JUNE 17, 2020 • Volume 15 • Issue 25
RE WEEKLY RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL • AREA DEVELOPMENT 515-233-3299 • 317 5th Street, Ames • All REALTOR® ads within are REALTORS® licensed in the State of Iowa
Online at www.AmesTrib.com/realestateweekly
Page RE2 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, June 17, 2020
HOME HELP TIP OF THE WEEK
SPRING CLEANING
RAISING BACKYARD CHICKENS
DON’T WASH WINDOWS ON A SUNNY DAY
In these times of crisis and social isolation, many Americans have realized the benefit and catharsis of self-sufficiency. Many are trying their hand at raising chickens, which eat pests and provide eggs. If you are interested in raising chickens, here are a few tips from BobVila.com: • Familiarize yourself with the laws: Laws vary from community to community. Some might require you to have a permit to raise chickens, limit the number of chickens you can own or even forbid you from owning a rooster, which can crow in the morning. • Remember that egg-laying can fluctuate: Chickens don’t always produce a consistent number of eggs. It changes by the season. During winter months, egg laying is greatly reduced, while in spring, when the days get longer, it goes into overdrive. • Feed your chickens right: “A lack of calcium in your chickens’ diet can lead to thin shells on the eggs they lay and to other physical problems.” Opt for healthy feed and give them fresh fruits and veggies. • Prepare to play vet: You might need to doctor your chickens if they get injured. Keep the necessary supplies on hand. “Those supplies might include antibiotic ointment, gauze, dog nail clippers (for beaks and nails, electrolytes (for dehydration), and any other medications and ointment recommended by your veterinarian.” • Clean the coup: “Clear out the old hay at least once every two weeks and put in clean dry hay. ... Keeping the coop clean will reduce the risk of diseases and parasites.” • Protect you chickens by covering the yard: Covering your chicken yard with chicken wire can keep flying predators from swooping in and carrying your chickens away.
The sun’s shining and it’s warm outside. The perfect day to clean your windows, right? It might seem counter-intuitive — after all, it’s easier to see streaks and dirty spots — but cleaning your windows on sunny days can undermine your efforts. According to BobVila.com, the hot sun on windows will cause glass cleaner to evaporate rapidly, which will result in streaking. Instead hold off for an overcast day, ideally when temperatures are in the 70s or cooler. More Content Now
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, June 17, 2020 • Page RE3
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Keep your
cool
Find the right air conditioning system for your home By Laura Firszt More Content Now
N
ot ready to invest in central AC? Consider a portable or window air conditioner instead. Both are easy to install, don’t require ductwork, and can be taken along when you move. But these two cooling systems are not identical. So before you buy, investigate the differences to decide which will suit you best. Here are the pros and cons of portable vs. window air conditioners. Window air conditioner — pros Better cooling capability. Check the BTU rating of the machine you’re consider-
ing — the higher the BTU, the greater its cooling capacity. TIP: If you’re cooling one averagesized room (rather than a large open-plan area), buying
the most powerful machine is a mistake. Have an expert calculate optimal size. Space-saving. It does not occupy valuable floor space. Bells and whistles. Many window ACs come with accessories such as a remote, digital thermostat and programmable timer. Window air conditioner — cons Complicated installation. You’ll need to hire a professional for window AC installation. You’ll also need a conveniently placed window. Failing that, you’ll have to invest in a “through-the-wall” air conditioning unit, and cut a hole in your wall for mounting. Fit. Window air conditioners are manufactured to work with double-hung windows, so consult an HVAC pro for solutions if you have another window style. Ditto if the unit you want won’t fit into the available window space. Cost. Besides the cost of professional installation, the purchase price for this appliance is higher than that of a portable. What’s more, because window AC draws a lot of power, you might need to add a dedicated electrical circuit.
Portable air conditioner — pros Cost. You’ll pay a lower initial purchase cost for a portable vs. window air conditioner. Simple to install. You can easily do it yourself to save on air conditioning installation cost. Portables are convenient for remodeled spaces such as finished attics
or garages, as well as areas that need cooling only occasionally, like guest rooms. Easily movable. Its lightweight and wheels allow flexible positioning. A portable AC may be moved to any room, as needed. You can also easily stow it in a closet or storage room for the winter. Doesn’t protrude outdoors. Many homeowners association and condo committee regulations ban air conditioning with parts that protrude outside your window. Multi-tasking. One appliance may combine three
functions: cooling, dehumidification and fan. Some also offer heating. Portable air conditioner — cons Venting. Portable air conditioning has to be vented outdoors with a special hose, which traditionally exhausts hot air via a window. However, recent models offer options such as venting through an exterior door or even your ceiling. Hassle. An inexpensive unit, as it dehumidifies the air, collects condensate in a container which must be either emptied daily or piped outdoors. Upscale portable AC’s are more user-friendly; their exhaust hose vents the moisture outside. Limited cooling. A portable AC is typically capable of cooling 500-700 square feet maximum. Laura Firszt writes for networx. com
Save money on air conditioning • When considering a portable vs. window air conditioner, keep in mind that either can save you money by supplementing a central air conditioning system. Cool a particularly hot room with a small energy-smart window or portable AC, and go easy on the pricier central air. • Add a ceiling fan to circulate the air cooled by your portable or window air conditioner and you’re really saving energy and money. • Get the most from your AC. Ensure that the flow of cool air isn’t blocked by window treatments or furniture. • Repair cracks, insulate, and weatherstrip for energy-efficient, cheaper heating AND cooling. Air conditioner tips • A portable or window air conditioner is a convenient retrofit in a home without ductwork. Another possibility is mini-split air conditioning. • Mini air conditioning is often loud. This is not necessarily a portable vs. window air conditioner issue, but depends on the individual make and model. If you’re noise-sensitive, do some advance research to find quiet models. And once the AC’s installed, regular maintenance (cleaning fins and tightening screws) will help keep it quiet. • Before your window air conditioner installation, decide whether to leave it in place all winter. If so, installation should include an exterior weather-protective cover. Otherwise, plan to take the AC down every fall (a two-person job) and find a storage spot.
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, June 17, 2020 • Page RE5
DEAR MONTY
Should I use appraiser to set my home price?
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
R
eader question: I am going to sell my house. Would it be wise to have an appraiser evaluate my home rather than depending on a real estate agent? Monty’s answer: There are differences between both approaches. First, consider approaching value as a “range of value.” The range of value means
the best price you can expect and the lowest price you should expect. You base your decision on where to price on your circumstances. Some sellers want to price their home to be the next one to sell in the neighborhood because they are in a hurry. Some want to test the market and try not to leave any money on the table. Others want to see if they can sell for more than the highest price they should expect. Appraisers have no conflict of interest. In a sense, the appraiser doesn’t care what you think. They have a process that has several approaches to value, and their job is to apply that process. Appraisers do not act as agents. You pay for their opinion. Real estate agents, however, care what you think. Agents do not charge for their opinion. While real estate agents are not
equal, neither are appraisers. Your two choices You can hire an appraiser and secure their opinion for a fee, or you can ask a real estate agent for their advice at no cost. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) surveys show that about 70% of home sellers only interview one agent. It is likely that home sellers either know the agent or asking one agent is easy. Yet, in my experience, almost 30% of new listings to the market expire unsold with the original listing broker. Anecdotally, in most markets, that happens even in good times.
all be different. Consider the range of value on your home is the difference between those three opinions. Other than the extra time you spend showing your home and listening to their explanation, it cost you nothing. For a fair comparison, if you hired three appraisers, their opinions will all be different. Here, you do not depend on one person’s opinion. Richard Montgomery is the author of “House Money - An Insider’s Secrets to Saving Thousands When You Buy or Sell a Home.” He is a real estate industry veteran who advocates industry reform and offers readers unbiased real estate advice. Find him at DearMonty.com.
An alternate method Ask three different agents that represent various brokerages for their opinion of value. They will
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Don’t see your home in the
RE WEEKLY Then contact a Realtor® today, because you are missing out on over 39,000+ potential buyers seeing your property for sale. STORY TY COUN
PMENT ERCIAL • AREA DEVELO GE • FARM • COMM RESIDENTIAL • ACREA Street, Ames 99 • 317 5th ® licensed in the State of Iowa 515-233-32 are REALTORS ® within All REALTOR ads
RE WEEKLY
JANUARY 11, 2017 Volume 12 • Issue 2
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