Category Archives: Real Estate

Having Trouble Selling Your Condo?

FHA rules hurting condo market.?!

Is a little-publicized switch in federal mortgage policy causing huge problems for condominium sellers, buyers and homeowner association boards across the country — even depressing prices and blocking refinancings?

For its part, FHA says the rule changes it has adopted, which focus on budgets, insurance and financial reserves, have been prudent and are designed to avert losses from delinquencies and foreclosures. But the agency confirms that thousands of developments have failed to obtain or apply for required recertifications under the new rules. Out of approximately 25,000 common-interest developments nationwide with expiration dates for FHA eligibility between last December and Sept. 30 of this year, only 2,100 — just 8.4% — have been approved or recertified by the agency, according to Lemar Wooley, an agency spokesman.

Read more at: http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-harney-20111023,0,6473192.story

Disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only.

Why the Mini-Makeover is Hot

One of the biggest trends in renovating we might be about to see emerge is the mini-makeover.

Think: paints, cupboard handles, tap fittings, wallpapers (yes, wallpapers going up, not coming down) and the polishing of timber floors. Also light fittings and window treatments. Anything that changes the feel and adds a bit of pizzazz without spending the big bucks.

Read more or watch a video at: http://smh.domain.com.au/blogs/talking-property/why-the-minimakeover-is-hot-20111018-1lulk.html

Will this add value to your home?  Contact the appraiser at www.socalappraisalserv.com for your value questions.

Disclaimer: For Information and Entertainment Purposes Only

Dress Up Your Hearth for the Winter Season

Agents report that a fireplace can sell a house if staged correctly.  It can make your home so warm and inviting that potential buyers can see themselves sitting in front of it.

You can find some really great tips on dressing up a fireplace’s mantel, but the hearth is often overlooked. But if the hearth is not addressed, your total vision for your fireplace may fall short. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to accentuate your hearth, and doing so can increase the “wow” factor of your entire fireplace.

Read more at: http://sfgate.houzz.com/ideabooks/775030/list/Dress-Up-Your-Hearth-for-Fireplace-Season

Disclaimer: For Information and Entertainment Purposes Only.