Archive for July, 2011
Taking the Plunge with an In-Ground Pool
July 18th, 2011 | 
Author: Whether you’re thinking of buying a home with an in-ground pool
or toying
with the idea of having one built, there are many
important considerations to take into account. In additon to significant installation costs for those building
a new pool, all homeowners with a pool will need to be mindful of ongoing maintenance expenses as well
as insurance and tax implications.
If a swimming pool is in your future, here are some things to keep in mind:
• Installation costs for a 600-square-foot concrete pool average around
$30,000. Less expensive options include fiberglass shells and pools with
liners; however, pool liners need to be replaced approximately every 10
years, raising ongoing maintenance costs.
• Other equipment you will need to maintain your pool include an energy-
efficient pump, chemical balancing supplies, cleaning, and fees for
opening and closing the pool for the season. A rule of thumb is
homeowners should budget around $600 annually for maintenance in a
seasonal swimming climate and between $15 and $25 per week in a
year-round climate.
• Homeowners with a pool should increase the liability portion of their
homeowners insurance policy from the standard amount. In addition,
many underwriters require you to fence in the pool so that children can’t
wander in unsupervised.
• There is no guarantee that adding a pool will add to your home’s selling
price. Experts advise keeping building costs between 10 percent and 15
percent of what you paid for the house to help assure you don’t invest too
much money that you won’t necessarily recoup on resale.
For more information on Buying and Selling in Bedminster,
Click on the following link: Bedminster Real Estate
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Selling your home in Summer time
Many people think that next to the winter holidays, the summer is the worst time to sell a home. I have to disagree! Just this weekend – a holiday weekend – I negotiated a contract on a Society Hill townhouse in Basking Ridge, fielded a call from another agent looking for comp information as she was negotiating a contract, and my partner Gerry and I both showed homes. There is a definite market out there. In fact since June 20th, there have been 7 contract sales in Bedminster.
A few years ago, I wrote about selling your home in the summer months - now I have some additional tips for you:
Summertime means barbecues, outdoor fun and lots of sunshine, flowers and greenery. The commonality among all of those rites of summer is that they draw attention to a home’s landscaping and outdoor spaces. Homeowners who are selling their home in the summer months should make an effort to highlight their home’s usable outdoor space.
In addition, sellers with their home on the market during the summer should keep these considerations in mind:
- “Stage” your backyard so that buyers can envision themselves relaxing and entertaining there. Power wash your deck or patio as well as your outdoor furniture, replace worn-out cushions and make sure to have a few simple outdoor accessories.
- A fully landscaped yard will save buyers time and money. Ensure your front and back yards appear maintained by trimming overgrown trees and shrubs, and making sure your lawn is manicured regularly.
- Inside, keep your home cool for showings and Open Houses. Setting the air conditioner to a comfortable level, or using fans and opening windows to let in a cool breeze, will help buyers focus on your home and not how warm they are.
- Guard against heat-related smells by emptying all garbage cans and fully cleaning your home before any showings, focusing specifically on bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens
These tips will help ensure that as potential buyers are considering their options, your home will outshine the competition!
Good Luck and have a safe and happy Fourth of July!