Where Do I Get Information On Manufactured Housing?

For information on manufactured housing, request information from:
Questions and Answers on Manufactured Home Loans for Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420.
Manufactured Housing Institute, 2101 Wilson Blvd., #610 Arlington, VA 22201; call (703) 558-0400; www.manufacturedhousing.org.

For more information about Florence Oregon Real Estate give me a call 541-991-7794 or visit my website www.maureensellsflorence.com

Moving Black Book: The People You Should Tell

Now's the time to get your service providers in the loop. Changing your address before you skip town can prevent major hassles like past-due bills, service lapses, and even identity theft. Keep an eye on incoming mail to see which companies you need to notify, but here are the biggies.
The post office. Log on to moversguide.usps.com or go to your local branch to fill out a change of address form and arrange for mail forwarding.
The IRS. Print out and mail in the IRS' Change of Address form.
Credit card companies. Don't forget about store cards and loyalty programs!
Banks. You'll want easy access to your checking account on moving day, and you'll also need to update online banks, retirement funds, and investment accounts.
Utility companies. Arrange for service at your new address, and schedule shut-off at your old address for the end of the moving day, so you'll still be able to turn on the lights and use the bathroom while you're working.
Home or renters' insurance. Ask if they cover your possessions during transport, especially if you're moving valuables or electronics in your own vehicle.
Car insurance
Health insurance
Your doctor. Get referrals to physicians in your new area, and have your medical files transferred.
Government agencies. If you have benefits from Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or any other government program, make sure you notify them of your move.
Phone company, cable, and internet. Discontinue service at your old location and schedule new service.
Cell phone provider
Magazine subscriptions
Clubs or organizations

For more information about Florence Oregon Real Estate give me a call 541-991-7794 or visit my website www.maureensellsflorence.com

Who is Fannie Mae?

Fannie Mae is a congressionally chartered secondary-mortgage market company that buys loans from private lenders. Because the firm is so big and has been involved in purchasing packages of loans from lenders for 25 years, it has enormous influence on the mortgage market. For more information, visit www.fanniemae.org or call Fannie Mae at (800) 732-6643

For more information about Florence Oregon Real Estate give me a call 541-991-7794 or visit my website www.maureensellsflorence.com

How Does FHA work?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a variety of loan insurance programs through the Federal Housing Administration that require approximately three to five percent cash down.FHA loan limits vary depending on the county where the property is located. FHA loans administered by HUD are originated by private lenders. For more information, contact lenders who offer FHA loans or a regional HUD office.Resources:U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development451 7th St.Washington, DC 20410Phone: 202-708-1112Websites: www.hud.gov and www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/fhahistory.cfm

For more information about Florence Oregon Real Estate give me a call 541-991-7794 or visit my website www.maureensellsflorence.com

Packing for a Move

1. Clear things out. If you haven't used it, get rid of it by creating a "charity" and a "recycle" box to help in sorting.
2. Always prepare a "load-last" carton that contains items you want access to right away, like a coffeepot, filter and coffee grounds; paper plates, cups, and napkins; paper towels, telephone, flashlight, basic tools and anything else you may not want to hunt for on moving day. Place difficult-to-locate items such as hardware and the remote control in a plastic sandwich bag. Add a label and put it in your "load-last" carton.
3. Get the children involved. Have them decorate a sign with their name on it and hang it outside the bedroom at their new house. Not only does it help get them involved in the moving process, it will also help movers identify where the boxes should be placed.
4. Be sure to mark each box, clearly indicating the room it belongs in as well as the contents on both the top and side of each box. Use a dark-colored marking pen that is easy to read.
5. Protect your mattresses and furniture by covering them with old sheets. Fitted sheets work especially well.

For more information about Florence Oregon Real Estate give me a call 541-991-7794 or visit my website www.maureensellsflorence.com

10 Ways to Avoid Internet Moving Scams

If you're looking for an inexpensive moving company on the Internet, you'd better do your homework first, or your furniture won't be the only thing that gets taken for a ride.
"The nation's moving and storage industry is made up of courteous, hard working, dedicated professionals," said Linda Darr, president of the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA). "Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous characters who are sullying our industry's good name by using the Internet to prey on people during a very stressful time in their lives. Make no mistake, these people are not movers, they are criminals. And we're trying to put them out of business."
To address the problem, AMSA developed 10 tips that will help families avoid Internet moving scams.
Don't be fooled by slick websites. Anyone with a few bucks and a good IT person can build a professional-looking website. Don't be fooled by the flash.
Locate their operating license. Every professional interstate moving company will proudly display their U.S. Department of Transportation license and their Motor Carrier number on their website. If you don't see the license number, move on to another website.
Verify the license. You can verify the MC number at www.protectyourmove.gov.
Look for the 'brick and mortar.' Make sure the website lists a street address and then do a quick Google search to see if it really exists.
Get at least three written in-home estimates. The Internet is full of 'moving cost estimators,' but the only estimate that counts is one offered by a professional mover who visits your home.
Check references. If a company displays the Better Business Bureau or AMSA logo, verify that they are using these seals legitimately by contacting AMSA or the BBB.
Avoid companies that require large deposits or down payments. Professional movers generally do not require a deposit, so avoid those that do.
Avoid Internet brokers. People who enter their contact information on websites that promise to find movers often find themselves inundated with aggressive scam artists.
Be skeptical. Remember: if you receive an estimate that seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Use an AMSA mover. To find an AMSA mover and to learn more about protecting yourself during your move, visit AMSA's consumer website www.moving.org.

For more information about Florence Oregon Real Estate give me a call 541-991-7794 or visit my website www.maureensellsflorence.com

Deciding How to Move

So you've made the decision to pack up and put down your roots in a new place. Maybe you've found a better apartment across town or a dream job across the country. Maybe you're buying your first home or retiring to a cozy cottage in the woods. Now it's time to decide how you're going to get there. Before you start filling boxes with your belongings, consider which moving options work best for you.
Move consultant. If the mere sight of a cardboard box leaves you feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring someone to handle the nitty-gritty of your move. These consultants are the relocation industry's answer to wedding planners and travel agents -- they can arrange for movers, pack your stuff, switch over your utilities, and transfer school and medical records. If you can swing the price tag, or if your company is ponying up for relocation costs, a consultant can make your move relatively stress-free.
Moving company. A professional mover does the heavy lifting while you supervise. (For an extra fee, most companies will handle the packing, too.) Prices and reliability can vary widely between companies, so compare quotes from three local companies before hiring, and check their history with the Better Business Bureau or American Moving & Storage Association. If you're on a tight budget, you can usually get a lower rate by moving during the school year, especially mid-month.
Portable storage. Companies like PODS and 1-800-PACKRAT will deliver a storage unit to your door. (Make sure you have enough parking on your property to accommodate the unit.) Pack at your own pace; when you're ready to move, they'll pick it up and deliver it to your new digs. You do all the grunt work, but there are two key benefits: You can leave any excess belongings in the unit for long-term storage, and they'll hold onto the unit if there's a gap between your move-out and move-in days.
Rental trucks. Renting a box truck can be a cost-effective alternative to hiring a moving company -- as long as you plan ahead. A 10-foot moving truck will generally hold an apartment's worth of stuff; a 24-foot truck can accommodate a three-bedroom house. Always err on the larger side, unless the idea of playing Tetris with your dining room set appeals to you. Read the fine print about mileage allowances and fuel surcharges, and make sure your rental company has an outpost near your new home or you may be returning to your old neighborhood sooner than you think.
Friends and family. Free labor is fabulous, but don't plan on hauling all your furniture in your uncle's pickup. After the sixteenth trip back and forth, you may find yourself scratched off the holiday guest list. Enlist them for help with packing and loading instead, and expect to return the favor when it's their turn to move.

For more information about Florence Oregon Real Estate give me a call 541-991-7794 or visit my website www.maureensellsflorence.com

Home sellers who understand market prosper

Dian HymerInman News
Buyers aren't the only ones holding back in today's housing market. Many sellers are postponing putting their homes on the market because they are convinced that now is not a good time to sell. They would prefer to wait for a better market.
Waiting could be risky if you need to make a move within the next year or so. Most areas of the country are mired in a slow market where sellers are finding it difficult to sell, at least at a price they'd be willing to accept. There's no guarantee that if you wait to sell that the market will be any better than it is now, at least in the short term.
However, the market isn't slow everywhere. Some areas, like San Francisco, Palo Alto (Calif.) and parts of the East San Francisco Bay Area are still suffering from a lack of inventory. Or, lack of the right kind of inventory.
Recently, there were six offers on a hot new listing in Piedmont, Calif., a city adjacent to Oakland. Multiple offers are commonplace in Palo Alto and San Francisco. What these areas have in common are a coveted location and very low inventory of homes of sale.
Negative press about the real estate market is keeping sellers who could do quite well selling now from doing so. If you'd like to sell, but have been scared off by bad news, don't make a decision until you find out more about what kind of homes are selling in your local market.
HOUSE HUNTING TIP: Supply and demand set the pace of any real estate market. When there are more homes for sale than there are buyers willing to buy, it takes longer to sell and prices are often soft. When there is a shortage of homes for sale and plenty of buyers wanting to buy, good homes sell quickly and there is often an upward pressure on prices.
Even though the overall market might be soft, there can be pockets that are hot. The hot spots needn't necessarily be a specific location. They can be a certain type of house within a location.
For example, the Piedmont listing mentioned above took 13 days to sell. It would have sold more quickly except that the sellers decided to expose the property to the market before entertaining offers. The home was a good size and had broad-based appeal. It had eight rooms, a two-car attached garage, a level-out backyard, and it had been completely remodeled with high-end finishes. It was priced competitively.
Contrast this with another Piedmont listing that did not sell in the three months it was on the market. It was a smaller six-room house with no garage and without a level-out backyard. It had limited appeal in comparison to the listing that sold quickly. And, it was significantly overpriced for the market.
The current market is extremely price-sensitive. An Oakland, Calif., listing was on the market earlier in the year priced approximately $100,000 above what the market would bear. The listing was removed from the market and listed several months later at a realistic price. It sold then with three offers for over the asking price.
Selling in this market is not easy. But, sellers who understand the market can do well selling today. They must be realistic about what they need to do to prepare their home for sale. Property condition is more important to buyers today than it was several years ago.
Sellers also must be committed to the process. There is no margin for error when it comes to pricing.
THE CLOSING: If you can't bring yourself to price to sell, you're not a committed home seller.
Dian Hymer is author of "House Hunting, The Take-Along Workbook for Home Buyers" and "Starting Out, The Complete Home Buyer's Guide," Chronicle Books.

For more information about Florence Oregon Real Estate give me a call 541-991-7794 or visit my website www.maureensellsflorence.com

Borrowers seeking loan workouts need patience

Homeowners get fed up when they try to work something out with their servicers, to no avail. Real estate agents complain that mortgage companies drag their heels on short sales. Regulators are restless about the lack of "meaningful improvement in foreclosure prevention outcomes."
If there's a lesson for foreclosure-avoiding consumers, it is this: Be patient, don't take mortgage servicers' actions personally and be ready to send paperwork multiple times.
Mortgage servicers are the companies that collect borrowers' monthly payments and distribute the money to investors, tax districts, insurance companies and other entities that stake a claim to part of the homeowners' check. The servicer takes a cut, too. Because of the housing bust, servicers spend much of that money to hire and train employees to do loss mitigation: collecting late payments, negotiating workouts and processing foreclosures.
Word on the street is that servicers are doing a lousy job. The State Foreclosure Prevention Working Group, an assemblage of state regulators and attorneys general, has blasted the industry in a pair of reports published this year.
The group said 70 percent of seriously delinquent borrowers (those who were 60 or more days late) were "not on track for any loss mitigation outcome" in January. It had been the same percentage in October, even though servicers and the federal government made a big deal out of their joint foreclosure-prevention efforts in the intervening months.
The report defined "loss mitigation" differently than a servicer would. To the report authors and homeowners, loss mitigation consists of finding a way to keep the delinquent borrower in the home, either by negotiating a repayment plan or changing loan terms, such as the interest rate.
To a servicer, the phrase means mitigating the loss to the investor who owns the loan -- and if foreclosure is the least-expensive option, that's the one to choose.
Allen Butler, a real estate agent who works in the West Valley suburbs of Phoenix, is becoming an expert in short sales. A short sale happens when a lender agrees to let the owner sell the house for less than the loan balance, in lieu of foreclosure.
Butler is aware that a short sale takes plenty of paperwork and time. Short sales are for people who genuinely can't afford their loans anymore; they're not intended as a bailout for would-be sellers who can make the monthly payments, but owe more than their homes are worth. Lenders require a lot of documentation to distinguish between the two groups.
Knowing all this, Butler is still scandalized by Countrywide's delays in processing two short-sale proposals. In one case, it took the servicer 27 days to assign a negotiator to the file, and another month to send an appraiser.
The second short-sale case highlights Countrywide's "stunning incompetence," Butler says. "This is the one where they also switched negotiators in midstream and assigned me a newbie who apparently was fresh out of loss-mitigation school."
The newbie incorrectly told Butler that Countrywide did not own the loan, and later said the loan had mortgage insurance, when it didn't.
Countrywide says it no longer comments on its homeownership preservation efforts beyond news releases. One of the more recent releases says that Countrywide modified the mortgages of almost 10,000 customers in January, almost a tenfold increase over the previous January, and that it approved 2,000 other workout plans, such as long-term repayments.
"Greenpoint was particularly nasty to deal with," he says; in that case, the short sale was rejected on the mistaken assumption that Arizona is a recourse state. The house eventually was sold after foreclosure -- for $30,000 less than the prospective buyer had offered in the short sale.
As for companies that do a good job, Butler praises Aurora Loan Services, HSBC Mortgage Services and Wells Fargo. But impatient homeowners should note that those companies make short-sale decisions in about a month, which Butler deems reasonable.
Government officials, from the head of the FDIC to the state foreclosure working group, have been urging servicers to modify mortgages in bulk. But that's unlikely to happen. Delinquent loans will be worked out case by case -- and that takes time. Mortgage rates largely stayed put this week, with the notable exception of the one-year adjustable-rate mortgage. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage moved up a modest 5 basis points, to 6.16 percent. A basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point.
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service. E-mail Holden Lewis at hlewis@bankrate.com.)

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Five Ways To Make Friends in a New Neighborhood

Friends can help you feel at home -- but first you need to find them. Here's how to meet a few good candidates for your social circle.
If you belong to a church, club, or professional organization, find a local chapter. You'll stay in your comfort zone and meet people who share the same interests.
If you're a sports fan, join a rec team -- or at least watch the game at a nearby sports bar instead of your couch.
Check the local paper for community events or festivals. These events are usually sponsored by area businesses and attended by fun-loving locals. It's win-win.
Go to work. You spend eight hours a day with your co-workers, so it's a natural place to form friendships. Ask them to offer restaurant recommendations; once you've broken the ice, you can always invite them to dinner at their favorite Mexican joint.
Go online. If you haven't found enough opportunities to meet people around town, create a profile at a networking site like MySpace or Facebook, where you can search for people with similar interests. Who knows? You may even find that an old friend is living right down the road.

For more information about Florence Oregon Real Estate give me a call 541-991-7794 or visit my website www.maureensellsflorence.com

Think Twice Before Giving Home up to Lender

Many owners fail to grasp consequences of walking away from home
The current housing market malaise has some homeowners up in arms. Sure, if you're trying to sell your home to get out of financial difficulties or because you've already bought another place and carrying two mortgages is killing you financially, I can understand why you're not happy.
What doesn't make much sense to me are the dozens of readers who are ready to hand over their property to the lenders simply because their home doesn't work for them anymore.
Where did these folks get the idea that homes are like disposable consumer goods? When they break, you throw them out. In a matter of minutes, you can get rid of the old and buy something new.
Real estate is what investment advisors call an "illiquid" investment. Historically, it hasn't been that easy to sell a house on a whim. It took planning, patience and a large dose of ibuprofen to get you through the long months or years (sometimes) without an offer.
But in the past 15 years, since the early 1990s, homeowners have been able to sell their homes almost on demand, and certainly within a few weeks or months. An entire generation of real estate agents has never known a time like this one, where homes just sit and sit and sit.
If you can't sell your home, the natural inclination is to find another way to get rid of it. I understand the feeling. If you hate your car and your dealer doesn't give you a good enough offer, you can try another dealer. Eventually, when 10 dealers tell you your car is worth only $17,000 and not the $20,000 you owe on the loan, you'll have to make a decision: cough up $3,000 in cash, buy a new car and roll over what's left of your loan onto the new larger loan (so you're immediately underwater on your new car) or find a way to keep the car for another few years until you've paid off a larger portion of your loan.
Why aren't more homeowners simply doing the same thing with their house? Why complain about how unhappy you are instead of learning how to love the house you bought and now own (at least for another few years)?
After World War II, home builders put up 1,200-square-foot, three-bedroom houses with one bathroom. Soldiers and their wives moved into these suburban residences and raised their families. These homes weren't considered "too small." It's what everyone had.
Today, a 1,200-square-foot condo might contain two bedrooms -- or just one. You might have two bathrooms, or a bath and a half. The typical new home has around 2,400 square feet, central air, an attached two-car garage, several bedrooms and bathrooms, and a built-out attic or basement.
My friend, Fred, has been raising his twins in an older 1,200-square-foot house. The house is too small, he says, and they feel like they're on top of each other all the time. They tried to sell the house, but there wasn't any interest.
So, he and his wife have learned to love what they can about the house, including the neighbors, with whom they've grown quite close. And, the house is affordable. Now, even if they could sell (Fred still thinks the market is too soft in their neighborhood), they probably wouldn't. Their mindset has changed.
Sometimes our brains need a little tweaking. As we keep learning, investments like real estate don't always rise in value. It's difficult to find, fix and flip a house and clear $60,000 in a few months, no matter what you see on television infomercials.
If you turn over your property to your lender, it will have a severely negative impact on your credit history and credit score. If you're foreclosed upon, it may take years before any lender is willing to grant you a mortgage to buy another property.
So if you can figure out a way to love the house you're in, at least until the time you can sell it or rent it, you'll be a lot happier.
To get even more valuable advice from Ilyce, visit her Personal Finance and Real Estate Center.

For more information about Florence Oregon Real Estate give me a call 541-991-7794 or visit my website www.maureensellsflorence.com

Sellers: Don't Withhold Bad Inspection Report

Hiding unfavorable information can backfire, spark lawsuitDian HymerInman News
Inspections are an important part of home buying, but the inspection process can be nerve-racking for both buyers and sellers. Both parties want the deal to go through without a hitch. However, sometimes problems surface that the buyers weren't aware of when they entered into contract.
All houses have defects, even new ones. So it should come as no surprise when defects are discovered. The pertinent issues are: Is there a problem? How serious is the problem? How much will it cost to repair?
A home inspector may have a contractor's license. But, few inspectors also are engineers, architects, and plumbing, heating, roofing, wood pest (termite) and drainage contractors. Nor are they pool, spa, sprinkler or security-alarm specialists. For this reason, most home inspection reports are loaded with disclaimers and recommendations to contact the appropriate specialist to evaluate the severity of a problem.
HOUSE HUNTING TIP: It's highly recommended that buyers follow up with further inspections, and get estimates to repair defects that are a concern before removing an inspection contingency. An inspection contingency protects the buyers, but only if they carry through and complete necessary inspections.
Don't be surprised if a second opinion confuses rather than clarifies an issue. For example, a home inspector might be concerned about the internal mechanics of an older furnace. And, he may not have the expertise necessary to say with confidence that there is no problem. So, he recommends that the buyers consult with a licensed heating contractor.
Just because an inspector suspects there might be a problem doesn't mean that one exists. Several years ago, buyers of an older home in the Oakland Hills east of San Francisco were advised to have a heating contractor check the furnace because the home inspector thought it might need replacing for safety reasons. A furnace with a cracked heat exchanger leaks carbon monoxide fumes that can be deadly.
The buyers called in a heating contractor who inspected the furnace and said that it needed replacing. The buyers were disappointed, but wanted to continue with the sale. So they asked the sellers to share in the expense of a new furnace.
The sellers weren't convinced that the furnace needed replacing. And they didn't want to contribute to the cost of a new one if it wasn't necessary. They contacted a second reputable furnace contractor who inspected the furnace and said it was fine and didn't need replacing.
To resolve the dispute, the buyers and sellers agreed to call in an inspector from the local utility company who would have red-tagged the furnace and put it out of commission if it was dangerous. The verdict was that the furnace was fine and had years of life left.
More and more, sellers are having their homes inspected by professionals before putting their homes on the market. This is done so that sellers have an opportunity to make repairs before marketing or for disclosure purposes.
It is risky for sellers to hide a bad report from buyers. There have been cases where sellers chose not to give the buyers a report they didn't like. Later, the buyers coincidentally called in the same contractor for an opinion who informed the buyers that they had already done a report on the house for the sellers.
Lawsuits have resulted from sellers withholding detrimental reports, although disclosure laws vary from state to state. Check with a knowledgeable real estate attorney for answers to questions about a seller's disclosure obligations.
THE CLOSING: Sellers who aren't pleased with a report should consider getting a second opinion and disclose both reports to the buyers.
Dian Hymer is author of "House Hunting, The Take-Along Workbook for Home Buyers" and "Starting Out, The Complete Home Buyer's Guide," Chronicle Books.

For more information about Florence Oregon Real Estate give me a call 541-991-7794 or visit my website www.maureensellsflorence.com

How to Buy a Pre-Foreclosure House

The pre-foreclosure stage -- the period from when a Notice of Default or Lis Pendens has been issued until the time the lender puts the property up for an auction -- can last several months, so buying during this time requires a lot of patience and persistence. It typically offers the best bargains, but it's also the most difficult stage to purchase a distressed home. Understand that the owner still has a chance to stop the foreclosure process by paying off what is owed or by selling the property. Here's what to do:1) Find properties and look at them. If the house is not already on the market, you'll need to find distressed homeowners by marketing yourself through mailings, ads ("We buy homes fast" and "We have CASH for homes") and networking. You can also look for foreclosure notices in the local newspapers or subscribe to an online listing service like RealtyTrac.
After you find a property, drive by it to get a better idea of its condition and neighborhood. This could facilitate a casual meeting with the owner or yield a wealth of unexpected information from a talkative neighbor. Remember, the owners are still living in the home, so be discreet.2) Confirm that the property is still in default. Sometimes a homeowner has already resolved the situation. Contact the trustee -- the person or party (often an attorney) who is filing the paperwork to initiate and carry out foreclosure proceedings on a property. 3) Check the potential bargain. Gather this information:
Outstanding loan balance
Estimated market value (for tips on how to calculate this, read this)
Other property liens and loans the owner may have taken out (for tips on how to check these, read this)
History of ownership
Your monthly expenses as a homeowner (mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, repairs, etc.)Subtract all your costs as a buyer (loan balance, additional liens, repair costs) from the estimated market value of the property, and use that number as a basis for your negotiations with the owner. This is all public information so you can research on your own with the county recorder, consult a local real estate agent or use online services like RealtyTrac.com. 4) Contact the owner.
Start by sending a letter. Let the homeowner know of your interest in the property.
Try to arrange a meeting to discuss a possible sale and to get a better look at the property.
For tips on how to work with distressed homeowners, read this.
You can search for the owner's phone number if it's listed.
Don't approach the owner in person, unless you're experienced at doing that.
Arrange to walk through the property to make sure it meets your criteria as a buyer.
Depending on the owner, you may have to buy the property "as is." For more on buying "as-is," read this.
Keep a tab of estimated repair costs and subtract them from your purchase offer. Your willingness to put some "sweat equity" in the property will increase the chances of realizing a good bargain.5) Negotiate a purchase agreement. If you and the owner both agree to proceed, negotiate the terms of a purchase. The goal for you as a buyer is to purchase a property at least 20 percent below full market value, though better deals are possible. When determining the final purchase offer, take into account the rate of real estate appreciation in the area and the potential for increasing the house's value by making repairs and improvements.
Contact the foreclosing lender and any other lien holders and let them know you plan on buying the house. You may be able to negotiate a lower payoff amount to satisfy the debts owed, meaning you may not have to pay off the entire debt amount. To learn more about negotiating a short sale, read this. A real estate agent can also be a valuable resource during the negotiating process.
If the loan in default is assumable, you may be able to pay off the amount in default and take over payments under the current terms of that loan.
If not, you will need to pay off the full amount owed on the loan. If the property has other liens placed on it, you'll need to make sure those are cleared out as part of the purchase agreement. Homeowners might be more willing to work with you if you offer to help them in creative ways. Consider these:
If the owner has equity in the property above and beyond the liens, offer to split the equity with them, allowing them to walk away with cash and you to acquire a property below market value.
Let them stay in the house for a certain amount of time (possibly paying rent) until they find a new place to stay.
Pay their housing costs for the first month or more after they leave the property.
If you're purchasing the property as an investment, you may let them stay and pay rent until you decide to resell the house.6) Close the deal. Once all parties have arrived at an agreement, put the agreement in writing. If you're not familiar with how to draw up a purchase agreement, ask a local real estate agent or real estate attorney. The purchase agreement should make closing the deal contingent on 1) a full title search conducted by a title company or attorney and 2) a professional inspection of the property.An escrow company, who acts as a third party, can manage the transfer of money and property ownership. Assuming that you have your financing secured, this should be a fairly smooth process.
Remember, a property in pre-foreclosure status is not necessarily for sale. The owner may be pursuing other options to cure the default; however, an offer from a pre-qualified cash buyer may be the best solution to get the owner out from under the impending foreclosure. You can also make an offer to the owner prior to the scheduled auction date even if the Notice of Trustee Sale has already been filed.

For more information about Florence Oregon Real Estate give me a call 541-991-7794 or visit my website www.maureensellsflorence.com

Four Ways to Make Your House Irresistible to Buyers

So what is curb appeal? It's that quality in a house that gives a potential buyer a love-at-first-sight sensation when they drive up. Simply put, it's giving your house a pretty face. Studies show spending 5 percent of your home's value in landscaping could produce a return of 150 percent or more when you sell the place.Here are four ways to turn up your home's sex appeal without emptying your bank account:
1. Come up with a concept for your landscape.Have a plan, so everything you do to the yard and your home's exterior is deliberate. Hiring a landscape designer to draw up a plan is a good place to start. You can also hire designers to give you ideas on exterior paint colors and remodeling tips for the entryway.
2. Focus on the front door. Make sure people know where your front door and create a welcoming entrance that guides people to the home's entry. You can do this by creating paths, patios or beds of plants that shape the house's face. Or it can be as simple as painting your door a bright color and putting out a big welcome mat. The point is to make people feel as if they are arriving somewhere special, not just stepping up on a bland stoop.
3. Deal with the driveway. In most new homes the driveway is the first thing you see -- which is good if you're a car, not a human. You need to downplay the driveway, or distract a potential buyer's eyes away from all that concrete. You can do this by creating a path to the front door that leads eyes away from the driveway to the house's face. Or you can stain the ugly gray concrete to make it look like stone or paint it with a pigmented sealer.
4. Pay attention to details. Little things mean a lot in the big picture because they pull the house's look together. Things like small, colorful ceramic tiles placed into brick steps to carry through a color scheme. Edging the lawn. Large planters. Finally, don't forget to tidy up. Curb appeal also means a place that looks neat and clean, the kind of place you'd like to live.

For more information about Florence Oregon Real Estate give me a call 541-991-7794 or visit my website www.maureensellsflorence.com

Smooth-Move Tricks

The big day is getting closer, and your to-do list is getting longer. So where do you start? These small steps can help boost your efficiency and make moving day easier.
Start packing. It's never too early! Rule of thumb: If you haven't used it in a month, chances are you won't need it before you move. Safe bets include holiday decorations, last season's clothes, your espresso maker, and about 99% of your books, movies, and music.
Pack heavy items in small boxes and light items in big boxes.
Wrap breakables in bubble wrap.
Fill in empty spaces with clothes, linens and window treatments.
Empty your kitchen. Give the grocery store the brush-off and start eating everything in your cabinets -- the more you eat, the less you'll have to lug between houses. Make refrigerated and frozen foods a top priority, since they're hard to ship and prohibited by some moving companies. Canned goods have a better shelf life, but they're essentially small dumbbells, so polish off as much as you can.
Sell your stuff. If you're not going to need it in your new house, convert it into cash. The sooner you start, the more money you'll get -- buyers are more likely to haggle with a must-go ad.
List clothes, collectibles and small electronics on eBay.com.
Sell larger items like furniture and appliances on craigslist.org.
Put leftovers into a yard sale pile.
Donate any unsold items on Freecycle.org.
Know what you've got. Number your boxes as you pack, and write the room where they belong. Keep a detailed inventory of their contents so you can make sure everything arrives safe and sound. Take photos of big-ticket items like antiques or fine china, and call your insurance company to make sure your valuables are covered in the case of loss or breakage. Your insurance company may request appraisal certificates as proof of value. You can get these from a professional appraiser. Find one on the American Society of Appraisers' Web site.
Protect your tech. Back up any important data on your desktop or laptop -- your insurance will cover a busted computer, but it can't buy back your digital photos or half-finished novel. Unplug appliances and electronics 24 hours before you pack them so they have time to cool down. And if you're moving to a new climate, make sure your car is prepped for the trip -- think antifreeze and snow tires for cold weather, coolant for the sun belt, and an oil change for long-distance moves.
Check your mail. Make a note of who sends you snail mail, and notify those companies of your new address. Most banks, credit cards, and service providers send bills on a monthly basis, so if you start keeping track now, you'll have your bases covered by moving day.

For more information about Florence Oregon Real Estate give me a call 541-991-7794 or visit my website www.maureensellsflorence.com

15 Easy Ways to Prep the House for a Sale

Sabrina Soto, Get It Sold host and home-staging expert, shares her tips on what to do before putting a house on the market. Print out this handy checklist.
Use "home wash" (a hose attachment that is available at any home improvement store) to clean the outside of the house.
Clean rain gutters as well as outside windows and screens.
Make sure the front door is inviting. Paint it if needed. Also, replace any outdated outdoor lighting fixtures.
Buy new house numbers if the old ones are dated or faded. Be sure buyers can see the new ones from the curb.
Buy a new Welcome mat.
Eliminate half of your belongings - clutter can cost in a sale. Rent a storage unit or portable pod for extraneous pieces of furniture or knickknacks. Another idea is to ask a friend if you can borrow some space in his or her garage.
Organize all closets and drawers. Buyers might look there.
Make any necessary repairs so that buyers don't have to add that to their list of expenses.
Rearrange furniture to make rooms appear as large as possible.Make every surface shine, from ceiling fans to baseboards.
Don't forget interior windows, mirrors, and floors.
Scrub every inch of the kitchen and bathrooms.Depersonalize each room, removing photo frames and posters or artwork.Buy new linens and pillows if necessary.
Be certain they are a neutral color.Buy air neutralizer and spray it often.
Let go emotionally of your home, and get ready for an offer!

For more information about Florence Oregon Real Estate give me a call 541-991-7794 or visit my website www.maureensellsflorence.com

The Skinny on the Short Sale

There are many flavors of compromise you can strike with your lender if you are facing foreclosure. One of the toughest to execute is the short sale.What Is a "Short Sale"?
The title "short sale" is somewhat misleading; many assume that "short" means quick, implying a transaction that has a short escrow period. Au contraire. A short sale refers to a homeowner's sale of their home for a net sales price (after commissions, closing costs, etc.) that is less than what the homeowner owes their mortgage lender(s).Why Is a Short Sale Desirable?
A short sale is an alternative to foreclosure. A short sale prevents you from having to go through the foreclosure and eviction. A short sale does make a smudge on your credit report but is much less traumatic to your credit than foreclosure.What Makes a Short Sale Hard to Complete?
Because a short sale results in the lender losing (a) funds they are owed and (b) the property which secured the mortgage loan, these transactions must be done with the full participation and agreement of the homeowner's lender(s).
Lenders are institutions, not people. They often move at a snail's pace when evaluating a request for a short sale. Short sales are more frequent in a declining market -- many lenders are simply not equipped to handle the deluge of short sale requests they receive.
Realtors who work on short sale transactions all have stories of trying for weeks to get the short sale "package" to the correct person in the loss mitigation department! Once the package is in the hands of the right person, the bank may have some reason they disagree with the deal between the buyer and seller, and may insist on inserting the bank's price increase, reduction in closing cost credits, or other major alteration of the terms of the deal.
During a short sale, the buyer, seller and even the real estate agents are somewhat subject to the whims of the bank -- the deal cannot be done without the bank's agreement.

For more information about Florence Oregon Real Estate give me a call 541-991-7794 or visit my website www.maureensellsflorence.com

List Low, Sell High

In a hot seller's market, setting a list price that's lower than market value can be an effective strategy as long as you combine it with an aggressive marketing campaign. The theory behind this approach: If you expose an underpriced listing to a broad-enough segment of the market before accepting offers, the market will establish the price through a process of competitive bidding.
In order for this strategy to be successful, your property must be in a desirable location. It also must have qualities that are in high demand, such as excellent condition, a coveted public school district or good upside potential. Lastly, this strategy is most effective in markets that lack enough homes for sale to meet the demand.
For instance, a listing came on the market in North Berkeley, Calif., at the end of June. It was a charming, sunlit home with enchanting gardens, a remodeled kitchen and master bathroom. And, it was located on a desirable street within walking distance of Solano Avenue, a popular shopping district. Given the increased number of buyers looking for good homes within close proximity to shops and cafes, it wasn't surprising that the listing received offers from four different buyers. The listing sold for considerably over the list price.
Some sellers in markets that were formerly hot but have subsequently softened are still using this pricing strategy, hoping that a low list price will yield a higher sale price. Whether or not this approach works depends on the character of the home sale market in the area. There are still pockets of the market where listings are in short supply, as in the above example.
However, there are pitfalls with this strategy, particularly in a market where buyers are holding back from making offers. If you're attempting to sell in a soft market, you could be sorely disappointed if you offer a tempting price expecting a much higher price and find that not a single buyer makes an offer.
Your options are limited in this case. You can take your home off the market and re-price it for a price you would be willing to except. However, if your first price was out of line for the market, you may be wasting your time trying to resell for an even higher price.
HOME SELLER TIP: To be a successful seller, you need to manage your expectations. Don't set yourself up for disappointment by scheming for ways to generate more offers and a higher price in a market where you should be grateful for one offer at a reasonable price from a well-qualified buyer.
The real estate market is continually in flux. Sales information from six months ago may be out of date in terms of establishing a realistic market price for your home. Focus on the most recent sales information you can find in your area.
Sellers who don't like what they hear about the probable selling price of their home should seriously consider if it's the right time to sell. Having a home on the market priced over market value only serves to help agents sell the well-priced listings in your area. It does nothing to help your cause. You would be better off waiting until the market improves if you can't bring yourself to sell at current market value.
THE CLOSING: Using gimmicks to attract buyers, such as a free trip, may increase the number of showings your listing receives. But, it's unlikely to result in a sale if your listing is priced too high. Buyers are not overpaying in today's market.

Dian Hymer is author of "House Hunting, The Take-Along Workbook for Home Buyers" and "Starting Out, The Complete Home Buyer's Guide," Chronicle Books.

For more information about Florence Oregon Real Estate give me a call 541-991-7794 or visit my website www.maureensellsflorence.com