Sign, sign, everywhere a sign says... "Do this, don't do that...."
In our cold and wintry climate this time of year it is customary to winterize a vacant and unheated property. In order to keep folks from attempting to use the bathrooms in these vacant properties during showing appointments, signs are placed on the sinks and commodes stating "Do Not Use" and "Winterized", "Water Is Off", etc.
During a recent FHA appraisal, the appraiser took the signs at face value and did not even attempt to turn on the faucets to see if water was available. Instead he flagged the property as "conditional for reinspection to verify water utility was on"! This while I as listing agent was present the entire time. Uhmmm... somehow I was under the assumption that the appraiser surely would have known or maybe even guessed that the property was prepared for his inspection. As an industry insider, wouldn't he have known the vacant property's water lines and plumbing system needs to be protected, and wouldn't he have seen lots of similar signs in properties before? Wouldn't you think he could have asked me about the water or at least mentioned it?
That is reminiscent of the old Candid Camera skits where nonsensical and outrageous signs were posted at various places, and the camera would record how the unsuspecting people would obey even the silliest of those signs. I know from now on I am going to hide those signs!
When the "re-inspection" took place, I asked the inspector why that was flagged, and he admitted he didn't even try the faucets because of the signs. It's important to note that I am not criticizing the appraiser in any way, and I have done some very absent minded things myself and am sure to do a lot more in the future. It's just one of those zany things that can happen anytime, anywhere.
What was your strangest experience with a recent FHA appraisal?
I know, I know! According to the calendar, spring doesn't begin until March 20th, 2009. Phooey on that.
In our office at Cutler Real Estate at 3930 Fulton Dr NW, Canton, Ohio 44718, spring officially begins on January 1st each year! We celebrate it on the first Tuesday after January 1st, which will be Tuesday, January 6th for 2009.
Why so early? Our Fulton Drive office statistics show that buyers are beginning to get antsy immediately after the holidays are over, and have more than a touch of cabin fever. Local Home Improvement shows will add fuel to the fire, which causes buyer activity to steadily picks up steam. Usually by February and especially March, there can be lots of requests for showing appointments. If you are considering buying one of the actively listed condominiums at Meyers Lake, now is the time to put those plans into place by becoming pre-qualified for a mortgage loan. If you need to sell your exist home first, NOW is the time to put it on the market. On today's date of December 11, 2008, there are six Myers Lake condo listings on "Active" status, ranging in price from a low of $99,000 to a high of $528,876.
If you are a condo owner with a desire to sell your condominium unit, an early start is also important for you! The longer you delay, they more the buyer activity drops off when deep summer and fall are advancing.
Because FHA loans are now the predominant loan package in our area, it is not uncommon for loans to take 45 to 60 days in order to close. What this means to owners of condominiums in the Meyers Lake area, your property should be on the market no later than January 6th so as not to miss the early bird buyers that want to be in and settled into their new condo residence before the first *real* day of spring arrives on March 20, 2009. You can imagine how those buyers will be eagerly anticipating living at the lake, and of course they will be wanting to savor every moment of spring and summer and celebrate the warm weather in their newly purchased condo.
Hurry spring!!!
Where's Coffy? Be the first to identify the exact location of Coffy the Cutler teddy bear and win a certificate to Grinders Above and Beyond Restaurant! *Though this post is in Localism for Canton, Ohio, our local CRIS MLS covers a nine county area. Coffy could be in any one of those nine counties, but a clue to the location in this picture in an earlier post narrows it to three possibilities. See the original post naming those three counties:(Stark, Carroll, or Tuscarawas)
http://activerain.com/blogsview/711374/Wheres-Coffy-8
Certificate will be awarded to the first person that posts the correct location here in the comments section. The earliest documented comment time stamp will be used to award the certificate. To receive the certificate, winner should send contact information (held in confidentiality if requested) to:
Where's Coffy?
Feeling strapped by your annual homeowners and automobile insurance bill? Check this out:
News From Maconachy Stradley Insurance: Insurance companies are lowering rates in 2009. The Cincinnati Ins. company is going to lower their automobile and homeowners' rates in Northeast Ohio between ten and fifteen percent effective January 1 st 2009. If you have not looked at your homeowners' and automobile insurance rates now is the time to do so. You don't have to wait for your policy to renew in order to get competitive quotes on your insurance. In the event you find quotes that offer the same or better coverage at a lower premium you do not have to wait until the policy renews to switch insurance carriers. Insurance is paid in advance, meaning you will be refunded any unused premiums.
The person to contact is Justin Truex:
http://maconachy-stradley.com/whoweare4.html
A quick note about Justin: There has been several ocassions when buyers were simply moments away from closing on their property, and for various reasons either the cost of homeowners insurance or some other technicality prevented the buyer from obtaining their lender required homeowners insurance. Justin was able to cut through the red tape and was able to provide hazard insurance and get the transaction back on track and closed. Sure saved the day for the buyers, title companies, and brokerage firms.
Voice Pad Cutler Mobile MLS! It's here, brought to you exclusively in our area of NE Ohio by Mortgage One and Cutler Real Estate.
You can have it now, for all listed properties in the nine county area covered by our local CRIS Multiple Listing Service system. (*This post is in the Localism post for the city of Canton, but this feature covers a much wider area just the city of Canton.)
What is it? Whether you are buying or selling a home, Cutler Mobile MLS is an innovative tool that we offer to our customers and clients free of charge. Simple to use, yet incredibly effective. Cutler Mobile MLS is an extension of our website and delivers audio real estate information by telephone 24/7.
Instant access and audio description to any listing in our local area by phone day or nite
No special equipment or subscription necessary
Works from any phone, anywhere
Easy to remember phone number
Your audio choice in English or Spanish
Simple to use.
What will you hear when you call the number? A complete audio description of the property with data taken from the local Multiple Listing Service. You will also hear other special features and notes htat the listing agent may feel were important enough to include for buyers calling for information. You'll hear about the number of bedrooms, baths, formal dining room, recreation rooms, square feet, price, etc.
I know that as a buyer, you may be hesitant about calling any numbers on a yard sign. Why do I know this? Even I as a REALTOR would be hesitant to call them, as I don't want another REALTOR calling me back either! If you'll allow me to set up your applicable cell phone number or home phone number in my own personal registry system, you will not be bothered with a call back if you instruct me to not give a follow up call. You will also be provided with a convenient static sticker for your car windshield so that you will always have the number to call handy. Remember, there is no subscription necessary, but if you allow me to notify the system beforehand to not have a REALTOR call you, you will not be bothered by a REALTOR calling you. It's that simple.
If you are a seller, shouldn't your property have its very own web page on our Cutler web site? This new feature alone will attract many potential buyers, and it is just one more way Cutler Real Estate stays on the cutting edge. Tomorrows technology is here today!
Imagine how super duper it will be to call on any property and obtain the information you want hassle free! Its here, you can have it NOW!
Watch a demonstration on using Cutler Mobile MLS.
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Let's get together! Whether buying or selling, I'll show you how I can help you to keep more money in your pocket!
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