Sacramento & Citrus Heights Real Estate - Jean Wright

COST CUTTING TIPS TO PREPARE YOUR HOUSE FOR SALE

Jean Wright — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:00:09 +0000

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….

Jean Wright — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:00:41 +0000

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?

Jean Wright — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:00:54 +0000

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

Annual Home Maintenance Tips

Jean Wright — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:49:47 +0000

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.

Citrus Heights Stimulus Package

Jean Wright — Tue, 11 May 2010 21:28:24 +0000

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.

How delinquent mortgage payments effect your credit score

Jean Wright — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 20:54:29 +0000

How Delinquencies Impair Credit Scores
Fair Isaac, which developed FICO scores, used a comparison between two people to explain how mortgage delinquencies affect credit scores.

Fair Isaac derived these numbers from a theoretical calculation based on hypothetical borrowers – one with an initial score of 680 and one with an initial score of 780. FICO scores range from 300 to 850.

The hypothetical person behind the 680 score had six credit accounts, while the person with the 780 score had 10. The consumer with the 780 score had no missed payments other than the mortgage; the 680 example had two late payments before they failed to pay the mortgage.

After a mortgage delinquency, the two scores would look like this:

• After 30-day delinquency, 680 score drops to 620 to 640; 780 score declines to 670 to 690.

• After 90-day delinquency, 680 score falls to 595 to 610; 780 score goes to 645 to 665.

• After foreclosure, short sale, or deed-in-lieu, 680 goes to 575 to 595 and 780 drops to 620 to 640.

• After bankruptcy, 680 drops to 530 to 550; 780 declines to 540 to 560.

Source: CNN, Les Christie (04/22/2010)
Posted in REALTOR magazine (04/22/10)

Citrus Heights Sales Trends

Jean Wright — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:17:42 +0000

Here is the latest update on the home sales in the 95610 area of Citrus Heights (Statistics from October 2008 – December 2009:

and home sales in the 95621 area of Citrus Heights:

The Good News is that prices are starting to rise and we are seeing multiple offers on homes under $300,000.

Statistics provided by Trendgraphix, Inc. and Metrolist.

Jean Wright, Realtor, Realty World A+ Real Estate

City of Citrus Heights – Neighborhood Profile

Jean Wright — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:56:43 +0000

Citrus Heights, with a population of 87,017 is a unique established community in Sacramento County. Conveniently located between downtown Sacramento and Roseville, Citrus Heights is an easy commute to nearly all major employment zones in greater Sacramento, including Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Natomas, and South Placer County.

The city has established itself as an important suburb in the Sacramento region with its solid base of small businesses, retail chains, and food service establishments. With an ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, economical, responsive services to the local community, the city is well-positioned for future commercial redevelopment, neighborhood enhancements, and positive changes.

The Citrus Heights community is family friendly with great schools, beautiful parks, a wide offering of youth programs and many community events, in addition to lots of nearby shops and restaurants. Citrus Heights is definitely a great place to live, work and play!

Citrus Heights Photo Gallery