1. Lose weight (cut energy use)

Your house is a glutton, gobbling energy like a starved elephant. Gain control by trimming energy use.

A good place to start is your HVAC ductwork. Ducts are notorious energy-wasters, leaking your heating and cooling air through holes and loose connections.

Sealing and insulating your ductwork can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20%, saving you $200 per year or more, according to Energy Star. You’ll make your home more comfortable, and a more-efficient system helps extend the life of your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump.

Because ducts are usually hidden inside walls, ceilings, attics, and crawl spaces, sealing and insulating them may be a difficult and time-consuming DIY job. If you can’t reach all your ducts, concentrate on those that are accessible.  Use duct sealant — called mastic — or metal-backed tape to seal the seams, holes, and connections. Don’t use the confusingly named “duct tape,” which won’t provide a permanent solution. Be sure to seal connections at vents and floor registers — these are likely places for leaks to occur.

After sealing your ducts, wrap them in fiberglass insulation. Most hardware stores and home improvement centers have insulation wrap products made for ducts.

A professional heating and cooling contractor will charge $1,000 to $4,000 for the work, including materials, depending on the size of your home and accessibility to your ducts. 

Insulating your ductwork may qualify for a rebate from your state or local municipality. Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency.

2. Quit smoking (purify indoor air)

The EPA lists indoor air quality as one of the top environmental health hazards. That’s because indoor air is full of potential contaminants, such as dust, mold spores, pollen, and viruses. The problem is at its worst during winter, when windows and doors are shut tight.

You can help eliminate harmful lung irritants in your home with these maintenance and improvement tips:
• Maintain your HVAC system and change furnace filters regularly. Use the highest-quality filters you can afford ($10-$20) and change every month during peak heating and cooling seasons.
• Keep indoor air pristine by using low-VOC paints when you remodel your rooms.
• Use localized ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms to remove cooking fumes, smoke, and excess humidity. Make sure ventilation systems exhaust air to the outside of your home, rather than your attic crawl space or between ceiling joists.
• In fireplaces and wood stoves, burn real firewood rather than pressed wood products that may contain formaldehyde.
• Use a portable air cleaner to help cleanse the air in single rooms. Portable air cleaner types include mechanical air filters, electrostatic precipitators, ion generators, and ultraviolet lamps.
Note that each type of air cleaner is designed to remove specific pollutants; no portable air cleaner removes all pollutants. Be wary of air cleaners that generate ozone — a known lung irritant.

3. Get out of debt (budget for improvements)

Creating a yearly budget for home improvement and maintenance helps prevent overspending, and encourages you to put aside money for major replacements — such as new roofing or a kitchen appliance — that come up every few years.

Protect your home finances by knowing how much you’ll probably spend each year. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau says that average annual maintenance and home improvement expenditures are about $3,300 per household. Leading lending institutions agree; HSH Associates and LendingTree.com place average costs of yearly maintenance and upkeep at 1% to 3% of your home’s initial price.

That means the owner of a $250,000 home should budget between $2,500 to $7,500 each year for upkeep and replacements. Have extra at the end of the year? Save it for more costly upkeep and replacement items down the road — you’ll probably need it then.

4. Learn something new (educate yourself on home finances)

Want a little education that goes a long way toward your financial health? Learning how to improve your insurance score can help you keep your home insurance premiums from getting out of hand. Here are a couple of easy lessons:
• Letting credit card debt build up is a black mark on your credit history — and an indicator that you’re likely to file an insurance claim. The more claims, the higher risk you appear to be to insurance agencies, which lowers your insurance score. Low scores mean higher rates for home insurance.
• Keep payments on loans up-to-date. Don’t miss payment deadlines; if you do, notify your lender that your payment is forthcoming. Delinquent payments signal insurers that you can’t manage your money — resulting in a lower insurance score.
Need some Home Owner 101? Any time is a good time to bone up on basic home maintenance skills.

5. Get organized (de-clutter)

No excuses — that clutter has got to go! Start by creating more storage space so you can stash stuff easily.

At wit’s end for new storage space? You’ve probably got storage solutions you didn’t know you had. Put up a high shelf between the walls of a narrow hallway, and tuck storage in out-of-the-way nooks, such as under-stairs spaces and between wall studs. 

If your small home is pinched for space, don’t despair: There’s still room for storage. Shoe organizers ($20) do more than hold shoes — use them to store keys, notepads, and cell phones. At about $300 per drawer, have a cabinetmaker install drawers in the toe kicks of your kitchen cabinets for napkins, cookie sheets, and appliance manuals. 

More: Resolution: Put Your House on a Diet

6. Volunteer (support your community)

In a world that often seems topsy-turvy, a little altruism helps restore balance. You can volunteer your time and energy to help others, and at the same time help promote safety and preserve the value of your neighborhood.
• A neighborhood watch program fosters a sense of community and helps stop crime. Set up a meeting with neighbors to discuss concerns and priorities. Gather facts to present at the meeting: What kinds of crimes happen nearby? Are there patterns? Ask a local police representative to come to your first meeting to answer questions.
• Start a community garden. Bring together neighbors for bonding, eating healthier, and saving on groceries. A 4-by-16-foot raised bed garden plot provides $200-$600 worth of food annually. As the organizer, you can expect to spend 20-30 per month for six months getting your community garden going.

7. Drink less (curb home water use)

Our houses are thirsty. The average household uses about 400 gallons of water each day, or almost $700 per year in water and sewer costs. Making a few simple changes, such as installing EPA-certified WaterSense products, could trim up to $200 from your annual water bill. Add to that energy savings from reduced costs to heat water, and your yearly savings could reach $300 or more per year.
• Low-flow showerheads include technology that reduces the amount of flow yet keeps pressure up, resulting in shower streams that are powerful and satisfying. They cost from $10 to $150, and installation is an easy DIY job that takes only minutes.
• Replacing your pre-1994, water-guzzling toilet with a low-flow toilet prevents $90 worth of water costs from being flushed away. HE (high-efficiency) toilets use compressed air and electric water pumps to flush with less than 1 gallon of water; older models required up to 8 gallons.

8. Spend more time with family (share home improvement projects)

Spending quality time with your family takes quality planning — but it’s worth the effort. Rally your family around these fun-to-do projects to make every minute count:
• Plant a tree. Pile the clan into the family wagon and shop for a tree that’ll become a new member of your family. Have your kids name it and help care for it. You might have to dig the hole, but everyone can take turns adding mulch and watering it. A bonus: planted where its shade will protect your house from summer sun, a $50-$100 tree cuts your yearly energy bill by $100 to $250.
• Make a home emergency preparedness kit. Make a scavenger hunt of gathering up all the necessary supplies, such as flashlights, toilet paper, and duct tape, and assemble your kit during an evening together. It’s a good, non-scary way to teach small children about what to do if there’s an emergency.

9. Get fit (exercise your DIY skills)

Looking to trim a little of the old spare tire? Routine home maintenance and repair is a double win — you’ll burn calories while keeping your house in tip-top shape. Try these essential fix-ups and improvements from CalorieLab:
• Building a fence: 340 calories per hour
• Caulking windows and doors: 280 calories per hour
• Cleaning rain gutters: 272 calories per hour
• Installing ceramic tile: 238 calories per hour
• Interior painting: 136 calories per hour
• Chopping firewood: 340 calories per hour
• Mowing the lawn: 306 calories per hour
• Planting shrubs: 238 calories per hour
• General gardening: 204 calories per hour

10. Be less stressed (use maintenance-free materials)

If you want less to worry about, install low-maintenance materials and products designed for durability and long, trouble-free service.
• Fiber-cement siding lasts for 50 years or more. It’s weather-proof, and resists dents, fire, insects, and rot. It’s exceptionally stable, even with changes in humidity, so that paint jobs last longer than on wood and wood-fiber siding products.
• LED bulbs last a phenomenal 20,000 to 50,000 hours between changes, or about 18 to 46 years when used for 3 hours each day. Although the initial cost is high (about $40 per bulb), LED bulbs pay for themselves in energy savings in about 10 years.
• Classic ceramic tile comes in many colors and textures, but at its heart it’s incredibly tough, stain-resistant, and impervious to moisture. You can count on ceramic tile’s good looks to last for decades on floors and walls without needing repair or replacement.

Provided by: HouseLogic’s Top-10 List of New Year’s Resolutions for Your home by:  John Riha, published December 30, 2011.

In keeping with the traditional German holiday market, the Birmingham Winter Market featured artisans and craftsmen selling holiday decorations, housewares, candies, baked goods and other products. Live entertainment is enjoyed by all throughout the weekend by various area choirs. Fundraising booths feature local non-profits, youth groups and others selling items and products.

August 2011 median sale prices increased 08% from July 2011 & # of homes decreased 27% in August 2011 from July 2011. Private owned homes median price increased 14% in August 2011 from July 2011.  Bank owned homes median price increased 37% in August 2011 from July 2011.  August 2011 median sale price increased 09% from August 2010. Yr ending August 2011 median sale price compared to yr ending August 2010 increased 10%.  Statistics rounded to nearest % -compiled from RealComp II data believed to be reliable. 

Active & Solds August 2011

Active & Solds July 2011

Active & Solds August 2010

September 1, 2010 – August 31, 2011

September 1, 2009– August 31, 2010

Birmingham Market Analysis compares only median sold price of residential homes sold in August 2011 with July 2011 & August 2010; year ending August 2010 with yr ending August 2011.  It shows all homes sold then private owned vs. Bank Owned/HUD.  To exclude leases in data, minimum sale price used was $15,000.

If you would like to know what your home is worth, click here for a free Comparative Market Analysis.

Click here to view Birmingham Michigan previous months market statistics.

Click here to view Bloomfield Hills & West Bloomfield, Michigan for more market statistics.

Birmingham Realtor selling Oakland County Real Estate.  TishHouse sells Houses – selling Real Estate Southeastern Michigan with RE/MAX Showcase Homes in Birmingham, Michigan.  Helping People in a challenging market by specializing inShort Sales.  See what my clients have to say about my extraordinary customer service.  Follow me on Twitter.

July 2011 median sale prices increased 13% from June 2011 & # of homes sold increased 23% from June 2011. Private owned homes median price increased 03% in July 2011 from June 2011.  Bank owned homes median price decreased 40% in July 2011 from June 2011.  July 2011 median sale price increased 08% from July 2010. Yr ending July 2011 median sale price compared to yr ending July 2010 increased 05%.  Statistics rounded to nearest % -compiled from RealComp II data believed to be reliable.  

Active & Solds July 2011

Active & Solds June 2011

Active & Solds July 2010

August 1, 2010 – July 31, 2011

August 1, 2009– July 31, 2010

Birmingham Market Analysis compares only median sold price of residential homes sold in July 2011 with June 2011 & July 2010; year ending July 2010 with yr ending July 2011.  It shows all homes sold then private owned vs. Bank Owned/HUD.  To exclude leases in data, minimum sale price used was $15,000.

If you would like to know what your home is worth, click here for a free Comparative Market Analysis.

Click here to view Birmingham Michigan previous months market statistics.

Click here to view Bloomfield Hills & West Bloomfield, Michigan for more market statistics.

Birmingham Realtor selling Oakland County Real Estate.  TishHouse sells Houses – selling Real Estate Southeastern Michigan with RE/MAX Showcase Homes in Birmingham, Michigan.  Helping People in a challenging market by specializing inShort Sales.  See what my clients have to say about my extraordinary customer service.  Follow me on Twitter.

June 2011 median sale prices decreased 01% from May 2011 & # of homes sold stayed the same. Private owned homes median price increased 06% in June 2011 from May 2011.  Bank owned homes median price increased 21% in June 2011 from May 2011.  June 2011 median sale price decreased 19% from June 2010. Yr ending June 2011 median sale price compared to yr ending June 2010 increased 02%.  Statistics rounded to nearest % -compiled from RealComp II data believed to be reliable.

Active & Solds June 2011

Active & Solds May 2011

Active & Solds June 2010

July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011

July 1, 2009– June 30, 2010

Birmingham Market Analysis compares only median sold price of residential homes sold in June 2011 with May 2011 & June 2010; year ending June 2010 with yr ending June 2011.  It shows all homes sold then private owned vs. Bank Owned/HUD.  To exclude leases in data, minimum sale price used was $15,000.

If you would like to know what your home is worth, click here for a free Comparative Market Analysis.

Click here to view Birmingham Michigan previous months market statistics.

Click here to view Bloomfield Hills & West Bloomfield, Michigan for more market statistics.

Birmingham Realtor selling Oakland County Real Estate.  TishHouse sells Houses – selling Real Estate Southeastern Michigan with RE/MAX Showcase Homes in Birmingham, Michigan.  Helping People in a challenging market by specializing inShort Sales.  See what my clients have to say about my extraordinary customer service.  Follow me on Twitter.

May 2011 median sale prices increased 26% from April 2011 & a 19% increase # of homes sold. Private owned homes median price increased 06% in May 2011 from April 2011.  Bank owned homes median price increased 26% in May 2011 from April 2011.  May 2011 median sale price increased 33% from May 2010. Yr ending May 2011 median sale price compared to yr ending May 2010 decreased 01%.  Statistics rounded to nearest % -compiled from RealComp II data believed to be reliable.

Active & Solds May 2011

Active & Solds April 2011

Active & Solds May 2010

June 1, 2010 – May 31, 2011

June 1, 2009– May 31, 2010

Birmingham Market Analysis compares only median sold price of residential homes sold in May 2011 with April 2011 & May 2010; year ending May 2010 with yr ending May 2011.  It shows all homes sold then private owned vs. Bank Owned/HUD.  To exclude leases in data, minimum sale price used was $15,000.

If you would like to know what your home is worth, click here for a free Comparative Market Analysis.

Click here to view Birmingham Michigan previous months market statistics.

Click here to view Bloomfield Hills & West Bloomfield, Michigan for more market statistics.

Birmingham Realtor selling Oakland County Real Estate.  TishHouse sells Houses – selling Real Estate Southeastern Michigan with RE/MAX Showcase Homes in Birmingham, Michigan.  Helping People in a challenging market by specializing inShort Sales.  See what my clients have to say about my extraordinary customer service.  Follow me on Twitter.

April 2011 median sale prices decreased 09% from March 2011 & a 23% decrease # of homes sold. Private owned homes median price decreased 15% in April 2011 from March 2011.  Bank owned homes median price increased 08% in April 2011 from March 2011.  April 2011 median sale price decreased 10% from April 2010. Yr ending April 2011 median sale price compared to yr ending April 2010 decreased 05%.  Statistics rounded to nearest % -compiled from RealComp II data believed to be reliable.

Active & Solds April 2011

Active & Solds March 2011

Active & Solds April 2010

May 1, 2010 – April 30, 2011

May 1, 2009– April 30, 2010

Birmingham Market Analysis compares only median sold price of residential homes sold in April 2011 with March 2011 & April 2010; year ending April 2010 with yr ending April 2011.  It shows all homes sold then private owned vs. Bank Owned/HUD.  To exclude leases in data, minimum sale price used was $15,000.

If you would like to know what your home is worth, click here for a free Comparative Market Analysis.

Click here to view Birmingham Michigan previous months market statistics.

Click here to view Bloomfield Hills & West Bloomfield, Michigan for more market statistics.

Birmingham Realtor selling Oakland County Real Estate.  TishHouse sells Houses – selling Real Estate Southeastern Michigan with RE/MAX Showcase Homes in Birmingham, Michigan.  Helping People in a challenging market by specializing inShort Sales.  See what my clients have to say about my extraordinary customer service.  Follow me on Twitter.

Click here to view the embedded video.

March 2011 median sale prices decreased 09% from February 2011 & a 28% increase # of homes sold. Private owned homes median price increased 03% in March 2011 from February 2011.  Bank owned homes median price increased 20% in March 2011 from February 2011.  March 2011 median sale price increased 03% from March 2010. Yr ending March 2011 median sale price compared to yr ending March 2010 decreased 06%.  Statistics rounded to nearest % -compiled from RealComp II data believed to be reliable.

Active & Solds March 2011

Active & Solds February 2011

Active & Solds March 2010

April 1, 2010 – March 31, 2011

April 1, 2009– March 31, 2010

Birmingham Market Analysis compares only median sold price of residential homes sold in March 2011 with February 2011 & March 2010; year ending March 2010 with yr ending March 2011.  It shows all homes sold then private owned vs. Bank Owned/HUD.  To exclude leases in data, minimum sale price used was $15,000.

If you would like to know what your home is worth, click here for a free Comparative Market Analysis.

Click here to view Birmingham Michigan previous months market statistics.

Click here to view Bloomfield Hills & West Bloomfield, Michigan for more market statistics.

Birmingham Realtor selling Oakland County Real Estate.  TishHouse sells Houses – selling Real Estate Southeastern Michigan with RE/MAX Showcase Homes in Birmingham, Michigan.  Helping People in a challenging market by specializing inShort Sales.  See what my clients have to say about my extraordinary customer service.  Follow me on Twitter.

To attract buyers in the Birmingham & Bloomfield Hills market, sellers must up the ante to convince them that their property offers what many want most — top value for dollar expended. Here are eight fast fixes to prepare a home to sell:

1. Buff up curb appeal. You’ve heard it before, but it’s critical to get buyers to want to look on the inside. Be objective. View listings from the street. Check the condition of the landscaping, paint, roof, shutters, front door, knocker, windows, house number, and even how window treatments look from the outside. Add something special — such as big flower pots or an antique bench — to help viewers remember house A from B.

2. Enrich with color. Paint’s cheap, but forget the adage that it must be white or neutral. Just don’t  get too avant-garde with jarring pinks, oranges, and purples. Use soft colors that say “welcome,” which will lead the eye from room to room.. Think soft yellows and pale greens. Tint ceilings a lighter shade.

3. Upgrade the kitchen and bathroom. These make-or-break rooms can spur a sale. If there are two listings similarly priced, the one that has the more attractive kitchen and bath will get a showing sooner.  Besides making each squeaky clean and clutter-free, update the pulls, sinks, and faucets. In a kitchen, add one cool appliance, such as an espresso maker.

4. Add old-world patina. Install crown molding at least six to nine inches in depth, proportional to the room’s size, and architecturally compatible. For ceilings nine feet high or higher, add dentil detailing, small tooth-shaped blocks used as a repeating ornament. It’s all in the details, after all.

5. Screen hardwood floors. Buyers favor wood over carpet, but refinishing is costly and time-consuming. Screening cuts dust, time, and expense. What it entails: a light sanding, not a full stripping of color or polyurethane, then a coat of finish.

6. Clean out, organize closets. Get sorting — organize your piles into “don’t need,” “haven’t worn,” and “keep.” Closets must be only half-full so buyers can visualize fitting their stuff in.

7. Update window treatments. Buyers want light and views, not dated, fancy-schmancy drapes that darken. To diffuse light and add privacy, consider energy-efficient shades and blinds.

8. Hire a home inspector. Do a preemptive strike, since busy home owners seek maintenance-free living. Fix problems before you list the home and then display receipts and wait for buyers to offer kudos to sellers for being so responsible.

If you would like to know what your home is worth, click here for a free Comparative Market Analysis.

Looking to buy a home in the Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills or Oakland County, click here.