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Creating Your Very Own “Man Cave”
It wasn’t so long ago that many men chose the garage as a place of personal sanctuary-at-home, regardless of their interest in anything automotive. Often cramped and dimly lit, these makeshift hideaways were the stuff of folding-table poker and football games on the spare TV. Today the need for guys to carve out their own space at home is more widely acknowledged. As a result, more and more homeowners are converting their finished basements, attic spaces or spare rooms into masculine refuges. With a little bit of planning (and some savvy negotiation with the lady of the house), you too can create your own customized “man cave”.
The Many Styles of Dude Dens
While man caves often revolve around the time-honored rite of male bonding that is spectator sports, there is no single blueprint to a successful male refuge. Some guys turn their basements into full scale game rooms where pool, air hockey and arcade games rule the day. Movie buffs have been known to turn spare rooms into home theaters replete with surround sound and recliners on stadium risers. And a good many men aim to convert their extra space at home into their very own pub, outfitted in their own image.
Getting Started
The last thing you want is a room overly crammed full of anything and everything you can jam into it. Before you begin, start thinking exactly what kind of activities you want to plan around. Is your main goal to have a perfect place to watch the big game? Looking for a permanent home to poker night? Perhaps you want a place to work out in comfort, or even a workshop space. By figuring out the focus of your man cave, you’ll be able to tailor furniture, décor and space to match.
It may help to pick one element (home theater system, a pool table, jukebox, etc.) as both the centerpiece and inspiration for your man cave.
Space it Out
Carefully measure all dimensions of the space you have available, and do the same when considering the purchase of any furniture, hardware or stand-alone game systems. Maintain open walking paths throughout the room. If you’re centering the room around a home theater system, keep in mind that you’ll want to keep clear sightlines for the main seating areas in the room.
Durable Materials
Chances are your man sanctuary is going to go through its share of bumps, spills and accidents during game days, poker parties and guy’s nights. Choose granite, sturdy laminate or durable wood surfaces for bar countertops, end tables and coffee tables. Pick thicker commercial-grade carpet to withstand tough treatment, and stick with darker colors that won’t show every little spill. Thicker carpeting also helps with soundproofing, which will help keep the rest of the household happy.
Essentials
Most man caves will in some way involve three key elements – comfortable seating, a big TV and refreshments just a few steps away.
Seating – Wrap-around couches are a great way to welcome your buddies in style. And there’s no going wrong with the classic man cave throne: the recliner.
Theater-Style TV’s – Large flat screen televisions have become much more affordable in recent years, and with the expansion of HD sports broadcasts, blue ray and high def gaming systems, the technology is tailor-made for a guy’s paradise.
Beverages – With refreshments nearby, you won’t be forced to step away from the big game or fold that hand just to get another beverage or grab some more snacks. If you’re not able to swing a full enclosed bar, you can purchase smaller portable bars in a variety of styles, or just go with shelving or built-in cabinets to store snacks. Either way, you’ll absolutely want to include a small refrigerator in the plans.
Finishing Touches
While you’re dreaming big, why not consider a few extras to put your man cave over the top:
- Sports Memorabilia
- Big Screen TV
- Couches
- Recliner
- Bar area
- Neon signs
- Bar games: Pool, Darts, Air hockey, Shuffleboard, Foosball
- Vintage signs
- Poker table
- Humidor
Information provided by Marie Dickinson and Prudential Cooper & Co., Mobile ALabama.
First-Time Homebuyers Face the Opportunity of a Lifetime
Prudential (DBA)
Part 5
Closing costs must be factored in as well. These include origination fees charged by the lender, title and settlement fees, taxes and prepaid items such as homeowners insurance or homeowner association fees. All told, buyers should spend no more than 28% of their income on housing costs, according to Fannie Mae. Your real estate professional will be able to explain your options.
The down payment amount varies depending on the value of the home you choose and your mortgage lender. First-time homebuyers may also quality for down-payment assistance programs and grants available through their states and municipalities. Contact your state housing finance authority, county housing and community development office for an application.
If you have questions concerning financing or need recommendations for lenders, you can email me at info@mobilebaldwinhomes.com
Prudential Value Range Marketing-PVRM- Benefits Buyers and Sellers
Your agent should do a comparable market analysis with a one mile radius, if possible. Keep your asking price within 4-5 percent of the current market value. If your agent says anything higher…rethink the agent.
As much as you’d like to believe it, your house probably isn’t worth 10-15 percent more than your neighbors. Again, if your real estate agent suggests that is more valuable and suggests a higher asking price have them explain why.
You may have added a lot to your home over the years. In this buyers market with so many homes for sale the additional perks will not make it more saleable BUT more want-able.
One of the things a seller doesn’t want is a hint of desperation. If you over price in the beginning and a price change comes later, this desperation sign will appear “PRICE REDUCED.” Then possible buyers will offer lower bids than the new low price.
Prudential offers what is called a PVRM. Properties marketed using PVRM can appear in many more “range of affordability” searches, exposing a seller’s property to more prospective buyers which generates stronger activity, helps initiate offers and encourages the buyer and seller to begin the process of negotiating the sales price. Compared to using the traditional fixed price, which can easily be seen as overpriced and slow down the selling process.
How Does PVRM Benefit Sellers?
- When selling your property, consider these key benefits:
- Increased Marketing Exposure for Your Property
- Eliminates the Need for Price Reductions
- Accelerates the Sales Process by Encouraging More Offers
- Optimizes Final Sales Price Allowing True Market Forces to Determine Maximum Price
- Attracts more qualified buyers and creates more competition for your house.
How Does PVRM Benefit Buyers?
When shopping for a new home, consider these key benefits:
- Buyers have a price range to work within
- Allows the buyer to entertain possible homes that they would not have with a set price
- Allows them to see a negotiable realistic range of pricing acceptable to the seller
- Gives an easier entrance into negotiations, thus less stress.
In the end, it is up to you the seller on which pricing to use.
Feel free to visit my web-site www.MobileBaldwinHomes.com to get to know me a little more and find out how I can help you sell your home and/or find you a home in Mobile or Baldwin Counties Alabama. Contact information for Marie Dickinson is located there as well.
Market analysis- http://www.mariedickinson.com/
buyers market – http://www.investorwords.com/641/buyers_market.html
PVRM-
Mobile AL- http://www.cityofmobile.org/
Baldwin- http://www.co.baldwin.al.us/PageView.asp?PageType=R&edit_id=1
Fine Homes Collection Magazine
So, How DOES Prudential Value Range Marketing Work?
Traditionally, property owners desiring to sell their property have been limited to a fixed price when advertising their property for sale. By using the traditional fixed price method you run the risk of overpricing which can slow the process of selling your property and limit the number of buyers exposed to your property. Traditional pricing also sets an artificial pricing ceiling.
What kind of home can I afford?
In general you can afford a home worth about three times your annual household income. If your combined income is $75,000, you could afford a $225,000 house.
Money you’ll need up front
• 3 to 20% of the purchase price for a down payment. The actual amount depends on what kind of loan you get and how good your credit is. Your bank might offer a zero-down loan, but if you can afford to make a down payment you should do so, because you’ll get the lower interest rate and because your monthly payments will be lower.
• 1 to 8 % of the purchase price for closing costs. You might not have to pay it up front. The bank might be willing to add it to your mortgage. The actual amount of closing costs depends on how good a deal your lender is willing to give you, and the price of the house. The more expensive the home, the less the closing costs are as a percentage of the total price. Today, with so many houses on the market, many sellers are willing to pay the closing cost if you pay the asking price or close to it.
• $250 to $800 in Miscellaneous Costs. These are things like the application fee for the loan, the fee for the bank to run your credit report, professional inspection of the home, and an appraisal (if you can’t get the appraisal added to the closing costs).
• Putting these three things together, on a $175,000 house you’ll need
o $4500 to $30,000 for the down payment (unless you get a 0% down loan)
o $0 to $12,000 for the closing costs
o $250 to $800 for miscellaneous costs
Total: $4750 to $42,800. Yes, that’s quite a difference. You’ll learn more about estimating the costs for your own situation as you go through this guide.
Baldwin County Alabama Job Fair is being held on April 1, 2011 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., in Robertsdale and the Baldwin County Coliseum. Once you land that job and if you have children in school or higher education check out these sites: Schools Baldwin County- www.bcbe.org, Schools Mobile County- www.mcpss.com, Higher Education Opportunities- University of South Alabama, Spring Hill College, Bishop State Community College, University of Mobile.
The Alabama Gulf Coast is one of the best areas to live in the U.S., especially if you love tropical like weather, summer sports, and dislike COLD weather. And there are so many things to do year round. The Gulf Coast is a magical and enchanting place to live. It offers a city life in Mobile, or a small town life in Baldwin County, both with the ability to have a vacation for a day just a short drive away!
To get a glimpse of the opportunities of the Gulf Coast take a look at these sites: www.GulfShores.com, http://mobile.alabama.com/
Many people live in Baldwin County and drive to Mobile to work, and vice-versa.
So, come on down to the Gulf Coast. Contact Marie Dickinson your local and welcoming Mobile Baldwin Homes Realtor today and get started finding your dream home.
Fairhope Pier
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