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7 Home Improvement Projects for $1,000 (or Less)

Kathleen Cooper, Best Option-RE/MAX, SRES, REALTOR® — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:27:42 -0500

Americans still think buying a home is one of the best decisions they’ve ever made. Here are some ways to increase your home’s value and comfort for less than $1,000.

We knew reports of the death of American home ownership were greatly exaggerated (nod to Mark Twain), and now we’ve got the numbers to prove it.

A just-released survey by the Meredith Corp., which publishes Better Homes and Gardens magazine, says the vast majority of people polled believe owning a home is a smart financial move and a source of pride.

Here are some results of the 2,500 people surveyed online:

86% of home owners still feel owning a home is a good investment.

85% feel "owning a home is one of their proudest accomplishments."

69% of Americans who don’t currently own a home agree with the statement, "No matter what happens in the U.S. housing market, owning a home is still an important goal in my life."

68% of Americans plan to spend money on their homes in the next six months, with roughly half (49%) expecting to pay up to $1,000.

A thousand bucks may not seem like a lot, but it goes long way toward improving the value and comfort of your home. Here are some projects we recommend:

1. Add a new entry door. Spruce up your curb appeal and save energy by upgrading your exterior door. Steel doors, which can mimic many types of wood, typically run for $400 at big-box stores and offer the strongest barrier against intruders.

2. Get organized. Decluttering and maximizing storage space are inexpensive ways to transform a home. Add space to kids’ rooms by installing platform or bunk beds ($400-$600); neaten piles of shoes with shoe organizers ($20), which can do double duty as catch-all organizers in family room closets and kitchen pantries; extend bookshelves to the ceiling, creating storage in otherwise dead space.

3. Save with a programmable thermostat. Switching from a manual to a programmable thermostat (less than $500) can save you up to $180 a year in energy costs. The latest models offer remote programming via the Internet.

4. Replace cabinet hardware. If you’ve got traditional knobs and pulls, try contemporary; change from staid to whimsical. Big-box retailers often have huge selections for budget prices. (10-pack for $20).

5. Update bathroom flooring. Give bathrooms a quick facelift by replacing old tile with vinyl flooring or ceramic tile, which can cost as little as $3 per square foot for material and installation.

6. Create luxury with a shower panel. Turn you bathroom into a spa with a programmable shower panel with adjustable spray jets, fog-free mirror, and multifunctional shower head. Most systems easily attach to existing plumbing. Panels typically sell for $360.

7. Turn a mudroom into a garden room. Bring nature inside by recasting your drab mudroom into a flower-filled garden room. (If you already have a utility sink, you’re halfway there. If not, it will cost you $200 to $350 to tap into existing, nearby plumbing, and $80 for a plastic tub.) Repurpose an old wood table into a potting bench. And hang your basket collection from J-hooks attached to a forged iron curtain rod ($100).

What improvements have you made recently under $1,000? What are you planning to do in the next six months?

Show Your Home Pride: 7 Home Improvement Projects for $1,000 (or Less)

Americans still think buying a home is one of the best decisions they’ve ever made. Here are some ways to increase your home’s value and comfort for less than $1,000. Read

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JUST LISTED - Why Rent When You Can Own This 4 Bedroom Home For Sale in Worcester For Less Than $650 Per Month

Kathleen Cooper, Best Option-RE/MAX, SRES, REALTOR® — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:08:56 -0500

Why Rent When You Can Own For Less Than $650 Per Month?

Overview
Maps
Photos

$99,900 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
Interior: 798 sqft
Lot: 0.13 acre(s)
Location

1401 Pleasant Street
Worcester, MA 01602
USA

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Listed by: RE/MAX Professional Associates

Our recent listings

Why Rent When You Can Own For Less Than $650 Per Month?
WATERFRONT GEM FOR RENT MINUTES TO 495 & I-90
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Young Like New Colonial Ready To Move In
Rustic Charming Ranch on 11 Acres

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2011 Energy Tax Credits: What You Need to Know to Collect

Kathleen Cooper, Best Option-RE/MAX, SRES, REALTOR® — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:09:11 -0500

Taxes are the talk of the season & energy saving tax credits have been the talk of the year! They're not as much as they used to be, but there are still energy tax credits to be had for upgrades made in 2011.

Other limits on IRS energy tax credits besides $500 max

Credit only extends to 10% of the cost (not the 30% of yesteryear), so you have to spend $5,000 to get $500.

$500 is a lifetime limit. If you pocketed $500 or more in 2009 and 2010 combined, you’re not entitled to any more money for energy-efficient improvements in the above seven categories. But if you took $300 in the last two years, for example, you can get up to $200 in 2011.

With some systems, your cap is even lower than $500.

$500 is the max for all qualified improvements combined.

Certain systems capped below $500

No matter how much you spend on some approved items, you’ll never get the $500 credit--though you could combine some of these:

System Cap New windows $200 max (and no, not per window—overall) Advanced main air-circulating fan $50 max Qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler $150 max Approved electric and geothermal heat pumps; central air-conditioning systems; and natural gas, propane, or oil water heaters $300 max

And not all products are created equal in the feds' eyes. Improvements have to meet IRS energy-efficiency standards to qualify for the tax credit. In the case of boilers and furnaces, they have to meet the 95 AFUE standard. EnergyStar.gov has the details.

Tax credits cover installation—sometimes

Rule of thumb: If installation is either particularly difficult or critical to safe functioning, the credit will cover labor. Otherwise, not. (Yes, you’d have to be pretty handy to install your own windows and roof, but the feds put these squarely in the “not covered” category.)

Installation covered for:

Biomass stoves

HVAC

Non-solar water heaters

Installation not covered for:

Insulation

Roofs

Windows, doors, and skylights

How to claim the 2011 energy tax credit

Determine if the system you installed is eligible for the credits. Go to Energy Star's websitefor detailed descriptions of what’s covered; then talk to your vendor.

Save system receipts and manufacturer certifications. You’ll need them if the IRS asks for proof.

File IRS Form 5695 with the rest of your tax forms in 2012.

This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but isn’t intended to be relied upon as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Consult a tax professional for such advice, and remember that tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.

(New!)

2011 Energy Tax Credits: What You Need to Know to Collect

They’re not as much as they used to be, but there are still energy tax credits to be had for upgrades made in 2011. Read

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JUST LISTED - WATERFRONT 2 Bedroom Home For Rent in Upton

Kathleen Cooper, Best Option-RE/MAX, SRES, REALTOR® — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:28:47 -0500

WATERFRONT GEM FOR RENT MINUTES TO 495 & I-90

Overview
Maps
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$1,375 Residential Rental Main Features 2 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
Interior: 893 sqft
Lot: 1.05 acre(s)
Location

17 Hopkinton Road
Upton, MA 01568
USA

To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

Kathleen Cooper

(508) 4442673
bestoptionteam@gmail.com
http://www.CentralMAListings.com

Listed by: RE/MAX Professional Associates

Our recent listings

WATERFRONT GEM FOR RENT MINUTES TO 495 & I-90
Remodeled HUGE 3 Bedroom Apartment For Rent
Young Like New Colonial Ready To Move In
Rustic Charming Ranch on 11 Acres
JUST COLLECT RENT

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JUST SOLD - ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SHORT SALE - 26 Lincoln Street Webster

Kathleen Cooper, Best Option-RE/MAX, SRES, REALTOR® — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:38:17 -0500

SOLD! Great Investment Property in Webster

Overview
Maps
Photos

$85,000 Multi Family Main Features 6 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
3 Units
Interior: 3,080 sqft
Lot: 0.18 acre(s)
Location

26 Lincoln Street
Webster, MA 01571
USA

To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

Kathleen Cooper

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Listed by: RE/MAX Professional Associates

Our recent listings

Young Like New Colonial Ready To Move In
Rustic Charming Ranch on 11 Acres
JUST COLLECT RENT
2 Bedroom 1.5 Bath Townhouse For Sale
4 Bedroom 3 Bath Walker Pond Sprawling Ranch For Sale

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Best Practices With Referral Partners - A Tale of When It Goes Bad...

Kathleen Cooper, Best Option-RE/MAX, SRES, REALTOR® — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:57:49 -0500

Best Practices With Referral Partners - A Tale of When It Goes Bad...

A year ago I took a pair of referral listings from a local attorney in the area. Both were short sales and both took a lot of hard work and time to only have one get approved to go on to a sale. I offered a percentage of my commission to this attorney for the referral and she agreed. No referral form was ever sent over or signed prior to listing the properties and until this day. I forgot all about the fact that she was looking for a referral fee on these until she emailed about it late yesterday after reviewing my commission statement.

Referral #1 went under agreement with a buyer that I found through my marketing efforts. This buyer had special needs being in a wheelchair and was buying his first property. The short sale process was lengthy and difficult for him. In the end, the short sale was denied because the seller did not want to pay the deficiency the bank was requiring him to pay. He rented it out on his own and I lost the sale. My buyer decided he did not want to look in the winter months and was so frustrated that he gave up on wanting to buy. Lost my buyer. Oh well...it is the name of the game in real estate sometimes.

Referral #2 went under agreement and I found the buyer on this listing as well. Awesome! After months and months of hard work and keeping the lines of communication going to keep this buyer happy and on board, we get our approval letters to close. The attorney I was working with emailed me and my seller telling us that my commission has been approved on the HUD by the lenders. I didn't think twice about it and was very happy to hear this. Yesterday I was working the numbers for my office to prepare the commission statement and noticed something was off from my calculated commission versus what was on the HUD. I do the math and find out that my commission as stated in our listing contract was NOT approved and it was knocked down by 1%. Okay...not cool, but okay. I sent in the commission statement at the reduced amount.

Later yesterday afternoon I get an email from the attorney with an attached email from last April asking how she will be paid her 25% referral fee as discussed previously. OH MY! I totally forgot about this conversation back then and we forgot to sign a referral agreement beforehand! I want to honor my word, but clearly these referrals did not go as planned and were much harder than we thought they'd be so I figured I would contact the attorney and see if we could work something out. I emailed her asking her for some compassion to see if she'd be wiling to remove or reduce our original referral agreement since I just found out that she in fact did not get my full commission approved and we lost the other deal (both buyer and seller) due to the deficiency disagreement that had nothing to do with us. She was still paid upfront by her client for both short sales and gets paid on the HUD. No loss to her, I've taken a HUGE loss here with both transactions. Normally I'd never even ask and I'd just eat it, but I've been in a tough spot these days so I had to.

Her response to me was she'd look forward to receiving her FULL 25% on the ENTIRE sales commission. I wrote back and said OK, here is a referral agreement we need signed and submitted before closing this afternoon in order for my broker to pay her. I explained to her that she referred the seller to me and that there was 2.5% being offered for buyer's agent side and 2.5% offered on listing agent side. She'd be getting 25% of the listing side since that is the side she referred to me. She had nothing to do with finding the buyer. She wrote back outraged that I was unprofessional and that I will never get her business in the future. She said it was agreed that she gets 25% of the ENTIRE transaction since I represent both parties and that other agents have honored this in the past for her. I am sorry, but what did you do to produce this buyer and why should my broker be paying you on that portion of our commission??

I am not one that wants to fight. I like to make everyone happy. I worked extremely hard on this and helped keep it together. In the end she's getting overcompensated and I've been cut all over the place and then told I will never get another referral? Thanks, but no thanks. I am a hardworking, ethical Realtor and have many good business partners that would never stab me like this in the end.

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Using Google Calendar To Better Service Your Listings

Kathleen Cooper, Best Option-RE/MAX, SRES, REALTOR® — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:43:22 -0500

Using Google Calendar To Better Service Your Listings

Hi All! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Check out this video on how to use Google Calendars to better service your listings. This can work well also when you're covering for a colleague, a member of an organization that hosts a lot events or a soccer mom/dad with a demanding sports schedule to keep up with. Enjoy!

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Tax Time: 10 Common Errors Home Owners Make When Filing Taxes

Kathleen Cooper, Best Option-RE/MAX, SRES, REALTOR® — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:22:51 -0500

10 Common Errors Home Owners Make When Filing Taxes

Yes it is that time of year folks! Don't rouse the IRS or pay more taxes than necessary -- know the score on each home tax deduction and credit.

As you calculate your tax returns, consider each home tax deduction and credit you are - and are not - entitled to. Running afoul of any of these 10 home-related tax mistakes - which tax pros say are especially common - can cost you money or draw the IRS to your doorstep.

Sin #1: Deducting the wrong year for property taxes

You take a tax deduction for property taxes (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/taxes-incentives/property-tax-exemptions/) in the year you (or the holder of your escrow account) actually paid them. Some taxing authorities work a year behind - that is, you're not billed for 2011 property taxes until 2012. But that's irrelevant to the feds.

Enter on your federal forms whatever amount you actually paid in 2011, no matter what the date is on your tax bill. Dave Hampton, CPA, tax manager at the Cincinnati accounting firm of Burke & Schindler, has seen home owners confuse payments for different years and claim the incorrect amount.

Sin #2: Confusing escrow amount for actual taxes paid

If your lender escrows funds to pay your property taxes, don't just deduct the amount escrowed, says Bob Meighan, CPA and vice president at TurboTax in San Diego. The regular amount you pay into your escrow account each month to cover property taxes is probably a little more or a little less than your property tax bill. Your lender will adjust the amount every year or so to realign the two.

For example, your tax bill might be $1,200, but your lender may have collected $1,100 or $1,300 in escrow over the year. Deduct only $1,200. Your lender will send you an official statement listing the actual taxes paid. Use that. Don't just add up 12 months of escrow property tax payments.

Sin #3: Deducting points paid to refinance

Deduct points you paid your lender to secure your mortgage (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/tax-deductions/deduct-mortgage-interest/) in full for the year you bought your home. However, when you refinance, says Meighan, you must deduct points over the life of your new loan. If you paid $2,000 in points to refinance into a 15-year mortgage, your tax deduction is $133 per year.

Sin #4: Failing to deduct private mortgage insurance

Lenders require home buyers with a down payment of less than 20% to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI). Avoid the common mistake of forgetting to deduct your PMI payments (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/tax-deductions/deducting-private-mortgage-insurance/). However, note the deduction begins to phase out once your adjusted gross income reaches $100,000 and disappears entirely when your AGI surpasses $109,000. Also, unless Congress acts to extend the PMI deduction again, 2011 is the last tax year for which you can take this deduction.

Sin #5: Misjudging the home office tax deduction (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/tax-deductions/tax-deductions-when-you-work-home/)

This deduction may not be as good as it seems. It's complicated, often doesn't amount to much of a deduction, has to be recaptured if you turn a profit when you sell your home, and can pique the IRS's interest in your return. Hampton's advice: Claim it only if it's worth those drawbacks. If so, here's what to know about what you can write off (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/tax-deductions/tax-deductions-when-you-work-home/).

Sin #6: Missing the first-time home buyer tax credit

While the original home buyer tax credit deadline passed in April 2010 (and isn't available in 2012), military families and some government workers on assignment outside the U.S. were given an extension until April 30, 2011 (http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=215594,00.html), to get a home under contract and take advantage of up to $8,000 in tax credits for first-time buyers and $6,500 in credits for repeat buyers.

It applies to any individual (and, if married, the individual's spouse) who serves on qualified official extended duty service outside of the United States for at least 90 days during the period beginning after Dec. 31, 2008, and ending before May 1, 2010.

Sin #7: Failing to track home-related expenses

If the IRS comes a-knockin', don't be scrambling to compile your records. Many people forget to track home office and home maintenance and repair expenses, says Meighan. File away documents as you go. For example, save each manufacturer's certification statement for energy tax credits, insurance company statements for PMI, and lender or government statements to confirm property taxes paid.

Sin #8: Forgetting to keep track of capital gains

If you sold your main home last year, don't forget to pay capital gains taxes on any profit. However, you can exclude $250,000 (or $500,000 if you're a married couple) of any profits from taxes. So if you bought a home for $100,000 and sold it for $400,000, your capital gains are $300,000. If you're single, you owe taxes on $50,000 of gains. However, there are minimum time limits for holding property to take advantage of the exclusions, and other details. Consult IRS Publication 523 (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p523.pdf).

Sin #9: Filing incorrectly for energy tax credits

If you made any eligible improvement (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/tax-deductions/how-to-claim-energy-tax-credits/), fill out Form 5695 (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5695.pdf). Part I, which covers the 30%/$1,500 credit for such items as insulation and windows, is fairly straightforward. But Part II, which covers the 30%/no-limit items such as geothermal heat pumps, can be incredibly complex and involves crosschecking with half a dozen other IRS forms. Read the instructions carefully.

Sin #10: Claiming too much for the mortgage interest tax deduction

You can deduct mortgage interest (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/tax-deductions/deduct-mortgage-interest/) only up to $1 million of mortgage debt, says Meighan. If you have $1.2 million in mortgage debt, for example, deduct only the mortgage interest attributable to the first $1 million.

This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but shouldn't be relied upon by readers as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Consult a tax professional for such advice; tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.

Article From HouseLogic.com

By: G. M. Filisko
Published: January 05, 2012

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How to Assess the Real Cost of a Fixer-Upper

Kathleen Cooper, Best Option-RE/MAX, SRES, REALTOR® — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 09:20:15 -0500

In a buyer's market lots of people start thinking about how they can capitalize and take advantage of the low purchase prices on property. Make sure you are educated and know how to assess the real cost of a fixer-upper before you jump in. Here are some tips to keep in mind while shopping for that special deal.

1. Decide what you can do yourself

TV remodeling shows make home improvement work look like a snap. In the real world, attempting a difficult remodeling job that you don’t know how to do will take longer than you think and can lead to less-than-professional results that won’t increase the value of your fixer-upper house.

Do you really have the skills to do it? Some tasks, like stripping wallpaper and painting, are relatively easy. Others, like electrical work, can be dangerous when done by amateurs.

Do you really have the time and desire to do it? Can you take time off work to renovate your fixer-upper house? If not, will you be stressed out by living in a work zone for months while you complete projects on the weekends?

2. Price the cost of repairs and remodeling before you make an offer

Get your contractor into the house to do a walk-through, so he can give you a written cost estimate on the tasks he’s going to do.

If you’re doing the work yourself, price the supplies.

Either way, tack on 10% to 20% to cover unforeseen problems that often arise with a fixer-upper house.

3. Check permit costs

Ask local officials if the work you’re going to do requires a permit and how much that permit costs. Doing work without a permit may save money, but it'll cause problems when you resell your home.

Decide if you want to get the permits yourself or have the contractor arrange for them. Getting permits can be time-consuming and frustrating. Inspectors may force you to do additional work, or change the way you want to do a project, before they give you the permit.

Factor the time and aggravation of permits into your plans.

4. Doublecheck pricing on structural work

If your fixer-upper home needs major structural work, hire a structural engineer for $500 to $700 to inspect the home before you put in an offer so you can be confident you’ve uncovered and conservatively budgeted for the full extent of the problems.

Get written estimates for repairs before you commit to buying a home with structural issues.

Don't purchase a home that needs major structural work unless:

You’re getting it at a steep discount

You’re sure you’ve uncovered the extent of the problem

You know the problem can be fixed

You have a binding written estimate for the repairs

5. Check the cost of financing

Be sure you have enough money for a downpayment, closing costs, and repairs without draining your savings.

If you’re planning to fund the repairs with a home equity or home improvement loan:

Get yourself pre-approved for both loans before you make an offer.

Make the deal contingent on getting both the purchase money loan and the renovation money loan, so you’re not forced to close the sale when you have no loan to fix the house.

Consider the Federal Housing Administration’s Section 203(k) program, which is designed to help home owners who are purchasing or refinancing a home that needs rehabilitation. The program wraps the purchase/refinance and rehabilitation costs into a single mortgage. To qualify for the loan, the total value of the property must fall within the FHA mortgage limit for your area, as with other FHA loans. A streamlined 203(k) program provides an additional amount for rehabilitation, up to $35,000, on top of an existing mortgage. It’s a simpler process than obtaining the standard 203(k).

6. Calculate your fair purchase offer

Take the fair market value of the property (what it would be worth if it were in good condition and remodeled to current tastes) and subtract the upgrade and repair costs.

For example: Your target fixer-upper house has a 1960s kitchen, metallic wallpaper, shag carpet, and high levels of radon in the basement.

Your comparison house, in the same subdivision, sold last month for $200,000. That house had a newer kitchen, no wallpaper, was recently recarpeted, and has a radon mitigation system in its basement.

The cost to remodel the kitchen, remove the wallpaper, carpet the house, and put in a radon mitigation system is $40,000. Your bid for the house should be $160,000.

Ask your real estate agent if it’s a good idea to share your cost estimates with the sellers, to prove your offer is fair.

7. Include inspection contingencies in your offer

Don’t rely on your friends or your contractor to eyeball your fixer-upper house. Hire pros to do common inspections like:

Home inspection. This is key in a fixer-upper assessment. The home inspector will uncover hidden issues in need of replacement or repair. You may know you want to replace those 1970s kitchen cabinets, but the home inspector has a meter that will detect the water leak behind them.

Radon, mold, lead-based paint

Septic and well

Pest

Most home inspection contingencies let you go back to the sellers and ask them to do the repairs, or give you cash at closing to pay for the repairs. The seller can also opt to simply back out of the deal, as can you, if the inspection turns up something you don’t want to deal with.

If that happens, this isn’t the right fixer-upper house for you. Go back to the top of this list and start again.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer whose parents bought and renovated a fixer-upper when she was a teen. A regular contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

How to Assess the Real Cost of a Fixer-Upper House

When you buy a fixer-upper house, you can save a ton of money, or get yourself in a financial fix. Read

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Email: BestOptionTeam@Gmail.com

Realtors Don't Let a Little Crack Delay Your Closing!

Kathleen Cooper, Best Option-RE/MAX, SRES, REALTOR® — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:11:41 -0500

This is a GREAT post & I'd love to find some local appraisers, mortgage professionals and home inspectors in our area that are willing to write creative blogs such as this one. Definitely helps you get more visibility and I would love to work alongside more helpful & social professionals. Thanks for sharing Michael!

Via Michael S. Bolton-MN Appraiser (Michael S. Bolton,Inc.):

One of the major challenges Realtors face when having one of their sales go FHA financing, is what work orders is the appraiser going to call for. With Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in everyone's crosshairs, FHA financing is only going to become more prevalent within the housing market. I would highly recommend that Realtors become familar with HUD's Mortgagee Letter 2005-48, and FHA's three S's.

Small Window Cracks Don’t Need Repair

FHA no longer requires that all cracked or broken windows be an automatic repair. Requiring a window to be repaired can be challenging for an appraiser, because what is considered safe and just a maintenance item for one appraiser, may be considered a danger to another. FHA requires that all deferred maintenance be noted within the appraisal report, along with a photo, so the underwriter can make the final decision if it’s in doubt. This window has such a small crack that it wasn't probably worth mentioning, but I did anyways just to CYA. The underwriter agreed, and no repair was necessary.

Some Window Cracks That May Need Repair

It's tough to see, but this crack is much larger, however, it was dual pane glass and the owner could operate the window without getting hurt. That doesn't mean that someone on the outside touching or moving the window wouldn't get injured. On this appraisal I just reported it to the underwriter; "That this window has the potential for injury," and let them make the call. The underwriter ended up requiring the window to be repaired.

The Obvious Window Cracks That Should Be Repaired

This window is pretty much a no-brainer, and would be required to be repaired. It doesn't meet FHA's MPR (minimum property requirements) guidelines, which is to protect the improvement (house) from the outside elements, and the safety of the homeowner. However, the underwriter does have the final say, but most likely will require that it be repaired.

The bottom line is that if you have any window that is cracked or broken, and has the appearance of being a safety hazard, have it repaired before listing the property for sale. This will keep your sale from being delayed at the last minute by an FHA work order.

If you have any questions, or Minnesota real estate appraisal needs (divorce, bankruptcy, tax appeal, or estate planning) please contact Michael at 612.599-2581, or use the form on the contact page.

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Worcester's Best Chef Competition This Weekend

Kathleen Cooper, Best Option-RE/MAX, SRES, REALTOR® — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:50:28 -0500

Worcester's Best Chef Competition This Weekend

Where: Mechanic's Hall

When: Sunday, January 29th

Time: 5PM - 8PM with VIP Entry At 4PM

Calling all foodies! This is the event for you! Come try out a variety of foods and beverages from our local fine chefs. Vote for the People's Choice Award. Tickets are available online through noon on Saturday and will also be available at the door excluding the VIP tickets only available online. Regular tickets are going for $40 per person and VIP tickets are $60. Click on the link to purchase your tickets online.

Be sure to say hi to one of my local Sturbridge favorites Brian Treitman of B.T.'s Smokehouse featuring the best local BBQ around. Good luck Brian! We're pulling for you and good luck to all of the other fine establishments that will be participating.

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3 Bedroom 2 Bath Rustic Ranch For Sale in Charlton on 11 Acres

Kathleen Cooper, Best Option-RE/MAX, SRES, REALTOR® — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:42:27 -0500

Rustic Charming Ranch on 11 Acres

Overview
Maps
Photos

$259,900 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Interior: 1,926 sqft
Lot: 11.01 acre(s)
Location

69 Prince Road
Charlton, MA 01507
USA

To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

Kathleen Cooper

(508) 4442673
bestoptionteam@gmail.com
http://www.CentralMAListings.com

Listed by: RE/MAX Professional Associates

Our recent listings

Young Like New Colonial Ready To Move In
Rustic Charming Ranch on 11 Acres
JUST COLLECT RENT
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You're Invited to a B.T.'s Smokehouse Pig Roast in February!

Kathleen Cooper, Best Option-RE/MAX, SRES, REALTOR® — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:03:47 -0500

You're Invited to a B.T.'s Smokehouse Pig Roast!

When: February 4, 2012

Where: Sturbridge Coffee House

Time: Starts at 4PM Food at 5PM

Cost: $20 - Tickets can be purchased at B.T.'s Smokehouse, Sturbridge Coffee House or Pioneer Brewery

Pig Roast in February? I think YES! Come on down to this Pig Roast in Sturbridge on February 4th. Music by local band Livestock, beer provided by Pioneer Brewery, Pig & all the Fixins by your local favorite purveyor of all things delicious - B.T.'s Smokehouse!

This is a fun filled family event that you WON'T want to miss!

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RE/MAX Professional Associates

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Another Great Thing About Gmail!!

Kathleen Cooper, Best Option-RE/MAX, SRES, REALTOR® — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:12:05 -0500

Super COOL! I'm a Gmail LOVER but I had no idea that it had this function! Just keeps getting better & better! Thanks for enlightening me Melissa!

Via Melissa Mckinney~LetMeBragg.com (Keller Williams Realty):

Another great thing about Gmail!!

Do you find yourself typing the same emails over and over again? If you are like me sometime down the road I wrote some and saved them, whether in Word, Google Docs,etc...

But then you still have to go get them cut and paste them into your email! That's better then retyping them but something caught my eye today... It has probably been there all along but like so many other things it is right under our noses but we don't see it!!

Right above where we type our messages there is a little line that says “canned response” so I clicked on it and it gives you a few options, save, insert or delete.

Light bulb came on!!

So I went to retrieve one of my “canned responses” and brought it into my Gmail and pasted it into the body of the email and then I clicked “canned response” again and this time I clicked “new canned response” under the “save” option. I named it what I wanted to and clicked out of that window.

Went back to compose mail and clicked “canned response” again and this time in the drop down menu was my response, clicked on it and in a instant it was in the body and ready to go!!

Love it when the “light bulb” comes on!!

Creating Homes One Family At A Time

Melissa McKinney

www.LetMeBragg.com

Email melissa@letmebragg.com

Call or Text 910-987-0567

www.FayettevilleNcHomeFinder.com

fayettevillenchomefinder@gmail.com

Watch My Popular Video Blogs:

2012 New Year's Goals

Social Media Video Testimonial For Kathleen Cooper

Perception Is Everything - Best Practices

Kathleen Cooper Best Option *** RE/MAX Professional Associates *** LICENSED IN MA!

THIS BLOG WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Kathleen Cooper
RE/MAX Professional Associates

YOUR Social Media Girl
Providing Social Media Training & Coaching - Click the picture to Follow My Fan Page & Learn More About How I Can Help You Grow!

Phone: 508-444-2673
Email: BestOptionTeam@Gmail.com

Your Social Media Tip For The Day From YOUR Social Media Girl

Kathleen Cooper, Best Option-RE/MAX, SRES, REALTOR® — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:57:43 -0500

Happy Wednesday Everyone! Hope this post finds you well. Just wanted to take a few minutes and share a social media tip for the day. If you ever need social media help don't hesitate to contact me, YOUR Social Media Girl. I have a very reasonable rate sheet available at your request that covers everything from one on one coaching to managing business pages and creating videos. Thanks for stopping by!

Find me on Facebook for more great tips & information: www.Facebook.com/YourSocialMediaGirl

Watch My Popular Video Blogs:

2012 New Year's Goals

Social Media Video Testimonial For Kathleen Cooper

Perception Is Everything - Best Practices

Kathleen Cooper Best Option *** RE/MAX Professional Associates *** LICENSED IN MA!

THIS BLOG WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Kathleen Cooper
RE/MAX Professional Associates

YOUR Social Media Girl
Providing Social Media Training & Coaching - Click the picture to Follow My Fan Page & Learn More About How I Can Help You Grow!

Phone: 508-444-2673
Email: BestOptionTeam@Gmail.com

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