Thursday 22 August 2013

SHOPPING FOR A HOME....AND CONFUSED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL TERMS USED BY REALTORS. PERHAPS THESE SIMPLE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE MOST COMMON HOME STYLES WILL HELP:

RANCH:
All rooms, including bedrooms, are on one level. Some have basements.

BI-LEVEL:
Grade level family room, bedroom and/or den, bath, garage. Second level, living room, dining room, kitchen, bedrooms and bathroom(s). Often referred to as a raised ranch.

SPLIT LEVEL:
Many different styles with multiple levels and room locations. Most common; Lower level family room, first level, kitchen, living room, dining room, second level bedrooms and bath(s)

CAPE COD:
First level, living room, dining room, kitchen, usually 2 bedrooms and bath. Second level, bedrooms and bath.

COLONIAL:
First floor, entry hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, bath. Second floor, bedrooms and bath(s).

CONDOMINIUM:
Either high rise apartment style or multiple floors townhouse style. Number of bedrooms and baths vary. Homeowners own their individual units and are members of an association and are assessed a monthly fee. The grounds are common areas.

CO-OPERATIVES:
Generally, apartment building style. Owners own the building collectively and share all maintenance expenses. A Board of Directors is elected to oversee the running of the complex and must approve the sale of any unit.

Regardless of your personal home style choices, with interest rates still at an all time low, NOW, is a great time to buy or sell.

For all of your real estate and insurance needs, contact:
LEGACY REALTY GROUP, EDISON, NJ
732.744.0400

Monday 19 August 2013

HOW LONG SHOULD IT LAST?

Replacing windows, appliances, roofing, etc. can be unexpectedly pricey. Knowing approximately how long things should last, offers great value to buyers and homeowners. These averages, from a study by the National Association of Home Builders, can be used as a general guide:

100 YEARS OR MORE:
Brick siding: Lifetime of the home
All wooden floors: Lifetime of the home

50-100 YEARS:
Slate, copper, clay & concrete roofs: 50 to 100 years
Copper gutters: 50+years
Kitchen cabinets: up to 50 years
Vinyl floors: 50 years

30 TO 50 YEARS:

Thermostats: 35 years
Wooden windows: 30 years
Wood shake roofs: 30 years

10 TO 20 YEARS:
Aluminum windows: 15 to 20 years
Asphalt shingle roofs: 20 years
Faucets/Kitchen sinks: 15 years
Gas ranges: 15 years
Dryers & Refrigerators: 12/13 years
A/C units: 10-15 years
Lighting controls: 10+ years
Interior & Exterior paints: 15+ years
Electric or gas water heaters: 10 years
Central A/C compressors: 10 to15 years
Furnaces: 15 -20 years

5 TO 10 YEARS:
Security systems: 5 to 10 years
Heat and smoke detectors: 5 to 10 years
Dishwashers: 9/10 years
Microwave ovens: 9/10 years
Carpeting: 8 to 10 years

The true longevity of any household item and material, depends greatly on maintenance and use, quality of installation and climate conditions.

For all your Real Estate and Insurance needs, contact: LEGACY REALTY GROUP, Edison, NJ.
732.744.0400

Thursday 15 August 2013

THINKING OF PAINTING YOUR ROOMS....WHAT COLORS ARE  BEST, AND WHAT DO THE SAY?

RED:
Increases energy and heart rate; creates excitement and stimulates the appetite. BEST FOR: Dining rooms

ORANGE:
Adds comfort, warmth and cheerfulness, but too much can bring about cautious feelings. BEST FOR: Living rooms & Family rooms.

YELLOW:
Brightens mood and promotes welcoming & joyful feelings, increases positive thinking. BEST FOR: Poorly lit foyers & Hallways. Buttery shades of yellow for living rooms.

GREEN:
Most restful color. Reduces nervous activity and muscular tension, calms and relaxes. BEST FOR: Living rooms (light green) and accent for kitchens and Dining rooms (mid tones)

BLUE:
Promotes calmness, security and cleanliness. Lowers blood pressure, cools a room and serves as an appetite suppressant. BEST FOR: Bedrooms or any peaceful area of the home.

PURPLE:
Boosts creativity and imagination, but can have unpleasant, subconscious responses. Many adults dislike purple walls, especially lighter shades, which are perceived as more youthful. BEST FOR: Children's bedrooms and play rooms.

Although people's color choices vary and are very personal, they don't have to be McDonald's yellow or Red Roof Inn red. A subtle tint or tone of those particular colors often create the warming effect buyers want in their homes.

sources: Rohm and Haas Paint institute.

For all your Real Estate and Insurance needs, contact:
Legacy Realty Group, Edison, NJ. 732.744.0400

Monday 12 August 2013

DON'T MESS WITH THE UNKNOWN.......


If you are going to sell your home and have been advised by your Realtor or Attorney, to have your property inspected before it goes on the market, we respectfully disagree with that advice. In practice, over the years, we have seen very few deals fall apart because of inspection issues. Plus, in addition to the price of the inspection itself, it could end up costing the sellers in different ways. Any little defects found would have to be listed on the disclosure statement, or the sellers could be liable. A potentially long list of inspection issues can drive away buyers and if sellers choose to fix every item on the list, it could cost them a lot of money.....especially considering that buyers typically don't require the complete list to be repaired. We prefer leaving the unknown alone.
Legacy Realty Group, Edison, NJ, 732.744.0400