Killer Apps for Homeowners

Do you have an iPad? Do you own a home?

Who would have thought that you could control your TV with your iPad? And match colors you see in the world to exact hues with Sherwin-Williams? And carry a comprehensive wood grain library with you everywhere you go? Oh, and did we mention: An app to measure your rooms and a different one to help you decorate them?

Here are 5 incredible apps for the iPad that we think most homeowners will love:

ColorSnap: Capture real world colors and match them to Sherwin-Williams paint colors—for free.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/colorsnap/id316256242?mt=8

Remodelista: Looking for the perfect couch, stylish DIYs, or inspiration to refresh your space? Get your daily deco fix with the new Home Design App from Remodelista.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/remodelista/id377290615?mt=8

Control4: Turn your iPad into a touch screen remote! Control your TV, lights, sound system and home security from one place:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/control4-my-home-for-ipad/id364304056?mt=8

Photo Measures Lite: Photo Measures is the most elegant and the easiest way to save measures on your own photos on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch!
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/photo-measures-lite/id417222688?mt=8

I.D. Wood: A powerful reference guide to help you ID any kind of wood, or choose a color and grain for future projects.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/i-d-wood/id325838725?mt=8

Not a homeowner yet? Maybe we can help you with that! We guide first-time buyers through a pain-free process all the time. Reach out to us today! 904-422-7626 or http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com

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Hosting House Guests Like a Pro

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handy tips, jacksonville area, maps history, town guests

Hosting out of town guests soon? Going the extra mile when hosting out-of-town guests can be both affordable and reflect the charms of your town. Here are some handy tips I like to share with clients who have friends staying in the wonderful Jacksonville area.

For the guest room:

• Clear out a nice space for your guests items. Even a section of a closet or a dedicated set of shelves / drawers will help them feel welcome.

• Fresh flowers are a great way to make an average guest room seem like a little dose of “B&B” treatment.

• Provide local information on the nightstand; local maps, history, and points of interest are great ideas.

On arrival:

• Giving guests a spare set of keys and showing them how to use the alarm (if you have one) is a great way to make sure they can come and go as they please.

• People are often starving after a long day on the road! Have some food available as soon as your friends arrive.

• Let them know “what’s mine is yours” right away. Books, blankets, whatever they need. Don’t assume they’ll ask or feel comfortable with your possessions.

While they’re staying:

• Take them food shopping at a local specialty store. If they like to cook, plan to make a meal together. It can be intimate, relaxing, and affordable.

• Go beyond the tourist destinations! Show them “how locals do.”

• If they drink, offering a little “wind me down” cocktail at night is nice.

• If it doesn’t break the bank, find small, local souvenir you can send them home with.

By the way, we’d love to meet your house guests! They might just like Jacksonville so much, they’d consider moving here. If you’re out and about, give us a ring or drop us a line so we can meet! Contact us today: 904-422-7626 Kevin@HanleyHomeTeam.com

Top Forgotten Items in a Move

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family heirlooms, garage door opener, trustworthy friends

The chaos of moving day is a prime time to forget or misplace essential items. When you’re preparing for the big move to your new home, the following items are some of the most overlooked (and the most sorely missed in a time of need!).

To prevent the hassle and heartbreak of forgotten possessions and lost information, make a check list containing the following items:

1. Jewelry, watches, and small valuables: These small, expensive and often irreplaceable items are best kept in a safe deposit box or kept with trustworthy friends or relatives on moving day.

2. Garage door opener: The old one won’t be of much use at your new house, will it? Be sure to leave it behind for the new owners. Also, make sure the old owners of your new house give you theirs!

3. Spare keys: Sets to your old house should remain with the new owners, but don’t forget sets to the new house! There’s nothing more frustrating than arriving at your new place without a way to get in.

4. Old address books: Yes, we all have fancy new smartphones, but it seems like families all have a well-worn phone book stashed in a spice drawer somewhere. These are practically family heirlooms of information, so don’t leave them behind.

5. Unfinished errands: Do you have any clothes at the dry cleaner? Books due to the library? What about other video game or DVD rentals? It can be a real hassle to settle up on these items from 100 miles away, right?
6. Medical records: While a lot of medical information is digital these days, you should make sure you don’t misplace your copies, including dental information and prescriptions. It’s easy to lose them at the bottom of a hastily thrown-away box.

I make sure my clients’ experience selling their old home and moving into their new dream home is a smooth transition. If you’re interested in a hassle-free home selling experience, please get in touch today: 904-422-7626 or Kevin@HanleyHomeTeam.com

Buy to Invest Not Flip

Now is perhaps one of the best times in history to purchase a home. Low interest rates and unparalleled affordability have created a perfect storm for qualified buyers.

So does that mean the “flipping days” are here again? Probably not. While there may be shrewd investors out there who have the ability to squeeze out a profit on flipping properties in this market, the margins aren’t favorable and re-selling is tough.

It is, however, an excellent time for buyers looking for a long-term home investment, especially those who want to manage a rental property. There’s a good margin between true value and current prices, for one. Additionally, there’s great potential for higher rental values as rental inventory decreases under the pressure of potential buyers who can’t yet qualify for a loan.

Do you have a college graduate or newlywed child? Another great investment is the purchase of a home for someone in the family that may occupy it as a tenant until such time they can afford their own home.

If you’re curious about which neighborhoods would make the purchase of an investment property a good move, feel free to contact us today. We’d be happy to help advise you on an investment purchase. 904-422-7626 Kevin@HanleyHomeTeam.com

Understanding Home Equity

Did you buy a home last year? Have you owned your home for a decade? Do you have an accurate idea of how much equity you really have in your home? If you were to sell today, do you know how much cash you’d have available moving forward?

Understanding the true equity you have in your home is a vital part of understanding your complete financial picture. You may have a vague idea of what you think your home is worth, but do you really know? And if you’re not sure, can you really be sure of your equity?

I often help clients get an accurate picture of their home equity through a three step process:

First, I use a comparative market analysis to establish a probable range of sale prices for your home. This takes into account recent closings as well as the unique features your home has to offer potential buyers.

Second, we look at your current loan and any other outstanding obligations which must be settled from the proceeds of the sale.

Third, I take into account any other fees or expenses incurred during the sales process which would impact the free equity in the home.

Whether the actual equity turns out to be $1,000 or $100,000, my clients find a certain peace of mind knowing exactly where they stand. The facts can help them plan for the future and make decisions about whether or not now is a good time to make any changes.

Are you curious about your home equity position? Contact us if you’d like to learn more: 904-422-7626 Kevin@HanleyHomeTeam.com

Making a Great Wedding Toast

With the Spring and Summer wedding seasons not so far off, it won’t be too long until we hear the forks and knives ringing out against wine and water glasses alike. Celebrations call for toasts, and you might just be called upon to make one yourself–for a son, a daughter, or even an associate who is up for retirement.

 

Here are a few classic wedding toasts, sampled from around the web:

 

“May you both live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.”

 

“May you live each day like your last, and live each night like your first.”

 

“Here’s to the two secrets to a long-lasting and happy marriage: A good sense of humor and a short memory!”

 

While the etiquette of toasting varies across cultures and situations, there are a number of interesting “rules” that are commonly followed. For instance:

 

A toast is generally offered standing, unless the group is very small or informal.

 

When gathered to honor a person, it is the host of the event who has the honor of delivering the first toast.

 

The person honored in a toast usually does not stand or drink (but rises after to thank the person offering the toast).

 

Putting a glass down before the completion of a toast or holding without drinking is thought of as impolite, as it suggests one does not share the spirit of the toast.

 

Toasts accompany some of life’s greatest changes, and so do real estate decisions. If your nest is about to be emptier or more crowded, now could be a good time to find that dream home for the next step in your life. If you have any real estate questions you’d like answered, or if you’d like to share a favorite toast, please get in touch today: Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS – 904-422-7626 or http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com

Sources for Home Design Information

Are you thinking about renovating the interior of your home or building a brand new fantasy home? If you’re just beginning to formulate an idea of what the living space of your dreams looks like, I’ve put together a list of three great sites to help inspire your imagination:

 

HOUZZ.COM (http://www.houzz.com)

Houzz is a leading destination site for home design enthusiasts– professionals and homeowners. The Houzz site and mobile apps feature over 250,000 high quality interior and exterior photos, thousands of highly-engaging articles written by design experts, product recommendations and social tools to manage the remodeling and decorating process.

 

FRESHOME.COM (http://www.freshome.com)

Launched in 2007, Freshome is a weblog devoted to uncovering (and sharing) the latest and greatest products in Architecture and Design. The primary focus of this design publication is to give you inspiration to make your home more beautiful, organized and healthy. We believe that a calm, healthy, beautiful home is a necessary foundation for happiness and success in the world.

 

GETDECORATING.COM (http://www.getdecorating.com)

Every picture has a story… whether you’re thinking about renovating, remodeling, decorating a new house or redecorating your existing home, perhaps with new furniture, different window treatments or maybe just a color change…you’ve come to the right place! Our site is devoted to inspirational home ideas that you can choose, save, and email to a friend or supplier.

 

Stop flipping through magazines for a few good photos and dive into these sites with literally tens of thousands of colorful ideas to spark your imagination. From staging to renovation, these are great places to get started.

 

Thinking about selling your old home before you pursue a new design? I’d be happy to help! Connect with me this week: Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTOR 904-422-7626 http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com