Articles by Lauren Kline on ArticleSnatch.com

Write Strong Hardship Letters for Short Sales

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:26:43 -0500

When homeowners are faced with selling their homes on short notice to avoid foreclosure, their first task is to write a hardship letter to the lender. While this is a very emotional time for most people, getting all the facts is what the banker or lending professional is concerned about. They realize that your decision to sell your home at a loss was not an easy one, but they need concrete reasons why they should participate in the short sale process. While writing, keep the emotions out of it. After all, it's just business, as Mr. Trump would say. There are several variations on styles of hardship letters, but at the very least, the content should contain some basic information. It can be hand written or typed, but it should be as professional as possible. If you have reached this unfortunate position, here are some steps to help guide you through the sometimes overwhelming process: 1. Find the name of the exact person at your bank or lender's office that handles short sales. This means the actual person that makes the decisions, not the administrative assistant that will forward your letter to the appropriate person, when he/she is available. **End Summary** Topics: short sales]]> short sale information]]> selling real estate]]> foreclosures]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Adams Morgan DC real estate .

Get Creative with Metal Countertops for your Kitchen

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:26:07 -0500

Stainless-steel counter tops have become popular in many of today's modern consumer kitchens, but this is not the only option when it comes to adding some pizzazz to your decor. Coming back to the interior design scene are metals like copper, zinc, bronze and pewter, all of which are being incorporated into counter tops. In our modern society where antibacterial products are everywhere, metal counter tops are perfect because, unlike granite, they are nonporous which keeps counters stain-resistant and naturally bacteria-free. Mixed metals, or alloys, are commonly used for counter tops to create a harder surface. Bronze (a combination of copper and tin) or brass (a combination of copper and zinc) are popular additions to designers' arsenals. Unlike the salmon color of pure copper, both these mixed products start with a golden look, but will slowly change to a dark, brownish-black tone as patina sets in. If a blue-gray tone would suit your decor better, try installing a zinc counter top. This color is the result of patina on zinc, and metal fabricators have seen an increase in requests for this product from the interior design community. **End Summary** Topics: metal counter tops]]> kitchen design]]> interior design]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect North Potomac MD home .

New Home Owners: Prepare your Home for Winter

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:17:57 -0500

Due to the government’s incentive tax credit to encourage more and more first time buyers into the housing market, a great number of owners are looking at spending their first winter in a house where they’re responsible for all the maintenance often for the very first time. If you’re one of these first time home owners who hasn’t yet had the pleasure of preparing your home for the winter weather yet, there are some basic supplies that’ll make your winter season a lot more pleasant to deal with when it comes around. Well before the weather frosts up, it is a good idea to go out and buy your seasonal items that you might need for the winter months; once the cold weather kicks in many of these items sell out quickly once the first snow falls and people scramble to cope with it. One of the most important wintertime purchases that you will need for your new residence is a good sturdy snow shovel; be sure to buy at least one good snow shovel for your home before it snows. Good snow shovels become very difficult to find once the landscape is covered in that frozen stuff. **End Summary** Topics: winter home improvements]]> winter home care]]> home improvements]]> winter]]> home care]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Logan Circle DC real estate .

Stocking the Kitchen in Your Brand New Home

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:25:14 -0500

With so many first time buyers entering the exciting world of home buying at this time, there are many people who are looking at stocking a whole home instead of just their portion of a shared residence. One of the most important areas to stock in your new home is the kitchen; a poorly set up kitchen is a struggle to cook in and you will spend more in take out in a short time than you would have spent in just buying what you need to comfortably cook with. No matter what kind of cooking you actually do, there are some general basics that are useful for any kitchen; and even if you have some of these items already, it’s nice to have new things for your new house, especially if you’ve been using the castoffs that your family donated to you when you moved out. One of the nicest things that you can treat yourself to when you buy a new house is a new set of dishes; buy at least a set of four place settings in a style and colour that you like and you think would go nicely with your dining area. **End Summary** Topics: home improvements]]> kitchens]]> kitchen improvements]]> kitchen decorating]]> interior design]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Petworth DC real estate .

Sealing and Insulating to Save Money

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:02:41 -0400

As the colder months creep in, homeowners' thoughts are turning to methods of saving on heating bills this winter. Keeping the furnace lower and putting on an extra sweater and wool socks are a couple of solutions, but there are several other ways to stay warm and keep your money. Stop the air leaks There can be literally dozens of places in your home where cold air can come in, and precious warm air can escape. Windows, doors, dryer vents, and plumbing vent stacks are some examples. In areas readily accessible, you can normally feel a slight draft. Other sections of the house – such as the attic, basement or crawl space – take a little more hunting to find the spots to dam the air flow. Weatherstripping is the easiest way to stop drafts, and is available in a wide variety of sizes and widths. The type of weatherstripping used for windows may be quite different from that used to seal the threshold of a door. Weather conditions will also be a factor when deciding which type of weatherstripping to use, such as a cold and rainy climate in the Pacific Northwest vs. a dryer climate in Arizona. **End Summary** Topics: home improvement]]> home remodeling]]> home insulation]]> insulation]]> renovations]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Logan Circle DC home .

Selling Your House Quickly on a Budget

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:21:55 -0400

Everyone knows that it takes a little sprucing up to make your house sale ready. The most recent evidence of this is the surge in staging companies, and courses for consumers on how to do staging themselves. But can you do it yourself without a lot of cash outlay? Absolutely! If you were to drive by your home for the first time, does it look enticing? Can you "see yourself" in this house as a potential buyer? Here are a few cost-effective ideas to get your home looking its best for a quick sale: 1. Tackle the clutter! This is a common suggestion for a reason. Buyers want to imagine their belongings in the house, not yours. Put away all kitchen appliances and jars that normally stay on your counters. Removing clutter also makes your rooms appear larger. Clutter in bedrooms is detracting, so put any clothes hampers, kids' toys, magazine collections and other items out of sight. 2. Remember curb appeal. You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. Selling a home quickly requires strong visuals, either in photos or in person. Keep your lawn mowed weekly. **End Summary** Topics: home sales]]> home selling]]> budget home sales]]> selling real estate]]> home sales tips]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect North Potomac MD real estate .

Reducing the Likelihood of Flood Damage in Your New Home

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:48:26 -0400

With the rainy season upon many areas of the country, many people are looking at the areas on the news that are suffering with the first of this season's floods. While it is true that sometimes floods strike areas where flooding has not previously been a problem, usually there is an indication that an area is more likely to experience flooding and there are ways that you can protect yourself, your family, and your home from flood damage and loss. The first step in avoiding flood damage, when you're looking to build or buy a home, is looking at where your area's flood plains are. Talk to your local municipal planning department and ask for maps of the local flood plains. Ideally you'll want to be above the historical flood lines where high water lines have risen to previously; hopefully future floods will be less high than that. Overall, the number one easiest way to avoid flood damage to your home and belongings is to live well above any level that floods have previously reached in your area. **End Summary** Topics: flooding]]> flood damage]]> natural disasters]]> home buying]]> home flood damage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Penn Quarter DC real estate .

Choosing a Realtor to Help You Buy or Sell a Home

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:47:53 -0400

With house prices dropped and many people looking to sell their homes to move into something more affordable and many people looking to take advantage of lower prices to buy into the housing market for the first time, there are many people who're looking to hire realtors to help them in their home buying or selling endeavors. One way to get a few names of agents who you might like to use to buy or sell a house is by asking people who you know that have bought or sold homes previously in your town or city. This isn't to say that you should just use whichever agent your friend or neighbour has used, but it's a good way to get some names of agents who you might want to look into. Another good way to get names of agents, particularly if you're looking to see your home, is by looking in your local papers to see which agents put a lot of effort into advertising homes that they're selling. Ideally, when you're selling your home you will want an agent who's willing to put a lot of effort into marketing your home so that it can sell reasonably quickly. **End Summary** Topics: real estate investments]]> realtors]]> home buying]]> home selling]]> real estate agents]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Washington DC real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Washington or Montgomery County home .

Plaid: A Little Goes a Long, Long Way

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:40:25 -0400

It seems that in the past few months I have seen the most bewildering thing, listing after listing of homes decorated with plaid. Some of them have plaid furniture, some have plaid wallpaper, and a few even have plaid carpeting. Plaid. Carpet. Up until this point I wasn't even aware that anyone made plaid carpet and am frankly rather surprised that there's enough of a market for it that anyone does make it. Now don't get me wrong, I love plaid. It makes a neat geometric accent to offset an otherwise plain room or outfit. Plaid is fabulous for kilts, coats for little dogs, and to denote Scottish things. Plaid is also effective as a pattern for a funky dress or pair of pants if you like things a little more playful. However, as a design element that you are going to look at day in and day out, it may not always be the best choice. If you find it necessary to use plaid in your decorating make sure that you do it sparingly. As a rule of thumb, it's probably not a good idea to carpet or wall paper your home in plaid. **End Summary** Topics: plaid]]> home improvements]]> interior design]]> interior decorating]]> home decorating]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Penn Quarter DC home .

How to Draw Clients With Your Real Estate Blog or Website

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:39:41 -0400

At present, most real estate agents have their own website and blog with which to connect to clients or potential clients online. There is, however, a huge discrepancy in the quality of realtor websites and blogs in regard to how pleasant they are to use. The number one rule about having a blog or website or any kind is do not, under any circumstances, have music on it that plays automatically. Many people listen to music on their computer while they're looking at websites; opening up a site that has music playing by default can just about give you a heart attack especially if it's louder than whatever else you're listening to. Likewise, the sound of birds chirping or water fountains or what have you are also verboten; many people will just leave a website immediately if there's music that they can't turn off on the page. When considering what your site looks like, your website or blog should have eye-pleasing color combinations which make it pleasant to look at and easy to read. The color palette that you use can be striking or soothing but it shouldn't give you an insta-headache. **End Summary** Topics: real estate blogs]]> websites]]> online marketing]]> blogging]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Adams Morgan DC home .

Repainting to Sell Your Home

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

When you've lived in a house for a while you tend to truly make that space your own. You have likely decorated your home in such a way that it works with your furnishing and reflects your personal taste. Unfortunately, as fabulous as those tastes are, prospective buyers are likely to not share them. It is easy, on a weekly basis, to search the internet for new "home for sale" postings that show just how dissimilar some peoples' taste in decorating can be to your own. Ever consider living in a home decorated exclusively in red and orange velour? Well, someone has and I've seen the photo evidence. Most people would balk at that kind of decorating, even in the era that particular home was decorated in; someone at the time thought it was a fabulous idea though. In general, if you have sponge painting, faux finishes, wall paper, murals, or colored paint on your walls, you will need to remove it or paint over it. There are of course some exceptions to this but not many. I've seen bathrooms done in a very subtle parchment finish on the walls that looked beautiful and very unobtrusive; **End Summary** Topics: home improvements]]> home staging]]> painting]]> interior design]]> selling real estate]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Potomac home .

Buying a New Home: Pre-Construction and New Construction

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

For most potential buyers there are many options when looking at what sort of home to buy in any given area. Most areas have a variety of new construction, previously owned homes, and older character homes. It can be tempting to buy an older "fixer-upper" or pre-owned home that needs renovations in order to save some money, but buyers should look at new growth in their preferred area as well. Buying into a new development can be a bigger money-saving investment than many potential buyers think. When you consider time and money that could be saved if you didn't have to renovate or replace decorating details that might not have been updated since the Age of Aquarius, buying a newly constructed home makes a lot of sense. Most new homes come with a warranty which can also save you money if any issues come to light during the first few years after construction is complete. When you buy into a new neighborhood development under construction there are a number of pros and cons to consider depending on what stage of construction the company is at when you buy in. **End Summary** Topics: home buying]]> new construction homes]]> buying real estate]]> home building]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Washington DC real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Washington or Montgomery County home .

What Kind of House is Right for You?

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

It can be overwhelming when you start looking at homes once you've decided that you're in the market to buy. There are so many options out there that it can be hard to really know what you want or what would best work for you if you just start viewing homes. The very first thing that you need to find out is how much you can afford. Talk to your bank and see how much you can get in a pre-approved mortgage. This will give you a ballpark figure to work with. This also gives your agent an idea of what range of homes to show you. Next, decide who this house is going to be for. Unless you really love moving, you'll probably want to take into account who you anticipate living with you in the next five or more years. You might want to consider if you're likely to have kids in the next few years or if you have an elderly parent or grandparent who you might want to come and live with you. **End Summary** Topics: home buying]]> buying real estate]]> real estate market]]> home finding]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Chevy Chase MD home .

After Your Home Sells: Successful Relocating

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Relocating to another city is never an easy endeavor. If you relocate on your own whim, chances are you know something about the city already but if you get transferred for work it might be a different story. No matter what your circumstances, the key to a successful relocation is familiarization with your new surroundings. If you are relocating on your own, it can be a bit of a mixed blessing. On one hand, you only have yourself to worry about but on the other hand, you only have yourself to rely on as well. Relocating with your family will be trickier because you have more opinions to take into account and more issues to worry about. It can be argued though that relocating with teenagers is potentially the hardest move of all. Consider starting the familiarizing process before you actually move; get started as soon as you know where it is that you'll be going. Take a look online for the city or town's webpage, most places have these. It will give you an idea of what kinds of events and facilities will be available to you. **End Summary** Topics: moving]]> home sales]]> relocation]]> home relocation]]> organization]]> moving preperations]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Potomac home .

Your Home as a Lifestyle Investment

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The American Dream is firmly anchored on the purchase and ownership of property.Â There is nothing like home ownership to make people feel that they really are getting ahead in life and can look forward to a comfortable lifestyle with the bulwark of their homeâ€™s equity to carry them through.Â While all this can be true for you, it is better to buy a home that suits your needs and lifestyle rather than your dreams of financial success or peripherals which wonâ€™t make up for sacrificing space, location or financial security. What are your needs?Â You need secure housing, good food, clean water.Â You need these all your life and so do your spouse, your children, your relatives, your friends, and anyone else who calls your house homeâ€ for a day or more.Â So it makes sense from this perspective that you need a house that you can afford, that is convenient to the things that you use on a daily or weekly basis, like schools, work, stores and recreational opportunities. **End Summary** Topics: home buying]]> buying real estate]]> real estate investments]]> home buying tips]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Adams Morgan DC real estate .

Garden Space Saving Tips

Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

When planning a garden, not everyone has an estate sized yard to work with. Just because you have a small area or even just a balcony, doesn't mean you can't still have your own outdoor paradise. Here are some space saving tips to that may come in handy when landscaping in small places. Use portable containers that you can hang off a deck railing or strategically place in convenient locations. Tidy up your yard. Have you ever noticed that even the inside of your house looks bigger once it's free of clutter? The same rule applies to your yard. If you're having trouble hiding tools or other garden supplies, add a small tool shed or a decorative bamboo fence to hide it. Save on space by using items with a dual purpose. For instance, decorative urns can double up as bird bath or hose holder. Watch for these types of items in your travels. Think outside of the garden box when you are growing plants. Cherry tomatoes take up barely any room when planted in a hanging planter. Instead of growing cucumbers and squash along the ground, allow their vines to trail up a trellis or along a fence rail. **End Summary** Topics: gardening tips]]> gardening]]> landscaping]]> yards]]> gardening ideas]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Chevy Chase MD home .

Home Break In Quiz (or How Do Burglar's Think?)

Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

How much do you know about the way burglars think? How would you profile a "typical burglar" type? Do security systems prevent home theft? Finally, is your super secret hiding spot, really going to fool anyone? Find the answer to these questions and much more when you take the following quiz about home burglaries. Questions: 1. The typical burglar is: a) Professional male thief in his 30s to 40s b) Inexperienced teenage male c) Professional thieves working as a couple 2. The average thief never works close to home. a) True b) False 3. In the U.S., a burglary takes place: a) Every hour b) Every 85 seconds c) Every 14.6 seconds 4. Home invasions on average occur between: a) 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. b) 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. c) 12 a.m. and 2 a.m. 5. How much time, on average, do burglars remain in a home during a break in? a) 8 to 12 minutes b) 3 to 5 minutes c) 15 to 20 minutes 6. How do thieves most often gain access to a home? **End Summary** Topics: theft]]> home security]]> burglars]]> home improvements]]> home security tips]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Columbia Heights DC real estate .

Spring Real Estate News

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Looking back now as we approach the end of April, this was an active month for the real estate scene. Here are some of the highlights of the April housing scene some good, some not so good: Short Term Interest Rates Exceed Long Term: Finally for the first time in decades, it is cheaper to lock into a long term mortgage rate. Imagine that mortgage financing that helps the buyer! According to the latest results of the Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) released by Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate has dropped down to an average of 4.80 percent. Same time last year, the rate was 6.03 percent. A one-year Treasury-indexed adjustable-rate mortgage (ARMs) averaged at 4.82 percent. Same time last year, the same mortgage was 5.29 percent. A five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid ARM averaged at 4.85 percent, down from 5.68 percent last year, and the lowest rated since January 2005. House Prices Rise and Fall For the months of January and February, house prices rose consecutively. The last time this happened was in April 2007. Then March came along and the median home price declined by 12% from the previous year. **End Summary** Topics: spring real estate news]]> home buying]]> real estate market]]> foreclosure information]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Penn Quarter DC real estate .

Foreclosure Sizzlers

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Foreclosure properties have become hot commodities in the current market. So hot, they are sparking bidding wars between first time buyers and real estate investors. There is a huge inventory of unsold homes, all throughout the U.S., and foreclosures are on the rise. It's becoming more common to see multiple offers on the same properties as buyers zero in on the bargains offered by distressed properties. This is especially prevalent in California, Arizona, and metro Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Even though there is a large inventory of foreclosures, the quality properties, still in relatively good condition, and in the $300,000 price range are going fast. It's not uncommon for first time buyers to be repeatedly outbid by investors who show up with cash for these lower priced bargains. There are still a number of markets with an large excess of inventory. Areas especially struggling with empty condos and vacant homes include South Florida and New York City. In Manhattan housing inventory has increased 32.5% giving them a 14 months supply, where most other areas have finally begun declining in numbers. **End Summary** Topics: foreclosures]]> home buying]]> real estate investments]]> foreclosure investments]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Logan Circle DC real estate .

Updates for Big and Not so Big Budgets

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Maybe you're thinking about selling your home, or perhaps it's just time to make some upgrades. In either situation, there are certain home improvements that you should definitely consider. In the past, if budget constraints have prevented you from moving forward, then a little creative thinking might be all it takes to mold renovation into something you can easily afford. Below are lists of $$$ - Big Budget (but oh, so worth it) projects and their corresponding $ - Lower Budget (easier on the pocket book until you're ready) counterparts: $$$ - Overhaul your closet with a new closet organizer. If you're going to include drawers, the white melamine is the cheapest and the price goes up as you add real wood or wood look finishes. $ - Add a lower bar to your closet to expand your hanging space for tops and bottoms. You may need to raise the upper bar to accommodate the new design. $$$ - Update that 20 year old kitchen. If your kitchen cupboards are good quality, but dated, you may want to consider refacing them and having the doors replaced. The counter tops could also re-laminated. **End Summary** Topics: home improvements]]> remodeling]]> interior design]]> curb appeal]]> home selling]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Chevy Chase MD real estate .

Garden Fountains 101

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

While you're out surveying the yard this spring, deciding what new changes to make, give some thought to making your own fountain. Not only do they make an attractive focal point in your yard, the sound of water is nice and soothing, and the birds love them. With a little planning and a few supplies you can create your own one-of-a-kind backyard fountain during a weekend. If all goes well, you may have time to sit back with a cold drink and quietly relax to the sound of your very own babbling brook. A fountain basically consists of a pipe for the water to flow through, a pump to force the water through, a container for all of this, and some sort of ornamental sculpture or object. Your fountain runs off of electricity, so choose a location within reach of an outlet. Begin with a waterproof container or hole with plastic liner. This could also be as simple as a large, decorative, waterproof planter, an old cast urn or a plastic tote dug into the ground and placed on a light bed of gravel. **End Summary** Topics: garden fountains]]> landscaping]]> yard design]]> home improvements]]> yard improvements]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Begin your search for Montgomery County MD real estate at LaurenKlineRealEstate.com. Her team will help you find the perfect Cleveland Park DC home .