Irena Popilevsky

Congratulations - you've found the home of your dreams. Now it's time to organize the big move, get packing, and decide whether to move yourself or hire professionals.

As soon as you begin preparing for the move you may find that you have things packed in boxes from your last move. Instead of moving these boxes again, consider holding a moving/tag sale to get rid of some of these possessions, and to make some money as well.

If you have children, you'll find that a great way to help them transition to your new home is to get them involved in the moving process. Depending on their age you can have them help you to do everything from deciding on what size truck you need, to collecting packing materials and boxes, to packing their room.

Packing

Here are some tips:

• You can get your new home organized much quicker if you spend a little time organizing the move before you start packing. Develop a system for marking boxes, for example kitchen 1, and then make a list of everything you pack in that box.

• Buy packing materials from moving companies or companies that rent moving trucks. Be sure to get the right boxes and packing supplies for the job. That means sturdy boxes, not too large for heavier loads, and plenty of packing supplies to cushion your fragile possessions.

• Begin packing several weeks before moving. This way you can take your time packing the non essential items well before the big move, and obtain valuable packing knowledge that will come in handy when you begin packing your more valued possessions.

• Consider the benefits of packing or hiring professionals to do so. Doing you own packing will save you money, and can make unpacking easier because you'll know what's in each box. However, hiring professionals to pack and unpack your most valued possessions can help to ensure they arrive intact.

• Delicate electronics such as microwaves, computers, monitors, scanners and printers shouldn't be jarred during a move. If possible, pack them in their original boxes with the original packing material. Next best is finding sturdy boxes and packing them in bubble wrap.

• Packing china is an art. If you choose to pack it yourself, you will want to invest in special boxes designed for valuable plates. In addition to these specially designed boxes, you'll need packing paper, bubble wrap, and styrofoam peanuts to protect your china during shipping. And be sure to carefully place the boxes in the moving van for maximum safety.

Should you hire a mover?

• If you're considering moving yourself, survey all your possessions before trying to determine what size moving van to rent. While most companies will provide you with guidelines based on how many rooms of furniture you have, they don't know if you have your attic packed with stuff, or an overfilled shed.

• Movers can cost anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, depending on how much you're moving, how much you want movers to do, and how far you're moving. In the current buyers' market, you might consider negotiating with the seller to pay for your moving expenses.

• Moving companies often specialize in local or long distance moves. Be sure to ask real estate agents, friends, and co-workers for referrals. And if possible, select a mover with Better Business Bureau certification.

• Not every mover has expertise in moving overweight items such as pool tables, pianos, or gym-quality exercise equipment. If you own items such as these, you'll want to start looking for a mover, and also perhaps a specialty mover, at least two months before moving.

• Plants don't like extreme temperatures. During a move, protect them from quick swings of temperatures, warm to cold or vice versa. Before the move, be sure to water them on your normal schedule - too much water can lead to fungus in the summer, and cold shock in the winter.

Pets

Moves can be tough on your pets. Here are some ideas for taking better care of them:

• A move can be quite stressful on your dog. If you're moving within a few hours driving distance, be sure to acclimate your dog to car rides. And when you move into your new home, find a place for their crate or special blanket that will make your dog feel at home.

• Small animals, such as rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs can be frazzled by a move. The smaller the animal, the more sensitive they are to hot and cold temperatures. For their comfort and safety, be sure the temperature is around 70 degrees while they are being transported.

• Tropical and salt water fish get highly stressed during moves. If you're moving no more than an hour or so, put them and aquarium water in bags half filled with air. For moves greater than an hour or so, considering giving your fish away and getting new ones at your new home.

Moving your valuables

• To protect valuable investments, many people with fine antiques choose to have them professionally moved. Ask movers how your valuables will be protected - long distance movers often use custom crates, rather than simply packing antiques in cartons with padding and stretch wrap.

• When moving valuables such as antiques, quality china, stemware or chandeliers, consider getting qualified appraisals for the pieces prior to your move. That way you'll have proof of their value should any damage occur during the move.

• The key to moving fine wine is keeping the bottles at 55 to 60 degrees. That means that if you're moving in the summer, your wine won't do very well in a moving van. Consider contacting a company that specializes in moving fine wine, or if you are moving it locally, move it yourself in your air conditioned car or van.

• Companies that specialize in moving cars from state to state offer a variety of services. If your car is worth a lot of money, you'll want to consider paying extra to have it moved in a closed carrier or at least on the top of the transport vehicle.

• When it comes to moving big screen televisions, pack them in their original boxes or hire a company that specializes in moving them. If your big screen television is more than a few years old and you are moving long distance, consider selling it and buying a new model - moving it can be expensive.

Moving your stuff

• Moving exercise equipment such as treadmills or elliptical trainers can be tricky. First, be sure to secure all moving pieces. Next, be sure to carry them by sturdy parts. Finally, in the moving truck be sure not to pile anything on the electronics.

• Move dumbbells or free weights with care. Unless you have reinforced boxes, consider keeping them loose in the moving van. But be sure to carefully secure them in the van with rope, or pin them alongside large pieces of furniture - loose weights can cause damage en route.

• Lawn mowers, snow blowers, and other power equipment need special care during moves. For safety, run all of the gasoline out of the machine, and empty the oil. Disconnect the spark plug for additional safety. And be sure to secure the equipment in the moving van with rope and by blocking the wheels.

• If you're moving area rugs or draperies, consider sending them to the dry cleaners just prior to your move. That way they will be clean when you move into your new home - and you can leave them wrapped in plastic to keep them clean during the move.

• Many people have valuable information on their computers, including financial data, personal records, and addresses and phone numbers for family and friends. Before moving your computer, consider backing up all your personal files and keeping the backups with you during the move.

• Before you move be sure to clean the gas grill. And while you have the grill apart, pack the grades, briquettes or other loose items, placing them back inside the grill for safety. Propane tanks, full or empty, will likely not be accepted by most moving companies.

Today's homes are often loaded with gadgets, from programmable thermostats, to heated tile floors, solar panels, and security systems. Be sure you get the manuals, or at least instructions, on how to operate all electronic gadgets that will be included in your new home.

A short sale can be an excellent solution for homeowners who must sell and owe more on their homes than they are worth. Unfortunately, a number of myths about short sales have developed, and it is important to understand the reality of this process should you find it meets your current needs.

Myth #1 - The Bank Would Rather Foreclose than Bother with a Short Sale

This is one of the most common misconceptions. The reality is that banks do not want to foreclose on your property because the foreclosure process is timely and incredibly costly. Banks, investors, and even the federal government have all publicly stated that if a person is qualified for a short sale, the deal needs to be considered. Overwhelmingly, banks receive more on their investment through a short sale than a foreclosure.

The qualifications for a short sale include:

•1. Financial Hardship - There is a situation causing you to have trouble affording your mortgage. Examples of qualifing financial hardships include: a job loss or salary reduction, divorce or seperation, debiliating illness, medical bills, business failure, excessive debt, mortgage payment increase, or the loss of a close family members such as a child or spouse.

•2. Monthly Income Shortfall - "You have more month than money." A lender will want to see that you cannot afford, or soon will not be able to afford your mortgage.

•3. Insolvency - The lender will want to see that you do not have significant liquid assets that would allow you to pay down your mortgage. Retirement Accounts are not usually included.

Myth #2 - You Must Be Significantly Behind on Your Mortgage to Negotiate a Short Sale

While this may have previously been the case, today lenders are looking for verifiable hardship, monthly cash flow shortfall, or pending shortfall and insolvency.

If you meet these three requirements and believe that you soon may be unable to afford your mortgage, act immediately. Any delay could limit your options. Do not wait until the countdown clock to foreclosure has started and you have even less time left.

Myth #3 - There is Not Enough Time to Negotiate a Short Sale Before My Foreclosure

This is a myth that probably hurts homeowners the most. Many do not realize that foreclosure is a process, and that there is time to make decisions that may result in better outcomes.

The foreclosing party-in most cases a lender-can stall a foreclosure up to the final day of the process. Today, many lenders will stall a foreclosure with as little as a phone call from you explaining that you are trying to sell, and almost all lenders will stall a foreclosure with a legitimate contract. For real estate professionals who understand and specialize in foreclosures and short sales, there is time available until the foreclosure process is complete.

Myth #4 - Listing My Home as a Short Sale is an Embarrassment

It is understandable to have reservations about letting the world know that you owe more on your home than it is worth. However, according to recent estimates, more than one out of eight homeowners in the U.S. is in the same situation. You are to be congratulated for being responsible and taking action and finding a professional who can work with you toward a solution to help limit the bank's loses and to avoid a foreclosure and the damaging affects to your credit.

Recent estimates show 40-60% of U.S. sales will be short sales or foreclosures, understand you are not alone! Furthermore, your home does not need to be marketed to the public as a short sale and rather this information can be provided in a section of the listing only available to the agents showing the home. As such your neighbors need not know!

Myth #5 - Short Sales are Impossible and Never Get Approved

This is a complete falsehood. Are short sales more difficult to execute? Yes. Do you, as a homeowner, need to learn about a new process? Yes. Are they impossible? Absolutely not.

For example, agents who specialize in short sales receive thousands of short sale approvals on a monthly basis. These professionals have undergone extensive training in methods to help homeowners in distress and process short sales. While there are no guarantees in any transaction, however, a short sale specialist will pocess the knowledge and experience to help bring your transaction to a successful close, and for individules such as ourselves, this is far from an impossible process.

Myth #6 - Banks are Waiting on a Bailout and Not Accepting Short Sales

You may have heard this, but the reality is that banks (and the U.S. government) are trying to do anything they can, within reason, to avoid foreclosing on properties. It is preposterous to believe they would deny a short sale in hopes that some future legislation would pass and pay them for losses.

Today, more banks are aggressively pursuing short sales and working with agents who understand how to process them. Freddie Mac recently hosted a national training Webinar for real estate agents where they expressly stated the organizational goal of "eliminating distressed assets through modification or short sale." and President Obama recently came out in support of them.

Myth #7 - Buyers are Not Interested in Short Sale Properties

This simply is not true and in fact, many agents are getting calls from buyers who say they only want to look at foreclosure and short sales.

For buyers, short sales and foreclosures have become synonymous with "good deals." More specifically, international buyers are targeting these properties. Listing with an experienced short sale specialist who is educated in the short sale process will provide you with a great chance of quickly seeing a contract on your property

Myth #8 - Short Sales Have Negetive Tax Consequences

The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 states that homeowners will not be subject to income tax from release from mortgage liability if and to the extent the mortgage proceeds were used to buy or improve their primary residence. The act does not provide income tax shelter from foregiveness of mortgage debts for investment property, vacation homes, or mortgages used for businesses or to pay off credit card balances.
If you're a homeowner looking to short sale your primary residence and any mortgages against the home were used to buy or improve the home you are protected.
* The act also protects owners who can prove they are insolvent at the time of the sale, meaning their total debts outweighted the total fair market value of all of their assets.

Myth #9 - Homeowners who Short Sale Their Homes are Liable for Deficiency Judgments

A short sale is an effort on the homeowners behalf to work with their lender and to help the bank reduce its losses. Banks understand this and only in rare occasions will they pursue a homeowner for a deficiency judgment. You may have heard of lenders pursuing homeowners in states like Arizona for Deficiency Judgments but what you probably didn't hear was that the parties they are pursuing are primarily investors who made risky speculative investments, and now that those investments have gone bad these individuals have attempted to stick the bank with their losses! That said, a short sale specialist will discuss with you the steps they will take to protect from a deficiency judgment.

If you're facing foreclosure you're facing some very important decisions. We want you know you're not alone and we are here to help with any questions you may have to assist you in making the best decisions for your situation. There is no charge for this service and we are happy to help! We offer confidential and professional real estate advice.

Sunday 10/25/09 from 12:00 to 2:00 P.M. Appleseed Homes is hosting a charity event for the Wounded Warrior Project. Bawling, Raffles, lottery, 50/50 auctions, our heroes, baskets and stars from the HBO show The Soppranos will be there to support this cause. Everyone is welcome to come. The event is being held at the Show Place Bawling alley at Victory Blvd. Staten Island, NY.
Please come and meet our heroes, the stars and Appleseed Homes Realtors.

Looking at a bunch of houses? With digital photography making it easy and inexpensive to record images, be sure to take a digital camera along, first taking a picture of the listing sheet so you can remember which pictures go with which home, and then key elements of each home.

Also, make a checklist before you visit the first house so that you can keep each of them straight. Here is a list of items you'll want to include (rank each as either excellent, good, fair, needs repair soon, needs repair now).

• Kitchen
  
• Bathroom(s)
  
• Roof
  
• Windows
  
• Furnace
  
• Air conditioning
  
• Floors (rate by each level of home)
  
• Closet/storage space
  
• Plumbing
  
• Electrical (does it have 60, 100 or 200 amp service?)
  
• Basement
  
• Master bedroom
  
• Siding
  
• Garage
  

Then customize the list with your own "must haves," for example, fireplace, master bath, walk-in closet, one two or three car garage, dining room, open floor plan, eat-in kitchen, screened-in porch, large or small yard.

Happy house hunting.

On Your Team.

Irena Popilevsky

www.irenapopilevsky.com

23 days ago my phone rung and on the other side of the line a homeowner is calling for help. Her exact words were " I need help. my house is going to be sold in an auction in 23 days, can you help me?" Oh wow, I thought Oh my god I thought. Yes I can help a homeowner in a nervous-foreclosure situation. I do it every day but, what can I do in just 23 days. To help I would need to list the home, market it extensively, find a qualified buyer to buy the property and negotiate with the bank on their behalf. There wasn't enough time to do all that. I couldn't turn away from this homeowner. I couldn't say no without at least trying. I told the homeowner that I will meet with her and her husband and try to help. So I did. I met with then the next morning, Listed the home, found a qualified buyer and submitted a fully executed contract. We were nervous all three of us . But we did it. the sale was stopped.
I wanted to share this information with all of you because I wanted to say to all Realtors out there who are experienced in short sales, please don't turn a homeowner who needs your help away. If you work really hard there is a chance that you may be able to help them.

On Your Team.
Irena Popilevsky
Appleseed Homes
(917) 579-4455
www.irenapopilevsky.com