August 2012 
There are 6 blog entries for August 2012.
Sellers - Ten Tips to Speed Up Your Home Inspection
Friday, August 24th, 2012 at 12:18pm. 176 Views, 0 Comments.
Ten Tips
Sellers can speed their home inspection by following these suggestions. The inspection will go smoother, with fewer concerns to delay closing.
- Confirm that water, electric and gas service are on, with gas pilot lights burning.
- Ensure pets won't hinder the inspection. Ideally, they should be removed from premises or secured outside. Tell your agent about any pets at home.
- Replace burned out bulbs to avoid a "Light is inoperable" report that may suggest an electrical problem.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace dead batteries.
- Clean or replace dirty HVAC air filters. They should fit securely.
- Remove stored items, debris and wood from foundation. These may be cited as "conducive conditions" for…
5 Easy DIY Weekend Projects Under $300
Friday, August 24th, 2012 at 12:01pm. 1015 Views, 0 Comments.
5 Easy DIY Weekend Projects Under $300
Published: May 24, 2012
Just another weekend? Not if you take advantage with one or more of these 5 great projects you can easily pull off for under $300.
Project #1: Add a garden arbor entry.
The setup: Install an eye-catching portal to your garden with a freestanding arbor. It’ll look great at the end of a garden path or framing a grassy area between planting beds.
Specs and cost: Garden arbors can be priced up to thousands of dollars, but you can find nice-looking kits in redwood, cedar, and vinyl at your local home improvement or garden center for $200-$300. Typical sizes are about 7 feet high and 3-4 feet wide. You’ll have to assemble the kit yourself.
Tools: Screwdriver;…
Negotiate Your Best House Buy
Friday, August 17th, 2012 at 10:09am. 129 Views, 0 Comments.
Negotiate Your Best House Buy
Published: June 4, 2010
Keep your emotions in check and your eyes on the goal, and you’ll pay less when purchasing a home.
Here are six tips for negotiating the best price on a home.
1. Get prequalified for a mortgage
Getting prequalified for a mortgage proves to sellers that you’re serious about buying and capable of affording their home. That will push you to the head of the pack when sellers choose among offers; they’ll go with buyers who are a sure financial bet, not those whose financing could flop.
2. Ask questions
Ask your agent for information to help you understand the sellers’ financial position and motivation. Are they facing foreclosure or a…
433 Spyglass Drive - Willow Park Village
Monday, August 13th, 2012 at 12:50pm. 401 Views, 0 Comments.
The Stiles-Mund Group with Alexander Chandler Realty presents 433 Spyglass Drive in the Willow Park Village subdivision. With almost 2,000 square feet this beautiful home is listed for $175,000.
This four bedroom, two bathroom home has a large open floor plan, split bedrooms and a second living area that can easily be used as an extra bedroom, office or sitting area. The home is located in Aledo ISD. The kitchen is beautifully updated with granite countertops, center island and large breakfast area looking out on the beautifully landscaped backyard. Many extras include floored attic space for extra storage, sprinkler system, three French drains and more!
The desirable neighborhood is located off I-20 and the Willow Park exit. The home will be…
Keep Your Home Purchase on Track
Monday, August 13th, 2012 at 11:33am. 124 Views, 0 Comments.
Keep Your Home Purchase on Track
Published: March 30, 2010
You’ve found your dream home. Make sure missteps don’t prevent a successful closing.
1. Be truthful on your mortgage application
You may think fudging your income a little or omitting debts when applying for a mortgage will go unnoticed. Not true. Lenders have become more diligent in verifying information on mortgage applications. If you fib, expect to be found out and denied the loan you need to fund your home purchase. Plus, intentionally lying on a mortgage application is a crime.
2. Hold off on big purchases
Lenders double-check buyers’ credit right before the closing to be sure their financial condition hasn’t weakened. If you’ve…
How to Decide Which Plants Get Water During a Drought
Monday, August 13th, 2012 at 11:27am. 110 Views, 0 Comments.
How to Decide Which Plants Get Water During a Drought
Published: July 18, 2012
High heat and drought present home owners with a Sophie’s Choice: Which plants deserve to live, and which should die? Here’s how to choose.
1. Is my lawn really worth it?
No! Lawns take lots of water and fertilizer to stay green. In drought, let your grass die and reseed when (and if) the rain returns. Better yet, replace your lawn with native and drought-resistant plants, and low-maintenance turf grasses.
2. How valuable is this plant?
The longer a tree or shrub takes to grow, the more valuable it is. Fast-growing pines, for instance, can quickly replace older pines sacrificed to drought; slow-growing American beeches take…