How To Repair Holes Holes In The Sheetrock

In this newsletter, you will learn how to repair holes in the walls of a home. There will be two sections; one with instructions for small holes, and another for large holes. Removing wallpaper or removing old wallpaper can sometimes result in some of the drywall or sheetrock coming off with the wallpaper. Don't worry this is a common occurrence - especially when the wallpaper is very old.

The question is how do you fix the holes in the sheetrock once the wallpaper is removed?

There are a couple of ways you can easily repair the holes - The first method, if it's a small hole, is to purchase some drywall or sheetrock filler. There are a number of manufactures that produce the filling agent and it can be easily purchased at your local hardware or DIY retailer. The filler is usually white in color and has the consistency of putty. Depending upon the size of the hole, follow these directions-

How To Repair Small Holes

1. To repair the hole, use a small "filling knife" or you can even use the wallpaper scraper you used in your removal project.

2. Sprinkle or spray the hole and area with clean water - just enough to get it wet.

3. Using the filling knife or scraper, push the filling agent into the hole. Apply enough filler until it is level with the surface of the wall. Remove the excess with the edge of the filling knife or scraper.

4. Allow the filler to dry completely. Depending upon the product you are using, the filler may shrink slightly during the drying process. If this is the case, you may need to make a second application

5. Once the filler is dry, use a light grade sand paper to remove any excess filler that is not level with the wall.

6. Finally, you can now paint or wallpaper the wall.

Repairing The Surface Large Holes

1. For large holes, you will need a filling knife or wallpaper scraper, a few sheets of newspaper, and a small roll of "Drywall Seam Tape.

2. Start by removing any dust or small pieces of sheetrock or drywall from the hole. Next, sprinkle or lightly spay clean water on the hole and surrounding wall.

3. Moisten the newspaper and gently push it into the hole so that it fills up the majority of the whole area.

4. Next, apply the filling agent on top of the newspaper and to the remaining whole area.

5. Using the drywall seam tape, cut a piece of tape to just fit over the whole area. Apply the tape over the hole.

6. Again apply the drywall filler over the tape and smooth the area with the edge of the filling knife or scraper.

7. Allow the filler to dry completely and then sand the area with light grade sandpaper


We hope that this information is useful and that you continue to read our newsletters and pass on tips.

Simple solution to common problems

First Common Problem - Doorbells
Don't be afraid to try to repair the doorbell. All of its parts are low voltage-12 to 24 volts-and can't really hurt you. However, you should not attempt to repair or replace the transformer for the unit, which will be located in the basement or near the main power panel. It converts a 110-volt supply to 12 or 24 volts. Most often, the chime unit consists of an electromagnetic plunger that strikes a chime when activated-one sliding movement (and one chime) for the rear door and two movements for the front door's double chime. Some door chimes consist of a low- voltage buzzer or a vibrating hammer on a bell. Others have huge chimes and complicated parts best left to a service company. If the doorbell thumps or hums when you press the button, you need to clean the chime and plunger. If pressing the button doesn't trigger any sound, the button itself is probably at fault. The doorbell button is the most common source of problems because of its exposure to weather. For a button that's flush with the wood trim, slip a screwdriver or putty knife under the edge to pry the button out of its hole. If the button is screwed to the frame, remove the screws. Now you can see the low- voltage wires. If they are loose or broken, this could be why the doorbell isn't working. If the wires look okay, disconnect their ends and touch them together to complete the circuit. If the doorbell rings now, you have found the problem, a bad button. You can easily replace the button with a matching button from the hardware store. If the doorbell does not ring when you manually complete the circuit, the problem is in the chime or transformer. Check the chime: remove the cover, and take a peek at the chime. Make sure it is level. Vacuum away any dust. You will see a round plunger that needs to move freely in the magnet surrounding it. Look for broken parts or damaged brackets. After you have checked these items, the next step would be to use a voltmeter to analyze the transformer and wiring. This is a task you may wish to leave to a professional because it involves working with 110-volt power. Or, for about $20, you can buy a new battery-operated chime/button set that needs no wires. The button is mounted anywhere within 100 feet of the chime. This is a great option when wires are damaged.

Second Common Problem - Wobbling Ceiling Fan
When properly installed and balanced, a ceiling fan should not wobble excessively. Make sure your fan has been mounted properly; there should be an electric box or special bracing to support the fan's weight and movement. You may be able to stop the wobble by switching blade positions and balancing the fan. Contact the manufacturer of your fan for specific instructions, and ask if a balancing kit is available. Typical balancing instructions:
1. Check that the fan is properly installed and that the blades are securely attached.
2. Run the fan on high speed (set to downdraft) and observe the wobble. Stop the fan; switch positions of two adjacent blades. If this improves the balance of the fan, leave it as is and use balancing weights.
3. With the fan stationary, attach the manufacturer's balancing clip on the leading edge of one blade, halfway between the outer tip of the blade and the attachment bracket. (A balancing clip, available from most fan manufacturers, is a small plastic weight that firmly clips to the blade.)
4. Run the fan on high speed, set to downdraft, and observe the wobble. Stop the fan; move the clip to the next blade. Again run the fan and observe the wobble. Repeat this for all fan blades.
5. Move the clip back to the blade where you noticed the least wobble. This time, attach the clip to the leading edge of the blade near the blade bracket. Run the fan and observe the wobble. Stop the fan and move the clip outward toward the end of the blade in small increments until you find the position where the fan runs best.
6. Attach a permanent balancing weight on the blade next to the clip. (Weights are often self-stick lead strips provided by the fan manufacturer.)
7. Remove the clip and run the fan. If the wobble was not completely corrected, you may be able to further improve the balance by repeating the above steps and removing the fan.

I hope that you find this information helpful.
If you know of anyone thinking about buying a home please let me know so I can help them.
Thank you.
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Blogsite: http://renton-real-estate.blogspot.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.
Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

Great experiences in Seattle WA

Experience the thrill of seeing orca whales, harbor seals, California & Steller sea lions, Dall's & harbor porpoise, gray & minke whales, bald eagles, cormorants, great blue herons and so much more on one of our whale watching trips!

San Juan Excursions specializes in safety and environmentally oriented owner operated whale watching tours and wildlife cruises departing from picturesque Friday Harbor, Washington (only 90 miles north of Seattle on sunny San Juan Island). Our classic 65 foot, twin-engine vessel, “Odyssey”, has the perfect combination of comfort and space. Additionally our fun/informative crew and perfect departure location make for an ideal whale watching tour and wildlife excursion. We use biodiesel to protect the environment and are USCG licensed for up to 97 passengers giving us the most flexibility of any vessel based in the San Juan Islands. Note: We limit our tours to 80 people maximum to ensure the comfort of our guests.

Washington's San Juan Islands are a hidden gem nestled between the snowcapped Cascade and Olympic Mountains. With dramatic rocky coastlines, pebble stoned beaches, and tranquil evergreen islands dotting the horizon, your San Juan Island whale watching tour and wildlife cruise with San Juan Excursions will surely be the highlight of your vacation.

2009 IKEA Renton River Days

Wow, it is time for Renton River Days again. Here is some information on what is going to be happing.

Events in Liberty Park: July 22 and July 24 – 26, 2009
Renton’s Community Family Festival and Celebration
Renton: “Explore the Heart of Renton” is more than a theme for 2009 IKEA Renton River Days. It’s an invitation to explore the diverse offerings that highlight Renton’s passion for music, art, food and an active lifestyle. With various events and activities for all generations, the festival brings the community together for a mid-summer showcase of family fun and entertainment. Originating in 1986, this celebration unites families, residents, businesses, organizations, and Puget Sound region tourists for a wonderful variety of events, stage entertainment, food, arts and crafts, recreation, special features for kids, plus much more. Come “explore” for yourself!
Weekend festival highlights include the Parade on Saturday, July 24 at 10:00 a.m. and the Rubber Ducky Derby on Sunday, July 25 at 4:30 p.m.
Other festival favorites include Kids’ Day, Senior Day Picnic, stage entertainment, Nibble of Renton, Art Market, Renton Annual Art Show, Quilt Show, Chalk Art Contest, Petting Zoo, and the Pancake Breakfast. For the active, don’t miss the Golf Tournament, Volkssport Fun Walks, Canoe and Kayak Regatta, Tennis Tournaments, and the youth Six-A-Side Soccer Tournament.
Many events and activities are featured especially for kids of all ages: Wenatchee Youth Circus performances, Pacific Science Center Exhibit, photo ID cards, LEGO Playzone, inflatables, Junk Chimes, Ms. B Hooping Allure, Dizzy’s Tumble Bus, Toymaker’s Workshop, Sound of Culture booth, Coloring Contest, face-painting, and craft and activity booths.
For the complete list schedule of festival events with dates, times, and locations call 425-430-6528 or visit www.RentonRiverDays.org.

Street Closures and Shuttle for IKEA Renton River Days
2009 Festival Street Closures Begin Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Houser Way between Mill Avenue and Bronson Way will be closed at 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, and will reopen on Monday, July 27 at approximately 1:00 p.m.
The River Days Parade will proceed down South 3rd Street from Shattuck Avenue to Liberty Park beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25. In order to form the Parade, South 3rd Street between Rainier and Bronson will be closed to all traffic and parking from 7:00 a.m. until completion of the parade at approximately 1:00 p.m. All side streets adjacent to or leading to South 3rd Street will be restricted to local access only during the same time period.
2009 Festival Shuttle Service Information:
Free, continuous shuttle service will be available Saturday, July 25, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, July 26, noon to 7:00 p.m., as follows:
Renton Memorial Stadium, next to the Cedar River (Parking)Liberty Park on Bronson Way N., near the tennis courts(Stage entertainment, food, arts and craft booths)
Look for the sandwich signs that read, "River Days Shuttle Stop."
Have a fun time and Send me your photos to post here.

Buying Home Appliances With Wisdom

This article should help you determine how to spend money wisely on home appliances. We hope this service is valuable to you!
Buying Appliances Wisely
When you add up all the money that you can spend on home appliances and fixtures it becomes obvious that you need to spend wisely and carefully to keep costs under control. These items tend to be some of the larger ticket purchases around the home and lots of money can be wasted if buying isn't done properly.
One of the most important suggestions for buying appliances and fixtures the smart way is to decide before you begin shopping exactly how much money you wish to spend, or what will fit in your budget. Surprisingly, this is often not done until the customer is already in the store. Unfortunately, the heart often takes over when looking over the latest high-tech gadgets and features on the item being considered and results in the purchase of a much more expensive item than is truly needed. So take some time to decide exactly what your spending limit is before you even begin to shop and then stick to your guns on that decision all the way through the buying process.
Helpful Hints To Help You Buy
It's also a good idea to research your buy before you start looking at actual products themselves. These days there are many consumer publications that help you make a wise choice on a broad range of consumer items, including home appliances and fixtures. They extensively test the major brands and give their unbiased opinions on a wide variety of features and issues related to each product. This is valuable information that can't be had almost anywhere else, so take good advantage of it. You can find most of these publications available for free at your local library. This kind of research will also help you decide in advance exactly which features are most important to you and which should be avoided as unnecessary expenses, in other words, invest your hard-earned money into essentials not features. Always opt for better quality over more features too.
Don't just assume that buying locally is the smartest move either. Sometimes, the same item can be found online at a much lower price than is possible locally and you can often even avoid sales tax on an online purchase too. Be careful though and determine how much installation is needed for any item you make and factor installation costs in with any purchase that doesn't include those costs in the purchase price.
Measuring Is Important
It may seem like a simple thing, but be sure to measure very carefully to determine that the item you want to buy will fit in the space that you have designated for it in your home. Surprisingly, this is something that is often overlooked until the delivery of the product and can result in plenty of unnecessary aggravation. Just get the measuring tape out in advance and know the space required to save this headache from happening to you.
Finally, consider the warranty on the items you want to buy. Be sure to ask questions in advance so that you know what the warranty will cover and how long it will last. Also, will you have to send the appliance out to be repaired under warranty or is home repair covered under the warranty contract? If you follow these simple, effective guidelines, buying home appliances and fixtures will be a breeze and you will make smart purchases that will last and give you good service for many years.

I Pull Out All The Stops To Sell Your Home
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Blogsite: http://renton-real-estate.blogspot.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.
Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

Renter Revolution video contest.

Quadrant's newest promotion is all about the renter. LoseTheRent.com is homebase for the Renter Revolution - which you'll see invading some summer events this year including a major sponsorship with Bite of Seattle 2009. We'll be there all weekend (July 17-19) with a huge booth by the KISS 106.1 / Quadrant Homes Main Stage. Look for our street team handing out flyers directing traffic over to the booth. We're giving away lots of prizes and videotaping bad renter stories on-site!
This promotion is much more than a new angle on getting renters to own, it's a Quadrant cannonball into the waters of social networking and sets us up for one-to-one interaction with prospective buyers online.


Generating buzz and getting into the channels popular with users that rent is very important, and that means social networking. You can now find Quadrant on Twitter and Facebook - we encourage you to add us as a friend and/or follow us if you're already utilizing these sites.
Another integral part of this campaign is the Renter Revolution video contest. Designed to collect as many horrible and hilarious renting stories as we can, we're also rewarding the best one with $1,000!
Owning is much more than a financial decision, it's one of freedom and an important step in life. In some cases, we just can't compete financially against renting. This is why our message hits on an emotional level. LoseTheRent.com is meant as an informative site to "soft sell" our product and to collect leads for Homebuyer Solutions.
With that, we hope you'll take a look at LoseTheRent.com and the Renter Revolution video contest and adopt the promotion as part of your interactions with clients.
Spreading the word begins with you!

Love the kids

Foreclosure Prevention Program

State Foreclosure Prevention Resources
For legal help in Seattle and King County, see this list of organizations providing fee legal counsel to low-income people. The Northwest Justice Project and Columbia Legal Services have attorneys working exclusively on foreclosure prevention cases.
Washington State Department of Financial Institutions provides a vast amount on information on avoiding foreclosure rescue scams, mortgage counseling and navigating the foreclosure process.
Federal Programs
The Obama Administration announced the Making Home Affordable program in February 2009. This program provides resources to homeowners who are making good-faith effort to make their mortgage payments. An overview of this program is available on the federal Road to Stability site. Detailed information and self-assessment tools are available at Making Home Affordable.

Find out if you qualify.
To qualify for the program, household income must be below 80 percent of the area median income (see current eligibility limits). Homeowners must also prove the capacity to afford the mortgage for the long-term.
Homeowners in need of assistance should contact Solid Ground or the Urban League directly to see if they qualify:
• Urban League (800) 368-1455
• Solid Ground Mortgage Hotline: (206) 694-6766
Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
All screenings and appointments must go through the hotline.
Counselors are not able to take walk-in appointments.

Party for the Seattle Housing

Kickoff Party for the Seattle Housing Levy Campaign!
Celebrate Successes and Get Ready to Vote

On June 15, the City Council took formal action to renew the current Seattle Housing Levy, a $145 million, 7 year package that will provide a critical housing safety net for thousands of Seattle residents. It's now up to us to help make sure voters pass the levy this November. Join us at our kickoff event to learn more about the levy and find out how you can help. The kickoff will feature remarks from Mayor Greg Nickels and City of Seattle Councilmember Richard McIver.

Event Details :
Wednesday, July 15 from 5-7PM
Swedish Cultural Center*1920 Dexter Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109

The event is free, but a suggested donation of $25 will go a long way to help protect affordable housing for seniors, people with disabilities, homeless and low income working families.

*The Cultural Center offers free parking in three parking lots that are located adjacent to the building (one South and one East), the third is located across the street from the Center on the West side of Dexter Avenue and is available after 6:00. Click here for a map and driving directions.

Preparing a basement for remodeling.

In this article you will learn precautions when insulating and preparing a basement for remodeling.

Before adding insulation to the basement walls or the crawl space foundation, and prior to refinishing a basement room, it is essential that you repair any leaks and solve any problems with dampness. Wait until it is thoroughly dry before you install the insulation, to be sure all problems have been eliminated. If you are unsure whether or not you have such a problem, tape a square-foot piece of plastic to the basement wall or floor. Leave it in place for a week. If condensation builds up under the plastic, you have a problem that needs to be solved.
Insulation Installation

Before adding insulation to the basement walls or the crawl space foundation, and prior to refinishing a basement room, it is essential that you repair any leaks and solve any problems with dampness. Wait until it is thoroughly dry before you install the insulation, to be sure all problems have been eliminated. If you are unsure whether or not you have such a problem, tape a square-foot piece of plastic to the basement wall or floor. Leave it in place for a week. If condensation builds up under the plastic, you have a problem that needs to be solved.
Preparing The Basement

The causes of such condensation can be extensive. Some of the most common are leaks and cracks in the concrete, and seepage, condensation, or drainage problems around the foundation. That may sound like a lot of work but a systematic going over of each potential trouble spot will save you a great deal of time, trouble, and money later on. Cracks can be caulked. Seepage can be lessened by painting waterproofing sealant on the interior walls. I recommend installing closable vents for the crawl space. Open them in warm weather to air out the crawl space and close them in winter to prevent heat loss. In low-ground areas where drainage is a problem, install drain tiles or pipes around the perimeter of the foundation. In some cases you may even need a sump pump to pump out excess water. Be sure the clothes dryer is properly vented outside. For more information on caulking and sealing, see the section on Weatherization. Weatherization goes hand in hand with insulation, and many of the solutions overlap.
Different Types Of Insulation

Insulating basement and crawl space sometimes calls for a different type of insulation than does insulating attic and walls of a home. In the first place, the basement and crawl space are more susceptible to moisture seepage, which can lead to problems like wet or damp surfaces, stained finishes, mildew, and so on. Water vapor moves easily through most materials used in construction, including brick and concrete block. A basement wall that is not adequately insulated with a moisture-resistant material will conduct warm moist air from the living space through to the cooler outer wall where it is likely to condense. If you are not heating the basement or crawl space, you will want to insulate underneath the first floor. This is best done with fiberglass insulation installed between the joists with the vapor barrier up toward the heated area. You may want to use a closed-cell, rigid foam panel or the reflective layered type of insulation in these areas if you plan to heat the space below the floor. In this case, you will be insulating the basement walls, not the floor. Rigid foam panels can be used to insulate both interior and exterior walls. The closed- cell type is not as susceptible to moisture as are other types of insulation. Use only closed-cell types in below-grade application. It usually comes in 2' x 8' sheets and should be covered with a fire-resistant material, such as drywall, when exposed to the inside.
I Pull Out All The Stops To Sell Your Home
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Blogsite: http://renton-real-estate.blogspot.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.
Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS

Great homes under 250K in Renton

Looking for a great home. There are a lot out there right now.
Here is my top 15 pick.
Click here for the list.

There are changes and updates Daily from this list.

If you would like an up to date list please Email Me.

Thanks.

Avoiding Leaks When Installing Vinyl Retrofit Windows

These days a lot of homeowners are replacing their old windows with vinyl windows using the retrofit style of window frame. This is particularly true in the west. The number one argument that I have heard against using the retrofit method, is that it is susceptible to water leaks.
Sealant And Costs:
That's true if you don't do it properly. But, if you do a complete tear out of your old window down to the studs, you're going to have water leak issues there as well if you don't install the new window properly If you are installing retrofit frames against a stucco house, you want to put a thick bead of sealant right on the outside face of the old window frame, all the way around. Latex caulk should work fine, but if you want to spend a little more to get the best sealant available, use 100% silicone. Depending on the number of windows you will be doing, this extra cost can add up. You pay approximately $1 for a tube of acrylic latex caulk, and $4 or more for a tube of 100% silicone. You are going to use 1-3 tubes per window, depending on the size. So you can see how it could add up.
How To Save Money:
Here is a trick to save a little money; The most vulnerable part of your installation is the top of the window, because gravity will have the water running down from the roof to the ground. It's not likely that water is going to find it's way through the sides or bottom. So, carry two caulking guns, and load one with the silicone, and the other with the acrylic caulk. Run the silicone across the top of the old frame, and caulk the sides and bottom. Then, put your new window into the opening and have a helper hold it firmly in place while you plumb and level it, then screw it into place. After you have the window completely installed, your final step should be to caulk where the retrofit lip meets the stucco You now have a double barrier against water infiltration. After about a week, check the sealant around each window for signs of cracking. Because stucco is usually uneven, there could have been gaps that were larger in some areas than in others. If you don't force the caulk into the gap to completely fill it, the caulk can sag before drying, causing a crack to form. Simply recaulk over any cracks that you see. You can check the silicone on top as well, but because silicone dries like a rubber substance, you shouldn't see any cracks there.
More Instructions:
OK, what if the replacement windows are going between wood trim surrounding the opening? If you are using the retrofit lip, and trimming it to fit between the wood, then you still apply the heavy bead to the old frame before installing the window. But, instead of sealing where the retrofit lip meets the stucco, you seal where it meets the wood. Then, you want to be sure to seal above the window, where the top piece of wood meets the stucco. Again, use silicone up there. Now, no water can run down the stucco wall and get under the top piece of wood. Sometimes, though, you might decide not to use a retrofit style frame between the wood, choosing a block replacement frame instead. If you choose to do it this way, you have to add trim to the outside. You still want to apply the sealant to the old frame, then apply your trim so it contacts the new window as well as the sealant on the old frame. If you follow these procedures, you won't have to worry about any water penetrating into your home.

I Pull Out All The Stops To Sell Your Home
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Blogsite: http://renton-real-estate.blogspot.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.
Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

Acting as Your own General Contractor when Building your Dream Home

This article is intended for the DIY (Do It Yourself) home builder; however, it is very useful information for the new home buyer to understand what processes you can monitor even if you are not acting as the general contractor and hiring a general contractor. For the inexperienced DIY homebuilder, acting as a general contractor is one of the most stressful things anyone can undertake. After that statement, you ask yourself "Why would anyone really want to be the general contractor for his or her new home?" Well the number one reason is to save money, and in our society it's all about the money isn't it? It doesn't necessarily mean that you are building the home (but with this approach sweat equity has a whole new meaning), you are only managing the sub- contractors. Successful general contactors are either born good, or have been trained to be good. You, as your own general contractor, do not have the time to be as good as a contractor who makes their living building homes. For this reason, I will give you some guidelines to help you out and feel a bit more comfortable managing your new dream home as your own general contractor:

Define Your Project Home
Floor Plan Designing
Home Floor Plan Designing for Your Future Home. Once you have decided on the floor plan and all the associated up front planning projects, such as: · finding the right plot of land · gathering information on building codes and permits · having signed construction drawings, etc. You have to apply for the building permits. With the homework of gathering this entire information prior the application process and having your construction drawings drawn to comply with city, county and state codes this process is just a paper work issue. If you have not properly done this entire process prior to the application, this will slow your time frame down considerably. Most DYI builders wait for the building permit application to find out what is needed. Make it easier on yourself and do it first.
Execution Of The Project
Getting Accurate Quotes
Now that you have a clearly defined project you can get accurate quotes from the contractors. The construction disciplines you will need are as follows: · Electricians · Plumbers · HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) · Framers · Concrete · Drywall · Finishers · Painters · Roofers · Siding · Landscaping · Windows and Doors · Garage door. etc. Keep in mind that most contractors will have multiple disciplines and will try to combine them as much as possible either with their own work force or they may hire out subcontractors as well.
This is how you execute the project:
1. Do your homework on the contractors that you will want to work with on your home.
2. Ask people who you know that have recently built homes who they have used as contractors.
3. Actually any resource on contractor evaluation is helpful.
4. Have them evaluate the experience.
5. With this process you can then get three to five contractor references from trusted resources without involving any salesmen.
6. Have a set of construction plans ready for each of the contractors that you are going to have bid from the list you have generated.
7. Make sure that all the disciplines will be bid upon.
Deciding Who To Hire As A Subcontractor
Who Is Most Qualifed?
You do not always have to take the lowest bid! You want the contractor that is the most qualified and most prepared to build your home. It is highly suggested that each of the contractors break down the categories and itemize how they arrived at their price. Communicating this up front before receiving their price best does this. Once you have all this information, evaluate the prices according to their breakdown. Rate the contractor on their responses on a scale of 1- 10 with 10 being the highest rank. If the bids are close then it's a matter of what contractor you favor the most. If there is a large gap in the prices, you need to determine why. This is where your breakdown of the work performed and the associated prices can help you determine this. This is also where you find out which contractors are the most serious and most qualified and which contractors are easier to work with. This might lead you to conclude that the best contractor isn't always the lowest price. You get what you pay for!
Managing The Subcontractors
Time Scheduling
If you thought deciding whom to hire, as your subcontractor was difficult, try managing them! To help you in your management, have a schedule ready during the bidding war between contractors. Have this presented at the time you present the construction drawings. In fact, have three schedules! What this will generate is three different prices from each contractor. Use this as part of your evaluation as mentioned in the previous paragraph. Your long schedule, medium schedule and short schedule will generate different responses. You want this information up front so that when it comes time to sign a contact with the subs, you can put in clauses that if they do not hold the schedule there are financial burdens placed on them. This will protect you from mismanagement on their part. After all the schedules and contracts are agreed upon, you become more than the customer, now you are the boss. Everyday you need to communicate with the subs and get an updated detailed report on what, where, when, how and why they are on or off schedule. Manage the project by the schedule. Keep in mind that the schedule will change if you decide to change your scope of work by issuing change orders (example: changing the cupboard or cabinet size, the flooring, or appliance). Keep in mind that during this time, this is a small business and your profit is represented by how close you come to your original agreed upon costs associated with the schedule after the contract signing. We could talk about management all day long. In fact there are training courses on this subject that cost thousands of dollars. Hopefully this bit of information will get you on the right track and help make a smooth transition from concept to actually building your dream home. Remember this rule of thumb, the more you prepare the better you will be when handling the bumps in the road. Gathering information prior to needing it will actually save you more money, time and stress than you can probably calculate.

Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Blogsite: http://renton-real-estate.blogspot.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.
Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

A Thorough Cleaning Can Make Your Home Look Like New

In this newsletter, you will learn what a difference a detailed cleaning can make! We hope you continue to learn about home maintenance in the upcoming newsletters. Thank you for your time!
Considering Home Improvement?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Warmer weather means home improvement for many Americans. But, before you hire workers or purchase expensive tools to transform your home, consider the little things you can do that may make a big difference.
Do you need to renovate, or will a new coat of paint or thorough cleaning do the trick? Nearly 75 percent of Americans set aside a specific time for a yearly top-to-bottom cleaning, and most say it takes a whole weekend to complete. With a few quick and simple tips, you can easily improve the look of your home.
Get Organized!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Get organized! Spend a few minutes in each room you plan to improve and make a list of everything that needs to get done. Include everything from the obvious, like making a bed, to the not-so-obvious, like cleaning a dusty light fixture.
Color Change. Instead of revamping an entire room with new furniture or carpeting, spruce it up by changing the color of the walls. A fresh coat of paint, which you can apply in a day or two, will liven up a room without too much expense or hassle.
Flip Or Dip!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Flip or Dip. When you change the bedding or launder the bedspread, turn over your mattress. Experts say mattresses should be flipped at least twice a year to prevent dips in the middle. Closet Close-up. Change in season is the perfect time to store away your winter wardrobe and take out your warm-weather clothes. Remember, overlooked stains can become permanent over time, and there is nothing worse than getting out your favorite shirt for the season, only to realize last year's red wine stain has left some remnants. Take out your bleach pen before storing to conquer the stain. It can target those hard-to-remove spots, especially between stripes. · Clean Routine. For the most thorough and sparkling clean, start at the top of the room and work your way down to the floor. Wipe down light fixtures, clean mirrors, wipe down cabinet doors and dust off baseboards. · Got Mold? Instead of replacing what looks like permanently moldy or mildewed grout, try using a convenient cleaning tool to scrub and whiten. Use the Clorox Bleach Pen to remove stains on grout and reach pesky tile corners in the kitchen and bath. The scrubber tip of the pen works wonders on stubborn spots, while the fine point is great for targeting stains in tight spaces around sinks and drains.

Helping Hands: Almost half (49 percent) of Americans engage their spouse or children in cleaning tasks around the home. Make a list of chores and give everyone an assignment.
Diligent Donator: Installing new kitchen appliances but reluctant to throw away your old ones, which are perfectly good? When cleaning out areas of your home -- closets, cupboards and cabinets -- put items to donate aside. Check with your local donation organizations for lists of needed/accepted items.
Do Disinfecting. Instead of using germy sponges, dishrags and paper towels, use a disposable disinfecting wipe so you can clean and disinfect in one easy step. Small places are easy to forget and often harbor the most germs. Don't forget to wipe down toilet flushers, light switches, cabinet handles and doorknobs.

I Pull Out All The Stops To Sell Your Home
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Blogsite: http://renton-real-estate.blogspot.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.
Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

Homes for sale: $200,000 or Less

Looking for homes that are under$200,000?
Here is a free list of them.
Click here.

Looking for anything else? Just ask.
Click here.

Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Blogsite: http://renton-real-estate.blogspot.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

selling older homes as historical homes

In this newsletter, you will learn how to approach selling older homes as historical homes. We hope this information is useful and look forward to sending you more information on various topics concerning homes and inspections.
The Age Of The Home
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the new homebuying paradigm, old equals problems and new equals luxury. Sprawl has become tempered by higher building costs and traffic problems, which have driven homebuyers back toward community cores and older homes, but they don't necessarily like what they see - smaller square footage, outdated floor plans, and the previous owner's imprint. This situation has real estate agents acting more as apologists than salespeople. As agents list older homes, they downplay the age of the home, which is a losing strategy, say some experts. "The age of the home is the first thing the buyer wants to know and the last thing the listing agent wants them to know," says Dave Burrell, president and CEO of Historical Insights, Inc. "To you, it's a regular old house, but look at it from the buyer's perspective. That's not how people buy homes. It's much better to create an emotional connection with the house."
Historical homes prove that a property can bring more if buyers can connect with the past. "If you found out you wanted a house where someone lived who was in politics or changed aviation," suggests Burrell, "it's more important to you, so people do care. You want to present the home so that the buyer can relate to what's it like to live in the house, and feel more important because of it."
Leather Bound Histories
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In Denver, Colorado, where Burrell provides leather- bound histories for local homes, there are more than 93,000 pre-1950 homes (2000 Census,) and over 1000 are for sale in an average month, he says. "It's clear how large this potential market really is," suggests Burrell. Histories can include everything from the type of home - ranch, how that type of home served society at that time, to who lived there to what changes were made to the home over the years.
Getting histories can be a challenge, but there are ways that don't take a lot of time. "A couple of starting points would be city directories that go by street names or addresses and you can find out who lived in that house and from what dates. Second is to go to Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps which you can find at local archives like the public library. They go from the late 19th century to about 1970. This company created maps for insurance companies and they would create maps and streets and show what buildings were there, they'd show the exits, doors and windows. You can see the house change from when it had a stable to when it acquired a garage. You can see if they had an outhouse and when it was torn down. You can get them from various years. In Denver you can get them from 1893, 1903, 1905, 1925. One problem is if your house was built in 1911, you can't confirm much between 1905 and 1925."
Things That Personalize The Home
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Burrell points to his own home as an example. "In my personal house, there was a small porch in 1925, but a large porch was added by 1929," says Burrell. "It's the little things that are interesting and it personalizes the home to the seller or the buyer because they know something no one else knows." You can go to the public records, but approximately 30 to 40 percent of homes in Denver are incorrectly dated, says Burrell. "I found my house was incorrectly dated," he says. "My house was supposed to be built in 1900, but it wasn't in the 1903 or 1905 maps, but it was in the 1907 map."
Another way to assign a date to an older home is to look at the local "TAP" records - when the house was connected to the local water system for running water. Or you can commission a home history, such as Burrell provides, for as little as a report fee to as much as $400 for a leather-bound copy. Home histories can be a great listing tool, a great closing gift, and a great legacy for referrals. "When everyone is looking to find a Realtor," says Burrell, "caring about the history of homes is something that can differentiate one Realtor from another. Most Realtors aren't going to think about how to market the home. By getting a book likes this, you are going to give a physical manifestation of the house that helps them enjoy their home. When they resell, they have a collection of information with the Realtor's name and information. They won't throw this away. They will show it to all their frineds, and it has your name on it. "The underlying principle is simple," says Burrell. "Since so much of the mystery of old homes lies in their connection with the past, a home history can highlight that connection very vividly. This is especially the case today, with so many transplants seeking to grow roots within their communities. And because emotions are such a key part of the homebuying process, helping buyers make a personal leap into the living experience of the home quickens the purchasing decision." It's well worth it. Not only are older homes a tangible record of cultural changes, old homes in Denver sell for 8.9 percent more than their more modern counterparts, says Burrell.

I Pull Out All The Stops To Sell Your Home
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Blogsite: http://renton-real-estate.blogspot.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.
Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

Free Renton Short Sale List.

Here is a list of homes for sale in Renton, WA. I am only showing you the top 20. There are a lot more out there. If you would like a list emailed to you for free just let me know.
Free Short Sale List.
Now is a great time to buy a home.
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Blogsite: http://renton-real-estate.blogspot.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.
Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

Tips for Pricing Your Home

When planning on selling your home you need to find the best price to list it at. Here are a few things that can help.

• Consider comparables. What have other homes in your neighborhood sold for recently? How do they compare to yours in terms of size, upkeep, and amenities?
• Consider competition. How many other houses are for sale in your area? Are you competing against new homes?
• Consider your contingencies. Do you have special concerns that would affect the price you’ll receive? For example, do you want to be able to move in four months?
• Get an appraisal. For a few hundred dollars, a qualified appraiser can give you an estimate of your home’s value. Be sure to ask for a market-value appraisal. To locate appraisers in your area, contact The Appraisal Institute or ask your REALTOR® for some recommendations.
• Ask a lender. Since most buyers will need a mortgage, it’s important that a home’s sale price be in line with a lender’s estimate of its value.
• Be accurate. Studies show that homes priced more than 3 percent over the correct price take longer to sell.
• Know what you’ll take. It’s critical to know what price you’ll accept before beginning a negotiation with a buyer.

I Pull Out All The Stops To Sell Your Home
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Blogsite: http://renton-real-estate.blogspot.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.

Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

Forms You'll Need to Sell Your Home

With tough times out there people have to make hard decision on what to do when selling their home. Home values have dropped and everyone has to save pennies now. There are a few choices for you. You could try a “Short Sale” or maybe you are thinking of selling your home yourself.
Here are some of the forms you will need to buy if you’re not going to use a Realtor.
1. Property disclosure form. This form requires you to reveal all known defects to your property. Check with your state government to see if there is a special form required in your state.
2. Purchasers access to premises agreement. This agreement sets conditions for permitting the buyer to enter your home for activities such as measuring for draperies before you move.
3. Sales contract. The agreement between you and the seller on terms and conditions of sale. Again, check with your state real estate department to see if there is a required form.
4. Sales contract contingency clauses. In addition to the contract, you may need to add one or more attachments to the contract to address special contingencies — such as the buyer’s need to sell a home before purchasing yours.
5. Pre- and post-occupancy agreements. Unless you’re planning on moving out and the buyer moving in on the day of closing, you’ll need an agreement on the terms and costs of occupancy once the sale closes.
6. Lead-based paint disclosure pamphlet. If your home was built before 1978, you must provide the pamphlet to all sellers. You must also have buyers sign a statement indicating they received the pamphlet.

I Pull Out All The Stops To Sell Your Home
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Blogsite: http://renton-real-estate.blogspot.com/Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.
Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

Short Sale or Bank Owned List

Here is a quick list of Short sale or Bank owned properties for sale in the Renton area.

Click Here For List

If you would like info for some other area or want to make the list smaller just email me.

Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Blogsite: http://renton-real-estate.blogspot.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.
Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.