Ten Tips for High Value Home Appraisals (Part 1)

Ten Tips for High Value Home Appraisals (Part 1)

We don’t know how ours turned out yet but after talking to a handful of appraisers, I felt great regret at not doing more to plan and prep. Here are some tips based on those conversations.

  1. ImageSpruce the house up. But appraisers caution that you don’t need to deep clean under couches and that a few dirty dishes won’t hurt your value. Rats, cockroaches and that car you’ve been tinkering on might… “Things like overgrown landscaping, soiled carpeting, marks on walls — those do affect value and are part of the property’s overall condition rating,” said Dean Zibas, the president and chief appraiser for Zibas Appraisal in San Clemente, Calif. In other words, think broom clean, not set design for a home-decorating magazine.
  2. ImageCurb appeal also matters so mow the lawn, hack those weeds and trim those hedges. This can also help offset your house from unfair comparisons with foreclosures nearby. “In today’s climate I can’t stress enough condition, condition, condition,” said Doreen Zimmerman, an appraiser in Paradise, Calif. “An hour or two, for the most part, will set your home apart in the actual picture that the lender gets from the appraiser vs. the actual picture that the appraiser will provide of the (foreclosure) down the street.
  3. ImageKeep a list of all the updates you’ve made and be ready to hand it over; a sketch plan of the house indicating square footage also helps. “Have a list of updating done within the past 15 years. Itemize each update with the approximate date and approximate cost. Also highlight the notable features of the property,” says Matthew George, the chief appraiser of Eagle Appraisals Inc. in Denver, Colo. Remember the items that an appraiser might not notice, like a new roof or insulation. Don’t forget the minor items. For example, I mistakenly told the appraiser we hadn’t updated one bathroom but actually we had installed a new sink and had the tub sealed. That counts, according to the experts.
  4. ImageHave comps on hand. Yes, you say this is the appraiser’s job but every little bit helps, “especially if they are aware of a property that sold without the aid of a Realtor (i.e. for-sale-by-owner),” says Mark T. Smith, the owner and president of Smith Appraisal Services in St. Augustine, Fla. That can mean it wasn’t posted on the Multiple Listing Service, and result in other delays by the time it gets posted through other government data sources.
  5. 17906056-peeling-paint-cause-of-moistureBe mindful of peeling paint. Government-insured loans such as FHA and veterans’ loans will require peeling paint to be removed in houses built before 1978. But don’t worry too much about a child’s scrawling on his bedroom wall, unless it’s going to require a whole new paint job.

 

If you’ve been thinking of selling your home, I tell everyone that this is the perfect time because house prices are up and interest rates are low and demand is high.

If you’re thinking of buying a home, this is the perfect time because interest rates are low and prices are on the way up.  It’s better to act now before the home you love is out of your reach.

-barbarasmall

Source: blogs.wsj.com

Tips for Qualifying for a Mortgage

The global financial crisis that began in 2007 made many would-be homeowners uncertain about whether they could qualify for a mortgage. In considering a mortgage application, lenders look at four factors: income, credit, down payment and the price of the home. As of 2010, banks and other lending institutions had tightened their lending requirements. Nonetheless, borrowers who are willing to work toward addressing these factors have a good chance of qualifying for a mortgage.

 
Assess Your FinancesImage

Realistically assess your financial circumstances. Lenders prefer a potential borrower’s mortgage payment, including insurance and other fees, to be less than 28 percent of income before taxes. Your total debt load, including mortgage payments, should not exceed 36 percent of your income, according to the credit counseling firm InCharge. Excellent credit or a large down payment may convince the lender to stretch the limits somewhat. If your down payment is less than 20 percent, you will need to obtain mortgage insurance, according to Kiplinger magazine.

 

Get a Grip on Your CreditImage

Check your credit with all three major credit reporting bureaus, TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. Correct any errors and attempt to clean up any accurate adverse entries. Begin this process well in advance of seeking a mortgage. Borrowers need a minimum 720 credit score to qualify for the best mortgage terms, according to Kiplinger.

 

Obtain Prequalification or PreapprovalImage

Prequalification is an assessment by a bank or lender of the maximum amount of a mortgage you are likely to qualify for, based on your reported income and credit scores. Prequalification letters are usually available at no charge and carry no obligation to use a particular lender. Prequalified buyers often receive preferential treatment, and many real estate agents require prospective buyers to obtain prequalification letters. If possible, obtain a loan preapproval for a specific amount. Preapproval means that the lender has made a thorough evaluation of your credit and is willing to offer you a loan. Final approval depends on conditions relating to the actual home you wish to purchase, such as the property appraisal.

 

Consider a Mortgage BrokerImage

If your credit is less than excellent, a mortgage broker may help you obtain a mortgage at more reasonable terms than you could obtain on your own. If you decide to use a mortgage broker, check out her credentials thoroughly. As of 2010, mortgage brokers in California are required to obtain licenses and pass criminal background checks, according to Bloomberg. California does not have a separate licensing program for mortgage brokers, according to the Mortgage News Daily website. Instead, brokers can obtain a Negotiator’s License through the Department of Corporations, using the California Finance Lenders Law. Brokers may also obtain a California Real Estate Broker’s license, which automatically qualifies them as mortgage brokers.

 

Seek Federal Mortgage AssistanceImage

Borrowers with credit scores of at least 580 can qualify for a Federal Housing Administration loan with a 3.5 percent down payment. Borrowers with credit scores of less than 580 will need a down payment of at least 10 percent, according to the FHA website. Veterans and active military personnel, including members of the National Guard or reserves, can often obtain a certificate of eligibility for mortgages administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs through its website.

 

 

“Those headaches, troubles and hassles could be avoided if only we can reach out to those homebuyers and offer them our services. I know how hard it is to lose a home and even more difficult to see your hardly earned money stuck in a real estate without any use. The Barbarasmallteam specializes in short sales and foreclosures. Just reach out our hand, lets’ talk.”

– Barbara Small

Source: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/tips-qualifying-mortgage-3226.html

Impact of Housing Downturn on Largest Immigrant Groups

 Image

While the housing downturn impacted all foreign-born American homeowners, immigrant populations were impacted differently, according to a report from Fannie Mae’s Economic & Strategic Research Group.

 

Using Census Bureau data from 2007 to 2011, Fannie Mae researchers set out to understand how immigrant homeowners were impacted by the housing collapse.

The analysis examined the five most-populous immigrant groups—Mexican, Indian, Filipino, Salvadoran, and Chinese. After analyzing how the crisis impacted the different groups, Fannie Mae found Chinese immigrants were the least impacted and were “relatively unscathed” when comparing homeownership rates and home value declines.

For example, with the exception of Chinese immigrants, all of the immigrant groups experienced steep declines in their homeownership rates from 2007 to 2011: 47.2 percent to 45 percent for Mexicans; 48.6 percent to 42.8 percent for Salvadorans; 57.2 percent to 54.6 percent for Indians, and 69 percent to 62.6 percent for Filipinos. Yet, the rate was essentialy unchanged at 60.3 percent for Chinese immigrants.

Additionally, the median home value remained stable for Chinese homeowners, unlike the other large groups who experienced sharp declines.

Salvadorans, Mexicans, and Filipinos saw the biggest price decreases, with median home values falling 47.6 percent, 36.3 percent, and 33.5 percent, respectively, for each group over the four-year period examined.

The researchers also found great variation in median home values for the groups, ranging from $115,900 for Mexican homeowners, $356,300 for Indian homeowners, and $425,600 for Chinese owners.

The study also found housing cost burdens eased for the large foreign-born groups, though Chinese immigrants did not experience a significant decrease.

The groups with the biggest housing cost burdens were Salvadoran and Mexican homeowners, at 62.8 percent and 56.5 percent, respectively. Indian homeowners had the lowest housing cost burden, at35.7 percent, followed by Filipino homeowners at 43.9 percent.

 

 

If you’ve been thinking of selling your home, I tell everyone that this is the perfect time because house prices are up and interest rates are low and demand is high.

If you’re thinking of buying a home, this is the perfect time because interest rates are low and prices are on the way up.  It’s better to act now before the home you love is out of your reach.

-barbarasmall

Source: dsnews.com

How to Rehab a Property in the Proper Order Part 2

 

Image11. Use a small paint sprayer to spray all the trim color first.

Image12. Mask off the trim by using a masking machine. They cost about $5. Taping off the trim takes a while, but this machine applies the tape to the paper and saves a lot of time.

Image

 

 

13. Spray the paint using an airless sprayer. Investment cost is less than $300 and will last through many projects. In an average size house in about 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours per coat. One coat usually works, but don’t judge the job until it is dry to the touch. As it is drying the job looks worse and worse, so be patient. If it needs another coat after it is dry to the touch, spray the second coat pattern opposite the direction of the first coat.

Image14. Unmask it the next day. You don’t want to leave the tape on too long, because it can be hard to get off and it can cost a lot more of your time. When you buy paint, don’t get stupid with the colors, go neutral. The walls and ceilings should be flat antique white. Today’s flat paints are very washable. and the light colors make the room look bigger and brighter.

Image15. If you are keeping the windows, scrape the paint off the glass. But if we need to replace them, the best way is to use a pocket replacement window. They are inexpensive and easy to install. You can replace a window in about 15 minutes. Most sizes will need to be custom ordered, and will average at about $100.00 to $125.00. When we are at stores like Home Depot, or Lowe’s you can pick up an order form that will explain how to measure for size. So decide early on if we are keeping the windows because it takes a couple weeks for them to come in. All you have to do is remove all the window stops guides and windows from the existing frame, but leave the outside stops in. Clean up the opening, and put a bead of caulk on the inside edge of the stop. Set the bottom of the new pocket window into the opening and tip the window into place against the stop. Square the window, put in the 4 anchoring screws, and install the interior stop. we will have to touch-up the paint, but since you used flat paint,we can use a disposable foam brush and the touch-up job will look great.

Image16. Put up all the new light fixtures. Lighting is very inexpensive relative to the aesthetic beauty they provide. No matter whether the home is a Victorian or a basic ranch, there are great looking fixtures available at a low price at one of your local super stores.

Image17. Put down the flooring in the kitchen and bath. After that install any bath fixtures and kitchen cabinetry, if needed. Remember, if it’s borderline, replace it. There should be plenty of profit to do the job right. If it’s a close call, don’t buy the property in the first place.

Image18. Have your carpeting installed. we need to use a neutral color here also. A light beige or tan plush or possibly a soft Berber makes the rooms look larger and adds a warm inviting feeling. Buy carpeting at Home Depot and have them cut it to the sizes provided by your installer. Hiring an installer on your own is far less expensive than using the store’s installer.

Image19. Get the roof replaced, if necessary. This will likely be the first permit that gets pulled if we don’t follow the process of rehabbing. When the roofer is done it is time to do the siding if needed. You need to decide if you want to paint or re-side. Putting up vinyl siding is very easy and very cheap.

Image20. Get the yard spruced up with some plants and flowers and start marketing it.

 

 

 

 

 

BARBARA SMALL TEAM: Specializing in Short Sales and Foreclosures. Dedicated in walking you through your Short Sale and Foreclosure process. “My team and I have one goal and that is to help you reach yours”.

-barbara 

Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Rehab-a-Property-in-the-Proper-Order

RE/MAX: Home Prices Up Yearly for 17th Straight Month in June

ImageHome prices and home sales posted annual gains for at least 17 straight months in June, according to RE/MAX’shousing report, which covers 52 metropolitan areas.

At $193,750, the median price of a home in June sat 12.6 percent above the year-ago level and increased 5 percent from May.

Out of the 52 metros tracked, Albuquerque, New Mexico, was the only market to experience a yearly decrease after prices fell 4.2 percent.

Home sales also stood higher compared to last year, increasing 4.1 percent in June. The improvement marks the 24th month of consecutive gains. On a monthly basis, sales decreased, falling 4.3 percent from May to June.

Thirty-one out of the 52 metros experienced an annual increase in sales, and 13 of those areas reported double-digit gains.

The metros that stood out for their gains in June included Albuquerque, New Mexico, where sales surged 42.9 percent, as well as Providence, Rhode Island (+25.3 percent); Chicago (+20.7 percent); Charlotte, North Carolina (+19.6 percent), and Baltimore (+18 percent).

“Summer sales are traditionally the strongest of the year, but this year we’re seeing sales at a double-digit pace above last summer,” noted Margaret Kelly, CEO of RE/MAX, LLC. “Even after the recession, interest in homeownership remains quite high. Low mortgage rates and attractive home prices are still creating opportunities with the best home affordability the market has seen in years.”

According to RE/MAX, it’s still a seller’s market, with supply at 3.9 months. In addition, inventory fell 23.9 percent from June 2012, and from May to June, inventory decreased 2.3 percent.

On an annual basis, 49 out of the 52 metros had lower levels of inventory compared to last year.

On the upside, 18 metros saw inventory increase on a monthly basis, though RE/MAX stated, “the problem of low home inventories may be in the early stage of a rebound.”

Homes were taken of the market at a faster pace in June, with days on the market at the lowest level in a year. Last month, it took 65 days for a home to get sold after getting listed, down from 84 days in June 2012 and 70 in May.

 

 

 

BARBARA SMALL TEAM: Specializing in Short Sales and Foreclosures. Dedicated in walking you through your Short Sale and Foreclosure process. “My team and I have one goal and that is to help you reach yours”.

-barbara 

Source: dsnews.com

How to Rehab a Property in the Proper Order Part 2

For several markets across the country, strong home price growth is also attached a double-digit unemployment rate, leading Fitch Ratings to view the strong price appreciation as unsustainable.

In a recent report, Fitch highlighted seven metro areas where high unemployment rates were in the backdrop of annual double-digit home price gains.

The top two were Detroit and Las Vegas, while the remaining five were in California: Sacramento, Stockton, Los Angeles, Bakersfield, and Riverside.

As of the fourth quarter of 2012, Detroit has seen prices skyrocket by 17 percent year-over-year, but the unemployment rate is at 11.2 percent compared to the national rate of 7.6 percent of June.

Las Vegas and Sacramento both posted annual gains of 13 percent, but their unemployment rates are each at 10 percent, according to the report.

Stockton had an unemployment rate of 14.4 percent, yet home prices surged 11 percent over the last year.

“Housing markets in Detroit and Las Vegas experienced huge drops in prices during the crisis, so the abrupt rise is worth keeping an eye on given the still-languid state of their respective economies,” said Stefan Hilts, director at Fitch.

On a broader level, Fitch concluded national home prices, which rose 6 percent in 2012, are overvalued by about 12 percent.

However, the rating agency expects the difference to narrow over time.

“As markets stabilize and improvement in localized economies is more pronounced, the gap between actual and sustainable home prices should narrow,” explained Hilts.

According to Fitch, “several unique aspects” of the market have pushed prices up. 
For one, housing supply has remained limited due to extended foreclosure timelines as a result of legislation that has slowed the pace of foreclosures sales, as well underwater borrowers who are reluctant to sell, the report explained.

Overall, the combination of limited supply and demand from purchase borrowers and investors is causing the rapid gain in prices.

“It remains to be seen if these trends can continue as residential housing markets stabilize, with a higher volume of listed properties and sales. Nonetheless, the current growth is a positive sign of the housing market recovery,” the report stated.

 

 

 

If you’ve been thinking of selling your home, I tell everyone that this is the perfect time because house prices are up and interest rates are low and demand is high.

If you’re thinking of buying a home, this is the perfect time because interest rates are low and prices are on the way up.  It’s better to act now before the home you love is out of your reach.

-barbarasmall

 Source: dsnews.com

How to Rehab a Property in the Proper Order Part 1

When buying property for rehabilitation, it is important to do your house clean-up and repairs in the proper order. You don’t want to get ahead of yourself or waste time and money on the project. These steps are a good order of process to follow when house rehabbing, with a few extra specifics. Of course you will find small repairs in between these steps but they are very minor.

Image1. Secure the place by putting new lock sets in at least one entry door, and barricade the other exterior doors and windows that will not lock. From this point forward you need to know that your tools, building materials, and future improvements are safe from vandals.

Image2. Notify the police department right away that you are cleaning up the property and would like extra patrol. They are always willing to do this because house rehabbing makes for a nicer looking neighborhood which draws better residents and that makes their job easier. Leave all exterior lights on 24/7 so everyone can have good visibility of the exterior of the home.

  • ImageConsider leaving a dog to roam around in the front and back yard. Bring your kids over to play in the back yard. Consider having a worker sleep over. By making the unit a little habitable, vagrants will not be roaming around your property looking for something to steal.

Image3. Do a quick clean up of the debris on the outside of the home. There are two important reasons for this:

Image4. Always do the home remodeling work to the interior of the home before doing any noticeable work on the exterior. The only exception is the roof. If it is actually leaking, we should try to cheaply patch it to get by until the interior is nearly done. Do not use an obnoxious tarp.
Image5. Decide if we need to order replacement windows or keep existing. Allow time for replacement windows to ship.

Image6. Hang some fabric over the windows. You do not want to attract attention to our house rehabbing activities. It is not that you plan to do substandard work. WE just want to be able to do our house rehabbing work efficiently without unwarranted inspections causing delays.

Image7. Do a clean out of the interior. All items to be replaced with the exception of lighting and windows, needs to go. This needs to be done in a fashion that doesn’t draw attention.

Image8. Talk to the garbage collector on pick up day. Offer to pay him to take the bulk of trash. This money is paid directly to the collector. Ask him how much it will take for him to take it all. For about $60.00 he may even call a second truck to get it all. Don’t put the trash out until the collectors will be there to take it. we don’t want to look like you are making things worse.

Image9. Repair and reassemble. Start with the mechanicals. Most of these systems work fine for the most part. Most of the repairs are minor unless the home is still on fuses, or the plumbing was frozen. The upgrade to circuit breakers is a must. Do not do this unless you are capable. Safety first.

Image10. Prep the walls, ceiling, and trim for painting. Hang the light fixtures from the junction box with a piece of wire, but leave the power hooked up. Clean off any dirt and grease from the walls and ceilings. Pull any nails and fill the holes. we can use our spackle on trim also, and then sand smooth. If the windows are being replaced, it’s ok to get paint on them. Even if we keep them, paint them and then scrape the glass clean after the paint dries. This gets the window glass totally clean with little effort.

BARBARA SMALL TEAM: Specializing in Short Sales and Foreclosures. Dedicated in walking you through your Short Sale and Foreclosure process. “My team and I have one goal and that is to help you reach yours”.

-barbara 

Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Rehab-a-Property-in-the-Proper-Order

25 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Sale Part 3

ImageINTERIOR PAINTING: A new coat of paint on walls and ceilings goes a long way, especially if you need to cover old dings or stains or perhaps get rid of color schemes that are outdated or simply too “loud” for the average buyer. Use neutral, muted colors.

 

 

WALLPAPER: Consider getting rid of it. You may love the pattern, but the buyer may hate it.

ImageKITCHEN CABINETS: Could discourage buyers if they are old and outdated. Perhaps you do not have the funds for a full kitchen remodeling, but if you can afford to do so, at least upgrading to new, modern cabinets will be a huge benefit.

ImageBATHROOMS: Must be squeaky clean, sparkling and free of rust, mold and stains. New fixtures are a plus. Re-caulking tubs and showers is a good idea, as well as re-grouting tiles, especially if mold and dirt has built up.

ImageODORS: Along with sight and visual cues, smell is a powerful sense that you need to consider. Buyers can be turned off or offended by smells from pets, smoking, heavy cooking and other sources.

ImageCARPETS: At the very least, they should be steam-cleaned, to remove dirt, stains and odors. If they are badly stained, worn or old, you should consider having them pulled up and replaced. If so, go with neutral colors.

ImageFIX OR REPLACE BROKEN/CRACKED FLOOR TILES: They will be an eyesore to a buyer and leave a poor impression.

ImageFIXTURES: If a full-blown remodeling job in the kitchen or elsewhere is not a practical option, at least make sure what you have now looks good and works. Fix leaky faucets. Polish the fixtures, or buy new ones. Remove stains.

ImageSTAGING: Think of this as dressing up your home. It is the process of tastefully arranging furniture, decor and accent pieces to create a warm, inviting look. Think in terms of a window display at a department store. It is more art than science, and some Realtors are well versed at staging with an eye on impressing the buyer.

 

 

 

If you’ve been thinking of selling your home, I tell everyone that this is the perfect time because house prices are up and interest rates are low and demand is high.

If you’re thinking of buying a home, this is the perfect time because interest rates are low and prices are on the way up.  It’s better to act now before the home you love is out of your reach.

-barbarasmall

 

Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/07/prweb1139504.htm

25 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Sale Part 2

ImageEXTERIOR CLEANING: Pressure-wash stains off the driveway and sidewalk. Wash the windows.

Image

 

 

 

LANDSCAPING: You do not have to spend thousands of dollars on a professional crew to push dirt and reinvent the look of your yard. But do keep it looking sharp! Keep the lawn cut, watered and raked. Allow time to re-sod bad patches if necessary. Trim the bushes; prune tree branches obstructing the house.

ImageROTTED WOOD? Replace it. Wood rot looks unsightly to buyers and could cause them to wonder what else might be in disrepair.

 

 

 

Image

HOW IS YOUR ROOF? Are the shingles worn? Does it leak? If so, fix it now. If a buyer discovers a leaky roof during inspection, they’ll be inclined to make you pay for an entirely new one, or else you risk scuttling the sale.

Image

 

THE FRONT DOOR: This is likely the first place a buyer will gain entry into your home. Make a good first impression. It should be clean and freshly painted. The door knob should be in good shape, the lock working well. Clear the entryway of clutter.

ImageLESS IS MORE: It is a good idea to consider removing some furniture in rooms to open up more space. Buyers want to get a good feel for the layout and space within the house.    Also clear countertops, shelves and corners of appliances and miscellaneous knick-knacks and clutter, to create an open, clean look.

 

 

CLUTTERED CLOSETS AND OTHER STORAGE SPACES: Basements, 

Image

garages and closets jam-packed with several years worth of old stuff are a big turn-off to buyers. Clean them out and rent storage space if necessary. Again, buyers expect access to the house and all the spaces within.

 

MINIMIZE CLUTTER IN DRAWERS, ImagePANTRIES, AND CABINETS: The same is true for these spaces. Buyers like to look everywhere!

 

 

 

If you’ve been thinking of selling your home, I tell everyone that this is the perfect time because house prices are up and interest rates are low and demand is high.

If you’re thinking of buying a home, this is the perfect time because interest rates are low and prices are on the way up.  It’s better to act now before the home you love is out of your reach.

-barbarasmall

Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/07/prweb1139504.htm

25 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Sale Part 1

I came across this page this morning and it captured my eyes automatically when I first saw this and I would like to share you guys this blog post from Austin Realtor. These are wonderful tips for the home sellers out there to help themselves speed up the selling process of their house. These tips will dictate their selling at their own phase.

The process of getting your home ready to put on the market is more than simply finding the right real estate agent and setting the right price. It is critical to make sure that you are presenting the most desirable product possible. You have a great deal of control over how your property is perceived, and there are several things you can do to prepare it for sale and maximize its value in the eyes of potential buyers.

The following lists is certainly not exhaustive, but keep these tips in mind, and you will increase your chances of impressing buyers and landing offers.

ImagePREPARE YOURSELF FIRST: Learn to separate your emotions from this process, and that will help you do the things you need to prepare. Stop looking at this as your home, and start treating it as a commodity that you need to market and sell for the highest price possible. You will likely be hearing a lot of opinions and criticisms from Realtors and potential buyers about the place you have called home, and some of it may not sit well with you. Do not take it personally. It is not a personal attack on you. This is strictly business.

Image“DE-PERSONALIZE” YOUR HOME: While you are getting used to your new mindset, go ahead and remove all items that mark the house as your territory. It may seem cruel, but a buyer wants to envision the property as his, not yours. Take family portraits off the walls, remove photos, and put away trophies, diplomas and any other personal effects that could distract a buyer who is viewing the property.

ImageCONSIDER A PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTION: This will reveal any potential problems you did not anticipate, and may uncover some repair issues you will need to address well before putting your home on the market.

ImageCLEAN LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER CLEANED BEFORE: This is definitely not the time for dirt, dust and grime. From bottom to top, the house needs to be spotless. From sinks to bathtubs, windows to doorknobs, attic to basement, make it immaculate. If you have to bring in a professional cleaning crew to give your home a serious scrub-down, do it.

ImageDON’T FORGET THE CHIMNEY: When was the last time you had it cleaned? You could have years of accumulated soot, leaves, debris…and perhaps even small animals inside! At a minimum, it is probably dirty; worst case, it could be clogged, causing a safety hazard next time the fireplace is used.

PLUMBING: Make sure there are no leaks or water pressure problems. A smart buyer will order a home inspection anyway, so it is smart to correct these before they are discovered.

 

ImageHEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING: Does it stay comfortably cool in the hot summer months? Is it sufficiently warm in the cold winter? This will likely be inspected too.

ImageA NEW COAT OF PAINT OUTSIDE: If it has been years since the last time you painted the exterior of your home, a fresh coat will brighten its appearance and enhance the “curb appeal” to potential buyers.

 

 

 

BARBARA SMALL TEAM: Specializing in Short Sales and Foreclosures. Dedicated in walking you through your Short Sale and Foreclosure process. “My team and I have one goal and that is to help you reach yours”.

-barbara 

 

Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/07/prweb1139504.htm