This month is National Realtor Safety Week. In light of a recent arrest in the Baton Rouge area, NBC 33 interviewed Janet Anderson about how sellers can keep their home safe when showing it to the general public. Click the link below for the video and article.
NBC 33 News – Consumer Alert: Protect your “for sale” home from theft
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Tips to Keep Your Home Safe During Showings and Open House
As real estate agents we take special precaution to make sure that while showing a home we are looking out for both the interests of the person looking, as well as the homeowner and their valuables. However, we are only human and professional criminals have devised tricks that even the most experienced agents may not realize are putting the home in jeopardy. For Sale by Owners are especially vulnerable as they are left with the responsibility of showing their own home without turning off the potential buyer by smothering them with attention. If you are a For Sale by Owner, here are some tips to make sure that you and your home are safe when opening your home to strangers.
1. It goes without saying, lock up all of your valuables in a safe or a cabinet. Keep expensive jewelry, money, or keepsakes out of view and while showing the home try to avoid wearing flashy jewelry. Never tell anyone that you have recently had surgery or anything that would indicate you have medication in the house. Criminals will ask to use your restroom and then steal them from your medicine cabinet.
2. Have an “escape” route from your home. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster exit.
3. When prospects begin to arrive, jot down their car description, license number and physical description.
4. DO NOT, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, allow a stranger to tour your open house BY THEMSELVES! Stay alongside them at all times. Direct them, by gesturing for them to lead and saying things like, “the kitchen is on your left.” Keep a watchful eye on how they act and what they touch. Especially note anyone who opens and closes cabinets. This could indicate they are looking for things that may be hidden such as medications or jewelry. You don’t want any of your possessions walking out the door.
5. Never show people through your open house on your own. However, if that is unavoidable then consider these options:
– Make appointments and open your house by appointment only.
– Let your spouse, friend or neighbor know when you have open house appointments.
– Arrange to ring your spouse, friend or neighbor as soon as the open house appointment is finished.
– Have a prearranged time for your spouse, friend or neighbor to phone you
if you haven’t already phoned them back.
– Have a prearranged PASSWORD you can use on the phone if you are in any way uncomfortable with the situation. The password code might be something as simple as “don’t forget the birthday cake.”
6. Never tell a stranger that you can’t show them the house because you won’t be home. That is an open invitation to any criminal. Simply say something like “I’ll be busy then… how about 10:30 instead?”
7. While showing the home, try to avoid answering distractions like children or phones. These provide great opportunities for criminals to steal things while you aren’t paying attention.
8. After showing the home, check every window and door to make sure they are locked. Sometimes criminals will unlock windows and break back into the house later.
Go with your gut instinct. If you feel anything is suspicious try to coax them out as calmly as possible or call the police. Remember, your life is more valuable than your belongings so if something does go wrong, get out immediately!
Tips to Help Owners Spot Foreclosure Scams
According to an article by the REALTOR Daily Real Estate News, “Last year, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission identified 71 companies running suspicious foreclosure rescue ads. This year, the Better Business Bureau named foreclosure rescue rip-offs among its top 10 scams.
Here are just two common scams identified in the September “Foreclosure Resource Guide” now available at the REALTOR® Content Resource:
1. A representative of a so-called foreclosure rescue company promises to negotiate a deal with your lender, instructing you not to contact your lender, lawyer, or credit counselor during the supposed negotiations. Once you pay an up-front fee or a few months of mortgage payments, the scam artist will disappear.
2. A scam artist promises to fend off foreclosure in exchange for an up-front fee. Instead of getting you legitimate relief, the fraudster will pocket the fee and secretly file a bankruptcy case in your name.
Losing your home is hard enough, make sure you don’t get caught in a foreclosure scam. When looking for options to avoid foreclosure you should always contact a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) like Janet Anderson. She is professionally trained and certified in dealing with foreclosures and short sales. If you or someone you know is possibly facing foreclosure, you can’t afford to wait another minute. Contact Janet today and let her get your life back on track. Go to our contact page here to send an email requesting information or call 225-368-3237. And for more information visit our CDPE website at www.BatonRougeForeclosureHelpNow.com
Is it the Right Time for You to Buy?
Here at Janet Anderson & Company, we always think it is a great time to buy. Jill Simmons at the Zillow Blog just wrote a great article with some tips for those of you who may be curious as to whether now is a good time for you to purchase your dream home.
Reposted from Zillow Blog, By: Jill Simmons, Zillow PR Manager | September 1, 2010
It seems like a great time to buy a house (if you don’t have to sell), values are down (so affordability is up), interest rates are at all-time lows, and high levels of inventory are languishing on the market. It all adds up to buyers who have negotiating power. Yet, the latest housing reports are undoubtedly making many home buyers skittish about entering the market. Here are just a few tips for people trying to figure out if now is the time to buy:
- Set realistic expectations about home value appreciation. Zillow is expecting minimal appreciation in most markets over the next few years, so the first thing any buyer should do is figure out how long they are planning on staying in the home. If it’s not at least five years in most markets, consider renting a home, instead of buying.
- Don’t try to time the bottom, you’ll never get it exactly right. While some markets have further to fall, the steep drop in values are most likely behind us. Some markets like San Francisco and San Diego are already seeing 5% appreciation year-over-year. If you are planning to buy within the next year or so, you should definitely start shopping.
- Research your loan options. Yes, interest rates are at historic lows, but it’s hard for many potential buyers to get financing let alone a super low rate. Increase your chances of finding the lowest rate available to you by shopping around. Shameless plug: Zillow Mortgage Marketplace allows you to get custom rates from a variety of banks (national and regional) and brokers. Don’t worry, you can compare rates and lender reviews without sharing any personal information. You call the lender if you are interested, not the other way around.
Quick Tips for Boosting Curb Appeal
Many homebuyers will drive through a neighborhood to catch a glimpse of a home for sale and decide on the spot whether it’s worth touring. This “curb appeal,” or first impression, is very important to attracting qualified buyers who are more interested in what they see now as opposed to the home’s potential.
It is important to attract as many qualified buyers as possible. One way to do this is by boosting the curb appeal. In preparing your home for sale, it is necessary to envision your home through the buyers’ eyes. There are many ways to freshen up the appearance of your home that doesn’t require remodeling the kitchen or finishing the basement. Below are some helpful suggestions that can make a big difference in how your home is presented to qualified buyers.
- Mow the lawn; trim trees and shrubs away from the house.
- Clean and repair all gutters and downspouts.
- Take out window screens and wash all windows.
- Remove dead plants, flowers and shrubs.
- Clean or repaint outdoor furniture.
- Put away tools, garbage cans, hoses, toys and building materials.
- Keep patios and decks clear of planters, flower pots, charcoal and barbecues.
- Power wash the home’s siding or brick to remove any excess debris.
- Repaint or refinish trim around windows and doors.
- Check for broken roof shingles.
- Seal or resurface driveway.
- Clean or repaint the mailbox.
- Dress up front yard shrubs & flower beds with fresh mulch.
How to Buy Your First Home, the Easy Way!
Buying your first home can be intimidating. But we have prepared a special report to arm you with the knowledge that will make the process quick and easy!
Our report will reveal hidden secrets that will have you firing away with all the right questions. You’ll know what to ask, when to ask it and best of all, how to close out the purchase and move in!
The information in this report will truly bring to light how easy it can be to move into the home of your dreams! So stop handing your landlord the rent check and start investing in a home of your own. Our free report will show you how!
For free recorded information and your FREE report, call 1-800-894-0517 and enter Ext. #3008 anytime 24 hours a day. Do it today and soon you’ll be living in the perfect home that’s just right for you.
If you would like your report e-mailed to you, visit our Contact Page here and let us know. We will send one right out to you!
Why You Should Use Janet Anderson & Co. to Purchase a New-Construction Home
The advantages of having us help you purchase a new home are the same as those for purchasing a resale home. We can provide you with valuable insight into the new construction industry, help you find the perfect home quickly, and then provide you with expertise in contract writing, negotiation, and closing assistance. The builder has a professional real estate representative who watches out for his or her best interests, and you need and deserve the same expert representation watching out for yours.
Buying a new home is a little more difficult and time-consuming than buying a resale home. We can professionally guide you through this process. Having spent years working with builders, Janet Anderson & Company has a rapport with them and a database of information about subdivisions, floor plans, etc. We are also very familiar with new home warranties and the nuances of the builder’s purchase contracts and various home inspections.
It is very important that your interests be professionally represented when you are entering into a contract for a semi-custom or a build-to-suit home. These transactions are complex and the contract details must be exactly in order to protect you and to ensure that you get exactly the home you want!
And when it comes to the home inspection, we will explain to you why it is essential to hire an independent home inspector to thoroughly inspect a newly constructed home.
Are there any advantages to not using an agent to purchase a new home?
There is no financial advantage for you to buy directly from the builder. Builders have a “single price” policy, meaning that you will be charged the same price whether your interests are represented by an agent or not. Just as in any resale, the seller pays your agent’s fee. Most builders will make you give up your right to representation if you visit their model homes without an agent on the first visit. Therefore, please call us if you would like to look at some model homes, so you are given the representation you deserve!
Before You Buy, Get Pre-Approved
It is extremely important that you connect with a qualified lender. We can recommend lenders who have earned our trust and with whom we’ve had good experiences in the past. The lender will review your financial position to determine the price most suited to your ability to pay and your comfort level.
The pre-approval process will help you in the following ways:
• You will know in advance what your payments will be.
• You won’t waste time considering homes you cannot afford.
• You can select the best loan package without being under pressure. There are many options and programs to choose from in today’s market. Your lender will explain the alternatives to help you select the one best suited for you.
• Sellers will find your offer to purchase more favorable if they know in advance of your ability to secure financing. This will make your offer more competitive if you are in competition with other offers. Nowadays, most listing agents require a pre-approval letter to accompany all purchase agreements.
• You’ll have an estimate of your closing costs and we will explain them to you in detail.
• You’ll have peace of mind.
Tips for Merging Two Households
First time home buyers may find themselves with the tricky task of combining all of the household items accumulated through the years of being on their own. Here are a few tips to keep your special items, decide what goes, and maintain your relationship once the dust settles!
Reposted from ApartmentTherapy.com
• Talk: Seems simple, but it’s seriously overlooked. Make sure you’re on the same page about your expectations. You’ll need to know what each other are planning on bringing — especially the big stuff such as furniture.
• Plan: Make a plan. Sit down together and figure out a layout for each room (communal areas for roommates, each room for significant others). If you figure out where things will be placed ahead of time, it will save a lot of arguing and headaches. It’ll also help save your wallet because you might not run out to purchase something if you know you already have a full room.
• Expect the Unexpected: You may be surprised by the extensive troll collection your significant other had tucked away before you decided to move in together. That new built-in shelving in the living room seems like the perfect place to them. Know how to roll with the punches and handle the situation accordingly.
• Compromise: There will be the few things that you will not see eye-to-eye on and that’s okay.
• Mix & Match: Maybe your roommate moved in with some really great curtains, but you have a set as well. Switch them out periodically to let each voice be heard in the communal spaces! This also works really well for throw pillows and blankets — just throw them all on the couch and see what works and what doesn’t.
What advice do you have for merging two households?
Reasons Why You're Crazy Not to Buy
• Property taxes and qualified home interest are deductible on an individual’s federal income tax return.
• Many times, a home is the largest asset an individual has and is considered one of the safest investments available.
• A homeowner can exclude up to $500,000 of capital gain if married filing jointly or up to $250,000 if single or married filing separately. The home must have been the taxpayer’s principal residence for the previous two years.
• A portion of each amortized mortgage payment goes toward the principal, which is an investment.
• A home is one of the few investments you can enjoy by living in it!
• The majority of the time, a REALTOR® can show you any home, whether it is listed with a company or a builder or is even a For Sale By Owner.
• Working with a REALTOR to purchase a For Sale By Owner property is very advantageous, because someone will be looking out for your best interests.
• A real estate professional who can provide you financial information with a computer will give you a distinct advantage in making the right decisions.
• A pre-approved program will actually approve you for a specific loan amount subject to the property.
• Your real estate professional can provide you with a list of items that you’ll need to make a loan application, so you’ll be ready when the time comes.
• The right to conduct a property inspection, included in your purchase agreement, gives you the ability to negotiate with the seller once you know all the facts about the property’s condition.
• A Home Protection Plan can provide coverage for selected items, such as central heat and interior plumbing, built-in appliances, water heaters, etc. If the seller is not providing this coverage, you can purchase it yourself.
• Ask your real estate professional if he or she is familiar with the neighborhoods you want to live in. Ask how many homes he or she has sold in those areas in the past year.
• Working with a REALTOR who has an office “team” helps assure the buyer that the transaction will be handled smoothly.
• In a “seller’s market,” don’t go looking for a deal. Set your sights on the right house for you, and then let your REALTOR help you negotiate the best price and terms.