Buying a place where you will live for many years can fill you with anticipation and excitement. Now you've finally found the home that is just right for you.You’ve walked through the place, probably more than once, and everything looks perfect. But this could be the largest investment of your life to date, so you need to be sure.You need a home inspection. Today, it’s required by most lenders before the deal is closed, but who do you choose to do it?
Your real estate agent can provide several names for your perusal. Here are some questions to ask when interviewing them.
Certifications: Check for affiliations such as those from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) or the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO).
Experience in building: The inspector has to be able to look at a wall, for example, and know how it's put together. Many home construction features are hidden from view.
Experience in home inspection: Check how long he or she has been in the business. Experience, training and insight are required for a thorough inspection.
Ask to see their typical inspection plan and checklist. It should have space for written details and advice.
What types of equipment will be used? Cutting-edge inspectors use more than a ladder and flash- light. They may bring electrical circuit analyzers, a carbon monoxide and fuel gas analyzer, a digital moisture meter and a digital camera to document their findings.
The report should contain a detailed picture of the house on the day of the inspection. It should itemize major components and their condition. It should include a listing of items in need of normal maintenance or attention. And the report must list major repair items, any defect that could present a significant expense to repair and estimated repair costs.
When choosing, don’t pick the cheapest inspector. For about $50 more, you could get a more complete picture of the property.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Staging Could Speed Sale
What can a home stager do for your place that you couldn’t do for yourself ? Plenty. Industry numbers show you could sell your home in half the time if it is properly staged.
First, stagers heartlessly remove clutter and send extra tables, chairs, lamps and knick-knacks to storage.
Then, with the heart of a decorator, they will rearrange the furniture. They spruce up your home with various items in order to make it more attractive. That could include colored pillows, a plant, bedspread or window treatment.
Personal items, such as trophies, awards, kids’ drawings and most of the extra family photos you have on the walls, will also go to storage. Inexpensive but attractive art could take their places.
Next come the closets and shelves. All the extra clothes you never wear, plus extra salt shakers, serving dishes and small appliances you rarely use, will not be jamming closet doors or clogging the cupboards. All those extra hats will join them in storage.
Hire a stager that is qualified by an organization such as Certified Staging Professionals or the International Association of Home Staging Professionals.
First, stagers heartlessly remove clutter and send extra tables, chairs, lamps and knick-knacks to storage.
Then, with the heart of a decorator, they will rearrange the furniture. They spruce up your home with various items in order to make it more attractive. That could include colored pillows, a plant, bedspread or window treatment.
Personal items, such as trophies, awards, kids’ drawings and most of the extra family photos you have on the walls, will also go to storage. Inexpensive but attractive art could take their places.
Next come the closets and shelves. All the extra clothes you never wear, plus extra salt shakers, serving dishes and small appliances you rarely use, will not be jamming closet doors or clogging the cupboards. All those extra hats will join them in storage.
Hire a stager that is qualified by an organization such as Certified Staging Professionals or the International Association of Home Staging Professionals.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Now Is The Best Time to Buy a Home
As I am sure you know the homebuyer tax credit is gone. But do not fear, now is even a better time to buy a home. Below is part of an article from the Ohio Association of Realtors:
"Missing the tax credit deadline might have seemed like a big mistake to some home buyers, but waiting could have been the smartest thing to do.
Interest rates have fallen so dramatically since April 30th that the typical purchaser of a $350,000 home, financed with a $280,000 mortgage, would have saved a bundle by waiting until May.
At April's average rate of 5.34%, a home buyer would have locked in a 30-year fixed rate loan with a monthly payment of $1,561.82.
The same borrower could have snagged a 30-year fixed rate loan at a rate of 4.625% in May and paid $1,439.59 per month. That's a $1,467 annual savings. Over 30 years, it's a $44,003 savings, dwarfing the tax credit."
What this article does not tell you is that rates are even lower today. You can get a 30 year mortgage with a rate as low as 4.25% or a 15 year mortgage as low as 3.875%. Low Rates are just one reason to buy a home now. The other is the amount of foreclosures that have flooded the housing Market lately. Yahoo.com reported that there will be more then one million foreclosures this year. With there being less home buyers now then before the tax credit deadline, it makes this a true buyers market.
If you are thinking of staying in your home and want to lower your monthly mortgage payment the rates are just as low for refinancing. Call me today if you are thinking of buying or refinancing.
"Missing the tax credit deadline might have seemed like a big mistake to some home buyers, but waiting could have been the smartest thing to do.
Interest rates have fallen so dramatically since April 30th that the typical purchaser of a $350,000 home, financed with a $280,000 mortgage, would have saved a bundle by waiting until May.
At April's average rate of 5.34%, a home buyer would have locked in a 30-year fixed rate loan with a monthly payment of $1,561.82.
The same borrower could have snagged a 30-year fixed rate loan at a rate of 4.625% in May and paid $1,439.59 per month. That's a $1,467 annual savings. Over 30 years, it's a $44,003 savings, dwarfing the tax credit."
What this article does not tell you is that rates are even lower today. You can get a 30 year mortgage with a rate as low as 4.25% or a 15 year mortgage as low as 3.875%. Low Rates are just one reason to buy a home now. The other is the amount of foreclosures that have flooded the housing Market lately. Yahoo.com reported that there will be more then one million foreclosures this year. With there being less home buyers now then before the tax credit deadline, it makes this a true buyers market.
If you are thinking of staying in your home and want to lower your monthly mortgage payment the rates are just as low for refinancing. Call me today if you are thinking of buying or refinancing.
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