Old House Charm... and Mold/Mildew.

I am absolutely in love with our 1910 farmhouse windows. However, there is a lot of upkeep that needs to be done in order to maintain the safety and look of an old home. With old windows comes moisture. This leads to buildup of mold/mildew on window sills, and it can even spread to the wall if not confronted.

It took only a few hours to completely rid every window of traces of mold/mildew, and it was quite an easy process considering how clean it made the house!

What we did:

*Wear facemask AND eye goggles
*Cover nearby furniture and carpet to protect from bleach
*Open doors and windows, and turn on fans

Mix a solution of 1/2 bleach, and 1/2 water in a spray bottle. (Spray bottle allows the solution to hit hard areas, while not putting too much water on your surfaces)

Remove screens from windows (there is a lot of dirt and moisture in window tracks!)

Cover each window sill/moldy spot thoroughly in bleach solution spray. Let sit for about 20 minutes (you may just need a break from all that spraying afterwards anyway!)

Next, go through each room, following the same route as you sprayed. Using a scrub brush, use that elbow grease and a small bucket of dish soap/water to break it loose and get it off the surface. MAKE SURE YOUR MASK IS ON, MOLD CAN BE TOXIC!

After all windows are scrubbed, go through with the bleach bottle and a DRY rag/towel that you don't mind getting bleach stains on. Use the spray on tough spots, and use the rag to wipe off loosened mold.

Discard scrub brush and rag/towel and allow the areas to dry completely before closing the windows again.

**Extra clean bonus: Take your screens and hose down/bleach while the window sills are drying.

By taking the time to bleach and sanitize windows, along with assessing moisture buildup, your old home will never look "OLD" or dingy. Plus, you and your family will be safe/healthy!

We will also be looking at getting our windows resealed.


More info on condensation: http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/condensation.htm

NOW Is the Time to Buy... Rates on the Rise.

Interesting article shared by the National Association of Realtors, originally written by the New York Times:

When Mortgage Rates Rise...

Daily Real Estate News | Monday, September 29, 2014

   

Mortgage rates have hovered around yearly lows for weeks. But with rate-hike forecasts looming, can buyers count on borrowing costs to stay low?
Many economists are now predicting the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to reach 5 percent by the middle of the next year, The New York Times reports. On Friday, Freddie Mac reported the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging 4.20 percent. The hike in rates is partially due to the Federal Reserve’s plan to withdraw from buying mortgage-backed securities.

Economists note that while a 5 percent mortgage rate is low by historical standards, such an increase still has the potential of reducing buying power in a home purchase. For example: According to some estimates, a 1 percent increase in interest rates can raise a monthly mortgage payment on a typical home by more than $700 in pricier parts of the country. The increase would likely be much more modest in other, less expensive markets.
But even in the case of rate hikes up to 7 percent, the analysis found that homes remain affordable overall. From 1985 to 2000, home owners’ housing costs—including the principal and interest on a median-priced home—accounted for 22 percent of a home owners’ median household income. However, for comparison, today’s households are spending about 15 percent of their median income on a median-priced home.
Source: “When Mortgage Rates Rise,” The New York Times (Sept. 25, 2014)

View site and article here: http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2014/09/29/when-mortgage-rates-rise#sf4885163

Home Sweet Home

To start things off in this Real Estate blog, I thought I would talk a little bit about my home. My husband and I purchased our first home in 2011. It was a 1910 farmhouse with THE WORKS: white columns, big trees, large windows, two stories...

We had looked at one other house before we decided to put in an offer on "the one". The competition was an older house on about an acre in the woods just outside of town. It was interesting, but there was just nothing "wow" about it, especially in comparison to our 1910 wonder.

Within 30 days of making an offer, we had closed and moved in. It seemed so easy! The only bump in the road was the electric box/breaker. It did not pass inspection, and had to be replaced. Other than that, it was a fast and smooth process. I believe the fact that we were pre-qualified for a specific amount really impacted the ease of our search and close.

One week after we moved in, the pipes clogged up. About $400.00 later, we had it fixed and were back to square one. We love our home, and expect minor problems with a house that age (104 years old), but we definitely learned about the importance of thoroughly checking out a home before it is a done deal.

There are things I wish we had known about buying a home for the first time, but I now am able to use that experience to help others and be prepared for our next purchase.

6 Must Do-s Before Buying a Home

 

 

Today I found a very interesting article on www.bankrate.com, which I believe is useful information for first time or pro buyers.

Are you truly ready to buy? Follow these steps to ensure a smooth process:

1) Strengthen your credit score
2) Figure out how much house you can afford
3) Save for down payment and closing costs
4) Build a healthy savings account
5) Get pre-approved for a mortgage
6) Buy a home you know you will enjoy

These steps will save time, stress and hassle from the buying procedures, and make it more probable for you to obtain your dream home. For more detailed information you can read the full article here: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/6-must-dos-before-buying-a-home-1.aspx