Universal Design In Homes

Here are just a few of many universal design features that are rising in popularity among homeowners:
-One-step entries
-One-story living
-Wider doorways and hallways
-Lever handles instead of doorknobs

Originally conceived in the 1970s to provide disabled people with a “barrier-free” lifestyle, today universal design is embraced by people of all ages and physical abilities who seek greater convenience, comfort and safety in their homes.

It’s a trend that’s expected to grow, too.

Architectural experts say that as baby boomers age, the bending, stretching, climbing and toting that have traditionally been part of independent living will only focus attention on the benefits of universal design, and provide a distinct advantage to the homebuilders, remodelers and real estate professionals whose service includes universal design expertise.

http://www.realestateforspecialneeds.com/

Hollywood at Home: Create Your Own Media Room

The overhead lights dim as the credits roll on the screen at the front of the room. The couple seated in front of you wraps up their conversation in anticipation of the film. You're only missing one thing to complete the movie experience: a bag of buttery popcorn. No big deal - just hit the pause button. After all, you're at home.

Once only the luxury of movie producers or the very rich, home movie theaters and media rooms are starting to find their ways into suburbia. Lower prices of projection equipment and high definition televisions have helped make home theaters more affordable for homeowners seeking a new standard in entertainment. For the movie buff, sports fan, or video game enthusiast there is nothing quite like having a private media sanctuary at home.

Types of home theaters

Cinephiles and audio/video purists may dispute the application of the term "home theater", but essentially there are three types commonly found today.

Family Room 2.0 - The best option for those movie lovers who lack the funds, space or dedication to create a full-fledged theater at home is to simply upgrade their existing family room. The variety of high definition and flat panel televisions on the market means that you can transform your existing family room into an entertainment haven without knocking out any walls. Add a nice base level audio system and sun-blocking window shades. Your existing furniture should be arranged with sightlines and foot traffic in mind.

Media Room - There was a time not so long ago when the TV was the center for entertainment at home, the undisputed champion of weeknights. While our love for movies and television hasn't diminished, TV now competes with the internet, increasingly-realistic video games and the digital music experience for our attention. A media room is a space in your home dedicated to all of your technological entertainment. A true media center is a place where you can watch movies, browse the internet, watch TV, play video games and plug in your portable music player.

Full Home Theater - The true home theater is a room designed to mimic the movie theater experience. Screens are larger than life, and seating is typically in rows to focus on viewing rather than interaction. The home theater is generally a less-frequently used room than either a family room or a media room, and is therefore considered more of a luxury than the others.

Should you get professional help?

Creating a home theater is far more complicated than simply buying components and hooking up wires. Depending on your plan, you may require electrical work, flooring, painting and the installation of the actual components themselves. Once you've decided what you want out of your media room, you have to decide if you will hire a contractor, perform the work yourself, or some combination of the two.

Contractors that specialize in home theater design can be expensive ($30,000 and up), but are perfect for high-end homes looking for a custom, professional home theater. If you're focusing on practicality, contractors that specialize in integrated home audio/video systems are typically less expensive.

Doing the work on your own can be economical but challenging. You may choose to do most of the work while hiring contractors to tackle specific tasks (the lighting, for example). Store technicians can often be hired to perform installation of components at a fairly low price.

Pick your room

The basement makes an ideal location for a home theater because of its lack of natural sunlight. Any room you choose should be wide enough to fit comfortable seating and long enough to place that seating at some depth from the screen. If you aren't doing a complete remodel, you will want to choose a room with adequate insulation to minimize sound leakage.

Components

Plasma and other flat-screen televisions are a popular choice for family rooms and media rooms. Home theater purists usually turn to high-quality projectors due to the larger screen size that they afford.

Audio can be just as important as picture when it comes to the home theater experience. Most of us are used to two-channel sound - left and right speakers to either side of the TV. Surround sound adds a center speaker above the picture and (at least) two speakers behind on either side of the room. Depending on the type of speakers you buy, you may want to also incorporate a subwoofer to handle all bass frequencies. Speakers that are wall mounted or on stands will provide the best quality of sound.

If you're on a budget, you should plan to spend between $7,500 and $12,000 for audio and video components. For those with looser strings and larger eyes, the system itself can easily cost $50,000 or more.

Walls

Wood paneling is especially popular, particularly medium to dark woods that can help create an inviting viewing atmosphere. Wood paneling may not be the best selection for basement home theaters, as it can have a certain 1970's rec. room connotation. If wood paneling doesn't suit your tastes, paint the walls a color that suits you without being distracting.

Adding movie posters is a nice way to push the "at the movies" ambience, and they also provide an easy way to personalize the space by placing posters of your favorite film genre or era.

Seating

The type and arrangement of your home theater furniture will be largely determined by how you intend to use the space. Should you see the room as a true home theater, you'll likely want several rows of theater-style seating. Theater-style recliners are more comfortable than standard theater seats. Consider placing small tables between the seats.

If you plan on using the room for a variety of entertainment purposes (watching movies, playing video games, watching sports) you'd be better served with a more typical living room layout. Thick couches placed with good sightlines to the screen should do the trick. Whatever furniture or layout you choose, make sure there is adequate walking room.

Lighting

Lighting is critical to forming a true movie theater setting. If you're using an aboveground room for your home theater, invest in blackout curtains to help seal the room from outdoor light. Wall sconces are good if you're looking to set a laid-back tone. Recessed lighting is also popular in home theaters. Some homeowners go so far as to install floor lighting (track lighting or basic rope lights). Any lighting should compliment the screen at all light levels.

PATH TOP 10

I came across an interesting article on PATH's (The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing) website regarding the Top 10 technologies with the most promise for making our homes more durable, stronger and more resource efficient.

"Selected technologies have notable strengths in one or more of the following areas: quality and durability; energy efficiency; environmental performance; safety and disaster mitigation; and affordability.

1. Mold Resistant Gypsum-- No Mold--Come Hell or High Water Imagine the worst. Now imagine walls that can survive the flood. Treated gypsum wallboard products resist mold because they won't absorb moisture as easily as typical gypsum board. The paperless surface does not support mold growth. Find PATH Partners who manufacture mold resistant gypsum.

2. Solar Water Heating-- Solar Power for Your Shower We allow that harnessing energy from the sun to heat water is not new. Solar water heaters have been commercially available since the 1800s. But now more than ever, they're an environmentally sound way to reduce energy bills.

3. Recycled Concrete Substitutes and Aggregates-- Grey Concrete Goes GreenByproducts of the industrialized world have found a better final resting place in alternative concrete aggregate. Recycled materials such as granulated coal ash, blast furnace slag and various solid wastes like fiberglass and granulated plastics can substitute for sand, gravel and stones. (Look, Mom! No mining!)

4. Combined Heat and Power (CHP)-- Make Your Power and Heat It TooIt's not just for isolationists anymore! Whether you want to be entirely "off the grid" or just supplement your utility power, CHP systems can supply electricity much more efficiently than power plants. Using fuel such as natural gas to produce heat and electricity simultaneously, a CHP system can act as a built-in emergency generator when the grid goes down. The electricity can power any household device such as lights and appliances, and the heat produced can provide water heating and/or space heating. Home-sized units range in capacity from about 1 kW to 6 kW and are about the size of a major appliance. Find PATH Partners who manufacture CHP.

5. Horizontal Axis Washer/Dryer-- Save Energy, Water, Space and Time (But the Folding is Still on You) The two-in-one washer/dryer runs automatically from wash to dry: no more throwing clothes from one machine to the other. The compact size makes it perfect for apartments and condominiums, and it costs less than two separate units. It runs quietly and requires no venting, so it can be installed almost anywhere. The high efficiency horizontal-axis washer reduces water and energy consumption, and the high RPM spin cycle means the dryer uses less energy to dry the clothes. Find PATH Partners who manufacture horizontal axis washer/driers.

6. Hydrophilic, Impact-Resistant Windows-- Windows That do Windows! Now you can get self-cleaning and glare-reducing windows that also reduce the risk of window failure during tornadoes and hurricanes. A window coating causes water to run off the glass surfaces like quicksilver, preventing permanent water spots and making the glazing easier to clean. And glass laminated with composites provides enough strength to allow windows to withstand high winds, projectiles, or even bullets.

7. Super-Sized (Vertical) ICFs--- Concrete Walls, Evolved Vertical ICFs (Insulating Concrete Forms) have all the energy efficiency, strength and building speed benefits of conventional ICF walls, plus a bonus: they go up faster and easier because fewer pieces are assembled on site. The wall sections are sturdier than conventional ICF walls and require less bracing. Composed of two polystyrene panels held together by plastic or steel I-beams and filled with concrete, vertical ICF panels form straight, energy-efficient walls.

8. Induction Cooktops-- A Cool Way to Cook Induction offers flexible, safe and energy-efficient cooking. Go from extremely low to extremely high settings and back again nearly instantly. The stovetop doesn't actually heat up or radiate heat from its surface because the heating elements under the ceramic-glass surface use electricity to produce a magnetic field that heats only the cooking container. Food heats much faster, which saves energy while pleasing hungry mobs. Induction cooking is about 90 percent energy efficient, while gas and electric are about 50 and 60 percent efficient, respectively.

9. GPS for Land Development-- Simplify Your Site Work with Software Solutions This satellite-controlled software simplifies site grading, therefore dramatically reducing labor and material costs. The software assists excavation machines to more efficiently and accurately cut and fill grade while also reducing the potential for soil erosion. It eliminates the need for grade stakes, while letting the operator know exactly where the machine is, and its relation to the final grade.

10. Permeable Pavers & Pavement-- Surfaces for All Seasons Look closely for the environmental halo: rainwater seeps through these pavement systems and filters naturally through soil on its way to groundwater aquifers and surface waters. That means less unfiltered, nitrate-laden stormwater running off paved surfaces into drainage gutters. And since engineered curb and gutter storm drainage systems are costly to design and build, permeable pavement systems can mean lower construction costs for developers or municipalities."

For more information, visit the PATH website at pathnet.org.

5 Tips for Buying a Home in a Down Market

Posted in Personal Finance by Bankaholic.com
April 10, 2008 10:18 AM -

The subprime mortgage bust has scared a lot of people away from the housing market. The nightly news is filled with images and stories of everyday Americans who are losing their homes because they made greedy and uninformed decisions, they were taken advantage of by predatory brokers, or a combination of these situations. However, the news isn’t all bad. This decline in the market has dropped prices and made housing affordable to many fiscally responsible renters who never considered home ownership to be an option.

If you find yourself house-hunting, make sure that you follow these five simple steps to take advantage of this downturn in the market; if you don’t, you could be the next sad story on your local news.

1. Accounting for Extraneous ExpensesAs with almost any major purchase, there can be a number of fees associated with buying a home. Costs associated with property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, standard maintenance, and utilities should not be overlooked. In addition, if you buy a home that is part of a complex or attached to a homeowner’s association, you will have to pay annual fees as well. Make sure that you take these additional expenses into account when you are determining how much home you can afford.

2. Acknowledging Special AssessmentsMany homes require a number of regularly scheduled special assessments to be performed in order to satisfy local regulations and ordinances. These are fees that are required in addition to standard property taxes. In order to make sure that these costs don’t take you by surprise, obtain copies of prior bills for these services and inquire about any pending and future assessments that need to be done on the property.

3. Finding a Manageable MortgageA good question to ask yourself before contacting your local banker to discuss a loan is, ‘how much is too much?’ While you might be tempted to try and get as much money as possible if you can find a good rate, you do not want to make the mistake of taking on a loan so big that your finances will be stretched to the point that you cannot make your payments. Traditional income multipliers are a good place to start. If you have a single income, 3.5 times your annual salary is the maximum that you should consider requesting and if you have dual incomes, the maximum should be about 2.75 times your joint salary. If these amounts will stretch your budget too far, then it is a good idea to consider borrowing less.

4. Determining How Much Home to BuyNow that you have a handle on all of the costs involved and have determined how much money you can borrow, it is time to figure out just what you can afford to spend on a new home. Whatever you do, don’t bite off more than you can chew; doing so could quickly lead down the road to foreclosure. Take into account your credit history, the closing costs on the loan, the amount of the down payment, and any preexisting debts. Weigh these against your income and savings before making a move.

5. Welcoming Your New Home into Your Basic BudgetOnce you have everything in order, set a budget and stick to it. While your new home purchase will undoubtedly become both your biggest asset and your biggest expense, you still have to eat. It is also important to make sure that you start building a rainy day fund in case of emergencies; one of the things that accompany a new home is the potential for substantial unforeseen expenses. Set a reasonable budget that includes an allowance for unexpected costs and you can live happily ever after in your new home.

If you have questions, give me a call (913.647.7162) or drop me an email.

http://www.searchhomeskansascity.com/

To Buy or Not To Buy....

The following is an email I received from a client:

Dear Jacqueline,

I had a question, what about looking at foreclosed homes? What are your thoughts? Mary

Well Mary, when it comes to foreclosures there are pros and cons to these properties.

The pro is that the bank is not in the business of holding onto properties so often they are priced more reasonably.

Cons are that the person did not have money to keep up with the mortgage and most likely did not keep up with the care and maintenance of the property. Also, there are times that the people who had the home, being upset with the pressures of their failing finances, may have done damage to the property prior to leaving.

One more thing…banks sell these homes “as is” with no disclosures or warranties. Here is the but…But, you may have inspections and if you find that there is more there than you want to tackle then you may cancel the contract and get your earnest money back.

If you guys go in knowing that you are going to have to do work then let’s give it a shot.

http://www.jacquelineelbert.com/

Spring Home Maintenance Tips!!

Spring is here!! With the warmer weather is just around the corner it is

time that traditionally results in wide fluctuations in temperature and weather conditions. You can ensure that your house is water-resistant and ready for almost anything Mother Nature has in store if you follow these tips:

▪ Clean and secure the eaves, trough, and downspouts.

▪ Extend the downspouts so that water drains away from the home.

▪ Check that the sump pit, the sump pump, and the floor drain....are they clean and operable?

▪ Inspect your roof for loose shingles.

▪ Clean the window wells of debris.

▪ Fill cracks in the foundation or basement walls.

▪ Clean electric baseboard heaters.

▪ Have a qualified HVAC technician check your furnace, air conditioner/ heat pump. Don't forget to change the furnace filter.

Also, this coming Saturday, as you move your clocks forward, remember to test your smoke detectors and install new batteries.

Weekly Update

Here is a link to my weekly "REAL ESTATE NEWS CHANNEL":Click Here

This week's segments are full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.

Some of the topics covered this week are:

Real Estate Outlook - The economy's messages for real estate in the past week have been just about as mixed as you can get.

Mortgage Moment - Jan Demas discusses making "Mortgage Payments online".

Market Condition - Kihei, Hawaii, fueling a healthy housing market is super healthy job growth--reported in the last few year at 17.94%.report local experts.

Ask the Expert - "My grandfather is giving me his home. There is a $20,000 mortgage balance. The lender says that I cannot get a loan unless my grandfather sells the house to me for at least the $20,000 value. He says my grandfather can "give" me the equity. Do I have to do it this way?"

Video of the Week - This week's amazing video.You can also tour my latest listing as well as view some of my personal favorites.

I hope you enjoy this week's show.

If you have any comments, please e-mail (FoeSale@JacquelineElbert.net) them to me.