Rob's Blog

Why didn't your house sell?

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 20:47:51 -0800

So your house didn't sell. know you must be frustrated, especially in a market as active as ours. It's too bad, because when a listing expires unsold, nobody wins. And, odds are, you took the biggest bite of all. Why didn't it sell? Actually, there are a number of reasons why homes that are on the market end up not selling. Most likely there are only one or two reasons why yours didn't sell, and the good news is, once you identify them, your home will sell. Ask you agent for a CMA of houses that sold in the last 6 months. Your Agent should be able to come up with a price that is not to high, so as to scare away buyers. But high enough to get you what you need to move on. You should also ask for a walk through with your Agent. He will point out things that will need to be changed or taken care of. So you can make a good first impression. Utilize a stager if you can. In short if you have a seasoned agent he will know how to help you get the most for your house. After all they do it for a living.

Natural Gas Choices

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 10:08:42 -0800

Summer is gone and winter is here. If you're concerned about the cost of heating your home this winter, keep in mind that you now have options when choosing natural gas suppliers. Since deregulation, gas choice programs remain a way to seek out opportunities to save money. How do you go about choosing the right supplier? At this time in the NW it seems that propane and electric are almost the same. (at least at my house.)

Before contracting for services with a supplier, check with your local utility company to make sure their name is on an approved suppliers list for your area. Compare the different offers that are available to find out who best suits your needs. It is best to get more than one estimate before making a decision. You need to read all material associated with the product.

Check for cancellation policies and determine the billing options available. Determine the risks as well as the benefits for their services. You must never allow yourself to be pressured into making a decision you might not be happy with. And never-never give any personal account information or credit card information until you have made your decision.

Your Dream Vacation Home

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 09:59:59 -0800

We all have the dream of one day having another place to call home but there are some key issues that a buyer needs to consider before it becomes a reality. Here are some issues buyers fail to consider.

Focusing more on the actual property and price than on the amenities of the surrounding area are important when considering a purchase for your Dream Vacation Home. First, determine how you will use the property. Spending less than two weeks out of the year means you will be spending a lot of money for each day there.

Remember the mortgage payments, insurance, taxes and regular maintenance. It might make more sense to rent than buy. Another consideration, the mortgage rate for a vacation home may be slightly higher than for a primary residence. Because a few financial institutions see a greater risk for a borrower abandoning a vacation home in times of trouble than a main residence. Always discuss your options with a qualified tax advisor about tax obligations.

If you rent your home for 14 days or less in a year, you won't need to report the rent. After the 14th day, the home is considered investment and rent must be reported.

It never hurts to hire a rental company to take care of your home for the first year until you get a feel for the job. Contracting out maintenance jobs can get expensive .

New ways of thinking.

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 00:55:27 -0800

As the market chamges, so we have to change with it. the way we think and they way we propose new deals. I just herd a story a bout a Bible salesman who out sold many saleen in the area. On day a couple of them asked if they could go along to see haow he did it and this is what they saw.

He knocked on the door, and the person would answer the door, and he would say, "Eeeexcccusse me, bb, bb, bb, but, but, but I sell Bb Bb Bb Bibles. Wh, wh, wh, wh, wh, would you like to tt, tt, tt, tt to buy one or dd, dd, do you want me to tt, read it tt to you?" And they invariably bought. So you see, you can use anything to your advantage.You just have to have a different way of thinking about it.

A Simple ad

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 00:27:20 -0800

Real estate classified ads are another way to expose your home to a wider universe of prospective buyers. When writing an ad for your local paper or real estate magazine, keep in mind that the buyer needs to know this important information:

* The area or part of town your home is located in

* Your asking price

* The number of bedrooms and baths

Add "sizzle" to your ad by describing your home's most appealing features. For example, you might say "cozy family room" or "great deck for outdoor entertaining."

Finally, include your contact information. If no one will be home to answer the phone during the day, include your work number as well.

Contact your local agent, they would be glad to give a little advice.

How Property Taxation Began

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:50:34 -0800

To peruse the history of the taxation of property is to confirm a worldwide fundamental truth: Private ownership of land does not exist except by the grace of the powers which govern that land. And the bestowal of private ownership is never final. It is cluttered with demands on the owners in the form of laws and ordinances which limit use and levy taxes. In our country, as in most others, lawful title held by individuals can give way quickly to a decree of eminent domain when a governing body decides that the public interest is greater than an individual interest (for instance, a new highway, or the path of a supercollider). There is evidence of property taxation even in the days of Egyptian pharaohs, and as more history is uncovered, we would estimate that when any artifact depicts land or other property ownership, the completion of the story will include records of some form of property taxation. Since monarchs could not effectively use all of the land they laid claim to, they extracted payment from those whom they allowed to use it - and the form and degree of extraction varied over the centuries. Then representative, democratic governments replaced self-appointed kinds and conquerors, and the term, "royal estate," which referred to absolute ownership by the monarch, became known as "real estate." There should be little wonder, then, that landowners have suffered for thousands of years under the burdens of property taxes, a continuing reminder and confirmation that the ownership of property is a privilege, not a right.

Negotiating

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 22:57:33 -0800

For most people, the equity in their home represents their largest financial asset. Therefore, buying or selling a home should be treated as a business transaction.

The best transactions are those with a win-win outcome, in which both parties feel they have been treated fairly. One of the best reasons to hire a real estate agent is that we represent you as we negotiate on your behalf. Agents act as buffers between the parties in the transaction, effectively minimizing the emotional component of the process.

When an offer is presented, the seller can accept, decline, or counter it. By pricing a home fairly, sellers usually receive offers that are close to or may even exceed fair market value. If you receive an offer that seems unusually low, look closely to see if the buyer has offered other concessions such as a quick closing.

If the offer is unacceptably low, then present a counteroffer instead of declining it outright. That keeps the door open to additional negotiations and extends the possibility of arriving at a win-win outcome.

Landscaping

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 22:44:34 -0800

Whether you live in a condominium or a single-family house, landscaping can certainly make your home easier to sell. But will attractive landscaping add value? It depends.

Potted plants, freshly edged green lawn, and weed-free garden areas will make your home more attractive and appealing. The more appealing the home or condo, the more marketable it is and the faster it will sell.

Well-manicured landscaping helps frame other elements of curb appeal. It is considered a value-added feature because it helps create a positive first impression. Most buyers, however, will not pay extra for trees and lawn, flowers and shrubs.

But you can almost always get a return on your investment in decks and patios. As decks have become more desirable, their resale value has continued to increase.

In the yard and garden of your single-family home or in pots on your condo deck or patio, use plants, trees, and other landscaping elements freely to make your home more appealing and help you sell it more quickly when the time is right.

Should you Work with relatives or not?

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 19:25:15 -0800

My wife's uncle decided that he has had enough of Washington's politics and wanted to move to Texas. I was asked to go to his house and give him the pitch. When I got there, I walked into a smoke filled front room with the drapes pulled (which probably were closed from day one) and newspapers all over the place. The kitchen had stacks of unwashed plates in the sink. He had lived in this house for will over... I mean, WILL over twenty plus years. He was not well organized as you could tell from his shop. (Where a half hour project could take the whole day)

I give him a CMA. I told him what he might get if the house was in top condition and what he could expect now. He stated that he was selling as is he doesn't have time to fix up the place. So he set the price. (which was way to high. I should have declined the listing. But it he was a relative.) I told him what should be done before it goes on the market. He wanted to put it on the market now. (oooooooooookkkkkkkk?) A month later he is finally moved out and the house is, some what cleaned out. His ex-wife helps with cleaning out the rest and painting. Part of what I do is help wherever I can. Mow the lawn for the sellers if they have moved out, help paint and so on.

Will the dining room tile was, I'm sure from the 50s and it showed. (Tiles coming up) So I went to good ole Home depot a purchased the items needed to put down a new floor. (His ex-wife said she would reimburse me) For the whole week I spent every night working on the floor. (Ripping up tile, scraping, sanding and filling) finally the room was show quality if I do say so my self. Month two has passed; the price was still too high. I talked to the Uncle. To which he replied "I'd rather give it away then drop the price" Towards the end of the listing I did another CMA and gave it to his Ex-wife, she sent it to him. He stated that he was going to go with another agent. After I had gotten the house in good condition not to mention given him a break on the fee. He re-listed with a sell it your self-broker for the price I had told him it would sell at and sold it in a week! Now doesn't that beat all? I still have not been reimbursed for the floor.

Info about Clothes Dryers

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 17:22:20 -0800

I had a wonderful morning, until the heating unit went out on my dryer! The guy that fixes things went in to the dryer pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. We always clean the lint from the filter after every load of clothes.
He told us that he wanted to show us something. He took the filter over to the sink, ran hot water over it.
Now, the lint filter is made of a mesh material - I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like.
WELL......the hot water just sat on top of the mesh!!! It didn't go through it at all!!! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh, that's what burns out the heating unit.You can't SEE the film, but it's there.This is also what causes dryer units to catch fire - - - potentially burn your house down with it! He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water using an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every three months.He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long! Also this is the time to be checking your Anti-freeze in your cars and battery level. Also making sure your hoses are disconnected and either a towel wrapped around your outside faucets with plastic wrapped around the towel. Bring in those plants and put those extra leave aorund the one that can't be brought in. In most parts of the country it is time to prune the plants that need pruning.Such as roses, grapes, fruit trees and berries. If you haven't done so for those with mobile homes or out side pumps, insulate those pipes. And for those in the south enjoy your sun!

Offices for Lease or rent Snohomish WA.

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 18:35:32 -0800

Offices include Bathrooms, seperate meeting or office rooms, Each office is 980 Sq. ft. One has a brand new beautiful Reception Desk. Water Sewer Garbage included. triple net. Small deposit. Great town of Snohomish WA.

For more info you can fo to www,rwills.com under Commercial.

WHO MAY HANDLE ESCROW SETTLEMENTS?

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 17:40:34 -0800

The settlement agent must be a disinterested third party and each state has different requirements for licensing. In some areas of the country, only a licensed attorney may act as the settlement agent.

There are two important reasons for selecting an established company: 1) The processing and closing of real estate transactions require a tremendous amount of technical experience and knowledge; 2) The settlement agent is responsible for safe-guarding and properly distributing funds and documents required to successfully complete the transaction.

Settlement agents with established firms, are experienced and trained in real estate procedures, title insurance, taxes, deeds and title insurance.

Impartiality

A settlement agent must remain completely impartial throughout the entire escrow settlement process. He or she will normally adopt a courteous but rather formal manner when dealing with parties to the escrow, keeping conversation to the matters at hand in the escrow. This formal behavior is meant for the benefit of all concerned, since the settlement agent must follow the instructions of both parties without bias

So you'r ready to find a home?

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 22:00:49 -0800

So you're ready to find a new home! You may already have a good sense of what you are looking for in your next home. But a big obstacle to purchasing the new one can be coming up with the down payment. Most lenders require buyers to include a portion of their own funds-the down payment-toward the purchase of the home.

Saving for a down payment can be one of the most challenging steps in buying a home, particularly if it is your first home. Your down payment plus your pre-approved loan amount will determine how much home you can afford. A down payment can come from many places: savings, investments such as stocks and bonds, gifts from relatives, company bonuses, equity in other assets, and life insurance policies, to name a few. Moreover, there may be home mortgage alternatives that do not require a down payment.

If you currently own a home, then you may want the equity you have built in that house to serve as the down payment on your next home. But how much is your current home worth? A local Agent would be happy to provide you with a market valuation so that you will know its current value.

If you provide them some basic information on your home, They will use it to establish a list of comparable properties in your area as reported by the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This will give you a range of prices at which your home would be expected to sell. Then they can prepare a more precise and thorough valuation by taking a brief look at your home.

Shop for your Home with value in mind.

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 22:14:58 -0800

As you start looking for a new home, you probably aren't even considering your NEXT move. You probably just want to get this one taken care of! But it is always prudent to shop for a new home with an eye on potential resale value down the road. No one can predict what the future will bring, but here are some simple things you can look for:

Views: Homes with a view often sell for a premium. If a view is important to you, buy it for your own pleasure. You may place a certain dollar value on the view; but when it comes time for you to sell, you may find that not all buyers are like-minded.

Lot Size and Shape: Level or rectangular lots are the most desirable. But much of the value in real estate is concentrated in the house, so significant investments in landscaping may not pay themselves back upon resale. And as a buyer, do not pay a premium for someone else's landscaping efforts.

Neighborhoods: Houses will vary in size from neighborhood to neighborhood. The best advice always is to purchase a smaller home in a nicer neighborhood. Buying what you need in a more prestigious neighborhood may provide more financial reward later, compared with buying something bigger in a less desirable neighborhood.

Closets: Walk-in closets are very desirable, especially in the master bedroom. Closet space is always an issue.

Kitchens and Baths: A spacious, updated kitchen is among the most important features in a home. Updated baths are also important.

Garages: These add resale value.

Backyard Features: Decks and patios generally yield almost a dollar-for-dollar return. But swimming pools do not provide much added value in many parts of the country

Do you know why you are Selling?

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 22:09:02 -0800

If you know exactly why you are selling, then it is easier for you to set the right plan of action to get what it is that you want.

If you are a seller who needs to close a sale as quickly as possible, then you should know that getting the highest price possible is not one of your priorities. It does not mean that you won't or cannot get the highest price, but it means that the price is not the deciding factor. A buyer who can give you a quick closing time will appeal much more to you than a buyer who can offer you more money but the negotiation and closing time drag on.

It's always good to know how low you will go, in terms of selling price. This will help to eliminate some of the offers that you find simply offensive or ridiculous. Even though you should consider all offers seriously and take into consideration the terms of each offer, sometimes, if you know the bottom line and are strict about it, you can save yourself time.

Once you know what your limits and reasons are, discuss them with your agent so that they can help you set your goals realistically. If you decide to list your home on your own, make sure you do research on the current market, and you get the proper advice you need in terms of legal issues, etc. The key is to be realistic and to know what your goals are so that they can be met

Your signing

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 23:43:26 -0800

Once the contract has been negotiated and the closing papers are about to be signed, you will need additional items for the transaction to close. When you go in to sign the papers, you will need:

Photo ID, either a driver's license or passport.

A cashier's check for the down payment and closing costs. Personal checks are not acceptable because they take time to clear.

A hazard or fire insurance policy ready to put in place upon closing.

If this is your first house don't be alarmed when you go in to sign papers, because there are quite a few of them. Ask you agent to go with you, most agents will.

Needless delays in closing have been caused by lack of insurance or waiting for a personal check to clear. Many buyers think that they will receive the keys to their new home when they go in to sign and pay their money. But it may take a few days past signing for the paperwork to be processed. Plan your moving date accordingly. Check the possession date on your contract. A lot of times you may get the keys as much as 3 days.

Customer satisfaction and Niches

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 23:22:44 -0800

Years ago i had a HoneyBee business. I loved the freedom and self satisfaction it gave me. I learned to arrange contracts with farners for the services of the Bees for pollenation. I would move them in the fields for a week then back home. I found that in my area there wasn't anyone who could do custom extracting, so I set up a Honey house. a year later I started making and selling equipment, I was able to compete with the one and only local Bee equipment store in the area, by giving better prices. One year I went to Saint Lewis for an import/export convention. Down there I encountered companies that were making honey food products. Alas another unfilled nich in my area. We got our food processing lic. and began to create and sell food products made with honey. Our biggest seller was Honey Hot Buttered Rum mix.

I guess what I'm trying to convey is; You always have to be looking for ways to please your customers. Whether it is going the extra mile in meeting them at odd hours or trying to find a ninch that hasn't been filled yet. The times are constantly changing so we need to be changing also.

Need more room?

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 22:04:20 -0800

Specialty rooms and spaces are becoming more and more popular. If you have an extra room or unused corner in your home, think about turning it into one of the following areas. Here are some ideas for planning that special space:

* Media Area: Enjoy audio, video, and other media and store the equipment.

* Wine Cellar: A cool, dark place is best for wine storage.

* Library: Set up elaborate or simple shelving, a comfortable chair, and a reading lamp.

* Sewing Room: Arrange a work table, ironing board, shelves, and storage.

* Meditation Room: Retreat from noise and other distractions.

* Hobby Room: Plan plenty of work space for crafts, scrapbooking, painting, and the like.

* Mini-Gym: Make working out fun with a stationary bike, weights, treadmill, and a TV!

* Playroom: Set aside space for children or grandchildren to play and store toys.

* Extra Closets: Make a great place to store out-of-season clothes.

With a little imagination and planning, you can use every corner, area, or room of your home efficiently.

I have a feeling that there are a few contracters here on Active Rain.

Your Plan of action.

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 21:56:57 -0800

Buying a home will probably rank as one of the biggest personal investments one can make. Being organized and in control will contribute significantly to getting the best home deal possible with the least amount of stress. It's important to anticipate the steps required to successfully achieve your housing goal and to build a plan of action that gets you there.

Before you can build a plan of action, take the time to lay the groundwork for your decision-making process.

First, ask yourself how much can you afford to pay for a home. If you're not sure on the price range, find a lender and get preapproved. Preapproval will let you know how much you can afford so that you can look for homes in your price range. Getting pre-approved helps you to alleviate some of the anxieties that come with home buying. You know exactly what you qualify for and at what rate, you know how large your monthly mortgage payments will be, and you know how much you will have for a down payment. Once you are pre-approved, you avoid the frustration of finding homes that you think are perfect, but are not in your price range.

House Flipping

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 21:55:13 -0800

A friend of mine decided to get involved in flipping. she had never done this and asked for my advice from time to time, through the whole process. She began with enlisting a boy friend who would end up doing most of the labor, as he had nothing to invest. They went to the county action and won a bid on one of the houses they had viewed earlier. I had counseled them about making the minor updates needed and mainly getting the house back into original shape, keeping the investment price down. But they decided to do a few more updates, Putting the price that they had to get in order to make a profit, out of reach. Granted the house looks nice and has great new feachers. The owner has decided that the next house will be bought through a forclosure, in hopes of getting a better price than a auction. Also she will have a written plan and agreement with futer partners.

The uses for WD 40

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 21:28:48 -0800

The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and
degreaser to protect missile parts.

WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket
Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a
"water displacement" compound. They were successful with the fortieth
formulation, thus WD-40.

Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you. When you
read the "shower door" part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever
cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as
well as glass. It's a miracle!

Then try it on your stovetop...Voila! It's now shinier than it's ever
been. You'll be amazed.

Here are some of the uses:

Protects silver from tarnishing.

Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.

Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making it slippery.

Keeps flies off cows.

Restores and cleans chalkboards.

Removes lipstick stains.

Loosens stubborn zippers.

Untangles jewelry chains.

Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.

Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.

Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.

Removes tomato stains from clothing.

Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.

Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.

Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.

Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as
vinyl bumpers.

Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.

Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.

Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy
handling.

Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running
smoothly.

Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.

Removes splattered grease on stove.

Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.

Lubricates prosthetic limbs.

Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).

Removes all traces of duct tape.

Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis
pain.

Florida's favorite use is: "cleans and removes love bugs from grills and
bumpers."

The favorite use in the state of New York--WD-40 protects the Statue of
Liberty from the elements.

WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures and you will
be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the
chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind
though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not
allowed in some states.

Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops
the itch.

WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and
wipe with a clean rag.

Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! Lipstick is gone.

If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.


P. S. The basic ingredient is Fish Oil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everett Washington

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 19:20:27 -0800

The City of Everett, population 97,500, is the county seat of Snohomish County, Wash. Located about 25 miles north of Seattle, Everett is a Pacific-Rim city situated on Port Gardner Bay. Once a mill town built on wood-based industries, today's labor force of more than 80,000 is predominately employed in technology, aerospace and service-based industries. The city government operates with an elected mayor and a seven-member city council. Everett was home to the late U.S. Sen. Henry M. Jackson. We are alos home to one of the port for the Navy. Where the Lincoln is based most of the time. We also enjoy housing the Silver tips Hockey Club in our Brand new Event Center. The City of Everett is Growing in new business. The Rental Market has taken hold again after the turn over from a seller's market to a buyer's market. You can find out more buy going to Either http://www.rwills.com/ or http://www.everettwa.org/

Snohomish Treasure

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 19:05:18 -0800

This is a remodeled 1915 Snohomish Treasure. It has four Bedroom each having a ceder lined closet. The house is setting a a huge lot that is oked by the city for another small house for rental or mother in law. A new roof and gas heating installed with fireplace. Has a great view of the mountians and Mount Rainer! You can view this home at http://www.rwills.com/

Don't Get Stressed

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 23:53:57 -0800

When buyers make an offer on a new home and it is accepted, one of two things usually happens.

1) Buyer's Remorse: You've made an offer. It was accepted. You've almost bought your dream home. Then, later that night, or the next day, you start worrying. Did I make a good decision? Can I afford it? What if this happens? What if that happens? Anxiety and stress set in.

This is a normal reaction. It is called buyer's remorse

The best way to handle buyer's remorse is to take out a sheet of paper and draw a line down the center. On one side, list all the positive things about buying this home. On the other side, list all of the negatives. You will come to realize that buying this home is a good decision. I will be with you step by step to help answer any questions and concerns.

2) Shopping Spree: Buyers are sometimes so excited about their new home that they go out and order new furniture, appliances, window treatments, and sometimes even a new car! This can create pandemonium with your credit and debt ratios that lenders look at to approve your loan. Sometimes excessive purchases can cause the lender to reduce the amount of your loan, placing your home purchase at risk. Your best strategy is to postpone additional shopping until after closing. Once you have moved in and are settled, you can start thinking about all the amenities and extras to make the new house your home. stay in Communication with your Agent and Loan Officer, They are there to help you.

finding the right home

Rob Wills (Gilpin Realty Inc.) — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 23:47:12 -0800

Once you have found the home of your choice, there are several additional steps to close the sale after the purchase and sale agreements have been signed.

Step 1 - Removing contingencies: The most common contingencies that buyers include in an offer are financing, home inspection, and the sale of their current home. These conditions must be removed or waived before the sale can proceed.

Step 2 - Appraising the property: The lender requires a formal appraisal to confirm the value of the home. This is used as a basis to secure the loan.

Step 3 - Preparing closing documents: Most often attorneys prepare documents that confirm the transaction, prorate funds, and so on.

Step 4 - Signing closing documents: Even after both parties have signed closing documents and deposited funds, the sale may take a few extra days to close.

Step 5 - Recording the deed and disbursing funds.

Step 6 - Welcoming the moving van.

Step 7 - Receiving the keys to your new home!

There are many opportunities for surprises or delays in a transaction.

But having the righ Agent represent you, can lessen these Surprises.