Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 | Adding a hot tub to your second Naples home will make it more attractive to vacationers. Rental homes with hot tubs take in $14,000 more than homes without, on average. A hot tub will pay for itself several times over, despite the up-front cost.
What's more, renters will remember a dirty house even more than a clean house. To avoid any bad memories, make sure the linens are fresh and the floors are spick and span. The only things a renter needs to bring are clothes and food.
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Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 | According to Reuters, Naples home mortgage applications rose 2 percent in mid-September. Applications are at their highest level since last April. This rise was caused by a few main factors.
The first is a decline in interest rates by the Federal Reserve. With a lower interest rate, more homeowners are encouraged to refinance. An excess of homes on the market is the second component. Prices are driven down with a surplus of homes.
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Posted on Monday, April 28, 2008 | You might not be a Super star, but don't give up on your Naples home just yet. Movie or TV shoots have caused some homeowners to leave their home for days, even weeks. Film producers are prepared to shell out big money for the use of the ideal home.
The glamour and money is worth it for many. For others, the idea of a handyman comming into their home causes uneasiness. Even for fame, a hundred crewmembers are impossible. Watching your Naples home on the big screen could be fun.
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Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2008 | The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted improved remodel restrictions, which could affect older Naples homes . For builders taking part in remodels on homes built prior to 1978, the EPA requires lead training, certification, and safe work practice accountability. They hope to to eliminate the public health uneasiness of lead poisoning by the year 2010.
Lead was used for several years in paint and is an especially hazardous metal. Children younger than six are more likely to be affected since their nervous systems have not entirely developed. A slew of health problems can affect anyone. Contact Naples real estate with any matters with regards to lead in your home.
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Posted on Friday, April 25, 2008 | An estimated 25-40 percent of condominium conversions have switched back to rentals, nationwide. This could impact Naples real estate . Individuals were unable to sell these converted condominiums and are wanting tenants to come back. So far, rental costs have gone up 12-15 percent, but that price is likely to level as even more conversions occur. Watch for for Naples conversions.
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Posted on Thursday, April 24, 2008 | Does your Naples home need a few improvements? Don't bother with design shows and Martha Stewart Magazine. Look at a model home instead. For design ideas, new amenities, or to see how a home stacks up, a few homeowners are touring model homes.
Homebuilders can identify who is actually interested and who isn't. Builders depend on these looky-loos for an understanding as to what homeowners would like. Everything, from the windows to appliances in a model home, is examined by a possible buyer. Naples homeowners and builders can actually learn a lot from each other.
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Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 | Tree houses are not only for the kids anymore. Instead of buying an ordinary Naples home , think about building in the woods, literally. In some communities, tree houses, complete with running water, electricity, and plumbing, are popular. Homes built surrounded by the branches of pine, spruce, and birch tress provide seclusion and a unique way of life.
A few homes come set up with swings, bridges, slides, or even a zip line, to really bring out the inner child. These home might not be for everybody, although, so many have been waiting their entire lives for the chance to live in a tree house.
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Posted on Sunday, April 20, 2008 | Some areas are looking to the past for city design. Cities of the past were designed with a roads system, public and private buildings, a theater, and an amphitheater, in a rectangular block.
Developers, and individuals interested in Naples real estate , must remember that certain elements of design are timeless and should not be forgotten. Environmental factors are one of the top concerns for new developments. Just like the ancient developments, contemporary developers are working around trees, drainage corridors, and mountain ranges, as opposed to destroying them.
Projects also involve easy "walkability," meaning eighty-percent of development will be within five minutes of 80 percent of all activities. The fact that this new growth focuses less on the house and more on the community could be the most significant link to ancient civilization.
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Posted on Friday, April 18, 2008 | Cell phone towers nearby Naples homes seems to be an inconsistent fight. Most people want fewer dropped calls with even better cell phone coverage. However, a lot of communities don't want cell towers in their neighborhoods. Towers are unsightly and might even lower property worth. Cell towers have got to be in sight to function properly. This means an ugly, enormous piece of steel must be put in higher than the tree line. This is OK for an urban setting, but does not fit well into a community design.
To combat this, companies started putting towers in that resemble trees. Although, a steel tree hardly fools anyone. When debating towers with neighborhoods, cell phone companies must be sensitive and open. Naples residents should remember that it is possible to win a fight against cell phone companies. Both sides might get what they want when they go into the situation with a team mind set.
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Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 | Does your Naples home need an additional bedroom? Sleeping areas, put in outdoors, could be a good idea. From bars to daybeds to nightstands, homeowners are spending money on outdoor "rooms." To ensure that water and mildew stay out of your bed, these rooms can be fitted with aluminum platforms, mosquito nets, nylon, and woven PVC.
These beds vary from expensive models by Armini/Casa's Oceano, to the more affordable styles available at Home Depot or Lowe's, and arrive ready-to-go. A canopied daybed on the terrace will usually be a terrific spot to kick back and take a nap, although sleeping outdoors isn't allowed in a lot of areas.
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Posted on Monday, April 14, 2008 | Several urban residents are bidding farewell to the city life. Plenty of Americans, including owners of Naples homes are looking for so much more than the city has to offer. Country living is becoming typical for folks looking to break away from city constraints.
City dwellers who have decided to escape to the countryside, make for the majority of small-town development. A lot of folks want to commute to surrounding cities for work while others choose to change their way of life totally and live on acreage with cows, pigs, and chickens.
In many cases, a bigger city is just a short drive away and is the place to find shopping, movie theaters, and other types of entertainment that are hard to come by in a smaller city. Let us know if you are planning on selling your Naples home and heading towards the country.
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Posted on Monday, April 14, 2008 | To reduce the electricity bill of your Naples home , you can do a lot of things For instance, you can switch to compact fluorescent bulbs in lamps that are turned on for longer than two hours per day. Lasting 10-20 times longer than ordinary bulbs, flourescent bulbs are 6-8 times more energy efficient.
Unplug devices such as iPod chargers or paper shreders when they are not in use. Even when they aren't turned on, they will still use up some juice. Use an energy efficient microwave or toaster over when cooking smaller foods that don't need to be pre-heated.
When you are done using your computer, turn it off or onto "standby" mode. You will lower the cost of operating a computer by 85 percent simply by using a laptop rather than a desktop. Don't open up your refrigerator door often or for long periods of time and adjust the temperature on 38-40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lastly, only use the dryer for full loads, when you can, line dry, and use cold water for washing. By starting with these little steps, you will be able to save money on your bills and decrease your Co2 emissions.
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Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2008 | Most of the time, buying a piece of Naples real estate is a peice of cake. You end up in a community you have always dreamed of with a wonderful house. Unfortunately, your don't figure out that your neighbors are a problem until it is too late.
An altercation becomes extreme when one side decides to move away. It is a good idea to shower an unfriendly neighbor with kindness; you have a better chance a response to your grievances.
If you worry they are breaking any laws, make sure you do your research to figure out exactly what the local codes and rules are. This way, if they do not answer your requests, you can bring the city in.
A mediator can generally settle any disagreements and the courts and police should only be called in as a last hope. You will be able to keep the peace with your neighbor if you maintain an open mind.
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Posted on Thursday, April 10, 2008 | Some Naples home owners are living off the land. Farm living has increased at the rate of 2 percent a year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service. Farming for money isn't why the majority of owners are in the industry.
Farm living is not for everyone, essentially because it involves a lot of hard work. The isolation factor is another explanation of why people stay away from living on a farm. However, if you enjoy open space and would like a challenge, farm living might be for you.
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Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 | More and more Naples home owners are living off the land. Farm living has increased by 2 percent a year, based on data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service. The majority of owners are not planning to farm for a profit.
Because farming involves a lot of work, it is not for everybody. The isolation factor is another explanation of why people steer clear from moving to a farm. However, living on a farm could be for you. That is, if you enjoy open space and are wanting a challenge.
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Posted on Sunday, April 06, 2008 | A lot of buildings throughout the country are literally going green. Buildings in Chicago, and one day in Naples, are starting to put in green roofs. These are not roofs constructed from environmentally friendly materials or solar panels. Here, you will be able to plant everything from jasmine to basil.
For years, potted plants have decorated rootops, but this new type of roofing, complete with a special drainage system, enables plants to actually root. Green roofing allows for several benefits. Most importantly, cooling needs are decreased by nearly 25 percent, diminishing the greenhouse effect. The heat from concrete and blacktop is absorbed tremendously by plants.
A rooftop nursery is more aesthetically pleasing than a flat, black roof. Whether you grow grass, flowers, or brush, you can have a spot to stop and smell the roses. As of now, green roofing will only be found in the big city, however, keep a lookout for Naples homes going green.
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Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 | A larger amount of people in their 20s are securing Naples real estate . Owning a house indicates more of a sense of responsibility and commitment, particularly for twentysomethings. The payback, however, is desirable. People in their 20s are much more inclined to buy real estate than they were 20 years ago.
Money is tight, but the liberty of becoming self-sustained is worth a lot. A large number of young homeowners feel that instead of paying rent to somebody else, they would rather be paying a mortgage. At 25, a Naples real estate is worth so much, even if a leaky sink or new washer and dryer must be paid for with a credit card.
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Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 | Living in an urban Naples home has turned out to be a recent trend for so many homebuyers. Big cities like Chicago, IL, Miami, FL, Seattle, WA, and even Naples, have experienced gigantic downtown advancements over the past several years. Empty warehouses, dingy hotels, and dilapidated apartment structures are being transformed into modern condominiums, apartments, and commercial space. Younger singles, couples, professionals, and baby boomers alike are hoping fo nightlife, culture, and diversity and are discovering those features in vibrant downtown regions.
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Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2008 | Nationally, an estimated 25 to 40 percent of condominium conversions have gone back to rentals. Naples real estate could be affected by this transformation.
Homeowners have been unable to sell these converted condominiums and are encouraging tenants to come back. Rental prices are likely to even out as more conversions take place, but so far, prices have grown by 12-15 percent. Watch for for Naples conversions.
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