Stay Hydrated

When it comes to being out in the heat, one thing you always want to watch is your hydration level.  Did you know that if you feel thirsty then you are actually already dehydrated?  Follow these tips below to stay hydrated in the hot summer sun!


Keep a Water Bottle Handy
Here's a piece of advice that's easy and efficient: Always try to keep a reusable bottle or cup of water with you throughout the day. If you're one of those people who has trouble remembering to drink as much water as you should, having a bottle near you will help keep it at the top of your priorities list. Plus, refills are free.

Make Your Water More Interesting
Not much of a fan of plain water? Many recommend adding herbs and fresh fruit — citrus and berries are popular choices — to you water to boost the flavor intrigue. (We love this recipe for watermelon, mint, and cucumber water.) Some also claim that lemon water (made by mixing in the juice of a quarter a lemon) helps balance electrolytes and promotes the absorption of water into your cells. Or if you're a big soda drinker, opt for sparkling water or club soda instead which at least offers a similar texture — just make sure it doesn't have any added sugar or sodium.

Drink Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Juices
Believe it or not, water is not the only star of the hydration show — electrolytes, essential fatty acids, and minerals are also important when it comes to keeping you hydrated. So opt for fresh juices made from high-water content fruits and vegetables to supplement your body's needs. Think watermelon, cucumber, tomatoes, strawberries, and the like. (Watching your weight? Try diluting the juice with water or club soda to help cut down on the sugar and calories.) And actually, you don't just have to drink your juice — fresh fruit popsicles are a great (not to mention tasty) hydrating alternative.


Minimize Your Caffeine and Alcohol Intake
This one's a bit of a no-brainer but worth stating nonetheless. Both alcoholic beverages and caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, and soda act as diuretics and can contribute to dehydration. You don't have to give up your morning cup of coffee or nightly glass of wine, just be mindful to consume these types of beverages in moderation.

And if you are inside in the AC or hanging out by the pool reading this, take the time to check out our Facebook or Twitter!
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Bump Clause

You probably haven't heard the term bump clause unless you are in the real estate business or have sold/purchased a property with a contingency.  But you know, that's OK!  That's why we are here.

Now if you are unsure as to what a contingency is then look back one post and read all about it.  Once you know what a contingency is, the term "bump clause" makes a lot more sense.  The "bump clause" is part of your contract.  If you are involved in a real estate deal that has a contingency then this is a section you will want to pay close attention to.  If you are the buyer, the clause will allow someone who has no contingency to essentially move you out of the way if the contingency isn't removed in the allowed time.  This can easily be viewed as a positive for the seller so they are not sitting and waiting on a deal that may or may not actually happen.

So say you own a home and need to move areas or need a bigger place.  Well, you will be buying and selling.  You may find the perfect home 3 days later and not have even placed your own home on the market.  This means there is a chance you will be submitting and offer with a contingency and more than likely there will be a bump clause.  Say the bump clause states that you will have 24 hours to remove your contingency if a non contingent offer is submitted.  Well, one week later another person submits and offer to the same home but without the contingency.  Your agent will notify you and then there will be a decision to make.

Contingency? What's that?

So you're preparing to buy or sell.  That's great news! Hopefully you have been reading this blog for all of the best advice (as well as using your Nothnagle agent)!  As you go through the process you will hear many many terms.  Some old and some new.  One that you may hear will be "contingency."  But what is it?  That's why we are here!

The simplest way to put it; a contingency is when you make an offer but under a condition.  You know, like you did when you were younger (or even now too!)  "Sure, I would love to come over!  That is as long as you are serving ice cream!"

There are many ways that an offer can be contingent.  You may agree with an offer as long as your attorney says it's ok.  The offer may be accepted as long as you can show them you are pre-approved in the next couple of days.  We would like to buy your home as long as the home inspector says everything looks great.  A big one is the, "we accept your offer but can not close until 60 days after we sell our house (or find a house to buy...depending on if it's the buyer or seller).

So contingencies can be helpful to both sides.  Of course, your Nothnagle REALTOR will always be the best source to guide you through everything!

Maintain your AC

As we get closer and closer to summer and we all start turning on our central AC or installing our window units you may be wondering..."Is there something I should be doing  to make sure my AC will last and not break down on a 95 degree day?"  Although we can not guarantee that it won't break down, we can throw some tips your way to help you stay cool and keep your AC going!

If your unit is a through the wall or in the window one of the first things you will want to check will be the filter.  A dirty filter can make the air flow restricted, keeping you warmer than what you'd like.  With some units you can simply rinse off your filter while others you'll need to get a new one.  Use your vacuum attachment to keep the coils clean and if you have any bent fins, try and bend them back.  For that they actually make a specially designed brush instead of using a screw driver which can cause more damage than you had in the first place.  There are also kits you can buy to seal the area around a window unit to make sure no air leaks out.

When it comes to a central air unit there are some things that you can check.  Once again, check any filters to make sure the air flow is at it's highest efficiency and that the air is clean.  Be sure to keep the coils clean and during the summer months when you are using the AC, keep plants around 2-3 feet away from the unit to ensure proper air flow.  If you can, check your duct work.  Around 30% of your heat and air can be lost in poorly insulated duct work.  Using a professional to complete a summer maintenance check is also a great idea.  They can open the unit to clean and check everything for you.  We have some great companies as part of our Home Services department.

Has anyone tried these tips or have any others?  Feel free to share!

Moving to Western New York?

Have you ever relocated for a job, family, school or any reason at all?  Then we are sure you know how hard it is to know exactly what you are looking for without having ever lived (or even visited in some cases) in that area..  And if you have never relocated, you may not know what to expect or where to start!  We here at Nothnagle REALTORS are here to help.

It is always a great first step to create your own "wish list" that includes things you like about your current home along with things you want in your new home. There may be things such as: four bedrooms, a master bath, gas oven, and an in ground pool. It may also be best to break the list into "must haves" and
"would likes" so that you know where you are willing to compromise.

Your next step would be finding a REALTOR that suits your needs and can best assist you for what you are looking for.  Nothnagle can help you with that.  We have a whole relocation team that specializes in getting you matched with an agent to best assist you.  These agents have worked with people moving into the area before so they know what to expect.  They know their areas and can answer any questions for you that you may have about schools, things to do, taxes, and everything in-between.

So don't hesitate!  Contact one of our Nothnagle Realtors Relocation specialists today!

Tips for an Open House

Getting ready to have your open house and want to give it the best chance possible to look great to all of those potential buyers (and occasional curious neighbor) that will walk through?  Here are some quick and easy things that you can do to help you and your agent out!

• Clean it up - Whether you are doing it yourself or hiring someone from our Home Services department; cleaning up is the number one recommendation.  Removing clutter, taking out trash, dusting...anything you can think of to make your home look cleaner, more presentable, and showing pride in ownership.
• Let there be light - Natural light is a great asset to a home.  Opening blinds and curtains allows for the light to flow in showing the true size of the room and giving a great "welcome home" feeling.
• Check your curb appeal - It is the first thing that everyone will see and we all have heard the saying that you only have one chance to make a first impression...so why not make it a great impression?  Sweeping the porch, deck, and walkways.  Cleaning debris in the yard.  Every little bit can help!
• Find something to do - You may find that your agent will recommend that you not be around when you are having in open house.  While there are many reasons for this that can vary from agent to agent; one is to make the potential buyer feel more comfortable looking around.  Also, if you have pets either make sure they are properly secured or are with you at the time.  Just because you may love animals doesn't mean everyone else does!

Ideas to Beat the Heat

With the last couple of days in the 80's and 90's you may be trying to think of some ways to beat the heat. In this post we will give you a few pointers to help with the heat so you can still enjoy the great weather this summer.

• Wear loose fitting light colored clothing.  Lighter colors attract less heat and with loose clothing it will allow for more air-flow to help keep you cool.
• Change your routine.  As nice as that run may be early afternoon on a Saturday, summer is not the time for it!  Adjust your activities so they are happening earlier or later in the day when the temperatures are cooler and the sun isn't beating on you as harshly.
• Stay hydrated!  Stick with water unless you are working out or working hard (then add a sports drink in there).  Stay away from anything with caffeine or alcohol as those will dehydrate you faster.
• Use fans!  Even if you have central air or an A/C unit using a fan can make it seem cooler (that way you won't have to put as much stress on your A/C units.  If you are air conditioner-less then try getting a window fan and putting it on the sunny side of your home so it pulls the hot air out and open a window in shaded areas so it pulls cooler air in.

What kind of ideas do you have to stay cool?  Leave them here, on our Facebook, or Twitter!

Are you pre-approved?

If you are just starting to look for a house, you may have had someone ask you that very question.  "Are you pre-approved?"  Pre-approved?  For what?  Getting pre-approved is a great first step in the home buying process with a lot of benefits to make your path to a new home a lot smoother.

Have you already started looking at homes or want to but aren't sure of what price range to look at?  With a pre-approval letter they let you know how much of a home you would be able to purchase and afford.  That way you are looking within your limits and don't fall in love with a home that you wouldn't be able to purchase.

But that isn't the only benefit...there are quite a few.  You can use it as a negotiating tool as well.  When you put an offer in on a home and your agent lets them know you are pre-approved it will give them the assurance that there is a great chance you will have the funds available.  Which is great for a seller knowing the likely hood they would get to closing and have to start all over again is minimal.  It also can reduce your closing time.  You won't be putting in an offer and then going to see about approval.  Once you gain acceptance from the sellers, your mortgage broker can send an appraiser right out!

So if you are looking for a home and have yet to get your pre-approval...why not try one of our mortgage vendors?

What exactly are seller concessions?

It's a question that many first time home buyer and first time home seller have.  But what exactly are they?  Does it have something to do with a concession stand?  When it comes to real estate we aren't talking about selling hot dogs and hamburgers...we are talking money!

The best way to describe seller concessions is a way for the buyer to pay for closing costs without having to use the money they have in their "pocket."  For example: If the buyer and seller agree on a selling price $100,000 and the estimated closing costs will be 4% the buyer can ask for that to be added on in the form of seller's concessions, making the price $104,000.  The seller would the "pay" $4,000 to closing costs for the buyer.

There are many different factors when it comes to seller's concessions such as loan to value and the appraisal.  We do recommend that you speak with your Nothnagle real estate agent or one of our mortgage partners if you have questions.

In the meantime...

Loan to Cost (LTC)

In an earlier blog we talked about LTV (Loan to Value) which talked about how the relationship between the total amount you are borrowing to the appraised value of the property.  Well today we will be talking about a different relationship between the total amount of your loan to the cost of the property.

Most often used with commercial properties, LTC compares the amount you are wanting to borrow to the cost of the project itself.  For example: If you thought that building a new restaurant would be a great idea and the land was going to cost you $50,000 and then total construction costs were going to be $550,000 then your total cost would be $600,000.  Well, you've been saving for a while and you have $90,000 to invest in your dream.  This means that you still would need to borrow $510,000 and your LTC would be 85%.

There are many factors  as to if a bank or mortgage company would approve a LTC of that percentage.  One thing that they do look at is location.  Not just is it in a good area but how many of what you want to build are there already?  If you are interested in making your dream happen...contact one of our mortgage partners.  In the meantime - check us out below!

5 Tools for a First-Time Homeowner

If you are a first time homeowner this is more than likely something you have yet to think about. I mean if something breaks where you are now you are more than likely going to be calling either you parents or the landlord.  But now the home is yours and with that comes the maintenance responsibility as well.  So here are the 5 must have tools so you can keep up with everything.

• Hammer - There is so much that a hammer can do that there is no reason not to have one!  Putting nails into the wall, taking them out, or even using the claw to pull weeds out of your garden.  The hammer is a must have.
• Tape Measure - Often over-looked until you need to measure something then what do you do?  Pull out a dollar bill and count how many dollar bills wide your new entertainment system can be?  Trust us, the tape measure is something you will want to have around.
• 4 Headed Screwdriver -  Oh you already have a screwdriver!  But are you sure it's the right one?  How many times have you gone to fix something that was loose just to find out you needed a flat head and all you had was a phillips head?  With the 4 headed screwdriver you get small and large of both.
• Pliers - There are a few different types out there so you may want to grab more than one.  But they are handy!  Tightening nuts, loosening soda bottle caps, using a towel as protection and bending the tip of a metal fence back.  With those options and more, a must have the must be!
• Utility Knife - This is another often looked over tool that should be in the tool box.  Stronger than a box cutter, a utility knife can score drywall, cut rope and wires, and it can open a box too.

With these 5 basic tools a new homeowner can at least have a nice start to maintaining their own home.  Are there any others you recommend?  Leave them here in the comments or let us know at either place below.

3 Reasons to Buy Now!

Are you on the fence about buying a home? Not sure if now is the time? Here are 3 benefits as to why buying a home is a GREAT idea!

Equity Building
Of course there are many different variables when it comes to a home loan, but rates are still really low making it easier for you to build equity faster. One thing home buyers may choose to do is go with a shorter term (such as 15 years). This allows them to pay off the loan sooner and with low interest rates, some are even opting to pay more on their monthly payment. When you combine all of that you are building equity in your home faster and saving a considerable amount on interest!

Tax Deduction
Even though many of you already know, the taxes you pay on your home are actually deductible when it comes to those dreaded taxes. This mostly applies to your first home and a vacation home but you can actually find detailed information about it by clicking here and going right to the IRS website!

Pride
Remember walking into your friend's home right after they bought it? What about helping them paint rooms and remodel the bathroom? You may have thought, "Wow...this would be so fun. I could change things and it would be mine! I could do whatever I wanted!" Well now is your chance! Inside to out, there are many things you can do to make a house a home and take pride in every aspect. So call Nothnagle REALTORS today and we can help make it happen for you!

Home Inspections

If you are a first time home buyer, you may not know what to expect when it comes to a home inspection.  Today we will give you a break down of what to expect as you go through the process.

Before the inspection even happens there are two things that come to mind.  Cost and time.  How much will it cost and who pays for it?  To start, it is usually a fee payed by the home buyer and is often seen as a bargain compared to potential issues that a home can have.  But how much will it cost?  The cost can vary depending on the type of tests and the size of the home.  For more information speak directly with your Nothnagle Agent! How long does it take though?  This also varies based on the tests completed and the size of the home.  On average, a home inspection can take any where from 2-4 hours to complete everything.

During the inspection, the inspector will be checking many areas in your potential new home to make sure everything is safe.  From structural components such as your foundation and frame to interior items such as mold and damaged walls.  Everything in between is covered too!  So even the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical get checked out.  There are some additional items you can have checked as well that are not part of what is considered "standard" and your Nothnagle agent can best guide you.

Ok, so after I get my home inspection...what's next?  What if something comes up?  Well after your inspection is complete both you and the seller will get a copy of the report.  Any problems or recommendations that were discovered during the inspection will show here.  From the report you and your agent can decide what to do next.  Do you need to negotiate some repairs or walk away?  Maybe even get a home warranty...just in case.

Still have questions?  Ask away!  Comment here or reach us at either place below.

Craigslist Scams

In this area we are just getting started into peak time for real estate on both selling and buying as well as renting. Of course this unfortunately means that the scammers are out there more and more.

Although there are many sites available, craigslist is the largest and most know for these types of scams. That doesn't mean you have to avoid the site at all costs...just be careful with what information you give away. You can find rentals on our site as well or even work with an agent. But if you go about it yourself just keep these pointers in mind.

Scammers tend to use the same story or a variation. They are in Africa because they "surprisingly" won an auction and now own oil fields or are there for missionary work or something similar. The stories generally sound a little off and while most people don't fall for them...enough have to where it is still an issue. Here is an example

"Hello,
I received your response concerning my Advertisement published on Craigslist The house is still available am the owner of the home and i bid for a portion of petroleum land a while back in West Africa and fortunately I just won the bidding so I had to move quickly down to Africa to have my company set up because I still have to rebid for it in the next 4 to 5 years. I came over here with my wife and two kids and before we got here i thought of selling the home but had to change my mind because of my wife, she preferred we had it up on the rental market I had to look for an agent, after getting one, we got a deal but later we found out that he was renting it out for a higher price than what we agreed on and i don't want an occupant that will be paying a lot and not have time for the home because of the price of the home. If you notice, you will discovered that the price we are offering is far below standard price, this is enough for you to know that we are not after the rental fee so I contacted the Agent back and requested for my keys and documents the maintenance of the home is far more important to me I know there is no way I can be sure that you are the right person to live in the house because we won't be able to see before sending you the keys and the documents to occupy the space.. But I just have a feeling that anyone who knows the values of a home should know that maintaining a home is essential, so if you believe you can take good care of the house and handle it like yours then I will be more than happy to let you rent the house.

Please if you are interested in renting my house kindly provide the information below.
PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
APPLICATION FORM

Full Name Prefix__________________________________________________ (CELL)PHONE________________________
Date of Birth_________________________________
Home Phone (    )___________________ 
Other Phone (    )________________________
Current Address_______________________________
Apt#________ 
City__________________ 
State______ 
Zip________
Reasons for Leaving Old Home____________________________
Rent $__________
Phone (    )____________________________
Are you married____________________________
How many people will be living in the house____________________________
Do you have a pet____________________________
Do you have a car____________________________
Income____________________________
Move In Date____________________________
HOW SOON CAN YOU HAVE THE DEPOSIT PAYMENT SENT _____________
HOW SOON DO YOU WANT TO RECEIVE THE KEYS AND DOCUMENTS OF THE HOUSE___________________________
Rent/Month: $700___________________________
Deposit Payment: $500___________________________

You could give me a call as soon as possible if you can call internationally if you can't please indicate so i can call you so we could proceed ASAP.

Please note that you will only be able to drive by the house for now but not have a look at the interior until i have sent the keys and documents of the house to you and the requirement for getting the keys and documents of the house is a fully refundable payment, which is the security deposit.

Please note that the deposit made is fully refundable the deposit is just to make sure that you are really interested in the home and also to hold the home for you so we don't rent it out to someone else, after receiving the keys and documents if you feel unsatisfied or uncomfortable with the interior, but i am giving you a benefit of doubt that you will love everything about this lovely home...

I Await your response so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the keys to you. My cell phone numbers are :(+234-XXX-XXX-8505 or +011-234-XXX-XXX-8505) you can call or text

Best Regards"

As you can see from phrases like "Please note that you will only be able to drive by the house for now but not have a look at the interior until i have sent the keys and documents of the house to you and the requirement for getting the keys and documents of the house is a fully refundable payment, which is the security deposit." Where do they get the information and the pictures though? Anywhere! Usually they will log onto ANY real estate site and take the pictures from there. That way if you do drive by...it all looks the same.

So beware! And remember what we've all been told before...if it's too good to be true, it is.