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Final walkthrough a buyer's best friend
Imagine this. You move into your new home for the first time after closing and, although you transferred the utilities into your name, the lights don't turn on. There isn't a single light bulb left in the house, the yard is overgrown, and the leaky faucets the sellers were to have fixed still leak.
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Energy upgrades can yield tax credits
If you’ve been putting off energy-efficient home upgrades, now may be the time to take on some home improvement projects. Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed by President Barack Obama on Feb. 17, there are new incentives for consumers to eliminate outdated, inefficient building systems that affect residents’ comfort and pocketbooks.
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Funding parents' reverse mortgage a win-win
DEAR BENNY: I want to help my older parents so they can have a more stress-free and comfortable retirement, and believe I am in a position to do so. They have a home in an area where housing prices are actually still increasing, which makes the scenario even more attractive to my husband and me.
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Don't wait until selling to make repairs
Home maintenance ranks low on many homeowners' priority lists. When the washing machine breaks, you might fix it to keep from having to go to the Laundromat. But, if there's no pressing need, home maintenance chores are often put off.
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Five ways to cut heating costs
If you're thinking it's time to do something about your cold house and your high heating bills, here are five win-win suggestions that will help you do both.
1. REPLACE YOUR FURNACE FILTER
A clogged filter makes your furnace work harder to deliver the same amount of heat, which wastes energy by keeping the furnace on for a longer period in order to bring the house up to the requested temperature.
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Contingencies frustrate buyers, sellers
There are many frustrating aspects associated with buying or selling a home today. One is that contract contingencies -- such as inspections, financing or the sale of another property -- often aren't removed on time. It's not uncommon for closings to be delayed, usually due to the buyer's lender.
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Multiple offers making a comeback
In the current home sale market, it might seem ludicrous to make an offer on a listing if it means competing with another buyer. However, multiple offers are on the rise in some markets. But, it doesn't always mean that you need to pay a lot more than the asking price.
Sellers are ever hopeful of receiving multiple offers. These days, this is usually an unrealistic expectation. That is, unless the listing is a prime property in a high-demand neighborhood where few homes are being offered for sale.
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2010: year of the turnaround?
A spurt in home sales in 2009, aided by low interest rates and the first-time homebuyer tax credit, has led some economists to forecast a turnaround in the housing market this year. Other forecasters feel this is too optimistic a projection.
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Dial down holiday excess
Fiscal, nutritional and environmental excess. Such is the dark side of the holiday season. But by adopting a greener approach to festivities, that gluttony can be pared back.
Here are some strategies:
Plant greetings -- Abandon snail-mail cards in favor of online greetings, which eliminate paper waste and requires no fuel for delivery. But if sending cards is something you still wish to do, opt for recycled paper and cards that get second lives in the garden. Some are infused with seeds, and recipients plant the cards and later watch flowers bloom. One source is Greenfield Paper at http://www.greenfieldpaper.com/asccustompages/categories.asp?categoryid=3.
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A primer on purchase offers
Decades ago, sellers priced a little high to leave room to negotiate down. Buyers typically offered 5 percent less. Then they negotiated and settled at a price in between. Today, there is so much variability in the housing market that it's impossible to use a pat formula for coming up with an offer price.
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Inherit home, refi immediately?
DEAR BENNY: My husband and I inherited a home from my husband's uncle who passed away a few weeks ago. Will the lender expect us to refinance the home or can we just assume it even if it is a conventional loan? –Karen
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Lender can't nix loan on inherited home
DEAR BENNY: My father passed away in January 2008 and I have inherited his townhouse. He had an existing mortgage, and I am continuing to make the mortgage payments. I have not notified the mortgage company. I am unable to obtain financing for the home in my name at this time. I have already been turned down twice. Does state law allow me to assume this loan, or if the finance company finds out, can it pull the loan? I don't want to lose the house. There was a will (I was the personal representative and sole beneficiary) and I had an attorney prepare the deed, which has been recorded in my name. It was my father's wish that the house be mine upon his death. --R.N.
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Curb appeal tips that pay off
Imagine going on a job interview looking shabby, or trying to sell your car for a good price when it's filthy and loaded with stuff. In a competitive market, you wouldn't do well.
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Find property problems before you buy
To avoid a bad experience that could end up in a legal battle with the sellers over property problems, make sure your purchase agreement includes an inspection contingency.
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Best payback on remodel
Q: In your opinion, what home improvements (kitchen remodel, new front door, or wood floors) offer the best payback on investment when you are trying to sell?
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Tips for avoiding surprise defects
A homebuyer in the hills above Oakland, Calif., recently closed on a home that matched her wish list almost perfectly, which is as good as it gets. Before closing, the new home was inspected and no major defects were discovered.
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Is now a good time to downsize?
Interest rates are low. Prices have come down in many areas. More buyers are deciding it's a good time to buy, even though it may be awhile before the housing market stabilizes.
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Dos and don'ts of home selling
An energetic real estate agent can have your home on the market in a day. However, to provide the kind of marketing exposure you need to sell in today's market takes a little longer, unless your home is photo-ready when you list.
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Top ways to boost curb appeal
You've no doubt heard the term "curb appeal," which is the first impression that your home makes when a visitor arrives. Whether you have your home up for sale or just want things to look a little nicer when you or someone else pulls up out in front, the best place to start is by giving the front of your home a critical examination.
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Transferring loan on inherited home
DEAR BENNY: I recently inherited my mom's home, valued at $136,000. Unfortunately, she had a home equity line of credit (HELOC) on it for $66,000. Apparently, a relative talked her into getting this loan to start a small business. Of course she was stuck paying the loan, and the payments are current.
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No benefit to refi with current lender?
DEAR BENNY: I am shopping for a new mortgage (I will refinance about $160,000 remaining on a condo worth about $300,000) and discovered my mortgage holder wants about $2,200 in closing costs. I just financed with this bank three years ago and have stellar credit. There seems to be no special benefit for refinancing with this lender. Their broker told me as much. I don't understand why they wouldn't want to keep a good customer. Any insight? --Janelle
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Don't skimp on title insurance
Most people are trying to cut costs these days. Some even wonder if it's necessary to pay for title insurance when they buy or sell a home. Skimping here could end up costing plenty if you discover a title defect after you own the property.
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Finding middle ground for home repairs
Today's home sales are all about negotiation. Negotiating the purchase price is the first step. A second round of negotiations can occur after the buyers complete their inspections. For sellers who negotiated to their rock-bottom price, this can be disappointing and a possible deal-breaker.
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Buying house? Think long term
Now would seem like a rotten time to sell. The economy is in recession and many housing markets around the country have suffered serious downturns.
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Resale value high on buyers' minds
There's not much you can do about keeping a down market from having some impact on the value of your home. But, you can carefully choose the home you buy so that you end up with a property that holds its value well, even in a slow market.
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Seller financing without hiccups
DEAR BENNY: We are in our late 70s and have moved out of our house. We are selling the house to our daughter for approximately $338,000 and we are taking back the mortgage. We have been told the minimal interest rate we can charge her is 1.61 percent without getting in trouble with the IRS. And, it must be renewed each year. Is this correct? Please advise. –Louise
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Delay move until deal is done
Sellers should start packing as soon as they think they might want to put their home on the market. That is, they should start weeding out all the personal property they no longer want or need. It makes no sense to spend time and money packing and moving these things.
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Homeowners find it pays to go green
The green revolution is spreading as the public becomes aware of the need to reduce dependence on foreign oil and improve the environment through conservation and recycling. Today's recession-wary homeowners are reluctant to spend a penny on home improvements. However, some effective energy-saving home improvements don't cost much and can save you money in the long run.
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Truth about home fixture warranties
Warranties are something we see on a myriad of home improvement products, from roofing and siding to faucets and electrical outlets. They're intended to give the consumer some specific legal recourse should the product fail to perform properly, as well as some general psychological peace of mind.
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