1) Go Green

• A lush, green lawn goes a long way towards convincing potential buyers that it’s worth their time to come in and view the house. In addition, good grass maintenance sends a subconscious signal that you’re meticulous about keeping the property in tip-top shape.
• Landscaping has been proven time and time again to attract buyers, paying for itself in the sale price of the home. If you can, hire a professional to choose plants and trees that complement each other, along with being appropriate to your climate and easy to care for.

2) Quick Fixes

When it comes to home sales, details matter. That means that now is the time to address all of those to-dos that never got to over the years. Do a complete sweep of the property and note all the imperfections. Then, get to work taking care of them. Pay special attention to the problem areas that you have probably gotten used to. Even though you don’t notice them anymore, potential buyers will spot them immediately with their fresh eyes:

• Cracks in the driveway or sidewalk
• Flaking, peeling paint, inside and outside
• Fences in disrepair or in need of paint
• Rust on anything
• Broken shutters
• Damaged outdoor lighting

3) Rain, Rain Go Away

If you’ve been putting off repair or replacement of rain gutters, now is the time to get to it. New drainage systems add a finished look to your home. They also keep rain off the exterior of your house which is guaranteed to eventually find its way inside. Missing or broken rain gutters tell possible buyers that there is potential for issues with interior mold and mildew. Don’t lose out by skipping over this step, which usually costs far less than you expect.

4) Storage Solutions

No doubt you know that closet space is a huge selling point. But, give some thought to the roots of that golden rule. When people are considering living in your home, they want to be sure there is enough space to spread out and put away their belongings. If your home doesn’t boast a full basement or three-car garage, you can still advertise lots of storage space. Add an outdoor shed made of solid, quality materials, where shovels, lawnmowers, and other large yard equipment can be stored safely.

5) Top Layer

Unless you’re selling a fixer-upper, your buyers are unlikely to be interested in taking responsibility for a whole face-lift right away. Lure them in by offering a brand new outside, with a new coat of paint or fresh siding. Use neutral colors with low-key trim contrast that fits in with the rest of the neighborhood. This is not the time to get experimental. Remember, your goal is to reflect the tastes of the new owners, not yours.

Raise Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Use these tips to raise the curb appeal of your home. Curb appeal is what potential homebuyers first see when they drive past or up to your home. If your curb appeal is low, chances are they may never even come inside. By raising your curb appeal, you raise the chances of them wanting to come inside a take a thorough look at what your home has to offer. Your home’s curb appeal will help it to sell faster.

About The Author: Paula Henry is an experienced Indianapolis Realtor assisting home buyers and sellers. If you’re interested in learning more about buying a home in Indianapolis, please visit her Indianapolis Real Estate website.

But like every potential homebuyer out there, this couple needed to know how much they should have as it would be a deal breaker for them in buying their first home if they didn’t have enough.

How Big Should Your Down Payment Be? 

They had heard that a down payment could be as much as twenty percent and as low as five percent, and that the more that is paid down on the home, the lower the monthly payments.  They had also heard that some loans are written with a down payment of just three-and-one-half percent, while some loans require no down payment at all.  Well all of that’s true.  But the type of loan that the couple goes for, however, will actually determine how much they need to pay down.

There are three down payment strategies for homebuyers to consider.  You can start on the low end of the down payment scale with a loan like the FHA loan that requires a low down payment but will have higher mortgage insurance costs.  You can go for the mid-range down payment, such as a conforming loan that requires a five to ten percent down payment but lower PMI costs.  Or you can go “all in” and take out a loan that requires a down payment of twenty percent and eliminates the need for mortgage insurance altogether.

For example, if they go for a government loan, like a VA loan or FHA loan, they might qualify for that super low down payment.  There are also loans out there known as non-conforming loans, and they can require that you pay a whopping twenty percent down.  Let’s take a look at some of the different types of loans out there, and determine how much most homebuyers will need to save as a down payment for each loan.

FHA Loans Can Help If You Have A Small Down Payment

FHA loans are loans are excellent for folks without a lot of money to pay down.  The minimum down payment is just 3.5 percent of the amount of the mortgage.  There is, however, a cap on the value of the home that you can purchase, and that cap is based on where you live at.  The cap was put into place because the cost of home prices is so different across the country.

For example, the cap for Danville CA in Contra Costa County is $729,750, while the cap for Fairfield CA in Sonoma County is slightly less at $662,500.  That’s a huge difference.  One of the best things about FHA loans is that anyone can apply for one, regardless of their income level.  After all, just because you have a higher income does not necessarily mean that you have saved for a large down payment.

For veterans of the military, a VA or Veteran’s Administration loan is oftentimes the best option.  For eligible vets, there is a zero down payment option that allows vets to borrow 100% of the home’s price, at least for homes that are priced at $417K or less.

While affording a down payment is an obstacle for some buyers, others may have the cash but should weigh their options before deciding which strategy is best for them.  The bottom line is not to overextend your cash reserves, since there are a number of hidden costs that come along with owning a home, like paying for repairs, homeowner’s insurance and taxes.  This can make being a homeowner a bit pricier than you had bargained for – and you may wish you had some of that down payment back.  Your realtor and loan officer are great sources for information about how big your down payment should be.

This guest blog was provided by Vickie Nagy, a San Ramon California Realtor. For more information about Vickie, you can head over to her Homes for sale Danville, CA website where you have access to all Homes in Dublin California.

Generally, buyers will make an initial offer that is 5 to 10% below the asking price. While this is rarely accepted right off the bat (although it has been known to happen), it serves as a starting point for negotiations as the seller will often come back with a counteroffer. At this point, you will have the option to accept the counter, make a counteroffer of your own, or simply walk away and continue your search. There are, however, some factors that you should take into consideration when making the initial offer.

In a depressed real estate market where there’s a high inventory of homes for sale, buyers can choose to make an even lower initial offer. In such a market, sellers don’t get many bids for their property and are more inclined to accept less for their house – especially sellers who, driven by circumstance, need to sell and sell fast.

A depressed real estate market is a buyer’s market and provides an opportunity for buyers to acquire real estate at relatively deep discounts. So make a low-ball offer, as much as 20 to 25% below the asking price, and see how the seller responds. Who knows? He or she may just accept it – putting you in your new home with equity right off the bat!

In a hot market, however, the inventory of homes for sale is low. Sellers often get multiple bids on their property forcing buyers into having to match the asking price, and sometimes even offer a premium to snatch the property away from other candidates.

In such a market, it’s important not to fall too deeply in love with the home. Doing so may cause you to settle for a price that is beyond what your monthly budget can muster which, in turn, may result in financial woes on down the road.

You may also want to consider enlisting the services of a real estate agent. They offer valuable information on the current market as well as provide comparable home sales. By virtue of the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) system, only accessible to licensed real estate brokers, an agent can look up prices of homes that recently sold in the area and by comparison, determine property value for homes nearby. Real estate agents will also provide valuable help with other aspects of the home buying process, all at no cost to you. In most instances, buyer agents split the sales commission with the sellers.

Making an offer on a house doesn’t have to add to the overwhelming stress of buying a home. Just put in some legwork in order to be armed with market knowledge and information that will ensure you get the right home for the right price. Using the services of a real estate agent is a good idea.  The realtors’ experience in buying and selling real estate has often proven to be a substantial benefit for the buyer.

This guest blog was provided by Jolenta Averill a Madison real estate agent servicing home buyer and sellers in the Madison WI area. You can learn more about Jolenta by visiting her Madison homes website or read her Madison homes blog.

While setting a price that is too low will shortchange the seller, setting a price that is too high will make it nearly impossible to get the home sold. Whether selling Lake Austin real estate or a home in Fort Collins, there are several different factors that need to be kept in mind.

Examining Comparable Listings and Sales

Examining comparable listings and sales involves looking at similar homes in the neighborhood that have been put on the market over the past six months. When selecting similar homes, it is important to look at only those home that are within 10 percent of the same square footage as the home that is to be put on the market. Physical barriers and neighborhood dividing lines should also be taken into consideration, as these barriers and locations can have a significant effect on the overall value of the home.

Exploring Sold Comps

Exploring sold comps involves looking at listings that have actually sold in the neighborhood. When examining sold comps, it is important to consider the list price as well as the final sale price. Other things to take into consideration include the number of days the home was on the market before it sold as well as the lot size, amenities and other factors that may set the home apart from other homes on the market.

Checking Into Withdrawn and Expired Listings

Withdrawn listings, which are those homes that were taken off the market before they were sold, should also be considered when determining an asking price. By looking at withdrawn listings, you may be able to identify patterns and other common factors that have kept the homes from getting sold. By looking for ways to remove these commonalities from the home you are trying to sell, you may have more success with getting it sold. Also, looking at these features and the prices that were being asked for these homes can help you set a more accurate price on your home.

Considering Pending Sales and Active Listings

By considering pending sales and active listings, you can also get a much clearer idea of where the market is at and how much buyers are willing to pay. Of course, gathering all of this data and crunching the numbers can be a bit confusing for someone who is not experienced with the real estate market. Therefore, it is a good idea to consult with a real estate agent in order to determine the best asking price possible.

About The Author – Eric Bramlett specializes in Lake Austin real estate, including Greenshores Austin waterfront homes for sale, as real estate broker of One Source Realty in Austin, Texas.

When you think of a true “Hollywood home,” Real Housewives of Beverly Hills wife, Lisa Vanderpump’s home is what comes to mind.  After regularly seeing it on the Bravo television show, it is definitely the quintessential estate-styled home.  With white as the base color in most every room, this most elegant home is so crisp that taking your shoes off at the door is a must!

Lavish chandeliers, tassels adorning everything, ornate mirrors, and an enormous master walk-in closet that resembles a high end boutique are just some of the characteristics you see walking through her home.  The outdoor living area opens up to the most scenic garden you can ever imagine with white furniture and pink flowers everywhere.  Every room is decorated to the nines then decorated again and yet again.

You would never ever feel comfortable lying on a sofa in your favorite sweatpants while watching television.  But it is a stunning home that seems fit for the wealthiest of people and is definitely what you think of when you think of the quintessential “Hollywood homes.”

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the perfectly decorated yet understated New York City apartment owned by Hilary Swank.  At about 1,400 square feet, it is by no means palatial but it is undoubtedly one of the most tastefully designed apartments you will ever find.  Contemporary and minimalist in its décor, the look and furniture features long, lean lines throughout each room to compliment the New York skyline.

Even in her kitchen, you will find simple taupe colored cabinets with straight lined hardware.  The furniture is straightforward and effortless but at the same time homey and very comfortable.  Base colors throughout her apartment are soft taupes and whites with small splashes of color or black dotting each room through Calvin Klein furniture and throw pillows or simply by adorning a chest with a vase full of greenery.

As one of the most popular celebrities around, Sarah Jessica Parker has a beautiful Hamptons home that was featured in Elle Décor several years ago.  Just looking at the exterior’s farm house style architecture with its wrap around porch makes you want to sit in a cozy, cushion-y, wicker chair with a big glass of tea.

When you step inside, you see that her home combines the best of the shabby chic look with a contemporary edge to create a pleasant, attractive and stylish home.  White walls adorn most of the rooms that are designed with warm yet bright colors as a highlight.  For example, the kitchen is white with a huge shiny red metal island in the center and features a perfect stainless steel range/oven with a large hood above it that stretches to the ceiling.

In the dining room with white walls as well, a white round table is surrounded by black complementary chairs and a large hanging light fixture with deep sky blue glass shades around the light bulbs.  Each room has a similar feel yet a different look with various splashes of color. Though with three small children, white walls are probably not the smartest choice!

With so many different styles, tastes, likes and dislikes, the homes of today’s celebrities are diverse.  What one star strives to achieve in terms of celebrity opulence, another runs as fast as she can from the large, typical estate style abode.

Many others seem to fall between the two looks and go with elegant, tasteful, and understated designs that are pleasing to the eye and very welcoming.  The common thread through each and every home is that no expense is spared on every part from the appliances in the kitchen to the furniture throughout the house to the accessories that give the house personality.

The most fun for you is peeking into the life of your favorite celebrity by looking at his or her home in magazines and online.  You can get ideas and work with looks you love to create a similar style in your own home.  So have fun and explore the world of your favorite celebrity homes.   See what you can do to achieve a comparable look to your own home.

Article provided by Kimberley Kelly a Realtor in La Quinta CA where many celebrities enjoy multi-million dollar La Quinta CA Golf homes. If you’re interested in a vacation home in the southern California desert, you can see all La Quinta CA homes on Kim’s website.

Dogs usually do their business outside, and cats will have their place indoors to go to the bathroom, but sometimes it all doesn’t go the way it is supposed to. The odd time there will be accidents, and these accidents can be anything from a minor hassle to a big chore. Being a pet owner myself, I realized there may be some new pet owners out there that may benefit by receiving some tips I have learned throughout the years.

If you have found your pet has had an accident the faster you clean it up, the better. Leaving the mess can cause stains, and can also cause lingering odours. If you get to the mess immediately it will do minimal damage, but if it is left, it can damage rugs, furniture, and even hardwood flooring permanently.

Try to pick-up or dab at the mess without rubbing it into carpet or upholstery, and try to remove as much as you can. Find a pet cleaner (you can buy them at the pet store) and spray it on the stain. After leaving it for a few minutes, scrubbing the area should remove the rest.

Even if you haven’t seen a mess, it doesn’t mean areas are clean. If your pets frequent an area of your home, you should clean it regularly. It is possible many accidents may have been missed, but also cleaning the area will ensure it’s as clean as possible.

Keeping your dog clean will allow your home to stay clean. Give your dog a bath routinely, you may want to ask your Veterinarian or consult a book about your dogs breed to find out how often they should be bathed. Cats are generally well groomed because they are always cleaning themselves, but that doesn’t mean they are spotless.

Vacuum your home regularly, especially if you have allergies. Pet hair can get anywhere and everywhere, and if you don’t vacuum regularly it is in your carpet, furniture, and air. This is a nightmare to allergy suffers, and most people with allergies stay away from the homes of pet owners for this reason.

Regularly clean your cat’s litter box or your dog’s house because they can be full of germs. Use a non-toxic cleaner to clean the area, and if needed use an air freshener. I use vinegar to clean, because it is safe and cheap.

Clean your pet’s feeding dish. Over time it can pick up germs, and cleaning them regularly will eliminate them. If any dishes are cracked or broken throw them out, because they can be hazardous to your animals. There may be other dangers for your pet as well if their dish cracks, such as lead paint.

Someone who loves animals will know of the amazing times that are to be had by owning one. From the unconditional love they show, to the unique personalities each animal has, it’s easy to forget about the disadvantages of owning one. As long as you ensure the house is cleaned regularly, and you keep your eyes open for accidents, they are hardly an inconvenience at all.

Article Provided by Aaron Seekford: For more information about Aaron you can check out some Arlington Neighborhoods where you can find Claremont VA homes for sale or Courthouse VA homes.

Relocating to Fort Collins, Colorado most likely will be one of the best decisions you could make for you and your family. After all, Fort Collins was ranked Number One in Money Magazine’s list of “Best Places to Live.” Among the many factors cited in awarding this honor, Money cited Fort Collins’ strong local economy, affordable Fort Collins Real Estate, leisure and culture, quality of live, income and health. Combining all of these factors, Fort Collins is now officially the Best Small City to Live in America!

This is a fact that Fort Collins residents have known for quite a while. Newcomers here are thrilled with their decision to relocate to Fort Collins, and long-time residents simply could not imagine living anywhere else. Fort Collins offers all of the amenities and services of a major metropolitan city-center, but affords its residents the cozy comforts of a much smaller community.  With so many great options for housing, Fort Collins is a smart choice for any home buyer.

Newcomers to Fort Collins are delighted to discover that, along with its incredible quality of life, the city also offers a relatively affordable amount of housing choices. This extends to the local property market market, which is versatile enough to accommodate buyers in all price ranges. At the same time, home owners here have experienced a steady appreciation of their homes’ values, making the decision to own your own home rather than rent a popular option for local residents.

Recent real estate reports indicate that Fort Collins home prices currently start at $60,000 for a small condominium or townhouse in the area. A typical three-bedroom, two-bath single-family home in Fort Collins can start at a listing price of $135,000. The median listing price for this style of home is now approximately $240,000.

At the highest end of the Fort Collins luxury housing market, listing prices now top out at $3,400,000 for a spectacular executive style estate home. Those home buyers seeking the utmost in luxurious living will find custom homes with five bedrooms, seven baths, and nearly ten thousand square feet of living space. Newly constructed homes offer unparalleled views of the surrounding hills and mountains on a beautifully manicured two-acre lot.

There is something for everyone here in Fort Collins, a fact that brings a diverse array of newcomers to live in this incredible community. If you are thinking about moving to Fort Collins, Colorado, simply request our free relocation packet today to check out the great Fort Collins Real Estate market.

My name is Allison Klein and I am a successful Fort Collins realtor selling Fort Collins Real Estate. Search my website for Fort Collins MLS listings free. My goal is to make sure that you have the smoothest transaction possible and provide you with exemplary customer service! Let me know how I can fullfill your Fort Collins Real Estate needs. Give me a call today at 970.818.6668 or fill out my online contact form for more information.

Whether working with buyers or sellers, my energy, professional contacts and vast resources are available to make my clients’ property searches in Fort Collins Real Estate and sales go as smoothly as possible. As a REALTOR since 2003, I am an elite Broker Associate at ERA Herman Group Real Estate. My real estate expertise lies within Northern Colorado; and I am the inarguable market maker in Fort Collins. Even if one is just starting to consider a move or relocating to Fort Collins area, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to sharing why the Fort Collins area is continually rated one of the places to live in the nation.
Changing Fort Collins Real Estate one transaction at a time…

The local resource in the state of Colorado for affordable housing education, information and advocacy, Housing Colorado, released a report describing the comparison of wages and rents for jurisdictions in Colorado. The report “calculates the amount of money a household must earn in order to afford a rental unit in a range of sizes at that area’s fair market rent (FMR), based on the generally accepted affordability standard of paying no more than 30% of income for housing costs.” Rents are rising making buying Fort Collins Real Estate more of an option for people today.

In Colorado, rents have risen 7% in the last year due primarily to low vacancy rates and increasing rental demand from the foreclosure crisis. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment is $924. A household must earn $3,080 per month, or $36,957 per year to be able to afford a home in this price range. Based on the assumption of a 40-hour work week and 52 weeks per year, the Housing Wage to afford a home at FMR is $17.77. At this same rate you could buy a home in Fort Collins and pay less than the average rental would cost for the same sized house.

Rental amounts are surpassing affordability rates at an alarming pace in Colorado. With Colorado’s minimum hourly wage at $7.25, a renter would need to work 98 hours per week to be able to afford a two-bedroom apartment at FMR, or have two minimum wage earners working 40 hours per week. The average wage in Colorado is $13.46 per hour, still below the affordability level of $17.77. Again, renting is becoming out of reach for some whereas buying a home may be a better option for you.

In Northern Colorado specifically, the hourly wage needed to afford a two bedroom house is $16.33 in Fort Collins/Loveland and $13.71 in Greeley. However, the estimated mean renter hourly wage for 2011 in Fort Collins/Loveland is $9.94 and in Greeley, the mean is $9.84 – well below the income needed to meet the affordability standard. When looking at housing costs, the average two bedroom apartment will cost $849 in Larimer County and $713 in Weld County; and yet renter households in Larimer County can only afford $517 per month or $512 in Weld County.

It remains obvious that affordable housing and rental availability will continue to be an issue for Northern Colorado. Owners who have been unable to sell their homes in a tight Fort Collins Real Estate market are considering leasing their property, or offering a lease to purchase option for buyers in Fort Collins. If managed and negotiated with a knowledgeable real estate professional familiar with both property management and sales, a lease to purchase is a viable option. Multi-family property will also be in high demand in the upcoming years due to affordability. If you would like more information about the benefits of buying vs. renting please contact me.

Fort Collins Real Estate Expert

Fort Collins Realtor
My name is Allison Klein and I am a successful Fort Collins Realtor selling Fort Collins Real Estate. Search my website for Fort Collins MLS listings free. My goal is to make sure that you have the smoothest transaction possible and provide you with exemplary customer service! Let me know how I can fullfill your Fort Collins Real Estate needs. Give me a call today at 970.818.6668 or fill out my online contact form for more information.

Whether working with buyers or sellers, my energy, professional contacts and vast resources are available to make my clients’ property searches in Fort Collins Real Estate and sales go as smoothly as possible. As a REALTOR since 2003, I am an elite Broker Associate at ERA Herman Group Real Estate. My real estate expertise lies within Northern Colorado; and I am the inarguable market maker in Fort Collins Real Estate. Even if one is just starting to consider a move or relocating to Fort Collins area, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to sharing why the Fort Collins area is continually rated one of the places to live in the nation.
Changing Fort Collins Real Estate one transaction at a time…

The Fort Collins Real Estate market has not seen the ugliness that a lot of other areas have seen that you might have heard about in the news or magazines.  Please take the reports you see with a grain of salt and do your own due diligence for yourself to see that we are improving if not increasing. There are 10 new homes for sale in Fort Collins that came on the market yesterday. They range in price from a low of $127,900 to a high price of $529,900. So as you can see there is a home in every price range.

So, here are the newly listed homes in Fort Collins:

New Fort Collins Homes Priced Less Than $250,000

• 421 S Howes St, Fort Collins
• 5225 White Willow Dr, Fort Collins
• 3746 Dalton Dr, Fort Collins
• 617 Cherry St, Fort Collins
• 520 W Oak St, Fort Collins

New Fort Collins Homes Priced Over $300,000

• 7560 Tamarisk Dr, Fort Collins
• 3214 Chase Dr, Fort Collins
• 8016 Louden Cir Ct, Fort Collins
• 3411 Hidden Pond Dr, Fort Collins
• 319 N Whitcomb St, Fort Collins

Fort Collins Realtor
My name is Allison Klein and I am a successful Fort Collins Realtor selling Fort Collins Real Estate. Search my website for Fort Collins MLS listings free. My goal is to make sure that you have the smoothest transaction possible and provide you with exemplary customer service! Let me know how I can fullfill your Fort Collins Real Estate needs. Give me a call today at 970.818.6668 or fill out my online contact form for more information.

Whether working with buyers or sellers, my energy, professional contacts and vast resources are available to make my clients’ property searches in Fort Collins Real Estate and sales go as smoothly as possible. As a REALTOR since 2003, I am an elite Broker Associate at ERA Herman Group Real Estate. My real estate expertise lies within Northern Colorado; and I am the inarguable market maker in Fort Collins Real Estate. Even if one is just starting to consider a move or relocating to Fort Collins area, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to sharing why the Fort Collins area is continually rated one of the places to live in the nation.
Changing Fort Collins Real Estate one transaction at a time…