1. Disassociate Yourself With Your Home. Make the mental decision to “let go” of your emotions and picture yourself handing over the keys to the new owners. Say goodbye to every room.

2. De-Personalize. Pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms. Buyers can’t see past personal artifacts, and you don’t want them to be distracted.

3. De-Clutter! People collect an amazing quantity of junk. Remove all books from bookcases. Pack up those knickknacks. Clean off everything on kitchen counters. Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.

4. Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets. Buyers love to snoop and will open closet and cabinet doors. Think of the message it sends if items fall out!

5. Rent a Storage Unit. Almost every home shows better with less furniture.

6. Remove/Replace Favorite Items. If a buyer never sees it, she won’t want it. Once you tell a buyer she can’t have an item, she will covet it, and it could blow your deal. Pack those items and replace them, if necessary.

7. Make Minor Repairs. Replace cracked floor or counter tiles. Patch holes in walls. Fix leaky faucets. Consider painting your walls neutral colors, especially if you have grown accustomed to purple or pink walls.

8. Make the House Sparkle! Clean everything inside and out. Pay attention to the little details and make sure your house doesn’t have funky odors or smells.

9. Scrutinize. Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside? Does the house welcome you? Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look to a buyer. Tune in to the room’s statement and its emotional pull. Does it have impact and pizzazz? Does it look like nobody lives in this house? You’re almost finished.

10. Check Curb Appeal. If a buyer won’t get out of her agent’s car because she doesn’t like the exterior of your home, you’ll never get her inside. Keep the sidewalks cleared. Mow the lawn. Paint faded window trim. Plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together. Yellow evokes a buying emotion. Marigolds are inexpensive. Trim your bushes. Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number.

Portland

When buying or selling a home, consumers frequently relay questions to their agents. Many old homes may need repairs or renovations, especially in locations that are susceptible to natural disasters. Many things may go unnoticed, such as obsolete forms of construction that can be a cause for concern. Having the assistance of an honest and reliable Portland real estate agent can make all the difference.

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was utilized in millions of building and construction applications throughout the 20^th century. This substance may still appear in roof shingles, insulation, piping and flooring in homes built before 1980. This should not make you jump out of your chair because exposure to asbestos is easily avoidable by taking simple precautions. There are many green, eco-friendly materials that replace the need for asbestos and can reduce energy costs annually.

Recently, congress passed an economic stimulus package that promotes energy efficiency for home and business owners. The American Recover and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 includes incentives for upgrading to more eco-friendly/sustainable methods of energy and insulation. The move to a greener lifestyle will build on the change to healthier methods of building products, home remodeling and renovation.

A rare, but severe form of asbestos lung cancer known as mesothelioma is caused solely from exposure to asbestos. The risks involved with asbestos were hidden from public or worker knowledge for financial gains by manufacturers. The negligence involved with most asbestos-related incidents has lead to mesothelioma lawyer firms providing assistance in advocating and protecting victims’ rights for their wrongful illness.

If any suspected asbestos is in good shape, it’s posing no apparent risk. If it’s in bad shape, it could be a problem. If a home inspector suggests removal is necessary, it must be performed by a licensed abatement contractor who is trained in handling hazardous materials. They can perform the removal in public facilities, homes and work places.

Sustainability and energy guide many aspects of life in Portland. The Oregon Environmental Council protects what many citizens of Oregon want to keep: clean air, water, no pollution and healthy food. Their goal is to help individuals move to greener living, help business adapt to these new models and assist political officials in creating clear policy. Moving to a green eco-friendly paradigm has become an important part of Oregon’s Real Estate market. Insuring buildings, homes and apartments are up to date is vital to the success of companies and their investments.

Building green with proper insulation will save you on bills. Rather than expensive and mal-treated wood, interior walls can be made from steel and concrete, avoiding many of the problems associated with asbestos and other insulation methods. There are now many green alternatives to asbestos insulation. Many are unaware to the fact that utilizing eco-sustainable products such as cotton fiber and lcynene foam can cut annual energy costs by 25 percent.

Cotton fiber is made from recycled batted material and treated to be flame resistant. With the implementation of these recycled materials, waste is also decreasing in landfills. These options will provide a safe and healthy home, free of any damaging materials.

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Oregon has always had far too few BBQ joints so it makes sense for one of the chains to finally make it’s way out here because if they are any good, I guarantee it will be extremely popular.

http://tigardtimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=124287187716194400

http://www.famousdaves.com/

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Great  news for first-time home buyers. This week, Shaun Donovan, secretary of  the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development stated that the  Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is now going to permit it’s lenders  to allow home buyers to use the $8000 tax credit as a down payment.  Previously, buyers had to wait to file their taxes to take advantage of  the tax credit, which hindered some home buyers from buying.

By  allowing buyers to utilize the tax credit as a down payment, money will  now be freed up for the buyer that would otherwise be needed at closing.  This will allow the first-time home buyer to save their money for a rainy  day or for home improvements.

I believe this new program will  further stimulate the already improving real estate market, attracting  even more first-time home buyers.

There couldn’t be any more  incentives for first-time home buyers, considering that interest rates are  at an all time low, home prices are not over inflated and there are plenty  of homes to choose from. Sellers would have to give the home away for free  for there to be a better deal. This is the absolute best time to be a  first-time home buyer.

Consumer confidence needs a boost and I feel  that this is just the news that will do it or at least light a fire. Now,  if only the news media such as the TODAY Show would report on this great  news instead of always reporting on the negatives about the real estate  market, consumer confidence would increase.

If you are a first-time  home buyer, get out there and find your home before this tax credit is  gone in November.

Mortgage  Interest Rates*
Rates as of Wednesday, 13th  May, 2009:

Conforming APR Payment per
$1,000 Jumbo APR Payment per
$1,000
Conforming FNMA  Fixed 5.0% 5.088% $5.37 % 0.000% $0.00
FHA 97%  Fixed 4.875% 4.962% $5.29 % 0.000% $0.00
Conforming 15  Fixed 4.625% 4.711% $5.14 0% 0.000% $0.00
Conforming 3 year  ARM 4.5% 4.585% $5.07 % 0.000% $0.00
Conforming 5 year  ARM 4.5% 4.585% $5.07 % 0.000% $0.00
Jumbo  Fixed 7.0% 7.099% $6.65 % 0.000% $0.00
Jumbo 5 year  ARM 6.125% 6.219% $6.08 % 0.000% $0.00
*Rates are subject to  change due to market fluctuations and borrower’s eligibility.

Information provided by…

Kevin  Donahue
Executive Mortgage Advisor
Wealthbridge  Mortgage
Phone: 503.501.6468
Fax: 503.597.7525
kevin.donahue@wealthbridge.com
http://www.wealthbridge.com/ <http://portal.mxlogic.com/redir/?FTujKDuX8USDtYQsEEIEzzhOr016fQ-pcx6i17-nMTvHTLuX3XNEVsdTdPZlo_p_g57RS4WRf8l3-ndEIe9I6QkS4QSbI9LCQNNIb7Xek6Rkzh02ZDVEw2qO6PYQg0LZgb6V-7PNo_pgdECQjqtTPhOyyOyMyrD06O>

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LEASE OPTION & SELLER FINANCING AVAILABLE. Striking Sherwood Remodel! Beautifully renovated one level featuring a large great room, stunning gourmet kitchen w/SS appls, modern interior colors & light fixtures, elegant tile flooring,cent.air, & light filled floorplan w/tons of windows. Master suite bath w/granite dbl sinks & tile shower, and views of Mt. Hood & Mt. St. Helens.

Fantastic Rose City restoration. This certified Earth Advantage home features period restored kitchen cabinets, granite counters, SS Appliances, modern bronze hardware & fixtures, extensive hardwood flooring, remodeled baths Marmoleum flrs. Light & bright lower level w/fireplace. New windows, electrical, sewer, plumbing, and LeafGuard gutters. Organic landscaping and garden.

Fantastic corner unit in the excitingly modern Edge Lofts. This Spacious Pearl District gem features abundant upgrades including gourmet kitchen w/custom back splash, high-end stainless appliances, gorgeous hardwood flooring, custom partition forming extra bedroom or office & extra storage unit. Floor to ceiling windows bath living area w/natural light. Dining, shopping & fun.

To start you are going to want to see if you qualify for a refi.  Banks are currently wanting a credit score of at least 740 and 20% equity.  These are not hard and fast guidelines but if your credit score could use some help, now is the time to work on it.  If you don’t have the 20% equity there are some programs out there but your loan must be held by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.

Next you are going to want to get rid of any home equity loans or lines of credit.  Otherwise you can be adding significant time to the loan process and/or some interest could be tagged on.

You will also want to know where to look by shopping around.  Where one bank may reject you, another might see you as a perfect candidate.  Lately the best rates seem to be coming from small local banks and credit unions.

If you have the option, it is a really good idea to pay a point up front.  A point is 1% of your mortgage and paying one off up front can buy your loan down an eighth to a quarter of a percentage point off your rate.  Some lenders will even take off a full half of a percentage point just to avoid serial refinancers.  This could also help you lock in a rate.  Before you really only need about a month so locking in your rate wasn’t so difficult.  Now it can take closer to two months and paying a point can get that rate locked in for 45 days.

The loan application process has gotten a lot harder and more complicated, but not only will it be easier if you know what you are getting into but also completely worth the effort to get these historical rates.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/17/real_estate/low_rate_loan.moneymag/index.htm?postversion=2009041711

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At long last, the House Hunters special that I got to participate in, “House Hunters’ Guide to House Hunting”, is airing this Sunday, April 5th, at 8 PM EST.  I would advise you all to check your local listings for specific times in your area, just in case, because sometimes the different cable or satellite providers air the shows at slightly different times.

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