Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Real Estate for sale 8594 S Bingham View Dr West Jordan, UT 84088

Real Estate for sale 431 1100 Alpine, UT 84004 .98 Acre ib 1100 E, Alpine Utah

Su

Monday, November 23, 2015

Real Estate for sale 8594 S Bingham View Dr West Jordan, UT 84088

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

FHA LOANS- YOU NEED TO KNOW THE RULES.....
       (SO HELPFUL INFO) 

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that properties financed by the FHA meet its minimum standards of safety, security, and soundness. To comply with these FHA standards, the following are some of the common repairs that are required by FHA appraisers (and some repairs that are not required). Please note: These lists are not exhaustive, and appraisals are subject to the appraiser’s opinion and/or the underwriter’s decision.
Some common repairs that ARE REQUIRED
  • Peeling paint in homes built before 1978. 
  • Downspouts and broken rain gutters.
  • A rotting shed or other out-building in need of demolition. 
  • Exterior doors that do not properly close and open.
  • Exposed wiring and uncovered junction boxes.
  • Major plumbing issues and leaks.
  • Inoperable HVAC systems.
  • Leaky or defective roofs; roofs with a life expectancy of less than 3 years; composition over shake.
  • Active and visible pest infestation.
  • Rotting window sills, eaves, and support columns on a porch.
  • Missing or inoperable built-in appliances that usually are sold with a home, such as a stove. Basically the home must have a functional kitchen.
  • Bedrooms without minimize-sized windows or bedroom windows with bars that do not release. Replace with proper ingress and egress.
  • Foundation or structural defects.
  • Presence of moisture in basement.
  • Evidence of present or past standing water in the crawl space.
  • Empty swimming pools, pools without a working pump, and pools with mosquito fish. The pool must be repaired or demolished.
  • Ripped or missing screens, if no air conditioning is present.
  • No pressure relief valve or seismic strap on water heater.
  • Fence that is in disrepair (leaning, broken, etc.).
Some repairs that are NOT REQUIRED
  • Cracked glass in windows.
  • Minor plumbing defects such as a dripping faucet.
  • Missing handrails.
  • Worn out carpeting or defective floor finishes.
  • Testing of wells, unless required by local jurisdictions or water is suspected of contamination.

CALL ME TODAY for more information about FHA-required repairs. 

COLLEEN SANTOS
HOMESMART ADVANTAGE
CELL: 801-319-8915

REALTOR that knows you want to be informed. So excited that I know how to keep you updated! 

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

             SUCCESSFUL- OPEN HOUSE

 Many lead generation techniques require a significant time investment, but open houses can quickly generate warm leads. More importantly, open houses provide a non-threatening forum to showcase your expertise and service as well as start conversations with prospects about their wants and needs. Everything depends on how you market the event.

Here are five ways to generate maximum traffic and leads from your next open house:

Use targeted Facebook ads. Create an ad or a boosted post with your Facebook business page. Target local buyers, and offer something of value to the first 50 people who sign up online or mention your ad.

Offer a sneak peek. Drive competition with the power of an exclusive showing. Once you have sign-ups from your ad, let prospects know you can provide an advance showing before the event is open to the public.

Invite the neighbors. Stop thinking of them as nosy neighbors, and start thinking of them as more foot traffic. More traffic means higher perceived desire, better buzz on the house and, potentially, better offers.

Build a list. Ask visitors to sign the open house registry with their name, phone number and email. Encourage participation with a raffle, giveaway or free report to be sent a few days later.

Follow-up. Not having a follow-up plan is leaving money on the table. Call first, then drip your monthly newsletter—or try Open Home Pro with built-in follow-ups.

These tips will increase attendance at your open houses, create interest and make your time spent much more profitable!

Friday, November 6, 2015

5 Easy Ways to Save $1,000 by the Holidays
By Stacy Rapacon, Kiplinger.com
 

image: money in jar labeled collegeThe season of giving can take a whole lot out of your wallet. In 2014, the National Retail Federation estimates that consumers spent an average of $460 just on gifts for their families. Pile on top of that all of the food, decorations, clothing and other presents most people splurge on for the holidays, and your budget is sure to get bloated.

Ideally, you'd have saved throughout the year in preparation for the pricey festivities. But even if holiday costs didn't creep into your budget until now, you still have time to tally up plenty of extra cash before Black Friday.

With our suggested strategies, we figure that you can cobble together more than $1,000 in extra savings, based on average costs and listed retail prices. Of course, how much you can actually save depends on your specific situation and which moves you make. Still, our examples go to show that you can save a grand in just two months with a few simple budget adjustments—whether you need the money for holiday spending or other financial goals.

1. Reshop your auto insurance.
The cost of car insurance can vary greatly for each driver, and you're likely paying more than necessary. Make sure you're getting the best deal possible by comparing plans from different insurers using tools from Insurance.comInsWeb or Nerdwallet. Monthly rates in New Jersey for my 2004 Honda CRV, for example, range from $65 to $235 on NerdWallet. You can also work with a local independent insurance agent who can shop for you; find one through TrustedChoice.com.

You might also be able to save if you can prove you're a good driver. For example, Progressive and Allstate respectively offer trackers Snapshot and Drivewise that monitor your track record and help you save if you practice good driving habits. (Snapshot collects your driving data for 30 days before you start saving.) Progressive estimates that safe drivers can save up to 30% off their premiums. Given an average of $1,311 for car insurance costs, that can mean more than $390 in annual savings—or about $33 each month.

Two months of savings: $340 if you switch from the priciest policy to the lowest-cost alternative 

2. Eat at home.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, consumers spent an average of about $2,800 on dining out in 2014—or $233 each month. Brown-bag your lunch and trade restaurant dinner dates for romantic nights this fall to cut those meal costs by two-thirds or more.

Planning and preparing your meals for the week ahead of time will help you resist the costly ease of eating out or ordering in.

Two months of estimated savings: $310+

3. Drive less.
Leave your car in the garage on workdays throughout the fall to cut daily costs on parking, gas, tolls and even the occasional ticket. If your daily commute is 10 miles round-trip and you spend $20 for daily parking (the average monthly parking rate in New York City, for example, is $445), we estimate that you can save $24.75 a day by biking instead of driving to work. Even if your savings are, say, a more modest $20 per day and if you only opt to cycle into work every other day, the savings can really add up. Carpooling and public transportation are other options, albeit with their own costs.

Two months of estimated savings: $200+ via 10 car-free commutes

4. Cut the cable cord.
You don't need to pay for cable to enjoy watching television. Most of your favorite shows are likely available online or through streaming services for little to no cost. According to the Federal Communications Commission, the average price for expanded basic cable TV service is $66 a month. But many network sites share top shows for free the day after they air. Or you can subscribe to a streaming service, such as Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus or Netflix, to get access to whole libraries of shows and movies for $8 to $9 a month. If you must watch live, you can access more than 20 channels—including AMC, the Disney channel and ESPN—and still save by using Sling TV for $20 a month.

Two months of savings: $132

5. Trim your cell phone bill.
Leaving your mainstream wireless carrier can save you a bundle. With Straight Talk Wireless, you can get a 30-day cell-phone plan for just $45 that includes unlimited talk, texts and data. By comparison, Verizon offers no such limitless plan, but does have a 12GB data option, which the company deems suitable for what it calls "big-time data users," for $80 a month that includes unlimited talk and text.

Two months of savings: $70

TOTAL POTENTIAL SAVINGS: $1,052+

Reprinted with permission. All Contents ©2015 The Kiplinger Washington Editors. Kiplinger.com.

How to Read More Books
 

image: man relaxing in hammockReading is enjoyable and good for your health, increasing blood flow to your brain, improving cognitive function and, according to one studyby Stanford University, making you calmer and more empathetic. Here are seven tips to renew your reading regimen today:

Set a goal: Quantify your ambition (how many books in a certain timeframe). With a free account at Goodreads you can keep track of your book list, set goals and get Facebook friends to join in!

Try a theme: Dive deep into a single topic, author or field of study. Find hundreds of themed reading lists online, like this one.

Schedule nonnegotiable time: Set a block of time just for reading. Use your planner, set an alarm and commit to it.

Create a sanctuary: You don't need an entire reading room, just a space that's free of distractions. Make sure it's comfortable, lit well and somewhere you can leave books-in-progress.

Start a book club: Make the event part of a monthly lunch date, evening at a coffee shop or hosted at home with snacks. You don't have to make it highbrow—just a regular reading deadline and people to talk with about the book.

Pick your favorite format: The battle between e-books versus paper books rages on, and both sides have something to offer. If you spend the day on a computer, traditional books will spare eye fatigue. If small type is a torture, e-readers allow you to adjust font sizes and some e-reader covers come with a built-in light.

Visit the library: Most libraries carry the latest titles, including audiobooks. If you use an e-reader and have a library card, use the Overdrive app to virtually check out e-books and audiobooks from your local library.

Don't let yourself forget the joys of reading one minute longer. Set your reading goals today!

Source: Success.com

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

20150831 122750

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

A Helpful Guide to Moving


If you plan to move, planning ahead can save you time and money. Things like packing and finding a reliable moving company are just some of the ways you can avoid problems. And, depending on your situation, you may be able to deduct moving expenses from your federal tax return.
When you're ready to move, make sure to keep these tips in mind:

Packing
  • Instead of packing what you don't use anymore, sell anything you don't need. You can also donate clothes or household items that are in good condition to charity.
  • Use recycled packing boxes. Look for unused boxes at local stores or supermarkets. Save the boxes if you have a moving date ahead.
  • Write on the box what it contains, for example: kitchen utensils, bathroom towels, tools, cosmetics, etc. This will make it easier to unpack in your new home.
  • Use newspaper to wrap any fragile or delicate items.
Choosing a moving company
  • Request written quotes from various moving companies so that you can compare rates and services.
  • Make sure to pick a moving company that has a number with the U.S. Department of Transportation, known as U.S. DOT #, and check if the mover is properly registered.
  • Make sure the company offers damage insurance.
  • Check to see if the moving company has a history of complaints by calling your state or city's consumer protection office.
  • Thoroughly read over all the terms in your contract, as well as any other documents related to your move, before signing. 
When filing your taxes
  • If your move this summer is work-related, you may be able to deduct moving expenses on your next federal income tax return if you meet certain requirements.
  • You move close to the date you begin your new job.
  • Your new workplace is at least 50 miles farther away from your previous home than your old job location was from that home.
  • You work full-time for a specified amount of time after moving.
Call Colleen Santos-Realtor, Equity Real Estate- for more home & moving advice.  801-319-8915

Preparing your home for the summer months

Here are a few home improvement tips you will find useful this year:

  1. Change air filters. Some manufacturers say you should change them out monthly. Although we don't know anyone who actually does this, it's worth noting that they do actually work more efficiently when changed out regularly, and that can save money - even though you're spending more on the filters.
  2. Change the refrigerator filter. Presumably, you'll be drinking more water when it's hot outside, so change the filter now and improve the taste of your water before you really need it.
  3. Buy some decent outdoor furniture. Or fix yours up with outdoor paint. It's easy to do, whether you're dealing with wood, metal, or plastic.
  4. Plant something pretty. Wait until it's scorching and you run the risk of floppy flowers. Get info about what to plant when for your climate online.
  5. Ditch ruddy throws and blankets. It's time to bring in something light and soft. Even if you're not one who does a big seasonal swap with your furnishings, this easy change out will make your home feel fresh and summery.
  6. Change out your backsplash. If it's dark, drab or dated, a new backsplash can give the kitchen a lift without knocking anything major down or adding anything super expensive. Choose something reflective to bounce light around the room if it is a dark space.
  7. Clean the carpets. Were you aware that E. coli, salmonella, staphylococcus and other bacteria can live in the carpet? Gross, right? "Research indicates that your carpet probably contains about 200,000 bacteria per square inch, making it 4,000 times dirtier than your toilet seat," said Men's Health. "The average person sheds about 1.5 million skin cells every hour; these skin cells hit the rug and serve as food for germs. Add in food particles, pollen, and pet dander and you have a gratis buffet." A vacuum cleaner might not be able to reach deep down to grab all of those germs, but a professional carpet cleaner will.
  8. Plant a vegetable garden. Summer is the perfect time to start eating better. Give yourself an edge with an at-home vegetable garden. Veggies that can be planted in early spring include spinach, kale, radishes, broccoli and peas. "Summer favorites like okra, squash and tomatoes require long, hot days to grow," said P. Allen Smith Garden Home. Get a complete how-to for planting your first garden online.
  9. Clean your windows. They're probably gross, and they're also blocking the light.
  10. Slap on some solar screens. If you're in a high-heat area and you want to block the sun, solar screens may be the answer. "Solar screens are the most effective window treatments that you can apply to your home for lowering energy bills by stopping the heat transfer through your windows and doors while still maintaining your view," said Lone Star Solar Screens.
  11. Take on a project and make it a family affair. Summer fun doesn't have to be relegated to vacations. Want to lay new tile in the kitchen? Take the family to the local big box store for a workshop and then get started. It might just be fun. And even if you have to overcome some occasional (or more than occasional) whining along the way, you'll always have the pride of knowing you did it yourselves once you're done.
  12. Build a firepit. You could always buy one, but why should you when you can build one.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Advice to Home Buyers AFTER Closing
     Change the locks
·       Change the garage door opener codes
·       Change the utilities into your name
·       Hire a cleaning crew to clean the home before you move in
·       Review where gas and water shutoffs are located
·       Get air and dryer vents cleaned
·       Change washing machine hoses
·       Set up an annual service contract for heating and air conditioning units
·       Keep copies of closing documents to refer to for future sale or refinance
·       Be aware you will be receiving junk mail as a new homeowner

·       Pay your mortgage on time

      Colleen Santos
      Equity Real Estate-Results
      801-319-8915