4 Courtyard Cleanup

We have a small courtyard that connects our house to the garage, and we have to admit that this space has been on the bottom of our priority list--well, my priority list. Eric has been wanting to tackle this area for quite some time now. He couldn't even wait for me to finish the before pictures to start sweeping.

We didn't want to spend a fortune, but we did want to have an outdoor space that we could enjoy for the rest of the summer.

First up, the flower beds. Lining the beds and adding fresh mulch made a world of difference, but we also wanted a mini herb garden. With a small dog that loves basil as much as we do, we decided to plant our herbs in tall planters that would make it more difficult for a sniffing snout to run off with a stash of cilantro...

With the flower beds shaping up, we were in need of somewhere to relax. So, off to Garden Ridge we went. We were able to snag a couple of wicker chairs and a glass top table for around $80. We love a good deal, and a good deal we found! To finish off the seating area, we added a couple of decorative pillows and accessories...

Much better. We must have been crazy not to have utilized this wonderfully shady outdoor nook.

-Cara

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2 Dads, Do Rags & Decks, Oh My!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! While we may be a bit biased, Eric and I definitely agree that we possibly have the most wonderful/handy/do-it-yourselfer dads ever:

Growing up in the Letzig house sometimes felt a bit like a living in a construction zone. Whether installing hardwood floors or completely remodeling the kitchen, you never knew what kind of project you would come across.

One of my favorite projects had to be when my Dad built his workshop in our backyard. Not only did us kiddos have a great time sporting bandannas while pretending to help, but the foundation made an excellent stage for us to sing and dance amongst the sound of circular saws and nail guns.

Thanks, Dad, for exposing us to the joys of home improvement. Maybe that is why I'm no sissy when it comes to sanding, tiling and painting. Happy Father's Day!

-Cara

My dad has always been quite the handyman. Out of the many projects that my brother and I helped him with, the ones that stick out to me are when we built a privacy fence, built a deck, and even jacked up the house and replaced some of the piers and beams!

Needless to say, I did not enjoy working on the foundation, but I enjoyed building the deck and privacy fence. Helping my dad build the deck was fun and inspiring. I remember feeling so proud of myself...because I got to work with my dad!

I am not much of a handyman (yet), but I know that I will use all that I learned from my dad when we built that deck together. I remember sitting on the completed deck and feeling so good about what we had accomplished. That is one memory with my dad that I will never forget.

I was really hoping that I would get paid for helping out, maybe five bucks or so--a lot to a nine year old. While we were finishing our cokes, my dad handed me a twenty dollar bill. I thought I was rich! Wow, twenty whole dollars!

So, it was a good experience and worth my while, because I got to spend time with my dad--and got paid the big bucks! Maybe my dad can help me build my next deck...but I probably won't pay him!

-Eric

Happy Father's Day!

-Eric & Cara

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0 Buyer's Guide: Making an Offer

So you've found the home you can't live without. Now it is time to make it yours!

No aspect of the home buying process is more complex, personal or variable than bargaining between buyers and sellers. This is the point where the value of an experienced Realtor is clearly evident because they know the community, have seen numerous homes for sale, know local property values and have experience negotiating real estate transactions.

How much? You sometimes hear that the amount of your offer should be "x percent" below the seller's asking price or "y percent" less than you're really willing to pay. In practice, the offer depends on the basic laws of supply and demand: If many buyers are competing for homes, then sellers will likely get full-price offers and sometimes even more. If demand is weak, then offers below the asking price may be in order.

What else is involved? While much attention is spent on price, an offer to buy a home includes both the price and additional terms, including closing costs and financing options. For example, you may choose to ask the seller to assist with closing costs or a home warranty.

What's next? Your Realtor will then present your offer to the owner and the owner's representative. The owner, in turn, may accept the offer, reject it or make a counter offer.

Because counter offers are common--any change in an offer can be considered a "counter offer"--, it's important for you to remain in close contact with your Realtor during the negotiation process so that any proposed changes can be quickly reviewed.

Once you and the seller have reached an agreement, you are officially on the road to closing on your new home.

Check in soon for Part 5: The Road to Closing!

-Eric

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4 Weeknight Mini-Rehab

Nothing to do on a Wednesday night. With a pilates class cut short and Eric out showing property, I found myself home early twiddling my thumbs--something I don't do well. So, I decided to tackle one of the many rehab projects waiting in our garage.

On the same trip that brought our new TV console table into our lives, we found an old window that we were able to snag for just $5 at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

In an effort to cure my idleness, I grabbed my sander, a squirt bottle of Mrs. Meyer's cleaner and a bit of enthusiasm and got to work!

Here is the window in its original condition: filthy and splintery...

...but after removing the sharp metal pieces, sanding down the chipped paint, and giving it a good scrub, it fit right in above the mantel in our dining room. Not a bad space filler for five bucks!



Budget Breakdown:

Window. . . . . . . . . . $5
Total . . . . . . . . . . . $5

What do you do around the house to cure the boredom blues?

-Cara

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0 Open House Sunday

Sunday, June 21: 2-4 p.m.

816 North Street #22

Eric will be at this lovely 2 bedroom/1 bath first floor unit at the Cliff's is one home that you won't want to miss. Just a short walk to the River Market, this home offers a great location and river view!

1315 Kavanaugh

I am holding open this charming 1 bedroom/1 bath Hillcrest condo in the Fairfax Terrace building. Stop by to see the large living area, vintage bathroom tile, fantastic built-ins and much more!



We'll see you there! Can't make it? Email us to set up a more convenient time to view these condos.

-Cara

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2 Let's Make a Deal: Beds

This week, let's check out a variety of styles of beds at different price points, shall we?

This seagrass headboard from Pottery Barn will cost you $399 for a queen...

...but this headboard from JC Penney for $299 brings the same natural texture to your space for less.



Platform beds, such as this queen bed from Haiku Designs for $1099, create a contemporary and elegant feel in any bedroom...

...and this streamlined Z Gallerie platform bed hits the nail on the head for just $699.



Polished-nickel nail-head trim traces the camelback silhouette of this king sized Williams Sonoma Home upholstered bed, and it could be yours for $2950...

...or you could snag this remarkably similar bed from Restoration Hardware for $2085.

For the kiddos, this Ethan Allen trundle bed for $1199 offers extra space for sleepovers...

...and so does this bed in a similar style from Pottery Barn Kids for just $868 with the trundle.

-Cara

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0 Buyer's Guide: The House Hunt

Now that you have your dream team in place and have a better idea of what you are looking for in your next home, it is time to go out and find it!

Choose your favorites. With your priority list in mind, your Realtor can begin sorting through the homes currently on the market and suggesting properties for you to consider. In addition, you can search through listings online. This will allow you to explore the real estate market a bit on your own before selecting which homes you would like to see with your Realtor.

Your Realtor may also know of houses that are not yet for sale but may be in the near future. Your Realtor's connections with other real estate professionals and knowledge of the market are valuable tools in finding your ideal home.

Hit the pavement. Enough with the photos and online descriptions. Now is it time for you and your Realtor to take to the streets and view homes in person.

Dress comfortably. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes. House-hunting can be tiring, especially if you're relocating to a distant community and want to see a dozen homes in one day. There's no sense in torturing your feet unnecessarily.

Take notes. Your Realtor should provide you with profile sheets detailing each property that you are viewing. Remember to jot down a few notes--after a long day of house hunting, the details may begin to run together!

Relax. Granted, buying a home is a major life-altering event, but it's not worth making yourself insanely stressed. While some buyers know their house the second they step inside, others may prefer to take a moment to compare notes on the different properties, especially if another person is involved in the final decision. Regardless, take time at the end of your house hunting expedition to unwind, calm your thoughts and emotions and keep the whole experience in perspective.

Check back soon for Part 4: Making an Offer!

-Eric

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