I am pleased to present you with the latest issue of Life@Home. Delivered to home buyers, sellers and owners on a monthly basis, this electronic newsletter is designed to give you the real estate information that is important to you. In each issue, you will find practical tips and articles related to buying, selling or owning a home, as well as the latest news on real estate trends. I hope that you enjoy this issue of Life@Home. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
These Do-It-Yourself Improvements Help Sellers Maximize Sales Prices
Wondering what home improvements will benefit you the most when you sell your home? HomeGain.com, a Web site that provides home value estimates, recently released a list of the top 12 do-it-yourself home improvements that cost under $5,000 and benefit sellers the most when they go to sell their homes.
The list is based upon the responses of nearly 1,000 real estate agents nationwide. According to the HomeGain survey, the top five home improvements that agents recommend to sellers, based on cost and return on investment (from highest to lowest ROI), are:
Cleaning and de-cluttering ($200 cost/$1,700 price increase/872% ROI)
Home staging ($300 cost/$1,780 price increase/586% ROI)
Lightening and brightening ($230 cost/$1,300 price increase/572% ROI)
Cleaning and de-cluttering always rank near the top of suggested home improvements for sellers. In fact, 99 percent of real estate agents recommend that their clients do so, HomeGain says. And it.s easy to see why.for a cost of about $200, cleaning and de-cluttering add an average of $1,700 to a home.s sale price, an 872% return on investment.
"Many Realtors agree, especially in a buyer's market, that sellers who make these recommended home improvements often get their homes sold faster and at higher prices," says Louis Cammarosano, a general manager at HomeGain.
Rounding out the top 12 of the list of projects: Updating electrical; replacing or shampooing carpets; painting interior walls; repairing damaged floors; updating the kitchen; painting the exterior; and updating bathrooms.
For more information about low cost do-it-yourself improvements that will help your home sell faster, call our CENTURY 21 Office today.
Easy Home Improvements for Healthier Living
Americans are more health conscious than ever before-or at least they should be-and the desire for healthy living is extending more and more to the home. Home is where we sleep, spend our spare time and raise our children, so the home should be a healthy environment for all.
It's good to know that you can improve the environmental health of your home and improve its air quality with some quick and easy fixes. Here are some ideas:
Select "green" paint. Paint may make your home seem fresh, but it has the opposite effect on your indoor air quality. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, paints and stains are the second largest source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) after car emissions. By using a low- or no-VOC paint, you'll breathe easier.
Reduce allergens and asthma by repairing water leaks and ventilating rooms properly. If mold is present, have it professionally removed. Change air filters on a regular basis. Install allergen barriers on mattresses.
Consider installing a water filter or reverse osmosis unit to purify water and improve its taste.
Try limiting the use of toxic cleaning chemicals. Instead, use more natural products to clean, such as vinegar for glass, or steam clean floors and bathrooms.
Test your home for radon, and install a mitigation system if the level is 4 pCi/L or higher.
What is America's Fastest-Recovering City?
Warren Buffett made a good bet when he chose Omaha as the home for Berkshire Hathaway. According to Forbes, Omaha weathered the recession better than any other American city, due to low unemployment and foreclosure rates. Rounding out the top 3 of fast-recovering cities: San Antonio and Austin.
Featured Listings:
819 Glenwood Ct, Watertown 3 bedroom - 1 bath - 1 half bath MLS# 1100755 Pride of Ownership is shown throughout this 3 bedroom, 1-1/2 bath ranch with an exposed lower level. Formal living room, large kitchen/dinette with hardwood floors, family room with a gas fireplace plus a 13x15 screened-in deck complete the main level. Lower level is exposed and partially finished with a large rec room. BONUS: 2-car attached garage plus a 2-1/2 car detached garage! This home is tastefully decorated an in move-in condition set on a corner lot. $179,900 - View Listing
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Amber Castonguay | Century 21 Crossroads Realty | 920-699-8124
819 Glenwood Ct., Watertown, WI
Beautiful 3 Bedroom Home! This Immaculate home is completely updated with a 2.5 Car Attached Garage and 2.5 Detached Garage. Spacious with a Partiall
3BR/1+1BA Single Family House
offered at $179,900
Year Built
1978
Sq Footage
1,396
Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
1 full, 1 partial
Floors
Unspecified
Parking
4+ Car garage
Lot Size
.296 acres
HOA/Maint
$0 per month
DESCRIPTION
This Beautiful 3 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath home has it all. Nice Living Room, Large Kitchen, Fireplace in Family Room, plus a partially finished basement. An additional 2.5 Car Detached garage and 15x13 Screened in area on deck. You must see this home! Call today!
This home is Move-in condition. 3 Bedroom, 1.5 Baths located on a quiet Cul-de-sac. Many Updates such as Windows, Furnace/AC, Carpet & Bathrooms.
3BR/1+1BA Single Family House
offered at $197,900
Year Built
1976
Sq Footage
1,400
Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
1 full, 1 partial
Floors
1
Parking
2 Car garage
Lot Size
1.25 acres
HOA/Maint
$0 per month
DESCRIPTION
This home is Move-in condition. 3 Bedroom, 1.5 Baths located on a quiet Cul-de-sac. Many Updates such as Roof, Windows, Furnace/AC, Carpet & Bathrooms. Beautiful deck overlooking this partially wooded lot on over an acre in a desirable neighborhood in Dousman. Taxed by Town of Ottawa.
Beauty and Charm in this 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath home with lots of old time character. Situated on the Lake for year round fun. Home sale is subject to bank approval.
FINDING A CAPABLE AGENT TO MEET YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS
By: Amber Castonguay
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, selling your current home or relocating to a different part of the country, the support of a qualified, knowledgeable real estate agent can alleviate many of your concerns and ensure a smooth transaction.A professional agent can market your present residence, help you locate the home of your dreams and assist in making your transfer to an unfamiliar area easier.
To find a trained sales associate or broker, you may need to look no further than your own neighborhood or home town.If a well-established brokerage is involved in many listings and sale, this is a god sign.Speak with some of the agent’s past customers about the quality and integrity of service and performance.Successful real estate agents rely heavily on customer referrals and will therefore strive to provide the very best in customer service and satisfaction.
Set up appointments to “interview” agents and brokers much like an employer world interview a prospective employee.Inquire about their training, marketing programs and specific service policies.Also determine how many years of experience they have, the number of listings they have had, and the number of homes they have sold within the past few years.More importantly, find out how well they know the area.Ask for references, and check them out.
Your goal is to determine just how knowledgeable the agents are.Question them on financing, closing costs and/or local market conditions, depending on whether you’re a prospective home buyer or seller, to determine their expertise.If they know their stuff, they should be able to answer your questions effortlessly.
If you’re selling your home, learn what they will do if you decide to list with them.How do they plan to market your home?Will they provide you with a market analysis to help you determine the most effective listing price for your property?Will they supply regular progress reports and assist with negotiations once you’ve received offers?
If you are relocating to a different part of the country, is your agent connected with a national relocation service that will not only expose your present property to incoming transferees, but assist with your search for a new house?
Ask for a written guarantee that everything promised will be delivered.The CENTURY 21® organization, for example, backs its listings with the CENTURY 21 Seller Service Pledge.This 11-point written commitment covers everything from furnishing the seller with a marketing plan to monitoring pre-settlement activities throughout the closing process.It also gives the seller the right to terminate the listing if the pledge is not fulfilled.
A qualified real estate agent should be able to answer all your questions and provide you with qualify service that is courteous and responsible.Finding the right person may take time and patience, buy when purchasing or selling a home, the selection of a dependable agent should be tops on your list. Contact Amber www.AmbersHomeFinder.com | 920.699.8124 | AmberCastonguay@Gmail.com
For many renters, the first step in buying a home is becoming educated about the process. If you're like many people considering a home purchase, you've spent nights and weekends poring over your local real estate section. You've talked to friends and relatives about their experiences. Maybe you've even purchased a book or tow to help you become more familiar with real estate terminology and the various types of mortgages commonly used today.
Coming up with a down payment and finding a loan that meets your needs are the greatest hurdles faced by first-time homebuyers. So, you may even have leafed through stacks of brochures and flyers from lenders offering down payments that are far less than the 20 percent you'd always thought you'd need to save before you could buy. With so many excellent first-time buyer programs to choose from these days, you practically need to be an expert to sort through them all.
That's why if you're a first-time homebuyer seeking a low down payment loan, you'll save time by selecting a professional real estate agent who is experienced in working with people just like you in the area where you plan to buy. An agent who frequently assists first-time buyers will know from experience which lenders in your area offer a low down payment program that will most closely match your needs.
A professional real estate agent can help you determine whether you are likely to qualify for these special programs, since participation in some may be limited to buyers under a certain income level or for the purchase of homes below a certain purchase price. Your agent also will be able to tell you whether there are other requirements you must fulfill in order to be considered. With some programs, for example, you must attend an educational seminar before you can be considered for one of these low down payment loans.
`It's important that your agent become familiar with your current financial situation. Before you meet with your agent to discuss your financial situation and housing needs, you'll want to collect some basic information to make the process easier. Be prepared to show recent paycheck stubs or pay vouchers to certify sources of income; a complete list of current credit card, auto and other consumer credit payments you make each month; and recent bank and savings statements. These documents will help you and your agent determine how much home you can afford. It's also important that you disclose any prior credit problems or late payments. Your agent may be able to suggest ways to remedy any negative remarks on your credit report that could disqualify you from a low down payment loan program.
In addition, because most lenders w2ill require that you have several months of house payments in the bank as a reserve, your agent may be able to suggest ways you can increase your savings in the weeks and months leading up to your home purchase. Don't forget that some programs allow you to apply a cash gift from a family member to cover the required down payment and losing costs.
Your agent also may know a motivated seller who would be happy to assist you in accomplishing your home purchase by caring a second mortgage. A second mortgage is helpful because it reduces the amount of the first mortgage you need to obtain. In some cases, a second monthly payment and generally is required to protect the lender when a down payment is less than the standard 20 percent of the loan amount. Even if your seller isn't willing to take a second mortgage to complete the sale, he or she may be willing to pay your closing costs, which will reduce the amount of cash you need to have on hand up-front.
With interest rates edging up, innovative mortgage financing programs that require a low down payment are even more important than ever to first-time buyers. A professional real estate agent can help you sift through the countless programs that are available and help find the one that's mortgage can eliminate the need for private mortgage insurance, which is added to your right for you. Contact Amber Castonguay, Century 21 Crossroads Realty 920.699.8124,
For many renters, the first step in buying a home is becoming educated about the process. If you're like many people considering a home purchase, you've spent nights and weekends poring over your local real estate section. You've talked to friends and relatives about their experiences. Maybe you've even purchased a book or two to help you become more familiar with real estate terminology and the various types of mortgages commonly used today.
Coming up with a down payment and finding a loan that meets your needs are the greatest hurdles faced by first-time homebuyers. So, you may even have leafed through stacks of brochures and flyers from lenders offering down payments that are far less than the 20 percent you'd always thought you'd need to save before you could buy. With so many excellent first-time buyer programs to choose from these days, you practically need to be an expert to sort through them all.
That's why if you're a first-time homebuyer seeking a low down payment loan, you'll save time by selecting a professional real estate agent who is experienced in working with people just like you in the area where you plan to buy. An agent who frequently assists first-time buyers will know from experience which lenders in your area offer a low down payment program that will most closely match your needs.
A professional real estate agent can help you determine whether you are likely to qualify for these special programs, since participation in some may be limited to buyers under a certain income level or for the purchase of homes below a certain purchase price. Your agent also will be able to tell you whether there are other requirements you must fulfill in order to be considered. With some programs, for example, you must attend an educational seminar before you can be considered for one of these low down payment loans.
`It's important that your agent become familiar with your current financial situation. Before you meet with your agent to discuss your financial situation and housing needs, you'll want to collect some basic information to make the process easier. Be prepared to show recent paycheck stubs or pay vouchers to certify sources of income; a complete list of current credit card, auto and other consumer credit payments you make each month; and recent bank and savings statements. These documents will help you and your agent determine how much home you can afford. It's also important that you disclose any prior credit problems or late payments. Your agent may be able to suggest ways to remedy any negative remarks on your credit report that could disqualify you from a low down payment loan program.
In addition, because most lenders will require that you have several months of house payments in the bank as a reserve, your agent may be able to suggest ways you can increase your savings in the weeks and months leading up to your home purchase. Don't forget that some programs allow you to apply a cash gift from a family member to cover the required down payment and losing costs.
Your agent also may know a motivated seller who would be happy to assist you in accomplishing your home purchase by caring a second mortgage. A second mortgage is helpful because it reduces the amount of the first mortgage you need to obtain. In some cases, a second monthly payment and generally is required to protect the lender when a down payment is less than the standard 20 percent of the loan amount. Even if your seller isn't willing to take a second mortgage to complete the sale, he or she may be willing to pay your closing costs, which will reduce the amount of cash you need to have on hand up-front.
With interest rates edging up, innovative mortgage financing programs that require a low down payment are even more important than ever to first-time buyers. A professional real estate agent can help you sift through the countless programs that are available and help find the one that's mortgage can eliminate the need for private mortgage insurance, which is added to your right for you.
Buying a home can be an emotional, time-consuming, and complex process. There are a few things that you can do to help make the process go as smooth as possible:
1. Check your credit. Before you apply for a home loan, regardless of your credit, it's a smart idea to obtain a copy of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus and review the information. If there are errors or things that need to be addressed, it's easier to address them before you have found a house, than after you have found a house and are trying to close your loan.
If you know that there are a few blemishes on your credit, let your lender know what they are, why they are there, and why you are a still good credit risk. Lenders look at your credit to determine how likely you will pay back the loan. If you had extenuating circumstances - like a loss of a job or medical bills - let them know so that they understand that it is not likely to happen again in the future.
2. Get approved before you buy. An approval means that a lender has reviewed your credit history, verified your assets and employment, and has approved your loan before you have found a home to purchase. As long as the home appraises for at least the purchase price, the loan should close.
Getting approved also gives you an advantage over other buyers. Your firm approval makes it easier for you to negotiate on the price of a home, than a person who is not approved or is pre-qualified.
While getting pre-qualified may sound official, it is really just getting an idea of what you can afford. Its having a person plug in a few numbers that you give them - your monthly income and your monthly debt - and getting an approximate payment calculated. From the payment, the calculator can approximate the house price range that you can afford. No information is verified. Because your assets, income or credit is not verified, a pre-qualification has little value when purchasing a home.
3. Find a great buyer's agent. Traditionally real estate agents represent the sellers in a transaction. When you are not working with a buyer's agent, they are less likely to negotiate the best price or contingencies for you.
A buyer's agent's job and fiduciary responsibility (meaning legal duty) is to you, the buyer. Before working with an agent, establish if they are a buyer's agent or a seller's agent. After spending a lot of time with a Realtor, it's natural to feel like you're a team. But if they are not negotiating for you, then they are not on your team.
I am pleased to present you with the latest issue of Life@Home. Delivered to home buyers, sellers and owners on a monthly basis, this electronic newsletter is designed to give you the real estate information that is important to you. In each issue, you will find practical tips and articles related to buying, selling or owning a home, as well as the latest news on real estate trends. I hope that you enjoy this issue of Life@Home. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Visit Century21.com and view more than 250,000 property listings! Visit my website at www.AmbersHomeFinder.com to view all properties.
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Understanding the Comparative Market Analysis
As the old saying goes, "Knowledge is power." This adage can certainly be applied to the real estate transaction. The more you know, from the ins and outs of the process to the market conditions, the better your chance of selling and getting the most from your investment.
The Competitive Market Analysis or CMA is a report that will help you learn more about your marketplace. Many real estate professionals offer this free service or as part of their service package. A CMA offers you a snapshot of the real estate conditions in your area and can be a very useful tool when setting your own asking price.
Here are some of the elements contained in most reports:
1. Homes for sale. This is an inventory of the current active listings in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). It will give you an idea of how many other homes will be competing for buyer attention. Consider the asking prices for homes similar to yours, but remember the asking price is just that. It does not reflect what buyers are willing to pay.
2. Pending sales. These are active listings that are now under contract. Additional data on the sale will likely not be available until after the closing.
3. Comparable sales. This is perhaps the most revealing and interesting component. It details all the sold listings in the last six months and their sale prices. Look carefully at the numbers. Here you can discover how much buyers are willing to pay. This data can help you and your agent craft a realistic list price.
The final piece of the CMA puzzle is to make sure you look specifically at homes that are similar to yours. To make the most of this data, search for a home that is comparable to yours in location, size, age, amenities, etc. Use the expertise of your Realtor® to analyze the numbers and his or her market knowledge to adjust the numbers up or down accordingly.
All Locked Up
Be a Better BorrowerThe stories of foreclosure and loss in today's mortgage crisis are painful. If you are in the market, here are five things you should do.
1. Begin with a good understanding of your finances. Examine your budget and income and determine how much you can pay as a down payment and afford each month (mortgage plus bills). Remember to factor in a cushion for unexpected costs such as unemployment.
2. Understand the lending process. Take time to learn about credit, mortgage terms, interest rates and points. Keep in mind that when you assume a mortgage you may be buying your dream home, but are also taking on a significant debt.
3. Get pre-approved. Once you have a handle on your finances and the lending process, get pre-approved for a mortgage. This gives you defined parameters for your home search and makes you a more appealing prospect to sellers.
4. Search out a reputable lender. Ask for recommendations from your real estate professional and from friends and family. Research the lenders you are considering before making a selection. Of course you should shop around for the best rates, but remember there are other important factors at play.
5. Listen to your heart and look ahead. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Also, take the time to analyze the fine print and make sure the mortgage terms are still manageable five, ten, and twenty years from now.
I am pleased to present you with the latest issue of Life@Home. Delivered to home buyers, sellers and owners on a monthly basis, this electronic newsletter is designed to give you the real estate information that is important to you. In each issue, you will find practical tips and articles related to buying, selling or owning a home, as well as the latest news on real estate trends. I hope that you enjoy this issue of Life@Home. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Visit Century21.com and view more than 250,000 property listings! Visit my website at www.AmbersHomeFinder.com to view all properties.
"Do" it Right
Real estate is a cyclical business. Market conditions change over time creating a selling environment that sometimes favors the seller and at other times the buyer. Most of the country today is experiencing a buyer's market. This means there are affordable interest rates and the inventory of properties is high. In other words, buyers are getting more for their money and have lots of homes to choose from. Faced with that type of market, what can sellers do to make sure their home sale experience is a successful one? The answer: plenty. Here are just four things you can do to increase your odds of a profitable sale. Do hire a real estate professional to represent your property. His or her expertise can be invaluable when it comes to assessing the marketplace, crafting an asking price, staging the home for sale, screening buyers and negotiating the offer. In a buyer's market you need a leg up on the competition. Do understand the market conditions and the different factors at play. Learn as much as you can about the buying and selling process. The more informed you are the better. Do everything you can to make your property look its best. This may include upgrading the landscaping, painting, making repairs and replacing outdated features. If there are larger projects you are not willing to undertake before you move, such as a new roof or asbestos remediation, make sure you understand how this may affect your negotiations and ultimately your sales price. Do price it right. This is probably the most important factor in helping your home sell. Price it too low and you won't make the most on your investment. Price it too high and buyers won't be bothered. In fact, your property could end up languishing on the market. Instead use a Competitive Market Analysis and your real estate professional's expertise to help your listing move.
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Pretty As A Picture
Some reports say as many as 80 percent of home buyers start their search online. So it goes without saying that creating an appealing property profile on the Internet is an important step in the selling process .
Start by coordinating with your real estate agent about when and how the digital photos will be taken. Some professionals take the images themselves; others use a dedicated staff member and still others use an outside company for services such as virtual tours. Before the photo shoot you will want to spend time preparing your property. Most online profiles begin with an appealing photo of the home's exterior. If possible, select a sunny day that will show your property in its best light, but be wary of shade trees that may cast strange shadows in the photo. Make sure the lawn and landscaping are well trimmed and there are no cars in the driveway or out front. And remember if you have an outdoor living space, such as a patio, deck, pool, porch, garden or spacious yard, to showcase these features as well. Next turn your attention inside. The most important part of taking an effective photo for online use is to declutter. Remove all unnecessary items and distractions. You want the rooms to appear well-organized, spacious and inviting. Finally, turn the camera outward. If you have wonderful vistas and views, buyers should see those positives too.
Jefferson County WI Real Estate, Jefferson County WI Homes for Sale, Watertown WI Real Estate, Wisconsin First Time Home Buyers, Wisconsin Home Sellers, Jefferson County WI Houses, Watertown WI Home Buyer, Watertown WI Home Seller.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
The Competitive Market Analysis or CMA is a report that will help you learn more about your marketplace. Many real estate professionals offer this free service or as part of their service package. A CMA offers you a snapshot of the real estate conditions in your area and can be a very useful tool when setting your own asking price.
The stories of foreclosure and loss in today's mortgage crisis are painful. If you are in the market, here are five things you should do.
Most of the country today is experiencing a buyer's market. This means there are affordable interest rates and the inventory of properties is high. In other words, buyers are getting more for their money and have lots of homes to choose from. Faced with that type of market, what can sellers do to make sure their home sale experience is a successful one? The answer: plenty. Here are just four things you can do to increase your odds of a profitable sale. Do hire a real estate professional to represent your property. His or her expertise can be invaluable when it comes to assessing the marketplace, crafting an asking price, staging the home for sale, screening buyers and negotiating the offer. In a buyer's market you need a leg up on the competition. Do understand the market conditions and the different factors at play. Learn as much as you can about the buying and selling process. The more informed you are the better. Do everything you can to make your property look its best. This may include upgrading the landscaping, painting, making repairs and replacing outdated features. If there are larger projects you are not willing to undertake before you move, such as a new roof or asbestos remediation, make sure you understand how this may affect your negotiations and ultimately your sales price. Do price it right. This is probably the most important factor in helping your home sell. Price it too low and you won't make the most on your investment. Price it too high and buyers won't be bothered. In fact, your property could end up languishing on the market. Instead use a Competitive Market Analysis and your real estate professional's expertise to help your listing move.
So it goes without saying that creating an appealing property profile on the Internet is an important step in the selling process .
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