Sicklerville, NJ

Janet Larsen, Broker/Associate of Remax Connection in Sewell is a full time, top producing Remax Agent in Southern New Jersey. 856-261-6910

When choosing an agent to represent you in a real estate transaction, it is essential to have an experienced agent that is qualified to avoid a variety of issues that may arise.

1. Short Sales - A short sale is when a seller's mortgage amount owesd is more then the value of the home. It is crucial to know how to handle a short sale from the time of listing. Listing a property at the wrong price can take months of your time, only to find out the short sale was not approved by the bank. It is essential to have judgement searches run, prepare very specific documentation for negotiators at the bank before an offer comes in. Costly mistakes in a short sale can cause a seller to go beyond foreclosure and to sheriff's sale. Janet Larsen has successfully closed numerous short sales.
2. Divorce: Divorce is a sensitive issue and sometimes the spouses are not on speaking terms. Janet understands the sensitivity of this situation and will communicate separately and confidentially with both owners to get the transaction to a smooth closing.
3. Death - Handling the sale of an Estate can be very tricky. There are many important documents that need to be provided. Janet has the experience especially when there may be an inheritance and several new owners to negotiate with.
4. AS/IS & Bank Owned Properties - Janet has phenominal negotiating skills and knows the property values to assist you in making the best offer on a property, making sure home inspections are properly ordered, certificate of occupancies provided, liens and judgements for utilities, tax certificates, etc are paid so no issues arise after settlement and so that you don't lose out to a smarter bidder.
5. Relocation - Out of State clients have a very special need. They are not usually familiar with schools, employment, commute distances, shopping, and different neighborhoods. A lot of time is needed and dedicated to these clients.

Live Where You Work Programs....Police, Fire & Teacher Financing Programs....Military Relocation.... 55 Retirement Communities.... Duplexes and Investment Properties.... Commercial Real Estate..... Real Estate Needs Vary and are very diverse! So you need an experienced agent that is well versed in all of these areas! Don't hesitate to contact Janet Larsen confidentially at 856-261-6910 or by email at njrealtorjan@comcast.net

Thanks to President Obama's ambitious plan to improve the housing market, being on the list of foreclosures in Sicklerville doesn't necessarily mean that foreclosure is inevitable. You have options, and the President's loan modification program makes keeping your home even more possible.

Overview of the Plan

The President's plan to reduce foreclosures in Sicklerville is based on the thought that struggling homeowners wouldn't sell their houses if they could only make the monthly payments. Due to this belief, participating lenders are required to reduce monthly payments for homeowners who qualify until they're no more than 38% of the homeowner's monthly gross income. After that, the government lends a helping hand. Between the lender and the government, the mortgage payments would be dropped to no more than 31% through various means (extension of the loan, reduced interest rate, etc).

Even with the 31% threshold, many are afraid that's not enough incentive for homeowners to keep up payments on a depreciating home. They speculate that homeowners may default on the loan anyway. To cover this possibility, the administration is offering cash incentives to lenders and struggling homeowners.

Each lender that participates will receive $1,000 per loan modification. Those lenders will also get an annual $1,000 for up to three years as long as the homeowner keeps their payments up. For homeowners facing foreclosures in Sickleville, the good news is that borrowers can get their principal lowered for up to five years. Again, however, it depends on whether they keep their payments up.

You May Qualify

This is fantastic news for many. If you're facing foreclosure due to financial hardship, you may qualify for loan modification under the administration's plan. If you live in the home, the principal balance still owed is less than $729,750 and you received the loan before January 1, 2009, you're eligible. Be aware, however, that you have to prove that you live there, that it's your primary residence and that you're having a financial hardship.

If you're behind on your mortgage or facing foreclosure, I can help you figure out your options. Time is of the essence, so give me a call now at 856-308-5989.

www.KimThomasHomes.com; www.KimCanHelp.com; www.south-jersey-real-estate-blog.com

email: kim@kimcanhelp.com

Other helpful Links:

1. Obama's ambitious plan

http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/article/Homeowner/Obama_Loan_Mod_Plan_Explained

2. Loan modification

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/nsc/faqlm.cfm

3. Financial hardship

http://ezinearticles.com/?Obamas-Home-Stimulus-Package---What-Qualifies-As-Financial-Hardship?&id=2603854

Boats, jet skis, ATVs and recreational vehicles are exciting modes of transportation. They provide a great means of escape on weekends and vacations, but ownership of these comes with some risks.

While all recreational-type vehicles can be protected by the same basic coverages, each one has its own special requirements and restrictions.

Basic Coverages

At a minimum, boats, jet skis, ATVs and recreational vehicles need "liability" and "comprehensive" insurance coverage. Liability protects you if your vehicle injures someone or damages someone else's property, and comprehensive insurance protects your property in case of vandalism, damage or destruction caused by theft or fire. Depending on the age and value of your investment, you may want to purchase collision insurance, which provides coverage for damage you cause to your own property.

Boats

The amount you pay for your boat insurance will depend on many factors including the boat's value and the value of your boating equipment, the engine's horsepower and whether it's inboard or outboard, and the length of the boat.

You may purchase additional coverages for such things as such as Fuel and Other Spillage Liability, your boat trailer, medical payments, personal effects and liability to protect you from an uninsured boater. You may be eligible to receive lower rates if you hold a captain's license or have completed safety courses provided by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron Courses. You may also receive discounts for having safety equipment on board or providing protective storage for your boat during non-use or off-season.

Jet Skis

The price of insuring a jet ski varies depending on its engine power and value. Your insurance costs will typically be higher for a jet ski with more than 500 cc. You also may obtain insurance to protect your trailer or to pay you for medical payments if you're in an accident.

Recreational Vehicles

You may want to purchase an auto insurance policy to cover this type of vehicle. This policy will provide you with liability, medical payments and physical damage coverage for your motorhome and can be endorsed to include coverage for rental to others. Other coverages you may want to consider are:

• Replacement Cost/Purchase Price - In the event of a total loss, you will receive a new unit equal to the model, class, body type and equipment of your previous one. You will be compensated for the actual purchase price of the vehicle.
• Personal Effects - Your valuables (clothing, jewelry, etc.) may be covered against most hazards.

Other coverages you may want to discuss with your insurance agent are Towing and Labor or Emergency Expense Allocation insurance. Special rates may apply if you are more than 45 years old and have a good driving record.

A Final Note

All recreational-type vehicles can be protected by the same basic policy. We can provide you with more details about this special insurance and guide you in purchasing the best coverage to maximize your enjoyment and meet the insurance needs for your recreation equipment.

www.MandCinsurance.com

Serving, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware

If you're looking for the right price to list your Sicklerville home for sale, you may need to call on a real estate professional. Pricing your home to sell in this buyer's market is part research and part experience.

You don't want to overprice your Sicklerville home for sale because you don't want it to sit on the market week after week. A home that is priced too high for the area will not attract as many buyers as a more reasonably priced home. If you price your home below market value, you're likely to receive several offers that will drive the sale price up, so you don't have to worry about getting less money for your home than it's worth.

A good way to get an idea of the current value of your home is to get the sale prices of homes that have recently sold in your area. Your real estate agent can gather that information for you. Look for homes similar to yours in size, location and condition.

When setting the price of your home, you may also want to take a look at the listings that have expired in your area. You may find that the homes were overpriced for your neighborhood or that some homes remain on the market because the home wasn't updated or in good condition. Try to learn what caused the listing to expire and work to avoid the same mistakes.

You should not list your Sicklerville home for sale at a price that you aren't comfortable with. Explain to your agent the concerns that you have about the home's sale price and ask for his or her professional opinion about the price that you have chosen.

Want help pricing your home correctly? Let me put together an analysis of current home prices in your neighborhood. It's free and at absolutely no obligation. To get your analysis, call me today at 856-308-5989 or email me at kim@kimcanhelp.com.

Happy Selling!

LINKS:

1. Pricing your home to sell in this buyer's market:

http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=13108482

2. Market value: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_estate_appraisal

3. Overpriced: http://homebuying.about.com/od/sellingahouse/qt/Ovepricedlist.htm

Have you ever walked into one of the Sicklerville homes for sale (or any home for sale) and looked down to see stained carpet or flooring? It brings a little thought of "ew" sometimes, doesn't it? Imagine if you were a buyer looking at the same floor.

Home Sellers take heed: The right type of flooring and flooring that is well taken care of, can make a big difference to buyers. If your floor brings on the "ew" thought, here are a few fixes to help make sure your home sells:

Does your home have hardwood floors?

You're in luck. Buyers love hardwood floors and some will actually pay extra to get them. In fact, it could be that final selling point. If your hardwood floors are covered by carpet, painted over or showing anything but the natural wood grain, it's time for an overhaul. Pull up those carpets and get to sanding.

With the ability to rent large sanders and other tools, you can either refinish the hardwood floor yourself or hire a professional. Remember, however, that hardwood floors in Sicklerville homes have a tendency to show off scratches, dents and uneven surfaces. If you don't think you could do a good job, hire a professional.

Does your home have carpeting?

If you don't have hardwood floors, take a look at your carpeting. If it's stained, out-dated, bright or ragged, it's time to pull it up. When laying the new carpet, use good carpet padding to make it comfortable to stand on. Great carpet padding can make average grade carpet look that much better! Many buyers will lean down and touch the floor, so make sure the carpet feels soft to the touch.

In addition, don't go for the bright colors. Pick a neutral carpet color that goes well with the home and will be acceptable to most people. Ask the advice of an on-sight consultant.

Does your home have tiles?

Although tiles are beautiful, they typically show every ounce of old grime, dirt, chips and cracks. Go through your home and replace any that are chipped, cracked or show signs of bad wear and tear. Make sure the grout is clean and new looking, and use cleaners (or a steam cleaner) to get rid of any stains.

Beautiful floors can go a long way towards selling Sicklerville homes. Take a good, honest look at yours. Show your floors some TLC. Take your home's floors from "ew" to "new"! It might just get your home sold.

If you're ready to sell your Sicklerville or Gloucester Township home, I can help. Call me at 856-308-5989 or email me at kim@kimcanhelp.com for more information.

Links:

1. Refinish the hardwood floor yourself

http://www.doityourself.com/scat/wood

2. Good carpet padding

http://www.wisegeek.com/is-thick-carpet-padding-worth-it.htm

3. Grout is clean

http://www.askthebuilder.com/531_How_to_Clean_Grout.shtml