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Renovating a rental property

� | April �016 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune PALouse LiviNg

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Relatively minor renovations to rental properties can earn landlords substantially more money over the course of a typical lease.

One such business is rental agencies or property management companies. Even landlords with a single

investment property tend to do better during a recession, when individuals might be fearful of buying a home or simply unable to afford it. Such individuals still need a place to live, however, and landlords benefit as a result.

One of the best things a landlord can do during a recession is to pay more attention to their rental properties, ensuring the properties are in tip-top shape so they can get the most out of each unit at a time when the rental market is most competitive. This might require some renovations, which landlords should be making periodically anyway, regardless of how strong or tenuous the economy might be.

· Update the paint. Apartments are typically empty when shown to prospective renters, and any issues with the paint job are very noticeable during such viewings. If the paint is outdated or there is any fading, update the walls with a fresh coat of paint. It’s ideal to do so whenever a tenant moves out, but landlords whose buildings have a high turnover rate likely won’t need to repaint every time a tenant moves out. When adding a new coat of paint, choose a light, neutral color to give the property a fresh, inviting look.

· Replace the carpeting. Carpeting is another area prospective renters are instantly drawn to when viewing an apartment. New carpeting is always attractive to potential tenants, and landlords won’t have to break the bank to replace the carpets when an existing tenant moves out. Instead of expensive carpeting, choose a medium grade carpet with a neutral color, ideally beige or light brown, which can hide spills or stains should the next tenant prove messy and move out after the original lease terms are up. Before laying carpet, don’t forget to lay down quality padding underneath. Such padding makes the carpet feel softer and of higher quality.

· Upgrade the appliances. Perhaps nothing evokes a stronger response from prospective renters than a property’s appliances. Outdated appliances make renters speculate as to what else might be outdated and if the building is well taken care of. On the other

hand, newer appliances, particularly stainless steel items, create a contemporary feel and give the impression, true or false, that a landlord won’t allow the building to grow dated or fall into disrepair. When shopping for appliances, choose ones that are more basic so any eventual repairs won’t be too complicated or costly. Newer appliances enable landlords to charge more rent for a given property, and many renters would agree that such properties are worth the extra money.

· Install new windows. Older buildings tend to have creaky or drafty windows, which not only makes the property colder during the winter months, but it also drives up utility costs as renters are forced to turn up the thermostat to combat drafts and cold air entering the unit. New windows can eliminate such drafts and reduce utility costs, something landlords can use to their advantage when discussing the property with potential tenants. Landlords might even be able to earn tax breaks when installing new, energy-efficient windows. Discuss if any such breaks exist with the local municipality.

When it comes to renovating a rental property, landlords can make a handful of small renovations that, while relatively inexpensive, enable them to earn substantially more money from each unit over the long haul.

Renovating a rental propertyMetroCreative

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Renovating a rental property

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� | April 2016 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune PALouse LiviNg

Selling your home this spring? Well, you’re not alone. By following these 6 simple steps you can increase your chances of a quick and profitable sale.

· Curb appeal counts. It’s tempting to delay maintenance and updates on the outside of your house, however that very first glance can reflect in the mind of a prospective buyer how the interior of the home is maintained. Simple things like a well trimmed lawn, sparkling windows or a fresh coat of cheerful paint on the front door can mean a lot.

· Next up, add some color. Large planters can be filled with petunias, pansies, or ranunculus. For easy-care plants that provide beauty year round, Palouse homeowners can rely on bulbs like tulips and lilies as well as shrubs like lilacs and butterfly bushes.

· Put your belongings on a crash diet. Not only will thinning out unwanted items make it easier to eliminate clutter and keep your house tidy for showings but donating those items may earn you a tax write-off and help local charities. If you’re getting ready to sell, an uncrowded home will appear bigger and may net you a bigger profit on your home. Not to mention that pre-packing many items now will just make moving that much easier when your home sells! By focusing on one or two rooms each week you can make this sometimes challenging task far more manageable.

· And if time is of the essence, professional organizers or packers can help corral the chaos. A professional home stager can walk you through an efficient process that will undoubtably make your life easier and at the same time, increase your quick sale potential.

· Refresh your home’s decor. Although quality furniture may last many years, updating accessories can revitalize a tired room. If you’re hoping to sell for top dollar (which is why you are reading this!), contemporary accessories typically appeal to a wide-range of buyers and help them

visualize themselves in your home.

· Fresh paint can also have a dramatic effect on the atmosphere, look and smell of a room. Even if your personal tastes tend towards the dramatic, it’s best to avoid overly dark

6 simple steps for a quick saleContent & Images // Nest Home Designs

Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | April 2016 | �PALouse LiviNg

or ‘daring’ colors when preparing your home for sale.

· From ‘blah’ to ‘ahh!’ The difference between a room everyone loves spending time in - and one they avoid - can be as simple as the layout. Almost every home has problem areas with shapes or sizes that make furniture placement a challenge. A fresh pair of eyes, be it a creative friend or an experienced interior decorator, can arrange your existing furniture in a way that makes your house even more comfortable and inviting.

· Cleaning for a closing. No matter how lovely a home is inside and out, deep cleaning is a must, particularly before listing it to sell. Whether you choose to do it yourself or get referrals for professional cleaners, it’s important that it’s done with attention to detail. Seemingly small details paint a picture

for potential buyers of how well you have maintained your home. Overlooked grime is often seen as overlooked maintenance - which translates to a lower offer.

· Renovations, to do or not to do? Spring can be a good time to make plans for more extensive changes to your home. If you plan to renovate in order to get more money for your sale, it’s important to consult a realtor and home stager before investing in the remodel to ensure the money will offer a meaningful and measurable return.

Six simple steps, a little elbow grease, and help from trusted experts will make your home stand out from the competition, giving you the edge that you need in a crowded market.

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� | April 201� | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune PALouse LiviNg

Replacing old or inadequate insulation is one way that homeowners can make older homes more energy efficient.

Older properties tend to have a sense of charm that newly built homes may lack. Perhaps it’s

their lived-in feel or design elements that remind homeowners of yesteryear that make older homes so popular among home buyers.

What older homes have in character they may lack in modern amenities. For example, whereas many homes are now built with energy efficiency in mind, older homes may not be so eco-friendly. Fortunately, there are many ways for homeowners who love their older homes to keep that love going strong while making their homes more energy efficient at the same time.

· Check for leaks and plug any you find. Homes may develop

air leaks over time, and such leaks allow air to infiltrate the home. When that occurs, homeowners instinctively turn up the thermostat in winter to combat the cold air getting in. Come summertime, those same homeowners will run their air conditioners on a higher setting in an effort to stay comfortable when hot air is creeping through the cracks. Rather than adjusting the temperature inside, fix any sources of air infiltration you find. Run your hand along doorways and windows to determine if any drafts are coming through. Older homes may also develop cracks in bricks, around the foundation and in siding or stucco. Seal any areas where you feel air infiltrating your home, which will save money, reduce your energy consumption and make your older home more efficient.

· Add insulation. Many older homes are poorly insulated. But according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, adding insulation can reduce energy costs by as much as 50 percent. Installing insulation can be tricky, especially if insulation was not originally included in your home, as is sometimes the case with older homes. Insulation can become damp and prove ineffective if installed improperly. Damp insulation also may contribute to mold growth and rot in the home’s framing. Older homes may be lacking adequate insulation around attics, crawl spaces, basements, heating and cooling ducts, and water pipes. Cover your water heater with an insulated water heater blanket so the heater retains more heat and consumes less energy to heat the water.

· Stay on top of your home. Much like older vehicles, older homes require a little extra TLC on the part of homeowners. Don’t allow your home to fall into disrepair. Even if your energy bills are not on the rise, inspect windows and doors to make sure they are closing tightly, as over time such seemingly minor problems can add up to substantial energy loss. Don’t forget to clean gutters and downspouts, removing debris that can add up and lead to water damage that may ultimately compromise the effectiveness of your home’s insulation.

· Book an energy audit. Energy audits, which may be offered free of charge by your utility company, can help detect any additional areas where a home may be using energy inefficiently. Even if you have to pay for an audit, the cost savings if any additional inefficiencies are discovered will likely add up to more than the cost of the audit.

Older homes are attractive to many homeowners, who can take several steps to make sure their homes are operating as efficiently as possible.

How to make older homes more energy efficient

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Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | April 2016 | �PALouse LiviNg

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Excessive energy bills can be a concern in spring and summer, just as much as they are in the winter. So how can you save money while keeping your home cool? The solution is simple: Top up your attic insulation.

A poorly insulated attic is a primary source of energy loss, forcing your AC unit to work harder than necessary over the warmer months. Most attics are insulated, but oftentimes the amount of insulation present is inadequate - especially in older homes. Over time, insulation can settle and compact, allowing heat to escape through gaps.

Topping it up is easy. Ideally, you want to aim for a depth of 16 inches of insulation for an overall R-value of 50. When existing insulation is present, simply level existing insulation to the top of the joist. Lay a fire- and moisture-resistant batt insulation, like

Roxul Comfortbatt, on top of joists, running perpendicular to the first layer. Ensure batts are butted against each other tightly. Fit batts closely to cross joists; cut batt if necessary (this can be done easily with a serrated blade or bread knife) and leave no space between layers. Don’t forget to insulate the attic hatch to the same level as the rest of the attic. Apply weather-stripping to the edge of the hatch to reduce air leakage. Keep in mind that only IC-rated electrical fixtures can have insulation placed with zero clearance. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and local building code to insulate around the chimney.

When a house is insulated properly, energy savings can add up over time. Remember, insulation starts working the moment it is installed and can last for the life of the building. Tips on this easy, low-cost DIY project that will reduce your home’s energy loss and save you money are available at diywithroxul.com.

Save money and stay cool as temperatures rise

MetroCreative

Creating your own wall clockNewspaper Toolbox

Is your front door damaged, rusted, defectiveor simply old-fashioned? If you’d like to re-place it, just be sure not to buy one on thespur of the moment. Instead, take the time tochoose a good-quality model that will en-hance your home’s facade for years to come.

MATERIALSOne thing’s for sure: you can’t buy a frontdoor in the same way as you’d buy a base-ment or bedroom door. Front doors have tobe visually appealing as well as very strong.You’ll find a wide range of models on themarket made of different materials, eitheralone or in combination:• steel• fibreglass• wood• aluminum• PVC

Each material has its own advantages. Spe-cialized companies will be able to advise youabout which ones are most suitablefor your needs and your budget.

SOUGHT�AFTER QUALITIESWhen shopping for a front door, lookfor one that has the following charac-teristics:• shock resistant• good insulation and soundproofing• easy maintenance• enhanced security (solid locks andanchoring systems)

COLOURS AND GLAZINGManufacturers offer an impressiverange of colours and finishes to makesure your front door looks great.However, be careful when choosingthe glass for your front-door’s win-dow, as it can make all the differencein terms of style. There are manypossibilities, including square, rec-tangular, half-moon, circle, mosaicor stained glass.

PROFESSIONAL ADVICEWhen you’re shopping around for

the perfect front door, ask a professionalfor advice. One good idea is to go shop-ping with a photo of the front of yourhouse as well as the dimensions of theexisting door opening. This will make itmuch easier for you to find a model thatcomplements the style of your home.

CUSTOM�MADEKeep in mind that it is always wise tohave your front door made to measure;this ensures that its fit, shape, colour andhardware are perfectly adapted to yourhome. Moreover, if you entrust theinstallation to experts, the result will beflawless.

A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENTThe front door is a major component ofyour home, so don’t skimp on quality. Thisinvestment of a few hundred — or even afew thousand — dollars could definitelyadd value to your property.

How to find the perfect FRONT DOOR

It can be quite a challenge if you want to divide up the space in your home for, say,an office, but you don’t like the idea of sacrificing natural light by putting up walls.Before you resign yourself to this sad prospect, consider the possibility of installingglass partitions.

The concept is simple: ins-tead of building solid walls,you can opt for walls thatare both transparent andresilient. Choosing thisoption means you can or-ganize a corner office in aquiet area with naturallight, close to the kitchenor living room.

And to enjoy a little moreprivacy, you could optfor a textured or frostedfinish — no more excusesfor being distracted fromyour work. It’s a greatsolution, isn’t it?

The advantages of GLASS PARTITIONSWith the constant development of newtechnologies, more and more objects in ourdaily lives come equipped with “smart”features. Thus, it’s hardly surprising thatthere are now window blinds on the marketthat are capable of some surprising feats.

Blinds are omnipresent in homes nowa-days because of their affordability, practi-cality and their ability to blend in to anydecor. But imagine being able to open andclose them, and change the position of theslats, without even touching them.

Some of the very latest models of blindsallow you to change their position with a

remote control or a smartphone. During thewinter, you can even program your blindsso they open at specific times to let the sunwarm the interior of your home. That’s agreat way to reduce your heating bills. In thesummer, the blinds stay closed during day-light hours to prevent heat from coming in,helping you save on air conditioning costs.

If you lack the time or motivation to pro-gram your blinds, you can just select theautomatic mode. Because they’re equippedwith sensors, the blinds will open and closeat the appropriate times. It sounds like arecipe for both peace of mind and greatenergy savings, doesn’t it?

It’s time to discover SMART BLINDS

RENOVATION, DECORATION, NEW PRODUCTS AND MORE!

Create your ownWALL CLOCKAre you creative and good with yourhands? Then it’s “time” to put your tal-ents to good use by making your ownwall clock. All you need is a clockmechanism (new or recycled), a drilland a few accessories.

Lots of different items can be used for thebase of your masterpiece, including:

• a wooden board• a Frisbee• a vinyl record• a serving tray• a decorative frame

And in place of numbers, you could use:

• pictures• stickers• coins• hand-painted motifs• coloured buttons

To assemble the clock, simply drill a holefor your clock mechanism in the centreof the base. Once your creation is com-plete, hang it on the wall with a nail or ascrew. Are you feeling inspired? Good,because now’s the “time” to be creative.

RENOVATION, DECORATION, NEW PRODUCTS AND MORE!

Tradition holds that the chore of cleaning out yourhome should be done in the spring; we’re all fa-miliar with the routine of de-junking closets andscrubbing cupboards. But it can seem as though thejob is never done if your storage space is poorlyorganized and your cupboards are always over-flowing. If this is finally the year you’re settingyour mind to get rid of the mess, here are a few tipsto help you.

First of all, try not to let your feelings get in theway. Remember that the goal is to make your clos-ets, cupboards and drawers visually appealing whenopen and much easier to access. Start by placingeverything that needs sorting out in the middle ofthe floor of a room that doesn’t get much use. Askyourself the following questions about each item:

Is it in good condition?Do I have other, identical objects?Was it stored in the right place?Is it useful to me?Does it have sentimental value?

If an object is broken and can’t be repaired, throw itout immediately. Put it in the garbage or take it to arecycling centre. An object is no longer useful oryou never use it? Give it to someone who needs itmore than you. You have two or more identical

items? Keep the one you feel is in the best condi-tion. An object was stored in the wrong place?Simple! Put it in the right place.

SENTIMENTAL VALUEAre you brought to tears at the thought of gettingrid of a trinket that reminds you of your grand-mother? Then ask yourself why you keep it hiddenaway in a closet. If you can’t bring yourself to getrid of it, give it pride of place in your home instead.On the other hand, if hundreds of youthful love let-ters are cluttering up half your closet, you couldalways scan them and store them on a CD so theytake up less space.

ONE OUT OF TWOOf course, it can be difficult to get rid of items thatyou think are still useful or ones that bring backgood memories. However, you can make it easieron yourself by using the “one out of two” trick.With this approach, you keep one out of any twoitems you’re hesitating over, whether they’re itemsof clothing, books, photographs, toys or decora-tions. That way, you only keep those that reallymatter to you.

One thing’s for sure: decluttering closets, cup-boards and drawers will lift a weight off your shoul-ders. Are you ready for the big spring sorting?

SOLARIUMS give extra comfortand lots of light

A solarium is a room filled with windowsthat acts as a buffer between the inside andoutside of your home. In addition to offe-ring a stunning view of your yard, extra li-ving space and privileged access to lots ofnatural light, a solarium offers other bene-fits, too. If you’ve been thinking about ad-ding a solarium to your home, be sure tokeep reading.

THERMAL COMFORTAre you one of those people who suffer ter-ribly during summer heat waves? If so, ad-ding a solarium to your home could reallyimprove your comfort. Here’s how.

During the day, all ventilation outlets andopenings between your house and the sola-rium should be kept closed, with the goalof preventing heat from coming indoors.However, the outside windows of the sola-rium should be left open, allowing the hotair to escape.

At night, a solarium allows you to evacuatethe hot air that settles naturally in the upperportion of your home. So, once the sun sets,all doors and vents between your solariumand the inside of your home should be ope-ned. The non-insulated wall collects the coolair and redistributes it.

This is why a solarium can actually helpyou reduce your air conditioning costs. Andduring the winter it has the opposite effect— it acts as a buffer and reduces yourheating costs. In other words, as well asbeing practical and attractive, a solarium isa money-saving investment.

Melamine has always been considered a low-end product that’s flimsy and unattractive.However, over the decades, the continual im-provement of manufacturing processes hascompletely transformed this material, somuch so that it can now be found in thetrendiest of homes.

These days the new melamine particleboardsimitate different kinds of wood to perfection.There is a wide range of ultra-modern fini-shes available, and they are typically resis-tant to heat and scratches. We’ve certainlycome a long way from the shiny melamineof the 1980s.

MELAMINE is back

NEWSPAPER TOOLBOX / MAY-JUNE 2016 / 71

Find the material for thesepages under HOME in theeditorial library searchoption of our website.

70 / MAY-JUNE 2016 / NEWSPAPER TOOLBOXThe texts on these pages are perfect to use as fillersor for any section you may want to sell on this subject.

The photos and images found in this issue are also availablein the page folder in black & white and in a larger format.

PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATIONSeveral factors come into play whenmanufacturing and installing a sola-rium: the choice of materials and air-circulation systems; orientation;roofing; insulation and waterproofing.To enjoy all the benefits of yoursolarium (and avoid unpleasant sur-prises), entrust all these tasks to areputable company.

The American-English

versions of the texts on

these pages are available

in the page folder.

OVERFLOWING CLOSETS,cupboards and drawers?

Are you creative and good with your hands? Then it’s “time” to put your talents to good use by making your own wall clock. All you need is a clock mechanism (new or recycled), a drill

and a few accessories.

Lots of different items can be used for the base of your masterpiece, including:

• a wooden board

• a Frisbee

• a vinyl record

• a serving tray

• a decorative frame

And in place of numbers, you could use:

• pictures

• stickers

• coins

• hand-painted motifs

• coloured buttons

To assemble the clock, simply drill a hole for your clock mechanism in the center of the base. Once your creation is complete, hang it on the wall with a nail or a screw. Are you feeling inspired? Good, because now’s the “time” to be creative.

� | April 2016 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune PALouse LiviNg

Weeds, such as dandelions, can quickly take over lawns and gardens.

Few things can be as troublesome to gardeners and landscapers as weeds. Weeds seemingly spring up overnight and quickly can

overrun lawns and/or garden beds. Landscaping enthusiasts may spend countless hours and weekends coping with weeds without truly getting to the root of the problem. However, preventing weed growth need not be so difficult.

According to the experts at “This Old House” and The Family Handyman, the secret to preventing weeds is to maintain a thick, healthy lawn. A vigorously growing lawn will crowd out weeds and block the sun weed seeds need to germinate and thrive. As a result, fewer herbicides may be needed and homeowners can spend less times on their hands and knees pulling out weeds.

· Mow at the right height

Crabgrass is a notoriously virulent weed that can quickly snuff out blades of grass. Crabgrass likes hot, dry conditions, and

it only takes one plant to spread the seeds that can overtake the lawn. Preventing these conditions can stop crabgrass from flourishing. Mowing at higher heights and leaving grass blades taller can shade the soil, helping to prevent the germination of crabgrass. Shady conditions also will help the soil retain moisture and prevent the arid conditions crabgrass likes so much.

· Water deeply

Weeds are accustomed to growing in adverse conditions, including especially hot temperatures. When such conditions arise, weeds establish deep roots while the roots of the grass can easily die off. Instead, when watering, wet the soil to a depth of four to six inches. This helps grass to establish strong root systems that will help lawns overpower pesky weeds.

· Time weed killers

Whether you manually remove weeds or apply weed killers, timing is key. Combat weeds in the early spring before they have a time to fully form and start proliferating through seed dispersement. Once seeds spread, their growth is difficult to control. Recognize that no single herbicide or weeding tactic will work for every type of weed. Broadleaf weeds, like dandelions, unwanted grasses, and sedges are the three most common types of weeds. Homeowners will have to adapt based on the type of weed that is most prevalent in their lawns.

· Watch fertilizer amounts

Strike a balance with fertilizer, finding the right amount to deliver continuous nutrition to the lawn, but not overfeed it so that weeds can thrive. Many lawns only require fertilizer once or twice annually, in the autumn and spring.

By following these guidelines, lawn and garden enthusiasts can prevent the proliferation of unsightly and potentially harmful weeds.

Stop weeds before they take overMetroCreative

Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | April 2016 | �PALouse LiviNg

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10 | April 2016 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune PALouse LiviNg

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Longer selling times, fierce competition and low prices: things are tough for sellers in a buyer’s market. The homes for sale outnumber the potential buyers, who have plenty of properties to choose from and all the time in the world to do it. Here are

some tips to help you sell your property in a buyer’s market.

1. Set a competitive selling price: For a real estate transaction to succeed, you have to adapt to the market.

When buyers are few and far between, you might choose to lower the selling price a bit or keep a smaller negotiating margin. You have to advertise an asking price that is more likely to attract potential buyers. You may also have to accept the fact that you’ll get less money than you’d hoped for your property. However, that might be better than being stuck with your house, especially if you have already bought another home and you can’t pay for them both simultaneously.

2. Offer an attractive product: It’s no big secret: to attract potential buyers you need to offer a product that can

compete with other similar properties available in your area. It’s in your best interest to compete in terms of price and in how you differentiate yourself from other homes in your neighbourhood.

Look for what sets your property apart from the others (location, view, pool or fireplace) and emphasize it.

Do some fix-up work if necessary, and follow home staging guidelines: put extraneous things away, declutter and depersonalize the rooms. Make sure the photos of your home show it off to advantage. Work with a real estate agent to make sure the marketing strategy is satisfactory and that your home has good visibility.

3. Stay tuned to any changes: The real estate market is constantly changing, so you need to monitor the activity in

your area on an ongoing basis. If you’ve taken into account the selling price of recently sold properties in your neighbourhood, you now have to make sure your asking price remains competitive over time. That means keeping track of new homes on the market, as well as their selling prices, so you can adjust your price accordingly.

When the number of homes on the market is low, you have to be prepared to move quickly because the best properties get snapped up fast. Hone in on exactly what you want and do everything you can to accelerate your efforts. For instance, consider applying for a pre-approved mortgage; that way, it will take less time to get a loan commitment. In addition, a pre-approved mortgage can play in your favour when you make an offer, as the seller won’t have to worry about your financing application being refused.

3 tips for selling in a buyer’s marketNewspaper Toolbox

Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | April 2016 | 11PALouse LiviNg

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All loans subject to approval.

Ray WallaceSenior Loan Officer

208-310-1786Ray.Wallace@homestreet.comNMLS ID# 363664

Kim CarlsonSenior Loan Officer

208-301-4470Kim.Carlson@homestreet.comNMLS ID# 404133

Pullman Home Loan Center | 493 North Grand Avenue, Suite C | www.HomeStreet.com

474501DB-16

12 | April 2016 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune PALouse LiviNg

Thinking of Selling your Home?

Store Hours: Our offi ce is always open even when our doors are not!

Coldwell Banker Tomlinson405 S. Grand Ave., Pullman

cbtpullman.com • (509) 334-0562

Coldwell Banker Tomlinson217 S. Main St, Moscow

cbtmoscow.com • (208) 882-0800

To another soul before you call the real estate experts at Coldwell Banker Tomlinson!

Don’t Talk Don’t Look

Don’t Listen