Here are some current little known facts for those of you who follow real estate trends:
Just some tidbits for those who like to be in the know from Deb Casper
5 Tips to Help you Sell Quicker than the Rest!
Want your home to stand out from the rest? Look at it from a Buyer's perspective. Here are tips for Sellers to get buyers' interest over other listings out there:
Curb Appeal - First impressions are HUGE in the eyes of a prospective buyer! Next time you drive up to your home, park in the driveway, notice how the yard, landscaping, front door and entry areas would look to a prospective Buyer. The outside "look" of a home is as important as the inside as it is what a prospective buyer sees first. Clean up the yard, trim hedges and shrubs, weed any flowerbeds, add fresh mulch, repair any cracks in concrete or asphalt. Does your driveway or sidewalk need a good powerwash? If so, do it!
Declutter - This is the single most critical aspect of staging your home to sell. Also, it's FREE! Every surface, especially kitchen and bathroom countertops, should be as open and clear as possible. Pack up personal items such as toiletries, photographs, etc. so that potential buyers don't get distracted. You want the buyers to see the home, not your "stuff".
Get Rid of "Ugly" - If you have outdated window coverings, wallpaper, fixtures, furniture and appliances get rid of them! Consider replacing items with low cost fixes. It can make a huge monetary difference in what you get for your home for a small investment. Painting outdated cabinetry in a light color and/or replacing drawer pulls and cabinet handles is also an inexpensive fix. Paint is the cheapest update you can make in a home and it can make a HUGE difference!
CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN! I can't say that enough - your entire home must be spotless, especially the kitchen and baths. Countertops, sinks, appliances, floors, walls, even ceilings should shine! Surface cleaning alone is not enough - you must have your home absolutely gleaming. Having all carpet in a home professionally cleaned is a must. If it takes hiring a professional home cleaner, the investment will most likely be worth it in the long run. Your REALTOR should be able to make recommendations to help.
Light and Bright is Key! Every room should be as light and bright as possible. Not only does it make rooms appear larger, but way more inviting. Clean windows inside and out. Open all draperies, blinds and window coverings to let natural light into the room. Lighten up dark walls with inexpensive paint in neutral, light colors. Light colored area rugs can also make a difference.
If you follow these recommendations, it is virtually guaranteed that your listing with outshine other comparable properties on the market and help with shortening the length of time it takes to sell. Check with your professional REALTOR for tips on what your home needs.
Deb Casper, CRS, e-PRO, SFR, CLHMS
RE/MAX Specialists, White Bear Lake, MN Office
With the historically low interest rates, I thought this was a great article to share setting out a buyer's options for current mortgages based on how much money you have to put down and how long you plan on living in the home.
It's a great time to get a mortgage, but the rules of the game have changed
By J.W. Elphinstone, Associated Press | July 15, 2010
For those who qualify, it's one of the best times to get a mortgage. Last week, rates for 30-year fixed-rate loans fell to 4.57 percent, the lowest average since 1971. And if you missed out on the US home-buying tax credit, the rates may more than make up for that lost $8,000. "A tax credit is immediate gratification,'' said Leonard Baron, professor of finance at San Diego State University. "But long-term, with rates this low, you can get much more value.'' But the game has changed. Your credit score must be at least 620 or you'll have a hard time finding a loan. And how much you put down is a big variable. Some scenarios:
■You pay 20 percent down and expect to retire in the house. Take out a 30-year fixed-rate loan. The interest rate stays the same - at historic lows.
■You have a 20 percent down payment but plan to move in a few years. Consider an adjustable-rate loan of five, seven, or 10 years. These loans carry a lower initial interest rate than on the 30-year fixed mortgage, so you save money over the fixed-rate period. After the fixed-rate period ends, borrowers typically refinance. ARMs got a bad rap during the housing bust because most people who took out two or three year ARMs got caught with an unaffordable payment when their rates reset. They couldn't refinance because home prices had tanked and credit tightened up. That risk still exists, but starting in September, lenders will have to evaluate whether borrowers can make payments after the rate resets.
■You have at least a 20 percent down payment but need a loan greater than $417,000. You need a "jumbo'' loan, which would not be backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. That means a lender who writes a mortgage above that amount has to keep the loan on its books. To compensate for that risk, lenders charge higher interest rates.
■You put more than 20 percent down. Consider a 20-year fixed-rate mortgage. Rates are sometimes lower than for a 30-year fixed-rate by about a quarter-point. But because the loan term is shorter, the monthly payment will be higher.
■You have less than a 20 percent down payment. Consider a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration, a borrower needs to put down only 3.5 percent. After the housing market slumped, the FHA became the major source of funding for first-time and repeat buyers.
■You don't have a down payment. Your options are limited. If you are a veteran or the surviving spouse of one, consider a mortgage backed by the Department of Veteran Affairs. These loans offer 100 percent financing without private mortgage insurance at competitive rates. If the home you're buying is in a rural area (as defined by the Agriculture Department), you may qualify for a loan that offers 100 percent financing.
Up to you, but I'd guess if you are thinking of buying a home and you pass up this great opportunity for low interest rates you will not be happy with your decision in the not too distant future when the rates inevitably rise again.
Call your REALTOR today!
Deb Casper 651-407-7864
RE/MAX Specialists, White Bear Lake Office
April is Earth Month!
April is Earth Month - Celebrate by learning how to make your home more green and earth friendly! 
Celebrate and honor Earth month by downloading the Green Guide. This resource offers earth friendly remodeling tips, energy efficient appliance upgrades and eco-conscious advice for your home and life. Print it off today and share with your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers!
2010 Census - Do Your Part!
The 2010 Census forms are currently arriving in local mailboxes! They will be mailed to every resident in the United States. Under the U.S. Constitution, a national census must be completed every 10 years. This gives us a clear snapshot of changes in population and demographics. Every household is required to account for everyone living there as of April 1, 2010 (Census Day).
What will this data be used for? you may ask. Well, it's used to determine the number of seats each state occupies in the U.S. House of Representatives; it helps to determine how approximately $400 Billion Dollars in federal funding will be allocated each year for infrastructure and services, such as hospitals, schools, emergency services, roads and bridges, and job training centers. in addition, census data is critical to help businesses make fiscally and strategically sound decisions that would spur economic growth.
2010 Census Key Dates:
March 2010: Census questionnaires are mailed or delivered to all U.S. households.
April 1, 2010: Census Day
May-July 2010: Census takers visit households that did not return their questionnaires
December 2010: Population counts are delivered by the Census Bureau to the President for apportionment
March 2011: The Census Bureau must complete delivery of redistricting data to the states
The census information is critical, please do your part. It only takes about 10 minutes to fill out the entire questionnaire. Here's the 2010 Census Website if you have any questions.
DebCasper.com = All you need to learn about buying and selling homes from MLS search, to mortgage info, to current interest rates and more. Deb Casper is the REALTOR of choice in Minnesota!
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2012 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
