Many folks want live near downtown in older areas, which is great, BUT utility bills  go UP.  The average heating bill for an old house downtown could be $250, compared with $50 for an Energy Star home.  GREEN mortgages can enable you to buy downtown.  These mortgages save energy and money.  A household monthly income of $5,000 can afford a $227,300 mortgage at 6.25% interest according to the Federal Citizen Information Center.  With these energy-efficient mortgages the same household may qualify for a loan about $16,000 LARGER because its utility bills be lower.  CHECK INTO THIS NOW.

TRENDS IN TEXAS THAT YOU MAY RECOUP LESS.  (1)  SUNROOM ADDITIONS – in parts of state recoup 51.8%, but as little as 29.3%.  (2) HOME OFFICE REMODELS closely followed sunroom additions from maximum of 62.2% and as little as 47.2 of the  total project cost.  (2)  MASTER SUITE ADDITIONS – either typical or upscale are not profitable.  (4)  UPSCALE PROJECTS – ranked in bottom 5 to recoup cost, except in Houston.

CURB APPEAL IS KING!  Not only the door, garage door and siding + stone veneer accents give a 123.7% return on investment.  Window and roof replacement are high on the list to recoup costs.  Wooden deck in most TX areas because of climate can recoup 116% of the total project cost and back-up power generators can get a 129.2% replacement value, particularly in areas where power goes off frequently.  MORE COMING IN A FEW DAYS.

If planning to sell, a new steel entry door is the best investment to up the price.  Average cost is $1,230 and a steel door adds $1,252 to resale value or a 102% increase.  STONE VENEER FACADE will add a 92% return.  This is from REMODELING magazines’s  “2015 Cost vs. Value Report”  with data from 6,500 real estate agents nationwide.  Will continue with PART 2 NEXT BLOG.

Stop making your landlord rich!  Most renters don’t know how easy it is to purchase a new home.  With interest rates at historic lows, your mortgage could be equal to or less than paying rent.  Home ownership makes you part of a community or just build wealth over time.  If you pay $1,000 per month in rent in 10 years your rent payments are $120,000, at 20 years $240,000 and 30 years at $360,000 and the RENT MAY HAVE GONE UP.  A competent lender can help you get that LOAN TO BUY.

Volunteers are needed for the nation’s biggest all-volunteer coastal clean SATURDAY, APRIL 18.   Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup will take place at 30 of Texas’ most popular tourist beaches.  Begins at 8:30 a.m. and come rain or shine.  Volunteers will be given data cards, gloves, pencils & trash bags.  Advised to wear closed-toe shoes & bring sunscreen & plenty of drinking water.  Those unable to participate may contribute to the cause by making a tax-deductible donation online.  From Austin’s Texas General Land Office.  SEE YOU THERE!