When sue and I started our real estate investment company 20 years ago, we wanted to create a model that provided consistent results. One of the tools we found to be very helpful is the following list of steps to find and nurture a stable of contractors. We hope you too will find it useful.

1. Get at least three written estimates.

2. Get references and call to check on the work. If possible, go by and visit earlier jobs.

3. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints.

4. Be sure that the contract states exactly what is to be done and how change orders will be handled.

5. Make as small a down payment as possible so you won't lose a lot if the contractor fails to complete the job.

6. Be sure that the contractor has the necessary permits, licenses, and insurance.

7. Be sure that the contract states when the work will be completed and what recourse you have if it isn't. Also remember that in many instances you can cancel a contract within three business days of signing it.

8. Ask if the contractor's workers will do the entire job or whether subcontractors will do parts.

9. Get the contractor to indemnify you if work does not meet local building codes or regulations.

10. Be sure that the contract specifies the contractor will clean up after the job and be responsible for any damage.

11. Guarantee that materials used meet your specifications.

And last but certainly not least

12. Don't make the final payment until you're satisfied with the work.

HOW TO ENSURE CARBON MONOXIDE HOME SAFETY

DANGER

The need for heat from fireplaces or furnaces can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in your home. The following information will help you keep your family safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide.

INSPECTION

Ensure that the exhaust gases vent properly from the central home heating unit. When the furnace is on, check for good airflow, indicated by heat ripples or whites haze emitting from the attached flue. Other sources to check are: water heaters, clothes dryers, ranges, stoves, gas space heaters, and wood stoves.

DETECTION

WHAT IS IT?

Carbon monoxide is gas that is odorless, colorless, poisonous, and produced by the combustion of organic materials such as fuels, wood, or other substances, which contains carbon. While very high gas levels produce comas and death, the following are the symptoms lower gas levels produce.

Services:

Most cities have Environmental Services Divisions that offer indoor air quality testing for the presence of carbon monoxide. This is usually a free service.

* Price? Sometimes.

* Location? Maybe.

The REAL answer is that each home has something special that will trigger a buyer's interest. And you never know what that special something is ahead of time.

Certainly, the first impression enhances the possibility of a sale. If the buyer sees an unkempt lawn, peeling paint, and a lot of clutter, it could create a problem.

Why? PEOPLE BUY EMOTIONALLY. If they bought LOGICALLY, they would never buy anything.

The buyer actually buys the seller's lifestyle, decor, furniture and other things that will not be in the house

when that house is sold.

It is a known fact that furnished houses sell better than vacant houses. One would think that a vacant house would sell better because the buyer can see all the empty space, plan on placing his furniture, etc. NOT SO. The buyer buys the seller's furniture with his eyes.

The proof of the pudding is the new homes. The builder builds model homes and finishes them will all types of upgrades. Then he uses expensive interior decorators and designers. He uses the best furniture, carpet, and has soft music playing in the background. (Often times thefurniture is specially made - 4/5ths of actual size so the rooms appear larger.)

Obviously this works. Otherwise the builder would just put a desk as an office in the empty house. NO WAY - the builder goes to the expense to make the model SUPERIOR.

Same thing. The buyer buys the "sizzle" before he buys the steak.

This should tell you, as a seller, that "condition-condition-condition" may overpower price, location, or other minuses in the house.

Here's a small thing you can do. Use 100 watt light bulbs in all the light fixtures you can. The extra bright light makes the rooms look larger.

Before the buyer is due arrive, bake some bread or boil some cinnamon sticks for a welcoming aroma and make the buyer think about family dinners.

Yes, it is the first impression that goes the furthest in selling any home.

Always pay the most attention to the front door, the entry way, and surrounding areas - places the potential buyer sees first. NEVER let the buyer enter the house through the garage or the back door.

Selling can be easy if you take care of little things - like making sure the doorbell is working!

1. A real estate transaction is complicated. In most cases, buying or selling a home requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page government-mandated settlement statements. A knowledgeable guide through this complexity can help you avoid delays or costly mistakes.

2. Selling or buying a home is time consuming. Even in a strong market, homes in our area stay on the market for an average of 120 days. And it usually takes another 60 days or so for the transaction to close after an offer is accepted.

3. Real estate has its own language. If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with someone who speaks that language.

4. REALTORS© have done it before. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. And even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. That’s why having an expert on your side is critical.

5. REALTORS© provide objectivity. Since a home often symbolizes family, rest, and security, not just four walls and roof, home selling or buying is often a very emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you keep focused on both the business and emotional issues most important to you.

REALTORS© are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS©, a trade organization of more than 1 million members nationwide. REALTORS© subscribe to a stringent code of ethics that helps guarantee the highest level of service and integrity.