The combined population of the Triangle metro areas puts them in the same class as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago and includes Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.  These 4 largest metros in TX, function as one large economic entity with each playing complementary roles.  Together, they represent 68% of Texas of 73% of the state’s income.   There is weakness of the service sector, such as banking as these higher-order, white-color services are NOT exported to the rest of the country.  COMPLICATED, BUT INTERESTING!

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!

Some folks are putting their tiny homes on trailers, so can use modular homes that are already built and move it around.  Need to check on homeowners insurance for a home on a trailer.  A good website that talks about this is                 www.living small.com                             It’s a change in lifestyle, but may be worth it.  If building you may have to check subdivision restrictions as many have a minimum square footage.  LET THE BAINS KNOW AT 903-571-2191 HOW THIS WORKS FOR YOU!

you must DECLUTTER and MINIMIZE.  No room for collections in a tiny house.  Many like the idea of this to get rid of the clutter in their lives.  Helpful to utilize “built in” options for furniture & appliances, such as a Murphy bed & walk-in shower..  Modern technology is a help as you can now listen to music, read books, do research, work, watch movies, communicate with family friends, etc. with as little as an Internet-capable flat-screen TV that hangs on the wall, or a laptop, a tablet or even a cell phone.  Another website to look at is                                                    tinyhousetalk.com                               CONTINUED IN A FEW DAYS

The tiny house movement is more than just living in small spaces.  It’s a lifestyle and a philosophy.  It’s a tool to re-evaluate your life and make conscious choices to live more simply.  Extreme tiny-house advocateS set 200 square feet as the size, but 500 to 1,000 or 1200 square feet is more realistic.  First you have to declutter and minimize to begin the process.  Many websites, but found this one easy to be useful  and easy to use:            smallivingjournal.com                                                            MORE COMING IN PART 2