The National Association of Realtors recent report states the home prices rose in 51% of the nation’s metropolitan areas in the first quarter of 2012. I know we have heard the rainbows are coming out many times; but hopefully, this report is for real. And if it is real, that means that many areas in the country are starting to stabilize.

Home Prices are on the Rise

The average price for previously owned and existing homes rose in seventy-four of the 146 markets that the NAR takes their statistics from. These prices rose from January to March of this year. This is a significant change over last year with only twenty-nine areas reporting higher prices. But, we need to keep in mind that the overall national average price for single family dwellings sold in the same time period continued to drift lower. The average home sale price was $158,100, down 0.4% from last year. Of course, the median prices can be a misleading measurement because they are affected by the mix of homes available. If an investor came into an area and bought up all the homes that were $100,000 or less to turn them into rentals; there would no longer be any lower priced homes and the average asking price would be from the higher priced homes in the area. So, do some research and find out the real value of the home you want to buy. Look at real estate comps for market pricing, selling prices, foreclosures in the area, and what homes like the one you want is selling for.

The 2012 Selling Season

The 2012 selling season is becoming a fruitful season for real estate agents. They say that it is looking like it will be the strongest spring selling season in several years. This news is great news, and if you are a realtor it is even better. The last four years have been a strain on real estate agents to say the least. The NAR say consumer confidence that home prices have hit bottom is finally making the holdout buyers jump off the fence and buy. Property investors have made up most of the home buyers, lately. They have been buying up millions of homes and are renting them out. It is still a great time to invest in property. The houses are starting to sell more quickly than in the past two or three years. And the annoying days of home bidding wars are here again. Young couples who have decided to buy their first homes are finding that they have to put bids on several homes that they like; to perhaps be the winner of one of them. Many are finding it very discouraging and some are even changing their minds and will continue to rent. Also in many areas of the country, there are shortages of homes, which make it even more difficult to find a home. Many sellers are still waiting for the home prices to rise in their areas before they put their homes on the market. But, don’t despair, we still have a shot at all the promises foreclosure properties that were supposed to flood the market very soon. So, look for the rainbows and you just may be able to get yourself a new home at a golden price, yet.

Merv Griffin’s former 40 acre estate near Palm Springs, California is up for sale again. The compound was on the market two years ago for $14.5 million and didn’t sale. It has been re-listed at $9.5 million which is a 34% discount. It is a beautiful property for a large family or family get-away home. And if you love the warm sun and the close proximity to the L.A. area; this is the property for you.

Merv Griffin

Merv Griffin, the man, was a multi-talented entertainer. He started out in radio and singing with the Big Bands. He was discovered by Doris Day at one of his nightclub acts and acted in several movies and on Broadway. From 1965 to 1986 he hosted “The Merv Griffin Show” and created many game shows for TV. The two that are still going on today are “The Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy”. He later became interested in real estate and bought many hotels; including the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. He was considered a Real Estate and Entertainment Mogul. Mr. Griffin was born in 1925 and died on August 12, 2007 at the age of 82 of prostate cancer. He was a very talented man.

The Former Estate

The estate or compound was built by Griffin in 1986 in La Quinta, CA and consists of the 5,000 square foot main home as well as four free standing guest casitas and two guest houses. There are a total of 14 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms on the estate. The home was decorated in a Moroccan theme and was decorated by noted decorator Waldo Fernandez. Griffin used the compound as a second residence when he wanted to get away from Hollywood. The property includes a 2 ½ acre lake and full equestrian facility with staff quarters. The landscape is full of beautiful palm trees, manicured lawns, dock, lovely infinity pool and an enormous Jacuzzi.

Saudi Prince, Sheik Tarek Al Fassi’s Miami Mansion is sold

The Prince and his family are part of the Saudi royal family. The Prince purchased the two lots separately; one in 1984 for $1.3 million and the second in 1991 for $1.6 million. The Miami Mansion was sold to Richard Meruelo, a Los Angeles developer for $8.5 million. Realtor Kenny Raymond, said this was the highest price ever paid for a home on Pinetree Drive, which is the most prestigious street in Miami Beach. It is located near the golf clubs and night life and is boarded on one side by the water.

The Home

The 10,271 square foot Mediterranean home was built in 1929 and in on 2.7 acres.  There are 9 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms. It is beautifully decorated in Middle Eastern décor. You could expect to see a Prince living in this home. The house also has a myriad of outdoor sporting areas. They include a sports field, an extensive gym, as well as a basketball court, swimming pool and tennis courts. And the best part is the 180 feet of waterfront on the Indian Creek Canal.

When buying your first investment property, something to think about is the possibility of being a property manager or maybe hiring one if being a landlord is not appealing. Research is crucial when buying investment property, so learn what to look for when buying land with tips from a financial planner in free personal-finance video.

Expert: Julie Asti, CFP
Bio: Julie Asti works as a financial planner for Asti Financial.

If you are selling your home there are many more steps to do before you get to the fun stuff. But we will keep those steps brief. The first thing you need to do if you are planning on selling your home is to get rid of everything that you haven’t used in the last six months. Not counting summer and winter wardrobes, unless they are the wrong size! This means getting rid of piles of papers, old toys, old and ill-fitting clothes and shoes, old electronics, broken or old furniture, junk you have been holding onto for years, etc. Remove as much furniture as you can and all of your personal décor, family photos and counter items. You want your kitchen and bathroom counter space to look as big as possible. Pack up your treasures and give away the rest. Or have a garage sale or sell on Craig’s List and make some extra cash. And then clean every surface until it sparkles. Make any repairs or replacements necessary and stage your home to show off the spaciousness of each room. All of this is extremely emotional and physically draining. But, it will help you sell your home.

Now the Fun Stuff

So let’s get to the fun stuff. Once your personal things are out of your home and pre-packed or gone; it may look a little sparse. Here is where you can try some ideas that you have always wanted to do. As long as it enhances your home and doesn’t detract you are ok. Try new accent colors. This can be inexpensively done with colorful pillows, rugs, and generic accent pieces that can be set around or put on the walls that will replace those family photos. Get some inexpensive new towels that can easily be put up when buyers come through. A new coat of paint in the neutral tones will always be safe. And neutrals will give you the chance to experience new and different colors to accent with and new ideas for the new home. Spruce up the yards and entry ways. Curb appeal is everything.  It is the first impression of your home. Use colored pots with colorful flowers and hanging baskets and plant herbs in and around your garden. The color and lovely fragrances will draw people in.

Just Starting Out

This is not only exciting to have your first home; but you have a clean slate. It is time to make that home yours. You and your spouse, you will need to sit down and lay out what your ideas for each room are. Hopefully, your two different styles will mesh together into one that you both love. Remember to use the word OURS when discussing your options.  Compromise is the key in any relationship. Neutral colors are good to start out with unless you truly have a vision. Sometimes it takes a while living in the home to decide what your home needs. Kitchens seem to be the gathering room of the home; so I think the one who does the most cooking should be able to choose its décor. But, make it inviting for all to enter. After buying a new home the decorating budget is a bit lacking. Use colorful pillows, rugs, curtains or drapes to frame your windows. Put up grouping of family photos in odd numbers. Keep experimenting until you get the look you want. Use mirrors to help make the rooms look larger. Use calming and soothing colors for rooms you will want to relax in. Blues and pale greens are calming. But, if you are an A personality you will need some bright red somewhere. I suggest just using red on an accent wall; before you paint the whole room red. Fresh flowers and lush plants can add joy to a home. Fresh citrus in a glass bowl can smell wonderful and brighten things up. You can find wonderful furniture and artwork at flea markets, garage and estate sales, Craig’s List and refinish and make them your own. It is your home; put your personality into it. Don’t forget your front and back yards. Planting colorful plants and flowers that bloom in different seasons give you something to look forward to. Also, planting wonderfully fragrant plants that thrive in your area makes sitting outside even more enjoyable. You can also plant fruits and vegetables in and around your garden plants. A large colorful container can hold a large variety of herbs on your patio, ready for use day after day and they smell so good. Take it slow, there is no hurry; let your home tell you what it needs to make it your own.

A Constant Move

When you arrive in hell, a nice person greets you and shows you a nice little house into which you are instructed to move all your belongings.   You don’t have many belongings, so the move is pretty easy.   You settle in quite nicely.   Exactly nine weeks later, the same nice person knocks on your door and informs you that it’s time to move.   You are a little annoyed but that feeling quickly leaves as he shows you a nice picture of a better house on a bigger lot.   You are pleased to be moving up, so you pack your gear, which is now expanded some since your last move, box up your furniture and load the truck.   The new house is indeed a little bigger and a little nicer.   You settle in within a couple of weeks.

Exactly nine weeks later, the man shows up again, and tells you again, that it’s time to move.   You are much more annoyed, but as he did the last time, he shows you a picture of your new place which is larger, nicer, has more amenities and will suite your growing needs much better.   You pack your goods, load the truck, unload the truck in the new place, and settle in over the next month.

It Never Ends

This nine week process repeats itself for the rest of eternity for you.   Eventually, it takes you about nine weeks to pack, load and unpack in the new house.   The key to hell is that just as you get settled, you have to move again, and repeat the process.    Moving is hell.

Watch Out for Moving Imposters

As if moving wasn’t already hellish enough, in the real world these days, people are being warned to beware of illegal moving companies that are targeting people’s personal belongings to keep for themselves.    As the Spring moving season heats up, the number of illegal movers intent on loading and keeping your belongings is increasing.

According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), 60 percent of the moving complaints they receive deal with unlicensed movers.   To operate legally, a moving company must display a valid TxDMV (TxDMV licenses moving companies) or United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) license number on the truck.

As the summer moving season gears up, state and moving industry officials cautioned Texans to do their homework before hiring a moving company and encouraged the law enforcement community to take note of a new state law that imposes fines and jail time against unlicensed movers.

Check and Double Check

More than 60 percent of the moving complaints received at the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) deal with unlicensed movers. To operate legally, a moving company must display a valid TxDMV (TxDMV licenses moving companies) or United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) license number on the truck.

The best advice if you are planning a move and intend to use a moving company is to do your homework.   Even if you hire a well-known company to handle your move, it’s always wise to double check and make sure you aren’t dealing with imposters.   These people moving your belongings will be given access to every part of your home and all your belongings.   This is no time to gloss over the details.

Before hiring a moving company, Texans can find out whether the company is licensed by going to Moving Companies on the TxDMV website

John Smoltz was an all-star pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. And this home is absolutely the ‘home of a brave’. Literally and patriotic, this home has baseball, hot dogs and apple pie written all over it. And it doesn’t end there; the home also has a regulation size football field, basketball court, tennis courts as well as the baseball field. And, oh, and did I mention the 9 golf tees, two greens and a fishing pond? Mr. Smoltz bought the home in 2003 with his then wife, Dyan. The home was 85% finished when they purchased the home and Mr. Smoltz also bought the two adjoining lots to make a 22 acre dream home for any sports fan’s family. He now shares the home with his second wife Kathryn.

The Home

The home is gorgeous. Made of rock and brick, it is enormous. It is 18,265 square feet of beautifully decorated living space. The home has 10 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. Mr. Smoltz has said, “What I’ll love most about this home is the family we’ve been able to house and host here.” The home even has a “man cave” for Smoltz where he can get away; the finished basement with the home theatre. The house itself has three full floors. Which Mr. Smoltz, being a family oriented man has enjoyed hosting family holidays, filling his home with 20 to 30 family members and friends.  And when the eating is done; there is an activity on the land that would accommodate everyone. A family football game, a ballgame, basketball, fishing or practicing your swing or for a more relaxing time, you could just sit outside by the pool. This is truly a paradise for a large active family.

Curb Appeal

This home exudes curb appeal. It has a long paved circular driveway, where you drive right up to the entry and under a gorgeous portico built of stone and wooden roof.  It adds even more grandeur to the home. The acres of lawn are personally mowed by Mr. Smoltz. He calls himself, Forrest Gump. It takes him anywhere from six to nine hours to mow because each sports area has different and special needs to make it just right. He uses it as his thinking and alone time. Not everyone would take on this time consuming job; but luckily there are amazing landscape artists and maintenance companies that could do it for you. The 22 acres are of beautifully manicured lawns, bushes and trees. The Smoltz’s have put in close to $4-$5 million into the home, over the years.

The Reason He is Selling

John Smoltz is selling this dream house because his children are now older and not around very much of the time. He and his wife would like to stay in the area, but in a smaller home. The home is located in Alpharetta, Georgia and has been on the market since December for $7,200,000 million. For the ultimate sports family, this is a dream home and a sweet deal.

There are several things that a buyer should come clean on when calling a realtor. These easy and honest acknowledgements can save you a lot of time and maybe, the home of your dreams. A realtor will work hard and give you their valuable time, happily. It is their job to see that you find the home of your dreams. But, you can make it a lot easier on them and yourself if you are truthful and upfront with them; as they should be with you.

Pre-qualification

You need to have your financial ducks in a row. You need to have gone to the bank or lender and gone through the process of being pre-qualified for a certain loan amount that you can afford. This will not only save the realtor and the seller time and aggravation; but it will keep you looking at homes that you can afford, instead of coveting homes that you can’t afford. Save yourself a lot of disappointment by looking at only the homes you can qualify for. It will also give you the advantage to move on a home that you love right away; instead of waiting for the whole mortgage qualification ordeal, only to find out that you can’t qualify for the loan or they have taken another offer. Get Pre-qualified!

A Realtor of your own

Finding the right realtor can be an adventure. When you call up and ask to see a home from a for sale sign; you will be dealing with a seller’s realtor. You want a buyer’s realtor. A common mistake made by many buyers is to use the same realtor. Their first allegiance is to the seller. And this can cause a lot of problems as the seller, of course wants to make as much money as they can and the buyer wants the best deal he can get. It is a conflict of interest. So, find yourself your own realtor who will put your best interests first and negotiate for you. And just as that realtor will be committed to you; you need to be committed to them. Having 3 or 4 agents looking for you can cause a lot of problems for the agents and ultimately you. Once they find out that you are with several agents, they may say, “I’m out”. Or they may figure the others are helping you so they don’t pay much attention to you. Find an agent or broker you like and stick to one. It is better all around.

Be Honest

This is more common than you may think. Be honest about what you are doing with the home you purchase. Will it be your primary residence or will you use it as a rental? There are different laws pertaining to each one and qualifying for a loan has different criteria. There are also tax repercussions. And as you go through the loan process the truth will come out and you don’t want to be looking like a fool; you or your realtor. Be honest and save yourself embarrassment and maybe even legal action.

Having a realtor on your side is a great advantage. They will find the homes that fit your criteria and price range which will be the best use of your time. They are in your corner and can help with negotiations and the financing process. They will fight for your best interest.

Selling your home is still not that easy in most markets, especially if you want a decent price for it. You have to make your home stand out among all of the other homes. Here are a few things that you can avoid to make your home more appealing to a buyer.

1. De-clutter your home.  This is an all-out assault on your home. It is emotional, extremely exhausting and time consuming. But, it is on the top of the list when it comes to selling your home. You need to go through your home and remove anything that you haven’t used in the last six months. Empty all closets of all clothing that no longer fit, old shoes, old toys, old bedding and linens, broken or chipped things and old, broken furniture, etc.  You have to do the same with the garage. Follow the six month rule! You can give it all to charity or you could have a garage sale, use Craig’s List or e-bay and make yourself some extra cash. Trust me, it won’t seem like it while you are doing this, but after it is over; you will feel great and you have just lowered your up-coming moving bill.
2. De-personalize your home. This means taking down family pictures and knick knacks. It also means clearing your kitchen and bathroom counters to make the counters look bigger. Take down posters in kid’s rooms, excess toys, etc. This will help you in three ways. The first way is that it will allow the buyer be able to see their things in the home easier. Two, you get a head start on packing your favorite things. And, three, it makes the home easier to leave. Leaving your home, especially, if you have lived in it for many years and have many happy memories; makes it hard to do. But, if most of your personal items are no longer there; it’s not really yours anymore, onto the new.
3. Now that you have all the clutter out and have packed away your personal things; it is time for deep cleaning. This means; every nook and cranny. Re-grout or deep clean existing grout, replace broken tiles, broken pieces of wood flooring, deep clean or replace stained carpets. Clean out window sills and baseboards, ceiling fans, lighting fixtures, windows, woodwork, re-calk kitchens and bathrooms, wipe down and organize shelves and pantries, repair or replace broken items, leaky sinks, and remove all odors from mold to animals smells. Trust me, if your buyer walks in your door and is hit with the smell of cat urine; he will just turn around and walk out. And don’t forget to replace old or rusty faucets, lighting fixtures, update kitchens and bathrooms with new hardware. All these little things are noticed. And if you have outdated wallpaper; take it down and paint. First impressions only happen once.
4. Now that your home is de-cluttered, de-personalized and sanitized; you are ready to take a walk across the street and look at your home. Does yours stand out? It may be time to work a little on your curb appeal. First, work on your grass; people love green grass. You can plant flowering plants and lots of flowers to let your home stand out. You can also use colorful pots and hanging baskets to show off your home. Remove or replace any broken walkway pieces, so no one gets hurt. And a new coat of paint is a relatively inexpensive way to spruce your home up. You can even make a focal point in the yard with a flowering tree or sitting area. And don’t forget the backyard, replace or re-enforce fencing.
5. Now you are ready to sell. Your home will stand out amongst the other homes. Yours is move-in ready. One more tip; when your realtor is showing your home, don’t make it hard for them to get into see the home. Make sure that the realtors are only bringing in pre-qualified buyers and always leave the home with all your family and pets. Buyers feel freer to express their feeling about your home and ask questions.

We all know that we have to eat better. We are a nation of unhealthy people. What better way to save money at the grocery store and instead just walk out into your yard and pick the healthy food we need. Planting landscapes with fruits and vegetables are getting more and more popular for landscape architects to do these days. In and around your flowers and shrubbery are planted healthy things to eat. Landscape architects say that people who combine their landscapes with vegetables and fruits; spend much more time enjoying their yards.

What to Grow and Where?

The main ingredient in any salad is lettuce and it is one of the easiest vegetables to grow. You can use lettuce as a border plant. It’s lovely light green color is beautiful among flowering plants. You need to keep them cut back, as they tend to bolt and go to seed. A salad every day, keeps the doctor away.

Tomatoes are an easy addition to any garden. You can plant them in an empty spot in the sun and watch them grow. Tomatoes are great for salads and sandwiches or by themselves. And when cooked that are full of antioxidants.

Radishes offer a crunchy texture to your salad and sprout in four to five weeks. They are also known as a good detoxifier and blood purifier.

Zucchini is a staple for many gardens. In fact, they produce so many zucchinis that you can share with your neighbors and families. It can be shredded into a salad, roasted, sautéed, grilled and stuffed. And don’t forget yummy zucchini bread.

Beets are rich in calcium, iron, copper, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and zinc.  It is a super food. They grow easily and can be stored through the fall and winter. Beet greens are also nutrient rich and can be tossed into a salad or sautéed with onions and garlic for a healthy side dish.

Kale is also a beautiful vegetable to grow. Its flower like appearance is beautiful in any type of garden. It is full of vitamins K, A, C and calcium and iron. It is also a known immune system booster. It can be used in salads, wilted with pasta and pizza or sautéed.

Don’t Forget the Herbs

Not only do they fill your yard with wonderful smells, all you have to do is walk outside and snip fresh rosemary, basil, parsley, mint, dill, oregano and many more to add to your meal. I have mine in pots on the patio which makes it so easy to use them every day. And they are more than just flavorings for your food. They each have their own medicinal features.

PARSLEY is full of antioxidants, iron and vitamins C and A, and is known to help flush toxins out. OREGANO is also known for its antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties. CILANTRO is not only a staple for Mexican food, but helps to eliminate toxins and aid in digestion. BASIL is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and includes iron, calcium and manganese, as well as vitamins A and K. ROSEMARY is not only fragrant, it is known to have antibacterial properties and to promote circulation and aid digestion.

Tuck these yummy and healthy foods into your yard and among your other flowers and plants. They usually attract ladybugs and other insects that will help protect your vegetables from infestations. I think it will add value to your home. Who doesn’t love to have free and fresh vegetables right at their fingertips?

Nosey neighbors are a nuisance but can be ignored. Don’t open the door when they ring the doorbell.  Keep conversation about the weather when they catch you outside. Never discuss other neighbors with them. They tend to be gossipers and information only gives them more fodder. Or if you are devious or fun loving; you could tell them something about yourself or a close neighbor, that is extremely outrageous and enjoy hearing it from other neighbors. But, the best way is to keep mum.

Noisy Neighbors are much more of a Problem

If you have ever been kept up all night by loud music and partying neighbors; it is not just an annoyance; especially, if they do it every weekend. Lack of sleep makes people very unhappy and grumpy. Many of us have been kept awake all night by a barking or whining dog. Or, the incessant and annoying practicing, of musical instruments late into the night? And in summer months, when windows are open, the newborn cries of a colicky baby. Or the loud and obnoxious sounds of air conditioners? And, of course, the domestic arguments of couples in trouble; are not only loud, but very upsetting to hear. In apartment living, we expect some of the noise because the walls are thin that separate one family from another. But, stomping around at night and loud music should be avoided, especially if you have sleeping babies next door. We have all heard these upsetting and wakeful noises at some time in our lives. Whether we live in an apartment building or in a home, these late night noises can cause undue stress and lack of sleep for you and your families.

What to do?

First, go to the neighbor and express your concerns. Most people are reasonable and just didn’t know how loud they were. And they are very willing to tone it down or change to other times of the day. They are more than willing to change what they can and take more care when dealing with the things that can’t be changed, like a crying baby. I will admit; that not all people care what others think and are purely self-centered. These people will require more than just a face to face or a kindly written note. Your next move would be to go to the apartment manager or your HOA for help. There should be some statute within the rental agreement or HOA by-laws that prohibit loud noise at night. Hopefully, they will be willing to talk to the neighbor without involving you. You don’t want to get into a truly uncomfortable retaliation war with your neighbor. That is why you pay the HOA and your rent; so they can take care of the matter. If this doesn’t work, go to the city. The cities usually have noise ordinances after a certain hour. They can come out and see for themselves and issue a citation. And if this doesn’t work, call the police every time there is a problem. They will not like to do this every weekend and keep great records of all calls they make. This is where record keeping is very important. From your very first face to face, written note, meeting with the HOA or rental manager, and every noise ordinance citation and police call; take notes and keep copies of everything. And as a final resort, take them to court. With your records you should be able to win a settlement from the NOISY neighbor.

Very Last Resort

If you lost in court or don’t want to take it that far, you have three more options: First move and make sure that your new home is sound proof. Second, learn to live with it. Or third, hire an acoustical consultant that can help you sound proof your home.  But, again, most people are reasonable and will work with you to make life work for both of you.