Arranging Furniture - Tips for Furniture Arrangement at WomansDay.com

Arranging Furniture - Tips for Furniture Arrangement at WomansDay.com

When will peak 2005-2006 home prices return?

Experts can’t agree where home values will be later this year.

There are so many variables to consider: interest rates, foreclosures and unemployment to name a few.

That is why it is amazing to see a new report which not only looks at this year but also predicts when housing values will return to the peak prices of 2005-2006. Fiserv teamed up with Case Shiller to examine different parts of the country and determine when those regions will rebound to the prices we experienced at the height of the market.

In a press release titled "For Many U.S. Markets, the Return to Peak Home Prices Will Be a Long, Slow Road", they state where prices are headed this year and they map out certain regions and estimate when these markets will return to peak values.


What will occur with prices this year?
According to the report:

Nationally, data points to a further seven percent decline in home prices through the end of this year, with a prolonged recovery beginning early in 2011.

In many markets, the emphasis is on the word ‘prolonged'.

We see several powerful forces in the market that will severely hinder the housing recoveries of many metro areas, particularily in the hard-hit states of California, Florida, Arizona and Nevada. It will take these markets 15 or more years before home prices climb back to their peaks.”

When will prices return to peak values?
Here is the map that accompanied the press release:



What does this mean to you?
If you are thinking of selling but want to wait for peak prices to return, check out the map. If you are thinking of buying, check out when you can expect your market’s prices to reach top dollar again.

The Post Tax Credit Housing Market (Part 1)

Here we are six weeks after the expiration of the Homebuyer Tax Credit. Armageddon did not take place. Homes are still selling. Certain price points are actually selling quite well. The question remains what will happen to the overall housing market as we proceed through the year. There is still much uncertainty as to what the final result of the stimulus packages will be on the housing industry in the long term. We won’t know for sure for some time yet. We have enough information now to start making some preliminary predictions however.

What has happened in the last six weeks?

There are some market segments that continue to show strength. First time buyers purchasing homes prior to the tax credit expiration created a wave of second time homebuyers (contrary to what some think, not every home sold this year was a foreclosure or short sale). These sellers are in the market right now looking for their move-up home. The luxury market was not affected by the tax credit. Still, properties sold with a selling price of $1 million or more have increased by over 70%.

Not all news is as promising however.

Overall demand has dropped significantly. There is no question that things have slowed down.

RealTrends, an industry bible for real estate brokers, reported:

May written contracts are down 15 to 25 percent from April results according to informal poll conducted by REAL Trends. The decline is similar in many respects to that suffered after November 2009 when the first tax credit expired.

Even the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has acknowledged the slow according to a Wall Street Journal article:

Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, estimated that contracts signed for home resales in May were down 20% to 30% from a year earlier. He expects June and July to remain fairly weak and will be watching nervously for signs of a rebound in August or September. “Housing cannot just depend on [government] stimulus forever,” Mr. Yun said.

The slowdown in written contracts is confirmed by a major falloff in mortgage applications for home purchasers. In its Weekly Application Survey the Mortgage Bankers’ Association (MBA) reported:

“Purchase applications are now 35 percent below their level of four weeks ago, as homebuyers have not yet returned to the market following the expiration of the homebuyer tax credit at the end of April,” said Michael Fratantoni, MBA’s Vice President of Research and Economics.

Purchasers are at least taking a breather from the craziness of a very active spring market. Will this lull in the market continue?

5 Dumbest Reasons Given for Not Buying a Home

It is so easy to kick someone who is down. It doesn’t take much effort and there is little fear of retaliation. Many people are jumping on the band wagon riding against homeownership in this country. People are pontificating on every aspect. Whether it is pricing or the more intrinsic values of owning a home doesn’t seem to matter. Some believe that homeownership is bad for you and maybe even bad for the country. Are these people crazy?

A few years of a down market does not wipe out over 200 years of American real estate history. Owning your own home is as much a part of the American dream today as it was when my great grandparents entered this country. There are people flocking to America every day with the hope that they too will be able to someday purchase their own home: a place where they can raise their families and invite their friends; a place where they can build the memories that become the family stories that will be passed down from generation to generation.

Dumb Reason #1: Real Estate is no longer a good investment

There is no doubt that houses in this country have lost substantial value over the last five years. We could make the argument that the purchase of a home should not be looked at as a financial decision. However, that would just embolden those who make this argument. We will, instead, take this subject on directly.

The naysayers love to shout:

If you think real estate is a good investment, ask someone who bought in 2006.

They are 100% correct. People who bought a home in 2006 and need to sell it today could lose as much as 25-30% of its value.

However, a person who placed money in the Dow in 2007 and sold it in January 2009 would have lost 49.3%. Even if they sold today they would still be at a 26.7% loss. Does that mean that we should never again invest in stocks?

If someone bought gold at the end of 1987 and sold it in 2000 they would have lost approximately 50% of their investment. I am sure there were people in 2000 who decried gold as an investment when it dropped to almost $250 an ounce. I hope people didn’t listen as gold is now trading for over $1,200 an ounce.

It bothers me when people look at just the monetary price of a home. Its value is so much more than that. Your house provides shelter and a place to spend time with friends and family. Yet, your home also is expected to provide a return on investment. What other big ticket item that we buy do we expect that from? We don’t expect cars to appreciate. We don’t expect a boat to appreciate.

But, if a return is what you are looking for, let’s compare housing to the stock market. Not in short term intervals but over the long run. Here is the percentage return you would have on May 31, 2010 if you invested money in each of these instruments on January 1, 2000:



Real Estate was the best investment even throughout one of the most difficult decades in American homeownership.

Mortgage Interest Rate Daily Tracker - Wed, June 23, 2010 are A LOW AND AMAZING 4.375

Rates are outstanding, 4.375% for a 30 year fixed rate.

New nationwide fannie/freddie guidelines in effect regarding credit inquiries and credit reports. A second credit report is to be obtained just prior to closing. Any new inquiries and debt will need to be explained and reviewed by underwriting.

Please be ADVISED donotobtain any new credit or debt during the transaction.




Todays Mortgage Interest rates brought to you by:

Charlie Johnson
2009-2010 FIVE-STAR Mortgage Professional Named Best in Client Satisfaction by "Milwaukee Magazine"

loanrngr@sbcglobal.net

You will want low interest rates and a smooth transaction. Charlie can deliver both.

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Lake lovers take note.....Changes to the Wisconsin Shoreland zoning regulations

Below is an article from the Wisconsin Realtors Association on shoreland zoning. We so many lakes and rivers in south central Wisconsin, I thought it would be important to share. Keep in mind this is just for the minimum requirements at the state level. If you currently live on the water you may want to stay in touch with your local county government. Each county in Wisconsin (except Milwaukee County) is required to adopt and enforce shoreland zoning regulations that meet or exceed the state standards.


Here are some of the contacts for you.
Waukesha County
15 W. Moreland Blvd, Rm. 260
Waukesha, Wisconsin 53188
Phone: (262) 896-8300
Fax: (262) 896-8298
http://www.waukeshacounty.gov/page.aspx?SetupMetaId=7820&id=12022


Jefferson County
Jefferson County Courthouse
320 S. Main St., Room 201
Jefferson, WI 53549
(920) 674-7130
Fax (920) 674-7525
http://www.co.jefferson.wi.us/jc/public/jchome.php?page_id=134

Dane County
Patrick J. Sutter, County Conservationist
1 Fen Oak Court, Room 208
Madison, Wisconsin 53718
phone (608) 224-3730
Fax (608) 224-3745
http://www.countyofdane.com/lwrd/landconservation/

In December, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) adopted new changes to the state’s shoreland zoning regulations (NR 115). Counties have until January 1, 2012, to update their local shoreland zoning ordinances to bring them into compliance with these new standards.

These new changes attempt to better protect water quality, wildlife and natural scenic beauty around our water resources by placing stricter standards on new development and construction near our waterways. Because these new changes could impact a prospective buyer’s ability to improve or expand waterfront property, REALTORS® should familiarize themselves with the changes.

Background

In 1966, Wisconsin adopted shoreland zoning regulations to control development along lakes and rivers in unincorporated areas and any area annexed or incorporated after 1982. Generally, these state regulations provide minimum standards for lot sizes, how far structures are set back from the water’s edge, and limits on removing trees and plants near the shoreline. Each county in Wisconsin (except Milwaukee County) is required to adopt and enforce shoreland zoning regulations that meet or exceed the state standards.

While many people believe that shoreland zoning regulations apply only to property adjacent to waterways, the regulations actually apply to all land within 1,000 feet of a lake, pond or flowage, and land within 300 feet of a stream or river. This means that all property within this shoreland zone is subject to the regulations even if the property is separated from the water by land, buildings or roadways.

Because the state shoreland regulations had not been updated in over 25 years, the DNR believed it was necessary to modify them due to increased development in shoreland areas and growing complaints about existing standards from both property owners and local governments. The revision process took over 7 years, with the DNR conducting approximately 30 public hearings and receiving over 50,000 public comments.

The final version of the regulations contains significant changes to the prior version. Counties have until January 2012 to update their shoreland zoning ordinances to meet or exceed the new state standards. Over the next two years, almost every county in the state will be revising their shoreland zoning ordinances. Accordingly, REALTORS® should work closely with their local counties to make sure the new shoreland zoning ordinances balance the need to protect our natural resources and the rights of property owners.

The Top 10 Changes to the State Shoreland Zoning Regulations

The revised shoreland zoning regulations contain many new provisions. Again, it is important to remember that these are only minimum standards and counties have the authority to adopt more restrictive standards if they wish. Here are the 10 new changes to shoreland zoning that will likely have the biggest impact on property owners and REALTORS®:

1. New impervious surface standards will limit the size of new homes and remodeling projects within 300 feet of the water.

For new construction and existing homes looking to expand within 300 feet of the water, no more than 15% of the lot (within 300 feet of the water) can be covered in impervious surfaces (concrete, black top, footprint of structure, etc.). This includes roof tops, sidewalks, driveways, patios, and any other surface that will not allow water to infiltrate the ground. The impervious surface limit is raised to 30% of the lot if the property owner meets mitigation standards established by the county. (Note: this provision is triggered only when an existing structure is expanded or replaced.) Any mitigation measures must be proportional to the amount and impacts of the impervious surface being permitted.

If an existing home exceeds the 15% or 30% impervious surface standards, the home is effectively grandfathered and will not be required to be brought into compliance with the new standards. In addition, a property owner may reconfigure existing impervious surfaces (e.g., move a sidewalk from the east side to the west side of the house) without performing mitigation.

Example – On a typical 10,000-square-foot lot (65’x154’), no more than 30% of the lot can be covered with impervious surfaces (with mitigation). This means that only 3,000 square feet of impervious surface is allowed. If you assume that the average driveway is 200 square feet (25’x8’), this means that you have 2,800 square feet to build a house, garage, driveway, patio and other impervious surfaces. (Note: a driveway, patio and sidewalk can be pervious if designed using the appropriate materials. However, these materials can be expensive.)

2. Unlimited maintenance and repair of ALL nonconforming structures is allowed.

The new regulations eliminate the 50% rule, which limited repairs and expansions of nonconforming structures to 50% of the assessed value of the property during the life of the property. (A nonconforming structure is a structure that is not in compliance with one or more current zoning regulations (e.g., the seventy-five-foot building set back from the water)). This is a very important change for property owners who were often prevented from performing routine maintenance or minor expansions under the old regulations. Under the new regulations, nonconforming structures are allowed to be maintained and repaired without any limits on the amount or value of maintenance and repair work.

3. Homes located between 35 feet and 75 feet from the water can be expanded.

The new regulations also allow nonconforming structures located between 35 feet and 75 feet of the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) to be expanded if they meet certain requirements. If the property owner wants to expand the structure behind a 75-foot setback, the property owner may do so as long as he/she satisfies the impervious surface limit requirements. In addition, these homes may be expanded vertically (not horizontally) if the following requirements are met: (a) the vertical expansion is no higher than 35 feet; (b) the expansion is no closer to the water; (c) the expansion does not exceed the 30% impervious surface limit; and (d) the property owner agrees to perform mitigation, as determined by the county. Also, these homes may be expanded horizontally if: (a) there is not a “compliant building location” (at least 30 feet deep and meets setback requirements) on the property; (b) the expansion is no closer to the water; (c) mitigation requirements are met; and (d) the expansion does not exceed 30% impervious surface limit.

4. Homes located closer than 35 feet from the water cannot be expanded.

The new rule prohibits any expansion (vertical or horizontal) if the home or structure is located within 35 feet of the water. By prohibiting any expansion of these structures, the rule effectively requires the house to be torn down and rebuilt behind the setback if the property owner wants to increase the size of the home.

5. New mitigation requirements are triggered when setback and impervious surface standards are not met.

Property owners must perform mitigation if they want to exceed the 15 percent impervious surface standard or expand nonconforming structures closer than 75 feet from the water. (See above.) All mitigation must be proportional to the anticipated impacts of the project. Mitigation standards will be established by the counties, but must meet goals established by the DNR including controlling rainfall runoff to the maximum extent practicable. Mitigation activities may include restoring a natural vegetative buffer along the shoreline, removing an accessory structure near the water, etc.

6. Mitigation plans must be recorded with the local register of deeds and disclosed.

Property owners who agree to perform mitigation must record the mitigation plan with the local register of deeds. This means that the mitigation requirements will run with the land and will be applicable to future property owners as well. Because the mitigation requirements could impact a prospective buyer’s decision to purchase the property, a seller who has agreed to mitigation should disclose this information to prospective buyers. To assist in this disclosure effort, the real estate condition report will be amended to include this information.

7. New vegetation and removal requirements will create smaller views to water for some larger lots.

Within 35 feet of the water, vegetation can be selectively removed or pruned only within a designated “view and access corridor.” Property owners may have a “view and access corridor” equal to 30 feet for every 100 feet of frontage, with a maximum of 200 feet. The limits on tree removal are very similar to current law, but will be more restrictive for large lots with more than 660 feet of frontage. (Note: this provision is triggered when nonconforming structures are expanded or when conforming structures are expanded/replaced and the impervious surface standards are exceeded). Vegetation cannot be removed outside the view access corridor, except in cases where exotic or invasive species need to be removed. Also, the law does not place any restrictions on vegetation removal further than 35 feet from the water.

8. Most existing substandard lots are grandfathered.

The new law grandfathers most existing substandard lots as long as the lots (a) met the lot-size requirements at the time the lots were recorded, and (b) have not been replatted, merged or combined in any way with adjacent lots. (Note: the lots must still meet all other applicable requirements in the county’s ordinance (e.g., impervious surface standards)). This is a very important provision because some counties have treated small waterfront lots as unbuildable if the lots do not meet the current lot-size requirements in the existing ordinance.

9. A nonconforming structure may be completely replaced or relocated under some circumstances.

A nonconforming structure may be replaced (torn down and rebuilt), if (a) no other compliant building location is available on the property to build a house of comparable size; (b) the structure is at least 35 feet from the water; (c) the replacement structure is no closer to the water; (d) mitigation requirements are met; and (e) all other requirements in the ordinance are met.

10. Setbacks may be reduced under certain circumstances.

The 75-foot setback may be reduced (i.e., buildings can be built closer than 75 feet to the water) if “an existing development pattern exists.” The new law defines “existing development pattern” as the location of “existing principle structures within 250 feet of the proposed structure in both directions.” This is an important provision to protect the views for properties located on developed lakes and rivers, where neighboring houses are already built closer to the water.

For more information on the new shoreland zoning regulations, please visit the DNR’s website at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/dsfm/shore/news.htm or contact Tom Larson at (608) 240-8254.

Tom Larson is Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs for the WRA.

Facing foreclosure... what to do now

Facing Foreclosure: What to Do Right Now
By: Jerry DeMuth


If you’re facing foreclosure, don’t panic: There are steps you can take right now to save your home or at least lessen the blow of its loss.

The foreclosure process takes anywhere from two to 12 months, so if you're in danger of losing your home, you do have time to seek alternatives.

A record high 2.8 million properties were hit with foreclosure notices in 2009. That’s the bad news. The good news: About two-thirds of notices don’t result in actual foreclosures, says Doug Robinson of NeighborWorks, a nonprofit group that offers foreclosure counseling.

Many homeowners find alternatives to foreclosure by negotiating with lenders, often with the help of foreclosure counselors. If you’re facing foreclosure, call your lender right now to determine your options, which can include loan modification, forbearance, or a short sale.


Foreclosure process takes time
The entire foreclosure process can take anywhere from two to 12 months, depending on how fast your lender acts and where you live. Some states allow a nonjudicial process that’s speedier, while others require time-consuming judicial proceedings.

Once you miss at least one mortgage payment, the steps leading up to an actual foreclosure sale can include demand letters, notices of default, a recorded notice of foreclosure, publication of the debt, and the scheduling of a foreclosure auction. Even when an auction is scheduled, however, it may never occur, or it may occur but a qualified buyer doesn’t materialize.

Bottom line: Foreclosure can be a long slog, which gives you enough time to come up with an alternative. Meantime, if your goal is to salvage your home, think about keeping up with payments for homeowners insurance and property taxes. Otherwise, you could compound your problems by getting hit with an uncovered casualty loss or liability suit, or tax liens.

Read the fine print
Start by reviewing all correspondence you’ve received from your lender. The letters—and phone calls—probably began once you were 30 days past due. Also review your mortgage documents, which should outline what steps your lender can take. For instance, is there a “power of sale” clause that authorizes the sale of your home to pay off a mortgage after you miss payments?

Determine the specific foreclosure laws for your state. What’s the timeline? Do you have “right of redemption,” essentially a grace period in which you can reverse a foreclosure? Are deficiency judgments that hold you responsible for the difference between what your home sells for and your loan’s outstanding balance allowed? Get answers.

Pick up the phone
Don’t give up because you missed a mortgage payment or two and received a notice of default. Foreclosure isn’t a foregone conclusion, but it’s heading in that direction if you don’t call your lender. Dial the number on your mortgage statement, and ask for the Loss Mitigation Department. You might stay on hold for a while, but don’t hang up. Once you do get someone on the line, take notes and record names.

The next call should be to a foreclosure avoidance counselor approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. One of these counselors can, free of charge, explain your state’s foreclosure laws, discuss alternatives to foreclosure, help you organize financial documents, and even represent you in negotiations with your lender. Be wary of unsolicited offers of help, since foreclosure rescue scams are common.

Be sure to let your lender know that you’re working with a counselor. Not only does it demonstrate your resolve, but according to NeighborWorks, homeowners who receive foreclosure counseling are 1.6 times more likely to avoid losing their homes than those who don’t. Homeowners who receive loan modifications with the help of a counselor also reduce monthly mortgage payments by $454 more than homeowners who receive a modification without the aid of a counselor.

Lender alternatives to foreclosure
Hope Now, an alliance of mortgage companies and housing counselors, can aid homeowners facing foreclosure. A self-assessment tool will give you an idea whether you might be eligible for help from your lender, and there are direct links to HUD-approved counseling agencies and lenders’ foreclosure-prevention programs.

There are alternatives to foreclosure that your lender might accept. The most attractive option that’ll allow you to keep your home is a loan modification that reduces your monthly payment. A modification can entail lowering the interest rate, changing a loan from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate, extending the term of a loan, or eliminating past-due balances. Another option, forbearance, can temporarily suspend payments, though the amount will likely be tacked on to the end of the loan.

If you’re unable to make even reduced payments, and assuming a conventional sale isn’t possible, then it may be best to turn your home over to your lender before a foreclosure is completed. A completed foreclosure can decimate a credit score, which will make it hard not only to purchase another home someday, but also to rent a home in the immediate future.

Your lender can approve a short sale, in which the proceeds are less than what’s still owed on your mortgage. A deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, which amounts to handing over your keys to your lender, is another possibility. The earlier you begin talks with your lender, the more likelihood of success.

Explore government programs
The federal government’s Making Home Affordable program offers two options: loan modification and refinancing. A self-assessment will indicate which option might be right for you, but you need to apply for the program through your lender. A Making Home Affordable loan modification requires a three-month trial period before it can become permanent.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have their own foreclosure-prevention programs as well. Check to determine if either Fannie or Freddie owns your mortgage. Present this information to your lender and your counselor. Fannie and Freddie also have rental programs under which former owners can remain in recently foreclosed homes on a month-to-month basis.

The federal Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program, which takes full effect in April 2010, offers lenders financial incentives to approve short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure. It also provides $1,500 in relocation assistance to borrowers. Again, talk to your lender and counselor.

A high return on investment makes a deck addition a worthwhile home improvement project.

Deck Addition – Return on Investment is GREAT!!!

A high return on investment makes a deck addition a worthwhile home improvement project.

Adding a deck to your home is one of the most worthwhile of all home improvement projects. In fact, according to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value survey, a wood deck addition project returns on average more than 80% of the original investment—one of the highest values in the survey.

One of the reasons that a deck is such a good investment is because it increases living area at a minimal cost per square foot. The national average for new construction costs of a two-story, 2,000 sq. ft. home is about $90 per sq. ft, according to the National Association of Home Builders, However, the construction costs for a wood deck are less than $35 per sq. ft.

The return on your deck investment will vary according to the region in which you live. In the Pacific West, where construction costs are generally higher than other parts of the country, decks are more expensive to build. However, the return on investment is also higher than other regions. Part of the reason can be attributed to the fact that in many areas of the temperate Pacific West, the outdoor living season is virtually year-round, making a deck a solid investment.

National average cost, 16x20 ft. deck, pressure-treated wood decking:

Job Cost: $10,634
Resale Value: $8,573
Cost recoup: 80.6%

National average cost, 16x20 ft. deck, composite decking:

Job Cost: $15,373
Resale Value: $10,904
Cost recoup: 70.9%

Don't Judge a Book by it's Cover

I know, I know. You're not supposed to make snap judgments based on first appearances. That includes choosing dream homes by just driving by.

With all my experience, I've made a commitment to delivering RE/MAX Premier Service. That means I'm willing to use all my resources to search high and low for the "just right" properties to help newly relocated people find their home fast. In fact, I offer a website with information for anyone who is relocating, buying or selling. Please visit my site at lisabear.remax.com. You'll find recent home sales, real estate news, and even a dream-home finder that will help you search for the "just-right" home.

You see, I'm in the market every day. I've seen a lot of homes already. So when buyers want to find their new home, we don't waste time looking at the wrong properties. If I've learned one thing from all my looking, it's that first impressions mean a lot to homebuyers. I guard the homebuyer's time and keep the search on track.

I mention this because I really believe that you, your friends, and your family deserve the kind of special attention I am proud to deliver. Keep me in mind whenever someone you know is making a move, won't you?

Have a great day!

Must have HOME features....

Top 10 Must-Have Features in Today’s New Homes

Americans want smaller houses and they are willing to strip some of yesterday’s most popular rooms—such as home theaters—from them in order to accommodate changing lifestyles, consumer experts told audiences at the International Builders Show. The answer for most home buyers is authenticity,” said Heather McCune, director of marketing for Bassenian Lagoni Architects in Park Ridge, Ill. Buyers today want cost-effective architecture, plans that focus on spaces and not rooms and homes that are designed ‘green’ from the outset,” she said. The key for home builders is “finding the balance between what buyers want and the price point.”

For many buyers, their next house will be smaller than their current one, said Carol Lavender, president of the Lavender Design Group in San Antonio, Texas. Large kitchens that are open to the main family living area, old-fashioned bathrooms with clawfoot tubs and small spaces such as wine grottos are design features that will resonate today, she said. “What we’re hearing is ‘harvest’ as a home theme—the feeling of Thanksgiving. It’s all about family togetherness—casual living, entertaining and flexible spaces,” Lavender said. Paul Cardis, CEO of AVID Ratings Co., which conducts an annual survey of home buyer preferences, said there are 10 “must” features in new homes:

1.Large kitchens, with an island. “If you’re going to spend design dollars, spend them where people want them—spend them in the kitchen,” McCune said.

2.Granite countertops are a must for move-up buyers and buyers of custom homes, but for others “they are on the bubble,” Cardis said.

3.Energy-efficient appliances, high-efficiency insulation and high window efficiency. Among the “green” features touted in homes, these are the ones buyers value most, said Cardis. While large windows had been a major draw, energy concerns are giving customers pause on those. The use of recycled or synthetic materials is only borderline desirable.

4.Home office/study. People would much rather have this space rather than, say, a formal dining room. “People are feeling like they can dine out again and so the dining room has become tradable,” Cardis said. And the home theater may also be headed for the scrap heap, a casualty of the “shift from boom to correction.”

5.Main-floor master suite. This is a must feature for empty-nesters and certain other buyers, and appears to be getting more popular in general. That could help explain why demand for upstairs laundries is declining after several years of popularity gains.

6.Outdoor living room. The popularity of outdoor spaces continues to grow, even in Canada. The idea of an outdoor room is even more popular than an outdoor cooking area, meaning people are willing to spend more time outside.

7.Master suite soaker tubs. Whirlpools are still desirable for many home buyers, but they clearly went down a notch in the latest survey. Oversize showers with seating areas are also moving up in popularity.

8.Stone and brick exteriors. Stucco and vinyl don’t make the cut.

9.Community landscaping, with walking paths and playgrounds. Forget about golf courses, swimming pools and clubhouses. Buyers in large planned developments prefer hiking among lush greenery.

10.Two-car garages. A given at all levels; three-car garages, in which the third bay is more often than not used for additional storage and not automobiles, is desirable in the move-up and custom categories.

Bounce this Along..

Bounce This Along


All this time you've just been putting Bounce in the dryer!
1. It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice.

2. Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.

3. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.

4. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.

5. Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer) screen.

6. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling..

7. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.

8. To freshen the air in your home - Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet.

9. Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner.

10. Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew.

11. Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.

12. To freshen the air in your car - Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.

13. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan.. THIS REALLY WORKS!!!It's what I do!!!

14. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.

15. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the lose hairs.

16. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.

17. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.

18. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.

19. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight.

20. Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees away.

21. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh.

22. Wet a Bounce sheet, hose down your car, and wipe lovebugs off easily with the wet Bounce.

Facing foreclosure? What to do now

Facing Foreclosure: What to Do Right Now
By: Jerry DeMuth



If you’re facing foreclosure, don’t panic: There are steps you can take right now to save your home or at least lessen the blow of its loss.

The foreclosure process takes anywhere from two to 12 months, so if you're in danger of losing your home, you do have time to seek alternatives.

A record high 2.8 million properties were hit with foreclosure notices in 2009. That’s the bad news. The good news: About two-thirds of notices don’t result in actual foreclosures, says Doug Robinson of NeighborWorks, a nonprofit group that offers foreclosure counseling.

Many homeowners find alternatives to foreclosure by negotiating with lenders, often with the help of foreclosure counselors. If you’re facing foreclosure, call your lender right now to determine your options, which can include loan modification, forbearance, or a short sale.


Foreclosure process takes time
The entire foreclosure process can take anywhere from two to 12 months, depending on how fast your lender acts and where you live. Some states allow a nonjudicial process that’s speedier, while others require time-consuming judicial proceedings.

Once you miss at least one mortgage payment, the steps leading up to an actual foreclosure sale can include demand letters, notices of default, a recorded notice of foreclosure, publication of the debt, and the scheduling of a foreclosure auction. Even when an auction is scheduled, however, it may never occur, or it may occur but a qualified buyer doesn’t materialize.

Bottom line: Foreclosure can be a long slog, which gives you enough time to come up with an alternative. Meantime, if your goal is to salvage your home, think about keeping up with payments for homeowners insurance and property taxes. Otherwise, you could compound your problems by getting hit with an uncovered casualty loss or liability suit, or tax liens.

Read the fine print
Start by reviewing all correspondence you’ve received from your lender. The letters—and phone calls—probably began once you were 30 days past due. Also review your mortgage documents, which should outline what steps your lender can take. For instance, is there a “power of sale” clause that authorizes the sale of your home to pay off a mortgage after you miss payments?

Determine the specific foreclosure laws for your state. What’s the timeline? Do you have “right of redemption,” essentially a grace period in which you can reverse a foreclosure? Are deficiency judgments that hold you responsible for the difference between what your home sells for and your loan’s outstanding balance allowed? Get answers.

Pick up the phone
Don’t give up because you missed a mortgage payment or two and received a notice of default. Foreclosure isn’t a foregone conclusion, but it’s heading in that direction if you don’t call your lender. Dial the number on your mortgage statement, and ask for the Loss Mitigation Department. You might stay on hold for a while, but don’t hang up. Once you do get someone on the line, take notes and record names.

The next call should be to a foreclosure avoidance counselor approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. One of these counselors can, free of charge, explain your state’s foreclosure laws, discuss alternatives to foreclosure, help you organize financial documents, and even represent you in negotiations with your lender. Be wary of unsolicited offers of help, since foreclosure rescue scams are common.

Be sure to let your lender know that you’re working with a counselor. Not only does it demonstrate your resolve, but according to NeighborWorks, homeowners who receive foreclosure counseling are 1.6 times more likely to avoid losing their homes than those who don’t. Homeowners who receive loan modifications with the help of a counselor also reduce monthly mortgage payments by $454 more than homeowners who receive a modification without the aid of a counselor.

Lender alternatives to foreclosure
Hope Now, an alliance of mortgage companies and housing counselors, can aid homeowners facing foreclosure. A self-assessment tool will give you an idea whether you might be eligible for help from your lender, and there are direct links to HUD-approved counseling agencies and lenders’ foreclosure-prevention programs.

There are alternatives to foreclosure that your lender might accept. The most attractive option that’ll allow you to keep your home is a loan modification that reduces your monthly payment. A modification can entail lowering the interest rate, changing a loan from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate, extending the term of a loan, or eliminating past-due balances. Another option, forbearance, can temporarily suspend payments, though the amount will likely be tacked on to the end of the loan.

If you’re unable to make even reduced payments, and assuming a conventional sale isn’t possible, then it may be best to turn your home over to your lender before a foreclosure is completed. A completed foreclosure can decimate a credit score, which will make it hard not only to purchase another home someday, but also to rent a home in the immediate future.

Your lender can approve a short sale, in which the proceeds are less than what’s still owed on your mortgage. A deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, which amounts to handing over your keys to your lender, is another possibility. The earlier you begin talks with your lender, the more likelihood of success.

Explore government programs
The federal government’s Making Home Affordable program offers two options: loan modification and refinancing. A self-assessment will indicate which option might be right for you, but you need to apply for the program through your lender. A Making Home Affordable loan modification requires a three-month trial period before it can become permanent.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have their own foreclosure-prevention programs as well. Check to determine if either Fannie or Freddie owns your mortgage. Present this information to your lender and your counselor. Fannie and Freddie also have rental programs under which former owners can remain in recently foreclosed homes on a month-to-month basis.

The federal Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program, which takes full effect in April 2010, offers lenders financial incentives to approve short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure. It also provides $1,500 in relocation assistance to borrowers. Again, talk to your lender and counselor.