Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Home Buyer Tax Credit Expires - Opportunity Doesn't
RISMEDIA, July 27, 2010—The Home Buyer Tax Credit proved to be a valuable stimulus to the troubled U.S. housing industry. The only catch: those who qualified had to be under contract by April 30, 2010, and close by June 30 (editor’s note: at press time, the federal government had extended this closing deadline to September). more...http://rismedia.com/2010-07-26/home-buyer-tax-credit-expires-opportunity-doesnt/
Monday, June 28, 2010
While Your Home Maybe Perfect for...
by Leesa Finley ,
While your home may be prefect for a large family, in a quiet, family neighborhood and right across the street from the Catholic church I just can't say that. Your home may be right in the middle of the financial district, near public transportation and have a free membership to the gym making it ideal for a working professional but I just can't say that. You see, there is the Federal Fair Housing Act that I must adhere to that strictly prohibits discriminatory preference against:
Race or Color
National Origin
Religion
Sex
Familial Status
Handicap/Disability
To advertise your home in a family friendly neighborhood would be discriminatory. Why? It would discourage those without children from looking at your home based on familial status. While your home may be right across the street from the largest Catholic church in town it would be discriminatory based on Religion.As a Realtor® it is my job to highlight your home and advertise it in the best possible light. If you hire me to be your Realtor® then you must be comfortable with me and trust that I know how to advertise your home without violating the Federal Fair Housing Act. If you DON'T hire me, or any Realtor® for that matter, to assist you in selling your home you must know that you are subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act as well. Yes, even as a private seller! The next time you see the ad that I run for your home please don't be upset with me for not mentioning that your home is family friendly or right next door to the Synagogue. Besides, your home has many more beneficial attributes for me to concentrate on!
While your home may be prefect for a large family, in a quiet, family neighborhood and right across the street from the Catholic church I just can't say that. Your home may be right in the middle of the financial district, near public transportation and have a free membership to the gym making it ideal for a working professional but I just can't say that. You see, there is the Federal Fair Housing Act that I must adhere to that strictly prohibits discriminatory preference against:
Race or Color
National Origin
Religion
Sex
Familial Status
Handicap/Disability
To advertise your home in a family friendly neighborhood would be discriminatory. Why? It would discourage those without children from looking at your home based on familial status. While your home may be right across the street from the largest Catholic church in town it would be discriminatory based on Religion.As a Realtor® it is my job to highlight your home and advertise it in the best possible light. If you hire me to be your Realtor® then you must be comfortable with me and trust that I know how to advertise your home without violating the Federal Fair Housing Act. If you DON'T hire me, or any Realtor® for that matter, to assist you in selling your home you must know that you are subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act as well. Yes, even as a private seller! The next time you see the ad that I run for your home please don't be upset with me for not mentioning that your home is family friendly or right next door to the Synagogue. Besides, your home has many more beneficial attributes for me to concentrate on!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Builders Put Brakes On New Homes as Tax Credit Expires
By Alan J. Heavens
RISMEDIA, June 18, 2010—(MCT)—Residential-construction starts fell in May 2010 to their lowest level in a year, as an anticipated slowdown in sales after the expiration of the home buyers' tax credits took hold of the market. The Commerce Department reported recently that overall housing starts fell 10% from April, while building permits were down 5.9%. The biggest hit in starts came in the single-family sector—down 17.2% from April. continued...http://rismedia.com/2010-06-17/builders-put-brakes-on-new-homes-as-tax-credit-expires/
RISMEDIA, June 18, 2010—(MCT)—Residential-construction starts fell in May 2010 to their lowest level in a year, as an anticipated slowdown in sales after the expiration of the home buyers' tax credits took hold of the market. The Commerce Department reported recently that overall housing starts fell 10% from April, while building permits were down 5.9%. The biggest hit in starts came in the single-family sector—down 17.2% from April. continued...http://rismedia.com/2010-06-17/builders-put-brakes-on-new-homes-as-tax-credit-expires/
Friday, May 21, 2010
5 To Dos Before Marketing Your Home
1. Flower up curb appeal. Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Could it use more? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks? Does it smell like blooms or manure as you approach the front door? Are the windows clean? Is the paint peeling? Is the grass healthy? Weeds are green, too, you know, so by healthy I not only mean green, but I also mean no weeds. Does your front door have a fresh coat of stain or paint? Curb appeal can be a chore or a fun family event. Either way, it has to happen before the sign goes in the yard! And, by the way, continue it 'til the closing. It's just the right thing to do.
2. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive. An inspector will give you a good indication of what will stand out to potential buyers. Plus, it is highly likely the buyer will hire one themselves and why not eliminate everything he would otherwise report? You'll be able to make repairs before buyers start charging you 10 times the price in the low offers they would bring unmaintained or before their inspector gets there and the repair requests start flying in like rockets. The best way to avoid insulting low offers or nagging repair requests is look like a million bucks to begin with -- get things done before-hand.3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn out or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof, old foggy windows or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don't plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home and will be handy when negotiations begin. Don't play poker. They will see your foggy window and raise you ten.
4. Find warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house.
5. Organize and clean. De-clutter! Items like kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment need to GO. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in storage areas. Clean windows, floors, fixtures, walls and baseboards to make the interior shine.
Sellers, the beauty of a tough economy is a lot of homes are neglected, abandoned, abused or otherwise show like poo. This is your chance to shine! Plus, none of the recommendations above are bank busters.
by Kristen Ueckert
Ueckert Realty
2. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive. An inspector will give you a good indication of what will stand out to potential buyers. Plus, it is highly likely the buyer will hire one themselves and why not eliminate everything he would otherwise report? You'll be able to make repairs before buyers start charging you 10 times the price in the low offers they would bring unmaintained or before their inspector gets there and the repair requests start flying in like rockets. The best way to avoid insulting low offers or nagging repair requests is look like a million bucks to begin with -- get things done before-hand.3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn out or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof, old foggy windows or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don't plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home and will be handy when negotiations begin. Don't play poker. They will see your foggy window and raise you ten.
4. Find warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house.
5. Organize and clean. De-clutter! Items like kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment need to GO. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in storage areas. Clean windows, floors, fixtures, walls and baseboards to make the interior shine.
Sellers, the beauty of a tough economy is a lot of homes are neglected, abandoned, abused or otherwise show like poo. This is your chance to shine! Plus, none of the recommendations above are bank busters.
by Kristen Ueckert
Ueckert Realty
Friday, May 7, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
5 Popular Kitchen and Bath Upgrades
RISMEDIA, March 15, 2010—(MCT)—Instead of playing the trade-up game, more homeowners are staying in their homes, upgrading kitchens and baths and building additions to accommodate their needs instead of moving into a bigger house, but there are also some early signs of an improving real estate market, according to a new survey of architecture firms.
Continued... http://rismedia.com/2010-03-14/5-popular-kitchen-and-bathroom-upgrades/
Continued... http://rismedia.com/2010-03-14/5-popular-kitchen-and-bathroom-upgrades/
Monday, February 22, 2010
A Golden Opportunity: 203k Program Helps First-Time Buyers Turn Dreams into Reality
By Stephanie Andre
RISMEDIA, February 22, 2010—As a first-time home buyer, Jessica Garcia was excited last April to officially begin her home search. She found a home within her price range, completed the lengthy paperwork and paid for the appraisals, only to later be told after four months that the deal would not close. For the good news....http://rismedia.com/2010-02-21/a-golden-opportunity-203k-program-helps-first-time-buyers-turn-dreams-into-reality/
RISMEDIA, February 22, 2010—As a first-time home buyer, Jessica Garcia was excited last April to officially begin her home search. She found a home within her price range, completed the lengthy paperwork and paid for the appraisals, only to later be told after four months that the deal would not close. For the good news....http://rismedia.com/2010-02-21/a-golden-opportunity-203k-program-helps-first-time-buyers-turn-dreams-into-reality/
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