1. Focus on curb appeal. Start by sprucing up your lawn: Keep falling leaves at bay with frequent raking and patch up any brown spots in the grass. 
2. Appeal to the senses. As the weather cools down, make your home a warm, welcoming space where buyers will want to stick around.  
3. Flaunt your fireplace. A warm, inviting fireplace is a great selling point as the weather gets cooler.
4. Update your listing photos. If your home has been listed since spring or summer, update your online photos with brand new fall shots.
5. Hire a reliable real estate professional. As if selling your home isn't stressful enough, you're probably preparing for the holidays during the fall and possibly helping the kids ease into a new school year. During this hectic season, you definitely want a great real estate agent to take some of the pressure of selling your home off your shoulders.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me and let me show you how my innovative marketing strategies will go above and beyond to get your home sold!

A FICO score is a number, in general from 300 to 850, that is formulated from your payment history, including such things as amounts of money owed, length of your credit history, new credit accounts open, and how you have used your credit. Age, salary, race, education, and religion do not affect your score. You can't buy a good score; you can only build one over time by demonstrating that you are a responsible borrower.

To improve your credit score, start with these steps.

1. Pay your bills on time. This seems like a simple enough feat, but in hard economic times, more and more borrowers are finding themselves hard-pressed with the decision of what bill to pay. If you find yourself having a hard time paying bills, be sure to talk with the lender or company you owe. They may have programs or suggestions that will help you avoid having your bill sent to collections.

2. Don't let items go to collections. Once an item is sent to collections, your credit report will suffer. This ding will stay on your report for seven years.

3. Don't open other new credit lines when applying for a home loan. You may want the new car or living room set, but the home buying process is not the time to open multiple new accounts. This is a sure-fire way to temporarily reduce your credit score. If you do this before finalizing your mortgage, you many find yourself stuck with a higher interest rate.

4. Monitor your report on a regular basis for errors and cases of identity theft. Errors do happen. To get them corrected quickly, be sure to contact both the organization that provided the erroneous information, as well as the credit bureau. Identity theft happens. And it is your responsibility to identify it and address it!

5. Pay down credit cards. Carrying high balances on credit cards can severely affect your credit score. Think of it this way. If you have a grand total of $10,000 worth of credit limits available, but you owe $5,000 on all of your cards put together, you are using half of your available credit!

The best loans and mortgages are available to borrowers with FICO scores 700 and above. Experian, one of the major credit reporting agencies, reports that the average credit score is 693.

For a look at your credit report, visit the government sponsored site, myannualcreditreport.com. You may access your report three times a year free of charge.

By Carla Hill, Realty Times

Published: August 10, 2010

"While kitchens are still high on the interest list for buyers and homeowners, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is reporting that remodeler survey respondents say that a bathroom remodel was one of their most common projects during the first six months of 2010--as much as 61 percent of their remodels were done on bathrooms.

"In previous years, kitchen remodeling was reported as the most common activity by more than 70 percent of remodeler respondents," according to the NAHB news release.

NAHB reported that its Remodeling Market Index sunk to 40.7 from 47.9 in the first quarter. The survey also showed a decline in larger remodeling projects "such as room additions, whole house remodeling, bathroom additions, and second story additions. But NAHB is forecasting encouraging news. "While remodelers are continuing to struggle, we expect the rest of 2010 to be a period of stabilization for remodeling, with the first stages of recovery emerging by the end of the year, followed by a robust recovery beginning early next year," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe.

No matter which room you're going to remodel, doing your homework and knowing exactly what you want will save you not only money but also potential headaches. Things like checking references and visiting some of the recently remodeled projects are a great way to determine if the company you plan to hire will be suitable for your needs."

2. De-Clutter - Think of this as getting a head start on the packing. Less is More in this case.

3. Make minor repairs. Look around like you are the buyer, check the details.

4. Curb appeal. First impressions are everything!

5. Give your home a good deep cleaning. Windows, carpet, closets, and cabinets. Then keep it up so those last minute showings really count. You want your home to be clean, clutter free and have a fresh clean smell.

June’s single-family sales activity rounded out a very encouraging first half of 2010 with five of the first six months sales totals topping those of a year earlier. There were 1,080 transactions reported in June, an increase of 19 over last June’s 1,061.

 A sales volume of over $148.8 million produced this year’s highest average sale price by far, at $137,840 per unit. This was a big jump from May’s figure of $126,966, and topped last June’s average by 2.5%.  The streak of year-over-year monthly increases in the average sale price has now reached a full 12 months in a row.

Single-family figures for the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2009 are up in every statistical category, a fact which hopefully signals a positive trend going forward. Sales January-June totaled 5,445, a 12.5% increase over the same reporting period in 2009.

 A sales volume of $678.6 million year-to-date is a 20.8% increase over last year, and the average sale price is up 7.4% from $115,986 in 2009 to $124,641 in 2010. The median sale price year-to-date shows an even more impressive improvement of 14.1%, from $95,500 to $109,000. Percentage sale/list is also up by 0.83%.   

Single-family listings entered in June totaled 2,177, considerably more than May’s figure of 1,890, but nearly identical to last June when 2,180 listings were posted. Listings submitted from January-June have reached 12,652, a 7.6% increase over last year’s first half total of 11,758. 

Overall single-family inventory at the end of June stood at 9,101, the highest number of available properties for sale so far this year, which is typical of the summer months when selling activity picks up. The supply, based on June’s sales pace, stands at 8.4 months, up from May’s 7.5 month supply.

The inventory at the same point last year was at 8,920 single family listings, but the sales pace was also slightly lower, which translates into an identical supply of 8.4 month’s at the mid-point in 2009.

If two or more homes of the same size are on the market in the same area, in the same condition, the one with the best price will probably sell first.

If two or more homes in the same condition are on the market in the same area, at the same prioce, the largest one will probably sell first.

If two or more homes of the same size are on the market for the same price, in the same condition, the one with the best location will probably sell first.

I'd like the chance to talk with you in depth about what can be done to sell your home. Feel free to contact me at 937-470-2083.

The good news is that the cost is not paid until closing but you, the seller, are covered during the listing period and it protects the buyer for a full year, beginning on the day of closing.

There are several home warranty plans available, each offering coverage options at varying rates. We can discuss the different rates, coverage options, and exclusions. I will help by obtaining the home warranty for you.

Typical major systems and appliances covered are : HVAC, water heater, dishwasher, oven/range, refrigerator, roof, plumbing and electrical systems. Items such as septic systems and swimming pools can be added.

Here is a home maintenance quiz that will test your maintenance knowledge. While this quiz does not address every home maintenance project, it does provide helpful tips and reminders for chores you may have overlooked.

 1. How often do forced-air furnace filters need to be changed?
At least every three months during the heating season.

 2. What part of the faucet usually needs to be replaced when you have a water leak?
The washer.

 3. Should you run hot or cold water through your garbage disposal?
Cold water.

 4. How often should the moving parts of garage doors be oiled?
Every three months.

 5. What tools can you use to unclog your drains?
A plunger and a plumber’s snake.

 6. What tool can be used to unclog a toilet?
Coil spring-steel auger.

 7. What faucet part needs to be cleaned every three to four months?
Aerator—the screen inside the end of the faucet.  

8. What can you use for traction on icy sidewalks, steps and driveways?
Cat litter or sand—never use salt because it damages the pavement.  

9. Where should the fire in your fireplace be built?
On the andirons or grate, never on the fireplace floor.  

10. What will prevent soot and add color to the fire in your fireplace?
Throw in a handful of salt.  

11. Where should your firewood be stored?
Outside, away from your house and not directly on the ground.

 12. What helps keep unpainted concrete floors easy to keep clean?
Concrete sealer.

 13. What should you use to clean unpainted concrete floors?
A solution of 4 to 6 tablespoons of washing soda in a gallon of hot water. Mix scouring powder to the solution for tough jobs.

 14. When can you clean hardwood floors with water?
When the floors have a polyurethane finish.

 15. Do hardwood floors need to be waxed?
Hardwood floors that do not have a polyurethane finish probably will need to be waxed periodically. Use liquid or paste “spirit” wax.

 16. What is the best polish for vinyl floors?
Water emulsion wax.

 17. When is basement condensation at its maximum?
In new homes because gallons of water went into the concrete of basement walls.

 18. Why should noisy water pipes be fixed promptly?
The condition that causes noisy pipes may be accompanied by vibration that can cause fittings to loosen and leak.

 19. Why should frozen pipes be thawed slowly?
Frozen pipes should be thawed slowly to prevent the formation of steam, which could  cause the pipe to burst.

 20. How often should your roof be inspected?
A qualified roofer should inspect your roof every three years. 

A recent article titled "Ten Tips For Terrific Listing Videos" states "If a 14 year old can post a video from their school field trip online in seconds, a well-paid real estate professional should be able to do something at least as good" (Matthew Ferrara & Co., Real Estate The Next Generation). I agree. That's why, as part of my innovative marketing services, I provide a Full Motion Video Tour, shot by a professional, of every home I list.

These videos help potential buyers to determine what your home's unique benefits are and what their living experience in the home might be. In addition, the Video Tour information is attached to your home's For Sale sign where potential buyers driving by can access it quickly and easily.

To take a full motion video tour of my current listings, please visit www.TourDaytonHomes.com. For additional information, please refer to a previous blog entitled "Preparing Your Home For A Video Tour."

In today's market, sellers have to work harder to persuade buyers that their property is worth a look. With Spring in the air, take the time to incorporate one of more of these landscaping tips that buyers are sure to notice.

1. Add splashes of color. With every changing season, a landscape should provide a new display of colors, textures, and fragrances.  Example: white iceberg roses that bloom in spring, summer, and fall as a backdrop; in front, a contrasting punch of purple salvia or lavender that will flower at the same time; and as an accent, a crape myrtle tree that provides changing leaf colors in fall and interesting branches come winter. 

2. Size trees and shrubs to scale. These should be planted in the right scale for the house so that they don’t block windows, doors, and other architectural features on the home’s facade. A large two-story house can handle a redwood, Chinese pistache, sycamore, or scarlet oak, but a one-story cottage is better paired with a flowering cherry, crabapple, or eastern redbud. Too many trees cast too much shadow and cause potential buyers to worry about maintenance and costs. 

3. Maintain a perfect lawn. A velvety green lawn demonstrates tender loving care, so be sure sellers’ homes don’t have brown spots. Some rocks, pebbles, boulders, drought-tolerant plants, and ornamental grasses will generate more kudos, especially in drought areas. 

4. Light up the outside. Good illumination allows buyers to see a home at night and adds drama. Sellers should use low-voltage lamps to highlight branches of specimen trees, a front door, walk, and corners of the house. But less is better. The yard shouldn’t resemble an airport runway. 

5. Let them hear the water. The sound of water appeals to buyers, and you shouldn’t just reserve this for your backyard. A small fountain accented with rocks provides a pleasant gurgling sound, blocks street noise, and is affordable. 

6. Use decorative architectural elements. A new mailbox, planted window boxes, and a low fence wrapped in potato vines add cachet, particularly during winter months when fewer plants blossom. Colors should complement the landscape and home. Just don’t overdo it: Too much can seem like kitschy lawn ornaments.

Source: Michael Glassman, landscape designer, Michael Glassman and Associates, Sacramento, Calif., www.michaelglassman.com

Keep in mind that this list of benefits only scratches the surface of the world of benefits that come with owning a home. Feel free to talk to me about what other good things come your way when you buy a home.

The most obvious benefit is building wealth. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) notes that "home equity is the largest single source of household wealth for most Americans."

What is home equity? Home equity is the difference between the home's fair market value and the outstanding balance of all liens on the property. Let's say you have a balance of $100,000 left on your home's mortgage, but the property appraises for $150,000. You now have $50,000 worth of home equity.

And let's not forget about appreciation. While there is no set year-to-year rate that is considered normal, reports indicate that you can expect around a 6.5 percent average value increase in your home each year.

The National Homeownership Strategy cites that “through homeownership, a family ... invests in an asset that can grow in value and ... generate financial security." This is what sets homeowners apart from renters.

Other wealth builders to consider are tax breaks and tax credits, such as the deductibility of property taxes and mortgage interest and the exclusion of capital gains, and the $8,000 first time home buyer and $6,500 home buyer tax credits.

But beyond the numbers and the long term investment benefits, studies have shown that owning a home can actually make you healthier and happier.

Homeownership allows people to have greater control and inspires responsibility over their living environment. It helps stabilize and strengthen communities. And it helps generate jobs and stimulate the economy (National Homeownership Strategy)

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reports: “Homeowners accumulate wealth as the investment in their homes grows, enjoy better living conditions, and are often more involved in their communities. Communities benefit from real estate taxes homeowners pay, and from stable neighborhoods homeowners create”

And according to NAR’s Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing, homeownership brings with it:

• Lower community crime rates
• More household participation in civic affairs
• Better household health

Source: Realty Times, March 22, 2010 

Now is a great time to buy a home! Feel free to start your house hunting online by checking out the Full Motion Video Tour of any of my listings!  

As part of my detailed marketing plan, I can provide consultation on staging your home for sale through a full-service home staging firm. Remember, first impressions are not just important in real estate – they are critical. Sometimes, just a few simple changes can make a big difference.

Staging is an integral part of selling. Furniture that makes the home look spacious and comfortable is what you need to consider. Most homebuyers are looking for a home that is move-in ready. They want to be able to unpack on Saturday and go to work Monday without missing a beat.

As part of my innovative marketing services, I provide a Full Motion Video Tour of every home I list. To take a full motion video tour of my current listings, please visit www.TourDaytonHomes.com

There are many things you can do make your home shine on camera:
1. Understand the camera’s perspective. The camera’s eye is very different from the human eye. It magnifies clutter and poor furniture arrangement. To make a home shine in a virtual tour or video presentation, cater to the lens.

2. Make the home “Q-tip clean.” Because the camera magnifies grime, each room must be spotless. Don’t forget floor coverings and walls; a discolored spot on the rug might be overlooked by prospects during a regular home showing, but that stain becomes a focal point for online viewers.

3. Pack up the clutter. But leave three items of varying heights on each surface. For example, on an end table you can place a lamp (high), a small plant (medium), and a book (low).

4. Snap pictures. This will give you an idea of what the home will look like on camera. Closely examine the photos and list changes that would improve each room’s appearance: opening blinds to let in natural light, removing magnets from the refrigerator, or taking down distracting art.

5. Pare down furniture. Identify one or two pieces of furniture that can be removed from each room to make the space appear larger.

6. Rearrange. Spotlight the flow of a space by creating a focal point on the furthest wall from the doorway and arranging the other pieces of furniture to make a triangle shape. The focal point may be a bed in a bedroom or a china cabinet in a dining room.

7. Reaccessorize. Include a healthy plant in every room; the camera loves green. Energize bland decor by placing a bright vase on a mantle or draping an afghan over a couch.

8. Keep the home in shape. You want buyers who liked what they saw online to encounter the same home in person.

 A house with poor energy efficiency tends to result in higher electricity bills. Heating or cooling costs were “very” or “somewhat” important to 88 percent of recent home buyers, according to the NAR Profile. Energy efficient appliances and energy efficient lighting were also “very” of “somewhat” important to the majority of buyers.

 In addition to making their home more appealing to future buyers, current homeowners can benefit from going green by taking advantage of several tax credits available. These include: 

1. Tax Credits for Replacing Windows, Doors, and Skylights
2. Tax Credits for Replacing Your Roof
3. Tax Credits for Replacing Heating and Cooling Systems
4. Tax Credits for Adding or Replacing Insulation
5. Tax Credits for Solar Water Heaters

#1: Just because it's a buyer's market doesn't mean you should buy right now. Don't let the lucrative market dictate a buying decision if the time isn't absolutely right. Potential homebuyers need to ask themselves if they have a good credit score, if their job is secure and if they can stay in the home for a few years. If the answer to these questions is "no," it might make more sense to wait until life and finances are more stable.

#2: The cost of owning a home is more than just the purchase price. On top of a mortgage payment, there are several monthly fees and expenses any first-time buyer should consider when becoming a homeowner: insurance, property taxes, utilities and maintenance. Think about scaling back the home price in order to better budget for the entire package.

#3: Programs are out there to help first-time buyers. A sizeable down payment is great to have for a home purchase, but not everyone can afford to fork over 20 percent upfront. Fortunately, there are many federal, state and local programs geared toward helping first-time homebuyers with down payments, interest rates and loan terms sure to make the whole process and affordability a bit easier.

#4: Foreclosures and short sales present great deals, but proceed with caution. Buying a foreclosed or short sale home can be a risky proposition for a first-time buyer. Foreclosures are often sold "as-is," while a short sale transaction can be lengthier and more complicated than a typical home purchase. First-timers should consult an agent or attorney with specialization in these areas.

#5: Getting pre-approved for a loan gives you more buying power. Obtaining lender pre-approvals are important because it establishes a homebuyer's maximum purchase price, shows sellers that the buyer is serious about buying a home and lets the homebuyer compare interest rates and terms to find the best deal.

#6: Good school districts boost property value. One of the most important aspects of a home's value is the neighborhood where it's located. Even if the homebuyer does not have kids, buying a home near sought-after schools can help the resale value.

#7: You may be able to access your tax credit upfront. Buyers using FHA-insured mortgages can apply their tax credit toward their home purchase immediately, rather than waiting until they file their income taxes to receive a refund. Prospective buyers who believe they qualify for the credit are also allowed to reduce their income tax withholding, therefore increasing their take-home pay.

#8: Not all real estate agents represent buyers. There are three types of agents: listing agents, who represent sellers and help them get the best price; buyers' agents, who represent buyers and protect their interests; and agents who represent either (or both). Often, first-time buyers prefer to work exclusively with a buyer's agent so there are no possible conflicts of interest.

#9: Doing your homework can help you make a competitive offer. Before buying the home, determine the property's market value by having the realtor conduct a comparative market analysis. This report will show what buyers were willing to pay for similar homes in the area, giving a good idea of what will make a fair offer.

#10: It's important to have a back-out plan. Before signing on the dotted line, make sure to have a contingency plan in case things don't go as planned in the home inspection or appraisal. If the home has a major flaw or doesn't appraise for the purchase price, an escape plan allows the contract to be voided.

First-time home buyer and move-up tax credits worth $8,000 and $6,500, respectively, expire April 30. Buyers who qualify get a dollar-for-dollar reduction in taxes, or a cash payment, if they don't pay enough taxes to cover the credit.

Other factors that should spur buyers:

Low mortgage rates. If the Federal Reserve stops buying mortgage-backed securities at the end of March, 30-year rates will almost certainly rise to more than 6%. Freddie Mac documented a decline in mortgage rates during the week ended March 4, with 30-year fixed home loans slipping to 4.97% from 5.05% and 15-year interest averaging 4.33%.

Rising prices. About 30% of markets are already experiencing price increases. Prices are falling in 12% of markets, says Fiserv (but that only helps if you want to live there).

  FREE DETAILED HOME INFORMATION!

Find Out Detailed Home Information on Any Home Listed For Sale in the Dayton Area using a new system that searches Multiple Listing Services (MLS) records daily and e-mails the information directly to you including addresses, prices and photos ...it's simple, automated, and dependable.

            Look For Homes Without The Hassles at www.daytonpropertyfinder.com

Home prices are one factor in determining your cost of ownership, but so are interest rates and financing availability. Even though interest rates have gone up in the last six months, they are still near historic lows. Since your monthly mortgage payment is a combination of paying down your principal and paying the interest owed, if home prices come down a little further but interest rates up, it could cost you even more to service a mortgage on an identical home!

While a home is a major investment, it is also the center of your personal life. It's important to live in a home that reflects your taste and values, yet is within your financial "comfort zone." To that end, it may be more important to lock in today's relatively low interest rates and low home prices, rather than to hope for a further break in prices in the future.

Please give me a call if I can be of any assistance in determining how much home you can afford in today's market.