When It Is Your Move - 05/17/07 12:27 AM
Contacting different moving companies is one of the first steps in moving to a new house. You will find a variety of service options and price ranges from which to choose, whether you are moving across town or thousands of miles across the country.Call several companies for estimates. Ask each company … (0 comments)
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Land Lovers - 05/17/07 12:04 AM
Great curb appeal goes a long way toward attracting buyers to a home that is for sale. Many of our sales have been generated by a "For Sale" sign in front of a home that is beautifully landscaped. Prospective buyers who admire a home's exterior often prove to be among the … (0 comments)
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Tenant Tips - 05/15/07 12:34 PM
When you buy an investment property, finding and keeping a tenant is very important. It's been said that a little caution during the screening process can save a lot of headaches later on.You can rely on an intuitive sense of how a prospect feels to you. While this is an important … (1 comments)
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Responding to Low Offers - 05/15/07 12:14 PM
The beginning of negotiations is usually the end of many months of hard work for the buyer or seller. The work ahead requires skill in order to maintain a strong position.Sellers can lose their advantage if they do not counter an offer that a buyer has made. Even if the opening … (6 comments)
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Building Considerations - 05/14/07 03:08 AM
Are you planning to build your dream home? Once you are pre-approved for a loan and have found a professional real estate agent you trust, you are ready to start looking for the perfect lot. Compare the qualities of several target neighborhoods by looking at schools, shopping, recreation and zoning. Make … (0 comments)
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Closing Questions - 05/14/07 03:02 AM
Because of the complexity of a real estate transaction, questions and concerns arise frequently for those who are buying or selling a home. Most people experience a degree of stress at the closing of the sales transaction. Both parties are probably feeling nervous and vulnerable as they sign the papers, and … (0 comments)
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Buyers Real Estate Jitters - 05/14/07 02:41 AM
Here is a typical scenario illustrating the effects of buyer's remorse. Your home was on the market for a few weeks, and you are now feeling fortunate because an attractive offer has been presented by qualified buyers. Once the ink dried on the contract forms, however, it seemed that everything suddenly … (0 comments)
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Brighter is Better - 05/13/07 08:15 PM
Sometimes a real estate agent will walk into a home that is basically attractive, yet communicates the feeling that something is lacking. Then the agent notices that all of the drapes are closed, interior lights are off and there is a lot of overgrown shrubbery blocking the sunlight that might otherwise … (0 comments)
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Who Pays the Commission - 05/13/07 07:55 PM
Does it cost the homebuyer more to be represented by a buyer's agent who serves their interests exclusively? No, because the listing agent splits the sales commission, which is customarily paid by the seller of the home, with the buyer's agent. The sales commission split is usually 50-50, but the listing … (3 comments)
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Moving And Taxes - 05/10/07 10:33 PM
Even with the changes in tax laws over recent years, you may be able to deduct some of the expenses of a move that is the result of a change in your job.You will probably be able to deduct the costs of your move if your new work location means more … (0 comments)
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Planning the Move - 05/10/07 10:11 PM
The custom of relying on friends to help make a move from one place to another has been replaced by reliance on professional movers.Professional moving companies offer a wide range of service options, including professional packing. It could cost you less if you pack your things in your own containers. However, … (0 comments)
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Mortgage Myths - 05/09/07 03:07 PM
Nationwide surveys indicate that a large number of potential home buyers count themselves out of the market because of widely-held myths about home financing. Some of the most prevalent myths include: 1) home buyers need large down payments (more than is actually the case); 2) the loan process works against people … (0 comments)
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Seller- Working With A Real Estate Agent - 05/09/07 01:55 AM
It is not unusual for homeowners to yield to the temptation to try to sell their own home. It seems easy enough--just place an ad in the weekend paper and wait for buyers to show up. Although it may seem simple, real estate sales transactions are extremely complex proceedings.The first pitfall … (5 comments)
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Mortgage Fears - 05/08/07 11:56 AM
It is not unusual for home buyers to feel that the lender is being very critical during the loan approval process. The buyer is required to provide all kinds of financial information, and then the lender asks for more. If this is your experience, and the process seems discouraging, remember that … (2 comments)
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Kitchen Clutter - 05/07/07 07:05 PM
The kitchen is usually very important to prospective buyers. Your kitchen may not be new and state-of-the-art, but it should look its best.Your kitchen should be spotlessly clean and well organized while your home is on the market. The counter tops should be clean and free of clutter, and the floor … (5 comments)
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Termites - 05/06/07 11:23 PM
Most home purchase agreements have clauses that deal with termites. After the agreement is ratified, a termite inspection is arranged. Before the closing can occur, the sellers must be able to produce papers signed by a licensed exterminator stating that the house is free of infestation and that any termite damage … (2 comments)
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Remodeling- Show And Sell - 05/06/07 11:04 PM
Real estate agents are often asked "What is the best way to show and sell a home?" Almost every agent can tell you a story about meeting with a prospective seller who has just completed a lot of work to prepare their home for the market. It can be difficult for … (1 comments)
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Building a home- Beware of Fat Clay - 05/06/07 10:33 PM
When building a home, you should have the soil on the construction site tested for plasticity to determine how it will change under different moisture conditions. This is important because some soil is so "plastic" that (if the condition is not corrected) it can actually break concrete floors, crack the walls … (2 comments)
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(Selling Your Home) A Buyer or Seller Market - 05/06/07 07:17 PM
If you are going to sell your present home, the market conditions will play a crucial role in determining the asking price. Market conditions change constantly, so it is important that you get solid advice from a professional who is familiar with your specific area.A good real estate agent will know … (0 comments)
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Move On Up - 05/06/07 03:36 PM
Many people buy their first homes before they start a family or become established in their careers. A few years later their life circumstance has changed. They need more space or have increased income to invest in a higher priced home.Changes in lifestyle often create changes in housing needs. A big … (0 comments)
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Bargain Property- A Home With a History - 05/06/07 03:22 PM
A colorful history can add significantly to the value of a home. Researching the provenance of a property you are interested in buying can be both interesting and ultimately profitable. The market value of a home will be greater if it was designed by a notable architect, built by a company … (0 comments)
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Tenant Tips - 05/06/07 01:50 AM
When you buy an investment property, finding and keeping a tenant is very important. It's been said that a little caution during the screening process can save a lot of headaches later on.You can rely on an intuitive sense of how a prospect feels to you. While this is an important … (0 comments)
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Investment Property- Location And Value - 05/06/07 01:31 AM
One of the most important factors that affect the value of property is obviously location. Wise investment philosophy suggests that you invest in a sound property in a more modest area that will increase in value in the future. Buying into an area that is being gentrified, or that is otherwise … (0 comments)
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A Sparkling Kitchen - 05/06/07 01:17 AM
There's no doubt about it--the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the whole house for many prospective buyers. Smart sellers will take a close look at how they can make their kitchen a real asset when it is time to sell.Your kitchen doesn't need to be state-of-the-art to … (0 comments)
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Retirement and the Second Home - 05/05/07 10:06 PM
Buying a second home as rental property makes a great centerpiece to your retirement plan. It forces you to make regular savings in the form of mortgage payments that become your equity.You only need cash for the down payment, and you should make sure that your monthly rental payments will cover … (1 comments)
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Trees Improve Energy Efficiency and Add Curb Appeal - 05/05/07 09:51 PM
Mature trees add "curb appeal" to a property and can make a home more energy efficient. Planted at the edges of a building, a tree's broad canopy of leaves softens the hard lines of architecture and offers shade. Trees absorb light reflected from the roof and decrease the air temperature surrounding … (1 comments)
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Closing Cost - 05/05/07 07:26 PM
If you are in the process of buying a home, you have probably figured out how much you will need for the down payment, but don't forget about the closing costs associated with the purchase of any property. These additional costs can add up to a significant amount.Closing costs will vary, … (0 comments)
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Defects Must Be Revealed! - 05/05/07 06:42 PM
Disclosure laws make it important to reveal all material defects when you are selling a home. It is important to be absolutely candid with your agent and all buyers about the condition of the property. If there is anything wrong with the roof, the plumbing, the wiring or structure, it will … (0 comments)
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The Inspection Report - 05/05/07 01:34 PM
Are you looking for a home and becoming tired of house-hunting? If so, you may be tempted to buy a bargain-priced home "as is" and forego the home inspection. But without the inspection report, do you know what the "as it" refers to? Wouldn't it be better to know what condition … (0 comments)
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Refinancing Your Home - 05/05/07 01:05 PM
Interest rates fluctuate as changes occur in the general economy. If you purchased your home when interest rates were higher, you may want to consider re-financing your loan at a lower rate.You will have to apply for the new mortgage and have your current income eligibility assessed. Depending on how long … (0 comments)
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First Time Home Buyers- Credit Card Traps - 05/03/07 01:05 AM
It is not unusual for first-time buyers to be free of debt. They have been saving for their first home for many months or even years. But after they move into their new home, the new homeowners are often deluged with pre-approved credit card applications from banks and stores offering credit … (2 comments)
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Relocation- Considering Locations - 05/03/07 12:08 AM
The large, stately house that you drive by every morning on the way to work has had a "For Sale" sign sitting in the front yard for months. When you finally call for an appointment and see the house--you love it! And the price is lower than prices for similar houses … (0 comments)
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House Odors! - 05/02/07 06:59 PM
What is "H.O."? You can probably guess--it means "home odors".Be careful of odors in your home. If your family room smells stuffy and stale, or if your cat or dog has left a distinctive odor in the hallway, take action by eliminating the source of the odor rather than merely treating … (1 comments)
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Do Not Over Improve! - 05/02/07 06:17 PM
You have received some extra money! You want to remodel! If you are planning a major renovation, take a few sensible precautions before having plans drawn up and signing on the contractor's dotted line.Any time you do any significant remodeling, you run the risk of over-improving your home. Call or send … (3 comments)
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Apraisals- Three Caballeros - 05/01/07 10:57 PM
When you buy a house or refinance your present home, your lender will ask you to pay for an appraisal to help ensure that the sales price and mortgage amount is consistent with the property's market value. The appraiser will look for "three caballeros" or three "comparables" -- homes that are … (1 comments)
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Balloon Mortgages - 05/01/07 05:58 PM
In loan terminology a "balloon" is the unpaid loan balance that must be paid in full on a specified due date. Federal savings and loan associations are permitted to make balloon mortgages with as little as five percent down and monthly payments that are smaller than the amount needed to fully … (1 comments)
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About Termites - 05/01/07 01:22 AM
Most real estate offers require an inspection by a licensed exterminator to determine that the house doesn't have termites or other wood boring insects. The inspector will look for two signs in deciding whether or not to pass a house--an active termite infestation and evidence of a past infestation. If your … (1 comments)
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Taking It With You - 05/01/07 12:56 AM
Before you list your home for sale, take a careful look around. Are there some items you will want to take with you? There may be a dining room chandelier that has been in your family for three generations, a ceiling fan in the master bedroom, or the bookcases in the … (0 comments)
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