CENTURY 21 Affiliated Blog

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  1. Tips for a Clean, Guest-Ready Home

    While the season for enjoying backyard BBQs and poolside parties with friends and family is behind us, as we gear of for the holidays, that means more entertaining. With a little planning, you can minimize time spent on daily chores and maximize time spent creating memories with guests. Here are a few quick tips to clean and prep your home for a season of get-togethers - anytime day or night. Load ...

  2. CENTURY 21 Affiliated Stoughton Office Comes Together to Collect Clothing for Easter Seals
    CENTURY 21 Affiliated Stoughton Office Comes Together to Collect Clothing for Easter Seals

    Random acts of kindness are a wonderful way to touch the lives of others and make our world a better place. CENTURY 21 Affiliated, with its 56 offices, celebrated giving back to the community by embarking on a simple yet extremely meaningful initiative called Random Act of Kindness (RAK) Day. On September 25th, 2014 CENTURY 21 Affiliated dedicated the day to spreading kindness by holding it's first RAK ...

  3. Seasonal Home Decor: 5 Fall Trends

    With fall in full swing, homeowners should take time to transition from summertime decor to autumnal accents throughout the home. Usher in the change of seasons by pairing these trends with rich, saturated colors. Go natural. Natural and organic patterns are a big trend this fall -- add branch-patterned textiles and wall coverings for a dose of whimsy. A swirled or marbleized pattern is also popular ...

  4. CENTURY 21 Real Estate Signs National Marketing Agreement As First Real Estate Sponsor Of SeniorHousingNet.com
    CENTURY 21 Real Estate Signs National Marketing Agreement As First Real Estate Sponsor Of SeniorHousingNet.com

     CENTURY 21 Real Estate, the iconic brand and franchisor of the world's largest residential real estate sales organization, today announced a marketing agreement to be the inaugural real estate sponsor of SeniorHousingNet.com. Operated by Move, Inc., SeniorHousingNetSM offers timely and comprehensive access to senior living listings and resources including independent and assisted living ...

  5. Q: How Do Capital Gains Work When You Sell Your Home?

    A. If you sell your primary residence, you may be able to exclude up to $250,000 of gain—$500,000 for married couples—from your federal tax return. To claim the exclusion, the IRS says your home must have been owned by you and used as your main home for a period of at least two out of the five years prior to its sale. You also must not have excluded gain on another home sold during ...

  6. Fall Focus: Four Hidden Clutter Caches in Your Home
    Fall Focus: Four Hidden Clutter Caches in Your Home

    Did you know that clutter can accumulate even in the neatest of homes? Families with minimal clutter can benefit from de-cluttering in unexpected spaces. In fact, storage solutions often amass the most unnecessary items, becoming a seemingly organized catch-all.    Fall is the perfect time to consider removing clutter from these storage areas around the home. Filing Cabinets – ...

  7. CENTURY 21 Affiliated Dedicated to Spreading Kindness
    CENTURY 21 Affiliated Dedicated to Spreading Kindness

    The real estate agents, staff, and leadership of CENTURY 21 Affiliated decided to spend a single day spreading kindness, impacting lives, and putting smiles on peoples’ faces. Ruta Susinskas, CENTURY 21 Affiliated Principal, proposed the idea of the company hosting a day for Random Acts of Kindness.  "Having gotten to know many Team Leaders and Agents associated with CENTURY 21 Affiliated ...

  8. Home Theater Rooms Continue to Rise in Popularity

    People might be watching more TV on their tablets and cellphones these days, but that doesn't mean the demise of the home television is occurring anytime soon. In fact, one of the largest increases in requests that real estate agents have gotten in recent years concerns the desire for a home to be equipped with a home theater room—or at least the space available to put one in. For many ...

  9. Traveling in 2015? Here's What You Can Expect
    Traveling in 2015? Here's What You Can Expect

    Planning ahead is always a wise travel move, and it's certainly not too early to start thinking about making plans for 2015. Before booking their next trip, travelers should consider the travel industry trends that will shape 2015 so they can make the most enjoyable and cost-effective travel decisions. Keep in mind these 10 upcoming travel trends. 1. Rates and occupancy levels will be higher, ...

  10. How Agents Can Excel by Giving Back to the Community

    As a real estate agent, you already know you have an important place within the community. However, selling homes isn't the only way you can help out. Below are a handful ways you can give back—and make invaluable connections—within your community. Donate your fees. Many agents give back by donating a percentage of their fees to a local charity. Not only are you giving back ...

  11. 9 Ways You're Wasting Your Money
    9 Ways You're Wasting Your Money

    Almost everyone allows for a few leaks in the budget; paying late fees, spending too much on parties, buying things on impulse. If you’re serious about saving, plugging up a few leaks will add up to cash you can stash. Kiplinger’s, the money mag, recently updated its annual list of top money wasters:   Buying at the wrong time – Clothing goes on sale at the end of ...

  12. 2015 Housing Forecast: Recovery Will Continue Gradually
    2015 Housing Forecast: Recovery Will Continue Gradually

    Americans’ attitudes toward the housing market continued to soften in August and suggest that housing activity may resume its modest recovery in 2015 after some pullback this year, according to results from Fannie Mae’s August 2014 National Housing Survey. Despite ongoing improvements in the labor market this year, consumers’ view on their income trend during the past 12 months appears ...

  13. Four Steps to Reclaim Your Space after Life Changes

    Life events like purchasing a new home or a child moving out can leave homeowners facing a bare and empty room -- and a decorating challenge. Decor&You, one of America's leading, full-service, interior decorating franchises, understands how overwhelming this process can feel. To begin the transformation, the company’s design experts encourage homeowners to visualize their empty space ...

  14. Got 5 Minutes? Spruce up Your Home with 10 Quick Fixes
    Got 5 Minutes? Spruce up Your Home with 10 Quick Fixes

    Everyone likes a home that looks neat, clean and orderly—even when there’s just no time for a thorough going over. But, suggest DIY lifestyle advisors, spending as little as five minutes a day can go a long way toward keeping things on track in between scheduled cleanings.What can you do in just five minutes? Sweep the front steps and shake out the welcome mat—If there’s minute left over, run a dust ...

  15. The Most Affordable Cities for Millennial Buyers
    The Most Affordable Cities for Millennial Buyers

    It’s no secret young buyers have faced challenges when it comes to saving money to purchase a home of their own thanks to limited job opportunities and skyrocketing debt. Despite all this, the millennial generation still believes in homeownership. To help them achieve that dream, the National Association of REALTORS® has identified five cities where homeownership is more attainable for millennials: ...

  16. CENTURY 21® Recognized with Highest Overall Customer Satisfaction (Video)

  17. Q: Can a Home Be Sold for Less Than Its Mortgage?
    Q: Can a Home Be Sold for Less Than Its Mortgage?

    A: Sometimes. But it is a complicated process and a lot will depend on the lender. This process is called a “short sale,” which occurs when a lender agrees to write off the portion of a mortgage that is higher than the value of a home. But, usually, a buyer must be willing to purchase the property first. A short sale may be more complex if the loan has been sold in the secondary market. Then the lender ...

  18. Selling? 12 Tips to Choosing a Good REALTOR(R)
    Selling? 12 Tips to Choosing a Good REALTOR(R)

    Hoping to have a great home sale this year? The first step is finding a great REALTOR®. The Internet can provide you with an abundance of real estate tips and advice, but it's extremely beneficial to work with a real estate agent who understands all of the nuances of selling a house. A good real estate professional can guide you through the process and make the experience as simple and ...

  19. Couples: Live Happily Ever after with Tips on Moving into Your First Home Together
    Couples: Live Happily Ever after with Tips on Moving into Your First Home Together

    Moving into your first home as a couple is a fun experience. But you will also face challenges like combining your household belongings and determining where you want everything placed. Handling these negotiations well can start your life together on the right foot. Your first home may just be a starter home, or it may be the place you raise your family. Once you've found the perfect location with ...

  20. CENTURY 21 Affiliated President to be Announced as the 2015 WRA Chairman
    CENTURY 21 Affiliated President to be Announced as the 2015 WRA Chairman

    Mark your calendar for the 2014 WRA Annual Convention on September 21-22nd, the WRA’s showcase event of the year where hundreds of REALTORS® gather from all corners of the state. This year’s convention will be extra special for our CENTURY 21 Affiliated Wisconsin Agents as the WRA welcomes our President, Dan Kruse, as the 2015 WRA Chairman. Dan graduated from the University ...

  21. 3 Unconventional Advertising Strategies for Real Estate Professionals
    3 Unconventional Advertising Strategies for Real Estate Professionals

    The best way to grow your business is with a consistent marketing strategy that includes both online and offline tactics. Just because you started blogging or using Facebook doesn’t mean you should forget about door knocking and walking your farm. Chances are you have an advertising plan that includes flyers, print ads and hundreds of business cards each year, but do you wonder if there could be other ...

  22. Q: How Do You Decide Whether to Add on to an Existing Home or Purchase a New One?

    A: There are a few things to consider, including cost, individual needs, and what will add value down the road. Also important: your emotional attachment to the existing home. As designer and builder Philip S. Wenz, the author of Adding to a House: Planning, Design & Construction, notes, an addition is much cheaper than building a new home and can offer a “new” home without the ...

  23. House Bounce: 16 Celebrities Living in Other Celebrities' Homes
    House Bounce: 16 Celebrities Living in Other Celebrities' Homes

    Apparently, famous peeps like to sell their homes to other famous peeps—who'da thunk it? Why do celebrities like to keep their homes in the celebrity circuit? Well, celebs often have star-sized needs like 14-car garages and closets the size of a private jet launch pad (which they also probably have). Celebs also often share swanky agents, who find it easier to keep sales as an in-house ...

  24. Late Summer Is Perfect for Planting around Your Property
    Late Summer Is Perfect for Planting around Your Property

    Ed Hume from HumeSeeds.com offers some ideas about the best things to put into the ground this fall so you can enjoy the beauty and bounty of your property into the winter and well into next season. Hume suggests late summer plantings should include: Fall Vegetables—Start fall and winter vegetables in late August. Green onions, carrots, beets, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and over-wintering cauliflower ...

  25. 7 Helpful Tips for First-time Homebuyers

    Looking for a new home can be a pretty exciting task. With that much money on the line, it's worthwhile to read up on the process before you set out. Unnecessary mistakes can and should be avoided while trying to get the best deal for your money. As a first-time homebuyer, proper guidance from seasoned professionals can make all the difference. Here are a few tips first-time buyers can take ...

  26. Money Lessons for Kids Heading to College

    Going off to college is an exciting time: new friends, new surroundings, and seemingly endless possibilities. But it’s expensive, and unless your kid has access to unlimited funds, he or she will have to be resourceful in finding ways to make a dollar go further. As parents, says small business advisor Rich Ellinger, you may rest a bit easier if you impart these three simple money lessons ...

  27. What Do FSBOs and Sandwiches Have In Common? More Than You May Think
    What Do FSBOs and Sandwiches Have In Common? More Than You May Think

    FSBO [abbr.] – Property that is ‘For Sale By Owner,’ denoting a lack of an agent or broker representative Ah, FSBOs. Those properties owners insist on selling without the guidance of a professional, often in an attempt to avoid paying a hefty commission. A precarious move, considering the unpredictability of the housing market. Risks aside, FSBOs present a golden opportunity ...

  28. Simple Tips to Take Your Backyard from 'Blah' to 'Breathtaking'
    Simple Tips to Take Your Backyard from 'Blah' to 'Breathtaking'

    Backyards are a space of your own that can be enjoyed whenever and however you want to. While a quick look out the window may be enough to send you over the edge—Does the grass need cutting? Do the weeds need pulling? Have the flowers all wilted? Is the pool swarming with dead bugs?—having access to a yard is probably one of the greatest things about owning a home. However, if the word ‘blah’ ...

  29. 4 Questions Every Home Seller Asks

    Are you thinking about selling your home this fall? If so, you're likely to have many questions—especially if you've never sold a house before. It's helpful to understand the basics. We suggest asking these four questions every home seller asks:   What makes a house sell?  The five biggest factors are price, terms, condition, location and market exposure.   ...

  30. Q: What Is a Loan-To-Value Ratio?

    A: The loan-to-value ratio, or LTV, is the loan amount expressed as a percent of either the purchase price or the appraised value of the property. It is an important factor considered by lenders before approving a mortgage. Few lenders will lend the full value of a property unless they have guarantees such as those offered by the Veterans Administration (VA). Otherwise, the risks are just too high ...

  31. Instagram Provides Unique Twist to House Hunting Process
    Instagram Provides Unique Twist to House Hunting Process

    Social media has taken the real estate industry by storm, and buyers and sellers alike are pulling out all the stops when it comes to using various platforms to achieve their real estate dreams. Today, many are turning to Instagram to truly scope out the unique features they desire. A picture-friendly website,  Instagram has over 200 million active users. And on any given ...

  32. Tips for a Healthier Home

    Every household has its honey-do list, but inevitably you’re not always going to have time to cross off every project on the list. Rather than setting lofty goals that make it easy to procrastinate, the key to a productive and effective list is to be realistic. Start with the projects that will have an immediate effect on creating and maintaining a safer and healthier home. “Keep your ...

  33. Ready to Move? 5 Questions You Must Ask Before Listing Your Home
    Ready to Move? 5 Questions You Must Ask Before Listing Your Home

    Buying or selling a home is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. Whether you're simply looking for a change of scenery or considering a cross country move so that you can be closer to a significant other, you'll want to ask yourself the following questions before making the decision to move—whether it’s down the road or across state lines.  1. Why do I want to move? Maybe you’re bored ...

  34. CENTURY 21 Real Estate Sweeps J.D. Power 2014 Home Buyer/Seller Satisfaction Study

    CENTURY 21 Real Estate, the iconic brand with the world’s largest real estate franchise sales organization, announced that it has been ranked highest in overall customer satisfaction by the J.D. Power 2014 Home Buyer/Seller Satisfaction StudySM, released today. Specifically, CENTURY 21® Real Estate swept the awards by receiving the highest ranking among national real estate companies across all ...

  35. CENTURY 21 Affiliated Real Estate Market Update with Dan & Bill--July 2014

    Welcome to the July 2014 Market Update with President Dan Kruse, and Founder and CEO Bill Kessler. This month's update will cover what is going on currently in the marketplace, a reflection on the first half of this year within the company, a prediction of what is to come, and some projects CENTURY 21 Affiliated has been working on.  As mentioned previously the first quarter of the year had a ...

  36. Q: Should I Always Get a Permit Before Making Home Improvements?

    A: To save both time and money, some people avoid getting building permits. But most cities require them. Besides ensuring safety during construction – housing inspectors sometimes stop by to check on the progress of projects at key points – they are also a source of revenue. Cities charge a fee when a building permit is issued. Also, work done with a building permit can result in an ...

  37. 5 Ways to Save at the Amusement Park

    According to a recent TripAdvisor survey, more than half of Americans plan to visit an amusement park this summer, with more than a quarter spending over $1,000 on the visit. Families can keep costs down by making the visit budget-friendly. Here are five ways to save on amusement park admission: 1. Plan (and purchase) in advance. Rather than purchasing day-of tickets, consider purchasing tickets ...

  38. Do You Need a New Roof? 4 Ways to Tell

    Think your home is in great shape? How about the part you can't see! I'm talking about one of your home's largest assets – the roof. DaVinci Roofscapes of Lenexa, Kansas recently developed a roster of insightful tips for evaluating one's roof, in partnership with home improvement expert and contractor Mark Clement of MyFixitUpLife.com. Clement's tips for Evaluating Your ...

  39. 15 Superhero Stain-Fighters You Already Have At Home

    1. Toothpaste to get out stains: Non-gel and non-whitening toothpaste can get stains out of multiple household items. For stains on walls and carpets squeeze on toothpaste and rub with a cloth and rinse with warm water. Be careful with high-shine walls as it could take away the gloss. Marks on leather and rings on wood furniture can be eliminated the same way—spread on a thin coat of toothpaste ...

  40. CENTURY 21 Affiliated - Delafield Invites Community to Open House
    CENTURY 21 Affiliated - Delafield Invites Community to Open House

    The CENTURY 21 Affiliated - Delafield, WI office will be holding an Open House to announce their recent move on Friday, August 1st from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. A ribbon cutting ceremony by the Delafield Chamber of Commerce is scheduled at 12:00 p.m. CENTURY 21 Affiliated - Delafield, locally known as Lake Country, previously located behind Target has now moved to a beautiful downtown location ...

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