Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the steps to the perfect in ground pool?(3)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;   I'll never forget the look on my father's face the day I asked for an in-ground swimming pool. I must have been 10 or 11 years old, and he looked at me as if I'd asked for a helipad or another brother. "Go outside and run around the house," he barked. Not even close to the response I was hoping for.
Back then, above-ground swimming pools were popular, but "dug-in" pools were rather rare. In fact, there was only one in our entire neighborhood. Times sure have changed: According to the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals, there are about 5 million existing in-ground pools in the U.S., and 175,000 to 200,000 new pools are built each year.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the steps to the perfect in ground pool?(2)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;  There's nothing like installing a concrete swimming pool to one-up your neighbor's above-ground version. But planning your dream pool can be harder than it first seems. Consider your options and obligations before breaking ground, and in-ground pool construction will proceed swimmingly.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the steps to the perfect in ground pool?(1)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says; Popular Mechanics is a service magazine covering a variety of information on home improvement, automotive needs, electronics, computers, telecommunications, outdoors, fitness and science and technology. Popular Mechanics also features product evaluations, practical applications, how-to information and news of technological developments.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the 5 features luxury home buyers want? (6)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;  SECURITY. Gated communities with private security are in high demand for individuals living the luxury lifestyle. These extra protective measures provide peace of mind by keeping their most prized possessions safe and sound as well as ensuring that their time at home will not be interrupted by those otherwise uninvited.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the 5 features luxury home buyers want? (5)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;   CURB APPEAL. From xeriscape and earth friendly to stylistic manicured gardens, the luxurious appeal of the home must begin from the drive and continue to the roof line. Well appointed landscaping sets the stage for the magnificence of the home.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the 5 features luxury home buyers want? (4)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;  ENTERTAINING. Today’s luxury home owner dreams of being an executive chef or at least looking like one so the best of the best is required in the kitchen. From top of the line commercial appliances, stone, granite and custom tile surfaces, specialty appliances including brick ovens, wine chilling sinks and built-in cellars, the ultimate luxury kitchen has everything the master chef desires to make every entertaining event spectacular.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the 5 features luxury home buyers want? (3)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;  PAMPERING. Substantial his and hers ensuite bathrooms generously appointed with the ultimate in spa features including sauna, marble, stone and imported tile surfaces, custom tub enclosures, dual climate control, high-end toilets, and of course, heated towel racks are preferred. The larger and more opulent the space, the more welcoming and relaxing it’s sure to be.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the 5 features luxury home buyers want? (2)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;  Here are the features most  buyers are looking for in their next luxury home: TECHNOLOGY. INTEGRATED ELECTRONICS. Whether it’s an integrated sound system that combines connection among interior spaces with those outside, including outdoor entertainment areas and poolside, luxury home buyers want connectivity throughout their home and all at the touch of a button. Computerized operations centers and state of the art in-home theaters also top the list of wants for those interested in getting the most out of their home while entertaining and enjoying their leisure time.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the 5 features luxury home buyers want? (1)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;  The top 5 luxury home features buyers want whether searching for their next McMansion or the ultimate dream estate, are particular and varied. For these buyers, comfort and upgrades are not negotiable. Thanks to a roller coaster economy, it’s now a buyer’s market and in order to make that sale, your property needs to have the best of everything.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the 5 things you can do to help avoid buying a money pit? (5b)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says; Final Step to Avoid Buying a Money Pit. If you hired a qualified and seasoned professional Realtor to help advise and guide you it can save you a lot of headaches and stress down the road. A professional agent will be able to refer you to top qualify inspectors for all aspects of the property so you can make an informed buying decision.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the 5 things you can do to help avoid buying a money pit? (5a)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;   5.  Prioritize Price Reductions and Credits over Seller Repairs. For the most part, I feel that buyers will select their own materials and repair contractors with more care and are generally more deeply invested in ensuring that repairs are completed to their satisfaction than an outgoing seller. If you are negotiating with your home’s seller over repairs that need to happen, discuss with your agent whether it might make sense to ask for a price reduction or a closing cost credit to offset the cost of the repairs so you can have them completed to your standards, and with the materials and by the contractors of your choice, after closing.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the 5 things you can do to help avoid buying a money pit? (4b)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;  Even if you expect to cut costs by doing some work yourself, I urge you to contact and obtain bids on the repairs and upgrades you plan from actual professionals, so you can at least be armed with the information about what it will cost to get them done if you can’t complete them for any reason.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the 5 things you can do to help avoid buying a money pit? (4a)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;  4.  Stop Overconfidence In Its Tracks.  Having managed two extensive remodeling projects myself, I can vouch – unless you are a construction professional (and sometimes even then!), all but the most minor home improvement or repair projects tends to take more time and money to do yourself than you expect at the outset. (With my own two hands, I took down wallpaper and painted a room in January of 2002, and am still experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. One room, people.)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the 5 things you can do to help avoid buying a money pit? (3b)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says; Avoid surprises by getting multiple repair bids from reputable contractors while you are still within the inspection contingency time frame of your contract. These repair estimates can also provide the basis for any renegotiation you and your agent choose to initiate with the seller for price reduction, repairs or increased closing cost credits.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the 5 things you can do to help avoid buying a money pit? (3a)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says; 3.  Get Multiple Repair Bids.  While your pest, roof and other inspection specialists may offer you a repair cost estimate with your report, most general property inspectors do not – many states even forbid it by law.  Money pits often occur when buyers take a place knowing it needs what they thought was a little work, that actually turns out to be a much more costly or involved repair, once the actual repair contractor takes a look or starts the work.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the 5 things you can do to help avoid buying a money pit? (2c)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;  It behooves you to follow up on your reading of reports and disclosures by working with your agent to:

• list your questions and concerns,
• ask the inspector(s) and seller any follow-up questions you have,
• obtain follow-up inspections (including obtaining an extension of your inspection contingency, if needed) and
• obtaining reliable repair estimates.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the 5 things you can do to help avoid buying a money pit? (2b)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;  In your inspectors’ reports, make sure to notice:

• repair estimates they offer,
• items that seem like they will have to be completed soon (versus upgrades you can do over the long run)
• items that seem like they might run into big ticket dollar amounts, and
• especially watch for any recommendations that you get a specialist to look at something – some of the largest potential repairs are often dealt with in this way by a general property inspector. 

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are the 5 things you can do to help avoid buying a money pit? (2a)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;  2.  Read the Reports and Disclosures.  Attending your inspection is just the first step. Reading the inspectors’ reports is critical to avoiding a money pit – both the reports generated by your own inspectors, and any reports and disclosures provided to you by the seller. Things to watch for and investigate further in the sellers’ reports and disclosures include: 

• repairs the seller completed themselves,
• repeated repairs to the same home system,
• water and leakage issues, and
• any reports of non-functioning mechanical or other systems in the home.