Having splendid curb appeal can make or break the sale of a home. First impressions last. It goes that way when meeting new people, and it goes that way when viewing a new home. While it’s obvious that we should dress up a bit to meet someone new who will be important to us, it is of equal importance that we prepare and do some proper landscaping around the house, when we’re selling that home.

It has been stated that an attractive landscape design can potentially add 10-15% to the value of a home. That means that if your home is valued at $300,000, an effective landscaping job could raise the value of the house by $45,000.

Houses with good curb appeal are also likely to sell faster. Spectacular curb appeal is not a guarantee your home will sell. However, it will dramatically improve the odds that it will sell. More people are likely to come see the house as an attractive house exterior makes prospective home buyers want to see the interior of your home as well.

So, let’s get to work at these easy to implement landscaping enhancements to spruce up your curb appeal, and help you sell your home quickly!

Top 10 Landscaping Tips for Selling Your Home

1. Perfecting Your Lawn
   Your lawn is one of the first things to attend to it takes some time for a lawn to improve. Keep a regular watering and cutting schedule, and initiate regrowth and repair of damaged spots. Consider hiring professionals to lay new grass sod if your time to repair the lawn is limited or the lawn has been unkept for a long time. Lush green grass is attractive to new home buyers, while an lawn that is brown, overgrown, or filled with weeds, is a turn-off. Furthermore, prospective buyers may conclude because the yard is unkempt, the rest of the house is not maintained. Ditto for other house exterior elements.

2. Mulching Garden Beds
   Adding mulch to your garden beds is a great and inexpensive way to really make your landscape clean and tidy. Cedar mulch has a nice clean smell and really makes the greenery pop. Best of all, mulch can be applied quickly and easily if your landscape needs a quick pick-me-up before a home showing.

3. Trimming & Pruning
   A very simple way to tidy up your outdoors is to prune up any overgrown trees or shrubs near the home. This will not only make the garden look nice, but it will also highlight the architecture of your home. And you can prune deciduous trees and shrubs any time of the year, which will help if you’re trying to sell your home in the winter.

4. Power-Washing
   An easy way to give your home a new appearance, short of a new paint job, is to power wash its exterior. With little effort, a dingy and dirty surface can shine and look like new! And don’t just stop at your home’s exterior! You can power wash the drive, your deck, a brick sidewalk, fences, or any hard surface that needs sprucing up.

5. Kill mold and mildew.
   Go beyond the sidewalks and driveway with respect to mildew and also eliminate mold on the sides of the house and the roof.

6. Adding Outdoor Lighting
   Many potential home buyers drive by to view your home for sale at dusk or in the evening! Capitalize on this fact and add lighting that highlights the best features of your house and garden. Eg. place low voltage lighting along the driveway or sidewalk or near landscaping that you want highlight. A well-lit patio or deck is more inviting.

7. Being Neat & Tidying up the Garden.
   Ensure overall neatness in your garden, even if it’s woodsy. Stow away unnecessary garden implements and tools. Neatly stack firewood. Get rid of unsightly toys and ‘unfinished projects’.

8. Add Attractive Reds
   Place fed flowering plants and bushes near the front door of your home. The plants/flowers should make a significant, inviting statement. Choose appropriate sizes and choose the nicest pots you can afford if potting them.

9. Raking.
   When you dispose your garden of excessive leaves, even if your lot is wooded, you are highlighting the structure of your garden, rather than reminding prospective owners that a garden can entail some work from time to time.

10. Making it Picture Perfect.
    Taking pictures of your house and garden is a great tool for you to be able to see your house as a prospective house buyer would see it. Add interest to your garden with selected garden art, or plant a few colorful scrubs to fill visual gaps. Your landscaping pictures will suggest the adjustments needed.

Because it can substantially increase the speed of sale as well as the value of the property, it is worth taking care of the landscaping of your house when you are interested in selling your home.

All across the USA unfinished builder foreclosures sit vacant and available at drastically reduced prices. A result of the housing bust and the credit bubble, left without the money to continue, builders walked away in hordes from homes they haven’t yet finished. Nearly impossible to sell due to lack of suitable mortgage products, these homes represent some of the absolute BEST VALUE on the market. The trick is figuring out how to get a mortgage.

Conventional financing won’t work on an unfinished property. FHA 203K loans require a Certificate of Occupancy which is unattainable if the property was never finished. If you lack the funds to purchase in cash you have but one option, the FANNIE MAE HOMESTYLE renovation loan. How does it work?

Fannie Mae Homestyle Renovation Loans

The Homestyle Renovation loan works much like a FHA 203K would. You get yourself pre-approved with a Fannie Mae Homestyle approved lender like myself. You locate the property that is substantially complete, but not yet finished. Most underwriters consider “substantially complete” to be at least 75% finished. Anything less and you have yourself a construction loan, that’s a different article.

Once the property is located you get it under contract at a great price. We then submit your loan to underwriting for credit approval. While we await your credit approval we gather the contractor bids from a licensed General Contractor. We provide those bids to the appraiser who will appraise the property based on the “as completed” value. Usually, we have your credit approval before we are finished gathering the bids and getting the appraisal. Once we have that we will simultaneously work on clearing your credit conditions while we work on getting the property, contractor and scope of work approved. Once we have everything cleared through underwriting you’re ready to close. Now starts the renovation phase of your Homestyle Renovation project!

The renovation escrow account that is disbursed post close is based on your contractor bid + a 10% contingency reserve. We’ll disburse the funds in a series of draws ranging from 3 to 5. Each draw will be inspected by a third party before funds are released. Please make sure your contractor is aware that the Fannie Mae Homestyle, much like the standard FHA 203K, does NOT have any upfront funds available. You need a strong contractor with sufficient cash flow to successfully complete a Homestyle Renovation loan. Once all the work in the final contractor bid is completed you can close out your renovation escrow, from that point forward you loan works just like a traditional mortgage loan would.

Still have questions? Call or email me and I will guide you through the process. All in all if you are looking for a new home and you want it cheap, this is the absolute best path to take. You will not only get the value of a home available at a deep discount due to lack of financing, but you will also get to finish out the home with your personal touches and a contractor of your choosing!

Jonathan Blackwell
Green Renovation Specialist
Hometown Lenders
http://www.203KLoan.net
http://www.GoGreenWithFHA.com
404-551-3845

The Bright Side of the Housing Collapse….You can buy a home for as little as $40 (with payments as low as $0.19 per month!!! if financed)

NEW YORK (Reuters) One in five U.S. homeowners with mortgages owe more to their lenders than their properties are worth, and the rate will increase as housing values drop in states that have so far avoided the worst of the crisis, a new study shows.About 8.31 million properties had negative equity at the end of 2008, up 9 percent from 7.63 million at the end of September, according to the study, released Wednesday by First American CoreLogic. The percentage of “underwater” borrowers rose to 20 percent from 18 percent.

“The economic slowdown is broadening,” said Sherrill Shaffer, a banking professor at the University of Wyoming at Laramie and a former Federal Reserve official. “As more people lose jobs, it will be more difficult to sustain the levels of pricing and home ownership, and that is a big factor driving down housing prices in more parts of the country.”

Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and Ohio remained the most stressed states, with 62 percent of underwater borrowers and just 41 percent of mortgages.

“Even I continue to be surprised at the tentacles of this financial and economic debacle,” said Robert MacIntosh, chief economist at Eaton Vance Management in Boston. “More people are being laid off, resulting in reduced income and therefore less consumption. That leaves fewer people with money to buy homes, and the mentality is that people believe they should wait six months rather than buy now. Less demand means falling prices.”

Roughly 68 percent of U.S. adults own their own homes, and about two-thirds of these have mortgages. Many economists expect the nation’s unemployment rate to rise above 9 percent before the recession ends, up from January’s 7.6 percent.

Here is the video on Youtube:

The kitchen is the most important room in your home for potential home buyers, and is important that the kitchen be appealing if you want to sell your home quickly. Kay Barchetti of Coldwell Banker Real Estate explains the importance of choosing the right flooring for your kitchen and family room or great room to increase the resale value of your home and shorten its time on the market.

Here is the video on Youtube:

Here is the video on Youtube:

Health Benefits
• Helps to relieve stress, tension, and fatigue
• Increases resistance to illness such as the common cold/hyper-thermia boosts immune response
• Increases metabolism & promotes weight loss by burning 300 or more calories in 30 minutes
• Improves circulation and promotes cardiovascular wellbeing
• Helpful skin care: adjunct in treating common skin ailments such as acne, eczema, psoriasis and cellulite
• Helps with Pain relief related to illnesses like arthritis, fibromyalgia, vascular disease, chronic pain, sports injury
• Instrumental in the healing process of physical injuries
• Useful in relieving allergic symptoms and sinus congestion
• Aids insomniacs by promoting sleep
• May be useful in drug rehabilitation and detoxification as toxins and impurities are expelled in perspiration (eg. lead and mercury poisoning)
• May be beneficial to kidney functions

Other Benefits
• Increases property value
• Low maintenance requirement

Which Type of Sauna Is Best for You: Wet or Dry?

The more standard US sauna for home and spa uses steam from water over hot rocks. However, up-to-date sauna technology ~ which is behind today’s portable sauna ~ uses non-steam heat. Both ceramic sauna heaters and electrical sauna heaters supply dry heat without steam. But even today, the traditional wet heat sauna kits are still available and popular.

The health benefits are different for each type of sauna ~ which is probably the more important consideration.
E.g. infrared saunas have excellent detoxification properties. Infrared saunas take the detoxifying load off your liver and kidneys by the direct elimination of toxins through the skin. Two to three times more sweat is produced in the far infrared sauna than is possible in traditional hot air saunas. Greater detoxification of heavy metals is achieved, including: lead, mercury, aluminum, cadmium, and fat-soluble toxins.

On the other hand, a steam room is said be particularly helpful for people with breathing troubles. So, the health benefits you are after should indicate which type of sauna you will enjoy most in your home for your own use.

If however you want to install a sauna to increase your property value or at least to gain an edge over competing properties, then perhaps it is useful to know that compared to a steam sauna room, it is easier to use an infrared sauna or other dry sauna at home. You can use a mobile unit and less modifications are required to your home to accommodate it. However, ease of installation should not be your main consideration when purchasing a sauna for your own personal use, of course.

Disclaimer by author & ownhomestyle.com: check with your own health care provider/doctor to see if sauna therapy is suitable for you and if there are any personal restrictions you should be aware of.

By Astrid Lee, copyright 2008

Operational systems

For the buyer’s protection, the seller should warrant that everything is in good working order, such as plumbing, air conditioning, heating and any appliances that are to be left in the home after the sale.

Restrictions

Are there any previous restrictions on record as to the use of the property by private covenants or agreements, such as home owners associations? or deed restrictions? As the buyer, you need to know what you can and cannot do to the property.

Building requirements

Many times properties are restricted by what, if any, building can be done on the property. Prior agreements, or covenants or municipal restrictions may apply to the property and it is buyer’s right to know these. There may be requirements that a new buildings have a minimum square footage, minimum set backs distances from roads or streets or boundary lines. Some places restrict the erection of fences or hedges along edges of properties.

Damage

A provision should be made as to who is responsible for any damage or casualty that occurs until the agreement is signed at closing.

Contingencies

Many things are considered contingencies: If my house sells… if my loan is approved… if my company transfer is approved. These should be specified in the contract so that if something does or does not occur as stipulated, either party may terminate the contract.

Lead Paint

Federal law requires that the seller of any house build prior to 1979 must give the buyer disclosure regarding lead-based paint. Failure to provide this notice may mean the buyer can terminate the contract

Pro-rations

Utilities, taxes, rent, special assessments are all items that are subject to pro-ration at closing. For example, if the closing is in the middle of the month on an apartment building, chances that are the tenants have already paid rent for the entire month and the buyer would be entitle to a portion of the proceeds.

Mold

Is there mold in the house? Is there a water problem in the basement or the crawl space? Is there a leak in the roof? Is the plumbing sound? Ask these questions before you buy.

Chemical contamination

Has the property ever been used for chemical production? For example, was it ever a meth house? Because of the possibility of chemical contamination, the buyer will want to know this.

Water rights

If the property is undeveloped, make certain you have water to your property.

These are only a few of the things you will need to look into before you sign an agreement. For more information, call your attorney or visit the folks at Nancy Chandler Associates, REALTORS, licensed in Norfolk, Virginia and they can put you on the correct path to buying or selling your property.

By Karen Vertigan Pope

Karen Vertigan Pope writes for Ciniva Systems, an award winning Virginia web design company. Ciniva specializes in web design and SEO. Ms. Vertigan Pope is an SEO Specialist with Ciniva. Ciniva Systems is in charge of SEO for Nancy Chandler Associates.

WASHINGTON, DC — Fannie Mae (FNM/NYSE) announced yesterday a new, national policy on down payment requirements for conventional, conforming mortgages the company will purchase or guarantee. Starting June 1, 2008, Fannie Mae will accept up to 97 percent loan-to-value ratios for conventional, conforming mortgages processed through its Desktop Underwriter® (DU®) automated underwriting system, and 95 percent loan-to-value ratios for loans underwritten outside of DU, in all geographic locations in the United States.

The new national down payment policy will supersede the policy the company adopted in December 2007 that required higher down payments in markets where home prices are declining.

“As another part of our ‘Keys to RecoveryTM’ initiative, we are today announcing that we will be equalizing the down payment requirements for borrowers in all parts of the country, regardless of local market conditions,” Marianne Sullivan, Senior Vice President, Single-Family Credit Policy and Risk Management, said. “This new down payment policy reinforces our goal to support successful home-owning, not just home-buying, as we seek to bring liquidity to all communities and help the housing market recover.”

The new national down payment requirements of 3 or 5 percent will apply to loans for purchase of single-family, primary residences. Down payment requirements will vary for other occupancy, property and transaction types. The company will implement systems and operational changes over the summer to accommodate the new national policy.

“We are able to adopt this new, national down payment requirement, even in markets where home prices are declining, because our new automated underwriting risk assessment model DU Version 7.0 will limit risk layering and assess each loan more precisely,” Sullivan added. “At the same time, we believe that equity matters, especially in this market. Down payments are a critical success factor in homeownership — and responsible lending is good business.”

Since the housing correction began, Fannie Mae has expanded its mortgage guaranty business to serve the market’s urgent need for stability, liquidity and affordability. The company also undertook steps to help protect borrowers, manage the increased credit risk in the market, and fortify the company’s capital position.

Among these steps, the company has continued to assess and establish new pricing, eligibility and underwriting criteria for its business that more accurately reflect the current risks in the housing market and guard against the potential for foreclosure. These changes have been incorporated into DU and have included adjustments to credit risk assessment, loan-to-value ratios and down payment requirements, among other factors.

Among the changes in response to market conditions, in December 2007 Fannie Mae adopted a “Maximum Financing in Declining Markets Policy” that restricted the loan-to-value ratios on properties in markets where home prices are declining, essentially requiring higher down payments in these markets. The new single national down payment policy announced today will supersede that policy.

Fannie Mae Senior Vice President Jeff Hayward stressed the company’s commitment to special affordable lending programs to support homeownership for families of modest means. “We are stepping up to provide more liquidity and affordability to some of the most distressed communities while also seeking at least a 3 percent down payment investment through our Desktop Underwriter system from borrowers to help ensure their success.”

Fannie Mae will continue to provide support for homebuyers that need down payment assistance, and will continue to allow loans with Community Seconds® up to a maximum 105 percent combined loan-to-value ratio. Community Seconds allow a borrower to obtain a second-lien mortgage to help cover down payment and closing costs, with funding typically provided by a state or local housing agency; an employer; or a nonprofit organization. Fannie Mae also offers MyCommunityMortgage® and Flex mortgage products, which permit down payment assistance programs in the form of gifts and grants.

“We recognize that down payment assistance programs remain a viable tool for borrowers who can afford a mortgage long term, but might need a little help getting started,” Sullivan said.

As part of its “Keys to Recovery” initiative, Fannie Mae is expanding its partnership with the National Council of State Housing Agencies. The company will provide up to $10 billion in financing to help Housing Finance Authorities (HFA) serve first-time homebuyers of modest means. In some cases, Fannie Mae will purchase HFA mortgages that have greater than 97 percent loan-to-value ratios.

The first “Keys to Recovery” initiative that Fannie Mae announced on May 6, 2008 also includes: streamlined refinancing for Fannie Mae borrowers whose mortgage balances exceed the value of their homes; improved pricing for jumbo-conforming mortgages to help borrowers in high-cost areas; and a neighborhood stabilization initiative with the Center for Community Self-Help for targeted areas with high home foreclosures.

source: Fannie Mae

Grants in general are something that are given to you for free. Housing grants are given to achieve more specific goals, more than just bestowing housing money upon the recipients. They have the purpose of providing assistance to individuals and families to meet housing needs. Often the household is suffering economically.

Get help to improve your home. Most localities aim to improve the quality of the housing in their communities. Different local authorities can provide help for home improvement in many ways. These may be housing grants that you could apply for. If you get approved, you can get money from housing grants to use for improving your home.

Housing grants in the form of home repair grants are provided to maintain the good quality of housing and assist especially low-income households. Housing grants can also be availed by those who need to improve efficiency inside the home. Renovation housing grants are also available to those whose homes need a complete overhaul.

Tips to Getting Housing Grants

1. Investigate which is best for you. Different local authorities and agencies that provide housing grants have different rules. Some will require particular conditions. Some will look into your backgrounds and details. Some will simply give you a helping hand.

2. Get the help you need. They can also differ in the kind of help they extend. Aside from the housing grants, they can also provide labor and tools. It is best to know what help is available for you. Contact an agency or firm in your locality. Ask what help they can extend to you in improving housing.

3. Determine ahead if you are qualified for a particular type of housing grants. This will keep you from wasting your time and resources.

4. Follow the rules provided in the grant. Read cautiously your own copy of the terms and conditions of the agreement.

5. Be informed of the responsibilities you will shoulder with regard to the housing grants.

6. If they will also provide services, make sure that you are there when they are carried out. This is to make sure you are in agreement with the changes being made.

“Note to young renters: It’s a very good time to start thinking about buying your first house.

Sure, the housing market is in the dumpster, and houses are still expensive — up almost a third from their prices at the beginning of the decade, with some markets considerably higher than that. Throw in reports of killer mortgages and rampant foreclosures, and it may seem scary to take the leap. But over the long term, owning the home you live in is a great investment. It’s one that will bring you tax breaks, financial gains, perhaps a little yard, and considerable joy … if it’s done right.”

She offers 9 tips for first-time home buyers
1. Take your time.
2. Check your credit score at myfico.com.
3. Prequalify for a mortgage.
4. Check out mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Authority.
5. Work with a buyer’s agent who only represents you, not the seller.
6. Get something back from the seller, but don’t expect a complete steal.
7. Think single-family house or duplex.
8. Don’t buy a home without getting a home inspection.
9. Don’t overreach.

Read the whole article at Reuters.com