A day and a Life of a Realtor

Stop Renting!!!

2010-10-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

STOP PAYING RENT!!
Don’t pay another cent in rent to your landlord! It’s a dream we all have – to own our own home and stop paying rent. But if you’re like most renters, you feel trapped within the walls of a house or apartment that doesn’t fell like yours. How could it when you’re not even permitted to bang in a nail or two without a hassle? You feel like you’re stuck in the renter’s rut with no way of rising up out of it an owning your own home.
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been renting, or how insurmountable your financial situation may seem. The truth is, there are some little known facts that can help you get over the hump, and transfer your status from renter to homeowner. With this information, you will begin to see how you really can:
• Save for a downpayment
• Stop lining your landlord’s pockets
• Stop wasting thousands of dollars on rent
There are many important issues you should be aware of that affect you as a renter. Why on earth would you continue to lose thousands by throwing it away on rent when with the right Real Estate Agent you could take a few minutes to discuss your specific needs so that you can stop renting and start owning!
This conversation costs you NOTHING! And, of course, you would not be obligated to buy a home. But by taking the time to explore your options, and learn about the way you can afford to buy a home, think how prepared and relaxed you’ll be when you are ready to make this important step!
Please give us a call at 574-4422 for a no-obligation and completely confidential appointment to review your options!

Click here to stop paying rent:

What's Short about a Short Sale

2010-09-30T08:54:00.000-07:00

Do you owe more for your home than what it is actually worth in today’s real estate market and NEED to sell? If you have found yourself in this situation, there is no need to be ashamed as this has happened to thousands of people just like you. Whether you have been a victim of job loss, home value depreciation, or other economic struggles, there is HOPE in selling your home.
The FOCUS Team is well versed in this area of home sales that is commonly referred to as a “short sale”. This is a sale in which we help you negotiate with your bank to take less for your mortgage payoff than you actually owe. This will aid you in being able to sell your home for today’s value without having to bring funds to the closing table to settle on your home. YES! Last year alone, we helped over 25 families sell their homes using this “short sale” method. However, before you consider putting your home up for sale and hiring a Real Estate Agent to assist you, you will want to make she that he/she can answer the following questions:

1. Will I have to pay back the debt and if so, how much time will the bank give to do so?

2. Do I have to miss payments to enter into a short sale contract with the bank? If so, how will this affect my credit?

3. I cannot afford to pay your commission. Who pays your commission? Further, if the bank lowers your commission, does that mean you will not approve the sale?

4. What will you do differently in comparison to what I can do by myself, saving me the commission and as a result, me owing less money to the bank?

5. How many short sales have you listed and closed? What is the main reason the short sales do not close?

6. Have you dealt with "X" bank before? This is my lender and would prefer an Agent who has negotiated another deal with them already.

7. Will I have to pay income tax on the deficiency?

8. I have mortgage insurance. Who will cover that cost, if anyone and will that have to be paid in full at closing?

9. I am behind on water bills and taxes. Who will cover that cost when we close?

10. I have a 1st and 2nd mortgage with different lenders. How will you proceed to get an approval from both lenders?

11. I have filed for chapter 7 Bankruptcy, can I still do a short sale and what are the advantages/disadvantages?

As you can see from the questions listed above, this is a complex process. Therefore, it is important to retain the best Realtor to help you satisfy your obligation and move forward with your life. We are confident in our track record, our ability to negotiate with banks, and our knowledge of this sales process. We encourage you to call us for a NO OBLIGATION & COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL evaluation if you would like to learn more about this process and find out if you qualify!

Staging To Sell... FAST!!!

2010-04-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

When you are selling your home, The Focus Team goal is the sell your home FAST, FOR TOP DOLLAR, and THE LEAST AMOUNT OF HASSLE! One way that we can help you get to your next destination on time is by assisting you in staging your home for sale.
Here are 10 valuable tips to staging your home for sale:
1. Take a look at the front of your home first. Does the siding need repair, repainting, or washing? If so, this is the Buyer’s first impression so make the needed adjustments. In addition, hang a colorful seasonal wreath on your front door to accent the front entryway.
2. When your home is going to have a showing, make sure to turn on numerous lights throughout the home. In addition, replace any light bulbs that are burned out.
3. A fundamental rule when selling your home is to keep all colors neutral from paint to carpet. Avoid highly patterned wall paper and unusual color choices as the Buyer for your home may not have the same preferences. Neutral is best!
4. The smell of a home has more impact than you might expect. Be aware of any odors that are lingering in your home from cooking, pets, laundry, or tobacco. Neutralize odors by replacing soiled carpeting, thorough cleaning, or a fresh vanilla plug-in by the front door.
5. DE-CLUTTER! The Buyer to your home does not want to look at your “stuff”, they want to look at your home. Take down all personal photos, excess wall décor, & collectables. In addition, remove any oversized furnishings that make rooms feel cramped or unorganized.
6. Make the bathroom shine! Freshen up the bathroom with a new shower curtain, rug, and white linen towels. The appearance of fresh linens will make the room feel clean.
7. The Kitchen is perhaps the most important room in the whole house. Make sure this room is spotless and smells fresh. Remove as many items as possible from the countertop, take all magnets and paperwork off the refrigerator, hide the trash can, wipe down all the cabinetry, update dated cabinet hardware, & add some fresh paint.
8. Add a fresh vase of flowers or a bountiful bowl of fruit to the center of your dining table. This colorful statement is sure to draw the Buyer’s eye and attention to detail.
9. A fireplace is one of the best selling features of a home. Make sure that the Buyer can appreciate this amenity and that it is not cluttered with personal items.
10. Manicure the landscaping! Trim the shrubs, rake the leaves, roll up the garden hose, plant some colorful flowers, freshen up the bark or stone, etc….
The average Buyer develops an opinion about your home within the first 15 SECONDS! This is why establishing the right first impression is critical to achieving a successful sale. If you are considering selling your home and would like to take advantage of our full service staging services as a part of our listing term, we would love to assist you! As always, you can contact us at 920-574-4422 for a no obligation home evaluation!
In addition, when removing unwanted items from your home, we have developed a business relationship with a local consignment store in the Fox Cities. The name of this business is Furniture Phases and it is located at 1700 W. Wisconsin Avenue in Appleton. Please check out this link to their website for more details on how they can help you sell your old belongings or possibly purchase new items for your next home! http://www.furniturephases.com/

Tax Credit Info

2010-03-07T05:52:00.000-08:00

TAX CREDITS

There is still time!! Don’t delay!! Are you thinking of buying a home? Do you already own a home that you need to sell in order to purchase a new one? The Federal Government tax credit is still available to you and there IS STILL TIME!
Here is all the information that you need to know in order to qualify for the offered credits:
Below is the full article or you can view more information at: www.FocusTeamHomes.com

HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT EXTENDED AND EXPANDED

New Legislation Extends the Federal Tax Credit for First-Time Home Buyers and Expands the Incentive to Current Homeowners

APPLETON, WI (November 16, 2009) – For many Americans, home ownership is a key step towards achieving the American Dream. It may seem like a challenging time to enter the market; however, recently passed legislation that extends and expands the home buyer tax credit can give potential and existing homeowners just the economic break they are looking for.

On November 6, 2009, President Obama signed “The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009,” bringing that dream one step closer to reality.

To help consumers who are considering purchasing a primary residence, Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group, Inc. has summarized the details of this new legislation and what it means for those thinking about entering the market:

• Eligibility: The tax credit is now available for first-time home buyers and select homeowners. A first-time home buyer is defined as an individual who has not owned a principal residence during the three year period prior to the purchase. For married taxpayers, the law tests thehomeownership history of both the home buyer and his/her spouse. For example, if you have not owned a home in the past three years but your spouse has owned a principal residence, neither you nor your spouse qualifies for the first-time home buyer tax credit. However, consumers should note that ownership of a vacation home or rental property not used as a principal residence does NOT disqualify a buyer as a first-time home buyer.

A qualified homeowner is defined as someone who has owned and resided in a home for at least five consecutive years within the last eight.

• The maximum credit amount for first-time home buyers is $8,000; the maximum credit amount for current homeowners is $6,500. The federal tax credit amounts to 10 percent of the cost of the home, up to a maximum credit of $8,000 for first-time homebuyers and $6,500 for current homeowners. Under the new legislation, a tax credit may only be awarded on homes purchased for $800,000 or less.

o e.g., If a home costs $60,000, the allowable credit for both a first-time homebuyer and a current homeowner would be $6,000. If a home costs between $80,000 and $800,000, then the allowable credit for a first-time homebuyer would be $8,000 and for a current homeowner, $6,500.

• Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with a joint income up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit. Individuals whose Form 1040 filing status is “single” are eligible for the tax credit if their income is no more than $125,000. Individuals who file a joint return are eligible if they have no more than $225,000 in income.

Single taxpayers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000, and married couples who earn between $225,000 and $245,000 are eligible to receive a partial credit. Individuals with incomes greater than $145,000 (single) and $245,000 (joint return) are not eligible for this tax credit at all.
• The credit is available for homes purchased on or after November 7, 2009 and before May 1, 2010. The federal income credit can be claimed on one’s individual or joint tax return for the purchase of any single-family home (newly-constructed or resale, single-family detached, townhomes or condominiums) between the dates of November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010. Home purchases subject to a binding sales contract signed before May 1, 2010 will also qualify for the tax credit provided closing occurs prior to July 1, 2010.

• The tax credit is refundable. A refundable credit means that if the amount of income taxes a home buyer owes is less than the credit amount he / she qualifies for, the government will send a check for the difference. In essence, the credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in what taxpayers owe for the calendar year following the year they close on their home.

o e.g., A first-time home buyer who qualifies for the full $8,000 tax credit and owes $5,000 in federal income taxes would owe nothing to the IRS and receive a $3,000 payment from the government. A current homeowner who qualifies for the full $6,500 tax credit and owes $5,000 would pay nothing to the IRS and receive $1,500 back from the government. If the move-up buyer is due to get a $1,000 refund, he / she would get $7,500 ($1,000 plus the $6,500 move-up buyer tax credit).

The tax credit is a true credit. It does not have to be repaid unless the homeowner sells or stops using the home as their principal residence within three years after the purchase. In that case, the full credit amount will be recouped on the sale.

For further understanding of how the extended tax credit differs from the previous version and how it can benefit first-time homebuyers and select homeowners, The National Association of Realtors® has prepared a quick comparison chart and “basics” guide for your reference.
This is based on information available as of November 2009 and is not meant to be tax or legal advice. As with any tax law change, consumers should check with a tax advisor regarding availability, eligibility and possible timing of any tax credit.

So….I ask you….Do you want FREE money? Call us today at 920-574-4422 to let us help you find your new home!!

See us on Facebook

2010-02-22T12:33:00.000-08:00

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