Mel Foster real estate – Page 13

An Older Home As A Green Alternative.

Posted on November 9, 2014

Call it recycling on a grand scale. Homebuyers who want their purchase to be more environmentally friendly are turning to older homes instead of building new. In fact, architect Carl Elefante coined the phrase, “the greenest building is the one that is already built.” What he meant by that is that environmental resources that would be used to build a building’s replacement are often times spared by restoring or repurposing an existing structure.

Did you know that it can take up to 80 years for a new, energy-efficient building to overcome the energy and climate change impacts caused during the construction process? Building reuse offers significant environmental savings when compared to the energy consumption of demolition and new construction.

Older buildings constructed prior to reliance on mechanical heating, cooling and lighting systems utilize what nature offers as part of their design. This can help reduce your energy use, helping you save on heating and cooling your home.

Go green and consider purchasing an older home that just needs a little TLC. Use the option to search by Year Built by clicking here to find a home you can recycle.

Which Loan Is Right For Me?

Posted on October 3, 2014

It’s important to select the right type of mortgage for your financial situation, but understanding your options can be difficult. Your Mel Foster Co. agent <link to find an agent> is your resource for proving information so you are able to make a knowledgeable decision regarding a mortgage. This quick list explains the top three most popular loan types.

1. Fixed-interest Mortgage

A fixed-interest mortgage is a type of loan that has a set interest rate. Most fixed mortgages are usually 10, 15, 20, or 30 years. The most common length of time is 30 years, as it provides the lowest monthly payment for homeowners. Keep in mind that most of the first few years of the payment are heavily focused on the interest that will be paid off, and very little actually goes towards the principal. You can determine your monthly payment for a fixed-interest mortgage with the Mel Foster Co. monthly payment calculator.

2. Adjustable-rate Mortgage

An adjustable-rate mortgage or ARM is a loan with a variable interest rate. The interest rate will change after a designated period of time, determined by the lender. As a borrower, you may benefit if the interest rate is lowered, but you will also be exposed to potentially higher interest rates. The interest rate will remain steady for an agreed upon time, and won’t change until the next adjustment period. These types of mortgages are easier to obtain in situations when a fixed-interest mortgage isn’t an option.

3. Interest-only Loan

An interest-only loan focuses on paying only the interest first. An example would be a 5-year fixed-30 mortgage. This means that for the first five years, you are only paying the interest, and not contributing any money towards the principal. The interest rate is fixed, but may change after five years. Once the five years is up, you begin to pay interest along with the principal cost. This will increase your payments significantly, even if the interest rate doesn’t change. This option is meant for someone who believes that they will earn more money in the future, or currently has their money tied up somewhere else. Just always remember to save your money for after the initial five years.

Mel Foster Co. Hires Mandsager as Director of Business Development

Posted on October 1, 2014

Mel Foster Co. recently named Shannon Mandsager as its Director of Business Development. Lynsey Engels, President of Real Estate Brokerage at Mel Foster Co. is pleased to welcome Ms. Mandsager to this key position on its growing team. Ms. Mandsager was previously with a local bank and has a long track record in retail sales and marketing.

Ms. Mandsager will take the lead working with the management team and agents to build and execute a partnership strategy and opportunities that will enhance Mel Foster Co.’s market footprint and accelerate the growth of the company.

Engels comments, “I am very pleased to welcome Shannon to Mel Foster Co. She is an excellent fit and will bring a new level of energy to our staff and agents. In an industry where new tools and technology are introduced on a daily basis, Shannon will be in charge of navigating these new ideas and keeping them in the forefront of agent’s minds to enhance their business in an effort to maintain a high level of service to our customers in the Quad City and surrounding areas.”

She was born and raised in Eldridge, graduated with honors in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and Sales from University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Ms. Mandsager will be licensed in Iowa and Illinois and works out of the corporate office at 3211 E. 35^th Street Court in Davenport.

Staging Secrets To Get Top Dollar Offers.

Posted on September 22, 2014

Most sellers have tunnel vision when it comes to getting their home ready for sale. It’s important to view your home as a potential buyer would. That paint chip you hardly notice or that collection of family photos running all the way up your staircase will jump out as negatives to buyers. To get top dollar, focus on making your home appealing to potential buyers, instead of appealing to yourself.

Start by removing any clutter around the house. This will help buyers envision themselves living in your home. Although less is more, it is still important to leave the essentials in your rooms. This will give a frame of reference for how much space really is in the room and how furniture can be placed. If the room is completely empty, it may appear to be smaller than it really is. Also, remove anything that is personal in the house such as family photos, religious symbols and everything on the refrigerator.

Next you should focus on all of the things you may have ignored for the past few months. Does your front door have some paint chips? How about that leaky faucet? Quick fixes can get you higher offers.

If you have walls that are painted bright colors, or may come off as taste-specific, consider getting a fresh can of a neutral color and diffuse the bold walls. Although your child may love her fuchsia walls, someone who is just moving in would most likely appreciate a more neutral color. Taking the time to paint the room is an important step when trying to stage the home because it lets someone else see a blank canvas that they can paint their dreams on.

Mel Foster Co. has several agents who are certified in the staging of your property to attract potential buyers. Accredited Staging Professionals^® (ASP) are highly skilled and certified in creating just the right atmosphere that will appeal to all five senses of every buyer.

Why You Can’t Afford NOT To Use A REALTOR®

Posted on June 25, 2014

Why us a REALTOR®? — When a REALTOR® to important.

Have you ever wondered, “is hiring a Realtor really necessary?” The answer to this important question is absolutely YES! In today’s strictly regulated market, there are several ways an experienced Realtor can be invaluable to you during the home buying or selling process.

Market Conditions

There is so much information out there when it comes to housing and market conditions can change quickly. A Realtor can help you weed out what is truth and fiction, and help you understand current market conditions including data on inventory and comparable sales prices.

Negotiations

Negotiating the purchase of a property can be stressful. A licensed Realtor will act as your middleman, managing expectations of the parties on either side of the deal, ensuring a smoother transaction for you.

Pricing

A Realtor understands the value of real estate in different markets, conditions, and types. The improper pricing of your property can leave your listing dead in the water, costing you much more in the long run.

Paperwork

There is a mountain of paperwork for real estate transactions. Missing a disclosure or piece of necessary paperwork could spell disaster if you are navigating a buy or sale without a Realtor. A Realtor is experienced and aware of all of the various regulations you may face, and can ensure nothing is overlooked when it comes time to close the sale.

Renting vs. Owning

Posted on April 30, 2014

The decision to rent or buy a home depends on a number of factors. The speed at which home prices and rents rise and the length of time you anticipate remaining in your home or rental are key considerations. Costs are also something to strongly consider when making the decision to rent or buy. Read about the four types of costs you should take into consideration and what they mean.

Purchase costs

When buying a home, these costs are the costs you incur when closing. These include the down payment and closing costs, which can go toward the principle balance you owe on your home. When renting, these costs can be the deposit and/or broker’s fees, which you may or may not ever see again.

Yearly costs

As a homeowner, these include mortgage payments, association fees, renovations, maintenance, taxes and insurance. For a renter, these include rent and insurance. Although the yearly costs of homeownership can be substantially higher, these costs could be considered an investment, as the money you put in to your home could potentially be returned to you, or even grow, upon a sale.

Lost opportunity costs

For the homeowner, these are tracked for the yearly costs and the initial purchase costs. The latter can give the homeowner insight into how much could have been made had the down payment been invested instead of used towards the purchase of the home.

Selling costs

For the homeowner, these costs are incurred once the closing process begins. This includes fees and brokers’ commissions, as well as the remaining principal balance still owed. For the renter, these do not come into play, although there is no guarantee that all earnest deposit money will be returned.

Four Things To Tell Your Agent

Posted on April 13, 2014

Selling your home can be a complex process. How will you get the correct paperwork taken care of? Who will handle showings to potential buyers? A professional real estate agent can help ease your burden, and solve the majority of challenges you might face. However, when hiring an agent, it is important that you find a good match, and work with someone who will fit best with your unique situation. As a good rule of thumb, the following are four things you should feel comfortable expressing to your agent.

Negotiations

It is extremely important that your agent be equipped to handle any and all challenges that may come your way. The ability to negotiate is crucial. Let your agent know that you expect he or she to be aggressive and firm when negotiating with potential buyers or their agents.

Relocation

Your agent should be able and willing to help you with the moving process. Being without a roof over your head is not acceptable, and paying two mortgages may not be either. Ensuring that your agent can coordinate the closing of your current home with the closing of your new home simultaneously is key. Mel Foster Co. has an award-winning relocation department that can support your agent and provide you with the tools to make a smooth transition to your new city.

Timetable

Will your move into a new home revolve around the start of a new job or school year? Planning a move this structured can be mentally and emotionally draining. It is imperative your agent understands your time constraints and can work within your needed parameters. Be up front about your timing concerns and share this information with your agent before you agree to go under contract.

Sell My House!

You hired your agent to sell your home so you can focus on the changes you are undergoing, which prompted your move in the first place. It is ok to remind your agent of these motivations. Set your expectations with your agent appropriately and this could be one of the best working relationships you will ever encounter.

What Millennial Buyers Want In A Home

Posted on March 21, 2014

A number of factors come into play when considering a home purchase, especially among millennials, who represent a significant niche in today’s real estate market. The following are a number of considerations a buyer may find important when making their purchase decision. How does your home stack up and how appealing is your home to younger buyers?

The Neighborhood

Although neighborhood choice is strongly dependent on household composition, most buyers take the surrounding neighborhood into strong consideration when deciding on the purchase of a home. Younger buyers like to walk to shops and restaurants, especially in larger urban areas where parking or even owning a car may be prohibitive.

Affordability

With the current unstable job market and rising higher education costs, housing costs need to be kept low, experts suggest no more than one third of a buyers pre-tax income.

Proximity to Work

Homes that are close to places of business or work enhance work-life balance, a growing priority for many. A shortened commute can make a buying decision much easier and can make your home more attractive to buyers. Biking or walking to work is a desire of many millennials.

Schools

In a recent Realtor.com survey, it was shown that almost 45 percent of buyers are willing to spend more to ensure their children live in a quality school district.

An Open Floor Plan

More space for entertaining may mean more quality time with friends and family, which is quite important to the millennials.

Technology

Millennials value technology, in many instances, above all else. Having a home that allows for technological control can make it that much more marketable.

Energy Efficiency

In a recent study by the National Association of Homebuilders, it was found that energy efficiency topped the list of items most important to buyers interested in new home construction. Things like energy-star rated appliances, energy-star rated windows, and ceiling fans topped the list of “must-haves.”

Five Tips For Selecting The Best Contractor

Posted on March 10, 2014

What are you looking for in a Contractor? — Selecting a Contractor

Home improvement projects aren’t cheap. They are even more costly if you choose a bad contractor. These tips will help you discern the quality of the work your prospective contractor provides and protect your interests during the project.

Ask your friends for referrals

Skip the phone book and go right to the friends you trust for their opinions. Even if they tell you about a bad experience or give you the names of contractors to avoid, this is great information to have.

Make a list of the work you need done

You don’t want a contractor that is great at building decks to be doing your major kitchen remodel. Determine the scope of the work you need done, so as you interview prospective contractors, you can line up their expertise with your needs.

Look at the contractor’s past jobs

Every reputable contractor should provide you with a list of references you can call, or even visit, to see the quality of the work done. Take advantage of the opportunity to see the work for yourself.

Get it in writing

Once you’ve selected your contractor, get a contract written up and thoroughly review it with your contractor before signing the agreement for work.

Be money smart

Be weary of a contractor who asks for more than 10% down. If your contractor can’t start work for several weeks, never give more than a $1,000 deposit.

Once work begins, pay your contractor in increments of 10% as project goals are met. Arrange for the final payment 30 days after completion of the job.

Living The Dream After Foreclosure

Posted on February 20, 2014

Many Americans saw their dream of owning a home shatter, once they had a foreclosure or short sale on their record. But the dream is alive again thanks to changes in Federal Housing Administration guidelines and updates in the Fannie Mae loan approval system.

Homeowners used to have to wait seven years to be cleared of a foreclosure. Now that period has been dramatically reduced to just one year. More homeowners are now eligible for a mortgage sooner, so they can return to living in a home they own.

To be eligible, a borrower must have suffered a specific financial event during the recession that, through no fault of their own, caused them to lose their home. Borrowers must also have a good credit rating with only the foreclosure or short sale affecting the score. People who were upside down on their home and simply walked away won’t qualify for a mortgage.

The best way to find out if you are eligible under these new guidelines is to make an appointment with a lender. Experts also advise buyers to be more cautious with a new mortgage, taking on payments that are comfortable and affordable. Those who have been out of the market for a few years may be surprised at how home prices have risen in some markets. Working closely with an agent from Mel Foster Co. will help you find a home with a mortgage you can afford and get you back to living your American dream.