Whitney Minnich Real Estate and Community Updates

The Tax Snags Homeowners Are Facing This Year February 11, 2019 Tax season is here, and many homeowners may have questions about what they can and can’t write off under the new tax code. One big change: Homeowners who used to write off property taxes and interest paid on their mortgage may no longer be able to entirely. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll pay higher taxes. HouseLogic, the National Association of REALTORS®’ consumer-facing website, offers  guidance and worksheets on the changes for homeowners . Under the new law, the standard deduction every tax filer gets has nearly doubled ($24,000 for married couples who file jointly and $12,000 for single filers). That means most people likely will be better off taking the standard deduction than itemizing their write-offs. However, the number of homeowners who will be able to deduct their mortgage interest under the new rules could drop by 56 percent—from 32 million to about 14 million, according ...

4 Items Home Inspectors Can’t Evaluate February 5, 2019 When a home inspector examines the property your buyer is under contract to purchase, you should know that there are some items the inspector legally can’t determine about its condition. Inspectors are bound by a set of rules that limit what they can share with a buyer. HouseLogic.com, the National Association of REALTORS®’ consumer-facing website, recently highlighted several points that home inspectors can’t tell a buyer about. Termites, rats, or mold.   Most inspectors aren’t licensed to determine whether these types of infestations exist. Instead, they may note evidence such as sagging floors (which could imply a termite problem), shredded insulation (an indication of rats), or black discoloration on the walls (which could mean fungal growth). If an inspector notices these items, your client should follow up with a specialist who can better evaluate the issues. Hidden flaws.   Inspectors check f...

3 Home Repairs That Can Save a Sale January 7, 2019 Sellers whose homes aren’t in tip-top shape may need to spend extra money or put in a little elbow grease to get their properties in market-ready condition. But what are the most important repair or maintenance tasks that support a higher asking price? “Smaller and less expensive updates in combination with good staging will have a great return,” Susanna Haynie, GRI, a sales associate with Colorado Real Estate Group in Colorado Springs, told HouseLogic. The National Association of REALTORS®’ consumer-facing news service highlighted some of the most important items to address before putting a home up for sale. 1. Fix flooring flaws.  “Scratched-up wood flooring, ratty, outdated carpeting, and tired linoleum make your home feel sad,” the HouseLogic article notes. “Buyers might take one step inside and scratch the property from their list.” Most buyers don’t want the hassle of replacing carpet and may not accep...

5 Ways to Future-proof Your Kitchen January 11, 2019 Revamping a kitchen can be a costly undertaking, with the median price of a remodeling job coming in at $60,000. So, how do you make sure the changes you make won’t look dated in a few years? HouseLogic, a home improvement website by the National Association of REALTORS®, offers ideas to future-proof your kitchen, including: Stick with white White has remained the top choice of the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s annual survey for years. “It’s a bright color that reflects light and makes even small kitchens feel larger,” notes HouseLogic, adding that white appears to be the “most marketable color” in the kitchen. Put in hardwood flooring Not having hardwood floors apparently comes with later regrets. More than half of home shoppers who purchased a home without hardwood floors say they would have paid an extra $2,080 for them, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ Home Feature...

Keeping a Listing Tidy While Pets Live in It November 27, 2018 Making sure a listing is clean when the owners have a dog or cat can be tough. Pets can leave behind messes, scratch marks, fur, dander, and odors. Home improvement website HouseLogic offers some of the following tips on how to tidy a house with pets while it’s on the market: Steam clean all fabrics. Steam clean carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, and the drapes. “Job number one is to take care of [the soft surfaces in your house],” Melissa Maker, owner of a Toronto cleaning service, told HouseLogic. “They hold odors and hair like nothing else.” Groom. Have the pet professionally groomed to remove more hair and dander. Be sure to brush the pet regularly—outside is preferable—to get most hair on the brush and not on your sofa or rugs. Clean tile grout. Tile is resistant to dog stains, but the grout isn’t. Steam clean grout to lift out stains and odors. A pro can chip away t...

5 DIY Projects That Save Money DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015 Home improvement projects don't have to be large-scale to return a big value. In fact, the  2015 Cost vs. Value report  points out that even something as simple and cheap as replacing a steel door returns on average 101.8 percent nationally. If home owners want to save even more money and get a great return on their home improvement investment, these five easy DIY projects pack the most punch. " Going DIY is the ultimate money-saving tool," says John Riha,  editorial director of the Black & Decker Home Improvement Library.  "You'll also get tons of satisfaction and enjoyment from creating a better home environment, and from learning home improvement skills that'll last a lifetime." Before deciding to DIY, there are some things to keep in mind. Some projects are worth the cost of hiring a contractor, including  fixing electrical  work, or  big  home ex...

Remove Stains From Walls Before You Paint By:  Pat Curry Painting instructions often warn: Remove stains from walls before painting. But they never say how. Any  cleaning  rookie can wipe off dust and cobwebs. But it takes a cleaning pro to scour grease stains, watermarks, and kids’ crayon and ink wall art. Dirt and Grime Dirt and grime are part of everyday life. The oil from your hands gets onto walls,  cabinets , doors, and door frames. A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser ($3 for 4 pads) easily cuts through these stains. Wet the sponge and rub gently to avoid taking bits of paint off with the stain. Or try this: Mix 1 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup white distilled or apple cider vinegar, and 1/4 cup baking soda with one gallon of warm water. Wipe the solution over walls with a sponge or cloth, and rinse with clear water. The solution won’t dull the painted finish or leave streaks. Grease Grease is an occupational hazard of cooking; it covers cabinets and walls...

It's almost summer and only going to get hotter! If your AC isn't working, here are some common air conditioning warning signs, likely causes, and fixes.