Thinking of staging your Gainesville FL home for resale or just weary of the same old décor? Adding splashes of color, varying textures, and including patterns are quick and relatively inexpensive ways to impress potential buyers or spruce up your surroundings for your own enjoyment
COLOR:
Selection: First decide what colors you really like and what you want the color to do. Consider, too, your lifestyle, the room’s structure, and your lighting. Usinga color wheel and understanding the qualities of different colors can be a helpful tool here. In vogue this year are earth-toned colors combined with the global colors of bright green, purple, orange, and turquoise. Want a dramatic effect? Contrasting colors–also called complementary because they are opposite each other on the color wheel (e.g. green/brown or orange/blue)–definitely create a mood and enliven a room. Even monochromatic color schemes which feature various shades of the same color can be refreshed by using complementary colors for contrast and visual punch. Remember that warm colors (those based on yellow, red, and orange) tend to “advance,” while cool colors (based on blue, violet, green) recede.
Changing wall color: As an alternative to repainting, you might want to try color washing. Choose a color that blends well with your existing wall color. Staying in the same family…select a lighter shade to soften the walls or a darker hue to make them more vibrant. You “wash” the walls by 1. mixing your paint 50-50 with latex glaze 2. dipping a cloth into the mixture and 3. applying a small amount to the walls using a “washing” motion.
Accessorize: Look around the room for an item comprised of multiple colors–a sofa, carpet, drapes, or a piece of art are excellent sources. From that item select three colors you can repeat throughout the room–and you can do that in so many ways! Think about pillows, pictures, flowers and plants, objects d’art, and throws in the living room; candles and towels in the baths; canisters, pottery, and hanging plates in the kitchen; placemats and napkins in the dining room; and area/scatter rugs in any room in your Gainesville FL home.
Because more than 5 million households are behind on their mortgages, two commonly heard, and sometimes confusing, terms are short sale and foreclosure. This article will define and explain a short sale. Part 2 will examine the foreclosure process, and Part 3 will attempt to compare and contrast the two to help you decide which better fits your circumstances.
Short Sale
A short sale is, in essence, the sale of a home for less than what is owed on the mortgage. This sale is done by you the homeowner, and your realtor, not the lender, and you may continue to reside in your Gainesville FL home until it sells. Such a sale is not an “easy out” for the homeowner, however. The lender (and any investors who own your loan) must agree to the short sale and will often do only so after loan modification alternatives (restructuring the loan) have been fully explored. For obvious reasons, many lenders prefer to forego a few monthly payments or lower your interest rate rather than having to begin foreclosure proceedings and take over the property.
You will have to convince the lender that you are sincere in your desire to make the short sale work and reach a fair settlement. You will most likely have to find a realtor who is willing to work for a smaller commission, contribute any available assets you have to lessen the outstanding mortgage balance, and demonstrate that you have “tightened your belt” by scaling back on your spending. Those things being accomplished, your lender may approve the short sale process in order to take a smaller loss, prevent a lengthy and costly foreclosure procedure, and avoid being saddled with a hard to sell foreclosure property.
Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative
To further encourage “underwater” homeowners to use the short sale approach and lenders to approve such sales, the federal government has instituted a new program that provides financial incentives to the parties involved. Known as HAFA (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative), the homeowner who uses the short sale process could receive up to $3000.00 for relocation assistance, and a maximum of $6000.00 could be available to the lenders/investors serving the mortgage. Under this program, which has not been as successful as originally hoped, the lender will use real estate agents to determine the value of the home and the minimum to accept. If an offer comes in that is equal to or higher than that figure, the lender must accept it.
To sell or not to sell? That is a question with which many seniors are wrestling these days. One the one hand, older homeowners are faced with rising maintenance costs, personal physical constraints, a desire to live a more carefree and less complicated lifestyle, a realistic look at future needs, such as being near public transportation and/or quality health care, and living in a “too-large” home. On the other hand, they are reluctant to leave a neighborhood where they are known and respected, move further from friends and family, consider downsizing and parting with treasured items, and undertaking the seemingly overwhelming job of emptying one home and setting up another. In addition, they don’t want to give up the security or the memories tied to their current home.
A knowledgeable and understanding real estate agent who is familiar with the needs and desires of the 55+ set, combined with the services of an attorney who specializes in both real estate and estate planning and an accountant who deals with senior tax implications, can be invaluable to you in looking at all aspects of selling your Gainesville FL real estate and helping you determine what is best for you.
If you do decide to sell, BankRate.com cautions you to first get a written market analysis and a financial evaluation which will help you and your team of advisors address the realities of the market, your investments, and tax objectives.
Once underway in the selling process, you‘ll have to prepare your Gainesville FL real estate for showing to potential buyers. That includes removing, storing, or giving away some large furnishing, heirlooms, or collections, and making your home as “clutter-free“ as possible. If this task looms too large for you to deal with by yourself, your real estate agent can provide you with qualified, responsible people who will make the burden much lighter. Remember that a well-maintained property with plenty of open space makes the house seem larger and shows off its assets.
The exterior, too, needs attention so that its “curb appeal“ will make shoppers want to come inside and investigate further. Keep lawns mowed, bushes trimmed, and flower beds fresh and colorful. Walkways, siding/brick, and roofs should be in good condition and entranceways must be attractive and inviting.
For you, as for most Americans, your home is your largest and most important investment. Homeowners insurance, required by mortgage lenders, protects you from losing the value of your Gainesville FL real estate if disaster strikes and enables you to repair or rebuild the structure. It covers damage to your home (real property) and your personal belongings (personal property) for the hazards specified in your policy. It also covers your liability for any injuries and property damage that you or your family members (including pets) cause to other people.
Types of homeowners insurance:
HO-1 is very basic coverage, insuring against fire or lightening damage
HO-2, called “broad coverage,” also covers loss of or damage to property resulting from windstorm or hail, theft, explosion, smoke damage from vehicles and aircraft, glass breakage, removal of property endangered by covered peril such as fire, vandalism, malicious mischief, and riot or civil commotion. HO-2 also covers building collapse, freezing of or accidental discharge of water or steam from within plumbing, heating, or air-conditioning, falling objects, weight of snow, ice, or sleet, and rupture or bursting of steam or hot water heating system
HO-3, called the “special” form, insures your home and detached structures against loss or damage from any peril except for those specifically excluded in the policy. This is the policy most homeowners purchase. It is important for you to read your policy carefully to see what is excluded—you may want to cover exclusions with special endorsements.
HO-4 is a tenant’s policy and insures your household contents and personal belongings against the perils of the HO-2 policy. It also covers additional living expenses if needed, medical payments, and also liability protection.
HO-6 covers a condominium unit-owner who wishes to insure items not insured by the association policy, as well as the personal property inside the unit and personal liability protection.
HO-8 is the “older home” policy. Having an older home may preclude your being able to buy a replacement policy; you may have to buy a modified replacement policy instead. This means that instead of replacing such older home materials as plaster walls for example, the policy will pay for standard building materials and processes in use now. (more…)
In addition to the demands of current Gainesville FL home buyers for environmentally-friendly, or green real estate, there is also a growing segment of consumers who are looking for houses which incorporate the principles of feng shui. An ancient Chinese practice, feng shui is believed to improve one’s life through the use of color, location and positioning, and specific materials and objects, all of which combine to produce a positive energy, or chi, in your home.
The primary focus of feng shui is the positive flow of energy, which contributes to the creation of harmony in life. Integral components of the philosophy are the five elements of fire, earth, water, metal, and wood, and each of these is enhanced by color selection and use in your Gainesville FL home as follows:
FIRE – Passion and high energy. These strong colors include red, orange, purple, pink, and bright yellow.
EARTH – Nourishment and Stability. Beige and various earthy sand colors.
WATER – Ease, freshness, and abundance. Blue and Black
Many of today’s buyers in the market for a Gainesville Florida home are looking for one that is eco-friendly. They want a house that is energy-efficient and combats detriments to the environment. Listed below are some relative easy to do and cost-efficient ways you can appeal to potential eco-conscious buyers.
1. Insulate. Insulate. Insulate. Use pipe insulators to keep hot water hot for a longer time and a hot water heater blanket ($10.00 to $20.00) to both prevent temperature loss and reduce the amount of electricity/gas needed to maintain the water temperature. Be aware that the further heat or air conditioning has to travel, the greater the temperature loss. Insulating your heating and cooling ducts can prevent up to 60% of this loss. Remember that even a small area of inadequate or damaged insulation can greatly reduce efficiency.
2. Reduce heating/cooling expenses. Replace or clean all filters on a regular basis to reduce inefficiency. Eliminate all sources of drafts by checking windows, doors, electrical outlets, fireplaces, and attic floors for leaks (even small cracks lead to energy loss) and by using caulking or weather stripping to seal them. In addition, for a cost of $200 to $400, you can run a blower door test to discover the main, and many times hidden, sources of energy leaks in your home.
It is also important to schedule a HVAC cleaning/checkup every two years and to investigate the need for a programmable thermostat to save energy while you sleep or are away from home. If your windows, aging appliances, furnace, or hot water heater needs to be replaced, you should certainly consider purchasing ENERGY STAR products to save 10% to 30% of the usual operating costs.
3. Consume less water. Since your Gainesville Florida home is located in a resort area, water bills are generally high. Take steps to reduce this expense by installing low flow showerheads, toilets, and faucet aerators.
You are selling your Gainesville FL home and the first Open House only a week away. The house is filled with clutter and things you don’t want to throw away. But the clutter is not appealing to potential Gainesville FL home buyers. What do you? Here are staging tips for an Open House.
Staging Tips For A Gainesville FL Open House
1. Remove the clutter.
Having a garage sale is out when removing clutter because the Open House is only a week away. You don’t want to stuff the garage or closets to the gills either. One solution is to rent an off-site storage facility or stack boxes neatly in a basement or crawlspace.
2. Stage each room.
The first thing to do is clean from top to bottom. Make sure windows and light fixtures shine and are in working order. If the room is crowded, put some furniture in the storage facility. Finally, pick a focal point that will attract buyers when they see the room. For example, the focal point of a bedroom is usually the bed, and for a music room, it’s the piano.
3. Use the rule of three.
First, remove everything from counters and table tops, including coffee tables and side tables. Then re-accessorize using the rule of three…using 3 items of varying heights. For example, on an end table you can place a lamp (high), a small plant (medium), and a book (low).
Although the interior of your home may be lovely, you can’t use that fact to your advantage if potential buyers don’t come inside to see it. The majority of house shoppers are influenced by first impressions, and, according to the National Association of Realtors, nearly 50% of them make their decision about your Gainesville Florida home before stepping through the door. Ensuring that prospective buyers will want to see more doesn’t have to be time-consuming or cost-prohibitive; there are numerous ways to strengthen your home’s curb appeal, to capture the interest of buyers, and most likely increase the selling value.
Appearances are Important
When selling your Gainesville Florida home, appearances are important. The exterior of the house should be attractive and in good condition, and the well-maintained grounds should be pleasing to the eye. The first thing to do is to look at the exterior objectively. Assess the color scheme (siding, trim, brick, roof) and determine if the architectural features of your house are in keeping with the rest of the neighborhood.
Perhaps the easiest way to boost curb appeal is to clean. Pressure wash to remove mold and mildew from siding, decks, walkways, and driveways. Make sure that your windows sparkle and remember to wash the screens. Gutters, too, may need cleaning–or replacing. Investigate snap-fit vinyl systems, decorative rain chains, or even a copper system for a high quality look.
Generate Interest with Landscaping
Another way to generate interest in your Gainesville Florida home is to pay attention to the grounds. Remove weeds, keep lawns mowed, and trim shrubs and trees. Add color by planting flowers and mulching (now available in a variety of colors) around plants and bushes. Prune areas which may appear overgrown or obscure architectural features which should be showcased and look at your landscaping design with a discerning eye.
Consider adding more trees–for three reasons. In addition to making the grounds more attractive, tree cover can also result in lower utility and water bills and increase your home’s selling value. Shop for trees which grow well in Gainesville Florida, provide variety in color and texture (fruit trees, Japanese maple and birch trees, for example), and are water efficient. Most area nurseries will gladly offer expert advice in selecting trees to improve your landscape plan.
An inviting entrance will also impress buyers. Your front door may need repainting or replacing since it should be an attractive focal point of your property. Think about color and design as well as hardware when making improvements. Polish or replace knobs, knockers, doorbells, and kick plates. Purchase a distinctive welcome mat and investigate the need for outdoor lighting. Porch, garden, and walkway lights not only enhance the landscape’s appearance, they also help to provide safety and security (a good selling point!).
And finally, spruce up the front porch or landing. Brightly colored plant/flower containers and hanging baskets add pizazz, as do a freshly painted porch floor and outdoor furniture. An eye-catching entrance way certainly helps ensure that buyers will gladly accept your invitation to come inside your Gainesville Florida home.
HAFA provides incentives to families to take advantage of selling their Gainesville Florida home by means of a short sale (the home is sold for less than the value of the loan), or a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure (the home owner voluntarily gives the deed to the lender.
HAFA helps families quickly sell their Gainesville Florida homes by giving them pre-approved short sales terms before listing the property. They are fully released from future liability for the first mortgage debt, and can receive $1,500 for borrower relocation assistance. HAFA also allows investors and servicers to receive financial assistance for administrative costs, processing fees, etc. The program sounds simple, but is actually quite complex with many guidelines and rules. HAFA officially began on Monday, April 5, 2010 and will end on Monday, December 31, 2012.
Here you can watch ‘An Animated HAFA Story’, an informative video explaining HAFA…
I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), trained in helping families in distress avoid foreclosure. Are you or someone you know behind on mortgage payments? You do have options! A short sale may be what is needed to save your, your family and your credit. Please contact me anytime for a private consultation.
In today’s rapidly changing economy, many Gainesville, Florida home owners wonder or worry about selling their home for the best price, and terms in the shortest period of time.
Here are 9 tips if you are considering selling your Gainesville, Florida home:
Be realistic, and price your home right by using market comparisons.
Know your true bottom line for both price and time.
As the market shifts, be prepared to evaluate your price.
Advertising your property with yard signs, local MLS and newspapers.
Get rid of the clutter! It makes your house appear smaller.
Clean your walls, floors, baseboards, stove and refrigerator. Buyers will know your house is well cared for.
Clean up outdoors! Remove tools, toys and be sure lawn and shrubs are neatly trimmed.
Have the carpets cleaned to eliminate odors, smoke, and pet smells.
Make minor repairs such as leaky faucets, sticky doors, etc.
Be sure to ask for updated Market Analysis before listing your property.
earth-toned colors combined with the global colors of bright green, purple, orange, and turquoise. Want a dramatic effect? Contrasting colors–also called complementary because they are opposite each other on the color wheel (e.g. green/brown or orange/blue)–definitely create a mood and enliven a room. Even monochromatic color schemes which feature various shades of the same color can be refreshed by using complementary colors for contrast and visual punch. Remember that warm colors (those based on yellow, red, and orange) tend to “advance,” while cool colors (based on blue, violet, green) recede.
homeowner, however. The lender (and any investors who own your loan) must agree to the short sale and will often do only so after loan modification alternatives (restructuring the loan) have been fully explored. For obvious reasons, many lenders prefer to forego a few monthly payments or lower your interest rate rather than having to begin foreclosure proceedings and take over the property.
If you do decide to sell, 
(personal property) for the hazards specified in your policy. It also covers your liability for any injuries and property damage that you or your family members (including pets) cause to other people.
FIRE – Passion and high energy. These strong colors include red, orange, purple, pink, and bright yellow.
reduce the amount of electricity/gas needed to maintain the water temperature. Be aware that the further heat or air conditioning has to travel, the greater the temperature loss. Insulating your heating and cooling ducts can prevent up to 60% of this loss. Remember that even a small area of 
1. Remove the clutter.
When 
Be realistic, and price your home right by using market comparisons.
