Sandra Meranda

Jobs and Housing Are Top Issues in 2012 Election

Posted on December 12, 2011 by admin

It’s hard to believe, but the 2012 election is now less than a year away! A recent article posted on Realtor.org provides survey results on the most important issues for the 2012 election.

HouseLogic Poll Finds Voters Driven by Jobs, Housing in 2012 Election

Washington, DC, December 09, 2011

A recent survey by Houselogic.com, the consumer website from the National Association of Realtors®, finds that jobs and the housing market will be two of the most important issues for voters in the 2012 election. Nearly one-third of respondents said housing will be the top issue on their mind when they head to the polls next November.

“We need to keep housing first on the nation’s public policy agenda, because housing and home ownership issues affect all Americans,” said NAR President Moe Veissi, Veissi, broker-owner of Veissi & Associates Inc., in Miami. “The results of this survey show that many Americans understand that.”

Respondents were asked “What issue area will have the greatest impact on your vote in 2012?” National security, healthcare, and energy/environment trailed housing and unemployment by wide margins:

Jobs/unemployment – 54 percent
Housing – 27 percent
National security – 8 percent
Healthcare – 4 percent
Energy/Environment – 2 percent
Other – 4 percent

With unemployment still high, it is easy to see why so many Americans are concerned about the job market. However, employment and the housing market are inextricably linked because economic growth and job creation cannot occur without a housing recovery.

Housing accounts for more than 15 percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product – it’s a key driver of the national economy. Home sales generate jobs. NAR estimates that for every two homes sold, one job is created. New spending on homebuilding products, furniture, and other residential investments also have a significant economic impact.

Some recent indicators show that the economy might be starting to rebound, with pending home sales rising strongly in October, according to NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index. However, any changes to current programs or incentives must not jeopardize a housing and economic recovery. Unemployment, consumer confidence and consumer spending will not rebound until a number of issues are addressed.

“NAR actively advocates public policies that promote responsible, sustainable homeownership, which will in turn support overall economic recovery,” said Veissi. “We want to ensure affordable, accessible financing; support tax policies that encourage homeownership; and help more people stay in their homes or avoid foreclosure through streamlined short sales.”

This HouseLogic survey shows Americans understand that a housing recovery is essential to the nation’s economic recovery, and many of those housing-related issues will be on the minds of voters in 2012.

HouseLogic is a free source of information and tools for homeowners from the National Association of Realtors® that helps homeowners make smart decisions and take responsible actions to maintain, protect and enhance the value of their home. HouseLogic helps homeowners plan and organize their home projects and provides timely articles and news; home improvement advice and how-to’s; and information about taxes, home finances and insurance. For more information on official contest rules and tips on how to make smart decisions and take responsible actions to maintain, protect and enhance the value of your home, visit www.houselogic.com.

The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

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The Holidays are just around the corner! This is the time of year for buying and selling real estate. There are large numbers of homes at below-market prices & the Interest rates are hovering below 4% !! The home sale numbers have been increasing every month this year since June. It is never too early to start getting your home for next Spring also. Contact Sandra Meranda for details today!

Photo courtesy of League of Women Voters of California

Posted in Consumer Behavior, Home Ownership | Leave a comment

4 Strategies to Customize and Personalize Your New St. Charles Home

Posted on December 1, 2011 by admin

One of the best things about buying a new home is being able to personalize it to suit your tastes, your family and your lifestyle. Here's I nice article that I've summarized below by Tara-Nicholle Nelson

Here are four smart strategies for customizing your new home (even if new just means new to you!):

1. Paint inside and out. Painting your home is one of the most cost-effective ways to personalize your new space. Color matters – it impacts mood and happiness.

There are several ways you can use paint to personalize your property:

Exterior. Changing the exterior paint color can make a big deal to you and your family, as well as for curb appeal.

Front door, shutters and fences. If the exterior has recently been painted, then you can still inject your personal tocuh by painting the doors, shutters and fences. Pick colors that make for a ploished entrance. These are quick, low cost and powerful changes you can make to personalize your home.

Interior. Rooms have different purposes and inhabitants, so there are a lot of possilities for personalization as well as to help suit the room. You can be fun and playful, calming, clean, inspirational – the choice is yours! Even just focusing on one wall of a room can make a big change as well as to same time and money.

2. Inventory your space and your stuff before you unpack. Moving in to a new home provides the opportunity to create your space for the activities you will do in your new home. Before you unpack, think through how you plan to use each room of the house. You get to choose how you'll use each room. Decide what you want to (a) do, and (b) store in each area.

3. Build organization in. Built-ins make a world of difference, and I’m not just talking about the ones your home’s builder installed. It’s relatively low-cost and low-effort to build in items like:

a. closet organizers,

b. window seats,

c. desktops and bookshelves,

d. pantry-optimizing shelves, spinners and drawers, and

e. medicine and linen cabinets.

4. Match your furniture to your space, your activities and your stuff. A new home gives you the opportunity to buy furniture that fits the use of the room as well as to address issues you had with things like storage or size in your last place. Use the inventory / plan you develop before you move in to think about furniture needs to make your house yours.

What tips and tricks did you do to make your home "yours?"

A top real estate agent can help you make an informed decisions about how to make your new house truly yours. My team specializes in St. Charles County and St. Louis County. If you are considering selling your home, please contact Sandra Meranda and I'll get you moving!

Posted in Home Remodeling | Leave a comment

Now is the Time to Cash in on Rental Propety

Posted on November 17, 2011 by admin

Most of the news you hear about real estate these days seems to be bad news. Home prices have fallen, and there are still too many foreclosures occurring. But the rental market remains hot!

Rental property investments present great opportunities. There are a lot of people looking to rent in today’s market – partly because foreclosures have turned homeowners into renters, but also because a lot of people are reluctant to buy now because of falling housing prices or the security of their jobs.

Why You Should Buy Now

Among the reasons to invest in rental properties now:

· Low mortgage rates

· Rising demand for rentals

· Renters are paying more per month

It is important to realize that owning rental property is something that you plan on having for a while until housing prices come back up. Plan on 10 years or so…

Other key considerations include:

· Buy local properties

· Know the Neighborhood

· Work with an experienced realtor who has experience with rentals

· Consider multifamily dwellings

· Have a plan in place to rind and manage tenants

The goal: to make sure your rental income will at least cover your loan payments, plus a 20% cushion to handle repairs, vacancies, and property management.

Call a top real estate professional to help you find the perfect rental properties in your market. My team specializes in St. Charles County and St. Louis County. If you are considering buying rental properties in St. Charles or St. Louis, please contact Sandra Meranda and I'll get you moving!

Read the full article - http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/30/real_estate/rental_property_investing.moneymag/index.htm

Posted in Investment, Rental Property, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Tips for Keeping Your Home Healthy

Posted on November 3, 2011 by admin

Maintaining a healthy home is critical for your family's welfare – especially now as the weather in St. Louis and St. Charles cools and you begin to spend more time indoors. Applying a few simple solutions now will ensure your indoor living environment is safe and healthy for seasons to come.

Reduce toxins

Less desirable weather may make fall and winter seem like an ideal time to tackle your indoor painting projects. However, you need to be mindful of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in many interior paints and finishes. VOCs are one of the biggest threats to indoor air quality; they include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have both short- and long-term health effects. For indoor jobs, select paint with low or no VOCs to keep your air fresher. Additionally, some houseplants such as ivy and gerbera daisies can help to naturally remove VOCs from your indoor air.

Clean your indoor air

Ragweed and pollen will trigger allergy symptoms for millions of people this fall; however, the worst allergy triggers are often found inside the home. Installing a whole-home air filtration system can help to remove indoor allergens including dust, mildew, pet dander and pollen from the air you breathe. For example, the AccuClean (TM) System by American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning removes up to 99.98 percent of the allergens from your filtered air, so even if it's allergy season outdoors, your indoor air is crisp and clean.

Prevent mold

During the cooler fall and winter months, people tend to seal up their homes and spend more time inside, which traps moisture and humidity – both significant contributors to indoor mold growth. Maintain healthy indoor humidity levels by venting bathrooms and clothes dryers and using an exhaust fan while cooking. Install an air humidifier to provide year-round control of your indoor moisture level, and keep your home at 50 percent humidity or lower to reduce the chance for mold growth.

Watch out for CO

Protect your indoor living environment from carbon monoxide or CO by installing CO detectors or alarms throughout your home. This fall, make sure your home's heating system, including items such as a furnace or heat pump, vents and chimney, are inspected and serviced by a professional contractor. And, if there is a fireplace in your home, open the damper before lighting a fire to help prevent the buildup of potentially poisonous gases inside of your home.

Keep a seasonal routine

Most homeowners already know it's important to test their smoke alarms on a monthly basis, but how often do you change the alarm's batteries? One way to keep track of alarm maintenance is to make battery changing a seasonal activity. For example, beginning this fall, replace the batteries in your smoke alarms (and CO detectors), every time you reset your clocks.

By taking these simple steps now, you'll create a safer and healthier home, allowing your family to relax and enjoy all the delights the St. Louis fall season has to offer – both outdoors and indoors.

Used with permission courtesy of Dan Main

Posted in Carbon Monoxide, Home Safety, Keeping Your Home Healthy | Leave a comment

Select a qualified and trusted real estate agent

Posted on October 14, 2011 by admin

COLDWELL BANKER REAL ESTATE PROVIDES TIPS ON HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT REAL ESTATE AGENT FOR YOU

A trusted real estate agent provides experienced counsel, guidance and unparalleled local expertise – all essential ingredients for anyone on the hunt for a home. But for first-time home buyers, the first step can be one of the most intimidating.

To help first-time home buyers, the professionals at Coldwell Banker Real Estate have provided the following tips to identifying the right real estate professional:

1. Ask around: Friends and family can be the first source of helpful information. Referrals are the leading source of finding an agent. If your new to the area or don’t have references, you should feel free to contact the manager of your local Coldwell Banker office. Once you explain your situation and needs, the manager should be able to suggest a few names.

2. Questions for potential candidates: As you meet potential agents, you should feel empowered to determine if the agent’s personality and skills are a good match. Some of the key questions that might help you make a decision include:

o What is your experience in [name of desired neighborhood]?

o What is the average price point of homes that you help people buy and sell?

o Could I speak with some of your past or current clients for a reference?

o Tell me about the brokerage firm where your work? How long has it been around?

3. Examine their online presence: Many real estate professionals are especially savvy when it comes to marketing themselves online. They list their areas of specialty. Some post tours of their local areas, demonstrating their expertise. If the person is highly-visible and socially active online, it is also a good indicator that he or she is connected to the right tools and technology that come in handy for home buyers. Don’t be afraid to inquire about their experience using video when it comes to real estate. Cutting edge agents can point you toward video tours, community videos and more to give you a real life sense of the areas you are considering. Buyers can also go right to coldwellbanker.com to find a local office and look at profiles for the professionals who work there.

4. Go with your gut: After consulting with friends and family, doing research and looking online, the buyer’s instinct is often right on. He or she will have a good “gut” feeling as to whether a person will be a good fit for the house-hunting process.

A top real estate agent can help you make an informed decisions about buying or selling your St. Charles or St. Louis Missouri home. My team specializes in St. Charles County and St. Louis County. If you are considering selling your home, please contact Sandra Meranda and I'll get you moving!

Posted in Qualifying a Real Estate Agent, Why Hire a Real Estate Agent | Leave a comment

Buying a Home with a Family

Posted on October 1, 2011 by admin

COLDWELL BANKER SHARES THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A HOME WITH FAMILY IN MIND

For many people, finding a new home is more than a matter of personal taste and individual finance – it's a family affair. Buying a new home to accommodate a growing family is an exciting step in one’s life, but it can also be a balancing act. Communication and planning are key to any successful home-buying experience. Moving to a new home while expecting a child or preparing for a family down the road makes anticipating your future needs all the more important. What may make a perfect starter home for a couple might not work as well when children come into the picture.

A recent survey released by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC found that 65 percent of homeowners who are also parents purchased their first home before becoming pregnant or within one year of their child’s birth. For those consumers who are in a similar position, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC offers the following five factors to consider when buying a home with family in mind:

Proximity to family. Nearly half of the homeowner respondents in a recent survey from Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC reported that they live less than 10 minutes from extended family members, with 72 percent choosing to live within 30 minutes. Buying a home that is close to family members can provide support, help and guidance that can be a great benefit both emotionally and financially. With extended family nearby, families have the opportunity to spend more time together and even save money on occasion. The cost of babysitters and long distance travel to visit relatives can really add up!

Existing floor plan. Each family has its own unique dynamic and should take its distinctive needs into consideration when exploring different floor plans. While having a master bedroom upstairs and the other rooms downstairs may work for some families, others may prefer to have all of the bedrooms on the same level.

Surrounding neighborhood. The neighborhood looks different from the eyes of a parent. It’s wise to get an idea of what the neighborhood offers for children, such as local recreational centers, parks or playgrounds as well as the school system, before deciding on an area to live. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC recommends home buyers utilize online tools such as Coldwell Banker On Location that can offer consumers a wealth of local market information.

Future lifestyle needs. They say children grow up in the blink of an eye. Make sure the home you purchase leaves growing room and will still fit your family’s needs a few years down the road, especially if there are plans for more children.

Budget. One of the most important things for all potential homeowners to consider is their personal budget. Growing a family and having children usually means a growing list of expenses as well. Estimate monthly expenses along with a mortgage payment to ensure all financial commitments can be reasonably met.

A top real estate agent can help you make an informed decision about buying a home with your family in St. Charles or St. Louis Missouri home. My team specializes in St. Charles County and St. Louis County. If you are considering selling your home, please contact Sandra Meranda and I'll get you moving!

Photo Credit – Images_of_Money

Posted in Buying a Home, Living Close to Relatives | Leave a comment

10 Quick Facts About Consumer Behavior on Facebook

Posted on September 21, 2011 by admin

Facebook seems to be everywhere today. The number of users and the amount of time that they spend on Facebook is amazing. So with all the focus on Facebook, especially on eve of f8 – The Facebook Developers Conference – and all of the major announcements that are expected, it is important to consider how customers really behave on Facebook and how they interact with brands.

The study, conducted by Constant Contact and research firm Chadwick Martin Bailey, analyzed the behavior of 1,491 consumers ages 18 and older throughout the United States and revealed a number of details about how people interact with brands on the world’s largest social network.

Most people Like a business or brand on Facebook because they are either a customer, or they are looking for a discount or promotion.

Most participation with a brand is passive – by reading the news feeds. Only about 30% share experiences and news, or post about the brand.

Over three-fourths of people have never unliked a brand, with people over 35 more likely to remain a fan.

The study also pointed to a number of encouraging stats for businesses, including:

56% of consumers said they are more likely to recommend a brand to a friend after becoming a fan on Facebook

51% of consumers said they are more likely to buy a product since becoming a fan on Facebook

78% of consumers who “Like” brands on Facebook said they “Like” fewer than ten brands

I'd love to know your thoughts on your personal experiences with Facebook, either as a brand or a consumer!

10 Quick Facts You Should Know About Consumer Behavior on Facebook

View more presentations from Constant Contact

Posted in Consumer Behavior, Facebook | Leave a comment

Top ten clients for a real estate agent

Posted on September 20, 2011 by admin

Who are the best clients for a real estate agent? Well, there are a lot of reasons why people buy or sell homes. Working with a top real estate agent can make the experience better for most people regardless of circumstance. Here are a few situations where people choose to work with real estate agents to buy or sell their homes.

1. First Time Home Buyers – This pertains to anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the last 3 years. Home prices are lower than they have been in a long time, and so are interest rates. As a result, now is a great time for first time home buyers!

2. Bankruptcy, Foreclosures, Short Sales, and Money Problems. Unfortunately, many people find themselves in difficult situations in these difficult times. Contacting a top real estate agent earlier in the process can help people in these situations.

3. Family Changes – Divorce, Marriage, and having a baby often cause people to think about buying a home or finding a new home.

4. New construction – If you hear someone you know who is talking about building a new home, please encourage them to talk to a real estate agent. The people at the construction office work for the construction company. They do not work for you and therefore may not represent your best interests. They also already factor in the commission of a real estate agent too.

5. Rehabbing and/or buying rental and investment properties. Even if you plan to rehab, it is best to work with a real estate agent. Regardless of whether the property is going to be your primary residence, or whether you are buying rental or investment properties, a top real estate agent can play a critical role for you in securing the best deal.

6. All the kids have left the home, empty-nest syndrome. When the kids leave home, your needs change. Downsizing, moving to the city or a new part of town, or just want a second home – these are all important reasons to work with a top real estate agent.

7. Older (more mature) folks who can’t take care of their big home or yard and want a smaller home or villa. Or they want to move to Florida or another warmer place.

8. Parents & grandparents move to be near their kids or GRANDKIDS, who are now living in another city.

9. Moving for job reasons or transfer.

10. Anyone you know is moving from ANYWHERE TO ANYWHERE in the country, I can refer them to a top agent ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

A top real estate agent can help you make an informed decision about kitchen remodeling to help you sell your St. Charles or St. Louis Missouri home. My team specializes in St. Charles County and St. Louis County. If you are considering selling your home, please contact Sandra Meranda and I'll get you moving!

Posted in Why Hire a Real Estate Agent | Leave a comment

Kitchen Remodeling on a Budget: Tips & Ideas

Posted on August 17, 2011 by admin

Kitchen remodeling has value whether you continue to live in your home or you decide to sell your home. Did you know that there are many great kitchen remodeling ideas that you can do on a budget? Here's an article that talks about tips and ideas to remodel your kitchen on a budget.

Feb 2011 from American Home Shield:

The kitchen is one of the most popular rooms in a home, so why not make yours really stand out? Whether you’re selling or simply want to upgrade, here are some simple tips and ideas to get you started without breaking the bank:

Plan ahead and find patterns, colors and textures that you like from magazines, home improvement stores and the Internet.
Set a budget! Know what upgrades will give you the most value for your money and do your best to stick with your budget.
Make a plan and do one thing at a time, especially if you’re going to do it yourself.

So where should you start?

Cabinets
Repaint or stain your cabinet doors and add new hardware. This is one of the easiest and least expensive upgrades you can do that makes a big difference. If you need advice on what works best with the cabinets you have, take a door into your local home improvement store and ask for professional advice.

Kitchen Counter Tops
Counter tops can be expensive if you’re going for granite, but that’s not your only option. You can opt for concrete or granite overlay. Do your research to find what suits your budget and style best.

Kitchen Floors
Your choices are endless when it comes to updating your kitchen floors. From peel-and-stick tile to laminate wood flooring and travertine, the sky is the limit— but be mindful of your budget! Bring home samples of the flooring based on your style and budget before you make a final decision. Many real estate professionals agree that a kitchen remodel splurge should be saved for the countertops and not the floors, so keep this in mind when deciding. You want to make sure you get great value from any upgrades you do.

Saving Money on Kitchen Appliances
If your appliances are in good working order and match in color and style, save your budget for more beneficial upgrades. If your appliances look really dated or don’t match the new look of your kitchen, you may want to consider finding some great scratch and dent deals.

Did you know that appliances can be painted? A professional paint job can turn your white appliances into fresh, new-looking ones. You can also buy appliance-safe paint at your home improvement store and do it yourself.

Kitchen Lightening
Installing modern lighting is amazingly simple if your kitchen is already wired for overhead lighting. A new chandelier can make a big difference, and you can find options for less than $150! To make an even bigger impact, be sure to install a dimmer switch. You’ll be surprised what a difference a little “mood switch” can make.

The options are endless for remodeling your kitchen on a budget. The hardest part is deciding which upgrades will make the biggest difference on the smallest budget. Just be sure to do your research and to set realistic goals. And last, but not least, enjoy the project by making it your own.

Image: mod kitchen 7, a Creative Commons Attribution image from kitchendesigner's photostream

Posted in Home Improvement | Leave a comment

10 Upgrades Under $100 to Boost a Home’s Value

Posted on August 11, 2011 by admin

Thinking of selling you St. Charles or St. Louis County home? There are definitely some very cost effective things that can help boost your home's value. Here's a great article that highlights 10 upgrades under $100.

You might assume that only big-budget home renovations will produce valuable results. But there’s good news for homeowners on a budget. Plenty of inexpensive upgrades — like these — can pay off when it comes time to sell.

August 2011 From American Home Shield:

Add a fresh coat of paint. At about $30 a gallon, paint is one of the least expensive ways to spruce up your living space. Add paint in neutral, earth-tone colors to bring out the best in each room.

Explore energy updates. Evaluate your home’s energy efficiency by going to the U.S. Department of Energy website. There, you can get tips to make improvements that sellers will appreciate.

Fix minor plumbing and electrical problems. It’s worth your while to take care of these problems before a potential buyer uncovers them during a home inspection.

Add storage. Lack of closet space can be a deal breaker for some buyers. Adding a DIY wire or laminate system to all closets will give them the appearance of being more spacious and organized.

Let light in. Ditch dark and heavy drapes for simple wood blinds and/or upholstered cornices. Update or add lighting fixtures — wall lights, lamps, ceiling fans with lights — to give the rooms a bright, more updated look.

Give kitchen appliances a facelift. Mismatched appliances can make a kitchen look outdated — but that doesn’t mean you need to replace them. Many appliances can be updated with new doors or face panels.

Don’t neglect the bathroom. Simple fixes can make a bathroom look more modern in no time. Get a new shower curtain, switch out the old toilet seat with a new one and replace drab or damaged flooring with vinyl tiles.

Update your front door. It’s the first part of your house that potential homebuyers see. Give it a fresh cost of paint and consider switching out your current lock-and-handle set for a sturdy, more modern piece of hardware.

Power up. Rent a power washer — it’s less expensive than hiring someone to do it — and thoroughly clean your house’s exterior.

Curb appeal. When it comes to your yard, definitely sweat the small stuff. Clean up clutter and have it hauled away or store it in the shed. Get rid of weeds and add some in-season plants and flowers to your walkway or in pots on your front porch. Make sure to mow your lawn as needed — potential homebuyers frequently drive by unannounced.

A top real estate agent can help you make an informed decision about the right upgrades to help you sell your St. Charles or St. Louis Missouri home. My team specializes in St. Charles County and St. Louis County. If you are considering selling your home, please contact Sandra Meranda and I'll get you moving!

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Posted in Home Improvement, Home Selling | Leave a comment