If you want to make improvements to your home, you may want to take a second look at Houzz.com. Cited as a source for inspiration and collaboration and research for home owners everywhere, Houzz is also a source for hiring local contracting professionals, too.

With more than sixty categories of home related projects to choose from, including interior remodeling contractors and outdoor living space professionals, Houzz is more than just a place to get great ideas for your home. Houzz is also a great source for you to find the interior designers, architects, and landscapers for your home who created and constructed those designs in the first place!

Increased home values often result in homeowners deciding to make changes in their homes, whether due to a potential sale or just a quality of life improvement, and technology makes this process so much easier.

“Homeowners and professionals alike are telling us that they are moving forward with more building, renovation and design projects this year,” said Liza Hausman, VP Community at Houzz. “Houzz provides homeowners with the absolute best resource to find the right professional for their project.”

As a homeowner, ideas for improving your home may come in many forms, but Houzz.com is definitely a resource to be considered. Another resource to consider when determining whether a home improvement will add to your home value is your local real estate expert. If you would like some tips on projects that will help to increase the resale value of your home, please give me a call!

Home buyers everywhere are bemoaning the lack of inventory and if you happen to be in the market to buy your home, there are a few things you should know.

When you find the perfect home, make an offer.

Don’t wait, don’t bargain.

Offer your best possible price and a high deposit with all your personal details, including a fantastic story about why you want why you NEED that house to be your home!

You see, the offer you write may be your ONLY chance to win the home, your home, and you want to give it your best shot.

In a housing market, like ours, where inventory is low and homes are only staying on the market for a short amount of time, multiple offers are being submitted on each home. Most are near or at asking price and some are beyond it.

Home sellers need to evaluate several offers and if yours is one of many (your agent should be able to tell you if other parties have indicated interest), it needs to stand out. That’s where your story comes in (along with your best price offer and earnest deposit).

3 Steps to Writing the Best Offer For Your Home

1. Offer up as much cash as you can in the form of an earnest deposit with the best possible price you can pay.
2. If you need lending, get pre-approved and formalize it by including a letter from your lender as part of your offer.
3. Write a from the heart appeal that explains your feelings about the house and why you need their home to be your home. If you have a good personal story, share it as well. Some home sellers are motivated by more than price and if they can “see” you in the home, it could make a difference.

Current market conditions may be tempting you to sell your home while demand is high and interest rates are low. However, before jumping into the sale of your home, you may want to spend a few minutes consulting with a local real estate professional, like me, to make sure you understand contingencies and what they mean in terms of the order in which you sell your home and purchase another.

You may have several choices, from an early listing and rent back option to a quick sale or placement of a contingency.  A trusted real estate agent can explain the differences between each and determine which is the best alternative for your home sale.

No matter what you decide to do, many decisions will need to be made. Plan for higher than usual expenses as you navigate through dual transactions, since you could be supporting both households for a brief amount of time. Knowing housing market trends and comparable neighborhood sales  will help you to feel more comfortable with the process of selling your home and also give you a ballpark estimate on possible proceeds.

Deciding To Buy Your Next Home

Once you have an estimate on the sale of your house, you can start looking for your new one. You’ll need to determine where you want to live and the size home you are seeking, as well as put together a wish list for your new home. If you are relocating to an area far away, seek a real estate agent and/or mortgage lender referral from friends or family or ask me for suggestions, as well.  Different areas require varied strategies in home buying, so a local expert is always your best bet for finding the right home when you are making a big move.

Although the recently released NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) illustrated decreases from April’s 273 to 258, news throughout the United States continues to bode well. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) even feels confident about the future of the housing market and your home.  Do you?

In fact in a newly released, “Housing Now” video shown here Jeff Blankert explains a recent rise in single family home statistics stating that the current 1.2% rise in the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices is at an all time best since 2006.

“The fact that over 70 percent of all U.S. metros are holding onto their spots on the improving list is definitely good news, and representative of the generally brightening outlook for housing markets nationwide,” said NAHB Chairman Rick Judson, who builds homes in Charlotte, N.C.

Kurt Pfotenhauer, vice chairman of First American Title Insurance Company, echoed that sentiment, saying, “Today’s report shows that the majority of U.S. metros are experiencing strengthening house prices, employment and permitting activity, which is a much more positive picture than the one we were seeing a year ago,” he said . “That’s the big picture on which consumers need to focus.”

The IMI tracks housing trends throughout the United States, analyzing signs of improving economic health. Studying employment growth, house price appreciation, and single-family home permits in various areas, the IMI requires gain in all three instances for at least six consecutive months in order for an area to be placed on the improving markets list.  Have you seen improvements in your home and neighborhood in the last few months?

You can view all 258 metropolitan areas listed on the IMI by visiting the NAHB website.

While the decline in new home construction may have some feeling “blue,” those of you who embrace a “green” lifestyle will be excited to hear about the latest projections. “Green” remodeling is a growing trend in the real estate industry! In fact, McGraw-Hill Companies, revealed last week that 17% of residential home building in 2011 was due to eco-friendly homes and upgrades. Rates on the West Coast, North Midwest, and New England have experienced even stronger growth.

This number is anticipated to continue to rise to five times that rate in the next five years with over 30% of “green” home building being forecasted for 2016. Beyond 2016, builders believe over 90% of their projects will be “green.” Home buyers are seeking earth-friendly features in homes for sale, so home sellers and remodelers should take note of these statistics. Renovation work has also increased in recent years, most likely due to the shifting economy, and builders report that home remodels make up over 60% of their business, according to the recent McGraw-Hill study done in conjunction with National Association of Home Builders and Waste Management.

So, home owners and those looking for new homes with eco-friendly perks, have the “green” light! Almost half of builders (46%) have begun marketing their “green” services and are becoming well-versed in determining the best needs and options for their clients. As builders become more familiar with the processes involved with earth-friendly materials, consumer cost has decreased as well, making it a great time to upgrade your home for sale. Benefits of making these eco-friendly measures can be reduced energy costs, reduced waste, better quality of life, and peace of conscience.

To get more information on the results of the Green Home Builders and Remodelers Study, click here.

Home ownership can be a heavy responsibility at times… especially when times are tough.  It can be challenging to find help when times are difficult due to a  decrease or loss of income, illness, unexpected disaster or home repairs, or personal crisis such as separation or divorce.  Add to that a reduction in home values, and the problem can seem insurmountable. While savings can help to alleviate some of the impact of these life events, it is still helpful to be aware of  potential programs and alternatives offered to distressed homeowners, too.  In fact in last month’s State of the Union address, President Obama made reference to this struggle in home ownership, saying, “And while Government can’t fix the problem on its own, responsible homeowners shouldn’t have to sit and wait for the housing market to hit bottom to get some relief.”

If you find yourself in a no-win situation regarding your mortgage, it can be helpful to speak with your lender and ask about modifications that can be made in the short term.  You can ask about the short sale process,  too, and see if that may be a viable option for you.  A short sale is when your lender agrees to accept a lower price than is owed on your property as payment in full.  There is a lot of paperwork that accompanies this type of sale and it is helpful to use a real estate agent that has short sale experience with this type of transaction.  In fact, some real estate agents and home buyers specialize in just this type of sale and can be a great help to you!

If you want to stay in your home, rather than sell, programs such as the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) , or the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative (HAFA)  offered by Freddie Mac may all be options.  Fannie Mae and your individual lender may have other programs that can assist you as well.  Please click here to view a variety of tools on how to avoid foreclosure.  Remember that you have options, if you are willing, able, and have the time necessary to explore them.  Don’t give up!

When you meet someone for the first time – what do you notice?   If you’re like many of us, that initial impression is largely determined by outside appearance. Believe it or not, that concept rings true with your home, too! That’s right, your home can foreshadow clues regarding your personality and sense of style, and its landscaping tells a story as well. Is your landscape sending the message you WANT to convey? If your home is for sale, the following tips can help to make sure you are not missing the mark!

Is your home sending the correct messaage?

If not, it may be time to consider hiring a gardener or getting help from family and friends to make some needed changes as soon as possible. The right gardener can transform the most jungle-like backyard into a beautifully manicured area of peace and tranquility, in as little as a day! With all the other tasks associated with selling your home, landscaping is a great project to outsource.

Before hiring a gardener, ask friends or neighbors for referrals. Once you have a few recommendations, ask questions and raise any concerns you may have with the gardeners/landscapers you decide to interview. Some key points to discuss are how often you would like service and what you need included at each visit. Services range from simple mowing to complete care, with reseeding, watering and fertilizing options. Don’t be afraid to ask your new gardener for help with ideas and improvements that could increase your property value and alert your gardener as to the property status, since there may be times when extra special service is needed (such as before an open house). You might even request that any extra cut blooms be left for you to use inside your home.
Keep in mind that a specialty garden is not the same as basic maintenance. If you have special circumstances, you may want to consider sharing written along with any verbal instructions with your chosen landscaper. Of course maintenance and seasonal costs, liability insurance and worker’s compensation coverage are all topics you will want to discuss before entering into any agreement.

Once you have begun your service, inspect the initial work and take time to notice the changes occurring in your landscaping. As you offer feedback to your gardener and become a part of the process, you will see your home evolve into a well-kept, beautifully groomed masterpiece. Your home will create the best impression possible and deliver the message you want to share with potential home buyers.

Mortgage lenders are in the news again, only this time it’s not Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in the hot seat. If you purchased a home through GMAC (now Ally Financial), Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, or Citibank, you may want to take note. Last week’s settlement of $25 billion is proposed to aid homeowners who may have been subject to “robo-signing,” in loan and foreclosure practices. “Robo-signing” refers to the practice of mortgage providers signing or stamping documents without verifying information. If you currently have a loan or experienced a foreclosure with one of these lenders, you may be eligible to receive assistance.

The new agreement, authorized in 49 states (not Oklahoma), strengthens the review process on loan modifications and foreclosures by requiring application reviews prior to beginning the foreclosure process. Excessive fees, insurance costs, and appraisal rates also received limits, and the agreement also provided avenues for principal reduction for struggling homeowners. This agreement does not apply to any FHA, Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae loans or foreclosures.

Homeowners with a mortgage on their primary home that represent a 20 percent or more reduction on property value with a loan balance of less than $417,000 are targeted for these funds, although eligibility will be determined individually. Homeowners whose mortgage rates are above 5.25 percent may be able to refinance to lower interest rates, and homeowners experiencing unemployment or considering short sales may receive aid, as well.

Contact your lender directly to see if you are eligible or watch for a notification letter from your lender within the next six months. Incentives were provided to lenders who completed settlements within 12 months, and funds must be dispersed within three years. Click here to see actual details of the agreement.