Archive for Fountain Hills AZ Homes For Sale Now
Nov
08
Tips on Getting Your Lender to Listen
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Kellie Frazier asked:
Have you already turned your lender off from listening because your anger has gotten in the way? If so here are a few tips to help you manage the anxiety that can come while getting your lender to pay attention.
Mortgage problems can come in all forms, or sizes, but getting someone to hear you is less difficult than you might think; but it’ll take effort on your part.
1. Understand your mortgage agreement – It may not be pleasant to read, but you MUST know what your agreement says in order to ask your lender for help in an intelligent way.
2. Use your monthly statement – Looking at your monthly mortgage statement you should see the address, email, website, fax and telephone number of your lending institution. If you don’t already know who to contact, you will want to call and find out who you would address a letter to, regarding your mortgage, and what’s the best form of communication to reach that person, or department. It is always best to get a name of an individual rather than a department.
3. Financial Statement – put together a financial statement with all your figures so they can see what you’re current situation looks like. If your income has decreased then show that on your financial statement. List out all of your assets (any rentals, income) and liabilities (outgoing bills) so the lender can see your situation as you see it.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If the lender has granted you a discount on your property through a “resolution to foreclosure”, the agreement might state, “payment in full without pursuit of any deficiency judgment”. If this verbiage doesn’t appear on the contract they could issue an IRS form 1099, using your financial statement, to pass the deficiency amount back to you as the homeowner. This can be attached to a homeowner’s new property mortgage and can remain with the homeowners for up to 2 years. It is very important that this verbiage appear in the contractual agreement with your lender if there was a discount granted to resolve a foreclosure.
4. Draft a letter of concern – This letter doesn’t need to be more than two or three paragraphs long. Banks look at numbers not stories so it’s vitally important to keep it short and to the point. An example of the meat of your letter could include: “Here are our numbers: As you can see we can’t continue payments of this amount. Please review and contact us immediately so we can begin discussions on working out a solution. We look forward to hearing from you in the next few days. Sincerely, Mr. & Mrs. Jones.”
Keep in mind that your numbers have to reflect your honest situation. Your integrity is vital.
5. Package it right – Put your financial statement, copy of mortgage statement, copy of any supporting documents (ex, layoff letter, monthly bills, student loans, etc) behind your financial statement and put your letter of concern on top. If putting this in a colorful folder will help keep the documents together, and get it noticed, then do so. The point is, you want it to be noticed! Banks and lenders are flooded with paperwork right now. Make yours thorough and organized.
6. Mail it in an appropriate manner – If the bank has suggested you fax it, then do so, if they said to snail mail or email it then do so, but whichever you select from their recommendation, do more than one. Fax and snail mail it or email and fax it, but NEVER mail out original documents!
7. Make an appointment right away – If your lender calls to meet with you today then it would be wise to clear your calendar, particularly if you are the one requesting their time. Bring your documents with you in case you need to refer to something yourself.
8. Know what type of resolution you are hoping for then discuss it with your lender and be sure to stay in contact over the next few weeks until you are satisfied with the results.
If you follow these tips, not only will it help your lender, but it will greatly help you to minimize your own anxiety while trying to get them to listen. Again, know your numbers, and how important it is to stay organized. Being pro-active about your future will lead to greater chances of success to live foreclosure free. What you will be doing is building a relationship of trust rather than anxiety and stress.
Investing in Real Estate?
Have you already turned your lender off from listening because your anger has gotten in the way? If so here are a few tips to help you manage the anxiety that can come while getting your lender to pay attention.
Mortgage problems can come in all forms, or sizes, but getting someone to hear you is less difficult than you might think; but it’ll take effort on your part.
1. Understand your mortgage agreement – It may not be pleasant to read, but you MUST know what your agreement says in order to ask your lender for help in an intelligent way.
2. Use your monthly statement – Looking at your monthly mortgage statement you should see the address, email, website, fax and telephone number of your lending institution. If you don’t already know who to contact, you will want to call and find out who you would address a letter to, regarding your mortgage, and what’s the best form of communication to reach that person, or department. It is always best to get a name of an individual rather than a department.
3. Financial Statement – put together a financial statement with all your figures so they can see what you’re current situation looks like. If your income has decreased then show that on your financial statement. List out all of your assets (any rentals, income) and liabilities (outgoing bills) so the lender can see your situation as you see it.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If the lender has granted you a discount on your property through a “resolution to foreclosure”, the agreement might state, “payment in full without pursuit of any deficiency judgment”. If this verbiage doesn’t appear on the contract they could issue an IRS form 1099, using your financial statement, to pass the deficiency amount back to you as the homeowner. This can be attached to a homeowner’s new property mortgage and can remain with the homeowners for up to 2 years. It is very important that this verbiage appear in the contractual agreement with your lender if there was a discount granted to resolve a foreclosure.
4. Draft a letter of concern – This letter doesn’t need to be more than two or three paragraphs long. Banks look at numbers not stories so it’s vitally important to keep it short and to the point. An example of the meat of your letter could include: “Here are our numbers: As you can see we can’t continue payments of this amount. Please review and contact us immediately so we can begin discussions on working out a solution. We look forward to hearing from you in the next few days. Sincerely, Mr. & Mrs. Jones.”
Keep in mind that your numbers have to reflect your honest situation. Your integrity is vital.
5. Package it right – Put your financial statement, copy of mortgage statement, copy of any supporting documents (ex, layoff letter, monthly bills, student loans, etc) behind your financial statement and put your letter of concern on top. If putting this in a colorful folder will help keep the documents together, and get it noticed, then do so. The point is, you want it to be noticed! Banks and lenders are flooded with paperwork right now. Make yours thorough and organized.
6. Mail it in an appropriate manner – If the bank has suggested you fax it, then do so, if they said to snail mail or email it then do so, but whichever you select from their recommendation, do more than one. Fax and snail mail it or email and fax it, but NEVER mail out original documents!
7. Make an appointment right away – If your lender calls to meet with you today then it would be wise to clear your calendar, particularly if you are the one requesting their time. Bring your documents with you in case you need to refer to something yourself.
8. Know what type of resolution you are hoping for then discuss it with your lender and be sure to stay in contact over the next few weeks until you are satisfied with the results.
If you follow these tips, not only will it help your lender, but it will greatly help you to minimize your own anxiety while trying to get them to listen. Again, know your numbers, and how important it is to stay organized. Being pro-active about your future will lead to greater chances of success to live foreclosure free. What you will be doing is building a relationship of trust rather than anxiety and stress.
Investing in Real Estate?
Nov
08
Selling Your Home? 7 Tips To Hiring A Professional Home Stager
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Debra Gould asked:
The old adage “first impressions are everything” truly applies when selling real estate. In general buyers decide within the first 30 seconds of entering a property whether or not they are interested. That is why home staging is so important as it allows the home to presented in the best possible light in an effort to wow prospective buyers.
When hiring a professional Home Stager, there are several things to keep in mind:
1. While some Home Stagers claim to be “accredited” there is no independent organization that grants such accreditation.
Some Home Stagers have essentially purchased their “credentials” by taking a weekend course open to anyone. There are no exams or criteria for being “accredited” other than paying for a course. And unfortunately, these courses often give their students a portfolio of before and after photos to claim as their own work.
2. Ask for references and photos of projects the Home Stager has actually worked on.
If you are planning to sell your home for $200,000 or more the Home Stager you hire should have a track record of homes he or she has staged. Have they worked on houses in your price range and in a variety of styles? Do they have reliable suppliers that they can refer you to? If you have a limited time frame before your house hits the market, you especially want to know if the person has had experience working under a deadline.
3. Try to determine whether the Home Stager is recognized as an expert in the field.
Are they quoted by the media? Do they speak at events? Have any of their projects been featured on TV or in print? Do they teach courses or publish articles on the subject?
4. Home Staging is more than decorating or de-cluttering.
Real Estate Staging is more than just “decorating” or “de-cluttering”. It is merchandising a home’s best features, downplaying its flaws and understanding the psychology of what makes a person fall in love with a home.
5. Real Estate knowledge is critical.
Before you hire a home stager, find out how much they really know about real estate.
Have they bought and sold their own homes in a variety of market conditions? Do they really know what it takes to turn a house into a “hot property”?
6. The Home Stager should understand that preparing to sell your home is a very stressful time.
As with any major life change, preparing and selling your home can be very stressful. Undoubtedly, many fears are triggered.
* Which real estate agent should I list with?
The old adage “first impressions are everything” truly applies when selling real estate. In general buyers decide within the first 30 seconds of entering a property whether or not they are interested. That is why home staging is so important as it allows the home to presented in the best possible light in an effort to wow prospective buyers.
When hiring a professional Home Stager, there are several things to keep in mind:
1. While some Home Stagers claim to be “accredited” there is no independent organization that grants such accreditation.
Some Home Stagers have essentially purchased their “credentials” by taking a weekend course open to anyone. There are no exams or criteria for being “accredited” other than paying for a course. And unfortunately, these courses often give their students a portfolio of before and after photos to claim as their own work.
2. Ask for references and photos of projects the Home Stager has actually worked on.
If you are planning to sell your home for $200,000 or more the Home Stager you hire should have a track record of homes he or she has staged. Have they worked on houses in your price range and in a variety of styles? Do they have reliable suppliers that they can refer you to? If you have a limited time frame before your house hits the market, you especially want to know if the person has had experience working under a deadline.
3. Try to determine whether the Home Stager is recognized as an expert in the field.
Are they quoted by the media? Do they speak at events? Have any of their projects been featured on TV or in print? Do they teach courses or publish articles on the subject?
4. Home Staging is more than decorating or de-cluttering.
Real Estate Staging is more than just “decorating” or “de-cluttering”. It is merchandising a home’s best features, downplaying its flaws and understanding the psychology of what makes a person fall in love with a home.
5. Real Estate knowledge is critical.
Before you hire a home stager, find out how much they really know about real estate.
Have they bought and sold their own homes in a variety of market conditions? Do they really know what it takes to turn a house into a “hot property”?
6. The Home Stager should understand that preparing to sell your home is a very stressful time.
As with any major life change, preparing and selling your home can be very stressful. Undoubtedly, many fears are triggered.
* Which real estate agent should I list with?
* Will the house be ready on time?
* Are we making the right decision?
* What if we get stuck owning two houses?
* Where can I put all this stuff?
* What will the home stager think of me when she sees this mess?
* Why did I not decorate before now?
* Who can I get for repairs, gardening, painting and cleaning?
* Do all my rooms need to be furnished?
* How will I cope with showings?
When you hire a professional Real Estate Stager, part of their role is calming these anxieties and answering your questions. Before hiring anyone, ask yourself if the person seems organized, calm and in control and if he or she listens to your needs.
7. Avoid being a penny wise and a pound foolish.
Beware of hiring a Home Stager based on price alone. You may save yourself a couple of hundred dollars only to lose tens of thousands of dollars you could have earned if your home was staged properly from the beginning.
If you are in the market to sell your home, one of the best decisions you can make is to use the services of a professional Home Stager. But before you hire anyone, ask lots of questions. You will be working closely with this person during the project, and this is your chance to see if you will feel comfortable working with him or her.
Scottsdale Real Estate Market
Nov
08
Five Crucial Tips to Sell Your House Quicker
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Joseph Knuden asked:
When selling a home, you must make the house as easy for the new buyers to move in as possible. Nobody wants massive work to do unless the price matches the amount of work needed. But everyone wants the most for the money. Here are five tips you must implement to sell your house quicker.
First, do your due diligence. Make sure you advertise your house with signs and ads that are legible and simple to read. Place your street name and contact information in plain site that is easy to read.
Second, price your home according to the market not what you think in your head that it is worth. Houses have an emotional connection to the owner and all the fixes, patches, and add-ons made do not reflect what you can get in the market. You must research at least 5-10 recent home sales in your area. Pricing is up to you but to sell faster it is a good idea to price it just under other selling prices.
Third, Maximize curb appeal. You only have one shot to make that first impression. When someone first sees your house, the initial reaction is made and formed in their mind. Make the house inviting, warm and friendly. Plant flowers, and put decorations outside. Sweep up and clean any debris or out of place items. Bake some cookies or burn candles to make it warm inside and sweet selling.
Fourth, Rid you home of clutter and paint neutral colors. Nothing stops potential sales more than excess clutter. Rent a storage unit or get a dumpster for the excess items. Paint is such an important technique when selling a house. No loud colors are needed. Try repainting neutral colors. Stage furniture to give the most warm and comfortable setup.
Fifth, Learn how to negotiate and know who is on your side and who is on buyers side. Not everyone will have your best interests in mind. Who really works for you? The agent you hire to sell your house is working for your money or commission. The buyer’s agent is as well so use them both to get the sale. Read books and articles on sales techniques and how to use words to make this a positive and hopefully financial windfall.
Website content
When selling a home, you must make the house as easy for the new buyers to move in as possible. Nobody wants massive work to do unless the price matches the amount of work needed. But everyone wants the most for the money. Here are five tips you must implement to sell your house quicker.
First, do your due diligence. Make sure you advertise your house with signs and ads that are legible and simple to read. Place your street name and contact information in plain site that is easy to read.
Second, price your home according to the market not what you think in your head that it is worth. Houses have an emotional connection to the owner and all the fixes, patches, and add-ons made do not reflect what you can get in the market. You must research at least 5-10 recent home sales in your area. Pricing is up to you but to sell faster it is a good idea to price it just under other selling prices.
Third, Maximize curb appeal. You only have one shot to make that first impression. When someone first sees your house, the initial reaction is made and formed in their mind. Make the house inviting, warm and friendly. Plant flowers, and put decorations outside. Sweep up and clean any debris or out of place items. Bake some cookies or burn candles to make it warm inside and sweet selling.
Fourth, Rid you home of clutter and paint neutral colors. Nothing stops potential sales more than excess clutter. Rent a storage unit or get a dumpster for the excess items. Paint is such an important technique when selling a house. No loud colors are needed. Try repainting neutral colors. Stage furniture to give the most warm and comfortable setup.
Fifth, Learn how to negotiate and know who is on your side and who is on buyers side. Not everyone will have your best interests in mind. Who really works for you? The agent you hire to sell your house is working for your money or commission. The buyer’s agent is as well so use them both to get the sale. Read books and articles on sales techniques and how to use words to make this a positive and hopefully financial windfall.
Website content
Nov
08
Real Estate Investing Trends
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Luoanne Bryant asked:
Considering real estate investing? Or looking for the next big idea in real estate? People nationwide are continuously searching for new ways to sink their teeth into the lucrative market that is real estate investing. Before you choose your next big move in real estate be sure to analyze current market trends and choose a strategy accordingly.
There are several avenues to take within the rather large realm of real estate investing. Whether you execute more traditional types of real estate investing such as buying low and flipping or accumulating rental properties, there are several profitable routes to take. Consider using a combination of strategies in order to diversify your real estate portfolio and ultimately maximize profits.
One significant trend forecasted for the coming years is the rise of foreclosure investing. Due impart to exotic loans and the rise of interest rates, the amount of foreclosures nationwide is predicted to skyrocket in the coming year.
Perhaps you’re more interested in a preemptive move? Along the same vein as foreclosure investing is the trend of pre-foreclosure investing. Some of the same sites that offer foreclosure lists also offer pre-foreclosure listings. You can even get helpful tips on approaching owners who are in a financial bind. With pre-foreclosure investing you can avoid the auctions and wield more control over your transaction. Most importantly you would be helping the homeowner avoid a credit disaster.
With all the resources available online, foreclosure and pre-foreclosure investing is much easier than once considered. Some websites such as Foreclosure.com provide listings for foreclosures and pre-foreclosures. Foreclosure listings services also have helpful tools and resources making them a one-stop real estate investment shop.
Along with foreclosure and pre-foreclosure investing seems to be the strategy of holding the property as opposed to flipping and selling it right off the bat. Because the market has seen a rather abrupt slowdown, the profit is no longer in the flip but in the hold. Consider other options such as residual income from a rental property. Or it may be wise to invest more time and money to improve the property seeing as though there is no longer a need for conveyor belt housing.
Whatever your real estate flavor of the month may be, one thing is certain, real estate investing will always be a safe bet.
Buying A Home?
Considering real estate investing? Or looking for the next big idea in real estate? People nationwide are continuously searching for new ways to sink their teeth into the lucrative market that is real estate investing. Before you choose your next big move in real estate be sure to analyze current market trends and choose a strategy accordingly.
There are several avenues to take within the rather large realm of real estate investing. Whether you execute more traditional types of real estate investing such as buying low and flipping or accumulating rental properties, there are several profitable routes to take. Consider using a combination of strategies in order to diversify your real estate portfolio and ultimately maximize profits.
One significant trend forecasted for the coming years is the rise of foreclosure investing. Due impart to exotic loans and the rise of interest rates, the amount of foreclosures nationwide is predicted to skyrocket in the coming year.
Perhaps you’re more interested in a preemptive move? Along the same vein as foreclosure investing is the trend of pre-foreclosure investing. Some of the same sites that offer foreclosure lists also offer pre-foreclosure listings. You can even get helpful tips on approaching owners who are in a financial bind. With pre-foreclosure investing you can avoid the auctions and wield more control over your transaction. Most importantly you would be helping the homeowner avoid a credit disaster.
With all the resources available online, foreclosure and pre-foreclosure investing is much easier than once considered. Some websites such as Foreclosure.com provide listings for foreclosures and pre-foreclosures. Foreclosure listings services also have helpful tools and resources making them a one-stop real estate investment shop.
Along with foreclosure and pre-foreclosure investing seems to be the strategy of holding the property as opposed to flipping and selling it right off the bat. Because the market has seen a rather abrupt slowdown, the profit is no longer in the flip but in the hold. Consider other options such as residual income from a rental property. Or it may be wise to invest more time and money to improve the property seeing as though there is no longer a need for conveyor belt housing.
Whatever your real estate flavor of the month may be, one thing is certain, real estate investing will always be a safe bet.
Buying A Home?
Nov
08
Home Appraisal Tips – Several Great Tips To Know Before Getting Your Home Value
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Max Suther asked:
Having your home appraised is one of the most important things you will ever do as a home owner. A professional home appraisal will give you the best idea of what your home is worth and it is from this appraisal that many financial decisions will be made including how much you should sell your home for, if you ever decide to move. That being said, the day of the appraisal is most likely going to be stressful both for you and your appraiser. Here are some tips to keep things running smoothly.
1. Make sure that your home is tidy, clean and up to date on its maintenance. “We’re going to fix that leaky faucet tomorrow” isn’t worth as much to the appraiser as it actually leaking while she is there. You should also do your best to clear away the knick knacks and other clutter. Your appraiser is there to get an idea of the shape your home is in, not your decorating style. This isn’t to say your home should be bare, but clean and orderly.
2. You will want to accompany your appraiser through the house so that you can answer any questions she might have. This can be awkward for both of you, so do your best to be friendly and kind, but to also stay out of your appraiser’s way. You don’t have to give a history of every wall she looks at, simply hang back but try to be nice if she asks you a question. You should also try to not second guess the work your appraiser is doing. Badgering her is only going to make her feel uncomfortable. This could lead to a rushed appraisal which could lead to the value of your home being lessened because she couldn’t take the time she needed to give an accurate report.
3. That being said, a friendly interjection to mention something that has been remodeled or rebuilt is never a bad idea. Appraisers like to know what is new and what has been fixed. It helps give them a more accurate picture of what your home is worth.
Investing in Real Estate?
Having your home appraised is one of the most important things you will ever do as a home owner. A professional home appraisal will give you the best idea of what your home is worth and it is from this appraisal that many financial decisions will be made including how much you should sell your home for, if you ever decide to move. That being said, the day of the appraisal is most likely going to be stressful both for you and your appraiser. Here are some tips to keep things running smoothly.
1. Make sure that your home is tidy, clean and up to date on its maintenance. “We’re going to fix that leaky faucet tomorrow” isn’t worth as much to the appraiser as it actually leaking while she is there. You should also do your best to clear away the knick knacks and other clutter. Your appraiser is there to get an idea of the shape your home is in, not your decorating style. This isn’t to say your home should be bare, but clean and orderly.
2. You will want to accompany your appraiser through the house so that you can answer any questions she might have. This can be awkward for both of you, so do your best to be friendly and kind, but to also stay out of your appraiser’s way. You don’t have to give a history of every wall she looks at, simply hang back but try to be nice if she asks you a question. You should also try to not second guess the work your appraiser is doing. Badgering her is only going to make her feel uncomfortable. This could lead to a rushed appraisal which could lead to the value of your home being lessened because she couldn’t take the time she needed to give an accurate report.
3. That being said, a friendly interjection to mention something that has been remodeled or rebuilt is never a bad idea. Appraisers like to know what is new and what has been fixed. It helps give them a more accurate picture of what your home is worth.
Investing in Real Estate?
