April Neuhaus

noreply@blogger.com (April Neuhaus) — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 03:51:00 +0000

2019 Spring Housing Market - in a word? Dynamic!

The market has become much more unpredictable - if real estate ever was predictable. Last Spring we saw a strong seller's market, followed by a strong buyer's market in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Much of that drop in buyer activity was due to the interest rates rising over 1 full percentage point.

With the fall of the interest rates back into the low 4s, came a surge in buyer activity in the 1st quarter of 2019. We are now in the 4th month of 2019 with a very strong presence of active buyers in the market. Will interest rates stay low for the remainder of the year or begin to creep up? Several experts feel they will stay lower this year to keep the housing market stable.

A little known fact about the Colorado Front Range - there is a large percentage of rental leases that expire in July. This is influenced by the 3 large colleges in the area. What that means for the housing market is: Due to the fact that renters usually have to give a minimum of a 30 day notice prior to their lease expiring, many of those renters if they haven't gotten a home under contract by the first of June will resign their leases and leave the market. What does that mean for buyers that don't have to resign a lease? If your getting frustrated right now with being a buyer not getting the home you wanted - wait until the end of June and you will experience a totally different environment.

And if you didn't know about it - N2N.org offers a free home buyer education class that is sponsored by CHFA! It's an all day Saturday class offered at CSU in Fort Collins and the Life Center in Loveland. Classes do fill up - so try to register early! The next class is May 18th, 2019.

Cheers!
April

Visit neuhausrealestate.com for NoCo Front Range Real Estate offerings and down-home service!

The Colorado Housing Market - Prices in 2017?

noreply@blogger.com (April Neuhaus) — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 00:43:00 +0000

2017 Housing prices in Colorado are a HOT topic!

We have experienced close to 10% housing appreciation along the Colorado Front Range for the past several years.

2017 will bring a lot of changes to the housing frontier.

- A new President

- More States that legalized marijuana

- Interest rates going up

- Companies moving in and out of the State

What will that mean for home values?

Across the board, the above factors point to a 'Cooling' of the housing market for Colorado. However, keep in mind that appreciation and lack of inventory have fueled an off the charts market for the past several years. Comparatively a cooling will still be seeing us in more of a sellers market for the Spring of 2017. This time around though, we won't be seeing the frantic 20 + offers that we saw in the Spring of 2016 for the most desirable properties. Bidding wars will be among the cooling factors as buyers will be seeing more inventory that last year. New construction projects are coming to the fore to increase inventory and inventive ways to keep sellers in their homes after a sale while they search for their next home are taking away the fear of being homeless if they list.

Interest rates may hit as high as 5% according to many experts by the end of 2017 - however that number is still historically low and affords many buyers the ability to buy instead of renting for the same price.

So if your thinking of selling - this may be the last Spring that will technically be known as a sellers market for a while. Next year is supposed to swing back into a more balanced market keeping things on more neutral ground for both buyers and sellers. Also a point to remember - June of 2016 saw a 45 percent decrease in buyer traffic as a large portion of buyers had to resign leases and wait until the Spring of 2017 to look for homes again. This Spring see those renters entering the market again - and we should also again see a reduction in buyer activity in June of 2017. If you are thinking of listing - getting your home on the market before the end of April will be critical - with a mid February - early March time frame being ideal.

If you would like to hear more REAL ESTATE REALITY - April Neuhaus will be presenting current information for real estate buyers and sellers on Feb. 2nd, 2017 in Berthoud Colorado for the Chamber of Commerce.

http://business.berthoudcolorado.com/events/details/monthly-luncheon-3868

noreply@blogger.com (April Neuhaus) — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 17:39:00 +0000

Hello All!

Neuhausrealestate.com - our official company website - has just been extensively updated and I would love for you to take a look and give us your feedback!

ALSO - the official company FACEBOOK page is up and running - facebook.com/neuhausrealestate is ready for you to 'LIKE!'

In addition to that - we now have a Pinterest presence (so the addiction can be justified on a 'work' level)
http://www.pinterest.com/neuhausrei/ - This has already exploded with featured photos from past listings being shared now with the world.

This is a rapidly evolving business and tech savvy world - and we are determined to keep up with it for the benefit of our clients.

Please enjoy these new tools and toys!

Thank you and I and my team of brokers look forward to working with you.

Kindest Regards,

April Neuhaus
Employing Broker/Owner of Neuhaus Real Estate, Inc.

What is going on with Foreclosures now? Are they Safe? 5 MYTHS and answers!

noreply@blogger.com (April Neuhaus) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:18:00 +0000

5 MORE Foreclosure Myths - BUSTED!

Posted under: Home Buying, Home Selling, Foreclosure

November 10, 2010 11:30 AM From Trulia

Four years into the housing crisis, myths about foreclosure still litter the minds of even the smartest of real estate consumers. When it comes to matters as high stakes as your home, confusion can cost you thousands - or even your home. Whether you’re a buyer looking at foreclosures, a homeowner struggling to keep your home or a seller concerned making sure your home can compete with the foreclosed homes on your block, these foreclosure myths are prime for the busting, with no further ado.

Myth #1: Foreclosure happens fast. With unemployment and underemployment still affecting nearly 1 in every 4 Americans, no one is immune from fears that a pink slip might quickly turn into a foreclosure notice. According to NeighborWorks America, nearly 60 percent of families seeking foreclosure counseling cited a lost job or cut wages as the reason they were facing foreclosure.

While the Obama Administration's Home Affordable Programs haven't been nearly as effective as predicted in actually preventing foreclosures, they have had the effect of extending the foreclosure process for many families. Even though the legal process of foreclosure can happen in as few as 6 months in most states, it is currently taking much longer for the average foreclosure to get to completion. Recently, JP Morgan Chase revealed that their average borrower who loses a home to foreclosure has not made any payments in 14 months nationwide; 22 months in FLorida and 26 months in New York.

To be sure, some see this as a good, others view it as unnecessarily dragging out the overall market's recovery. Many insiders will point out that these delays in foreclosure may be calculated to save the banks the costs of owning and maintaining foreclosed homes, not to help homeowners. In any event, the fact that foreclosure does not happen nearly as fast, in many cases, as expected does give families who are temporarily down on their luck some extra time to try to get back on their feet and save their homes.

Myth #2: Buyers can’t get clear title or title insurance on foreclosed homes. When the foreclosure robo-signing scandal first hit, there was widespread concern that buyers would not be able to get clear title on foreclosed homes, because the former foreclosed owners might be able to come get their homes back when the improprieties in the bank's foreclosure documentation processes came fully to light. At the same time, several of the country's largest title insurance companies publicly balked at issuing policies on bank-owned homes until the issue was resolved. At this point, the banks claim they have revamped their processes, and all banks have stated that they have found not a single borrower whose home was repossessed without them having missed the requisite number of mortgage payments. Nevertheless, a number of governmental investigations are still in progress.

The fact is, buyers of bank-owned properties in nearly every jurisdiction are protected from later title attacks by foreclosed homeowners by the bona fide purchaser rule, under which courts would prefer to simply award cash damages to be paid by the culpable bank to a wrongfully foreclosed-on homeowner, rather than reversing the sale or ownership to the new, innocent buyer. Additionally, the title insurers have now changed their tune and restarted issuing insurance policies on bank-owned homes which protect buyers' interests, after working with the banks for them to take responsibility in the event a former homeowner prevails in a wrongful foreclosure suit.

While there are still many intricacies of title to be resolved for foreclosure buyers who purchase homes at trustee sales and auctions, or for cash buyers who often went without title insurance in the past, on the average, Trulia-listed, bank-owned property purchased with an average mortgage and title insurance, the chances a buyer's title will later be successfully challenged by the foreclosed homeowner on the basis of robo-signing? Exceedingly slim.

Myth #3: Buyers should wait for the shadow inventory to be released. Many a buyer, discouraged with the homes they see on the the form in their price range, has decided to sit still and wait for the banks to release for sale what is called their "shadow inventory" - rumored to be anywhere from 4 to nearly 6 million homes that have already been foreclosed, but not listed for sale, or will be foreclosed in the near future. The fact is, to the extent that the banks have acknowledged the existence of a pool of homes they own but are not selling, they have expressed that their reasoning for holding the homes off the market is to avoid flooding the market and driving home values down any further. For that reason, buyers should not expect to see a massive influx of these shadow homes onto the market anytime soon - if ever.

The banks' current modus operandi is that as they sell a home, the replace it with another home in that market - if they sell 50 homes in a town that month, they'll put another 50 on the next. So, don't hold your breath waiting for a fabulous new flood of homes. Instead, set up a Trulia alert to notify you when homes that fit your search criteria come on the market, and be ready to call your agent and go visit any and every one that looks like it might be a good fit.

Myth #4: If you’re looking for a deal, you’re looking for a foreclosure. Despite what they may say, no buyer’s heart's fondest desire is to buy a foreclosure. But almost every buyer dreams of buying a great home - and getting a great deal on it. Many people think that to get a great value on their home on today's market, it means they must buy a foreclosure. As a result, the value and other advantages of buying an individually-owned home on today's market are frequently overlooked. Individual sellers with homes on the market right now are generally quite motivated, and understand that their homes are competing with discounted short sales and foreclosed homes. Many of these sellers are slashing prices in an effort to get them sold - the most recent Trulia Price Reduction Report revealed that 27 percent of homes on the market across the country have had at least one price reduction. Now that's what I call a sale!

Further, individual owners are often much more negotiable on a wide range of contract terms than a bank which owns a foreclosed home. You can work with non-bank owners on things like repairs, closing dates, choice of escrow provider, closing costs and even included personal property much more flexibly than you can when the bank is on the other side of the bargaining table. On top of that, many individually-owned homes are in pristine, move-in condition; that is much rarer with foreclosures. So, don't underestimate the value of the deal you might be able to get on a non-foreclosed home. Just get clear on what you can afford and look at all the homes that are available in that price range, without discriminating against non-foreclosures.

Myth #5: Having a foreclosure on your credit history means it'll take years and years before you can buy again. One of the most Frequently Asked Questions in the Trulia Voices Community by homeowners who are facing or have just lost a home through foreclosure is how long it will take before they'll be able to buy again. Until recently, the standard wisdom was that 5 years, minimum, would have to have elapsed between the foreclosure and the new home purchase. Now, though, borrowers can obtain an FHA loan with the low, 3.5 minimum down payment requirement as soon as 3 years following a foreclosure. To do so, though, all your other ducks must be in a row.

Post-foreclosure buyers need a credit score of 620-640 to qualify for an FHA loan; higher for a non-FHA loan - given that the foreclosure itself usually dings anywhere from 100-150 points off the credit score (not necessarily counting a full year or more of pre-foreclosure missed payments), former homeowners who want to buy again need to ensure they have no other late payments or credit dings after they lose thier home. You must have clean credit with no derogatory marks like late credit card payments following the foreclosure, and you may also be required to document 12 to 24 months straight of on-time rent payments after the foreclosure.

Further, the bank may impose a lower debt-to-income ratio on post-foreclosure borrowers than on borrowers who have not had a foreclosure, in an effort to keep your mortgage payments low, keep you from overextending yourself and boost the chances you'll be a successful homeowner over the long-term this time around. The bank will also need to see 2 years of continuous employment history in the same field, and documentation that you meet other loan qualification requirements.

Did you know? The majority of my closings in the past 3 years have been on distressed properties- foreclosures and short sales! If you are in the market to buy or sell and would like to know your options from an experienced broker, I would be happy to answer your questions. :)

SHORT SALE MYTHS and what is REALLY true.

noreply@blogger.com (April Neuhaus) — Fri, 14 May 2010 03:24:00 +0000

Short Sale Myths De-Bunked

RISMEDIA, May 13, 2010—With short sales making up almost 35% of home sales in March and the country with a national foreclosure problem, lets set the record straight on common short sale myths.

Myth 1. You must be default on your mortgage to negotiate a short sale.
Short sales are not a function of default status on a mortgage. They are the result of the bank mitigating a potential default situation that, in the long run, will cost more money to the investors. We have completed many short sales in instances when the borrower was not in a default situation.

Myth 2. Listing my home as a short sale is embarrassing.
Anytime we get ourselves into a tough financial situation it can cause some embarrassing feelings. It is important to remember that those feelings will not help us get back onto stable financial ground. We need to overcome our feelings and do what is right to protect our financial futures.

Myth 3. Buyers aren't interested in short sale properties.
Short Sale properties are often times available at a competitive price to other properties on the market. In many cases, short sale properties are very well cared for and have not had to endure the deferred maintenance of a REO property. Short Sale properties are in great demand in the marketplace.

Myth 4. There's not enough time to negotiate a short sale before foreclosure.
A good negotiator takes into account the timeline affiliated with a foreclosure. There is always a chance that a short sale can be negotiated. However, the only way to know for sure is to try.

Myth 5. The bank would rather foreclose than complete a short sale.
Banks do not want to foreclose on property. It is expensive and carries a high level of liability once the bank owns that property as an REO. Wherever possible, banks are seeking other loss mitigation options before foreclosure.

Myth 6. Short sales are impossible and never get approved.
Short sales are complicated, but not impossible. We negotiate short sale approvals every day.

I am SFR certified - a Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource Specialist - and would be very happy to go over with you or anyone you know the options that are out there to avoid foreclosure in a dignified way - one of which is a short sale. While a short sale may not be the best option for everyone - we can go over what the other options are so you can be educated in making the best choice for your family.

Common questions on the Home Buyer Tax Credit and ANSWERS

noreply@blogger.com (April Neuhaus) — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 22:45:00 +0000

1. How does a home buyer claim the tax credit?

The credit is claimed when the home buyer files or amends their federal income taxes. For qualifying homes purchased in 2009 or 2010, the taxpayer must complete IRS Form 5405 and attach a copy of the settlement statement. In most cases, the settlement statement is a properly executed Form HUD-1.

In circumstances where a HUD-1 is not provided, such as purchasing a mobile home or a newly constructed home, the IRS will accept an executed retail sales contract (mobile homes) or a copy of the certificate of occupancy (new homes).

2. Does the home buyer have to sell their current home in order to qualify for the $6,500 repeat home buyer tax credit?

A home buyer does not need to sell their current home in order to be eligible for the repeat buyer credit. They can continue to own both homes, and rent or use their former home for something else, as long as it no longer serves as their principal residence. The taxpayer is required to use the new home as their principal residence, and live in it for at least 36 months, or they will have to repay the credit.

3. Do married couples both have to meet the eligibility requirements in order to claim the credit, even if they file taxes separately?

Both spouses must fully meet all the eligibility requirements for either the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit or the $6,500 repeat buyer tax credit, regardless of if they file joint or separate tax returns. However, if an unmarried couple purchases a home and only one person qualifies, the eligible person may claim the full credit.

4. Do all home purchases need to be completed by April 30, 2010, in order to be eligible for the credit?

There are two exceptions to the April 30 deadline. If the buyer enters into a binding contract by the deadline, they have until June 30, 2010, to complete the purchase. The deadline has been extended a year, to April 30, 2011, for members of the uniformed services, Foreign Service or employees of the intelligence community who have been on qualified extended duty outside the United States for at least 90 days between January 1, 2009, and April 30, 2010.

For more information, visit www.nahb.org.

NEW EXTENDED HOME BUYER CREDITS

noreply@blogger.com (April Neuhaus) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:16:00 +0000

Following are Frequently Asked Questions and the answers on the newly extended home buyer credits from the www.realtor.org website. If you have any additional questions, please email me or give me a call and I'd be happy to research them for you!

Who Qualifies for the Extended Credit?

First-time home buyers who purchase homes between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
Current home owners purchasing a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, who have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight.

To qualify as a “first-time home buyer” the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.

If you or your client purchased a home between January 1, 2009 and November 6, 2009, please see: 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.

Which Properties Are Eligible?

The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.

How Much Is Available?

The maximum allowable credit for first-time home buyers is $8,000.

The maximum allowable credit for current homeowners is $6,500.

How is a Buyer's Credit Amount Determined?

Each home buyer’s tax credit is determined by tow additional factors:

The price of the home.
The buyer's income.

Price

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, credit may only be awarded on homes purchased for $800,000 or less.

Buyer Income

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, which is effective on November 7, 2009, single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000—may receive the maximum tax credit.

These income limits have changed from the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit limits. If you or your client purchased a home between January 1, 2009 and November 6, 2009, please see 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.

If the Buyer(s)’ Income Exceeds These Limits, Can He/She Still Get a Credit?

Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit.

The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 for single buyers and between $225,000 and $245,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income—over $145,000 for singles and over $245,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.

Can a Buyer Still Qualify If He/She Closes After April 30, 2010?

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, as long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close.

Will the Tax Credit Need to Be Repaid?

No. The buyer does not need to repay the tax credit, if he/she occupies the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during this three-year period, the full amount credit will be recouped on the sale.

How does the stimulus bill affect you?

noreply@blogger.com (April Neuhaus) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:42:00 +0000

This is on just about everyone's mind. What are the home buyer credits people are talking about? What loan limits were changed for FHA and Fannie Mae? What does it mean when they are talking about neighborhood stabilization and rural housing service?

The first question I will address is the home buyer credit.

Basically, it is an $8,000.00 refundable credit for first time home buyers. This will not need to be paid back to the government like the one that was enacted for the last half of 2008. I have included a clipping below from the FAQ's on this tax credit on the National Association of Realtors website that is very helpful. Please read through it as it has a wealth of information on many of the logistics that could apply to you or someone you know.

FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT

Frequently Asked Questions

In 2008, Congress enacted a $7500 tax credit designed to be an incentive for first-time homebuyers to purchase a home. The credit was designed as a mechanism to decrease the over-supply of homes for sale. For 2009, Congress has increased the credit to $8000 and made several additional improvements. This revised $8000 tax credit applies to purchases on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. Tax Credits -- The Basics

1. What’s this new homebuyer tax incentive for 2009?
The 2008 $7500, repayable credit is increased to $8000 and the repayment feature is eliminated for 2009 purchasers. Any home that is purchased for $80,000 or more qualifies for the full $8000 amount. If the house costs less than $80,000, the credit will be 10% of the cost. Thus, if an individual purchased a home for $75,000, the credit would be $7500. It is available for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

2. Who is eligible?
Only first-time homebuyers are eligible. A person is considered a first-time buyer if he/she has not had any ownership interest in a home in the three years previous to the day of the 2009 purchase.

3. How does a tax credit work?
Every dollar of a tax credit reduces income taxes by a dollar. Credits are claimed on an individual’s income tax return. Thus, a qualified purchaser would figure out all the income items and exemptions and make all the calculations required to figure out his/her total tax due. Then, once the total tax owed has been computed, tax credits are applied to reduce the total tax bill. So, if before taking any credits on a tax return a person has total tax liability of $9500, an $8000 credit would wipe out all but $1500 of the tax due. ($9,500 - $8000 = $1500)

4. So what happens if the purchaser is eligible for an $8000 credit but their entire income tax liability for the year is only $6000?
This tax credit is what’s called "refundable" credit. Thus, if the eligible purchaser’s total tax liability was $6000, the IRS would send the purchaser a check for $2000. The refundable amount is the difference
between $8000 credit amount and the amount of tax liability. ($8000 - $6000 = $2000) Most taxpayers determine their tax liability by referring to tables that the IRS prepares each year.

5. How does withholding affect my tax credit and my refund?
A few examples are provided at the end of this document. There are several steps in this calculation, but most income tax software programs are equipped to make that determination.

6. Is there an income restriction?
Yes. The income restriction is based on the tax filing status the purchaser claims when filing his/her income tax return. Individuals filing Form 1040 as Single (or Head of Household) are eligible for the credit if their income is no more than $75,000. Married couples who file a Joint return may have income of no more than $150,000.

7. How is my "income" determined?
For most individuals, income is defined and calculated in the same manner as their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) on their 1040 income tax return. AGI includes items like wages, salaries, interest and dividends, pension and retirement earnings, rental income and a host of other elements. AGI is the final number that appears on the bottom line of the front page of an IRS Form 1040.

8. What if I worked abroad for part of the year?
Some individuals have earned income and/or receive housing allowances while working outside the US. Their income will be adjusted to reflect those items to measure Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). Their eligibility for the credit will be based on their MAGI.

9. Do individuals with incomes higher than the $75,000 or $150,000 limits lose all the benefit of the credit?
Not always. The credit phases-out between $75,000 - $95,000 for singles and $150,000 - $170,000 for married filing joint. The closer a buyer comes to the maximum phase-out amount, the smaller the credit will be. The law provides a formula to gradually withdraw the credit. Thus, the credit will disappear after an individual’s income reaches $95,000 (single return) or $170,000 (joint return). For example, if a married couple had income of $165,000, their credit would be reduced by 75% as shown: Couple’s income $165,000 Income limit 150,000 Excess income $15,000 The excess income amount ($15,000 in this example) is used to form a fraction. The numerator of the fraction is the excess income amount ($15,000). The denominator is $20,000 (specified by the statute).

How much does using a REALTOR cost?

noreply@blogger.com (April Neuhaus) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 19:29:00 +0000

This has to be one of the first things we discuss on this blog as there are a huge amount of misconceptions about this.

True or False? - When you call a realtor and use them to find updated listings, show you homes, do additional research on homes you are interested in, and negotiate contracts for your best interests you pay the Realtor out of your pocket.... the answer? False.

Very few people realize this very important fact. The way real estate is set up in Colorado - the buyers involved can have a professional real estate broker represent them and help them - and not have to pay for their services!

The way it is usually set up is the person selling the home in the first place has hired a listing agent and part of what they have paid that listing agent then goes to pay the buyer's agent at the closing of the deal! So this is a huge protection for the buyer! - YOU! You get a professional to watch your back and the seller has to pay for their services in the vast majority of cases. All these details are usually confirmed in writing in your buyer's agency contract. Make sure you read this carefully, as some Realtors can write it to make you responsible for paying them in some cases, but by far the majority do not. I always write the buyer's agency contract for the best interests of my buyers and make sure that the listing agent is where I end up getting paid from at closing.

Hopefully this helps clear up the common misconceptions that so many have about using a Realtor! If you have any additional questions on how this works exactly, or to see an example of how I write that buyers agency contract for your best interests, feel free to email or call me at 970-213-9394.

The Value of a Realtor

noreply@blogger.com (April Neuhaus) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 22:37:00 +0000

I used to have an idea in my mind of what it was like to be a Realtor. Make the big bucks and don't do too much work. Then I became one.

Woah, was I wrong! Fortunately, I don't mind hard work, and it's a good thing, because there is a lot of it to do in my profession.

A Realtor does a lot more than just print out contracts and collect signatures. A good Realtor tries to grasp what his clients best interests and goals are, and then streamline the entire process to look out for those best interests. That need comes up at every turn of the game. Keeping up with deadlines, protecting earnest money, investigating potential title, HOA and pending litigation issues, are just part of the fun. It is a fast paced, detail oriented, huge responsibility. The nice thing about it, is that once your clients realize just how much you are doing for them in the background as well as the foreground, you have a client for life that will refer you to their friends - since after all... ' A referral is sending someone you care about to someone you trust. '

FAQ

noreply@blogger.com (April Neuhaus) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:57:00 +0000

Following are some of the most commonly asked questions - and the answers!

Potential Home Buyers
What is my credit like?
When should I start improving my credit?
How do I improve my credit
What about agencies that offer to help?
How else can I plan ahead?
Where do I want to live?

Potential Home Sellers
What type of marketing will you do for my home?
What can I do to prepare my home for sale?
What things do buyers want most?
What are some of the benefits of listing with a realtor?
Should I sell my home myself?

Q: What is my credit like?
A: You can find the answer to that question for FREE! Simply go to www.annualcreditreport.com. You have access to your credit report from all three agencies once a year for free.

Q: When should I start improving my credit?
A: Time is money. And nowhere is this more true than with your credit. If you haven't already, get your free credit report and start working on improving your credit TODAY.

Q: How do I improve my credit?
A: There are many ways to improve your credit and some may not be what you think.

Do not start closing out all your credit cards. This is one of the most misunderstood things about credit. The longer you have held an account, the better.
Do pay off your balances.
Dispute anything on your credit report that is not accurate.
Do not be late on any payments. Sign up for electronic reminders if they are available and pay everything on time.

Q: What about agencies that offer to help?
A: Some of these agencies are very helpful but beware - there are MANY that are fraudulent. Do extensive research before signing up with any of them. Feel free to call me and I will help you find one that is legitimate.

Q: How else can I plan ahead?
A: In the past you could get a loan with no money down. The past is the past. Now, the smart thing to do is to plan ahead and budget money every month toward your future home purchase. There are some rural loans that will let you buy in certain areas with zero down, but even with those you will most likely have to pay for closing costs. Feel free to call me for additional information on those loans and how much to expect to pay at closing based on what you will be looking for.

Q: Where do I want to live?
A: That will be up to you! But I can help you gather information that will help you decide. There are many links in the sidebar that will give you additional information for the local towns. Also, drive around if possible to different areas and get a feel for them. That way you will also be able to tell how close or far away they are from where you drive regularly. I can also email you listings from different areas of town that will give you a feel for price. Bring a notebook with you and start to compile information on your likes and dislikes. I look forward to working with you in finding your new home!

Q: What type of marketing will you do for my home?
A: There has been a pyridine shift in how buyers look for homes. Ten years ago buyers would look at the paper real estate section and then drive to open houses. Now, as you can imagine, things are quite different. Today's buyers are very actively searching on the internet and a strong internet presence is essential to sell today. That is exactly the type of marketing I offer. You will not only be on the MLS, but on multiple high volume real estate search engines. I will also keep you posted on the kind of traffic that your home has been having online.

In addition to the above I have had professional experience in the fields of photography and graphic design. You will have light, crisp and appealing photos both on the web and on eye catching color flyers at your home.

Q: What can I do to prepare my home for sale?
A: In the buyer's market that we find ourselves in currently, this is a very important question. Sprucing up your home's curb appeal and continuing the appeal inside is essential. If you are even thinking of selling, the first thing you need to do is start de-cluttering. Take one room at a time, and start donating anything that you really don't need. Deep cleaning one room at a time is also important. Do you have little maintenance projects you have been putting off? A buyer will not feel good about a home that is in disrepair. Make a list and start getting them done. I will help you look at your home through a buyer's eyes and help you make it as appealing and welcoming to your perspective buyers as possible!

Q: What things do buyers want most?
A: The three most important things are LOCATION, PRICE and QUALITY. We'll discuss how to accentuate the best of those three things with your property.

Q: What are some of the benefits of listing with a realtor?
A: Here are just a few of the benefits you will receive when you have a licensed broker list your home and work with you to get it sold.

You will have a professional looking out for your best interests, in what could be one of the biggest transactions in your life.
You will be provided with the legal disclosures and documentation needed in order to sell your home.
You will have help in negotiating favorable price and terms, just as your buyer will surely be having their own professional, on their side, doing the same for them.
You will have professional help in preparing your home and marketing it to a large source of buyers.
You will have the peace of mind in knowing that you don't have to worry about scheduling and attending showings, and the professionals that will be showing your home will be screened to confirm that they really are real estate agents.
You will be provided with detailed feedback to make any adjustments to further the successful sale of your home.
You will have help in working out any problems that come up with a 'notice to inspect' or other issues.

Q: Should I sell my home myself?
A: That is something that a lot of people want to try (including myself, before I entered real estate). If you want to try, by all means go right ahead - if you have time. Be aware that over 80% of all For Sale By Owner listings do eventually list with a realtor after they have tried it themselves. And remember that if you do a FSBO, to get other agents with buyers to show your home or direct buyers to your home, you will need to pay the customary coop fee. That fee is usually around 3%. So you will be paying 3% and be doing all the work yourself. If you do list with a realtor, you will typically pay 6% and have all the benefits listed above and more. So you should look at the numbers and decide if it is worth it to you or not to save that other 3%.

More Details

noreply@blogger.com (April Neuhaus) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:53:00 +0000

Working together with people to accomplish a common goal is something I love about this business. My focus will always be on your needs and what will be best for you. Having been described as 'refreshing,' you can rest assured that I will never be a stereotypical 'pushy' realtor. Open and honest communication is what I ask back from you and also promise to give.

Member Of :
• The National Association of Realtors (NAR)
• The Colorado Association of Realtors (CAR)
• The Loveland/Berthoud Association of Realtors (LBAR)

• E-PRO Certified Realtor!

Customer Testimonials
"You have been refreshing to work with." - SJ, Longmont
"We are very thankful for your help in finding us such a great home for a great deal." - Sean H, Loveland
"It was very important to us to have our daughter's realtor take good care of her. You have done just that and we look forward to referring you to others." - JB, Berthoud

Referrals

noreply@blogger.com (April Neuhaus) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 22:55:00 +0000

A referral is sending someone you care about to someone you trust. If you know of someone that you care about that could benefit from my help, please introduce us!

You can email me their information at april@aprilneuhaus.com or give me a call at
970-213-9394.

I look forward to taking care of their best interests and helping them to a successful closing they will feel good about!

Contact

noreply@blogger.com (April Neuhaus) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 22:54:00 +0000