A 4” ceramic statue of St Joseph was buried upside down in the front yard of a home that had been on the market for eight months without a single offer. A week later, the seller received the full price offer she had been hoping for. Do you consider this just coincidence or did St Joseph have something to do with it?
Interest in St Joseph has been reignited as homeowners look for anything to help them sell their homes - including saintly intervention by an age-old tradition.
Considered the patron saint of home, family and house hunting, St Joseph is believed to help sell the homes of those who ask for his help. According to Catholic lore, burying St Joseph in the yard of a home for sale promises a prompt offer.
The actual technique of burying St Joseph varies greatly: bury him upside down facing the home; bury him facing away from the home; bury him under 12” of dirt; bury him under the for sale sign; bury him close to the back property line; or bury him facing the heavens.
Oct 31, 2008
Oct 27, 2008
Knock $4,000 Off Your Utility Bill
In an article from CNNMoney.com, here are six ways to invest $1,500 in home maintenance projects that will provide you over twice that amount in energy savings the first year.
Oct 22, 2008
How Short Sales & Foreclosures Can’t Compete
With short sale / foreclosure homes clogging the market in east metro Orlando, communities continue to be challenged by the damaging affects of these often neglected, unappealing homes and the related decline in home values for the rest of the community.
The oversupply of neglected homes on the market creates a unique opportunity for straight sellers. A straight seller has equity in their home and is selling by choice (not motivated by a short sale / foreclosure). This means for straight sellers of owner-occupied homes, now is an ideal time for your home to outshine and outsell the competition.
A straight seller cannot compete with cut-to-the-bone short sales / foreclosures when it comes to price. However, a straight seller has no competition from short sales / foreclosures when it comes to property condition. Behind price, the condition of a home is the second most critical factor in a buyer’s purchase decision. Property condition is commonly the make or break deciding factor for a buyer in choosing your home over the competition.
For a straight seller of an owner-occupied home that is well maintained, cared for and lived in, a short sale / foreclosure simply is no competition.
Once the average buyer steps foot inside a short sale / foreclosure home, their interest level quickly diminishes. Buyers who claim “I want to buy a foreclosure” really are saying “I want to buy at rock bottom”. If a buyer truly wants a rock bottom price, a short sale / foreclosure is the way to go. However, the average buyer cannot comprehend the unbelievable property conditions common to most short sales / foreclosures until looking at a few of these homes with their own eyes.
Short sales / foreclosures may offer rock bottom prices, but 95% of the time, come at the cost of poor property conditions – a complete lack of basic home maintenance inside and out, intentional property damage, homes stripped of anything of value and homes full of abandoned personal belongings. Far from move in ready, the average buyer is not prepared to buy a short sale / foreclosure.
The oversupply of neglected homes on the market creates a unique opportunity for straight sellers. A straight seller has equity in their home and is selling by choice (not motivated by a short sale / foreclosure). This means for straight sellers of owner-occupied homes, now is an ideal time for your home to outshine and outsell the competition.
A straight seller cannot compete with cut-to-the-bone short sales / foreclosures when it comes to price. However, a straight seller has no competition from short sales / foreclosures when it comes to property condition. Behind price, the condition of a home is the second most critical factor in a buyer’s purchase decision. Property condition is commonly the make or break deciding factor for a buyer in choosing your home over the competition.
For a straight seller of an owner-occupied home that is well maintained, cared for and lived in, a short sale / foreclosure simply is no competition.
Once the average buyer steps foot inside a short sale / foreclosure home, their interest level quickly diminishes. Buyers who claim “I want to buy a foreclosure” really are saying “I want to buy at rock bottom”. If a buyer truly wants a rock bottom price, a short sale / foreclosure is the way to go. However, the average buyer cannot comprehend the unbelievable property conditions common to most short sales / foreclosures until looking at a few of these homes with their own eyes.
Short sales / foreclosures may offer rock bottom prices, but 95% of the time, come at the cost of poor property conditions – a complete lack of basic home maintenance inside and out, intentional property damage, homes stripped of anything of value and homes full of abandoned personal belongings. Far from move in ready, the average buyer is not prepared to buy a short sale / foreclosure.
Oct 17, 2008
All About Liens
Various types of liens - monetary claims against a property to secure an obligation or debt of a property owner - can be placed on property. A lien is an encumbrance on the title to a property and can affect a property owner’s ability to sell.
The most well known example of a voluntary lien placed on a property by its owner is a mortgage. The most well known examples of an involuntary lien placed on a property by another party include a property tax lien and an income tax lien – both from parties with valid monetary claims against the property owner.
In some cases, an unsatisfied lien can force the sale of a property in order to satisfy the lien. This is commonly seen today with lenders foreclosing on property owners who have defaulted on their mortgage.
Mortgage A voluntary lien placed on a property by its owner as collateral on a home loan with a lender. This could be a first mortgage, second mortgage or line of credit. If the borrower defaults, the lender can force the sale of the property to satisfy the debt.
Property Tax A lien placed on property by municipal governments for unpaid property tax. Property tax becomes a lien on the property as soon as it is assessed. A property tax lien is superior to all other liens.
Special Assessment A lien placed on property by municipal governments for an unpaid special assessment, a public improvement that improves the property such as new curbs or sidewalks. A special assessment becomes a lien on the property as soon as it is assessed. A special assessment lien is second only to a property tax lien.
Construction A lien placed on property for unpaid material or labor that added value to a property (unjust enrichment). Also known as a “mechanic’s lien”.
Judgment A lien attaching to property when a judgment is obtained against a property owner. The lien is against all property of the debtor in the county where the judgment is recorded.
Income Tax A lien on all property owned by the taxpayer at the time of filing including all future property acquired until the lien is satisfied.
Estate Tax A lien against the deceased’s taxable assets upon death. Also known as “death tax”.
The most well known example of a voluntary lien placed on a property by its owner is a mortgage. The most well known examples of an involuntary lien placed on a property by another party include a property tax lien and an income tax lien – both from parties with valid monetary claims against the property owner.
In some cases, an unsatisfied lien can force the sale of a property in order to satisfy the lien. This is commonly seen today with lenders foreclosing on property owners who have defaulted on their mortgage.
Mortgage A voluntary lien placed on a property by its owner as collateral on a home loan with a lender. This could be a first mortgage, second mortgage or line of credit. If the borrower defaults, the lender can force the sale of the property to satisfy the debt.
Property Tax A lien placed on property by municipal governments for unpaid property tax. Property tax becomes a lien on the property as soon as it is assessed. A property tax lien is superior to all other liens.
Special Assessment A lien placed on property by municipal governments for an unpaid special assessment, a public improvement that improves the property such as new curbs or sidewalks. A special assessment becomes a lien on the property as soon as it is assessed. A special assessment lien is second only to a property tax lien.
Construction A lien placed on property for unpaid material or labor that added value to a property (unjust enrichment). Also known as a “mechanic’s lien”.
Judgment A lien attaching to property when a judgment is obtained against a property owner. The lien is against all property of the debtor in the county where the judgment is recorded.
Income Tax A lien on all property owned by the taxpayer at the time of filing including all future property acquired until the lien is satisfied.
Estate Tax A lien against the deceased’s taxable assets upon death. Also known as “death tax”.
Oct 14, 2008
Why Use A Lockbox
Today more then ever, it is critical for a seller to accommodate every showing request no matter the date, time or circumstance. To assist in this, the use of a lockbox - a small, hollow metal box that holds home keys and is securely attached to the front doorknob - is a great tool for a seller while their home is on the market.
By using a lockbox, there is no need for a seller to be home, for the listing agent to attend or for the buyer’s agent to pick up a key at the office. The home key is already located in a secure location at the home for the buyer’s agent to access.
A buyer wants a showing. Their agent wants a hassle-free, smooth showing. The use of a lockbox accomplishes both of these things. Showings are scheduled by the buyer’s agent at the convenience of the buyer, so a showing could take place on a Wed morning, a Fri afternoon or a Sun evening. A lockbox makes all of these showings possible.
There are two lockbox styles commonly used in the Orlando market.
Electronic An electronic lockbox provides a reliable, automated system for home access while a home is on the market. Any time an electronic lockbox is accessed by an agent using their “e-key” and pin number, their name, member ID, and the date and time is electronically recorded. An agent’s e-key is deactivated every 24 hours and requires a daily download of showing activity to be reactivated. A detailed record of all showings can be retrieved online at any time.
The electronic lockbox most commonly used in the Orlando market is the Supra iBox. Orlando Regional Realtor Association (ORRA) distributes and manages all iBox lockboxes and e-keys in the Orlando market. ORRA distributes iBox lockboxes and e-keys only to licensed Florida agents/brokers who are members of ORRA. An iBox and e-key are costly for an agent to obtain.
An iBox can only be accessed 9am to 9pm every day of the week. An iBox automatically locks out access for all other times. If an agent attempts to access an iBox at 7am, the iBox will register the attempted access and give the agent a “rejection” error message on their e-key.
Manual The Shurlok and GE KeySafe are the most popular manual lockbox styles used by Orlando realtors today. The listing agent self-selects an access code before securely attaching a manual lockbox to the front doorknob. The listing agent will then provide the access code to authorized agents for scheduled showings.
Manual lockboxes are helpful for providing easy access to other professionals involved in a real estate transaction such as home inspectors or repair personnel who are unable to access an iBox (these folks don’t have an e-key).
A manual lockbox is inexpensive and can be purchased by anyone at Lowe’s or Home Depot. This style of lockbox is also commonly used by FSBOs.
By using a lockbox, there is no need for a seller to be home, for the listing agent to attend or for the buyer’s agent to pick up a key at the office. The home key is already located in a secure location at the home for the buyer’s agent to access.
A buyer wants a showing. Their agent wants a hassle-free, smooth showing. The use of a lockbox accomplishes both of these things. Showings are scheduled by the buyer’s agent at the convenience of the buyer, so a showing could take place on a Wed morning, a Fri afternoon or a Sun evening. A lockbox makes all of these showings possible.
There are two lockbox styles commonly used in the Orlando market.
Electronic An electronic lockbox provides a reliable, automated system for home access while a home is on the market. Any time an electronic lockbox is accessed by an agent using their “e-key” and pin number, their name, member ID, and the date and time is electronically recorded. An agent’s e-key is deactivated every 24 hours and requires a daily download of showing activity to be reactivated. A detailed record of all showings can be retrieved online at any time.
The electronic lockbox most commonly used in the Orlando market is the Supra iBox. Orlando Regional Realtor Association (ORRA) distributes and manages all iBox lockboxes and e-keys in the Orlando market. ORRA distributes iBox lockboxes and e-keys only to licensed Florida agents/brokers who are members of ORRA. An iBox and e-key are costly for an agent to obtain.
An iBox can only be accessed 9am to 9pm every day of the week. An iBox automatically locks out access for all other times. If an agent attempts to access an iBox at 7am, the iBox will register the attempted access and give the agent a “rejection” error message on their e-key.
Manual The Shurlok and GE KeySafe are the most popular manual lockbox styles used by Orlando realtors today. The listing agent self-selects an access code before securely attaching a manual lockbox to the front doorknob. The listing agent will then provide the access code to authorized agents for scheduled showings.
Manual lockboxes are helpful for providing easy access to other professionals involved in a real estate transaction such as home inspectors or repair personnel who are unable to access an iBox (these folks don’t have an e-key).
A manual lockbox is inexpensive and can be purchased by anyone at Lowe’s or Home Depot. This style of lockbox is also commonly used by FSBOs.
Oct 10, 2008
The Realtor Difference: MLS
MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is a proprietary real-time home listing database available only to licensed agents/brokers. According to the National Association of Realtors, 64% of metro Orlando buyers purchased their home through an agent/broker in 2007. MLS is the premier tool for agents/brokers in finding homes for their clients – qualified buyers from all walks of life, from every corner of the country and the world. Not only is your own agent actively seeking a qualified buyer for your home, but in essence, with MLS every other agent/broker in metro Orlando is, too.
Oct 7, 2008
Knowing Neighbors Is Key To Home Safety
My family was recently awoken late one evening to the sights and sounds of a police car parked directly in front of our home with lights ablaze. Is there an emergency at the neighbor’s house? Is the officer here to see us? Moments later, we realized the officer had pulled a car over in front of our home and was using his loud speaker to instruct the driver to exit his car.
This got me thinking about neighborhood safety and what I would/could do in the case of an emergency with my family or a neighboring family. My neighbors and I may only talk in passing and witness each other’s daily comings and goings from a distance, but there is comfort to be had in knowing the faces, kids, pets and cars of who belongs on my street – and who doesn’t. In my opinion, this is more powerful than the most sophisticated home security system.
- Orlando Neighborhood Watch
- Orange County Neighborhood Programs & Services
- Seminole County Community Service & Crime Prevention
This got me thinking about neighborhood safety and what I would/could do in the case of an emergency with my family or a neighboring family. My neighbors and I may only talk in passing and witness each other’s daily comings and goings from a distance, but there is comfort to be had in knowing the faces, kids, pets and cars of who belongs on my street – and who doesn’t. In my opinion, this is more powerful than the most sophisticated home security system.
- Orlando Neighborhood Watch
- Orange County Neighborhood Programs & Services
- Seminole County Community Service & Crime Prevention
Oct 3, 2008
Thieves Tap Into Home Equity
According to The New York Times, homeowners who have significant equity in their homes may be well-advised to check their credit reports frequently. Identity thieves have recently begun targeting individuals with good credit because they often have substantial untapped home equity and large, open lines of credit.
A home equity line of credit is an ideal vehicle and a favorite option for criminals because a line of credit is almost as easy to open as a credit card account as long as a criminal has the proper financial information of their victim.
A home equity line of credit is an ideal vehicle and a favorite option for criminals because a line of credit is almost as easy to open as a credit card account as long as a criminal has the proper financial information of their victim.
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