Blog

Displaying blog entries 1-10 of 12

Budget for Closing Costs – Prepaid Loan Interest and Home Insurance Premiums. By Steve Edwards, Port Angeles Real Estate Agent

Port Angeles Real Estate:

Entering into escrow on a Port Angeles home can be both exciting and stressful. The excitement comes from knowing you are close to moving into the new home. The stress comes from issues that will arise.

Budget for Closing Costs – Prepaid Loan Interest and Home Insurance Premiums

As part of any closing, you need to go through certain steps to make sure you are both getting what you think you have purchased as well as paying for it. Each of these steps has an associated cost, known as closing costs, and you have to pay them before you can take possession of the Port Angeles home for sale. If you do not, the deal will not close and you will lose the home.

When going through escrow, costs associated with closing can accumulate quickly. Here is a closer look.

Prepaid loan interest is an ugly little surprise for many first time homebuyers. The lender will often require you to pay the interest that accumulates between the day the loan is funded and the day you are actually scheduled to make your first loan payment. Many people mistakenly believe they have roughly a month before they have to start paying. This is rarely the case, and the sudden requirement to pay a hundreds or thousands of dollars can be a nightmare. If at all possible, you should try to get the lender to fund the loan as close as possible to the actual closing date, even on it. Try to avoid closing the loan on a Monday. The lender will have to fund the loan the previous work week, which means interest will be growing.

Homeowners insurance is something you are going to need and most people expect as much when buying a Port Angeles home. If you are not informed, however, you will be surprised at closing when you find out you have to pay the full premium for the first year of the policy. Depending on the value of your purchase, this can add a couple hundred dollars to thousands of dollars onto your closing costs. Again, it is important to budget for this cost when putting funds together prior to purchasing a Port Angeles home.

If you are going to purchase a home, you are going to have to pay these two items at closing. Make sure you budget for them to avoid running into cash flow problems.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Port Angeles real estate. For complete information about the Port Angeles real estate market including, homes for sale, Land for Sale, buyers and sellers info, home values,  relocating information …Please visit my website  www.PortAngelesRealEsateServices.com  There you’ll find everything you need to know about Port Angeles Washington Real Estate  

Feel free to contact me (Steve Edwards) at anytime. I’ll be happy to answer / address any questions or concerns you may have.  Call me anytime … I can be Toll Free: (866) 359-9099  or  mailto:steveedwards@olypen.com

Thank you for your time!
 
Steve Edwards – Realtor
Windermere Real Estate

Port Angeles, WA
Real Estate Expert / Agent

Avoid Foreclosure: An Option That Many Do Not Know About. By Steve Edwards, Port Angeles Real Estate Agent

Port Angeles Real Estate:

Looking down the barrel of a foreclosure, if you are among one of the over 1.4 million homeowners facing this same issue, there may be a creative technique to save your Port Angeles home and salvage your equity so that you can fight again. The last thing that you want to do is give your home back to the lender.

If your financial hardship has left you in a position whereby you are not able to pay your mortgage payment, whatever the reason may be, then you cannot afford to live in your home. Foreclosures are growing dilemma for many homeowners in the Untied States today; foreclosures are at an all time high. Alan Greenspan has made comments that the US may be heading for a recession in 2008.

Some lenders out there have not been playing fair, and some even to the point of unethical practices. These unethical practices are a primary reason that foreclosures are at an all time high and not expected to slow any to soon from what most experts have said.

On the bright side of things, you may have an option that may allow you to keep your Port Angeles home, even if the foreclosure process is already under way. Something that has been around for many years, and you may possibly utilize to save your home and equity. You may need to wait a year or two in order to cash out the equity on the property, but it is better then the alternative.

This option is referred to as a Lease Purchase Agreement, find a tenant to lease your home from you, with an option to purchase the home at the end to the agreed period or time; usually 12 to 24 months. You set a price for them to buy the house when the agreement is signed; this will allow you to set the price so you can save the equity and by some time to recover. With a tenant that has the option to buy your Port Angeles home you may be able to:

1) First and foremost is the avoidance of a foreclosure

2) Since renters are paying less today due to the high foreclosure rates, this may be a way to increase the monthly rent, due in light of the purchase agreement

3) A one-time payment, up-front as a non-refundable deposit, this is usually 1% - 3% of the sales price. The best part of this is that even if they decide not to buy your home, you still keep the money

4) Quickly locate a buyer for your property, most times faster then trying to sell you home in the traditional manner

5) Someone else will be paying the mortgage payment, and potentially a few hundred dollars a month more

Lease Purchase Agreements usually work well in any real estate market; these agreements referred to as a "lease option" as well. This is a very valuable strategy to keep in mind, especially during a time when the real estate market is in distress.

While there may be many other reasons to take advantage of a lease option, they are defiantly an excellent way to avoid foreclosure, and salvage your home from the bank. In a foreclosure, your credit will be destroyed for years to come, and the additional financial repercussions can take a tool on your personal life.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Port Angeles real estate. For complete information about the Port Angeles real estate market including, homes for sale, Land for Sale, buyers and sellers info, home values,  relocating information …Please visit my website  www.PortAngelesRealEsateServices.com  There you’ll find everything you need to know about Port Angeles Washington Real Estate  

Feel free to contact me (Steve Edwards) at anytime. I’ll be happy to answer / address any questions or concerns you may have.  Call me anytime … I can be Toll Free: (866) 359-9099  or  mailto:steveedwards@olypen.com

Thank you for your time!
 
Steve Edwards – Realtor
Windermere Real Estate

Port Angeles, WA
Real Estate Expert / Agent

Avoid Home Buying Blues at Closing. By Steve Edwards, Port Angeles Real Estate Agent

Port Angeles Real Estate:

Buying a Port Angeles home is a stressful and emotional affair. You can avoid the home buying blues by keeping your cool at closing.

I've just come from a settlement table at which a friend bought a new Port Angeles home. It's beautiful, convenient and just what she wanted. However, at the settlement table she and a relative whom she clearly loves got into a tiff with each other. What should have been a happy occasion was almost spoiled. Thank heavens they got themselves together and the situation was saved, but arguments and hurt feelings are frequent at settlement tables and on moving day. It doesn't have to be that way.

The Trauma of Change

Changing one's Port Angeles home is right up there with the big changes in life - birth, death, divorce, and retirement. Most of us recognize the trauma of the first three. Many of us recognize the need to prepare mentally and emotionally for retirement. Few of us realize how badly buying and moving into a new home frays our nerves and shortens our tempers. It can have serious consequences. I've seen deals blow up, and almost blow up, because of it. (Sometimes the protagonists are the buyer and seller.)

Mitigating Moves

There are a number of things you can do to ensure that the day you buy or sell your Port Angeles Real Estate is calm, sane and happy. Let's consider some of them. Some are easy. Some harder. You're apt to think of some which will be unique to you and your family.

First of all, simply realizing that these are flash points and discussing it with family members is a good starting point. There are many decisions to be made and much work to be done. Life is about to change for everyone who is a party to the process. It helps to just acknowledge that you'll need to work together so that it's a good experience for everyone in the end. Remember the expression, "I need to take a deep breath and get my equilibrium back." Clue in family members when you feel the tension rise.

Get a good night's sleep the night before the settlement. Have a good, unrushed breakfast. Have someone you know well look after small children and pets until after settlement; you don't need distractions during a large financial transaction.

At settlement, ask questions about anything you don't understand. Use a quiet, neutral voice. Don't sound like you are accusing someone of something. Simply ask for information and clarity. Don't feel rushed. Take the time to understand. Many of the arguments I've seen at the settlement table happened because someone assumed something and didn't ask about it. They just pitched into an irritated tirade. Not a good idea.

What if your questions turn up an unexpected and unacceptable answer? Let it be known that you expected it to be handled another way and why. Listen to any explanation calmly. Evaluate it. Does the other person have a valid point? How much difference does it make to you? Remember, it isn't necessary to have everything exactly as you'd like in order to have the transaction go well for you. Keep the big picture in mind. You don't have to be right about everything, nor do you have to win every point in order to be pleased with the final outcome.

Whether you call it settlement or closing, the final meeting will be stressful even if absolutely everything goes perfectly. Make sure you get through it by minimizing the stress.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Port Angeles real estate. For complete information about the Port Angeles real estate market including, homes for sale, Land for Sale, buyers and sellers info, home values,  relocating information …Please visit my website  www.PortAngelesRealEsateServices.com  There you’ll find everything you need to know about Port Angeles Washington Real Estate  

Feel free to contact me (Steve Edwards) at anytime. I’ll be happy to answer / address any questions or concerns you may have.  Call me anytime … I can be Toll Free: (866) 359-9099  or  mailto:steveedwards@olypen.com

Thank you for your time!
 
Steve Edwards – Realtor
Windermere Real Estate

Port Angeles, WA
Real Estate Expert / Agent

Breaking into Home Ownership - Finding a Fixer Upper. By Steve Edwards, Port Angeles Real Estate Agent

Port Angeles Real Estate:

With the Port Angeles housing market becoming more expensive, buyers must look for the best way to find an affordable home. A fixer upper is a great way to affordably buy your first home in the Port Angeles real estate housing market. Buying one away from the city is even more affordable since it is not a candidate for a teardown where the land is the most valuable asset.

If you are in the market for a new Port Angeles home, but do not want to spend tons of money or just can’t afford today’s rising home costs, you may want to look into buying a fixer upper.  By purchasing a Port Angeles home in less than perfect condition you will be able to save yourself a lot of money.  If this sounds like something you are interested in, you are in luck.  There are many homes available waiting to be restored to their original beauty.  All you need to know is where to look. 

Listed below are the three most common ways that you can find a fixer upper in your area.

1. The most traditional way of finding a fixer Port Angeles home is simply getting in your car and scouring the neighborhoods that interest you.  By doing this you may not come across a lot of properties, but you may find the one that really catches your eye.  If you do happen to find a fixer upper this way, make sure that you take down the address as well as the name and number of the real estate agent on the sign. 

2. Finding a home to restore can also be done by searching the Port Angeles classified ads.  This is also a more traditional method of finding a new home.  The best thing about searching for a fixer upper this way is that you will be able to search by location and price without ever having to leave home.

3. And of course you can search for a fixer upper online.  There are two ways to do this:  you can either search a site that offers listings from a variety of different real estate agencies, or you can visit the site of each independent agency.  Either way, you will be able to find a lot of details on any lower priced homes that may catch your eye.  These sites offer information on pricing, as well as pictures of both the exterior and interior when available.  By searching for a fixer upper online, you will ensure yourself of coming across the largest number of properties available in Port Angeles, and save yourself some time too!

However, it also pays to use an experienced Port Angeles realtor that can spot major issues, advise you on what extra inspections you might want to consider and also will have a good contact list for reliable contractors and others you may want to consult with.

Overall, finding a fixer upper can be done in a number of different ways.  Instead of overlooking this option, why not give it a try?  It does not cost anything to look, and you may find out that a fixer upper is your ticket into the housing market or a way to gain a dream home. 

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Port Angeles real estate. For complete information about the Port Angeles real estate market including, homes for sale, Land for Sale, buyers and sellers info, home values,  relocating information …Please visit my website  www.PortAngelesRealEsateServices.com  There you’ll find everything you need to know about Port Angeles Washington Real Estate  

Feel free to contact me (Steve Edwards) at anytime. I’ll be happy to answer / address any questions or concerns you may have.  Call me anytime … I can be Toll Free: (866) 359-9099  or  mailto:steveedwards@olypen.com

Thank you for your time!
 
Steve Edwards – Realtor
Windermere Real Estate

Port Angeles, WA
Real Estate Expert / Agent

Before Moving Anything Into Your New Port Angeles Home. By Steve Edwards, Port Angeles Real Estate Agent

Port Angeles Real Estate:

Before moving any of your belongings into your new Port Angeles home, its important to make sure that everything is as it should be.  You may have had a list of repairs you expected – or this may be the first time you've seen the Port Angeles house empty. 

Take some time to go around with a notepad and check all of the sockets for obvious signs of wear and tear and look for damage that you might be otherwise liable for.
 
Ensure that any cupboards are empty, free of damp, mold or bad smells, and keep a close note of what where the electricity, water and gas stopcocks are.  While doing this, you'll also be getting a feel for where you can place any furniture, how to get it up any stairs or even just into the house. 

Note down any damage or concerns you have to be discussed with whomever you're dealing with – its important to have these notes before moving anything in so that you can get the problems remedied as soon as possible.

If you're letting from a landlord, he'll give you a list of any fittings, fixtures and furniture he's leaving – its very common nowadays for landlords to leave 'white goods' – kitchen appliances, such as the fridge, freezer, washing machine and cooker. 

If you're letting, your landlord should also give you contact details, emergency repair numbers and any paperwork pertaining to these emergency repairs that you may need.  You may also want to get bank details or arrange a good time to come and collect rent.  Any final paperwork can be signed now, and then you can start making your new place your own.

You should also ensure that the central heating and boiler are working correctly and collect any manuals for these from the previous occupant – these manuals will save you a lot of frustration in the long run.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Port Angeles real estate. For complete information about the Port Angeles real estate market including, homes for sale, Land for Sale, buyers and sellers info, home values,  relocating information …Please visit my website  www.PortAngelesRealEsateServices.com  There you’ll find everything you need to know about Port Angeles Washington Real Estate  

Feel free to contact me (Steve Edwards) at anytime. I’ll be happy to answer / address any questions or concerns you may have.  Call me anytime … I can be Toll Free: (866) 359-9099  or  mailto:steveedwards@olypen.com

Thank you for your time!
 
Steve Edwards – Realtor
Windermere Real Estate

Port Angeles, WA
Real Estate Expert / Agent


 

Bathroom Design Strategies That Increase The Value Of Your Port Angeles Home. By Steve Edwards, Port Angeles Real Estate Agent

Port Angeles Real Estate:

When it comes to adding value to your Port Angeles property, the experts in real estate will agree that to capitalise in the bathroom and kitchen almost certainly guarantees profitable returns.

If you're considering making your home appealing to potential Port Angeles buyers, then one of the first places to start is in the bathroom. With countless accessories and appliances on the market, making a decision that will ultimately allow you to reap the rewards is daunting.

When it comes to bathroom design, what is it that most people really want? Would choosing a spacious whirlpool bath above a traditional bath be financially beneficial in the long haul?

Wouldn't designing your bathroom be a much easier task if you were armed with a guideline of what tickled the fancy of potential Port Angeles homebuyers? If you're going to design your bathroom get it right the first time round to avoid flushing away hard-earned pounds.

Hello simplicity

From as far back as the 1960s much focus was placed on bold colour in the bathroom. Patterned wall tiles of nautical creatures and over-the-top colours were the trend, along with plastic. Plastic bathroom décor was the craze, from bold orange, olive green, mustard yellow and chocolate brown coloured toothbrush, soap and towel holders, to thick patterned plastic shower curtains that screamed colours of the boldest nature.

As the times moved on, the 1970s and early 1980s became a period when gold bathroom fixings and furnishing, such as taps, towel rails and toilet roll holders, were considered very stylish. These ostentatious gold trimmed features were all the rage, and bathroom décor was 'loud'.  Added to this were those once delightful bathroom suites in colours avocado, coral pink, and chocolate brown. Bathroom colour has changed dramatically over the past decade, and shades have become more neutral, sometimes with a hint of colour that adds a complementary vigour to the overall scheme.

 
Of the many hundreds of people who took part in Plumbworld's recent bathroom survey, an overwhelming 82 per cent said they “hated” the once glorified avocado and coral pink bathroom suites, colours remnant of 1970s and 1980s, which are typically characterised as being dark and dull.

According to the survey, chrome bathroom taps were much preferred to gold.

So, when designing and decorating your Port Angeles homes bathroom keep those dark colours at bay, consider white suites, and opt for chrome fixings and furnishings instead of flashy gold.

Shower power

When planning the design of your bathroom, one of the most important aspects to consider is placing a shower. Some bathrooms don't have adequate space to include a shower cubicle, so assess your options. Consider installing a shower over the bath if space is limited.

The survey showed that 94 per cent of its participants believed that a shower in a bathroom was very important, and 81 per cent said they preferred a separate shower enclosure in a large bathroom. Almost 65 per cent said their ideal would be a power shower, while 27 per cent preferred mixer showers, and only 12 per cent opted for electric showers.

If you have chosen a shower over the bath, then think about placing a fixed glass screen instead of a shower curtain. It may cost a few extra pounds, but more than half of the survey's contributors preferred a fixed glass screen to a shower curtain.

Choosing your bath tub

Contrary to common belief, adding a whirlpool bath to increase property value doesn't always do the trick.  So if you're contemplating selling your Port Angeles property, try to avoid purchasing a whirlpool bath in the hopes of gaining additional profit.

The survey revealed that close to 53 per cent of its participants were not phased by them, while only a small 38 per cent of participants “loved” them. Surprisingly, 62 per cent said they had “no strong view” towards corner baths either, which means the traditional rectangular baths still hold clout against their spruced up counter parts.

Bathroom flooring

Try to avoid the urge to place carpets on the bathroom floor, according to the survey it is not too favoured. The survey showed that the preferred floor covering was tiles, with 75 per cent saying they “loved” a tiled bathroom floor. Popular vinyl flooring has not yet lost its place in the bathroom, with more than 61 per cent saying they didn't have any strong likes or dislikes towards it.

When choosing your bathroom flooring, tiles is the favoured option, but if the budget is tight, then vinyl flooring won't let you down.

Apart from the flooring, make sure your windows look appealing. When it comes to dressing your bathroom windows, steer clear of those bathroom nets and fabric curtains. The survey showed that 94 per cent said they favoured blinds in the bathroom to curtains.

Keep it clean

If you are planning to put your Port Angeles home on the market, inspect your bathroom for those small generally unnoticed flaws, like mould on the silicone sealant around the bath, and even on your shower curtain if you have one. Potential Port Angeles homebuyers may notice these small faults, which could send then running!

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Port Angeles real estate. For complete information about the Port Angeles real estate market including, homes for sale, Land for Sale, buyers and sellers info, home values,  relocating information …Please visit my website  www.PortAngelesRealEsateServices.com  There you’ll find everything you need to know about Port Angeles Washington Real Estate  

Feel free to contact me (Steve Edwards) at anytime. I’ll be happy to answer / address any questions or concerns you may have.  Call me anytime … I can be Toll Free: (866) 359-9099  or  mailto:steveedwards@olypen.com

Thank you for your time!
 
Steve Edwards – Realtor
Windermere Real Estate

Port Angeles, WA
Real Estate Expert / Agent 

Build A New House Or Buy An Existing One? Use Your Head And Your Heart.. By Steve Edwards, Port Angeles Real Estate Agent

Port Angeles Real Estate:

I am living in living in the fourth house I have purchased during my 29 years of home ownership. To some that may seem like a lot of houses, to others it may seem like I’ve just started. The simple fact is we Americans move a lot… 11 or 12 times in a lifetime depending on whom you consult. Chances are you are going to purchase a house during quite a few of those moves and somewhere along the line you may have the opportunity to build a new home.

Should you?

Everyone has fantasized at some point about his or her dream house. You may want closets big enough to live in; a bathroom that doubles as a spa; a kitchen in which you could produce programs for the Food Network But, as in most fantasies, there is usually some epic journey required to achieve the goal. And building your dream house follows that plot line all too closely.

But isn’t it the dream that makes the quest worthwhile? Yes, if you can weather the storms and battles along the way. And the determination to keep moving forward is usually a function of a strong will and a big heart. But it helps to use your head before you set off on your personal version of “The Lord of the Rings.”

It is likely that you have options when you begin the process of buying a Port Angeles home. There may be existing homes in the area that are affordable and that meet your needs. But there are always things about any property or house in Port Angeles that don’t exactly meet with your approval. The basement may not be finished or the yard may be too small or the interior décor may have to be entirely redone. It is virtually impossible to buy an existing Port Angeles home without making compromises.

Building new allows you to imagine, design and build the home that accommodates needs and amenities that are important to you… within a budget of course. And that is one thing that must be considered. A new Port Angeles home will be more expensive, on a cost per foot basis, than an existing one. That is due to the cost of land, the price of building materials and labor expense. You might also find that taxes are high as a new area is developed and the municipal authorities factor in the required infrastructure for a growing population and the need for services like education, law enforcement and recreation. You may find yourself subsidizing some of these costs as an area develops.

The ongoing costs associated with an existing Port Angeles house are more predictable. However, there will likely be more maintenance expense than for a new house and energy costs tend to be higher with older properties because newer homes are more energy efficient.

Commuting costs may be an issue. Developers must go further and further out to find enough land to accommodate a new subdivision. That may mean higher costs for commuting to work and to access other businesses and venues that may be closer to the nearest major population center. You should consider this from both a monetary perspective and to determine if you are comfortable with an additional investment of time.

If your new Port Angeles house is built in a subdivision there may be ongoing fees required. In addition, there may be covenants that are designed to protect property values that may apply serious restrictions on your ability to enhance your home and/or your property down the road.

A new Port Angeles home needs new landscaping. This may be included in the price of the home but there will likely be a limit to what is covered under the agreement. To landscape the property in a way that is truly satisfying may require an additional outlay.

Beware of construction delays! Building contractors are notorious for setting deadlines they miss and making promises they can’t keep. Make sure you do some thorough research about the builder and his track record before you commit. Weather is always unpredictable and may have an effect but that should be factored in from the start.

A new subdivision can be a hornet’s nest of building activity.  If you move into your home early in the process be prepared for hammering, sawing, trucks, mud and general chaos for quite a while as the subdivision progresses. This is a lifestyle issue and is a temporary inconvenience. But some have found this level of activity disconcerting and disruptive especially when they are settling into their “dream home” and trying to savor the experience.

If you build new be prepared to stay for a while. With new construction all around you it would be difficult to compete with the rest of the properties available for others who want to build a Port Angeles house from the ground up. You would have to make it worth their while and that usually means a compromise in price.

All this being said (and trust me there is more that could be said) there is nothing quite as satisfying as showcasing the Port Angeles house to family and friends that you designed and built and that reflects your unique vision and personality. If you survive the journey, you will likely have turned your fantasy into reality.  Congrat's..:)

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Port Angeles real estate. For complete information about the Port Angeles real estate market including, homes for sale, Land for Sale, buyers and sellers info, home values,  relocating information …Please visit my website  www.PortAngelesRealEsateServices.com  There you’ll find everything you need to know about Port Angeles Washington Real Estate  

Feel free to contact me (Steve Edwards) at anytime. I’ll be happy to answer / address any questions or concerns you may have.  Call me anytime … I can be Toll Free: (866) 359-9099  or  mailto:steveedwards@olypen.com

Thank you for your time!
 
Steve Edwards – Realtor
Windermere Real Estate

Port Angeles, WA
Real Estate Expert / Agent


 

Protecting You Homes Value With Increasing Foreclosure Rates. By Steve Edwards - Port Angeles real estate agent

Port Angeles Real Estate Tips & Tricks....

While Port Angeles home foreclosures are on the rise, there is another side of this economic dilemma. Many investors are targeting foreclosures as profitable investments; unfortunately, this is not good news for most homeowners. Foreclosures are causing property values to decrease therefore reducing the value of homes that are not facing foreclosure. While people like to point out the good things about foreclosure, the key to preventing this from happing across the United States in too a avoid foreclosure in the first place.

Foreclosed homes in Port Angeles invite vandals and a squatter looking for a place to go that is out of the weather. This spells disaster for neighborhood that has a high rate of foreclosures. Vacant Port Angeles properties will bring trouble and therefore drive property values down.

When lenders try to unload foreclosure properties as quick as the can, in many cases this means that lenders sell the properties at up to 40 - 50% of the market value. Even with properties selling this low, some foreclosures can remain vacant for an extended period. Just because the home is sold does not mean that there is someone moving in, many Port Angeles investors have vacant properties in there portfolio.

Here are a couple things that you can do to help protect the value of your Port Angeles home:

Keep your eyes open

Keeping watch of the properties in the area that have been foreclosed and are not vacant will help to keep your neighborhood free of vandals and squatters. Foreclosures are on the rise and thousands of homes a month are going into foreclosure. Keeping watch of the homes in your area will help keep the vandals from stealing appliances, damaging the property and forcing lenders to board up properties. Boarded up properties, are invitations to more trouble property values. Lenders will sell homes that have been boarded up for even less, just to move the property.

Do not panic and sell

Port Angeles Home ownership is a long-term investment, and while foreclosures are, on the rise, they will level out and the market will recover at some point. Remain calm and do not panic, no is probably not the time to sell your home especially if you are trying to make a little money. Home values are being driven down; buyers are looking to buy them cheap and below market value right now. In some cases you can still sell your home for a profit as originally planned, do not try to sell just because the local markets are flooded with foreclosures.

Home foreclosures are expected to rise more in 2010, so hang in there, do not dump your house just because of foreclosures in your area. You bought it as a long-term investment to begin with, and this is a short-term problem. The houses market will recover at some point and your property value will likely rise once again.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Port Angeles real estate. For complete information about the Port Angeles real estate market including, homes for sale, Land for Sale, buyers and sellers info, home values,  relocating information …Please visit my website  www.PortAngelesRealEsateServices.com  There you’ll find everything you need to know about Port Angeles Washington Real Estate  

Feel free to contact me (Steve Edwards) at anytime. I’ll be happy to answer / address any questions or concerns you may have.  Call me anytime … I can be Toll Free: (866) 359-9099  or  mailto:steveedwards@olypen.com

Thank you for your time!
 
Steve Edwards – Realtor
Windermere Real Estate

Port Angeles, WA
Real Estate Expert / Agent

Plants and Emotional Appeal in House Selling. By Steve Edwards - Port Angeles Real Estate Agent

Port Angeles Real Estate Tips & Tricks....

As a Port Angeles home seller you want to initiate that positive feeling from a prospective buyer; choosing a new home is a very emotional thing and it is this emotional vibe that you want to tune into to. It is always the first impression that will dictate the Port Angeles buyer's mood.

Think of the times that you have been in the audience waiting to hear a speech. When the person walks onto the stage you are expectant and interested in what he has to say. In the first one minute he either has your attention - or you are wondering where he bought his shoes from. If he has wit, a smile and a bright voice you will listen. If he drawls, sounds dull and is talking too quietly your brain leaves the stage.

You will only listen to a boring speaker if you really want to hear what he has to say. Your Port Angeles house is like the speaker. If it appeals in the first minute, the Port Angeles buyer will proceed with interest and enthusiasm. If the first appearance doesn't draw the buyer in, he will approach the viewing of your home with the thought that he is wasting his time. This is where the price of your house comes in; if there is nothing much going for it, then make sure you take the realtor's advice about the price.

If you know your Port Angeles house is a no-frills house, then the first impression will be critical to set the mood. A realtor calls this curb appeal, and if yours is not able to look 'fantastic', it can at least look promising.

Step out side your house, and walk to the street and scrutinize your own home from the sidewalk. Check for things like scuff marks around the base of the house and broken parts of fence. Sweep the paths and hide the garbage can. Make sure the gardening is done - no dead weeds or yellow patches on the lawn.

Certain additions can make your Port Angeles home look as if it is cared for. For instance, plants in pots around your front door. A statue or an elegant bird bath placed centrally in your lawn can take away the plainness of a yard. If you are worried about theft, most of these are too heavy to be easily moved. Flowers or plants can be grouped around it.

This applies to any season. If you are selling your Port Angeles home in autumn you can always buy some potted chrysanthemums or azaleas, if you are selling in spring use daffodil and crocus etc. Whatever time of the year, there can be either flowers or berry bushes in the yard. The back yard will not count so much in terms of first impressions. So concentrate on the front for the first visual impact to your Port Angeles home buyer.

One very easy solution to the visual appeal problem is to have a very soft planting bed in the front and cover it with wood chips. As each season turns, a different group of pot plants can be 'dug in' to the soft soil. Once the daffodils die, those pots get pulled out until next year and the petunias go in, then chrysanthemums, until finally it is the winter pansies and the berries. With a bird bath in the center and about three small ever green shrubs, your front yard will always have appeal.

It is not just that you are appealing to the type of person who likes a nice yard; if the yard is looking good, it will make the Port Angeles home buyer think that the rest of the house will be looked after and he will approach the viewing of your house in a positive way. This positive attitude means that the home buyer's frame of mind will be open to the emotional appeal of your home.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Port Angeles real estate. For complete information about the Port Angeles real estate market including, homes for sale, Land for Sale, buyers and sellers info, home values,  relocating information …Please visit my website  www.PortAngelesRealEsateServices.com  There you’ll find everything you need to know about Port Angeles Washington Real Estate  

Feel free to contact me (Steve Edwards) at anytime. I’ll be happy to answer / address any questions or concerns you may have.  Call me anytime … I can be Toll Free: (866) 359-9099  or  mailto:steveedwards@olypen.com

Thank you for your time!
 
Steve Edwards – Realtor
Windermere Real Estate

Port Angeles, WA
Real Estate Expert / Agent

 

Prepare to Have Your Port Angeles House Appraised. By Steve Edwards - Port Angeles Real Estate Agent

Port Angeles Real Estate & Having your home appraised.....

Before obtaining the services of an Port Angeles home appraiser to have your house appraised for the purposes of selling your own home, make sure they are licensed, experienced and knowledgeable in the area of property you want appraised. Also make sure they don't skimp on data sources just to save money; a qualified house appraiser should use up to date sources to insure the appraisal will be as accurate as possible.
 
Make any necessary minor home improvements. This includes leaky faucets, missing door handles, missing kitchen cupboard and drawer knobs or handles, missing or damaged trim work, broken light fixtures or light switches, cracked windows, torn screens, etc.
 
It would be worth while to install smoke detectors on all floors, especially near bedrooms. Repaint surfaces that haven't been painted since 1978 - since many paints before that time were contaminated with lead. Also make sure all stairways, inside and out, have sturdy handrails. These measures increase the safety status of your Port Angeles home.

If carpet visibly needs cleaning, acquire the services of a professional carpet cleaner. Steam/hot water is best for the most through cleaning possible. Unless carpet is Berber or sculptured, have the professional carpet cleaner groom the carpet after cleaning so that fibers in the traffic area dry in an upright position, enhancing carpet's appearance.
 
When setting up an appointment to have your Port Angeles house appraised, ask the appraiser if there are certain things that should be done before they arrive.
 
When getting ready to have your Port Angeles house appraised, have the following documents ready: 
 
1.) Any written property agreements. This might include a maintenance agreement for shared property, such as a drive way, hedge divider, etc.
 
2.) Your Port Angeles home inspection report, which should be done before acquiring the services of a house appraiser.
 
3.) Any other important reports that relate to your Port Angeles property, such as water/soil analysis, reports for termites, septic systems, etc.
 
4.) A "brag sheet" that lists all notable home improvements, including the when the improvement was made and cost. Include such home improvements as interior, exterior painting, paneling, siding, the addition of central air conditioning, a new roof or roof repairs, remodeling of rooms, finishing off a basement or attic, permanent lighting, light fixtures, etc. Also include building permit confirmation, if applicable.
 
5.) Any other relevant information, such as a purchase agreement, if a sale is pending. 
 
When the Port Angeles house appraiser arrives:
 
1.) Be sure all areas of the home are accessible. This also means the attic, basement, crawl spaces, and garage.
 
2.) Make sure the house is clutter free for maximum visual effect.
 
3.) Make sure your Port Angeles house has no bad odors, and has a pleasant fragrance. Before the house appraiser leaves, ask when you can expect a copy of the appraisal report for your Port Angeles real estate listing. 

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Port Angeles real estate. For complete information about the Port Angeles real estate market including, homes for sale, Land for Sale, buyers and sellers info, home values,  relocating information …Please visit my website www.PortAngelesRealEsateServices.com  There you’ll find everything you need to know about Port Angeles Washington Real Estate  

Feel free to contact me (Steve Edwards) at anytime. I’ll be happy to answer / address any questions or concerns you may have.  Call me anytime … I can be Toll Free: (866) 359-9099  or  mailto:steveedwards@olypen.com

Thank you for your time!
 
Steve Edwards – Realtor
Windermere Real Estate

Port Angeles, WA
Real Estate Expert / Agent

Port Angeles Real Estate Services will all-ways be there for you .... When ... the time is right for you! ..:)

5301

Please upload (click photo above) this Fantastic  IPhone App!....:) It will provide you with all of Port Angeles & Clallam County Washington's Home listings, Land Listings, Property Listings etc.  This is truly a fantastic Free Home Search Tool ..... Use it ....You'll see..:)

---- Or ----

Log Onto: WWW.FindPortAngelesHomes.com  and your 5 minutes away from receiving the best FREE! .... Automatically emailed Home / Land Search Results ..... All findings will be sent to you just as soon as the listing hits the market ... you'll be among the first to know...:) ...And.... Much Much More!.... Check it out!..:)  www.FindPortAngelesHomes.com