Brice, Author at Brice Davis

Saving Money – Home Energy Efficiency Tips

May 21, 2019May 6, 2015 by Brice

There are lots of things that can be done to increase home energy efficiency and save you money. While some are simple, others are more complex and might require the help of a professional.

Some of the more simple tips include taking the cover plates off your light switches and placing a rubber gasket and replacing the cover plate. Lots of air seeps through the walls and this helps to prevent that. Check for air leaks around all doors, windows, fireplaces, attic access, ceilings, light fixtures, and electrical outlets. Check and replace worn weather stripping around windows and doors.

Adding additional insulation in the attic is a very cost effective way to cut down on your monthly utilities. This is a quick way to greatly increase the energy efficiency of your home. Install attic air barriers such as wind baffles along the entire attic eave help ensure proper air flow from soffit to attic. This will help control moisture in the attic and reduce your summer cooling costs. If your home still feels cold in the winter and hot in the summer you may need to add insulation and home wraps to your exterior walls. This is a little more difficult and may require

Does a Swimming Pool Increase Home Value?

May 21, 2019May 6, 2015 by Brice

Does a swimming pool increase home value? In Springfield Missouri the answer is not really. The costs to install a pool are pretty high but will not return near as much value when it comes time to resell. The problem is a lot of people just don’t want to deal with the continued maintenance and costs associated with a pool. Due to a less than high resale market for homes with a pool in Springfield, MO, a pool does not translate to a big increase in a homes value.

The return on the cost of a pool is in the enjoyment you, your friends and family get out of hanging out in the pool. I would only recommend installing a pool if you are planning to stay in the home for several years. The longer you stay in a house enjoying the fun summer days the better your return on your initial investment.

Another way to go is to buy a house with an existing pool, you get the same enjoyment of the pool without the large upfront costs. You can also buy a house in a neighborhood with a community pool. This allows you and your family access to a pool for only a few hundred dollars a year.

What Room Colors Should I Use?

May 21, 2019May 6, 2015 by Brice

Best Room Colors? I am often asked what is the best color to paint different rooms in my house? While a lot of it has to do with personal preference there can be a bit of science to it as well.

The good news is painting a room is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform the look of a room. Colors act in three basic ways; active, passive, and neutral. You can easily match every rooms colors to your tastes and rooms functionality. Lighter colors make a room seem light and airy, and ultimately appear larger. Darker colors are sophisticated and warm, making a room appear more intimate.

Living rooms work well with warm colors like reds, oranges and yellows, and earth tones like brown and beige. The warm and earth tones are thought to promote conversation. “These are colors that encourage people to sit around and talk,” says Kate Smith, a color consultant in Lorton, Va. “You feel the warmth, the connection with other people.”

Warm colors work well in kitchens. If you are trying to diet you might want to avoid reds as it can increase the appetite. Since many kitchen appliances are void of much color you might want to consider adding vibrant splashes of color.

Bank Owned Homes- A Good Deal or Not?

May 21, 2019May 6, 2015 by Brice

Are bank owned homes really a great deal? More and more clients are asking me about bank owned homes. Are these homes really a great deal? The not so simple answer is, maybe.

First lets determine how a bank comes to own the property in the first place. Once a home owner falls behind on their mortgage, the bank notifies the home owner requesting payment. If the homeowner is unable to bring the loan current, a short sale might be a possibility for the homeowner. Short sales will be discussed in an upcoming blog. If the home owner is unable to pay the loan, the bank will put the home up for auction to repay the debt. If the home does not sell at auction, the bank will take possession of the home and bring in an asset manager to sell the property to sell the property.

You can get a good deal on a bank owned home, but they also come with several large drawbacks. Make sure to weigh the benefits of a good price against the potential issues that could come with buying a bank owned home.

First Time Home Buyers

May 21, 2019May 6, 2015 by Brice

I get asked by first time home buyers all the time, “How do I get started?” Buying your first home can be confusing and seem overly complicated. With a little help from qualified professionals the process is a lot easier. A qualified Realtor can be a big help in this sometimes long and confusing process.

I usually ask buyers to start by talking to a couple of different loan officers to see what you qualify for, and which bank will give you the best deal. Loan programs and underwriting standards vary from bank to bank, so don’t be afraid to see who is the best fit for you. If you do not have a loan officer, your agent should have a list of quality loan officers they have worked with in the past.

Once you have an idea of your budget, you need to sit down and prioritize what is most home features are most important to you. Do you want something to fix up or move in ready?

Saving Money – Home Energy Efficiency Tips

Does a Swimming Pool Increase Home Value?

What Room Colors Should I Use?

Bank Owned Homes- A Good Deal or Not?

First Time Home Buyers

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