New Home
National Association of Home Builders Advanced Search This site is designed for those interested in home building and the industry - it contains vast resources for both members and consumers alike. Learn more about home building - do a search, buy a publication, or simply browse the site. Members, log in now ! 12/29/2005 New Lead Paint Rule Not A Fix, NAHB Says 12/21/2005 Nation's Strong Housing Market Seen 'Simmering Down' In 2006 12/20/2005 Revised - New Call-In Number For News Teleconference: Main Street vs Wall Street 12/20/2005 Housing Market Strengthens in November MORE NEWS The Annual Meeting of Members of the National Association of Home Builders will take place on Thurs., Jan. 12, 2006 in the Valencia A-C Rooms, Level 4 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, for the purpose of electing Directors and State Representatives, and other matters as may come before the meeting. Visit the Convention section to register , review meeting materials , and read the resolutions which have been submitted . www.nahb.org provides extensive housing industry information for both the public and members. From our general home building and remodeling information in For Consumers to our detailed economic and housing data , there's something for everyone. Members, log in now to gain access to the resources that are available exclusively for you. MORE FEATURES Just Released! Purchase your copy of the newly updated and revised 2nd edition of Estimating Home Construction Costs . Custom builder Jerry Householder shows you how to bring your houses in under budget and make your construction process more efficient. Available at BuilderBooks.com. Order today ! Class of 2006 IRM Commencement Breakfast Orlando, FL | Jan. 11 International Builders' Show Orlando, FL | Jan. 11-14 Green Building Conference Albuquerque, NM | March 13-14 Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Conference & Awards Scottsdale, AZ | April 2-5, 2006 MORE © 2005 Home Contact Us Site Map Privacy Statement Terms of Use Link to Us Search
Colorado Real Estate
Real Estate, ERA Real Estate - Properties for Sale Always There For You Just as you pride yourself on doing the little things that make your house a home, focusing on the fine details is what distinguishes the ERA® professional. The ERA.com site is enhanced using JavaScript, and we recommend enabling it in your browser. Mobile browser users may view our mobile browser optimized site at 3g.era.com , or browse homes for sale by state . © ERA Franchise Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Each ERA ® Office is Independently Owned and Operated. View our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions . Buy a Home Property Search Search by Map Find a Sales Associate Find an Office Join MyERA.com International Collection Open Houses Select Consumer Services International Office Search Calculators Resource Center Looking to Rent Military Specialist Commercial Specialist Resort.ERA.com Mature Market ERA.com Mobile Historic Specialist Homepage Edition Sell a Home Find a Sales Associate Find an Office Join MyERA.com ERA Answers Find a Relocation Specialist Sellers Security Plan Select Consumer Services ERA Home Protection Plan International Office Search Calculators Resource Center Tips - Selling by Owner Looking to Rent Military Specialist Commercial Specialist Resort.ERA.com Mature Market ERA.com Mobile Historic Specialist Homepage Edition ERA Mortgage Home Financing Get Approved Loan Programs My Loan Status Mortgage Tools Learning Center How We Do It Our Process Who We Are Your Privacy Contact Mortgage ERA Worldwide International Office Search Worldwide Offices About ERA A Technology Brand Acerca de ERA en Espaol Buy & Sell the ERA Way A World of Opportunities ERA Vision Statement Technology Advantage ERA Commitment to Service Advertising Niche Marketing Opportunities Joining the ERA Family Customer Service Newsroom & Corporate Information ERA History Corporate Sponsorship: Muscular Dystrophy Association Resource Center Contact ERA Find a Sales Associate Find an Office Find a Relocation Specialist Become an ERA Sales Associate Become an ERA Franchise Contact ERA.com Join MyERA.com Resource Center ERA.com Survey Member's Area - Login to TeamERA.com
Texas Land Trusts About
Texas Land Trusts Directory: Introduction Maincontent Local Navigation print friendly search Regulations Publications Outdoor Learning Kids Game Warden Grants Get Involved Shop FAQ Calendar Español Experience Texas Fishing & Boating State Parks & Destinations Hunting & Wildlife Land & Water Doing Business Home Land & Water Land Private Tltc Dir Texas Land Trusts About Texas Land Trusts Starting a Land Trust Texas Land Trust Directory Foreword Listing Regional Index About the Texas Land Trust Council ( TLTC ) TLTC Board of Directors and Honorary Council News 2004 TLTC Conference Speech Bulletin Board TLTC Publications Land Trust Resources Texas Land Trusts Top 1-Million Mark in Acres Conserved Texas Land Trusts Directory: Introduction Texas Land Trust Directory A land trust is a local, state or regional nonprofit organization directly involved in protecting land for its natural, recreational, scenic, historical or productive value. Texas landowners have a variety of options available to them which can preserve and protect the special qualities of their property. The land trust organizations in this directory work with landowners to help them meet their long-term land use objectives. These organizations may be willing to purchase land or accept donated properties and easements for conservation purposes. These tools can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the property owner. Land trusts have varying conservation objectives. Some work in specific geographic areas, or concentrate on protecting different natural or cultural features; many provide technical assistance and educational programming about land conservation. Also listed in this directory are organizations in Texas that advise property owners on their land conservation options, but do not accept land donations or manage conservation easement agreements. Land trusts are a creative answer to today's land conservation challenges. They offer a flexible, cooperative and effective approach to land conservation. Land trusts are the fastest growing conservation movement today, with new land trusts forming at an average rate of more than one per week. America's 1,200 plus land trusts protect millions of acres of farms, ranches, wetlands, wildlife habitat, urban parks, forests, watersheds, coastlines and river corridors. Contact Us | Help | Accessibility | Media | Site Policies | Complaints | Intranet | State of Texas | TRAILS Search | TexasOnline | Compact with Texans Texas Parks and Wildlife Department , 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744 Toll Free: (800) 792-1112, Austin: (512) 389-4800 Content of this site © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department unless otherwise noted. Last modified: July 29, 2005, 4:38 pm
Real Estate Listing
Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation Today's Mortgage Rates 6.06% APR* 6.225% > Go to Mortgage Center > Apply now Quick Search country United States Australia Bahamas Bermuda Canada Cayman Islands Dominican Republic Jamaica Mexico Nevis/St. Kitts Philippines Saint Lucia Turks & Caicos US Virgin Islands or by map search by price No min $10,000 $25,000 $50,000 $75,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $350,000 $400,000 $450,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $750,000 $800,000 $900,000 $1M $5M $10M to No max $10,000 $25,000 $50,000 $75,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $350,000 $400,000 $450,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $750,000 $800,000 $900,000 $1M $5M $10M beds Any 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ 5+ baths Any 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ new listings in past 7 days only Detailed Search Special Properties country United States Australia Bahamas Bermuda British Virgin Islands Canada Cayman Islands China Costa Rica Dominican Republic Egypt France India Indonesia Ireland Israel Jamaica Lebanon Mexico Netherlands Nevis/St. Kitts Poland Singapore Sint Maarten Spain Turks & Caicos US Virgin Islands Venezuela or by map city state AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA PR RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY zip radius n/a up to 1 up to 2 up to 5 up to 10 up to 15 up to 20 up to 25 miles first name last name language Any English Albanian American Sign Language Arabic Armenian Bulgarian Burmese Cambodian Cantonese Chaochou Chinese Creole Croatian Czech Danish Dutch English Farsi Filipino Finnish French Gaelic German Greek Gujarati Hawaiian Hebrew Hindi Hindustani Hmong Hungarian Icelandic Indonesian Italian Japanese Korean Latvian Luxembourgish Malay Mandarin Morrocan Norwegian Persian Polish Portuguese Punjabi Romanian Russian Serbian Shanghainese Slovak Spanish Swahili Swedish Swiss Tagalog Tahitian Taiwanese Tamil Teluga Thai Tongan Turkish Ukrainian Unknown Urdu Vietnamese Yiddish Yoruba Detailed Search country United States Australia Bahamas Bermuda British Virgin Islands Canada Cayman Islands China Costa Rica Dominican Republic Egypt France India Indonesia Ireland Israel Jamaica Lebanon Mexico Netherlands Nevis/St. Kitts Poland Singapore Sint Maarten Spain Turks & Caicos US Virgin Islands Venezuela or by map city state AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA PR RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY zip radius n/a up to 1 up to 2 up to 5 up to 10 up to 15 up to 20 up to 25 miles office name language Any English Albanian American Sign Language Arabic Armenian Bulgarian Burmese Cambodian Cantonese Chaochou Chinese Creole Croatian Czech Danish Dutch English Farsi Filipino Finnish French Gaelic German Greek Gujarati Hawaiian Hebrew Hindi Hindustani Hmong Hungarian Icelandic Indonesian Italian Japanese Korean Latvian Luxembourgish Malay Mandarin Morrocan Norwegian Persian Polish Portuguese Punjabi Romanian Russian Serbian Shanghainese Slovak Spanish Swahili Swedish Swiss Tagalog Tahitian Taiwanese Tamil Teluga Thai Tongan Turkish Ukrainian Unknown Urdu Vietnamese Yiddish Yoruba Detailed Search city or by map state AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA PR RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY zip radius n/a up to 1 up to 2 up to 5 up to 10 up to 15 up to 20 up to 25 miles office name Detailed Search SM -- My Coldwell Banker SM Let us do the searching for you! With the Coldwell Banker Personal Retriever ® Service Learn more Sign up today! Log In Forgot your Password? Concierge Home Services International Coldwell Banker Commercial® About Us Careers Contact Us Site Map Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Buy | Sell | Contact | Learn | My Coldwell Banker © 2005 Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation . Coldwell Banker ® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation.An Equal Opportunity Company.Equal Housing Opportunity.Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated Except Offices Owned and Operated By NRT Incorporated.
Selling Home
FCIC: Selling a Home Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page -- Life Advice About... Selling A Home This Life Advice section about Home Improvement was produced by the MetLife Consumer Education Center reviewed by the Real Estate Educators Association and the U.S.D.A. Cooperative Research, Education and Extension Service. If you've decided to sell your home, chances are you're caught up in a host of emotions. You may be looking forward to moving up to a new dream house or facing the uncertainty of a major move across country. You may be reluctant to leave your memories behind or eager to start new adventures. Whatever turbulent feelings you're experiencing right now, there are plenty of practical matters that need your attention. Keep in mind the following considerations to help the whole process go more smoothly. Time Becomes Money It's a good idea to place your home on the market as far in advance as possible of purchasing a new one. If you find a new home first and then try to sell your present home, you may wind up with two mortgages. If this does happen, ask your real estate agent or banker about a bridge loan to help you make the double payments. Lenders use the same criteria for offering bridge loans as they use for mortgages. Should you qualify for a bridge loan, beware of the expense; during the term of the loan you must continue to pay both mortgages. Shop around for the best terms. Keep in mind that when people move, sell and buy, there usually is a domino effect. Closing and moving dates have to be coordinated, and the more firmly everyone commits to a window of dates and sticks to them, the better for all involved. Put all agreements about dates in writing, and protect yourself by negotiating financial penalties for failure to comply. Check Your Curb Appeal A home that's visually appealing and in good condition will attract potential buyers driving down the street. Use this checklist to view your property through an outsider's eyes. Are the lawn and shrubs well maintained? Are there cracks in the foundation or walkways? Does the driveway need resurfacing? Are the gutters, chimney and walls in good condition? Do the window casings, shutters, siding or doors need painting? Are garbage and debris stored out of sight? Are lawn mowers and hoses preperly stored? Is the garage door closed? On the Inside Strong curb appeal will lure potential buyers inside, where you have to live up to their expectations. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy improvements you can make to your home's interior without spending a lot of money. Cleaning is No. 1. Your windows, floors and bathroom tiles should sparkle. Make sure you have clean heating and air conditioning filters. Shampoo dirty carpets, clean tubs and showers, repair dripping faucets and oil squeaky doors. Keep your home neat, clean and picked-up at all times. It may not seem fair, but a peek in the oven may be the hallmark by which a buyer judges how well you have kept up your home. Remove unnecessary clutter from the garage, basement, attic, closets and straighten stored items. Also remove any items that might make a statement that would be offensive to others who may not share your same views, beliefs or sense of humor. If your home is crowded with too much furniture, consider putting some things into storage. If a room needs a fresh coat of paint, use a neutral off-white. Think, too, about how your home smells. You may be used to the smell of a pet or cigarettes, but such odors can be a strong turn-off to others. Be certain to remove valuables such as jewelry and other items from view. It might be wise to put these items in a safe deposit box before showing your home. Finally, set a mood for the buyer. Make your house homey with live flowers and fresh guest towels in the bathroom. Place scented potpourri around the house or, on the day you're expecting a potential buyer, pop a batch of frozen cinnamon rolls into the oven for a welcoming aroma. Remember, cosmetic changes do not have to be expensive. In fact, costly home improvements do not necessarily offer a good return on your investment when you sell. It's attention to the basics—anything that says “this home has been carefully maintained”—that will help you get the price you want. Go It Alone Some homeowners decide to sell their homes themselves in order to save the commission charged by a real estate agent. The commission rate may vary, depending on where you live or what agency you choose, but it is generally upwards of 5%. However, handling your own sale means you will be responsible for placing ads, answering phones and showing your home to strangers. What's more, buyers who know you are saving on an agent's commission may offer less for your home, wiping out the financial incentive to do it all yourself. You may decide an agent's commission is a bargain the first time that a would-be buyer shows up unannounced at dinnertime. Also, be aware that a real estate agent probably knows a lot more about the business of selling a home than you do. Here are some of the advantages professional agents offer: They will help you establish a fair asking price for your home. They will promote your home to other agents and list your property in multiple listing services. A multiple listing service is a book or computer database that all real estate agents who subscribe to the service can access. Your home will get exposure to all those agents, one of whom may have the perfect buyer. They will create, pay for and place advertising for you. They will schedule appointments to show your home to prospective buyers even when you are not there. They can weed out buyers who will not qualify for a mortgage. They can refer you to sources for insurance, inspections, legal counsel and financing. They will help you negotiate with the buyer. They can make suggestions to help make your home more attractive to a potential buyer. If you decide to sell through an agent, ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. Talk to several agents before picking the one you want to work with. Taking a walk through your home with an agent should give you a feel for how that person will handle prospective buyers. Ask prospective agents how they plan to market your home. Don't sign with an agent just because he or she suggests the highest asking price. Negotiate the broker's commission prior to listing your home, and sign for a limited period of time—usually three to six months. Setting a Fair Price Naturally, you want to get top dollar for your home. But, at the same time, you don't want to scare off potential buyers with a price tag that's too high. Setting an artificially high price may cause your property to languish on the market for months. Reducing your asking price later on may lead buyers to wonder if there is something wrong with your home. Here are some of the factors to consider in pricing your home. Your location Economic conditions Supply and demand in the local housing market Seasonal influences Local schools Average home prices in the neighborhood Your home's extras -- pool, fireplace, central air, etc. To determine the value of your home, you probably will want the advice of a real estate agent or appraiser. Ask an agent to prepare a market analysis for you, showing the recent selling prices of three neighborhood properties comparable to your own. The agent can help you adjust for the unique features of your own property. Qualifying a Buyer Either you or your agent will want to quickly weed out potential buyers who cannot really afford to purchase your home. A number of factors will help determine whether or not you are wasting your time negotiating a sale. The buyer's debt and credit history The buyer's current income and employment The buyer's cash position and availability of a down payment The length of time the buyer needs before closing on your home How interested the buyer appears to be in your home versus others Seek Legal Representation When selling your home—particularly if you are selling on your own—it's a good idea to be represented by an attorney. Look for an attorney with expertise in real estate transactions. When a potential buyer puts an offer in writing and you accept it, the signed acceptance becomes the sales contract. Your attorney will be present at the actual closing to protect your interests and can assist you with the following elements of a sales contract: The sale price What is included in the sale price -- draperies, carpeting, light fixtures, heating oil, etc. The amount of the down payment The date of closing and possession date Contingencies to the sale--inspections (e.g. structural, lead-based paint, radon), required improvements, legal review of the contract by the buyer's or seller's attorney, etc. The amount and length of the mortgage loan, interest rate and time limits to secure the loan Determining which closing costs are to be paid by the buyer and which by the seller Tax Implications Selling a home can have a major impact on your federal and state tax returns. Check with your tax consultant on the factors that may affect taxes resulting from the sale of your home. For example: Whether you purchased the home or acquired it by gift or inheritance Whether you used your home partly for business or rental Costs associated with selling your home Home improvements or additions, which may help to offset capital gains The sale of your home. In certain cases you can exclude up to $250,000 in gain ($500,000 for married couples filing a joint return) on the sale of property that was your principle residence for at least two years. Generally, you can use this exclusion every two years. Congratulations! You've successfully weathered the logistics of selling your current home, and you're ready to move on to a new and exciting chapter in your life.As you prepare for the coming changes, check out the Life Advice sections Moving and Buying a Home to aid you in this transition. For More Information 100 Questions Every Home Seller Should Ask Ilyce R. Glink, Times Books $14 Life Advice price $11.20 Call 1-800-793-2665 to order and mention reference number 032-02. Price and availability subject to change without notice. The American Bar Association Family Legal Guide Times Books$34.50 Life Advice price $28 Call 1-800-793-2665 to order and mention reference number 032-04. Price andavailability subject to change without notice. How to Sell Your Home in 5 Days William G. Effros, Workman Publishing $14.95 Life Advice price $8.97 The Consumer Bible, 1001 Ways to Shop Smart Mark Green, Workman Publishing $14.95 Life Advice price $8.97 Tips and Traps When Selling a Home Robert Irwin, McGraw-Hill $12.95 PAMPHLETS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT The quarterly Consumer Information Center Catalog lists more than 200 helpful federal publications. For your free copy write Consumer Information Catalog, Pueblo, CO 81009, call 1-888/8-PUEBLO, or find the catalog on the Net at www.pueblo.gsa.gov . A Home for You and Your Family Publication Series, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, Housing & House Furnishings, Box 7605, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7605 (single copies free). Also contact the Extension Service office listed in the white pages of your phone book. Related Life Advice pamphlets See the following related Life Advice pamphlets: Buying a Home, Moving, Home Improvement, Homeowners Insurance, Renting an Apartment, Enjoying Retirement and When Your Children Leave the Nest. Helpful Links HomeWEB You'll find consumer information on selling a home from this comprehensive real estate and relocation source. Topics include info on real estate agents, marketing your home, financing & mortgages, sales contracts, pricing your home and more. Basically, this is a great place to start, if you're thinking about selling your home. Audrie's Advice Audrie provides a complete check-list for selling your home without an agent and thereby retaining all the profit for yourself. SellYourHomeYourself.com SellYourHomeYourself.Com is a unique site that helps the For Sale By Owner seller save money. On this FSBO web site you'll find all the resources you need to sell a home yourself. * Because the content of newsgroups and Websites changes constantly, it is impossible for us to review it all. We are not responsible for the content of any of the above links. Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page --