The True Cost of Adding a Curling Rink to Your Backyard

Let’s talk about curling. No, not the thing you sometimes do to your hair, but rather the Olympic sport involving ice, brooms, and stones. It’s a much bigger, much colder version of shuffleboard, and some of the Olympians wear clothes like this, so you know it’s great.

The sport itself is played by two teams of four who take turns sliding a giant granite stone in the hopes of landing it within a circular target marked on the ice. Much like shuffleboard, it’s harder than it looks, and some people have decided it’s not enough to engage in the unusual sport during the odd trip to a curling center, and have instead decided to create their own curling rink in their very own backyard.

In Canada, Dave and Natal Laycock built one, and, if you’re feeling inspired, here are some directions for you to make your very own curling rink this winter season. Obviously you need some very cold weather, and a space big enough for a full “sheet”, which is what a curling rink is technically called. Just how, though, does such a specialty backyard centerpiece affect the price of your home when it’s finally time to pack up and move on?

Which brings us to our very provocative blog title! Say you’re tasked with the unenviable job of selling a home in the dead of winter with a curling rink smack dab in the middle of the backyard. Beautiful, functional, even fun though it may be, curling isn’t exactly a well-known pastime, and most prospective homebuyers are more likely to be wooed by a nice gazebo or hot tub rather than a curling rink that will slowly but surely melt into a soggy swamp come spring.

To use a more common example, private tennis courts have long been a symbol of wealth and luxury. After peaking in popularity in the ’70s, tennis still drew around 27 million Americans in 2011, and many a large home sports its own tennis court in the backyard. Tennis courts are a good deal more expensive, and more permanent, than curling rinks since they require a large amount of concrete, and can, on average, set you back $30-60k. Other backyard renovations cost a lot less, of course, and $60k could buy you a whole lot of pool.

When investment banker Robert Lessin passed away in 2012, his seven-bedroom New Jersey home went up for sale for about $4 million – $1 million less than the asking price for the 7,000 sq ft indoor tennis court that sits on a wooded 3.3-acre lot behind the house. Selling the court and house separately was a very deliberate decision, as most people simply aren’t swayed by a luxurious court that they may only end up using a few times a year. On the other hand, though, what better time to up your tennis game than right after buying a new house with its own court?

It’s easy to get carried away with modifications and backyard renovations – and thankfully most house changes aren’t as major or large as a tennis court – but when it comes time to sell, you just might luck out and happen to find the very people that were in the market for their own backyard curling rink. You could even make it a costumed curling event and look like these guys.

Leave us a comment below if you’ve got some backyard renovation wisdom to impart!

In a few short days, Halloween will come and go, and with only a few major holidays left in 2015, it’s about time to start collecting 2016 real estate predictions and see where we stand for the next year.

The US economy continues to recover from the brutal Great Recession, and while job gains might potentially bring more home buyers into the market, many Millennials will be kept out due to an unprecedented amount of student debt. $1 trillion, to be exact. That’s a lot of dough – enough to buy all of the major league US sports teams. ALL of them.

Expect housing prices to continue to climb, though at a slower pace than we saw in 2015. To be exact, the financial data company CoreLogic predicted a 4.7% increase in home prices from July 2015 through July 2016.

Of all the rising home prices, the West is expected to continue to dominate, San Francisco and Denver especially. This of course isn’t a new trend; the three cities with the largest cumulative price increases since January 2000 are all California Dreamin’: Los Angeles (138%), San Francisco (116%), and San Diego (115%). With water shortages running amok in the media, it might be a surprise that California real estate continues to skyrocket.

There are a few reasons for this, the first of which is that California was hit hard during the housing crisis. Along with Nevada and Arizona (the so-called “Sand States”), California saw housing prices dip well below their peak. They had room to rise, and once housing recovered from its big stumble, rise they did, quickly outpacing the prices in the rest of the mostly-sandless nation.

And this led to the other reason for California’s current reign atop the real estate throne. When prices were near rock-bottom, investors strolled into town and snagged all the properties in an effort to buy low and sell high. So many investors bought so many properties that there was a shortage of inventory, and whenever the delicate balance of supply and demand is disrupted, prices go nuts and buyers lose.

And then there’s Dallas, this humble author’s hometown. According to The Urban Land Institute,Dallas is the #1 real estate market to watch as we go into the new year. #2 on their list was Austin, echoing sentiments found nearly the internet over: Texas’ economy is booming, and then those booms are booming. With such a strong job market (unemployment down to 3.9% from a high of 8.9% in 2009), Dallasites are buying homes in droves, and competing on prices in the process.

Which brings us to FHA rates. They now sit at 3.875%, barely a hair above May’s low of 3.86% and a few hairs above January’s low of 3.81%. Low rates mean big borrowing, which means more houses trading hands, more handshakes, and more smiling faces.

In the coming months, we’ll share some more in-depth 2016 predictions, but this should be enough to get you started on your new year plans.

Feel free to leave a comment below about your thoughts on the predictions, or just to tell us about your experiences in booming markets like California and Texas.

Tiny houses. They’ve been a trend for a while now, and you’ve probably heard of them – maybe even seen one in person. What’s the deal, and why are so many people so interested in living in homes that boast less square footage than the average dorm room?

The size of the average American house keeps getting larger despite the fact that the average family size has decreased. Increasing from 1,780 sq. ft. in 1978 to 2,662 sq. ft. in 2013, some people feel that houses are simply too large and expensive nowadays. With student loans running rampant and wages relatively stagnant over the past few decades, living far under your means starts to make sense.

But while we’re on the subject of size, just how small does a house need to be before it reaches the very chic “tiny house” status? Wikipedia says that a house has to be under 1,000 sq. ft. before it’s considered a part of the small house movement. Some designs, such as those by the very popular small house manufacturer Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, clock in at far under that 1,000 sq. ft. threshold. The smallest by Tumbleweed, in fact, is a mere 117 sq. ft. That’s small, I don’t care who you are.

At this point you may be trying to picture how this works. Let’s say your house is the size of the average American house – roughly 2,662 sq. ft. Now take 4.4% of that. Could you do it? No, probably not. But keep in mind there’s a lot of fat to be trimmed off the average home, be it a hallway that does nothing more than give you some more wallspace for photos or a dining room that no one really ever eats in.

What would you be left with if the house were trimmed down to the bare essentials and nothing else? Tiny homes make good use of every one of their very few square feet, frequently utilizing built-in cabinets and loft areas to make up for their comparative lack of space. There’s certainly no room for clutter – and, in most cases, hardly room for many possessions – but that seems to be the way the inhabitants like it. Oh, and then there are the wheels on the bottom.

Now here’s where the story gets interesting. Yes these are small homes, and yes there are certainly some communities that specifically cater to small homes and the people that love and live them such as The Meadows in North Carolina, but on the whole people seem to be roaming around in these things. They’re almost invariably built on top of a trailer, and when you’ve got wheels on your home, it’s pretty easy to give in to temptation and park your house anywhere you want it.

Is this legal? Depends on where you park, but mostly no. It’s a good way to avoid property taxes while living in a more luxurious – and attractive – space than most RVs, and for those wanting nothing more than to live off the grid it’s perfect. Park your house in a secluded area, pop up some solar panels, and tend to your vegetable garden while you kick back and live the high life.

They’re cheap, too, with costs ranging from about $20-50k as of 2012. 68% of tiny house owners live without a mortgage. The designs themselves can be perfect fodder for Pinterest, such as this bus-turned-tiny-home, and many people report that having less house has forced them out into the world, to adventure and experience things. You know, to actually live.

Don’t get me wrong, there are certainly problems. Their awkwardly tiny size means that banks won’t finance them, and they can’t be parked in most RV parks because they’re too tall. They’re expensive to tow due to their corners in lieu of rounded edges, and, since they’re built on trailers, electricity and plumbing typically works the same as in an RV.

Last year Spur, Texas, was declared the first “tiny house friendly town”, and it seems that tiny house communities have popped up all over the country.

It’s most certainly a fad, but it’s a fad that the rest of us could learn from: do more with less, make use of the space we have, and maybe even make it outside every now and then. The part about a 117 sq. ft. living space, though, we could maybe do without. If you’d rather reserve your judgement and try it out for a night, though, you could always “test drive” a tiny house for yourself.

So what do you think? Will all the love for tiny homes blow over in a few more years, or is this an interesting and meaningful new housing movement? Let us know below in the comments!

Ready to become a real estate agent? Great! Your first step is to figure out what type of real estate school will best fit your needs and personality: an online real estate school or a traditional classroom. Here are a few questions to help you decide if taking your real estate courses online is for you:

1. Do you like to move at your own speed?
» Are you a quick learner who likes to work at your own pace?
» Would you enjoy more time to comprehend difficult material?

Online real estate classes validate what you’re already familiar with, and allow you to spend more time learning what you don’t know. With online, you choose which assignments need more of your attention, and let you design your study schedule around them.
2. Do you feel comfortable asking questions?
» Do you get embarrassed asking a question in front of a lot of people?
» Do you prefer asking questions outside of class?

Rather than having to raise your hand and speak up, with online real estate classes you can ask questions electronically. Online students often get in touch with their instructors through course websites, email, phone calls, and video chat. Be sure you feel comfortable using the electronic communication tools. If you don’t, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
3. Does studying from anywhere sound appealing?
» Do you have family/life responsibilities to attend to?
» Would you like to access your coursework when you need it—anytime, anywhere?

Getting your real estate license online allows you to take as many or as few credits as you can handle. Once enrolled, you can view online courses, download course materials or take practice exams and read through the course material whenever and wherever you want. That means you can still focus on your family and current job. With online real estate licensing, you’re in control: you decide how online real estate school fits into your daily routine.
4. Can you hold yourself accountable?
» Are you self-disciplined?
» Can you remain focused while reading material online?

A traditional classroom setting offers a designated schedule that you share with many students, in the same room as you. You are told where to be and when to be there. In an online environment, you need to keep a closer eye on progress and deadlines. With online learning, you need to hold yourself accountable to succeed. But, don’t think you’re all alone. With pre-licensing courses at Real Estate Express, we’ll give you some handy tools and reminder emails to help you through your courses.
5. Are you ready to start networking?
» Are you comfortable approaching others?
» Can you carry on conversation easily?

A successful real estate career goes beyond what you learn in the classroom. Enthusiasm, keen listening skills, and being comfortable networking are important skills to have. If you choose an online real estate school, make sure you are finding time to meet others in the real estate and supporting industries. Train your social skills now, so you are ready to hit the ground running once you have your real estate license.

If you have any questions Please reach out so that we can answer your questions.

Steps to become a Real Estate Agent

Becoming a licensed professional in the real estate industry changes from state to state . Most real estate agents are required to have a certain number of hours of pre-licensing education and, in some cases, post license course to become fully licensed. Let’s get started.

Be Successful with Online Learning

With the ever expanding reach of the internet and proliferation of internet devices, online learning has become an increasingly common form of education. How you approach your online learning course will determine your success.

Don’t Presume Online Equals Easy

While online courses offer many advantages over traditional methods, do not assume the content will be easier or less comprehensive. Oftentimes an online course is more comprehensive due to the additional regulations placed upon online providers to earn accreditation.

Keep a copy of the Course Orientation handy to double check policies and procedures for completing the course, taking exams, and using the different resources available for assistance. Be sure to check out the objectives provided at the beginning of each unit and make sure you can fully explain them before moving onto the next unit.

Be Realistic with your Expectations

With online learning, you are in control of when you ‘attend’ class. There is a reason that most traditional classroom schools do not schedule 8-hour classes –sustaining concentration for that long is nearly impossible for most people. So don’t plan on spending your entire Saturday working in your course. Break your study times into manageable 1 – 2 hour ‘chunks’ throughout the week with a 5 – 10 minute break every hour to step away from the computer. To maximize retention, make sure you are ‘touching’ the course material daily – whether you are delving into new content or just reviewing what has already been covered.

If a course is written to be a 48-hour course, plan 48 hours of study time. Even if you can read the entire course in half that time, your retention will be lower than if you spend the actual time. It is difficult to pass any course – regardless of delivery method – if you only attend half of the time.

As with any other long-term goal, if you miss a day or two of scheduled time, do not take it as a failure. Get back on schedule as soon as you can.

Take it Seriously

Just because you can study on-the-go does not always mean you should. External distractions can diminish your ability to retain new or complicated material. Designate a study area so you are mentally prepared to learn each time you go to that area. Use your on-the-go time for reviewing past material. Spotty internet coverage while you are away from your study space? Download your textbook to read during those times or review notes you have taken while reading the course.

Establish a support network before starting your course. Make sure your family and friends are aware you are starting a new challenge and are willing to honor your time commitments and be available as sounding boards as you are learning new material.

Anticipate Issues

As everyone who has touched a computer or used the internet knows, technology is not infallible. Sometimes computers crash, the internet acts in strange ways, or signals can be lost at inopportune moments. Do not allow a technology issue to sideline your education. Plan to have your course completed well before the expiration date and, when possible, plan to take course final exams during your school’s office hours when tech support is easy to reach.

If a technical issue does occur, notify student support right away so they can begin troubleshooting. Anticipate some time for them to look into the issue and respond. If more than a re-boot is needed, it could be 24 hours for the issue to be resolved.

Be an Active Participant

The more senses you get involved with your learning, the higher your retention rate. Don’t just read a screen, but take notes on what you read. Writing the information in your own words triggers deeper thought. It also lessens the chance you will skim over important information. Read some of your screens out loud to yourself (or a pet or random passersby). This way you are hearing in addition to seeing and writing. Do not allow yourself to believe that reading something once will commit it to memory.

Attach each new concept to ones you already know. When you read something new, ask yourself how it applies to what you have already learned either in terms of the course or in life. Making that attachment will make the new concept easier to remember and deepen your comprehension.

Finally, communicate with your instructor. If you do not understand something, reach out to your instructor before you get to the course final exam.

Succeed

Following these guidelines will yield not only a completion certificate for your course, but the knowledge you need for the next step in your real estate career.

• Real estate in the U.S. has always followed the law of supply and demand. Whenever the economy is doing well, real estate is a thriving industry. In the early 1990’s and mid 2000’s, various recessions hit the U.S, which caused the real estate market to crash. Nowadays, it seems as if the real estate market is as stable as ever, with U.S markets such as New York, Los Angeles, and Washington being the most expensive places to buy homes in. For new homeowners, buying an affordable home really depends on where you plan to live for 2015; these are perhaps the best markets to invest in:

   

  1. Atlanta

   

  Atlanta is currently the top market that many experts predict will be the cheapest for investors to buy homes in. The cost of investing in Atlanta is currently very low yet experts agree that this will change in 2015 as more and more homeowners are expected to invest in this city.

   

  2. Dallas

   

  The second best market in 2015 that investors should consider buying homes in is Dallas, which has a booming economy due to the numerous jobs available in many industries such as food, medicine, and education. The city is expected to make a lot of progress in providing employment, which should work parallel at improving investments on housing real estate.

   

  3. Des Moines

   

  Des Moines, Iowa was a very surprising entry that made the list of most affordable housing real estate markets for 2015. The reason for this is because this market features some of the most affordable housing in the nation. Additionally, the market is set to make a substantial improvement in providing jobs, which should allow more people to relocate here.

   

  4. Denver

   

  Since the recession, Denver was one of the fastest markets to recover due to the healthy rate of employment that continued on till today. For 2015, experts predict an improvement in the rate of employment, which should improve the number of people living in Denver.

   

  5. Houston

   

  What makes Houston a likely candidate for best market for housing real estate is that this city is economically diverse with petroleum, education, and medicine being the primary markets that offer a substantial number of jobs. It is also one of the largest cities in the U.S, which has more than enough land to provide housing and other real estate ventures.

   

  6. Minneapolis

   

  Like Iowa, Minneapolis also features one of the most affordable housing in the nation. It also has one of the lowest unemployment rates, which allows people to afford investing in homes. This is why for the year 2015, many experts agree that Minneapolis will only attract more investors to buy property and even relocate here.

   

  7. Phoenix

   

  The housing market in Phoenix suffered substantially during the recession. With a dip in the housing prices, many people immediately relocated to this city to invest. Today, however, many experts believe that the market will make a complete recovery, allowing previous home investors to make substantial profits selling their homes.

• Passing That Exam!

  Passing that Exam!

  So, you have worked hard to get through your real estate licensing education; the application and fingerprints are on file. The only hurdle left is passing the state licensing exam. To be successful, you have to put in as much effort to prepare for the exam as you put into completing the education.

  The majority of real estate agents enter the profession later in life as a second (or third or fourth) career. While having the life experience is a bonus once you start selling, it can be an issue getting licensed if it has been a while since you have taken a standardized test. Before the panic sets in, sign yourself up for an exam prep program.

  The more comfortable you are taking the exam, the better your chances of passing. I spoke with a newly licensed agent today who, on her third attempt at the Florida licensing exam, finally decided to use the exam prep she had purchased with her course. She also said taking the exam in her PJ bottoms so she felt more at home helped with the anxiety. While I cannot offer test-taking fashion advice, I can tell you what to look for in a test prep program.

  First, make sure the program has all of the content over which you will be tested. Every state licensing exam has questions on both state and national real estate law and regulations. If you purchase a prep program that only has state or only national questions, you are short-changing yourself. Better versions will offer some variety in how the content is covered – some exams with just state-specific questions, some with just national content and the majority with a mixture.

  You will want a program that has interaction with you. Answering question after question then getting an overall score is not helpful unless you are in the final days before the exam. Make sure your program has a way to get information on the questions you missed AND why you missed them. Some programs will rank the questions or categories of questions so you know what to study again. Others will actually provide you with individual feedback on each question you miss (or each question) so you can build your knowledge.

  Ultimately the program is to prepare you for the actual exam. Before purchasing, make sure the program contains at least one, if not two, exams that are similar in length to what you will experience on test day. Taking shorter practice exams to prepare for a long one can lead to anxiety and burn-out during the real exam.

  Finally, watch out for programs that offer questions ‘identical to’ or actually from the state real estate exam. In every state it is illegal to use questions that appear on the state licensing exam in an exam prep product. Most state exam providers do have test questions or ‘retired’ questions on their websites for review. Sometimes they are free, some providers charge for them. These are a great way to get additional practice, but do not take the place of a quality exam prep program.

  On the big day, remember what your high school teacher used to tell you – take a deep breath, go with your first instinct and never go back to change an answer unless another question on the exam explicitly tells you your answer is wrong. And, when all else fails, put on your PJ pants.