Montana

Bozeman Biking

02-16-12

Jenifer Owens: Real Estate Agent in Bozeman, MT

view my blog
Office: (406) 556-7188

Mobile: (406) 209-0022

Spring is just around the corner! Biking is one of the most popular ways of celebrating the warmer weather (although I have seen some bikes out there no matter the temperature or amount of snow…). So great news for all you bikers out there! The already comprehensive trail system throughout the city is looking to get upgraded.

If getting out of Bozeman is your ideal form of escapism on a bike, Hyalite Canyon has trails for both road and mountain biking. Check out the Gallatin Valley Bicycle Club website at www.gallatinvalleybicycleclub.org for additional information.

0 Comments

Free CPR Training!

02-15-12

Jenifer Owens

view my blog
Office: (406) 556-7188

Mobile: (406) 209-0022

According to the American Heart Association, 70% of people feel helpless in the event of a cardiac emergency. It is at home where 80% of cardiac arrests occur. These events oftentimes have no warning signs and can happen to anyone. The danger is real.

To confront these very real statistics, four saved lives here in the Gallatin Valley have joined forces to initiate the Gallatin Heart Rescue Project. A partnership between Bozeman Deaconess Cardiovascular Training Center, Absarokee Emergency Physicians, and all Gallatin County law enforcement/fire agencies has brought together the community in order to offer hands-only CPR classes open for all those interested in learning CPR. The first class is Monday, February 20^th at the Gallatin Valley Baptist Fellowship in Manhattan, MT.

Gallatin Heart Rescue Project’s goal is to educate 5,000 residents of the Gallatin Valley to ultimately increase the valley’s cardiac arrest survival rate.

Source: http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/health/article_b8e03d76-5791-11e1-91af-001871e3ce6c.html

0 Comments

Incentivizing Short Sales

02-15-12

Tim Hart

view my blog
Office: (406) 570-5730

More banks are offering home owners incentives to sell their houses in a short sale to prevent a costly foreclosure to the bank. In fact, some banks are offering struggling home owners as much as $35,000 to do a short sale, according to an article at CNNMoney.

Many home owners have been surprised at banks’ recent willingness to approve short sales.

"Initially, the home owners are skeptical," says Elizabeth Weintraub, a real estate professional in Sacramento, Calif. "The bank may have already turned down their request for a modification. Then, one day, they call and say, 'Let us give you some cash.'"

For banks, the incentives have proven to be a smarter move than letting a property fall into foreclosure.

"The first choice is a modification, but if that's impossible then a short sale is a faster, more efficient solution," Tom Kelly, a spokesman for Chase Mortgage, said.

With a foreclosure, home owners stop making their mortgage payments and usually property taxes as well. They also often put off maintenance issues, which can cause the home to lose value even more. Foreclosed homes sold, on average, for 22 percent less than homes not in foreclosure in December, according to National Association of REALTORS®’ data. For comparison, discounts for short sales were about 14 percent.

"I've seen a lot of foreclosures for sale where it would cost a lot more than $20,000 to get them into condition to sell again," says John Hayton, a short sale specialist in Orlando, Fla.

Source: “Banks Pay Delinquent Borrowers $35,000 to Sell Their Homes,” CNNMoney (Feb. 10, 2012)

0 Comments

The Mortgage Settlement—How it Impacts Homeowners

02-14-12

Tim Hart

view my blog
Office: (406) 570-5730

The nation’s five largest banks and state/federal officials announced the largest joint state/federal settlement against the industry in history. $25-$26 billion is now directed at tackling the issues of mortgage abuses in our recent history that have caused so many Americans to lose their homes.

What does this mean to the everyday homeowner?

Underwater and struggling homeowners may be eligible for payments or principal write-downs on their mortgage. If you qualify, you will be notified via mail within the next nine months.

Here is a list to see if you may be eligible:

Currently struggling to make payments and need a loan modification
Borrowers who are current on payments but owe more on their home than it’s worth
Borrowers who have already lost their home to foreclosure

Payments will be made over a three-year period by participating banks (Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi, and Ally/GMAC. You can learn more about the settlement at the just-launched “National Mortgage Settlement”Web site.

Source: “What the Mortgage Settlement Means to You,” MSNBC.com (Feb. 9, 2012)

0 Comments

Men and Women Will Fall In Love… WITH YOUR HOME!

02-14-12

Jenifer Owens

view my blog
Office: (406) 556-7188

Mobile: (406) 209-0022

American houses most admired features:

Men: Master bathrooms top this category for men. The next three places are neck in neck with 55% of men wanting walk-in closets, 51% wanting a gourmet kitchen, and another 51 % wanting an outdoor deck. The stereotype is broken with only 42% of men wanting pre-wired entertainment throughout the house. On the other hand….

Women: 75% of women want master bathrooms with a close second of 72% wanting walk-in closets. 62% want a gourmet kitchen and the statistics fall from there. Only 28% want pre-wiring for home theaters and surround sound systems.

As a home owner, your listing may not have all these highly sought for amenities; you can highlight your listing’s features knowing that these are the assets buyers are looking for. For example, if three rooms share a single bathroom, make it luxurious enough to feel like a master. Clear away storage spaces to show off the ample space there is that can serve the role of a walk in. Work with what you have, but in order to make men and women fall in love, know what they are looking for!

Sources: http://pro.truliablog.com/grow-business/5-ways-to-make-buyers-fall-in-love-with-your-listing/?ecampaign=anews&eurl=pro.truliablog.com%2Fgrow-business%2F5-ways-to-make-buyers-fall-in-love-with-your-listing

4 Comments