COST CUTTING TIPS TO PREPARE YOUR HOUSE FOR SALE
We have received questions from many concerned sellers on what is required of them when preparing their home for prospective buyers. Due to the current economy we are seeing a large increase in the number of short sale homes available for sale. Sellers in a short sale situation are concerned about the costs to prepare their home for sale so that it doesn’t sit on the market for a long time. They also ask what needs to be done in order to fix their home up for sale for the least amount of money.
Here are a few inexpensive tips that will help you stage and sell your home more quickly:
- Wipe down all of the walls and outlets of dirty fingerprints
- Shampoo Carpeting
- Wash the Windows and Screens
- Vacuum and Dust often
- Remove all books from bookcases
- Pack up the knickknacks
- Clean off everything on kitchen counters
- Put items used daily in a small box that can be stored away when not in use
- Re-Organize Closets and Pantry
- Make Minor Repairs – Touch up any holes, scratches or damage to the walls and if you have touch up paint laying around, touch up these areas
- Keep Lawns Mown and Watered
- Trim Shrubs & Plant Colorful Flowers
- Air out House of Musty or Pet Odors
- De-Personalize – Pack up personal photos and heirlooms. Buyers can’t see past personal artifacts and you want them to see the home.
- De-Clutter – If you don’t need it, sell it, donate it or throw it away
- Get a head start on packing, you will eventually need to do it anyway
Promises, Promises….
When you hear the words “I’ll call you right back” or “I’ll be there”, what are the odds it won’t happen? What happened to personal integrity, did it go out the door? It seems we live in a world of excuses or lies.
How important is it to you to give your word? Verbal promises are nothing more than tongue wagging appeasement to fill up the time when one should be speaking the truth.
Think about it, when you give your word, does it really mean something? It does to me, it means you are known to be Reliable, Respectful, Trusted, Dependable and your Integrity is multiplied.
So next time you give your word, mean it. Wouldn’t you rather have someone tell you the truth? Do you want to be known as the one who always says they will call you back or be there and everyone knows you won’t? Take a step forward and think about the benefits derived from making your “word” count for something (a promise kept). If you can’t call them back, or you can’t make it, be up front and just tell the truth that you can’t make the appointment or you have appointments and won’t be able to call back right away. Sometimes, the truth will set you free.
Is Home Affordable Modification Program Hampered?
The U.S. Treasury released statistics the end of July, 2010 for the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) program. The statistics showed that loans that have been permanently modified had a re-default rate to be around 2% – 5.9% 60 or more days past due after modification and 1.7% 90 or more days delinquent. When those statistics came out, they received a huge outcry from analysts questioning the validity of these statistics.
The Treasury pulled the numbers and re-evaluated the statistics after retaining a third-party consultant to provide independent validation. A few weeks later, they corrected the re-default assessments as follows: 10% of six month old permanent modifications are 60+ days delinquent and 6% are 90+ days delinquent.
Analysts say that’s still too low and the rates will surely go higher the longer the program is in place. Up until six months ago, permanent modifications had been offered to only about 434,716 borrowers. The Treasury has cancelled the temporary modifications of 616,839 borrowers.
The analysts at Barclays are predicting a 60% re-default rate and Fitch Ratings projects 55-75%.
http://www.dsnews.com/articles/print-view/treasury-corrects-its-math-for-hamp-redefaults-2010-08-12
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HAMP: Still fundamentally broken (hsh.com) Treasury Correction: Modified Mortgages Perform Less Favorably (blogs.wsj.com) Bank of America Permanent HAMP Modifications Increase 5.9% in July (housingwire.com)
Annual Home Maintenance Tips
If you haven’t done so, now is the time for your annual home maintenance.
Air Conditioning Filter Change – Replace Filters Monthly to improve energy costs and air quality.
Air Conditioner Inspection – Have you’re a/C inspected by a licensed HVAC mechanic to ensure top efficiency. Don’t wait until it reaches over 100° and your system isn’t working.
Roof Insulation & Ventilation – Property insulated and ventilated attics reduce heating and cooling costs. Make sure attic, vents and soffit are running, open and clear of debris.
Gutters – Clean debris out of gutters; repair any loose or leaking gutters which cause water damage to soffits.
Grout & Caulking: Check grout around sink, tubs, showers, windows and doors. Replace if damaged to protect material behind the walls from water damage and mold growth.
Dryer Vents – Clean out your dryer vent from lint accumulation. Built up lint can keep dryers from running efficiently, drives up energy costs and can cause fires.
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Tips for a Residential Home Inspection and Preventive Maintenance (home-owner-tips.suite101.com) Sealing Home for Savings (foxnews.com) Insulation, vents will lead to cooler bungalow (sfgate.com)
Citrus Heights Stimulus Package
Good News for Citrus Height’s businesses and the citizens of Citrus Heights!
Citrus Heights Redevelopment Department has set aside $300,000 to help fund facade and sign improvements and assist with marketing and promotions, said Rhonda Sherman, community and economic development director.
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/05/11/2741346/citrus-heights-rolls-out-300000.html#ixzz0nesNXrKy
