Like most real estate apps, Movoto’s application software allows potential home buyers and renters to access all the MLS data in your local market, which of course, is the same information real estate agents use to help locate possible homes you may want to view or see in person. So just as you can on Movoto’s website, search home listings by city, zip code, address, and MLS number, or filter listings by a set of criteria which includes single-family homes, condos, new in the last 7 days, open houses, reduced price, foreclosures/short sales, school district, days on market, house size, lot size, and the year in which the home was built—all from the convenience of your mobile device.

While nothing mentioned above is really anything different from other real estate mobile apps, there are some pretty neat features included in Movoto’s newest release, Version 2.2. The most notable of the updates is that users will now have the ability to view comparable homes for each house in which there is nearby data—a great tool for buyers specifically wanting to search in a defined area or location. In addition, previous bugs in the registration fields have been fixed and a “Feedback” feature has also been added so users can directly contact Movoto about the app’s performance, search capabilities, and other technical issues they may be having.

For more information about Movoto’s new real estate mobile app, check out the Movoto app page on iTunes and Google play for Android, or follow them on Facebook here.

Joe Heath is a graduate of Indiana University and also holds a Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Development from Drexel University. After working as a Market Research Associate at Hanley Wood Market Intelligence in Chicago, Joe now works as a Web Marketing Specialist and is a managing partner at Real Estate Web Creation, LLC.

photo credit: Owen Benson Visuals via photopin cc

Shabby Chic or Just Plain Shabby

Our home’s windows and doors can take a fair amount of punishment from our changeable weather conditions- if it’s not inches of snow, then it’s short bursts of blistering heat beaming down. Of course, this takes its toll on your garage doors as well and if they are looking more rusty than rustic then you should look at taking advantage of any special offers that are available to begin turning the exterior aesthetic of your home around.

With the wood variations and coloured steel that many providers now stock, there has been no better time to replace old, beaten garage doors with a fresh, new look; it will look as though your house has been given a face lift.

Automated Doors – Lazy or Practical?

In 2013 we are living in a world of convenience, and with modern technology having an even greater impact on our lives, it’s no wonder that there are products people look at purchasing to make their lives that little bit easier. Automated garage doors are one of the small changes that many people opt for as a convenient extra to their home, but what impression does this give people about your home.

Of course there are many reasons someone may choose to implement automated garage doors in their home – and the benefits are clear to see.
For example if you are simply unfit enough to open heavy manual garage yourself, either because of old age or poor physical health, and in this case an automated garage door can provide an untold level of relief – once again freeing up your garage for you to get the most out of it.

Roller Shutters for the Security-conscious

Normally associated with factories and jewellery shops, roller shutters also serve a purpose in the home and are the perfect accompaniment for any property that is security-conscious. The garage is still a part of the home yet for many it’s the last thing that they think about when it comes to protecting their belongings.

Roller shutters aren’t the prettiest of garage doors but they are durable, but if you think of the amount of value that sits behind those doors, then it is clear that the deterrent is far more important than the aesthetics.

For the house-proud amongst us, we all appreciate the importance and impact first impressions can have on a property, and with this in mind the aesthetics of your garage door is not something you should neglect or take for granted. By investing in quality garage doors that are as stylish as they are practical you can enjoy the benefits of a product you can rely on and be proud of.

About the author: This guest post was written by Jenny Pilley on behalf of The Garage Door Company – specialists in garage door repair throughout Leicester.

photo credit: @Doug88888 via photopin cc

What first comes to mind of most people when discussing such a morbid, yet important, topic is what exactly should happen to all those photos you share or e-mails you send out to friends and family; but for many in business for themselves, or more specifically, working in the real estate industry, one of the most popular e-mail providers today’s agents are using is Gmail—not a company or brokerage-given e-mail account. In other words, should something happen to you and you’re using Gmail, your company or real estate brokerage won’t be there to simply shut off your account and eliminate the threat of someone seeing sensitive information or important financial documents you and your clients have exchanged in order to secure a home or apartment for rent.

However, understanding this risk and rapidly growing concern among internet users, Google has now launched a new death tool that specifically deals with what happens to your data after you die. The new feature— now being called Inactive Account Manager— allows Google users to determine what should happen to their data should their account be inactive for whatever reason, which of course includes death.

So how does it work? It’s actually much easier than you may think. All you need to do is login to your Google account, go to your Account Settings page, and choose how much time of inactivity needs to pass before Google will automatically delete your data. Whether it is three months, six months, or even a year, choose what you think is appropriate and after that much time has elapsed without any activity to your account, your data will then be completely erased.

In addition, should you not be entirely comfortable having your data wiped clean, the Inactive Account Manager will alternatively let you choose to have all your data sent to other trusted contacts that you personally select.  Inactive Account Manage can be applied to the following services: +1s, Blogger, Contacts and Circles, Drive, Gmail, Google+, Google Pages and Streams, Picasa Web Albums, Google Voice, and YouTube.

Joe Heath is a graduate of Indiana University and also holds a Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Development from Drexel University. After working as a Market Research Associate and writing published Market Snapshots for Hanley Wood Market Intelligence in Chicago, Joe now works as a Web Marketing Specialist and is a managing partner at Real Estate Web Creation, LLC.

Online marketing strategies are becoming increasingly important for companies looking to maintain a better relationship with their customers and stakeholders. This is true of all companies, large and small, and especially so in the real estate industry, where the World Wide Web has become an absolutely essential component of business marketing.

© Photo-K – Fotolia.com

Not everyone is an expert in online marketing though, and so many look to follow strategies that they read about online or learn from other people. However, real estate professionals need to realize that there is no ‘easy fix’, and many of the so-called winning strategies they hear about cannot be adapted to their particular products and services.

Kitchen trends – courtesy © Iriana Shiyan - Fotolia.com

The Separation is Gone

Share a glass of wine and mingle with friends while preparing a fun meal in the new larger spaces that kitchens have become.  This warm hub has made walls outdated as people use the kitchen as a place to gather and socialize over the food preparation.  Kitchens now extend out into the living and dining rooms, with no more separation.  In fact, in many kitchens the growing trend is for a large center island that doubles as a dining room table.  The confine of the kitchen doesn’t just stop at the walls of the house anymore as the kitchen extends outdoors.

Solid Rocks are Out

While you’ll still see plenty of solid granite and marble counter-tops going into kitchens, the trends are leaning more towards solid surface composites with embedded quartz, recycled glass and other materials.  Concrete is also showing large growth as people realize the ability to shape counter-tops into any shape and the color options become endless.  Concrete also has the ability of being able to be embedded with other materials to create one-of-a-kind custom looks.  Metal wrapped and butcher-block tops are also gaining popularity once again, as well as anything recycled.

Hardwood is King

Hardwood floors are replacing tile and linoleum rapidly as the modern trend continues.  Where once the look was to use darker woods, in 2013 the new trends use lighter colors, often in whitewashed forms and wide planking instead of narrow.  Because hardwoods are harder to care for, there is an increase in engineered wood flooring with real hardwood veneer showing up to help with maintenance issues.  For those who love the durability of tile but want the look of hardwood, you can find porcelain tiles with a wood finish.

Updates to Appliances

While you’ll still see the trends leaning to commercial stoves and large hoods hanging from the ceiling, the rest of the trends are to hide the appliances through built ins.  Gone are the days of seeing the countertops filled with small appliances.  Instead, manufacturers have designed ingenious ways to build them into the cabinets.  For those who don’t have the cabinet space, the appliances are in bright colors to make a fashion statement in the kitchen.  Most appliances are also now doing double duty by acting as more than one appliance, such as the microwave also working as another oven or a warming drawer and the fridge having drawers that can convert to a wine fridge or a freezer when needed.  Many of the new appliances in 2013 also have Wi-Fi.

The Kitchen Sink

Once just a utilitarian piece of necessary equipment in the kitchen, the kitchen sink is now becoming a fashion statement and focal point.  Deep, one bowl options are appearing to be the most popular, paired with tall professional faucets to make washing or using those large pots and pans much easier.  Since the use of recycled materials is also in heavy use, the old farm or potting shed sinks create a wonderful look of their own when paired with the modern touches of stainless appliances and solid surface counter-tops.

Kitchens have taken on simplified, clean modern lines, as they become the focal point of the home.  We can expect to see these trends continue as more homeowners look to show off their personality and sense of taste while entertaining at home.

About the author: Joe Fern is a real estate specialist in the area of Perth, Australia and writes on topics such as 2 Story Home Builders Perth and more.

Home security – courtesy © SeanPavonePhoto – Fotolia.com

1. Installation of a home security system is relatively easy, whether you choose to do it yourself or you have it professionally installed. If you want to spend a little extra money to have an installer come to your home, you can rest assured that if the system malfunctions in the future, the installer will return to check out and fix the problem.

2. Often, your home insurance company will give you a discount if you tell them you have a home security system. You may be able to save up to 20 percent on your insurance depending on your company and the type of alarm system you have.

3. Alarm systems can be installed in different places, including doors, ceilings, walls and even windows. If your home has limited space, you can probably still find the room for an alarm system.

4. If a burglar considers breaking into your home, they’re like to be deterred if they see that you have an alarm system. Alarm systems alert the alarm company to a break-in, and in turn the police are notified. When your alarm system is installed, you can opt to have a sign outside or a sticker on your house that shows that you have an alarm system. This alone will often prevent a break-in.

5. Many alarm systems come with additional features, like sounding a small beep when somebody enters the house or walks into a specific room. The alarm won’t go off, but you’ll know when people are coming and going.

6. You may be able to attach the alarm system to a recording device. If motion is detected in a room, a camera will click on and start recording any activity.

7. You can find an alarm system that alerts you to other hazards as well. For example, many systems will sound an alarm if there’s a fire or the presence of carbon monoxide.

8. When it’s time to move, having an installed alarm system can raise the value of your property. Since the new homeowner won’t have to spend extra time or money to upgrade the house, you can raise the price of your house when you’re ready to sell.

9. Alarm systems are incredibly simple to work. Once it’s installed, simply turn it on and live your life knowing that you’re protected around-the-clock. You’ll feel more relaxed and at peace in your own home, which is invaluable.

10. If there are several homes in a neighborhood that have an alarm system, the percentage of crime in a community will be lower overall. This makes a community more desirable to move into.

About the author: Jason Willis is a professional blogger that enjoys discussing the latest trends in electronics. He writes for Phoenix, a home theater design company in Memphis TN.

Another problem faced by private landlords was the most tenant screening companies only offered these services if they agreed to expensive setup fees and high monthly minimums. There are a lot of private landlords who only rent property every six months or so and this would not be a workable solution for them, but the launch of AccuRental has changed this.

Now landlord credit checks can be as easy as filling out a simple form online. AccuRental utilizes an innovative applicant initiated renter screening process which means all the landlord has to do is fill in the applicant’s name and e-mail address. The applicant is then sent a link to a secured identity verification form where they can consent to the credit and background check. The beauty of this system is that the applicant interacts directly with AccuRental. This means the landlord doesn’t need to undergo a lengthy approval process, but instead signs up for free membership with AccuRental and is able to begin screening applicants straightaway.

AccuRental tenant reports are very comprehensive, and include the applicant’s full credit history and their FICO credit score. They are checked to see if they have any eviction history and to see if they register on national criminal records. Private landlords can gain peace of mind at a reasonable cost, and with the minimum of fuss. They don’t have to sign a lengthy contract, there are no monthly minimums, and the cost for this credit check is a very reasonable $18 per tenant report. AccuRental’s new service means private landlords are put on the same playing field as the large property management companies.

Courtesy of Search Office Space

Provide the potential buyers with information they will have to dig up themselves if they are interested in your property.  Don’t just give them the price, basic location and plot size; instead, give them the details that makes them understand why your property is the location they are looking for.

Location, Location, Location

Location is always important for commercial real estate and is one of the top purchasing decision factors for buying.  Location includes not only the basics such as city, state and country but also gives zoning details, traffic arteries, surrounding commerce and any of the area’s future known development plans.  Always include site maps and aerial photos (Google Earth is free and one of the best tools for this purpose).

Existing Site Improvements

Buyers always want to know what is currently on the site.  If there are existing structures, the buyer has to determine if they will work for his or her purpose.  If they won’t, then the cost of removal comes in to play.  If you have deteriorating or obsolescent structures on the property, consider having them removed before marketing or incorporate the cost of removal into your initial asking price instead of using it as a deduction during negations.

Average Daily Traffic Count (ADTC)

The ADTC can be a great selling point, so don’t forget to include those for the potential buyers.  Include records for any major highway(s) or adjacent intersections.  This can be extremely helpful when dealing with national or global chains such as gas stations, hotels and restaurants.

Site Access

Site access is very important because this is the legal access point to your property.  Potential buyers will want to know details such as if there is full-access or just “right in, right out” access.  Full-access means traffic can enter the property from both sides of the road, whereas “right in, right out” means the traffic can only enter and leave from the single direction.  You might also considering finding out if the local municipality requires turning lanes, traffic lights or if the access directions can be changed.  Having this information can increase the potential of you getting your full asking price.

Utility Availability

Utilities are always important to any buyer.  Most property owners are going to be looking for a modern utility infrastructure improvements over a well or septic system (although this may be the only option in some locations).  Consider increasing the value of the property by having the utilities installed before marketing or include the cost of adding in the asking price.

Environmental Concerns

Environmental issues can be a headache for both the seller and the buyer.  It’s best to have an environmental assessment completed before marketing the property so there are no surprises, after all the seller can be held responsible even after the property is purchased for undisclosed issues.  Issues do not necessarily make a property undesirable but the cleanup costs are figured into the selling price.  If you have a problem, find out if the local governments offer incentives to companies who will move onto a problem property and clean it up such as tax breaks.

Surrounding Commerce

Commercial property buyers are always interested in the local commerce or future plans for any.  It helps them to make an informed decision on whom or what the competition may be or to see if there are businesses in the area that may help their business.  Do a little legwork and give them these details, so they don’t have to spend the time looking it up themselves.

Providing the answers to these eight key factors to your potential buyers saves them time and money and could speed up the purchasing decision for your property listing,  spend a little time to gather these resources and include them with your market materials and you could be making your sell a whole lot sooner.

About the author: Steve Shanahan is the Social Media Coordinator at Real Capital Markets, a commercial real estate marketing company that provides cost-effective solutions, such as virtual deal rooms, commercial real estate auctions, bank reos, and more.

Fire, what to do – courtesy © Photo_Ma – Fotolia.com

Of course, the size and scope of the fire ultimately determines just how far the home owner can go in repairing the damage him or herself. Oftentimes it will be necessary to call in a professional who specializes in fire restoration. But if the damage is relatively minimal, the homeowner can often handle most –  if not all – of it on his or her own.

Before you begin:

Before attempting to clean and repair any fire damage, there are some basic considerations to take into account. First and foremost, it’s vital to wait until the fire is completely out before attempting any restoration. Also, if the homeowner has insurance, he or she should contact the policy provider and notify them of the damage.

The insurance provider can suggest ways the homeowner should deal with the fallout and they may even be able to recommend a professional fire restorer.

Prevent further damage

Those who do wish to perform cleanup and restoration themselves must first be cleared to enter the home by the fire marshal. The first step after that is to get air circulating. That means opening the windows in the home as well as placing a fan near the affected areas in order to help ventilate the area. Wet items should be dried as soon as possible. Dehumidifiers and fans can be used to dry heavier items like drapes and carpeting.

Removing soot

Soot is the greasy substance that results from fires and often leaves stubborn stains. Before actual cleaning of items affected by a fire can begin, it is necessary to remove the soot. A heavy vacuum is the best way to remove this substance, and the best tactic is to hold the nozzle of the unit just above the soot-covered surface in question. The use of vacuum attachments are discouraged, as these will often push the soot deeper into the item in question.

Removing smoke odor

Smoke odor can be very stubborn and linger in the home for quite a while after a fire. Unfortunately, regular household deodorizing sprays only mask the problem. Those who can’t hire a professional cleaner to remove smoke smells may want to try the following methods:

• Mix one cup dishwashing detergent with one cup gallon warm water. Submerge the affected items in this mixture all night then drain and launder as normal.
• For those more resilient items that can stand up to bleach, mix 4-6 tablespoons trisodium phosphate with 1 cup chlorine bleach as well as 1 gallon of water. Soak items and rinse with clear water.

Carpeting

Carpeting should be cleaned (preferably by a professional) both before an dafter general fire repairs. Some carpeting may require total replacement.

Cleaning walls

To clean soot stains from walls, it is necessary to use a chemical sponge – available from cleaning supply companies – or even paint thinner or rubbing alcohol.

These are just a few things homeowners can do to reduce the effects of fire damage. If a smoky smell persist for months, it may be necessary to hire a professional restorer to perform a thermal fogging, which should permeate the home to the point it kills all smoke odor.

About the author: Frank Kelly is an avid blogger and contributor to Indoorrestore.com, a leading mold inspection and testing company throughout the United States.