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Judy Kivela
Broker/Owner
    Years of Experience: 27

    CRS: Certified Residential Specialist
    GRI: Graduate REALTOR® Institute
    CDPE Certified Distress Property Expert, SRS
    WHS: Workforce Housing Specialist

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Kivela Montana Realtors
3100 Harrison Avenue
Butte, Montana
406-491-5777

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Posts Tagged ‘Butte Home Improvement’

A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

First time buyers… excited to find a good deal, afraid of overextending themselves, confused by all the conflicting reports about real estate.  Well, that might describe any or all buyers right now, but those making their very first purchase may feel elevated levels of all these emotions.  It helps to have someone offer you some guidance.

Don’t be afraid to make your move now, regardless of what you’ve been hearing about the market.  With affordability so high, you’ll find a flurry of activity out there, so you’re not alone in making the right decision to begin your home search.

Just try not to exercise excessive caution, or you may suffer what has been termed “paralysis by analysis.”  Your real estate representative will present you with all the facts and figures you need, and help you to interpret the data so that you can make a sound choice.

Now is not the time to vacillate about whether prices or interest rates will still drop.  There is nowhere to go now but up.  If rates rise to 7.5% (still historically low), the home’s price would have to be reduced nearly 20% to offset the difference in monthly payments.

Set aside your uncertainties.  Chat with an agent who can help you determine your financial footing, and show you an inventory of well-suited homes matched to your particular goals.

For responsible service in all your

Real Estate needs call, Judy Kivela 406-491-5777

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5 Tips for Removing Offensive Odors from Your Butte Home for Sale

Monday, February 1st, 2010

Nothing will turn off a potential buyer quicker than an offensive odor in your Butte home for sale. It may make them think you don’t take care of your home. At the very least, the odor will interfere with their ability to picture themselves in your home. Take the time to remove odors from your home.

Here are 5 tips to make your home smell fresh and clean:

  1. Clean your carpets. Your carpets are fibers that absorb odor. Have your carpets cleaned by a professional to remove odors stuck in the carpet and pad. Another option is to rent a carpet cleaner and clean them yourself.
  2. Paint. Sometimes odors like smoke can be trapped in your walls. A fresh coat of paint will not only brighten your room, it can seal the walls and mask the offending odors. Just choose a neutral shade and paint at least two coats.
  3. Open your windows. Open the windows to let in fresh air. This will also help eliminate odors from your home.
  4. Replace your attic insulation. Cooking odors can rise to the ceiling and get trapped in your attic insulation. The only way to remove that odor is to remove the insulation and replace it. If at all possible, do this before you put up your [Butte] home for sale.
  5. Light candles and bring in air fresheners. If all else fails or as an extra precaution, place candles or air fresheners in each room. Choose light scents that won’t overpower the room. You just want enough fragrance to lightly mask odors.

Get your home in its best shape possible to convince a buyer to purchase your home. Let me help you prepare your Butte home for sale. Call me today at 406-491-1223 or email me at judy@montana.com

Links:

Remove odors from your home

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/removinghomeodors

Clean your carpets

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/floorcarpetcleaning

Replace your attic insulation

http://www.ehow.com/how_4797877_replace-attic-insulation.html

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Get Your Fireplace Ready In Your Butte Home

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Winter is almost here and few things are as comforting as the smell of wood burning in the fireplace of you Butte home. Before you light the first fire of the year, there are a few things you need to do. Here is the short list for fireplace safety:

Clean Out the Chimney

Everyone wants to get out of the cold weather, including birds and squirrels. Have a chimney cap installed at the top of the chimney to keep out small animals looking for shelter. The cap will also keep debris from clogging the chimney.

Have a professional clean out any creosote residue. Creosote is the build up of carbon from burning wood. It is flammable and needs to be removed every year.

Creosote is hazardous to your health. It can cause respiratory problems, so don’t try to clean it out on your own. Some home improvement stores sell a creosote removal log that you burn in your fireplace, it may clean your fireplace incompletely, so it’s best to go with a professional chimney cleaning company.

Prepare the Surrounding Area

Before you light the fireplace in your Butte home, make sure that the area around it is clear of clutter. You’ll want to make sure there is at least two to three feet of cleared space around the fireplace.

Invest in a fireplace screen so that nothing is accidentally knocked into the fireplace. It will also help to prevent burning embers from flying out.

Each time you get ready use the fireplace, clean out the ashes from the previous fire.

Light the Fire

First, open the fireplace damper so the proper airflow can occur. Then, start with paper or kindling placed on top of the fireplace grate. Use seasoned firewood cut to the right length for your fireplace. A couple of logs will be enough; you don’t want to add too many or the fire will suffocate.

Following these fireplace safety instructions can help you enjoy this winter season without worry. So, feel free to light that fireplace and soon the aroma of burning wood will fill your Butte home.

LINKS:

Chimney Cap: http://www.fireplacemall.com/Chimney_Caps/chimney_caps.html

Creosote residue: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1150360/the_dangers_of_creosote_build_up_in.html?cat=5

Damper: http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/energy-efficiency/how-to-conserve-energy-at-home5.htm

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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.

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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.

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6 Reasons Why Now Is The Best Time For Butte Home Remodels

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Cash in your pocket and equity in your Butte home?  If you’ve been thinking about making changes to your house but thought you couldn’t afford a remodel, it’s time to rethink the possibilities.  The payback on renovations in cost versus higher home value, should you decide to sell your house later, can be better than you thought.

Reason #1: Lower bids from the contractors.  The home renovation business is falling with the current housing market, leading to lower bids for the homeowner’s remodeling project.  In addition, most contractors are willing to negotiate with you for a better price, leaving you with a beautiful remodel for an excellent price.

Reason #2: Higher number of contractors to choose from.  Although homeowners are still making repairs and working on their houses, the number of bigger additions and fancy remodels is going down.  More contractors are competing against each other for your project.

Reason #3: Lower financing costs.  If you have good credit and a steady economic foundation, you can get lower financing costs.  This, in turn, makes the project that much more affordable.

Reason #4: Lower cost of materials.  Because the number of major remodels is dropping, the demand for materials (and thus the cost) is also dropping.

Reason #5: Less waiting time for a top-rated remodeling contractor.  With a lower number of people wanting to remodel their Butte home, even top-rated professionals have a shorter waiting list.

Reason #6: Better service.  With more competition, contractors are definitely giving “service with a smile.”  Calls are being returned faster; jobs are starting on time (or before!).

If you looked into remodeling your Butte home more than a year ago, now is definitely the time to do something about it.  However, even in this sweet time for remodeling, be aware of shady companies and shoddy work.  Do your research before accepting any contractor.

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6 Ways to Tell if You Need to Paint Before Putting Up Your Butte Home for Sale

Monday, July 20th, 2009

If you’re putting up your Butte home for sale, it may be time to bring out the brush and spackle.  This doesn’t just mean on the outside, but everywhere.  If you’re not sure whether you need to do it, here are a few ways to tell:

1.  Peeling exterior – You may be used to the home and not see the peeling paint, but, as any real estate agent will tell you, curb appeal is very important.  If buyers don’t like the way your home looks on the outside, they very seldom go inside.  If the paint is peeling, it’s time to redo it.

2.  Eye-catching colors – While you may enjoy your robin’s egg blue house with canary yellow shutters, buyers may not.  A Butte home for sale needs to be painted in a way that the buyers can see themselves living in it.  If your house is painted in unusually eye-catching colors, you need to repaint in neutral tones.  Stick with neutral colors for interior painting also.

3.  Peeling/stained shed - If you have a wooden shed on your property, you might need to repaint it or even replace it.  Exposed wood under the paint is a major detractor and an eyesore.  It may not matter to you, but it will matter to the buyer.

4.  Cracks in the walls - If the interior of your home has little cracks, seal the drywall with spackling and repaint.  Though small, the cracks will be seen as a negative, even if the rest of the house is well cared for.

5.  Cracked tiles or water spots on the ceiling – Who looks up at the ceiling anymore?  The buyer will and will see that unsightly stain in the corner that you haven’t noticed for years.

6.  Artistic inspiration – If you’re an artist and you found the need to express yourself on the walls, you might consider repainting.  Ask your real estate agent before hand; some forms of expression may sell better than others.  It might be slightly painful, so it’s okay if you let someone else do it.

When you have a Butte home for sale you have to be honest with yourself.  Look at the house with fresh eyes and in a buyer’s point of view.  If something stands out, it probably needs to be fixed.

If you’re thinking of selling your home, I’d be happy to give you suggestions on how to make it sparkle so it will sell faster and for more money.  Call me today at 406-491-5777 or email me for more information.

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Green Weekend Projects for Your Butte Home

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Weekend Green Projects for Your Butte Home

Are you looking for something to do around your Butte home this weekend that will also help the environment? Why not do a quick green renovation at home. Incorporating green products and practices in your home save our natural resources and are better for your health. Here are a few simple projects you can work on this weekend.

1.  Floors. You can easily replace the floor in a room during a weekend. Bamboo and cork floors are excellent environmentally-friendly choices because they are renewable sources. They come in a variety of colors and styles so you can find something that will match your current décor.

2.  Paint. Painting a room is a quick and easy way to change its look. However, traditional paint is loaded with toxic fumes that can aggravate respiratory conditions like asthma. When you paint your next room, choose a paint that contains less or no amounts of dangerous chemicals. Your room will look just as good, and your lungs will be happier.

3.  Windows. If you still have old, single pane windows in your Butte home, it’s time to replace them with double pane energy efficient windows. These newer windows will lower your energy consumption by keeping your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Additionally, you may be eligible for a Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency of up to $1500 if you purchase Energy Star windows in 2009 or 2010.

4.  Insulation. A well insulated home saves you money and cuts back on the amount of energy you use. Make sure you have adequate insulation in your attic. Check your doors and windows for cracks and leaks that allow air to escape. Seal them with caulk or weather stripping. The Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency applies to Energy Star insulation as well.

    Are you looking for a green Butte home? I specialize in green homes and would be happy to help you find the one that fits your budget and needs. Call me today at 406-491-5777 or email.

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