Money Saving Ideas

1. Give your dishwasher a break. Turn off the dry cycle and air dry your dishes instead. This can save you up to 1 percent of your energy bill. Or, for more savings, wash the dishes by hand.
2. Do laundry efficiently. Use the warm or cold water setting to wash your clothes instead of hot water, and always use cold water to rinse them. Whenever possible, line dry your clothes or hang them on a rack.
3. Replace your air conditioner filters. Dirty, clogged filters can force your system to run longer and use more energy. You should replace the filters monthly for maximum benefits.
4. Get some fresh air. Turning off your air conditioining can save money. Leave your windows open or buy several fans to circulate the air, especially at night when it’s already cooler outside.
5. Pull out the grill. Throw a barbecue outside instead of using the oven. It tastes delicious and will keep your home cooler. Many public parks have grills available if you do not own one.
6. Travel smart. With rising airline ticket prices and fees, you may want to consider another mode of travel, such as train. If an airline flight is necessry for a vacation, book it early to get the best rate. July is one of the busiest travel months, so perhaps choose a trip later in the summer.
7. Packing light will go a long way when traveling by air. Some airlines are charging extra fees for checked baggage. You can avoid these extra fees by only packing what you absolutely need for the trip.
8. Dust off the library card. Visit your local library this summer for an excellent assortment of books you haven’t read. Some libraries have DVDs or movies to borrow, which can save you a bundle.
9. Keep an eye out for end-of-summer sales. Experts say the best time to purchase home and garden supplies is after July 4. Watch for summer clothing and swimwear sales at the end of summer and stock up for next year.
10. Buy a city pass. Popular tourist ciites, such as New York, Seattle, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and Hollywood, offer special passes that allow you to visit several attractions for a reduced price. Many theme parks, museums and national parks offer similar passes, which can be found online.

Visit Open Houses

For potential home buyers who are looking to purchase a home immediately or in the future, visiting open houses is a great way to learn about neighborhoods, decide features that are important , and be current on what is available on the market in order to do some comparisons. Open houses are a great way to visit homes on the market at your leisure with no pressure to buy when you walk in. We encourage potential buyers to visit open houses to help them narrow down and determine what elements are important to them when they are ready to buy their home. Many buyers aren’t sure what features they want in a home so open houses can give buyers a visual to see how they have incorporated various features and functions in their homes. Open houses are an easy way to get ideas and check out things in homes to help buyers decide what matters most and there is also the chance that when you visit an open house you just might find your perfect home.

Renting?.........The Time to buy is now

With all the incentives available right now for first time home buyers we are asked all the time by potential first time home buyers if this really is the time to buy. Without question the answer is YES. Renting is often a necessity, but when it comes to investing in your future becoming a homeowner is one of the best investments you can make. Until December of this year first time home buyers may be eligible to receive an $8000 tax credit which most likely will be gone after this year. There are also a number of great deals right now so home buyers are actually in a position to purchase more house than they originally thought they could. Purchasing a home can be a scary process no matter whether you are a first time home buyer or you are buying your 10th property. The process does not need to be scary nor frustrating particularly if you are working with a real estate professional who can help you through this process. Please give us a call today and let us help you determine if purchasing a home is the best investment for you and also allow us to help determine what may be available to you on the housing market. The Guilliams Team wants to be your partner in making your dreams of being a homeowner possible and we have included a link that helps answer any questions you may have . Give us a call today!
Link to First Time Home buyer information http://www.theguilliamsteam.com/atj/user/AdditionalGetAction.do?pageId=167383

Ready to Buy?

If you think you are ready to become a homeowner ask yourself the following questions.
1. Have you researched the market? Knowing what homes are selling for in the area can help you determine how much you should plan to spend.
2. Do you have sufficient savings to cover down payment and closing costs? Expect to have 3% - 20% of the sale price in the bank to cover your down payment, plus another 2% - 7% to cover closing costs.
3. Do you know how much home you can afford? A mortgage payment should not exceed 25% of yur gross monthly earnings. A home that sucks up more than a quarter of your income may lead to financial difficulties.
4. Is your credit report accurate? Inaccuracies on a credit report can cost you higher interest rates. Request your credit report from all three nationwide credit bureaus and report mistakes immediately.
If you answered yes to all these questions - you're ready to consider buying! Let The Guilliams Team help you find your dream home today!

One of lifes most importnat experiences

Buying real estate is one of the most important experiences in any person`s life. Choices, wise or otherwise, made when choosing a home or investment will affect the quality of your life for years to come.For a buyer to make a wise choice, many questions need to be asked, decisions must be made, and numerous options must be weighed. It is the real estate consultant`s responsibility to help you through this complicated and often confusing process. Please choose your Realtor carefully!The most important asset a real estate consultant can possess is empathy. Be sure the agent cares more about your needs than the commission checks he/she may earn.

Baxter Homes Values would appreciate having the opportunity to be your real estate consultant. Our primary responsibility is to help you make wise choices. It is a responsibility we don`t take lightly. Thank you in advance for your consideration. You are appreciated!

New South Interiors

For shoppers in the market for furniture that is unique, tasteful and of the highest quality then you have to check out New South Interiors. PF and Chip Pryor are owners of this one-of-a-kind furniture store that is located in the historic Cotton Factory in downtown Rock Hill. PF has many years in the business and is also an interior designer who has incredible taste and vision making her a joy to her many clients. The quality of offerings in the store is tremendous and from the moment you walk through the doors you realize you have entered something very special and unique. The furniture they carry is furniture that you will be able to pass down as heirlooms. Prices are quite reasonable especially given the quality of craftsmanship and materials. It is important that the furniture is beautiful, functional and well made so you won’t find cheap furniture that has been glued together. New South Interiors has been in Rock Hill for about a year and people from all over the greater Charlotte area are discovering New South Interiors and all the wonderful qualities that truly set this store apart from all the other competitors. Be sure and check out New South Interiors today.

Every Home is a stage

Play your part when it's time to sell. A few simple techniques can help your home show better and sell faster.
Make it shine: Use orange oil on dried out wood cabinets to restore luster and shine.
Accessorize: Add a bowl of polished apples, oranges or grapes to the kitchen counter or dining room table.
Smells sell: Woo prospective buyers with the irresistable scent of fresh baked apple pie or cookies.
Let there be light: Natural light can enhance the look of any room. Make sure your windows and window treatments are sparkling clean and wide open when potential buyers arrive.
Pictures of you: Place photos of your and your family enjoying the home in at least three areas of the home to show how your family made this house a home.
Ready to sell? We have more ideas to make your home sparkle for prospective buyers so contact us at Baxter Home Values today.

Sellers , you must think like the buyer

As the seller, you can control three factors that will affect the sale of your home: * The home's condition* Asking price* Marketing strategyHowever, it's important to note that there are numerous other factors that influence a buyer, and you need to understand these consumer trends when you enter the sellers' market. The more your home matches these qualifications, the more competitive it will be in the marketplace. Your real estate agent can advise you on how to best position and market your home to overcome any perceived downsides. LocationUnfortunately, the most influential factor in determining your home's appeal to buyers is something you can't control: its location. According to the National Association of REALTORS(r), neighborhood quality is the No. 1 reason buyers choose certain homes. The second most influential factor is commute times to work and school. SizeWhile some buyers want to simplify their lives and downsize to a smaller home, home sizes in general have continued to increase over the decades, nearly doubling in size since the 1950s. Smaller homes typically appeal to first-time home buyers and "empty nesters," or couples whose children have grown up and moved out. AmenitiesPreferences in floor plans and amenities go in and out of fashion, and your real estate agent can inform you of the "hot ticket" items that are selling homes in your market. If your home lacks certain features, you can renovate to increase its appeal, but be forewarned: That's not always the right move. Using market conditions and activity in your neighborhood as a gauge, your agent can help you determine whether the investment is likely to help or hinder your profit margin and time on the market.