Trying to sell your Ho- Ho- Home At The Holidays?

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, tis the season to be jolly!
What if your home is on the market?
How many nooks and crannies should you bespangle when trying to present your house as a perfect "Home"
to prospective buyers?

Conventional staging wisdom says "simplify, clear the clutter, depersonalize" the house, so buyers can imagine themselves in the space.  If you are typically the "Clark Griswold" of holiday lights, you might want to tone things down a bit this year. 
Perhaps instead of the fully lit Sleigh with Reindeer on the roof, you could settle for a professionally decorated wreath on the front of the house with a spotlight shining on it's sparkly splendor. 

If you normally have six fully decorated trees in the interior of your home, you could settle for two~ one upstairs one down or living room and family room. Then, bling them out to the max and your inner elf shouldn't feel deprived.  Try to keep the table top decor simple too. If you have a collection of nativity scenes that is rivaled only by Bronners, pick your favorite one to display prominently and store the rest in anticipation of your new home's display possibilities.

Then, when you know there is a showing, mull some cider with cinnamon, fill a "to-go cup" for your frayed nerves and leave the wonderful scent lingering in the air for your potential buyers.

Tips to Winterize Your Home

The temperatures have begun to dip and soon~ very soon for some of us, we will be into full winter mode.
If you have not done some things to prep for the worst of the winter weather, you may be "out in the cold". Literally!

• Check for Air Leaks-door frames, windows and even wall outlets are common areas for air to get in from outside, creating drafts, causing the temp to drop inside and the furnace to run more-increasing your heating costs. Caulking around windows, putting up storm windows, refreshing the weather stripping on doors are all easy ways to conserve energy for the long winter.
• Gutters must be cleaned and flushed with running water before it gets below freezing, to avoid ice dams and backups which will lead to water damage inside your home.
• While you are up there, inspect your roof for damage, wear and tear. If in doubt or if you know repairs are needed, call in a pro. The investment will save you repairs (and possibly hospitalizations from injury) in the long run!

Tips like these can help you be safer, warmer and dryer this winter!

Want a top-notch REALTOR? Ask questions!

If you are contemplating a home sale or purchase you owe it to yourself to be your own advocate and investigator before you "hire" a REALTOR.  Your agent represents you in the marketplace.  He or she will be your "go to" person regarding one of the most important business transactions that you will make. You will be working closely with him. Do you experience a sense of trust and ease with the agent?  Does she listen to your concerns and answer your questions to your satisfaction?  The National Association of REALTORS recommends that you ask a lot of questions to be sure you are entering into a partnership that will reward you both. Here are some suggestions:
1. How long have you been in residential real estate? Is it your full time job?
While experience is no guarantee of skill, real estate, like many professions, is mostly learned on the job.
2. What’s your business philosophy? While there’s no right answer to this question, the response will help you assess what’s important to the agent and determine how closely the agent’s goals and business emphasis mesh with your own.
3. How many homes did you and your real estate brokerage sell last year? By asking this question, you’ll get a good idea of how much experience the practitioner has.
4. How close to the initial asking prices of the homes you sold were the final sale prices? This is one indication of how skilled the REALTOR® is at pricing homes and marketing to suitable buyers. Of course, other factors also may be at play, including an exceptionally hot or cool real estate market.
5. How will you keep me informed about the progress of my transaction? How frequently? Again, this is not a question with a correct answer, but how you judge the response will reflect your own desires. Do you want updates twice a week or do you prefer not to be bothered unless there’s a hot prospect? Do you prefer phone, e-mail, or a personal visit? 
6. Could you please give me the names and phone numbers of your three most recent clients? Ask recent clients if they would work with this REALTOR® again. Find out whether they were pleased with the communication style, follow-up, and work ethic of the REALTOR®.

These are only a few ideas to get you started. There is lots of information available online from the National Association of REALTORS and other sites such as Realtor.com, any real estate professional worth working with welcomes your questions so, ask away!  

"Why own when you can rent"-HUH?

Home ownership is still a great goal and a worthwhile investment. To me this seems like a fairly reasonable statement. Not so to everyone however. Recently I was in a conversation and shared that our daughter, having secured a good post college job in her field, had purchased a home and we were very proud that she had done it on her own, qualified for her mortgage, "hired" a realtor shopped and (thankfully!) asked us to help evaluate her final choice before she signed on the dotted line. This was met with "Home ownership is a thing of the past- a losing proposition! She shouldda rented!!" I thought "Seriously?"  I think this man exhibited a terrible attitude toward what was once the American Dream.
Yes the market is still in terrible shape. Yes many people are still underwater in mortgages they will never "surface" from and yes the outlook for the near future does not look much better.
HOWEVER. If we don't start buying homes and other big ticket items, if we all squirrel away every red cent we earn because "the sky is falling" well, it will. consider this;
Rent is money you will never see again.
Rent is NOT Tax deductible.
" Renters generally have no idea what they'll be paying a few years down the line. Home owners with fixed-rate mortgages, however, essentially have the same payment for up to 30 years. Even those with adjustable rates have a cap and can figure out their maximum potential mortgage payment. The stability also comes from the sense homeowners get of being anchored to their community. "It gives you a little more leverage when it comes to community issues and activism," Cotlier says. "When you own your home, and you're paying taxes on it, you might have your voice a little better heard when it comes time to speak up about neighborhood or community issues."-By Melissa M. Ezarik • Bankrate.com

 I will grant you that it is because of the market that my daughter was able to afford a very nice starter home. The prices have dropped enough (even in this nice stable neighborhood) that made the purchase very "do-able" for a first time home buyer. Instead of the defeatist attitude of my acquaintance however, I think we need to invest in America through every means available.  Home ownership is a rewarding experience I want my kids and YOURS to have.

REALTORS debunk all-encompassing home sale tax rumor

Realtors debunk all-encompassing home sale tax rumor

CHRISTOPHER QUINN
/ Cox Newspapers
Atlanta — Diane Michels of Atlanta received an email last summer claiming that she would have to pay a new 3.8 percent sales tax if she sold her house in order to move to a retirement home in Florida.
The unsolicited chain email, sent from "Michael W, Realtor," said, "If you sell your $400,000 home, there will be a $15,200 tax," and blames it on a provision of President Barack Obama's health care reform.
"We were also told to check into it by a real estate agent," Michels said by phone.
Although there is a new capital gains tax two years down the road for some high-end home sales, the untrue assumption of an all-inclusive home sales tax has been surging on Internet blogs, in outraged email letters and even has been mentioned in some news forums, such as "Fox & Friends." Last June, host Gretchen Carlson mentioned part of Obama's health plan was to raise taxes on home sales.
"This became an Internet rumor that took off like wildfire," said National Association of Realtors spokesman Walter Molony.
The NAR got so many inquiries that it created a brochure to set the record straight. Rest easy, Molony says. There is no new all-encompassing home sales tax.
However, the new tax that will apply to a portion of gains on high-profit home sales by high-income owners takes effect in 2013 and is expected to help raise money to pay for the health care plan.
Individual homeowners are allowed to exempt from taxes up to $250,000 in gains from a home sale and couples can exempt up to $500,000, said Spence Shumway, founder of the accounting firm StoneBridge. The 3.8 percent surcharge tax will apply to gains above those thresholds and if the homeowners earn more than $200,000 a year for an individual or $250,000 for a couple.
Bill Murray, a Prudential Georgia Realty broker in Atlanta, said agents are aware of the rumor. Agents are ready to explain, but he fears the rumor might prevent sellers or buyers from acting.
"What I am afraid of is that many people will not understand it and pull back and not ask questions," he said.
Source Detroit News Extra Your Money, Monday October 17, 2011

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Underwater? Things you need to know before you sell.

Unfortunately, it's very common to overhear conversations around you in the grocery line or at your local pub that someone is or has a friend or relative who is "underwater" in their home. (facing foreclosure or short sale)

Beyond being  frustrated and hurt, there are some real practical and important decisions to be made by the homeowner who must sell due to these circumstances.

Seeking the advice of a REAL ESTATE professional you trust is the first step. If you do not have a relationship with a REALTOR ask friends and family for a recommendation, check well known local real estate people on their website.  REALTORS must take continuing education yearly in order to remain licensed, but some go above and beyond the requirements for certifications that will benefit YOU.
Look for SFR which means Shortsale, Foreclosure Resource, an extra certification from the National Association of REALTORS that agents can take to avail themselves of the latest information in an ever changing market.

It might also help to define a shortsale. Short sale is when a lender agrees to discount your loan due to an economic hardship on the part of the homeowner.  This is usually tried to prevent you from going into foreclosure.  Shortsale is an involved process and you must have very legitimate hardship in order to convince the bank to approve it.  Reasons such as sudden death, loss of a job and even in some situations, divorce can be sited.  If your property is certain to be foreclosed, shortsale is the lenders preferable option.

Short sale can end the financial pain and get you on to a new start, carrying less weight, and who needs baggage?  Seek the advice of a professional REALTOR today!

Halloween is a HOMEY Holiday Make sure yours is safe!

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Feel free to excerpt these tips or use them in their entirety for any print or broadcast story, with acknowledgment of source.
ALL DRESSED UP:

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
• Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.
• Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

CARVING A NICHE:

• Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers.  Then parents can do the cutting.
• Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest.
• Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

HOME SAFE HOME:

• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
• Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
• Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

ON THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:

• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
• If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
• Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or Treaters:
• Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
• Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
• Never cut across yards or use alleys.
• Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.
• Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!
• Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:

• A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
• Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
• Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.

© 10/10 American Academy of Pediatrics

Freshen up for Fall

If your house is on the market chances are it has been listed for a while.
Now that the dog days of summer have past it is a good time to take a critical look at your home.
Everything from the condition of the sign out front to dead flowers in the beds has an impact on the buyers perceived value of your home.  If things are undone, plants are scraggly, the sign is old and faded, someone driving buy to look is going to be less inclined to go inside where you have the best opportunity for them to fall in love or at least in like with your home

The good news is that these are easy fixes.  Take an afternoon and get outside to weed and de-clutter garden spaces.  Trim down or remove overgrown shrubs, sweep the sidewalk.  If the "gutter" portion of the street in front of your home is littered with dead leaves or twigs that have blown out of the trees, spend some time there too.  Obviously any litter must be removed.

Now go to the opposite side of the street and look at your home.  This is what your neighbors and potential buyers driving by see.  Hows it look?  If it looks warm and inviting and tidy-you have the right idea.
If it still needs tweaking, buy some of the most vibrant mums you can from the local Home Improvement store(very inexpensive for the bang you get) or roadside stand.  Leave them in the pots and arrange them to draw the eye to your homes entryway. Keep them watered and you have a very nice low commitment addition to your landscape that will last all the way through the first hard frost.

Make your home look loved, not leftover-you will be glad you did!

A return to banking the old-fashioned way can speed the housing recovery.

July 2011 | By Lawrence Yun
You already know from real-world experience that banks are not lending. But now your experience is backed by hard data from the FDIC. The agency found that in the year ending March 2011, bank deposits rose by $300 billion, assets grew by $80 billion, and profits were up by $12 billion. Yet loan volumes fell $260 billion to $7.24 trillion.
The banking industry's old "3-6-3 rule" says that bankers pay 3 percent interest to depositors, make loans to depositors at 6 percent, and be out on the golf course by 3 p.m. That rule now seems to be replaced with a new 0-0-3 rule: Offer nothing to depositors and nothing to those who want to borrow, and earn 3 percent by buying tradable assets like ­government bonds.
To be sure, profit is not a bad thing. But when banks accumulate profit at the expense of doing what they're in business to do—make loans—they put brakes on the economy.

We might already be seeing the consequences of that, with the economic recovery showing signs of sputtering. So it's of little surprise that pending home sales in April took a tumble, falling 11 percent. Rising gas prices and unusually wet weather contributed to the slowdown. Whether home sales in the months ahead will also fall, we'll have to wait and see. But if these overly tight lending conditions ­worsen, then a price decline in the ­double-digit range is clearly possible. Strategic defaults and foreclosures will rise, and bank balance sheets will deteriorate. A second recession is possible.
But this is a worst-case scenario. What's more likely is that any additional price contractions will be modest. Home values have already fallen considerably, to historically justifiable levels. And in areas where jobs are strong, prices are solid or heading up.

But the lesson is clear: A return to banking the old-fashioned way can speed the housing recovery.

Summer Time and The Livin' is ... HOT!

This has been one of the hottest summers in recorded weather history.  All over the country folks are experincing the record temps making it hard to enjoy the outdoors and harder to cool the indoors.  Our stress level is up and desire to mow, weed, spruce or do any major or minor household project is down.

If you take a drive  through your neighborhood you will no doubt be confronted by brown, crispy grass and droopy flowers. Then you will pass the one house that has been maintained in tip top shape, grrrr what is that guy/gal doing that I am not...

We know the answer, they are being strong and carrying on.  They are watering within the restrictions set by the town or township, they are going out to weed or prune in the evening or in the early morning hours.  They are paying special attention to the spider webs on porches, splotches on windows.  They are keeping the walks and approaches to their homes swept and trimmed.
They are increasing the VALUE of their home.

If the home is listed FOR SALE curb appeal is of even more importance.  If the home next to yours is for sale, looks really great and yours is well, less than stellar, do your neighbor and yourself a favor and spend a little time sprucing it up.  When that home shows better because the potential buyer likes the look of the whole neighborhood, prices go up and everyone wins. When you model what is expected of homeowners in your area regarding home upkeep-you win as well.

Go have a glass of lemonade.

10 Ways To Make Your House Show Like a Model Home

10 Ways To Make Your House Show Like a Model Home

10 Tips for effective remodels

1.Stick to Your Home's Style
Any addition that complements the architecture of your home adds value. When renovating a traditional-style house, opt for classic styles like wooden banisters. These timeless details will blend in seamlessly, as if they've always been a part of the home.

2. Don't Overlook the Details
If you're thinking about resale, spend the time and money it takes to finish the trim work and molding in your home. Potential homebuyers will see a fixer-upper if these details are missing, so completing these projects is key if you want to sell your home for its full value.

3. Plan Your Project in Advance
It might be tempting to do a project in phases if you want to save money or just take it slow. But if you haven't planned the entire project ahead of time, you may do something that you'll have to go back and change later, which will cost you more money in the long run.

4. Work With What You Have
If your cabinets need an update, consider refacing or resurfacing them rather than replacing them. They're probably good quality if you live in an older home, and getting brand-new cabinets of the same quality can be costly. Refurbish what's already there, and you'll get a whole new look while saving a bundle.
5. Plan Your Demo
While it may be tempting to just grab a hammer and let loose during demolition, it's important to plan your demo just like every other phase of the project. As you're tearing things apart, know what's going and what's staying. If you just start ripping things down without a plan, you might trash something that you could have reused.

6.Save Cash With Reclaimed Materials
Repurposing old building materials and cabinetry is a great way to save a ton of money when remodeling. After a fresh coat of paint and new beadboard paneling, this reclaimed cabinet makes a great entryway bench – for a fraction of the cost of a brand-new, store-bought one. You can find great deals on materials at stores that sell reclaimed or surplus building materials.

7. Weigh Your Options on Energy Efficient Updates
Adding energy efficient features to your home is a great investment, but don't assume you have to make major upgrades to cut energy costs. New windows, for instance, can take up to 20 years to recoup the cost from energy savings, so it may be smarter to simply fill in air leaks around your existing windows. Consider how long you're going to live in the house to decide what will work best for you in the long run.

8.Add Storage on a BudgetStorage is a huge buzz word today – you can never have too much. If you want to increase your storage space but don't have a lot to spend, consider buying a customized storage system online. The systems are usually fairly inexpensive and are completely tailored to fit your space and your needs.

 9. Remodel by the Rules
If you live in a condominium, the types of remodeling projects you can tackle might be limited. For instance, you may only be able to install a hardwood floor if you live on the lower level. Before you start remodeling, check with your condo association so you don't make any updates you'll have to replace in the long run. And no matter what type of home you live in, be sure to adhere to local building codes.

10.When in Doubt, Hire a Pro
DIY projects are a great way to save money, but if you find yourself guessing your way through your renovation, stop and hire a pro to do it. You'll save yourself the trouble and expense of having to hire someone to fix your mistakes in the long run.

5 Things to do Before Putting Your Home on the Market

1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.

2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.

3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin. 

4. Find your warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house.

5. Spruce up the curb appeal. Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments?

Poll: 9 in 10 Americans Value Home Ownership

While nearly one-quarter of home owners owe more on their home than it’s currently worth, Americans still see the value in home ownership and still consider it part of the American dream.
Nearly nine in 10 Americans say home ownership is an important part of the American dream, according to the latest New York Times and CBS News poll conducted June 24-28 of 979 adults.
Overall, the majority of Americans polled also said the government should do more to help improve the housing market, and they mostly blame financial institutions for the sluggish housing market.
Here are some of the findings from the poll:
▪ 54 percent of those polled say the government should be doing more to improve the housing market. Only 16 percent say the government should be doing less. In fact, support for helping people who are facing financial distress from housing is higher than support for helping those who have been unemployed for several months.
53 percent say the government should help in providing financial assistance to those who are having trouble paying their mortgages.
▪ Nearly no one surveyed was in favor of discontinuing the mortgage interest tax deduction, which government leaders have been eyeing as part of budget cuts. (Learn more.)
▪ 42 percent of respondents blame lenders and 29 percent blame regulators for the housing crash.
▪ About 66 percent of Americans say strategic default — that is, when underwater home owners stop making payments on their mortgage even though they have the means to keep paying — is not justified. Nearly 30 percent of those surveyed say strategic default is justified.
Source: “Despite Fears, Owning Home Retains Allure, Poll Shows,” The New York Times (June 29, 2011)

What to Expect When You Live by the Water

Living on or near this natural setting brings its own set of challenges.

By Carole Moore, FrontDoor.com | Published: 9/24/2008

Water naturally attracts birds, which leave droppings that are difficult to remove from decks, boats and vehicles.

Sand between your toes and the sound of water gently lapping at the dock may make you want to jump into the deep end and grab your own little piece of paradise. Feel free to go nautical when you purchase your dream or vacation home, but know what you're getting into and we're not talking about interest rates, closing costs or home inspections. We mean the lesser known, mostly unanticipated challenges of living lakeside, oceanfront or along the banks of a beautiful river. Here are a few that can test your patience and your wallet:

1. Birds of a feather stick together. Water naturally attracts waterfowl. Geese can be aggressive and, along with other birds, like ducks and gulls, they leave droppings that are difficult to remove from decks, boats and vehicles. There are things you can do to discourage them, and not feeding them helps, but if you live near the water, plan on seeing feathers. (And in some places, alligators, too.)
2. Sitting on the dock of the bay. Expect lots of dock maintenance, especially if yours is located on a busy aquatic thoroughfare. Elena Bluntzer of The Bluntzer Group, a real estate company that specializes in high-end properties, says, "Boat docks ... require constant maintenance and repairs or full renovation every few years." And that goes double for docks located in salt or brackish waters.
3. People live in glass houses. If you have a great water view, remember that it works both ways. If you can see the water, then everyone on the water can also see you, especially at night, when all the lights are on. You might want to dress accordingly.
4. Knock, knock -- here we are! A waterfront home is an instant people magnet, even if you'd rather be alone. Expect drive-by visitors, friends and relatives wanting to use your place for a weekend getaway or vacation. Be prepared for many strange requests: Can we have our wedding/birthday party/bar mitzvah at your house? Financial expert Emma Allen, who owns Emma Allen Enterprises as well as a home on Lake Norma, N.C., says people drop in even though her home is completely off the beaten path. If this bothers you, you might consider a gated community.
5. Water giveth and water taketh away. Whether you're on a beach or a bank, water erodes sand and soil. A place perched too close to the shoreline can pose serious problems. Before buying: Look at a prospective home at high and low tides. Talk to the neighbors. Find out what agency monitors that particular coastline and check with it to see what erosion problems have plagued the area (the city or county inspections office can be a good place to start).
6. Swim with the fishies. If you're going to live on the water, you need to know how to swim, and so does the rest of your family. It's a safety issue for you and your visitors. Lake homeowner Allen says that after she and her spouse bought their place, the whole family took advanced swimming and lifesaving. "We've had to fish quite a few people out of the water," Allen says.
7. Your ship will come in. It's a given: Living nautical means traveling nautical. Julie Languille, a homeowner and entrepreneur in Whidbey Island, Wash., explains with tongue firmly planted in cheek: "You need a boat to sail. And a motor boat to launch the crab pots. You keep your larger boats moored in the water to launch them without the hassle of the trailer. Then, of course, you need a smaller boat to boat out to your bigger boats. And you need kayaks. And then the cost of the 12-step program for boat addiction."
8. Don't fence me in. Fencing can be an issue if you want an unobstructed view of the water, but don't want your pet wandering off. Invisible fencing is the answer for lots of waterfront pet owners, says Languille, an invisible fence/pet owner. Look for quality systems to start at around $200 and go up depending on the footage and collars needed.
9. Necessity is the mother of insurance. You'll need flood insurance. You can get the basic stuff from the government, but, says Kevin Lee, CEO and chairman of search engine marketing company Didit, "If you want more than FEMA flood insurance, it gets expensive." Additional insurance can cover only your personal effects, the buildings they're in or both.
10. Hear the wind blow. If you live on either the Atlantic or Gulf coasts, then be prepared to spend a little extra to hurricane-proof your home. Hurricane shutters and premium roofing don't come cheap but they can make a big difference when the winds hit up to 100 mph. For example, shutters can run from about $8 to $55 a square foot.

Every location has its challenges. If it's water that makes you feel alive, then grab an oar and go for it. Just be careful not to step on that duck on your way to the boathouse.

Affordability Reaches Highest Level in 20 Years

Homes are more affordable to more families, according to the latest index for the first quarter of 2011 that shows affordability reaching its highest level in more than 20 years.

Nearly 75 percent of all new and existing homes sold in the first quarter of 2011 were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,400, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index. The previous high was set in the fourth quarter of 2010 with 73.9 percent.

"With interest rates remaining at historically low levels, today's report indicates that home ownership is within reach of more households than it has been for more than two decades," says Bob Nielsen, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders.

The most affordable metro housing market in the nation? Syracuse, N.Y., in which 94.5 percent of all homes sold were affordable to households earning the area's median family income of $64,300.

Other metro cities ranking high on the affordability index were Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, Ohio-Pa.; Indianapolis-Carmel, Ind.; Warren-Troy-Farmington Hills, Mich.; and Toledo, Ohio.

Meanwhile, the least affordable major housing market for the first quarter of 2011 was New York-White Plains-Wayne, N.Y.-N.J.

Source: “Housing Affordability Rises to Record Level, Tight Financing Continues to Constrain Sales,” National Association of Home Builders (May 25, 2011)

HOW TO IMPROVE THE ODDS OF AN OFFER

1. Price it right. Set a price at the lower end of your property’s realistic price range.

2. Prepare for visitors. Get your house market ready at least two weeks before you     begin showing it.

3. Be flexible about showings. It’s often disruptive to have a house ready to show at the spur of the moment. But the more amenable you can be about letting people see your home, the sooner you’ll find a buyer.

4. Anticipate the offers. Decide in advance what price and terms you’ll find acceptable.

5. Don’t refuse to drop the price. If your home has been on the market for more than 30 days without an offer, you should be prepared to at least consider lowering your asking price.

Source REALTOR Magazine

10 Questions to Ask the Condo Board

Before you buy, contact the condo board with the following questions. In the process, you’ll learn how responsive — and organized — its members are. You’ll also be alerted to potential problems with the property.
1. What percentage of units is owner-occupied? What percentage is tenant-occupied? Generally, the higher the percentage of owner-occupied units, the more marketable the units will be at resale.
2. What covenants, bylaws, and restrictions govern the property? What grandfather clauses are in place? You may find, for instance, that those who buy a property after a certain date can’t rent out their units, but buyers who bought earlier can. Ask for a copy of the bylaws to determine if you can live within them. And have an attorney review property docs, including the master deed, for you.
3. How much does the association keep in reserve? Plus, find out how that money is being invested.
4. Are association assessments keeping pace with the annual rate of inflation? Smart boards raise assessments a certain percentage each year to build reserves to fund future repairs.To determine if the assessment is reasonable, compare the rate to others in the area.
5. What does and doesn’t the assessment cover? Does the assessment include common-area maintenance, recreational facilities, trash collection, and snow removal?
6. What special assessments have been mandated in the past five years? How much was each owner responsible for? Some special assessments are unavoidable. But repeated, expensive assessments could be a red flag about the condition of the building or the board’s fiscal policy.
7. How much turnover occurs in the building? This will tell you if residents are generally happy with the building. According to research by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, owners of condos in two-to-four unit buildings stay for a median of five years, and owners of condos in a building with five or more units stay for a median of four years.
8. Is the condo building in litigation? This is never a good sign. If the builders or home owners are involved in a lawsuit, reserves can be depleted quickly.
9. Is the developer reputable? Find out what other projects the developer has built and visit one if you can. Ask residents about their perceptions. Request an engineer’s report for developments that have been reconverted from other uses to determine what shape the building is in. If the roof, windows, and bricks aren’t in good repair, they become your problem once you buy.
10. Are multiple associations involved in the property? In very large developments, umbrella associations, as well as the smaller association into which you’re buying, may require separate assessments.

8 Reasons Why You Should Work With a REALTOR®

Not all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Here’s why it pays to work with a REALTOR®. 

1. Navigate a complicated process. Buying or selling a home usually requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multipage settlement statements. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes.

2. Information and opinions. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. They’ll also be able to provide objective information about each property. A professional will be able to help you answer these two important questions: Will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?

3. Help finding the best property out there. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your REALTOR® to find all available properties.

4. Negotiating skills. There are many negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession, and inclusion or exclusion of repairs, furnishings, or equipment. In addition, the purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.

5.  Property marketing power. Real estate doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. In fact, a large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, and family. When a property is marketed with the help of a REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

6. Someone who speaks the language. If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with a professional who is immersed in the industry and knows the real estate language.

7. Experience. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. Even if you have done it before, laws and regulations change. REALTORS®, on the other hand, handle hundreds of real estate transactions over the course of their career. Having an expert on your side is critical.

8. Objective voice. A home often symbolizes family, rest, and security — it’s not just four walls and a roof. Because of this, homebuying and selling can be an emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll every make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on both the emotional and financial issues most important to you.

Hey, College Grads-Let the Homeownership Adventure Begin!!!

Ok, so the market pretty dismal for most but, for young people who are lucky enough to be getting the first post college job in their field,  this can be a very opportune time to consider buying, over renting, your first home.
Let's say you are ready to leave your parents place and you are looking to rent closer to your brand-new office cubicle.  You begin your search and quickly learn that $600.00 to $800.00 per month will get you in the door of some complexes with a few amenities and all the glow of freedom from prying parents!  Sounds pretty good but then you begin to realize that today with a right sized/priced home or condo available in almost every town, $800.00 becomes an investment in you rather than simply a payment to a property management companies coffers.

 A home or condo is an investment rather than just a "place to crash", that yields no return for your hard earned dollars.  When you are ready to move up and out, you will have a proven financial track record for a bigger mortgage and options.  If the market value will not yield the price you desire, but you can forsee that getting better given time, consider making it an income property by renting it for a year and reevaluating at lease renewal time.

So as you look around for your new "nest" use real estate websites with lots of options for calculating what your payments might be, ideas for mortgage lenders and real estate professionals you can contact to help you find just the right place for you! HINT: Start at http://www.remerica.com/ :)

Downsizing

Your kids moved out. You hate yard work. Your utility bills are outrageous. You got divorced. Whatever the reason, you've got too much home to handle. It's time to downsize.
Just like when you bought your first home, evaluate your situation and crunch the numbers to see what you can afford. If you have less income or need to save some cash, figure out whether it's the right time for you to buy a new home.

                Step 1: Consider all your optionsYou've been a homeowner, so you already know the benefits of homeownership, like equity and tax breaks. But if you're faced with decreased income or a tough life transition like divorce or a death in the family, buying a new home may not be your best move. Here are some options:

• • Go green. If your main concern is your skyrocketing energy bills, making green updates may cost less than selling the house, moving and buying another one.
  • Rent out extra space. Supplement your income by renting out a room, the garage or guest/pool house. Or turn a large home into a duplex by dividing it into two separate residences. Research local zoning laws and consult with a real estate attorney. Get tips and advice on how to be a landlord.
  • Compare the pros and cons of renting versus buying. Don't feel bad about being a renter again. It may make more financial sense for you as you regain stability in your life. Compare costs with our Rent vs. Buy Calculator.
  • Consider sharing ownership of a house. You can buy a bigger house if you pool your resources with other cash-strapped homebuyers. Research co-ownership options, such as a "tenancy-in-common" or "joint tenancy." If you don't feel comfortable dealing with strangers, buy with a family member or friend.
  • Consider buying a condo. They tend to be less expensive than single family homes and require little to no home maintenance. But remember, you're subject to homeowners association fees and rules.
  • If you're 62 years old or older, consider a reverse mortgage. If you have enough equity, you can stay in the home.
• Source frondoor.com

Are you a property pro or a real estate rookie?

With today's real estate market, it's important to stay sharp and play it smart. Take this quiz and bone up on everything from mortgages to staging. We'll tell you how your knowledge stacks up and give you tips on how to increase your expertise.

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FSBO is not a tossing game you play with your pet!

FSBO is an acronym for "For Sale By Owner".  Even though your local hardware sells lovely "For Sale by Owner" signs ready made with a nice space for your phone number, it takes alot more marketing expertise to sell your home, particularly today.

 

Since the price you will be able to list your home at is probably lower than you would like, you may be tempted to forgo paying a commission to a Licensed Realtor. Save wherever you can-right? 

 

Well, maybe.  The advantages of working with an agent are numerous. From the most basic-he/she handles the phone calls and showings, to how you market you home to prospective buyers.  One of the biggest advantages to having agent for is uploading your home listing to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).  You cannot access the MLS-only a licensed agent can.  This national data base will put your home in front of the widest possible audience because the information will be picked up and posted to thousands of real estate websites.

 

A real estate agent knows how to market and arrange for all the details of selling your home.  An agent has a network of trusted professionals at his or her fingertips.  You'll need a home inspector,  and escrow agent, maybe even a professional home stager to get your home sold.  An agent can be your best weapon in a very tough market.

 

Lastly, ask friends who they have used.  Agents covet referrals and the opinion of a trusted friend is a great place to begin your search for a professional you can work with.

 

So, let the agent do the work and you'll have more time to play FRISBEE with your pet while you await the perfect offer for your home!

Tips for Pricing, Preparing and Promoting Your Home for Sale

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Sign, Sign everywhere a Sign...

My kids call me the sign Nazi. Being employed in Real Estate, I look at For Sale signs as I make my way around town and feel compelled to remark about them- bad logo, print is too small. Really, that agent might want to reconsider that picture...

The thing that bugs me the most is the sign that looks yellow and faded.  It makes the home listed look faded too.  Agents are telling sellers to spruce up the landscaping, wash the windows, keep the lawn trimmed or the snow shoveled and then they plop a faded ragged looking sign out front? If I were the seller, I would be very unhappy.  I would not want to look at that sign as I left and arrived home each day.

As a watcher of signs my reaction to the faded sign is "I bet that one has been on the market forever!"
The sign is supposed to be getting a buyers attention-positively and should be a reflection of the professional who will guide the sale.

So Realtors, sharpen up your marketing tools & Sellers, make sure your Realtor does!

Crafty Ideas for Winter Curb Appeal: Home & Design: REALTOR® Magazine

Crafty Ideas for Winter Curb Appeal: Home & Design: REALTOR® Magazine

Setting the Stage For A Successful Sale

Believe it or not, spring will be coming soon and if your home is going to go on the market, now is a good time to consider "staging" it to give it an edge with buyers.

There are professional Stagers who will, for a fee, come in and evaluate your home, advise on changes and do the work involved.  Not every home's needs are that extreme however.  If you can be objective about your space, there are lots of small changes you can make yourself that will help sell your home.

• Remember above all 'staging' is NOT decorating.  It is less personal than decorating.  When you decorate your home it is a reflection of you, your family, your life.  When you are staging your home you are trying to encourage your buyer to see themselves in the space.
• Showings are typically fairly short periods of time.  You need to make a good first impression so pay attention to entryways, declutter kitchen counters and take care of any obvious bad odors-this is not the time for the litter box to be ready for a cleaning. 
• If you have a package of "break and bake cookies" in the fridge and  20 minutes or so you can create a warm cozy feeling via your potential buyers nose.  A fresh pot of coffee can have a similar effect. Just keep smells simple and think about things that seem to be pleasing universally if you are going to try this.  Your family may love fish frys, but the smell is probably less generally appealing!
• Clear the paper work from your desk and the family photos and kids drawings from the fridge. Pack these personal things away so that you can get them out again sooner in your new home.
• Make the bed, everyday and depersonalize the bedroom too. Don't just stuff it in the closet because potential buyers will look in there too.

Make your space clean, decluttered, and depersonalized.  Empty the litter box or clean the turtle tank! If the bedroom and master bath  look like a really nice hotel suite, you are doing it right!

Ask your agent for advice, they have seen it all and want to help you to a successful closing.

Thing's Are Looking Up

 During the early part of this decade, it was not uncommon when driving  in my town to get caught by several fully loaded freight trains every day. It was frustrating, but a common fact of life in our little town. Your tardiness was easily explained by one word-train.

When the down turn began there was at first a subtle shift in train traffic, almost unnoticed. As the bottom approached, travel by car was almost unimpeded by trains-their whistles were rare-maybe once a week you had to sit waiting for a train to pass.  On one of those occasions it dawned on me that the lack of trains was a sad indicator that business was slowly coming to a halt.  Not much need for lumber, car haulers were much less frequent and coal traffic was way down as well.

Things are getting better.  Although employment figures are still pretty dismal, there are some  signs that the economy is improving.

GM's early emergence from bankruptcy/restructuring and improved sales figures for domestic auto's from GM, Ford and Chrysler are a good first step. *Dokka Fasteners Inc. - The new-to-Michigan manufacturer of hot-formed bolts primarily for the wind industry- plans to invest $21 million to establish a manufacturing, coating and distribution operation in Auburn Hills. Health care has become Michigans' biggest jobs provider, passing the slimmer ranks of auto related jobs. All of this makes us a more diverse economy and may attract other business and increase housing needs. So now when I get caught by a fully loaded train, (and that is happening much more often) I take a deep breath, put it in park and say a little thank you because things are looking up.

* Source GovMonitor.com

Why Real Estate, Why Now?

The unusual (many think tragic) current residential real estate market has impacted our industry in many ways.
One of the most obvious to me has been the number of Real Estate Agents who are getting out of the business, letting their licenses lapse and moving on.  Agents spend a great deal of time and money to become licensed and to remain licensed.  There are fees for almost every aspect of the process.  There are required continuing education and marketing expenses, communication tool costs like a website, smart phone even down to postage for the neighborly newsletters some agents use to communicate with potential and past clients. The list goes on and on.
One can look on the loss of some agents as a natural selection process, only the strongest survive. Some might never have made it as full time professional REALTORS anyway.  Many of them dove into the pool when deals and money were plentiful and frankly, it was not terribly difficult to close a sale.
You might be amazed then that Brokers continue to successfully recruit folks new to the business.  Why would anyone want to become a REALTOR in this market? The answer to that is as varied as the folks who show up for pre license training.
The drive to "be your own boss" is a very American attitude.  The freedom to succeed or fail based on your own efforts appeals to a lot of folks, particularly in a world where company provided pensions and lifelong employment situations are becoming very scarce. If you can't find a job, becoming a licensed agent is a sure way to create your own job.
I spoke with a new agent regarding why in the world he would choose now to get into the game. Although he was never "in" real estate before, he had a great deal of sales background.  He left an unsatisfactory employment relationship in order to use his talents to benefit himself and his family.  He sited the plus side of the down market as giving him plenty of time to learn, develop his knowledge of real estate and to set the stage to be "out of the gate" long before his competition when the market improves.  I think he is dead on.  He joined up at the perfect time.  It will be very interesting to watch these new entrepreneurs grow.

What makes a community attractive?

Forbes, Money, USA Today-you name 'em, about this time every year they publish "Lists".
"10 Best Community's",  "Most Livable City's" or for those on the unlucky side of the coin, "Ten Worst Towns!"

I admit that I look at these list's, scan the article to see what the criteria was, who's  judging.
If my city makes the good list I am pleased; the bad list, quietly outraged. Perhaps it's irrational, but I sort of take these things personally.

What makes a Top Ten Hometown for you? Schools? Shopping? Nightlife?  If you were moving, what things would you investigate before making your choice?  Go ahead, post...

How much is too much online?

I was reading in REALTOR Magazine about blogging, social networking and the relative safety or lack there of when you put TMI online.
In relationship to your where abouts at a given time, especially going on vacation type posts or posts from your vacation stops-it seems fairly obvious that you should exercise caution, possibly don't post at all until you are safely home and have the pictures!

But what about pictures of your very high end listings? Is a picture of the "mansion on main street's" multi- media room worth a thousand showings or a break-in waiting to happen? The obvious answer is don't over share, serious lookers/buyers will have a reputable agent contact you for a showing.  The advice from REALTOR Magazine is to have seller stow obvious valuables out of the camera's view for those "glamour shots".  What do you think?

SNOW DAY!!

Where did my joy for the snow day go? Perhaps it went into the tank of the snow blower and was sent flying off the driveway with the snow flakes.  Weather like we are experiencing here in Michigan does make me realize that properties for sale in the winter require extra care both by the homeowner or if the home is empty, the agent selling it. Uncleared snow is a dangerous advertisement for an empty home and a hassle for potential buyers who would like to look at it. Folks who slip and fall trying to get into your listing are not likely to lay there and make a snow angel!
Clients dragging snow and salt onto the floors or worse the carpet, in your listing is also a problem this time of year.  Perhaps those disposable slip-on shoe covers are a good investment; if the listing is occupied, the homeowner will applaud your thoughtfulness and your clients will feel grateful they don't have to "barefoot" in order to check everything out.
Think I'll go make some tea and see if it's stopped snowing yet...

Share the Love Food and Toiletries Drive

As the cold weather continues to wilt hopes of ever going barefoot again, we decided to do something to warm hearts and help our communities this February. REMERICA offices are joining forces with the Salvation Army to collect non-perishable food and toiletries for the Salvation Armys food pantry program.

After the holiday season, most charities will tell you they experience a drop in donations. The need can be even greater as folks who used up the little they had in reserve to give their kids a Christmas, face the fact that there is less than ever now that the new year has come.

Speaking with the SA office, we were advised that the need for toiletries like toilet paper, shampoo and toothpaste is great because the Bridge Card that some of our neighbors use for food does not cover these essentials.

So, when you think about Valentine's Day and those you love, can you add a bottle of shampoo, an extra package of bar soap or some canned goods to your shopping list?  When you have the items in hand, stop by one of our offices and drop them in the box provided.  To find an office near you go to www.remerica.com you will see a list of all our locations with phone numbers and addresses there.
This month be a Valentine to someone in need, "Share the Love".

Here's to the begining of a Great Relationship!

We are REMERICA Real Estate and we are entering the world of blogging!
We are "Michigan born" real estate company with 27 locations to serve all your real estate needs.
Visit us @ www.remerica.com

We titled this post they way we did because we are a company that endeavors to develop long term relationships with our clients.  At a recent gathering, one of our realtors stated that she was happy to have recently listed a home for the child of one of her first clients! That's who we are, and who we will continue to be, REMERICA-The Way Home!