We previously alerted renters to the Nigerian internet (Craigslist) scam. Well, they have a new one. The name of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is being used as a part of the new scam.
Prospective renters are led to believe that NAR is functioning as an intermediary to receive rental deposits.
Be wary if any landlord wants you to send the deposit out of the country via Western Union. In this case, they requested deposits be sent to the NAR in the United Kingdom, and stated that NAR would deliver keys to the property.
The National Association of Realtors does not have an escrow service, nor do they function as an intermediary to receive rental deposits.
Consumers beware! The internet is very convenient, but if the offer sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Should you make repairs to your home before selling it?
This housing market is very competitive. Some cleaning, elbow grease, and a little paint can help your house sell faster. A few years ago, houses were selling like crazy with no improvements needed. Now, supply of homes is higher than demand for them, allowing buyers to be choosy and selective in what they want. Now, I’m not saying to install granite countertops and custom cabinetry. Some repairs are unnecessary, but others will help your home sell faster with less out of your own pocket.
First of all, clean up. Just cleaning your house gives a better impression to your potential buyers. Clean light fixtures, and replace any burnt out or broken bulbs. Clean your windows, Swiffer the floors, replace broken outlet covers. CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN! Fix any squeaks or creaks. Do any of your doors stick? Grab some WD-40 and a screw driver and fix it! Doors that don’t open, stick, or squeak can be quite annoying to some potential buyers. While it may not seem too difficult to fix, buyers will view it as a problem.
You should also touch up your walls. Grab a little paint and a little paintbrush and start touching up little scuff marks on the walls. Any holes? Slap on some putty and touch up the paint. If your walls require full interior paint, stick to neutral colors. There’s no bigger deterrent to a buyer than bright blue or neon pink walls. On the same note, keep décor tasteful. Some décor may be offensive or distasteful to the potential buyer. As much as you may love your hunting trophies, keep the deer heads off of the wall for showings.
Have you been thinking of replacing those shriveling shrubs in your yard? There is no better time. Your yard is the first thing potential buyers will see, and you want it make a good impression. Trim overgrown shrubs or trees, plant some flowers, keep your lawn cut and trimmed, and make sure your yard is projecting the impression you want.
After your yard, the next thing they will see is your front door. Cracked and peeling paint on front door may give a negative impression. So, pick up some paint and paint your front door.
Keep your home free of clutter. Buyers have high expectations, and expect the home to show like a model. So, start packing. Clean out your closets, and clear out the clutter. Give them what they want.
In addition to cleaning the rest of your house, make your bathroom sparkle. Clean the mirrors, scrub the toilets, scrub the tub, and mop the floor. Re-caulk around the baths and toilets to prevent leaks.
These few things could easily increase the value of your home in this competitive market. Should you have any other questions about how to increase the value of your home, talk to a REALTOR.
First of all, clean up. Just cleaning your house gives a better impression to your potential buyers. Clean light fixtures, and replace any burnt out or broken bulbs. Clean your windows, Swiffer the floors, replace broken outlet covers. CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN! Fix any squeaks or creaks. Do any of your doors stick? Grab some WD-40 and a screw driver and fix it! Doors that don’t open, stick, or squeak can be quite annoying to some potential buyers. While it may not seem too difficult to fix, buyers will view it as a problem.
You should also touch up your walls. Grab a little paint and a little paintbrush and start touching up little scuff marks on the walls. Any holes? Slap on some putty and touch up the paint. If your walls require full interior paint, stick to neutral colors. There’s no bigger deterrent to a buyer than bright blue or neon pink walls. On the same note, keep décor tasteful. Some décor may be offensive or distasteful to the potential buyer. As much as you may love your hunting trophies, keep the deer heads off of the wall for showings.
Have you been thinking of replacing those shriveling shrubs in your yard? There is no better time. Your yard is the first thing potential buyers will see, and you want it make a good impression. Trim overgrown shrubs or trees, plant some flowers, keep your lawn cut and trimmed, and make sure your yard is projecting the impression you want.
After your yard, the next thing they will see is your front door. Cracked and peeling paint on front door may give a negative impression. So, pick up some paint and paint your front door.
Keep your home free of clutter. Buyers have high expectations, and expect the home to show like a model. So, start packing. Clean out your closets, and clear out the clutter. Give them what they want.
In addition to cleaning the rest of your house, make your bathroom sparkle. Clean the mirrors, scrub the toilets, scrub the tub, and mop the floor. Re-caulk around the baths and toilets to prevent leaks.
These few things could easily increase the value of your home in this competitive market. Should you have any other questions about how to increase the value of your home, talk to a REALTOR.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Just In From My Real Estate Expert...
Just in from my real estate mortgage expert, Tammy Costas of Advent Mortgage…
Making Home Affordable
Homeowners were lent a hand this week by the Obama Administration's newest effort to help families remain in their homes. The 'Making Home Affordable' program was created to help as many as 9 million homeowners who want to stay in their homes, but are struggling with their finances.
As with most legislation of this type, some of the details are still pending and subject to further clarification – but I would invite you to call me so we can begin to discuss how they might benefit you.
There are two important elements of this program:
One part of the program will be available to 4 to 5 million homeowners who have a solid payment history on an existing home loan owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Many of these homeowners have been unable to refi and take advantage of lower interest rates because their homes have lost value. This plan allows for rate and term refis up to a 105% loan-to-value, which will help many homeowners take advantage of today's lower rates or refinance an adjustable-rate home loan into a more stable product, such as a 30-year fixed rate loan.
To qualify, the home must be your primary residence and have a loan balance not exceeding $729,750. While there are still a few unknowns in the mix, this program will help a large number of homeowners cut their monthly expenses and benefit from the lower home loan rates available today.
The second part of the program will help up to 3 to 4 million at-risk homeowners avoid foreclosure by reducing monthly home loan payments. This program lets home loan servicers modify eligible loans for those who have experienced financial hardship. The plan is designed to help these at-risk borrowers decrease the payment amount on their existing loan.
Help Is Here
The housing and job markets continue to be hard hit by the contraction in the economy. But combined with earlier measures, such as the $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers, the Making Home Affordable program may actually have some legs to help the housing market and economy overall.
Regardless of which opportunity may be right for you – the best first move is to pick up the phone and let's start talking.
Tammy Costas
Broker / President
Advent Mortgage
972-529-2178
tcostas@adventamerica.com
Making Home Affordable
Homeowners were lent a hand this week by the Obama Administration's newest effort to help families remain in their homes. The 'Making Home Affordable' program was created to help as many as 9 million homeowners who want to stay in their homes, but are struggling with their finances.
As with most legislation of this type, some of the details are still pending and subject to further clarification – but I would invite you to call me so we can begin to discuss how they might benefit you.
There are two important elements of this program:
One part of the program will be available to 4 to 5 million homeowners who have a solid payment history on an existing home loan owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Many of these homeowners have been unable to refi and take advantage of lower interest rates because their homes have lost value. This plan allows for rate and term refis up to a 105% loan-to-value, which will help many homeowners take advantage of today's lower rates or refinance an adjustable-rate home loan into a more stable product, such as a 30-year fixed rate loan.
To qualify, the home must be your primary residence and have a loan balance not exceeding $729,750. While there are still a few unknowns in the mix, this program will help a large number of homeowners cut their monthly expenses and benefit from the lower home loan rates available today.
The second part of the program will help up to 3 to 4 million at-risk homeowners avoid foreclosure by reducing monthly home loan payments. This program lets home loan servicers modify eligible loans for those who have experienced financial hardship. The plan is designed to help these at-risk borrowers decrease the payment amount on their existing loan.
Help Is Here
The housing and job markets continue to be hard hit by the contraction in the economy. But combined with earlier measures, such as the $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers, the Making Home Affordable program may actually have some legs to help the housing market and economy overall.
Regardless of which opportunity may be right for you – the best first move is to pick up the phone and let's start talking.
Tammy Costas
Broker / President
Advent Mortgage
972-529-2178
tcostas@adventamerica.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
