You Can't Avoid Closing Costs--10 Questions To Ask Your Mortgage Lender

Knowledge is your friend, is my advice!

Advice for you when you are in the home buying & selling business for your next home.
I have included a few articles that are most helpful as you consider your business plan for your new home. This year the more knowledge the home seller/buyer has considered-the better success he/she will experience in that purchase. Good Reads, from Colleen


You Can't Avoid Closing Costs—But You Can Reduce Them

http://www.realtor.com/advice/reduce-closing-costs/

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0 Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Lender
http://www.realtor.com/advice/10-questions-ask-mortgage-lender

THE BEST HOMES SELL FAST!

Smart sellers understand that a proactive selling strategy can go a long way in getting their home sold quickly, and for top dollar. Here are three tips for today’s sellers:

1. Make your home shine. Buyers like to envision a home they can move right into. Clean carpets, fresh paint, and a nicely landscaped yard can go a long way to make perspective buyers feel at home.
2. Anticipate the selling season. Many sellers wait for the market to pick up before they place their home for sale, but smart sellers anticipate these seasonal adjustments and list their homes early in the sales cycle. Give yourself the best opportunity by placing your home on the market before everyone else does!
3. Price your home right. Markets change, so don't be influenced by last year's selling activity and home prices. We will evaluate your home based on the most recent sales data and price it to sell for the most money in the shortest amount of time.

Whether you're looking to sell today or are thinking of selling tomorrow, please feel free to call and ask for an analysis of our recent market activity. We would be more than happy answer any questions you might have.

~Colleen Santos

Equity Real Estate-Results

Women's Council of Realtors-Utah County President 2015

Zip Through This Getting-Ready-to-Sell-Your-House Checklist : Every Seller NEEDS to do---LOVE this info.

If you're thinking of selling your house, now is the time to get serious about the prep work. While the process can seem overwhelming, here's a getting-ready-to-sell checklist that'll take you through the most critical tasks.

Depersonalize the space. Start by taking the "home" out of your house: family pictures, kids' art, collectibles, toiletries and tell-tale signs of pets (toys, food, etc.) all need to go. You want someone to imagine themselves living there - without thinking about you. 

Purge and declutter. Tackle one room at a time, breaking it into zones. Then, (ruthlessly) work each area with a trash bag. Do a second pass with a new bag, looking for anything donation-worthy. Give yourself a few weeks for a proper purge - clutter suggests a lack of storage.

Do a deep clean. A top-to-bottom cleaning is what's required. Focus on the kitchen and bathrooms first, taking a toothbrush to surfaces if you need to, and then move on to living and family rooms. Don't forget closets and cabinets (buyers have been known to peek).

Make small fixes. Ask your agent about fixes that have big impact. A new coat of paint goes a long way, as does cleaning the blinds, fixing leaky faucets, recaulking tubs and upgrading a lighting fixture or two.

Detail the landscaping. Focus on sprucing things up. In the winter, keep walkways clear of snow and ice. In the spring, trim back bushes, edge lawn and beds and touch up the mulch. Make fence or deck repairs, and clean the windows. Then add a seasonal planter as a final, welcoming touch.

Get the photos right. Use a point-and-shoot camera, and open curtains to bring in natural light. Remove counter clutter, tuck away cords, lower toilet lids, and shoot from the doorway to capture the most space. Take several shots and then take some more. Pick only the best ones. Listing photos matter - a lot.

REALLY--COMMON SENSE--SAVES $'S

How to Save Money Without Really Trying

Borrowed this message from our mortgage friends at Security Home Mortgage. 

Great post! Use these simple ideas and see how many $'s you can save for the BIG STUFF. 

Some of us don't reach our savings goals because the measures we have to take are too drastic. But there are reasonable ways to tuck away a little cash. Whether it's for that summer trip or next year's holiday shopping, here are four simple ways to save up. The best part? They don't require major effort - just a tweak in your daily routine.

Pay with cash. Saving big may be as simple as using "real" money. Research says you focus on cost when you pay with cash, but on benefits when you use credit; you're not only spending more with a card, but spending on "fun" stuff you don't need. Another bonus of cash? You minimize the risk of a credit card breach. 

Curb food waste. Wasted food wastes money. Try building grocery lists around perishables currently in your fridge, rotating purchasesto keep older items visible (putting new groceries behind old ones), and dedicating a shelf to food that needs to be eaten before it spoils.

Cut gas costs. We're seeing some of the lowest gas prices in years, but they won't last forever. Sites like Gasbuddy help you find the lowest gas prices. And you also can save on gas you've already paid for. Start with smoother driving. Sudden starts and stops reduce mileage up to 33 percent, says the EPA. Other tips: Keep tires properly inflated, avoid excessive idling and don't use those cozy seat warmers more than necessary. 

Go easy on clothes. The way you care for clothes can prolong their life (and the need to refresh your wardrobe). Turn clothes inside out when laundering to prevent fading, toss delicates in a mesh bag to prevent damage, and use low dryer heat when possible.