Tax credit and Flood Insurance Bills Extended

There’s some good news for homebuyers who ratified their real estate contracts by April 30, 2010, but who were unable to close before the original June 30 tax credit deadline: Eligible homebuyers with properties closing anytime up to September 30, 2010 are now allowed the benefit of the homebuyer’s tax credit, worth up to $8,000.

Reduce, Reuse, Renovate

You may not have purchased a green home, but every time you undertake a remodeling project, you have the opportunity to make your living environment more environmentally friendly.  Here are some tips for turning your next renovation into a more eco-friendly one.

Good Graces

Naturally, homeowners want to net a good price for their property. But, also important, most homeowners want to sell to buyers they like. To get in sellers’ good graces, do the following.

The Trouble With Clutter

Often invisible to homeowners, clutter can be a deal breaker for buyers. To understand why it’s so important to rid your home of clutter before it goes on the market, it helps to know its effects on buyers.

Home Inspection Myths

A home inspection is a vital part of the home buying and selling process. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about inspections and inspectors, including the following.

Read this month’s newsletter here.

Homebuyer Tax Credit Aftermath

If you didn’t manage to take advantage of the $8,000 first-time homebuyer or $6,500 homebuyer tax credits earlier this year, you may be thinking, “So, now what?”.  Some people may even be wondering whether buying a house is still worth it, or if renting makes more sense.

Room With A View

A good view can really add to the enjoyment of your home, not to mention to your property’s attractiveness in buyers’ eyes.  An unsightly view, on the other hand, can make you want to up and move, and pose a challenge to selling your property.  Here are some tips and tricks to help you accentuate the former and downplay the latter.

In Focus

As buyers tour prospective homes, there are certain aspects of the properties that stand out as key in swaying their decisions to buy–or not to buy.  Here are four areas of your home where you really need to impress.

Getting Over “The One”

Make the mistake of seeing a potential property as “the one” and you’re bound to overpay.  As well, you may miss out on the others you’d be better off buying.  Here are a few tips to help you avoid falling prey to thoughts of “the one”.

Trim Tips

Painting your home’s exterior trim is a great way to give it a facelift, be it for your own enjoyment or because you’re selling your home.  A laborious job, but key to ensuring a great first impression of your home, these tips will help ensure you’re satisfied with the results.

Read this month’s newsletter here.

Smooth Selling

According to a Fannie Mae National Housing Survey conducted between December 2009 and January 2010, Americans are still optimistic about the benefits of home ownership. Despite a decrease in home values in many areas, a full 70 percent of survey participants still consider a home to be a strong investment, especially when compared to buying stocks, which only 17 percent of survey participants believe is a safe investment.

Green Wallpaper

Wallpaper is a great way to add color, pattern and teture to your walls.  Unfortunately, most wallpapers aren’t great for your home’s air quality or the environment.  zbut, with a growing number of eco-friendly alternatives available, wallpaper may be coming back in fashion.

FSBO UH-OH

If you’re thinking of selling your home yourself as a “FSBO”, think again, from a buyer’s perspective.  Buyers may be more hesitant to deal with sellers representing themselves than deal with those working with a professional real estate sales representative.

Two Perfect

You’ve narrowed the search for your next home down to two properties.  You like both equally in terms of price, teh properties themselves, and their locations.  So how do you choose one?

Enjoy a Summer “Staycation”!

Has the tough economy put a damper on your summer plans?  Not to worry.  With the following tips, you can transform your backyard into the perfect getaway destination.

Read this month’s newsletter here

Navigating Choppy Real Estate Waters

Over the past couple of years, you may have heard of homeowners being “underwater” or “upside down” in their mortgages.  These terms refer to negative equity, when borrowers owe more on their mortgages than they are worth.

The Epicurean Center

What’s the recipe for a fabulous, functional kitchen?  This question is key whether you’re buying a new home, renovating your current one to make it more apealing to potential buyers, or enhancing it for your own enjoyment.

Avoiding Rejection

Few things are more heartbreaking than finding the perfect home for you, but then getting turned down for a mortgage.  By knowing some of the common reasons lenders reject otherwise qualified applicants, you can be proactive in avoiding them.

Buying or “Just Looking”?

Is your home on the market?  If so, it is important you know with whom you’re dealing as far as potential buyers are concerned.  Some types of buyers are less desirable than others….

Planting Perks

While the finished product is something to admire, the actual process of gardening offers may benefits to those willing to take the time to get down and dirty.

Read this month’s newsletter here

Deal or No Deal?

The number of vacant properties in the US rose to 18.8 million last year.  With the range of properties available for immediate occupancy, many at reduced prices, good reason suggests that the purchase of a vacant property should be a ”good deal”.  But is it?

Clearing the Air

Your home is supposed to be a respite from the outside world.  But, surprisingly, when it comes to air quality, you’re often bettter off outside your home than in it.  To improve your home’s air quality, consider these tips.

Avoid Overpaying

Anyone who’s in the market for a new home is prepared to spend a lot of money.  But, of course, nobody wants to spend too much.  For tips to help you avoid overpaying for your next home, keep reading.

Your “Not To Do” List

Sometimes it’s a home’s condition or location that turns buyers away.  But, on occasion, it’s the very sellers themselves who put buyers off.  Don’t sabotage your own home sale:  Here’s a list of things NOT to do!

Top Priority

Spring is a popular time for making home improvements.  If you’re like many homeowners, you probably have a list of projects you need done.  But, with which do you start?

Read May’s Newsletter here

Closing the Deal

A real estate transaction can be a complex process.  Closing costs alone can be a source of confusion for many homebuyers.  Luckily, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act–the law that protects consumers by requiring lenders to give borrowers advance notice of all the costs involved in closing their property transaction–was revised at the beginning of 2010.

Buy Design

Maybe you don’t have the time or know-how to do it yourself.  Or perhaps you and your significant other simply can’t reconcile your disparate tastes.  Whatever your reason is for hiring a professional interior designer, here’s some advice to help make the experience a success.

Get The Edge

Spring is peak home-buying time.  You might be in the market for a new home this season–but so are a lot of other people.  To get a jump on your competition, here are a few things that you can do before beginning the home-hunting process.

Best Person for the Job

No one knows your home better than you, right?  But who’s the best person to determine what you should list your home for, to sell it in a reasonable time period?  A real estate sales representative, that’s who!

Water-Wise Plants

As time and water become every more precious, xeriscaping–landscaping that consumes fewer resources and requires less maintenance–is catching on.

Read April’s Newsletter here

Home Sweet…Investment Property?

The U.S. real estate market is changing faster than ever before.  Depending on your state, city and individual neighborhood, real estate prices may have dropped, increased or remained stable over the past few months.

Household Hazards

As we grow more conscientious about our health, our impact on the environment and how we spend our money, we become more choosy about the products we will — and will not — allow in our homes.  Here are five chemicals commonly found in household cleaning products that you are urged to avoid.

The Eyes Have It

Of all our five senses, sight has the greatest influence over a buyer’s decision to buy — or not to buy.  To make your home the apple of buyers’ eyes, appeal to their senses of sight.

Onward & Upward

Homeowners who are looking to move up have new considerations to make now, ones that they didn’t have as first-time buyers.  So for all move-up buyers, here’s some advice.

Read February’s newsletter here

What is a Short Sale, And is it Right For Me?

Now that the holidays are over, your thoughts may be shifting back to your housing situation, including a 2010 move.  The real estate market is still front-page news in many cities, with mentions of  “short sales”.  What are short sales and how might they apply to you?

Stay In, Work Out

With a new year come New Year’s resolution.  Many will resolve to make physical fitness a priority in the coming year, a goal more easily achieved at the gym or when you have a home gym–which you can have, no matter where you live or how little space is available.

Relocating Responsibly

Whether you’re relocating across town, across the country or across the world, you can make your move a little easier on the planet.  Follow these tips to make your next move a more environmentally friendly one.

Read January’s newsletter here

Planning for Sales Success in 2010

The real estate market was front-page news throughout this year, and will likely continue to be a hot topic into the new year.  If you’re planning to sell your home in 2010, you may find yourself up against some unique circumstances you never anticipated.

Paint It Green

You can go green no mater what color you apply to your walls.  Make your next paint job a more environmentally friendly and health-conscious one — give traditional paints the brush off and roll with a smart alternative.

Above and Beyond

Decluttering, cleaning to a shine, making minor repairs — these things are obvious, but what else can you do to really make your home stand apart from the competition?

Read December’s newsletter here

Pending Home Sales Show Positive Trend

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) announced that contract activity for pending home sales has risen for six straight months, a pattern not seen in the history of the index since it began in 2001.

Deck the Halls?

If your home will be for sale this holiday season, you have some decor decisions to make.  Should you maintain tradition and put up your holiday decorations as usual or forego them altogether?

Rooms to Improve

Buying and renovating a fixer-upper can be very rewarding, so long as you know what you’re getting into.  If you’ve got your eye on a house that needs some work, you’ll want to think about the following points.

Read November’s newsletter here