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Bryan Crabtree

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TOXIC ASSET PLAN

03-11-09
Bryan Crabtree

How are we ever going to clear out all these toxic assets? They're working on it; they tell us. And while, yesterday, thinned the air a bit with The Dow up almost 400, it's hardly enough to get too excited. A plan to shore up toxic assets will certainly help.

Geithner said the plan will be unveiled within the next couple of weeks. It will provide government financing to private investors who are willing to buy the bad assets clogging banks’ balance sheets.

The administration believes that by getting the bad loans and other troublesome assets off banks’ books, it will encourage financial institutions to resume more normal lending to consumers and businesses.

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TRAVERSING THE PITFALLS OF A HOME INSPECTION. FROM HOUSEDOG.COM

03-08-09
Bryan Crabtree

Traversing the Pitfalls of Home Inspections

June and Fred Smith were diligent about getting their home ready for sale. They ordered a pre-sale termite inspection report. The report revealed that their large rear deck was dry-rot infested, so they replaced it before putting their home on the market.

The Smiths also called a reputable roofer to examine the roof and issue a report on its condition. The roofer felt that the roof was on its last legs and that it should be replaced. The Smith's didn't want buyers to be put off by a bad roof, so they had the roof replaced and the exterior painted before they marketed the home.

The Smith's home was attractive, well-maintained and priced right for the market. It received multiple offers the first week it was listed for sale.

But the buyers' inspection report indicated that the house was in serious need of drainage work. According to a drainage contractor, the job would cost in excess of $20,000. Fred Smith was particularly distraught because he'd paid to have corrective drainage work done several years ago.

First-Time Tip: If you get an alarming inspection report on a home you're buying or selling, don't panic. Until you see the whole picture clearly, you're not in a position to determine whether you have a major problem to deal with or not.

What happened to the Smiths is typical of what can happen over time with older homes. The drainage work that was completed years ago was probably adequate at the time. But since then, there had been unprecedented rains in the area, which caused flooding in many basements. Drainage technology had advanced. New technology can be more expensive but often does a better job.

The Smiths considered calling in other drainage experts to see if the work could be done for less. After studying the buyers' inspection report, the contractor's proposal and the buyers' offer to split the cost of the drainage work 50-50 with the sellers, the Smiths concluded that they had a fair deal.

The solution is not always this easy, especially when contractors can't agree. Keep in mind that there is an element of subjectivity involved in the inspection process. For example, two contractors might disagree on the remedy for a dry-rotted window: one calling for repair and the other for replacement.

Recently, one roofer recommended a total roof replacement for a cost of $6,000. A second roofer disagreed. His report said that the roof should last another three to four years if the owner did $800 of maintenance work. Based on the two reports, the buyers and sellers were able to negotiate a satisfactory monetary solution to the problem for an amount that was between the two estimates.

It's problematic when inspectors are wrong. But it happens. Inspectors are only human. Here is another example: A home inspector looked at a house and issued a report condemning the furnace, which he said needed to be replaced.

The sellers called in a heating contractor who declared that the furnace was fit and that it did not need to be replaced.

The buyers were unsure about the furnace, given the difference of opinions. The seller called in a representative from the local gas company. The buyers knew that the gas company representative would have to shut the furnace down if it was dangerous. He found nothing wrong with the furnace, and the buyers were satisfied.

In Closing: Sometimes finding the right expert to give an opinion on a suspected house problem is the answer, but it is always good to get two opinions.

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Tips on Selling your home - from Housedog.com.

03-08-09
Bryan Crabtree
Selling

When selling your home, there are no guarantees that a buyer will simply walk through the front door. There are steps that you need to take so that your property receives maximum exposure to attract a ready, willing and able buyer.

The appearance of your home, a buyer's first impression, and other considerations can also affect the sale of your home. Have you considered that home prices in your neighborhood and the value of your property are also factors used for pricing your home? In many cases you may have to bring your home to the buyer. Effective marketing will help ensure that your home is sold in a timely manner at the best price.

Below are some articles that you might find useful in the home selling process. Please feel free to click on one the links to read more.

Seller Articles

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Mortgage TAX Calculator

03-07-09
Bryan Crabtree

This calculator estimates the tax benefit of buying a home. Input your loan parameters and the month you purchased the home. Since home interest and points are captured in itemized deductions, please estimate your Schedule A itemized deductions. Your itemized deductions including your mortgage deductions will be compared to your standard deduction to calculate the tax benefit of purchasing your home.

CLICK HERE TO TRY IT (FROM HOUSEDOG.COM): http://housedog.com/real-estate-news-f14593.html

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MORTGAGE TAX BENEFITS CALCULATOR FROM HOUSEDOG.COM

03-07-09
Bryan Crabtree

This calculator estimates the tax benefit of buying a home. Input your loan parameters and the month you purchased the home. Since home interest and points are captured in itemized deductions, please estimate your Schedule A itemized deductions. Your itemized deductions including your mortgage deductions will be compared to your standard deduction to calculate the tax benefit of purchasing your home.

CLICK HERE TO TRY IT (FROM HOUSEDOG.COM): http://housedog.com/real-estate-news-f14593.html

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