Home > Blogs > Howard Sumner > Montana Realtor Blog, Real Estate Market Information Billings, Montana, Yellowstone county

monthly new letter

By Howard Sumner

Industry Observer with Howard Sumner Consulting

April 13, 2009 08:02 AM

Your REALTOR: Howard Sumner

Howard Sumner

April 2009

Your Real Estate Source, Your Results Solution

Five Ways to Wow Buyers

These days, tax credits and high housing inventory make it a buyers' market. If you're a seller, don't despair. There are a variety of renovations that can help make your home stand out. Many buyers look at numerous homes when shopping for a house; so enhancing your home to make it more memorable is vital and increases the chances of a successful sale.
Clearing clutter, taking down personal photos, applying a fresh coat of paint, making minor repairs, and keeping a pleasant aroma are all basic techniques to make your home more appealing. But there are a few other

Mortgage Rates

U.S. averages as of March 26, 2009:

30 yr. fixed:   4.85%
15 yr. fixed:   4.58%
1 yr. adj:        4.85%

View current rates

creative enhancements that you can do to wow buyers without emptying your wallet. The results not only attract more attention, but also paint a picture of a well-cared-for home.

CONTINUED >>>

Wondering What Your Home Is Worth?

Let me show you.

Where Housing is Headed

     We received an important indicator of where housing is headed last month, when new mortgage applications for home purchases and refinances suddenly surged as they hadn't in months.
      Applications for FHA loans to buy houses were up by 10.4 percent. And overall home purchase applications jumped by 7.1 percent.
      Meanwhile mortgage interest rates dropped to their second lowest level in nearly two decades, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Thirty year fixed rates averaged 4.96 percent and fifteen year rated dropped to just 4.5 percent.
      Why's this important? New financing applications to buy homes obviously point to rising purchase contracts and closed sales in the months ahead. They also suggest that prices have hit a level in many markets that is attracting once-hesitant buyers off the sidelines.
      There's still another factor that's likely at work here as well: Congress's CONTINUED >>>

What You Need to Know
to Buy a Home Today

     Don't let a sluggish economy get you down. There are reasons to shop for personal items-including a new home. I recently saw an advertisement for a new car that said you could return the car in the first year if you lose your job. While there may not be that incentive for homes yet, some other perks might give you reason to start your housing search.
      If you can afford to buy, consider making homeownership a goal this year, especially if you haven't owned a principal residence in three years prior to buying. The new stimulus package sweetens the deal for homebuyers who purchase a residence on or after January 1, 2009, and before December 1, 2009. The incentive is for first-time homebuyers who remain in their home for at least three years. It provides a credit for 10 percent of the home purchase price, up to an $8,000 limit. The credit can be taken on your 2008 or 2009 tax return.
      If you close on a home after the April 15 tax deadline, you can apply for an extension provided that you close on your home before the extension deadline of October 15. If you're extra speedy and have already filed your 2008 return, don't worry - you can file an amendment to claim the credit. You have three years to CONTINUED >>>

Available Homes For Sale

Information on ALL available area properties

When Is It Time To Replace Your Roof?

     Red flags that signal it's time to replace your roof may be over your head.
      Sunlight permitting holes and bucket brigade-sized leaks are obvious signs it's time for a new topper for your home.
      There are however, additional indicators that may not be so obvious.
      "Certainly if your roof is approaching the end of its life cycle -- usually 20 - 25 years for asphalt shingles -- it's time to think about a new roof," says Ray Rosewall, president and CEO of DaVinci Roofscapes in Kansas City, KS.
      The National Association of Homebuilders says decorative slate, metal, masonry and newer synthetic roofs can have a life expectancy of 50 years or more.
      "However, a calendar shouldn't be the

CONTINUED >>>

Local Market Conditions

Daily News and Advice

Read about the events shaping the Real Estate market today, find current interest rates, or browse the extensive library of advice and how-to articles written by some of the top experts in Real Estate. Updated each weekday.

More Articles

March Round Up: Rates Hit Another New Low

Investor Report: Refinancings

Seller's Home Appeal for Today's Market

U.S. Treasury: Mortgage rates As Low As 2 Percent

Howard Sumner
E-mail: howard@realestatemontana.com
Web: http://www.realestatemontana.com
Phone: 406-245-6890
Direct: 406-698-3051
Toll Free: 800-317-5769
Fax: 406-254-2972

Howard Sumner Real Estate
406-245-6890
404 North 31st Street #130
Billings, MT 59101

Equal Housing Opportunity

E-mail this Newsletter to a friend

Previous Newsletters: March 2009February 2009January 2009December 2008November 2008October 2008September 2008August 2008July 2008June 2008May 2008April 2008March 2008February 2008January 2008December 2007November 2007October 2007September 2007August 2007July 2007June 2007May 2007April 2007March 2007February 2007January 2007December 2006November 2006October 2006September 2006August 2006July 2006June 2006May 2006April 2006March 2006February 2006January 2006December 2005November 2005October 2005September 2005August 2005July 2005June 2005May 2005April 2005March 2005February 2005January 2005December 2004November 2004October 2004September 2004August 2004July 2004June 2004May 2004April 2004March 2004February 2004January 2004December 2003November 2003October 2003September 2003August 2003July 2003June 2003May 2003April 2003March 2003February 2003January 2003December 2002November 2002October 2002September 2002August 2002July 2002June 2002May 2002April 2002March 2002February 2002January 2002December 2001November 2001October 2001September 2001August 2001July 2001June 2001May 2001April 2001March 2001February 2001January 2001December 2000November 2000October 2000September 2000August 2000July 2000June 2000May 2000April 2000March 2000February 2000January 2000December 1999November 1999October 1999September 1999August 1999July 1999June 1999May 1999April 1999March 1999February 1999January 1999December 1998

Re-Blog

monthly new letter

Comments (0)
Subscribe to Comments Comment

HowardSumner

Service Areas

Real Estate Resources

Additional Information

Comments (0) Subscribe to CommentsComment

HowardSumner

Service Areas

Real Estate Resources

Additional Information

Comments (0)
Subscribe to Comments Comment