The CFBP recommendations The government may fix us yet

Let's increase paperwork, settlement time and costs to consumers.

The CFBP and innovation: The government may fix us yet

The Qualified Mortgage Announcement and What It Means to Real Estate

The QM Announcement and What It Means to Real Estate

Burns Dinner

The Scottsh Society of Central Pennsylvania is having its annual Burns dinner 2 February 2013 at the Radisson Penn Harris.
Scottish festivities, haggis and great music by Charlie Zahm

Newsletter and Reservation form

Real Estate Resolutions 2013

Real Estate Resolutions…

Have you made your New Year’s Resolution? Most folks want to improve themselves and find ways to make their day-to-day personal or work life better. Real estate resolutions are right up there with weight-loss, a dream vacation, to stop smoking, etc. But there is much more to a real estate resolution than deciding to buy or sell a home. If a real estate resolution is on your list, be sure you have considered these “micro-resolutions” as well.
BUYERS:

• Find a Real Estate Agent Now – Engaging a Realtor early in the process will allow you to get to know each other and determine your goals. REALTORS® will advise you and make valuable recommendations, such as reputable lenders, problem areas during a showing, questions to ask the home inspector, etc.
• Save Down Payment Money – Today, there are numerous loan options available to homebuyers, with different down payment criteria. Consider meeting with a lender to discuss these options in advance and determine how much you should start putting aside.
• Pay-Off / Clean-up your Debt – This is a top goal for most folks today, even if not considering a real estate purchase. Again, you should consider meeting with a professional for guidance on this task. They can help you identify your credit issues and come up with a plan to correct them before you are ready to buy. Keep in mind, it could take as much as six months to clean up your credit.
• Boost your Credit Score – Along those same lines as above, you should pull your own credit report (annualcreditreport.com) to see where you stand versus where you should be. Review for any discrepancies or errors and take care of them as soon as possible.
• Start Early – Going to open houses is an easy way to see what is on the real estate market. But, you should begin doing your homework even before this step. Familiarize yourself with the current housing market, understand home values, and determine the home prices by neighborhood. Going to open houses is a good second step. 

SELLERS:

• Find a Real Estate Agent Now – A Realtor doesn’t just show and sell homes, they can be a valuable adviser on issues that arise before settlement. Your agent can help you get your home ready to sell, decide on the best asking price, market your home effectively, and negotiate on your behalf; their knowledge will save you time and money.
• Think of your Home as a Product – Buyers will compare your home and your list price to other competing properties. A home that is priced correctly and shows well, will sell the fastest. Your Realtor can help you determine the best listing price for your home, while you work on getting it in the best shape to show! A home that shows well is clean, clutter-free and as up-to-date as possible. Your Realtor can also help you determine which home “projects” will be the most practical and bring you the best return on your investment.
• Plan your Strategy and Timing – Uprooting from a home is not easy. One of the big stresses can be planning to sell your home at the same time you try to buy another. There are lots of things to consider in this situation; must you sell before you buy? Will you be able to sell at a price that will give you enough return? It’s a lot to think about and plan for; it helps to have a strategy in place well before you take action. A knowledgeable real estate agent can help you establish your plan.
• Save Down Payment Money - See above, the same holds true for sellers who will also be purchasing a home
• Pay-Off / Clean-up your Debt - See above, the same holds true for sellers who will also be purchasing a home

- – - – -

Give each of your resolutions some thought and proper planning now
to help insure that you stick with them during the upcoming year and see them through to the end.

I wish you much happiness and success in 2013

Budgeting

Personal Finances from Quicken

• How to Save 20% to 40% on Your Kitchen Remodel Without Even Trying

  You can picture your new, beautifully renovated dream kitchen. But your budget won’t allow it unless you cut costs. Here’s how to save on your kitchen remodel. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2013 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Keeping Cozy for Less

Keeping Cozy for Less


We’re in to January and it’s the time of year when our heating bills make us cringe! Every time your door opens, a little bit of heat escapes your home. With some diligence and a few preventative measures, you can keep your home warm and not break the bank. In fact, you can even increase your heating system efficiency.



Proper insulation is essential to keeping warm and it’s at the top of our tip list. This home improvement may be a bit costly, but it will be worth the cost when you see the reduction of your next heating bill! Insulate your home, this can be done in two different ways:

you can have insulation blown into your walls by a professional or have insulation sheets placed in your, attic, roof, and floor to keep heat in your home. Other items such as curtains at your windows and rugs or carpet can also act as insulation.



Plug the leaks, finding and sealing leaks around the home is a great way to keep things warmer. Install draft blockers at the base of doorways and seal windows with rubber strips or caulk. Another easy window solution is a ready-to-use plastic window insulation kit bought at the hardware store. The fireplace damper is another leak source, keep it closed when you are not using it. Even light switches and outlets may let cold air into your home. Seal kits for can also be purchased for just a few dollars at the local hardware store.



Reducing the temperature on your thermostat by a few degrees can help you save 10-20% on your heating bill. A programmable thermostat is a great, fairly inexpensive solution. You can pre-program lower temperatures for the times when no one is home or when everyone will be snuggled in their beds. Here are some suggested times and temperatures to help you reduce your heat costs:



6am to 9am = 68 degrees

9am to 5:30pm = 60 degrees

5:30pm to 11pm = 68 degrees

11pm to 6am = 60 degrees



As much as you might enjoy a very warm shower this time of year, another great idea is to reduce the temperature setting on your hot water heater. Most are factory set to 140 degrees; you could reduce it to 120 degrees and not feel any difference in your shower. Taking a shower versus a bath will also use about 15 gallons less of that warm water!



Routine maintenance can also be an important factor in your heating efficiency. All filters should be cleaned/replaced at least monthly during the winter season and a professional system check-up before winter begins is highly recommended.



Other small changes that can make a notable difference:

• Open curtains during the day to let sunlight in and close them at night to prevent heat loss

• Switch ceiling fans to a clockwise direction to push warm air down (keep on lowest speed)

• Add a few extra layers to yourself and family with warm sweaters, socks and slippers

• Move furniture away from heat vents, registers, and radiators to keep air flowing.



For more guidance on saving energy you can visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s website for tons of easy, practical ideas!



Grab a blanket, a book, and your favorite hot beverage.

Your home will be comfy, cozy, and not break your budget!!