THE
COLUMBIA REVIEW
S H G Q UA RT E R LY N E W S L E T T E R • S U M M E R 2 0 1 2 • V O L . 1 , I S S U E 1
4 Easy-Living, Universal Design Tips for Any Home Universal
design refers to broadspectrum ideas meant to produce buildings, products and environments Susan Horak that are inherently Realtor, CRS, accessible to both GRI, ABR people without disabilities and people with disabilities. These days, universal design features are an everyday fact of life for many households. You don’t have to be a pro designer to incorporate this smart thinking into your own home. If you’re remodeling or simply adding a few upgrades, be sure to keep universal design features in mind. There are lots of resources that’ll give you some great starting points. As we remodel our 1972 ranch-style house (we’re on the multi-year, budget-as-you-go plan), my wife and I have incorporated several low-cost, easy-to-do UD features. A few of our favorites: 1. Switch out doorknobs for lever-style handles. Doorknobs require lots of dexterity and torque to open; with levers you simply press and go. * Artical Continues on Page 5
Makes sense for folks with arthritis, of course, but think about an emergency situation when everyone, including small kids, needs to exit fast: A lever handle is a safe, foolproof way to open a door. A big plus: Levers are good-looking and can contribute to the value of your home. A standard interior passage door lever in a satin nickel finish costs about $20; you’ll pay $25 to $30 for a lockable lever set for your bath or bedroom. Replacing door hardware is an easy DIY job. 2. Replace toggle light switches with rocker-style switches. Rocker switches feature a big on/off plate that you can operate with a finger, a knuckle, or even your elbow when you’re laden with bags of groceries. Rocker switches are sleek and goodlooking, too. Ever notice how conventional toggle switches get dirt and grime embedded in them after a couple of years? No more! You’ll pay $2 for a single-pole rocker switch, up to $10 for multiple switch sets. 3. Anti-scald devices for your bathroom prevent water from reaching unsafe temps. An anti-scald shower head ($15) reduces water flow to a trickle if the water gets too hot. An anti-scald faucet device ($40) replaces your faucet aerator and also reduces hot water flow.
Tips for selling your home in today’s market
1 2 3
PR ICE AG GRESSIVELY You need to ask for at least 1% less than competing homes. - USA TODAY
STAGE LIKE A PRO Little things like painting, depersonalizing the house so buyers can envision themselves living there, getting rid of clutter and rearranging rooms to highlight the best features are essential.
GO ALL-OUT ONLINE
90% of buyers are starting their search online, according to the National Association of Realtors.
BE FLEXIBLE WITH BUYERS
4
5
“The single biggest change in the real estate market since the Great Recession is tighter financing, according to John Vogel Jr., real estate professor at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business.” A sellers understanding and willingness to compromise to make the sale work can make all the diffrence. -USA TODAY
Curb Apeal
Just like staging the inside, planting flowers, power washing the siding and parking the car in the garage instead of the driveway can make a the right first impression.