Fit to Sell: Why A Home Doesn't Sell

If your home is lingering on the market without any offers, there could be a few reasons why. As RE/MAX explains in this video, condition, price and location are the three key factors buyers are looking for in a potential property. Find out what you can do differently to ensure your home is fit to sell.

US Government Shut Down & How it Affects Your Purchase and Sales Agreement

As most of you are aware, the House and Senate did not come to an agreement before the clock struck midnight this morning - and now we are experiencing the first government shutdown in over 15 years.

Please see below how the government shutdown is affecting certain loan types and documentation availability:

All loans:

·         Tax transcripts and VOE's will still be required on all loans.  4506T's can be ordered, but there is no one at the IRS to process them.  Any delays caused by the shutdown that affect the ability to get these conditions met will have to wait until those conditions can be met.

·         SSN verifications can be ordered, but at this time it appears that the results are at the very least going to be delayed past the normal 10-15 minute turn times they usually run by.

USDA:

·         The offices will remain closed until the government shutdown is complete.  Submission of loan packages to RH is suspended since nobody will be there to accept them.  Any loans currently at RH for conditional commitments will be delayed until the shutdown ends.

·         All USDA websites, including GUS and lookup sites for property/income qualification, will be unavailable during the government shutdown.
  

FHA:

·         FHA Connection will be available, but since FHA Connection occasionally interfaces with other systems that may not be available, FHA Connection processes may not be fully functional.  Note the following below:

o   You will be able to obtain a new FHA case number from the FHA Connection.

o   CAIVRS will be available to determine if a borrower has a delinquent federal debt.

o   FHA Total Scorecard will be available, and loans can fund during this time, provided all normal underwriting and processing requirements are met.

o   Automated password resets will be available for FHA Connection, but resets that require an FHA employee's direct assistance will not be available.

VA:

·         The VA portal states that "The VA Home Loan Guaranty Program will continue to function as normal in the event of a Government Shutdown."

·         Any scenarios where VA needs to be contacted will not be available until the shutdown ends.

As more information becomes available we will pass it along to you as quickly as possible.

Home Really Is Where The Heart Is

http://pinterest.com/pin/130534089171032309/

Source: coldwellbanker.com via Anya on Pinterest

Quick List: 5 Safety Devices and 10 Home Emergency Items

As a homeowner, you always want to be prepared. Here are five home safety devices you should have:

1. Fire extinguishers. Put one on every floor of your home, plus an extra in the kitchen where the vast majority of home fires start. Multi-purpose A-B-C extinguishers put out all types of fires. Check and recharge when the pressure gauge drops. You'll even get a discount from some insurers.

2. Upstairs escape ladders. Put one under a window in each upstairs bedroom. Practice deploying them.

3. Wireless water alarms. Place under sinks, behind the refrigerator, anywhere water will collect if there's a leak.

4. Automatic shutoff valve for water heater. This cuts off the water supply as soon as it senses a leak.

5. Sump pump alarm. Alerts you to a rapidly rising water level that could mean a flood.



If a disaster hits, here are 10 key items for a home emergency kit. Keep them in a waterproof plastic bin in an easily accessible place.

1. Battery-operated lantern. Throws more illumination than a flashlight and is much safer than candles. 

2. Radio/phone charger. Get one with a hand crank for charging. 

3. Multi-tool. Make sure it includes a can opener and pliers. 

4. Mylar blanket. This shiny silver sheet is remarkably warm, yet lightweight, and folds up compactly.

5. Nylon rope. Handy for tying down outdoor furniture and securing doors.

6. Fishing line. This is a very strong way to secure items when rope is too thick.

7. Duct tape. Nothing is as versatile for quick temporary repairs.

8. Vinyl tablecloth. Spread it out anywhere to create a clean zone.

9. Baby wipes. These are great for removing dirt and grime from your hands or almost any surface.

10. Work gloves. Use these to protect your hands during post-disaster cleanup.

Washington Real Estate Market Research

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month!

What better time than now to march down to your local shelter and take home a canine in need? A new dog can greatly improve your life, like:

• help you get outside and exercise

• provide companionship for you and your family

• provide protection from intruders

• improve your mood

• provide assistance for people with disabilities

But if you can't take in an animal, don't worry, there are ways you can still help! Consider fostering animals who are looking for homes, volunteering at your local shelter, or making a donation to a shelter or animal care organization.  I often donate my used blankets to the shelter as well as dog food.

You can help too!  Here are a few local resources in the Thurston County/Olympia Area:

Concern For Animals 360-456-8176

Thurston County Animal Services

Iams Pet Adoption

Survey Reveals Rising Prices, Strong Demand

The housing industry is staging a recovery with increasing sales and stabilizing prices, according to a national survey of RE/MAX agents. Four out of five agents believe U.S. home prices won’t decline further. In fact, nearly 70% predict prices will go up, led by a strong demand for homes in the low to middle price ranges.


"To active real estate agents, this market is definitely heating up," said RE/MAX CEO Margaret Kelly. "They are witnessing a recovery across the country fueled by home buyers and sellers taking advantage of a significant market opportunity."

Agent opinions are documented in the quarterly RE/MAX Market Insights, an online survey of 1,022 residential experts. The survey builds brand visibility for RE/MAX agents, and is typically picked up by more than 300 news outlets. Collectively, RE/MAX agents sell more real estate than any other real estate network in the U.S.

Download the RE/MAX Market Insights survey infographic.

Key findings include:

• Price rebound: 68% say prices will be higher by the end of 2012.
• Today’s prices: 29% below the peak reached during the housing bubble.
• Demand for lower-priced properties: 80% of agents say it’s good or very good.
• Demand for homes in the middle-price ranges: 71% rate it as fair to good.
• Demand for high-priced homes: 58% call it poor to fair.

A snapshot of today’s homebuyers served by RE/MAX agents:

• Roughly one third are first-time buyers. Another third are homeowners looking to sell so they can move up or downsize. The remainder are mostly investors, who believe the market has hit bottom.
• One in five buyers pays cash, receiving an average discount of 15%.

The most significant challenges facing first-time homebuyers are having an acceptable credit score, posting a down payment, and facing a shortage of homes for sale. Repeat buyers have the added burden of selling their current home. They, too, are facing a scarcity of homes to purchase in the lower and middle price ranges.

Nearly half of the agents say lower priced homes in their markets are selling for slightly less than the asking price, while 17% say buyers are paying full price and 11% say buyers are paying slightly more than the asking price.

For homes in the middle-price ranges, 49% report sale prices are slightly less than the asking price, while 8% say full-price is being paid. For the high-priced homes, 43% report that sale prices are moderately less than asking prices, with another 25% saying it is slightly less.

With bank-owned homes making up a significant portion of the current inventory, agents report that 62% of their non-investor buyers have a favorable attitude toward foreclosures, while only 27% have a favorable attitude toward short sales.

"With distressed properties still making up a sizeable portion of homes on the market, this inventory is being cleared effectively by buyers, who don’t mind investing a little to fix up a property in return for an attractive bargain," Kelly added.

Among buyers’ highest priorities were quality of schools, and condition and size of the home. The lowest priorities included public transportation, walkability and energy efficiency.

Most RE/MAX agents advise their buyers to hire a professional home inspector and to attend the inspection. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage, not merely pre-qualified, also is recommended.