Monday, December 29, 2014

Your Real Estate Glossary: Understanding Real Estate Lingo



Confused when it comes to real estate terminology? Sometimes it looks like everyone in real estate is speaking an entirely different language, so we're here to help decipher some of the more common terms you might encounter in your home buying and selling research.

Don't forget to bookmark this page so you'll always be in the know!

Adjustable Mortgage Loans: Mortgage loans under which the interest rate is periodically adjusted to more closely coincide with current rates. The amounts and times of adjustment are agreed to at the inception of the loan. Also called: Adjustable Rate Loans,  Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs), Flexible Rate Loans, Variable Rate Loans.

Amortization: Payment of a debt in equal installments of principal and interest, rather than interest-only payments.

Annual Percentage Rate (A.P.R.): The yearly interest percentage of a loan, as expressed by the total finance charge actually paid (interest, loan fees, points).  The A.P.R. is disclosed as a requirement of federal truth in lending statutes.

Appraisal: An estimate of value of a Real Estate property by a professional third party. Virtually all non-owner financed mortgages will require an appraisal and is generally paid for by the buyer.

Assessment: The value of a property as determined by the local tax jurisdiction which is used to determine the amount of your property taxes.

Buydown: A payment to the lender from the seller, buyer, or third party, or some combination of these, that causes the lender to reduce the interest rate during the early years of the loan.

Cap: In adjustable rate mortgages, the limit on how much the interest rate or monthly payment can change.

Closing: The final procedure in which documents are executed and/or recorded, and the sale (or loan) is completed.  Closing Statement: The statement which lists the financial settlement between buyer and seller, and also the costs each must pay.

Closing Costs: Funds needed at the time of closing (separate from and in addition to the down payment). Loan origination fees, discount points, Attorney fees, recording fees and pre-paids are some items that may be included. They often will total from 3% to 5% of the price of the home, payable in cash.

CMA: A CMA, or Competitive Market Analysis, is a comparison of homes similar to a seller’s home in terms of size, style, features, and location that have sold recently or are on the market.  A CMA is prepared by a real estate agent to help set a home’s listing price.

Common Area: An area inside a community which is owned in common by everyone who lives in the community. Good examples include tennis court, recreation room, pool, etc.

Common-Area Assessments: Fees paid by the owners of a condominium project or planned-unit development to maintain, repair, improve, or operate common areas.

Condominium: Housing where the owner owns only the unit in which they live - from the interior walls inward, generally - as well as a portion of the common area.

Contingency: Commonly, a stated event which must occur before a contract is binding. For example, a home sale may be contingent upon the buyer obtaining financing.

Debt-to-Income Ratio: The ratio of a borrower's total debt as a percentage of their total gross income.

Deed: The document that, when recorded with your local government, determines ownership of a property. Transferred from seller to buyer at closing.

Deposit: A portion of the down payment given by the buyer to the seller or escrow agent with a written offer to purchase. Shows good faith.

Down payment: Cash portion of the purchase price paid by a buyer from his own funds as opposed to that portion which is financed.

Escrow: A procedure in which a third (neutral) party holds all funds, documents, etc. necessary to the sale, with instructions from both buyer and seller as to their use and disposition.

FHA Loan: A loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration, a part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. FHA insurance enables lenders to loan a very high percentage of the sale price.

Graduated Payment Mortgage: A mortgage initially offering low monthly payments that increase at fixed intervals and at a predetermined rate.

Hazard Insurance: Otherwise known as homeowners’ insurance. This is a usual requirement of a mortgage lender and an advisable safeguard for any homeowner to protect against loss.

Index or Rate Index: A measure of interest rate changes used to adjust the interest rate of an Adjustable Mortgage Loan. Example: the change in U.S. Treasury securities (T-bills) with a 1-year maturity, based upon their weekly average yield.

Lien: A legal claim or charge on property as security for payment of a debt or for the discharge of an obligation.

Loan-to-Value Ratio: The ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the amount of a mortgage loan to the appraised value or selling price of the property.

Lockbox:  A key storage system placed on a home entrance that is accessible only by active, licensed real estate agents who must abide by a strict set of guidelines when showing a seller’s home.

Margin: In Adjustable Mortgage Loans, the number of percentage points the lender adds to the index rate to determine the new interest rate at each adjustment.

MLS:  MLS stands for multiple listing service, by which member brokers cooperate in the sale of each other’s listings. Sellers may choose not to allow their property into multiple listing, if they wish.

PITI:  Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance - Used to indicate the four major items included in a monthly mortgage payment.

Points:  A fee charged by a lender as a service charge or as an amount needed to make the yield on a mortgage competitive with other types of investments. Each point represents 1% of the loan amount.

Principal: Amount of debt, not including interest; the face value of a loan.

Private Mortgage Insurance: Insurance issued by a private company against a loss by a lender in the event of default. Private mortgage insurance is generally required for conventional financing whenever less than 20% is put down.

Second Mortgage: A mortgage which ranks after the first mortgage lien in priority.

Settlement: Same definition as closing.

Title Insurance: Insurance against loss resulting from defects of title of public record.

VA Loans: Loans partially guaranteed by the Veteran’s Administration, enabling veterans to buy a home with little or no down payment.

Rahul and Smitha Ramchandani are a licensed real estate Broker-Salesperson/Sales Representative Team with Keller Williams in New Jersey. They are Buyer Specialists and Home Marketing Experts. Their team specializes in North Central New Jersey including towns such as BoontonChathamChesterConvent StationDenvilleEast HanoverFlorham ParkHanoverHarding Twp.MendhamMontvilleMorristownMorris PlainsMorris Twp.Mountain LakesParsippanyRandolphRockawayWhippany

www.SRRealEstateGroup.com | www.TheTownhouseExpert.com | www.NorthernJerseyRealEstate.com | www.Morris-Homes.com

Friday, December 19, 2014

Mortgage Rates Hit Another 2014 Low

Bloomberg News




Low interest rates continue to benefit anyone looking for a mortgage, as the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rates fell to a new 19-month low in the latest week, slipping to 3.80% from 3.93% a week earlier, according to Freddie Mac‘s (FMCC) latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey. It’s the lowest average rate recorded since May 2013, and it comes during a week when Treasury bond yields also sank to new 2014 lows, with the 10-year Treasury yield – which typically sets the tone for mortgage rates – closing at a year-to-date low 2.071% on Tuesday.

“Mortgage rates fell along with 10-year Treasury yields, which closed at their lowest level since May 2013,” said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, in a statement, noting that housing starts fell in November from October.

An equivalent 30-year average rate measured by the Mortgage Bankers Association’s latest weekly survey fell to 4.06% from 4.11% a week earlier, and the average rate for jumbo loans of more than $417,000 fell to 3.99% from 4.07% a week earlier. Both of those rates are also now at their lowest since May 2013.

The MBA survey also showed mortgage applications decreased by 3.3% in the latest week.

Original article by Michael Aneiro here.

Rahul and Smitha Ramchandani are a licensed real estate Broker-Salesperson/Sales Representative Team with Keller Williams in New Jersey. They are Buyer Specialists and Home Marketing Experts. Their team specializes in North Central New Jersey including towns such as BoontonChathamChesterConvent StationDenvilleEast HanoverFlorham ParkHanoverHarding Twp.MendhamMontvilleMorristownMorris PlainsMorris Twp.Mountain LakesParsippanyRandolphRockawayWhippany.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

The #1 Thing You Can Do to Stay Warm and Save Money


Installing weather stripping on a garage door

Weather stripping on windows and doors protects the home from air leaks while increasing comfort and saving energy. But as weather stripping ages, it loses its effectiveness. Stay ahead of the game by checking for worn-out weather stripping and replacing it.

Identifying Worn Weather Stripping


Weather stripping deteriorates due to age, friction, and exposure to the elements. It also can be damaged by people, pets, and pests. At least once each year, inspect your windows and doors to check for air leaks that indicate your weather stripping isn’t doing its job.

  • Self-adhesive foam tape loses its grip over time, causing it to pull away from the door or window frame — or fall off completely. Foam also can lose its resilience, no longer springing up to fill the gap.
  • Rubber and vinyl weather stripping becomes dry, brittle, and cracked. Over time, it can also lose its shape and effectiveness.
  • Spring-metal V-shaped weather stripping bends out of shape, cracks in spots, and comes loose thanks to missing nails.
How to Remove Old Weather Stripping

For peel-and-stick-type weather stripping, simply pull the foam strips off the door or window by hand. Stripping that is fastened in place with nails or screws requires a more tedious process of locating and removing all the fasteners. 

Options for New Weather Stripping

There’s no shortage of weather stripping options at hardware stores and home improvement centers. As is often the case, the cheaper and easier the product is to install, the less effective and durable it probably is over time.

Adhesive-backed foam tape is inexpensive — costing less than a buck a foot — and peel-and-stick types are easy as pie to install. It works best where the bottom of a window sash closes against a sill, or a door closes against a doorframe. It’s the compression that produces the seal. Don’t expect this product to survive longer than 3 to 5 years.

V-shaped weather stripping, sometimes called tension-seal weather stripping, is the best option for the side channels of a double-hung window or a tight-fitting door. This product springs open to close gaps and plug leaky windows and doors. 

Inexpensive peel-and-stick V-shaped vinyl (as little as $0.50 per foot) is easy to install but won’t last much longer than foam tape. More expensive copper or bronze styles cost as much as $2 per foot and must be nailed into place, but they look better and will last decades. 

Tubular rubber or vinyl gaskets prove the most effective for sealing large and irregular gaps, such as around an old door. These hollow tubes are large enough to plug big gaps but soft enough to compress nearly flat. Types that are nailed in place last longer than peel-and-stick varieties. Prices range from less than $1 per foot for peel-and-stick to $1.25 per foot for nail-in-place.

Prepare the Surface

Before installing any new weather stripping, start with a smooth, clean, and dry surface. Remove all old adhesive using an adhesive cleaner and perhaps a light sanding. Fill and sand old nail holes. If old screw holes can’t be reused, fill and sand those as well.

Installation Tips

  • Some peel-and-stick types should only be applied when the temps are at least 50 degrees. Check the product label.
  • Start with one small area to make sure the door or window opens and closes without difficulty before completing the entire job.
  • Measure twice before cutting to prevent mistakes and waste.
  • Cut rubber and vinyl varieties with shears or a utility knife, and metal types with tin snips. Be careful not to bend the thin metal while cutting it.
  • Make sure to face the opening of V-shaped weather stripping out toward the elements to prevent moisture from getting inside.
Installing Weather Stripping

Adhesive-style weather stripping: Remove the backing and press firmly in place. Removing the backing as you go helps prevent the sticky part of the strip from accidentally adhering to something it shouldn’t.

Nail-in weather stripping: Fasten the strips in place by nailing through the pre-punched holes. For double-hung windows, you’ll need to install the lower half, drop the sash, and then install the upper half.

Rahul and Smitha Ramchandani are a licensed real estate Broker-Salesperson/Sales Representative Team with Keller Williams in New Jersey. They are Buyer Specialists and Home Marketing Experts. You can reach Rahul and Smitha and their team online at: www.Morris-Homes.com or www.SRRealEstateGroup.com.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

What's Your Home Worth?



What's your home worth? 


According to the Garden State Multiple Listing Service (GSMLS), the average home price is up about 8% since 2012. How much has your home increased in value? 


Check your current home value for free, instantly, online at our page!




Rahul and Smitha Ramchandani are a licensed real estate Broker-Salesperson/Sales Representative Team with Keller Williams in New Jersey. They are Buyer Specialists and Home Marketing Experts. You can reach Rahul and Smitha and their team online at: www.Morris-Homes.com or www.SRRealEstateGroup.com.

Their team specialize in North Central New Jersey including towns such as BoontonChathamMadison,Chester,Convent StationDenvilleEast HanoverFlorham ParkHanoverHarding Twp.MendhamMontvilleMorristown,Morris Plains,Morris Twp.Mountain LakesParsippanyRandolphRockawayWhippany.

Monday, October 27, 2014

Pending Home Sales Rise in September 2014


Pending home sales rose 0.3% in September 2014, posting a positive gain for the first time in 11 months, data from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® show.

NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index showed the number of homes under contract to sell was also up 1% over September 2013.


Conditions are favorable for buyers thanks to the moderate pace at which home prices are rising coupled with more homes being offered for sale, said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.

“Housing supply for existing homes was up in September 2014 6% from a year ago, which is preventing prices from rising at the accelerated clip seen earlier this year,” he said. “Additionally, the current spectacularly low mortgage rates should help more buyers reach the market.”

Despite improved housing conditions and low interest rates, tight credit conditions continue to be a barrier for some buyers.


About 15% of REALTORS® said they had at clients who couldn’t close on their home purchase because they were unable to get a mortgage.


Yun says credit may loosen next year when lenders are scheduled to start following a new federal rule on mortgage lending, called the Qualified Residential Mortgage rule.


“The rule provides clarity for lenders and is a win for creditworthy consumers by ensuring they continue to have access to safe and affordable loan products without overly burdensome downpayment requirements,” he said.


Pending Home Sales by Region

September 2014September 2013
NationalUp 0.3%Up 1.0%
NortheastUp 1.2%Up 2.9%
MidwestDown 1.2%Down 4.0 %
SouthUp 1.4%Up 1.7%
WestDown 0.8%Up 3.6%

Rahul and Smitha Ramchandani are a licensed real estate Broker-Salesperson/Sales Representative Team with Keller Williams in New Jersey. They are Buyer Specialists and Home Marketing Experts. You can reach Rahul and Smitha and their team online at: www.Morris-Homes.com or www.SRRealEstateGroup.com.

Their team specialize in North Central New Jersey including towns such as BoontonChathamMadison,Chester,Convent StationDenvilleEast HanoverFlorham ParkHanoverHarding Twp.MendhamMontvilleMorristown,Morris Plains,Morris Twp.Mountain LakesParsippanyRandolphRockawayWhippany.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Open House Sunday October 26th 1-4 PM at 23 F Huston Taylor Court, Morris Plains, NJ 07950

Please be our guest this Sunday, 10/26, for an Open House at a Fabulous Townhouse in the desirable Glenmont Commons community. Great updates, neighborhood, and location! Click here for more pictures.

   


When: Sunday, 10/26, 1 - 4 PM
Where: 23 F Huston Taylor Court, Morris Plains, NJ 07950
Who: YOU! Feel free to bring your interested friends and family.





Details


  • Price: $420,000
  • 3 Bedrooms, 2.1 Baths, Attached 1-Car Garage.
  • Gorgeous Townhome in Glenmont Commons.
  • Great Location & Condition! 
  • Located in Parsippany, NJ which was recently rated Number 13 in the Top 20 Best Places to Live in the country by Money Magazine (Morris Plains mailing address).
  • 5 +/- Minute Drive to Morris Plains Train Station for the Midtown Direct Train to New York City.
  • Lots of Updates and Upgrades! Quality Throughout!
  • Great Condition! Bright Open Floor Plan! Neutral Décor!
  • Shows Pride of Ownership!
  • Beautiful Stone and Vinyl Front with Lovely Open Porch.
  • Lots of Natural Light, Plenty of Windows & Closet Space.
  • Lovely 2 Story Entry Foyer with Upgraded Ceramic Tiles.
  • High 9 Foot Ceilings on First Level.
  • Nice Pergo Floors in Living Room and Dining Room.
  • Bright, Spacious Living Room with Pergo Floors, Fireplace with Beautiful Mosaic Surround, Recessed Lights, Ceiling Fan, Blinds, Sliders to a Large Deck with Nice Views. Perfect for Entertaining.
  • Beautiful, Upgraded Eat-in-Kitchen with Ceramic Tiled Floor, Upgraded Maple Cabinets, Stunning Mosaic Tile Backsplash, All Appliances, Recessed Lights and Lots of Counter Space.
  • Elegant Formal Dining Room with Pergo Floors, Lovely Chandelier.
  • A Powder Room completes the First Level.
  • The 2nd Floor features a Huge, Bright Master Bedroom Suite with Plush Carpet, Walk-In-Closet, Ceiling Fan with Light, Blinds.
  • Spacious 2nd and 3rd Bedroom with Plush Carpet, Ceiling Fans and Blinds. 
  • Full Unfinished Walkout Basement leading to a Nice Backyard, Waiting for you to finish as you please.
  • Central Air Conditioning & Gas Heat.
  • All Ceramic Tiled Baths.
  • 1 Car Garage with Automatic Door Opener. 
  • Pets Allowed (Restrictions May Apply).
  • Taxes: $8431 (2014).
  • Monthly Association Fee: $105 (Application Fee may apply).
  • Community Amenities: Swimming Pool.
  • Year Built: 2003 approx.
  • Short Distance to Shopping, Major Highways and Regional  Transportation.  
  • Why Postpone Happiness? You'll Love to Call this Home.

Rahul and Smitha Ramchandani are a licensed real estate Broker-Salesperson/Sales Representative Team with Keller Williams in New Jersey. They are Buyer Specialists and Home Marketing Experts. You can reach Rahul and Smitha and their team online at: www.Morris-Homes.com or www.SRRealEstateGroup.com.

Their team specialize in North Central New Jersey including towns such as BoontonChathamMadison,Chester,Convent StationDenvilleEast HanoverFlorham ParkHanoverHarding Twp.MendhamMontvilleMorristown,Morris Plains,Morris Twp.Mountain LakesParsippanyRandolphRockawayWhippany.



Friday, October 10, 2014

Things You Can Paint Instead of Replace to Save Money - Part 5

Today we cover painting carpeting (yes, carpeting!) and vinyl floors. Enjoy!

Carpet


We love the idea of covering stains and reviving a carpet with upholstery paint. It saves hundreds of dollars and the hassle of getting rid of an old carpet.

Kathie Smula of Spray It New upholstery paint says carpets with a short pile are the best candidates for painting; long-pile carpets become hard and matted when painted.

Prep: 

  1. Thoroughly clean the carpet before painting. You don’t have to steam clean it, but scrub up the worst stains and vacuum so dust and dirt don’t mix with the paint. 
  2. Skip priming and just spray paint two or three coats, depending on how deep you want the color. Make sure it’s dry to the touch before spraying another coat.

Tips:

  • Don’t confuse upholstery paint, good for carpets, with fabric paint, good for T-shirts.
  • If you get heavy handed and paint clumps, loosen the area with a bristle brush and dab up excess paint.
  • Six cans of spray paint will cover an 8-foot-by-10-foot carpet with at least two coats.

Vinyl Floors


Painting is an inexpensive way to get a few more years out of old vinyl floors in kitchens and laundry rooms.

Prep:
  1. Wash the floor with a TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) solution to get rid of built-up dirt and grime.
  2. Rough up the shiny surface with 180-grit sandpaper. If some nooks and crannies remain glossy, apply a deglosser (paint stores sell it) to remove shine. 
  3. Prime with a latex primer.
  4. Paint with a porch/floor paint.
Tips:

Save your back when sanding floors by using a sanding pole, like the ones drywall installers use.
Highly textured vinyl floor may require another sanding and a second coat of primer.


Rahul and Smitha Ramchandani are a licensed real estate Broker-Salesperson/Sales Representative Team with Keller Williams in New Jersey. They are Buyer Specialists and Home Marketing Experts. You can reach Rahul and Smitha and their team online at: www.Morris-Homes.com or www.SRRealEstateGroup.com.

Their team specialize in North Central New Jersey including towns such as BoontonChathamMadison,Chester,Convent StationDenvilleEast HanoverFlorham ParkHanoverHarding Twp.MendhamMontvilleMorristown,Morris Plains,Morris Twp.Mountain LakesParsippanyRandolphRockawayWhippany.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Things You Can Paint Instead of Replace to Save Money - Part 4

When wood floors are beyond another refinishing, painting can give them a second life — and give you a chance to add a personal touch to your home.

Painted Wood Floors


Prep: 

  1. Slightly sand the surface so your primer will adhere better. No need to sand down to the wood; even roughing up the seal coat will help the primer adhere better.
  2. Vacuum and mop with a damp cloth to remove all the dust — nothing ruins a paint job faster than dust. 
  3. Tint your primer to reduce the number of coats you’ll need of latex enamel floor paint.


Tips:

  • Before you commit to a paint color, paint a large piece of foam board with a sample of your desired color and put it on the floor to give you a good idea what the finished floor will look like.
  • It takes each coat about 24 hours to dry completely. So don’t jump the gun when applying the next, thin coat.
  • Your painted floor won’t completely cure for almost a month, so hold off on moving back heavy things like pianos and chests of drawers.
  • Protect your painted floor by putting mats down at the sink (wood and paint hate water) and high-traffic entryways.


Rahul and Smitha Ramchandani are a licensed real estate Broker-Salesperson/Sales Representative Team with Keller Williams in New Jersey. They are Buyer Specialists and Home Marketing Experts. You can reach Rahul and Smitha and their team online at: www.Morris-Homes.com or www.SRRealEstateGroup.com.

Their team specialize in North Central New Jersey including towns such as BoontonChathamMadison,Chester,Convent StationDenvilleEast HanoverFlorham ParkHanoverHarding Twp.MendhamMontvilleMorristown,Morris Plains,Morris Twp.Mountain LakesParsippanyRandolphRockawayWhippany.

Friday, October 3, 2014

SR Real Estate Group Continues to get Rave Reviews!

We love our clients! Many of them become dear friends and even part of our family. It is always thrilling to receive positive feedback because we are always striving to provide the best service to our current, future, and repeat clients. Seeing them happy and satisfied is one of the biggest reasons we're in this business.

A big "THANK YOU" to you all for your continued support. Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!


"Smitha is the best realtor. She truly puts the customer first. She listens to what the customer needs and puts the customer first. We have used her numerous times and with each transaction, she has worked hard to make the process and seamless as possible. She is also very accessible. Selling or purchasing a home can be very stressful. Knowing that she is just a phone call away helped me get through a difficult time."
- Nick and Fatima

"Rahul is simply superb! He made our dream home a reality!! Rahul partnered with us and thoroughly understood our buying requirements. During the process of buying new home we had to sell our existing home. It became quite complex to deal with Bankers, Attorneys, Realtors and associated contingencies from buying and selling front. Rahul was immediately available to answer any questions and his extensive knowledge, experience and expertise in real estate market helped us easily navigate from start to finish. Rahul relentlessly worked with us until we closed our new home. We were pleased to work with Rahul. Without a doubt I will recommend Rahul to anyone who is looking to buy/sell home in near future!!"
- Suresh and Raji

"Very pleased with Rahul. He is a true professional. He was always helpful, knowledgeable and courteous. He resolved all buyer-seller issues expediently and in amicable manner. He was available on the phone at all hours. If we had to leave a voice mail, he got back to us within a very short time. We have no hesitation in recommending Rahul to anyone looking for a realtor in northern NJ."
- Deb and Smee

Rahul and Smitha Ramchandani are a licensed real estate Broker-Salesperson/Sales Representative Team with Keller Williams in New Jersey. They are Buyer Specialists and Home Marketing Experts. You can reach Rahul and Smitha and their team online at: www.Morris-Homes.com or www.SRRealEstateGroup.com.

Their team specialize in North Central New Jersey including towns such as BoontonChathamMadison,Chester,Convent StationDenvilleEast HanoverFlorham ParkHanoverHarding Twp.MendhamMontvilleMorristown,Morris Plains,Morris Twp.Mountain LakesParsippanyRandolphRockawayWhippany.



Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Things You Can Paint Instead of Replace to Save Money - Part 3

Imagine how sweet it is to update ceramic tile without having to bust up and cart away tons of old tile.

Play it safe and avoid painting tiles in high-traffic and high-moisture areas. Some good places are laundry room floors, backsplashes under cabinets (but not above ranges where pasta sauce splatters), and walls around tubs you rarely use.

Prep: 
  1. Repair cracked or chipped tile with caulk or grout before painting. 
  2. Give patching material ample time to dry, then lightly sand before applying an epoxy or urethane bonding primer.
  3. Sand after priming and between each coat of quality latex paint. 
  4. Wait several days for the paint to cure completely, then seal with two or three coats of clear, water-based polyurethane.

Tips:
  1. To get a smooth look, apply paint in zigzags, then roll down in one, smooth motion.
  2. Use 240-grit wet/dry sandpaper for prep and between coats.
  3. Don’t forget safety goggles and masks when sanding tiles.

Rahul and Smitha Ramchandani are a licensed real estate Broker-Salesperson/Sales Representative Team with Keller Williams in New Jersey. They are Buyer Specialists and Home Marketing Experts. You can reach Rahul and Smitha and their team online at: www.Morris-Homes.com or www.SRRealEstateGroup.com.

Their team specialize in North Central New Jersey including towns such as BoontonChathamMadison,Chester,Convent StationDenvilleEast HanoverFlorham ParkHanoverHarding Twp.MendhamMontvilleMorristown,Morris Plains,Morris Twp.Mountain LakesParsippanyRandolphRockawayWhippany.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Things You Can Paint Instead of Replace to Save Money - Part 2



A Brick Fireplace

When you paint your brick fireplace, you transform the entire room. But beware! Once you paint brick, it’s nearly impossible to return it to the original brick color.


You can paint brick a single color, or achieve some variation — like the variations in real brick — by sponging on slightly lighter and darker hues.

Prep:
  1. Lightly sand away any loose bits of brick or mortar with 120-grit sandpaper. 
  2. Clean dirt and soot with a wire brush and heavy-duty cleanser. 
  3. Allow to dry completely before applying an oil-based, stain-blocking primer. 
  4. Paint with a semigloss latex.

Tips:
  1. Never paint the firebox.
  2. Brick is porous and drinks paint, so buy twice what you think you’ll need.
  3. Wear safety glasses and gloves when cleaning anything with a metal brush.

Rahul and Smitha Ramchandani are a licensed real estate Broker-Salesperson/Sales Representative Team with Keller Williams in New Jersey. They are Buyer Specialists and Home Marketing Experts. You can reach Rahul and Smitha and their team online at: www.Morris-Homes.com or www.SRRealEstateGroup.com.

Their team specialize in North Central New Jersey including towns such as BoontonChathamMadison,Chester,Convent StationDenvilleEast HanoverFlorham ParkHanoverHarding Twp.MendhamMontvilleMorristown,Morris Plains,Morris Twp.Mountain LakesParsippanyRandolphRockawayWhippany.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Things You Can Paint Instead of Replace to Save Money - Part 1

When her not-so-old fridge started looking yellow, blogger Dria decided to give appliance paint a try. She loves the result, which she says has the same glossy shine and feeling of the original factory finish. Image: DIO Home Improvements

You know a fresh coat of paint can give any room a quick and inexpensive facelift. But did you know that a little paint can also perk up carpets, appliances, and even vinyl floors?

Basically, if it doesn’t move, you can paint it. But only after you’ve paid special attention to prep — cleaning, patching, and sanding (generally) the area.

Painting isn’t brain surgery, but it’s not a breeze, either. Here are some rules of thumb:
Prime before painting. Primer will allow the paint to adhere better.
Most hard surfaces will take primer better if they’re roughed up a little with fine-grade sandpaper.

When using spray paint, multiple, thin layers are better than one, thick coat. Ease up on your trigger finger, and spray in short bursts.

Wait for the previous coat of paint or primer to dry completely before adding another coat.
With proper prep, you can paint just about anything.

Door, Drawer, and Cabinet Hardware

Spray paint can turn builder-grade brass locks and hinges into fashion-forward hardware with an oil-rubbed bronze, pewter, or stainless look.

Prep:
  1. Clean hardware with a fine steel wool to remove grease and grime.
  2. Rough up the surface with fine-grain sandpaper.
  3. Before you paint, insert a tiny strip of painter’s tape into the keyhole to make sure paint doesn’t gunk it up.
  4. Prime with a metallic primer, then paint with metallic spray paint.

Tip: Insert the door lock’s spindle into a square of Styrofoam, which will hold it upright while you spray around the knob.

Stay tuned for the rest of this series of painting tips!

Rahul and Smitha Ramchandani are a licensed real estate Broker-Salesperson/Sales Representative Team with Keller Williams in New Jersey. They are Buyer Specialists and Home Marketing Experts. You can reach Rahul and Smitha and their team online at: www.Morris-Homes.com or www.SRRealEstateGroup.com.

Their team specialize in North Central New Jersey including towns such as BoontonChathamMadison,Chester,Convent StationDenvilleEast HanoverFlorham ParkHanoverHarding Twp.MendhamMontvilleMorristown,Morris Plains,Morris Twp.Mountain LakesParsippanyRandolphRockawayWhippany.