Monday, January 28, 2008
by Beth Nordaune
Did you know that about 1 in 3 minnesota homes have potentially harmful levels of radon gas...the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. If you've never tested your home for radon before, now is the best time to do it. This time of year, our homes are generally closed up more tightly because of the weather, so we're more likely to have a build-up of radon gas or to be exposed to it for extended periods of time. For more information on radon, radon testing, radon mitigation and building new homes that are radon resistant, go to www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/index.html
Monday, January 21, 2008
by Beth Nordaune
Are you thinking about selling your home this Spring? Well if you are here is a great article that will you get your house and your mind set on the right track. Have a great Week!
http://www.bankrate.com/baw/news/real-estate/reminiguide07/sell-home-rebounding-market-a1.asp
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
by Beth Nordaune
Before you choose your lender you should shop around, but don't stop there. When you receive your good faith estimate of closing costs, or GFE, the negotiation hasn't ended.
The lender or mortgage broker is required to give you a GFE within three working days of accepting your loan application. The GFE comes in the form of an itemized list of estimated closing costs for everything from the lender's fees to the appraisal charge to the title insurance premium to a partial month's interest payment.
The lender or broker charges some fees, and third parties charge others. The first step is to find out which are loan origination fees and which are third-party fees. Don't guess. Ask the lender or broker.
Keys to Lower Closing Costs:
•Ask for a justification for each lender-charged fee.
•If the lender charges an application fee, ask if it will be credited toward closing costs.
•If the lender charges an underwriting fee as well as a processing fee, ask for details of those services. Maybe you'll find a fee that can be waived or reduced.
•Recognize that some items are non-negotiable: taxes, city and county stamps, recording fees, prorated interest and reserves. On the GFE, these items are in the 1000s and the 1200s
Monday, December 31, 2007
by Beth Nordaune
Having trouble selling your house? Use persuasion -- in the form of money or lucrative handouts. Here are some popular buyer incentives available in today's buyer's market:
• Down-payment help: As home prices hold steady and credit tightens, more buyers are hard-pressed to put money down on a home. A little help with the down payment can help them over this hurdle.
• Mortgage buy-down: Are your buyers nervous about their prospective monthly house payments or the interest rate on their loan? You can lower both by buying down their mortgage; each point you pay equals 1 percent of the loan amount. First-time buyers or young families can often use the help to free up cash to furnish their new home.
• Homeowner/condo association dues: Welcome your buyers to the neighborhood by springing for their first year of association dues.
• Maintenance fees: If the buyers will be contracting for lawn maintenance anyway, or if they will be required to do so in your community, paying a year of their maintenance fees is money in the bank for them. The same applies to a year of pool service.
• Home warranty: As the cost of service calls increases, a year of home warranty coverage is becoming a commonplace incentive to attract buyers. Typical policies cover service to the home's interior plumbing, HVAC, appliances and fixtures such as lights and fans. Typically excluded are pools, hot tubs, sprinkler systems and attic fans. Their only expense: a per-call fee, usually around $60.
• Closing costs: What buyer wouldn't welcome some help with those teeth-gritting closing costs (legal, title, filing fees, etc.) that, according to a Freddy Mac estimate, typically run between 2 percent to 7 percent of the loan amount?
• Landscaping: Springing for a few shrubs, new turf or other landscaping features can help a buyer feel right at home.
• Leave a treasure behind: Some home furnishings, especially those custom-made to fit a part of your house, can be profitably sacrificed if they help close the deal. After all, you likely know where and how to get another one. If the buyers are smitten with it, they may be more inclined to meet your terms if you agree to leave that prized puzzle piece in place.
Friday, December 28, 2007
by Beth Nordaune
Are you frustrated with the size of your home? You're not alone.
But instead of feeling cramped, a growing number of Americans are finding they have more home than they want or need.
The reasons are numerous. Baby boomers, 77 million strong, are looking to downsize in retirement. Young home buyers are finding it increasingly difficult to afford or maintain larger homes. Urban land is at a premium. Smaller homes in desirable neighborhoods are scarce or outlawed by covenant. And environmental concerns about a residence's "carbon footprint" have further dampened enthusiasm for spacious showpieces.
That doesn't necessarily mean that smaller times are ahead for everyone. For growing families, some investors, the wealthy or homeowners who just want the room, bigger will most likely continue to be better.
But for homeowners who no longer wish to pay taxes, utilities and insurance on rooms they never use, or who simply find a smaller home more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, the small-house movement is quietly reinventing the U.S. scale of living.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
by Beth Nordaune
Here are a couple of easy home maintenance tips for you while you're getting your home ready for the holiday season.
Each year when you dig out your holiday decorations, take some time to make a visual inspection of your attic. First, check the roof and gable vents to make sure they are clear because the screens can act like lint traps. These vents are paramount because they keep the attic cool during summer. You don't want to get stuck checking these vents in the summer, when temperatures can soar into the 100s. And unobstructed vents allow moist air to escape from the attic in cold weather, lessening the possibility of condensation and mildew in the attic. While you're up there, check for wasp nests and other signs of pests. During the winter months, wasps are dormant and their nests are easier to remove.
Monday, November 12, 2007
by Beth Nordaune
Are you ready to list your house but plan to wait for the "busy" spring season? Here are 10 reason to get your house listed this winter.
1. Fewer Showings - Yes there are less buyers, but those buyers that are left are usually very serious about making a purchase.
2. Less Competition - Most people wait until spring and summer to list their home, which means during the winter you will have far less competition than at any other time of the year.
3. Homes Show Better During the Holidays - Buyers love homes that can tell a story. The holidays are a great time to show homes because the home is usually dressed up for holiday celebrations!
4. January is the Biggest Transfer Month - Did you know that more corporate moves happen during January than at any other time of the year? This may be a great reason list your home during the winter!
5. Timing - By putting the home on the market during the winter you may be able to more easily hit your moving goals!
6. More Time To Get Top Dollar - By starting to market your home early you may be able to secure a higher price.
7. Great Time to Shop - If your home sells quickly you will be able to shop for your next home during the winter, this is a great time to find a bargain!
8. More Advertising - Because most agent and offices have less inventory during the winter your home may be advertised more often than during the spring and summer months!
9. More Attention - Most agents will be able to devote more specialized attention to your needs during the winter because they have less clients to manage.
10. The Market - Today's interest rates are at forty year lows. This gives buyers more spending power, and will be even more important when you begin shopping for your next home!
Monday, November 05, 2007
by Beth Nordaune
As temperatures start to drop nearly half of American families will turn to alternative sources to heat their homes. Make sure you’re ready to heat your home safely and effectively.
Have your chimney professionally inspected. Buildup from last year's fires can be dangerous if not cleaned regularly.
Keep your fires behind screens and never leave them unattended. Always extinguish fires before going to bed or leaving the house.
Ensure that any space heaters are away from flammable objects and placed on a level surface. By turning off space heaters when leaving the room or going to sleep, you save energy and increase safety.
By following these common sense tips, your home can remain warm and safe throughout the winter months!
Monday, October 15, 2007
by Beth Nordaune
Did you know that heating and cooling systems are some of the most important investments you'll ever make in your home. Heating and cooling accounts for 44% of your home's energy use. Various systems include electric, gas, propane, oil, and even wood-fired.
The method of distribution can be forced air, under floor boilers and pipes, baseboard, zonal, gravity, heat pumps, ceiling wires and, of course, wood stove and fireplace. Some have higher purchase prices, while others cost more to maintain or operate.
The more energy efficient an appliance is, the less it costs to run and the lower your utility bills. Use this knowledge to evaluate the asking price of any home. You'll be money ahead as you factor its heat source into any offer! If you would like more information on heating please give me a call.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
by Beth Nordaune
Have you ever clogged your garbage disposal to the point where you felt that you were going to have to buy a new one? Well before you do here's a little tip that will extend the life of your garbage disposal. First, look for the wrench that came with your disposer. It may be taped to the side of the unit or to the cabinet wall. It's a rod maybe 6 inches long and looks similar to a Allen/hex wrench. Next, stick the short end into the matching hole in the bottom center of the disposal and use the long end to turn it back and forth until you break free whatever's got the disposal stuck.
