Spec Houses Rise as Builders Bet on Buyers Before Tax Credit Ends – WSJ.com
Home builders are ramping up speculative construction to attract last-minute home buyers who want to tap a soon-to-expire tax credit.
The strategy is risky. If the buyers don’t materialize, builders could be saddled with unsold homes that will require heavy discounting to sell, hurting profits and slowing the housing recovery. New homes may also continue to lose market share to lower-priced foreclosed houses. Indeed, some economists expect an avalanche of foreclosures in the months ahead as lenders release homes they have been keeping off the market.
While there are many fantastic Colorado Springs homes for sale on the market right now, many buyers looking to take advantage of the tax credit may want to consider buying a new home. New home builders in the area are constructing “spec homes” once again, in hopes of helping home buyers take advantage of the tax credit. Now is the time for buyers to act though, as the deadlines are fast approaching. Builders will need at least four months to complete construction after the contract is signed, making February and March the key month for signing new home contracts.
Looks Like a Million Bucks | The $967 Kitchen Revamp | Photos | Remodels | This Old House
With kitchens, simple does not necessarily equal streamlined. For homeowners Eduardo Perez and Moo Sirikittisup, the kitchen that came with their Atlanta condo fell short on both frills and function. Builder- grade cabinets and white laminate counters set a cheerless, monotonous tone in an open space that can be seen from the front door. And washing dishes meant looking at a worn wood cabinet, as the window didn’t line up over the sink. Opening the dishwasher blocked the oven door and vice versa. “It was a sad-looking space,” says Eduardo.
So you’ve found a home in the perfect neighborhood, for the right price, and with a decent layout. The only problem……yellow-green appliances matched with dark wood cabinetry and dated vinyl flooring.
There are many Colorado Springs homes for sale that could use a little “remodeling love”. And potential buyers often pass on amazing homes because they simply can’t see beyond the cosmetics. This is great news for anyone willing to put a little time and spare change into some light remodeling. Paint is cheap and even flooring can be fairly inexpensive. Remodels don’t have to be daunting tasks if you’re smart about the improvements you make. And when it’s all said and done, you’ll end up with the perfect neighborhood, for the right price, with a decent layout, and a beautiful a home. Who could ask for more!
Making the Most of the Attic | Attic Becomes A Suite Retreat Upstairs | Photos | Remodels | This Old House
Sometimes in the search for more living space there’s no place to look but up. When Alan Koch bought this 1933 cottage in Portland, Oregon, he knew he’d be finishing the 600-square-foot attic sooner rather than later. And as a work-at-home educational and marketing consultant, Alan hankered for a light, bright office where he could spread out. By tapping the upstairs, he figured he could carve out just such a space, as well as a comfortable master suite, reserving downstairs bedrooms for guests and TV viewing.
There is nothing like building equity into your home….especially when you can enjoy it. Attics are a great opportunity to capture more living space in an existing home, especially when home expansions aren’t feasible. Attics can make functional offices, play rooms, or even master bedroom retreats depending on the amount of space you have to work with. And even if your attic isn’t large enough for a new room, attics can provide exceptional storage space. Why not spend a few extra bucks to add shelving and flooring? It will help your home stand out amongst other Colorado Springs homes for sale, which is always a good thing.
Researching the neighborhood can prevent your dream house from becoming a house of horror
It’s like a fairy tale: your dream house with a white picket fence surrounded by blooming flowers, shade trees and an almost meditative silence, save for rustling leaves, chirping birds and the distant hum of a lawn mower. What could possibly be wrong with this idyllic picture?
Nothing … it seems … until your research uncovers barely adequate public schools, an authoritarian neighborhood association and a “zoning pending” placard on that vacant corner lot — a sign you discovered when you leapt onto the curb to escape a fast-moving caravan of vehicles speeding home during subdivision rush hour. You start wondering: Where are the sidewalks? And why did my agent seem so dismissive when I asked about crime? Could this “dream house” be a “house of horror”?
This article brings up some great points for anyone searching Colorado Springs homes for sale. When hunting for the perfect home, buyers may find themselves with a case of tunnel vision. Finding your dream home is just as important as finding your dream neighborhood. Developing a neighborhood wish list is a great first step in the home buying process. Do you care about the distance schools are from your home? How about school test scores? Do you mind contributing to an HOA? How do you feel about driving versus walking to parks and trails? These are all questions that will help you narrow your search and point you in the right direction toward finding your perfect home.
Drywall Cracks and Nail Holes : Home Improvement : Home & Garden Television
Take a look at the walls in your house. Chances are they’re made from wallboard or drywall. And like the buyers in Fernandina Beach, Fla., found out, drywall is easily damaged. The good news is it’s easily fixed.
A house expands and contracts depending on the weather. That can cause the framing to swell or shrink, which can create cracks in the drywall. But fixing those cracks can be simple, depending on where they’re located.
Nothing draws the attention of buyers looking for Colorado Springs homes for sale like cracks in drywall. Rarely are cracks a sign of structural issues, and yet the mind tends to wander in that direction. But not to worry, those cracks are just a weekend project away from disappearing. And the best news….it’s an easy, inexpensive fix that will pay back dividends when it’s time to show your house to potential buyers. Even though cracks and nail holes are small, buyers will be looking for anything and everything when they inspect your home. Your home should look its absolute best! Putting a little time and work into the details of your home can mean the difference between capturing a buyer and having your home sit on the market.
