Mortgage woes? Tell it to them!

Well, now you have a place to complain, gripe, and deal with all your mortgage issues and woes.  Developed by the Obama administration, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is now open for business.  And they want to hear all about your mortgage problems.  This government agency has been mostly dealing with credit card complaints (talk to them about that, too) but now want to hear about mortgages.  

When you get to their page, you can easily submit your complaint, watch a YouTube video from their director, and connect with them via Facebook or Twitter.  According to this Chicago Tribune article, when they initially opened up to hear credit card complaints, they received over 5,000 and were able to resolve over 3,100!  They’re hoping to handle complaints through the end of this year.  

As I mentioned, the easiest way to contact them is via their Web site.  However, they’re also reachable via postal mail at P.O. Box 4503, Iowa City, IA 52244, fax 855-237-2392, or telephone 855-411-2372.  Please be aware that it is not a toll-free number.  But they did mention that they’re hoping for virtually no wait time to speak to a representative.

You can also create an account through the site and visit often to check the status.  You can also view correspondence between CFPB officials and members of Congress as well as recent press releases regarding the bureau.  

I’d love to hear if anyone has submitted a complaint through you and whether they were successful in resolving it or not.  I hope that this is another avenue the government has established to take care of those underwater and remove some of the excess inventory we’re seeing on the market.  Please post your story if you have one in the comments!

Mistakes you can make with a lowball offer

Yes, yes, I know.  It’s a buyers’ market.  So much inventory, low housing prices, so the buyer gets their pick at the price they want.  But not so fast.  Yes, lots of inventory, lower housing prices.  However, there is still power to negotiating.  And you don’t want to insult the seller with a lowball offer and lose your dream home because of it.  Here are some mistakes that can be made with a lowball offer:

1. Not knowing the market.  And each one is different.  What may be a more acceptable offer in one market won’t be the same in another.  There could be an area where sellers are pricing homes more aggressively; therefore, they’re sticking close to their asking price.  Another neighborhood might be mostly made up of foreclosures and short sales, so the bank wants to get rid of the home ASAP and are willing to accept less.  So you’ll need to do your research with the help of a qualified Realtor (see #2)

2. Not picking the right Realtor.  They have the experience and the background and know the area you’re looking to purchase, so they’re your best asset going into a negotiation.  But you have to make sure they’re solid negotiators, since they are working on your behalf.  They’re not going to tell you not to present a really low offer, but they might say the sellers will reject it offhand so you might want to consider raising it by X amount or offering to waive one of your contingencies.  Trust their advice.  You’re working as a team and you want to make sure your agent also has your best interests at heart.

3. Not knowing what you’re willing to pay.  A lot of people these days in this market are focused on getting the best price.  But you have to be careful.  You have to know what your limit is so you don’t overpay.  And sellers will know what they need to walk away from the closing table or they won’t be able to make the sale.  No matter how wonderful the home is and how perfect your furniture will look in it and that you can see yourself having your morning coffee on the deck overlooking the pond, there comes a point where no deal is worth it at a certain price. Know that before you start negotiating or you’ll let your emotions get the better of you.  

You can also lose your positioning power by being too hard a negotiator at the beginning.  Don’t make your first offer your final offer and then start negotiating.  The seller will know that you aren’t serious and has the ball back in their court.  Make your offer one that you’re willing to negotiate and have your Realtor tell the seller you want to work with them and make the deal happen.

This MSN article has a few more mistakes that can be made and how to avoid them.  My Web site has some other great articles and tips for buyers.  Have a great week!

New homeowners’ fees to increase

Let’s start with the good news first.  If you are in a home, paying a regular mortgage, nothing’s changed, you don’t have to worry.  No added fees for you.  

However, those that are purchasing a new home at the beginning of this year or planning to refinance, you’ll be paying an additional fee in your mortgage to help fund the payroll tax cut bill that the Senate passed over the weekend.

A quick review.  Originally planning to expire on January 1 (Sunday), a payroll tax cut and long-term unemployment benefits were extended two months when the Senate voted this weekend.  It should go through the House this week.  With this extension comes a $33 billion price tag.  So who pays for it?  Yep, you guessed it.  New homeowners and those refinancing.  That fee rises about a tenth of 1 percentage point and, therefore, increases the fee that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae charge to insure home mortgages.  It will also increase if your loan is backed by the Federal Housing Administration.

So on a $200,000 mortgage, your rate will increase approximately $17 a month.  Nothing huge but still considerable in the scheme of things.  Obviously, for a higher mortgage it goes up and a lower mortgage will have a smaller fee.  About 9 in 10 mortgages are backed by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, or the Federal Housing Administration.

So my question is, is this fair?  Is it the homeowners’ responsibility to pay for this?  Looking at the large picture, I’m sure many people are thrilled that these benefits have been extended, given the state of the current economy.  And if it’s not covered this way, I would think Congress would tax us higher on something else, such as gasoline, income tax, or property tax.  They’ll get their money some way.  I’m curious to hear if you think this is right or if you have a better solution.  Please leave me a comment!  You can also reach me via my Web site.

My 2012 real estate predictions

Seeing how we’ve gotten to the last week of 2011, I figured now was a perfect time to talk about what real estate looks like next year, in 2012.  Unfortunately, it hasn’t been the greatest housing market we’ve seen.  Home values in 2011 were still low, more people are renting, and others are having a harder time obtaining credit to purchase a house.  Here are some of my predictions for the upcoming year…

1. Disappointment over missed opportunities.  I think a lot of people might be kicking themselves for not taking the time to refinance their current mortgage or purchase an investment property at a rock-bottom price.  I’m not positive as to how long rates will stay low (could be another few years), but it’s best to strike while it’s hot!  And I’m going to admit that they’re not going to get much lower than they already are.  So if you’re in the market to do either of those things, now is the time!

2. I see trouble brewing with the HARP guidelines.  HARP, again, is the Home Affordable Refinance Program that I had written about previously.  This was a chance for homeowners to be able to refinance and get a lower interest rate, even though their house isn’t worth what it once used to be.  Also, the loan has to be owned by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.  A lot of these lenders are not requiring appraisals, which is great for homeowners, but I see another problem.  I have a hard time believing these lenders will be okay without an appraisal because they’re going to be liable for it in the future and if the homeowner defaults down the road.

3. A continuation of low home prices.  This is largely due to the amount of foreclosures on the market that are driving down the values of the surrounding homes.  This isn’t going to change in the next year, as the economy is still struggling to rebound and many people are still unemployed and underwater on their mortgages.  Once all the distressed inventory is sold (who knows when that will be?) we’ll be starting to see a shift with home values steadily increasing.

4) Credit guidelines to remain tight.  For the reasons stated above, such as the amount of foreclosures and short sales and unemployment and a bad economy, the lenders won’t be doing anything to release the grip they have on approving people to purchase homes.  They’re struggling enough as it is with all the delinquent loans that they are being extra stringent in awarding new ones.  I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

Do you agree with my predictions?  Are there any that I haven’t mentioned that you believe will happen?  I’d love to hear your comments!  And a very Happy New Year to all my readers!

What Realtors do for buyers

For those new to purchasing real estate, I wanted to clear up a few misconceptions about Realtors and let you know exactly what we do and don’t do for buyers.  For example, a lot of people are under the assumption that buyers have to pay for our services.  100% not true, especially in Illinois.  We are paid by the seller of the property you purchase, so there is no money to use our services.  So I’m always surprised when people tell me they want to look on their own.  Here are some advantages to using a Realtor.

1.  Access to more listings.  If a home is listed by another Realtor for sale, that person is not going to be posting separate for sale ads in the newspaper or online.  So you can miss a ton of great deals by working on your own.  We have access to the Multiple Listing Service, the only place where listed properties go.

2. Negotiating skills.  We know the market.  We have access to all the comparable properties – what has recently sold and for how much.  This will help you to get a much better deal because you’ll have solid evidence and a strong purchasing position.

3. Letting you know about resale value.  Especially for first-time buyers, a lot might not understand what makes a home more valuable when it comes time to sell in the future.  It is my job to point out that the fact that these sellers converted a 3-bedroom home to 2 huge bedrooms might not be such a great purchase.  For example, if it’s in a subdivision near an elementary school where a lot of families live, they would want that extra bedroom.  So a Realtor will give you insight as to what has a better chance of selling.  Because most likely this won’t be the one home you’re in forever.

4. Getting you to closing.  I wish it was as easy as signing  a contract, showing up with a check, and then signing the closing papers.  Unfortunately, that’s not the case.  Aside from the buyers and sellers, there’s attorneys involved, home inspectors, lenders, appraisers, other Realtors, etc.  Each person has to be contacted at different points once the contract is signed to make sure everything is progressing smoothly.  I make contact with all these individuals to make sure deadlines are being met, letters are being drafted, and funds are provided.  This is to ensure that closing happens and it goes smoothly.

I’d love to help you with your first home purchase.  If you need my assistance, please contact me via my Web site or call me toll-free at 800-858-7917.

And a very Happy Holidays to all of my readers!  I won’t be posting on Christmas, but I’ll make sure to have another blog up early next week.

 

Paint your home to sell

First things first.  You all know how important it is to keep your home in showing condition when you have your home on the market to sell.  No clutter, messes, dirty laundry, etc.  But it’s also important to make your home look the best it can in order to move quicker and to get you a good return on investment.  Paint color is key.  

Let’s start with what not to do.  No wallpaper.  I know it’s hard to remove.  I know it matches the bath towels that you special ordered along with the custom faucets.  But it just doesn’t work for most people.  And the buyers that want move-in ready homes don’t want to deal with it, either.  So if you have wallpaper, you’re probably going to benefit the most from this blog post.  I suggest removing it and painting.

No white paint.  This might sound surprising given that it’s neutral.  But having all white walls can make your house look very sterile and not lived in.  It also can appear too bright.  You do want to keep the colors neutral.  So if you’re going to be painting, I suggest light beige or light yellow.  

Don’t go crazy.  I am completely serious when I say that I’ve shown homes where one room is orange, another turquoise, another dark purple, etc.  It looks hideous.  If you have this in your home now and you are planning on selling, you’ll want to paint all the walls neutral to match.  And remember that dark colors make a room look a lot smaller.  So for those of you with navy blue bathrooms, now is the time to go neutral.

Here’s what does work.  Make sure that there are no noticeable scratches or marks on walls.  Touching up paint is very simple to do and can make a huge difference.  It shows buyers that your home is well maintained and cared for.  According to this AOL blog, “Karen Dembsky, president of Peachtree Home Staging LLC and Georgia’s Real Estate Staging Association, as well as a Pro Stager of the Year nominee, has the first and most important piece of advice before even tackling the issue of color.

‘A seller should always make sure that their paint has a fresh appeal, no dings, no marks. If there are any, it should be repainted or touched up because it gives the feeling of a well-maintained home,” she said. “The color has to be livable and appealing, you want a color where the buyer will come in and say that it’s not their first choice but they can live with it.’”

Dembsky suggests food-related colors for the kitchen, such as yellow, red, or orange.  But this is not permission to go out and paint your kitchen bright orange.  You still want to keep it soft and light.  She doesn’t recommend bright colors for the bedrooms because people view bedrooms as a place to sleep and relax, so light and neutral is best.  Dembsky recommends beige and light tan for bathroom walls.  If you’re dying for a bit of color, play it up with colored hand towels, bath mats, and fun soaps.  She does say that you can go for darker and richer colors in a home office, especially to play against a dark wood desk.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.  Please leave me a comment or visit my Web site.

Home improvements that turn off buyers

I’ve written multiple times on the home improvements that add the most value and the areas you want to focus on to attract buyers.  I found a great article on what could possibly turn buyers off, those improvements or features that might cause your home to sit on the market for a lot longer than you expected.  So if you do need to make one of these changes, consider your market and possibly try to convert it back prior to listing.  I’m focusing on a few that may affect more Chicagoland buyers.

1. Inserting a motorized stair lift.  Of course, this may be a necessary feature for someone who can no longer climb the stairs.  But for buyers that do have disabilities and are looking for a home, most buyers are looking for a ranch-style home, and they often search for homes that have a first floor master  bedroom and full bath.  You may also be competing with communities that specialize in low-maintenance living and those for ages 55 and over.

2. Converting a bedroom to a home office.  I’m not saying not to do it.  Trust me, I have one myself.  I’m saying that if you do, you could hurt your resale by not converting it back for showings.  If you have a 3-bedroom home and only 2 of your bedrooms look like bedrooms, many buyers may be turned off.  It’s best to put your desk and computer away and put a bed back in.  Now some people really upgrade a home office with flat-screen televisions, custom lighting, etc.  This would hurt your resale value a lot more, especially if it’s taking up a bedroom space.  If this is a location in an area of the basement that isn’t taking up a space meant for something else, you should be fine.

3. Converting a room to a hobby room.  This is a similar scenario to having an office in a bedroom.  I’ve come across lots of bedrooms that are now knitting rooms or scrapbooking rooms or pottery rooms.  Again, move that space somewhere like a basement, where it’s not taking up a bedroom.  Your home could sit on the market several months longer because of this.  

4. A home theater.  This I’ve seen quite often.  Oh, they’re nice features to have.  I’ve even seen mini movie theaters complete with theater chairs, popcorn machines, etc.  While it may not turn off a ton of buyers, it can put the home out of budget for many that weren’t expecting that feature to begin with.  You may price your home higher to recoup the $8,000-$15,000 it cost to install, but it will be hard to make that money back on a sale.

So if you are considering a major home improvement or upgrade, it’s best to consult with a Realtor prior to spending any money, just to get an opinion on resale value and how much you can expect to recoup when it is time to sell.  If you need to reach me, find me via my Web site.

Advice to women: Shop more

 

It’s been a while since I wrote anything about the difference between men and women in regards to real estate.  But then I came across a very interesting article.  It turns out that there’s a reason that 32% of women were likely to get a subprime mortgage than men, according to a 2006 study.  They don’t shop enough.

I know, I know.  I am just as surprised as you are.  In fact, when I’m dealing with clients purchasing a new house, it’s often that the women take longer to find something because they want to make sure they’re getting the best deal and are in love with their new home.  So what’s going on here?  It actually makes sense.  Women tend to rely on the instincts of their emotions, trusting a recommendation on mortgage rates from friends, rather than shopping for the best deal.  Men, on the other hand, shop around for the best rate, and, therefore, they generally pay lower rates.  

This was all determined by a 2006 study in Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics.  According to the article, “It makes sense to Daily Finance columnist Laura Rowley. ‘It’s not surprising, because mortgage shopping can be incredibly complex, so we look to people we can trust to help make the decision,’ says Rowley. ‘But this is one area where you don’t want to get by with a little help from your friends.’”

Rowley suggests that everyone should get at least three written estimates, generally from two mortgage brokers and one direct lender, like your bank.  You’ll want to explain that you’re planning to buy a house in your general price range that you’ve predetermined along with the percentage you’re willing to put down.  And remember that interest rates can change multiple times a day.  So if you find a low rate, you might consider talking to the lender about “locking in” that rate while you search for a house so it doesn’t go back up.  It’s worth everyone’s time to figure out the best rate and the best type of loan in order to save the most money.

If you need a recommendation for a great mortgage broker, please contact me via my Web site.

Finding a home that won’t lose value

Given the current state of the economy, for all of you home buyers out there, I’m guessing that, when you do find a home you’re going to purchase, that you want to find one that won’t lose value.  You’ll want to look for features that will appeal to a seller when you do go to sell, whether that’s in one year or 20.  Here’s a quick list of features in homes that won’t lose value in a recession.

1. Choose a single-family home.  Sure, you may be starting out and want something small, preferably a condo.  However, in a worse economy, condos and townhomes lose their value more quickly than a single-family home.  So ask your Realtor to help you find a smaller detached home.  I have sold many first-time buyers one- or two-bedroom single-family homes, which was just the right size for their needs.

2. Keep carrying costs low.  When you do go to buy, make sure you find a property that is well-maintained and one that doesn’t require a lot of work over time, especially if you don’t plan to stay long.  New buyers get scared with all the costs of a mortgage, taxes, insurance, and maintenance, so whatever you can do to keep costs low will help you in the long run.  Here’s another tip.  If you see a problem, such as water dripping from the roof, make sure to take care of it BEFORE it turns into a large hole, which will just cost you more money because you waited.

3. Know your market.  Certain markets will never lose much value because they are important to certain segments of the population.  For example, a home within walking distance of the Metra in the Chicago suburbs is a great feature for commuters heading into the city.  A home with a swimming pool is going to sell quicker than one without in Arizona.  

4. Keep your kitchen and bathroom up to date.  As I have mentioned in the past, if you’re going to update or remodel any room in your home, these are the two to focus on.  These are the biggest rooms that “sell” a house.  Try to include appliances if you can.  Many first-time buyers don’t have these at their disposal, and it’s another thing that will help keep their costs down.  If you must take yours with you, consider offering an appliance credit instead.

I hope these tips help both potential buyers and sellers.  And to all my readers, have a very Happy Thanksgiving!  Visit me online.

Landlord tips in between tenants

I just ran into a past client of mine.  She was who I had helped rent out her prior home while she bought a different one.  She just had her tenant of one year move out, and now she’s searching for a new one.  She was telling me what was going on, and it got me thinking about certain items landlords need to take care of in between tenants.  I thought this would be important information to share with you.

1. Make sure the tenant returns all keys, garage openers, and any other items that belong to you or your property.  You’ll also want to collect all spare keys so that you don’t need to change the locks.  If you won’t be able to be there when they move out, make sure you designate an appropriate spot for them to leave these items, such as a drawer in the kitchen or bathroom.

2. Switch over your utilities.  This is a big step that a lot of landlords forget to take.  You’ll want to contact your electric company and gas company to make sure that you receive the bills for these.  You’d hate for the tenant to have cancelled the power and go to show potential tenants to find out you have no lights or that your pipes freeze in the winter because you have no heat.  Some companies, like ComEd, even offer a landlord service that you can sign up for.  This is just in the interim between tenants.  Once your new tenant moves in, they can take over the utilities again.

3. Do a thorough inspection.  Make sure the property is left in the same condition as when the tenant moved in.  All problems, such as carpet stains, holes in the walls, etc., caused by the tenant can be taken out of the security deposit.  Make sure you review your lease to find out the deadline for returning the deposit back to the tenant.  You can be held liable if it’s not returned in time.  If there’s any argument about something the tenant causes, it’s a good idea in the future to take “before” pictures and “after” pictures so that you have physical proof.

4. Get a forwarding address.  You’ll need this for the security deposit.  But there’s a good chance that not all mail will make it to the forwarded address and you’ll still be receiving some for the tenant.  This way you can get them any important mail by forwarding it appropriately.  

I’d love to hear any more tips you have either via a comment or by contacting me on my Web site.