Rebuilding

It's hard to remember how long it has been since we had a day like today with a steady, gentle rain all day long.  Today is the kind of day you feel like making a big pot of soup and napping on the couch in between made-for-TV movies.  It's the kind of day that brings rest to weary farmers who have been pushing to get their crops out of the field.  And it's the kind of day that is a far cry from the sirens and storms that passed through our tiny slice of heaven just over a week ago. 

I can't describe the emotions a person feels while in the midst of a tornado warning or after seeing the destruction.  My perspective has significantly changed since becoming a mother.  The anxiety of the situation is nearly unbearable.  All I could think about was getting my boy and grandmother to a safe place the second those sirens went off.  Thank goodness for the early warning on that fateful afternoon, and kudos to the storm spotters.  This is my first up-close experience with a tornado, and I hope it is my last. 

Unfortunately, the reality of the destruction doesn't really sink in until it happens to someone you know or someplace you drive by everyday.  When you see things like this on TV, you might think to yourself for a few seconds or minutes, "Oh, those poor people, " but you can move on and be thankful that it wasn't you.  When those pictures of familiar places in and around Wayne started coming across the television, it was an entirely different story.  Knowing that so many people were affected by the damage, yet not quite knowing what to do to help fix things is the worst feeling.  I hate seeing the destruction.  I hate that feeling of "where do we start?"  Like most strong storms that pass through the area, you just want to spend the next morning cleaning up tree branches and anything else that wasn't strapped down and be done with the cleanup.  Instead, there is a pit in bottom of my stomach that aches for the businesses and the families who have to assess the damage, who have to wait on insurance, who have to salvage what's left, and who have to rebuild.

What made me stop to think about all of this was a visit with an old friend and neighbor lady on Friday evening while on my way home from work.  She buys eggs from my mom and recycles our old copies of the Wayne Herald to share with her family and friends in other states.  She had several close relatives affected by the tornado.  During our conversation, she point blank asked me what I would do if I was them.  Without hesitation, I said, "Rebuild."  She cocked her head and looked at me like I was half crazy.  Staring at each other, I thought, "What else would I do? Where else would I go?"  Then, after thinking about it for a few seconds, she agreed that would be the best option.  After all, this is the only life I've ever known.  The farthest I've ever lived from the farm I grew up on is 10 miles.  All of my immediate family, my husband, my son, my livelihood, and my home are all within a 10 mile radius.  To me, the question is a no-brainer.  For a life that's already been built, rebuilding should come as second nature.  You can call me crazy, but this is my home.

This is Wayne.  This is our home, our life, our future.  Things might look a little out of place right now, but I'm excited to see what the future holds for the numerous businesses ready to get back up and running.  In a few months, I'm sure we will all like what we see in Wayne's Industrial Park and all along the path of the destruction.  We will rebuild.  Welcome Home.

The Life of a Home

We had a special visitor at the office this morning as Logan joined me for work today while his babysitter (aka Grandma) was busy doing other things.  He was his usual, inquisitive self--playing with the rest of the staff, jabbering to his rattle, and playing with his toys on the floor.  As I watched him, I realized how much he has changed since the first time I brought him when he was just a few days old.  The changes I have seen in him are related closely to the evolution of a home as it grows, matures, and ages.  You might not believe me, but a home is very similar to a living, breathing object in the way it changes constantly.  From my perspective, a home goes through several stages that closely mimic the life cycle of a human being:

Stage One: Birth - When a home is first built, it has to go through a careful planning stage to ensure it has all of the right elements that it will need to withstand the test of time.  In the early months and years of its life, the owner has to take care to nurture it and give it all of the personal touches that make it "grow" just right.  With a new home, you are starting from scratch.  Even after it is "born," it will take years of work to make it the home you want.

Stage Two: Toddler to Adolescent Years - Like a human, a home begins to develop its own personality, attitude and characteristics that give it its very own identity.  Just as children require a considerable amount of time and attention, you start to find that your home will need the right tools, landscaping, and routine maintenance to keep it functioning properly and in good condition. If any of these components are lacking, we might as well skip to Stage 6.

Stage Three: Young Adult - As your home matures, it becomes a part of the community.  The house finally finds its place in the neighborhood as the trees and landscaping become more established, playsets and yard sheds start to emerge and the interior gains more character with each color change to the walls.  It becomes a haven for neighborhood children looking to play after school and for owners needing a place to relax and unwind.

Stage Four:  Middle Age - As the old saying goes, "things start going downhill at middle age."  Major updates to a home are often considered at this point (dare I say "plastic surgery?")  It might need a facelift of sorts to smooth out some of those wrinkles and blemishes left by weather and time.  The addition of some new siding, a roof, HVAC, windows, or kitchen and bathroom updates are common during this stage.  Remember, even though it might be an empty nest, a house still has a lot of life to live at this point.  The grandkids are coming over to visit!

Stage Five:  Retirement - As a home enters its golden years, we all hope that the preparation stemming from the earlier stages are enough to keep it going like a well oiled machine well into its twilight.  With routine maintenance and annual checkups to the major components, a home should be able to withstand even the most rigorous demands.  That old house might even find that a new family is looking to call it home and breath some new life into it at this point.

Stage Six:  Death - Well, we all know what this means.  Let's hope we go before the house does.

No matter what stage your home is in, give me a call if you need advice on what to do to keep your home looking great and working well for your stage in life.  I'm here to help if you need me.  Welcome Home.

I'm Baaaaaack!

Well, it's been almost a solid three months since I've been able to post anything.  I bet most of you know why...there is a sweet little boy who consumes all of my free time these days, and I just can't get enough of him!  Am I still selling real estate?  You bet!  I was back in the office just two weeks after the little guy was born.  In my last post, I told you we would hit the ground running!  The new joke here at the office is that I need to keep having kids because we have never been so busy as those few weeks I was gone for maternity leave!  So, watch out Wayne!  When the announcement for the next baby Peters comes, things are going to get wild and crazy with the real estate market!  In the meantime, Logan has been getting an early start to his real estate career by helping mommy at the office here and there, listening in on important phone calls, and pounding out e-mail messages as only a 10 week old can (sorry for the typos if you happen to get one.  He's just learning how to type.)  Thanks to all for bearing with us during this special time, particularly my coworkers.  (Although, I don't think they mind when the little guy is in for a visit!)  We muddled through a few days just on the brink of consciousness as we adjusted to those midnight feedings, but we are getting a routine down as I continue to adapt to parenthood.  Thanks for all the support!

But enough about me, let's talk real estate.  The weather is HOT and the market is moving quickly.  Housing inventory hasn't been sticking around long these days, so here's some advice for those of you looking to purchase a home before the snow flies:

1.  Get prequalified for a loan NOW!  In situations where multiple buyers are looking at homes and making offers, those with prequalification letters are considered more serious than those who haven't even spoken to their lender.  When it comes right down to it, sellers want you to show them the money (or at least that you have access to it).  This doesn't mean you have to lock in an interest rate and apply for a loan, you simply have to do some preliminary leg work to get a general idea of what you can afford.

2.  If you haven't spoken to a REALTOR, do so.  Keeping an eye on the local paper and websites is helpful, but some properties are selling before they even make it to an advertisement.  If you have your name on the mailing list, you won't miss a thing.  E-mail is also a great way to stay in touch!

3.  Be proactive.  If you are unsure about what type of house interests you the most, look at a few in person or online to determine the features you can't live without.  Make a list of everything your "dream home" would possess, then narrow that list to 3 or 4 things that any home must have.

4.  Look at the big picture.  Ultimately, your goal is to buy a home.  A lot of times we get hung up on minor details like paint color, carpet stains, or cosmetic imperfections at a home.  Try to look past those items to see the true potential a home holds for you.  If you have trouble visualizing, ask your agent, a relative or close friend for their advice and expertise in regard to what can be done to solve the problem.  A different perspective can make a big difference.

5.  Be prepared.  Things happen when you least expect them, so don't get caught off guard.  Stay in contact with your lender and REALTOR even when nothing interests you on the market.  If you currently own a home, ask your REALTOR to perform a market analysis to determine its value and give you advice about preparing the home to sell.  Making an offer tied to a contingency to sell your current home can often make a contract look less attractive.  Being able to tell a seller that you are ready for a quick sale might improve your odds of acceptance.  I am more than happy to give you an idea of your home's value in today's market.

6.  Don't get discouraged.  The real estate market is always changing and evolving.  Even though some homes are here today and gone tomorrow, it simply means that something better is waiting for you the next time around.  Keep looking and stay in touch with your agent to make sure you have the latest information.

Give me a call at (402) 375-1477 or e-mail tpeters@1strealtysales.com if you are in the market to buy or sell this summer.  I look forward to working with you in the days and weeks ahead!  Welcome Home.

Oh Baby, Baby!

Ever since I was a little girl, I knew there was one job that I knew I was absolutely born to do.  It wasn't being a real estate agent or a teacher or a doctor or an astronaut.  I wanted to be a mom.  That dream came true for my husband and me last September when we found out we were going to be parents.  Now, we are t-minus 3 weeks from our due date and the reality is setting in!  I am so thankful that I have felt great throughout the pregnancy, and our little one has been a very cooperative baby.  Hopefully, it is a sign of all the good things to come!

For those of you who have been wondering where I've been the past few days, we had a bit of a scare earlier this week at one of my regularly scheduled check-ups. My nurse discovered that my blood pressure had spiked over the course of just a few hours.  Within moments, a team of doctors and nurses were in the room performing tests and monitoring Baby's response to the change.  Needless to say, this soon-to-be mom was scared beyond all explanation!  The doctor on call immediately put me on a blood pressure medication and ordered me to go home to rest with the stipulation that I was not to return to work until the baby is delivered.  More panic immediately struck me as I realized that this was happening four weeks sooner than I had anticipated and I was leaving my coworkers, clients, and customers all in a bind.  As we all know, things don't always work out as we plan. It is a blessing that we made it as far as we have without any major complications.

The next day, I was doing everything in my power to try and "relax" at home while all this was weighing on my mind.  Suddenly, I came to the realization that everything happens for a reason.  For example, the snowy and rainy days are making it so much easier to watch the world go by from my picture window.  The cold temperatures and rain also mean that my husband can't be out in the field planting corn or working on equipment, so he can focus on helping me at home.  Since it is calving time at the farm, I have been comparing this experience to the things that I have experienced with my family on the farm.  Our daily work with pregnant animals has provided much insight into how this process works.  Sometimes we have a first-time mama that just needs a little more attention than the rest due to certain complications.  It takes a certain amount of coaxing to make her realize that, but eventually, she calms down and accepts the necessary treatment.  The cold and wet weather has made this an extraordinary year for calving with the babies needing lots of extra attention.  I guess it just makes sense that mine would react in the same way!

During this time, I have also realized that everybody who has ever had the privilege of becoming a parent understands the gravity of this situation.  In fact, you all do.  My coworkers are such a blessing, and they have refused to let me even set foot through the door at work for anything more than a social visit to keep them informed of what's happening with the baby.  All of my clients and customers have been very understanding as we work through the dynamics of this unexpected change in plans, and for that, I thank each and every one of you for your support and kindness.  I couldn't ask for a better job or a better group of people to work with.  Our number one priority right now is to have a happy and healthy Baby Peters sometime within the next three weeks.  The good news is that Baby is handling all of the non-stress tests like a little champ.  If only its mom could do the same, we would be in great shape! 

I am so incredibly thankful for all of you and for the ability to be able to enjoy this special time before entering the world of parenthood.  All of the preparations have been made and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby in hopes that we can once again hit the ground running.  If anything, this little test has given me some insight into all of the unexpected surprises that come with parenthood, and has taught me the patience that comes with being a parent.  My sincere appreciation to all of you as well as my husband, family, and friends who have generously offered to help in any way possible.  Your phone calls, e-mails, and visits are making the time pass quickly until the day our little one is safely here.  The doctors and nurses at Providence Medical Center have also been a godsend throughout this process.  Their expertise and compassion for their patients is second to none.  One of the greatest joys that I hope to ever have in this life is the day we welcome our little one into this world, and I can't wait to share that with you.  Welcome Home!

Blizzard Watch '13

The talk of the town this week is the heavy amount of snow that is predicted to hit our area late tonight and into tomorrow. Everybody is gearing up for what could be the most significant snow storm we've seen in nearly two years.  Many folks seem to be secretly "hoping" for a big whammy, particularly school children praying for a snow day and those of us who wouldn't mind a snow day of our own to catch up on things at home.  Snow blowers and gas cans are starting to adorn the rear ends of pickups, and the snow plow trucks are waiting in line at the local Shell station to get fuel.  But, what do most homeowners do to prepare for a large amount of snow?  Before we hit panic mode and realize we are dangerously close to running out of milk and bread, let's take a look at this following checklist to keep ahead of the storm:

1.  We haven't had much use for snow shovels or snow blowers in the last 2 years, so you might literally have to dig those items out of storage before you can use them again. Make sure your snow blower has plenty of gas, fill up the gas can if necessary, and check the oil and tire pressure.  To make sure everything is functioning properly, perform a test run with the machine.

2.  High winds and icy conditions can wreak havoc on power systems, so make sure you have an auxiliary heat and/or lighting source in your home.  Check the flashlight batteries and keep extra blankets on hand.  For those of you in rural areas, check your supply of heating fuel or propane to ensure that your tank is at least 25% full to avoid problems with tank pressure and supply issues during cold weather.

3.  Stock up on a few necessities such as bottled water, food and supplies to weather the storm in case of power outages or reduced travel conditions.

4.  Make sure all windows and doors are securely latched so wind and snow do not infiltrate your home.  This will also help the efficiency of your heating system.

5.  One problem that I particularly have is keeping the downspout extensions on our gutter system in the winter time when the wind is strong from the north or east.  This is mainly due to the fact that there is little groundcover and vegetation this year to help block the wind.  Make sure that extensions are secured or pull them off and store them in the garage/yard shed until the temperature warms back up.

6.  Keep travel to a minimum.  If you must travel, keep a winter travel safety kit in your car.  This should include items such as a flashlight, blanket, warm clothing, a snow shovel, and energy bars/water.  Make sure your gas tank is full before the storm hits in case of a travel emergency.

7.  Make sure pets are comfortable and have a warm, dry place to weather the storm, too. Winter weather can be just as hard on them as it is on humans!

8.  Have a communications plan in place for your family.  Keep tabs on family members that may have to be out in the storm and keep those posted who need to know about changing weather conditions. Make sure cell phones are charged in case of an emergency.

These easy tips can help you avoid lots of hassles in the grips of a major snow storm.  Whether you enjoy the snow or not, keep your home and household members safe and cozy this winter!  Welcome Home.

DIY Insulation Installation...Part 1

As mentioned in an earlier post, energy efficient improvements to our home are on the agenda for 2013.  The work is starting in the basement where all of our existing box sills look something like this:

As you can see, the box sills are where the wooden frame for the home connects to the concrete foundation.  This part of your home is generally located above ground to avoid infestation from termites and other wood destroying insects.  Because it is not insulated by the soil, the temperature in the box sills tends to fluctuate more significantly with swings in the weather.  This is also a place of considerable heating or cooling losses if not insulated like the rest of the walls in your home. 

Follow these simple steps to insulate your box sills successfully:

1.  Most of the floor joists in your home are probably 16 inches off of center.  This means, measuring from the center of adjacent floor joists, you will have a 16 inch span.  Insulation companies make rolls of insulation to specifically fit into that size of space. 

 
2.  All you need to do is measure how "deep" the sill is.  It is probable that your contractor used a 2 x 10 or 2 x 12 piece of lumber to construct the sill.



3.  Insulation batts (pre-cut panels of insulation) work best for this job.  They usually come in 8'-9' lengths and are faced with paper which is a vapor retarder.  Cut your insulation pieces in 10-12 inch intervals.


4.  Surprisingly, it works best to lay the insulation on a hard surface (i.e. concrete floor) with the paper side down.  Using a utility knife, simply cut through the insulation being sure to press hard enough to score the paper on the other side so that it separates easily.


5.  Insert the pieces into the box sills by pressing them into place.  The pieces should fit snugly, particularly near the corners and edges.  Try not to compress the insulation as this can affect the R-value of the insulation.  R-value is a rating that indicates how much heat flow the insulation can resist.

Often times, the paper should be facing out, particularly in areas that will be finished with drywall.  Since this space is an unfinished store room, the direction the insulation is facing is less important.

Voila! Five simple steps later, you are well on your way to completing the insulation of all the box sills in your basement.  Quite honestly, it is an easy do-it-yourself project, and one that I was able to accomplish in a short afternoon.  Surprisingly, my husband immediately noticed a difference in the "draftiness" of the basement.  So ladies, if you want to do something nice for your husband, buy him some rolls of insulation for Valentine's Day, insulate the box sills in your home and really impress the socks off of him!    (He might even voluntarily take you out for supper as a reward!)  Welcome Home.

Ten Financial Tidbits for Buying a Home

Buying a home is a huge step in any person's financial life cycle.  One of the biggest decisions homebuyers have to make is who to choose for their home mortgage lending needs.  This can often require a lot of research and time checking into the different loan programs and interest rates that various lenders have to offer.  Quite a few people lean on their real estate agent to give them suggestions about loan providers who have a good reputation in the marketplace.  Here are a few of the tips that I offer to my clients and customers when they inquire about home mortgage services:


1.  Where do you bank now?  Start there.  Odds are that you have already developed a good rapport with your current lender, and he/she is very familiar with your spending and payment habits.  Continuing a relationship with someone you are already comfortable with can make the process go much more smoothly than starting from scratch.

2.  Have any of your close friends or family members recently purchased a home?  If so, speak with them about their experience and see who they recommend using for a lender.  Often times, your friends and family will gladly steer you in the right direction.

3.  What type of loan are you looking for?  Certain institutions might not offer FHA or USDA-Rural Development financing for qualified buyers.  If you are a first-time buyer or income qualified buyer, you might want to ask up front about these programs during an initial visit with a lending institution.  

4.  Have you had credit issues in the past which might make it difficult to buy a home?  If so, you might need to research options with a credit counselor prior to speaking with a lender.  Consumer Credit Counseling Service in Norfolk is designed to help people get out of debt and improve their credit scores.  Consider giving them a call at (402) 371-4656.

5. Have you checked into special housing programs offered in your community?  Talk to your real estate agent or lender about down payment assistance programs or home rehabilitation programs which might be available for first-time or income eligible buyers.  The Wayne Community Housing Development Corporation is designed to help income eligible buyers in the immediate area purchase homes by providing such assistance (acreages not included).  The program offers 20% downpayment assistance (up to $20,000 maximum) for the average home as well as home rehabilitation services.  The home must have a minimum of $1,000 worth of improvements that need to be made in order to qualify for the program.  You can call Kari Wren, WCHDC's Executive Director, at (402) 375-5266 for more information, or stop in to visit her in the Wayne Area Economic Development office located at 108 West 3rd Street, Wayne.

6.  Do you have money available for a down payment or closing costs?  Many home buyers have excellent credit, but are "cash poor" when it comes to putting money down on a home.  If you are struggling with finding the cash to cover closing costs, inquire to your lender about the availability of Federal Home Loan Bank funds.  These funds are earmarked for qualified buyers in need of financial assistance for upfront costs and are generally forgiven on a prorated basis over the course of several years.  FHLB grants are typically only available at certain times in the year, for a very limited time, and availability is never guaranteed.  To enhance your odds of getting assistance, be sure to bring this up to your lender early in the mortgage process. 

7.  Check into loan options prior to starting your home search.  Once you make the decision to purchase a home, it can be hard to resist the urge to look at several before even speaking to a lender.  Many buyers start looking for homes with high expectations of what they can truly afford.  To eliminate the disappointment of falling in love with a home that is priced above your means, talk to a lender first.  Having a solid idea of what you can afford will allow you to comfortably look at homes in your price range.  It will save both you and your real estate agent time in the long run.

8.  Take a homebuyer's education class.  Many people wait until they have already written a purchase agreement on a home before taking a class about what to do when buying a home.  Prepare yourself ahead of time by signing up for a class before you get to the purchase stage.  Most classes cover the basics of buying a home from loans, to purchase agreements, inspections, and insurance.  Wayne Community Housing Development Corporation offers various classes throughout the year in conjunction with their program.  (The next one is being offered in February here in Wayne with a fee of $25--a minimal cost for such a large investment!)

9. Shop around.  If an initial consultation does not go well with a lender or if the mortgage rate seems higher than other banks, feel free to do some additional homework.  Sometimes personalities clash or the relationship just doesn't feel right.  Be sure you feel comfortable enough to ask your mortgage lender anything and everything you want to know about financing a home purchase.  Remember, this is a big step in your financial life, and you will most likely be doing business with this bank for several years into the future.


10.  If you have any further questions about decisions relating to home financing decisions, feel free to contact me at (402) 375-1477 or tpeters@1strealtysales.com.  Welcome Home.