House to Home Properties News

2010-08-20T08:01:00.000-07:00

Open Houses Coming Up Saturday

November 13, 2010

501 Summer Ave., Waupun 10:30am - 11:30am

*Hosted by Scott Beaulieu

Making That House Your Home!!

2010-05-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

Please Join

House to Home Properties

For Free Coffee and Donuts

During the Memorial Day Parade!

2010-05-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

With summer fast approaching, House to Home Properties has a few tips for an OUTSIDE investment on your property:

*Home investment*

Research has shown landscaping can add 5 percent to 15 percent to a home’s value and when the house is resold, the owners recoup 100 percent to 200 percent of their investment. Considering that you only receive a 75-percent return on a bathroom remodel and that landscaping can be installed gradually, as your budget allows, landscaping is an easy to way to increase the value of your home.

*Create a plan*

Sketch out your house and yard, including your utility lines. Which areas have lots of light or lots of shade? Does your yard drain well after a rain? Mark lighting
and drainage patterns on your plan. Mark out various areas for sports, play, recreation and parking. List the plants you already have in your lawn, and
the plants you want to use. Price the plants you listed, but go home without buying any. Walk through your yard with your plan and price list. Discuss what you can afford
now and what will be planted later.

*Grow your investment*

When you purchase your plants, inspect the plant carefully. Don't
buy damaged plants. Keep the roots damp and shaded at all
times before planting. Follow the watering and fertilizing guidelines for your plants. Some
plants require specific pruning to promote growth and blooms.
And don’t forget that properly prepared soil and beds are as
vital as choosing the right plants. Consider the purchase of a tree an investment, just like stocks and bonds. Trees begin to appreciate in value the moment they are planted in your yard. Trees reduce the home temperature by as much as 9° F (attic temperatures are reduced 40° F) or a
savings of up to $273 per year in air conditioning.

2010-04-29T09:14:00.000-07:00

Conserve Water — and Your Pocketbook The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average family of four uses 400 gallons of water every day. To combat this, the agency suggeststhat you: Don't let the water run while shaving or brushing teeth. Take short showers instead of tub baths. Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool. Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher;
wash only full loads. Wash only full loads of laundry or use the appropriate water level or load
size selection on the washing machine. Repair all leaks (a leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons a day). Water the lawn or garden during the coolest part of the day (early morning is best).
Group plants according to their water use so you don’t overwater. Check with your local extension service or nurseries for advice. Set sprinklers to water the lawn or garden only — not the street or sidewalk. Use soaker hoses or trickle irrigation systems for trees and shrubs.
Keep your yard healthy — remove dead grass from your lawn, use mulch, and set your mower on a high setting to encourage grass growth and eliminate weeds naturally. Sweep the driveway and walkways outside instead of using a hose to spray it down. A few behavioral changes in your water usage can make a big difference to the environment, and to your pocketbook. Incorporate Energy-Efficient Appliances into Your Home When the time comes, replace appliances with energy-efficient models. Tankless water heaters, for example, are comparable in cost to traditional gas water heaters but are 30 percent more efficient, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Another easy option is to replace your old thermostat with a programmable one. These types of automatic thermostats will lower the heat when home
owners are at work, but will automatically raise it to make the home comfortable again when they return home. As an added bonus, some home energy-efficient upgrades may provide
tax credits of up to $1,500. Find out what qualifies at www.nahb.org/ efficiencytaxcredit.

• asic appliance package
• first floor laundry
• 3 car garage with keyless entry
• 1,663 sq. ft. 3 bedroom, 2 bath
• brick on front porch area
• hardwood & tile flooring
• gas fireplace
• tray ceiling in master bedroom

Spring storms are just around the corner and Mother Nature’s wicked rages can take a toll on your home. Take the steps now to prepare your house and yard so that it will stand up
to the extreme weather that spring can sometimes bring. Before you begin, look over your insurance policies to make sure you’re covered for losses incurred as the result of a natural disaster or brutal storm. Damage caused by flooding, earthquakes and hurricanes is generally
not covered by your regular homeowner’s policy, but can be purchased separately.
Try to prevent wind and water from entering through windows, cracks, entry doors and garage doors. Especially in hurricane- or tornado-prone areas it is important to seal your windows
and doors as tightly as possible. High winds can easily tear through double doors, French doors and sliding patio doors that have no structural device between them. You may need to purchase and install special hardware to more adequately secure the doors where they meet. Try bolts that fasten the door into the framing at the top and the bottom. Your home’s roof can shield its interior from the storm outside so it is an essential step in preparing your house to withstand a severe storm. Apply sealing around your chimney or vent pipes to help prevent water from
seeping into your home. Hire a contractor to check for the structural integrity of the roof system.
Clean out clogged gutters and downspouts. If the rain that accompanies a heavy storm can’t run through the gutters and downspouts, it will spill over the sides, landing in areas where it can soak through to your home’s foundation, causing flooding and structural damage. Outside, protect your home from objects that can take flight during a storm. Remove all dead and dying
limbs from your trees, and secure lawn furniture, trashcans, flowerpots and other yard ornaments. High-speed winds could transform any of these objects into flying missiles traveling
toward your house. Tie down the larger items such as sheds, doghouses, playhouses, swing
sets, and boats. When you and your house are prepared, you’re more likely to weather
the toughest storm with less property damage. Taking time now to prepare your home for storm season could save you a lot of money later.

2010-04-27T07:38:00.000-07:00

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS!!

TIME TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF

THE HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT!!

If you didn't already know, the homebuyer tax credit countdown has started for those who are looking to sign on the dotted line for their homes.
This means, if you want to take advantage of thousands of dollars in credits for the 2010 tax year, now is the time to get out and begin looking for your home.

After you sign for you home on April 30, your next job will be to actually close on your home. The deadline for closing on the home is June 30, 2010. If you don't do it by then, you won't be able to take advantage of the credit. Getting a decent mortgage has never been easier, so now may be the time to act.
Keep in mind the closing on a home can take anywhere from 60 to 45 days, so the sooner you get out and find your home, the better your chances are of getting your hands on this massive tax credit.

*************************************************************************************

For more information OR to take advantage of this GREAT opportunity, Call Us!

Office: 920-324-5200

Email: info@housetohomeproperties.com

Web: housetohomeproperties.com

2010-04-13T07:40:00.000-07:00

The HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT is ending soon!

April 30, is the last day to have an accepted offer.

You can close up until June 30, 2010.

Give Us a Call for more information.

House to Home Properties, LLC

(920) 324-5200

2010-04-06T08:09:00.000-07:00

Welcomes New Agent

Tony Pausma

Tony Pausma, the newest addition to the House to Home Properties team, was born in Oconomowoc, but raised right here in the Waupun area, and is a graduate of Waupun High School. Tony just recently finished schooling for his real estate salesperson license, and has passed all state requirements. He is very excited to have a chance to put his excellent customer service skills, knowledge of the area, and good work ethic to use in assisting you in any real estate needs you may have. In his spare time Tony is also employed as a farmhand on a local dairy farm, enjoys playing basketball, football, and taking his dog for hikes.

Open House Information April 2010

2010-04-01T07:31:00.000-07:00

Nationwide Open House April 10-11, 2010An Opportunity for Wisconsin REALTORS

On April 10-11, REALTORS across the nation will hold open houses to mark the first-ever Nationwide Open House Weekend. The event, created by local and state REALTOR associations, gives sellers the chance to showcase their homes and prospective buyers to shop for a home while the homebuyer tax credit, expiring April 30, is still available. For Wisconsin REALTORS, this is an opportunity to use the momentum of a national campaign to educate prospective buyers on the benefits of home ownership and housing opportunities in Wisconsin. And the event's timing can only help: interest rates are low, home prices are affordable and the homebuyer tax credit expiration date is still weeks away. To help raise the event's profile and spread the word, REALTORS are encouraged to display blue balloons with the REALTOR logo on them during open houses, develop signage and other marketing materials. Already, the event has stirred attention from prospective buyers, and many are planning to use the weekend to view as many homes as possible.

Open House Schedule

*April 7, 2010

411 S. Watertown St., Waupun, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Don DeMotts

*April 10, 2010

228 W. Franklin St., Waupun, 9:30 am - 10:30 am, Jodi Gerritson

416 W. Lincoln St., Waupun, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Eunice Beekman

420 Edgewood Dr., Waupun, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Scott Aylesworth

W10039 Hwy AW., Waupun, 10:30 am - 11:30 am, Tony Pausma

409 W. Franklin St., Waupun, 10:30 am - 11:30 am, Ann Preston-Kwakkel

N10345 Hwy 49., Waupun, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, Scott Beaulieu

908 Pleasant Ave., Waupun, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, Jodi Gerritson

904 W. Lincoln St., Waupun, 11:30 am - 12:30 am, Scott Aylesworth

N4126 Cty Rd E., Alto, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, Tony Pausma

12429 Sunny Knoll Rd., Brandon, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, Ann Preston-Kwakkel

724 Buwalda Dr., Waupun, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm, Scott Aylesworth

*April 11, 2010

N8809 Lakeshore Dr., Fond du Lac, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm, Eunice Beekman

**Enter to win a $25 Chamber Gift Card!!**

Homebuyer Credit Extended!! Time to Take Advantage!

2010-03-25T09:04:00.000-07:00

First-Time Homebuyer Credit Extended to April 30, 2010!

Some Current Homeowners Now Also Qualify!

IR-2009-108, Nov. 24,2009

WASHINGTON - A new law that went into effect Nov. 6 extends the first-time homebuyer credit five months and expands the eligibility requirements for purchasers.

The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 extends the deadline for qualifying home purchases from Nov. 30, 2009, to April 30, 2010. Additionally, if a buyer enters into a binding contract by April 30, 2010, the buyer has until June 30, 2010 to settle on the purchase.

The maximum credit amount remains at $8,000 for a first-time homebuyer - that is, a buyer who has not owned a primary residence during the three years up to the date of purchase.

But the new law also provides a "long-time resident" credit of up to $6,500 to others who do not qualify as "first-time homebuyers." To qualify this way, a buyer must have owned and used the same home as a principal or primary residence for at least five consecutive years of the eight-year period ending on the date of purchase of a new home as primary residence.

For all qualifying purchases in 2010, taxpayers have the option of claiming the credit on either their 2009 or 2010 tax returns.

For more details on the credit CONTACT US AT (920) 324-5200

OR Visit us on the Web at www.housetohomeproperties.com

New Homebuyer Credit, November 2009

Welcome!

2010-03-23T09:07:00.000-07:00

Welcome to House to Home Properties new BLOG! We're so excited to be able to inform you of what is new and upcoming. Please keep us bookmarked for YOUR most current real estate news!

'Making THAT House YOUR Home!'