Realty Solutions

SEPT. 2011 MARKET STATS

2011-10-17T14:39:00.000-07:00

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Making Home Affordable: The Refinance Option

2011-09-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

Article From HouseLogic.com 
Donna Fuscaldo 
December 04, 2009 

The Making Home Affordable program offers financially stable homeowners the chance to refinance mortgages to lower rates.

Making Home Affordable, the federal program aimed at aiding struggling homeowners, offers two options: refinancing and loan modification. An otherwise financially stable homeowner who can't secure a lower rate on a mortgage because property values have fallen could benefit from the refinancing option.   Don't expect to breeze through the Making Home Affordable qualifying process. You'll need a lot of documentation and patience. With so many homeowners looking
for help, lenders are scrambling to keep up with demand. Have all your paperwork in order before applying for a refinance to speed up the process.

Qualifying for making home affordable
Making Home Affordable refinancing option (http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/refinance_eligibility.html) is known as the Home Affordable Refinance program, or HARP. It's designed for homeowners who, although keeping up with payments, are prevented from refinancing their mortgages to lower rates due to declining home values. HARP might be right for you if your rate is above-market and your current mortgage amount is near or more than what your house is worth.   You need to be current on your mortgage payments to qualify, and have good credit and income. Contact your mortgage lender to apply. If you're behind on your mortgage payments and running the risk of foreclosure, instead look into Making Home Affordable loan modification option (http://makinghome affordable.gov/modification _eligibility.html).  

Keep in mind that to be eligible for HARP, your primary mortgage--alternatively called a first lien--can't exceed 125% of the current value of your home. That means if your house is worth $200,000, for example, you can't owe more than $250,000 on your mortgage. The mortgage also must be guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. To find out if yours is, call Fannie Mae at 1-800-7FANNIE or Freddie Mac at 1-800-FREDDIE, or contact your lender.

Does refinancing make sense for you?
According to Bob Walters, chief economist at Quicken Loans, HARP makes sense if you owe more than your house is worth. HARP interest rates aren't subsidized; they're based on current rates. The real benefit of the program is gaining approval for a refinancing when you otherwise wouldn't. As a rule of thumb, for fixed-rate mortgages you'll want your new rate to be at least a half-point better than your old one.  HARP might also make sense if you can convert an adjustable-rate mortgage to a fixed-rate mortgage. Even if the ARM's monthly payment is lower now, it'll likely shoot up once the introductory rate expires.

A predictable fixed-rate mortgage is usually better, especially if you plan to remain in your home for several years.  When applying for HARP, you'll need to gather pay stubs, tax returns, mortgage statements, account balances, and debt totals (for credit cards, student loans, car loans, and such). You'll also need to provide details about any second mortgages or home equity lines of credit. A refinancing under HARP must be completed by June 30, 2011.   Lowering your interest can pay off immediately. Let's say you took out a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage three years ago for $250,000. The rate was 7%. By refinancing to a similar mortgage at 5.5%, you'd lower your monthly payment by about $290. Pay attention to the fees associated with the refinancing, which the lender must disclose up front, and ask if those costs can be rolled into the new loan if you're strapped for cash. Use this online calculator (http://www.hsh.com/usnrcalc.html) to run the numbers for yourself.

Stay on top of paperwork
Because the approval process could be delayed if you don't provide the proper documentation, it pays to have everything in order from the start. Ask your lender for a detailed list of required documents. Assembling the documentation can be difficult and takes time. Give yourself two weeks.  If possible, submit the entire packet at once via certified mail. Sending in documents piecemeal could result in lost paperwork and your loan application falling to the bottom of the pile, says Nicole Hall, editor of LendingTree.com.

Keep detailed records of any phone calls you make, and dates you mail or fax correspondences.  There are companies that will offer to take care of the paperwork for a fee, but you don't need to pay. You can access free help through a housing counselor (http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/fc/) approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Counselors will help you understand the Making Home Affordable program and aid in gathering the documents needed for your loan servicer.  

Donna Fuscaldo has written about mortgage refinancing for Dow Jones, the Wall Street Journal, and Fox Business News for more than a decade. Like many homeowners, her mortgage is precariously close to being underwater.

2011-09-15T13:01:00.000-07:00

Do-It-Yourself Home Security Check: Essential Steps

2011-08-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

Article From HouseLogic.com 
By: Joseph D'Agnese
 Published: November 12, 2010 

Conduct a do-it-yourself home security check by walking around your house to assess what needs to be done to reduce the risk of a break-in.

A professionally installed and monitored home security system (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/home-security-system-installation-how-they-work/) is a nice addition to your home's defenses, but it shouldn't be step one. First, conduct your own home security check. After you've inspected your home's doors and windows (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/do-it-yourself-home-security-windows-may-leave-you-vulnerable/), make sure these essential steps are covered:

Keep your home well-maintained on the outside
Burglars want an easy target. Stand on the street outside your house and ask yourself: Does my property look neglected, hidden, or uninhabited? A front door or walkway that's obscured by shrubbery offers crooks the perfect cover they need while they break a door or window. To improve security, trim shrubs away from windows and widen front walks.

Install motion detector lights
All sides of your house should be well-lit with motion-activated lighting, not just the front. Simple motion-activated floodlights cost less than $50 each, and installing them is an easy DIY job if the wiring is already in place.

Store your valuables
Thieves want easy-to-grab electronics, cash, jewelry, and other valuables, though some are not above running down the street with your flat-screen TV. Most make a beeline for the master bedroom, because that's where you're likely to hide spare cash, jewelry, even guns.

Tour each room and ask yourself: is there anything here that I can move to a safe deposit box? Installing a home safe ($150 to $500) that's bolted to your basement slab is a good repository for items you don't use on a daily basis.

Secure your data
While you probably won't be putting your home computer in a safe anytime soon, take steps to back up the personal information (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/home-office-security-check/) stored on it. Password protect your login screen, and always shut off your computer (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/tips-for-savings-energy-in-home-office/) when not in use (you'll save energy, too!) Don't overlook irreplaceable items whose value may hard to quantify, like digital photos.

Prepare ahead of time in case the worst happens

Take a photo or video inventory (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/home-inventory-tools/) of items of value in your home, and store the file online or in your home safe. 
Check that you're properly insured for theft (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/homeowners-insurance-time-for-annual-check-up/). Note that high-ticket items in your home office, such as computers, professional camera equipment, or other business essentials, may require an additional rider or a separate policy.

Joseph D'Agnese is a journalist and book author who has written numerous articles on home improvement.
He lives in North Carolina.

What Affects Credit Scores? 7 Misconceptions

2011-08-17T16:03:00.002-07:00

Article From HouseLogic.com 
By: Gwen Moran 
Published: October 22, 2010 

If you're trying to raise your credit score to get a good rate for a refinance or HELOC, you might be surprised by what affects--or doesn't affect--your score.

You have to keep your credit score up in case you want to take out a second mortgage or home equity line of credit (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/home-equity-line-tips/) (HELOC), or get the lowest premiums on your home owners insurance (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/improve-your-insurance-score/). Here's the 411 on how various money management tactics goose up or ding your credit score.

• More money improves your credit score •
False. Your level or sources of income don't affect your credit score, although lenders may look at it when making loan decisions, according to the Fair Isaac Corp., the company that issues the commonly used FICO credit scores.

• Ownership of several credit cards can hurt your credit score •
Mostly false. Having many credit lines isn't necessarily a bad thing, says credit expert Liz Weston, author of Your Credit Score. Multiple lines give you a favorable debt-to-available-credit ratio. But use them correctly: It's best to keep any balances below 10% or 20% of the total credit line, she says. Anything more will affect the ratio of debt-to-available-credit, which can decrease your credit score.

• Opening and closing credit lines can hurt your credit score •
True. New credit applications can decrease your credit score, so be careful about applying for new credit cards or personal loans before applying for a HELOC, second mortgage, automobile loan, or other large line of credit.  Surprise: Closing existing credit lines may also hurt your credit score, since it'll damage your debt-to-available-credit ratio. A good rule is not to make any credit changes in the months leading up to a major credit request, such as for a HELOC.

• Consolidating credit lines will help your credit score •
Mostly false. Although it may seem like a good idea to move all your balances to one card, that can actually hurt your credit score, since your debt-to-available-credit ratio will spike on that card, says Weston.  However, credit expert Harrine Freeman says such a slight decline isn't necessarily a deal-breaker for a loan, especially if the card has a lower interest rate and will allow you to pay off the balance sooner. Your score will increase as soon as that ratio goes down.

• Changing jobs can hurt your credit score •
Partly true. Taking a new job or losing your job doesn't affect your credit score. However, if you have a spotty employment history, lenders may hold that against you in making a loan. Dips in income may signal that it could be difficult to pay bills in a timely manner.

• Co-signing for others can hurt your credit score •
Partly true. Simply co-signing on a loan for someone else may not affect your score, but if that person is late on paying the loan, it's likely to show up on your report, says Freeman. And that's a nasty surprise if you didn't know the person was late.

• Judgments and liens aren't considered in your credit score •
False. If you've had a judgment or lien filed against you, it's considered in your payment history, which represents 35% of your score.  Similarly, while most utility companies don't report payment history to credit bureaus, your account will likely be reported if it is seriously delinquent and referred to a collection agency.  

Additional details on how to manage your FICO score are available on the FICO site (http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/whatsinyourscore.aspx).

Gwen Moran is a freelance business and finance writer from the Jersey shore. She's the co-author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Business Plans and writes frequently about real estate.

What Affects Credit Scores? 7 Misconceptions

2011-08-17T16:03:00.001-07:00

Article From HouseLogic.com 
By: Gwen Moran Published: October 22, 2010 
If you're trying to raise your credit score to get a good rate for a refinance or HELOC, you might be surprised by what affects--or doesn't affect--your score.
You have to keep your credit score up in case you want to take out a second mortgage or home equity line of credit (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/home-equity-line-tips/) (HELOC), or get the lowest premiums on your home owners insurance (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/improve-your-insurance-score/). Here's the 411 on how various money management tactics goose up or ding your credit score.
More money improves your credit score
False. Your level or sources of income don't affect your credit score, although lenders may look at it when making loan decisions, according to the Fair Isaac Corp., the company that issues the commonly used FICO credit scores.
Ownership of several credit cards can hurt your credit score
Mostly false. Having many credit lines isn't necessarily a bad thing, says credit expert Liz Weston, author of Your Credit Score. Multiple lines give you a favorable debt-to-available-credit ratio. But use them correctly: It's best to keep any balances below 10% or 20% of the total credit line, she says. Anything more will affect the ratio of debt-to-available-credit, which can decrease your credit score.
Opening and closing credit lines can hurt your credit score
True. New credit applications can decrease your credit score, so be careful about applying for new credit cards or personal loans before applying for a HELOC, second mortgage, automobile loan, or other large line of credit.  Surprise: Closing existing credit lines may also hurt your credit score, since it'll damage your debt-to-available-credit ratio. A good rule is not to make any credit changes in the months leading up to a major credit request, such as for a HELOC.
Consolidating credit lines will help your credit score
Mostly false. Although it may seem like a good idea to move all your balances to one card, that can actually hurt your credit score, since your debt-to-available-credit ratio will spike on that card, says Weston.  However, credit expert Harrine Freeman says such a slight decline isn't necessarily a deal-breaker for a loan, especially if the card has a lower interest rate and will allow you to pay off the balance sooner. Your score will increase as soon as that ratio goes down.
Changing jobs can hurt your credit score
Partly true. Taking a new job or losing your job doesn't affect your credit score. However, if you have a spotty employment history, lenders may hold that against you in making a loan. Dips in income may signal that it could be difficult to pay bills in a timely manner.
Co-signing for others can hurt your credit score
Partly true. Simply co-signing on a loan for someone else may not affect your score, but if that person is late on paying the loan, it's likely to show up on your report, says Freeman. And that's a nasty surprise if you didn't know the person was late.
Judgments and liens aren't considered in your credit score
False. If you've had a judgment or lien filed against you, it's considered in your payment history, which represents 35% of your score.  Similarly, while most utility companies don't report payment history to credit bureaus, your account will likely be reported if it is seriously delinquent and referred to a collection agency.  Additional details on how to manage your FICO score are available on the FICO site (http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/whatsinyourscore.aspx).
Gwen Moran is a freelance business and finance writer from the Jersey shore. She's the co-author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Business Plans and writes frequently about real estate.

July Marketing Stats

2011-08-16T16:06:00.000-07:00

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June 2011 Marketing Statistics

2011-07-26T16:15:00.000-07:00

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Fourth of July: Take a Step Toward Energy & "Independence" ™

2011-07-01T14:09:00.000-07:00

Article From BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.com 
By: John Riha 
Published: July 01, 2011 

The Fourth of July -- Independence Day -- is a great time to reflect on how lucky we are to live in the United States of America, and what we can do to make our nation better, stronger, and more prosperous. As President Kennedy famously said many years ago, "Ask what you can do for your country."

The Fourth of July is a great time to reflect on how lucky we are to live in the United States of America, and what we can do to make our nation better, stronger, and more prosperous. As President Kennedy famously said many years ago, "Ask what you can do for your country. "  We'd all like to do our part. But our individual efforts sure seem small compared with the goings-on of world politics and global economies.

  How can we, average American home owners, really achieve big goals, such as influencing national energy policy and building a strong economy? After all, we've got our own daily stuff to deal with: work, home repairs (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/value-home-maintenance/), getting the kids to softball practice, and the dog to the vet.   One good way is to reduce energy consumption in our own homes. This simple act can have a major impact. Not just in terms of helping hold the line on the family budget (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/3-green home-improvements-pay/), but in slowing the ever-spiraling costs of energy. Lessening demand - even incrementally - eases the price of energy, which can free up capital that creates jobs and helps get our economy kicking.  

Here are examples of small contributions you can make:

Ask cable or satellite providers for an energy-efficient set-top box, (the device that receives and dispatches TV signals to your DVR). Set-top boxes, which run 24 hours a day, have become a leading energy drain in the home. Newer Energy Star-rated models (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup pgw_code=ST) are at least 30% more efficient. If all set-top boxes sold in the U.S. were Energy Star-rated, energy savings would total $2 billion each year, and greenhouse gases would be reduced by an amount equivalent to 3 million cars and trucks. 
Replacing an old, kaput dishwasher with an Energy Star (http://www.energystar.gov) -qualified model cuts the annual energy cost of the machine by 50% - to $60 from $120. If every clothes washer (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction= find_a_product. showProductGroup&pgw_code=CW) purchased in the U.S. this year were an efficient Energy Star model, the national energy savings would total $350 million, not to mention conserving 32 billion gallons of water. 
Buying a high-efficiency gas or electric water heater, when yours reaches the end of its useful life, saves 3% to 4% on the average home's hot water bill. Energy standards enacted by the U.S. Dept. of Energy in 2010 were designed to cut energy usage of new water heaters by 3% to 4%. Over a 30-year period, U.S. consumers should save $8.7 billion (http://www.aceee.org/press/2010/04/new-national-water-heater-standards-give-efficiency-majo) and reduce CO2 emissions by 170 million tons - that's equal to the yearly emissions of 30 million cars. 
Replacing a 60-watt incandescent light bulb with a 13-watt compact fluorescent equivalent saves $30 over the life of the bulb. Alternative: LED bulbs, although costly ($30 for 7-watts), last 3 to 4 times longer than CFLs, burn cooler, and - unlike CFLs - contain no mercury. If every home in America replaced just one incandescent bulb (http://www.house logic.com/articles/turning-incandescent-light-bulb/) with an Energy Star-qualified CFL, the savings would be enough to light more than 3 million homes. The savings would also reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by fossil-fuel energy production equivalent to 800,000 autos.

Additional simple ways to be patriotic (and save):

Create a breeze with a ceiling fan (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/ceiling-fans-keep-your-cool-save-money-too/) instead of using the AC. For every degree you raise the air conditioning thermostat above 78 degrees, you can save 3% to 8% on cooling costs. 
Install a programmable thermostat (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/no-sweat-programmable-thermostats-save-energy-costs/) and save as much as $180 per year. 
Plump up attic insulation (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/attic-insulation-saves you-money/) from R-11 to R-49 and save up to $600 per year. 
Turn down the thermostat on your refrigerator (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/10-tips-for-saving-energy-kitchen/) and save $22 per year. 
Outsmart sneaky energy vampires (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/saving-electricity-reduce-standby-power-consumption/) by turning off (or putting "to sleep") computers, printers, and other electronics when not in use: Shave another $100 from your annual energy bill.

Let's put the independence in Independence Day. 

6 Tips for Buying a Home in a Short Sale

2011-06-16T14:09:00.000-07:00

BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.com 
G. M. Filisko
 Published: March 19, 2010 

By preparing for a real estate short sale, you can emerge with a great home at a favorable price. When sellers need to sell their home for less than they owe on their mortgage, they're shooting for a short sale. Short sale homes can sometimes be bargains, but only if you do your homework, stay patient, and remain unemotional during the sometimes lengthy and difficult short sale process.

Here are six tips for protecting yourself emotionally and financially when bidding on a short sale.

1. Get Help from a Short Sale Expert
A real estate agent experienced in short sales can identify which homes are being offered as short sales, help you determine a purchase price, and advise you on what to include in your offer to make the lender view it favorably. Ask agents how many buyers they've represented in short sales and, of those, how many successfully closed the transaction.

2. Build a Team
Ask agents to recommend real estate attorneys knowledgeable in short sales and title experts. A title officer can do a title search to identify all the liens attached to a property you're interested in. Because each lienholder must consent to a short sale, a property with multiple liens, like first and second mortgages, mechanic's and condominium liens, or homeowners association liens, will be harder to purchase.  A title search may cost $250 to $300 up front, but it can help weed out less desirable properties requiring multiple approvals.

3. Know the Home's Fair Market Value
By agreeing to a short sale, lenders are consenting to lose money on the loan they made to the sellers to purchase the home. Their goal is to keep those losses as low as possible. If your offer is dramatically less than the home's fair market value, it may be rejected. Your agent can help you identify the price that's good for you. The lender will determine whether approval is in its best interest.

4. Expect Delays
There are two stages to a short sale. First, the sellers must consent to your purchase offer. Then they must submit it to their lender, along with documentation to convince the lender to agree to the sale.  The lender approval process can take weeks or months, even longer if the lender counteroffers. Expect bigger delays if several lienholders are involved; each can make a counteroffer or reject your offer.

5. Firm up your Financing
Lenders will weigh your ability to close the transaction. If you're preapproved for a mortgage, have a large downpayment, and can close at any time, they'll consider your offer stronger than that of a buyer whose financing is less secure.

6. Avoid Contingencies
If you must sell your current home before you can close on the short-sale property, or you need to close by a firm deadline, your offer may present too many moving parts for a lender to approve it.  Also, consider ordering an inspection so you're fully informed about the home. Keep in mind that lenders are unlikely to approve an offer seeking repairs or credits for such work. You'll probably have to purchase the home "as is," which means in its present condition.  This article includes general information about tax laws and consequences, but isn't intended to be relied upon by readers as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Consult a tax professional for such advice; tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who luckily has avoided the need for a short sale on her properties. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

Foreclosure Alternative: The Short Sale

2011-06-16T13:59:00.000-07:00

From HouseLogic.com 
Gwen Moran 
Published: July 08, 2010 

A short sale is far from hassle-free, but it's a better alternative than foreclosure. And now you've got a little help from your friends in D.C. Here are the facts about short sales and how to get started.

Facing foreclosure and tempted to stay in your home until the bank pulls it out from under you? Bad idea. Don't do it. A much more graceful exit is a short sale, an agreement between you and your lender to sell your home for less than you owe. Although there's no guarantee that your lender will let you avoid foreclosure with a short sale, new government regulations are aimed at encouraging lenders to do so.

Short sales get government incentives
Although short sales are not hassle-free, at least you've got the government backing you. The Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (https://www.hmpadmin.com/portal/programs/foreclosure_alternatives.html) (HAFA) program provides financial incentives for lenders and borrowers to avoid foreclosure through short sales or deeds in lieu of foreclosures (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/foreclosure-alternative-deed-lieu/).

Participation in the HAFA program requires adherence to guidelines--including a standard process and minimum time frames--that speed the process, says Dallas-based REALTOR® Tom Branch, co-author of Avoiding Foreclosure: The Field Guide to Short Sales. The HAFA program is for homeowners who can't keep their homes with the help of a loan modification (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/making-home-affordable-modification-option/).

Advantages of a short sale

You can be a homeowner again more quickly with a short sale in your past than with a foreclosure. New Fannie Mae guidelines help you qualify for a new mortgage in as little as two years after a short sale, as opposed to up to seven years after a foreclosure. 
You will have more time to make relocation plans and save money than with a deed in lieu. A short sale may take four to 12 months. A deed in lieu of foreclosure arrangement typically requires you vacate your home within 30 to 60 days of signing, according to real estate attorney Lance Churchill. 
You can receive up to $3,000 from your lender for moving expenses at the time of closing of a HAFA short sale or a HAFA deed in lieu of foreclosure. Relocation funds are part of the incentives of HAFA, but not necessarily for other short sale or deed in lieu programs of the lenders. 
You can help your community's home values. Because the lender often receives a higher amount of the remaining loan balance than it would from the sale of a home after a foreclosure, short sales help support home values in the surrounding community.

Disadvantages of a short sale

Your credit score (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/how-foreclosure-affects-credit-score/) will take a severe hit. But that would happen anyway with a foreclosure. Fair Isaac, creator of the FICO score, says foreclosure and short sales have virtually identical impacts on your credit score. VantageScore--a company that has created a credit score model for consumers--says a short sale will lead to only a marginally lighter hit when compared with foreclosure. 
You may owe additional taxes. In the past, if your outstanding mortgage was $100,000 and your lender accepted a short-sale purchase offer of $90,000, you were liable for income tax on the forgiven $10,000, says Harlan D. Platt, economist and professor of finance at Northeastern University in Boston. However, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, which runs through 2012, generally allows taxpayers to exclude income from the discharge of debt on their principal residence (http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=179414,00.html) in some circumstances.

Full relief is available only if the amount of forgiven debt doesn't exceed the debt that was used to acquire, construct, or rehabilitate a principal residence. Consult a tax professional and an attorney to minimize or avoid this liability. 
In some states, your lender may still be able to come after you for the difference between the short sale price and the amount needed to pay off the mortgage. Your actual agreement with your lender and state and local laws and regulations spell out the details. Consult a tax professional and an attorney to minimize or avoid this liability.

How to proceed with a short sale

Find a qualified REALTOR® experienced in short sales. Short sales are tough to navigate, and they're further complicated by your loan type--FHA vs. Veterans Administration vs. conventional loans. Real estate agents who specialize in short sales will know the proper steps and order of the steps involved. They'll also be able to navigate the many parties involved in the process and over-burdened loss mitigation departments. Look especially for agents who have Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR) Certification, which requires specialized training. 
Gather evidence to support your need for a short sale as opposed to a foreclosure. You'll need to prove that you have little or no equity in your home, you're behind on your payments, and you're no longer able to afford your home. You'll need to write a hardship letter to the lender describing your circumstances, such as a divorce, job loss, illness, death, or other event that has impacted your income.

A short sale can be a time-consuming process, but if you can avoid foreclosure, it's worth it in the long run. Gwen Moran has been writing about business, finance, and real estate for more than a decade. Her work has been published by Entrepreneur, Newsweek.com, Financial Planning, Woman's Day, and The Residential Specialist. She bucks the cottage trend and lives in a Colonial near the Jersey Shore.

MAY 2011 MARKET STATISTICS

2011-06-16T13:48:00.000-07:00

99-Cent Store Solution: Patch Drywall Hole

2011-05-13T14:25:00.000-07:00

Article from: BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.com 
By: Harmon Leon
 Published: May 11, 2011 

Yesterday's torn-screen fix cost all of $1.98 (including an impulse purchase). Today's is the priciest in this week-long series--but still under $10.

If Charlie Sheen is a friend of yours (no judgment), you're probably ready for most anything, i.e., you keep a defibrillator in your living room. But do you have a drywall repair kit to patch the holes he'll punch in your wall during your annual Memorial Day party? Scrap the call to a handyman or the police, and stop by the dollar store for what you'll need to set things right post-bacchanal.  Supplies:

• Wire screen, 99 cents (actually an envelope sorter made out of screen-a big savings since a roll of screen at the big box store is about $20 or more) 

• String, 99 cents 
• Pencil, 99 cents 
• Joint knife, 99 cents 
• Masking tape, 99 cents 
• Sandpaper, 99 cents 
• Drywall compound, 3.58 
• Sizzle cologne, 99 cents (to get party-ready) 

Total: $10.51 (if you can't resist the Sizzle)

What you do:
•Cut the wire screen 2 inches larger than the hole. 

•Tie one end of the string to the pencil and thread the other end through the middle of the screen-then bend the screen, and insert it and the pencil into the hole. 

•Pull the string until the screen is flat against the hole (the pencil helps push the screen
flat against the drywall) and hold it taut while you apply the drywall compound. 

•Tape the string to the wall to hold the screen in place as the compound dries. 
•Cut the string when dry. 

•Sand and smooth compound with joint knife. 

April 2011 Market Statistics

2011-05-13T14:20:00.000-07:00

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Research looks at how mortgage delinquencies affect scores

2011-04-28T13:11:00.000-07:00

(Courtesy of FICO™ Banking Analytics Blog)

How much impact does a short sale have on FICO® Scores? How about a foreclosure?
Since I frequently hear these questions from clients and others, I thought I’d share new FICO research that sheds light on this very subject.

The FICO study simulated various types of mortgage delinquencies on three representative credit bureau profiles of consumers scoring 680, 720 and 780, respectively. I say “representative profiles” because we focused on consumers whose credit characteristics (e.g., utilization, delinquency history, age of file) were typical of the three score points considered. All consumers had an active currently-paid-as-agreed mortgage on file.

Results are shown below. The first chart shows the impact on the score for each stage of delinquency, and the second shows how long it takes the score to fully “recover” after the fact. (Click on charts for larger view)

All in all, we saw:

The magnitude of FICO® Score impact is highly dependent on the starting score.
There's no significant difference in score impact between short sale/deed-in-lieu/settlement and foreclosure.
While a score may begin to improve sooner, it could take up to 7-10 years to fully recover, assuming all other obligations are paid as agreed.
In general, the higher starting score, the longer it takes for the score to fully recover.
Even if there’s minimal difference in score impact between moderate and severe delinquencies, there may be significant difference in time required for the score to fully recover.

This study provides good benchmarks of score impact from mortgage delinquencies. However, it is important to note that research was done only on select consumer credit profiles. Given the wide range of credit profiles that exist, results may vary beyond what's in the charts above.

If you have questions about this research, I encourage you to post them here on the blog.

Appliance Maintenance: Water Heaters

2011-04-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

Article From HouseLogic.com 
By: Douglas Trattner 
Published: August 20, 2010 

Keep your water heater running efficiently and reliably with this simple maintenance routine.

Depending on a homeowner's water quality, a hot water heater can be expected to last eight to 12 years, says Frank Czeronka, a licensed master plumber and Mr. Rooter franchise owner. Completing the following routine maintenance schedule, however, can greatly extend the unit's lifespan.

Here's a list of maintenance tips to keep your water heater running efficiently
and reliably:

• Always adjust the thermostat to 120 degrees to avoid the risk of scalding.
 
• Always maintain 2 feet of clearance around the appliance unless the manual specifically states otherwise. 

• Annually, flush the heater to remove the sediment and debris in the bottom of the tank. Hook up a garden hose to the drain valve and run until the water is clear. This also makes the unit operate more quietly. 

• Annually, test the temperature-pressure relief valve by quickly discharging it two or three times. Following the testing, keep an eye out for small leaks from the valve. 

• Every three to five years, examine the sacrificial anode rod by loosening the hex head screw and removing it. If more than six inches of the core steel wire is exposed, replace the rod for abut $20. 

• Insulate older units with a fiberglass jacket to improve efficiency, being careful to avoid contact with the flue. Newer units already are optimized for peak energy efficiency. 

• When leaving town, adjust the thermostat on gas heaters to "Vacation" setting, which maintains the pilot light without heating the water. 

Douglas Trattner has covered household appliances and home improvement for HGTV.com, DIYNetworks, and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. During the 10-year stewardship of his 1925 Colonial, he's upgraded almost every household appliance. After lengthy deliberation, he recently replaced an aging top-load washing machine with an energy-efficient front-load unit.

Cleaning Rain Gutters

2011-03-24T13:17:00.000-07:00

Clean gutters to protect your siding and landscape plantings, and prevent thousands of dollars of damage to your foundation.

In a downpour, a clogged roof gutter (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/rain-gutters-trap-water-easy-fixes/) sends a cascade of water down the side of your house, making canyons of your flowerbeds and saturating your foundation. Clean gutters of leaves and debris to help prevent damage to your landscaping and siding, and to head off expensive repairs to your foundation that may cost $10,000 or more.

How often to clean gutters
Clean gutters at least once a year-twice a year if you have overhanging trees. Also, clean clogged gutters after big storms. Clogs often occur where downspouts join the gutter system-check these areas closely.

How to clean gutters

Wear a shirt with long sleeves. Wear rubber gloves. 
Have a good extendible ladder available. Standoff stabilizers (ladder "horns") are ideal to keep the ladder from damaging the gutter. 
Use a small plastic scoop to remove gunk (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/replacing-rain-gutters-and-downspouts/). Buy a gutter scoop from the hardware store ($25) or try a child's sand shovel. 
Spare your lawn by dumping the stuff onto a plastic tarp. 
After you've cleared the muck, flush the gutters and downspouts with a garden hose-also a great way to spot any leaks.

Cost of a professional gutter cleaning
If climbing ladders is not your cup of tea, you can hire someone to do the job for you for between $50 and $250, depending on the size and height of your house.

Gutter covers
Interested in an ounce of prevention? You can slow clogging (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/repair-sagging-and-leaking-rain-gutters-save-money/) by installing gutter covers in the form of mesh screens, clip-on grates, or porous foam. However, the cost can be more than the gutters themselves and covers need regular maintenance to keep them clear. Expect to pay $6 to $8 per running foot for gutter covers, installed.  

Remodeler, Pat Curry is a former senior editor at BUILDER, the official magazine of the National Association of Home Builders, and a frequent contributor to real estate and home-building publications.

How to Use Comparable Sales to Price Your Home

2011-03-16T14:06:00.000-07:00

Article From BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.com 
By: Carl Vogel 

Published: August 05, 2010 

Before you put your home up for sale,
use the right comparable sales
to find the perfect price.

How much can you sell your home for? Probably about as much as the neighbors got, as long as the neighbors sold their house in recent memory and their home was just like your home.

Knowing how much homes similar to yours, called comparable sales (or in real estate lingo, comps), sold for gives you the best idea of the current estimated value of your home. The trick is finding sales that closely match yours.

What makes a good comparable sale?
Your best comparable sale is the same model as your house in the same subdivision-and it closed escrow last week. If you can't find that, here are other factors that count:  Location: The closer to your house the better, but don't just use any comparable sale within a mile radius. A good comparable sale is a house in your neighborhood, your subdivision, on the same type of street as your house, and in your school district.  Home type:

Try to find comparable sales that are like your home in style, construction material, square footage, number of bedrooms and baths, basement (having one and whether it's finished), finishes, and yard size.

Amenities and upgrades: Is the kitchen new? Does the comparable sale house have full A/C? Is there crown molding, a deck, or a pool? Does your community have the same amenities (pool, workout room, walking trails, etc.) and homeowners association fees?

Date of sale: You may want to use a comparable sale from two years ago when the market was high, but that won't fly. Most buyers use government-guaranteed mortgages, and those lending programs say comparable sales can be no older than 90 days.
Sales sweeteners: Did the comparable-sale sellers give the buyers down-payment assistance, closing costs, or a free television? You have to reduce the value of any comparable sale to account for any deal sweeteners.

Agents can help adjust price based on insider insights
Even if you live in a subdivision, your home will always be different from your neighbors'. Evaluating those differences-like the fact that your home has one more bedroom than the comparables or a basement office-is one of the ways real estate agents add value.  

An active agent has been inside a lot of homes in your neighborhood and knows all sorts of details about comparable sales. She has read the comments the selling agent put into the MLS, seen the ugly wallpaper, and heard what other REALTORS & reg;, lenders, closing agents, and appraisers said about the comparable sale.

More ways to pick a home listing price
If you're still having trouble picking out a listing price for your home, look at the current competition. Ask your real estate agent to be honest about your home and the other homes on the market (and then listen to her without taking the criticism personally).  

Next, put your comparable sales into two piles: more expensive and less expensive. What makes your home more valuable than the cheaper comparable sales and less valuable than the pricier comparable sales?

Are foreclosures and short sales comparables?
If one or more of your comparable sales was a foreclosed home or a short sale (a home that sold for less money than the owners owed on the mortgage), ask your real estate agent how to treat those comps.

A foreclosed home is usually in poor condition because owners who can't pay their mortgage can't afford to pay for upkeep. Your home is in great shape, so the foreclosure should be priced lower than your home.  Short sales are typically in good condition, although they are still distressed sales. The owners usually have to sell because they're divorcing, or their employer is moving them to Kansas.

How much short sales are discounted from their market value varies among local markets. The average short-sale home in Omaha in recent years was discounted by 8.5%, according to a University of Nebraska at Omaha study. In suburban Washington, D.C., sellers typically discount short-sale homes by 3% to 5% to get them quickly sold, real estate agents report. In other markets, sellers price short sales the same as other homes in the neighborhood.  So you have to rely on your REALTOR's® knowledge of the local market to use a short sale as a comparable sale.

Carl Vogel, a freelance writer and former editor of The Neighborhood Works magazine, lives in a home in Chicago that is not typical of those nearby, so he appreciates a savvy comp.

February 2011 Market Statistics

2011-03-16T13:53:00.001-07:00

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Contractor Dispute? Local Licensing Authorities are On Your Side

2011-03-07T16:47:00.000-08:00

Article From HouseLogic.com 
By: Gwen Moran
 Published: February 24, 2011 

When a contractor dispute erupts, state and local licensing authorities have the muscle to get you satisfaction.

When you can't resolve a contractor dispute (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/how-fight-back-against-bad-contractor/) on your own, you can access a powerful local ally: Many contractors are subject to various licensing requirements, and you can call upon the regulating authorities for help. It may save you time, money, and the hassle of an expensive lawsuit.

What does it mean to be licensed?
This varies from one location to another and one profession to another. Plumbers (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/replacing-plumbing-pipes-costs-and-options/) and electricians (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/when-time-for-electrical-wiring-upgrade/) typically have strict and near-universal licensing requirements. General home contractors may face fewer licensing requirements.  If a contractor has a license, however, you can usually assume he has:

A certain level of education or training. 
A minimum level of experience. 
Passed an examination. 
Kept up with changes in code.

There is no absolute guarantee-licensed professionals of all stripes face charges all the time. But with a licensed professional, you're far more likely to have your project turn out well, and a better chance of redress (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/how-resolve-general-contractor-dispute-your-legal-options/) if it doesn't.  Note also that licenses usually refer to professional competence, not general business practices. For example, a licensed plumber may be in violation of his license if he improperly installs a pipe so that it floods your kitchen.  

However, if all he's guilty of is taking a month to install a new bathroom when he promised it would be done in two weeks, that's probably not a violation of his license. In that case, you may have recourse with a lawsuit (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/how-resolve-general-contractor-dispute-your-legal-options/) or a bond (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/contractor-bond-when-handshake-isnt-enough-assurance/).

Who supervises the contractors?
With those caveats in mind, if you do face a case of actual contractor incompetence, you may be able to hit them where it hurts by reporting them to whichever agency regulates them.  You need to check your area-state, county, or town-to discover who, if anyone, is regulating (http://www.contractors-license.org) the guy working on your home. Check your local government website to see which work your town or county licenses.  Unfortunately, regulators can't fight every scam (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/top-5-contractor-scams-and-how-avoid-them/) or help with every contractor dispute.

Regulation is a patchwork affair, with no federal standards:

Plumbers and electricians almost always need state or local licenses, so they're the easiest to confront at this level. 
Other firms may require licenses for all their work, certain kinds of work, or none at all. 
Sometimes independent professional organizations set standards, even though local authorities enforce them. 
What can licensing authorities do?
A lot!  You can contact the state or local licensing agency, and if your claim has merit, you can have your contractor disciplined, says Kia Ricchi, a Florida licensed building contractor and author of Avoiding the Con in Construction. Remedies may include:
Fines, on top of refunds for poorly done work. 
Suspension or revocation of a professional license. 
Loss of membership in a professional organization.

In short, these agencies can temporarily or even permanently take away their right to work.  In addition, some states also have recovery funds available to home owners who have suffered monetary losses to a licensed contractor. Again, this varies by state, and the amount available may be limited.  Of course, you can't get help unless your contractor is licensed, so check at the above site before your sign a contract to make sure the firm you're considering has all the relevant state and local licenses.

Registration-it ain't a license
Before you rev yourself up to settle a contractor dispute (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/how-resolve-general-contractor-dispute-your-legal-options/), however, know your terms: In some areas, firms have to register with a local authority, but this is different from licensing, says Carmen Amabile, a Michigan residential maintenance and alteration contractor, and author of How to Hire, Manage, and Fire Your Contractor.  Registration is usually little more than a list. Almost anyone can easily register by providing name and address to a local authority and paying a fee. You'll get little traction in reporting a firm that merely had to "register."  Gwen Moran is a freelance business and finance writer from the Jersey shore. She's the co-author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Business Plans and writes frequently about real estate.

January 2011 Market Statistics

2011-02-23T12:30:00.000-08:00

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Make Your House FHA-Loan Friendly

2011-02-15T16:06:00.000-08:00

Article: Buy And Sell. HouseLogic.com 
By: Terry Sheridan Published: June 02, 2010 

Know the basics of FHA loan rules and you stand a better chance of selling your house or condo.

Make your house FHA-friendly, and it will appeal to more home buyers. Why? Because the Federal Housing Administration is insuring the mortgage loans used by about 30% of today's home buyers.

If your house passes the FHA rules, it will appeal to buyers who plan to use an FHA-insured mortgage. If your house doesn't qualify for an FHA loan, you're cutting out 30% of potential buyers.

FHA is especially important to first-time home buyers and those with small down payments because it allows borrowers with good credit to make a down-payment as low as 3.5% of the purchase price. Here's how to make your home appealing to FHA borrowers:

Know the FHA loan limits in your area
Start by checking to see if your home's listed price falls within FHA lending limits for your area (https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/hicostlook.cfm). FHA mortgage limits vary a lot. In San Francisco, FHA will insure a mortgage of up to $729,750 on a single-family home. In the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the loan limit is $271,050.

Home inspections
Most buyers will ask for a home inspection, whether or not they're using an FHA loan to buy the home. You must give FHA buyers a form (http://www.ncradon.org/docs/foryourprotection.pdf) explaining what home inspections can reveal, and how inspections differ from appraisals.

How much do you have to repair?
If the home inspection reveals problems, FHA will not give the okay to buy the home until you repair serious defects (http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/letters/mortgagee/files/05-48ml.pdf) like roof leaks, mold, structural damage, and pre-1978 interior or exterior paint that could contain lead.

Dealing with FHA appraisers
Help the lender's appraiser by providing easy access to attics and crawl spaces, which usually must be photographed, says appraiser Frank Gregoire in St. Petersburg, Fla. Your buyer can hire his own appraiser to evaluate your home. But FHA only relies on reports by its approved appraisers. If the two appraisals conflict, the FHA appraisal preempts the buyer's appraisal.

Help with FHA closing costs
Most FHA buyers need help with closing costs, says mortgage banker Susan Herman of First Equity Mortgage Bankers in Miami. So a prime way to make your house FHA-friendly is to help with those costs.

FHA currently allows sellers to pay up to 6% of the sales price to help cover closing costs, but is considering lowering that limit to 3% in the fall of 2010.

If you're selling a condo FHA also has to approve your condo before a buyer uses an FHA loan to purchase your unit. Be sure your condo is FHA-approved for mortgages (https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/condlook.cfm). The list has been updated, so if your association was approved a year ago, check again to make sure it's still on the approved list.

FHA generally won't insure loans in condo associations if more than 15% percent of the unit owners are late on association fees. Ask your property manager or board of directors for your association's delinquency rate.

Other rules cover insurances, cash reserves and how many units are owner-occupied (http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/letters/mortgagee/files/09-46aml.pdf) and the types of condos that can be purchased with an FHA mortgage (http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/letters/mortgagee/files/09-46bml.pdf).

FHA sometimes issues waivers for healthy condominiums that don't meet the regular rules. If your condo isn't FHA-approved, it doesn't necessarily have to meet every single rule to gain approval. Ask your REALTOR® to consult with local lenders about getting an FHA waiver for your condo if it doesn't meet all the requirements.

FHA also limits its mortgage exposure in homeowners associations. With some limited exceptions, no more than 50% of the units in an association can be FHA-insured (http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/letters/mortgagee/files/09-46aml.pdf).

FHA loans for planned-unit developments
FHA no longer requires lenders to review budgets and legal documents for planned-unit developments.

Why ask for an FHA loan?
(http://www.hud.gov/buying/loans.cfm)
Find a State Program to Help Homebuyers Afford Your Home (http://www.hud.gov/buying/localbuying.cfm)

Terry Sheridan is an award-winning freelance writer who has covered real estate for 20 years, and has owned and sold three homes.

December Market Statistics

2011-02-08T16:29:00.000-08:00

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Should You Move or Remodel?

2011-01-28T13:11:00.000-08:00

Article from: Buy And Sell. HouseLogic.com 
By: Dona DeZube 
Published: August 24, 2010 

When your house no longer suits you, you can move or remodel. Find out which big change is the right investment of your housing dollars.

Deciding whether you should move or remodel?
The most important things you need to consider are the four things you can't change:
your home's value compared to the rest of the neighborhood, how much you love your neighborhood, the size of your lot, and the cost to move your stuff to a new house.

Just about everything else-remodeling costs, the hassle of living in a construction zone, or the ability to live happily without one more bathroom--is a personal preference. After all, your home isn't just your largest investment; it's also the place where your family lives.

1. Will remodeling make your home better than everyone else's?
To make the right move-or-remodel decision, you have to know:
•Your home's value. Easy. Just ask a REALTOR® to estimate it and tell you how it compares with the value of the other homes in your immediate neighborhood. Ask her what she thinks your house will be worth after the improvements, too. 

•Your neighbors' home value. Hit some open houses. Seeing the inside of area homes will inspire you; help you make good choices about finishes, room sizes, and how much to spend; and, admit it, entertain you. 

•Your remodeling costs. Once you've got your renovation vision, get a quote from a home improvement contractor or, if you're remodeling it yourself, tally the costs of the items on your supplies shopping list. 

Then add the remodeling costs to the value of your home. If the number you get is more than 10% above the average value of homes in your neighborhood, you're over-improving and probably won't be able to sell for what you put into the remodel.  Here's why: No one wants to buy the most expensive home on the block (your home) if they can spend the same money to get a similar home on a block of higher-priced homes.

Would you pay $200,000 to live on a block where all the other homes are valued at $100,000? We hope not.  Make home improvements that are typical for the neighborhood. Don't put granite countertops in a trailer, and don't put laminate countertops in a Trump Tower condo. Your tour of open houses gives you a chance to verify that your planned remodel isn't an over- or under-improvement for the neighborhood.

2. Do you love where you live?
Want to keep your kids in the same school district, but can't find or afford a bigger, better house? Love the neighbors? Have an easy commute to work? Stay put. If you've soured on the traffic, the neighborhood's crime rate, or the nosy neighbors, move on.

3. Do you have room to expand?
If your remodeling plans include increasing the overall size of your home, the size of your lot may be the deciding factor in whether to move or remodel. If you live in a 1,500 sq. ft. ranch on a 3,000 sq. ft. lot, you might be able to add a second story to turn it into a 3,000 sq. ft. two-story, but you're not likely to add 1,500 sq. ft. at ground level. And if you have a septic tank and well, the location of those will limit how and where you add onto your home (or cost you a bundle to move).

4. Can you afford to move?
Consider these moving costs: sale costs for your existing home, shipping your household goods, buying window treatments and possibly furniture for the new house, costs to fix up your existing home before sale, higher utility costs (if your next house is bigger), insurance cost differences, and property taxes.

Dona DeZube, HouseLogic's news editor, moved across the same street twice when she remodeled two houses in Columbia, Maryland, before she moved to a house in Clarksville, Maryland. She remodeled that house and then moved back to the same street in Columbia. She despises moving, but her husband loves remodeling.

4 Tips to Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford

2011-01-13T13:05:00.000-08:00

From BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.com 
G. M. Filisko 
Published: March 11, 2010 

By knowing how much mortgage you can handle, you can ensure that home ownership will fit in your budget.

Home ownership should make you feel safe and secure, and that includes financially. Be sure you can afford your home by calculating how much of a mortgage you can safely fit into your budget.  Instead of just taking out the biggest mortgage a lender qualifies you to borrow, consider how much you want to pay each month for housing based on your financial and personal goals.  Think ahead to major life events and consider how those might influence your budget.

Do you want to return to school for an advanced degree? Will a new child add day care to your monthly expenses? Does a relative plan to eventually live with you and contribute to the mortgage?  Still not sure how much you can afford? You can use the same formulas that most lenders use, or try another of these traditional methods for estimating the amount of mortgage you can afford.

ONE – The General Rule of Mortgage Affordability
As a rule of thumb, you can typically afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. If you earn $100,000, you can typically afford a home between $200,000 and $300,000.  To understand how that rule applies to your particular financial situation, prepare a family budget and list all the costs of home ownership, like property taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and community association fees, if applicable, as well as costs specific to your family, such as day care costs.

TWO – Factor in Your Down Payment
How much money do you have for a down payment? The higher your down payment, the lower your monthly payments will be. If you put down at least 20% of the home's cost, you may not have to get private mortgage insurance, which costs hundreds each month. That leaves more money for your mortgage payment.

The lower your down payment, the higher the loan amount you'll need to qualify for and the higher your monthly mortgage payment.

THREE – Consider Your Overall Debt
Lenders generally follow the 28/41 rule. Your monthly mortgage payments covering your home loan principal, interest, taxes, and insurance shouldn't total more than 28% of your gross annual income. Your overall monthly payments for your mortgage plus all your other bills, like car loans, utilities, and credit cards, shouldn't exceed 41% of your gross annual income.  Here's how that works. If your gross annual income is $100,000, multiply by 28% and then divide by 12 months to arrive at a monthly mortgage payment of $2,333 or less. Next, check the total of all your monthly bills including your potential mortgage and make sure they don't top 41%, or $3,416 in our example.

FOUR – Use Your Rent as a Mortgage Guide
The tax benefits of home ownership generally allow you to afford a mortgage payment-including taxes and insurance-of about one-third more than your current rent payment without changing your lifestyle. So you can multiply your current rent by 1.33 to arrive at a rough estimate of a mortgage payment.  Here's an example. If you currently pay $1,500 per month in rent, you should be able to comfortably afford a $2,000 monthly mortgage payment after factoring in the tax benefits of home ownership.  

However, if you're struggling to keep up with your rent, consider what amount would be comfortable and use that for the calculation instead.  Also consider whether or not you'll itemize your deductions. If you take the standard deduction, you can't also deduct mortgage interest payments. Talking to a tax adviser, or using a tax software program to do a "what if" tax return, can help you see your tax situation more clearly.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who's owned her own home for more than 20 years. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

7 Tips for a Profitable Home Closing

2011-01-06T14:54:00.000-08:00

Article From: BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.com 
By: G. M. Filisk
 Published: February 10, 2010 

Be sure you're walking away with all the money you're entitled to from the sale of your home.

When you're ready to close on the sale of your home and move to your new home, you may be so close to the finish line that you coast, thinking there's nothing left for you to do. Not so fast. It's easy to waste a few dollars here and for mistakes to creep into your closing documents there, all adding up to a bundle of lost profit. Spot money-losing problems with these seven tips.

1. Take services out of your name
Avoid a dispute with the buyers after closing over things like fees for the cable service you forgot to discontinue. Contact every utility and service provider to end or transfer service to your new address as of the closing date.  If you're on an automatic-fill schedule for heating oil or propane, don't pay for a pre-closing refill that provides free fuel for the new owner. Contact your insurer to terminate coverage on your old home, get coverage on your new home, and ask whether you're entitled to a refund of prepaid premium.

2. Spread the word on your change of address
Provide the post office with your forwarding address two to four weeks before the closing. Also notify credit card companies, publication subscription departments, friends and family, and your financial institutions of your new address.

3. Manage the movers
Scrutinize your moving company's estimate. If you're making a long-distance move, which is often billed according to weight, note the weight of your property and watch so the movers don't use excessive padding to boost the weight. Also check with your homeowners insurer about coverage for your move. Usually movers cover only what they pack.

4. Do the settlement math
Title company employees are only human, so they can make mistakes. The day before your closing, check the math on your HUD-1 Settlement Statement.

5. Review charges on your settlement statement
Are all mortgages being paid off, and are the payoff amounts correct? If your real estate agent promised you extras-such as a discounted commission or a home warranty policy-make sure that's included. Also check whether your real estate agent or title company added fees that weren't disclosed earlier. If any party suggests leaving items off the settlement statement, consult a lawyer about whether that might expose you to legal risk.

6. Search for missing credits
Be sure the settlement company properly credited you for prepaid expenses, such as property taxes and homeowners association fees, if applicable. If you've prepaid taxes for the year, you're entitled to a credit for the time you no longer own the home. Have you been credited for heating oil or propane left in the tank?

7. Don't leave money in escrow
End your home sale closing with nothing unresolved. Make sure the title company releases money already held in escrow for you, and avoid leaving sales proceeds in a new escrow to be dickered over later.

  G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who has survived several closings. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

7 Tips for Short Sale Success

2010-12-30T14:23:00.000-08:00

Article From Buy And Sell.HouseLogic.com 
By: G. M. Filisko 
Published: March 19, 2010 

Have to sell your home for less than it's worth?
Our seven tips will help you get the best price.
When you owe more on your home than it's worth, but you have to sell, you need to squeeze every dollar possible from the sale. Here are seven tips for navigating the short-sale process.

1. Know who you owe
A short sale has to be approved by any company that has a mortgage or lien against your home. That includes your first, second, or even third mortgage lender, your home equity line lender; your homeowners or condominium association; and any contractors who've placed a lien on your home. Make a list and start talking to everyone early in the process. Ask what documents they'll need from you.

2. Pick your short sale team
You'll need to work with a team of short sale experts, including a real estate agent, real estate attorney, and your accountant. Look for agents and attorneys who advertise themselves as short sale experts. Interview at least three, and listen carefully for signs that they understand the complexities of the short sale process.

Agents should explain how they'll arrive at a suggested price for your home. Ask them to show you a sample short-sale package or for an example of a prior short-sale success.

3. Get your documents ready
Gather the paperwork your creditors and mortgage lenders asked to see, like your listing agreement and a hardship letter explaining why you need to do a short sale. You'll also need proof of what you earn and what you owe as well as copies of your federal income tax returns for the past two years.

4. Expect delays
Despite a federal rule saying banks participating in the federal government's Making Home Affordable loan modification program (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/making-home-affordable-modification-option/) must respond to short-sale offers within 10 days, it may take weeks or months for your lender to decide whether to allow you to sell your home in a short sale--and even longer if you must negotiate with more than one lender or lienholder.
Your lender and lienholders don't have to agree to your proposed short sale. They can reject your terms or make a counteroffer, which can create further delays.

5. Anticipate demands
Discuss with your short-sale team how you should respond to common short-sale demands from lenders. For example, are you willing to sign a promissory note agreeing to pay outstanding amounts after the sale is complete?

6. Know the tax implications
Any unpaid amount of your mortgage "forgiven" by your lender through a short sale may be considered income to you under federal tax rules. Ask your attorney or accountant whether you qualify to exclude that amount as income on your tax returns under the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act and Debt Cancellation Act. Also ask if you'll be required to report amounts "forgiven" by other lien holders, if applicable.

7. Consider how the short sale will affect your credit and what you must pay
Ask whether your lender will report the short sale to credit-reporting agencies. Having a portion of your debt forgiven may negatively affect your credit score, but a short sale typically damages your score less than a foreclosure or bankruptcy.

Ask you lawyer whether you'll be responsible for paying back the lenders' loss. If the lender says it will forgive any losses on the sale of your home, get that promise in writing.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

Negotiate Your Best House Buy

2010-12-21T13:55:00.000-08:00

Article From: BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.com 
By: G. M. Filisko
 Published: June 04, 2010 

Keep your emotions in check and your eyes on the goal, and you'll pay less when purchasing a home.

Buying a home can be emotional, but negotiating the price shouldn't be. The key to saving money when purchasing a home is sticking to a plan during the turbulence of high-stakes negotiations. A real estate agent who represents you can guide you and offer you advice, but you are the one who must make the final decision during each round of offers and counter offers.

Here are six tips for negotiating the best price on a home.

1. Get pre-qualified for a mortgage
Getting pre-qualified for a mortgage proves to sellers that you're serious about buying and capable of affording their home. That will push you to the head of the pack when sellers choose among offers; they'll go with buyers who are a sure financial bet, not those whose financing could flop.

2. Ask questions
Ask your agent for information to help you understand the sellers' financial position and motivation. Are they facing foreclosure or a short sale? Have they already purchased a home or relocated, which may make them eager to accept a lower price to avoid paying two mortgages? Has the home been on the market for a long time, or was it just listed? Have there been other offers? If so, why did they fall through? The more signs that sellers are eager to sell, the lower your offer can reasonably go.

3. Work back from a final price to determine your initial offer
Know in advance the most you're willing to pay, and with your agent work back from that number to determine your initial offer, which can set the tone for the entire negotiation. A too-low bid may offend sellers emotionally invested in the sales price; a too-high bid may lead you to spend more than necessary to close the sale.  Work with your agent to evaluate the sellers' motivation and comparable home sales to arrive at an initial offer that engages the sellers yet keeps money in your wallet.

4. Avoid contingencies
Sellers favor offers that leave little to chance. Keep your bid free of complicated contingencies, such as making the purchase conditional on the sale of your current home. Do keep contingencies for mortgage approval, home inspection, and environmental checks typical in your area, like radon.

5. Remain unemotional
Buying a home is a business transaction, and treating it that way helps you save money. Consider any movement by the sellers, however slight, a sign of interest, and keep negotiating.  Each time you make a concession, ask for one in return. If the sellers ask you to boost your price, ask them to contribute to closing costs or pay for a home warranty. If sellers won't budge, make it clear you're willing to walk away; they may get nervous and accept your offer.

6. Don't let competition change your plan
Great homes and those competitively priced can draw multiple offers in any market. Don't let competition propel you to go beyond your predetermined price or agree to concessions-such as waiving an inspection-that aren't in your best interest.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who has to remind herself to remain unemotional during negotiations. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

5 Tips for Buying a Foreclosure

2010-12-08T13:02:00.000-08:00

Article From: BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.com 
By: G. M. Filisko 
Published: March 29, 2010 

Get pre-qualified for a loan and set aside funds, and you'll be ready to purchase a foreclosed home.

When lenders take over a home through foreclosure, they want to sell it as quickly as possible. Since lenders aren't in the real estate business, they turn to real estate brokers for help marketing their properties. Buying a foreclosed home through the multiple listing service can be a bargain, but it can also be a problem-filled process. Here are five tips to help you buy smart.

1. Choose a foreclosure sale expert. Lenders rarely sell their own foreclosures directly to consumers. They list them with real estate brokers. You can work with a real estate agent who sells foreclosed homes for lenders, or have a buyer's agent find foreclosure properties for you.

To locate a foreclosure sales specialist, call local brokers and ask if they are the listing agent for any banks.  Either way, ask the real estate professional which lenders' homes they've sold, how many buyers they've represented in a foreclosed property purchase, how many of those sales they closed last year, and who they legally represent.

If the agent represents the lender, don't reveal anything to her that you don't want the lender to know, like whether you're willing to spend more than you offer for a house.

2. Be ready for complications. In some states, the former owner of a foreclosed home can challenge the foreclosure in court, even after you've closed the sale. Ask your agent to recommend a real estate attorney who has negotiated with lenders selling foreclosed homes and has defended legal challenges to foreclosures.

Have your attorney explain your state's foreclosure process and your risks in purchasing a foreclosed home. Set aside as much as $5,000 to cover potential legal fees.

3. Work with your agent to set a price. Ask your real estate agent to show you closed sales of comparable homes, which you can use to set your price. Start with an amount well under market value because the lender may be in a hurry to get rid of the home.

4. Get your financing in order. Many mortgage market players, such as Fannie Mae, require buyers to submit financing pre-approval letters with a purchase offer. They'll also reject all contingencies. Since most foreclosed homes are vacant, closings can be quick. Make sure you have the cash you'll need to close your purchase.

5. Expect an as-is sale. Most homeowners stopped maintaining their home long before they could no longer make mortgage payments. Be sure to have enough money left after the sale to make at least minor, and sometimes substantive, repairs.

Although lenders may do minor cosmetic repairs to make foreclosed homes more marketable, they won't give you credits for repair costs (or make additional repairs) because they've already factored the property's condition into their asking price.   Lenders will also require that you purchase the home "as is," which means in its current condition. Protect yourself by ordering a home inspection to uncover the true condition of the property, getting a pest inspection, and purchasing a home warranty.  Be sure you also do all the environmental testing that's common to your region to find hazards such as radon, mold, lead-based paint, or underground storage tanks.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who purchased a foreclosed condominium and found herself in the middle of a months-long dispute between the former homeowner and the bank over whether the foreclosure was conducted properly. Six months after paying the full purchase price, she was finally able to enter the property. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

Fielding a Low ball Purchase Offer on Your Home

2010-12-08T12:50:00.000-08:00

Article From BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.com 
By: Marcie Geffner 
Published: June 10, 2010 

Consider before you ignore or outright refuse a very low purchase offer for your home. A counter-offer and negotiation could turn that low purchase offer into a sale.

You just received a purchase offer from someone who wants to buy your home. You're excited and relieved, until you realize the purchase offer is much lower than your asking price. How should you respond? Set aside your emotions, focus on the facts, and prepare a counteroffer that keeps the buyers involved in the deal.

Check Your Emotions
A purchase offer, even a very low one, means someone wants to purchase your home. Unless the offer is laughably low, it deserves a cordial response, whether that's a counteroffer or an outright rejection. Remain calm and discuss with your real estate agent the many ways you can respond to a low ball purchase offer.

Counter the Purchase Offer
Unless you've received multiple purchase offers, the best response is to counter the low offer with a price and terms you're willing to accept. Some buyers make a low offer because they think that's customary, they're afraid they'll overpay, or they want to test your limits.  A counteroffer signals that you're willing to negotiate. One strategy for your counteroffer is to lower your price, but remove any concessions such as seller assistance with closing costs, or features such as kitchen appliances that you'd like to take with you.

Consider the Terms
Price is paramount for most buyers and sellers, but it's not the only deal point. A low purchase offer might make sense if the contingencies are reasonable, the closing date meets your needs, and the buyer is pre-approved for a mortgage. Consider what terms you might change in a counteroffer to make the deal work.

Review Your Comps
Ask your REALTOR® whether any homes that are comparable to yours (known as "comps") have been sold or put on the market since your home was listed for sale. If those new comps are at lower prices, you might have to lower your price to match them if you want to sell.

Consider the Buyer's Comps
Buyers sometimes attach comps to a low offer to try to convince the seller to accept a lower purchase offer. Take a look at those comps. Are the homes similar to yours? If so, your asking price might be unrealistic. If not, you might want to include in your counteroffer information about those homes and your own comps that justify your asking price.  If the buyers don't include comps to justify their low purchase offer, have your real estate agent ask the buyers' agent for those comps.

Get the Agents Together
If the purchase offer is too low to counter, but you don't have a better option, ask your real estate agent to call the buyer's agent and try to narrow the price gap so that a counteroffer would make sense. Also, ask your real estate agent whether the buyer (or buyer's agent) has a reputation for low-ball purchase offers. If that's the case, you might feel freer to reject the offer.

Don't Signal Desperation
Buyers are sensitive to signs that a seller may be receptive to a low purchase offer. If your home is vacant or your home's listing describes you as a "motivated" seller, you're signaling you're open to a low offer.  If you can remedy the situation, maybe by renting furniture or asking your agent not to mention in your home listing that you're motivated, the next purchase offer you get might be more to your liking.

Marcie Geffner is a freelance reporter who has been writing about real estate, homeownership and mortgages for 20 years. She owns a ranch-style house built in 1941 and updated in the 1990s, in Los Angeles.

Pet Odor Can Chase Away Buyers

2010-12-03T13:54:00.000-08:00

Article From BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.com 
By: G. M. Filisko 
Published: October 15, 2010 

Don't let pet odors derail your home sale

Having pet odors inside your home can turn off potential home buyers and keep your home from selling. Ask your real estate agent for an honest opinion about whether your home has a pet smell.   If your agent holds her nose, here's how to get rid of the smell:

Air your house out. While you're cleaning, throw open all the windows in your home to allow fresh air to circulate and sweep out unpleasant scents.Once your house is free of pet odors, do what you can to keep the smells from returning. Crate your dog when you're out or keep it outdoors. Limit the cat to one floor or room, if possible. Remove or replace pet bedding.  Scrub thoroughly. Scrub bare floors and walls soiled by pets with vinegar, wood floor cleaner, or an odor-neutralizing product, which you can purchase at a pet supply store for $10 to $25.   Try a 1:9 bleach-to-water solution on surfaces it won't damage, like cement floors or walls.  

Got a stubborn pet odors covering a large area? You may have to spend several hundred dollars to hire a service that specializes in hard-to-clean stains.  Wash your drapes and upholstery. Pet odors seep into fabrics. Launder, steam clean, or dry clean all your fabric window coverings. Steam clean upholstered furniture.   Either buy a steam cleaner designed to remove pet hair for around $200 and do the job yourself, or pay a pro. You'll spend about $40 for an upholstered chair, $100 for a sofa, and $7 for each dining room chair if a pro does your cleaning.  

Clean your carpets. Shampoo your carpets and rugs, or have professionals do the job for $25 to $50 per room, depending on their size and the level of filth embedded in them. The cleaner will try to sell you deodorizing treatments. You'll know if you need to spend the extra money on those after the carpet dries and you have a friend perform a sniff test.  If deodorizing doesn't remove the pet odor from your home, the carpets and padding will have to go. Once you tear them out, scrub the sub-floor with vinegar or an odor-removing product, and install new padding and carpeting. Unless the smell is in the sub-floor, in which case that goes next.  

Paint, replace, or seal walls. When heavy-duty cleaners haven't eradicated smells in drywall, plaster, or woodwork, add a fresh coat of paint or stain, or replace the drywall or wood altogether.   On brick and cement, apply a sealant appropriate for the surface for $25 to $100. That may smother and seal in the odor, keeping it from reemerging.   Place potpourri or scented candles in strategic locations. Put a bow on your deep clean with potpourri and scented candles. Don't go overboard and turn off buyers sensitive to perfumes. Simply place a bowl of mild potpourri in your foyer to create a warm first impression, and add other mild scents to the kitchen and bathrooms.

  Control ongoing urine smells. If your dog uses indoor pee pads, put down a new pad each time the dog goes. Throw them away outside in a trash can with a tight lid. Remove even clean pads from view before each showing.  Replace kitty litter daily, rather than scooping used litter clumps, and sweep up around the litter box. Hide the litter box before each showing.  

Relocate pets. If your dog or cat has a best friend it can stay with while you're selling your home (and you can stand to be separated from your pet), consider sending your pet on a temporary vacation. If pets have to stay, remove them from the house for showings and put away their dishes, towels, and toys.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer whose former mutt Marley no doubt created a wet-dog aroma in her condo that still remains. A regular contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

October 2010 Market Stats

2010-11-17T11:56:00.001-08:00

2010-11-10T12:36:00.001-08:00

(New!)

Pet Odor Can Chase Away Buyers

Don’t let pet odors derail your home sale. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Huge Tigard Home!

2010-10-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

$309,000
6bd/3ba
SW Hollow Ln.
Tigard, OR 97223

For more information and to view more photos & Listings:
www.realtysolutionspdx.com

September 2010 Market Stats

2010-10-19T14:25:00.000-07:00

NEW LISTING in MULTNOMAH VILLAGE!

2010-10-12T14:49:00.000-07:00

Multnomah Village/Gabriel Park 4bd/3ba Home

$379,900
3827 SW Caldew Street
Portland, OR 97219

Newer windows/skylights w/cathedral ceilings give this tons of light. Newer kitchen, pergo type flooring, huge .19 acre fenced yard w/deck,patio and very cool tree house! Culdesac borders Gabriel park or Walk 4 blocks to the village. Have it all in this perfect home and location!

For more information and to view more photos and properties, www.realtysolutionspdx.com

Keep Your Home Sale from Falling Apart

2010-10-07T11:47:00.000-07:00

Article From BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.com 
By: G. M. Filisko 
Published: March 30, 2010 

After finding a buyer, all you have to do to make it to closing is to avoid these five traps. Finding a buyer for your home is just the first step on the home selling path. Tread carefully in the weeks ahead because if you make one of these common seller mistakes, your deal may not close.

Mistake #1: Ignore contingencies
If your contract requires you to do something before the sale, do it. If the buyers make the sale contingent on certain repairs, don't do cheap patch-jobs and expect the buyers not to notice the fixes weren't done properly.

Mistake #2: Don't bother to fix things that break
The last thing any seller needs is for the buyers to notice on the pre-closing walk-through that the home isn't in the same condition as when they made their offer. When things fall apart in a home about to be purchased, sellers must make the repairs. If the furnace fails, get a professional to fix it, and inform the buyers that the work was done. When you fail to maintain the home, the buyers may lose confidence in your integrity and the condition of the home and back out of the sale.

Mistake #3: Get lax about deadlines
Treat deadlines as sacrosanct. If you have three days to accept or reject the home inspection, make your decision within three days. If you're selling, move out a few days early, so you can turn over the keys at closing.

Mistake #4: Refuse to negotiate any further
Once you've negotiated a price, it's natural to calculate how much you'll walk away with from the closing table. However, problems uncovered during inspections will have to be fixed. The appraisal may come in at a price below what the buyers offered to pay. Be prepared to negotiate with the buyers over these bottom-line-influencing issues.

Mistake #5: Hide liens from buyers
Did you neglect to mention that Uncle Sam has placed a tax lien on your home or you owe six months of homeowners association fees? The title search is going to turn up any liens filed on your house. To sell your house, you have to pay off the lien (or get the borrower to agree to pay it off). If you can do that with the sales proceeds, great. If not, the sale isn't going to close.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who wanted a successful closing on a Wisconsin property so bad that she probably made her agent rethink going into real estate. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

2010-10-07T11:42:00.001-07:00

How to Use Comparable Sales
to Price Your Home
Before you put your home up for sale, use the right comparable sales to find the perfect price. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

PRICE REDUCTION! 3 bedroom/2 full bath Home

2010-09-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

$140,000
432 SE 154th Ave.
Portland, OR 97233

3 bedroom/2 full baths, family room and living room, hardwood floors, newer windows.
Large .21 acre lot.

For more information and to view more properties, go to www.realtysolutionspdx.com

PRICE REDUCTION! Fixer in SE Portland

2010-09-29T11:50:00.000-07:00

$94,000
3905 SE 174th Ave.
Portland, OR 97236

Fixer in SE Portland on .26 acre corner lot.
2bd/2ba,
1-car detached garage.

For more information and to view other properties, go to www.realtysolutionspdx.com

PRICE REDUCTION! BOHMANN PARK

2010-09-29T11:44:00.000-07:00

$325,000
8787 SW Becker Drive
Portland, OR 97223

Single Level home on Fanno Creek.3bd/2.5 bath, Original Owner/custom built w/2x6 construction & insulation, newer vinyl windows, Heat pump/central A/C, shop w/1/2bath, composite roof, plumbed for central vac, open floor plan, 21x4 covered patio, .25 acre lot,
close to community pool,walking trails and park. All appliances. Great location.

For more information and to view more properties, go to www.realtysolutionspdx.com

Forest Heights Twilight Home Tour!

2010-09-28T15:01:00.000-07:00

October 1, 2010, 4–7 pm

Click on image above to go to website
& view Tour Map and Properties for Sale!

August 2010 Marketing Statistics

2010-09-21T13:36:00.001-07:00

Bohmann Park––Single Level Home!

2010-09-13T14:17:00.001-07:00

$339,000
8787 SW Becker Drive
Portland, OR 97223

Bohmann Park-Single Level home on Fanno Creek.3bd/2.5 bath, Original Owner/custom built w/2x6 const.&insulation,newer vinyl windows, Heat pump/ central A/C,shop w/1/2bath,comp roof,plumbed for central vac,open floor plan, 21x4 covered patio,.25 acre lot,close to community pool,walking trails and park. All appliances. Great location.

Go to www.realtysolutionspdx.com for more information.

Oregon Wood stove Laws

2010-09-08T15:36:00.000-07:00

In a nut shell, what does the law do?

This new Oregon law, which was called Senate Bill 102 in the 2009 Oregon Legislature, accelerates the turnover of older uncertified wood stoves and other solid fuel burning devices by requiring the removal of uncertified (non-EPA certified or non-ODEQ certified) wood stoves or wood fireplace inserts upon sale of a home.
The law also applies to uncertified wood stoves in outbuildings, shops and garages.
Un-certified stoves will either not have an EPA certification or an Oregon DEQ certification sticker (issued in the mid 1980’s) or be listed on EPA’s website of certified stoves.
Pellet stoves, masonry heaters and wood-fired furnaces are exempt.
Uncertified wood stoves are required to be removed ONLY when a home is SOLD.
The law will address enforcement and education and a “basket” for funds to support these campaigns.
The seller and buyer must come to agreement which is responsible for arranging for the removal and destruction of the uncertified woodstove and there is a 30 day window to comply.
Current Oregon law will not allow an uncertified wood stove to be sold or reinstalled.
The law requires that the uncertified wood stove is both removed and destroyed (recycled) and that verification of the destruction is sent to Oregon DEQ. Rules on the reporting requirements to verify the removal and destruction of the uncertified wood stove will be drafted. Until the rules are drafted, removal is mandatory and reporting of the destruction of the uncertified wood stove is voluntary.

When will the law be in effect?

The law goes into effect August 1, 2010.

ODEQ estimates the administrative rules will be in effect October 1, 2010.
This gap means the requirement for reporting to ODEQ when a stove is removed will be essentially voluntary until the rules are adopted because the rules will establish a process for reporting the removal and destruction of uncertified stoves.

ODEQ will provide resources on their website starting August 1 to assist a home seller/ buyer with voluntary reporting. Once the rules are approved a formal process will be in place for reporting.

Go to: www.oregonfireplaces.com/oregonlaws.htm for more information.

OPEN HOUSES 9/12/10

2010-09-08T15:23:00.000-07:00

2:00-4:00
2138 NW Village Circle
Portland, OR 97229

$325,000
2bd/2.1ba

_____________________________________

2:00-5:00
9265 SW Brooks Bend Place
Portland, OR 97223

$259,000
3bd/2ba

2010-09-08T15:21:00.000-07:00

OPEN HOUSE 8/22/10, 1–4PM

2010-08-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

Top Quality and Location! Forest Heights Condo
at the Village Shops!

$325,000
2138 NW Village Circle
Portland, OR 97229

Steps from the beautiful park and walking trails. Open living, dining w/gourmet kitchen, island w/5-burner cook top, stainless, granite, knotty alder cabinets & hardwood floors. 2 bedrooms each w/full bath. Master has fireplace, dual sinks, soak tub, walk-in. Central A/C, Fenced Patio, garage and low HOA's.

For more information or to view more properties: www.realtysolutionspdx.com

July 2010 Marketing Stats

2010-08-17T11:49:00.000-07:00

(Click on image for larger view)

Fixer in SE Portland

2010-08-12T14:31:00.000-07:00

$110,000
3905 SE 174th Ave.
Portland, OR 97236

Fixer in SE Portland on .26 acre corner lot. 2bd/2ba, 1-car detached garage.

For more information & photos: www.realtysolutionspdx.com

6 Tips for Choosing the Best Offer for Your Home

2010-08-11T10:43:00.000-07:00

Article From Houselogic.com
By: G. M. Filisko
Published: February 10, 2010

Have a plan for reviewing purchase offers so you don't let the best slip through your fingers.

You've worked hard to get your home ready for sale and to price it properly. With any luck, offers will come quickly. You'll need to review each carefully to determine its strengths and drawbacks and pick one to accept. Here's a plan for evaluating offers.

1. Understand the Process
All offers are negotiable, as your agent will tell you. When you receive an offer, you can accept it, reject it, or respond by asking that terms be modified, which is called making a counteroffer.

2. Set Baselines
Decide in advance what terms are most important to you. For instance, if price is most important, you may need to be flexible on your closing date. Or if you want certainty that the transaction won't fall apart because the buyer can't get a mortgage, require a pre-qualified or cash buyer.

3. Create an Offer Review Process
If you think your home will receive multiple offers, work with your agent to establish a time frame during which buyers must submit offers. That gives your agent time to market your home to as many potential buyers as possible, and you time to review all the offers you receive.

4. Don't Take Offers Personally
Selling your home can be emotional. But it's simply a business transaction, and you should treat it that way. If your agent tells you a buyer complained that your kitchen is horribly outdated, justifying a low-ball offer, don't be offended. Consider it a sign the buyer is interested and understand that those comments are a negotiating tactic. Negotiate in kind.

5. REVIEW EVERY TERM
Carefully evaluate all the terms of each offer. Price is important, but so are other terms. Is the buyer asking for property or fixtures-such as appliances, furniture, or window treatments-to be included in the sale that you plan to take with you?

Is the amount of earnest money the buyer proposes to deposit toward the down payment sufficient? The lower the earnest money, the less painful it will be for the buyer to forfeit those funds by walking away from the purchase if problems arise.

Have the buyers attached a pre-qualification or pre-approval letter, which means they've already been approved for financing? Or does the offer include a financing or other contingency? If so, the buyers can walk away from the deal if they can't get a mortgage, and they'll take their earnest money back, too. Are you comfortable with that uncertainty?

Is the buyer asking you to make concessions, like covering some closing costs? Are you willing, and can you afford to do that? Does the buyer's proposed closing date mesh with your timeline?

With each factor, ask yourself: Is this a deal breaker, or can I compromise to achieve my ultimate goal of closing the sale?

6. BE CREATIVE
If you've received an unacceptable offer through your agent, ask questions to determine what's most important to the buyer and see if you can meet that need. You may learn the buyer has to move quickly. That may allow you to stand firm on price but offer to close quickly. The key to successfully negotiating the sale is to remain flexible.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who has survived several closings. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

Reprinted from HouseLogic (houselogic.com) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (R). Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

North Portland on large 7500sf Lot

2010-08-05T14:23:00.000-07:00

$185,000
8822 N. Drummond Ave.
Portland, OR 97217

North Portland on large 7500sf lot. 2bd/1ba with 2-car detached garage. Good condition.
Check with city to determine if lot is dividable.

Go to www.realtysolutionspdx.com for more information, photos or to view more listings.

New Columbia-2006 legend built earth advantage home

2010-08-05T14:16:00.000-07:00

$199,000
4917 N. Cecelia Street
Portland, OR 97203

New Columbia-2006 legend built earth advantage home. 3bd/2ba, 1440 sf,large kitchen,formal dining. Fenced yard,front porch. Walking paths,4 neighborhood parks, HOA maintains front yard.

Go to www.realtysolutionspdx.com for more information, photos or to view more listings.

Beaverton Bungalo only $154,900!

2010-08-05T14:09:00.000-07:00

$154,900
13525 SW Hazel Street
Beaverton, OR 97005

Beaverton Bungalo only $154,900! 2bd/1ba, Hardwood floors, 1-car garage, huge .21 acre lot, newer siding, windows, roof, furnace and updated kitchen.
Owner will carry a contract w/25% down.

Go to www.realtysolutionspdx.com for more information, photos and more listings.

Lower unit Rock Creek Condo/Seller Contribution

2010-08-05T13:49:00.000-07:00

$74,900
5190 NW Neakahnie Ave.
Portland, OR 97229

Rock Creek Country Club Condo-Lower unit, 2bd/1ba, 1-car detached car garage. Pergo-style flooring, fireplace, covered patio. View from Patio is greenbelt w/trees & walking paths next to Bethany Pond. The seller agrees to PAY $8,000 towards HOA dues.

Go to www.realtysolutionspdx.com for more information, photos & more listings!

Fielding a Low-ball Purchase Offer on Your Home

2010-08-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

Article From Houselogic.com
By: Marcie Geffner
Published: June 10, 2010

Consider before you ignore or outright refuse a very low purchase offer for your home. A counter-offer and negotiation could turn that low purchase offer into a sale.

You just received a purchase offer from someone who wants to buy your home. You're excited and relieved, until you realize the purchase offer is much lower than your asking price. How should you respond? Set aside your emotions, focus on the facts, and prepare a counteroffer that keeps the buyers involved in the deal.

Check your Emotions
A purchase offer, even a very low one, means someone wants to purchase your home. Unless the offer is laughably low, it deserves a cordial response, whether that's a counteroffer or an outright rejection. Remain calm and discuss with your real estate agent the many ways you can respond to a low-ball purchase offer.

Counter the Purchase Offer
Unless you've received multiple purchase offers, the best response is to counter the low offer with a price and terms you're willing to accept. Some buyers make a low offer because they think that's customary, they're afraid they'll overpay, or they want to test your limits.

A counteroffer signals that you're willing to negotiate. One strategy for your counteroffer is to lower your price, but remove any concessions such as seller assistance with closing costs, or features such as kitchen appliances that you'd like to take with you.

Consider the Terms
Price is paramount for most buyers and sellers, but it's not the only deal point. A low purchase offer might make sense if the contingencies are reasonable, the closing date meets your needs, and the buyer is pre-approved for a mortgage. Consider what terms you might change in a counteroffer to make the deal work.

Review your Comps
Ask your REALTOR® whether any homes that are comparable to yours (known as "comps") have been sold or put on the market since your home was listed for sale. If those new comps are at lower prices, you might have to lower your price to match them if you want to sell.

Consider the Buyer's Comps
Buyers sometimes attach comps to a low offer to try to convince the seller to accept a lower purchase offer. Take a look at those comps. Are the homes similar to yours? If so, your asking price might be unrealistic. If not, you might want to include in your counteroffer information about those homes and your own comps that justify your asking price.

If the buyers don't include comps to justify their low purchase offer, have your real estate agent ask the buyers' agent for those comps.

Get the Agents Together
If the purchase offer is too low to counter, but you don't have a better option, ask your real estate agent to call the buyer's agent and try to narrow the price gap so that a counteroffer would make sense. Also, ask your real estate agent whether the buyer (or buyer's agent) has a reputation for low-ball purchase offers. If that's the case, you might feel freer to reject the offer.

Don't Signal Desperation
Buyers are sensitive to signs that a seller may be receptive to a low purchase offer. If your home is vacant or your home's listing describes you as a "motivated" seller, you're signaling you're open to a low offer.

If you can remedy the situation, maybe by renting furniture or asking your agent not to mention in your home listing that you're motivated, the next purchase offer you get might be more to your liking.

Marcie Geffner is a freelance reporter who has been writing about real estate, homeownership and mortgages for 20 years. She owns a ranch-style house built in 1941 and updated in the 1990s, in Los Angeles.

Reprinted from HouseLogic (houselogic.com) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (R).
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

7 Tips for a Profitable Home Closing

2010-07-28T14:35:00.000-07:00

Article From Houselogic.com
By: G. M. Filisko
Published: February 10, 2010

Be sure you're walking away with all the money you're entitled to from the sale of your home.

When you're ready to close on the sale of your home and move to your new home, you may be so close to the finish line that you coast, thinking there's nothing left for you to do. Not so fast. It's easy to waste a few dollars here and for mistakes to creep into your closing documents there, all adding up to a bundle of lost profit. Spot money-losing problems with these seven tips.

1. TAKE SERVICES OUT OF YOUR NAME
Avoid a dispute with the buyers after closing over things like fees for the cable service you forgot to discontinue. Contact every utility and service provider to end or transfer service to your new address as of the closing date.

If you're on an automatic-fill schedule for heating oil or propane, don't pay for a pre-closing refill that provides free fuel for the new owner. Contact your insurer to terminate coverage on your old home, get coverage on your new home, and ask whether you're entitled to a refund of prepaid premium.

2. SPREAD THE WORD ON YOUR CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Provide the post office with your forwarding address two to four weeks before the closing. Also notify credit card companies, publication subscription departments, friends and family, and your financial institutions of your new address.

3. MANAGE THE MOVERS
Scrutinize your moving company's estimate. If you're making a long-distance move, which is often billed according to weight, note the weight of your property and watch so the movers don't use excessive padding to boost the weight. Also check with your homeowners insurer about coverage for your move. Usually movers cover only what they pack.

4. DO THE SETTLEMENT MATH
Title company employees are only human, so they can make mistakes. The day before your closing, check the math on your HUD-1 Settlement Statement.

5. REVIEW CHARGES ON YOUR SETTLEMENT STATEMENT
Are all mortgages being paid off, and are the payoff amounts correct? If your real estate agent promised you extras-such as a discounted commission or a home warranty policy-make sure that's included. Also check whether your real estate agent or title company added fees that weren't disclosed earlier. If any party suggests leaving items off the settlement statement, consult a lawyer about whether that might expose you to legal risk.

6. SEARCH FOR MISSING CREDITS
Be sure the settlement company properly credited you for prepaid expenses, such as property taxes and homeowners association fees, if applicable. If you've prepaid taxes for the year, you're entitled to a credit for the time you no longer own the home. Have you been credited for heating oil or propane left in the tank?

7. DON'T LEAVE MONEY IN ESCROW
End your home sale closing with nothing unresolved. Make sure the title company releases money already held in escrow for you, and avoid leaving sales proceeds in a new escrow to be dickered over later.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who has survived several closings. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

Reprinted from HouseLogic (houselogic.com) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (R).
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

North Portland on Large 7500sf. Lot

2010-07-27T13:08:00.000-07:00

$185,000
8822 N. Drummond Ave.
Portland, OR 97217

North Portland on large 7500sf lot. 2bd/1ba with 2-car detached garage. Good condition. Check with city to determine if lot is dividable.

For more information and to view more properties go to www.realtysolutionspdx.com

June 2010 Market Stats

2010-07-19T12:49:00.001-07:00

Portland Home Values

2010-07-19T11:21:00.000-07:00

6 Reasons to Reduce Your Home Price

2010-07-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

Article From Houselogic.com
By: G. M. Filisko
Published: March 19, 2010

While you'd like to get the best price for your home, consider our six reasons to reduce your home price.

Home not selling? That could happen for a number of reasons you can't control, like a unique home layout or having one of the few homes in the neighborhood without a garage. There is one factor you can control: your home price.

These six signs may be telling you it's time to lower your price.

ONE–––YOU'RE DRAWING FEW LOOKERS
You get the most interest in your home right after you put it on the market because buyers want to catch a great new home before anybody else takes it. If your real estate agent reports there have been fewer buyers calling about and asking to tour your home than there have been for other homes in your area, that may be a sign buyers think it's overpriced and are waiting for the price to fall before viewing it.

TWO–––YOU'RE DRAWING LOTS OF LOOKERS BUT HAVE NO OFFERS
If you've had 30 sets of potential buyers come through your home and not a single one has made an offer, something is off. What are other agents telling your agent about your home? An overly high price may be discouraging buyers from making an offer.

THREE–––YOUR HOME'S BEEN ON THE MARKET LONGER THAN SIMILAR HOMES
Ask your real estate agent about the average number of days it takes to sell a home in your market. If the answer is 30 and you're pushing 45, your price may be affecting buyer interest. When a home sits on the market, buyers can begin to wonder if there's something wrong with it, which can delay a sale even further. At least consider lowering your asking price.

FOUR–––YOU HAVE A DEADLINE
If you've got to sell soon because of a job transfer or you've already purchased another home, it may be necessary to generate buyer interest by dropping your price so your home is a little lower priced than comparable homes in your area. Remember: It's not how much money you need that determines the sale price of your home, it's how much money a buyer is willing to spend.

FIVE–––YOU CAN'T MAKE UPGRADES
Maybe you're plum out of cash and don't have the funds to put fresh paint on the walls, clean the carpets, and add curb appeal. But the feedback your agent is reporting from buyers is that your home isn't as well-appointed as similarly priced homes. When your home has been on the market longer than comparable homes in better condition, it's time to accept that buyers expect to pay less for a home that doesn't show as well as others.

SIX–––THE COMPETITION HAS CHANGED
If weeks go by with no offers, continue to check out the competition. What have comparable homes sold for and what's still on the market? What new listings have been added since you listed your home for sale? If comparable home sales or new listings show your price is too steep, consider a price reduction.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who made strategic price reductions that led to the sale of a Wisconsin property. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

Reprinted from HouseLogic (houselogic.com) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (R).
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

Top Quality and Location! Forest Heights Condo!

2010-07-08T11:35:00.000-07:00

$325,000
2138 NW Village Circle
Portland, OR 97229

Forest Heights Condo at the Village Shops and steps from the beautiful park and walking trails. Open-living, dining w/gourmet kitchen, island w/5-burner cook top, stainless, granite, knotty alder cabinets & hardwood floors. 2 bedrooms each w/full bath. Master has fireplace, dual sinks, soak tub, walk-in. Central A/C, Fenced Patio, garage and low HOA's.

For more information & photos, or to view more listings, go to www.realtysolutionspdx.com!

Plant Trees To Save Energy and Grow Value

2010-07-08T11:13:00.000-07:00

Article From HouseLogic.com 
By: Brad Broberg Published: September 12, 2009 

Plant a tree to add value to your home
and have a positive impact on the environment.

Trees don't ask for much-dirt, water, sunlight. Yet they provide a wealth of benefits:
They improve the air you breathe, cut your energy bills with their shade, provide a home to wildlife, and add beauty and value to your home.

But every year, 3.2 million acres of forest are cut down, according to the Nature Conservancy (http://www.nature. org/initiatives/forests/misc/art22113.html). Several million more acres are lost to fire, storm, and disease. That's why planting new trees and protecting the ones we have is so important. You can do your part by....

Caring for the trees in your yard 
Supporting tree-planting activities in your community 
Donating to organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy, which works to preserve the world's trees and forests, and American Forests (http://www.americanforests.org), which offers a unique way to take action. First, use its online Climate Change Calculator (http://www.americanforests.org/resources/ccc/) to determine your carbon footprint.
Then, make up for your emissions by donating to a forest restoration project.

Why should you care about trees? Bankable benefits
The most tangible bang from your bark comes from energy savings. Three properly placed trees could save you between $100 and $250 a year in energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (http://www.energy.gov). Trees save energy two main ways. Their shade cuts cooling costs in the summer. In winter, they serve as windbreak and help hold down heating costs.  The National Tree Calculator (http://www.treebenefits.com) estimates that a 12-inch elm in an Omaha yard can save $32.43 a year on your energy bills; the same tree in Atlanta would save you $11.89 annually.

The calculator also breaks down other dollars and cents benefits of your tree, like decreasing storm water runoff, removing carbon dioxide from the air, and increasing property values.

In our elm example, the 12-inch tree adds $40.23 to the Omaha home's value and a $57.33 to the one in Atlanta. And as trees grow larger, they can add even more value.

A 2002 study by the USDA Forest Service pegs the value a single tree adds to a property of about $630. Of course, tree value depends on size, species, location, and condition.

Adds Frank Lucco, a real estate appraiser with IRR-Residential in Houston, "On a $100,000 home [in my market], as much as $10,000 of its value could be associated with mature trees." That's peanuts compared with the role trees play as the lungs of the planet. A report by the Trust for Public Land (http://www.coloradotrees.org/benefits.htm) estimated that one mature tree takes 48 pounds of carbon out of the atmosphere each year and returns enough oxygen for two human beings.

Plant your tree in the right spot
To get the full benefits from your trees, choose the right one and put it in the right location. Planting a deciduous tree on the west side of a house provides cooling shade in the summer. In winter, after it loses its leaves, the same tree lets in sunlight that cuts heating and lighting bills. On the other hand, an evergreen on the west side blocks sun all year long, making a home colder and darker in winter. Rather plant evergreens, a great choice for blocking icy winter winds, on the north side of your home.   If you're planting a new tree, think about its fully grown size and shape before you dig. Branches from a tree located below power lines can cause outages as it grows. Roots from a tree located too close to a home can damage the foundation or block sewer lines. The wrong tree in the wrong place could actually lower your home's appraised value if it's deemed hazardous, says Frank Lucco, a real estate appraiser with IRR-Residential in Houston.

Tree costs
Expect to pay $50 to $100 for a 6- to 7-foot decidious tree, such as a katsura or evergreen. The same tree at 15 feet will cost $100 to $200, according to Brad Swank of Molbak's Nursery in Woodinville, Wash. The Arbor Day Foundation sells saplings for as little as $8-$15, or less if you're a member.  Since trees cost money, be cautious about any home construction work. "Tree failure can happen seven to 10 years after construction, primarily because the root system fails when the soil is compacted," says Thomas Hanson, a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists (http://www.asca-consultants.org) from Kirkland, Wash. Also watch for diseases or pests (http://forestry.about.com/od/diseases/tp/An-Index-of-Common-Tree-Diseas.htm) that can threaten trees in your yard and community.

Become a tree advocate
Ensuring that your community has lots of healthy trees doesn't have to be more complicated than a trip to the nursery and a hole in your backyard. Dig it twice as wide as deep. Let kids push in the dirt and help water weekly until the tree is two years old. The Arbor Day Foundation (http://www.arborday.org) will tell you how to select the right tree for your needs and climate, where to plant it, and how to maintain it.  The foundation also is a great place to look for community and educational programs.

Its Tree City USA (http://www.arborday.org/programs/treeCityUSA/) initiative provides expert advice and national recognition to cities and towns that want to establish tree-management plans. 
Its Arbor Day Poster Contest (http://www.arborday.org/kids/postercontest/index.cfm) for fifth-graders gives teachers a fun way to help students learn the importance of trees. 
Its nationwide list of volunteer organizations (http://www.arborday.org/programs/volunteers/index.cfm) lets you search for tree care opportunities in your state.

Considering everything trees do for you, it's the least you can do for them.

Brad Broberg is a freelance writer from Federal Way, Wash. A former newspaper reporter and editor, he writes about business, health care, and real estate for REALTOR Magazine, the Puget Sound Business Journal, and Seattle Children's Hospital, among others. He's lived in the same home for 22 years-a home he shares with seven towering Douglas firs.

7 Tips for Improving Your Credit

2010-06-21T10:36:00.001-07:00

Article From Houselogic.com By: G. M. Filisko
Published: February 25, 2010

Here's how to clean up your credit so you get the least-expensive home loan possible.

Getting the loan that suits your situation at the best possible price and terms makes home-buying easier and more affordable. Here are seven ways to boost your credit score so you can do just that.

1 ••• Know Your Credit Score
Credit scores range from 300 to 850, and the higher, the better. They're based on whether you've paid personal loans, car loans, credit cards, and other debt in full and on time in the past. You'll need a score of at least 620 to qualify for a home loan and 740 to get the best interest rates and terms.

You're entitled to a free copy of your credit report annually from each of the major credit-reporting bureaus, Equifax (http://www.equifax.com), Experian (http://www.experian.com), and TransUnion (http://www.transunion.com). Access all three versions of your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com (http://www.annualcreditreport.com). Review them to ensure the information is accurate.

2 ••• Correct Errors on Your Credit Report
If you find mistakes on your credit report, write a letter to the credit-reporting agency explaining why you believe there's an error. Send documents that support your case, and ask that the error be corrected or removed. Also write to the company, or debt collector, that reported the incorrect information to dispute the information, and ask to be copied on any materials sent to credit-reporting agencies.

3 ••• Pay Every Bill on Time
You may be surprised at the damage even a few late payments will have on your credit score. The easiest way to make a big difference in your credit score without altering your spending habits is to diligently pay all your bills on time. You'll also save money because you'll keep the money you've been spending on late fees. Credit card or mortgage companies probably won't report minor late payments, those less than 30 days overdue, but you'll still have to pay late fees.

4 ••• Use Credit Carefully
Another good way to boost your credit score is to pay your credit card bills in full every month. If you can't do that, pay as much over your required minimum payment as possible to begin whittling away the debt. Stop using your credit cards to keep your balances from increasing, and transfer balances from high-interest credit cards to lower-interest cards.

5 ••• Take Care w/ the Length of Your Credit
Credit rating agencies also consider the length of your credit history. If you've had a credit card for a long time and managed it responsibly, that works in your favor. However, opening several new credit cards at once can lower the average age of your accounts, which pushes down your score. Likewise, closing credit card accounts lowers your available credit, so keep credit cards open even if you're not using them.

6 ••• Don't Use All the Credit You're Offered
Credit scores are also based on how much credit you use compared with how much you're offered. Using $1,000 of available credit will give you a lower score than having $1,000 of available credit and using $100 of it. Occasionally opening new lines of credit can boost your available credit, which also affects your score positively.

7 ••• Be Patient
It can take time for your credit score to climb once you've begun working to improve it. Keep at it because the more distance you put between your spotty payment history and your current good payment record, the less damage you'll do to your credit score.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who keeps a close eye on her credit scores. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

Reprinted from HouseLogic (houselogic.com) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (R).
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

May 2010 Market Stats

2010-06-17T14:42:00.001-07:00

4 Tips to Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford

2010-06-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

Article From Houselogic.com
By: G. M. Filisko
Published: March 11, 2010

By knowing how much mortgage you can handle, you can ensure that home ownership will fit in your budget.

Homeowner-ship should make you feel safe and secure, and that includes financially. Be sure you can afford your home by calculating how much of a mortgage you can safely fit into your budget.

Instead of just taking out the biggest mortgage a lender qualifies you to borrow, consider how much you want to pay each month for housing based on your financial and personal goals.

Think ahead to major life events and consider how those might influence your budget. Do you want to return to school for an advanced degree? Will a new child add day care to your monthly expenses? Does a relative plan to eventually live with you and contribute to the mortgage?

Still not sure how much you can afford? You can use the same formulas that most lenders use, or try another of these traditional methods for estimating the amount of mortgage you can afford.

1. THE GENERAL RULE OF MORTGAGE AFFORDABILITY
As a rule of thumb, you can typically afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. If you earn $100,000, you can typically afford a home between $200,000 and $300,000.

To understand how that rule applies to your particular financial situation, prepare a family budget and list all the costs of homeowner-ship, like property taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and community association fees, if applicable, as well as costs specific to your family, such as day care costs.

2. FACTOR IN YOUR DOWN-PAYMENT
How much money do you have for a down payment? The higher your down payment, the lower your monthly payments will be. If you put down at least 20% of the home's cost, you may not have to get private mortgage insurance, which costs hundreds each month. That leaves more money for your mortgage payment. The lower your down payment, the higher the loan amount you'll need to qualify for and the higher your monthly mortgage payment.

3. CONSIDER YOUR OVERALL DEBT
Lenders generally follow the 28/41 rule. Your monthly mortgage payments covering your home loan principal, interest, taxes, and insurance shouldn't total more than 28% of your gross annual income. Your overall monthly payments for your mortgage plus all your other bills, like car loans, utilities, and credit cards, shouldn't exceed 41% of your gross annual income.

Here's how that works. If your gross annual income is $100,000, multiply by 28% and then divide by 12 months to arrive at a monthly mortgage payment of $2,333 or less. Next, check the total of all your monthly bills including your potential mortgage and make sure they don't top 41%, or $3,416 in our example.

4. USE YOUR RENT AS A MORTGAGE GUIDE
The tax benefits of homeowner-ship generally allow you to afford a mortgage payment-including taxes and insurance-of about one-third more than your current rent payment without changing your lifestyle. So you can multiply your current rent by 1.33 to arrive at a rough estimate of a mortgage payment.

Here's an example. If you currently pay $1,500 per month in rent, you should be able to comfortably afford a $2,000 monthly mortgage payment after factoring in the tax benefits of homeowner-ship.

However, if you're struggling to keep up with your rent, consider what amount would be comfortable and use that for the calculation instead.

Also consider whether or not you'll itemize your deductions. If you take the standard deduction, you can't also deduct mortgage interest payments. Talking to a tax adviser, or using a tax software program to do a "what if" tax return, can help you see your tax situation more clearly.

Reprinted from HouseLogic (houselogic.com) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (R).
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

Farmhouse on 1.85 acres!

2010-06-08T13:55:00.000-07:00

$744,950
1122 SE Barnes Rd.
Gresham, OR 97080

Abundance of fruit trees
& berries!
3 Bedroom/3 Baths
Large Country Kitchen
Living & Family Room
Huge Master Suite
w/Balcony
2,115sf Finished Living Area
576sf Unfinished Basement
Double Pane Vinyl Windows
Covered and open Patios
1200sf Shop w/Newer Roof
Development Potential
Zoned LDR-7

For more information/photos or to view more listings,
go to realtysolutionspdx.com

It's a Beautiful Home! Come Look!

2010-06-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

$439,900
3719 NE 65th Ave.
Portland, OR 97213

2544 finished sq.ft.
4 bedrooms/2 full bath
French Country Kitchen
Stainless Appliances
Silestone Counters
Custom Lighting
Cabinets w/pull out drawers,
Built-in recipe holder
& spice rack
Living Room w/Fireplace
Dining w/Built-ins

AND A LOT MORE!

For more information/photos and more listings,
see realtysolutionspdx.com

Your Guide to VOC's

2010-06-08T11:04:00.000-07:00

Article From Houselogic.com
By: Karin Beuerlein
Published: November 18, 2009

Understand which volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are lurking in your house so you can reduce your exposure to these harmful chemicals.

Hundreds of volatile organic compounds--solids and liquids that convert easily to gas or vapor at room temperature--seep into our indoor air, emitted by everything from air fresheners to paint strippers. On the mild side, they can make your eyes water and give you headaches; they can also trigger asthma and other serious respiratory diseases, and some are known to cause cancer. There are no statistics on how many people get sick from VOCs.

Blame the energy crisis of the 1970s, which spawned tighter construction methods, for increasing indoor air pollution from VOCs, according to Peter Frederick, principal scientist for MACTEC Engineering and Consulting in Lexington, Ky.

You may want to take particular precautions against four VOCs that are linked to cancer and present in a wide variety of household products. Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(http://www.epa.gov) doesn't regulate levels of these chemicals in the home, it recommends you limit your exposure to them.

BENZENE
What it is: A sweet-smelling, colorless liquid that is highly flammable.
The health risks: A known human carcinogen; occupational exposure has been linked reliably to leukemia. Although studies suggest that benzene levels typically found in the home aren't high enough to cause cancer, it's smart to reduce exposure as much as you can.
Where you'll find it: Cigarette smoke, incense, stored gasoline, auto exhaust, paint, glues.

FORMALDEHYDE
What it is: Formaldehyde is a strong-smelling liquid often used as a disinfectant, fixative, and preservative.
The health risks: Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and is a sensitizing chemical, meaning you can develop an allergic reaction to it with prolonged exposure.
Where you'll find it: Fuel-burning appliances, new furniture (pressed-wood products, particleboard, paneling).

METHYLENE CHLORIDE
What it is: A clear liquid with a sweet smell, also called dichloromethane. Its high volatility makes it useful as an aerosol propellant; it was once present in hair sprays, but now is banned for this use because of adverse health effects.
The health risks: A known animal carcinogen and a suspected human carcinogen. It's been linked to cancers, liver problems, central nervous system dysfunction, and eye, skin, and respiratory irritation.
Where you'll find it: Paint and varnish removers, degreasers, pesticides, spray paint.

PERCHLOROETHYLENE
What it is: The principal fluid used in dry cleaning, commonly called "perc"; many cleaners now offer non-perc options.
The health risks: Shown to cause cancer in animals; causes dizziness, fatigue, confusion, lack of coordination, and respiratory irritation.
Where you'll find it: Dry-cleaned clothes, shoe polish, printer inks, adhesives.

Other common VOCs that can cause health symptoms include terpene (air fresheners, perfumes), acetone (nail polish remover, paint thinner), and styrene (rubber, insulation, carpets).

Consider any household chemical or object treated or made with chemicals--including vinyl and plastic--a potential source of VOCs. If you're having unexplained health symptoms, take a close look at the products you use daily to determine if one of them might be the cause.
Karin Beuerlein has covered home improvement and green living topics extensively for HGTV.com, FineLiving.com, and FrontDoor.com. In more than a decade of freelancing, she's also written for dozens of national and regional publications, including Better Homes & Gardens and the Chicago Tribune. She and her husband started married life by remodeling the house they were living in. They still have both the marriage and the house, no small feat.

Reprinted from HouseLogic (houselogic.com) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (R).
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

Reduced Price, Charming 1926 Cape Cod Style Home

2010-06-03T11:09:00.001-07:00

$439,900
3719 NE 65th Ave.
Portland, OR 97213

Country Kitchen

NE Portland, Cape Cod home-4bd/2ba, hardwoods, newer gourmet French Country kitchen w/pull out cabinets, pot filler, recipe holder, blt-in spice rack, custom lights, stainless, Silestone counter tops. Fully finished basement w/italian travertine tile floors, surround sound, 7.5' ceilings, large laundry, built-ins, newer roof & electrical, detached garage w/extra storage, fenced yard w/paved patio area, garden & more... Walk to shopping/park.
For more information, go to www.realtysolutionspdx.com.

Location, Location.... Cute 1 bedroom Bank-owned home

2010-05-25T13:28:00.000-07:00

5279 NE 21st Ave.
Portland, OR 97211

Location, Location - Cute 1 bedroom cottage with tons of potential. Walk to shopping, Alberta arts. Bank-owned Fixer needs CASH or REHAB loan.
For more information and to view more listings, go to www.realtysolutionspdx.com

6 Tips for Reducing Your VOC Exposure

2010-05-25T13:22:00.000-07:00

Article From Houselogic.com
By: Karin Beuerlein
Published: November 18, 2009

Simple, habit-forming strategies reduce your exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in your home.

Chronic exposure to the essential ingredients in hundreds of household products that you use every day, like air fresheners and paint strippers, has been linked to a broad spectrum of health problems from headaches to asthma and cancer.

The effects of these volatile organic compounds (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/your-guide-vocs/), or VOCs--solids and liquids that convert easily to gas or vapor at room temperature--depend on a number of variable factors, including how many hours you spend at home, your storage habits, and ventilation patterns in your living space.

But VOCs are so widespread, you can't eliminate your exposure entirely. To keep your home as free of unwanted VOCs as possible, eliminate sources when you can and increase ventilation when using products containing VOCs. These practical and easily habit-forming steps should have minimal impact on your time and wallet.

TAKE CHARGE OF VOCS
1. Buy only what you need. When it comes to household chemicals, break the habit of buying in bulk to save money. Stored chemicals are a major source of VOCs, even when the container appears to be tightly sealed. If you have leftover pesticides or paint, contact your municipal waste department to find out where you can dispose of them safely.

When possible, buy low-VOC versions of products. Some "green" brands are only slightly more expensive than conventional versions. Keep in mind though that low-VOC replacements for caustic chemicals such as paint thinner may require a bit more elbow grease.

Whichever products you choose, follow label instructions for storage and handling.

2. If you must store chemicals, put them in a detached shed if possible.

3. If detached storage isn't an option, eliminate open connections between the storage site and indoor air. Sometimes these connections aren't obvious--loose holes for ductwork can introduce garage air into, say, an adjacent basement with an air return duct that collects and disperses VOCs all over the house. Don't store chemicals next to air return and supply vents, or directly next to the door leading into the house.

4. Open windows and run fans when you're working with pungent chemicals. "In the indoor air quality industry, we have an axiom that's easy to remember," says Peter Frederick, principal scientist for MACTEC Engineering and Consulting in Lexington, Ky. "The solution to pollution is dilution." Trust your nose--keep a box fan on hand and ventilate whenever you smell chemicals. (Box fans start around $20 at home retail stores.)

That includes any time you bring vinyl or plastic items (say, a new shower curtain) or dry-cleaned clothes into the house. If weather permits, set items outside for a while to off-gas--at least until they don't smell.

Exercise moderation with open windows. Too much ventilation can introduce pollutants from outdoors and increase indoor humidity--particularly in humid climates when the A/C is running--which can lead to mold growth [LINK TO prevent mold article]. If you're doing a major task such as painting that requires opening windows to ventilate, consider using a dehumidifier in conjunction with your A/C.

Keep in mind that portable air cleaning units aren't effective because they don't remove gases and humidity. And some even produce ozone, according to The Daily Green(http://www.thedailygreen.com).

5. Use exhaust fans wisely. Bathroom and kitchen fans are great for removing VOCs from the air, especially because cooking and cleaning can release some potent, even carcinogenic, compounds. But if you run exhaust fans constantly, you create a zone of negative air pressure inside the house that draws outside air into the home.

For instance, that could draw VOCs from your attached garage, including stored chemicals and car exhaust, into the house. Rather, run fans until any chemical or smoke smell dissipates and then turn them off.

If you use your garage as a regular work area for VOC-generating hobbies, such as woodworking, consider installing an exhaust fan to the outside. Exhaust fans, available through online retailers, roughly range from $250 to $400.

6. Ditch air fresheners. The health evidence against plug-in and spray air fresheners is mounting; many emit chemicals and ultra-fine particulates that aren't identified on the label. Some also contain terpene, which reacts with naturally occurring ozone in the air and forms compounds that have long-term effects on the respiratory system (asthma, for example).

Your health is important. With increased focus on energy efficiency and weatherization, don't forget that fresh air can be an important component of a smart house. Karin Beuerlein has covered home improvement and green living topics extensively for HGTV.com, FineLiving.com, and FrontDoor.com. In more than a decade of freelancing, she's also written for dozens of national and regional publications, including Better Homes & Gardens and the Chicago Tribune. She and her husband started married life by remodeling the house they were living in. They still have both the marriage and the house, no small feat.

Reprinted from HouseLogic (houselogic.com) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (R).
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

Immaculate 1926 Cape Cod Home!

2010-05-18T12:49:00.001-07:00

Reduced Price!
$439,900

3719 NE 65th Ave., Portland, OR 97213

NE Portland, Cape Cod home-4bd/2ba, hardwoods, newer gourmet French Country kitchen w/pull out cabinets, pot filler, recipe holder, built-in spice rack, custom lights, stainless, Silestone counter tops. Fully finished basement w/Italian travertine tile floors, surround sound, 7.5' ceilings, large laundry, built-ins, newer roof & electrical, detached garage w/extra storage, fenced yard w/paved patio area, garden & more....Walk to shopping/park.
For more information go to: www.realtysolutionspdx.com.

April 2010 Marketing Statistics

2010-05-18T12:43:00.001-07:00

10 Ways to Prevent Costly Mold Damage to Your Home

2010-05-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

Article From Houselogic.com
By: Karin Beuerlein
Published: November 18, 2009

Fixing mold damage can be one of the most expensive repairs you'll ever perform on your home, so here's how to prevent it.

It's no wonder homeowners fear a mold diagnosis: Besides the health problems mold causes, the cost of an extensive mold remediation project can reach five figures.

You can't totally eliminate mold from your home no matter how vigilant you are, because mold spores are always present in indoor air, particularly in more humid areas of the country such as the Southeast and Northwest. What you can control--by spending an hour or two inspecting key areas of your house and investing in a humidity monitor--is the moisture that allows spores to colonize.

Eliminate Clutter
1. Pare down your stuff. "Clutter creates microclimates where humidity is higher than the ambient humidity in the room," says Jason Yost, owner of Solutions Indoor Environmental Consulting in Terre Haute, Ind. "Mold develops because clutter blocks airflow, and your HVAC system can't process air properly."

2. Don't obstruct air return and supply grilles with furniture or draperies. Surfaces adjacent to grilles cool to temperatures well below your thermostat setting and well below the dew point for the room, meaning condensation is likely.

Control the Indoor Climate
Mold problems often emerge in summer, when outside air tends to be humid. (If you have a window air conditioning unit, baseboard heating, or other localized devices and suspect you have moisture problems, consult an HVAC or mold inspection professional for guidance.)

3. Keep the thermostat set at a moderate level in summer. Set it too high, and the air conditioner won't run often enough to dehumidify your air effectively; set it too low, and you create cold surfaces where water vapor can condense.

To maximize energy efficiency, most electric utilities recommend setting the thermostat around 78 degrees F; this setting is also optimal for preventing moisture problems.

4. Never keep windows or doors open while the air conditioner is on. This introduces humid outside air into a sharply cooler environment, which can cause condensation. When you go on vacation, don't bump the thermostat up to 85 degrees--or, worse, turn the air conditioning off entirely. That tiny utility bill savings would be dwarfed by the cost of a mold remediation if your indoor air weren't sufficiently dehumidified. (Eighty degrees is recommended; if you have a window unit, leave it on at the lowest setting.)

5. Make sure your air-conditioning unit is properly sized for your house. Some HVAC contractors recommend oversized units for quick cooling, but this might remove less humidity from the air. Consult Energy Star (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=roomac.pr_properly_sized) to find out what size unit you really need.

6. Supplement an old air-conditioning unit that isn't removing as much moisture with a dehumidifier.

Monitor Moisture
To see if you need a dehumidifier, measure humidity--the amount of water vapor in the air compared with the total amount it can hold. Start with an under-$20 monitor from various online retailers, Yost says. More sophisticated and expensive models--ranging from $45 to $300--have remote sensors that simultaneously track several rooms all over the house, which is useful if you have basements, crawl spaces, or other areas that you don't visit often.

An ideal indoor reading is between 35% and 50% relative humidity; in very humid climates in the height of summer, you may get readings closer to 55%. But if you reach 60% relative humidity, it's time to look for the source of the moisture. Above 70% relative humidity, certain species of mold can begin growing on surfaces even if water isn't visible.

7. If you get a high humidity reading, check your air conditioner first.
• Is it set to the proper temperature?
• Is it cycling on and off periodically?
• Does it blow cold air when it reaches the set point?
8. Check that the condensate drain pipe (the narrow white pipe sticking out the side) is dripping regularly. If it isn't, the pipe is blocked, water may be accumulating inside the unit, or the unit isn't working correctly. If you suspect a problem, call your HVAC professional.

9. If the air conditioner isn't the issue, look for signs (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/7-signs-you-may-have-a-drainage-problem/) of standing water or chronically damp soil in your crawl space or basement or near your foundation.

10. If you have a crawl space, make sure you have a plastic vapor barrier covering the dirt floor and that it's intact. Moisture below the house affects the humidity indoors by infiltrating unsealed penetration points, such as where electrical conduits and plumbing enter the house. Water can even diffuse through plywood and finished flooring--and you won't necessarily see wet spots when this happens.

Find a Qualified Pro
If you can't find the moisture problem on your own, or you aren't sure how to correct a problem you do find, it's a good idea to call a home inspector or indoor air quality consultant. Look for credentials from a respected industry organization, such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (http://www.ashi.org) or the Indoor Air Quality Association (http://www.iaqa.org). A house call will likely run $250 or more.

Keep in mind the mold field is largely unregulated, so there are few industry norms for pricing.

Mold and Insurance
Mold remediation isn't necessarily covered by homeowners insurance, which typically pays only if the problem results from a sudden emergency already covered on your policy, such as a burst pipe. Insurance usually doesn't pay if the problem results from deferred maintenance or floodwaters (unless you have flood insurance).

Water Emergencies
A note about emergency situations: If you have a flood(http://www.houselogic.com/articles/what-do-first-24-hours-after-flood/) or a leaking or burst pipe, act immediately to remove the water and run a dehumidifier--don't wait for an insurance adjuster, inspector, or water extraction/mold remediation company to arrive. But take photos or video of any damage for your insurer.

The main thing to remember is to monitor moisture before problems develop--and if something seems wrong, don't hesitate to call for professional help.

Karin Beuerlein has covered home improvement and green living topics extensively for HGTV.com, FineLiving.com, and FrontDoor.com. In more than a decade of freelancing, she's also written for dozens of national and regional publications, including Better Homes & Gardens and the Chicago Tribune. She and her husband started married life by remodeling the house they were living in. They still have both the marriage and the house, no small feat.

Reprinted from HouseLogic (houselogic.com) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (R).
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

Start a Bartering Co-op

2010-05-13T10:55:00.000-07:00

Article From Houselogic.com
By: Carl Vogel
Published: February 26, 2010

Want to exchange music lessons for help managing a garage sale, or any other number of tasks? A bartering co-op can help you find the right match in your neighborhood.

A barter co-op helps neighbors share their skills and talents with each other by trading tasks instead of money.

In communities around the country, homeowners have rediscovered the benefits of barter trade. By organizing a structured barter system, neighbors can go beyond an infrequent "I'll cut your lawn and you'll make me lunch" agreement. A barter co-op allows local residents to exchange with multiple partners, access a wide range of local services and goods, and help their neighbors.

Barter co-ops can be focused on one service (a babysitting club, for example) or include any service that participants want to offer. They can be limited to one neighborhood, be citywide, or even cross state lines. Barter systems can be run using a supply of simple paper money, or a sophisticated electronic spreadsheet.

In suburban Minneapolis/St. Paul, Donna Cullen has had her basement cleaned and her bushes trimmed, and she's been driven a few times to the airport through the local Hour Dollars barter program. For her part, she offers simple services like dog walking, gift-wrapping, and leaf-raking.

"The most popular categories are things like haircuts and massage, and people ask for a driver for when they need to do errands. But we have lawyers willing to do wills, too," says Cullen, an Hour Dollars board member. "Everyone has value and something to offer."

How It Works
Since a barter co-op allows members to trade with multiple partners, your program must have a system to keep track of things. Many groups use a currency based on hours. If it takes me an hour to shovel your snow, you pay me one "neighborhood dollar," which I may use next week with another member who is offering to tutor high school math.

Some co-ops say that every hour of work is worth the same, regardless of the tasks; others let participants negotiate-weeding a garden for an hour might be worth one neighborhood dollar, while a plumber might ask for three for the hour it would take to fix a leak.

It's easier to keep track of everyone's neighborhood dollars electronically than to print and issue barter co-op money. Just have both members email the cost and the transaction, and have a designated member keep track. A small group can get by with a spreadsheet on a coordinator's computer with email messages sent to members about their balance. For a system that can be accessed online by anyone in the co-op, a free database program can be modified by a tech savvy member.

An added benefit of the electronic system is that if a member wants a service that costs more neighborhood dollars than he has right now, he can run a deficit for a while, rather than having to wait until he's earned enough. Keep an eye on borrowers, though, and be willing to help them earn more neighborhood dollars.

A password-accessible website for members to check their hours is also a good spot for posting what each participant offers. A typical barter co-op member might use and return a half-dozen to 20 or so hours a year. Sending out a regular newsletter (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/condo-association-newsletter-helps-owners-feel-more-home/) -email or printed-lets everyone know what services are available, builds a sense of community, and keeps the co-op visible.

If you'd like to see exactly what's involved in starting a barter co-op, Timebanks USA (http://www.timebanks.org) offers a $65 start-up kit that includes six months' access to its barter co-op management software program, a manual, and online peer coaching.

Smooth Sailing
It's a good idea to pull together a core team to operate the program and set the ground rules. Here are some other key ideas for that team to consider:

Create clear parameters. A member might barter for just a few hours of service, but it's still an economic transaction. Treat everyone equally. Be sure the rules are fair and the system is transparent to avoid misunderstandings.

Issue hours to new members. Currency works best when there is liquidity. Give each new member a set number of hours when they join (two or three), and consider giving a member an hour when they bring a dish to share for a quarterly meeting or write the co-op newsletter. When people have a few hours in their account, they're more likely to use them and keep the system moving.

Keep members comfortable. Providing or receiving services from someone you've never met can be daunting. "Help everyone remember: Every transaction is voluntary, and the terms are negotiable," says Jon Hain, the board president of Madison Hours, a barter group in Madison, Wis. "You never want anyone to feel that having credits is a burden."

Explain the tax implications. The IRS considers bartering with unofficial money a taxable transaction. For a group of neighbors who are trading babysitting and car washes, you probably don't have to worry about this. However, if some of your members are businesses, they should consider any payment in "dollar hours" in the books as cash.

A community barter co-op takes some work to establish. Although it might take up to 150 hours to get one going, once it's running, it doesn't require that much time to maintain its progress. And, it can be more than a way to find someone to clean your gutters--it can be a great way to get to know your neighbors as well.

Carl Vogel, a Chicago-based freelance writer and former editor of The Neighborhood Works magazine, has written about public policy and community organizing and development for more than 15 years. He would trade some babysitting with someone willing to paint his garage.

Reprinted from HouseLogic (houselogic.com) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (R).
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

Saving Money with Salvaged Building Materials

2010-05-05T11:39:00.000-07:00

Article From Houselogic.com By: Amanda Abrams
Published: March 08, 2010

Salvaged building materials allow you to improve your home inexpensively--but might require an extra investment of time and energy.

If you're looking to improve your home on the cheap, consider using salvaged building materials. Besides being less expensive than new materials, secondhand features can add character, quality, and value to your home. But note that the savings in dollars may require a greater investment in time and effort.

Remodeling with secondhand building materials has many fans. Some are owners of historic houses who improve their homes by adding period elements. Others follow green building practices and appreciate conserving resources and keeping materials out of landfills. And still others are looking for quirky elements that will break their homes out of cookie-cutter molds.

RECYCLED BUILDING MATERIALS ARE GETTING EASIER TO FIND
According to the Building Materials Reuse Association (http://www.bmra.org), recycling is becoming more common in the construction industry. That means reclaimed building elements like doors, windows, plumbing fixtures, and wood flooring are increasingly easy to find.

Habitat for Humanity's nationwide chain of ReStores (http://www.habitat.org/cd/env/restore.aspx) sells recycled items, and many cities have architectural salvage yards. Online, neighbors advertise unwanted items on community bulletin boards, such as Craigslist (http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites), and national directories of recycled materials, such as EcoBusinessLinks (http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/recycled-building-materials.htm), can be great sources for hard-to-find elements. And the price is right: reused pieces can be 50% to 75% cheaper than their new counterparts.

SEARCHING FOR SALVAGED MATERIALS
Sounds terrific, right? But it's not that simple. Using recycled building elements is like shopping at a thrift store: You can't be certain you'll find exactly what you're looking for. Anyone interested in a good deal to spruce up their home-an ornate wood mantelpiece or a set of Victorian doors, for example-has to be willing to compromise on some of the details and commit some time to the endeavor.

If you live in or near a city and have access to a salvage yard, you're in luck. Many receive multiple new shipments daily, and some, such as Seattle's Second Use (http://www.seconduse.com/), post their offerings online.

But in most cases, there's no substitute for regularly showing up in person to check out what's available. If you've got something particular in mind, plan on spending a few afternoons at the salvage yard trying to track down what you're looking for. The same is true if you're exploring online: locating the right piece may take longer than you'd expected.

Before beginning your search, make sure you've got measurements in hand. It's useful if you can allow for some wiggle room: unlike big home improvement stores, the items on sale are usually one-of-a-kind pieces. So while a recent truckload might have dropped off a beautiful old mantelpiece, the size might not be an exact fit; know in advance if you can manage with a slightly larger or smaller size.

DEALING WITH LEAD PAINT
Some old items need to be treated with serious care. Ruthie Mundell of Community Forklift (http://www.communityforklift.com/), a salvage yard in Edmonston, Md., says that the staff tries to flag items that appear to be lead paint hazards--that is, anything painted prior to 1978, when the Consumer Product Safety Commission (http://www.cpsc.gov/) (CPSC) banned lead in paints.

Nevertheless, buyers of old painted items need to be aware of the potential hazards. Older paint doesn't mean the pieces are unusable, but the paint must be thoroughly removed or sealed-never scraped or sanded. The CPSC offers guidelines (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5054.html) for treating lead paint in the household.

FINDING SAVINGS
Some salvaged pieces are better deals than others. The best is often flooring: careful shoppers can find used floor boards from quality old wood that's difficult to come by these days. Sat Jiwan Ikle-Khalsa, a green living consultant in Takoma Park, Md., scoured a local salvage yard and found maple, white oak, and rare heart pine flooring at a low price for his renovated 1940s-era home. He estimates he saved more than $2,000 over the cost of new flooring.

Other useful finds are doors, particularly those already on a frame, and plumbing elements. Antique light fixtures can be a great bargain, but check whether they've been recently rewired before you buy; otherwise, you may have to do it yourself, or pay an electrician for the service.

Windows are common, but many older widows are single-pane and not energy efficient. These are better used for interior walls to add light and air flow between rooms. Stained glass panels are relatively common at salvage yards and cost from $50 to $500.

SAMPLE PRICE COMPARISONS FOR VARIOUS SALVAGED MATERIALS
Salvaged oak flooring: $1 to $3 per sq. ft.
New oak flooring: $4 to $10 per sq. ft.
Average savings for 12x16-foot room: $960
Salvaged interior solid panel door (basic): $20 to $50
New interior panel door: $200 to $400
Average savings: $265
Secondhand pedestal sink: $20 to $250
New pedestal sink: $100 to $800
Average savings: $315

Recycled crown molding: $.30 to $1 per lineal ft.
New crown molding: $.90 to $3 per lineal ft.
Average savings for 12x16-foot room: $72.80

Don't forget to add in transportation costs. Not all salvage yards deliver, and those that do aren't necessarily cheap: the cost of getting materials across town could be $100 or more. It might make more sense to borrow or rent a truck on your own.

THE VALUE OF SALVAGE BUILDING COMPONENTS
Salvaged elements may not add to a home's appraised value, according to Chicago appraiser Tim McCarthy, president of T.J. McCarthy and Associates. An appraiser probably won't include a home's reclaimed heart pine beams in the kitchen or the bathroom's antique plumbing fixtures when calculating the house's value.

But that doesn't mean the seller can't use those amenities as selling points and boost the asking price accordingly. "It's very market-specific," McCarthy says. In higher-end neighborhoods, home-buyers may be willing to pay more for authentic elements that give a house personality.

McCarthy recommends talking with a local Realtor before making changes; they'll have a good sense of the housing market's current demands and should be able to tell you whether a vintage element will boost your home's market value.

WORKING WITH SALVAGE
To effectively integrate salvaged items, Arne Mortensen, owner of Mortensen Design/Build in Seattle, recommends choosing a contractor who has a particular interest and experience in working with recycled building materials. Salvage yard staffs may be able to recommend someone; other sources for 'green' contractors include online sites like Angie's List (http://www.angieslist.com/angieslist/).

Nonetheless, the time-consuming legwork of finding good pieces generally falls to the homeowner. To make the process easier, spend time thinking about and researching online what you want before you begin to shop. And be prepared to be persistent; happy hunting takes patience.

Amanda Abrams is a Washington, D.C.-based writer who spent years as a policy analyst improving people's access to decent housing. Her interest in salvaged building materials and all things secondhand originated 15 years ago with a chance visit to Urban Ore, a vast warehouse of used treasures in Berkeley, Calif., where she was attending college at the time.

Reprinted from HouseLogic (houselogic.com) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (R). Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

March 2010 Marketing Statistics

2010-05-05T11:34:00.001-07:00

5 Programs for Improving Local Waste Recycling

2010-04-29T11:43:00.000-07:00

Article From Houselogic.com
By: Jane Hodges Published: February 02, 2010

Unique waste recycling programs help save tax dollars by diverting trash from the landfill and into the recycling stream.

Recycling waste helps communities decrease the need for landfills, reduces pollution, and can raise a city's profile as a "green" place to live. A good waste recycling program indirectly influences home values and community wealth because cities that succeed at recycling spend less on trash disposal, leaving more money for other needs such as schools, parks, and police. Want to encourage local government to improve recycling options in your community? Consider advocating for one of these five novel recycling programs:

1 – CREATE RECYCLING REWARDS
RecycleBank(http://www.recyclebank.com) partners with cities, haulers, and merchants to reward consumers. The program provides homeowners with bar-coded recycling receptacles that haulers weigh and scan at pick-up. Homeowners earn points for each pound recycled, and redeem points for discounts at local stores.

The company says rewards average $15 to $20 per month at local grocery stores, or run higher for other purchases (such as 10% off jewelry or electronics). In Ivyland, Pa., average monthly recycling under RecycleBank grew to 34 pounds from 17 pounds per household. The downside: While about 250 cities have the program, and in a tight economy, your local leaders may hesitate to pay upfront costs. Philadelphia used a federal grant to launch its RecycleBank program.

2 – CONSIDER 'PAY AS YOU THROW'
To motivate recycling, some cities offer Pay as You Throw(http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/tools/payt/tools/smart-bet/index.htm) garbage billing, where consumers pay for garbage by weight rather than by flat fee. Homeowners who recycle and compost more throw less into garbage and therefore pay less for garbage service.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says Pay as You Throw saved San Jose, Calif., $4 million annually. A Duke University study found Pay as You Throw increases recycling participation by 32% to 59%, depending on a city's recycling levels at launch. The downside: Illegal dumping rose in some cities using these programs, so encourage local government
to establish new (or higher) dumping penalties when they launch Pay as You Throw.

3 – GO 'SINGLE STREAM'
When cities let consumers throw all recyclables-cans, paper, bottles, and some plastics-into one bin, recycling is easier. When it's easier to recycle, more people do it. Called "single stream" recycling, it increased recycling in Madison, Wis., 25% the year it was implemented, and the city's net recycling cost per household dropped by about $1. The downside: It costs money to adjust existing recycling infrastructure and to add city staff to sort recycled items. The upfront costs may be recouped if residents recycle more.

4 – GREEN THE TRASH COLLECTION PROCESS
Cities are replacing their own trash cans with BigBelly(http://www.bigbellysolar.com/) solar-powered trash compactors to reduce the drive-around time required by waste haulers. The BigBelly uses solar power to compact the trash and wireless technology to notify haulers when the compactor is full. That reduces the number of times haulers must come to collect from a particular trash can and increases the amount of garbage going into the can before it's filled. Philadelphia officials estimate the 500 BigBelly cans they're deploying will lower the city's garbage collection costs by $850,000 during the first year of use. The downside: Your town's elected official may hesitate to install BigBelly products because the cans are expensive. Cities may also need to assess whether overall trash volumes, or trash levels at a particular location, makes them justifiable.

5 – COMMUNICATE BEYOND THE CURB
Just because local garbage haulers don't take all recyclables at the curb doesn't mean that the city or a locally-run recycling or reuse program can't recycle them. If provided with the right information, consumers can save on dump fees that typically start at $10 (depending on their city and transfer station policies), keep their unwanted items out of landfills, and maybe make money off their junk.

Spur your city to communicate online and off line about local recycle and reuse programs, and bring new programs to leaders' attention. For example, Kashless(http://www.kashless.org) lets people post used items they want to give away (or find) for free, creating a marketplace for swaps and providing consumers with "green action" reward points that translate into discounts at local stores GreenDisk(http://www.greendisk.com/) charges $6.95 to recycle up to 20 pounds of computer-related waste.

Salvage stores like Seattle's Second Use(http://www.seconduse.com); Brattleboro, Vermont-based ReNew Salvage (http://www.renewsalvage.org); or The Rebuilding Center (http://www.rebuildingcenter.org) in Portland, Ore., re-sell old building materials to folks eager to source historic materials.

Gardeners with overflow edibles can channel food into local city harvest programs, keeping even more food waste out of their garbage. Neighborhood Fruit (http://www. neighbor hoodfruit.com) offers a guide to sharing, and finding, excess produce. The downside: City officials may hesitate to endorse non-profit or for-profit businesses that pick up where city services leave off, so you may need to persuade local government to mention these businesses as resources that are available locally-but not necessarily "city-approved" organizations. Jane Hodges has written about real estate for publications including The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC.com, and The Seattle Times. She lives in Seattle in a 1966 raised rancher with an excellent retro granite fireplace. She and her husband recycle and compost food scraps daily.

Reprinted from HouseLogic (houselogic.com) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (R). Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

Start a Community Garden: Find & Design a Site

2010-04-21T10:31:00.000-07:00

Article From Houselogic.com
By: Mariwyn Evans
Published: August 28, 2009

Find the right spot for your community garden,
& you can potentially boost property values while saving money on produce.

A well-designed and located community garden can make any neighborhood more attractive and even boost property values. A 2008 article in Real Estate Economics found that in New York City, a 6,000-square-foot community garden added 3.4% in value to a property located next to the garden. After five years, the same garden added 7.4% to property next to the garden and 1.9% to property 1,000 feet away.

GARDEN GROUPS
Some 18,000 to 20,000 people nationwide, according to the American Community Gardening Association (http://www.communitygarden.org), are planting vegetables and flowers in parks, vacant lots, schools, office parks, and even cemeteries. If you're looking for a perfect community garden spot, here are some things to keep in mind.

LOCATE LAND FOR YOUR GARDEN
Start the search by walking, biking, or driving around your neighborhood. Consider a site that offers six to eight hours of sun each day. Some shade is OK if you intend to plant flowers as well as food. Gardening is easier if the site is flat, and less expensive if there's a ready source of water-a building spigot, a fire hydrant, or a well.

Also consider the convenience of volunteers. Is the site near parking or public transportation? Are there nearby restrooms? Is there a place in the shade for benches? Have your soil tested, especially if you're gardening in an urban area. Tests look for two things: the presence of any contaminates-like lead-that might make the soil unsuitable, and the chemical composition of the soil, which will help you know what types of fertilizers and soil additions you'll need. Your university agricultural extension or your park district can often help you test the soil.

Last but not least, consider a site that won't arouse opposition. Gardens can be messy (compost piles) and smelly (fertilizers), so you may not want to put your garden near buildings or in an open space with lots of passersby.

Community gardens vary in size greatly because of local land availability. Some are as large as 25,000 square feet. Others fall in the 2,000 to 4,000-square-foot range, says Bill Maynard, vice president of the Community Gardening Association.

GET PERMISSION TO GARDEN
Once you've found a promising spot, make contact with the owner. This approval process is often more complicated if you want to garden on public land like a park or school. Check with your local parks or recreation department or school district for specific requirements and deadlines to submit a request to garden. Some cities require that you conduct public hearings and submit a garden design and budget before you can receive a permit.

If you can, draw up a lease between your garden group and the land's owner. The longer the better, advises Sally McCabe, community education project manager for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/home/index.html). It can take several years to improve the soil and get a garden going, so get a lease for at least five years.

A lease can also spell out rent, if any, and who will pay for costs like property taxes, water, and insurance. In many cases, a landowner will be willing to donate most or all of these costs to the garden.

DIVIDE UP THE SPACE
Assigning individual plots requires less management. It also lets each plot holder decide what to plant and when and how to garden. On the downside, allotments don't offer as much opportunity to build a social network or to share costs. Even in an allotment system, you might want to ask volunteers to donate one day a month for garden clean-up tasks, suggests Laura Berman, author of How Does Our Garden Grow: A Guide to Starting a Community Garden
(http:// www.foodshare.ca/publications_03.htm).

Communal gardening, where everyone works the space, requires coordination and keeping volunteers motivated, says Maynard(http://www.communitygarden.org). On the plus side, a communal garden lets you concentrate efforts on the most important work that week-weeding
or watering, for instance.

DEVELOP A DESIGN
There's no set size for a community garden, but you'll want to match the size to the number
of volunteers. A 10 x 10-foot or 20 x 20-foot plot is often the allotment size for each volunteer.

Draw out the design using graph paper or an expensive landscape design software program like the HGTV Home & Landscape Platinum Suite (http://www.homedesignsoftware.tv/HGTV _Home_and_Landscape_Platinum_Suite.html?tr1=4219&gclid=CJ_Vopzcxps CFSQe DQodlShHBg). Then transfer the blueprint to the site using stakes and twine to lay out rows.

Factor paths of about three feet between rows for workers and wheelbarrows. Paths can be as simple as mulch laid over cardboard. Add benches where volunteers can rest. If you have space, add a shed for storing tools with an overhang that provides shade. Include a rain barrel to save on water.

Raised beds offer an option if you're working with poor soils. Beds should be between 8 and 10 inches deep to allow for root formation, says Charlie Nardozzi, horticulturist and spokesperson for the National Gardening Association (http://www.garden.org/home). Higher beds of two to three feet are a plus for elderly or disabled gardeners.

DECIDE WHAT TO PLANT
Whether you grow vegetables, flowers, or both, involve volunteers in the decision. What and when you plant depends on your location. Easy-to-grow plants like summer squash, bush beans, peppers, lettuces, greens, and tomatoes are good crops even for beginners, says Nardozzi. Many of these plants can be started from seed either inside or grown directly in the garden. Root crops like carrots and beets are harder to transplant and should be planted directly in the soil.

If you'd rather have the ease of plants, many garden centers will donate unsold plants if you're willing to wait until later in the growing season.

GARDEN COSTS AND TIME COMMITMENT
Start-up costs can run about $3,750 to $7,500 if you have a nearby source of water, says Maynard, higher if not. A large garden in a public park with city fees and prevailing wages for contractors could run as high as $30,000.

In terms of time commitment, as the organizer, you can expect to spend 20 to 30 hours a month for six to eight months to get a garden going, Maynard says. Once your garden is planted, it'll take a few hours a week to maintain, Nardozzi says.

But the land will pay you back for all your efforts: A 4 x 16-foot bed can yield $200 to $600 year in produce, depending on climate, says Bobby Wilson, president of Community Gardening Association, not to mention good will.

Mariwyn Evans has spent 25 years writing about commercial and residential real estate, but if she had her way, she would've spent all that time in the garden. These days, she spends part of her week trying to grow tomatoes and volunteering as a weed puller at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo. Her next goal: become a Master Gardener.

Reprinted from HouseLogic (houselogic.com) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (R).
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

Charming 1926 Cape Cod Style Home!

2010-04-12T14:20:00.000-07:00

$449,900
3719 NE 65th Ave.
Portland, OR 97213

NE Portland, Cape Cod home-4bd/2ba, hardwoods, newer gourmet French Country Kitchen w/pull out cabinets, pot filler, recipe holder, built-in spice rack, custom lights, stainless, Silestone counter tops. Fully finished basement w/Italian travertine tile floors, surround sound, 7.5' ceilings, large laundry, built-ins, newer roof & electrical, detached garage w/extra storage, fenced yard w/paved patio area, garden & more....Walk to shopping/park.

For more information or to view more properties, go to: www.realtysolutionspdx.com

OPEN HOUSES 4/11/10 – 1:00-3:00PM

2010-04-06T13:20:00.000-07:00

14239 SE Alder Street, Portland
Jim Hannah, 503-703-0628

5530 SW 190th Ave., Beaverton
Gabby Tyer, 503-702-0393

1915 Farmhouse on 1.85 acres!

2010-04-05T13:09:00.000-07:00

Price Reduced!
$744,950
1122 SW Barnes Rd.
Gresham, OR 97080

Beautiful 1915 Farmhouse on 1.85 acres in the city of Gresham. Award winning rose gardens, abundance of fruit trees/berries. 3/bd/3ba home, large country kitchen w/stainless appliances., lots of counters, living & family, full bath on main, double pane vinyl windows, huge master suite w/balcony, covered patio, 2nd open patio, 30x40 shop with newer roof, 10'garage door. Development potential. Unfinished basement.

To view more photos and for more information go to www.realtysolutionspdx.com

Plant Trees To Save Energy and Grow Value

2010-03-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

Article From HouseLogic.com 
By: Brad Broberg Published: September 12, 2009 

Plant a tree to add value to your home and have a positive impact on the environment.
Trees don't ask for much-dirt, water, sunlight. Yet they provide a wealth of benefits: They improve the air you breathe, cut your energy bills with their shade, provide a home to wildlife, and add beauty and value to your home.

But every year, 3.2 million acres of forest are cut down, according to the Nature Conservancy (http://www.nature.org/initiatives/forests/misc/art22113.html). Several million more acres are lost to fire, storm, and disease. That's why planting new trees and protecting the ones we have is so important. You can do your part by:

Caring for the trees in your yard 
Supporting tree-planting activities in your community 
Donating to organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy, which works to preserve the world's trees and forests, and American Forests (http://www.americanforests.org), which offers a unique way to take action. First, use its online Climate Change Calculator (http://www.americanforests.org/resources/ccc/) to determine your carbon footprint.
Then, make up for your emissions by donating to a forest restoration project.

Why should you care about trees? Bankable benefits
The most tangible bang from your bark comes from energy savings. Three properly placed trees could save you between $100 and $250 a year in energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (http://www.energy.gov). Trees save energy two main ways. Their shade cuts cooling costs in the summer. In winter, they serve as windbreak and help hold down heating costs.  The National Tree Calculator (http://www.treebenefits.com) estimates that a 12-inch elm in an Omaha yard can save $32.43 a year on your energy bills; the same tree in Atlanta would save you $11.89 annually. The calculator also breaks down other dollars and cents benefits of your tree, like decreasing storm water runoff, removing carbon dioxide from the air, and increasing property values.

In our elm example, the 12-inch tree adds $40.23 to the Omaha home's value and a $57.33 to the one in Atlanta. And as trees grow larger, they can add even more value.
A 2002 study by the USDA Forest Service pegs the value a single tree adds to a property of about $630. Of course, tree value depends on size, species, location, and condition.

Adds Frank Lucco, a real estate appraiser with IRR-Residential in Houston, "On a $100,000 home [in my market], as much as $10,000 of its value could be associated with mature trees."
That's peanuts compared with the role trees play as the lungs of the planet. A report by the Trust for Public Land (http://www.coloradotrees.org/benefits.htm) estimated that one mature tree takes 48 pounds of carbon out of the atmosphere each year and returns enough oxygen for two human beings.

Plant your tree in the right spot
To get the full benefits from your trees, choose the right one and put it in the right location. Planting a deciduous tree on the west side of a house provides cooling shade in the summer. In winter, after it loses its leaves, the same tree lets in sunlight that cuts heating and lighting bills. On the other hand, an evergreen on the west side blocks sun all year long, making a home colder and darker in winter. Rather plant evergreens, a great choice for blocking icy winter winds, on the north side of your home.

  If you're planting a new tree, think about its fully grown size and shape before you dig. Branches from a tree located below power lines can cause outages as it grows. Roots from a tree located too close to a home can damage the foundation or block sewer lines. The wrong tree in the wrong place could actually lower your home's appraised value if it's deemed hazardous, says Frank Lucco, a real estate appraiser with IRR-Residential in Houston.

Tree costs
Expect to pay $50 to $100 for a 6- to 7-foot decidious tree, such as a katsura or evergreen. The same tree at 15 feet will cost $100 to $200, according to Brad Swank of Molbak's Nursery in Woodinville, Wash. The Arbor Day Foundation sells saplings for as little as $8-$15, or less if you're a member.  Since trees cost money, be cautious about any home construction work. "Tree failure can happen seven to 10 years after construction, primarily because the root system fails when the soil is compacted," says Thomas Hanson, a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists (http://www.asca-consultants.org) from Kirkland, Wash. Also watch for diseases or pests (http://forestry.about.com/od/diseases/tp/An-Index-of-Common-Tree-Diseas.htm) that can threaten trees in your yard and community.

Become a tree advocate
Ensuring that your community has lots of healthy trees doesn't have to be more complicated than a trip to the nursery and a hole in your backyard. Dig it twice as wide as deep. Let kids push in the dirt and help water weekly until the tree is two years old. The Arbor Day Foundation (http://www.arborday.org) will tell you how to select the right tree for your needs and climate, where to plant it, and how to maintain it.  The foundation also is a great place to look for community and educational programs.

Its Tree City USA (http://www.arborday.org/programs/treeCityUSA/) initiative provides expert advice and national recognition to cities and towns that want to establish tree-management plans. 
Its Arbor Day Poster Contest (http://www.arborday.org/kids/postercontest/index.cfm) for fifth-graders gives teachers a fun way to help students learn the importance of trees. 
Its nationwide list of volunteer organizations (http://www.arborday.org/programs/volunteers/index.cfm) lets you search for tree care opportunities in your state. 
Considering everything trees do for you, it's the least you can do for them.

Brad Broberg is a freelance writer from Federal Way, Wash. A former newspaper reporter and editor, he writes about business, health care, and real estate for REALTOR Magazine, the Puget Sound Business Journal, and Seattle Children's Hospital, among others. He's lived in the same home for 22 years-a home he shares with seven towering Douglas firs.

Green Cleaning Products for the Kitchen

2010-03-18T10:48:00.000-07:00

Article From HouseLogic.com 
By: Alyson McNutt English Published: August 28, 2009 

Going green in the kitchen doesn't mean going broke as long as you choose the right green cleaning products for your counter tops and appliances.

From meat juices to milk spills, the kitchen can be a messy place. But don't reach for caustic cleaners or synthetic air sprays to give your counter tops and appliances a fresher feeling. Many green cleaning products are just as effective at sanitizing your kitchen as conventional cleaners, and they get the job done without relying on harmful chemicals.

Not too long ago you had to scour the back roads of the Internet to find non-toxic alternatives, but no more: Many green cleaning products are now available at mainstream retailers. Looks for brands such as Method, Seventh Generation, and Holy Cow. What's more, some of the greenest of green kitchen cleaners can probably already be found in your pantry-and cost a fraction of what you'd pay for commercial cleaners, whether conventional or eco-friendly.

Counter tops
Toss out those anti-microbial wipes and sprays when you're cleaning your counter tops. Most contain chemicals like sodium hypochlorite (bleach) or ammonium chlorides, which are listed as hazardous to the health of humans and pets by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, says Gary Pien, an allergist and immunologist with Summit Medical Group in Berkeley Heights, N.J. "These chemicals can cause eye and skin irritation on contact, and if mixed with other cleaning products, can release toxic gases," Pien says.

Combine equal parts vinegar and tap water to make your own non-toxic mix. Warm it in a glass bowl in the microwave to boost cleaning power. A 64-ounce bottle of food-grade vinegar costs about $4, so it'll set you back a buck to stir up a 32-ounce batch of homemade counter top cleaner. You won't have to dip too far into your pocketbook to buy a greener all-purpose cleaner. A 32-ounce bottle of Seventh Generation's kitchen cleaner (http://www.theconsumerlink.com/SeventhGeneration/detail/TCL+100333/13) costs about $5, while the same size conventional cleaner costs about $4.50.

Refrigerators
If you have a stainless steel fridge, add a few drops of a natural dishwashing liquid such as Mrs. Meyer's (http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=84968&catid=13769) ($4.49 for 16 ounces) or Method (http://www.methodhome.com/product.aspx?page=555) ($4 for 25 ounces) to warm water to wipe off greasy fingerprints instead of shelling out the $7-$10 a store-bought stainless cleaner will cost. And when you're wiping, remember stainless steel has a grain, just like wood, and you need to clean in the same direction it runs, says Mary Findley, author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Cleaning." (http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Green-Cleaning/dp/159257856X) On the inside, use the tried-and-true remedy for foul fridge smells: a box of baking soda. It costs about $1. Save even more by buying baking soda in bulk: a 12-pound bag costs about $7. For sticky spills, a vinegar and water mix should clean it right up, Findley says.

Sinks & drains
Liquid dish washing soaps with bio-based ingredients like aloe and essential oils are a good bet here as well. You'll pay a bit more than the $2-$3 the cheapest conventional soaps will cost, but when you consider this is what's going onto the surfaces you eat off of, the potential health value outweighs the extra dollar or two. If nothing else at least skip synthetically scented cleaners, which can irritate the skin and respiratory tract, says Martin Wolf, director of research and development for Seventh Generation.

If your sink stinks, try cleaning your drain with a paste made of vinegar and baking soda. Give it time to work overnight. Drain cleaners are some of the nastiest chemicals around, and at $7 for a 32-ounce bottle, they're not cheap. Enzyme-based cleaners like Nature's Miracle (http://www.naturemakesitwork.com/home/index.php) are another option: Findley says they'll eat away at odor-causing bacteria and any bits of food clogging the drain or disposal. Nature's Miracle costs more at $12 for a 32-ounce bottle, but it has multiple uses beyond the kitchen. If neither approach works, sprinkle some baking soda on a halved lemon or orange and scrub out your sink basin, then toss the citrus in the disposal for a fresh scent.

Dishwashers
Many dishwasher detergents contain chemicals called phosphates that suck oxygen out of waterways, killing aquatic fish and plant life. Bio- and natural enzyme-based dishwasher detergents like Ecover get the job done without affecting water systems, and are comparable in cost: 25 Ecover tablets cost about $7, while 20 tablets of conventional cleaner cost about $6.50.

Stove tops & ovens
Baked-on stove stains can be a real pain. "Grease-cutting" cleaners may make your stove shine, but they have decidedly less attractive health effects. Most contain glycol ethers, which Wolf says have been implicated in health problems ranging from reproductive damage to eye and respiratory-tract irritation. Instead, start by cleaning your stovetop after every meal before food bits and sauces are baked on. If you don't, you may have to combine some elbow grease with a homemade mix of vinegar and baking soda. Prefer a green grease fighter in a bottle? Go for Holy Cow (http://holycowstore.elsstore.com/view/product/?id=12909&cid=47). It's comparable to conventional cleaners at about $3 for 32 ounces.

A baking soda-vinegar paste should do the job in the oven, as well. If you can, find a natural orange-based cleaner that contains no petroleum distillates like Earth Friendly Products Orange Plus (http://www.ecos.com/orange.html) ($6 for 32 ounces). According to Findley, mixing that with baking soda can give your green oven cleaner extra oomph. Just spread the baking soda mixture in the oven, and let it sit overnight. Re-wet it in the morning. A few hours later wipe it out. It beats shelling out the $6.50 for a fume-filled chemical cleaner.

Microwaves
To scrub stubborn microwave stains, just grab a super-absorbent sponge, wet it, and heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds. The steam from the sponge will soften the food bits, and the hot water inside it will make it easier to wipe off and disinfect your microwave's interior, all for the cost of a single sponge.

Alyson McNutt English has written about the joy of green cleaning for publications like Pregnancy, Conceive, and BobVila.com. She buys her baking soda and vinegar in bulk and uses them liberally for everything from disinfecting laundry to soaking up her kids' food stains.

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2010-03-18T10:41:00.001-07:00

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3 Small Steps to More Sustainable Living

Making little lifestyle changes will do a lot to enhance sustainability for the planet—and make every day Earth Day. Read

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