Homes

10 Ideas to Save Money and Make Your Butte Home Greener

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Saving money and going green are both hot topics right now. So, I’m sure you’ve already heard the tips to turn off water while brushing your teeth, turn off TVs and computers and swap out old light bulbs for the new energy-saving versions.

Here are 10 new ideas to help you save money and make your Butte home greener.

Swap stuff. There are hundreds of online sites where you can get furniture, books, CDs, DVDs and even a place to stay for free by swapping stuff with other people. And, I’m not just talking about Craigslist. Two of the most popular and easy to use swap sites are Paperbackswap.com and SwapaDVD.com.
Recycle your cell phone. According to the EPA, if the 100 million cell phones no longer being used by Americans were recycled, enough energy would be saved to power more than 18,500 homes for a year. Give your cell phone back to its manufacturer or donate your cell phone to charity.
Recycle other electronics. Keep old TVs out of landfills by taking them to a safe e-cycling facility. Return iPods to Apple for recycling or sell them for parts. Take e-waste to stores like Best Buy and Staples that have recycling programs. You’ll save money by not having to pay to dispose of the electronics.
Wait until May to buy a new TV. New government standards take effect May 1, 2010. Energy Star-labeled televisions will be at least 40% more efficient than comparable models — a significant savings.
Eat foods that are in season. It’s healthier, less expensive and better for the environment. Oh, and one more big plus: the food tastes so much better!
Install a water filter. Bottled water isn’t any healthier than tap water, and all that plastic waste is terrible for the environment. It’s also expensive! If you use a water filter in your [Butte] home, you can get great-tasting, clean water while reducing your waste and saving money.
Turn down your water heater. You won’t notice the temperature change, but your water heater won’t work as hard and won’t use as much energy.
Plant a vegetable garden. If you don’t have the space to plant a garden, plant a tree or put some plants outside. Find vegetables and plants that grow well in your area for the best results. Ask your local garden center for that information.
Use green cleaners. There’s no reason to use harsh chemicals to clean your home. Use biodegradable cleaners that are safe for the environment or make your own green cleaners. Use old towels and T-shirts instead of disposable wipes and paper towels to cut down on waste and save you money.
Check your insulation. Adding insulation to your home will cost money initially, but you’ll quickly earn it back plus more by saving long term on your heating and cooling bills. Skeptical? Start out by insulating your attic and keeping track of your energy savings. It averages out to about $116 a year in savings.

Want more tips to save money and make your Butte home greener? Subscribe to my blog now. It’s free and easy.

Links:

Swap stuff

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/53/how-to-find-free-stuff.html

Donate your cell phone to charity

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/daily_green_news/16/four-ways-to-give-to-charity-by-recycling-your-cell-phone.html

Eat foods that are in season

http://www.eattheseasons.com/

Make your own green cleaners

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/54/raid-your-pantry-for-nontoxic-cleaners.html

Tags: Butte Homes, Green Homes in Butte MT, Home Improvement in Butte MT, Homes for Sale in Butte MT, Making Your Home Greener
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Helping Families Save Their Butte Homes

Monday, October 26th, 2009

By now, everyone knows that, just like the Dot Com bubble, the real estate market grew its own bubble to a degree that it finally popped. Foreclosure numbers went up, sales went down and everyone, from the government to lenders to John Q public, started looking around for someone they could point a finger at and blame.

The hard truth is that placing blame doesn’t do anyone any good, especially those trying to save their Butte homes. The truth is that it’s time to do what Americans have been doing since the country was founded – picking ourselves up off the ground, dusting off and working with what we still have. Thanks to new acts such as the “Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009,” it’s even more possible to do that.

If you’ve been dealing with the possibility of foreclosure, you may have missed the news, so here are a few uplifting highlights that can make all the difference:

If you rent your Butte home and the home is foreclosed upon, you have to receive a 90-day eviction notice. You can’t just be preemptively kicked off the property. As well, if you have a lease you have to be allowed to live on the property until the lease is up unless:

a) the new owner wants to move in and make it his or her residence or

b) state law says the lease can be terminated on notice.

Although three months doesn’t seem like a lot of time, that’s three months you wouldn’t have had in most states before the Act was passed.

Lenders and homeowners are now receiving incentives for successful loan modifications and refinancing under the Making Homes Affordable Program. According to the White House government website, “Servicers covering more than 75 percent of loans in the country have now begun modifications and refinancing under the Administration’s MHA Program.”

One of the biggest challenges to homeowners is finding out who owns the mortgages on their homes. This can make it incredibly difficult to discuss refinancing or modification with the mortgage owner. Thanks to the Act, you have to be informed whenever your loan is sold or transferred to another party. Now, you always know who has control of your mortgage and who you need to talk to.

Dealing in the current real estate market can be hard. If you’re already struggling financially, it can be even harder. Try to keep abreast of the current laws that can help homeowners and families keep their homes!

If you can’t qualify for loan modification or refinancing, and are considering a short sale, I can help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me at judy@montana.com for more information.

Links:

Foreclosure numbers went up

http://www.realtytrac.com/foreclosure/foreclosure-rates.html

Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009

http://www.zillow.com/blog/mortgage/2009/05/21/president-obama-signs-helping-families-save-their-homes-act/

White House government website

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/reforms-for-american-homeowners-and-consumers-president-obama-signs-the-helping-families-save-their-homes-act-and-the-fraud-enforcement-and-recovery-act/

Tags: Butte Homes, Butte Housing Market, Buying a Home in Butte MT, Homes in Butte MT
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How to Pick Perfect Pumpkins for Butte Homes

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

It’s getting close to Halloween, and families across the nation are slowly but surely decorating their Butte homes. The spirit of the season is in the air, the leaves are changing colors, and pumpkins are going up for sale. It’s time to carve!

Picking Tips

Make sure your pumpkin has a stem; it won’t last very long if it doesn’t.
The pumpkin needs to have a flat bottom so it won’t roll.
No holes or soft spots, because they’ll rot.
Choose a light-colored pumpkin for easier carving, or a dark colored pumpkin for a longer lasting decoration.

Pattern Tips

On the steps of Butte homes everywhere, pumpkin faces sprout fangs and witches ride their brooms. Maybe you want your carvings to stand out, though. Here are a few things to look at when choosing a pattern:

Keep in mind who’ll be doing the carving. Smaller children generally have a harder time with detailed carvings.
Carving patterns should be as large as the pumpkin you’re working with.
If your design is elaborate, draw it out on paper first. You can’t erase a cut.
Remember that you have to leave space between the cuts. The pumpkin has to stay together.

Carving Tips

Before carving, wash the pumpkin and let it dry.
Use good carving tools – or a sharp knife and a small serrated knife – for the more elaborate designs (unless you want to carve a difficult design with a spoon tip)
Start at the center of your design and work outwards.
Use petroleum jelly on the cuts after you’re done so the pumpkin will last longer.

Left-overs

Once you’re done carving, you’ll have a lot of left over pumpkin. Instead of throwing it in the trash, try roasting the pumpkin seeds for a great snack, or using the flesh for a delicious pumpkin pie.

Soon, children will be visiting Butte homes in mass, and with these tips on pumpkins, patterns and carving (and candy, of course), you can have them oohing and aahing with delight.

LINKS:

Carving patterns – http://www.pumpkinlady.com/pattern.htm

Carving tools – http://www.pumpkincarvingtools.com/

Roasting pumpkin seeds – http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Roasting-Pumpkin-Seeds/Detail.aspx

Tags: Butte Homes, Decorating Your Home, Home Decoration, Homes in Butte UT
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Halloween Decorating Ideas for Your Butte Home

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

It’s October, which means Halloween is just around the corner. Are you still struggling to come up with great decorating ideas for your Butte home? Have no fear; your real estate agent is here to help. Here are a few ideas that will take away those holiday Halloween jitters:

Nothing says “Halloween” like twitching fingers, growling werewolves and hovering demon skeletons. Thanks to today’s technology, you can turn your decorations into a hellish wonderland with animated Halloween props. Build a graveyard and have a rocking tombstone or a creeping skeleton to snatch up visitors.
Everybody has the standard jack-o-lantern on the front porch. As Halloween nears, they crop up everywhere. This year, try something a little different. There are plenty of pumpkin-carving patterns available for purchase or for free on the Internet. Grab some bloodcurdling patterns and get to work.
Are you throwing a party this year? Add a little fog to your Halloween decorations! Fog machines aren’t near as expensive as they used to be. You can grab one big enough for fantastic, spine-tingling effects for less than $50. Sometimes the extra touches make all the difference, and fog is a great addition
Spruce up your doorbell with sinister sound effects and chilling Halloween music. Record-A-Chime^TM by Dimango® Carlon® is perfect for just such a thing. Although it’s somewhat expensive at $59.98, you can record whatever sound effect or music you want for any holiday.

Each Halloween, people struggle to come up with something different for their Butte home. I hope these ideas help you find your “something different” and get your creative juices flowing. Have fun, stay safe and happy holidays!

Links:

Animated Halloween props

http://www.frightcatalog.com/Halloween-Props/Animated-Props/

pumpkin-carving patterns

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/halloween/mpatterns.htm

Record-A-Chime^TM

http://www.dimango.com/dc-record-a-chime.htm

Tags: Butte Homes, Butte MT Home Decoration, Decorating Your Home, Homes in Butte MT
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Can’t Afford the Rent on Butte Homes?

Friday, September 18th, 2009

If you’re looking at Butte homes to rent but think you can’t afford them, you might want to take another look. This is especially true if you have a good credit history. When it comes to finding tenants, landlords have never been more willing to play “Let’s Make a Deal.”

Sitting Pretty

Why would any landlord be willing to make a deal? The reason topping the list is, of course, the economy. With so many people having lost their jobs, finding tenants who can afford the rent on time isn’t easy. Second, many renters are trying to save money by having roommates. Thirdly, because of the marketing slump there are plenty of homeowners renting out their Butte homes rather than selling them. Lastly, because of the first-time buyer tax credit, many potential renters are becoming homeowners instead.

All of these points add up to a high amount of vacancies, which put landlords in a pickle and have renters sitting pretty.

Taking Steps

Many landlords are trying everything they can to keep their rentals occupied to help pay for the maintenance on the buildings. The steps they’ve taken include such things as:

Lowering rents
Giving a month or two of free rent
Lowering deposits
Offering upgrades
Offering storage and parking at lower rates
Relaxing pet policies
Allowing more leniency for breaking the lease

Let’s Make a Deal

So what can you do to take advantage of the renting situation? What points can you base your bargain on?

Start with a good credit rating. If you have a history of paying on time, you have a chance at negotiation.

Pay attention to the average rent in the area. If the rents on the Butte homes you’re looking at are higher than average, you have a point to negotiate.

Look at one-bedroom homes first, if they will work. Many two- and three- bedroom homes are taken by individuals sharing rent and families. There may be a surplus of one-bedroom houses, so you might have a better chance of snagging one of them.

If you’re looking for an affordable place to rent or buy, I can help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me at [email] for more information.

Links:

Save money by having roommates

http://waystosavemoneytoday.com/2009/07/24/get-a-roommate-and-save-money/

Take advantage of the rent situation

http://www.moneybluebook.com/home-sellers-pain-is-my-gain-as-a-renter-taking-advantage-of-the-mortgage-crisis/

Average rent in the area:

http://www.rentvine.com/blog/index.php/find-the-average-rent-for-your-city/

Tags: Butte Housing Market, Rental Home in Butte, Renting a Home in Butte MT, Renting a House in Butte, Renting in Butte, Renting out a Home
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Adding Resale Value: Butte Homes and Landscapes

Monday, September 14th, 2009

If you’ve ever sold one of the Butte homes, you’ve probably heard the term “curb appeal” more times than you care to count from your real estate agent. Well, it’s time to hear it again, but maybe in a way you hadn’t considered.

With curb appeal, you might think of cutting your lawn, trimming bushes and getting rid of weeds. Have you considered that creating a beautiful landscape for your home can add resale value? Here are some tips on how to do just that:

Planting Frenzy

A beautiful landscape adds increasing value over time. That doesn’t mean you go on a planting frenzy, however. As a landscaping do-it-yourselfer, you don’t want buy a whole bunch of plants and throw them in the ground. You need to purchase the type of plants that will give your home the best resale value. The types of plants that add more resale value to Butte homes are trees and long-living flowering shrubs. Others, such as perennials, add less resale value, and still others, like vegetable gardens that need to be replaced yearly, add the least amount of value to a home.

Steps to Take

By following these steps in order, you have a much better chance of getting the best resale value out of your landscaping work:

Talk to the experts: Local nurseries, gardeners and professional landscapers can help you with what to plant, how to plant and where to find them.
Check grading and drainage: Bad drainage can ruin a lot of landscaping work, as can a poorly graded lawn. Pay attention during a heavy rain and make sure there is no erosion in your planned area, and no standing water. Both conditions can make a mess of landscaping.
Remove local plant pests: Local plant pests include such things as eucalyptus, scotch broom, pampas grass and certain types of ivy. These plants can quickly overgrow your garden, lowering your property value. If you have any plant pests, check online or with professionals to find out how to remove them.
Design: As any good landscaper knows, always start out by drawing out a landscape design on graph paper. Pay attention to the spacing needed for each plant, as well as such things as when the flowers will bloom and what the colors will look like together.
Prepare the soil: Not every yard has soil that’s perfect for planting. Make sure you have a good soil mix and make sure the plants you use match the PH of the soil.
Start planting! Butte homes with beautiful landscapes have a much better chance of selling, and selling well. Turn your thumb green and get to work on your home’s curb appeal.

If you’re thinking of selling your home, with or without a beautiful landscape, I can help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me for more information.

Links:

Landscaping do-it-yourselfer: http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Landscaping_for_Increased_Property_Value-Home_Selling-A1814.html

Professional landscapers: http://www.apld.com/index_main.asp

Drawing out a landscape design: http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com/landscapeplanning.html

Tags: Butte Homes, Homes in Butte MT, Landscaping, Landscaping Homes in Butte MT, Selling a Home in Butte MT
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5 Top Building Trends for Butte Homes

Saturday, September 12th, 2009

If you think Butte homes are in style, you just might want to look around. The building trends for 2009 range from green to efficient and more. Here’s a quick peek at the new trends – many of which look like they’re here to stay.

Smaller homes – Mansions are out and, believe it or not, matchbox houses are in. Some buyers want downright tiny homes, and are even willing to build their own to get it. If you own one of the Butte homes with a lot of square footage and want to sell, you might start counting. How many of those rooms do you really need? Can you knock out a wall to create larger, more open spaces?

More storage – Flat walls are out, closets are in. Homebuyers are demanding storage spaces, from walking closets to built-in storage systems. If you’re looking to sell and have issues, it might be due to the lack of storage space. Look around; see if you have areas that can be maximized for storage. Consider turning that small fourth or fifth bedroom into a walk-in closet.

Living outdoors – Over the years, the rise in individuals that want an extended outdoor space has gone up. If you have a porch or patio but it’s exposed to the elements, look into screening it in. Outdoor spaces that can be used year-round (or close to it) are big sellers.

Home office space – The need for a home office is rising as well. Windows and space are essential for working in a relaxed environment. If you have a room that can be converted into a comfortable office space with ease, don’t forget to add it to your sales pitch.

Green and healthy – Green homes are no longer a trend; they’re more the norm now. Buyers want efficient homes and features that reduce utility costs. Better insulation, recycled materials, carpets with no/low gas emissions and paints with low VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are all the rage. This is one trend that doesn’t seem likely to go away.

If you own one of the Bute homes, pay attention to the building trends. They aren’t just what buyers say they want; these trends are what they’re buying.

If you’re thinking of selling your home but aren’t sure whether you to update it first, I can help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me for more information.

Links:

Tiny homes: http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/

Screening it in: http://www.hgtv.com/home-improvement/screening-in-a-porch/index.html

Green homes: http://www.greenhomeguide.org/what_makes_a_green_home/green_homes_101.html

Tags: Building a Home in Butte MT, Butte Homes, Homes in Butte MT, Housing Market in Butte MT, New Homes in Butte MT
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4 Ways to Get the Best Deal for New Butte Home Construction

Friday, August 28th, 2009

Some buyers would much rather have a brand spankin’ new Butte home – fresh, clean and untouched. Does this describe you? Then read on and learn some of the guidelines for getting the best deal on your dream home.

Be on the lookout for disreputable builders…

Reputation is everything for a builder. Ask for recommendations from people you know, but also do your research. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Talk to people in the same development about their experiences with the builder. Look over the homes in the early construction phase to see what type of materials and quality of workmanship they provide in areas such as the foundation and plumbing.

Use your own agent…

Although a builder might offer the use of an agent, keep in mind that the agent is the builder’s. They aren’t looking out for your best interests. Hiring a buyer’s agent will give you someone who represents you and your best interests.

Research the location…

When it comes to new Butte home construction, you may very well be looking at a development on the outskirts of town. It may seem quaint and quiet. However, if there’s a lot of space around, you could unknowingly settle into a place that will quickly become a bustling metropolis.

Check with the local town or city-zoning board to find out the types of zoning that surround the land. See if development plans have been submitted. Will the surrounding land have a strip mall or apartment complex that depreciates the value of your home, or high-end houses that raise it?

Check the weather…

Before you sign that contract, visit the area during or after a heaving rainstorm. You’ll want to look for signs of bad soil drainage, which can affect your new Butte home and the surrounding property. Otherwise, you might have to build an ark to get to work.

If you’re looking at new construction and need someone on your side, I can help. Call me now at 406-491-1234 or email me for more information.

Tags: Butte Home Improvement, Butte Homes, Butte Homes for Sale, Butte Real Estate, New Construction in Butte, New Homes in Butte
Posted in Homes | No Comments »

Eco-friendly Tax Credits for Butte Home Owners

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Being eco-friendly is an important issue to most people today. Making your home as energy efficient as possible makes sense on many levels, but do you know it makes sense when it comes to federal tax credits too? They’re not small incentives either. These tax credits are another major reason to be serious about going green in your Butte home.

Tax Credits for Existing Homes

Making your home energy efficient will benefit you whether you are planning to stay in your home for years to come or you are considering selling in the near future. Prospective buyers will react favorably to eco-friendly installations. It will also help move your Butte home faster and get a better price.

In 2009 and 2010, you could get major tax incentives for going green too. When you purchase certain energy efficient items, you may get as much as 30% (up to $1,500) of the cost of the item returned to you as a tax credit. These items include:

*Energy efficient windows and doors
*Energy efficient insulation (primary use must be for insulation. Items such as insulated siding are not included)
*New Roofs created with Energy Star materials
*Most HVAC products including: central air units, air pumps, furnace for natural gas, propane, or oil, water heaters, main unit circulation fans.
*Geothermal Heat Systems
*Solar Energy
*Biomass Stove
*Wind Turbine System
*Residential Fuel Cells and other Microturbine Energy systems
*Hybrid Cars (hybrid gas, electric, diesel, battery, alternative and fuel cell) May have a much higher tax value between $2,500 and $7,500 based on several criteria

Tax Credits for Construction and New Homes

There are also excellent tax credits for consumers building a new home. These credits are up to 30% of cost on acceptable items with NO limit. These items include:

*Geothermal Heat Pumps
*Solar Panels
*Solar Water Heaters
*Wind Turbines
*Fuel Cells

Protecting your Butte home, making it more energy efficient, and saving money has always been important, but there has never been a better time to get started.

If you would like more information on how to take advantage of the Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency, give me a call today at 406-491-5777 or email me.

Tags: Butte Eco-Friendly Homes, Butte Home Listings, Butte Home Tax Credit, Butte Homes, Butte Homes for Sale, Butte Homes on the Market, Butte Housing Market, Butte Real Estate
Posted in Homes | 1 Comment »

Did You Know Floors Can Sell Butte Homes?

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009

Have you ever walked into one of the Butte homes and looked down to see stained carpet or flooring? It brings a little thought of “ew” sometimes, doesn’t it? Imagine if you were a buyer looking at the same floor.

The right type of flooring, and flooring that is well taken care of, can make a big difference to buyers. If your floor brings on the “ew” thought, here are a few fixes to help make sure your home sells:

Does your home have hardwood floors?

You’re in luck. Buyers love hardwood floors and some will actually pay extra to get them. In fact, it could be that final selling point. If your hardwood floors are covered by carpet, painted over or showing anything but the natural wood grain, it’s time for an overhaul. Pull up those carpets and get to sanding.

With the ability to rent large sanders and other tools, you can either refinish the hardwood floor yourself or hire a professional. Remember, however, that hardwood floors in Butte homes have a tendency to show off scratches, dents and uneven surfaces. If you don’t think you could do a good job, hire a professional.

Does your home have carpeting?

If you don’t have hardwood floors, take a look at your carpeting. If it’s stained, out-dated, bright or ragged, it’s time to pull it up. When laying the new carpet, use good carpet padding to make it comfortable to stand on. Many buyers will lean down and touch the floor, so make sure the carpet feels soft to the touch.

In addition, don’t go for the bright colors. Pick a neutral carpet color that goes well with the home.

Does your home have tiles?

Although tiles are beautiful, they typically show every ounce of old grime, dirt, chips and cracks. Go through your home and replace any that are chipped, cracked or show signs of bad wear and tear. Make sure the grout is clean and new looking, and use cleaners (or a steam cleaner) to get rid of any stains.

Beautiful floors can go a long way towards selling Butte homes. Take a good, honest look at yours. Show your floors some TLC. It might just get your home sold.

If you’re ready to sell your home, I can help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me for more information.

Tags: Butte Home Improvement, Butte Homes, Butte Homes for Sale, Butte Real Estate, Butte Real Estate Market
Posted in Homes | No Comments »

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Judy Kivela
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10 Ideas to Save Money and Make Your Butte Home Greener

Helping Families Save Their Butte Homes

How to Pick Perfect Pumpkins for Butte Homes

Halloween Decorating Ideas for Your Butte Home

Can’t Afford the Rent on Butte Homes?

Adding Resale Value: Butte Homes and Landscapes

5 Top Building Trends for Butte Homes

4 Ways to Get the Best Deal for New Butte Home Construction

Eco-friendly Tax Credits for Butte Home Owners

Did You Know Floors Can Sell Butte Homes?

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My Blog

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Judy KivelaBroker/Owner

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Homes

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Find Local Homes

Recently Asked Questions

market alert newsletter

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Judy Kivela
Broker/Owner