A Few Fall Ideas...

10 Quick Ways To Get Your Home Ready For Thanksgiving!

Holidays tend to bring feelings of excitement along with being totally overwhelmed. You want dinner to be perfect. You want your home to be perfect. You want everything to go smoothly. 

Here are ten little things that you can do to make your home a little bit more special for Thanksgiving 2012.

1. Buy candles. Candles are a great addition to many of the rooms in your home. They instantly create the intimacy that your house needs to make Thanksgiving feel special even before the guests start arriving. Avoid scented candles for Thanksgiving, though, because the scent of dinner cooking is what everyone wants to smell! 

2. Clean up the bathroom. This room is a room that everyone is going to need to use while they're at your place. It's also a room that you never want to be embarrassed by because it's a mess. Take the time to clean it up and you'll feel better about the rest of the house getting messy as you entertain.

3. Add some bar stools to your kitchen. These are an affordable addition to the kitchen and they encourage people to join you there while you cook.

4. Pick up a bouquet of flowers. You'll probably end up moving them out of the way when dinner is served but they provide a nice little touch before that. Plus they're a nice little treat for yourself for all of the hard work that you're doing.

5. Stock up the wine rack. Most people serve wine with Thanksgiving dinner. Decorating the wine rack with some Thanksgiving decorations is a quick and easy idea! 

6. Make sure that you have all of the kitchen utensils that you need. Do you have all of the right knives, a pan big enough for the turkey and a wine opener for the bubbly? Do you have enough plates for everyone? Make a checklist in advance so that you can pick up whatever you need before Thursday.

7. Pick up a few DVDs or games for the kids. Children can get bored when the family is dragging out Thanksgiving day. There's nothing wrong with renting a few DVDs or games to keep the little ones entertained while you enjoy Thanksgiving.

8. Put your clutter in the closet. Get all of your stuff out of the way before your guests arrive so that your home looks nice and neat and everyone has room to move around.

9. Rearrange your furniture. While there are no specific "Thanksgiving furniture arrangements" moving your furniture around always gives a room a fresh update. Since Thanksgiving is a fall holiday and is all about reconnecting with family, try arranging your furniture to create cozy areas for friends and family to gather and chat.

10. Get cooking! There are a lot of things that you can make a day or two in advance. This reduces your Thanksgiving stress and gives you more time to enjoy your friends and family when they arrive.

Call us with all of your Real Estate Needs! Northouse Realty Group (616) 206-9667 Jeff Northouse - REALTOR Christine Lassa - Marketing Director www.grhomelink.com Brokered by Five Star Real Estate (616) 257-1500

7 home purchases worth the splurge 10/25/12

7 Home Purchases Worth the Splurge

The quality of certain items shouldn't be compromised due to lack of research or the inability to delay gratification. Delving into a products' specifications, reading product reviews or coming across the right "ideabook" can help us feel more equipped to make a decision on high-ticket items for the house. 

Here are seven home purchases worth the splurge:

1. Window Coverings

Often it appears that your options are endless when it comes to window coverings. However, window placement, frame construction and other external factors help narrow your choices. 

It's best to seek professional advice when you are confused about which option is best for your home. There's generally no way around custom window treatments when there are unusually tall windows or odd placements. Remain conservative in your choice and they will be a good investment in your home when it's time to sell.

2. Linens and Towels 

Consider anything that touches your bare skin an investment in comfort. Bed linens and towels with a high thread count are softer, durable and long lasting.

3. Upholstery 

Purchasing a quality sofa or other piece of upholstered furniture that stands up to the demands of your lifestyle is always a good idea. Cotton blends that have a high percentage of polyester provide optimal stain resistance and long-term wear. 

4. Room-Size Rug 

It can take months to find the perfect rug, and when you do, it usually isn't cheap. Costs vary depending on the age, weaving technique, fiber content and dye method. Hand-loomed rugs wear well and have added character and charm. Minor repairs do not affect the value of the rug as long as they have been done well.

5. Mattress 

Good health is one of your biggest assets, and a good night's sleep is essential to your well-being. Experts recommend buying what's comfortable for you; there is no one size that fits all. Take your time when shopping for a mattress and select one that provides optimal support when you're sleeping on your side with hips and knees slightly flexed.

6. Original Artwork 

A one-of-a-kind piece by its nature has special value. In addition to adding beauty and interest to the home, fine art gains extrinsic value as time passes.

7. Countertops 

 In regard to replacing the homeowner's old laminate countertops with classic honed granite counters, Black and white never goes out of style. If you want a classic black and white kitchen, go ahead and change out those countertops!

Call us with all of your Real Estate Needs! Northouse Realty Group (616) 206-9667 Jeff Northouse - REALTOR Christine Lassa - Marketing Director www.grhomelink.com Brokered by Five Star Real Estate (616) 257-1500

Is Your Home Ready for Winter?

Is Your Home Ready for Winter?

Autumn is a time of transition; as the days grow shorter, the leaves turn color and soon they begin to fall. With winter on the way, now is the time to make the changes necessary to get your home ready for winter. The following tips will help you minimize energy costs and keep your family comfortable all winter long.

Doors and Windows

• Replace worn weather stripping around all doors and windows.
• Caulk gaps in windows and door glass.
• If you do not have storm doors, consider installing them.
• Replace older, single-pane windows with new, high performance models.

Insulation and Sealing 

• Adequate attic insulation is essential in keeping your house warm and saving on winter heating bills. Add or replace attic insulation as necessary. See the U.S. Department of Energy's Insulation Fact Sheet for the recommended R-value of insulation for your area.
• Add foam insulation gaskets to electrical outlets and switches on external walls (remember to turn off the power first).
• Look for gaps or holes in attic soffit and knee walls, basement rim joists (where the foundation meets wood framing), as well as plumbing and wiring access. Seal by stuffing with insulation or expandable foam or caulk.

Heating System

• Have your heating system inspected by a certified professional before cold weather arrives.
• Clean vents and other heating system components.
• Replace your furnace filter now, and continue routine replacement throughout the heating season.
• Consider installing a programmable thermostat; it will help you save on energy costs by automatically lowering temperatures at night while you are sleeping, and when you are away from home.
• If your heating system is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with a new furnace or heat pump that is ENERGY STAR® certified.

 Chimney and Fireplace 

• Have your chimney and fireplace checked and cleaned by a professional.
• Repair or replace a loose-fitting fireplace damper to prevent heat loss through the chimney, and make sure the damper is closed whenever the fireplace is not in use.
• Fireplace inserts, covers, glass doors, and flue sealers, also help to prevent heat loss through your fireplace chimney. 

Outside Your Home

• Replace missing or damaged roof shingles.
• Clean the gutters and make sure downspouts point away from the house.
• Make sure the flashing around the chimney and vent pipes is sealed tightly.
• Trim tree limbs that touch or hang over your home.

Call us with all of your Real Estate Needs! Northouse Realty Group (616) 206-9667 Jeff Northouse - REALTOR Christine Lassa - Marketing Director www.grhomelink.com Brokered by Five Star Real Estate (616) 257-1500

Obama, Romney Spar on Mortgage Rules

Obama, Romney Spar on Mortgage Rules

Mortgage rules being drafted by federal banking regulators came under the spotlight last night in the first election debate between President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

The President defended provisions in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, enacted in 2010, as necessary to prevent a repeat of the loose lending practices that resulted in the country’s financial crisis in 2007. “Does anybody out there think that the big problem we had is that there was too much oversight and regulation of Wall Street?” Obama said midway through the 90-minute debate.

Gov. Romney cited the qualified mortgage (QM) rule as a key example of the problems Dodd-Frank has created in the mortgage market, because the law left it unclear what a qualified mortgage looks like. That has created confusion among lenders, hurting mortgage availability to consumers.

The qualified mortgage rule is intended to ensure lenders make loans only to borrowers who can demonstrate a reasonable ability to repay them. NAR's position is that the definition should be broad, rather than prescriptive, so lenders can make safe, affordable mortgages to all creditworthy borrowers, not just those with the strongest credit profiles.

The candidates’ discussion of the QM rule was the only time housing came up in the debate. They also sparred over a broad range of domestic issues, including the economy, taxation, the federal deficit, health care, energy, and education.

Call us with all of your Real Estate Needs! Northouse Realty Group (616) 206-9667 Jeff Northouse - REALTOR Christine Lassa - Marketing Director www.grhomelink.com Brokered by Five Star Real Estate (616) 257-1500

Autumn Ambition

            Autumn is the time to take ACTION!

Many times homeowners find themselves not knowing the ideal time to put their home on the market. They are confident they need change, but are people looking to buy homes at this time of year?

The Fall market typically enjoys an influx of buyers, much like Spring. Listing your home in early autumn will appeal to buyers with hopes of moving before Christmas. The autumn selling window is however somewhat short, so potential sellers need to act now! The best buyer prospects are in October and November, thereby allowing them enough time to close before the Christmas holiday.

Additionally, the color palette of Fall is warm and inviting; further enhancing your homes curb appeal! Contact us today to discuss taking advantage of this wonderful Fall real estate market.

Call us with all of your Real Estate Needs! Northouse Properties (616) 257-7940 Jeff Northouse - REALTOR www.grhomelink.com In association with Five Star Real Estate (616) 257-1500