Gone are the days when a mortgage company or a bank would pull money out of its vault in order to finance the purchase of a new home. Instead, lenders operate from a line of credit. When a new mortgage is approved and ready to fund, lenders tap into that line of credit. After the loan has funded, it can then sell the loan to a third party. Selling the loan replenishes the line of credit so the lender can continue making more home loans. But who does the lender sell to?
Most loans today end up being owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. When a lender approves a loan using standards issued by Fannie or Freddie, the loan conforms to these established guidelines and is eligible for sale. But what might strike some is that monthly payments arent made to Fannie or Freddie. Instead, its made out to another mortgage company, or more appropriately, a mortgage servicer.
A mortgage servicer is typically a division within a mortgage company or bank that gets paid a fee for handling the monthly payments on a loan. Each month, when a borrower writes a check to the mortgage company, the funds first go to the servicer and later transferred to Fannie or Freddie.
Fannie and Freddie play a crucial role in the mortgage industry when buying home loans. Without the ability to sell a loan, mortgage lending would falter. It would mean rates and fees would be higher. Down payment requirements more stringent and overall mortgages would be much more difficult to qualify for. By approving a conforming loan, it lets the lender know the loan is eligible for sale, sells the loan and continues making still more home loans.nbsp;
Loans can be sold individually or in bulk. An individual sale is less common but still a practice. Instead, lenders commit to selling a certain amount of loans to Fannie or Freddie in advance. A lender might commit 50 million in home loans during a specific period of time to Fannie Mae, proceed to process, approve and fund those loans, later transferring the 50 million in funded mortgages to Fannie. At that point, the process starts again.
The buying and selling of mortgages in this secondary mortgage market provide needed liquidity in the mortgage industry. Without being able to offload mortgages, for a profit, the mortgage industry and real estate in general would suffer greatly. A goodbye letter is a sign of a healthy mortgage market.
January 2020 is the official forward-thinking month since it starts the calendar year and, this year, a new decade.
Januarys annual barrage of forward-looking media, business, and social media pundit prognoses generates a wide range of business and online reflections on opportunity and risk in 2020.
If you dont consider January the start of your business cycle or youre on vacation this month, these forward-focused ideas may receive little or no consideration by you.
Where and when do you get your inspiration for the annual fresh start that keeps us on our toes against competition and in tune with target prospects and clients?
Learning from the mistakes of others rather than making expensive or time-wasting mistakes yourself can make a lot of sense. Consider the context, process, and content similarities and differences between your situation and thoseincluding winnerswho you want to learn from:
Use hindsightwhich is after-the-fact clear visionto explore the financial failings of others and what made them vulnerable: what they ignored, what they underestimated, what they overlooked. A false sense of security or the too big to fail confidence that is common with continued success often leads to poor judgement.
The occurrence of previously-impossible big financial failures and the economic roller coaster of the last decade should have taught us that the impossible does happen in this globally-interconnected world. Yet, it is surprising how often the obvious is overlooked. Ignoring increasing financial vulnerability is a common error. What are you overlooking? What could sneak up on you or your target market?
Have you crunched the numbers so you know exactly where you stand if the market or interest rates turn against you or your target prospects and clients? Hoping nothing bad happens is not a strategy. Wait until something negative occurs and there may not be enough time for corrective solutions to kick in. Searching out ways to cut costs, expand into new niches or services, and earn additional income before a problem arises are strategies.
Digital transformation has changed the way we do many things. A number of businesses and industries have been dramatically transformed while others have faded from view. How has the sales process you base sustainability of your practice or brokerage on weathered the shift to online commerce?
Change is escalating. What do you believe is next for real estate and your sales process? Online shopping will continue to redefine the buying experience for purchasers and the selling experience for sellers.
Buyers and sellers are often quoted saying that they feel their interests are at cross purposes with commission-intent real estate professionals. Strengthen common purpose to ensure prospects and clients connect their success with your services. That is, they understand that without you they cannot accomplish as much and certainly not all they want to. Start by explaining exactly how you contribute to success in the process of home buying and selling instead of me>
Perceptions distract us from reality. Real estate buyers and sellers are encouraged to concentrate on glorified keeping up with the Jones perceptions of economic value and modern interior design instead of learning the realities of financial return, continuous-upgrade maintenance, and design functionality.
To acquire, preserve, and build home equity, buyers and sellers benefit from learning to analyze all that goes on around them. The increase in internet searches demonstrates that buyers search for content to make themselves smarter and sellers search for content to ensure theyre smarter sellers. Unfortunately, finding accurate, >
My personal wish for you in 2020 is that you continue to move Onward amp; Upwardthose are the directions that really matter
But, theres another reason real estate agents, buyers, and sellers are aggravated with Zillow. Agents are checking their personal listings on Zillows site and finding their names grouped with several other agents namesnone of whom have a connection to the home. In some cases, these agents may not know they appear on that particular listing, and they might not even be familiar with the home, which means they wont have the ability to speak to its details or selling points.
Welcome to what some call the pay-to-play world of Zillow, which charges agents a premium to be named on listings that are not their own, said thenbsp;Miami Herald. "Zillow calls it the premier broker program, by which agents pay a fee to secure leads from people inquiring about houses in certain ZIP codes. According to the company website, when a shopper makes an inquiry through Zillow or the Zillow-owned site Trulia, the company confirms that the prospect is ready to speak with an agent. If so, it hands the would-be client off to the premier agentas opposed to the listing agent.
Having first crack at this buyer mean the Zillow Premier agent can show the home, even though its not their listing, and also redirect the buyer to other listingsprobably his or her own listings first. Now, the listing agent has lost a potential sale, as well as a potential new client."
Zillow calls this an incredible lead generator for agentsand, not surprisingly given the companys excitement about this program, it generates a huge amount of revenue for them. The company reportedly refused to discontinue the practice despite the prodding of numerous Realtors.nbsp;
So what can buyers and sellers do as a workaround?
Pay close attention to the listing. When buyers click on a listing, they have no idea they are not going to get the listing agent, Kat Palmiotti of Grand Lux Realty in Monroe, New York, told the Herald. Sometimes they get contacted by 10 different agents. It can be frustrating to a buyer.
If the listing agent is identified and youre planning to reach out, contact him or her as opposed to the other agents listed. That way you can assure youre working with the individual who not only secured the listing fair and square, but who also knows all about the home.nbsp;
There may be important details about the homes construction, floorplan, or features that an unaffiliated agent cant provide. In some cases, premier agents may not even be located in the areas where the home is locatedanother reason to make sure youre working with the listing agent.nbsp;
Talk to your agent about Homesnap. Homesnap started out as anbsp;consumer-facing appnbsp;for displaying information about local homes by taking a photo three years ago, saidnbsp;TechCrunch, and has grown into a mega portal used by real estate firms and multiple listing services across the country.
Among other things, Homesnaps technology allows you to take a photo with your mobile device of any house and instantly be shown all its pertinent details: size, number of bedrooms and baths, property taxes, school district, asking price if its for sale and even its estimated value if its not, said the Herald. The idea is to give buyers and sellers a better online search experience than the one provided by companies such as Zillow, where agents spend beaucoup bucks promoting their listings.
Homesnap also sorts listings according to the users search data instead of clouding them with featured or paid listing.
You may not have thought much about your real estate listing, but its a critical piece of the home-selling pie. Getting it wrong may not necessarily cost you a sale if your home is well-priced, located in a hot area, and you have great listing photos. But it could help you attract the right buyers if done well.
If youre working with a good, experienced real estate agent, they are probably already following these tips and, if not, it might be time for another agent. Which brings us to our first tip:
There are numerous applications for this, but, the most important oneand one that has the biggest potential to attract or repel potential buyersis your listing price. Its common practice for sellers to disagree on the price of their home. No one want to sell for less than they think their home is worth or what they think they can get.nbsp;
Trusting in your agents pricing strategy is important. Dont be surprised if the recommended price comes back with a 9 in it. There is a psychology to this.nbsp;
When cruising the aisles at the grocery store, ever notice how many prices end in 99s? Thats no accident. This strategy is callednbsp;charm pricingnbsp;and >
nbsp;The other reason is more practical. If your buyer has to stay under 450,000 for their home purchase, your place will show up in their search.
Cozy means small. Assume your buyeror your buyers agenthas looked at the square footage. You dont need to remind them your house is the size of a shoebox. Charming could means lots of thingsin need of updates, probably not done to the buyers taste, or, the kiss of death, interesting. A term like great potential will likely make the buyer think a deal can be had because the home is in need of a serious makeover.
Some could be more valuable than others. Mentioning certain home featuresnbsp;like professional appliances, wine cellar, steam shower and waterfall countertop can boost sales prices from 24 to 34, saidnbsp;SFGate.
It may turn out that your buyer is hyperlocal, but many experts advise that sellers focus on out-of-area prospects. Even a buyer from 10 minutes away many not be aware that there are 12 community parks, 20 miles of trails, and four museums in the area.nbsp;
Especially if youre in a market with a lot of listings in your price range, its important for your listing to stand out. Look at typical real estate ads and you will notice they tend to be similar and boring, said SFGate. How would you react if you read an ad among 24 others that is in capital letters and says, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? 12 Acres of Wooded Land for HOW MUCH? If you were looking for raw land, would you click on it?nbsp;
Your house has to make a great first impression to attract buyers, and so does your listing. This isnt a time to be boring.
Every couple weeks or so we see a listing with a glaring error in the price of a home for sale such as one that makes a 300,000 home look like its listed for 3,000 or even 3,000,000. And thats not the only easy mistake to make.nbsp;
For example, if your house is listed on Polar Lane when it is actually on Poplar, your place may never be found, even if it is turnkey and well priced, said thenbsp;Los Angeles Times. The same holds true if the school district is incorrect, the ZIP Code is wrong, the number of bedrooms is misstated or the map coordinates are inaccurate.nbsp;
However, you need to take several key factors into consideration when home shopping during the holiday season or after. Here are three tips that will help you pick the right house and avoid serious problems in the future.nbsp;
Image Source: Pixabaynbsp;
A blanket of snow or ice on a home can hide serious problems, which is why its vital that you schedule a professional home inspection before you make any solid commitments. You might not be a home expert, so checking the place out with a naked eye wont work.nbsp;
A professional home inspector will provide you with the opportunity to address any problems before closing on the house - or steer you away from a bad house enti>
Whether you use the inspection as a contingency in your contract or as a sign that the home isnt for you, its certainly worth having that information as you make your big decision.nbsp;
Image Source: Unsplash
One good thing about home shopping during the winter months is that you can easily determine how well a home is retaining its heat - or how poorly.nbsp;
For example, if you note long icicles hanging from the edge of a roof, it could be a sign that the roof isnt properly insulated. Your roof is losing heat, which melts the snow and ice above, causing icicles to form. Similarly, if you feel cold air streaming in through closed windows or cracks in shut doors, you know that youre looking at a home that needs some work.nbsp;
Even if the home does seem to have proper installation, take note of its warmth and how updated its heating system is. You dont want to move in only to find out you need an enti>
The good news is you dont have to be an expert when examining a homes heating system. However, youll definitely want to check out a comprehensive furnace guide with information on inspections and replacements.nbsp;
Image Source: Pixabay
Pests problems can be especially bad in the winter. As the weather gets colder, critters like mice, bats, racoons, snakes, and insects can sneak indoors to stay warm. In fact, rodents alone invade an estimated 21 million American homes every winter according to the National Pest Management Association.
This is why its vital that you take a good look at the basement and attic of the home.nbsp;
Droppings, small holes in the walls, and smells can be surface level indicators of pest problems. However, you need to get a pest control service in the house to look for more discreet signs of infestations.nbsp;
Pest control can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the severity of the infestation. Even if there are no immediate signs of problems, an expert will be able to tell you if the home has any vulnerabilities that could open the door for unwanted pests in the future.nbsp;
Like we said, winter can be a good time to buy a home. Theres less competition with other buyers and sellers can be more motivated to strike a bargain.nbsp;
However, dont let those opportunities steer you away from doing due diligence on your inspections of the house. Everything from the heating and plumbing systems should be thoroughly examined for signs of weakness - or expensive repairs.nbsp;
As long as you check everything out before signing any contracts, you should be in good shape to purchase a great home during the winter months, even with snow and ice plaguing the marketnbsp;
Amy McConaghy is >
You may take pride in your car and your clothes and other minor possessions, but nothing compares to the feeling of being a homeowner. Buying your first place is an accomplishment, and you get to come home to that accomplishment every day.nbsp;
Once you have moved into your new home, unpacked, and taken a breath, youll have that momentthat moment where you realize, This is mine. Thankfully, that moment is repeated regularly. Youll have it when you look at your countertops and realize you can redo them any way you want. And when you decide to get a dog and dont have to ask permission. And when you want to paint your wallsany color you choose.
Speaking of paint colors, get ready to spend hour after hour at Home Depot gathering dozens and dozens of paint chips. Even if you just want a fresh coat of white on the walls, its easier said than done. There are hundreds and hundreds of white paints available, and most of them are considered white, saidnbsp;The Spruce. This makes choosing a plain white paint color nearly impossible.nbsp;
Soon you may be able to snake a toilet, tile a backsplash, and refinish your floors. Yes, there are people you can hire for these tasks, and all the others youll want and need to do in your home over the years, but it can be so much more satisfyingand cost-effectivewhen you do it yourself.
If youre on a strict budget after buying your first home, youll likely also have to learn how to care for your lawn. Get those edging skills down
Oooh, that skirt is so cute. But if you buy it, youll want the shirt and the jacket and the boots, and the jewelry, and, before you know it, youve spent half the money it would take to update your fireplace.
When you put money and sweat equity into your home, youre impacting its value. Thats an investment in your home, but its also an investment in you and your future.nbsp;
There are lessons to be learned from this age-old experience that can be applied to homeowner associations. HOAs have both Board and Homeowner Meetings and both formats demand very different seating considerations.
Board meetings are designed to transact regular business for the care and welfare of often millions of dollars of community assets. As such, they should be held at places and times conducive to business. Meetings held in someones home prove challenging.
At Home Board Meetings. Always remember that owners are entitled to attend Board meetings as an audience, not participants in the discussion or voting. There should be adequate seating for a reasonable number of them. If meetings are held in tiny quarters with room only for the Board, guests are effectively shut out and the impression is that they arent welcome. Seek the most spacious home available to accommodate both Board and guests.
Avoid using living rooms except for guest seating. Its very difficult to juggle papers or take notes while sitting in a Lazy Boy. Meetings should be held at a table large enough to spread out agendas, reports and other papers without having to continually shuffle the stack. If using a kitchen table, remove everything except meeting items. Turn off home and cell phones during the meeting since the ringing always disrupts the discussion and pulls someone away from the business at hand.
If there is a table head, the board president should sit there and direct the meeting. The head of the table is the historical place of authority and there is no reason to buck tradition. The secretary taking minutes should sit at the opposite end of the table so all directors can be more easily seen and heard. Guests should not sit at the meeting table since this is an invitation to actively participate in the business.
Avoid the temptation to have the Board face the guests as a "panel". This seating format also invites participation from the guests and makes it difficult for the Board to talk amongst itself.
Formal Board Meetings. Ideally, the Board should meet at a location that is designed for meetings. Basics include a large conference table, good lighting, bathrooms, temperature control and room for guests. If none exists in your association, seek out meeting rooms in area community centers, libraries and churches. They may be closer and cheaper than you think. There are a number of advantages to moving "out of the kitchen" into a formal meeting place. The distraction potential is enormously reduced: no phones, food, TV, kids, dogs and neighbors. The business meeting takes on a true "business" nature. Folks are less likely to linger in this environment or get into protracted discussions. As with home meetings, seating should be adequate for both Board and guests.
Annual HOA Meetings. These meetings should be carefully choreographed. Always hold them in a formal meeting facility large enough to accommodate all owners. Owners normally sit gallery >
Meeting seating is critical when it comes to getting things accomplished efficiently. Set your sites for successful meetings and, dont forget to check your swords at the door.
For more innovative homeowner association management strategies, subscribe to www.Regenesis.net
You dont have to rip out everything and start over. Its easy enough to make some simple enhancements. A general rule of thumb is to spend 5 to 10 of the value of your home on landscaping improvements. You can reduce these costs by doing some of the work yourself.
Here are five landscaping trends sure to increase the value of your home.
Over the years, our yards get overgrown. Like us, they need regular haircuts. The first task? Remove any dead or wilted trees and bushes and replace them with drought-resistant, native plants, or create a mulch bed in their place. Be sure to prune overgrown trees and shrubs, and cut away low branches. Remove old rusted metal edging and install new metal or plastic edging around areas where the grass meets rocks or mulch. Be sure to use rounded edging to keep pet paws safe.
You want a yard that works for you, not one youll have to spend hours working on. A few simple tips can make your yard easy to maintain.
Plant perennial flowers that will return every year.
Install a sprinkler system or automated soaker hoses.
Cover more areas with pavers or hardscape to cut down on mowing time.
Avoid messy trees that drop leaves, needles, and berries. Consider arborvitae trees that can grow up to 50 feet tall, need little pruning, and stay green year-round.
Watching your neighbors parade around their backyard in their pajamas on a Saturday morning is less than ideal. Create some privacy by planting trees or shrubs that keep your views inside your yard. Choose native plants within your plant hardiness zone that are easier to maintain and need less water. Buy bigger plants rather than waiting for the smaller ones to mature enough to create a privacy fence. This way youll need fewer plants and save time digging in the yard. Pro tip: Vary the types of plants to avoid losing them all to the same type of disease or pest. Stagger different kinds of plantings, such as deciduous shrubs, evergreens, and perennial grasses, in small groupings to create a natural privacy fence. For the prospective buyer, variety offers attractive sightlines and a greater variety of heights and colors.
Once youve established some privacy, youre ready to create an outdoor oasis. If your budget allows, install an outdoor kitchen with a built-in grill, refrigerator, and a TV to help keep the party going into the backyard. Add comfortable seating with fluffy cushions for cozying up to a good book on a warm, sunny day. Close in your outdoor space in a gazebo or pergola, which serves to frame the open-air room while offering shade. Adding outdoor-rated carpet and throw pillows will create an inviting indoor feeling outside, perfect for entertaining on a Saturday evening or for sipping coffee on a Sunday morning.
Your yard is like any room inside your home. Consider a focal point that immediately draws the eye. A koi pond, Zen garden, fountain, or an outdoor fireplace are also great gathering places for guests.nbsp;
Fashioning your backyard and lawn into an appealing and well-kept retreat expands the "liveable" space in your home. Think of it as an investment. Youre adding an extra room to your home, without adding additional walls. Creating a greener, more trendy landscape will pay off when its time to sell, by putting more green in your pocket.
Rose Stanford is a former real estate agent who enjoys fixing up and staging older homes. Her specialty is renovating backyards and patios.
In regards to condo occupancy rates, there are nearly 2 million people in Canada who made a condo their new home in 2016. Due to the newfound demand for pre-construction condos in Canada, the number of construction projects in the country has also risen accordingly. Here, our focus will be on new condos for sale in North York, and why you should consider investing in pre-construction condos in Canada.
A condo is a dwelling or building that has been divided or subdivided into multiple housing units. Each unit within the building is then sold off on an individual basis to individual investors or owners. Every owner within the condominium complex has a share of land ownership upon which the condo was erected.
One of the chief benefits of investing in a pre-construction condo is that you will have an opportunity to invest less money initially, while also getting more for your money in the future. In other words, if you decide to invest in a condominium during the pre-construction phase, then you will be able to maximize your return on investment.
The purchase price for a pre-construction condo will be lower than the current price of a condo that has already been fully built. Once the pre-construction condo is finalized, you will be able to reap the benefits of your investment and patience rather quickly.nbsp;
While there is some risk involved in investing in a project that has yet to be finished, more often than not, the benefits mitigate any risks that are involved. Another advantage of investing in a pre-construction condo is that there is very little maintenance involved.
Of course, poor craftsmanship, which may involve cutting corners to cut costs, may force you to make repairs quickly, which is why it is important to perform the necessary due diligence to ensure that you are getting quality for your investment.
Instant equity is yet another benefit of investing in a pre-construction condo, as you will get the opportunity to enjoy instant equity as soon as you invest. That means that even before construction takes place once you have the required paperwork, the condo is as good as yours.
Furthermore, you can also enjoy some unique tax benefits by investing in a pre-construction condo. For example, did you know that only 50 of all capital gains are taxable in this country? You will be able to deduct quite a bit of your costs from your taxes, including but not limited to, unit depreciation, property taxes, and even mortgage interest.
You will also be able to enjoy an extended deposit structure by investing your hard-earned cash into a new pre-construction condo project. In other words, the deposit, which may range from 15 to 20, will usually be spread out. Also, it should be noted that you can own a pre-construction condo and not have to worry about it being shown on your credit bureau as well.nbsp;
Thanks in part to the extended deposit structure that is involved in pre-construction condo projects, you will have ample time to save your money. The time it will take to complete the project, which may take several years in some cases, will also allow you to save enough money to purchase without any financial issues on your end.
In addition, if you are worried that all of your money will be tied up into the initial purchase cost, then you can rest assured that you wont have to worry about investing in any renovations for quite some time. Given the fact that the condo is brand new, you likely wont have to worry about having to renovate the unit for at least a decade.
This is in stark contrast to many older condo units, some of which have been occupied for several decades. In the unlikely event that you do notice something wrong with the new unit, you can call the builders to notify them that something is structurally wrong. More often than not, your builders will be more than happy to rectify any structural issues free of charge.
As can be seen, there are many benefits to investing your money in a pre-construction condo in Canada. Given the fact that even a common townhouse can cost upwards of one million dollars in many parts of Ontario, more and more people have opted for the far more affordable solution, which is investing in a condo project instead.
nbsp;
Monica Benoit is a blogger in Toronto.nbsp;She is currently working as a community manager fornbsp;Your Condos. She has graduated with honors from the University of British Columbia with a dual degree in Business Administration and Creative Writing.
Natural lighting is preferable in most cases, making a working area near a window ideal. In many instances, daylight hours are limited, so consider investing in a task light. Should it be impossible to set up a workspace near a window, there are light sources available that replicate natural light. When arranging lighting, remember that placing an overhead light directly above a computer screen or setting the screen opposite to a light source increases the glare and should be avoided. The office space should have ample lighting, while taking care to include the ability for the worker to control the lights intensity.
When picking out your office equipment, it is imperative that you focus on its function. For instance, you could choose a working table with nothing more than a lap drawer for supplies if you do not need more storage, or you might opt for a larger desk complete with drawers and space for storing files. It is recommended that you choose an office chair that supports the lower back, and keeps your elbows and knees at a 90-degree angle. Screens should be at eye level and arms length. There are plenty of desk organizers on which unattended tasks can be stored to prevent disorganized piles which impede a persons productivity.
You should choose office equipment that does not compromise on your overall safety and health. Serious long-term health problems can be avoided if you make your office space and equipment as ergonomic as possible right from the onset. Keeping in mind that you will be spending a lot of your time working, personalize your office space to what you would prefer and make it as friendly to your body as possible.
Whether youre trying to study for the MCAT, taking an online course, or just working from home, privacy cannot be overemphasized. Its crucial that you are able retreat to a private area, preferably with a door, to minimize distractions and interruptions. Though headphones can be a temporary solution, continual use of headphones tends to have diminishing returns as time goes on. You can also achieve a sense of privacy by the erecting divider walls. To further cut down on distractions, consider installing low-noise fans and air filters, which are less noisy than most.
One thing people often overlook is equipment cables. Consider talking to your office designer about integrating a way to hide cables that are not only an eyesore but also increase the likelihood of accidents. Adequate electrical outlets should also be included and the equipment layout left open for any alterations in the future. Ease of access to anything you will need as you work is essential. Should you be space-challenged, you could invest in all-in-one equipment to provide required functionality while occupying less space.
If youre running a business from home or using your home office for school and studying, make sure you make the space large enough to accommodate meetings with at least one other person.
When designing a home workspace, remember to work within your budget and purchase equipment that perfectly suits the size of your work space. Design the office area to reflect your >
Diamonds in the Rough
Many homeowner associations find it difficult to hold the line on expenses. Inflation erodes endlessly increasing budgets and members scream for >
Insurance. Raise the deductible and reduce the annual premium. Create a line item in your Reserve Study with a life of three years called "Insurance Deductible" equal to your deductible. If there is no claim during the three year period, the money is saved.
Pools. Check temperature and pump cycle times and adjust for savings. Swimmers may not notice a two degree drop in temperature, but lower temperatures significantly decrease the heating bill.
Lighting. Convert to high lumen-low energy lighting. The conversion expense is usually paid back within only one to two years due to reduced power and labor costs.
Distributing Information. Many meeting notices and information can be distributed to residents by way of flyer boxes like the ones used by real estate agents. Even better, distribute information by email for nothing.
Have an HOA Website. Enjoy HUGE communication savings with your own HOA website. Post important information like the governing documents, newsletters, meeting minutes and rules. Use email for maintenance and information requests so the information is moved quickly to the right person with a date stamped record. Poll your members on important issues or proposed policies. Notify them of meetings and other events. An HOA website is probably the best move your HOA can make to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Preventive Maintenance. Catch problems when they are small enough to resolve cheaply by regular property checklist inspections. Of particular importance:
Handyman Services. For HOAs that cant afford a full time maintenance person, contract with a licensed, bonded and insured handyman who can perform a monthly "laundry list" of small repairs. Combine tasks to provide a full days work.
Wood Fences. Use a stain rather than paint since stain wont peel and requires less frequent maintenance. For cedar amp; redwood: Leave unpainted to age naturally. No stain, paint or sealer required. Use steel pipe instead of wood fence posts that dont rot.
Paint Supplies. Discuss special pricing options with local paint supply companies. If your HOA is large enough, it may qualify for contractor pricing.
Sidewalk Repair. Use a grinding service to repair walkway uplifts and tripping hazards instead of the replacing the concrete.
Water Usage - Exterior
As a jeweler carefully examines and sorts his gem stock, consider the ways your homeowner association spends its money. Cut and polish those items that arent shining like they should. If you look closely, you will indeed find diamonds in the rough.
For more innovative homeowner association management strategies, subscribe to www.Regenesis.net
The curb appeal of your home is in straight connection with the perceived value of the home. Its important to remember that the value of your home will be determined by the buying market. For this reason, youll want to ensure that your home looks amazing. Curb appeal is an area that you simply cant ignore. The outside of your home is the first glimpse that people get of your house from a listing and when driving up for a showing. You want to impress them at first sight. Investing your money in different landscaping features can provide a great return on your investment. Features can include trees, shrubs, flowers, fountains, fences, benches, ambient lighting, and so forth.
Aside from the mortgage payment, one of the most expensive parts of owning a home is paying the electricity bill. This holds especially true in the dead of winter and drought of summer. To help keep energy levels low, there are various energy-efficient features that can be installed throughout your home. Solar panels tend to be some of the first features that most people think of when they hear about cutting energy costs. By producing your own energy, you can avoid the high costs of paying your utility company each month. Heat pumps are another great way to majorly reduce your heating and cooling costs. Even adding energy-efficient kitchen appliances can be a great idea to help lower the electric bill each month.
Older windows in your home can be a big avoidance of potential homebuyers. They know that windows can be somewhat costly to fix and will avoid buying homes that will need a lot of windows replaced. You can fix this problem by installing new windows in your home. These newer windows will be more energy-efficient and make your energy bills much cheaper. According to EnergyStar, the average homeowner can enjoy savings of up to 500 per year in energy costs just by installing new windows. Also, by installing new windows, it can modernize the look of the home which is a big plus for potential buyers.
One of the biggest ways to improve the value of a home is to add another bathroom or bedroom. While not all homeowners have the space to do so, it can be advantageous for those who do. Look for those spare rooms that can be converted. Even an attic space that is tall enough to be converted into a bedroom can drastically improve the value of your home. If you have a lot of open basement space, consider installing a downstairs bathroom and bedroom. The more bedrooms and bathrooms you can install, the higher the value increase for your home.
The two most popular rooms in a home are the bathroom and the kitchen. The kitchen is one that is highly desired to be modernized. This includes new appliances, beautiful countertops, and more modern features. If youre going to be investing your money in updating any room of your home, you should opt for the kitchen first. This will bring you the biggest return on your investment.
Increasing the value of your home can be done through many different methods. The above are just some of the most popular methods that are used by homeowners. Its always a good idea to consider the return on investment that youll get from any home improvement that you intend to do. This will ensure that you get your money back when you go to resell your home in the future.
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