10 Inexpensive Ways to Wow Buyers

As Spring is fast approaching, now is the time to think about sprucing up your home in anticipation of what is sure to be a better selling season. Here are 10 inexpensive ways to make your home more attractive to buyers.

1. Improve First Impressions: Curb appeal is key. If your house looks run down from the outside chances are buyers will just drive right by and not want to see the inside. Touch up paint on the front door, sweep porches and walkways and keep things nice and tidy.


2. Clean Up the Landscaping: Trim the hedges and trees and plant some bright colored annuals in flowerbeds and pretty pots.


3. Paint the Interior: A nice fresh coat of paint can do the trick. Keep colors neutral using light yellows, creams or beige.


4. Refurbish the Floors: Buff your hardwood floors to make them shine. Replace worn carpet or get the carpet professionally cleaned.


5. Take Care of the Big Problems: If the house needs a roof or the front porch is crumbling, get them fixed.


6. Buy Warranties: Putting appliances under warranty gives buyers a secure feeling.


7. Improve Energy Efficiency: New windows or improved insulation tells the buyer that you are an energy conscious homeowner, plus they come with tax benefits.


8. Replace Light Fixtures: Update fixtures for a more modern look and to create a good first impression.


9. Buy a Stove: The kitchen is probably the most important room for potential buyers. By updating appliances, especially the stove, for a few hundred dollars you'll make a big impression.


10. Tidy Up the Bathrooms: Get rid of mildew, replace caulking and replace stained sinks or toilets.

Source: U.S. News & World Report, Luke Mullins & Montana Association of Realtors

Montana Ranks 7th in the Happiest States Survey

According to LiveScience.com, Montana ranks 7th among the top 10 Happiest States in the United States! New research on state-level reports that essentially, if an individual says they're happy, they are. The reported results come from a comparison of two data sets of happiness levels in each state, one that relied on participants' self-reported well-being and the other an objective measure that took into account a state's weather, home prices and other factors that are known reasons to frown or smile. The information came from 1.3 million U.S. citizens who took part in a survey between 2005 and 2008. We encourge you to visit Montana and come see why we are so happy here! Or if you already live in this great state, post a comment on our blog about what makes you so happy!

Appliance Rebate Program Coming to Montana in April 2010

It’s never too early to mark your calendars…Cash For Clunkers is coming back to Montana, but this time it’s for home appliances and not cars. The program will allow consumers to replace their old appliances with new, more energy-efficient models. Montana will be allocated a little more than $900,000 from the federal program to cover about 9.700 rebates.

Maybe you have clients that have a house for sale, but with extremely old appliances that need that little extra “oomph” to push their kitchen over the top, this may be their solution! Under the program, refrigerators and washing machines will net a $100 rebate; freezers will pay $70 and dishwashers will get $50. Appliances must be Energy Star rated to qualify for the rebates. We will all have to act fast as the demand could exceed the rebate supply.

Any Montana resident is eligible for the program, including those who rent. Not more than one rebate per appliance is allowed for each household. The program doesn’t apply to rental property owners or commercial enterprises.

The benefits are saving energy and money on the monthly utility bill as well as getting new appliances. Older appliances are particularly energy inefficient and the program encourages their replacement. The program will start in April 2010 and the funds must be expended by February 2012. Rebates are not retroactive prior to April 2010. You may claim this rebate in addition to any rebates offered through manufacturers and/or local utility rebate programs. For forms to make application in April check http://www.appliancerebate.com/

Homeowners Save Energy, Cash with Tax Breaks

So your car isn't a clunker? And you're not buying a new home? (But maybe you should be!) But maybe your air-conditioning unit is on the fritz. Or your small business needs new equipment or office furniture. Perhaps you have always wanted solar panels. Then there is a tax break waiting for you. Although there hasn't been much hype surrounding these credits and deductions-all increased or expanded by federal stimulus bills passed this year and last year-retailers say sales of new, energy-efficient products are beating expectations in the midst of the recession. Federal stimulus laws allow homeowners to get a tax credit of 30% of the cost of energy efficient windows, doors, water heaters, air conditioners and furnaces, up to a maximum of $1500. So, if you max out your credit on your new A/C, you can't use it for one of the other items. But if you don't use any or all of the credit this tax year, you can buy a qualifying item and claim the credit or any remaining credit in 2010, said Amy McAnarney, an executive director at H&R Block's Tax Institute. The items have to be installed by Dec 31, 2010, for taxpayers to claim the credit. Get a copy of the manufacturer's statement to make sure your item qualifies for the tax credit.

Another tax credit allows homeowners to get up to 30% of the cost of solar energy systems, such as solar water heating and solar power, small wind systems and geothermal heat pumps if they are installed by Dec 31, 2016. It's separate from the credit for windows, doors and A/C units so homeowners can use both. There is no cap on the solar credit.

Information courtesy of RISMedia - www.RISMedia.com

Property Update for Montana

Montana
By Kevin Wetherell- Clearwater Montana Properties, Inc.
Within the recreational/farm/ranch market in Montana, there is very little leveraged property. Most properties being bought over the past 10 years have been cash transactions and properties which are owned by historic Montana families remain relatively strong with limited debt. While we see people wanting to sell property in Montana, typically these sellers are wealthier and they tend to resist price decreases of a substantial degree. The Montana Legacy Project is purchasing 310,000 acres of land in western Montana from Plum Creek Timber Co. This will act to limit recreational land availability going forward as those lands are placed with the State, Forest Service and other entities. Following a 20-30% reduction of recreational /farm/ranch values since the highs achieved in 2006, the real estate market in Montana has begun stabilizing and there are some great value opportunities available. As we look back to the historical trends from 1985, one would expect that the Montana market will rebound rapidly once confidence is re-established and buyers begin aggressively buying the bottom. Recent buyers in our market have seen the opportunity created by the availability of special land ownerships that have previously been sought after at much higher values. These holdings are certainly worthy of your consideration for investment or for your personal recreational aspirations or the best combination is to get both!

Update To The Homebuyer Tax Credit

Great News! Congress has extended and expanded the homebuyer tax credit. The tax credit for first time buyers has been extended until April 30, 2010 and remains $8000 (buyers may not have had an interest in a principal residence for 3 years prior to purchase). An additional modification is that current homeowners are eligible for a $6500 tax credit on homes purchased before April 31, 2010. Current homeowners must have used the home being sold as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years. In addition, as long as a written, binding contract to purchase a home is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close. Purchases must be less than $800,000. Income limits for current homeowners are $125,000 for single and $225,000 for married. This is a great time to move up or to down size your existing house! Talk to a Realtor today to find out more information about this tax credit.

With the fall and winter months upon us, now is the time to do some routine maintenance around your home to prepare for the changing weather ahead. Taking the time to do some work now may save on some major expenses later. Some of these tasks can be performed by you, and some may need to be done by a professional.

Outside your home
Clear debris out of window wells, gutters, downspouts, and storm drains.
Remove garden hoses from spouts. Drain and store for the winter. Wrap spouts in insulation.
Drain in-ground sprinkler systems.
Check windows, doors, and siding for holes and cracks. Caulk as necessary.
Check weather stripping on windows and doors for fit and condition. Replace as necessary.
Inspect all soffit vents and other venting systems to make sure they're clear of debris.
Check painted surfaces for paint failure, water damage, or mildew. Repair or repaint if needed.
Check caulking where two different materials meet, where wood siding joins the foundation wall, at inside corners, and where the window and door trim meets the siding.
Check for broken or cracked glass and damaged screens or storm windows. Check for loose putty around glass panes. Repair glass if necessary.
Insulate outdoor faucets, pipes in unheated garages, and pipes in crawl spaces with materials such as rags or newspapers.

Inside your Home:
Have a heating professional check your heating system every year. Replace your furnace filter.
Woodburning stove connector pipes and chimneys should be inspected by a certified chimney sweep at least annually.
Make sure you have proper insulation in both your attic and basement. While checking your insulation, if you see any dark, dirty spots, it may indicate you have air leaks coming into your home.
Remove hair from drains in sinks, tubs, and showers.
Test all smoke alarms. Replace batteries as necessary.
Check your home around windows and doors for air leaks. An easy way to check for leaks is to move a lighter around the window or door frame and see if the flame moves with a breeze. If you find a leak, you can caulk it or you may have to replace the wood frame. Repairing these leaks can save you money on your energy bill during the cold months.
Check for water leaks on the ceiling. Repair if needed.
Make sure there are working nightlights at the top and bottom of all stairs.
Protect your home from frozen pipes.
Test your emergency generator.

Information courtesy of Home Warranty of America