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Posts Tagged ‘Homebuying Columbia MO’

Many of today’s homeowners find themselves unable or unwilling to enter the housing market. Some may have unsteady jobs or are upside down in their home loans.

These conditions, however, don’t mean that these homeowners don’t have needs that need met. Some have outgrown their current home, have repairs that need made, or simply would love to have an updated kitchen or bath.

This explains the recent report from BuildFax that shows remodeling activity reached a record level high for the month of September.

Partly to thank for this rise in projects are the historically low interest rates, now under 4.0 percent for 30-year fixed rate mortgages. Many homeowners have sought out refinancing, meaning they now have lower monthly payments. This extra money can then be funneled into remodeling projects.

So, while it may not make sense for a homeowner to move, they can still make modifications to their current home which will make it more livable and comfortable. These projects even raise the home’s value. “Mortgage rates continue to be near record lows, and as homeowners from coast to coast refinance, they are continuing to update their current home and invest in their properties,” said Joe Emison, Vice President of Research and Development at BuildFax. “The data from BuildFax show that homeowners are not only doing important ‘maintenance’ projects, such as fixing their roof, but also taking on projects that add to the ‘livability’ of their homes by adding decks, remodeling their bathrooms and updating their kitchens. These are immediate fixes they will enjoy and that potential buyers look for.”

The most popular projects come as no surprise. They are as follows.

Roof (21.4%)

Deck (7.9%)

Bathroom (6.9%)

Garage (6.1%)

Kitchen (4.8%)

Basement (2.9%)

Office (1.7%)

Sunroom (0.7%)

How much did the remodeling market improve in September? The latest Residential BuildFax Remodeling Index shows rates rose 34 percent year-over-year. September was up 2 percent over August of this year.

Regionally, the West rose 4.6 percent. The Midwest rose 4.9 percent month over month, the Northeast 2.9 percent, and the South rose 9 percent.

Interest rates are expected to remain low until 2013, according to the Federal Reserve, meaning this trend for fixing up and staying put could continue for the foreseeable future.

If you are looking to join the Columbia Real Estate market, please feel free to call us.  Prudential Vision Properties can be reached at 573.449.6200. Prudential Vision Properties is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

November 17, 2011 — Realty Times Feature Article by Carla Hill

For those of us who lack the ability to wrap those special gifts for those loved ones in our lives, here are step by step instructions.  When you are done, show off your mad skills by posting pictures of your masterpiece on Prudential Vision Properties’ Facebook page!

Step One

Center the box on a rectangle of wrapping paper (big enough to go around the box, with an inch of overlap). Fold one side lengthwise toward center and tape to box. Fold the other side up and adhere with tape.

Step Two

For the sides: Fold paper down from top, then fold sides in towards each other.

Step Three

Pull remaining triangle of paper up and secure with tape.

Step Four

Embellish with various types of ribbon. Wrap each length of ribbon once around the box, and secure on the underside with tape.

Step Five

Using metallic thread or additional ribbon, fasten a bow to the ribbon, knotting to secure.

Step Six

Attach a small ornament to the bow with thread. Keep adding ornaments until package achieves desired look.

(Instructions courtesy of ABC Carpet & Home)

If you are looking to join the Columbia Real Estate market, please feel free to call us.  Prudential Vision Properties can be reached at 573.449.6200. Prudential Vision Properties is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

What to Know About It!

As we prepare for the winter weather that is bound to happen, here is a reminder about city road maintenance. The city of Columbia covers over 60 square miles and has an estimated population of 108,500.   Which means. . . the city has over 500 miles of roads to maintain!  So please keep this in mind when we get that next BIG snow.  They are doing the best they can with the equipment they have.

If there is less than 4 inches of snow, the city will clear all primary (arterial and primary city streets such as Vandiver and Green Meadows) and secondary streets (major, heavily traveled city collector streets, school and city bus routes as well as streets leading to schools, hospitals and other critical areas such) using overtime when needed.  They will then plow and treat (using salt when needed to melt ice and cinders for traction on ice) residential roads only during normal working hours.

For a list of Primary and Secondary priority streets, you can go to the City of Columbia‘s website.

In the event there is more than 4 inches of snow, the crews will utilize overtime to clear all primary and secondary roads allowing for safe and passable driving conditions.  They will also plow and treat (using salt when needed to melt ice and cinders for traction on ice)  residential streets to the same driving conditions as primary and secondary roads.

Remember, when there is snow or ice on the roads it is important that you only venture out if needed.  This will reduce the number of accidents and congestion on the roads.   Help keep Columbia safe!

For information on preparing your vehicle for winter weather, check out our blog Don’t Get Stranded!

If you are looking to join the Columbia Real Estate market, please feel free to call us.  Prudential Vision Properties can be reached at 573.449.6200. Prudential Vision Properties is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Activities to Keep Your Kids Busy This Winter

It’s winter season again.  Which means…… the kiddos are trapped in the house!  Here are a few ideas to keep them active OUTSIDE.

TREASURE HUNT– This simple and fun activity can be fun for the whole family!  Gather miscellaneous items from around the house which won’t be damaged if they get wet.  Hide them in the snow (But be sure to count them first, or you will be finding random items outside for months to come.).  Give the children a jar, basket, container, etc to collect the items they find.  Then send the kiddos our to find their treasures!  Try giving them a time limit to see who can find the most treasures.

SNOWBALL LIGHTS– Head outside before it gets dark, and make as many snowballs as you can.  Then stack them up creating an igloo around an led tea light.  Once it is dark out side, gently remove enough snowballs to fit your arm in to turn the light on, and carefully re-stack the snowballs.  And just like that you have created a fun, beautiful light scene!

TIE DYE SNOW– Fill a few squirt bottles with water and add a about 8 drops of food coloring in each bottle.  Shake the bottles to disperse the food coloring, then head outside and make colorful (and eco-friendly) works of art in the snow!

Snowball lights activity

BUBBLES– Who says blowing bubbles is only for nice

days outside?  Try blowing bubbles inside so the kids can see what they look like, how long they float, etc in warm temperatures.  Then head outside to compare the bubbles on a below freezing day.  The kids will be so surprised when the bubbles harden up and fall to the ground without breaking right away!

SNOW CREAM– Gather a large bowl of fresh snow (be sure it is not the yellow variety).  This bowl can be set outside on a snowy day to gather the snow right in the bowl (you will need at least 5 cups of snow).  Once it is collected you can either set the bowl in the freezer or leave it outside.  In another large bowl combine 1 cup of condensed milk, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/2 tsp of vanilla until sugar dissolves.  Slowly add the snow while stirring until the consistency is that of ice cream.

SNOWBALL TOSS– Fill six small plastic cups with water, add a few drops of food coloring to each cup and freeze them (either outside or in the freezer).  The next morning, remove the ice blocks from the cups, stack them in the snow making a pyramid.  While setting this up, you can have the kiddies make as many snowballs as possible (you can make it a contest to see who can make the most snowballs).  Once they have made all their snowballs, let them fire away trying to know down different colored ice blocks.

If you are looking to join the Columbia Real Estate market, please feel free to call us.  Prudential Vision Properties can be reached at 573.449.6200. Prudential Vision Properties is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Holiday Events

Here are many activities going on in Columbia, Missouri this December that are perfect for the whole family to enjoy!

The best part……many of them are FREE!

• Bass Pro Winter Wonderland (Free Picture with Santa):  Starting December 1st (10am – 8pm)

• Columbia Mall (Photos with Santa):  Starting December 1st (During Mall Hours)
• St. Nick’s Pet Picks@ The Columbia Mall: December 5th and 12th (6pm- close)
• The Magic Tree: Starting December 1^st  (5 pm nightly)
• Holiday Lighting Festival @ Cherry Hill: December 1st (5pm)  The Holiday Lighting Festival is in honor of the Magic Tree.  At the festival, you will find a ceremonial lighting of the Magic Tree, Santa, Carriage Rides, Ornament Decorating, Face painting, holiday shopping in the Event Center, and much more. All activities are free to the public. The event is December 1st 5-8 pm. The tree lighting ceremony is at 5:30.
  

  The Magic Tree

• Living Windows:  Dec 2 (6-8pm)  As the weather turns colder, shopkeepers throughout The District begin planning for the annual Living Windows Festival. On the first Friday in December, from 6 to 8 p.m., shopkeepers move all the merchandise, out of their front windows and stage live holiday performances for onlookers. As the rest of us begin our holiday shopping, they’re concentrating on sewing costumes, building sets, writing scripts and baking cookies for customers. Merchants go to great lengths to outdo one another–making each year’s displays even more impressive than before. The night itself is a celebration of the holidays. The District features open houses, strolling carolers, holiday treats, and visits with Santa–all against a backdrop of holiday lights. The District is your place for unique and stylish shopping. It’s the place to go for exciting nightlife or to meet friends for dinner. It’s a lively mix of historic architecture, sidewalk cafes and street musicians. Discover the holidays. Discover The District. For more information, call (573)442-6816.
• Santa Hotline:  Dec 3 (9am – 3pm)  Children between the ages of 3-10 can call the North Pole from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, December 3 to speak with Santa or Mrs. Claus (or one their many elves) and personally give them their Christmas lists! CALL 874-7473 or 874-6335 ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 ONLY.
• University Concert Series presents St. Louis Ballet’s The Nutcracker:  Dec 3 (2-3pm & 7-8pm)
• All Aboard The Children’s Christmas Express:  December 10th (12 Noon to 1:30 PM), December 18th (12 Noon to 1:30 PM), December 18th (5 PM to 6:30 PM)  Children (age 2-12) $28.00 & Adults (age 12 and up) $52.00;  Come and ride with Santa’s elves as we make our way to the North Pole where Santa Clause is awaiting our arrival. Children are welcome to dress in their pajamas in the spirit of the holiday season. As we make our way to the North Pole Santa’s elves will read stories and sing Christmas carols with the children. To make sure everyone is in the Christmas spirit snacks of cookies and hot chocolate will be served. Once we arrive at the North Pole Santa will come aboard the train and will be ready to hear all about what you want for Christmas. There will be photo opportunities with Santa and he will have a small gift for each child to hold them over until the big day! * Please Note: The Children’s Christmas Express is an extremely popular event and tickets sell out weeks in advance so make your reservations early. Phone: (573)-474-2223

If you are looking to join the Columbia Real Estate market, please feel free to call us.  Prudential Vision Properties can be reached at 573.449.6200. Prudential Vision Properties is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.