Second Nature

The Green Access Home at Suncadia is a 5-Star Built Green home meaning it has minimal toxicity or volatile organic compounds.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) refers to organic chemical compounds which have significant vapor pressures and which can affect the environment and human health. There are many types of VOCs which occur naturally and are man-made, however it is the anthropogenic VOCs that are regulated, especially for indoors where concentrations can be highest.

VOCs are typically not acutely toxic but have long term affects. Because the concentrations are usually low and the symptoms slow to develop, analysis of VOCs and their effects is a demanding and growing area.

VOCs can be found in:

• Paints, Coatings & Solvents
• Chlorofluorocarbons and chlorocarbons (which are banned!)
• Formaldehyde (such as in wood products, wall board)

Some of the symptoms of VOC exposure:

• Coughing,  Sneezing,  Headaches (flu like symptoms)
• Asthma
• Cancer

For a wiki definition of VOCs, click here.

- Jayme Mattson, Second Nature

http://jaymemattson.com

A recent article on Remodelingcenter.com discussed 10 Ways to boost curb appeal. All ideas were good, however some more practical then others. Based on what they said – here are my top 5 favorites which I wanted to share with you.

1. Upgrade the Front Door A new front door instantly enhances your home's appearance, and what's more, it can greatly increase resale value. A recent study by door manufacturer Therma-Tru found that upgrading the front door of a house increased the perceived value of a $190,000 home by almost $8,000. Estimates for new entry doors start around $2,500, so you could actually make back triple the money you spend. Jayme Tip: Be sure to get two or three quotes for the front door. Manufacturers can vary a lot in pricing and installation fees.

2. Take Care of the Landscaping Curb appeal starts with quality landscaping that enhances the style of your home. Landscaping doesn't have to be expensive; only well-thought-out, interesting, and cohesive. Pick a theme for plantings (native, tropical) and stick with it. Jayme Tip: Visit a local nursery for advice. Many nurseries carry pre-planted pots of plants or have plants grouped together, ready for purchase, which will give you the most street appeal for the least amount of money. Nurseries are making it very easy now for homeowners to do amazing landscape designs. And remember – be sure to pick plants native to your area. You want plants which are drought-tolerant, requiring minimal watering.

3. Give the Garage a Facelift Plain beige or white garage doors are a thing of the past. Today's market offers beautiful alternatives such as carriage doors made of composite materials. Keep what's behind the doors beautiful, too. To tidy up the space, add built-in storage or use cabinets, shelves, or pegboards. Jayme Tip: Once again, be sure to get two or three quotes for the garage door. Manufacturers can vary a lot in pricing and installation fees. I am a huge fan of carriage doors as they have an elegant, old world flair.

4. Update Your Hardware Get new house numbers, a new mailbox, and a door latch with the same finish to give your exterior a cohesive, stylish look. Jayme Tip: Check out Home Depot for options. Before buying however, check out the local salvage stores as they receive a lot of left over items from builders and remodelers. There are a lot of good deals at salvage stores as well as eye catching pieces. My favorite Seattle-based stores are Second Use or Re-Store.

5. Install Outdoor Lighting Properly planned and installed outdoor lighting can add safety, drama, and interest to your home. Path lighting should also be an integral part of your outdoor lighting plan. Jayme Tip: Home Depot and Lowes carry many types of solar outdoor lighting. No need to hook up electricity for lighting when you could invest in something which uses natural solar energy and wouldn’t cost you money to run.

- Jayme Mattson

http://jaymemattson.com

Seattle Times recently published an article about home improvement projects do-it-yourselfers (DIYs) should not do. This is a great article and I will briefly recap a few basic points:

• Look at the tools required for the job. Jayme Tip: Most home accidents happen when people use power tools, saws and ladders improperly. If you don’t have the tools or don’t know how to use them safely, then don’t do the project.
• Don’t do electrical work unless you are an electrician. Jayme Tip: Consult an expert for advice or a second opinion when tinkering with electrical. Even installing a ceiling fan can result in electrocution or injury.
• Don’t mess with gas. Jayme Tip: Always consult an expert. This is a project you should never take on yourself. A mistake could lead to an explosion or carbon-monoxide poisoning.
• Projects with too big of a scope. Jayme Tip: Do you really need to gut your entire house and remodel it yourself? I suggest you take on the smaller scale projects only. You can replace the toilet, install environmentally-friendly laminate, install tile backsplashes, and even paint. Most DIYers under estimate the amount of work it takes to do a single job which can lead to mistakes, short cuts taken and injuries.

Basically, when in doubt of your DIY abilities, consult a professional.

- Jayme Mattson

http://jaymemattson.com

Sustainable. Minimalistic. Unique. AND REALLY GOOD DRINKS!

I absolutely love Clever Bottle! It is the gem of Belltown.

I am a huge fan of good drinks and food in a sustainably designed atmosphere and this has it all – excellent drinks, local appetizers, reused wine bottles as flower vases, really cool light fixtures – reclaimed light bulbs and rope with recycled glass globes, minimalistic design, concrete floors, to name a few…

I absolutely love the owner/operator – her name is Kristen Burns. She buys all of her flowers, cheeses, appetizer items from Pike Place Market (supporting our local economy). She takes pride in everything she does and it shows. Kristen makes all of her own simple sugars for her sparkling wine drinks, each unique, just like her.

My to-be husband and I always look forward to going to Belltown just so that we can stop by this quaint bar.

If you are a first timer try the "Lavender Currant Cocktail" or the "Vintage Ruby" they are to die for!

This is a must visit!

Clever Bottle
2222 2nd Ave Ste 100
Seattle WA 98121
cleverbottle.com

Click Here for Yelp Reviews

- Jayme Mattson

http://jaymemattson.com

Well, it took 30 days of thinking about this and I have finally came up with my new marketing piece. Please let me know what you think!

- Jayme Mattson

http://jaymemattson.com

I thought this was an excellent article about common problems. As someone who used to flip houses – I can only say that these problems can add up to a lot of wasted time, energy and money. Happy reading! – Jayme

Published: Sunday, May 9, 2010

HeraldNet
Camilla Mclaughlin
For The Associated Press

Few things induce anxiety and frustration more than having a home sale delayed, especially when your belongings have already been loaded onto the moving truck.

Yet few paths from contract to closing are without an obstacle or two. Good real estate agents are attuned to red flags that come up, but consumers should also be aware of potential problems and how to avoid many bumps in the road.

“Purchasing a home is an intensely personal and emotional process,” says Walt Danley a Coldwell Banker agent in Phoenix, Ariz. “It is not uncommon for minor hiccups to become major issues due to the emotional nature of the transaction.”

Here are 10 of the most common red flags:

• The buyer has an existing home to sell.

Even if potential buyers have a mortgage preapproval and claim they can buy without selling their current home, when the deadline nears some of these buyers balk. Quite often, the mortgage approval disappears, says Don Bruemmer, a broker with Plumb & Company in Salt Lake City, Utah.

To troubleshoot a dilemma like this, and spare sellers the loss of valuable days on market, Bruemmer specifies a mortgage contingency requiring the buyer to apply to two mortgage companies. A refund of the deposit would only be given if the buyer is declined by both companies.

• Underground oil tank or an old septic system.

Environmental issues can muck up a deal, especially in states with strict regulations. Underground oil tanks were popular in the Northeast at one time but are now considered a hazard because of potential leaks. Typically real estate agents suggest sellers remove tanks before putting the home on the market.

Septic regulations vary by municipality and some states, such as Massachusetts, require a system be inspected and meet strict standards before the home is sold. The repair or replacement can be expensive and time consuming so sellers should get the necessary approvals ahead of time. However, they should follow the timelines and dates required by their state and/or municipality.

• The lender is unknown to the real estate agents.

Delays in approvals or last minute changes in terms can snag a deal. Experienced agents suggest having the buyers be pre-approved by a second lender, one both real estate agents work with and know can complete the work in a timely fashion. Then if a glitch comes up there will be a fallback.

• Phone calls or e-mails are not returned.

Good communication can speed up negotiations. When title companies don’t respond or when an agent dodges calls, it can slow down the process or be an indication of a brewing problem. Although there is no absolute solution, the best precaution is to be proactive.

If the seller is a bank, or the owner needs the bank’s approval (because the home is selling for less than the mortgage), the process can take much longer than a typical sale, and there is little real estate agents or buyers can do to hurry the process.

• A property disclosure statement was left unsigned.

The property disclosure informs buyers about any known problems or defects of the property and explains what sellers have done to repair or resolve them. The price offered by buyers should take the disclosure into account. Experienced real estate agents won’t allow sellers to agree to an offer until the buyer signs the statement.

• Out of town appraiser.

Appraisers who are unfamiliar with a type of property, price bracket or area are a caution flag for real estate agents. Even if there have been multiple bids on a home, banks and mortgage companies will not go above the appraised value. Buyers can still complete the purchase but will have to close the gap between appraised value and sale price with additional cash.

Sellers should ensure agents can back up the list price with recent comparable sales. Although they can’t influence appraisers, real estate agents can give them this information.

• Garages turned into rooms and other additions.

Often the necessary permits were not obtained, have been lost or the municipality can’t locate the records. Usually this occurs when the owners have been in the home a long time. Real estate agents should be on the lookout for potential problems like this. Many will do the research to locate lost documents.

• Inspection opens the door to new price negotiation.

Home inspections are performed to uncover hidden defects that are not easily observable to consumers and real estate agents. Sellers should be proactive and repair everything they can and/or get estimates for any work they know needs to be done, because even minor issues can have buyers questioning the price.

Also, rather than have any repair items deducted from the price, and possibly delay the mortgage approval, some agents suggest sellers make a separate payment to the buyers.

Michelle Bellasari with Real Associates Florida Properties in Boca Raton, Fla., says she troubleshoots potential defects ahead of time, such as a roof repairs which might be a deal breaker.

Most of her first-time buyer clients have limited funds and cannot afford to waste money inspecting a home if there are obvious and expensive near-term repairs.

• A change in the terms of a mortgage.

Suddenly payments on a 15-year mortgage seem too high or high fees offset a low interest rate. Changing terms can restart the clock and delay a deal. By law, a lender is required to provide a good faith estimate of fees and rates within three days of receiving a mortgage application. Even if they are only being prequalified for a mortgage, potential buyers should ask for a good faith estimate so they understand fees and rates.

• An unknown lien is uncovered.

Old paid-off mortgages that have not been registered are the most typical title issue uncovered. In rural areas, water rights, property lines or other easements can cloud the chain of ownership and they are often not uncovered until the title is researched. Experienced attorneys who specialize in real estate can often find a solution so the sale proceeds on time.

- Jayme Mattson

http://jaymemattson.com