About Me
- Melissa Kellerman
Buying or selling a home can be a stressful experience without the security of a trusted REALTOR in your corner.
Choose me to be your trusted REALTOR.I will guide you through every step of this rewarding process with professionalism and dedication. My attention to detail, strong communication and 100% effort will deliver the results you deserve. It is my mission to build lasting relationships and earn repeat referrals. The key to this is providing my clients with personalized service before, during and after every transaction. I am here to help you with all of your real estate needs.
Feel free to call or email me anytime!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope everyone acknowledges all the blessings in their lives today. Times may be tough, but the tough will survive. I am very grateful for all that I have. Sending out a huge "Thank You" to my family, friends, and clients! Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Mortgage Rates for 11/25 - Something to be thankful for :)
Conventional
30 Yr. Fixed
4.75%
Conventional
15 yr. Fixed
4.25%
FHA
30 yr. Fixed
4.50%
VA
30 yr. Fixed
4.50%
30 Yr. Fixed
4.75%
Conventional
15 yr. Fixed
4.25%
FHA
30 yr. Fixed
4.50%
VA
30 yr. Fixed
4.50%
Top 8 House-Hunting Mistakes
by Amy Fontinelle
Buying a home is a very emotional process, and allowing those emotions to get the best of you can cause you to make any number of mistakes. Since buying a home has many far-reaching implications, from where you will live to how hard it will be to make ends meet, it's important to keep your emotions in check and make the most rational decision possible.
There are eight common emotional mistakes that people make when buying a home. Avoiding these pitfalls will help you find the best home-sweet-home.
Mistake 1: Falling in love with a house you can't afford
Mistake 2: Thinking that a particular house is the only one that will suit you
Mistake 3: Being so desperate to become a homeowner that you buy a place that doesn't suit you
Mistake 4: Overlooking important flaws in the structure, appearance or location of the house
Mistake 5: Thinking you're a handyman when you're not
Mistake 6: Putting in an offer before carefully considering all the pros and cons of the property
Mistake 7: Being too slow to pull the trigger
Mistake 8: Offering more than a house is worth
Conclusion
Even knowing all of these things, it's still hard to act on them. You may still find yourself making decisions based on emotion during the home-buying process. Slow down, overcome your emotions and, ultimately, make a home-purchase decision that's good for both your feelings and your finances.
Buying a home is a very emotional process, and allowing those emotions to get the best of you can cause you to make any number of mistakes. Since buying a home has many far-reaching implications, from where you will live to how hard it will be to make ends meet, it's important to keep your emotions in check and make the most rational decision possible.
There are eight common emotional mistakes that people make when buying a home. Avoiding these pitfalls will help you find the best home-sweet-home.
Mistake 1: Falling in love with a house you can't afford
Mistake 2: Thinking that a particular house is the only one that will suit you
Mistake 3: Being so desperate to become a homeowner that you buy a place that doesn't suit you
Mistake 4: Overlooking important flaws in the structure, appearance or location of the house
Mistake 5: Thinking you're a handyman when you're not
Mistake 6: Putting in an offer before carefully considering all the pros and cons of the property
Mistake 7: Being too slow to pull the trigger
Mistake 8: Offering more than a house is worth
Conclusion
Even knowing all of these things, it's still hard to act on them. You may still find yourself making decisions based on emotion during the home-buying process. Slow down, overcome your emotions and, ultimately, make a home-purchase decision that's good for both your feelings and your finances.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Home sales rise to highest level in 2.5 years
The Associated Press
updated 2:26 p.m. MT, Mon., Nov . 23, 2009
WASHINGTON - Home sales surged for the second month in a row in October, climbing to the highest level in 2 1/2 years as first-time buyers rushed to take advantage of an expiring tax credit.
Home sales nationwide are now up nearly 36 percent from their bottom in January, data Monday showed, though they are still 16 percent below the peak in autumn 2005. At the current sales pace, there is only a 7-month supply of homes on the market and in some areas there are bidding wars.
Joey Wilson, 53, and her husband made unsuccessful offers on 20 Las Vegas homes since midsummer before closing on a four-bedroom, $136,000 home this month.
"It's insane," said Wilson, who relocated from Kentucky. "I've never seen a market like this before."
The National Association of Realtors said home resales rose 10.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.1 million in October, from a downwardly revised pace of 5.54 million in September. It was the biggest monthly increase in a decade, and far above the 5.65 million pace expected by economists, according to Thomson Reuters.
Without adjusting for seasonal factors, sales were up 21 percent from a year earlier and were up in all four regions of the country. The gains were led a 26 percent increase in the Midwest. Sales were up 25 percent in the Northeast, 23 percent in the South and 10 percent in the West.
The housing recovery is being driven by lower prices combined with federal programs to lower mortgage rates and bring more buyers into the market. The median sales price was $173,100, down 7 percent from a year earlier and off roughly 2 percent from September.
Many experts predict prices will hit a new low next spring, perhaps falling another 5 to 10 percent, as more foreclosures get pushed onto the market.
The government has tried to counter that trend by offering a tax incentive for first-time buyers and by keeping mortgage rates around 5 percent since the spring.
The tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time owners was originally set to run out on Nov. 30, but Congress renewed it earlier this month and broadened its reach. People who have owned their current homes for at least five years can now claim a tax credit of up to $6,500 for a home purchase. To qualify, buyers must sign a purchase agreement by April 30.
The Realtors' report on October home sales reflects offers made before buyers knew the tax credit would be extended.
"The incentives really did get people to go out and buy," said Wells Fargo economist Adam York. "The question is: What does the trend look like when the credit is over with?"
Home sales are likely to drop over the winter as buyers hibernate for a few months without the looming tax credit deadline.
The new deadline means "we're going to see some good activity coming out of the spring," said Pat Lashinsky, chief executive of online real estate brokerage ZipRealty Inc.
But the government support can't last forever. For example, the Federal Reserve is likely to curtail its effort to push down mortgage rates next year. If rates then rise too high, it would make home purchases less affordable and dampen housing demand.
"When we do kick those crutches out from under the housing market, will it be able to stand on its own?" said Mark Fleming, chief economist with real estate information company First American CoreLogic. "It's really hard to tell."
Another concern is that job losses are pushing once creditworthy homeowners into default. Borrowers with prime, fixed-rate loans accounted for one in three new foreclosures in the second quarter, the Mortgage Bankers Association said last week. Nationwide, a record 14 percent of homeowners with a mortgage were either behind on their payments or in foreclosure.
And in areas where foreclosures have hit hard, housing remains depressed, despite low prices and mortgage rates and the tax credit.
Cleveland real estate agent Colleen Rock notes that the city's economy is still struggling with job losses. Another round of foreclosures could depress prices again.
"Just because we're stabilizing, I can't comfortably tell you we're back to a normal market," said Rock, an agent with Re/Max Crossroads. "It might be another year."
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34105403/ns/business-real_estate/
MSN Privacy . Legal
© 2009 MSNBC.com
updated 2:26 p.m. MT, Mon., Nov . 23, 2009
WASHINGTON - Home sales surged for the second month in a row in October, climbing to the highest level in 2 1/2 years as first-time buyers rushed to take advantage of an expiring tax credit.
Home sales nationwide are now up nearly 36 percent from their bottom in January, data Monday showed, though they are still 16 percent below the peak in autumn 2005. At the current sales pace, there is only a 7-month supply of homes on the market and in some areas there are bidding wars.
Joey Wilson, 53, and her husband made unsuccessful offers on 20 Las Vegas homes since midsummer before closing on a four-bedroom, $136,000 home this month.
"It's insane," said Wilson, who relocated from Kentucky. "I've never seen a market like this before."
The National Association of Realtors said home resales rose 10.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.1 million in October, from a downwardly revised pace of 5.54 million in September. It was the biggest monthly increase in a decade, and far above the 5.65 million pace expected by economists, according to Thomson Reuters.
Without adjusting for seasonal factors, sales were up 21 percent from a year earlier and were up in all four regions of the country. The gains were led a 26 percent increase in the Midwest. Sales were up 25 percent in the Northeast, 23 percent in the South and 10 percent in the West.
The housing recovery is being driven by lower prices combined with federal programs to lower mortgage rates and bring more buyers into the market. The median sales price was $173,100, down 7 percent from a year earlier and off roughly 2 percent from September.
Many experts predict prices will hit a new low next spring, perhaps falling another 5 to 10 percent, as more foreclosures get pushed onto the market.
The government has tried to counter that trend by offering a tax incentive for first-time buyers and by keeping mortgage rates around 5 percent since the spring.
The tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time owners was originally set to run out on Nov. 30, but Congress renewed it earlier this month and broadened its reach. People who have owned their current homes for at least five years can now claim a tax credit of up to $6,500 for a home purchase. To qualify, buyers must sign a purchase agreement by April 30.
The Realtors' report on October home sales reflects offers made before buyers knew the tax credit would be extended.
"The incentives really did get people to go out and buy," said Wells Fargo economist Adam York. "The question is: What does the trend look like when the credit is over with?"
Home sales are likely to drop over the winter as buyers hibernate for a few months without the looming tax credit deadline.
The new deadline means "we're going to see some good activity coming out of the spring," said Pat Lashinsky, chief executive of online real estate brokerage ZipRealty Inc.
But the government support can't last forever. For example, the Federal Reserve is likely to curtail its effort to push down mortgage rates next year. If rates then rise too high, it would make home purchases less affordable and dampen housing demand.
"When we do kick those crutches out from under the housing market, will it be able to stand on its own?" said Mark Fleming, chief economist with real estate information company First American CoreLogic. "It's really hard to tell."
Another concern is that job losses are pushing once creditworthy homeowners into default. Borrowers with prime, fixed-rate loans accounted for one in three new foreclosures in the second quarter, the Mortgage Bankers Association said last week. Nationwide, a record 14 percent of homeowners with a mortgage were either behind on their payments or in foreclosure.
And in areas where foreclosures have hit hard, housing remains depressed, despite low prices and mortgage rates and the tax credit.
Cleveland real estate agent Colleen Rock notes that the city's economy is still struggling with job losses. Another round of foreclosures could depress prices again.
"Just because we're stabilizing, I can't comfortably tell you we're back to a normal market," said Rock, an agent with Re/Max Crossroads. "It might be another year."
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34105403/ns/business-real_estate/
MSN Privacy . Legal
© 2009 MSNBC.com
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Final Home Safe Home for the Holidays Tip
Daily Safety tips to protect your holiday cheer
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
12. Lock the doors; store the goods.
Thieves aren't always so dumb, and they can be easily enticed by the sight of big boxes through the window. So, when you’re away from home for a while, do the usual: Put lights on timers; have a neighbor shovel the walk and pick up the mail; avoid displaying gifts in front windows; and always lock up.
While homeowner's insurance policies cover theft, they typically carry a maximum. If need be, consider buying a personal articles policy to increase the limit, says Dick Luedke, a State Farm Insurance spokesman.
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
12. Lock the doors; store the goods.
Thieves aren't always so dumb, and they can be easily enticed by the sight of big boxes through the window. So, when you’re away from home for a while, do the usual: Put lights on timers; have a neighbor shovel the walk and pick up the mail; avoid displaying gifts in front windows; and always lock up.
While homeowner's insurance policies cover theft, they typically carry a maximum. If need be, consider buying a personal articles policy to increase the limit, says Dick Luedke, a State Farm Insurance spokesman.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Colorado is 4th Happiest State!
Want to be happy? Move!
By Jeanna Bryner
LiveScience
Though you might not be able to run away from your problems, moving to another state could be good for the soul. New research suggests U.S. states with wealthier, better educated and more tolerant residents are also happier on average.
The reasoning is that wealthy states can provide infrastructure and so it's easier for residents to get their needs met. In addition, states with a greater proportion of artists and gays would also be places where residents can freely express themselves.
On average, well-being was highest in the Mountain states and West Coast states, followed by the Eastern Seaboard and then the Midwest and Southern states.
The researchers note that because a state scores high or low doesn't mean you could pluck out a resident and expect that person to be appropriately cheery or depressed. And not every state in the union sits exactly where you might expect on the list.
"We can only make generalizations about groups of people," said study researcher Jason Rentfrow of the University of Cambridge in England. "These results don't say wealthy people are happier than unwealthy people, [or that] people who live in areas where people are wealthy are happier."
Happy states
Rentfrow and his colleagues came to their conclusions by analyzing data collected from more than 350,000 individuals who were interviewed between Jan. 2 and Dec. 30, 2008 as part of the Gallup Organization's Well-Being Index. The index includes six types of well-being: overall evaluation of their lives, emotional health, physical health, healthy behaviors (such as whether a person smokes or exercises), and job satisfaction.
Here are the top 10 states and their average well-being scores (out of a possible 100 points):
•Utah: 69.2
•Hawaii: 68.2
•Wyoming: 68
•Colorado: 67.3
•Minnesota: 67.3
•Maryland: 67.1
•Washington: 67.1
•Massachusetts: 67
•California: 67
•Arizona: 66.8
What makes us happy
To figure out why some states scored higher or lower than others, the researchers looked at the relationship between happiness levels and other variables, including economic indicators, education levels, personality factors and levels of inclusiveness.
They found that states with higher gross regional product (GRP) per capita (a state's level of productivity and standard of living), income levels and median housing value, were significantly happier than poorer areas. That's not too surprising, Rentfrow noted, as wealthier individuals tend to be healthier, because they are better educated and thus more knowledgeable about healthy behaviors, and they also likely have health insurance.
The happier states also tended to have a greater proportion of residents with advanced educations whose jobs were considered "super-creative," such as architecture, engineering, computer and math occupations, library positions, arts and design work, as well as entertainment, sports and media occupations.
The number of bohemians (such as artists), gays and foreign-born residents also boosted happiness scores. Take California, Minnesota and Massachusetts, which had higher inclusiveness scores and also made it to the top 10 list for well-being.
"We view that as suggesting that in these types of areas, there's more tolerance and with this increased tolerance people are freer to express themselves and to be who they are without feeling as though they have to censor themselves or conform a bit more to the status quo," Rentfrow told LiveScience.
Of the personality factors, neuroticism took a toll on a state's cheery count, suggesting people living in the happiest states are more relaxed than their gloomy counterparts. For instance, West Virginia, Mississippi and Kentucky were ranked as highly neurotic and showed lower well-being scores. Utah, on the other hand, had a significantly lower level of neuroticism than other states.
Some caveats
The new results, which are detailed in the December issue of the Journal of Research in Personality, do have their limitations.
For one, the differences in well-being are small, a range of about 10 points on a 100-point scale. "When we compare nations, there are much larger differences, say, between a poor African nation and Denmark," said Ed Diener, a psychologist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who studies well-being. Diener wasn't involved in the current research.
For instance, while Utah is about 12 percent happier than Kentucky, Diener said that Denmark has scored about double that of Togo, Africa, regarding well-being. Even so, Diener noted, "given the strong pattern of explainable findings found by the authors, I would say they are definitely onto something interesting and important."
In addition, not all states fit into the researcher's overall model of what makes for a happy area. For instance, the top three states, Utah, Hawaii and Wyoming are outliers, as they aren't considered the wealthiest of the pack.
Diener points out that Utah is conservative, and research has suggested such right-leaning individuals are a bit happier than others. Hawaii's ranking could be due to a relaxed culture, he said, adding that the three states may just have strong families and social relationships.
Take-home message
Most research on who's happiest has focused on differences between countries rather than differences within say the United States. And those studies with a state focus have not included factors to explain the reasons well-being was higher in one region compared with another, as the new study did.
"The fact that there are differences in well-being between states isn't of much use unless we know that the differences are related to something," Rentfrow said. "If there are differences in well-being, but those differences are not related to anything, then it's not clear that the differences are really important."
As a result, the new results have practical implications.
"If I were a state government person, I could use the information, if my state scored high, to attract new talent," Diener said. "After all, people will want to go to happy places and be around happy people."
And for low-scoring states Diener suggests figuring out changes that should be made to boost such scores. "Our research shows that happy individuals are on average healthier and live longer, have higher incomes, better social relationships and are better citizens," Diener said. "Therefore, aiming to increase the happiness in one state is a valid goal."
© 2009 LiveScience.com. All rights reserved.
By Jeanna Bryner
LiveScience
Though you might not be able to run away from your problems, moving to another state could be good for the soul. New research suggests U.S. states with wealthier, better educated and more tolerant residents are also happier on average.
The reasoning is that wealthy states can provide infrastructure and so it's easier for residents to get their needs met. In addition, states with a greater proportion of artists and gays would also be places where residents can freely express themselves.
On average, well-being was highest in the Mountain states and West Coast states, followed by the Eastern Seaboard and then the Midwest and Southern states.
The researchers note that because a state scores high or low doesn't mean you could pluck out a resident and expect that person to be appropriately cheery or depressed. And not every state in the union sits exactly where you might expect on the list.
"We can only make generalizations about groups of people," said study researcher Jason Rentfrow of the University of Cambridge in England. "These results don't say wealthy people are happier than unwealthy people, [or that] people who live in areas where people are wealthy are happier."
Happy states
Rentfrow and his colleagues came to their conclusions by analyzing data collected from more than 350,000 individuals who were interviewed between Jan. 2 and Dec. 30, 2008 as part of the Gallup Organization's Well-Being Index. The index includes six types of well-being: overall evaluation of their lives, emotional health, physical health, healthy behaviors (such as whether a person smokes or exercises), and job satisfaction.
Here are the top 10 states and their average well-being scores (out of a possible 100 points):
•Utah: 69.2
•Hawaii: 68.2
•Wyoming: 68
•Colorado: 67.3
•Minnesota: 67.3
•Maryland: 67.1
•Washington: 67.1
•Massachusetts: 67
•California: 67
•Arizona: 66.8
What makes us happy
To figure out why some states scored higher or lower than others, the researchers looked at the relationship between happiness levels and other variables, including economic indicators, education levels, personality factors and levels of inclusiveness.
They found that states with higher gross regional product (GRP) per capita (a state's level of productivity and standard of living), income levels and median housing value, were significantly happier than poorer areas. That's not too surprising, Rentfrow noted, as wealthier individuals tend to be healthier, because they are better educated and thus more knowledgeable about healthy behaviors, and they also likely have health insurance.
The happier states also tended to have a greater proportion of residents with advanced educations whose jobs were considered "super-creative," such as architecture, engineering, computer and math occupations, library positions, arts and design work, as well as entertainment, sports and media occupations.
The number of bohemians (such as artists), gays and foreign-born residents also boosted happiness scores. Take California, Minnesota and Massachusetts, which had higher inclusiveness scores and also made it to the top 10 list for well-being.
"We view that as suggesting that in these types of areas, there's more tolerance and with this increased tolerance people are freer to express themselves and to be who they are without feeling as though they have to censor themselves or conform a bit more to the status quo," Rentfrow told LiveScience.
Of the personality factors, neuroticism took a toll on a state's cheery count, suggesting people living in the happiest states are more relaxed than their gloomy counterparts. For instance, West Virginia, Mississippi and Kentucky were ranked as highly neurotic and showed lower well-being scores. Utah, on the other hand, had a significantly lower level of neuroticism than other states.
Some caveats
The new results, which are detailed in the December issue of the Journal of Research in Personality, do have their limitations.
For one, the differences in well-being are small, a range of about 10 points on a 100-point scale. "When we compare nations, there are much larger differences, say, between a poor African nation and Denmark," said Ed Diener, a psychologist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who studies well-being. Diener wasn't involved in the current research.
For instance, while Utah is about 12 percent happier than Kentucky, Diener said that Denmark has scored about double that of Togo, Africa, regarding well-being. Even so, Diener noted, "given the strong pattern of explainable findings found by the authors, I would say they are definitely onto something interesting and important."
In addition, not all states fit into the researcher's overall model of what makes for a happy area. For instance, the top three states, Utah, Hawaii and Wyoming are outliers, as they aren't considered the wealthiest of the pack.
Diener points out that Utah is conservative, and research has suggested such right-leaning individuals are a bit happier than others. Hawaii's ranking could be due to a relaxed culture, he said, adding that the three states may just have strong families and social relationships.
Take-home message
Most research on who's happiest has focused on differences between countries rather than differences within say the United States. And those studies with a state focus have not included factors to explain the reasons well-being was higher in one region compared with another, as the new study did.
"The fact that there are differences in well-being between states isn't of much use unless we know that the differences are related to something," Rentfrow said. "If there are differences in well-being, but those differences are not related to anything, then it's not clear that the differences are really important."
As a result, the new results have practical implications.
"If I were a state government person, I could use the information, if my state scored high, to attract new talent," Diener said. "After all, people will want to go to happy places and be around happy people."
And for low-scoring states Diener suggests figuring out changes that should be made to boost such scores. "Our research shows that happy individuals are on average healthier and live longer, have higher incomes, better social relationships and are better citizens," Diener said. "Therefore, aiming to increase the happiness in one state is a valid goal."
© 2009 LiveScience.com. All rights reserved.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Home Safe Home for the Holidays Tip#11
Daily Safety tips to protect your holiday cheer
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
11. Plan for partiers before the party
Hosts are responsible for their guests, not only morally but legally. In some states, hosts who have served alcohol can be held liable for the actions their guests take later.
Before you get sidetracked by the hors d’oeuvres planning, take a minute to review how the courts in your state can hold you responsible should a guest get a DUI on his way home from your party, and what your homeowner’s insurance will cover. It could serve as the extra motivation to keep any impaired guests off the road and may save lives.
SocialHostLiability.org, a private law firm’s site, has links to research and laws regarding the legal responsibility of hosts who serve alcohol. And Mothers Against Drunk Driving has tips on dealing with intoxicated guests.
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
11. Plan for partiers before the party
Hosts are responsible for their guests, not only morally but legally. In some states, hosts who have served alcohol can be held liable for the actions their guests take later.
Before you get sidetracked by the hors d’oeuvres planning, take a minute to review how the courts in your state can hold you responsible should a guest get a DUI on his way home from your party, and what your homeowner’s insurance will cover. It could serve as the extra motivation to keep any impaired guests off the road and may save lives.
SocialHostLiability.org, a private law firm’s site, has links to research and laws regarding the legal responsibility of hosts who serve alcohol. And Mothers Against Drunk Driving has tips on dealing with intoxicated guests.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Home Safe Home for the Holidays Tip#10
Daily Safety tips to protect your holiday cheer
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
10. Get to know your fire extinguishers
“What happens around the holidays is you have a convergence of things that creates a fire risk,” says Lorraine Carli, an NFPA spokeswoman. “There are a lot of things occurring around a small period of time.”
Make sure you’ve got fire extinguishers near heating sources and passageways. The NFPA recommends at least one extinguisher per floor. Make sure family members know how to use them (and what not to do, such as not putting water on a grease fire).
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
10. Get to know your fire extinguishers
“What happens around the holidays is you have a convergence of things that creates a fire risk,” says Lorraine Carli, an NFPA spokeswoman. “There are a lot of things occurring around a small period of time.”
Make sure you’ve got fire extinguishers near heating sources and passageways. The NFPA recommends at least one extinguisher per floor. Make sure family members know how to use them (and what not to do, such as not putting water on a grease fire).
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Mortgage Rates for 11/12- WOW!
WOW! Look at these rates! Still on the fence about whether or not you should buy?
Conventional
30 Yr. Fixed
4.875%
Conventional
15 yr. Fixed
4.25%
FHA
30 yr. Fixed
4.75%
VA
30 yr. Fixed
4.75%
Conventional
30 Yr. Fixed
4.875%
Conventional
15 yr. Fixed
4.25%
FHA
30 yr. Fixed
4.75%
VA
30 yr. Fixed
4.75%
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Home Safe Home for the Holidays Tip#9
Daily Safety tips to protect your holiday cheer
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
9. Check your smoke and CO detectors
Most residential fires start where everything’s cookin’, in the kitchen. Don’t start roasting if you haven’t verified the smoke detectors are installed correctly. Batteries should be replaced every six months, and there should be a detector on every floor outside bedrooms.
Homes should also have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector on each floor. Carbon monoxide, which can leak from dirty or malfunctioning heating equipment, is odorless and lethal.
If any of this sounds redundant, consider this: An October survey by the National Fire Protection Association and the American Red Cross found:
48% of Americans plan to use alternative heating sources this winter to reduce their fuel bills;
36% of people with fireplaces reported they never cleaned or inspected their chimneys;
23% did not consider it essential to make sure someone is home when food is cooking on the stove;
Half did not have a CO alarm; and
26% did not have a fire extinguisher in their home.
“Too many people are lackadaisical about fire these days,” says Jim Burns, past president of the National Association of State Fire Marshals. About 3,500 people die in fires every year in this country.
Space heaters account for three-quarters of the heating-fire deaths. Whether saving on heating oil or warming up a basement guest room, make sure to buy a new model with an automatic shut-off. Keep it three feet away from objects and never leave it unattended.
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
9. Check your smoke and CO detectors
Most residential fires start where everything’s cookin’, in the kitchen. Don’t start roasting if you haven’t verified the smoke detectors are installed correctly. Batteries should be replaced every six months, and there should be a detector on every floor outside bedrooms.
Homes should also have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector on each floor. Carbon monoxide, which can leak from dirty or malfunctioning heating equipment, is odorless and lethal.
If any of this sounds redundant, consider this: An October survey by the National Fire Protection Association and the American Red Cross found:
48% of Americans plan to use alternative heating sources this winter to reduce their fuel bills;
36% of people with fireplaces reported they never cleaned or inspected their chimneys;
23% did not consider it essential to make sure someone is home when food is cooking on the stove;
Half did not have a CO alarm; and
26% did not have a fire extinguisher in their home.
“Too many people are lackadaisical about fire these days,” says Jim Burns, past president of the National Association of State Fire Marshals. About 3,500 people die in fires every year in this country.
Space heaters account for three-quarters of the heating-fire deaths. Whether saving on heating oil or warming up a basement guest room, make sure to buy a new model with an automatic shut-off. Keep it three feet away from objects and never leave it unattended.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Home Safe Home for the Holidays Tip#8
Daily Safety tips to protect your holiday cheer
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
8. Child-proof the house
Take the same cautious approach if children are expected, particularly if your house is not already child-proofed and relatives might be celebrating or preoccupied.
Most importantly, Appy says, put poisonous materials out of reach. Any supplies with words such as “caution,” “danger” or “warning” should be behind child-proof doors. Also, tinsel and decorations can choke small children with grabby fingers. (Despite the myths, poinsettias are not poisonous; read more here: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/poinsettia-plants/AN01481.)
Learn about the safety hazards of rooms where small children will be sleeping, and how to keep toddlers out of bathrooms. For more information, see the room-by-room virtual safety tour at MySafeHome.org.
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
8. Child-proof the house
Take the same cautious approach if children are expected, particularly if your house is not already child-proofed and relatives might be celebrating or preoccupied.
Most importantly, Appy says, put poisonous materials out of reach. Any supplies with words such as “caution,” “danger” or “warning” should be behind child-proof doors. Also, tinsel and decorations can choke small children with grabby fingers. (Despite the myths, poinsettias are not poisonous; read more here: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/poinsettia-plants/AN01481.)
Learn about the safety hazards of rooms where small children will be sleeping, and how to keep toddlers out of bathrooms. For more information, see the room-by-room virtual safety tour at MySafeHome.org.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Home Safe Home for the Holidays Tip#7
Daily Safety tips to protect your holiday cheer
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
7. Fall-proof the house
Appy, of the Home Safety Council, recalls one Christmas when a visiting older relative navigating a dark hallway fell down the stairs. She suffered only a strain, “but it could have been so much worse,” Appy says. “It was dark, she wasn’t at [her] home, she got up to go to the bathroom ... we didn’t think about this, but there was no nightlight there. She got disoriented.”
Take extra care if you are expecting older guests, as falls are the leading cause of home fatalities.
Clear stairs, hallways and doorways of clutter. Consider installing railings along the stairs and grab bars in the bath.
“You can make some environmental changes that will really make your home safer,” Appy says.
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
7. Fall-proof the house
Appy, of the Home Safety Council, recalls one Christmas when a visiting older relative navigating a dark hallway fell down the stairs. She suffered only a strain, “but it could have been so much worse,” Appy says. “It was dark, she wasn’t at [her] home, she got up to go to the bathroom ... we didn’t think about this, but there was no nightlight there. She got disoriented.”
Take extra care if you are expecting older guests, as falls are the leading cause of home fatalities.
Clear stairs, hallways and doorways of clutter. Consider installing railings along the stairs and grab bars in the bath.
“You can make some environmental changes that will really make your home safer,” Appy says.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Home Safe Home for the Holidays Tip#6
Daily Safety tips to protect your holiday cheer
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
6. Evaluate your homeowner’s insurance
Speaking of clumsy guests, the party season is a good time to check just what your homeowner’s insurance does — and does not — cover if someone injures himself on your property.
Surveys by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners indicate that people often don’t understand their own policies. Ask: What are your damage limits? Does your policy include liability and medical payments coverage?
“Unfortunately, after an accident people realize the limits of the policy, and it’s often too late,” says Michael McRaith, director of insurance for the state of Illinois.
The same holds for renters. The landlord’s homeowner’s insurance isn’t going to cover a renter’s personal belongings or defend against a renter’s negligence. If you’re hosting a party or having guests, talk to the landlord’s insurance company and consider buying your own insurance.
It’s also possible to buy temporary special-event coverage.
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
6. Evaluate your homeowner’s insurance
Speaking of clumsy guests, the party season is a good time to check just what your homeowner’s insurance does — and does not — cover if someone injures himself on your property.
Surveys by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners indicate that people often don’t understand their own policies. Ask: What are your damage limits? Does your policy include liability and medical payments coverage?
“Unfortunately, after an accident people realize the limits of the policy, and it’s often too late,” says Michael McRaith, director of insurance for the state of Illinois.
The same holds for renters. The landlord’s homeowner’s insurance isn’t going to cover a renter’s personal belongings or defend against a renter’s negligence. If you’re hosting a party or having guests, talk to the landlord’s insurance company and consider buying your own insurance.
It’s also possible to buy temporary special-event coverage.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Homebuyers Tax Credit Extension/Expansion is Signed!!!
U.S. Tax Credit Extended, Expanded
President Obama signed legislation on Friday (11/6) that extends and expands the U.S. tax credit for homebuyers.
Earlier this week, both the Senate and the House overwhelmingly passed the Dodd-Lieberman-Isakson Amendment to extend and expand the first-time homebuyer tax credit that was set to expire Nov. 30. The amendment is to a bill extending unemployment benefits.
The homebuyer tax credit expansion measure includes these provisions:
• Extends the $8,000 first time Homebuyers Tax Credit and creates a new $6,500 tax credit for homeowners buying a new home by July 1, 2010.
• Homebuyers with contracts as of April 30 qualify for the credit so long as they close the transaction within 60 days.
• The full credit is available to homebuyers with incomes of up to $125,000 for a single return or $225,000 for a joint return.
• Not available for homes costing over $800,000.
• Homebuyers who already own a home are only eligible if the home they are leaving has been used as a principal residence for five consecutive years in the last eight.
• Provides authority to the IRS to provide greater oversight while processing the return and requires that the taxpayer claiming the credit be 18 or older.
• Members of the military, military intelligence and foreign service who are on qualified extended official duty are not subject to the recapture fee and individuals who have been deployed overseas for 90 days or more in 2008 or 2009 can claim the credit through April 30, 2011.
© 2009 RE/MAX International, Inc. RE/MAX Affiliates may share this article, provided they do not charge for it and this notice is included. All other rights reserved.
President Obama signed legislation on Friday (11/6) that extends and expands the U.S. tax credit for homebuyers.
Earlier this week, both the Senate and the House overwhelmingly passed the Dodd-Lieberman-Isakson Amendment to extend and expand the first-time homebuyer tax credit that was set to expire Nov. 30. The amendment is to a bill extending unemployment benefits.
The homebuyer tax credit expansion measure includes these provisions:
• Extends the $8,000 first time Homebuyers Tax Credit and creates a new $6,500 tax credit for homeowners buying a new home by July 1, 2010.
• Homebuyers with contracts as of April 30 qualify for the credit so long as they close the transaction within 60 days.
• The full credit is available to homebuyers with incomes of up to $125,000 for a single return or $225,000 for a joint return.
• Not available for homes costing over $800,000.
• Homebuyers who already own a home are only eligible if the home they are leaving has been used as a principal residence for five consecutive years in the last eight.
• Provides authority to the IRS to provide greater oversight while processing the return and requires that the taxpayer claiming the credit be 18 or older.
• Members of the military, military intelligence and foreign service who are on qualified extended official duty are not subject to the recapture fee and individuals who have been deployed overseas for 90 days or more in 2008 or 2009 can claim the credit through April 30, 2011.
© 2009 RE/MAX International, Inc. RE/MAX Affiliates may share this article, provided they do not charge for it and this notice is included. All other rights reserved.
What is a Short Sale?
The term "Short Sale" can be a little confusing. Here is the best way to understand it. A Short Sale is basically a process in which the Seller is asking the Bank to accept less money than what they owe on the home. Thus, "Shorting" the bank. This is usually done to avoid Foreclosure due to a hardship of some kind.
This process takes longer to close than a normal home purchase. Often the time from when a Buyer puts an offer in on a short sale and when it gets accepted by the Bank can take around 45-60 days. Most short sales close about 3 or 4 months after the offer has been made.
Sometimes these homes may need some repairs or a little work which the Seller has not been able to afford doing.
As long as the Buyer is patient and sometimes willing to put in a little TLC, they can get a great deal.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert.
This process takes longer to close than a normal home purchase. Often the time from when a Buyer puts an offer in on a short sale and when it gets accepted by the Bank can take around 45-60 days. Most short sales close about 3 or 4 months after the offer has been made.
Sometimes these homes may need some repairs or a little work which the Seller has not been able to afford doing.
As long as the Buyer is patient and sometimes willing to put in a little TLC, they can get a great deal.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert.
Home Safe Home for the Holidays Tip#5
Daily Safety tips to protect your holiday cheer
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
5. Clear ice dams from gutters; clear walks
Planning on having guests? Or spending more time trudging to and from and around the house? Load up on whatever gravel and rock salt you might need, and clear the walkways and gutters to prevent ice buildup.
You don’t want people injured, clearly, and you also don’t want to be found negligent. Laws vary by state, but generally homeowners are expected to take reasonable measures to maintain a safe environment. Snow may be a natural event; however, falling ice chunks resulting from gutters that you’ve failed to clear are not.
“Negligence can be an accident, but you can still be found liable if you fail to act as a reasonable person would,” says Maureen Lane, an insurance defense lawyer at the Boston firm Melick, Porter & Shea. “For example, if people come across your threshold all the time and you still string a cord across there,” you could be held liable.
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
5. Clear ice dams from gutters; clear walks
Planning on having guests? Or spending more time trudging to and from and around the house? Load up on whatever gravel and rock salt you might need, and clear the walkways and gutters to prevent ice buildup.
You don’t want people injured, clearly, and you also don’t want to be found negligent. Laws vary by state, but generally homeowners are expected to take reasonable measures to maintain a safe environment. Snow may be a natural event; however, falling ice chunks resulting from gutters that you’ve failed to clear are not.
“Negligence can be an accident, but you can still be found liable if you fail to act as a reasonable person would,” says Maureen Lane, an insurance defense lawyer at the Boston firm Melick, Porter & Shea. “For example, if people come across your threshold all the time and you still string a cord across there,” you could be held liable.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Colorado Springs Highlight Video
Check out this wonderful and educational video about Colorado Springs. It really shows the beauty and diversity of our city.
Home Safe Home for the Holidays Tip#4
Daily Safety tips to protect your holiday cheer
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
4. Clean furnaces and stoves
If you didn’t get around to these pre-winter fixes, why not use extra holiday warmth as an excuse to do it now? Heating-equipment fires are the leading cause of fire deaths in this country. In 2007, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, 3,430 civilians were killed in fires; 84% of these deaths occurred in homes.
If you haven’t had your annual inspection by a chimney sweep or furnace repairman, do get it now.
Clean dust buildup from dryer hoses, as well as lint from the dryer itself with each load.
Clean cooking appliances, particularly any grease buildup that could make a spark in a busy kitchen suddenly worse. Cooking accidents are the leading cause of home fires.
About 250 people a year are killed by appliance-related electrocution, Lindsay says. For more holiday electrical tips, see the ESFI’s homesafety.org. To see how prepared you are in the event of a fire, check this online fire quiz at Liberty Mutual’s befiresmart.com.
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
4. Clean furnaces and stoves
If you didn’t get around to these pre-winter fixes, why not use extra holiday warmth as an excuse to do it now? Heating-equipment fires are the leading cause of fire deaths in this country. In 2007, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, 3,430 civilians were killed in fires; 84% of these deaths occurred in homes.
If you haven’t had your annual inspection by a chimney sweep or furnace repairman, do get it now.
Clean dust buildup from dryer hoses, as well as lint from the dryer itself with each load.
Clean cooking appliances, particularly any grease buildup that could make a spark in a busy kitchen suddenly worse. Cooking accidents are the leading cause of home fires.
About 250 people a year are killed by appliance-related electrocution, Lindsay says. For more holiday electrical tips, see the ESFI’s homesafety.org. To see how prepared you are in the event of a fire, check this online fire quiz at Liberty Mutual’s befiresmart.com.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Each Market is Different
Colorado Springs has been considered one of the Best Recovering Markets in the US by Forbe's.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/13/recovery-cities-homes-lifestyle-real-estate-housing-recovery-cities.html
http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/13/recovery-cities-homes-lifestyle-real-estate-housing-recovery-cities.html
Our home values are on the rise and inventory is down. These are signs of a rebounding market. Please realize that much of the negative comments you hear on the national news, is not a reflection of Colorado Springs. Check out this quick clip.
Mortgage Rates for 11/4
Still amazing interest rates on home loans!
Conventional
30 Yr. Fixed
5.00%
Conventional
15 yr. Fixed
4.375%
FHA
30 yr. Fixed
4.875%
VA
30 yr. Fixed
4.875%
Conventional
30 Yr. Fixed
5.00%
Conventional
15 yr. Fixed
4.375%
FHA
30 yr. Fixed
4.875%
VA
30 yr. Fixed
4.875%
Home Safe Home for the Holidays Tip#3
Daily Safety tips to protect your holiday cheer
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
3. Don’t overburden electrical sockets; use proper outdoor lights
Old homes sometimes lack enough electrical outlets to meet modern gadgetry needs, and people improvise by treating electrical plugs as if they are Legos, stacking them every which way. This is not a good practice, experts say.
To prevent overheating, plug in no more than one extension cord per socket and string no more than three sets of traditional lights together. There’s no universally accepted number of cords per outlet or means to gauge electrical current levels, so that puts your home at the mercy of common sense. If outlets or power strips are hot to the touch, emit a smell or trip fuses, shut things down and cut back on the juice.
Better yet, expand your capability, Lindsay says. Preferably you’d do this before the holiday crush sets in, but if you’ve already decked your home, have an electrician modify the wiring before next year’s festivities. “There are ways you can get your home to match your energy needs,” Lindsay says. Any cost will be less than the cost of a fire.
Outdoor cords must be labeled for outdoor use, and should be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter, a device that cuts off the current if a leak is detected. These cost a few dollars and can plug directly into an outlet. They also save lives, Lindsay says.
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
3. Don’t overburden electrical sockets; use proper outdoor lights
Old homes sometimes lack enough electrical outlets to meet modern gadgetry needs, and people improvise by treating electrical plugs as if they are Legos, stacking them every which way. This is not a good practice, experts say.
To prevent overheating, plug in no more than one extension cord per socket and string no more than three sets of traditional lights together. There’s no universally accepted number of cords per outlet or means to gauge electrical current levels, so that puts your home at the mercy of common sense. If outlets or power strips are hot to the touch, emit a smell or trip fuses, shut things down and cut back on the juice.
Better yet, expand your capability, Lindsay says. Preferably you’d do this before the holiday crush sets in, but if you’ve already decked your home, have an electrician modify the wiring before next year’s festivities. “There are ways you can get your home to match your energy needs,” Lindsay says. Any cost will be less than the cost of a fire.
Outdoor cords must be labeled for outdoor use, and should be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter, a device that cuts off the current if a leak is detected. These cost a few dollars and can plug directly into an outlet. They also save lives, Lindsay says.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
QSC Designation
Today I added QSC* to my CDPE** and LHP Certified*** Designations. This means I have a Quality Guarantee for all of my clients. By formally pledging to do my absolute best for my clients, I am subjecting myself to a rating system and joining the ranks of select high caliber Realtors. Being held accountable by clients' evaluation of my performance helps insure the very best service possible. But for all of you who know me, that is a quality I've made standard regardless of my designation.
*Quality Service Certification- Providing the best value to clients while treating them how they want to be treated
**Certified Distressed Property Expert- Specializing in Short Sales and Preventing Foreclosures
***Luxury Home Professional- Specializing in High End Homes ($600k and above)
*Quality Service Certification- Providing the best value to clients while treating them how they want to be treated
**Certified Distressed Property Expert- Specializing in Short Sales and Preventing Foreclosures
***Luxury Home Professional- Specializing in High End Homes ($600k and above)
Home Safe Home for the Holidays Tip#2
Daily Safety tips to protect your holiday cheer
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
2. Buy cool tree lights
LEDs (light-emitting diodes), those nifty-looking little lights a lot of towns are using now, aren’t just cool for the environment — they use 90% less energy — they’re also cool for boughs.
The bulbs simply don’t produce heat buildup. And because they use less electrical current, it’s safe to string together as many strands as you might need.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, an average of 240 home fires a year began with Christmas trees between 2003 and 2006, causing, on average, 16 deaths, 25 injuries and $13.1 million in property damage.
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
2. Buy cool tree lights
LEDs (light-emitting diodes), those nifty-looking little lights a lot of towns are using now, aren’t just cool for the environment — they use 90% less energy — they’re also cool for boughs.
The bulbs simply don’t produce heat buildup. And because they use less electrical current, it’s safe to string together as many strands as you might need.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, an average of 240 home fires a year began with Christmas trees between 2003 and 2006, causing, on average, 16 deaths, 25 injuries and $13.1 million in property damage.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Investment Property with signed leases through Fall 2010!
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Great 2 Bedroom Townhome in Rockrimmon
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Home Safe Home for the Holidays Tip#1
Daily Safety tips to protect your holiday cheer
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
You could be spending a lot of time this holiday season in a particularly dangerous place: your home.
So, the experts say, take a moment now to put safety at the top of your holiday list and prepare your home intelligently. Here are things to check around the house before the guests arrive and the punch bowl gets put out:
1. Be wary of cheap lights and check those cords
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 12,500 people end up at hospital emergency rooms each year with decorating-related injuries. About 5,000 of those are electrical shocks or burns. Some cases, such as when ladders or light strings touch live wires, are fatal.
What's your home worth?
Preferably before you string up the lights on the tree or on your roof, check all the electrical and extension cords. Toss any that are frayed or cracked (don't wrap with electrical tape). Buy only cords that have been tested by an independent laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratory, and that are clearly marked with the manufacturer's name and product information.
Come back tomorrow for another Holiday Safety Tip...
Originally by Karen Aho of MSN Real Estate
You could be spending a lot of time this holiday season in a particularly dangerous place: your home.
So, the experts say, take a moment now to put safety at the top of your holiday list and prepare your home intelligently. Here are things to check around the house before the guests arrive and the punch bowl gets put out:
1. Be wary of cheap lights and check those cords
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 12,500 people end up at hospital emergency rooms each year with decorating-related injuries. About 5,000 of those are electrical shocks or burns. Some cases, such as when ladders or light strings touch live wires, are fatal.
What's your home worth?
Preferably before you string up the lights on the tree or on your roof, check all the electrical and extension cords. Toss any that are frayed or cracked (don't wrap with electrical tape). Buy only cords that have been tested by an independent laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratory, and that are clearly marked with the manufacturer's name and product information.
Come back tomorrow for another Holiday Safety Tip...
Financing your Home
Recently I've come across some people who want to buy a home but don't think they would be approved. Most of them tell me they don't have 20% to put down, they haven't been at their current job long enough, or that their credit score is too low.
I'd like to clear up some of these misconceptions.
#1- With FHA loans a minimum of 3.5% is all you have to put down. VA is 0%. And even Conventional is as low as 10% depending on your credit score.
#2- With a FHA loan, you do not need to be at your current job for 2 years. They consider even part time and seasonal employment.
#3- FHA and VA work with FICO scores as low as 600 (sometimes even lower). While Conventional will drop to a 620 score.
#4- FHA and VA are fully assumable. Meaning that when you decide to sell, the buyer can take over your loan at the low rate you locked in now. This will be very attractive when rates go back up.
There are so many programs and financing options available to home buyers. With Loan Interest Rates at historic lows and home prices on the rise, the time to buy is now.
Do yourself a favor and talk to a trusted lender soon. If you need a recommendation, I know a couple of great lenders I'd love to send you to. Have any questions... feel free to contact me!
I'd like to clear up some of these misconceptions.
#1- With FHA loans a minimum of 3.5% is all you have to put down. VA is 0%. And even Conventional is as low as 10% depending on your credit score.
#2- With a FHA loan, you do not need to be at your current job for 2 years. They consider even part time and seasonal employment.
#3- FHA and VA work with FICO scores as low as 600 (sometimes even lower). While Conventional will drop to a 620 score.
#4- FHA and VA are fully assumable. Meaning that when you decide to sell, the buyer can take over your loan at the low rate you locked in now. This will be very attractive when rates go back up.
There are so many programs and financing options available to home buyers. With Loan Interest Rates at historic lows and home prices on the rise, the time to buy is now.
Do yourself a favor and talk to a trusted lender soon. If you need a recommendation, I know a couple of great lenders I'd love to send you to. Have any questions... feel free to contact me!
Colorado Springs Top Fit City
Colorado Springs has yet another honorable distinction. Check out this video segment played recently on CBS. It is no wonder why so many people love living in our Beautiful and Active City!
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