Archive for the 'Relocating' Category
Built for Military Home Sellers
February 11th, 2010 categories: Real Estate News, Relocating
Since the height of the market in the summer of 2006, homes prices across the United States have fallen a great deal. Many homeowners who purchased prior to that summer, and now have orders to move, are faced with the prospect of selling a home that may now be half the value it was when purchased. Fortunately, there is hope.
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the Department of Defense (DoD) expanded the Housing Assistance Program (HAP) to provide benefits to service members who are moving (in military jargon, PCSing – Permanent Change of Station), among others.
To be eligible for HAP, military members must have, 1) Purchased their home prior to 1 Jul, 2006, and 2) Have PCS orders dated 1 Feb 2006 thru 30 Sep 2012.
Have you heard of HAP? Many service members have, but few homeowners understand just what it takes to sell their home using their Housing Assistance Program entitlement. To educate service members, DoD and the Army Corps of Engineers have provided specific, informative guidance on their HAP website.
The website explains, among other things:
1. Who Is Eligible
2. How to Apply
3. The Benefits HAP Provides
4. Where HAP is Implemented
In addition, applicants are able to download the necessary application package to be sent in for eligibility. Their FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section, not only responds to the questions most of us have about applying and how the process works, but also provides updates on the Expanded program.
HAP is providing other ways for eligible members to get answers to their questions. Coverage is handled by the three regional offices in Savannah, Fort Worth & Sacramento. They do answer their phones and are ready to reply to questions about the program. As well, representatives from the National Program Office will provide informational briefings if requested.
In the Fredericksburg and Stafford area, C21 AdVenture has been fortunate enough to host HAP’s Assistant Program Manager (PM), Mr. Donald Chapman, for an informational briefing last month for local Realtors. While his presentation answered some of our HAP questions, the opportunity to ask questions was the perfect opportunity for him to dispel some of the misconceptions held about the program by those in attendance. As a follow up, he’s returning in March to speak to a much larger audience of local military homeowners.
HAP leadership is pedaling as fast as they can in their attempt to inform military and civilian home owners who qualify, how to apply and participate in this timely offering. To make this program work, all involved need to know what the requirements and expectations are. Most endeavors take a little time to get off the ground, and this one is no exception. They’ll certainly be bumps in the road for sellers and buyers who participate in this process. Preparing yourself, by using the resources HAP is providing, may go a long way in making those bumps a bit more tolerable.
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Appraisal Changes Come Due
January 12th, 2010 categories: Market Trends, Relocating
In September of last year, the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) announced a change to FHA appraisal validity periods. The announcement was met with unanimous approval from all sectors; lenders, home owners & buyers, and yes, even appraisers.
The change to appraisal periods involved decreasing the validity time for FHA appraisals from six to four months for both existing homes and those under construction. Since the first of this calendar year, 2010, the new standard has been in effect. Why does the change matter?
For those of us that have faced selling properties, only to encounter difficulties with the appraisal, this reduced turn around time, or reduction of validity time, couldn’t have come sooner. Because, no matter the soundness of an agent’s estimation of a property’s value, it is the appraiser’s that matters most.
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Healthy Home Tips & Green Alternatives for Homeowners
January 5th, 2010 categories: Real Estate News, Relocating
I’ve recently been contacted by Mesothelioma Cancer Center and asked if I’d assist in spreading the word about this form of cancer, which is caused, almost always, by exposure to asbestos. Rarely, in life, do things happen by coincidence. We buried a friend of mine less than three weeks ago. He had been diagnosed with Mesothelioma less than four months ago. Please pay attention to the Center’s article that follows. Asbestos is a hazard. Be aware.
The home buying process is an exciting time, but one that may bring additional responsibilities into your life. Many homes may need renovations or inspections, especially in areas that are susceptible to natural disasters. Having the assistance of an experienced and honest real estate agent will make this process smooth and stress free.
Some older homes may still contain obsolete building materials. Citizens of this great state are striving to move to a green lifestyle, advocating environmentally sustainable methods to be used throughout the state. Building or remodeling your homes with eco-friendly materials can lower utility and water bills, higher real estate value, purer air quality, reduced waste sent to landfills and conservation of natural resources.
Asbestos + Healthy Tips
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was used in construction applications for the greater part of the 20th century. Often appearing as insulation, piping, roofing and flooring, homes and buildings could still contain asbestos materials if they were built prior to 1980.
If you locate any suspected asbestos in the home, most experts suggest leaving it un-disturbed until a home inspector can examine your property, take evaluations and determine the safest course of action. Sometimes the best action is no action at all. Disturbing asbestos in good condition may cause its fibers to be released into the air. The removal of asbestos must be undertaken by a professional abatement contractor who is trained in handling dangerous materials.
Exposure to this material can lead to the development of mesothelioma, a lung ailment associated with asbestos exposure. Though a cure does not exist, mesothelioma treatment options such as radiation, chemotherapy and surgery may be available to patients to battle the disease. Mesothelioma compensation has become tough to predict for victims and their families because diagnosis can take 20-50 years. For this reason, many people refer to it as a silent killer.
Removal of asbestos in public facilities, workplaces and homes should be performed by licensed abatement contractors as long as the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) are not violated. They must wear protective equipment such as masks and gloves to avoid any exposure. The materials should be removed in as large pieces as possible and places in disposable bags.
Green Building Benefits
Each and every human being would like clean air to breathe and crisp water to drink. It takes a lot of effort and political advocacy to achieve this on a macro level. The implementation of eco-construction, green energy solutions will play an important role in the transformation to a healthier and sustainable world. Many locations throughout Alabama are swiftly changing their construction practices to suit the environment and the health of human beings.
There are many green, eco-friendly materials that replace the need for asbestos and can reduce energy costs annually. These include the use of cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose. Cotton fiber is quickly becoming a favorite for home builders and renovators. Made from recycled batted material, it is also treated to be fireproof. Research has demonstrated that the use of eco-friendly insulation alternatives can reduce annual energy costs by 25 percent.
Implementing green methods of building can have positive environmental, health and economic benefits. These include: Conservation of natural resources, enhancement of air quality, energy sustainability, increase property value, improve quality of life, improvement of pulmonary/cardiac health and reduction of waste.
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What’s In Your Stocking?
December 24th, 2009 categories: Real Estate News, Relocating
Well, Christmas is finally here. On this Eve of what many consider our most celebrated, and certainly costliest holiday, what are you hoping to find in your stocking, or under your Christmas tree? According an associate of mine, for men at least, they’re looking for something electronic. She informed that men always seem to want the latest electronic gadget. Women, according to her, are much more practical. Hmmmm, interesting.
So, what is your latest Christmas wish? Somehow, I doubt that it’s A Christmas Story’s Red Ryder BB gun. But, who doesn’t look forward to opening what’s under the tree? For many, Christmas is a time of celebration and renewal. Both, spiritual and personal. A wonderful opportunity for family to get back in touch with one another. For cards from distant friends. And, for others, the focus of the holiday is on giving.
What if we all were more like George Bailey? You know, Jimmy Stewart’s role in the Christmas favorite, It’s a Wonderful Life. The movie’s main character, whose dream was to travel the world, but never quite got there. Instead, he was continually helping others less fortunate than he. With money, and time, and his tireless efforts. He certainly gave more than he got. Wouldn’t you agree? Of course, George Bailey was a movie character, not a “real” person. But, if he was, who would he be? Do you know someone who fits his description? What about you?
As this year draws to a close, I’m reminded during this Christmas season of giving, that whether fulfilling our duties as professionals, as Realtors, we have a responsibility to give more than we’ll get. And while there are those transactions that make us all wonder why we ever chose this profession, looking back, it’s easy to realize the benefits clearly outweigh the challenges faced. Let’s hope that the case for many of us.
Merry Christmas!
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Let It Snow
December 20th, 2009 categories: Real Estate News, Relocating
Yes, if you haven’t heard yet, we’re snowed under! As you can see, the front yard is blanketed in almost two feet of snow, and the Northern Virginia area is struggling with a bit more of the stuff than they were ready for. Outside my front door this morning, it looked like this.
And, as I’ve said previously in this blog, when there’s any show on the ground in Northern Virginia, driving on our roads is akin to bumper cars lite! While that might be a bit of an exaggeration, it’s not far off. From what the local weather channel says, yesterday’s snowfall surpassed the record level that occurred in 1932.
Of course, for many of us, being house bound isn’t something we’re used to. Most Realtors, after all, are out with clients on the weekends. So, the forced confinement is probably what I needed! Life’s like that sometimes, don ‘t you think? Forcing us to do things we otherwise wouldn’t. Perhaps there is something to an overall design to this life. Hmmm, I wonder if….on second thought, perhaps we’d better not start down that road.
So, are you going to be lucky enough to have a white Christmas too? We’ll, while the snow’s here, I might as well head outside and have some fun!
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Can You Separate Fact From Fiction?
December 15th, 2009 categories: Market Trends, Real Estate News, Relocating
As I was skimming this morning’s New York Times headlines, when a piece on “Mega Content” sites caught my eye. The article’s emphasis centered on the the quality, or lack thereof, of ”Content Sites” like Answers.com The bottom line is, that while these sites are rich with content, and are quickly attracting viewers, maybe we need to consider what the quality of the material found there is? In other words, there’s mounds of information, but is it any good? Is it worthwhile? Is it TRUE?
During the past year or so, I’ve had the opportunity to teach a reoccurring Real Estate Technology class. The class briefly reviews the shift we’ve seen in the methods, tools and practices in our profession during the past few years, and examines how Realtors, by leveraging these recent tools, and social media platforms, can improve productivity and their business. One point of emphasis we touch on during the class is the use of Real Estate blogs as a means of learning the business. Blogs, and their collaborative structure, are a free classroom. And an interactive one at that. And there are loads of them. Whether it’s foreclosures, luxury homes, mortgage issues, best ways to showcase a property, or just about any other subject related to the business of real estate, or homes, there’s a blog for it. Best of all, as I say again and again during class, they are FREE. Classes we used to pay for are now on the web, and at our fingertips, for FREE. So, we really have no excuse for being uninformed, right? But, having said that, what about the content? How much substance is there in the information we’re taking in. What credibility does the particular author, and real estate subject “expert” have?
When absorbing information, it’s a good idea to check your sources, don’t you think? Have you ever wondered why the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) requires certain labels or notices on food and drug containers? Do you think it’s important to know a drug is poisonous BEFORE you take it? Have you ever looked on the label to see what’s in that jar of jelly you’re about to open? Well, what about Real Estate information you’re consuming? Is that article on Short Sales written by a practitioner who is a qualified expert in that transaction? Does that individual teaching you Ethics actually have any background in the practice, or is their “expertise” a matter of having been convicted in court of lying or something worse? Who knew?
One the painful truths of growing up is that most of us have to learn from our own mistakes since we fail to learn from the mistakes of others. Another is that, the older we get, the smarter our parents seem to be. I don’t know about you, but my parents tugged on my ear a few times in my youth telling me not to believe everything I hear. And, you know what, they were right. With today’s abundance of online information, let’s try and be as discriminating with what we read, as well.
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