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From the Roof Medic web site: “The type of growth you have determines the amount of damage. The least damaging are the algae and molds. These growths hold moisture, which very slowly causes rotting of the shingle. The worst growth we encounter is lichen. We find it growing on roughly 30% of the roofs we clean. Lichen is such a hardy feeder, it creates enough damage to the roof, in as little as 3 years, so as to cause granular to fall off. Customers often forget the visual damage growth causes to their roof. Most roofs are replaced today due to the way they look. We are finding many people are repairing or replacing their 25-30 year roofs in as little as 10 years because they look so bad. Often a roof cleaning is all they need.”

For more information on this service contact Roof Medic.

By: Anne Patterson, RE/MAX Gallery

For many younger Americans, the dream of owning their first home is alive and well. But for others, it’s still an elusive dream.

Only five years ago, it was relatively easy to finance a home, but the Great Recession and the mortgage market’s meltdown have made it difficult for many people to qualify for home loans. The shifting state of home values and prices has complicated matters. In some markets, values have plunged by more than 40 percent. While that has created once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for younger people to enter the real estate market, others have taken a more cautious approach, waiting to see if prices will continue to fall.

Whether you’re ready now or will be down the road, buying your first home takes preparation. Here are some tips from FindLaw.com, the nation’s leading website for free legal information, on how to get started.

Save aggressively for your down payment. Many first-time homebuyers seek a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Association, which insures loans made by lenders for qualifying homebuyers. The program allows buyers to put down as little as 3.5 percent of a home’s cost. However, if the home you want to buy doesn’t qualify for the program, you’ll need to obtain a conventional loan, which will require you to put down anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of the purchase price as a down payment to qualify for a mortgage.

Get your finances in order. Lenders are now taking a closer look at debt-to-income ratio (percentage of monthly income that goes toward debt payments) and housing-to-income ratio (percentage of monthly income that goes toward housing payments). In general, responsible lenders follow the 28/36 percent rule – no more than 28 percent of your monthly income should go to housing costs, and no more than 36 percent of your monthly income should go to debt (including auto loans, credit cards and other loans).

Clean up your credit report. Your credit score is critical to a mortgage application. The higher your score, the more likely you can qualify for a mortgage and obtain favorable terms (a lower down payment and lower monthly payments). By law, you can request one free credit report per year through one of the three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. You should request your report to review your score and correct any mistakes well before you apply for a mortgage.

Don’t apply for credit. Keep in mind that a mortgage lender is determining your ability to pay back a mortgage up until the minute you sign the mortgage papers. In general, it’s not a good idea to take on more debt such as an auto loan or a new credit card within a year of buying a home.

First-year expenses. First-time homebuyers can be so focused on trying to put together a down payment that they sometimes forget about the expenses that go into setting up a household. You should consider putting away an additional $5,000 to $10,000 for expenses such as a lawnmower, furniture and basic decorating, and for potential repairs involving your furnace, air conditioning, water heater and other appliances.

Shop around. It’s important to shop around to get the best home possible for your dollar. And likewise, it’s critical to shop around for a mortgage too. Get at least three to four proposals from different mortgage lenders before deciding on the best offer.

Don’t expect your dream home. Many first-time homebuyers purchase what’s called a “starter” home or a “fixer-upper.” While these are often relatively small and need some repairs, they’re also an opportunity to enter the real estate market and build sweat equity. To spot a starter home, look for one that needs some love and attention in a neighborhood with houses that are well maintained or being remodeled.

Home inspection. Even if you’ve come across the deal of a lifetime, never buy a house without a home inspection. An inspection will alert you to potential problems that may not be obvious to a person buying his or her first home. It also may be useful if you need to sue the seller for concealing problems with the home

Anne Patterson
RE/MAX Gallery
734-855-4129
248-987-4319

Home staging, or temporarily redesigning a home to appeal to buyers, can give homeowners an edge in an overcrowded market. Staged homes look bigger, newer and warmer. They invite buyers to see themselves living in the home.
Staging projects include inexpensive tasks, from rearranging furniture, to renting contemporary living room sets. Here are some tips for staging homes:

- Declutter. When buyers see overcrowded book shelves and wrinkled towels, they focus more on the dingy details than the architecture. But staging means more than a thorough cleaning – sellers should also remove personal items, like family photographs. Buyers should picture their families living in the home, not yours.

- Make things look new. A little paint can go a long way. Light colors make rooms look larger and brighter, so use them to make your home appear spacious. Wooden floors and cabinetry make big impressions, so make sure that they shine. If any wood looks dry or dirty, apply an orange oil for a quick restoration job. Touch of Oranges Wood Cleaner and Restorer s small scratches and removes build-up, fingerprints and grease from cabinetry, wood floors and fixtures.

Hard water stains on glass shower doors and windows look unattractive, so remove them with a specialized product like CLR, Lime Away or Bring It On Cleaner, which uses oxygen bleach to clean minerals from glass and tile. Some hard water stains will often yield to scrubbing with white vinegar and a non-scratch pad. If you find that vinegar is ineffective, a paint scraper or razor blade can be used to remove the bonded stains before resorting to harsher chemicals.

- Add small details. In the kitchen, bowls filled with fresh fruit create an attractive, colorful eyepiece. Place vases filled with fresh flowers in the bedrooms and dining room. Put candles in the bathroom. Small touches make homes feel more inviting.

After expanding the patio, we used a concrete paint to unify the color. To keep it simple, we used the trim color from our house. The before photo shows pavers half painted with the first coat. After painting we re-filled the gaps in between with slag sand.

Now we are ready for spring and summer out door entertainment!

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]]> http://impactids.com/quick-tip-how-to-match-new-and-old-concert-pavers/feed 0 http://impactids.com/spring-cleaning http://impactids.com/spring-cleaning#comments Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:55:57 +0000 Darla Rowley http://impactids.com/?p=1420 After a long, Michigan winter we welcome spring with open arms. April showers give way to sunshine and longer days; it’s time for renewal and an re-awakening of our senses.

It’s also the season for that tried-and-true household tradition: Spring cleaning. I don’t know about you, but I tend to really notice the winter’s accumulation of clutter, dust and grime when there’s more natural light pouring into my home! That means it’s time to stock up on cleaning products, buy a new mop and a pull on a fresh pair of rubber gloves. Years ago, spring cleaning meant days of dusting, mopping, wiping and scouring; a job that usually landed on the shoulders of the lady of the house (with assistance from the rest of the family). It meant a complete top-to-bottom cleaning of every square inch of the home and often included removing, cleaning, and replacing an extensive list of household items to create that spring-fresh feeling. Who has time for a project like that in today’s busy world?

But let’s be honest; nothing feels better than a home that looks and smells clean,fresh and uncluttered, and this is the perfect time of year to make that happen. (And if you’re planning on putting your home on the market, it’s not an option…it’s a MUST!) It’s also a great time to add a few easy, inexpensive (but high-impact) improvements. Whether you’re selling your house or simply enjoying living in it, this short list of “must-do” Spring chores and a few quick spruce-up tips will help make your house look as beautiful as the season. –Darla

1. Storing Seasonal Clothing

Unless you’re blessed with multiple, spacious closets, there’s a good chance you perform the annual “changing of the clothes” ritual. Packing away your winter sweaters, coats and other cold weather clothing properly will save unnecessary damage to your wardrobe. Selecting the proper storage items is important. Encase hanging items in plastic garment bags and use large plastic bins with tight-fitting lids for sweaters and other foldable items. If you’re reusing bags or containers, wipe them out thoroughly with a damp cloth and allow to dry completely before use. And always store your clothing in a cool, dark, dry area. Be sure the clothing you store has been laundered or dry cleaned; moths are attracted to the smell of humans. Moth balls can be dangerous and most people find the lingering aroma unpleasant. Some natural alternatives include sachets of bay leaves, cinnamon or lavender. These scents not only repel moths but leave your clothing with a lovely scent to look forward to when you unpack in the fall. TIP: Make a simple, inexpensive sachet using some of those unmatched socks you have lying around the house (you know you have a bag full of them). Simply put a handful of bay leaves, cinnamon sticks or lavender in a clean sock and tie it closed with a rubber band or string.

2. Check Appliances

Spring is the perfect time to inspect your major appliances for wear and tear. The coils of the refrigerator should be vacuumed, and the drain pan should be cleaned out. Accumulated lint needs to be cleaned from the dryer vents. A dirty vent not only makes your dryer operate less efficiently, it is also a fire hazard. You can hire a service for this task, but it’s actually simple to clean your dryer vent on your own. Clean out accumulated gunk from your oven and refrigerator. Clean dishwashers, disposals, and washing machines. This is a good time for a professional inspection of your heating and cooling units, or at the very least, a great time to change/clean your HVAC filter. And don’t forget to check or change the battery in your smoke detectors.

3. Clutter Control

Try the “four- container clutter method” to help figure out items that need to be kept, sold, given away, or trashed. If paper clutter is one of a problem, this is a great time to invest in a small filing cabinet that can be stashed away in a closet to keep bills, mail and other paperwork organized and out of site. And remember; the best way to reduce paper clutter is to avoid it in the first place: unsubscribe to unwanted catalogs or mailings and use electronic billing and statements for household bills. Remember, if your home is on the market, de-cluttering may be the single most important thing you do to make your home look spacious, clean and cared-for.

4. Closets, Cabinets and Cubbies

While you’re switching your summer and winter clothing is a good time to vacuum out drawers, replace paper liners, vacuum closets and dust shelving. Don’t forget the linen closet; you can pack away the heavy blankets and flannel sheets along with your winter clothing and give those shelves a thorough wipe-down, as well. In the bathroom, clean out medicine cabinets and under vanities and discard old or expired cosmetics and medications. (Be sure to dispose of medications properly, where children or animals cannot access them. Most pills and liquid medicines can be flushed.) Tip for home sellers: potential buyers WILL open your cabinets and closets. Make sure you’re putting your home’s best foot forward even behind closed doors.

5. Garage Storage

Spring is garage sale season, and all this spring cleaning is likely to leave you with a few unwanted items that are too good to throw away. What a great time to tackle that garage and get ready for your neighborhood garage sale. If you have an active family, chances are your garage looks like a sporting goods store. There are some great organizers made especially for this purpose. Consider shoe racks for various sports footwear, and special hangers for golf clubs and other equipment. You can even hang bikes from inexpensive coated ceiling hooks. Getting bikes off the floor prevents damage to your cars and your bikes, and makes them harder to steal if the garage is accidentally left open. Some metal shelving and plastic storage bins or wire baskets create a simple solution for keeping small items like garden tools, toys and other clutter out of sight. Store garden chemicals in bins on the top shelves and get them out of the reach of children and critters. This is also a great time to replace those cracked or broken trash bins.

6. Exterior and Outdoor Living Areas

Don’t forget your outdoor living areas. Clean your outdoor furniture according to the manufacturer’s instructions and replace cushions that are worn or faded.This is a good time to inspect shrubs and trees for winter damage and prepare beds
for planting. A fresh dressing of mulch will make your gardens look cleaner and more manicured even with nothing in bloom. For a quick burst of color before the last frost, try planting some inexpensive, cold-tolerant pansies in pots and high visibility areas. Inspect exterior doors and windows of the home. Why not consider a fresh coat of paint in a fun color for your front door; a quick, easy trick that can transform the look of your home. Check patios and decks for loose pavers or boards, and think about adding low-voltage or solar lighting to emphasize your summer plantings. It’s easy to install, affordable, and creates wonderful impact. Invest in some inexpensive, colorful lanterns and planters and you’ll be ready for your first party of the season.

7. Window Treatments and Decor

Spring is a great time to inspect and clean window treatments. Whether you need to wash blinds, send drapes to the dry cleaners, or throw curtains into the washing machine, getting your window treatments clean after a long winter can brighten an entire room. Be sure to dust down the window casing, wash window sills, and clean and polish window hardware while you are at it. Spring is also a good time to consider a lighter look on your windows. A seasonal
switch from heavy fabrics to lighter organza or even bare windows can create a light, casual look. Consider switching your throw pillows, as well, from tapestries to silk and cotton, or switch dark accent colors for light. Easy-to-sew slip-covers are a great way to change the look of your pillows. Although this list may seem daunting, tackling a project or two a weekend and enlisting help from family members will make it easier to handle…and you might even have some fun in the process. Don’t hesitate to hire some of it out; neighborhood teens are always happy to make a few extra dollars and can make some of the heavy work a little easier for you. And when you’ve completed your list, treat yourself to a big bouquet of seasonal flowers. There’s no better way to bring spring indoors!

For permission to reproduce, contact Impact Interior Design Solutions 248-761-3320, or info@impactids.com. © Copyright 2010 Impact Interior Design Solutions. All rights reserved

4709 Elmhurst Ave., Royal Oak, MI

Beds 3
bath 2
SqFt 967

Completely updated turn-key 3 bedroom, 2 full bath ranch in Royal Oak. Beautifully refinished oak hardwood floors throughout, updated kitchen with granite counter tops, new stainless steel appliances, tile floor. 2 car garage, large backyard, partially finished basement. Newer roof, windows, high efficiency furnace, hot-water tank. Home warranty. Don’t miss this one!

MLS: 212020520

Contact ELLIOTT BRODERICK, EAGLESTONE REALTY ADVISORS LLC, 248-680-7214

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

159 Baldwin Road, Birmingham MI

Beds 2
Baths 2.5
SqFt 2,118

Best location in Birmingham! Perched on a lovely lot siding the Rouge River w/gorgeous views of waterfall & walking distance to downtown. Mid century modern open light-filled floor plan w/spectacular views, hardwood floors, floating staircases, volume ceilings & tons of charm. Could easily be converted to a 3 BR home. Also, has original basement w/exterior access & houses furnace, etc… & tons of storage. Very special GEM. Must see!!

MLS: 212017729

Contact: Rebecca Meisner, Coldwall Banker, Weir Manuel (248) 433-5405

Darla Rowley, President
Impact Interior Design Solutions, LLC

The same application can be used for accessories; group smaller size items together, sit on books or decorative boxes to give you different heights to add interest.  Small items singularly displayed often look like clutter, so this is a good solution.

This is a great way to save money when looking for larger scale items to fill a larger spaces.

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If you have a dated fireplace there are economical ways to update. (I can hear brick lovers cringe when I suggest this) Painting the brick is a good way to neutralize.  When combined with adding a new mantle, you can achieve a dramatic update for very little cost.  This is a great approach if you are selling a modest, lower price point house.

In higher priced homes, ugly fireplaces can kill a deal.  So do not go cheap, because in this case painted brick will not add value.  You need to do it right.  In the photo below we made over a fireplace selecting ledge stone veneer which pulls from the colors of the ceiling, the lake and the kitchen cabinets.  It feels like it was always there.  The design should complement the architecture of the space, modern vs. modern, historical in a historical setting.

We asked ourselves is we should add a mantle. We selected no mantle, because it wasn’t needed.  The stone acts like artwork in the space.  In a more traditionally shaped fireplace or setting this approach would probably not be appropriate.

For more decorating and staging ideas, please visit us at impactids.com

Before - click to enlarge

After - click to enlarge

Getting organized:
Our team of stagers and organizers can make a huge difference in just one day.  For many getting organized is a huge breakthrough.  It can be as simple as getting the basement cleared for making a play space, or office paperwork.   Organizing a house can be a big challenge.  We recommend breaking in down into smaller projects, and tackling them one at a time.  At the same time put in place a structure that will allow for you to find things, and keep it organized.

Relocation:
If you are planning a move this year it is important to start planning now.  Leaving items to the last minute can be very stressful.  If the move involves the sale of a house, then you have even more reason to be proactive.

The best way to start on any move is to edit your belongings.  Donate or give away any items that you will not need in the future.  Old clothes are a great place to start.  Good rule of thumb is to give away anything that has not been worn in over a year. Clothing that is the wrong size or doesn’t fit well should also be discarded.  Toys for children are another place to edit easily.  Broken, missing parts or items that are simply no longer of interest can be donated or handed down to a friend or family member.

Minor updates and repairs on your house also need to be done.  Look at first impression items first.

Home repairs:
Many households have put off many repairs and updates to their house.  Is it possible that this is the year you caught up on the “honey do list?”  If maintaince items continue to be neglected they very well could cost you more in the end. Being proactive will help you save money.

There are also loans in which you may be able to qualify to help get your projects done sooner than later. For example, check out the Oakland County Home Improvement Loan Program at http://www.oakgov.com/chi/home_improvement/

Décor updates:
Is this the year you are going to tackle a major project, such as, the basement, master bedroom or kitchen remodel?  If you are going to make a major investment in a big project it is important to have good design. Impact offers design support that will help you achieve a space that will exceed your expectations.    If you just want referrals of excellent trades, we can help there too.

Downsizing:  
For many this is the year they will be dealing with the decision to downsize or they will be assisting an elderly family member in this process.  This is a very stressful experience for families.  In many cases this decision has been “forced” upon  them for health or financial reasons, which exasperates the situation even further.  It is important to break apart a project like this into smaller parts so that it will be more manageable.  It is important to get expert help where needed.  Impact can help.

As you complete an assessment of the items you want to address this coming year, it is important to remind you that you are not alone.  Look for support through your family, community and or other professionals to help along the way.  We encourage you to make positive changes that will improve the experience of your home and office. We want you to be proud of your accomplishments by year’s end.    If we can help- all the better. 

We at Impact Interior Design Solutions wish you a prosperous and productive 2012, with the bounty of achievement you desire.