Many of these apps are even offered free of charge, although they may request your location information in order to produce the results you desire. If you want more specific information or ideas on specialized apps for your tech devices, please give me a call so we can brainstorm on how I can help meet your real estate needs.  In the meantime, though, check these out!

Not sure where you want to live?

• Nabewise Get to know neighborhoods in-depth, complete with pictures, reviews and ratings ond rankings on the things you care most about.
• GreatSchools Get to know local school options and read reviews by staff and parents of children attending the schools. Schools are also scored based on scores and ratings.
• Yelp Find the best restaurants, shopping, and entertainment in the area you are researching directly from the people who live there. A true “insider’s view.”

Trying to keep track of everything?

• Evernote Keep track of your buying process, including the information on homes you have seen, complete with your personal notes!

Want to compare?

• House Hunter This tool allows you to set priorities on your wants and needs and match them to homes you are considering with the feature list and also has a mortgage calculator built in.
• Trulia – Easy to use and even includes a help button! Depending on your mobile device, you can check and compare listings and even search by feature using your voice.

Looking for actual numbers?

• Zillow Zestimates and make me move allow you to get an idea of what homes cost on any street and even permit you to make offers to home owners who do not have their property for sale.
• Realtor.com Get stats on new homes, sold homes, and homes for sale easily and quickly, including price changes in any neighborhood.

Home sellers get excited at that news, but if you are trying to purchase a home, it may make competition a bit tougher. If you have been searching for a home and have finally settled on one that you love, don’t delay on submitting an offer.

Interest rates have been reduced to historic lows allowing you, the home buyer, to get more home for the same amount of money, which sounds fantastic.  You can lock in your rate during the loan process, only after getting an accepted offer.

Do not buy a new car or new furniture or go on a celebratory shopping  spree until your escrow has funded!  Credit ratios are VERY important at this time and if they become out of balance or new credit is extended, it can make you less likely to qualify for your home loan.  It does not matter if the offer is ZERO percent interest… it still affects your credit line.

DO pay your current financial obligations.  During the busy home buying time, it can be easy to forget to pay bills or miss deadlines – be careful because late payments will reflect negatively on your credit and could even result in your loan being denied.

Do not make changes in your employment – including changing jobs to make more money.  The key to getting a mortgage is showing a picture of stability and a job change could tarnish that image.  Wait until after escrow closes to accept the new position.

Now is the time to have the home inspected to make sure you are aware of any possible issues in the home before it’s too late and the deed has been transferred. An independent inspector can evaluate your potential home on a structural and functional level and give you a full report, generally in under two hours. This report can help you feel at ease with your purchase and alert you to any areas of concern.

If there is a swimming pool or spa or unusual home appliance or fixture, you may want to have that inspected individually by a reputable repairman in that field. Questions and concerns relating to asbestos, lead or chemicals, mold and mildew, or pests will need to be directed to an inspector licensed in those specific areas of expertise.

Generally speaking, a home inspection on a property for sale will cover the following areas:

• An evaluation of the walls, ceiling, floor, roof, firewall, windows, foundation and slab.
• Inspection of the landscaping, looking particularly at grading and drainage, although drives and walkways, fencing, trim, doors, windows, and outlets will be checked as well.
• General framing as seen in exposed beams or attics, ventilation, duct and plumbing systems, and the condition of roofing materials, plumbing and rain gutters will be noted, too. Water heaters, fireplaces and the sprinkler system should be evaluated.
• The electrical sources and wiring in the home will be inspected, from circuit breakers and grounding systems to exhaust fans and receptacles.
• All appliances, including the garbage disposal, alarm system (if needed) and all smoke detectors.

Every county and state has different regulations in regards to home inspections, so it it best to use a local inspector recommended by someone you trust. If the inspection uncovers issues in the home regarding health and safety issues, a need for the roof or ventilation system to be replaced, a problem in the home’s foundation or significant drainage concerns, you will want to further explore the problem at the seller’s expense.

Try as they might to create a home that will meet every need and every taste, home builders are aware that it just can’t be done.  As with shoes, versatility lies in key components – simple design, elegant tones, and a combination of shine, style and comfort.

As with your shoe purchase, buying a home requires you to consider what is most important to you and your future plans.

• Open design vs. cozy comfort?
• Modern storage options vs. vintage style?
• Planned, pre-designed landscaping vs. creative gardening?
• Modular vs. eclectic structure?

You should also consider how and who will be using the home.  Should it be tailored to you or is it an investment property?

• Primary residence or vacation home?
• Adults only? Adults and pets? Adults, children and pets? Renters?  College students?
• Will it be used to entertain often and is parking sufficient?  Do you need a guest room?

Of course, there are many other questions to be considered, so take your time with your home purchase. Enjoy the journey as you find the home that is the perfect fit for you and your circumstances. And when you find the home that makes you want to click your heels so you can return?  Make an offer!  As to shoes?  If the shoe fits… buy it in every color!

The recent real estate market resulted in 45,623 short sales closed by Freddie Mac in 2011, an increase of 140% from the amount of short sales they serviced in 2009. According to Tracy Mooney, Senior Vice President, Single-Family Servicing and REO, of Freddie Mac, “Short sales are more complex than routine home sales since they may involve multiple parties and long-distance negotiating. Freddie Mac’s new timelines are intended to help make the decision process more transparent and timely for short-sales under the Obama Administration’s HAFA program or Freddie Mac’s traditional short-sale option.” Mooney went on to say that, “Today’s announcement underscores our commitment to help reduce credit losses and taxpayer risks by supporting more opportunities for sustained occupancy in our nation’s homes.”

Keep in mind that if you are purchasing a home through the short sale process, you may need to spend more time and research in identifying the home you decide to purchase and expert help is always advised.  Make sure you compare and physically view the property, research any liens or mortgages and contact lenders directly, along with completing your application and offer before negotiating and completing the sale.  To find out more about this process from a home seller standpoint, please click here.

Actual national home inventory displayed an increase between February 2012 and March 2012, as well, and the average days on the market for a home decreased from 111 days to 89 days in that same month span, which are other positive indicators.  While median list prices vary across national markets, the data collected by Realtor.com indicated a slight upward swing, causing many a home owner to take note.

If you are considering buying a home or selling your current home, these statistics can provide insight into the current real estate market.  Combining these statistics with historically low interest rates (3.88% for a conventional 30 year mortgage last week), could help you in determining your decision. To get more details on the study and comparisons to previous months and years and see the actual graphing trends, please click here.

JACKSON COUNTY REAL ESTATE
Median sales price of existing homes rises
It’s a trend local real estate experts haven’t seen in five years; price up to $145,900

By Greg Stiles
Mail Tribune
April 06, 2012 2:00 AM

The Jackson County real estate market witnessed something it hadn’t seen in years during the first three months of 2012 — a rise in the median sales price for existing single-family residences.  Figures compiled by the Southern Oregon Multiple Listing Service revealed a 3.2 percent increase in the median price to $145,900, led by the Upper Rogue region and west Medford, from Jan. 1 through March 31. It was the first year-over-year increase over a three-month period since August 2007.

“I think there has been some pent-up demand with people on the sidelines wanting to buy, but not too soon for fear it might go down further,” said Mike Towery, branch manager at iMortgage in Medford. “Now, the consensus is that prices are stabilizing, and they don’t want to miss the boat. With the low prices and low interest rates, it’s my opinion we’re in a sweet spot where both are at or near decade-lows.”

The pace of activity jumped 14.5 percent during the first quarter, as well, with 481 homes exchanging hands, up from 420. Turnover time appeared to hasten, as well, with the average days on market for sold property decreasing to 77 from 101. There was a rare nudge in new construction sales as well, with new homes being bought in seven of the 11 SOMLS zones.

While the median for the past three months is 43.1 percent below the $256,500 level enjoyed five years ago, there are signs that this isn’t a one-time bump.
March’s countywide median was $150,000, up from $135,160 a year ago. The inventory of existing houses on the market has plunged 28.3 percent over the past year to 1,130, with 55 fewer dwellings than were listed a month ago.

A lot of real estate agents are asking themselves if a three-month trend during the winter is for real, said Ron Galbreath of Keller Williams Realty in Medford.  “Is it pseudo bottom?” he wondered. “A lot of people on the street see a shadow inventory coming, but I don’t see it. It seems to be a perfect storm, so I’m pinching myself.”  Five of the 11 reporting zones saw increased medians: Shady Cove/Trail by 20.3 percent; Eagle Point by 9.1 percent; west Medford by 7 percent; Talent by 4.8 percent; and Central Point by 2.7 percent.

Foreclosed properties, which have dominated sales in recent times, made up 43.7 percent of the transactions at a median of $126,235. Short sales accounted for the 19.1 percent at a median price of $141,500, while the other 37 percent were standard sales at a median price of $173,750.
While the lower end of the market continues to be more active, there is some action at the high end.

“Last year, we saw a lot of people who just wanted to buy a house,” Towery said. “Now we’re seeing people selling a home and trading up, the kind of things we saw historically.”  Towery said someone with a credit score of 720 or better and 20 percent down could qualify for a conforming 30-year fixed-rate mortgage up to $417,000 at 3.875 percent, with the annual percentage rate of 4.055 percent.
Lenders, he said, have the ability to add to or improve the pricing of a loan based on credit scores, occupancy and the amount of down payments.

Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or email business@mailtribune.com.

According to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) released on Friday, April 5, 2012, 101 areas throughout the United States are showing signs of growth, in thirty-five states. That is great news if you have your home for sale as it means the real estate market is improving throughout the country.  It is reassuring news if you are a home buyer as well, as it may give you a better idea of the stability of the area in which you hope to buy a home.

It is interesting to note that the NAHB/FA report is based on the following three solid factors remaining steady over a six month period, rather than simply market speculation.

• Employment Growth Statistics (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• House Price Appreciation (Freddie Mac)
• Single-family Housing Permit increases (U.S. Census Bureau)

According to David Crowe, chief economist at NAHB, “The IMI is designed to highlight markets that are showing consistent improvement.”  Seeing that improvement as a great sign, Kurt Pfotenhauer, vice chairman of First American Title Insurance Company agreed stating,“The fact that the number and geographic distribution of improving housing markets continued to expand beyond the 100 mark in April bodes well for the start of the spring home buying season, and should be an encouraging sign for those who are considering a home purchase.”

You can view the current report here to see specific markets and their ranking in the IMI in April.

While this process is one you can research on your own or with the help of an adjuster from your insurance company, you may find that turning to an additional public adjuster for aid in documenting your insurance claim to be very helpful. A public adjuster works independently from your insurance company and can evaluate your home and damage and coverage to determine the best means of reporting your loss.

Here are some steps to follow when hiring a public adjuster:

1. Only interview and hire an adjuster who is licensed and ask about their level of experience.
2. Make sure you speak directly to the adjuster who will be evaluating your loss each time you call regarding your property, to lessen the risks of misunderstandings.
3. Question the adjuster’s experience and credentials and call past client referrals and ask for details. Your adjuster should be willing and able to supply you with this information easily.
4. Double check that the adjuster you are working with is local and will work with any contractors you want to hire, if necessary.  Ask if they will help you in calculating living expenses, if applicable, or just with damage estimation.
5. Educate yourself.  Since public adjusters work on contingency fees ranging from 5% to 15% of the insurance proceeds, it is wise to negotiate these fees and have them defined in a signed contract.

If you want to learn more, click here.

While mold can be dangerous to your health, with symptoms ranging from breathing problems or congestion and watery, red eyes to aches and pains and even memory loss, it is also an issue easily solved.  Mold can grow in areas of constant moisture, as a result of flooding, a leaky roof or plumbing, or improper ventilation in rooms that are moist.

If you discover mold while your home is for sale, a professional inspection and treatment should be done. If not, then you must first determine the source of moisture to begin your plan of attack.  If the area is large, you should consult with a professional for proper treatment methods.  If however the damage is slight or only affecting a small area, you may want to attempt the repair yourself.

After applying the appropriate protective gear (mask and gloves), you need to remove all porous materials such as ceiling tiles, drywall, carpeting and wood.  Non-porous surfaces such as cement, metal, tile or glass can remain.  Allow the area to completely dry over a 2-3 day period and use fans if necessary to help in this process. Then, with a non-ammonia detergent and a stiff brush, scrub the entire area, rinse and dry. Once dry, disinfect the cleaned surface with a solution of bleach and water (use one cup of bleach for every gallon of water). Allow the area to dry completely and then, retexture, paint, or decorate as needed.