Stupid Things Landlords Do - Upcoming Class!

Photo credit: www.bondedinc.com 

Linn-Benton Rental Housing Association

is Calling all landlords!

Want to avoid getting in the local paper, get charged large fines, or even end up in jail?  This has happened to landlords who found themselves in difficult situations and did the wrong things. It has also happened to landlords who thought what they were doing was "legal", only it was not.  This workshop will cover some of the "Stupid Things" landlords have done to get themselves in trouble. We will discuss how to avoid these situations and ways to remedy it once a mistake has been made You are encouraged to bring your own real life examples to share.


Date: November 20, 2014

Topic: Landlording 201 – Stupid Things Landlords Do

Speaker: Violet Wilson

Continuing Education Credits: 3

Cost:  $50 Members       $75 Non-Members
           ( includes lunch and class materials)

Time: Registration and Lunch 11:30  - Seminar 12 to 3 p.m.

Where:  Elks Lodge – 1400 NW 9th St, Corvallis

Please register by November 15, 2014 

by calling 541-286-5033 or lbrhaoregon@gmail.com

LBRHA's mission is to provide members with the tools to support their commitment to professionalism in the management of their properties and businesses. Even though it may take a little more work and cost slightly more, LBRHA's belief is that “doing things right” increases profitability in the long run and minimizes the headaches and potentially significant expense associated with problem tenants.  LBRHA is committed to providing members with the resources and information necessary to achieve this goal. In alignment with their mission LBRHA offers classes and resources throughout the year.

Learn more on the LBRHA website!

10 Best Apps for Home Buyers

Photo from www.kikaenterprises.com

When it comes to staying organized and efficient during the home-buying process your best tool might already be in your pocket: your smartphone. If you are in the market for a new home, technology can help make your search a little easier. There are mobile apps that allow you to search listings, calculate mortgage costs, find out which businesses and attractions are nearby, and design what your new home could look like. Below are some of the best real estate apps for homebuyers.

Find the Home

MLS Apps: Realtor.com, Redfin.com, Trulia.com, Zillow.com...

Platform: iOS, Android

Cost: Free

These apps are grouped together because they essentially do the same thing: help you search the local MLS (multiple listing service) to find properties for sale. Homebuyers can search by city/state or zip code to see current listings, and filter by price, number of beds/baths, property type, square feet, lot size, features, age of home, and listing activity (i.e., open houses, new listings, price reduced). Realtor.com is often recommended by real estate agents because it tends to have the most accurate and up-to-date information, sourced from more than 800 MLSs, with 90% of its listings refreshed every 15 minutes.

AroundMe 

Platform: iOS, Android

Cost: Free

The AroundMe app quickly identifies where you are to show you a complete list of nearby businesses and attractions, including the distance from your current location. This can be helpful when looking for a house in an area that is unfamiliar to you. You can search for the nearest bank/ATM, bar, coffee shop, gas station, hospital, hotel, movie theater, restaurant, supermarket, theater and taxi company. You can view every listing on a map, view GPS directions to your chosen destination, add the information to your contact list and email the details to a friend.

 

Homesnap 

Platform: iOS, Android

Cost: Free

Homesnap is another MLS app with an added feature: Snap a photo of any home across the nation to get instant property details, including home values, when it last sold, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, taxes, lot boundaries, local school ratings, similar listings, and nearby sales. If a home is currently on the market, you may be able to see interior photos. When you are ready to buy a home (or put yours on the market), you can use the app to contact a real estate agent to schedule a showing or to add your home to the MLS. This app draws on the same listing information used by realtors to provide timely, accurate real estate information. Or if you're looking for a quick and easy way to find information on any property for investment purposes, do it with a single photo via Homesnap.

House Hunter

Platform: iOS

Cost: Free

It’s hard to keep track of all the details when house hunting, but House Hunter does all the hard work for you by providing a scorecard that organizes notes and photos of potential homes. You can choose from more than 80 different home features to score potential homes and access a quick note feature to enter information about the homes.

 

Fund the Home

Mortgage Apps: Trulia Mortgage Calculator, Trulia Home Loan Rates, Zillow Mortgages, etc.

Platform: iOS, Android

Cost: Free

If you are like most homebuyers, you will need a mortgage to purchase your new property. Mortgage apps, such as Trulia's Mortgage Calculator, Home Loan Rates and Zillow Mortgages, help you determine how much house you can afford, calculate your monthly payment and shop for real-time rates. You can also see side-by-side customized loan quotes from a number of lenders, compare lender ratings and reviews, and directly contact a lender from your mobile device to learn more about a specific quote. These apps also include refinancing calculators so you can see if/how much you'll save monthly and in total by refinancing.

Credit Karma

Platform: iOS, Android, CreditKarma.com

Cost: Free

Before searching for a home, it's important to be sure you can get financing (unless you're paying cash). A lot of realtors will even ask for a pre-approval letter from a bank before they will begin showing you homes. Credit Karma is a great tool that's available for free and can give you an estimated score that's provided by TransUnion, as well as an overview of how your score was calculated. What a bank sees may be a little different but the general consensus has been that Credit Karma is fairly accurate and generally within a few points. I pulled my own credit and then checked with my bank and both were within 10 points of each other.

If you need financing, you need Credit Karma.

The Dictionary of Real Estate Terms

Platform: iOS

Cost: $2.99

Buying a home can be confusing, especially if you aren’t familiar with real estate jargon. The app, which costs $2.99, has more than 3,000 real-estate specific terms to help navigate conversations with brokers and real estate agents.

Fix-Up the Home

Houzz

Platform: iOS

Cost: Free

It’s hard to picture a fixer-upper in its final state, but Houzz will do all the imagining for you. Claiming to be the largest database of home design ideas on the Web, the Houzz app has more 500,000 high-resolution photos to give you remodeling ideas for out-dated homes. You can browse by style, room and location and save them to a virtual idea book.

Handy Man DIY

Platform: iOS

Cost: $1.99

For many home buyers, a new home comes with a list of required improvement projects. If you don’t want to hire a contractor you can get your own virtual one with Handy Man DIY and it’s only going to cost you $1.99. This app lets calculate and store room dimensions, figure out floor and wall square footage and create shopping lists for projects. The app also has how to videos and instructions to guide you through various projects. 

Sherwin Williams Color Snap app

Platform: iOS, Android

Cost: Free

Picking out paint colors can be tough but the free Color Snap app makes it a little bit easier. See a color you like in a photo, someone’s house or in a flower, all you have to do is snap a picture and the app will show you colors of Sherwin Williams paints that match. You can also browse hundreds of colors and adjust them to get the shade you want.

For Sellers!

If you are preparing to sell your home there are also some great apps available to help! Check out the one below and stay tuned for more ideas in the future!

Home Value Pro

Platform: iOS

Cost: Free

Eager to sell your home but not sure where to price it? This app lets you view property values, foreclosure information and housing trends in neighborhoods across the country. The app lets you analyze housing data by ZIP code, provides 12 month median home price trends, foreclosure rates and home sales trend activity that can help you properly price your home. 

Article compiled from articles on investopedia.com, imore.com, and foxbusiness.com

Stop Throwing Away Money - 10 Simple Ways To Winterize Your Home

Looking for ways to take advantage of the amazing fall weather we are having and get your home ready for the winter months? Look no further...here are a few tips to get you started!



Dodge the draft

dietcokejunkee via flickr

Problem: Cold air is rushing in from underneath your door, and warm air is rushing out.

Solution: The draft snake, adopted during the Great Depression era, is one of the easiest ways to cut back on energy waste. A draft snake can be easily made by rolling up a towel or filling up a pouch of fabric with kitty litter or sand, advises The Daily Green. Or you can buy one pre-made.

Money/Energy Saved: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafts can waste 5 to 30% of energy use per year.


Bubble wrap your windows

RossBridger via flickr

Problem: You suspect your windows are as old as your grandparents and cold air is leaking through the cracks.

Solution: Tape bubblewrap on your windows to trap the pockets of air that cool down your home. Although it may look funny, the bubblewrap will still allow light to come through and you'll be saving some major dough, advises Life Hacker.

Money/Energy Saved: Taping up bubblewrap can avoid drafts which waste 5 to 30% of energy usage per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.



Caulk any gaps

mtsofan via flickr

Problem: Little gaps in windows, doors, or cracks in the walls are letting cool air in, raising your energy bill.

Solution: The Daily Green offers a test to find out where to seal these gaps: Have a friend stand outside the suspected window/door/wall with a blow dryer while you hold a lit candle inside. If the dryer blows the candle out, then it's time to seal those cracks using caulk.

Also check the caulk around your doors and windows outside to see if they've deteriorated over time.

Money/Energy Saved: Sealing up drafts will save you to up to 30% of energy use annually, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.



Change the direction of your ceiling fans

tamaradulva via flickr

Problem: The air in your home feels hot and trapped, but turning on a fan only produces cool air.

Solution: If you have any ceiling fans inside your home, know the rules: Counter-clockwise rotation produces cooling breezes and clockwise rotation produces warmer air.

Money/Energy Saved: This method will cut your heating costs by 10%, according to The Daily Green.




Install storm doors 

ipeterson via flickr

Problem: The cracks in your door are increasing the air flow in and out of your home, letting warm air out and cold air in.

Solution: Installing a storm door can seal those drafts and help reduce air flow.

Money/Energy Saved: A storm door can increase energy efficiency by 45%, according to The Daily Green.





Control your thermostat

butkaj.com via flickr

Problem: You want your home warm so you keep the thermostat high, but your wallet is suffering from the high energy bill.

Solution: Set your thermostat to 50 or 55 degrees when you go to bed and work. You won't enjoy the warmer temperature while you're asleep or away from the house, anyway. You can also purchase a programmable thermostat.

Money/Energy Saved: Turning down your thermostat 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours a day can save 10% per year on your energy bill, according to Brighter Planet.



Pile up on insulation

Jack Amick via flickr

Problem: Heat is rising right out of your home, leaving you cold and miserable.

Solution: Loading up on insulation is one of the best ways to save your energy bill so add more between your walls, attic floor, and basement ceiling to stay toasty.

Money/Energy Saved: An insulated home loses a quarter of its heat through the roof, according to Energy Savers.





Get rid of that window A/C unit

jasconeppink via flickr

Problem: You suspect cool air is sneaking through the cracks of your window A/C unit.

Solution: During winter, you most likely won't be using your window A/C unit so remove it from your window or purchase a quality tarp to cover the outside of the unit, says Wisebread.

Money/Energy Saved: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafts can waste 5 to 30% of energy use per year.




Turn off your A/C water valve

FTMyersMarketing via flickr

Problem: You have an A/C with a water valve that you suspect has been leaking, which can clog up your water pipes.

Solution: Shut off the A/C water valve to prevent excess water from collecting in the equipment. Drain all air conditioning pipes, says The Green Daily.

Money/Energy Saved: Doing this during the winter will save you from having to buy a new A/C unit next summer.




Lower your water heater's temperature

rd76pag via flickr

Problem: You've unknowingly kept your water heater on the default setting.

Solution: Conventional water heaters are typically set at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but most households only need a setting of 120 degrees to be comfortable. Check your water heaters and lower them to 120 degrees.

Money/Energy Saved: Lowering it by 20 degrees will save about 6 to 10% on your bills, says Energy Savers.



Originaly posted by Vivian Giang at www.businessinsider.com

Home Buyer Do's and Don'ts Once Pre-Approved

You have done the hard part in the home buying process and chosen a lender and a real estate agent to work with. You have also gone out and found the home of your dreams! Best of all, your team has done a great job of negotiating the best deal for you.

Now, as a buyer, all you have to do is sit back and wait for your loan to close … right? Wrong!

Getting a home loan these days is a very interactive process. I am always amazed by how many clients I work with who come to me unaware of all the pitfalls they face during the loan process. To help avoid any surprises while waiting for final approval, I provide my clients with a short list of “do’s and don’ts” to follow.

Let’s start with the “do’s” …

• Do keep the process moving by responding to your loan officers’ requests for documentation as soon as possible.
• Do make decisions as soon as is reasonably possible.
• Do convey questions or concerns you have as they develop.
• Do continue to make all of your rent or mortgage payments on time.
• Do stay current on all other existing accounts.
• Do continue to work your normal work schedule with no unplanned time off.
• Do continue to use your credit as normal.
• Do be prepared to explain any large deposits in your bank accounts.
• Do enjoy purchasing your home but remain objective throughout the process to help make decisions that are best for you.

After you have been pre-approved for your mortgage you will want to refrain from the following …

• Do not make any major purchases (car, boat, jewelry, furniture, appliances, etc.).
• Do not apply for any new credit (even if it says you are preapproved or “xxx days same as cash”).
• Do not pay off charges or collections (unless directed by your loan officer to do so).
• Do not make any changes to your credit profile.
• Do not change bank accounts.
• Do not make unusual deposits into your bank accounts or move money around from one account to another.

Follow these simple rules and you will help to make your loan closing as smooth and hassle-free as possible!

Good luck!

This article was originally published by Barbara Mooers on Active Rain. Barbara is a loan officer with Primary Residential Mortgage in Tacoma, Washington. Her website is available here.

Corvallis Events, Updates, Scenery, and more!!!

Do you want to know the latest and greatest about Corvallis? 

Check out Corvallis Maven on Facebook to stay on top of local events, and see beautiful local scenery! Run by Visit Corvallis, Corvalis Maven can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/CorvallisOr 

These two sites also have great information about Corvallis and upcoming events! 

www.VisitCorvallis.com

http://corvallisoregon.tumblr.com/

Here are a few of the most recent updates to wet your appetite...

Corvallis Beer Week continues through Saturday with a pile of great events, tastings and promotions, plus Rhapsody in The Vineyard - Downtown Corvallis Wine Walk is coming up Saturday, along with Septembeerfest!

This gorgeous sunset was taken up on Marys Peak, by @thethirdrowe. Beautiful!

Celebrate the harvest and have a Fall adventure in Corvallis, Oregon in September! See what's happening here: http://bit.ly/SeptInCorvallis.

5 Summer Home Projects - from HomeAdvisor.com

5 Summer Projects That Will Improve Your Home and Boost Its Value

You already know that remodeling is a great way to improve your home's appearance and raise your property value. The question is: Which improvements are worth tackling today? Here are five that you can easily complete before the leaves start falling.

1. Add a Deck

Creating enticing outdoor living spaces is one of the hottest trends in home improvement. When it comes to outdoor living spaces, the right deck makes all the difference, and is especially important for those who prefer to spend most of their summers relaxing or entertaining outside. However, adding a deck does more than improve your yards livability, a well-designed deck improves your home’s value and is a feature that has the potential to really set your house apart. Tackling the project now ensures you’ll be able to enjoy your new deck this summer and for summers to come.

2. Upgrade Your Air Conditioning

Maybe you’re tired of paying those exorbitant utility bills. Or perhaps you’re tired of having no air conditioning whatsoever. If so, an A/C upgrade is a home improvement worth making. From lowering your bills to improving the comfort and salability of your home, installing a new high-efficiency air conditioning system is one home improvement you’ll be glad you made. Concerned about the price? Getting quotes from at least three HVAC pros will ensure you get the best price. They’ll also be able to tell you about any rebates that your local utility might be running – making your new air conditioner a lot more affordable than you expect.

3. Replace Your Siding

Siding is responsible for protecting your home from the elements. It’s no surprise then that worn out siding can really affect your home’s appearance. Equally unsurprising is that replacing your siding can greatly improve your home’s appearance and increase your property value.

When considering replacement siding, look to your environment for clues as to which choice is right for you. In the southwest, stucco offers a regional look and provides extraordinary durability; in the northeast, wood (or vinyl that looks like wood but requires less maintenance) will give your home a more classic look. However, don't just consider your climate, consider your neighborhood, too. If every house on the block is clad in vinyl siding, would stone or brick set your house apart or make it stick out? A siding pro will be able to help you figure out the right siding solution for your needs and your budget.

4. Replace Your Roofing

If your roof has been hit by severe weather or is simply at the end of its lifecycle, installing a new roof is a project best completed sooner than later (or immediately if your roof has been severely damaged and is leaking). So, what do you need to know about replacing your roof? First, talk to your insurance agent to see if the replacement is covered by insurance. Second, make sure you talk to at least three roofing pros before making the hiring decision (HomeAdvisor is here to help you find a roofing pro you can trust to get the job done right). Third, your new roof's durability will be directly related to its cost. Asphalt is the most affordable and the quickest to wear out; tile and slate are the most durable and by far the most expensive. Metal falls somewhere in the middle; its quick installation, moderate price, and 40+ year life expectancy make it a popular choice among homeowners who want a good balance of value and durability. To find the best solution for your home and budget, we recommend talking to a roofing pro.

5. Improve Your Landscaping

No list of remodeling projects is complete without mentioning landscaping. For good reason too, as a well-designed and properly installed landscaping plan can have a big impact on your home’s curb appeal and value. However, in many cases improving your landscaping involves more than adding plants and cutting the grass, especially if you’re looking to make significant changes or have challenging design features to work around. We recommend talking to a landscape designer or landscaping pro to figure out the best solution for your yard and your budget.

Pick Your Project and Go

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by your to-do list. The key is to prioritize your list of needs and wants to focus your attention on the project that makes the most sense right now (obviously, any roofing or siding issues affecting the structural integrity of your home need to be addressed ASAP). On that note, if you’ve been considering that new deck or new air conditioner, there’s no time like the present to get started. After all, completing the project now means you get to relax and enjoy the rest of your summer.

Just in case you're curious...here are the Top Ten Home Projects in Corvallis

1.  Landscaping
2.  Handyman
3.  Bathroom Remodel
4.  Exterior Painting
5.  Additions
6.  Cleaning Service
7.  Windows
8.  Roofing
9.  Decks
10. Kitchen Remodel

Link to original article on HomeAdvisor.com

How to Choose a Quality Roofing Contractor - from HomeAdvisor.com

Installing a new roof is one of the most important, and expensive, home improvement projects you'll run into as a homeowner. Considering this, and since your roof is the first line of defense for your home against the elements, it's important that you hire the best roofing company possible. Roofing contractors are a dime a dozen, so it's important to follow a few basic rules when finding, choosing, and hiring a roofing contractor.

1. Talk to Several Contractors

You should talk to several roofing companies so you can gauge an honest and reasonable price range. You probably don't want to make your final hiring decision on a couple hundred dollars for a project that costs several thousand dollars, but you should be wary of any remarkably low or excessively high bids. Of course, this will also help give you plenty of opportunity to build rapport and trust and to adhere to the other rules for hiring a roof contractor.

2. Research Credentials

Besides talking to several different roofing companies, it's important that you do a little research on the contractor you choose to hire. Reputable contractors should be licensed and willing to provide you with at least three references verifying that they do good work. Once you've checked your roofing companies out and are satisfied that they're legit, hiring a roofing contractor is more fun than stressful.

3. Review the Contract and Warranties Closely

Never sign a contract without reading it over carefully. Professional contractors won't be annoyed by you taking the time to understand the terms of your agreement, and most will be happy to sit down with you and explain parts you don't understand. Also, make sure you understand the warranty that comes with your new roof. All materials and workmanship should be guaranteed for at least 5 years, and the roofing itself ought to come with a 20- to 40-year warranty.

4. Cover Your Bases

Before work begins, be sure to cover your bases. Check with your contractor about whether you need to acquire a permit or not (most roofing companies will take care of this as part of their service), and make sure their employees are covered by workers comp as well. Finally, if you're submitting an insurance claim on your roof, make certain that you've followed all the necessary procedures and had all work approved before work on your new roof begins.

5. Never Pay the Entire Balance Upfront

Never pay the entire balance of your new roof upfront. This goes for all large projects. If your contractor requires this of you, don't sign the contract. Asking for a deposit as a good faith offering or a payment schedule that parallels the work are pretty common and accepted practices. Either way, don't pay with money. Using a credit card increases the likelihood that, in a worst-case scenario, you can recover your money without expensive litigation.

Finding the right roofing pro can seem a bit overwhelming. However, by following the five tips listed above and using HomeAdvisor to find a pre-screened pro, you can take comfort knowing that you've found the right pro for your job.

Article from HomeAdvisor.com © Copyright 1999-2014, HomeAdvisor, Inc. All Rights Reserved 
Marcus Pickett, author, is a professional freelance writer for the home remodeling industry. He has published more than 600 articles on both regional and national topics within the home improvement industry.

Finding a Great Realtor

Finding a Realtor who will represent your interests for one of the biggest decisions you will make is not always easy. Here are some tips to help guide you as you choose a real estate professional who will represent you well.

• Referrals are Gold

• A recommendation from a trusted friend or colleague can be an excellent way to find a Realtor.
• An agent is likely to work harder on a referral knowing that a friend or client may hear of his performance. 

• Scan the Local Market
• Look for reviews in local papers or real estate brochures.
• Drive the local area looking for Realtors signs at homes you are interested in.
• Stop in at a few open houses to collect some Realtors information.

• Interview a few different agents and ask great questions to learn about the local market and how the agent plans to represent you. Here are some possible questions. 

• May I see your resume?
• How long have you worked in real estate?
• What is your plan for finding me a great home?
• What makes you special?
• How often will I hear from you?
• How many transactions did you do last year?
• What do you know about the neighborhoods where I want to live?
• Have you ever had any complaints from past clients?

• Find a realtor who:
• Listens to your needs and takes time to explain things you may not understand.
• Works on your time schedule and is available when you need them.
• Provides multiple services such as market reports, and referrals to other service providers.

Information adapted from articles by realestate.msn.com and bankrate.com

Home Staging Tips

If you are preparing to sell your home you know overwhelming getting it ready can become. Here are a few tips for getting your home in-shape and ready to sell!

Boost curb appeal. The first impression of the home comes from the outside. Luckily a few cleaning tips can make a huge difference. Start with these ideas to make your home shine.

Power wash siding and walkways
Hang easy to read house numbers
Plant blooming flowers or fresh greenery
Mow lawn and add fresh seed or sod as needed
Wash the inside and outside of the w
indows
Repaint or stain the front porch as needed

Stage rooms with a purpose. Extra rooms are often overlooked because it is not clear what they could be used for. Set up a desk, or a cozy reading nook to give buyers ideas.

Pack up unnecessary items and furniture to create open spaces. Move items to the garage or a nearby storage facility to highlight the square footage of the home.

Storage space sells. Buyers will often look in closets and under sinks. Be sure to clean and organize these spaces to show how efficient the storage is in the home.

Create flow through the home. Consider changing out square tables for round, combining rooms using similar flooring, placing furniture in the middle of rooms instead of at the edges, and opening doors and window covering strategically to draw the eye. Not only will this make the space more user-friendly, but it will make rooms seem larger and open.

Pet odors and strong smells don’t sell. Unpleasant smells can cause a negative first impression. New carpet and paint can go a long way to create a clean, new scent.

Clean, clean, clean! Grimy walls, moldy corners and greasy cabinet doors are not great selling features, but they are easily changed. Be sure to deep clean everything in the home paying close attention to the bathroom and kitchen where a lot of grime tends to build up.

Replace faces. New cabinets can be expensive but replacing the door and cabinet fronts can be an affordable alternative. Also, upgrading hardware throughout the home is a cost effective way to make things cohesive.


Information adapted from articles by hgtv.com and houzz.com