Author: Creative Programs and Systems - page 238

Home Improvements That Pay Off

Certain home improvements yield a higher value than others.  The first thing that comes to mind when going for renovations that increase the equity seems to always be kitchen remodels.  More important than a new kitchen is those basic home maintenance items such as a new roof, updated siding, fresh paint, basically any renovation that keeps maintenance low and appeal high.

Sometimes home improvements are needed instead of wanted.  As a handyman I have installed many new furnaces when homeowners dreamed of countertops of granite and showers that steam.  Often times as a contractor I need to remind homeowners that reliable furnaces and dry basements are far more important than updated kitchens and luxury bathrooms.

As a handyman I talk to a ton of real estate agents, architects and other contractors.  We all agree that buyers can’t get past a roof that leaks however can get over a kitchen that would seat more people with the addition of an island.  Homeowners are more likely to recoup their investment with the addition of new siding.  Replacing the siding recoups around ninety three percent of its cost, replacing the roof and windows return about eighty percent or more.

Home buyers often take basic home systems for granted.  When an offer is put in on a home it is expected that when the inspector checks the home out that the roof will not leak, the plumbing works, and heating and air conditioning systems are in order.  Basic home maintenance items will eat up a new homeowner’s budget quickly; in reality however they desire to use their financial resources to update the aesthetics of the home.  Maintenance items within the home can quickly eat away at a homeowners updating budget quicker than quick.

If 2016 is the year that you are thinking of finally get to the home improvements you have been putting off here are a few things to keep in mind.

  • What are you going to get back on your investment? How does the value of your home relate to others within the area?  If you live in a neighborhood where your home is already going for top dollar it is going to be difficult to get money back on any of your home renovations.  Installing a ten thousand dollar garage addition to create a three car garage where two car garages are the norm may not be the best investment for your renovating dollars.
  • If homes in the area have only one bathroom it may not make sense to increase the number of bathrooms in your home. A bathroom renovation can cost anywhere between nine and twelve thousand dollars.  Adding another bathroom to a neighborhood where one bath is the norm may not yield that expense in increased home equity.

It is important to understand that not all renovations are created equally.  Handymen that tell you anything other than that are lying.  Yes, you may want an in-ground pool but be sure that you know you may not get your money back out of the investment; be sure it is worth it for you.  If the value you will receive from the renovation is greater than the amount you will be able to recoup go for it!

The Home Doctor, based in Livingston County including Brighton and Howell Michigan, offers a variety of home renovations to clients ranging from bathroom remodeling to age in place home modifications.  Contact http://glenmillerthehomedoctor.com/ today all of your home renovating needs.

 

Spring Home Improvements That Add Value To Your Home

Home improvements are not all created equally.  There are those renovations that are only done for the intrinsic value that they bring to the homeowner and family unit; one such exterior renovation that does just that is the installation of an in ground pool.  Homeowners most often will not get the money that they put into a pool back when they sell the home.   Whereas some renovations increase your homes value enough to cover the materials and labor.

Projects that offer homeowners a solid return on their investment all have certain qualities in common.   Low maintenance, high quality, energy efficiency renovation projects that are budget friendly make the best remodeling investments for the long term increase in the equity of your home.

Updating the homes entry way by replacing the front door is a great way to enhance the exterior of your home while adding curb appeal that increases the value of your home.  New steel front doors kick up the appeal of your home while yielding the best payback.  An updated entry with a new front entry door transforms the entire look and feel of the home’s exterior.  A new door also works to enhance the energy efficiency of the home without busting your renovating budget.

Another exterior renovation that offers a terrific return on your investment is the addition of an electronic driveway gate.  Installing a driveway gate is not only an equity building renovation it also offers other advantages to homeowners.  Electronic driveway gates increase home security, decrease insurance rates, improved privacy along with countless other benefits.

Another exterior project that works to increase the value of your home is new siding.  Old worn out siding decreases the homes curb appeal.  In fact worn out siding can decrease the value of the home by ten percent.  Updated siding on the other hand tells buyers that the homeowner takes care of all aspects of the home including the exterior.

Kitchen remodeling offers the best return on investment when looking into interior renovations.  Open space kitchens are value boosters to your homes equity.  Painting the interior of the home is an inexpensive interior update that works to increase the price homeowners can ask when selling their home.

When considering all home renovations think about the overall cost of the renovation project verse the equity value it adds to your home.  Some renovations such as painting provide an inexpensive project with a solid return on investment.   A home project does not need to be costly to improve the overall value of your home and not every renovation needs to bring an increase in the equity of the home.  Sometimes the best renovations homeowners can take on are those that provide overwhelming value to the homeowner while boosting the homes equity.

SAC Fence Michigan offers a variety of electronic driveway gates, access control entry systems and fence options for homeowners to choose from.  You will find a variety of fencing options online at http://www.sacfencemi.com/.

Buying A Home With Less Than Perfect Credit

Buying a home is a large financial commitment.  Often times the buyers credit score affects their ability to obtain a mortgage especially when their FICO scores are below 620.  What is an individual who is looking to purchase a home do to ensure that even with less than perfect credit do to obtain a mortgage?

One thing that is helping individuals with a poor credit score obtain a mortgage is that FICO scores are putting less weight on medical bill collections.  Medical bills actually account for more than half of all unpaid collections on consumers’ credit reports.  Below are a few things to consider when getting a mortgage with a FICO score of 620 or below.

Get Ready To Shell Out A Bit More:  Individuals looking to acquire a mortgage with less than perfect credit they should expect that they will pay more than those with credit scores on margin or better.  If you have gone through a short sale it is advisable to wait at least two years before trying to obtain a new home loan.

Recognize That You Will Want To Refinance ASAP:  A buyer that obtains a mortgage with imperfect credit should look to refinance in two years once they have improved their credit score.  A mortgage with bad credit is only a short term solution that gets buyers into a home.  Never allow bad credit to follow you any longer than it needs to.  Refinancing to a lower interest rate as credit scores increase is a way to ensure that doesn’t happen.

Speak With A Mortgage Broker Regarding Your Options:  There are many different options in regards to obtaining a mortgage.  A popular option is a thirty year mortgage; this however may not be the best option with a low credit rating.  Check with a mortgage broker to look at other options such as an adjustable rate mortgage.  This is one way to borrow money for a home loan while helping to repair and maintain a better credit score.  Often times an adjustable interest rate is lower than a fixed mortgage rate, at least in the short term.

Seek Out A Co-Signer:  If a borrower has other assets, they may be able to secure a better mortgage interest rate when securing a home loan with a co-signer.  Check with the Federal Housing Administration about having a co-signer on the loan.  When damaged credit is involved it is particularly important to check with HUD, FHA, the FHFA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to help along the way to homeownership even with poor credit.

Cross Country Mortgage in Brighton, Michigan provide mortgage services for clients including new home loans, refinancing, reversed mortgages, new purchase home mortgages and home equity loans to the entire Livingston County area including Brighton, Howell and Livingston County. Cross Country Mortgage Brighton, MI at http://brightoncrosscountry.com/.

Staging Your Home For A Spring Sale

One of the most important aspects in selling your home is the staging process.  While staging your home you have the opportunity to freshen up the entire home inside and out.  Spring is the perfect season to help set the stage for selling your home.  When the sunshine is out and the fresh showers are turning everything green there are plenty of chances to stage your home to attract buyers.  Make the most of spring time with these staging revisions that are sure to attract serious buyers.

Spring Shape Up For Your Landscape: To sell your home quickly during the springtime season it is important that the exterior of your home is in shape.  Winter weather brings in some nasty debris that needs to be removed before you put your home on the market.  Spring is not always ideal for planting but if part of sprucing up your landscape is to bring in some color look for plants that are frost-resistant.  Don’t waste money on plants that will be damaged by a late cold spell if it should hit.  Spring growth is a perfect accent for sellers!

Interior Spring Cleaning: The spring season is naturally known for a time to clean.  Cleaning is also the perfect addition to any plan involving selling your home.  Spring cleaning lets your home sparkle and look even more appealing to buyers.  The scent of clean will fill the home, the home will glisten and you will have had an opportunity to go through everything you own getting rid of unnecessary clutter.

Entryway Spring Spruce Up: Pick up a fresh entry mat to make the entry way to your home fresh.  A freshened up entrance will set the tone for your homes showing.  Add some seating with fresh colors to add to the appeal.  A hanging basket is another way to freshen up the space.  If you are feeling really adventurous take time to update the paint on the entry door.  These small renovations bring your entry up to date and appeals to buyers.

Stash Winter Wearable’s: Winter clothing takes up a lot of space.  Spring is the perfect time to stash the winter wear and bring out the spring and summer wear.  Boots, scarves, hats, gloves and thick winter coats take up a lot of valuable space.  Put the winter wear in storage in order to reduce the clutter and show off the extra space within your home.

Bring In The Spring Scents: Spring is full of fragrant scents.  Don’t forget to bring the scents into your home as they work to put buyers in a good mood.  Open the windows, add some spring scented candles and fresh cut flowers can change the entire feeling of your home.

Lady of the Lakes Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor; out of Pinckney, Michigan helping buyers buy and sellers sell homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Brighton, Howell, Pinckney and the surrounding area. Find out more at http://www.ladyofthelakes.com.

Checklist To Evaluate Contractors

Looking for a professional contractor for commercial or residential construction projects can be all consuming.  There are steps that need to be followed to ensure that the contractor you are hiring can meet the performance expectations while staying on time and within budget.  In order to evaluate the contractor’s ability to accomplish this you must take time to look into their background.

Looking into a contractor’s background can consist of several things including reference checks, viewing portfolios and analyzing online reviews.

Reference Checks:  As you narrow down contractors to work with it is imperative to ask to speak to both recent commercial and residential clients.  These clients will revile what you can expect when working with the contractor.  This will give you an idea of where you should align your expectations should you choose to work with them.

Portfolio Viewing:  There are many ways in which a contractor can show off their portfolio.  A great way contractors can visually show who they are is through an online forum such as an up-to-date website rich in photos of projects.  Websites that offer images of projects from start to finish can often be the most helpful to individuals looking to hire a contractor.  If you want a closer look at projects completed by the contractor ask them to view a job they are currently working on or have recently finished.

Online Review Analysis: Getting to know a company is made simpler with internet review forums.  Read reviews from individuals reviewing contractors that have worked on projects similar to the one that you are looking to hire them from.  People are completely honest, maybe even too much so when it comes to online reviews.  It is a great place to get to know a contractor through their client’s eyes.

Although evaluating a remodeler’s background offers a great deal of insight to the hiring process it doesn’t offer a complete picture.  When selecting a contractor for construction endeavors it is critical to the success of the project to confirm that all individuals, including sub-contractors, are licensed, insured and bonded.

It is essential that any contractor that is hired for any residential or commercial project not only be licensed and insured but also bonded.  A variety of construction bonds are offered to ensure that all aspects of a project are covered.  Below is a list of bonds that secure the project owners interest in a project from a contractors default.

Contractor License Bond:  A contract license bond includes three different parties including the obligee, the principal and the surety.  This type of bond is secured as a promise that the surety (bonding company) makes to pay the obligee (project owner) if the principal (contractor) is unable to fulfill the contract as stated.

Bid Bond:  When a contractor is bidding on a project a bid bond is required especially on government projects.  A bid bond is used to inform the owner of the project that the contractor can secure a bond if they are the lowest bidder.  It states that the bid amount covers the financial liabilities of the project.  It ensures that contractors don’t low ball a bid in order to get the job only then to ask the project owner for additional funds as the project progresses.

Performance Bond:  A performance bond is used to guarantee that a project is completed.  It ensures that the job is performed as stated within the contract and that it is completed within the time frame that is expected.

Payment Bond: Usually a payment bond is issued in conjunction with a performance bond.  Contractors post payment bonds to ensure that the subcontractors and material suppliers that are working on the project will be paid.

Construction Bonding Specialists, LLC are dedicated Surety Bond Professionals that are aligned with several Treasury Listed and AMBest Rated Surety markets which allows them to assist with virtually all Bid, Performance and Payment, Financial Guarantee and Supply bond needs.  Find out more information at http://www.bondingspecialist.com.

The Wonderful World Of Antique Canes

Antique canes, traditional walking sticks and old-fashion umbrellas are all items that were integral in history.  They were all used as a symbol of an individual’s status from presidential candidates to celebrities.  Below you will find some interesting facts surrounding walking sticks, canes, umbrellas and more.

In pictures of magicians from the twentieth century you almost always see them holding a cane.  It was a main prop used in a magicians act.  They waved the canes over top hats, magic boxes and more always producing an illusion of grand proportions.  Master magician Cardini was often photographed with an intricate cane.  His walking stick was topped with an intricate gold topper.  When the antique cane was put up from auction by Potter & Potter Auctions in April of 2013 it sold to a collector for eleven thousand dollars.

Antique canes and walking sticks can be seen as far back as the prehistoric era.  Walking sticks and canes offered a degree of protection and stability as well as showing ones affiliation within their cultural organization as well as their status in society.

In 1988 a group of individuals came together to form the American National Cane Club.  The club was used to bond together the folks that carved antique canes and walking sticks.  The American National Cane Club is still known for their project that involves carving canes for military veterans.

Antique canes, walking sticks and umbrellas come in three distinct categories: gadget, folk art and city sticks.  Gadget canes, gadget umbrellas and gadget walking sticks are still popular amongst collectors.  They offer a clever design that conceals tools and weapons within the piece.  Weapon canes were a way sinister way in which individuals would obscure lethal weapons that offered protection against potential threats.

Walking sticks and antique canes were often created from a number of unique materials from hand carved wood to narwhal tusks.  The handles were crafted using porcelain, glass, gold, gems and other embellishments.  Designs were often carved into each piece to represent the owners rank, function or profession.

Often times the knob of an antique cane was the most popular aspect. Distinct handles on antique canes and unique knobs on walking sticks made the piece more valuable to collectors.  Uncommon materials and designs can yield top dollar at auctions.  An English cane featuring a certain silver intrigue of birds and animals is thought to be able to fetch upwards of fifteen thousand dollars at auction.

Antique canes captivate a unique group of collectors because they are so unique and vary a great deal from one another.

Antique Cane World is an online retailer of antique canes, walking sticks and umbrellas.  Contact us today for more information on antique canes, unique umbrellas and more at http://www.antiquecaneworld.com/.

 

Creating A Life After Bankruptcy Second Installment

In our previous installment on life after bankruptcy we discussed the curveball filing for bankruptcy can throw at you.  In this installment we will continue to review ways in which you can rebuild your financial life after filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy or chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy attorneys recommend that individuals who have filed for bankruptcy begin to re-establish their credit as soon as they possibly can.  One way to accomplish this is by establishing a personal line of credit that is secured through a savings account.  This helps to establish credit without the risk of spending more than you have available to spend.  The one element to remember is that the interest you will pay for the line of credit will far outweigh what you will earn in interest on your savings account.

Hold off on buying a car until you have built there has been time to establish credit again.  It takes about two years to get to the point when you should start searching out loans such as home loans and automobile loans.  Continue re-building credit during this time to ensure you can obtain a loan when you start looking into larger financial purchases.

If a credit card is obtained use it only for emergency situations.  Do not card hop between credit card companies either.  Stick with one or two companies to help improve the long term credit record that is being established.

Be cautious of scams after filing for bankruptcy.  Many scams exist and scam artist prey on individuals who they believe to be susceptible.  Vulnerability is often a symptom experienced after an experience like bankruptcy.   Don’t give into it.  Never believe that anyone that promises to fix your credit.  There is no magic method in establishing credit after your bankruptcy is settled.

Rebuilding credit after bankruptcy takes time.  While you are re-establishing your financial life be wary of any offers that sound too good to be true.  Your bankruptcy attorney will recommend taking time before accepting any offers of extended credit or instant credit fixes.  Research all companies offering anything.  It is more likely than not that a quick online search will offer you a great deal of information on any and all companies that are known to be scam artists.

After researching an offer, if there is still any doubt don’t go further with the deal being presented.  Walk away from offers that aren’t a hundred percent above board.  When re-establishing your credit it is your financial reputation on the line be sure to protect it at all costs.

Bohikian Law Group specializes in chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcies in Michigan. Contact us today to find a bankruptcy attorney that will help you in debt relief at http://www.bohikianlaw.com/ today.

Tips To Consider Before Purchasing Diagnostic Imaging Equipment

Are you in the market to replace diagnostic imaging equipment that is out of date or broken down?  Are you looking to purchase the latest and greatest in Linacs systems?  If this describes where you are at it is crucial to purchase the right equipment for your working environment.  When purchasing IMRT Equipment, otherwise known as Intensity-Modulation Radiation Therapy, Linear Accelerators, CT Simulators, or CT Scanner look at pieces that encompass the whole organization including patients and technicians.

Consider the benefits that your organization will gain with the purchase of the new equipment. How will they benefit from the latest, most up to date technology? Does it make sense to replace your 16 slice CT scanner with a 64 slice CT scanner?  Are patient satisfied with 3D images or do they prefer 4D images?  It will totally depend on whether your organization will benefit or not from the purchase of new equipment before making a purchase.  Due diligence, research and fore thought are needed before making a purchase of such magnitude for your facility, patients and employees.  Consider if and how everyone will benefit from the purchase.

Below you will find tips to consider before purchasing diagnostic imaging equipment.

  • Price: No matter if you are purchasing new or refurbished diagnostic imaging equipment the cost is always a consideration.  Consider the initial price, the cost to maintain the piece, the service cost and the accessibility to parts to repair the equipment if it does fail.  Each piece of equipment that you consider to purchase should be evaluated in the same manner to ensure it is properly considered.
  • Environmental Consequences: Within many organizations it is important to not only provide top quality equipment but for it also to be friendly to our environment. When purchasing an imaging piece consider the impact it has on the environment especially if this is of importance within your organization.  The initial cost of equipment that is environmentally friendly may initially cost more however in the long run may cost less than other pieces being that repairs are often cheaper.
  • Treatment: Consider how often and when the equipment will be used. Will the features on this new or refurbished equipment meet the treatment needs that you are in need of it treating?  Does it truly meet the needs to the people in which it will be servicing?
  • Technicians: Consider the level of the skills that the technicians possess.  Will they be able to use the new equipment without much training or support?  Is training online or in person and how much will this cost the organization?  Does the end user feel the piece meets the overall needs of the company?  Meet with the technicians before major purchases within the organization.  They are the ones that truly know what is needed and the impact it will have on their jobs as well as the patients.
  • Service Contract/Technical Support: Establish what is and what is not covered within the service contract. How much support are the end users given when the equipment is not operating properly?  Negotiate all technical support within the initial purchase agreement to be sure that your needs will be properly met after the sale.
  • Repairs, Parts and Access: Another consideration is fixing each piece if it is to break down. Are new parts available?  If not how accessible and reliable are refurbished parts?  What is the budget to maintain this equipment?  How hard is it to diagnosis issues that are occurring? Are the technicians trained to quickly and properly fix and maintain the equipment with what is available to them?

Such large purchases are difficult to make. Organizations, especially those in need of imaging equipment, are not often allowed unlimited budgets.  The cost of such pieces along with maintaining them is always important.  Knowing this information before you make a purchase ensure you have done due diligence in purchasing such a large line item for your company.

Acceletronics is dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models.  Our highly qualified oncology equipment specialists provide a quality customer experience across the USA with timely field maintenance.  We sell, repair, refurbish, move and finance a variety of oncology medical systems check out more at http://www.acceletronics.com.

Qualifying For A Home Loan In 2016

Getting approved for a mortgage loan is not something that is second nature to most of us.  It is something many will only do a handful of times in their lives.  With concern in the market about rising interest rates the spring of 2016 is seeing many first time home buyers jumping in on the real estate scene.

Qualifying for a home loan isn’t as simple as getting a car loan which is something first time home purchasers don’t realize.  Put your anxiety to rest with proper preparations.  Educate yourself on the preapproval process, home buying process, mortgage process in order to less the stress that comes along from those unexpected surprises that occur along the way.

First things first; if you are thinking about purchasing a home anytime soon take a few minutes and pull a copy of your recent credit report.  Your credit score will be one of the most crucial elements in identifying your credit worthiness.  This numbers allows lenders to place a value on how risky lending money to you is.  Don’t assume your credit is good enough to qualify for a home loan.  Take the time to review your entire credit report.  Take time to clean up any errors that exist while working to maintain on-time payments decreasing your overall debt ratio.

Cash is king.  When you are looking to purchase a home it is crucial that you have access to cash.  Mortgage companies differ in the loans that are offered to individuals.  Most companies however require a substantial down payment to ensure that the individual is vested in the purchase.  Without a reasonable down payment home purchasers are often penalized by having to take out private mortgage insurance.  This can add hundreds of dollars to your monthly mortgage payment none of which is applied to your actual mortgage premium.

Stay working at your current job until after you have received a mortgage.  Changes in employment while applying for a mortgage can stop or greatly delay the process.  It is crucial that you stick with your employer and your current income status throughout the mortgage process in order for a smooth transaction.

In the months before obtaining a mortgage preapproval it is important that you work to save money, pay down debt and that you avoid any new debt.  This doesn’t mean you have to have all of your credit cards and loans paid off in order to obtain a mortgage but lenders will look at your debt to income ratio when determining how much you can afford to take on.

Just because you are preapproved for a mortgage doesn’t mean that you have to purchase a home of that value.  It is important that you are comfortable with the payment.  If you are used to traveling or such and will not want to stop doing that just because you now own a home consider that when looking at houses to buy.  It is okay to buy a home that has a comfortable monthly payment over one to fulfill the preapproval amount.  Just because it costs more doesn’t make it right for you.

There is a lot of consideration that go into obtaining a mortgage.  When getting serious about finding a home meet with a local mortgage broker to go over available options and to begin the preapproval process.  This will ensure that you have the right guidance throughout one of the largest financial commitments you will make in your lifetime.

Cross Country Mortgage in Brighton, Michigan provide mortgage services for clients including new home loans, refinancing, reversed mortgages, new purchase home mortgages and home equity loans to the entire Livingston County area including Brighton, Howell and Livingston County. Cross Country Mortgage Brighton, MI at http://brightoncrosscountry.com/.

Real Estate Agents Make the Buying and Selling Process Simpler

It is that time of year when purchasing a home starts to pique people’s interest.  It is important to understand that although you can navigate the home buying process on your own it is much simpler when a qualified real estate is in your corner helping you along the way.

Benefits of Hiring a Realtor When Buying a New Home

  • Comprehend Home Financing: Experienced realtors offer comprehensive knowledge in home financing. They have been through the closing process on buying homes and are familiar with a variety of scenarios that can come up throughout the process.  They can offer suggestions on mortgage brokers help with the preapproval process and offer guidance when it comes to choosing between several mortgage options.  They offer an outside opinion on the information you are receiving from the broker and lenders.
  • Identify The Most Recent Listings: Another major benefit that comes from working with a real estate agent is that they have market connections.  This allows them the inside scoop on new listings, some even before they become available on the market.  This offers a unique opportunity to you as a buyer to have the first peak at homes.  Buyers have often been able to put an offer on a home and have it accepted without a seller having to go through the hassle of open houses and daily showings.  This can also make it easier to get a good deal on a home without ever having to enter into a biddig war with another buyer.

Types of Real Estate Agents

  • Buyer’s Agents: This is an agent that is representing the best interest of the buyer within a real estate transaction. They are often compensated through commission which comes after the transaction closes.  The seller’s broker often splits the commission with the buyer’s agent.  Before signing a contract with a realtor it is important to understand who is paying the commission, how much they are being compensated and when this fee is expected.
  • Sellers Agents: You may have guessed that this type of agent represents the best interest in the seller. This person is the listing agent on a home and is responsible for marketing to buyers in order to secure the best price and terms possible on the sale of the home.
  • Dual Agents: A dual agent is uncommon but does occur within real estate transactions. A dual agent represents both the buyer and seller.  Dual agents are not always a good idea as they have a conflicting interest to both parties involved in the process.  Laws are incredibly strict with what a dual agent can do.  It may not be in your best interest to use this type of agent especially when buying our first home.  Perhaps when you are more familiar in real estate transactions a dual agency can save you money on commission.

Lady of the Lakes Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor; out of Pinckney, Michigan helping buyers buy and sellers sell homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Brighton, Howell, Pinckney and the surrounding area. Find out more at http://www.ladyofthelakes.com.