Flagstaff Top Producers Real Estate Update: April 2010

Problems like squeaky stairs and oil stains on the garage floor can be quick turnoffs to buyers. But these common household troubles need not hold your listing back - particularly if they're relatively easy for a do-it-yourselfer to fix.

Lynda Lyday - carpenter, professional contractor, and a featured expert on the DIY cable network- provides dozens of simple fixes for common household problems in The Homeowner's Manual (Que Publishing, 2006).

While it's always best to bring in an expert to correct big problems, Lyday provides these tips for capable home owners who want to try their own hand at a solution.



Problem: Oil Stains On Garage Floor



Lyday's solution: "You can remove most of a stubborn stain with a bit of elbow grease and scrubbing. First, remove the surface oil by sprinkling some cat litter on it to soak it up. Then clear away the cat litter and focus on the stain. Make a paste of hot water and dry dish or laundry detergent. Use a stiff bristle scrub brush to scrub the area with the paste. Hose the area and let it dry. Another method is to use a product such as Spray 'n Wash on the stain for 10 minutes, along with a dry detergent. Your last option is to spray on some oven cleaner. Use this sparingly, wash it down thoroughly, and keep children and pets away from it."

Problem: Leaky Faucets

Lyday's solution: "Most faucet leaks can easily be fixed with a rubber washer, an 0-ring, or seals - depending on what type of faucet it is. By fixing the problem yourself, you can save a good bit of money since plumbers can be expensive and will charge you a standard fee even if it takes only 10 minutes to fix the problem."

Problem: Nail Pops

Lyday's solution: "Nail pops are a problem across the country. The term comes from the nails that hold the drywall to the studs actually popping out through the face of the drywall. This is from either a house settling or the wood studs drying out over time, squeezing the nail out of the wood and pushing it through the drywall. The fix for this isn't terribly hard, but it's tedious because there are up to 32 nails in a 4-foot by 8-foot sheet of drywall. My suggestion is to pound the nail through the drywall to the stud. Then, just above it, place a drywall screw to hold the drywall to the stud, and finish it off with a few coats of spackle or joint compound. Finally, seal and paint it. Most home-improvement stores also sell nail pop kits that can make this job easier."

Problem: Squeaky Stairs

Lyday's solution: "The most common problems that occur in a staircase are the treads (horizontal surface of the steps) coming loose, which causes squeaking. Also common are the spindles or balusters coming loose. If you can get underneath the staircase, fixing the treads is easy. You will need to attach an L bracket from the underside of the tread to the stringer (the long piece of wood that connects the treads and runs diagonally up the wall). If you can't get underneath the staircase, you'll have to make the repair from above. Squeaky stair kits are available that allow you to make this fix even through carpet. Otherwise, you can secure the tread to the stringer with a trim screw."


Adapted from The Homeowner's Manual (Que Publishing, 2006)


Call the experienced Real Estate Professionals at Flagstaff Top Producers Real Estate when you are ready to list your home. Our knowledgable agents will be happy to assist you in all your real estate needs!

Nichole A. Woodman, City of Flagstaff Sustainability Manager writes:

Composting is nature's way of recycling organic material back into the soil. The billions of living organisms in healthy soil transform dead plants into vital nutrients for new plant growth.

Since healthy plants come from healthy soil, one of the best ways you can build healthy soil in your garden and lawn is by using compost.

You can easily make compost with landscape trimmings and food scraps in your own backyard. With a small investment in time, you can improve the health and appearance of your yard, save money on fertilizers and mulch, all while preserving natural resources and protecting the health of your family and pets.

Here are some great reasons to compost:

• It's earth-friendly. Food scraps and yard wast make up 2-30 percent of the waste stream. Making compost keeps these materials out of landfills, where they take up precious space.
• It benefits your yard. Compost improves soil structure and texture, increases the soil's ability to hold both water and air, improves soil fertility and stimulates healthy root development in plants.
• It's easy. You can start with just leaves and yard clippings, then work your way toward composting your food scraps.
• It saves money. Adding compost to your garden can reduce or eliminate the need to buy chemical fertilizers or compost. If you pay for the amount of trash hauled, composting can also cut down on your trash costs.

If you want to learn more about composting, the City of Flagstaff is hosting free backyard composting workshops on May 19 and May 20 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the New Start Garden, 320 N. Aztec Street, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

If you want to learn more about buying or selling your home, call the knowledgeable professionals at Flagstaff Top Producers Real Estate. Valerie Caro's experienced team of agents are available to assist you in all your real estate needs.

What is a short sale?

A short sale is a work out program that allows the owner to sell the home for less than the total amount owed. Upon final approval, a short sale can help homeowners avoid further collection activity or foreclosure action.

Homeowner should call the mortgage companies short sale team. Financial information is reviewed and pre-forclosure sale counseling is completed.

The Realtor ensures that the complete short sale package is received by the mortgage company.

Documents Required To Begin An Application

From the Realtor

• Fully executed listing agreement

From the Homeowner

• Signed and dated financial worksheet listing all monthly expenses
• Signed and dated hardship letter (why they are unable to pay the mortgage)
• Letter authorizing the Realtor access to information on the account. It must be dated and include the last 4 digits of the borrower's Social Security Number, their signature, the full account number and the property address.

Additional information

• Short sale approval is good for 30 days. If closing does not occur within 30 days, the entire short sale package may need to be resubmitted with updated information, or the approval process may need to start over.
• Realtor or homeowner inquiries should be directed to the negotiator assigned to the file, whose information will be communicated during the introduction call.
• Realtors are generally allowed 5% to 6% commission based on investor rules. If dual agency applies, maximum commission is 5%. Some investors operate on a reduced commission structure and the actual commission schedule can be confirmed during the introduction call.
• This must be and "arms-length" transaction. The property may not be sold to anyone the seller has a close personal or business relationship with including family, friends or neighbors.
• During the introduction call the following will be addressed: commissions, fees and costs, pricing of the property, timeline.
• In order to reduce the 25 day response time the liquidation team strongly recommends that the homeowner and/or the Realtor notify the mortgage company as soon as the listing contract is signed. This will allow them to complete the property valuation and borrower financial evaluation prior to receiving an offer. This significantly reduces the short sale decision time on a submitted offer.
• In some cases investors and/or PMI companies require the mortgagers to sign an unsecured note for some or all of the difference between the net proceeds from the sale and the total amount due. This is communicated as part of the response on a short sale offer.

Flagstaff Top Producers Real Estate has the experience and knowledge needed to help you through your short sale process. Call one of our agents today!

When presenting your home to prospective buyers, first impressions are crucial. Buyers begin judging your home the moment they see it, and generally they prefer homes that are well-maintained, clean and clutter-free -- homes they can picture themselves living in. That is why home improvements -- particularly if they address the anticipated needs of buyers -- can boost your home's saleability and sale price.

Here are a few proven, cost-effective tips that will help your home look its best:

Exterior

• Mow and rake the lawn, trim hedges, weed and edge gardens
• Sweep sidewalks and driveway, pick up any litter
• Repair gutters and eaves, touch up exterior paint
• Plant extra flowers for color, or place potted plants beside the front door
• Clean or paint front door, polish front door hardware, ensure doorbell works

Interior

• Clean and tidy the entrance, clear stairs and halls, store all excess furniture
• Brighten interiors with fresh, light-toned paint
• Brighten rooms by installing high wattage light bulbs and turning them on
• Shampoo carpets, clean and wax floors
• Organize kitchen countertops -- removing appliances if necessary -- to make them look spacious
• Clean kitchen countertops, cabinets, appliances, washer and dryer
• Organize and clean out closets to make them look larger
• Clean and freshen bathrooms, put out clean towels, minimize clutter
• Clean mirrors and windows so they sparkle
• Organize and clean garage and basement
• Perform necessary minor repairs and touch-ups to walls, windows, fixtures, etc.

Tips For Showings

• Be absent so buyers feel more comfortable making comments
• Light the fireplace, open the drapes, play quiet background music
• Keep pets outdoors

These are just a few ideas to get you started. Flagstaff Top Producers Real Estate know what today's buyers are looking for and can provide more ideas that will maximize your home's appeal. Remember, a few easy and expensive improvements can produce big returns on your investment.

April is Water Awareness Month

Did you know that less than 3 percent of the Earth's water is fresh?

Of that, 60 percent is trapped in glaciers, 10 percent is found in surface waters, and 30 percent is found in groundwater. Of all the freshwater we take out of rivers, lakes and the ground only 8 percent is pumped to cities and homes for drinking, washing and watering; the rest is used for agriculture and industry.

April is Water Awareness Month in Arizona.

This year's theme, "Plants Don't Waste Water, People Do," reminds us all about the importance of using water efficiently outdoors.

Spring is the perfect time to begin planning for ways to reduce your outdoor watering needs, such as setting up a rainwater harvesting system, or incorporating low- or no-water landscaping.

As part of Flagstaff Earth Day 2010 celebrations, Brad Lancaster, rainwater and greywater harvesting specialist, will be coming to Flagstaff to speak about this precious resource.

The free lecture will be held at the High Country Conference Center Friday at 6 p.m.

For more information, visit www.flagstaff.az.gov/earthday

Northern Arizona's Mountain Living Magazine March 2010 Issue highlighted profiles of our regions' women in business. The magazine offered these businesswomen a chance to voice themselves and share their stories and love of what they do and passion for serving our Flagstaff community. Valerie Caro, Designated Broker for Flagstaff Top Producers Real Estate was one of the businesswomen highlighted.


...Interview Two!

Let Valerie Caro be one of the two (or more) real estate professionals you interview for the important job of buying or selling your home. Give her 15 minutes to show you how to get outstanding RESULTS in the Flagstaff Real Estate market.

Her team also assists Flagstaff homeowners struggling with their mortgage payment. In one week, the office saved three homeowners from foreclosure action.

It's not too late, Call today!

For over 25 years it has been an honor and privilege to help families succeed with home ownership.