Q. I’ve kept to my New Year’s resolution and have lost a few pounds. Now I think my house needs to go on a diet. Even though I don’t plan on moving soon, I want to be ready, when I do list, what do you recommend?

Posted on February 27, 2012 by betsypepine

Ask Betsy PepineA. Most sellers need to edit approximately one-third of their belongings for their home to show optimally. Remember, when you go to sell your home, you are selling the space, not the objects. If the objects clutter the space, you are not presenting the space in an optimal way. The most important rooms to edit are the public rooms (think kitchen, great room, dining room, master bedroom and front porch/yard.) Room by room, object by object, ask yourself, “Do I love it, does it bring me joy and does it make my life easier/happier?” If you can answer yes to all three, keep it. If you answer no, take a picture of it and then donate or dump it. Counter items should be used every day or put away, and anything smaller than a football is visual clutter unless grouped together to be larger than a football. You will be amazed how light you feel once you have uncluttered your home. Maintain it by adhering to the rule, if something comes in, something must go out.

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Haile Village Farmers’ Market

Posted on February 21, 2012 by betsypepine

The Haile Village Farmers’ Market on S.W. 91st Terrace, in the heart of the village, is open every Saturday 8:30-12:00 rain or shine, we’re here for you throughout the winter months. We invite you to come and visit with the neighbors, meet our local farmers and businesses, and enjoy a morning of food, fun and friendship. The Market features local farm direct produce, freshly baked goods, honey, flowers, plants for your garden and more. Enjoy the small village atmosphere and celebrate the bounty of our community. Make it part of your life style. Live Simply. Shop locally.

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Q. I am relocating to Gainesville and I will be working remotely. The nature of my work requires a fast internet connection. What’s the best way to determine if a given house can support this?

Posted on February 20, 2012 by betsypepine

Ask Betsy PepineA.  We have a great new resource available to us that addresses just this.  Regardless of where you live, you can search for all available broadband providers and their respective speeds for a given address using the National Broadband map located at www.broadbandmap.gov.

Just type in an address and it will list all the providers and their respective speeds for that address.  Ideally, you will want to find a home supporting a speed between 10-50 Mbps.  Just celebrating its one-year anniversary, this map is updated every six months.  Even if you aren’t moving, you can use it to check available providers at your current house to make sure you are getting the fastest connection available.

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Q. I’m thinking of not renewing my termite contract because I’m going to be selling my home this spring and need to save money. Do buyers really care if a house has a termite contract?

Posted on February 8, 2012 by betsypepine

Ask Betsy PepineA. I highly recommend you do not do this.  Although it will save you money, it’s a small sum compared to the cost of having to repair the house from termite damage if it occurs between now and when your home sells. In addition, termite policies are transferable to the new owner and you can request the cost of the termite policy be prorated at closing so you only pay your share of it.  In addition, if you cancel the policy, the new owner will be charged a much higher rate for the initial inspection.  Plus, if there is a gap in coverage, the new policy will not existing damage so if damage is found at a later date, there is always the possibility that the company can rightly claim that it was preexisting and excluded from coverage.  To all homeowners, I recommend you check your coverage to make sure it covers not only retreatment if termites are found but also covers repairs of damaged wood.  Many assume their policy covers both but it often does not.

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Q. I’ve always been skeptical of using people or companies that Realtors recommend. Aren’t they getting a kick-back when I use them?

Posted on February 6, 2012 by betsypepine

Ask Betsy PepineA. Realtors adhere to a strict code of ethics. One of the things a Realtor MUST do is disclose any affiliated business arrangements they have with companies or people. The most common case of this is when a brokerage and a title company have a relationship. You will be asked to sign a disclosure form indicating, for example, that one company is owned by the other. This is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, closings at such offices can go very smoothly because processes are seamless. Financial kick-backs from tradespeople are not at all common and again would have to be disclosed to you. More likely, your Realtor is just trying to assist you in your search for quality people and are recommending people they have had positive experiences with – lenders, painters, handymen, etc. If in doubt, ask for several names and interview them yourself.

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Q. I just heard home inspectors don’t have to be licensed. Is that true?

Posted on February 3, 2012 by betsypepine

Ask Betsy PepineA. While true in some states, in Florida, since July 2010, home inspectors must be licensed and certified.  The state requires candidates to be of good moral character, have a high school diploma or equivalent, complete 120 hours of coursework, pass an exam and carry at least $300,000 of commercial general liability insurance.  In addition, inspectors must do ongoing continuing education.  Another area of confusion lies in what is covered in a home inspection.  Septic tanks, anything behind drywall that cannot be seen (electrical/plumbing, for example) and swimming pools are not commonly included in a home inspection.

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Q: Last week you mentioned that you anticipate that the number of distressed properties will rise in 2012. Why?

Posted on February 1, 2012 by betsypepine

Ask Betsy PepineA: For a few reasons. One is that Florida ranks the third highest in number of homeowners underwater on their mortgage at 45%. In Gainesville, 40% of homeowners are underwater on their mortgages. Without a rise in home values, more and more homeowners will fall into this category this year. In addition, I am seeing more and more homeowners apply for a “strategic” short sale. This is one where there is little to no financial hardship on the underwater homeowner but s/he wants to move and does not want to, or can not, come to the closing with cash on hand. In 2009, these short sales represented 20% of all short sales. In 2010, they represented 30%. Final figures are not out for 2011, but I expect them to be higher. Since there is no longer a social stigma attached to applying for a short sale, I believe they will continue to rise as prices decline.

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24 Scholarships Available This Year…

Posted on January 25, 2012 by betsypepine

From the Jan. 2012 edition of Kilowatt, a publication created by Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Electric will offer 24 scholarships this year. The scholarship program is limited to any public, private or home-schooled high school senior whose primary residence is served by Clay Electric, and who will be graduating from high school at the end of the current school year (2011-2012). The senior must be planning to attend an accredited college this fall. The one-time scholarship website (clayelectric.com), at each of the co-op’s six district offices and at area high schools. The deadline to submit an application is April 1, 2012. The deadline to submit an application is April 1, 2012. Scholastic records, activities, employment, community service and recommendations are the primary considerations.

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Q. Now that 2011 is over, how did Gainesville residential housing fare?

Posted on January 23, 2012 by betsypepine

Ask Betsy PepineA.  Just over 2,000 single-family homes were sold last year, down 4% from 2010.  However, there was 16% less inventory on the market so a greater percentage of available homes sold in 2011.  The average sale price declined 10% from 2010, now at $161,000.  The decline was the largest Jan’11 at over 14% while, in Dec’ 11, it only declined 6.6%.  This suggests a slowing down in the rate in which values are declining (good news).  Over one in four homes sold (27%) were either short sales or foreclosures, with a similar percentage making up our activity inventory, up from 15% in 2010.  I anticipate the number of distressed homes (both active and solds) to rise in 2012.  Average days of the market were just over six months, up 5% from 2010.  However, Dec. 11 was  the second lowest month of the year and I predict this will likely decline further as we move through Spring.

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Q. I hear all this talk about the new iHome. What exactly does this mean?

Posted on January 18, 2012 by betsypepine

Ask Betsy PepineA. The iHome stands for “intelligent home” and is now available in Gainesville. Using the latest technology, you can control security/locks, lights, TV, music, the fireplace, cameras, etc. from your TV, a light switch on the wall, a portable control or remotely from an iPhone or iPad. Traditional light switches are converted to six buttons, each programmed to a different “scene.” For example, press the “Kids” button and the lights in the kids bonus room come on and the TV turns on to Disney. The “Amore” button could turn on the fireplace, turn off the TV, change the dial to romantic music and make the dining room lights dim. Say your child forgets their key and you are at work. From your iPad, see that they are at the front door and unlock the deadbolt. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Check it out at the GW Robinson model home in Turnberry Lake off 241N.

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