Frequently Asked Real Estate Questions-Ep. 10

Will adding landscaping help my home sell?

Landscaping does make a difference, both positively and negatively. A well landscaped house has a higher perceived value then one with minimal landscaping. The minimal landscaping can actually detract from the homes value. The good news is landscaping does not have to cost a lot. You can save money by doing a lot of things yourself.

Start by measuring your property and drawing up a basic layout. Include all the areas you would like to add landscaping and make improvements. You can add up the costs of each section and decide what you can accomplish based on your budget.
Be practical. Some sensible improvements such as fencing, lighting, equipment storage, privacy and security can protect your property value. You don’t have to add a formal garden or water features.

If you want to hire a professional ask around for referrals, so ask me!

Will adding landscaping help my home sell? YES! It does not have to cost a lot and should be seriously considered by any homeowners planning to put their home on the market.

Freguently Asked Real Estate Questions-Ep. 9

Do I need a 20% down payment to buy a home?

Nope. There are options. The media makes it sound like getting a mortgage is next to impossible these days, but that is just not true. If you provide the information your mortgage lender needs up front, the process will be less stressful. There are many financing options out there, but I want to highlight just a few in this post.

FHA financing allows you to put as little as 3.5% down. The maximum loan amount for a single family home is $271,050 for FHA. So if you are planning to buy a home for around $280,000 or less, check out this option when you are getting pre-approved to purchase.

VA financing still allows you to put ZERO down. You usually know if you are eligible for VA benefits or not, but if you are wondering check out www.vba.va.gov to find out more.

Conventional financing will allow you to put as little at 5% down, but you will have to pay a higher monthly mortgage insurance premium than you may like, but the option is still available.

I encourage you to meet with a professional mortgage lender to explore all your options if you will be thinking of buying a home soon. Know that you do not have to have a 20% down payment to buy your next home. If you need a referral for a great lender just call, email, or text me, I know some really great ones that I would be more than happy to refer you to.

Frequently Asked Real Estate Questions-Ep. 8

How can I tell if my new neighborhood will be safe?

This question comes up a lot when a client is un sure of what area of the metro they would like to live in and they want to know more information about safety. Unfortunately there are areas of the metro that are perceived to be less safe than others and therefore less desirable to live in.

I encourage clients to drive around the neighborhood a few different times at different times of the day in a particular area they are interested in. Park and take a walk for a few blocks and see what kind of vibe you get. If you see someone who lives in the neighborhood outside, ask them what they think of the neighborhood. You can mention to them you are looking at house nearby and just wanted some feedback about the location from someone living there. Most people love to help and would be happy to take a few minutes to discuss this with you.

You want to make sure you are going to feel safe and comfortable in your new home, take the time to check out the neighborhood of your potential new home if you have any concerns.

Here are a few great websites that can help.
www.neighborhoodscout.com
www.crimereports.com
www.nsp.state.ne.us/sor

Frequently Asked Real Estate Questions-Ep. 7

Could I buy a home instead of renting?

I recently read an article that said the number one reason people tend to rent instead of buy is because they “assume” or are “scared” that they cannot qualify for a loan to purchase a home. That got me thinking…I bet that is true. I remember back to when I purchased my first home, I knew nothing about the process. I did not think I could purchase a home either. Thankfully I learned that it was possible. Times have changed but there are still first time home buyer loan options available, that allow you a small down payment and a great rate.

Before you sign your next lease to rent, just take the time to meet with a mortgage loan specialist to see if it is possible for you to qualify to purchase a home. If so, they will help you determine the purchase price you qualify for with the payment your are comfortable with. People are often surprised after they see the type of home they could purchase with what they are currently paying monthly in a rent payment.

I know some top notch mortgage loan specialist that will meet with you and help get you on the way to owning your own home. Call, email or text me for a referral.

Frequently Asked Real Estate Questions-Ep. 6

How much would my home sell for?


Are you are thinking about listing your home for sale, but are not sure how much to list it for? Maybe you are just curious what you could sell it for, if you decided to list it down the road. How do you find out the best price?

Call me! I am more than happy to do the research and work for you. No cost or obligation. EVEN if you want to try to sell your house for sale by owner, I will still help you determine the best price to list it at. All I ask is that if you decide to list it with an agent you interview me for the job.

There are several websites out there you can pull data from and plenty of neighbors to ask what they bought their house for or how much they have it listed at, and this MIGHT get you in the ball park. What you really and MUST do is contact an agent to help you with this. We know the market and see several homes a week to compare yours to. We know what it will take to get your home sold. You have to price your home competitively to get it sold in today’s market.

If you are thinking of listing your home for sale, and need to know how much to sell it for, call me! 402-305-4335. Anytime! It's my cell. If you know of someone else thinking of selling send this information on to them, I would love to lend a hand!

Freguently Asked Real Estate Questions-Ep. 5

Should I buy now or wait?

If you are using FHA financing to purchase your next home, I would suggest buying BEFORE April 18th. I follow the real estate blog kcmblog.com, which stands for keeping current matters, and the information below about FHA loans was recently posted.

The administration recently announced increases to the insurance premiums that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) charges. FHA is the dominant loan program in the marketplace today. The FHA has two types of Mortgage Insurance Premiums – Up Front Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP) and the Monthly Mortgage Insurance Premium (MMIP).

UFMIP is typically added to the loan amount and financed over the term of the loan. MMIP is part of the monthly mortgage payment for a minimum of five years and a maximum of fourteen, depending on the loan-to-value.

For the majority of FHA Insured loans, the MMIP will be increasing .25% effective April 18th which is, in effect, equivalent to a .25% increase in interest rates. The income ratios that lenders use in qualifying borrowers look at the total payment. Therefore, the MMIP hike has the same impact on affordability as a rate hike. Higher monthly costs mean lower loan amounts and lower loan amounts mean lower offers that borrowers can make on houses. This will translate into lower sales prices. Nothing is good in this news. The increase in Annual Mortgage Insurance Premiums for forward mortgage amortization terms is effective for case numbers assigned on or after April 18, 2011.

For example using a 30 year term with a sales price of $163,000, currently the FHA monthly MIP is $118 a month, after April 18th it will be $151, this is a $33 increase in your monthly payment.

FHA loans allow you to get into a house for as little as a 3.5% down payment. I know some of the best mortgage professionals in Omaha. Call me for a referral if you need to get preapproved quickly. Interest rates are still really low. If you are thinking of buying, you can get the best deal now before the increase, so don’t wait!

Frequently Asked Real Estate Questions-Ep. 4

What can I do to enhance my curb appeal?

In the winter months it can be a difficult task to increase your curb appeal. Most importantly during that time, be sure you keep your sidewalks and driveway clear of snow and ice at ALL times. In spring and summer, make sure you keep the sidewalks and driveway swept and clean. And of course in the fall, clean up the leaves. You can always add more color by using tasteful decorations that coincide with the season or an upcoming holiday. You can plant flowers in the spring and summer or use artificial flowers or wreaths in the winter months. Some other easy ways to add color would be to paint your front door and or shutters.

Some larger items that are sure to increase your curb appeal would be to replace your entry door, Garage door and siding. Entry door replacement can really make a big difference. Just make sure it matches the style of your house and the rest of the neighborhood. Garage door replacement, I would advise you spend the extra money to get an insulated door. Some buyers will use the garage as a workshop and will want it to be insulated. Siding replacement will give your house a face lift. This upgrade costs more than the others, so be sure you truly need it before spending the money on it.

I offer my clients a free no obligation meeting when they are considering putting their home up for sale. When we meet, we talk about what to expect when you hire me, what is the best price to list your house at and what things you should improve or spend money on PRIOR to listing your home. This allows you to budget and plan accordingly. We can discuss if you need a major face lift, like siding, or just a splash of color. I will help you figure out what is best to enhance your homes curb appeal. It does not have to cost a lot of money to make your house stand out from the competition.

Thinking of selling this year? Call me today and I can help you get ready.