Is my project DIY or should I call a professional?

We all want to save money, so when it comes to projects in your home, you may be curious to know which you can do on your own and which you need a professional for.

The first thing to consider is you. For some people projects are fun and rewarding and for others they are stressful. Which one are you?

Next make a list of the projects you want done around the house and then evaluate that list. Is there anything on there that you have done before? Maybe it's painting or sanding a piece of furniture. These are great projects for you to do on your own.

How is your health? Some projects may require you to be on a ladder or lifting heavy things. Is that something you are comfortable with?

Always keep in mind, there are some jobs you need to leave to the professionals: electrical, plumbing, moving walls, etc. Your safety comes first!

Thinking of Remodeling Your Home or Your Next Home?

Welcome back to my video blog! Today I have Tom Ross from Nova Home Loans with me to tell us about an exciting loan program going on right now.

Tell us about the FHA 203K Renovation Loan.

This is really a neat loan. Have you ever looked for a home, but didn’t find one you liked? With this loan you can purchase and/or renovate a home. The loan limit is up to $346,250. That means you could purchase a home for $250,000 and renovate it up to $100,000: add bedrooms, renovate bathrooms, kitchen, etc.

Are there any restrictions?

The home does have to be your primary residence.

FHA is also not big on pools, so you cannot use the money to add a pool. You must also not over-improve the home for the neighborhood.

What are interest rates at?

Interest rates are incredibly low right now. The regular loan rate is about 4.25 percent and the interest rate for the FHA 203K Loan is about 4.6 percent.

So if you have been thinking about buying a home, but haven’t found one you like, give Monique a call. Together the three of us can discuss your options.

Our Changing Sellers Market

Welcome back to my video blog! For the past few months I’ve been telling you how great our market has been. We saw a lot of buyer demand and very low inventory.

The market has changed. There are fewer showings, fewer buyers and fewer homes being sold. What does this mean?

Our market is changing. We are no longer in a sellers market, but rather we are transitioning into a more balanced market.

Now each price point is a little different. I recently sold a $250,000 home after being listed for three weeks. On the other hand, I sold a home for $235,000 in only a day. The higher priced your home is, the smaller the buyer pool becomes.

If you were a buyer that couldn’t find a home you wanted or you kept getting outbid by other buyers, now is your time. Give me a call so I can help you find the perfect home.

Thanks for watching!

What’s happening with interest rates?

Welcome back to my video blog! Today I have with me my preferred lender, Tom Ross of Nova Home Loans.  I wanted Tom to explain to us what exactly is happening with interest rates and where they are going.

Tom Ross:

People ask me this all the time. If you are looking to buy a home, the ideal credit score is 740; that’s the squeaky clean scenario.

Interest rates are currently around 4.5-4.6 percent. Now, if you remember rates recently spiked up to 5 percent and have slightly dropped since then.

Why is that? Over the past couple of months the Federal Reserve had hinted it was going to pull back on buying mortgage-backed securities. When they announced this, rates began to increase.

Well, in the last meeting they decided to continue to purchase the mortgage-backed securities for now. It’s really important, then, to take care of the market. Rates can increase at any moment.

Both buyers and sellers should make their move now. Buyers need to lock in that low interest rate and sellers need to put their home on the market for those motivated buyers.

If you have any questions, please give Monique or me a call. Thanks for watching!

How to Prepare for a Home Inspection

Did you know that moving is the #3 stress for most people? It doesn’t matter if this is your first home or your fifth home; selling is always stressful. So how can we make it easier? Knowing what to expect and then preparing for it can alleviate a lot of your concerns.

That’s why I have a list of tips that can you prepare.

      Make sure all your utilities are on and inspection ready.

a.       Turn gas, water and electric on prior to the inspection

b.      Unlock the electrical panel and gates

c.       Turn on all pilot lights on gas appliances

d.      Turn all electrical circuit breakers in the ‘on’ position

 

      Make everything accessible.

a.       Make a clear path to access the attic opening, garage crawl space or any other areas the inspector will need to get to.

b.      Declutter congest areas in your home.

c.       Open window coverings.

d.      Clear out storage items from oven or stove

       Protect Your Property

a.       Put your pets in a secure area

b.      Protect personal items that may get dirty during the inspection, such as clothes in a closet near a attic opening or crawl space.

c.       Put away all breakables, antiques etc 

Prepare for System Tests

a.       Preset your heating and cooling thermostat between 70-78 degrees

b.      Know that your dishwasher will be run during the inspection

c.       Have the operating instructions ready for any unique appliance

d.      Provide remote controls for ceiling fans, lights, fire places, etc

       Provide any pertinent information that may affect the property of the inspection

a.       A copy of the S.P.D. is helpful

       Expect a time frame of 2-4 hours for the average home inspection.

a.       An hour per 1000 square feet depending on age and equipment

I hope you find all this helpful and makes your home inspection much smoother! If you have any questions, please give me a call! 

--------------------------------------

If you would like to contact my home inspector, Bruce LaBell, his contact information is as foll

Bruce LaBell
Royal Home Inspectors LLC
Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2246
602-765-2140
Cell: 602-402-7877
http://www.royalhomeinspectors.com; www.justafungi.com
License Number: BTR 41795

How much longer will the sellers market last?

Hey, guys! Lately, I’ve been asked nonstop about how long this sellers market is going to go on.

Well, the market dynamic is set by the supply and demand. Right now the low inventory and high buyer’s demand create the perfect sellers market. Homes are seeing multiple offers and are getting incredible prices.

Our perfect sellers market won’t last forever, though. As more homes come on the market, there is less of a pent up demand. Prices will then decrease as well.

So if you know of someone who is thinking about selling, spread the word. Now is the time to get the best price!

If you have any questions, please give me a call!

How Do We Rate?

Watch on your mobile device >>

We’ve specialized in selling homes that other agents have not been able to sell. These listings are considered expired or cancelled. Although other agents haven’t been able to move these homes, we have. Our clients often hire us based on the response we get from Zillow—all reviewers would highly recommend our team. If you would do us a huge favor and share your experiences with our team, we’d greatly appreciate it.  It’s easy and only takes a few minutes—just log on below.

By hiring our team, you’ll get great communication and the attention to details you need to turn the for sale sign into a sold sign. To get things started, we’ll do a personalized walk-through to let you know what you need to do—and not do—to increase your chances of getting top dollar for your biggest investment. This approach will ultimately save you time and money. You’ll also benefit from a strategy we put in place so that anyone who is looking for a house in your neighborhood and price range will know about your home. It’s all about actively marketing your home, giving you feedback from potential buyers and making any necessary changes.    

Here’s what two clients had to say:

“Monique is a real estate professional of the highest caliber. My home sold quickly and effortlessly due solely to her efforts. I was kept informed through the process. I couldn't be happier and will utilize her services in the future. I would highly recommend Monique.”

“Monique and her team were extremely professional and very responsive…  For example, we received frequent email market updates, immediate emails whenever there was a showing (with feedback as well), and both Monique and Kirsten answered direct emails within an hour. Additionally, both worked hard to communicate with other agents and answer any and all concerns. We felt that we were receiving a very high level of communication and service.”

http://www.zillow.com/profile/moniquewalkersells/