Dirk van Reenen

By Dirk van Reenen
Prudential Ada Realtors


Autumn winds blow a chilly reminder that winter is fast approaching. Perform the following maintenance tips each fall to protect your property's value and prevent major repairs.


Roof, Gutters and Downspouts
Rain, ice, snow and wind can all cause damage to your roof and gutters. Now's the time to trim back all tree limbs and vegetation away from the roof. You also should remove debris, such as leaves and sticks from your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters don't allow water to properly drain away from the home, which can cause seepage in your ceilings and walls. You can also invest in gutter guards, a screen that prevents debris from entering the gutter and directs the flow of water away from the house and into the ground.


Water Heater
You don't want to find out that your water heater isn't operating properly when you need it most. So use this time to perform an annual inspection, which includes having your tank's pressure and temperature relief valve checked. In addition, remove sediment from the bottom of the tank by draining two gallons of water to improve heat transfer and the efficiency of your heater.


Heating and Cooling System
If you have a forced warm-air heating system, you should check the exhaust vent and air shutter openings for dirt and dust. Clean any lint and dirt from the blower blades, motor and burner (if you have a gas heater). Vacuum air passages and check and replace, if necessary, fan belts. To prevent airborne dirt from circulating throughout your home, wash out your reusable filter or replace it if it's disposable.


Doors and Windows
To help control heating costs, make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed. Now is the time to repair or replace weather stripping around door bottoms and jambs and window frames. Check for loose or missing glazing putty and caulking for deterioration. If you have storm windows, install them.


Water Pipes
Frozen or burst pipes can cause major damage to your home and be expensive to remedy. Before frigid weather hits, protect your pipes in unheated areas from freezing by adding insulation, which reduces heat loss from hot-water pipes and condensation on cold water pipes. This can be accomplished by wrapping the pipes with heating tape or blanket insulation and duct tape or by encasing the pipes with preformed plastic foam. In addition, examine your pipes for cracks and leaks.


Fireplace
Before you light the logs and get ready to settle in front of a cozy fire, make sure that your fireplace is in good working order. Clean the chimney flue and, if needed, have it inspected and repaired. Check the seal on your flue, which is designed to keep out drafts. Replace the seal if it is loose or damaged.


If you decide to perform the fall maintenance yourself, disconnect the power for any electrical or gas systems. In addition, before inspecting, cleaning or making any repairs refer to your owner's manual for all equipment for proper instructions, which should be the final authority on any maintenance.


Outdoor Surfaces and Landscaping
Fall is also a great time to seal your driveways, wood patios and other hardscape surfaces. In addition, prune tree branches away from your home and electrical wires. Plant spring flower bulbs and move sensitive potted plants indoors.


If you need any recommendations of service people that can help you ready your home for winter please call me at 806 654 3842 or email dirk@pru-ada.com


Thanks and have happy holidays!


~Dirk

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The California-based risk management and valuation service provider says its analysis shows Texas cities leading the nation, with home prices in these areas expected to post the biggest gains in the months ahead.

BABY!

"Texas is looking strong, with four of the top ten markets in the appreciation forecast," said Eric Fox, Veros' VP of statistical and economic modeling.

Projected Five Strongest Markets

•1. Houston/Sugar Land/Baytown, Texas +3.8%

•2. Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington, Texas +2.7%

•3. Amarillo, Texas +2.7% This is my Market! Not bad to be #3 in the Nation!!! www.reamarillo.com

•4. Anchorage, Alaska +2.7%

•5. Davenport/Moline/Rock Island, Iowa-Illinois +2.7%

In marked contrast to the forecast for Texas, the outlook for Florida remains weak, but Fox says there is some improvement in negative growth markets in the Sunshine State.

"For example, the Daytona area was at -8.3 percent last quarter and this forecast shows an improved change to -6.0 percent," Fox explained. "There are more Florida communities on the weakest market list this time, but they appear to be depreciating at a reduced rate."

Projected Five Weakest Markets

•1. Port St. Lucie/Fort Pierce, Florida -7.2%

•2. Reno/Sparks, Nevada -7.0%

•3. Orlando/Kissimmee, Florida -6.3%

•4. Las Vegas/Paradise, Nevada -6.1%

•5. Deltona/Daytona/Ormond Beach, Florida -6.0%

For more information visit http://www.veros.com/vvforecast.html

Its good to live in TEXAS!

Amarillo Texas has a solid real estate market but there are always shortsales homes to be bought. Knowing where to find a short sale and more importmantlt how to work a short sale are crytical.

First Lets Start with what a short sale is:

In a short sale, the bank or mortgage lender agrees to discount a loan balance because of an economic or financial hardship on the part of the borrower. The home owner/debtor sells the mortgaged property for less than the outstanding balance of the loan, and turns over the proceeds of the sale to the lender. Neither side is "doing the other a favor;" a short sale is simply the most economical solution to a problem. Banks will incur a smaller financial loss than would result from foreclosure or continued non-payment. Borrowers are able to mitigate damage to their credit history, and partially control the debt. A short sale is typically faster and less expensive than a foreclosure. It does not extinguish the remaining balance unless settlement is clearly indicated on the acceptance of offer.

Lenders often have loss mitigation departments that evaluate potential short sale transactions. The majority have pre-determined criteria for such transactions, but they may be open to offers, and their willingness varies. A bank will typically determine the amount of equity (or lack thereof), by determining the probable selling price from an appraisal, Broker Price Opinion (abbreviated BPO), or Broker Opinion of Value (abbreviated BOV).

Lenders may accept short sale offers or requests for short sales even if a Notice of Default has not been issued or recorded with the locality where the property is located. Given the unprecedented and overwhelming number of losses that mortgage lenders have suffered from mortgage failures that in part triggered the Financial crisis of 2007-2010, they are now more willing to accept short sales than ever before. For "under-water" borrowers who owe more on their mortgage than their property is worth and are having trouble selling, this presents an opportunity for them to avoid foreclosure as a result.

Buying a short sale is a great way to get an excellent buy on a house. Sometimes the process is very tedious and drawn out, but usually defiantly worth it. I recently had a buyer that I helped by buy a short sale property that I worked directly with the bank. When it was all said and done the buyers purchased a $319,000 house for $268,000. It took a little time and effort but now they own a beautiful home built in 2008 for $50,000 under market value.

If you have questions about buying Amarillo Short Sale Homes Please Contact Me!

Dirk van Reenen 806 654 3842

dirk@pru-ada.com www.reamarillo.com