Cheri Swigart

Alright, I can honestly say that I have been focusing on our new healthy built home more than keeping up with my blogging on Active Rain. My last 2 sales have been foreclosures and I have to admit that it has not been fun. I have learned alot and have successfully made it to closing which if it weren't for my building expertise, probaly wouldn't have happened. I have experienced delayed communication responses, lack of knowledge, major faux paus and I wonder if anyone else sees this?

I love what I do and I see that we are now just barely hanging in there in our field. For all the agents that know what they are doing and taking the extra time and are results driven, Hang in there! There are definately going to be more foreclosures, I just hope that the banks can keep up with this and hire professionals that know the market and what it takes to sell a home right now.

Buying a foreclosure? What do I need to know????????

REO, Bank Owned, Fannie Mae owned? There will be an addendum, make sure you get the addendum up front and read it. They are adamant on there time limits for inspections and closing dates. If there is going to be an extension, they have a form for that and it needs to be addressed ahead of time not after.

Get your inspections lined up immediately, surveys, get your contractors out if there if there is work to be done so you know what you are in store for.

Make sure all utilities are on for the inspection.

Keep a good communications line open with the listing agent.

Get a copy and read the restrictive covenants.

Check the tax bill, the tax assessment may be higher on a foreclosure and you will need to appeal to get an adjustment after closing. (Save the closing statement)

Check the title, your attorney will do this and you can also go online and find out a lot.

Just a few suggestions.

I think Less is More when you consider reducing the size of the house to the not so big house and putting the details there. A tighter envelope, better air quality, water reducing features, energy star and this all leads to saving money on utilities. There is also talk that by 2012 all homes will need to be energy star.

Soooooooooo.. why is it that every time I get a buyer or talk to one all they care about is how much sq ft they can get for the money. Bigger is better if you can get more space for your money...they are more in tune to size than quality and energy savings.

I'd like to know your thoughts on this???

Well we found what we want and the rates are creeping up but what about this new economy..................

Get off your perch!

2009 is the year that GREEN has made an impact. We all have been taught to conserve water, recycle, reuse, save the trees, etc. I know that we all have not practiced what we know is right. I believe that people are moving forward to becoming better stewards of the earth . Green Building is making an impact on building a better house that has a tighter envelope, better air quality, water conservation and energy effecient. Guidelines are being put in place right now and soon all houses will have to be energy effecient or energy star.

KC and I are building green these days. KC has always built a good house, now its a better house with 3rd party certification. KC has always tried to save the trees and now we are using any trees that have to be cut for mulch or lumber. Putting gardens in for the homeowner and water barrels for watering, sealing all places were leakage could occur and using water restrictors and dual flush toilets. These are just a few of the eco features we are doing to build a better house and be good stewards of the earth.

Check out Ashevilles Healthy Built Home Program. Many builders and homeowners are coming on board with this grass roots movement. I just don't know why we didn't promote this in the beginning........we've always known its the right thing to do.