Category Archives: Uncategorized

Don’t expects re agents to answer loaded questions about neighborhoods

They are the radioactive questions in home real estate, yet many buyers seem to have no idea about their sensitivity. So they ask their realty agents:

●Is this a “good” neighborhood?

●Is it “safe”?

●Are the schools “good” or “the best”?

●What types of people live here?
●Can you show us a neighborhood with large numbers of Catholics (or Asians, Jews, Hispanics, African Americans or some other group)?

Although it may come as a surprise to some home shoppers, certain answers by realty agents could trigger federal and state anti-discrimination legal tripwires. As a result, many agents are hesitant to provide specifics.

So what are home shoppers supposed to do? First and foremost, be aware that any agents you deal with are subject to the Fair Housing Act. Also, most of the data on schools and crime that you might be curious about can readily be found on the Web — it just takes a little searching on any of dozens of sites.

Better to look for the information yourself than to ask agents. They can’t make judgments for you and most likely won’t give you answers anyway.

read more at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/dont-expect-realty-agents-to-answer-loaded-questions/2016/03/15/16b1727e-ea0c-11e5-a6f3-21ccdbc5f74e_story.html

disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only

Cliff Home to be built in Lebanon

cliff

Construction is now reportedly planned for a location just outside Beirut, Lebanon, with an approximate budget of US$2.5 million ($3.27 million).

The original plan, which made headlines in July last year, was to have the striking building embedded in a cliff, overlooking the Aegean Sea in Greece.

It’s new location will be a Faqra mountain on about 1600 square metres, with dimensions expanded to 270 square metres and an extra bedroom added. It has room for six people and underground parking for three cars.

See more photos at: http://www.domain.com.au/news/casa-brutale-cliff-home-to-be-built-in-lebanon-20160318-gnlpfn/

Garage Upgrades

Many homeowners would never let sports gear, tools and yard equipment clutter up the front hall where it’s the first things guests see.

But they’re willing to wend their own way into the house through a garage stuffed with those things, plus patio furniture, bikes, holiday decorations and more, says Todd Carter of Tailored Living featuring Premier Garage, in Reston, Virginia.

Will this add value to your home?  Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your value questions.

The company focuses on renovating and improving garages, and that’s a hot area in home renovation, experts say. From cabinetry and shelving to flooring and overhead storage, there are many new ways to turn a garage into an organized and attractive space for storage, entertaining or working out.

The trend has been made possible by today’s larger garages.

“The sky’s the limit,” said Greg Parsons, owner of Motor City Garages in Clarkston, Michigan. “It’s all based on the homeowner’s stuff.”

He routinely outfits garages with high-end, scratch-resistant cabinetry, sinks and epoxy flooring — an easy-to-clean coating that comes in numerous colours and finishes. He recently added a line of cabinetry that lets buyers customize the colour to match their car.

Some homeowners end up adding televisions and seating, Parsons said.

Jeff and Linda Marsack of Macomb, Michigan, hired Parsons to organize their two-car garage. They added cabinets to store shoes, sporting equipment and tools. She chose red cabinets to match their kitchen.

read more at: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Garage+upgrades+make+room+storage+entertaining/11725150/story.html