We've all heard how important curb appeal is to a buyer, however, that's not the whole story. Some times the curb appeal can be fabulous yet as soon as you enter the front door it's all over but the quick exit.
Having a pleasing entry is so important for a good first impression. If your home doesn't have a foyer, you can create the illusion of a foyer with pieces of furniture, plants, etc. That way there is order and a sense of "landing" before entering further into the home. With a large, open space leading to several rooms, the eye doesn't know where to rest.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
FENG SHUI AND STAGING A HOME FOR SALE
Everyone is talking about staging a home these days, a relatively new concept...using feng shui has provided the same results for many thousands of years.
The similarities are interesting: eliminating clutter, creating an inviting feeling as one enters the home, maximizing the best features of each room, using color to benefit the overall presentation.
Having been a student of feng shui for over 15 years, it is fascinating to stage a home and realize I'm using feng shui concepts in the process. Eliminating that extra chair or ottoman, adding a vase or small fountain to draw the eye, removing unnecessary items from the kitchen counter, creating interesting seating arrangements that create a good traffic flow all are part of staging and feng shui.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Ready to Buy?
I recently read a great article on RISMedia about the fact that interest rates on the benchmark, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage recently dropped to a 38 year low. Combined with the newest tax credits, this means it is a great time to buy a home. Not sure if you are ready? Mary Ellen Podmolik gives 5 questions that may help you decide.
Q: Why are rates so low?
A: Since early January, the Federal Reserve has been purchasing mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae in an effort to stabilize the housing market by making homes more affordable for consumers. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which is managing the program, plans on purchasing $1.25 trillion of securities.
Q: Are rates expected stay this low?
A: It’s hard to tell, but don’t count on it because the lending landscape is likely to change next year. In September 2009, the Fed said it would gradually wind down the purchase program, ending it by March 30, 2010. That has some in the mortgage lending industry worried.
In a recently published mortgage survey, more than 60% of Bankrate.com’s panel of experts predicted that rates will move higher over the next 30 to 45 days. How much higher is anyone’s guess. Last year at this time, the average 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage was 5.53%.
Q: Why do different mortgage surveys come up with different average interest rates?
A: It depends on which lenders are in their sample, when the survey was taken and whether the rates quoted are the posted rate, the application rate or the commitment rate. Also, some surveys take into account the points paid to secure the rate.
But regardless of the survey, the general consensus is that rates are ultra-low right now and may be the lowest the market will see.
Q: What else does a consumer need to know?
A: The lowest rates are offered to the most credit-worthy customers who can make sizable down payments. Shop not just for the interest rate and the points involved but also for the fees involved, which can vary widely from one lender to another.
If you’re refinancing, remember the bigger the loan, the greater the payoff for finding a lower interest rate. Savvy customers put in their paperwork with a lender and set a “strike” interest rate at which to lock in the loan, a good move considering rate volatility.
Several refinancing calculators are available online that let borrowers plug in all the required numbers and determine the monthly savings and how long it will take to recoup the expense of a refinancing.
Q: So is now the best time to buy a home?
A: It depends on personal situations. Homebuyers certainly have a lot of factors working in their favor right now—low interest rates, plenty of marked-down homes for sale and an extended and expanded federal tax credit that will expire in the spring.
Give me a call and we can discuss if the time is right for you. I have extensive knowledge of the area and communities and would love to help you with all of your real estate needs!
Q: Why are rates so low?
A: Since early January, the Federal Reserve has been purchasing mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae in an effort to stabilize the housing market by making homes more affordable for consumers. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which is managing the program, plans on purchasing $1.25 trillion of securities.
Q: Are rates expected stay this low?
A: It’s hard to tell, but don’t count on it because the lending landscape is likely to change next year. In September 2009, the Fed said it would gradually wind down the purchase program, ending it by March 30, 2010. That has some in the mortgage lending industry worried.
In a recently published mortgage survey, more than 60% of Bankrate.com’s panel of experts predicted that rates will move higher over the next 30 to 45 days. How much higher is anyone’s guess. Last year at this time, the average 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage was 5.53%.
Q: Why do different mortgage surveys come up with different average interest rates?
A: It depends on which lenders are in their sample, when the survey was taken and whether the rates quoted are the posted rate, the application rate or the commitment rate. Also, some surveys take into account the points paid to secure the rate.
But regardless of the survey, the general consensus is that rates are ultra-low right now and may be the lowest the market will see.
Q: What else does a consumer need to know?
A: The lowest rates are offered to the most credit-worthy customers who can make sizable down payments. Shop not just for the interest rate and the points involved but also for the fees involved, which can vary widely from one lender to another.
If you’re refinancing, remember the bigger the loan, the greater the payoff for finding a lower interest rate. Savvy customers put in their paperwork with a lender and set a “strike” interest rate at which to lock in the loan, a good move considering rate volatility.
Several refinancing calculators are available online that let borrowers plug in all the required numbers and determine the monthly savings and how long it will take to recoup the expense of a refinancing.
Q: So is now the best time to buy a home?
A: It depends on personal situations. Homebuyers certainly have a lot of factors working in their favor right now—low interest rates, plenty of marked-down homes for sale and an extended and expanded federal tax credit that will expire in the spring.
Give me a call and we can discuss if the time is right for you. I have extensive knowledge of the area and communities and would love to help you with all of your real estate needs!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Great News!
I'd like to share some great news with you. One of my listings went under contract after only 14 days on the market! Another is under contract now. Both are great homes and have new owners looking forward to making a new home.
287 Heathwood Drive
130 Landis Street
Are you trying to sell property? Want and need results like these? Give me a call!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Great Ways To Save on Your Energy Bills Year Round
It's the time of year you want to be spending money on loved ones, not bills, so I wanted to share with you some great ideas on how to shave your energy costs!
Fireplace: Sure, it's lovely to gather around a nice blaze, especially when it's good and cold outside, but according to the Department of Energy, lit fireplaces can suck up to 24,000 cubic feet of furnace heated air up your chimney each hour. That heat is replaced by cold air coming in, making your furnace work that much harder. All you have to do is turn your thermostat down a little when you use the fireplace, and crack a window in the room, while keeping the door shut to keep it from sucking up too much warm air from the rest of the house. Make sure to close your damper when its not in use!
Heating System: By spending $75 to $100 for a tune up and sealing ductwork to prevent air leakage could save you hundreds on your heating and cooling bills. Natural Gas powered heaters should be tuned up by a heating contractor every 2-3 years, while oil burning furnaces need it every year, as they burn dirtier.
Energy Star products: 20% of most electrical bills come from running our appliances. But by replacing your fridge, washer, and dishwasher with Energy Star products means you will save quite a bit on your bills, as the newer appliances use energy much more efficiently, therefore keeping more money in your pockets!
Seal Air Leaks: At a pretty low cost of materials ($30-$50) you can save 10% on your heating bill. Fill in cracks with caulk, use expanding-foam sealants to fill in larger gaps around plumbing and electrical work, especially where pipes enter your house through exterior walls. Look for those energy suckers that may escape your attention, like exterior wall sockets and switches by using fitted insulation pads in the plates. Caulking and weatherstripping around windows or even using a kit to to apply a discreet plastic wrap on windows that can be peeled off in spring will also catch a lot of heat that would normally escape.
Spruce up the attic: The Department of Energy tells us we can reduce our heating and cooling needs by 30% by just installing a couple hundred bucks worth of new insulation, especially if your home is more than 25 years old. Don't just concentrate on the attic, check to see how much insulation you have in crawl spaces, ceilings, and basement walls. A small investment can keep your home warmer and cooler without costing as much to do so.
Pellet Stoves: Let's face it, its not getting any cheaper to heat our homes with gas or oil, BUT a clean burning pellet stove can cut costs drastically. They look like wood-burning stoves but are fueled by small pellets made from super concentrated sawdust. There are freestanding models as well as fireplace inserts. Costs run about $2000 for the stove and $6 for a 40 lb bag of pellets. In a couple of years though, your benefits will be a heating bill that is HALF as much!
Cheaper Showers: Heating water counts to up to 11% of utility bills, and if your water heater is more than 10 years old, that number could be greater. Switch out for newer more energy efficient models. Or, by paying out a bit more in the beginning, buy a solar water heater. They are more expensive, but last about 20 years, and pay for themselves in about half that time.
Windows: A lot of your heating a cooling costs might be as a result of heating and cooling escaping right out your windows. Installing storm windows can help quite a bit, if you are not ready to buy a new system. Triple track windows cost about $100 each, and can reduce heat loss by 25% or more!
Come back often for more posts on how to save money around your home. And if you are ready to buy or sell, give me a call, I can walk you through the process!
www.bobbies.remax.com
Source: This Old House
Fireplace: Sure, it's lovely to gather around a nice blaze, especially when it's good and cold outside, but according to the Department of Energy, lit fireplaces can suck up to 24,000 cubic feet of furnace heated air up your chimney each hour. That heat is replaced by cold air coming in, making your furnace work that much harder. All you have to do is turn your thermostat down a little when you use the fireplace, and crack a window in the room, while keeping the door shut to keep it from sucking up too much warm air from the rest of the house. Make sure to close your damper when its not in use!
Heating System: By spending $75 to $100 for a tune up and sealing ductwork to prevent air leakage could save you hundreds on your heating and cooling bills. Natural Gas powered heaters should be tuned up by a heating contractor every 2-3 years, while oil burning furnaces need it every year, as they burn dirtier.
Energy Star products: 20% of most electrical bills come from running our appliances. But by replacing your fridge, washer, and dishwasher with Energy Star products means you will save quite a bit on your bills, as the newer appliances use energy much more efficiently, therefore keeping more money in your pockets!
Seal Air Leaks: At a pretty low cost of materials ($30-$50) you can save 10% on your heating bill. Fill in cracks with caulk, use expanding-foam sealants to fill in larger gaps around plumbing and electrical work, especially where pipes enter your house through exterior walls. Look for those energy suckers that may escape your attention, like exterior wall sockets and switches by using fitted insulation pads in the plates. Caulking and weatherstripping around windows or even using a kit to to apply a discreet plastic wrap on windows that can be peeled off in spring will also catch a lot of heat that would normally escape.
Spruce up the attic: The Department of Energy tells us we can reduce our heating and cooling needs by 30% by just installing a couple hundred bucks worth of new insulation, especially if your home is more than 25 years old. Don't just concentrate on the attic, check to see how much insulation you have in crawl spaces, ceilings, and basement walls. A small investment can keep your home warmer and cooler without costing as much to do so.
Pellet Stoves: Let's face it, its not getting any cheaper to heat our homes with gas or oil, BUT a clean burning pellet stove can cut costs drastically. They look like wood-burning stoves but are fueled by small pellets made from super concentrated sawdust. There are freestanding models as well as fireplace inserts. Costs run about $2000 for the stove and $6 for a 40 lb bag of pellets. In a couple of years though, your benefits will be a heating bill that is HALF as much!
Cheaper Showers: Heating water counts to up to 11% of utility bills, and if your water heater is more than 10 years old, that number could be greater. Switch out for newer more energy efficient models. Or, by paying out a bit more in the beginning, buy a solar water heater. They are more expensive, but last about 20 years, and pay for themselves in about half that time.
Windows: A lot of your heating a cooling costs might be as a result of heating and cooling escaping right out your windows. Installing storm windows can help quite a bit, if you are not ready to buy a new system. Triple track windows cost about $100 each, and can reduce heat loss by 25% or more!
Come back often for more posts on how to save money around your home. And if you are ready to buy or sell, give me a call, I can walk you through the process!
www.bobbies.remax.com
Source: This Old House
Friday, December 4, 2009
New Guidelines On Short Sales
As a REALTOR who's stayed in the business by adapting, I'm always interested in the newest ways to help my current and potential clients. I just read an article by Deborah Ball on the new Short Sale Guidelines from the U.S Treasury Department. RE/MAX has been diligently working establish these guidelines which make Short Sales easier and more efficient for all involved.
The Treasury's announcement Monday comes on the heels of more than a year's work by RE/MAX leadership to persuade federal lawmakers to address the need for a simpler Short Sale process.
The U.S. Treasury Department's long-awaited guidelines to streamline Short Sales will have a significant and positive impact on families facing foreclosure, according to RE/MAX International Chairman and Co-Founder Dave Liniger.
Here's the key to this exciting news: it simplifies procedures, provides financial incentives for Short Sales, and wait for it, wait for it - sets limits on the time frame lenders can take to respond. This is HUGE! Alphabet Soup version of this news is called: The Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA), part of the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).
It may not be perfect, but it's a huge step toward creating a much more attractive opportunity for people, something that is long overdue.
Here are some of the program's key guidelines:
• Lenders must respond to Short Sale requests within 10 business days of receipt of the offer package.
• The seller will be released from all liability for repayment of the mortgage debt.
• Subsequently, the seller is entitled to a relocation incentive of $1,500, which will be deducted from the gross sale proceeds at closing.
• The lender will be paid $1,000 to cover administrative and processing costs for a Short Sale or a deed-in-lieu.
• The property must be listed with a licensed real estate professional who does regular business in the community where the property is located.
• The lender is prohibited from requiring, as a condition of approving the Short Sale, a reduction in the agreed-upon real estate commission.
• The investor will be paid a maximum of $1,000 for allowing a total of up to $3,000 in Short Sale proceeds to be distributed to subordinate lien holders, or for allowing payment of up to $3,000 to subordinate lien holders.
RE/MAX leaders have been advocating Short Sale improvements for quite some time. In September, Liniger met with Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and other U.S. housing officials to discuss the need for prompt action. A meeting with Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) also moved the process along. RE/MAX Associates have embraced training in Short Sales and foreclosures. The network accounts for nearly 60 percent Certified Distressed Property Expert designees. That education will continue to play a vital role in this constantly changing market.
If you or anyone you know may benefit from these new guidelines, give me a call!
The Treasury's announcement Monday comes on the heels of more than a year's work by RE/MAX leadership to persuade federal lawmakers to address the need for a simpler Short Sale process.
The U.S. Treasury Department's long-awaited guidelines to streamline Short Sales will have a significant and positive impact on families facing foreclosure, according to RE/MAX International Chairman and Co-Founder Dave Liniger.
Here's the key to this exciting news: it simplifies procedures, provides financial incentives for Short Sales, and wait for it, wait for it - sets limits on the time frame lenders can take to respond. This is HUGE! Alphabet Soup version of this news is called: The Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA), part of the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).
It may not be perfect, but it's a huge step toward creating a much more attractive opportunity for people, something that is long overdue.
Here are some of the program's key guidelines:
• Lenders must respond to Short Sale requests within 10 business days of receipt of the offer package.
• The seller will be released from all liability for repayment of the mortgage debt.
• Subsequently, the seller is entitled to a relocation incentive of $1,500, which will be deducted from the gross sale proceeds at closing.
• The lender will be paid $1,000 to cover administrative and processing costs for a Short Sale or a deed-in-lieu.
• The property must be listed with a licensed real estate professional who does regular business in the community where the property is located.
• The lender is prohibited from requiring, as a condition of approving the Short Sale, a reduction in the agreed-upon real estate commission.
• The investor will be paid a maximum of $1,000 for allowing a total of up to $3,000 in Short Sale proceeds to be distributed to subordinate lien holders, or for allowing payment of up to $3,000 to subordinate lien holders.
RE/MAX leaders have been advocating Short Sale improvements for quite some time. In September, Liniger met with Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and other U.S. housing officials to discuss the need for prompt action. A meeting with Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) also moved the process along. RE/MAX Associates have embraced training in Short Sales and foreclosures. The network accounts for nearly 60 percent Certified Distressed Property Expert designees. That education will continue to play a vital role in this constantly changing market.
If you or anyone you know may benefit from these new guidelines, give me a call!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Let's have Green Holidays
Last post I talked about some benefits of making your home Greener. With the holidays just around the corner, I'd like to give you some ideas about environmentally friendlier items you might not think of!
Decorations:
Indoor/Outdoor LED light strings. These use 90-95 percent LESS than the old incandescent bulbs, and they also shine longer.
Herbal Wreaths. Available from McFadden Farm (embed), for about $25 you can get an herbal wreath made from fresh organic herbs. Festive and handy!
Gifts:
Stockings made from recycled sweaters, these are one of a kind gifts that you can buy online or if you are sewing savvy, make yourself!
Another DIY idea, recycled light bulbs. All you need are some bulbs that no longer work, some wire, and paint. Fabric paint works well, but you can also use acrylic; just make sure its completely dry! Simply paint the bulb and use the wire to wrap around the base and make a hook or loop, then you can add these as ornaments to your tree!
Continuing on that thread, one thing I have done in the past is take old glass items, like the hurricane glass from atop old kerosene lamps, or really any interesting shaped domed glass, and using a combination of fabric paints and acrylics, painting an image of Santa or a snowman on the glass. (You'll see that the outward curve of the glass helps highlight the rounded tummy of both.) Don't be afraid if you don't believe you are artistically inclined. You don't have to be a Picasso to make a lovely gift or ornament for your own home.
For other great gift ideas, check out uncommongoods they have great items like recycled glass ornaments, recycled cotton scarves, and my favorite, plantable gift tags that are embedded with wildflower and perrennial seeds.
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