This week’s rapid rainfall has left many in our area with wet, damaged property. Dry out your home and minimize damage with these steps:

1. SAFETY FIRST: Moving water is a very strong force, and continues to pose a risk once settled. Never enter a flood damaged building before making sure that the structure is absolutely sound. If there is standing water inside-CALL THE POWER COMPANY IMMEDIATELY. Never risk entering an area where wires and water may be touching (don’t forget that furnaces and boilers are often run by electric power and in basements-common flood zones). If you are in any way doubtful of the safety of your home, call in an electrician before cleaning up to be sure. Also keep in mind that flood water could be contaminated with sewage and other bacteria–wear rubber boots and protective gloves to keep yourself safe.

2. Circulate The Air: Once the home is cleared for safety, set up fans wherever you are able to keep air flowing. Open windows and doors to further aid in drying out the home.

3. Remove As Much Water As Possible: If there is standing water in your home, use a shop vac or pump to remove as much as you can. Getting the excess water out as quickly as possible is crucial to salvaging your property.

4. Dry The Home: Mold begins to grow between 48 and 72 hours after water has entered a home. This becomes especially problematic when the air is humid. Shut your doors and windows and run a de-humidifier to continually remove moisture from the air. This will also sap moisture from wood and help maintain its integrity. Remember to wear a mask and gloves during this stage to protect yourself from mold spores. You will need to remove any carpeting, mats or drywall damaged by the water to prevent any further damage and potential mold growth.

5. Clean Up: When you have removed all of the water and damaged materials, mix up a solution of hot water and bleach to clean all surfaces touched by the flood water. As mentioned earlier, the water could be contaminated with bacteria, so a thorough cleaning is critical for health purposes.

*Remember: Flash floods are very serious. If roads are covered with water, it is not safe to drive. Find a safe place and stay put until the storm has passed.*

Nearly everyone rents at some point in their lives. Whether you are looking for your first apartment or searching for a new place, these tips will prepare you and make you feel at home in your new space.

1. Avoid Scams: When you begin your search make sure you are using reputable sources and ALWAYS make an appointment to meet with the landlord before agreeing to anything. See: Buyer Beware: Avoiding Rental Scams for more detailed information.

2. Pick The Right Neighborhood: You want to feel at home and safe in your new environment. Make sure to scout out the area of potential apartments before committing to any. A nice neighborhood will go a long way toward your well being and overall satisfaction.

3. Be Prepared: So you’ve found an apartment that fits your needs and have set up a meeting with the landlord–that’s great! Now it’s time to prepare. Think of your first meeting with the landlord as a job interview-you will want to make a good impression. Dress nicely and bring with you your rental application, list of references with contact information and a current copy of your credit report (or the information necessary for the landlord to run one). Your future landlord will be impressed with your responsibility which goes a long way in selecting a tenant.

4. Don’t Forget Extra Costs: Remember that the cost of your rent should be no more than 28% of your gross monthly income. Don’t forget the other costs associated with your new apartment though: heating, hot water, tv, internet, phone service etc. These all add up. Make yourself a monthly budget to be sure you can afford the apartment you are interested in before fully committing.

5. Review The Lease: Once your credit report comes back and the owner feels you are a good match for the apartment, you will sit down to review and sign the lease. It is important to read through the agreement carefully and ask questions on anything that isn’t perfectly clear. Remember your landlord will be happy to explain the rules and regulations now but will not be as pleased to find out of any violations later. Remember to keep a signed copy of your lease for your reference.

6. Be Honest: If at anytime your living situation changes (new roommates, pets, accidents, etc.) make sure to contact your landlord immediately. It is always best to be direct and honest about changes than to have the owner find out through the grapevine of unsavory changes. Your landlord will appreciate the communication and be more likely to work with you. You risk violating your lease and facing possible eviction if you keep secrets–it’s best to be honest from the beginning.

7. Keep Track of Issues: Be sure to notify your landlord of any problems you are experiencing with your apartment. Remember that this property is his investment as well as your home; a leaking sink is not only a nuisance to you but harmful to the property as well. This applies to neighbors as well–if you are having problems with another tenant that you cannot work out alone, let your landlord know.

8. Insure Your Property: The apartment building and property you live in is covered by your landlord’s homeowners insurance. However, that insurance will not cover any personal property inside the residence. It is highly recommended that you invest in renters insurance to protect your belongings.

9. Protect Your Security Deposit: No one wants to think about moving out when they have just unpacked, but you need to take note of the conditions of the apartment. Make a list of anything you notice isn’t perfect and give it to your landlord upon moving in. Then do your best to minimize wear and tear while you live in the apartment. Remember that you are liable for any damage that occurs while you occupy the apartment so fill any nail holes, offer to re-paint if necessary and thoroughly clean the apartment before moving out.

10. Treat Your Rental As Your Home: Even though this may be a temporary living situation, it is important you feel at home in your space. Transform the apartment as much as you can (abiding by the lease of course) to make the apartment your own. Why wait until you own a home to invest in art and furniture you love? Treat yourself now and make the most of your living situation.

1. Adjust Your Water Heater Settings: reducing heat to 120 degrees reduces energy loss.

2. Change Your Shower Head: Newer low-flow shower heads cut down on wasted water saving you money.

3. Turn Down The Thermostat: Lower your heat to 65 degrees or less or turn off your air conditioner when you aren’t home. Better yet, change to a programmable thermostat and set it to heat or cool your home 30 minutes before your arrival.

4. Run Appliances At Night: Avoid peak hours to save money. It is also less expensive to run a full dishwasher or washing machine than to do two smaller loads.

5. Unplug Electronics: Even when not in use small appliances, phone and computer chargers draw energy. Unplug them or utilize a surge protector you can switch off.

6. Skip Paper Towels: Opting for reusable microfiber cloths will be more effective and less expensive than replacing paper towels.

7. Energy Saver Bulbs: Replacing your regular light bulbs with energy efficient ones will dramatically lower costs. If you have dimmer switches–use them! That is another easy way to save energy and money.

8. Buy In Bulk: Investing in a membership at a bulk store may prove beneficial to your household. You can save further by splitting costs and products with a friend.

9. Fix Leaking Faucets: Dripping taps and running toilets are huge money wasters. Fixing them will make a dramatic difference in your utility bill.

10. Draw The Curtains: Thick curtains help keep heat (or a/c) in your home where you want it. Close the curtains whenever you can to prevent drafts.

11. Don’t Throw Money Out The Window: While you’re at it, repair or replace any windows and doors that are excessively drafty. Heat loss through windows is probably the number one cost culprit.

12. Keep Inside Doors Closed: Remember to close your closet and cupboard doors to minimize the square footage you need to heat or cool.

13. Buy Rechargeable Batteries: The initial investment may be greater but you will save in the long run.

14. Heating Price Cap: Ask your utility company about winter heating programs that cap your monthly payments. You will pay a set rate during the colder months which will likely be much less than paying for actual usage. Often times you can go off of these programs in the warmer months for even greater savings.

15. Upgrade Appliances: If you can afford to invest in more energy efficient appliances, do so. The return on your investment will be evident in your monthly utility bills.

You’ve made the decision to purchase a new home. The next step is figuring out how much you can afford…

1. Find your mortgage ‘comfort zone’:  There are lots of free online mortgage calculators to give you an idea of the sales prices you can afford. This is a great place to start even before actively looking for homes. Keeping your ‘magic’ number in the back of your mind will make your home search more satisfying. There is nothing worse than getting your heart set on something that you can’t quite afford.

2. Speak With a Lender (or two, or three): Make an appointment to sit down with a loan officer to discuss your current financial situation and your lending potential. A professional will be able to give you a pretty good idea of how much the bank will be willing to lend you based on the amount you can afford to put down, your debt, credit and income. Once you have found a home you are really excited about, you will want to be pre-approved for the amount of the house less your down payment. A pre-approval letter tells the current homeowner that you are serious about buying their home, and have the resources to do so.

3. Calculate Monthly Expenses: Now that you have a good idea of what your monthly mortgage payments will be, it’s time to sit down and think about the other expenses that will come with this new home. Include the mortgage payments, taxes and insurance in your calculations. Keep in mind that your monthly home costs should be 28% or less of your gross monthly income. For example, if you make $5,000 each month before taxes, you should be spending no more than $1,400 on home expenses. To give yourself some breathing room, you can calculate 28% of your take home pay.

4. Consider Your Debt: Unfortunately most of us carry some debt, whether it be student loans, car payments or credit cards. Your debt to income ratio (including your mortgage payment) should be 36% or less of your gross income. If you’re making $5,000 per month, your debt should be $1,800 or less.

5. Factor In All Other Expenses: Now it’s time to make a list of everything else you spend money on monthly. These will include groceries, heat, maintenance, fuel, car expenses, entertainment and phone bills. Add this number to your debt and monthly expenses and subtract from your take home pay. Do you have enough to feel comfortable month to month? If not you will need to make adjustments to your spending patterns.

6. Don’t Forget Closing Costs: Typically closing costs are between 2-5% of the total purchase price of a home. You will need to bring this amount with you at closing to cover legal fees, inspections etc. When you find a home you can afford and decide to place an offer, remember to calculate this percentage and deduct it from the amount you can afford to put down initially.

7. Leave Money For Upgrades: Remember not to leave yourself so strapped for cash that you won’t be able to afford the upgrades you were initially excited about making to the new home. Maybe you want to plant a garden, paint or buy new furniture. These are important and you should factor those costs in to your decision.

When you have your affordability calculated you will be much more prepared to place an offer on your dream home. Let the search begin!

You’ve found your dream home, taken a new job, or just decided it was time for a change of scenery. Now it’s time to explain what it all means to the kids. The following tips will ease the transition and help get the little ones excited about their new home!

1. Plan a Family Meeting: This is the time to sit everyone down and talk about the upcoming transition, what it means for the family and what to expect. Moving is stressful for kids and they will no-doubt have lots of questions. Staying upbeat and positive will go a long way in easing their minds. Plan with the kids how to keep in touch with their friends, give them details on their new school and let them know that their opinion matters. A little empowerment will go a very long way.

2. Include the Kids in the Home Search: Ask what is important to them in a home…a big yard? A play area? Keep their input in mind and take the kids along when you find houses that really interest you. The more involved they feel, the easier the move will be for the whole family.

3. Yard Sale: Moving is the perfect time to purge unwanted items and old clothes or toys the kids have outgrown. Let the kids keep the money from their own items and plan a shopping trip together once you’ve settled in to your new home. It will give them something to look forward to and be excited about. Items that don’t sell can be donated to shelters, making them feel good about supporting other children. Win, win!

4. Research: Find out as much as you can about the new area you’ll be moving to. If your kids have after school activities they enjoy now, try to find comparable programs in the new town and enroll them. Routine is important for kids and keeping the hobbies they love will make them feel more secure. Plus it’s a great way for them to meet new friends!

5. See You Soon Party: Before the big pack-up, have your kids friends and parents come over for one last get together. Create an address book for the guests to sign, with a space for messages and contact information. Plan visits with other parents to keep the kids in touch. Losing touch with friends is a big concern for kids so giving them a way to keep in contact will be a big stress relief. 

6. Room Design: Once you’ve moved, let the kids choose the theme/color scheme of their new room–make it fun! Ask them what they would like their room to look like and go shopping together. A day of shopping, painting and designing will be fun for them and create great first memories in their new home. Having their own sanctuary space that they created will be the best thing for their peace of mind.

7. Explore!: When you’ve settled, plan a family adventure day to scope out the new area together. Do a little research first to find places that will get the kids excited. Making them feel comfortable in their new surroundings is the key to a successful transition.

Before long your family will be adjusted and loving your new home!

Spring has finally arrived! This is the time of year to clean up and start fresh.

These 10 steps will leave your home sparkling and ready for entertaining all Spring and Summer long!

 Inside Your Home:

1. ORGANIZE- Closets, drawers, bookshelves…these places always seem to collect clutter. Now is the time to sort through and remove any items you no longer wear, use or need. If you are thinking of selling your home, this is especially important. Home buyers will be looking in all of the nooks and crannies of your home. The extra space you gain from de-cluttering and organizing will make your spaces look larger and more attractive!

2. Appliances- Is your stainless steel looking a little lack luster? What about the oven you have been meaning to scrub? Cleaning your appliances may not be the most exciting task, but it will certainly make a big impact. A fresh, clean kitchen will always impress potential home buyers.

3. Walls- Does your paint look like it’s been through battle? Grab a sponge and bucket of soapy water-a little elbow grease will likely remove the worst of the marks. If you are able to touch up any scuffs and scrapes with extra paint afterwards, that is even better! Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, maybe it’s time to try out a new wall color! See Benjamin Moore’s best selling paint colors for inspiration!

4. Floors- A lot can be said for a thorough sweep and vacuum’s ability to change a room for the better. If your home is heavily carpeted, Spring is a great time to invest in or rent a rug cleaner…in a couple of hours your home will be looking like new! Don’t forget about your throw rugs too, maybe your “welcome” mat is looking a little, well, unwelcome? Winter salt and mud season in Vermont certainly take their toll on door mats, now is a perfect time to replace them and freshen up your entryway!

5. Throw Pillows- Changing up the pillows on your couches, chairs and bed is a fast, relatively inexpensive way to change your rooms seasonally. Even swapping one or two couch pillows will be a refreshing change!

 Exterior & Garden:

1. Windows- If you’re like most Vermonters, the first mild day makes you want to open your windows and let the fresh air in! Maybe in doing so you realized your screens need some TLC. Consider taking them off to clean and repair any damages; screening and repair kits are available inexpensively at hardware stores. Giving your glass a thorough cleaning will finish off your windows and let you breathe that fresh air a little easier.

2. Garage- Much like closets and drawers, garages are often overwhelmed with clutter. Organizing and removing any unnecessary items will make the space more functional and appealing to any potential home buyers.

3. Wash/Paint/Stain- Winter tends to leave the exterior of our homes a little lackluster. Try washing your siding first and then touch up any paint to bring the exterior of your home back to life. Snow and ice also takes its toll on decks. Pressure washing is a good place to start but re-staining or painting your deck could make all the difference.

4. Patio- If you have a patio, sweeping and repairing any stones moved by weather will be a good preparation for Spring and Summer. Bring your outside furniture and grill out of storage and you will be set for entertaining!

5.  Lawn/Garden- With the snow finally melted, the remaining fall leaves have made their presence known. Your lawn may need a raking to rid those old leaves and allow fresh, healthy grass to grow. If your home has gutters, it is worth your while to check those for leaf build up as well. If you keep flower gardens, weeding, edging and adding fresh mulch will instantly bring them back to life. Adding a few potted plants to your newly washed deck or patio will amp up your curb appeal and make your home the envy of the neighborhood, and unforgettable to interested buyers.

It’s no secret that Vermonters are proud to live a healthy active lifestyle and now our hard work has been recognized!

2012 Marked Vermont’s fourth consecutive year at the top of Americas Health Rankings Charts! Over the past decade our states ranking has steadily risen to the top making us our nations leading example of healthy living. We are lucky to live in a state with an abundance of opportunities for physical recreation all year. Many Vermonters revel in the beauty and adventure awaiting in our own backyard–and the results are apparent in our overall health and well being.

Not only are Vermonters physically fit, but we are also mentally strong. Our high level of education, especially our high school graduation rate, has helped set us apart from the national average. We are also lucky to boast a low rate of infectious disease, high public health funding, a low rate of uninsured citizens and plenty of medical professionals per capita. These benefits combined with our exceptionally low crime rate mean Vermont is not only a safe place to live, but a happy and healthy one as well.

Congratulations Vermonters! 

The National Association of Realtors has released some interesting economic findings on real estate’s impact in Vermont. The money that is spent before, during and after a home sale/purchase directly impacts our communities–in a good way! When a home is listed, a sort of economic ripple effect begins-Realtors, Attorneys, Appraisers and Inspectors are hired to assist with the sale. Once the home is purchased, Movers, Painters, Landscapers (and more!) are often utilized to make the transition as seamless as possible. Furthermore new, excited homeowners inevitably shop for furniture, appliances and other items while getting settled. In fact, on average home buyers spend nearly $6,000 on such things shortly after their purchase and around $4,000 more on improvements during the following two years.

All of these purchases sink money back into our state’s economy, helping us all in turn. With the housing market on an upswing, Vermont can expect even greater benefits in the coming months. If you’re interested in buying or selling now may be the right time for you–a Signature Agent would love to help you decide!

The complete NAR report is available HERE

Over 90% of home hunters utilize the internet during their search. There is no doubt the web is a powerful and effective tool (See: Top 10 Apps for Home Buyers), however there are some warning signs to look out for.

1. Unavailable Sellers: If the property you’ve found on your web search is listed by an individual as opposed to a real estate agency, proceed with caution. In most cases these listings are legitimiate, however in the technological age we live in, it is easy for scammers to capitalize on unsuspecting web browsers. Craigslist is one outlet that has been riddled with such threats; scammers post photos of properties they don’t own at below market prices to lure buyers. If a seller is legitimate and serious about selling their property, they will make themselves available and will want you to view their home. If you have begun communicating via email and you sense something is off, abandon the pursuit and move on.

2. Always View The Property: NEVER agree to a sale or down payment without first touring the property, preferably with a professional. Scammers will push you to wire money promising that their deal won’t last and that you must act now. This is a red flag and classic tactic. You must see the property and have the proper inspections completed before agreeing to any sort of money transfer.

3. Be Cautious Wiring Funds: You should never agree to transfer funds to a seller you are unfamiliar with. Be even more leery if you are asked for money right away after inquiring on a property. If a seller is legitimate, they will understand protocol and be willing to work with you.

4. You Can’t Get Something for Nothing: As the old saying goes- if it seems to good to be true, it probably is. Rely on your common sense and trust your instincts when house hunting on the web. If you’re unsure whether a listing is legitimate, seek help! We would be happy to follow up on listings you are unsure of; the help of an experienced Realtor will prove extremely useful during your search. 

Keeping these warnings in mind as you search for your perfect home will help prevent costly mistakes along the way.

Are you thinking that now is the time to go from that rental you’ve grown out of into a home of your very own? At Signature Properties, we would be honored to show you the way home. We work with both buyers and sellers, and with interest rates and home prices where they are, it is certainly your time to buy.

Here are some things to consider when thinking about buying a home:

1. How much can you afford? Fannie Mae recommends keeping your housing expenses to about 28% of your income. If you go much above this, you may find yourself to be stretched too thin. There are a variety of mortgage calculators out there that will calculate a monthly payment based on estimated interest rate, insurance, and money down. This can be a good place to start.

2. What are you looking for? Come up with a list of what your must-haves, likes, and dislikes, then browse our Signature Listings and the MLS  for any homes that you think might suit your needs and budget.

3. Talk to a REALTOR: There are many benefits to working with a REALTOR. Our agents have extensive knowledge of the area market and can help you find your perfect place. We have many helpful contacts of lawyers, inspectors, lenders, and more that can help you through the process. We will be here for you from start to finish!

4. Ask questions! When working with an agent to buy your first home, if you have a question, ask! We are here to help and want to make sure you have a good understanding of the process. We know it can be a frustrating and confusing path, don’t worry we will guide you along the way.

5. Think: Think about the future and how long you might like to stay in your home, then look at homes around you and what they might be selling for now. This can help you plan for the future; especially if you plan on re-doing that kitchen that you really aren’t a big fan of.

6. Consider a new construction: Hank Gintof, one of our valued agents, works a lot with custom built new construction homes. Do you have a wish list a mile long? Talk to Hank and chances are, he has something that can be turned into your dream home

7.Enjoy! Buy magazines, get ideas, and dream about how you are going to decorate your newly purchased home. Its important to settle down and enjoy the process, if you can. You will be a first time home buyer before you know it!