Let me begin by telling you that I think you have a lovely home You have done much to increase its value since you purchased it so many years ago. I especially admire the work you did when you finished the basement, added the powder room and expanded the kitchen. You have an excellent eye for detail and really know what today's buyers want in their next home! There's only 1 problem... you never got permits for the work you did.
Now please understand … (1 comments)
buyer tips: Carpenter Ants Part 4
- 03/10/09 07:52 PM
Ant control If you locate a nest, you can remove it with a vacuum cleaner, then dispose of the bag outdoors. Unfortunately, you can't always find the nest or nests. If this is the case, control is indirect. Place insecticides very carefully, to form chemical barriers that foraging ants must cross in their search for food. The ant then contaminates its body with the insecticide and carries it back to the nest, where other ant stages are poisoned. Slow-acting, persistent insecticides are best suited for this approach. Insecticidal dusts often are used between walls (in wall voids), in attics, and in … (4 comments)
buyer tips: First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit: UPDATE
- 03/09/09 01:15 PM
This is an update to my previous post about the proposed $15,000 tax credit for home buyer. The outline of the latest $8,000 tax credit is far from the proposed $15,000. However, it is enhanced from the previous $7,500 tax credit that Congress enacted in July 2008. The following points are based on National Association of Home Builder web site: http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/home2.html Please visit the link above for detail information. Here are the key differences1. $8,000 tax credit does not need to be repaid.2. The credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. … (0 comments)
buyer tips: Carpenter Ants Part 3
- 03/04/09 08:39 AM
What carpenter ants do Carpenter ants commonly tunnel in building timbers. With a longstanding infestation, damage may require extensive repairs. Usually, only minor repairs are needed. If you find the infestations soon enough, all that may be needed is to get rid of the ants. New colonies are established either by a lone queen or by migration of an existing colony. The latter is common in houses. Colonies disturbed by the clearing and grading of building sites often migrate. Houses near woods are most likely to become infested. Usually, carpenter ants enter a house through openings around the foundations. They seem … (0 comments)
There is no better Real Estate Investment deal than that of a motivated seller. We all want to find those motivated sellers. Those property owners who simply need to make a deal with an investor in order to unload their burden of a problem property. The first thing we must do as a Real Estate Professional is understand what makes a seller motivated. What makes a seller so motivated that they are willing to make any deal possible in an effort to unload their problem property. Here are some of the circumstances that make a motivated seller. 1. … (0 comments)
When you request a short sale from the bank, the will request a great deal of personal information to be submitted along with the offer the purchase, cma, authorization letter, and listing agreement. This is because the bank wants to know that you actually qualify for their short sale program. Here is an example of some of the items that you will need to send in the package. Financial Information
Last 3 checking account statements for all borrowers Last 3 savings account statements for all borrowers Last 2 years of W2's for all borrowers Income … (0 comments)
buyer tips: Carpenter Ants Part 2
- 02/24/09 05:00 AM
Signs of infestation Ants foraging around or in the home Piles of sawdust-like borings visible under porches, in basements, or emerging from cracks or crevices between walls and partitions Slit-like holes in woodwork, especially window and door casings Large winged ants in the house in late winter and spring Faint rustling sounds in walls, floors, or woodwork How to recognize them Carpenter ants are large black or red-and-black ants. The size varies in workers from 1/4 to 1/2 inch; queens are larger, up to 3/4 inch. Ants have a constriction (thin waist) between their thorax (where legs originate) and abdomen. If … (1 comments)
buyer tips: Oregon Carpenter Ants - Part 1
- 02/18/09 05:37 PM
Carpenter ants are serious pests of buildings in Oregon, particularly west of the Cascade Mountains. Although they normally excavate in logs, stumps, and hollow trees, these ants become pests when they move indoors. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood, and so they kick out the sawdust-like chewings during nest building. This is a sure sign of carpenter ant infestation; termites do not make sawdust. Carpenter ants do not restrict their nesting activities to wood. They can establish nests in any material they can bite into--insulation, paper, bark, and wood product mulches are just a few examples. Nests even have … (0 comments)
buyer tips: Congratulations to Oregon First
- 02/18/09 10:43 AM
Oregon First in The Top Five According to the Oregon Real Estate Agency records as of July 2008, Oregon First is the fourth largest real estate agency in the State of Oregon. Over the past year, we've continued with strong growth compared to the national franchise chains. Oregon First is locally owned and operated. With more than 500 licensed agents in our 7 main branch offices and surrounding satellite branches. … (0 comments)
buyer tips: Inspections v.s. Appraisals. Whats the Dif?
- 02/16/09 06:21 PM
Inspections vs. Appraisals Inspections are paid for by the buyer, generally running around $300. They help the buyer learn as much about the property as possible. The inspection report is the property of the buyer & the inspector works for the buyer. The appraisal, on the other hand, is to protect the lender. When a lender agrees to loan 95% on the value of a property, for example, they mean 95% of the agreed upon sales price or 95% of the appraised value, whichever is less. The buyer does end up paying for the appraisal with all their other loan costs, … (1 comments)
buyer tips: Escrow and Title Insurance
- 02/12/09 05:56 AM
The collection, holding, and delivery of documents and monies by a neutral third party in accordance with dated, written instructions from the principals to a transaction. Having a neutral third party allows all the principals to a transaction to handle the transaction in more convenient time frames. Many real estate sales and refinances handled in other areas of the country do not have escrow. It is then necessary for all the parties to be in one room at one time in order to protect their interests. With an escrow, however, the parties may execute their respective documents and instruct the escrow … (2 comments)
buyer tips: What is meant by Closing?
- 02/10/09 05:53 PM
What is Meant by Closing? The technical meaning of closing is when the seller gets his or her money. This is the date the buyer legally owns the property. Folks often use the term "closing" to mean when parties go to escrow to sign final documents, but this isn't its legal meaning and it is important to understand this distinction.Closing usually takes place within 3 days after signing. This gives escrow time to get all the paperwork to the lender, & the lender time to get money to escrow. This means if your Sales Agreement says closing needs to take place in 30 … (0 comments)
An open letter to Joe the PLUMBER...or CARPENTER...of God forbid, Joe the ELECTRICIAN:;)
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