Sell This Damn House

100% Financing Program

2008-09-26T14:10:00.000-07:00

This is a great program for people with good credit wanting to buy their first home but don’t have the savings to put the minimum 3% down, or a family member to give them a gift. This is a brand new program that currently only 2 lenders in the Kansas City area have access to. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to call and I can give you as much information as you need.

30yr Fixed Program

Credit Score: Program min 620 - but 680 is the lowest I have been able to actually get through

Purchase Transactions only, No refinances

LTV Limits 95% on the first mortgage, CLTV 103%

2nd Mortgage provided by National Home Buyer Fund, Inc. Max allowed 8% of the sales price, Amortization period 20yrs, Interest rate is 2% above 1st loan note rate(right now 1st mortgage rate is 7%-7.375%)

Qualifying Income: 140% HUD AMI, only Income used for qualifying is considered, don’t have to count total household income

There is PMI on the 1st mortgage - but is lower than a regular 95%ltv loan

Max DTI 45%

Seller concessions max 3%

First time homebuyers must take online Homebuyer Education Course - open book, takes 10 minutes

Reserves - borrowers own funds, 1 month cash reserves

BuyIt@BuyThisDamnHouse.com

Universally Designed Homes

2008-07-09T15:51:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few of many universal design features that are rising in popularity among homeowners:
-One-step entries
-One-story living
-Wider doorways and hallways
-Lever handles instead of doorknobs

Originally conceived in the 1970s to provide disabled people with a “barrier-free” lifestyle, today universal design is embraced by people of all ages and physical abilities who seek greater convenience, comfort and safety in their homes.

It’s a trend that’s expected to grow, too.

Architectural experts say that as baby boomers age, the bending, stretching, climbing and toting that have traditionally been part of independent living will only focus attention on the benefits of universal design, and provide a distinct advantage to the homebuilders, remodelers and real estate professionals whose service includes universal design expertise.

http://www.realestateforspecialneeds.com/

7 steps to a faster, more profitable home sale

2008-05-23T11:47:00.000-07:00

PODS data shows that 80 percent of agents feel decluttering helps homes sell faster and for more money. Yet those same agents feel only 30% of their listings will actually be decluttered!

This creates a big advantage for listings that get a little extra TLC before showing.

Clutter-free interiors allow potential home buyers to appreciate all that a home has to offer -- resulting in a shorter sales cycle and a higher selling price. The fewer items there are in a home, the easier it is for a home shopper to envision the space as their own.

If an item hasn't been used in three months, box it up and take it offsite.

Limit items in closets and drawers to make them seem more spacious.

Old files, books and memorabilia should be stored away from the house.

Remove excess and/or worn furniture to create more room.

Pack away off-season clothes.

Buyers value storage. Don't just stash items in the basement or the garage - take them offsite.

Remove excess items from decks, driveways and the yard, including kids toys and pool supplies

SELLING YOUR HOUSE? YOU MAY WANT TO PAINT

2008-04-30T12:05:00.001-07:00

When it's time to sell, a fresh coat of paint on your home pump up the value, and revive its appeal. The benefits you'll get assumes, of course, the job is professionally performed. The pros make it look easy, but that's because they've been at it for quite a while. Painting your home isn't a do-it-yourself job unless you've got the know how, the proper tools, and enough time.

So where do you find a professional, licensed home painters in your area …ask relatives, friends, co-workers and others you trust. A home painter who works inside and out, can be just as professional.

The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute and Jackie Craven, About.com's resident architect, offer some tips for a solid house painting job:

· Choose the right paint. Oil-based paint is best on old oil-based paint, chalky surfaces or for painting when it's below 50 degrees F. Otherwise, acrylic latex is suitable. Don't' forget the sheen -- glossy, semi-gloss or flat. Glossy paints are more likely to show imperfections, brush strokes and touch ups, but the surfaces are easier to clean. Many homeowners use flat paint for walls and semi-gloss or glossy paint for columns, railings and window sashes.

· Choose the color scheme. Many homes are painted in three colors or shades of the same color, one for the siding or walls, another for the eaves, moldings and trim, and a third for doors, railings, and window sashes. Your home's materials may also dictate the colors you choose. Wood, brick, masonry or aluminum siding can be painted virtually any color. Vinyl siding, however, is best painted a similar hue, unless you choose a color in a newer paint formulated for vinyl. Be sure to check you homeowner association for any restrictions. Also, consider your surroundings. You don't want the same colors as the house next door, but you also don't want your home to clash with it. Finally, consider how the colors you choose will mesh -- or not -- with other colors on or near your home that won't be painted including the roof, wood, masonry, or stone components and other elements.

· Consider color characteristics. Light colors make your house appear larger. Dark siding or dark bands of trim will "shrink" your home and draw more attention to details. Dark colors will require extra maintenance and touch up work. They also absorb heat and suffer more moisture problems than lighter shades. Don't be deceived by color swatches which look different in the store than in natural sunlight. Colors also appear lighter on large surfaces than on small samples. Test selected colors in an area before committing to gallons of paint.

· Prepare the surface. The primary reason for a bad paint job is a surface that wasn't properly prepared properly. You and your professional should make sure the paint surface is dry, free of grease, oils, flaking and loose paint so your primer and paint can bond with it. You wouldn't build a house on a bad foundation. Don't give a paint job a poorly prepared surface.

· Prepare the area. Protect landscaping, air conditioning units, etc. Turn off power to the air conditioner's condenser unit and any outdoor appliances. Use canvas, rather than plastic drop cloths. Plantings will swelter under plastic. Cover and pull bushes and other vegetation away from the house as much as possible so it doesn't interfere with painting. Remove everything you can that is affixed to the home. Mask items you can't remove.

http://www.findhomeskansascity.com/

Upon Further Inspection

2008-04-23T16:44:00.000-07:00

One of the most important steps in the home buying and selling process is often overlooked: the home inspection. While many buyers and sellers alike are wary of inspections (for fear of finding the dreaded "deal-breaker"), in reality thorough and timely inspections \help smooth the process and prevent headaches during or after closing.

The Difference between Appraisal and Inspection

Many consumers are unclear regarding the difference between a home appraiser and a licensed home inspector. A house appraisal is an independent evaluation of the current market value of the home. Generally speaking, the appraiser's job is to review the property to determine its worth relative to similar properties in the area and recent sales history. With that value set, the lender can determine how much money can appropriately be loaned to the buyer. Appraisers typically work for the bank, the FHA, or HUD depending on the type of loan.

In contrast, the house inspector is trained to identify items in the home that need either replacement or repair. A licensed inspector will carefully examine the home's structural components, heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical systems, insulation, roofing and so on. A home inspection report will give far more detailed information than available in a home appraisal.

While an appraiser will perform a walk through of your home, it is typically a cursory examination that lasts between 15 and 30 minutes. An in-depth home inspection will last from two to three hours. An appraiser may point out potential problem areas, but they are not trained to spot damage or faulty systems. Only a certified inspector can adequately review the quality and condition of a home for sale.

Seller's Perspective: Informed Buyers, Added Protection
Many sellers choose to have their home inspected before ever putting the property on the open market. Such presale inspections are combined with the seller's disclosures to form a comprehensive disclosure package of documents about the home.

Some sellers shy away from this practice, feeling that it is an unnecessary expense when many buyers will obtain their own inspection anyway. But presale inspections aren't meant to replace the inspection an interested buyer will seek, rather they are meant to increase a potential buyer's knowledge about the property. Well-informed buyers will be less likely to walk away from a property that they like, and by providing a disclosure package you show buyers that you are negotiating in good faith.

The presale inspection is also a safeguard against potential home defects that might affect a future closing or even worse result in legal action after the sale of the home. An early inspection can help you identify any items you that will require either repair or disclosure (and possible concessions) as you move forward.

Buyer's Perspective: Cost-Effective Peace of Mind
A presale inspection provided within the seller's disclosure package does not mean that smart buyers should go without a second inspection by an inspector of their own choosing. In general, a home that has been thoroughly inspected benefits buyer and seller alike.

Buyer-driven inspections are common contingencies in many sales contracts. While some sellers may request a specific inspector, most will allow the buyer to pick an inspector without restriction. If a seller will not pay for all or part of the inspection without first approving the inspector, consider paying for an independent inspection out of pocket. Look for experienced inspectors with a strong reputation in the community.

Occasionally a buyer will opt instead to do a walk through with the original presale inspector to gain further information about items in the disclosure package. While this does give the buyer the chance to ask questions about the property (and it is better than no inspection at all), it's usually best to have a true second opinion whenever possible.

Give me a call if you want more information (913.647.7162) or drop me an email.

http://www.searchhomeskansascity.com/