Sell House

Tips on Buying and Selling Your House Remarked out per Bob Gent 4/11/02 -- TIPS TO HELP YOU SELL YOUR HOME MORE QUICKLY Owners can help expedite the sale of their home by following a few guidelines to make the house more attractive to potential buyers. A thorough self-inspection and a walk-through with your real estate agent can reveal imperfections that might hinder a sale. (Please note: in Washington state, as in many other states, the seller must complete a "Real Property Transfer Disclosure Statement" form about the condition of property being offered for sale. Material defects must be disclosed.) House-hunters typically begin their inspection of a property bypreviewing its "curb appeal." A surprising number ofhomes are eliminated from consideration before potential buyersget out of their car because they find the exterior appearanceunsightly or uninviting. Following are some basic suggestions for improving the marketabilityof your home. Examine the lawn and flower gardens, making sure the lawnis mowed and free of drainage problems. Colorful flowers andshrubs can enhance the home's attractiveness. Check the sidewalks and driveway to make sure they're freeof weeds and clutter. Inspect the home's exterior, looking for loose, missing ordamaged siding and brickwork, a cracked and uneven foundation,and gutters, downspouts or fences that are in disrepair. Paintor repair any problem areas. Clear the decks! Clean decks, patios and steps, removingunnecessary furniture, toys and debris. Tidy up any pet areas. Inspect the front door. A fresh coat of paint or stain anda clean doormat can help create an inviting "first impression." Check lighting, making sure pathways and entry have adequateillumination. Inside the home, you should conduct an equally thorough inspection,since potential buyers are likely to open doors and cupboards,look into, look behind and operate everything to make sure thehome offers the space, layout and features they need. Extensiveredecorating isn't usually recommended, but all rooms should beclean and clutter-free. Think "light," "bright,""open" and "airy." Clear rooms (including closets and storage areas) of everythingbut the basics. Arrange furniture so rooms look spacious. Remove clutter from the basement and garage. Sweep floors,degrease spots and dust. Have carpets and drapes professionally cleaned. Patch walls and ceiling cracks, then repaint or wallpaper,using neutral shades. Check the basement for musty smells and signs of mildew orleaks, correcting any defects. Inspect bathroom and kitchen fixtures to make sure they sparkle,are leak-free and are otherwise functioning well. Remove stainsfrom countertops, sinks, tubs and showers. Test major mechanical components, including the furnace, waterheater and electrical system. Make sure windows and doors open and close easily. Replacecracked or scratched glass. Be aware of the amount and type of insulation. DETERMINING HOW MUCH HOUSE YOU CAN AFFORD Low mortgage rates and special incentives for first-time buyersare making the dream of home ownership a reality for more individualsand families. As you begin your search, you'll want to determinehow much house you can afford and what type of mortgage is bestfor your budget. In general, four factors will influence your ability to buy thatdream home. They are: how much of a down payment you will make. The more cash youput down, the less you'll have to borrow. the amount you need to borrow (your mortgage) to cover a monthlypayment for the loan principal (amount borrowed), interest ("price"charged for your use of the lender's money), taxes ( a portionof property taxes), and insurance. the mortgage interest rate. the repayment terms of your loan. When applying for a mortgage, your current earnings and expectedincome during the next few years may influence your borrowingpower. Outstanding long-term debt and how long you expect tostay in the home you're buying may also be considered. Most realty agents recommend getting preliminary approval fora loan, usually by getting "pre-qualified" or "pre-approved"for a certain monthly payment. Getting approved for a loan requireshaving a lender verify your financial situation, including yourcurrent assets (income, savings, investments and other sourcesof revenue) and your liabilities (existing loans, credit cardbalances and other obligations). Using this information, thelender will evaluate whether there are sufficient funds for thedown payment, whether you have adequate income to make monthlypayments, and your overall credit-worthiness, which is based ona review of your borrowing history. According to many real estate professionals and lenders, the biggestreason people get turned down for a loan is poor credit. Reviewingyour credit status and correcting any mistakes before applyingfor a loan can help you avoid surprises or disappointments. Consumersmay request a copy of their credit report from one of three majorreporting services: Equifax: 1-800-685-1111 Trans Union: 1-800-851-2674 Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (1-888-397-3742) A small fee may apply, although if you've been denied credit recently,federal law mandates that the lender tell you which company suppliedthe information. You have a right to a free copy of your reportfrom that company so long as you request it within 30 days ofthe credit denial. Pre-qualification, based on numbers you supply to a lender, isan indication of the range of what you can afford. Getting pre-qualifiedis neither a commitment to loan you money, nor is it an obligationby you to borrow from a particular lender. Lenders typically use one of two guidelines when evaluating aloan request. Most lenders will limit the loan amount to a percentageof your gross monthly income or to a multiple of your annualhousehold income. As a general rule, individuals or families can usually handlea housing payment that amounts to 25- to-28 percent of their grossmonthly income. Following this guideline, if gross monthly incomeis $3,500, monthly payments (inclusive of taxes and insurance)in the range of $875 to $980 are considered reasonable. Somelenders use an alternate ratio that allows 36 percent of totalmonthly income for housing expenses and other long-term debts,such as car loans, credit card payments and obligations for childsupport. (Monthly living expenses for utilities, groceries, entertainment,medical and auto insurance are not calculated in this formula.) Another guideline, based on gross annual household income, assumesmost borrowers can afford up to 2.5 times their gross annual income. This means a borrower with total income of $40,000 may qualifyfor a loan of up to $100,000. Whether using a "multiplier method" or a "percentagemethod," prospective home buyers should allow for closingcosts and moving expenses. (Closing costs are the fees and taxesthat are paid when the deed is transferred. These usually amountto 5-to-10 percent of the mortgage amount. Moving expenses includecosts for movers, as well as "move-in" deposits forutilities and other "necessities"). Many lenders provide work sheets and charts to help you calculateyour borrowing power, along tables so you can compare paymentsat different rates and for different loan periods. (Some realestate brokers and financial institutions even have "mortgagecalculators" on their Internet site to help you determinewhat you can afford.) Your borrowing power can be increased with favorable interestrates and terms. With lower rates, you can borrow more money. Different types of loans and the duration of the payback periodwill influence the interest rate that will be applied to yourmortgage. In general, the shorter the term of the loan, the lowerthe interest rate. There are dozens of different types of mortgage programs froma wide variety of financial institutions, including mortgage companies,saving and loan associations, commercial banks and credit unions. Prudent consumers will find it pays to compare options to findthe right loan for their particular situation. THE MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE (MLS) A multiple listing service is a system for collecting and organizinginformation on available properties in a given area. Such informationis shared by members who agree to cooperate with each other andto abide by certain operating procedures. This service enablesbuyers to have a vast selection of homes to consider, while sellersbenefit from having their property exposed to a large networkof real estate professionals and their clients. Most brokers in the Seattle-Everett-Tacoma area are members of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS), formerly called Puget Sound Multiple Listing Association (PSMLA). More than 1,300 companies with approximately 15,000 licensed sales professionals currently belong to this independent association. In addition to its primary function of maintaining a comprehensive database on thousands of properties, NWMLS produces various legal forms, publications and reports for its members. The "multiple" also maintains an electronic keybox system, which allows access to listings by authorized agents. Other benefits include an array of computerized services to assist with property searches, financial analysis, communications between offices, and access to data on property taxes, local schools and other information. Ongoing training and technical support are also available to NWMLS brokers and agents.

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program - HUD Housing About Housing Contact us Keywords Single Family Hospitals Multifamily OAHP Reading room Online forums Work online HUD news Homes Communities Working with HUD Resources Tools Webcasts Mailing lists Contact us Help Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program Information by State Print version Email this to a friend Summary: The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage program enables older homeowners to withdraw some of the equity in their home in the form of monthly payments for life or a fixed term, or in a lump sum, or through a line of credit. Purpose: The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program (HECM) can enable an older home owning family to stay in their home while using some of its built up equity. The program allows such a household to get an insured reverse mortgage-a mortgage that converts equity into income. Because older persons can be vulnerable to fraudulent practices, the program requires that persons receive free reverse mortgage housing counseling from a HUD-approved reverse mortgage counseling agency before applying for a reverse mortgage. FHA insures HECM loans to protect lenders against loss if amounts withdrawn exceed equity when the property is sold. Type of Assistance: HECM can be used by homeowners who are 62 years of age and older. The total income that an owner can receive through HECM is the maximum claim amount, which is calculated with a formula including the age of the owner(s), the interest rate, and the value of the home. For example, on the basis of a loan at recent interest rates, a 65-year-old could borrow up to 26 percent of the home's value, a 75-year-old could borrow up to 39 percent, and an 85-year-old could borrow up to 56 percent. Borrowers may choose one of five payment options: (1) tenure, which gives the borrower a monthly payment from the lender for as long as the borrower lives and continues to occupy the home as a principal residence; (2) term, which gives the borrower monthly payments for a fixed period selected by the borrower; (3) line of credit, which allows the borrower to make withdrawals up to a maximum amount, at times and in amounts of the borrower's choosing; (4) modified tenure, which combines the tenure option with a line of credit; and (5) modified term, which combines the term option with a line of credit. The borrower remains the owner of the home and may sell it and move at any time, keeping the sales proceeds that exceed the mortgage balance. A borrower cannot be forced to sell the home to pay off the mortgage, even if the mortgage balance grows to exceed the value of the property. A HECM loan need not be repaid until the borrower moves, sells, or dies. When the loan must be paid, if it exceeds the value of the property, the borrower (or the heirs) will owe no more than the value of the property. FHA insurance will cover any balance due the lender. Two mortgage insurance premiums are collected to pay for HECM: an up front premium (2 percent of the home's value), which can be financed by the lender, and a monthly premium (which equals 0.5 percent per year of the mortgage balance). The lender's loan origination charge can vary, but only up to $1,800 in such charges may be financed by HECM. Borrowers may be charged appraisal and inspection fees set by HUD; these charges can also be financed. As part of the HECM program, HUD has provided for free reverse mortgage counseling (with training for the counselors) for persons considering using such an instrument, and a toll-free information line (1-888-466-3487). Eligible Grantees: Any lender authorized to make HUD-insured loans- such as banks, mortgage companies, and savings and loan associations-can participate in the HECM program. Eligible Customers: To be eligible for HECM, a homeowner must (1) be 62 years of age or older, (2) have a very low outstanding mortgage balance or own their home free and clear, and (3) have received HUD-approved reverse mortgage counseling to learn about the program. An eligible property must be a principal residence, but it can be a single-family residence, a one- to four-unit building with one unit occupied by the borrower, a manufactured home (mobile home), a unit in an FHA-approved condominium, or a unit in a planned unit development. The property must meet FHA standards, but the owner can pay for repairs using the reverse mortgage. Application: Homeowners who meet the eligibility criteria above can apply through an FHA-approved lending institution, which in turn submits the application to the local HUD Field Office for approval. Borrowers can locate FHA-approved lenders through HUD's searchable listing . Because there has been a problem of some senior citizens being charged thousands of dollars for information on HECM that is available free, HUD recently directed HECM lenders to stop doing business with companies that charge such fees. Funding Status: In FY 1996, the HECM program insured 3,604 homes with a value of $369 million. Through September 30, 1996, approximately 16,000 HECM loans had been made. Technical Guidance: TECHNICAL GUIDANCE: This program is authorized by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987, Section 417, Public Law 100-242 (12 U.S.C. 1715z-20). Program regulations are in 24 CFR 200 and 206. This program is administered by the Office of Single-Family Housing in HUD's Office of Housing-Federal Housing Administration. For More Information: Homeowners who want to learn more about this program, or who were charged for HUD approved reverse mortgage counseling should call HUD's toll-free housing counseling information line, 1-800 569-4287 or see the searchable list of HUD approved reverse mortgage housing counseling agencies or call 1-888-466-3487. Additional information is available from two nonprofit organizations: the American Association of Retired Persons' (AARP) Home Equity Conversion Information Center (202-434-6044) and the National Center for Home Equity Conversion (NCHEC) at 7373 147th St., Room 115, Apple Valley MN 55124. Content updated April 26, 2002 Back to Top FOIA Privacy Web Policies and Important Links Home U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410 Telephone: (202) 708-1112 TTY: (202) 708-1455 Find the address of a HUD office near you

Property Listing

Find a house, condo or other properties for sale with the residential property search español Put My Century 21 to work for you, simply register your email address and create a password. Once you're registered, you'll be able to • save property descriptions • store your search criteria • file agent information • build a custom library Find out more or register now! Already registered? Sign in . Residential Property Search other search options basic residential advanced residential commercial for sale commercial for lease international Search from thousands of homes for sale in our extensive real estate listings. Know exactly what you want? Try our advanced search. Enter MLS# OR city and state OR zip code -- MLS # OR City State Select a State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas US Virgin Islands Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming OR Zip Only display properties with open houses Search Area No radius 5 miles 10 miles 15 miles 20 miles 25 miles Price Range $0 $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 $750,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $3,000,000 $5,000,000 $8,000,000 to No limit $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 $750,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $3,000,000 $5,000,000 $8,000,000 Bedroom(s) Any Number of Bedrooms at least 1 Bedroom at least 2 Bedrooms at least 3 Bedrooms 4 or more Bedrooms Bathroom(s) Any Number of Bathrooms at least 1 Bathroom at least 2 Bathrooms at least 3 Bathrooms 4 or more Bathrooms ©2005 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each CENTURY 21 Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. All rights reserved. Information appearing on this site has been produced by or obtained primarily from Century 21 Real Estate LLC and its representatives and from CENTURY 21 franchisees. Century 21 Real Estate LLC is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the broker information, sales associate information, listing information or other information provided by our franchisees appearing on or through this site. Such information has been provided by independent third parties who are solely responsible for such content. Certain conditions and restrictions apply to System promotions. Terms and Conditions of Use.

Colorado Real Estate brokers

Telluride Colorado Real Estate - Luxury Resort Homes, Condos, Rentals and Ranches | Ski and Golf Telluride Real Estate Local Telluride Real Estate Brokers showcase the area's largest selection of real estate in Telluride .Featuring Telluride Colorado buyer's agencies, a pristine selection of Ranches in Colorado , Slope Side Condos , Telluride Luxury Homes and more... Telluride awaits! This is your chance to own real estate in Telluride Colorado. Tired of the crowds at Vail and Aspen then try Telluride, Colorado's premiere vacation and resort real estate. " Our Collection ", of Estate Homes, Slope Side Condos, Western Ranches, and Sprawling Land Parcels, represents an investment opportunity in a market where demand is steady and land values continue to increase. Inside you will find some of the most exclusive Telluride Properties: Homes, Ranches, Land and Condosall available in Telluride. The telluride real estate developers, builders and architects in Telluride Colorado and Mountain Village are as committed to environmental stewardship as they are to creating a unique Telluride. Condos and Homes, Skiing and Golfing, a community with privacy and luxury unequalled in other Colorado mountain towns. Enjoy all that the Telluride Ski and Telluride Golf resort has to offer. Whether you dream of a luxury weekend retreat, a seasonal home, or the ultimate retirement investment, there will never be a better time then now to secure one of these exclusive properties in Telluride. Real Estate brokers with over twenty five years of Telluride Real Estate experience are waiting to assist you. Come to where your style of living is confined only by your imagination. Virtual Tours Town of Telluride, Mountain Village, Telluride's Town Park, and more TellurideVideos Bikini Slalom, Gold Hill, Palymara, San Miguel River Skiing Magazines TOP 10 Ski Resorts "Telluride Ski and Golf Club", is one of the most exclusive, golf and skiing communities you will ever find. Vacation or live in the Telluride Colorado region - possibilities include ranching opportunities, commercial endeavors and luxury five 5 star accommodations at the Telluride ski resort area and Real Estate market in Telluride Colorado.Featured Colorado Real Estate brokers offer: ranch property, real estate properties, builders advice, condo rentals, houses, homes,buyer's broker agency, long term property rentals. Telluride Properties Telluride Condos Telluride Land Luxury Homes Telluride Ranches Telluride Rentals Telluride Brokers Speciality Properties Ski Real Estate Golf Real Estate Resort Real Estate Park City Real Estate Deer Valley Heber Valley Texas Real Estate Features Virtual Tours Telluride Videos Telluride Builders Telluride Architects Real Estate Partners List your Properties Contact Us Add Resource Site Map HOME Preferred Partners San Diego Real Estate Telluride Real Estate Vacation Rentals Las Vegas Centennial Resource for Real Estate from Marketing Tool Sponsored by: Telluride Magazine - Telluride Real Estate - Telluride Visitor Guide Your #1 source for Ski and Golf Real Estate 2005 Park City Web Design - All rights reserved.

Real Estate Investing Depot

Commercial Real Estate Directory Commercial Real EstateLinks of Interest Vandema Vandema Commercial Real Estate Home U.S. | Canada | Mexico | International Real Estate Marketing - Search engine marketing solutions. Referwork - A directory of contractors for home improvement projects. RealCash4Notes - Buyer of annuities, structured settlements, mortgage notes, business notes and commercial notes. Weekend Millionaire - A book on how to become wealthy in your spare time. Landlord's Cash Flow Analyzer - Real estate investment software to evaluate a rental property by determining cash flow, rate of return, profitability, and more. Rent Manager Property Management Software - Property management software with full accounting, work orders and utility billing features. Landlord's Source Centre - Provides legal resources, online courses, legal forms, books, eviction and collection service, advice to landlords throughout Canada, the U.S. and Europe. 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Underwriter's Toolbox - Industry, market, and tenant statistics to help support underwriting analysis and decision-making. The e Commercial Real Estate Information Source Many-Thanks.com - The world's best way to say thank you. The Northwest Landlord and the Rental Property Reporter For info fast, dial Find11.com Get in touch with us by Other Commercial Real Estate Resources