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Posts Tagged ‘improvement’
Most Improved Housing Markets So Far This Year
Many housing markets are still underwater and struggling due to the economy, lost of jobs, interest rates, and foreclosures. However, despite what many people may think, the housing market is actually improving in some areas. The housing market in these areas is not what it used to be before things crashed but it is still an improvement, and may give many people facing foreclosure and other rough times the hope needed to hang on a little longer.
Ask you real estate for advice
If you are thinking about buying or selling your home, it is best if you ask your real estate agent how your housing market is improving and when it is expected to improve even more. This way you can get the best deal possible. They are a great information resource.
Denver, Colorado
In this area, the first quarter home prices have increased by 5.8 percent. The foreclosure rate is only 1.9 percent. They delinquency or late payment rate is only 5.7 percent, compared to 34.3 percent last year and the unemployment rate is only 7.8 percent.
Boston, Massachusetts
In this area, home prices are up six percent. The foreclosure rate is only 2.1 percent compared to 32.8 percent last year, and the delinquency rate is only 7.2 percent compared to forty-three percent last year. The unemployment rate for this area is also only 7.9 percent.
Washington, D.C.
In this location, home prices have seen an increase of 5.6 percent. The foreclosure rate is only 2.3 percent, compared to 28.6 percent last year and in recent years. The delinquency rate is also only 7.9 percent compared to 40.3 percent in previous years and the unemployment rate is only six percent.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Home prices in this area made a comeback in March and April and are up 4.7 percent. The foreclosure rate is also only 2.4 percent, compared to 26.2 percent last year and in previous months. The delinquency rate is 6.4 percent up from 29.5 percent recently and the unemployment rate is only 10.2 percent.
These improvements may not seem like very much when you compare them to prices before the housing market crashed, but compared to what many homeowners, buyers, and sellers are facing now, these are some real improvements and can give many of us hope that the improvement process may be slow, but it is happening.
Number of Views :115Don’t Let Clutter Ruin the Sale
It’s a fact—people grow into a house. This means that if there are empty closets, you’ll find stuff to stuff into them. After a few years, the attic, closets, and garage are near-to-bursting. So what should you do when it’s time to move to a larger home (or, gasp, to a smaller one)?
De-cluttering is non-negotiable. While it’s okay to have your precious collection of Michael Jordan collector plates or ceramic pigs, you’ll want to box that stuff up before putting your house on the market. A lot of stuff can just be overwhelming to prospective buyers (and you never know—they might be Detroit pistons fans who hate the Chicago Bulls).
Here are four simple areas to start the de-cluttering process.
Area #1—Closets. Even if you’re still living out of the house, get rid of the closet clutter. Leave them half-full and well-organized. A super-stuffed closet says to a buyer, “This house is too small for you!” Leave the clothes and shoes you’re most likely to wear and move the rest out.
Area #2—Furniture. Less is more. It might be useful for every family member to have their own footstool, but the house has to feel airy, spacious, and inviting. Less furniture can help give it flow. Too much furniture can feel like a maze.
Area #3—Toys. Nothing screams “Disorganized!” louder than a closet (or space under a Disney princess bed) jammed with children’s toys. Even a barely-able-to close toy chest is too much. Cut the toy level by half to make the room (s) feel less crowded. (The same principle applies for adults and their toys: college paraphernalia, sports stuff, and knick-knacks. You don’t have to trash it, but box it up and get it out.)
Area #4—Kitchen. Get rid of the cookbooks, the gadgets, the rows of little appliances, the rack of coffee mugs. Empty out the junk drawer. Get a silverware drawer if you don’t have one. Make the kitchen clean, open, and organized. Think Emeril meets Martha Stewart.
If you have to rent a storage locker for a few months, do it. Get the mountains of books, mismatched furniture, desks, file cabinets, and stacks of old children’s toys out. Yes, it’s a pain. Yes, it takes a lot of time and effort. But if you want to make a quick and easy sale, the roomy, comfortable feeling that’s left in your now-spacious house will be inviting and effective.
Number of Views :118