Annie Guthrie

Granted this is not a 1970's home .....However, is this the way it looks when you get the Inspection Report back and YES it does have aluminum wiring ?....Supposedly, we have 4-5 fires each year in Escambia County (FL) that are attributed to this type of wiring....

Actually, it doesn't take an Inspection Report for my partner to detect it .....he can tell by looking at the interior of a light plate....But goodness are we to eliminate a whole decade of homes because of wiring? Our adviser tells us that those easy fixes we have all heard about are not exactly what they are cracked up to be...Consumer Report commented on this recently.....

I am curious as to what other Realtors are doing in this area.......I am getting where I am STEERING AWAY from homes in that era ! I just don't want to be responsiblefor someone making a horrendous life decision. On the other hand is this overblown ? Am I condemning home sellers to never be shed of the home in good faith they bought and lived in for years never having any problems?

The Listing Agent of a home told me with complete confidence that all the 220 outlets had been replaced. In actuality because of the sturdier multiple strand the 220 outlet wired with Aluminum are supposedly safer than the 110 wired Aluminum outlets which are more prone to movement and thus problems....What are you advising your clients ?

Well actually I am not sure I am ready to start opening myself up to friendships again......And If I you do apply you better be really young and I mean there better not be a single health issue in your history.

Guess it is that age issue......Well look at my profile picture....that is not premature gray....and I must admit I did have the photographer take out a wrinkle here and there....But I am at that age where my long term friends are starting to take up most of my time praying for their recovery and making it through the latest onslaught on their bodies. In the past year one of my best friends daughter's had us pretty worried. But of course dear friend had everyone from the Catholics to the Jehovah's Witness' to a number of Buddhist on the case and happily we are out of the woods on that one.

The problem is that being a Realtor you become so intimately involved in your clients life. For anywhere to 3- 6 months you are on the phone every day. You become their confidant..strategist......interior designer...know all their kids....Mother.....best friends.....and before you know it that pledge to stay detached is no more valid than the paper it was written on. When you go through all the highs and lows and finally get them to closing it is almost impossible to say good bye .......

Perhaps what I need to do is get only really really young clients.........

As we get into this program, more and more informationis being disseminated. The more I learn the more I see how astute young people can get a head start with their financial future. A student or young adult just out of college with a good credit history*, a current job*, and parents who might gift him a down payment* just might qualify for the tax incentive. As with most government programs there is a time constraint that insures the home must be used as a primary residence, but it is relatively short only 36 months. During this period you are free to rent bedrooms to help pay the mortgage. The home cannot be purchased from a relative. You do not have to be married and there are income caps. Also, two single adults can purchase a home together and each receive a portion of the credit (see IRS NOTICE-12 for guidance.) If the person is buying a newly constructed home most builders will pay most if not all closing cost. This is also a negotiable item with resales. This is an exciting time to be young and be in the housing market just do not wait too long. The deadline is approaching rapidly!

* Not government requirements but necessary for a mortgage loan...if a young person does not have a down payment often parents will give a tax free gift that helps with down payment or closing cost assistance. ( The photo has absolutely nothing to do w/ this post I just like it !)

Are you going to be out in the rain when Nov31 rolls around?

What have you done ? What have you not done?

The dead line for First Time Home Buyers is Nov 31....... this does not mean you have picked it out..... and you are in love with it. It means you have closed on it.

• Generally when you have signed a contract escrow takes 30 days. That is unless there are no hiccups.
• So lets count back that means you need to have a signed contract by at the latest Nov 1 (Please ask your Realtor how many contract actually sail through with no problems!)
• The contingencies of the contract should be ironed out so inspections can proceed.
• What if the Termite Inspector finds some wood destroying organism ? Sorry can't close unless you have a clear report ...all that must be REPAIRED & reinspected! What if the Home Inspector finds some horrific fault in this home and there is no way you are going to be saddled with this DOG!
• So you have to start the process all over. What happens if there is no choice 2 ?What if someone scooped up your #2 ?

We are talking you are out in the rain !

• Consider you are not going to be the only person trying to push a loan through at this time. The Banks and Mortgage companies are going to be swamped with folks just like you who want to close in time to get that $8000 dollar credit.
• And you know you all are looking for those wonderful bathrooms with separate shower and garden tub.......you want stainless steel appliances. So those really great homes for really good prices are going to be snapped up by some other first time home buyer who did their homework...........

Now is the time to get busy. Choose a great Realtor , Start the Home search and Get approved by you lender ......NOW!

It is tough out there. All sorts of weird things going on!

Buyers asking for closing cost...correction DEMANDING closing cost. Sellers not wanting to pay for traditional seller cost like surveys. Title companies not requiring surveys.........it's just weird.

When a seller is having to pay 4, 5, or 6 thousand dollars in closing cost he is not readily going to pay for those things we are used to having them pay without a peep. Every hundred dollars that sellers can save is a victory in their mind and adds to that bottom line they always thought they would be able to expect.

And careful how you write that offer .....words count today more than ever. Recently we went round in circles because a Realtor used the verbiage " swings." My clients version of that same object was Fort and Jungle Jim. Fortunately, all was resolved and we moved on to a happy conclusion.

Exasperating ? Indeed yes! My conclusion is that it is the BUYERS MARKET we are in ! Nobody seems to be able to get their heads wrapped about that fact. And also the fact that the way things used to be done just does not matter any more.Do we like it ? No ! But it does explain how contentious things are even among Realtors? That would be YES !

For more information on making your sale easier go to ggreal.com