If your weekends are becoming a bit mundane and you’re looking for something different and inexpensive to do with friends and family, a tour of Fayette County’s Painted Churches may be just the remedy.

More than 20 painted churches exist throughout the state of Texas.  Four of these architectural gems are in Fayette County.  Each is less than a dozen miles from Schulenburg, so a visit to all four makes for a perfect day trip.

 All of the churches were established by Czech and German settlers who immigrated here in the mid-1800s. You can expect a feeling of awe and tranquility as you stand beneath the elaborately embellished interiors. For more information on the painted churches tour contact the Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce.  We’d love to hear from those of you who take advantage of this “divine inspiration.”

And, don’t forget to take your camera!

It’s the time of year where many are delighting in their backyards, barbecuing and spending time entertaining family and friends. If there is a challenge to enjoying this time, it would perhaps be those pesky mosquitoes.  Of course, there is always OFF! bug spray and Tiki torches, but you may want to consider a more permanent solution to itches and bites.

An outdoor mosquito system uses a natural insecticide called pyrethrum which is made from dried chrysanthemum flower heads. The pyrethrum mixes with water in a tank system (or you may opt for a thankless system) and then pumps the mixture through nozzles in areas where mosquitoes live. The mist can be set on an adjustable timer.

What can you expect to pay for a mosquito system? Cost is based on the pump selection and how many nozzles are required to cover the desired area. They range in price from $1500 to $3000, depending on options and the size of coverage area. The mist is also effective on spiders, so it keeps the outdoor living space neater and free of cobwebs.

So, if you are tired of insects sucking the life out of your fun, an outdoor mosquito system may be one of the best investments you can make.

With all the rain we’ve been experiencing in the area, we thought it may be helpful to educate neighbors how this type of weather can damage homes and become costly repairs if not addressed early on. Wind driven rain can get behind stucco and vinyl siding, causing hidden damage. This undetected moisture can lead to wood rot or mold, and encourages termite and other wood destroying insect activity.  To properly identify the damage, your home Inspector can use a thermal imaging camera. This equipment traces hard to find moisture sources quickly and with minimal disassembly to your home. So, if you think you may have a problem be sure to ask for this service. We’ve found the average price for this service starts at $95 – a great deal that may save you from a much larger expense in the future.

Capital Economics expects the housing crisis to end this year, according to a report released Tuesday. One of the reasons: loosening credit.

The analytics firm notes the average credit score required to attain a mortgage loan is 700. While this is higher than scores required prior to the crisis, it is constant with requirements one year ago.

Additionally, a Fed Senior Loan Officer Survey found credit requirements in the fourth quarter were consistent with the past three quarters.

However, other market indicators point not just to a stabilization of mortgage lending standards, but also a loosening of credit availability.

Banks are now lending amounts up to 3.5 times borrower earnings. This is up from a low during the crisis of 3.2 times borrower earnings.

Banks are also loosening loan-to-value ratios (LTV), which Capital Economics denotes “the clearest sign yet of an improvement in mortgage credit conditions.”

In contrast to a low of 74 percent reached in mid-2010, banks are now lending at 82 percent LTV.

While credit conditions may have loosened slightly, some potential homebuyers are still struggling with credit requirements. In fact, Capital Economics points out that in November 8 percent of contract cancellations were the result of a potential buyer not qualifying for a loan.

Additionally, Capital Economics says “any improvement in credit conditions won’t be significant enough to generation actual house price gains,” and potential ramifications from the euro-zone pose a threat to future credit availability.

It’s a tool used by house flippers all across the nation. Stagers know its power. Real estate agents push its importance. What is this not-so-well-kept secret of real estate? A kitchen can sell a house.  

Kitchens are integral to entertaining and in today’s age of open floor plans, they’re a focal piece of many family rooms. This means buyers want homes with up-to-date kitchens. Because they are one of the most expensive and labor intensive rooms to renovate, buyers aren’t willing to tackle this problem themselves and expect a kitchen ready to use the day they move in.

The main thing to remember as a seller is to not price yourself out of your market. If homes in your neighborhood are selling for $100,000 with tidy, but not luxury kitchens, then this is no time to upgrade to granite, travertine, and marble at the price tag of $40,000+. You simply won’t find a buyer.  

Scope out the competition. Use open houses in your area or MLS listings to find out what your competitions’ kitchens look like.  

Do area homes have new solid wood cabinets and granite counters in today’s designer colors? Do they have compactors and wine coolers? You’ll be wise to consider making the same move.

Are you in a higher-end neighborhood? It’s time to think high-end. Your older home may have a highly functional kitchen, but a buyer will take one look at your formica counters and white appliances and become lost in the stress of how much money and time it would take to remodel. If you don’t want to put in the time yourself to make upgrades then you’ll have to make concessions in the price.  

The bottom line is a kitchen can sell a home. Do a little research and find out what your kitchen needs to make it competitive with area listings.