To see the complete list click the link below:

http://www.bicycling.com/topbikefriendlycities/slide24.html

When someone wins an Academy Award, don’t we expect more from him or her in the future? Why? Because the Award defines their abilities in some way, and here is where they’re relevant to your Signal Mountain home for sale. Just like the Awards, our homes seem to define us in some strange way.

Think about it. When you see a large home with manicured lawns, lighted pathways and a pool, don’t you automatically assume the owners have money? They’ve won the “dream home” award.

Likewise, if you see a home with a scraggly lawn and a bad paint job, you may assume the opposite. In other words, it doesn’t automatically occur to us that the people with the manicured home may just be good at money management or that the owners of the scraggly lawn home may make plenty of money but not manage it well.

We, as human beings, are good at judging a book by its cover. We assume certain things based on what we see, not reality. So what does the home you’re selling say about you? What will it say about the buyer? Would it win the dream home award?

Looking At Your Home with New Eyes

When preparing your home to sell, it’s important to look at the home you’ve lived in for years with new eyes.  Because you’re used to the cracks in the sidewalk, peeling paint or missing shingles, you probably don’t even notice it any more.

Potential buyers, however, are looking for Academy Award winners. Little things, such as unwashed windows, really can make all the difference. Trees with dead branches, lawns that haven’t been mowed, numbers falling off of mailboxes – all of these things may seem small, but they can quickly lose a sale.

Buyers see the outside of a Signal Mountian home for sale and have certain expectations of what the inside will look like. If the inside and outside don’t match, you have work to do. Don’t let the home you’re selling wallow on the market. If it’s been sitting on the selling block for months without a peep, it’s time to see what you can do about turning it into a dream home award winner!

If you’re ready to sell your home, I can help. Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.

Keyword/Tag: Signal Mountain home for sale

Links:

Good at money management

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/financial-literacy2004/12-steps-home.asp

Cracks in the sidewalk

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/repairsidewalkcrack

Dream home award

http://www.dreamhomeawards.com/

Getting Your House Ready to Paint

The first thing that you’ll need to do is inspect the house.  Look at all the walls, under the eaves and around the doorframe and windows.  Check for peeling paint, mildew and rough surfaces.

You’ll need to gather a few tools before getting to the repairs and putting your Chattanooga home up for sale:

• Power-washer
• 2-3” inch putty knife
• 2-3” inch pull scraper
• Wire brush
• Sander
• Chlorine bleach

Preparing the Surface

Power-wash the walls so you’ll have a clean surface.  You don’t need to use detergents; plain ol’ water works the best.

The putty knife and the wire brush remove problems where paint has peeled, blistered or wrinkled.  Avoid gouging the surface by holding the putty knife perpendicular to the wall and using moderate force.

The pull scraper is for areas that won’t easily come clean.  It’s used the same way as the putty knife, but it has a sharp blade attached that quickly gets through old paint.  The walls will need to be sanded smooth after you finish this step.

For small spots, a piece of sandpaper wrapped around a sanding block works just fine.  An electric sander is best for large areas; it’ll save you time and energy.

Removing Mildew

Mildew is a dark patch of fungus, like a dirty spot, often found on a damp, shady spot in your house.  If you aren’t sure it’s mildew, put a few drops of chlorine bleach on it.  If the spot fades away, you know you have a mildew problem.

Mildew shows through new paint, so you’ll need to get rid of it before you start painting.  A simple mix of chlorine bleach will kill it quickly.

All you have to do now is pick out a paint color and wait for the right weather to paint.  Soon you’ll be ready to put up your Chattanooga home for sale.

If you’re thinking of selling your home, I can help.  Call me today at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.

Keyword/Tag: Chattanooga home for sale

Links:

Painting the exterior of their home:

http://www.house-painting-info.com/exterior-painting.html

Mildew

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infxtra/infroo.html

Power-wash:

http://www.hometips.com/diy-how-to/house-siding-power-pressure-wash.html

Back in the “good old days,” (a few years ago) it was easier to qualify for a loan, with one-page loan applications, stated incomes and “no doc” (no documentation, meaning nothing had to be proven) loans. There were amazing loan programs, like 125% loan on the purchase price with no down payment.

Now, buying Signal Mountain real estate is more burdensome. No more “no doc” loans; lenders want every piece of documentation you can come up with. So then, why is it the best time to buy? And what does this have to do with your real estate team?

Although the current loan situation isn’t ideal, it’s worth the effort to find a home you can afford. Here are two reasons:

• First time homebuyers tax credit – this is a big one. If you can get into escrow by April 30 and close by the end of June, you can qualify for the $8,000 ($6,500 for existing homeowners) federal incentive.

• Mortgage rates – It might be hard to get a loan, but it isn’t hard to get a loan with low interest rates. Unbelievably, many are still waiting, hoping the mortgage rates will go down further. Stop waiting for that to happen.  It’s not going to be long before they’ll be going back up – not down.

This doesn’t include the incredibly low prices for many homes, as well as the huge housing supply. “Slim pickings” doesn’t apply to our current housing market.

With all these incredible opportunities, it makes sense that your team – the people who represent you – knows what they’re doing. In this day and age, your dream team doesn’t just need knowledge; they need experience.

At a minimum, your dream team should consist of:

• Your real estate agent who needs to be able to guide you to the best housing opportunity available for your area.
• Your lender (who is actually supposed to be helping you) who should be able to build a loan package that fits your specific needs and budget. As well, that loan package must stay within the lender’s guidelines to make sure your loan application is successful.

The more you know – and the more your team knows – the better the chance you have of buying the home of your dreams, at a price you can afford, with a low interest rate, before the April 30 deadline. By July, you could be sitting pretty with your own piece of Signal Mountain real estate and a cool $8,000 in your bank account!

Putting together your dream team?  I’d be honored to have the chance to interview for the position of your knowledgeable, experienced real estate agent.  Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com today.

Keyword/Tag: Signal Mountain real estate

Links:

First-time homebuyers tax credit

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/

Mortgage rates

http://www.mortgage-x.com/trends.htm

low prices for many homes

http://www.usnews.com/money/articles/2010/01/26/home-prices-stabilize-further-but-more-drops-may-be-in-store.html

Here are primary points to consider:

1. Location. This is where you are going to live. You need to consider how far away it is from work, schools, and shopping. You probably want to do as little driving as possible. An Ooltewah home close to where you will be spending your time away from home may be the better choice for you.

1. Home repairs. What will you need to do to the home once you move in? Think about the time and money you will have to invest in the home before making your decision. A home in slightly better shape may be the better option for you so you can concentrate on getting settled in your new home after moving in.

1. Age of appliances. This can make a big difference in your choice. Do you really want to have to replace the appliances soon after you move in? Your might be better choosing a home with newer appliances.

1. Hobbies. Is there a car lover or avid crafter in your family? Look at which home has the most to offer these people. Perhaps one garage has been expanded or has built-in work benches. Maybe a closet already has a space to organize craft supplies.

Let me help you find the Ooltewah home that best fits your lifestyle. Call me today at 423-488-1882or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com

Keyword/Tag: Ooltewah home

Here are a few examples:

• Some homeowners panicked and immediately put their houses up for sale
• Some homeowners chose to walk away from it all, leaving their homes vacant and mortgages in default
• Some homeowners went into a flurry of home renovations, with the idea of selling
• National and Signal Mountain home for sale listings shot through the roof

The amazing thing isn’t that the real estate market seems to be stabilizing – that’s not the miracle. The miracle is that we still even have a real estate market at all.

Obsessing Over the Sale

This year opened up with a lot of homes on the market, but it also opened with a lot of sellers digging into real estate news. They’ve started obsessing; they’ve started pouring over online real estate digests, articles and blogs. In fact, the traffic for this site alone has jumped tremendously.

While it’s understandable that you, as the seller, want to know what your chances are for selling your home, obsessing is bad for business. Especially if you’re dealing with potential buyers in person, your eagerness to sell can show in very bad ways. You might end up selling the home for way less than you could have – or you might not sell your home at all if they sense desperation.

If you’re obsessing over whether your home will sell or not, stop. Take a deep breath. Relax. Even if you’re in a hurry, taking a short break from worry can help clear your mind and leave it open for better ideas.

It may be hard to remember sometimes, and giving trust is always difficult, but that’s what we’re here for. You hired your real estate agent to take care of your Signal Mountain home for sale and get it off the market. We do the research on the market and we have the experience.  In other words, we do the worrying for you!

If you’d like to sell your home, I can help. Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.

Keyword/Tag:  Signal Mountain home for sale

Homeowners chose to walk away

http://articles.sfgate.com/2008-03-16/news/17166894_1_foreclosure-process-subprime-home-values-tumble

A lot of homes on the market

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-foreclose_21bus.ART0.State.Edition1.3cfbcf0.html

Taking a short break from worry

http://www.caringtoday.com/reduce-stress/break-free-from-worry

• Mortgage rates are holding steady below 5%, thanks to government intervention. Thanks to the low rates, more people are buying and refinancing. However, the downside is that banks are more reluctant to refinance or loan. This leaves many, who want to buy a Chattanooga home, with the inability to do so. Ironic that, in a buyer’s market, it’s the banks with all the selling power.

The other “but” is that the Federal Reserve program providing the low mortgage rates is set to expire in March. Rates could very well double shortly after, which is highly likely to drop the number of interested buyers. A drop in buyer numbers will only further shift the supply/demand ratio.

• As of December 10, 2009, the number of foreclosures in a month had dropped 16%, nationwide. The home buyer tax credit expansion, foreclosure prevention programs and loan modification programs have helped, as well as state mandated financing programs. As great as that is, there were still over 300,000 foreclosures in November, 2009, which is 18% higher than November, 2008.

• Home prices are “firming,” showing improvement over five consecutive months. Although the rise is considered mild, fewer homeowners are underwater, where they owe more mortgage than their house is worth. Because housing prices are improving, home sellers are more confident in the listing prices they’ve set.

However, many – who are currently unemployed – have ARM mortgages that will be resetting shortly. While they can afford their current mortgages, many won’t be able to afford a higher one. This could bring another round of foreclosures and another drop in housing prices.

What does all this mean for Chattanooga home buyers and sellers? As Ben Franklin put it, “nothing in this world is certain, except death and taxes.” However, there is also the famous “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” 2010 could be rocky, but, if you’re careful and do your research, you’ll find smooth sailing ahead.

If you’re trying to buy or sell a home, I can help. Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.

Keyword/Tag:  Chattanooga home

Links:

Federal Reserve program providing the low mortgage rates

http://www.denverpost.com/money/ci_13406176#ixzz0ZgwC4xj6

number of foreclosures in a month

http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/10/real_estate/Novermber_foreclosure_report/index.htm

Fewer homeowners are underwater

http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/06/real_estate/underwater_mortgages_decrease/index.htm?postversion=2009110910

es’ <s
@</ will be a real estate recovery in 2010.

If you’re struggling to sell your home, I can help. Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.

Keyword/Tag:  Signal Mountain real estate

Links:

Realty Check

http://www.cnbc.com/id/34110130

Existing home sales

http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2009/11/hopeful_leading

Housing Predictor

http://www.housingpredictor.com/better.html

=MsoNo< ig
@</yle=’font-size:12.0pt;font-family:”Times New Roman”,”serif”; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri’>http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/MoneyInYour20s/9waysToBuildAKillerCreditScore.aspx

Improve your credit score:

http://www.myfico.com/CreditEducation/ImproveYourScore.aspx

Credit-to-debt ratio:

http://michaelbluejay.com/house/debt-ratio.html

CNBC’s Realty Check predicts:

• the beginning of a housing market recovery mid-year
• higher foreclosure inventory
• rising mortgage rates, probably leveling off around six percent.
• suffering commercial real estate

The National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR) chief economist is projecting:

• A sustainable recovery.  The tax credit expansion will help to relieve extra housing supply through mid-2010.
• A rise in existing home sales.  The NAR is expecting existing home sales to rise as high as 5.69 million, even with continuing unemployment issues.  That’s a 13.6 percent increase.

In fact, the U.S. forecasts for national and Signal Mountain real estate are overall positive for 2010.

Housing Predictor, one of the first places to predict the wave of foreclosures, also forecasts positive numbers for 2010.  They anticipate rising home sales, market improvement and even value appreciation for some places. Again, the magic period for the start of stabilization is the middle of the year.

Although no one knows for certain what will happen in the future – especially for such struggling sectors as national and Signal Mountain real estate – we can all gain a little hope from the 2010 forecasts. There is one thing that is fairly well agreed upon according to these predictions:  there will be a real estate recovery in 2010.

If you’re struggling to sell your home, I can help. Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.

Keyword/Tag:  Signal Mountain real estate

Links:

Realty Check

http://www.cnbc.com/id/34110130

Existing home sales

http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2009/11/hopeful_leading

Housing Predictor

http://www.housingpredictor.com/better.html

=MsoNo< ig
@</yle=’font-size:12.0pt;font-family:”Times New Roman”,”serif”; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri’>http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/MoneyInYour20s/9waysToBuildAKillerCreditScore.aspx

Improve your credit score:

http://www.myfico.com/CreditEducation/ImproveYourScore.aspx

Credit-to-debt ratio:

http://michaelbluejay.com/house/debt-ratio.html

• Little or no credit.  You may be under the mistaken impression that no credit is better than bad credit, but you’d be wrong.  A blank credit history is not something a mortgage lender wants to see.  A lender needs some idea of how you make payments.  You can build your credit history by getting a department store credit card, and only using thirty percent of your available credit to make a purchase.  Making regular payments will soon add up to good credit, and lenders will look more favorably at your loan application.
• Bad Credit.  It’ll be difficult to find a lender that will approve a person with bad credit.  It’s not the end of the road.  You can improve your credit score with a little hard work and still buy that Hixson home you want.  You’ll want to get a copy of your credit report from all three of the major credit bureaus.  If you have frequent late charges or many items in collections, you’ll need to call each company and arrange to get your accounts current.  You’ll be surprised at the difference each timely payment makes on your credit score.
• Credit-to-Debt Ratio.  Most mortgage lenders will decline a loan application if your credit to debt ratio is too high.  The ratio is figured by dividing the amount of credit available to you by the amount that you are actually using.  Using all or a high percentage of the credit available to you may leave the impression that you are short on money and will have trouble making loan payments.

Let me help you get on the road to a Hixson real estate loan.  Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.

Keyword/Tag: Hixson real estate

LINKS:

Build your credit history:

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/MoneyInYour20s/9waysToBuildAKillerCreditScore.aspx

Improve your credit score:

http://www.myfico.com/CreditEducation/ImproveYourScore.aspx

Credit-to-debt ratio:

http://michaelbluejay.com/house/debt-ratio.html

• Use the appropriate cooking utensils in your kitchen.  Most electric stoves are equipped with two small burners, and two large ones.  Make sure that you are using your small pans on the small burners, and large pans on the larger burners.  Using a small pan on a large burner wastes energy, adds heat to kitchen, and may cause the handles to warp on the pans if they become too hot.  Place lids on your pots and pans when they are on the stove, this will conserve the heat and decrease the workload on your cooling system.

• Repair dripping sink faucets in the kitchen.  You can replace the faucet in your Chattanooga home inexpensively.  A few drips on a constant basis adds up to gallons of wasted water.  Replacing the faucet can substantially decrease the amount of water you use.
• Run the dishwasher only when it’s full.  There are several ways to save energy with the dishwasher.  Make sure that the appliance itself is energy efficient.  Next, scrape the dishes before you load them.  This may allow you to set the wash cycle to a light or normal wash, instead of a heavy wash cycle.  Set the drying cycle to air dry.  Air-dry cycles decrease the amount of heat the appliance creates.  These tips will save a lot of water and energy.

It’s easier than you may think to update the kitchen in your Chattanooga home using green appliances and energy-saving methods.  Depending on what you buy, you may also qualify for a federal tax credit for energy efficiency.

Want to buy an energy-efficient home?  Call me now at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.

Keyword/Tag: Chattanooga home

Links:

Repair dripping sink faucets – http://www.ehow.com/how_4880874_fix-dripping-kitchen-faucet.html

Dishwasher – http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=dishwash.pr_dishwashers

Federal tax credit for energy efficiency – http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index