If your home hasn't had the air ducts cleaned in the last 5 to 7 years, it's about time they were cleaned. Our featured home has them cleaned at least every 2 years.

The current owners of this featured home had the ducts professionally cleaned about every 18 to 22 months — at least 3 times in 6 years. Although that is more frequent than industry standards, which recommend a cleaning every 5 to 7 years, the buyers of this home for sale can simply rest assured that tons of dust will not be blowing out of the ducts when they turn the air conditioner on, and the ducts look as good as new!

If you’re buying a home ask the seller if they’ve had the air ducts cleaned in the last 7 years. If the answer is no, be sure to have them done yourself shortly after you move in. A good professional vacuuming of your vents and ducts shouldn’t cost more than $200. Anything twice that or more is probably a scam. For more information on cleaning air ducts, read this home improvement report.

— By CurryMedia.com

1. HOA’s dictate landscaping: Although an HOA might mow your lawn and trim your hedges, and that seems appealing, an HOA can also dictate what types of flowers you can and can’t plant, what times of day you can water your lawn, and even tell you it’s time to update your landscaping—even if you don’t have funds for new landscaping, you’ll still be obligated to get the work done within a certain time frame. Sonni and James Bass took too long finishing their landscaping, according to a CNNMoney.com report, and were sued by their HOA. Read the report.
   

   An HOA can dictate how many and what types of flowers you plant. One owner planted too many roses and lost his home!

2. If you don’t comply, you will be fined. Just ask Jeffrey DeMarco. His HOA said he planted too many roses in his yard, and fined him for not removing them promptly. When Jeffrey took the matter to court, he lost, and was saddled with the HOAs $70,000 legal bill, as well as his own. (Read Jeffrey’s story.)
3. An HOA can evict you or foreclose on your home. Ultimately Jeffrey lost his home to the bank because he couldn’t make the back payments on the late fees and the legal fees, but there are other homeowners who have lost their homes, had liens put on their property or received foreclosure notices after falling behind on their HOA dues. This happened to Lacey Pilat. About four months after she lost her job, the management company for her homeowner association sent her a foreclosure notice after several attempts to collect her $450 annual dues, which paid for the mowing of front lawns. The amount she owed grew to $1,800 after penalties and fees, according to an MSNBC report you can read here.
4. The HOA dues can be raised at anytime. Maybe you think you can handle a $400 annual association fee, after all it amounts to less than $35 a month—less than a dinner out for two at the Olive Garden, but that fee isn’t static. HOAs can raise your dues for any number of reasons, such as assessments, lawsuits, cost of living, or simply because other homeowners aren’t paying, and those of you who are need to foot the bill. That is what happened to homeowner Robert Hanston. “The HOA told residents dues went up because more than 400 homeowners weren’t paying their dues,” Hantson said in a report for NBC.
5. HOA fees are not tax deductible. Enough said.
6. Want to rent out your home? Check with your HOA. They may not let you. Given the down economy, quite a few homeowners who can’t sell their properties have moved to renting them out. Some in HOA communities, however, need board approval before they can rent out their place. Some bylaws prohibit renting all together. This might not seem important to you now, after all you’re buying with the intent to make this purchase your primary home, but you just may never know what your needs will be in the future.
7. Homeowners’ Associations can regulate many things. According to one real estate authority, it could be: Exterior paint colors, fences and hedges, trees, lawns, and weeds. Or, solar energy installations, swing sets, basketball hoops, and other play equipment.
   

   HOAs can say no to certain play sets, fences, sheds or even dog breeds.

   HOAs also could regulate garages, sheds and backyard storage, parking, clotheslines and garbage cans. Outdoor lights and satellite dishes, they also can regulate, as well as window coverings and wreaths, home businesses, pets (size, types, total number), noises and obstructions of views.

By buying a home in a subdivision, or community with a home owner’s association, you are essentially giving up some of your rights that people come to expect with homeownership. Do you really want your neighbors telling you what to do with your property?

Just how much will you have to keep up with the Joneses? Well, you just may not know until after you purchased the home. If you bought into an HOA community, you typically would not receive a copy of the HOA rules and bylaws until after you have closed on the property….and then it’s too late.

At least you know what you’re getting if you buy a home that is not overseen by an HOA: the freedom to make your own decisions about your own property. That freedom is just what you’ll get, if you were to buy this featured property, which is not governed by any associations.

— by CurryMedia.com

After brick and stone, fiber cement is better than other exterior siding choices

Replacing siding or exterior facades of homes is much more expensive and time-consuming than changing a paint color on interior drywall, yet many home buyers focus more on interior paint colors when home-shopping than they do on the exterior walls.

If you think that’s because the type of siding on a home doesn’t really matter, think again. Some crack, others peel and fade, or dent or rot. The ones that tend to stand the test of time are brick, fiber cement and stone.

You’re not likely to find a home covered entirely in stone, but you can find ones that are all-brick, or at least with all-brick fronts, and ones that are all fiber cement. If you can purchase a home with two of these, such as both brick and fiber cement, as our featured home in Maple Grove, Minn., has, then you will be in great shape.

Brick is on the front and Nichiha Fiber Cement is on the sides and rear of our featured home at 18148 87th Pl N, Maple Grove, Minn. When buying, choose a home with brick and/or fiber cement if you want the best, most durable product on the exterior of your home.

Here is a run down of some of the siding options:

BRICK
Brick remains one of the most expensive and sturdiest of exterior home products. Few people pay to upgrade their home to a brick exterior because of the expense. So if you can find a home already clad totally or partially in brick, feel secure with your choice and go for it.

• Though expensive, brick does not require maintenance like painting or staining.
• It is fireproof and durable.
• Brick homes weather the elements well, block out noise, and are energy efficient.

Nichiha Fiber Cement was rated best in its category by Consumer Reports magazine.

FIBER CEMENT (a.k.a Cement Fiber)

• Fiber cement siding is a growing trend among upscale homes. If you’re paying more than $375,000 for a home and it isn’t all brick, check to see if it has fiber cement siding. For resale value, you don’t want to be one of the few homes in the upper price bracket that doesn’t have it (and you may think the home you’re buying is not quite in that bracket, but 10 to 15 years from now, it just might be, and do you want to be the one to pay to have it installed, or would you rather move right in now?)
• Fiber cement siding is extremely durable, very low maintenance, and made from recyclable materials so it’s “Green.”
• Fiber cement will not rot or get insect damage.
• Warranty of 30 to 50 years is common from the major manufacturers, such as James Hardie and Nichiha (the sides and back of our featured home are clad in Nichiha, which was rated in June 2009 by Consumer Reports as the best siding product. The $20,000 upgrade was added to the home in 2006 and 2007.)
• Can withstand the toughest humidity issues
• Its color does not fade
• It is shock, moisture and insect resistant.
• It is very low-maintenance.

VINYL

• Prone to cracking in cold weather, especially if subjected to impact. This is something to keep in mind, especially if you live in a cold-weather state. Hail storms in states like Minnesota have caused puncture holes the size of golf balls in vinyl siding).
• Vinyl siding will warp or buckle, especially if not properly installed.
  

• Vinyl is the less expensive of the siding options (i.e., sometimes you get what you pay for).
• Can’t be painted over. So if you ever tire of the color, you’ll have to replace all the siding.
• Toxins created during manufacturing and disposal.
• Colors tend to fade quickly in direct sunlight. Vinyl can be damaged in high winds and can shrink or expand in diverse temperatures.
• Vinyl can shrink or bulge when the temperature changes.
• Yes, vinyl is very popular, but that’s because it is popular among builders and DIY-home improvers, because of its low cost. Don’t confuse low cost or or popularity with a quality rating.

WOOD / CEDAR

• Painted finishes tend to require higher maintenance than do other siding options.
• Wood siding is prone to paint problems (such as cracking and peeling) if the home is not properly ventilated.
• Can be damaged by rot, insects, warping or splitting.
• Requires frequent painting and staining.
• Cedar shingles need to be painted ever so often as well as stained every 5 years to prevent mold and rotting.

STUCCO

• Moisture and mold problems can build up and cause damage to your home’s structure.
• Shows dirt, and water stains easily.
• Some insurance companies will not insure stucco homes.

ALUMINUM

• Aluminum siding is prone to scratching, denting and being noisy (yes, you can hear it rattle on a windy day)
• Aluminum lacks the ability for detailed trim work
• Standard pre-painted aluminum siding is prone to chalking.
• It is also quite difficult to make such additions as replacing windows or doors, without having to remove large sections of the siding.
• If a ladder is set against aluminum siding, the siding will dent.

Next time you’re out viewing a home, take a moment to look at the siding, and even touch it or give it a knock to see how sturdy it is. And don’t forget to have your home inspector check it out!

— CurryMedia.com

Looking West: The backyard at 18148 87th Pl N runs 90 feet long from East to West

Some people opt for smaller yards — less to mow! Others may want a larger space where the kids can play ball or the dogs can run, or with a little area to set up a nice garden. If you can combine your yard needs with a tranquil view (such as a pond), you just might fall in love.

When sizing up a yard, don’t just view the yard from the patio or deck, actually go out and walk around back and look at the yard from different angles.

Kids and dogs love to run in long yards like the one at this home for sale at 18148 87th Pl N, Maple Grove, Minn. (No pets lived here, but they are welcome with new owners!)

Some homes have yards that run very deep outward from the home, whereas others that may appear shallow from the deck, actually might run quite long lengthwise across the house. Don’t let the perceptions fool you.

Record the dimensions
Bring a measuring tape if you must, and add the dimensions to a check sheet so you can compare from house to house.

18148's lot is large, at about 90 x 140

You can check the lot sizes, also, with the county records. Most counties, including Hennepin County, have them online now through the tax assessor’s website.

If you’re one of those who wants less to mow, remember you can always purchase a home with a larger yard and then lessen your mowing duties by opting to add more pavers, a larger playset or sandbox for the children, extend the patio or the size of your flower or vegetable garden — or, hire a lawn service!

— By CurryMedia.com

Walk-out basements like this one let in lots of natural light. The lower level of this home for sale also has plenty of full-size windows in every room.

Finishing a basement can be a good investment. In 2008, midrange basement remodels yielded a return of 72.9 cents on the dollar— a better return than on some other home improvement projects, according to an annual Remodeling magazine study.

However, when you consider that finishing a midrange basement after you move in can run upwards of $60,000, according to the study, that means a loss of about $16,000 not long after the drywall is hung.

Many home buyers know that purchasing a home with the basement already finished is actually a much better deal (the previous owner’s loss is your gain), plus you save yourself the hassle of going through the renovations yourself. Just move right in and enjoy your added living space.

— by CurryMedia.com

Many home buyers look for finished basements: This home for sale has a very large finished basement with 5th bedroom, 3/4 bath, bonus room, rec area, 2nd family room, brick fireplace and lots of closets — and it's a walk-out!

I know a woman who once had her new potential home narrowed to her Top 3 choices, all within a few blocks of each other. The best house of the three lost her interests because on a tour of the home she saw a pan of burnt, crusty brownies on the counter and she just couldn’t get the image out of her head.

Our decisions for why we choose or don’t choose a home can boil down to personal tastes or good research.

Overlooked Upgrades
There are a few things, however, that some home buyers often forget to put on their checklists, or think they can live without. Here are two of them that you really should consider:

This home for sale at 18148 87th Pl N, Maple Grove has two things some home buyers forget to consider: 1. In-Ground Water Sprinklers, 2. An Owned Water Softener

1. In-ground sprinklers. Having a garden hose to give a little extra drink to our flower beds on those hot, dry summer days is a must. But when it’s time to water the whole lawn and your choice is setting the timer on your in-ground system or detangling and dragging a hose several times a week, well, you’d opt for the in-ground system every time.

A pre-existing in-ground sprinkler system will save you time and money in the long run. It can cost upwards of $2,000 to have a system professionally installed, and without one you’re liable to waste water on your driveway because you just couldn’t get that darn portable sprinkler to cover only the area you needed.

2. Water softener-Owned. In many parts of the country, such as Minnesota, the calcium and magnesium levels in water are high enough to make the water “hard” — a telltale sign are the white scaly deposits in your shower and numerous spots on your clean glassware. A water softener removes those minerals and helps keep your pipes clear of deposits!

Most homes for sale in areas that need water softeners specify on their MLS listing sheets whether or not there is a water softener and if it is rented or owned. Check there to see what you’re getting. If you purchase a home with an “owned” softener, you’ll be sure to save quite a bit of money over needing to rent one or purchase your own — and your wine glasses will be spot free!

— CurryMedia.com

A view of the two-story foyer from the second-floor landing shows the 6-panel maple front entrance.

Here’s a view from the dining room.

Visitors can be guided from the front foyer into the formal Living Room/Sitting Room

The long foyer has beautiful hardwood floors.

Durable oak floors are perfect for any entrance

A long view of the foyer.

• Family Room view is even better! The hallway leads guests right to this two-story room, which is perfect for entertaining.

Welcome your guests right into the Family Room

PRESTIGIOUS AWARD: Rush Creek, with test scores in the Top 10% for the state, is only 2 blocks from this home.

2006 — Rush Creek Elementary in Maple Grove is the recipient of the U.S. Department of Education’s highest honor, the No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Award.

One of 8 Winners
Rush Creek, a school of 888 students, is one of eight Minnesota schools to receive this distinction. Across the country, 287 schools received the award.

Top 10% for Test Scores: For the past four years, test results from the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCAs) show that students at Rush Creek maintained consistently high achievement levels. Rush Creek was chosen because its students’ test scores were in the top 10% in the State.
ISD 279 – Osseo Area Schools is the fifth largest school district in the State. ISD 279 has an enrollment of 22,000 students and serves all or parts of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Corcoran, Dayton, Hassan, Maple Grove, Osseo, and Plymouth.

Raising the Bar
Schools that earn this prestigious award are schools that challenge students to perform at high academic levels and make significant progress toward closing the achievement gap between highest and lowest performing students.

“These schools are proving that when we raise the bar our children will rise to the challenge,” said U.S. Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings. “It takes a lot of hard work by teachers, students and parents to become a Blue Ribbon school, and it’s a privilege to celebrate their great efforts.

Nominated by the State
The process of becoming a Blue Ribbon school began with a nomination by the Minnesota Department of Education. “We were so honored to be nominated by the State,” said Don Johnson, Principal of Rush Creek Elementary. “Then to learn that we were one of the schools to receive the Blue Ribbon award was tremendously affirming of all our work.”

FOR SALE: Gorgeous 2-story, 5 bedroom walkout on scenic pond only $425,000.

Welcome to your new potential home at 18148 87th Pl N, Maple Grove. Several times a week we will update you on information about this elegant 2-story, 5 bedroom, 4 bath home that has a scenic pond view from several rooms in this stately 4,280 square foot home.