Hi,

Welcome to the November issue of The HomeTeamKC Report. This report provides REALTORS^® and Homeowners with helpful information about residential homes from a home inspector's perspective.

We are calling this issue 'Take Your Pick' and offering you three helpful articles on different aspects of the homeowning experience. You and your clients are sure to find them useful. Take your pick!

We are also very pleased to announce that there will be no price increases for our services during calendar year 2006. Now that gas has dropped below $2.00 per gallon, our price of living increase has been cancelled! ;-)

Be sure to call or email us anytime with any questions you may have.

Mike
The HomeTeamKC

P.S. If you have problems viewing this newsletter in your email browser, click this link to view this and past newsletters from our archives.

What you’ll find in this issue of
the HomeTeamKC Report:

·Kitchens and Bathrooms: A Facelift
·Quick Access to Our Current Pricing Sheet
·Home Organizing Advice
·Pre-Listing Inspections

A FEW SIMPLE IDEAS
TO GIVE KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS A FACELIFT

Quick and Easy Fix-ups That Won’t Break the Bank.

Kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most high-traffic rooms in our homes. Here are some tips on how to make these hard-working rooms look their absolute best and refreshed.

SPRUCE UP YOUR KITCHEN

1. “SPLASH OF COLOR”: Painting is one of the most versatile decorating tools and adding a new color to the walls will do a lot to lighten and brighten. Yellows and reds can make your kitchen seem warm and cozy, while blues can create an atmosphere of cool sophistication. Lighter colors will make the room seem bigger while textures can add contrast and interest. But don't stop there! Repainting the cabinets can completely transform your look. An inexpensive way to freshen up dark cabinets is with a new coat of paint.
2. “ADD SOME SPARKLE”: A new trend in painting is called "glazing," which you can do over a painted door. Take a can of glaze and have tint added. Use a brush to apply sparingly to achieve a streaked, antique look!
3. “CONSIDER A FACELIFT”: Replacing dated hinges, handles and knobs with new, stylish hardware is an easy way to make cabinets more attractive. Just changing your cabinet knobs can add a touch of whimsy, a vintage look or a contemporary feel.
4. “THROW ON A TILE”: Changing a countertop is a dramatic part of creating a new look. Ceramic tile is also a great do-it-yourself way to update worn-out counters. Peel-and-stick mirror tiles are available at most building stores, for an instant backsplash brightener. Ceramic subway tiles are yet another trendy look that's surprisingly easy to do, especially if you can adjust the design to avoid having to cut them.

TURN YOUR BATHROOM INTO A PERSONAL SPA

1. “A SHOWER YOU DESERVE”: Tiled showers can be cold and dark once the curtain is drawn. Warm up the space with a combination light fixture/heat lamp. A lot of showers already have a light fixture, so this can be an easy change out. Change the showerhead or simply add an attachment to your shower wall for the ultimate spa experience! There are many options that offer multiple body sprays and massaging jets.
2. “NO MORE CHILLY FEET”: Changing the ceramic floor tile is a common update, but ceramic tile floors can get chilly. To prevent cold feet add a radiant heating system before you install the tile. These ultra-thin electric heating systems are easily installed in cement under ceramic tile and stone floors.
3. “TAP INTO NEW DESIGN”: Putting in a new faucet can give your bathroom sink a whole new look. Many new faucet styles are specially designed for do-it-yourself installation, using just basic tools, and there is a variety of styles to choose from that cost less than $100.

The above suggestions may require professional assistance to ensure proper installation.

The HomeTeam ^©2005

HOME ORGANIZING ADVICE

How many times have you said, “I wish I was more organized” This is the perfect time of the year to make it happen. While it is time to get the kids back in school, why not tackle home organizational projects, too?

Part of overcoming disorganization is figuring out where to start. Closets, garages, laundry rooms and basements are key areas to start organizing. Here are some organizing tips to help organizationally challenged homeowners.

Closets:

Imagine a neat closet where you reach for sweater and the whole pile doesn’t fall down! Try these ideas:

1. Install wire closet organizing systems. These are affordable and an easy way to get organized. These systems are also great for avoiding dust build-up.
2. Use double-hang closet rods to increase your storage space.
3. If there is unused space at the top of your closet, add shelves for storing off-season clothes.
4. Take pictures of your shoes and glue them to the ends of the shoeboxes that they came in. This way you can stack the ones you don't wear every day, and know what is in each box.

Hall Closets:

1. Install large hooks on the walls inside the closet to hang bags, dog leashes, backpacks and more.
2. Purchase plastic bins for each member of the family to store mitts, hats and other items. Put the baskets on a shelf for the adults and on the floor for children.
3. If the closet door opens outward, mount a hanging rack for more storage space.

Garages:

When it comes to organization, don’t leave your garage out in the cold. Visibility and accessibility are key, especially for small spaces. Always place items where they are easy to see and reach.

1. Install wire shelving and drawers on each wall. This will add extra space that can be used for storing household supplies.
2. Store small hardware items, such as screws, nails, nuts and bolts in small, open-ended storage compartments that are stackable. Or, plastic containers with lids will work just as well. Label each container to correspond with its contents. This will provide easy access to those often used, but sometimes hard to find items.
3. Use wire shelving, drawers and pegboard/hooks to hang or store gardening tools, automotive supplies, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, broom and dust pan, mop and trash bags.
4. If your storage space is limited, consider storing items under a workbench, behind the door or on vertical wall space. Grid systems, wall racks, stackable baskets and milk crates will help make additional space.
5. Instantly turn open beams in the garage or basement into storage space by using heavy duty hooks. These hooks install in an instant and grip beams tightly to hold up to 200 pounds, then can be easily removed and reused. Use a single hook for tools, extension cords and hoses or use two to hang a bicycle. If the beams are covered by drywall, you will have to screw hooks into studs.
6. Tall laundry hampers and clean garbage cans make good containers to store bulky sports items.
7. Recycle an old golf bag to hold long handled tools like brooms, shovels and rakes.
8. Install a shelf on the ceiling for storage of skis, sleds and snowboards.
9. Attach shelves high on walls to store seasonal items and switch with the items on the lower shelves as the seasons change.
10. Designate an area to store like items together and be conscientious about returning the items to their proper place. For example, tools should be stored in one area and holiday decorations or beach gear in another.

Laundry Rooms:

1. Old kitchen cabinets make for great storage areas above the washer and dryer. If you haven’t remodeled your kitchen, these can be found at re-use shops or garage sales. Shelving systems will work, too.

Basements:

Even very organized people have a hard time with the basement. It is easy to just dump items where no one will see it. If the basement is too big of a job for one day, break it up into a few days.

• Day 1: Start in one corner of the basement and make piles for donation, disposal, and one for saving. Put like items together. Sort items into categories. Toss out anything outdated, old, broken and things you no longer use.
• Day 2: Pick up plastic storage containers to store toys, out-of-season clothing, holiday decorations and other things not in use. Label all containers. Install shelving, hooks or pegboard.
• Day 3: Now, put the items away, on the shelves or hooks. If you have a big, empty closet, put a utility shelf unit inside to add even more storage space.

These projects may appear intimidating, but homeowners can take small steps and accomplish one area at a time, with minimal investment. A little organization can free you up from stress, frustration and chaos. It will allow you to have time to enjoy your life.

The above suggestions may require professional assistance to ensure proper installation.

The HomeTeam^©2005

PRE-LISTING INSPECTIONS

Why wait? You are planning to put your house on the market, it’s a good bet that a potential buyer will have a home inspection. So why wait for surprises on the buyers’ home inspection? Why not have your home inspected before it is on the market?

It is common for a sales contract to have a “Contingent upon Inspection” clause. Many sellers wait for the buyer to order and purchase the home inspection, because they feel that they save money by having the buyer pay for the home inspection. This does not always work in the seller’s advantage.

By waiting for the buyer’s inspection, the seller limits their time frame to have any needed remediation preformed, this can cost the seller more money than if they where aware of a problem in advance.

Some things that an inspection may reveal that could catch a seller off guard may include:

1. Out-dated electrical systems (common in pre-sixties homes)
2. Unsafe electrical panels (common in late sixties and seventies homes)
3. Problematic plumbing systems (common in seventies and older homes)
4. The lack of safety devices on electrical, plumbing, and HVAC equipment
5. Failing roof and gutter systems
6. Water intrusion
7. Foundation failure (common in homes with basements)
8. Unsafe heating equipment
9. Building materials that are now considered a health hazard

Having a pre-inspection can also shine a positive light on the care and pride you take in your home. A pre-inspection and corrective maintenance shows a buyer that the seller is a conscientious homeowner. Our clients will often provide bound copies of our inspection to their serious prospects, along with an addendum detailing their repairs. This gives the buyer the feeling that the house has been well maintained. This makes a big difference when the buyer’s decision is down to two homes, because the conscientious owner usually wins out.

There are a lot of mysteries when selling a home such as: Will the house sell? How much will it sell for? Will it show well? But by getting a pre-inspection, you will eliminate one mystery from the process. Pre-inspections also gives you the advantage of making the necessary repairs in advance to give your home that good first impression, that will help it sell.

The HomeTeam will operate all systems and components of the home. We will identify major defects, safety concerns, and maintenance issues.

The HomeTeam^©2005