My Town

Don't-Miss Tax Breaks!

2012-02-23T13:23:00.002-05:00

10 Easy Mistakes Home Owners Make on Their Taxes
Don’t rouse the IRS or pay more taxes than necessary — know the score on each home tax deduction and credit. Read
6 Home Deduction Traps and How to Avoid Them
Get an “A” on your Schedule A Form: Dodge these tax deduction pitfalls to save time, money, and an IRS investigation. Read
What You Can and Can't Deduct When You Work From Home
Working from home can offer many advantages including tax deductions. Just take care what you try to write off for your home office on your return. Read

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Start your 2012 Home search smartly!

2012-01-24T09:07:00.002-05:00

How to Assess the Real Cost of a Fixer-Upper House
When you buy a fixer-upper house, you can save a ton of money, or get yourself in a financial fix. Read
4 Tips to Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford
By knowing how much mortgage you can handle, you can ensure that home ownership will fit in your budget. Read
7 Steps to Take Before You Buy a Home
By doing your homework before you buy, you’ll feel more content about your new home. Read

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Home for Holidays

2011-12-02T08:18:00.002-05:00

5 Holiday Hosting Disasters and How to Avoid Them
Take a look at the most common things that can go wrong when you have guests and learn how to prevent them. Read
Holiday Fire Safety Tips
The holiday season is one of the most dangerous times of the year for household fires, so take note of these tips to reduce your risk. Read
Holiday Lighting Safety Checklist
Before you plug in and light up for the holidays, run your decorations through this quick safety check. Read

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Warm Your Home!

2011-11-07T08:34:00.002-05:00

Gas Fireplace Inserts: Pros and Cons
Add a gas-burning fireplace insert if you want clean air and the ultimate in convenience. Read
Wood-Burning Fireplace Inserts Save Energy
Install a wood-burning fireplace insert if you want to keep the magic of a wood fire but make your open fireplace more energy efficient. Read
Ventless Fireplaces: What You Need to Know
Ventless fireplaces provide a convenient, low-cost alternative to traditional fireplace options, but they aren’t trouble-free. Read

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Short sale

2011-09-15T13:07:00.002-04:00

What Is A Short Sale?
A short sale is where the seller owes the bank more than than the property is worth. The term “short sale” literally means that the property is being sold “short” of what the seller owes the bank. In a short sale transaction the bank must agree to accept less than what the seller owes and agree to release all liens on the property so that the property can be sold.

The Short Sale Process
When you make an offer on a short sale you must be prepared to exercise lots of patience. A short sale is unlike a normal transaction where you are negotiating directly with a seller. In a short sale transaction the seller signs your initial offer and then your Realtor has to send it to the bank for final approval. Once the file is sent to the bank your Realtor coordinates with several of the banks representatives including (but not limited to) a document coordinator, a negotiator, the investor who owns the loan and a closer. Each of these representatives has to sign off on many details of the file (including price, commissions and fees) before it can even enter into escrow. Once in escrow a typical transaction takes about 30-45 days to close. From the day that your offer is accepted to the end of the transaction you can anticipate a wait of 45-90 days or more to close a short sale transaction (depending on how many lenders are involved and the seller’s hardship).

So Why Buy a Short Sale?
Home that have been foreclosed on and rehabilitated by the bank often are in high demand and have multiple offers on them, which can be frustrating for buyers. Short sales are a good alternative because they are often in the same price range as foreclosures, but other buyers don’t have the patience to wait for the banks approval and therefore there is less competition to purchase a short sale property.

Short Sale Buying Strategies
1. Be patient – It can be a long process, but if it’s a home that you love and is perfect for your family it will be worth the wait.
2. Hire a Realtor who is a short sale expert. Experienced agents know how to increase your odds of actually closing a short sale transaction before ever making an offer on your behalf. For example, an experienced agent will ask how many lenders have liens on the property and if negotiations have already started with the lender(s). Experienced agents may also have relationships with banks that will speed up the process.
3. Keep looking while you are waiting for an answer from the bank. Banks can take anywhere from 45-90 days or more to make a decision on a short sale. It is okay to hedge your bets by making offers on other properties while you are waiting. If you find another property that you like prior to opening escrow you can withdraw your offer on the short sale property.

Our current market is a distressed market, which means if you are buying a home you will most likely be engaged in a transaction involving either a short sale or a foreclosure. Having knowledge of how the short sale process works will take the fear out of entering into a short sale transaction and thus give you more choices when looking for your new home.

Read more: Demystifying The Short Sale Process | REALTOR.com® Blogs

Home Maintenance

2011-09-06T12:09:00.000-04:00

The Value of Home Maintenance
Regular home maintenance is key to preserving the value of your house and property. Read
Essential Heating System Maintenance
Getting your home’s heating system professionally serviced every year will keep it running smoothly and help keep heating costs under control. Read
8 Easy Ways to Seal Air Leaks Around the House
For what the typical family wastes every year on air leaks—about $350—you can plug energy-robbing gaps, start saving money, and enjoy a more comfortable home. Read

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2011-08-01T07:46:00.001-04:00

Home Security Cameras: Peace of Mind While You’re Away
Easy-to-install security cameras let you keep an eye on your home from afar, ensuring safety and security for you and your family. Read
Do-It-Yourself Home Security Check: Doors are First Line of Defense
Protect against break-ins with a security check that shows where the entrances to your house—your doors—are vulnerable. Read
Home Security Check
The first step toward protecting your home from break-ins is to conduct a home security check that will show where your property is most vulnerable. Read
Home Office Security Check
This quick home-office security check will help you protect computer equipment, electronics, and personal data from theft, fire, and other dangers. Read

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ASafe, Secure Home.

2011-06-28T10:39:00.002-04:00

Home Security Systems: Types and Costs
Understand home security systems’ price, installation, and options. Read
Do-It-Yourself Home Security Check: 5 Essential Steps
Conduct a do-it-yourself home security check by walking around your house to assess what needs to be done to reduce the risk of a break-in. Read
Home Security Systems: Installation and How They Work
Understand how a home security system works and how to choose professional installation that best fits your needs and budget. Read

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