real estate: Your year round housing checklist
- 02/21/13 01:39 AM
There is a long list of household chores the beginning of each season. If you break it down with one chore a day and bundle a short, easy list on a day off from work, then it can become manageable. After all, you can only eat an elephant one bite at a time! So first, think of your personality. If you put the worst chore first, would you be happy to get that one over with, or would you simply never start working on the list at all? Order the list to fit your comfort zone. Spring Walk around the yard … (3 comments)
real estate: For-Sale Home Inventories Remain Tight
- 02/20/13 01:11 AM
Inventory levels in 2012 reached an 11-year low and fell yet again last month, further limiting the number of homes for sale nationwide. Inventories of for-sale homes were down by 16.5 percent in January year-over-year, and fell 5.6 percent from December, according to the latest data compiled from Realtor.com. Inventories typically fall in December and January in preparation of the spring buying season. “But the shortage of homes for sale in a growing number of U.S. markets is maddening for would-be buyers who frequently complain that there aren’t enough good choices,” The Wall Street Journal reports. “Bidding wars are becoming more … (0 comments)
real estate: If a Home Gets Hit by a Meteor, Who Pays?
- 02/19/13 01:07 AM
After a meteor struck western Siberia and more meteors threatened the entire globe on Friday, CNNMoney asked the question: Who pays for damage to a home if hit by a space object? Rest easy, “your insurance covers falling objects," says Robert Hartwig, president of the Insurance Information Institute. In the rare events when meteors have crashed through home owners’ roofs over the years, insurers have paid the damage for those insured, Hartwig says. “Blue ice” — the frozen sewage that sometimes falls from airplanes — is more common and is also covered if it falls from the sky onto your home, … (2 comments)
real estate: Rental Increases Motivate Investors, 1st-Time Homebuyers
- 02/15/13 04:18 AM
To the extent that rentals reflect wider real estate movement, there is good news and bad news for Evansville tenants. It all depends on how they view it (and how they chart their personal housing strategy). The bad news was not unexpected: for the third straight year, rents were up across the nation in 2012, according to apartment housing industry expert MPF Research.
Although rents rose at a slightly slower pace than in 2011, national forecasts are calling for rent increases in 2013 that match last year’s. The research firm said that apartment rents climbed 3.0% in 2012, down … (0 comments)
real estate: A Different World: Buying Bank Owned Properties
- 02/13/13 03:01 AM
Yes, foreclosure rates across the country continue to drop, yet bargain-hunters can take heart: there still remain a goodly number of bank owned properties in Evansville. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, ddistressed homes accounted for 24% of national December sales; a large proportion, but significantly down from the 32% of just a year ago. Also known as “real estate owned” (or REO) properties, it is well-known that these homes can often be bought at a significant discount -- frequently by as much as 16% – 17% below market.
Before anyone updates his or her Facebook status to … (0 comments)
real estate: Study Finds Best Listing Day
- 02/12/13 04:55 AM
“Mansion” is the Wall Street Journal’s entry into the high-end real estate magazine world. Well, not quite a magazine -- it’s an extra section they run on Fridays. It’s a nice diversion for those who want to read about really rich people selling their properties. More than that, it could actually be an important source of information if you decide to buy a vineyard in the middle of Los Angeles (Bel-Air, actually -- that one was featured last week).
It was another article that caught my eye on Friday, though; one that dealt with a topic we agents have … (1 comments)
real estate: 2012-13 Cost vs. Value: Make the First Impression Count
- 02/11/13 02:14 AM
Updating the outside of a home pays off, according to this year’s Cost vs. Value Report. Real estate professionals ranked exterior improvement projects as winning the buyers’ eye and providing sellers with the most return on investment. If your clients are wondering what home improvement projects will give them the best return on the sale of their home, tell them to think “curb appeal.” When buyers are shopping for a home, the exterior can make (or break) the first impression. According to the 2013 Cost vs. Value Report, exterior replacement projects are among the most valuable home improvements that sellers can … (0 comments)
real estate: Owning a Rental Property Is 'Sweet Spot' in Market
- 02/07/13 01:30 AM
Ultra-low mortgage rates mixed with housing affordability has made investing in a rental property pay off for investors. Many investors have eyed foreclosures, snagging them at rock-bottom prices, and turning them into rentals. Some home owners have also used the downturn in housing to purchase second homes and then rent out their first property, the Associated Press reports. Demand for rental housing remains strong. "In this market, at this point, it's a sweet spot," says Chris Princis, a senior executive at financial advisory firm Brook-Hollow Financial and owner of two rental properties in Chicago. "You're getting the market where it's just … (0 comments)
real estate: Home Remodeling Pickup to Trigger Higher Sales Prices
- 02/06/13 01:33 AM
After years of sluggish growth, home remodeling is rebounding and more home owners are tackling long-delayed house projects to spruce up their homes. The growth in remodeling is coming at a time when more home owners are once again seeing equity in their homes as the overall housing market picks up. “Home improvements can further boost home values and help sustain both the housing recovery and economic growth,” Realty Times reports. Spending on home improvement projects rose 9 percent in 2012 — the first increase since 2007, according to a study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. … (0 comments)
real estate: Knowing the Rules Eases Buying Homes in Evansville
- 02/05/13 04:14 AM
Sometimes, even after your mortgage application has been approved, you have to scratch your head at apparent non-sequiturs that attach to the process (for instance, when a loan is made contingent upon your repaying an ultra-low-interest credit account). Even more so if your perfectly dandy financial situation results in a turndown. How could this happen? The answer usually makes perfect sense…but only if you understand that bankers and mortgage brokers are bound by policies and procedures that apply to everyone currently buying homes in Evansville. Knowing the rules ahead of time can influence how readily mortgage applications are approved. Some guidelines: … (0 comments)
real estate: Housing's ?Snowball Effect' Not Likely to Melt Soon
- 02/04/13 02:59 AM
The Weather Channel has nothing to do with it. What’s happening up in the ski resorts, likewise. The ‘snowball effect’ being discussed in print and on TV won’t soften anytime soon (even if the groundhog was right about winter being over).. This is an economic snowball -- one that’s gathering momentum following what CNN’s Money website describes as “the best year for U.S. real estate market in five years.” Businesses that stand to benefit from growth in the housing market are watching closely. The Wall Street Journal’s snowball report took form in last Monday’s Marketplace section, where the top headline read … (1 comments)
real estate: Buyer Beware: Strategies That Get You Nowhere
- 01/30/13 01:14 AM
Anyone who is buying a house in Evansville-- or even just checking up on the market -- is likely to find that some of the rules of the game seem to have shifted. Particularly anyone expecting to be deluged by the kind of amazing deals being offered in 2008 and 2009 should see what I mean. As the latest housing statistics continue to paint an upbeat picture, at least when it comes to bargain-priced properties, the days of multiple bids and ‘offers over asking’ are back. If you are weighing the advantages of buying a house in Evansville before interest rates … (3 comments)
real estate: Fix-and-Flip or Buy-and-Hold: Which Are You?
- 01/29/13 03:41 AM
With the Fed having announced its intention to hold interest rates near 0% until at least mid-2015, even very cautious investors are recognizing that this provides a rare opening. If ever there were a time to start a real estate portfolio, it’s hard to imagine a better one.
For many, the first question is whether there is still an opportunity to buy foreclosed homes in Evansville. That answer is yes, for sure – but that is not always the only strategy that will get you to your goal. It all depends on you.Before we can develop your strategy, you … (0 comments)
real estate: Winter Time is High Time for Remodeling Tips
- 01/25/13 12:14 AM
“What doesn’t bankrupt us makes us stronger,” writes Josh Garskof, a serial remodeler and contributing writer and/or editor for Money magazine, “This Old House,” and Martha Stewart Living. Local property owners who have attempted a remodel anytime recently are likely to find the humor – and the truth – in his wisecrack. With the spring selling season just over the horizon, this would be about the right time for Evansville homeowners who are considering bringing their property to market to finalize plans and firm up any remodeling arrangements. Whether the project is just to freshen up a bathroom or re-landscape a … (2 comments)
real estate: Builders Build at Fastest Pace in 4 Years
- 01/21/13 01:28 AM
Builders broke ground on new homes in December at the fastest pace in more than four years offering a “solid ending to 2012 and a promising start to 2013,” according to the National Association of Home Builders. Housing starts soared 12.1 percent in December, reaching a 954,000 annual rate and the fastest pace since June 2008, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. Most of the jump was attributed to a 20.3 percent increase in multifamily construction last month, helping the sector return to a nearly normal production pace by historical standards. Housing starts for single-family homes rose 8.1 percent in December. "With … (1 comments)
real estate: Evaluating Your Rent Vs. Sell Decision
- 01/17/13 12:24 AM
The real estate climate forecast for the coming year is partly sunny -- and warming up! Yet, with no double-digit appreciation in sight, some who plan on selling a home inEvansville face the very practical question: is the winter of ’13 the right time to sell? For those who stand to make a gain from selling, the decision boils down to convenience. Whether sale prices rise or fall, the cost of their next home will probably move in the same direction. But what about those who suspect that the overhang from the financial crisis will probably result in some degree of … (0 comments)
real estate: 9 Unexpected Energy (and Money) Savers
- 01/09/13 11:56 PM
Here are a few surprising and simple ways to cut your energy bill this season. Put lamps in the corners: Did you know you can switch to a lower wattage bulb in a lamp or lower its dimmer switch and not lose a noticeable amount of light? It’s all about placement. When a lamp is placed in a corner, the light reflects off the adjoining walls, which makes the room lighter and brighter. Switch to a laptop: If you’re reading this article on a laptop, you’re using 1/3 less energy than if you’re reading this on a desktop. Choose an LCD … (0 comments)
real estate: Building Your Dream Home
- 01/04/13 03:16 AM
Building a new home exactly the way you’ve always wanted it may not be as unattainable as it might seem. To take the first step toward making any dream home real, you have to see if it’s practical: map out how much building it today would cost. Start by nailing down your size requirement. Think of an existing home that feels right for your needs, and ask the owner for its square footage. Decide if you prefer a single or two-story structure, remembering that the smaller roof and foundation size makes a two-story new home less expensive to build. Add-ons will … (2 comments)
real estate: Association Reports Jump in Home Sales
- 01/03/13 01:05 AM
The Indiana Association of Realtors is reporting increases in November closed home sales. The organization says that number jumped 26.2 percent, compared to the same month in 2011. The average sale price throughout the state increased 5.1 percent. The Indiana Real Estate Markets Report today released by the state’s REALTORS® shows that statewide, when comparing November 2012 to November 2011, the following occurred: • The number of closed home sales increased 26.2 percent to 5,566,• The median sale price of those homes increased 8.6 percent to $119,500,• The average sale price increased 5.1 percent to $139,688,• The percent of original list … (0 comments)
real estate: New-Home Sales Jump to Fastest Pace in Years
- 01/02/13 01:28 AM
New single-family home sales soared to its fastest pace in 2 1/2 years, jumping 4.4 percent over last month, as median prices also rose, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. The sales pace in November for new-home sales was the highest since April 2010, the same time when the federal home-buyer tax credit had expired, the Commerce Department reported. The median home price of new homes jumped 14.9 percent year-over-year, reaching $246,200. "New-home sales are gradually picking up momentum as the economy improves," says Barry Rutenberg, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. "Prospective home buyers who have been sitting on … (0 comments)
About Me
The Trentini Team of F.C. Tucker EMGE REALTORS® provides exceptional service to each of their clients as they help them to achieve their real estate goals. With their knowledge, experience and background, both Kathy and Rolando bring one-of-a-kind perspectives to the table during all of their real estate transactions. Their excellent communication skills combined with their passion for real estate allows The Trentini Team to follow through every time with the highest level of service possible. Rolando and Kathy are your premier Evansville and Newburgh, Indiana real estate source. They can help you buy your dream home or sell your current home for the best price possible. To learn more about what The Trentini Team can do you for you, contact us today!
There is a long list of household chores the beginning of each season. If you break it down with one chore a day and bundle a short, easy list on a day off from work, then it can become manageable. After all, you can only eat an elephant one bite at a time!
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