 count of olive oil and set aside.
Heat a large pot of oil over medium heat. When oil reaches 350 degrees F, fry the corn tortillas 1 at a time. Place the tortilla in the oil and wait about 30 seconds. Then use the handle of a wooden spoon to press down into the center of the tortilla and fold it in the middle. Hold down for a few seconds waiting for the tortilla to form into taco shell and then drain on paper towels. Season with salt.
For the simple salsa: To make salsa, pulse all the ingredients, except the tomato juice, in a food processor. Add the reserved tomato juice if the salsa is too thick. Drizzle salsa with olive oil, cover with plastic wrap and set aside, allowing the flavors to marry.
To assemble the tacos: Lay some shredded cabbage as a base. Top with some shredded beef. Serve alongside Guacamole and salsa. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
Guacamole:
6 ripe avocados
3 limes, juiced
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, smashed then minced
2 serrano chiles, cut into rounds
1 big handful fresh cilantro with stems, about 1/2 cup, finely chopped
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Halve and pit the avocados. With a tablespoon, scoop out the flesh into a mixing bowl. Mash the avocados using either a fork or potato masher, leaving them still a bit chunky. Add the remaining ingredients, and fold everything together. Drizzle with a little olive oil, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper and give it 1 final mix with a fork.
Lay a piece of plastic wrap tight on the surface of the guacamole so it doesn't brown and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Corn:
Grill corn until outside is blistered and has some color. Spread the following sauce on corn: 2 parts sour cream, 1 part mayo and 2 tablespoons cilantro. Then sprinkle with parmesean cheese and chili powder, and top with lime.
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