Exterior Doors

Doors have been on my mind since hanging our holiday wreath.  We recently had our house painted, and while that really improved the looks of our front door, we could still use an improvement in the charm category.  Isn't this door inviting and festive?

                           

But the following article from House Logic highlights the fact that it's not just looks, but energy efficiency, that matters, too.  And since light is visible through the cracks of our door, I think we have our next home improvement project!  I learned a lot from this article and hope it's beneficial for you, too.

Choosing an Exterior Door

By: Karin Beuerlein

You should understand the pros and cons of steel, fiberglass, and wood exterior doors before choosing the one that's right for you.

Steel
If you're looking to save money, a steel door may be a good choice, particularly if you have the skills to hang it yourself. A simple, unadorned steel door can sell for as little as $150 (not including hardware, lock set, paint, or labor) and typically runs as much as $400 at big-box retailers. Steel offers the strongest barrier against intruders, although its advantage over fiberglass and wood in this area is slight.

Even better, replacing your entry door with a steel model actually reaps a profit in added home value. Remodeling Magazine estimates the total project cost of installing a 20-gauge steel door at about $1,200--and the project, on average, returns about 73% of cost.

Still, the attractive cost of a steel door comes with an important caveat: Its typical life span under duress is shorter than either fiberglass or wood. A steel door exposed to salt air or heavy rains may last only five to seven years, according to Bob Bossard, general manager of 84 Lumber in Clarksville, Del. Despite steel's reputation for toughness, it actually didn't perform well in Consumer Reports testing against wood and fiberglass for normal wear and tear.

With heavy use, it may dent, and the damage can be difficult and expensive to repair. If your door will be heavily exposed to traffic or the elements, you may be better off choosing a different material.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass doors come in an immense variety of styles, many of which accurately mimic the look of real wood. And if limited upkeep is your ideal, fiberglass may be your best bet. "Nothing is maintenance-free," Bossard says, "but fiberglass is pretty close. And it lasts twice as long as wood or steel."

Fiberglass doesn't expand or contract appreciably as the weather changes. Therefore, in a reasonably protected location, a fiberglass entry door can go for years without needing a paint or stain touch-up and can last 15 to 20 years overall. Although it feels light to the touch, fiberglass has a very stout coating that's difficult for an intruder to breach; and its foam core offers considerable insulation.

Fiberglass generally falls between steel and wood in price; models sold at big-box stores range from about $150 to $600. Remodeling Magazine lists the cost of a fiberglass entry-door replacement project at around $3,600. Although a fiberglass door doesn't generate as high a return as a steel door, it recoups about 56% in home value.
Wood
Wood is considered the go-to choice for high-end projects; its luxe look and substantial weight can't be flawlessly duplicated by fiberglass or steel, though high-end fiberglass products are getting close. If your home calls for a stunning entry statement with a handcrafted touch, wood may be the best material for you.

Wood is usually the most expensive choice of the three--roughly $500 to $2,000, excluding custom jobs--and requires the most maintenance, although it's easier to repair scratches on a wood door than dents in steel or fiberglass. Wood doors should be repainted or refinished every year or two to prevent splitting and warping. (Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report doesn't include a wood entry-door replacement project.)

If you're concerned about the environmental impact of your door as well as its energy efficiency, you can purchase a solid wood door certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which assures you that the wood was sustainably grown and harvested.

Tracing the environmental impact of a particular door--from manufacturing process to shipping distance to how much recycled/recyclable content it contains--is quite complicated and probably beyond the ken of the average homeowner, notes LEED-certified green designer Victoria Schomer. But FSC-certified wood and an Energy Star rating are an excellent start.

A final note on choosing a door based on energy efficiency: Because efficiency depends on a number of factors besides the material a door is made of--including its framework and whether it has windows--look for the Energy Star label to help you compare doors.
                           

Housing Market and Consumer Confidence

"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination."

The housing market in central Indiana is undeniably getting better. The last quarter has seen listing inventory, that is the number of homes for sale, decrease while the average price has increased, and interest rates are amazing. And it's highly likely that the housing market will continue to get better.

But it doesn't always feel that way, does it? The economic news of the past few years has us all beaten down a bit.

David Caveness, vice president of Carpenter Realtors, explains, "The biggest challenge to a sustained recovery in central Indiana’s housing market continues to be consumer confidence. The downward trend in the monthly Consumer Confidence Index continues to put a drag on the housing recovery. Despite favorable prices and interest rates, many prospective home buyers simply lack the confidence in their personal situation to undertake such a major purchase."

A bright spot today highlights a drop in initial unemployment claims to a seven month low.  While national data doesn't convey your personal story, you should nonetheless know that if you want or need to make a housing change, there are reasons to be optimistic.  There is data to prove that things are moving positively, if slowly, but positively.

The wind is changing direction.  We should make our sails ready.

Mortgages Rates Averaging Less than 4%

Freddie Mac announced today that 30-year fixed rate mortgages are averaging less than 4%, and 15-year fixed rates are averaging 3.3%.  These are historically amazing rates. And, keep in mind that these are averages...if you've got solid credit, your rates may even be better.  It is time for you to refinance or act on those dreams of moving!

Even Zionsville Community Schools is taking the opportunity to refinance.  Zionsville voters approved a referendum allowing the school district to restructure and refinance debt which will help our school district deal with budgetary losses. 

If  you are renting, your monthly payments in most cases will be less with a mortgage.  If you haven't refinanced yet, you can lower your monthly payment or keep your payment the same but own your home free and clear in a shorter amount of time.  Like ZCS, you have a great opportunity to restructure and refinance.  Give me a call if you need a referral for a knowledgeable and skilled mortgage loan officer. 

How to Choose a Realtor

When choosing a realtor, you have about 7,000 possible candidates in central Indiana.  How to make the right choice?  Ask some good questions and trust your instincts.

1.  How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
2.  How will you educate me about the home buying process?                         
3.  How will you market my home for sale?
4.  What is your experience and education...in real estate and otherwise?

Notice that none of my suggested questions include the realtor's commission.  While you absolutely should ask about that and ultimately get it in writing, it should not be the question to qualify or disqualify the realtor candidate.  The fact is, while I provide an excellent value, I do not compete on cost.  I compete on quality of service. 

Also, trust your instincts. Does the realtor present professionally in speech and dress?  Is the realtor affiliated with a reputable company and refer you to outstanding mortgage lenders and home inspectors? Does the realtor treat you with the courtesy you deserve, no matter the price point of your home?

You have a lot of choices.  Ask your friends for referrals, but be sure to ask your own good questions and trust your instincts in choosing a realtor.

Redevelopment in Zionsville

We all know change is the only constant.  That doesn't mean that even the idea of change can cause feelings of uncertainty, even worry.  In the following news clip, proposed changes to Zionsville Road are causing some residents to worry. 

Some good questions are raised by the homeowners' perspective...such as, does the benefit to many outweigh the benefits of some...and do these proposed plans really benefit many?  What do you think?

Building a Home? You Need a Realtor!

Are you surprised by that?  Many people don't realize the value of a realtor when building a home.  Their two main fallacies are:

• first, that the builder will pass the savings of not having to pay a realtor's commission on to you, the home buyer
• secondly, that the sales representative in the model home represents you

News flash:  the builder will not pass the commission savings on to you.  Home builders have carefully calculated profit margins including realtor commissions and even bonuses. Also, were a builder to discount your home price based on not paying a commission, that would skew the pricing of their neighborhood, essentially dropping the value. That doesn't benefit anyone.

The sales representative in the model home or office will make you feel at home and be thoroughly knowledgeable about the homes in the neighborhood. But don't mistake that for a fiduciary relationship to you.  Your realtor is thoroughly knowledgeable about the homes in the neighborhood, too, and can help you make an offer, provide guidance on lot selection, negotiate amenities, help you stay focused on choosing amenities to protect resale value, and keep the builder accountable during the building process. 

If you're thinking of building a new home in the Indy area, give me a call.  I'm here to represent you!