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Home staging shows your home in the best light possible by making your home look like a model home so taking on the task of staging it yourself can be a big one. The advantages of staging your home are numerous with the possibility of multiple offers and a shorter number of days on the market being just a few of the benefits you could enjoy.

Crank up the curb appeal - When it comes to selling your home the curb appeal, also known as the first impression the buyer will see, is crucial. Clean the exterior of your home by pressure washing the siding, cleaning the gutters to prevent sagging and landscaping the walkway leading to the front door. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on landscaping because a few hundred dollars in plants and flowers will go a long way.

Clear away cluttered spaces - Cluttered counter spaces and rooms steal valuable square footage and make home buyers think the rooms are smaller than they actually are. Leave room for only the essential appliances on the kitchen counters and clear away any unused furniture or storage containers in bedrooms, family rooms and home offices.

Add complementary accessories - Staging your home isn’t just about clearing away the clutter because a home that is too bare will make the home seem like it lacks personality. Use accent pieces and accessories that complement each other. For example, a round coffee table will help a living room with large chairs and sofas feel more open and flow better.

Shuffle furniture so each room has a purpose - Sometimes when you live in a home for a while a room can lose its original purpose because you found a better use for the space. This frequently happens in casual living environments when the dining room becomes an office or catch-all space. Once you have decided to sell your home make sure that each room has a purpose and that the space is clearly defined so home buyers aren’t ticking away dollars for a perceived loss of space.

Finish any deferred projects - Occasionally we all take on projects that end up being far more time or labor intensive than we can handle. Before putting your home on the market be sure to finish all of your “some day” home projects to give your prospective buyers confidence that they are buying a well cared for home. These projects can be as simple as changing out dead light bulbs and as complex as finishing a deck. Either way, they need to be done!

Rent furniture or accessories to fill in empty spaces - Like most people, you live in your house and your furniture may be showing signs of significant wear and tear. To keep your home looking fresh you should consider replacing aged furniture with rented newer looking pieces. You can also rent accent pieces like vases, dishes and more.

Wash your windows and open the shades - Probably the most laborious task on the list, washing your windows on the outside and on the inside will make a big difference in the way your home shows. Clean windows show off the views around your home while showing buyers that you take pride in your home’s appearance. A win-win all around.

Staging your home by yourself can be a daunting task but knowing where to start and what steps will help you achieve the most benefit from your time invested will increase your chances of selling your home faster and for more money than comparable properties in the neighborhood.

Joshua Ferris is an associate real estate broker in Orange County NY and specializes in both Monroe New York and Newburgh New York real estate. Be sure to visit Josh’s Monroe New York real estate guide and Orange County NY Real Estate website.

New homes are the top tier when it comes to home buying because they afford you the option to customize your home to your liking with upgrades and you get to be the first owner of the home. As the real estate market continues on its path to recovery there are many home builders who are now reconsidering what to include in a new home’s standard features list.

Many of these newly included standard features previously served as pricey options so new home buyers today are getting the latest in creature comforts without the heavy price tag. Check out seven of the latest new home trends and keep this list handy as you browse new homes to see what’s included in the builder’s standard features list.

Granite Countertops and Undermount Sinks in Kitchen and Baths - This premier touch surface of high end homes can be seen on the standard features list of townhouses and other moderately priced properties nowadays. A secondary benefit to granite countertop surfaces is the undermount sink which means you won’t have any sink edges rising up past the countertop creating a very clean, modern look.

Living Room Evolution - Living rooms used to serve as the crucial gathering room but today’s homeowners tend to gather in the kitchen instead. If builders are using a floorplan that includes a living room you can expect it to offer features unseen in living rooms of the past like ethernet wall ports and home theater system niches to hide home theater hardware.

Solid Wood Front Doors - The cold steel front door is more frequently being swapped out with the vastly more attractive solid wood door. Solid wood doors come in many styles ranging from intricate glass detailed doors to solid wood doors reminiscent of those seen in craftsman home design.

Hardwood Floors - During the middle and late 20th century it was all the rage to have carpeting throughout your home because it was a softer walking surface and kept the floors warmer than hardwood and tile during the winter. Now that radiant floor heating and the demand for low maintenance flooring have become more common it’s expected that hardwood floors will replace carpeting in high traffic areas like foyers, hallways and family rooms.

Stone Exteriors and Accents - Vinyl siding is very low maintenance and styling options have grown in recent years. Even so, full stone exteriors or stone accented exteriors are hot because they give a more substantial curb appeal to a home and help break up the monotony of some home designs.

Solid Interior Doors - An increasingly popular trend in new home design are solid interior doors. Solid interior doors are different because they create a stronger sound barrier between rooms and are more durable.

Nine to Ten Foot First Floor Ceilings - Feeling cramped inside a home is the number one reason homeowners opt to move up into a larger home. One way builders are countering this concern is to raise ceiling height by one to two feet bringing the total floor to ceiling distance to nine or ten feet. This creates a vastly more open space and the cost to builders is minimal.

Utilizing this list of the seven latest new home trends, many of which can now be found standard in new homes, you will have the distinct advantage of buying the most house for the money and owning a home that will require few, if any, updates should you decide to sell in the future.

Joshua Ferris is an associate real estate broker in Orange County NY and specializes in both Monroe New York and Newburgh New York real estate. Be sure to visit Josh’s Monroe New York real estate guide and Orange County NY Real Estate website.

Riverbend at Lake Hickory, Granite Falls North Carolina is a beautiful and exquisite waterfront community. This luxurious community will include large estate style lots and houses built by some of the area’s leading custom home builders. Home architectural guidelines are in place to ensure that proper homes will meet the overall theme of the neighborhood. Precautions have been taken to keep the land in its pristine state. And to further protect the value of this community, certain subdivision deed restrictions apply, designed to assure the quality of the natural environment for years to come. Each individual property is unique and must be visited in person to truly appreciate.

Three types of properties here include: Lake front or water front, lake view or water view, and lake access or water access property. Lakefront or waterfront property is defined as having the lake out your back door. Your property borders the lake and you live on the lake. Lakeview or waterview property is defined where you have a view of the lake, but your property doesn’t border the lake. Lake access or water access property is defined as having access to the lake (your property doesn’t border the lake, and you don’t see the lake). With lake access or water access property, you are just a short walk or drive away from enjoying the lake. Whatever type of lifestyle you desire, we’ll be able to help!

Lake Hickory Highlights:

~ 4,200 Acres in Size

~ 105 Miles of Shoreline

~ Regulated by Duke Power

~ Over 20 miles of shoreline designated as Natural Areas

~ Fully Recreational Lake (Boating, Sailing, Jet Ski’s, Water Skiing, Swimming, etc.)

~ Three great lakeside places to eat: Key West Grill, The Tiki Bar, River side Grill

~ 16 boat launches and 6 marinas, featuring R&N Marina

~ Fishing tournaments, since the lake abounds with many species of fish

~ Constant water level, clear water clarity

The Lake has over 100 miles of shoreline, totaling over 4200 acres of surface area. Lake Hickory offers 16 public boat launches and six marinas. Lake Hickory is a full recreational lake, allowing jet skis, water skiing, swimming, tubing, boat docks, fishing, and other water activities. During the summer months you can enter various fishing tournaments since the lake abounds with many species of fish.

There are several things that have made Lake Hickory extremely attractive: the constant water level, water clarity, and the natural shoreline. Since some communities use Lake Hickory as their drinking water supply, the water level remains constant, where other lakes in the Carolinas as well as other state can vary dramatically. Unlike most other North Carolina lakes, Lake Hickory offers a crystal blue color, since it has a sandy bottom, as opposed to clay. The attractive shoreline of Lake Hickory is one of its greatest assets. Duke Power, the owner of the lake, has kept over 20 miles of shoreline for natural areas. The rest of the shoreline displays custom built homes, ranging in size from 2,000 to 7,000+ square feet, with beautiful docks, many with second level viewing decks. With boating traffic rated as low to moderate, you can see why so many people describe the natural beauty of Lake Hickory as “breathtaking.” And when you see it, you will feel the same.

What’s the first rule of Real Estate? Location, Location, Location. Riverbend at Lake Hickory, Granite Falls North Carolina is conveniently located minutes from cultural attractions, local events, entertainment establishments, shopping, hospitals, and fine dining. This area has become famous for its quality lifestyle and family friendly activities fit for all ages. From museums to shopping, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and explore. North Carolina has many major metropolitan areas throughout the state. The largest cities include the Charlotte Area (Cornelius, Mooresville, Huntersville, Davidson, Denver), Raleigh Area (Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, and Apex), Asheville, Wilmington, Hickory, Burlington, Salisbury, Greensboro, Winston Salem, and High Point. Wherever you live, you’re a short distance to a major metropolitan area. Why is NC #1 on many people’s short list to live? All of the reasons above plus a Better Climate, Lower Taxes, Lower Cost of Living, and Southern Hospitality.

What to do on the lake today? How about:

~ Awake with coffee and watch the morning fog rise off the lake

~ Spend the morning bass fishing on the glistening water.

~ Take family and friends water skiing around noon.

~ Lazy afternoons relaxing in a hammock.

~ Complete the day with a sunset wine cruise.

NC Lake Property is not just a financial investment - but also an investment in your family, your future, your enjoyment, and your peace of mind.

There’s nothing better than living along the lake - The water draws us in with its promise of peaceful times and recreational family fun. To own property beside it is a dream for many. And the Southeastern part of the United States has the waterfront property in the highest demand. To help you investigate North Carolina and make a sound waterfront investment, we founded NClakefront Realty.

About NClakefront Realty - If you’re looking for property in a lakefront community in North Carolina, you’ve come to the right place: NClakefront Realty. We work with many developers throughout the state to help families, like yours, find just the right property. We are committed to creating places where the wonders of nature combine with everyday life. Our professional staff will provide a pressure-free experience and guide you through the process of purchasing property. Our reputation for service and attention to detail are clearly evident both during and after the sale.

Call 800-659-6017 or visit our website below to learn more information.

Matt Lahtela - Director of Sales and Marketing at NClakefront Realty. NClakefront Realty is one of the largest sales and marketing companies focusing on North Carolina Lake Properties, and continues to grow everyday. http://www.nclakefront.com/pages/Active-Rain.cfm

Due to the financial difficulty that the world is facing today, many are thinking of relocating. Some wants to find better opportunities while others want to have a new start. This is why it is important to find out more about the possible cities or towns that you wish to transfer to.

The Gilbert city in Arizona is a great place to start. Several realtors are more than willing to assist you in finding the perfect house among the groups of Gilbert homes. Power Ranch is among the most popular neighborhoods in Gilbert. Here are some of the reasons why Gilbert is a good place to relocate:

The city continues to develop, thus providing opportunities for its residents. Looking at Gilbert today and comparing it to the town it used to be ten years ago, you can definitely say that the city has improved. The SanTan Village Regional Shopping center and Rome Towers are just two of the proofs of the growth of the city.

There are also several opportunities to neighboring communities. Apart from the growth that the city is experiencing, nearby cities also presents promising opportunities. One can commute to these nearby locations and find work. In fact, several residents of the city have been commuting to neighboring towns to work. This gives you more options if you choose to live in the city.

Although the industrial aspect of the city is growing, it still upholds its agricultural activities. One cannot deny that industries are more appealing to many investors. However, agriculture is also vital. Although the city continues to grow and develop, it does not neglect the importance of agriculture. The locals feast on organic vegetables grown in Gilbert farms. Their farmers’ market does not only provide quality food but also helps the economy of the city.

If you are looking for a place to stay, there are various options to choose from. The sizes of the houses vary. You will be able to find a place suitable for you and your family. Aside from Power Ranch, you can also find other properties. If you are still undecided, there are properties you can rent. Other properties include lots, industrial areas, commercial spaces, and brand new homes.

It has an easy access to various establishments. Residents love to live in Gilbert because of convenience. They have various amenities like parks, public lakes, museums, churches, shopping centers, and libraries. This is what most people want to have access to. They want to go home to a peaceful community but they also want to have a nearby place where they can take their family for some quality time.

Nowadays, work and rest are very important. We want to have a job that is stable and a home that is relaxing. If the community provides both, what else would you look for? If you are looking for a great place to relocate, Gilbert is a great town to begin your search. It provides various opportunities as well as high quality estates that will surely make you feel at home.

Summary:

What makes Gilbert a great place is that it is that it has a lot of great things to offer. Aside from beautiful houses and inviting environment, it also offers opportunities for its residents. It shows growth and development which gives hopes to thousands of people.

Bill Cotter is an expert and professional real estate agent that specializes in Power Ranch featured on http://www.ourbestrealestate.com

Not everyone is willing to use a real estate agent, since they do take a commission, usually around 7%. That means, by selling your own home, you`ll end up with upwards of $10,000 that would have gone to an agent. And given today’s slow market there is a very real chance your home will sit unsold for a year or more.

Today, more than ever selling your own house can not only be more profitable, but it is your best chance at getting it sold quickly.

In this article, I am going to show you how to go from “selling your own house” to “I SOLD my own house”.

In a hot market selling may have been as easy as putting a “for sale by owner” sign in front of the house and collecting offers. But let’s face it, times are tough and most houses are sitting unsold for months and years.

It’s a war zone out there. Foreclosures are at an all time high and that creates a lot of houses for sale on the market. In order to survive in a war zone you need special skills and a competitive advantage. With this special training you can get your house SOLD, despite the doom and gloom of the newspaper headlines.

If you’re selling your own house you need a secret weapon. And that weapon is highly specialized marketing!

Here is a killer marketing tip that will give you a competitive advantage over all other sellers on your block.

Don’t list your home in a traditional method. Instead of “starting high” and being talked down do the EXACT OPPOSITE. Start low, get a lot of attention and let the buyers drive the price up. I am talking about a do-it-yourself auction style sale.

What is working best now is what’s called a “round robin auction”. Here is how it works:

First you will advertise that your home is for auction. In these tough times buyers are looking to get a good deal. Auctions are the place to get great deals, and your message will leap out at them.

Next you will hold an open house for two days only, Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 5 pm. This will allow you to funnel all the buyers through your doors all at once.

Those that are interested in the property will place their name and phone number along with the price they would like to bid on an “initial bidding sheet”.

On Sunday night you call all those people that put in a bid and conduct the auction. You will simply call down the list tell them the current bid amount and ask them if they would like to raise or pass. You will go around and around making calls until the highest and best offer has presented itself, hence the name “round robin auction”.

Now that you have found your buyer you will meet with them and get the paperwork started.

That’s the unique marketing method that is working now. And if you are planning on selling your own house there is no better method to attract droves of buyers and compel them to make offers on your house.

And now I’d like to invite you to get your Free Instant Access to a mini “e-course” called “Power Selling Secrets Revealed” when you visit http://nathanbig.com

I really need to sell my house. More details at fast house sale blog

Buying real estate always seems to involve making more decisions than you ever thought necessary, or even possible. One such decision, often overlooked or taken for granted, is the question of the finish condition for the basement. Assuming you are buying in an area where basements are the norm, and not in a place such as Southern California where no one has them, you can take it to the bank that having a basement is a definite advantage, both for living in the home and when it comes to resale. So yes, you should get a house with a basement. Now for the more often overlooked question: should it be a home with a basement that is already finished, or would it be better to get a home with an empty basement and finish it yourself?

The answer, especially if you have a do-it-yourself orientation, may surprise you. Finishing a basement can be surprisingly expensive, and you’re unlikely to recover your money when it comes time to sell the house. In fact, what you have to shell out in order to remodel a basement will only get you about 75% return on the dollar at resale. The bottom line is that it is not the best plan to look for a house with an unfinished basement and then plan to finish it later. So, when you’re buying a home, it’s smarter to find a house that has the basement work completed. It’s the other side of the coin that says it doesn’t pay for the seller to spend that money on the job. As the buyer, you come out ahead because of that simple fact.

Besides the likelihood of saving yourself time and expense, there are other reasons for choosing a home with an already-finished basement. It’s easy to say you’re going to finish the basement, but it’s a big job that tends to get put off. There are lots of homes for sale — old homes — with “someday we’ll get it done” basements. Unfinished, unused basements can get damp and moldy. They are often unpleasant places, and can become health hazards.

On the side of advantages to be gained by having the basement finished and using it, it’s a fact that basements tend to be more easily controlled in maintaining livable temperatures. They keep relatively warm in the winter and cool in the summer, which means that you’ll spend less on heating and air conditioning if you spend time actually using that downstairs space.

A usable, functional basement provides useful living space. Basements are no longer just places for storage of unused items. A well finished basement can be used for additional bedrooms, game rooms, a hobby room, a living room, or places to exercise.

If you live in a place where tornadoes might be a danger like the Midwest, basements are also the best place to take shelter when a storm threatens. The need to take shelter with a tornado approaching can be frightening especially for a child, and a comfortable, accommodating space can help ease anxieties and make the ordeal more tolerable for the entire family.

So when you buy your next piece of real estate, do yourself a favor and look for a home with a finished basement. Take advantage of someone else having done the work and you will be the one to be ahead.

Joel McDonald recommends Automated Homefinder, your Colorado Castle Rock real estate specialists.

You’ve decided on the home you’re going to purchase and now you’re thinking of getting the home inspected. It could be your very first house or one of many. You’ve heard horror stories about people buying a home, living in it for a few months, and then unexpectedly they had to spend thousands of dollars to fix something that should have been known before they bought their dream home.

Well it was a dream home; it was just a nightmare dream home.

Before they bought the home there was no interior inspection other then what they could see walking through the home. There was no roofing inspection, no plumbing inspection, no electrical inspection. It doesn’t matter whether you’re buying a new home or an existing home, any home can possibly have hidden problems.

A knowledgeable home inspector can help you by doing a thorough home inspection and clearly explaining the current condition of the house. But you may not know anything about choosing a home inspector.

In some states you don’t even need a license to be a home inspector. Home inspectors in New Jersey are required to be licensed. How do you choose a home inspector in NJ then? How do you select a home inspector who will be professional and knowledgeable?

Hopefully this article will help you when choosing a home inspector in New Jersey. Here are a few questions that you can ask a home inspector before you hire them to do the job.

The very first question that I would ask the home inspector that you are interviewing to inspect your new dream home is:

Are you a full time inspector and can you prove it?

You want an inspector that loves what he does and has your best interests in mind. There are part-time inspectors but full-time home inspectors are dedicated to their work and care about providing you with a detailed inspection report.

Remember this is your dream home and it’s your money that you are spending. The number one rule is, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Next, ask if the home inspector is the owner of the company. No one works harder for you than the owner of the company. The success of the business depends on exceeding your expectation for quality and professionalism each and every time. “Employee inspectors” simply don’t provide you that level of service. Be sure to get an inspection from the owner of the company because he has a vested interest in ensuring your Total Satisfaction!

Here’s one more question that you need to ask your prospective home inspector. Ask the home inspector if he guarantees his work. Ask if they back up their work unconditionally with a 100% money back customer satisfaction guarantee.

Many people don’t know the questions to ask a home inspector in New Jersey. Because of this they often choose to shop on price. You’re investing a lot of money to purchase your home and you’ve worked hard to be able to get that home. A cheap home inspection could cost you a lot in repairs later if your home inspector does not perform a thorough home inspection. Be sure to hire a professional home inspector who will take the time to do a detailed home inspection and clearly explain to you what was found.

Good luck on buying your dream home and keep this article handy when you’re choosing a home inspector.

You?ve carefully selected the home you?re buying. Make sure you?re as careful when selecting your home inspector. Don?t get stuck paying for repairs missed by a quick home inspection. Author David Haigh is a professional home inspector in NJ. Click now to view a free sample report of a New Jersey home inspection.

Townhouses used to conjure up images of small, cramped spaces that were inexpensive and for many a “first home only” option. Nowadays however new townhouses rival their single family brethren in size and amenities. They have also set a new standard in community amenities with many communities offering luxurious amenities found in resorts around the world.

Read on to see seven things you should consider before buying a single family home over a townhouse.

Low Maintenance Living - One of the biggest benefits of living in a townhouse is having a homeowner’s association that maintains common areas and buildings for you. You won’t have to worry about mowing the lawn, not being able to get to work because the road in front of your home isn’t plowed or paying for garbage separately. The homeowner’s association covers different maintenance items in every community so be sure to check that your wish list is covered before putting in an offer.

Clubhouse Amenities - In addition to the luxury of having common space maintained for you there are the clubhouse amenities that also come with living in a townhouse community. Common amenities include a swimming pool, fitness center, playground and some type of sport like a basketball or tennis court.

Clubhouses tend to have one large common space that can be rented by residents of the community and used to house large events like birthday parties, business meetings and more. If you entertain a lot then this type of arrangement may suit you best.

Municipal Services - Due to the size of townhouse communities, often in excess of 30 homes, townhouse communities use community or municipal services for water and sewer. This is another great aspect of townhouse living as compared with a single family home which may have a private septic and well setup.

More Affordable Options - Townhouse communities offer a range of models that vary in size and this variety can help you enjoy the same community lifestyle as buyers who purchase the most expensive homes in the community for less.

Close Proximity to Everything - Convenience is number one in the mind of townhouse buyers that commute and retirees who are downsizing but don’t want to give up easy access to shopping. Most townhouse communities are within short driving distance of mass transit, grocery stores and retail shopping centers.

Bigger Neighborhood - When you live in a townhouse community you will have more neighbors to befriend and can have friends for the entire family. Community amenities like a swimming pool and playground help grow friendships further.

Excellent Rental Potential - Sometimes you may need to relocate with little time to sell and renting will become a viable option. Potential tenants are usually more open to renting a townhouse with a homeowner’s association in place because it creates a near no maintenance environment for them whereas renting a single family home still comes with the responsibilities of ownership.

With luxury community amenities that rival four star resorts and new interior designs that focus on openess and space, townhouses are making a huge comeback in the new home market. Before making the investment into a single family home it would be well worth investigating townhouse communities in your search area to see what home styles, layouts and amenities they offer.

Joshua Ferris is an associate real estate broker in Orange County NY and specializes in both Monroe New York and Newburgh New York real estate. Be sure to visit Josh’s Monroe New York real estate guide and Orange County NY Real Estate website.

Some people remortgage because they have to. They may have reached the end of their mortgage deal, or they may need to free up some equity in their property.

Other people, however, choose to remortgage because they’ve spotted a deal that’s simply better than the one they’re on right now and they’ve decided they want to cut their monthly payments by moving to it.

The interest charged on mortgages can vary more than you might think, due to changes in the base rate set by the Bank of England, levels of confidence within the banking system, worries about the economy and so on. Someone paying 7% interest on their mortgage could realise they have the option of switching to a 6% mortgage – or 5% – or 4%!

But is it actually worth it? The answer may not be as straightforward as you might think. Many mortgages can come with an ‘early redemption charge’ – a fee that the lender will charge the borrower if they leave the mortgage earlier than originally agreed. Some people may think this sounds unfair, but there’s a good reason for it: if they leave the mortgage early, they obviously won’t be paying as much through their monthly payments as the mortgage lender originally expected.

An early repayment charge can be a substantial amount – often thousands of pounds – and in many cases it’s not the only expense involved in remortgaging, as the new mortgage could also come with an up-front fee.

So anyone thinking of switching to a new mortgage will have to do their calculations carefully and make sure the costs don’t add up to more than they’re actually saving by switching to a cheaper mortgage in the first place!

It’s also extremely important to understand whether the ‘new’ mortgage deal will stay cheaper or whether it’s a temporary deal that’s likely (or even certain) to change after a while. Leaving a 5% fixed-rate deal for a 4% tracker mortgage might look like a good idea at first, but there’s no way of knowing what that rate will be in the future – if the base rate shoots up, so will the interest charged on the tracker mortgage.

After all, many people on fixed-rate deals chose that type of mortgage in the first place because of the stability it offers. A fixed-rate mortgage will cost the same amount every month all the way through the deal, which means homeowners can figure out their budget more precisely, and not have to worry about the base rate jumping up – and taking their monthly mortgage payments up with it!

Even so, anyone’s financial situation can change over time. Someone who insisted on finding a fixed-rate mortgage five or ten years ago might find they now have the financial flexibility to cope with the relative uncertainty of a tracker mortgage.

Understanding all the pros and cons of the various different deals can be very difficult, so it’s never a good idea to commit yourself to anything without speaking to a mortgage adviser first.

Read more about mortgages & remortgages at http://www.thinkmoney.com

1. NEVER WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE LESS THAN 1 WEEK (to call your lender for help) BEFORE YOUR HOME IS SCHEDULED TO BE AUCTIONED OFF. In order to get the best chance of relief from your lender – you need to have a at least a good 3 day cushion to work with BEFORE your auction date. So many people call my office when he sale date is either that same day -or just one day away. That’s simply not enough time to get the wheels of your lender turning in your favor. Don’t wait till the last minute!

2. NEVER NEGOTIATE WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WHO ANSWERS THE PHONE AT YOUR LENDERS OFFICE. This is one of the worst things you can do when you’re trying to save your home from foreclosure. The customer service reps are the zombies of the company, they know just enough to be dangerous & screw things up. For immediate, intelligent action on your foreclosure, you need to speak to specific people in this guarded department of your bank.

3. NEVER TELL YOUR MORTGAGE LENDER THE EXACT AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU HAVE SET ASIDE TO WORK WITH. To illustrate this point, let’s use a past due credit card debt as an example; Say you owe $4,000 on the credit card, and you’re 120 days late. If you tell the credit card company that you have $4,000 in the bank – you can bet they will demand all of it- right? Your mortgage is a debt that you’re late on, and the mortgage company is trying to collect a debt. So the same philosophy goes for the mortgage – it’s a past due debt that has negotiating room – and everything can be negotiated. So when your mortgage company asks you for ALL of your past due payments – or even ? of that amount; NEVER tell them that you have that money stashed away. That’s all they need to hear from you to kill any future negotiations.

4. NEVER TELL YOUR LENDER THAT YOUR JOB (or your source of income) WILL SOON DRY UP. Once again, look at it from the lender’s point of view. Why would they re-negotiate your mortgage for you if they think that you will be unable to pay it back? Here’s how I would handle it if I were in a foreclosure (wink, wink): Yes, being honest with your lender is important, but this is your home we’re talking about! If you think that you MAY not have a job in the near future— tell them that all is OK & your continued employment is no problem. At the very least I WOULD let them know that all is OK with your employment - as far as you know.

5. NEVER TELL YOUR LENDER THAT YOUR HARDSHIP IS DUE TO ANYTHING THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED SILLY. You have to look at this from the lender’s point of view. Why would they take a chance on you and re-negotiate your mortgage when they know you spent the mortgage money on something OTHER than a necessity? Bad things happen to good people all of the time- and if you’re in a foreclosure due to a silly action on your part, DON”T TELL THEM!!! (By silly I mean: you spent the money on a big vacation, or you co-signed on a car loan for a friend, or you had a drug / drinking problem, or you spent the mortgage payment on anything other than the bare necessities.)

Most of the time, you will need to provide some type of proof (like receipts) that show what you spent the money on. IF I were in a foreclosure- I might say the following: “I needed to lend a family member some money for an emergency, and she couldn’t repay me when we agreed. That started the snowball of effect of my mortgage being late”. Or “My car broke down & I couldn’t get to work for about 2 weeks while I saved enough money to get it fixed. So I missed close to 2 weeks of work & that started my late payments with you.” I would have a reason why I was late—and I would be sure that reason usually does not have a receipt associated with it. But that’s just what I would do.

6. NEVER IGNORE YOUR LENDERS PHNE CALLS OR CORRESPONDENCE. This may seem like a no brainer, but you would be surprised at the amount of people who will stick their head in the sand, hoping that the problem will just disappear. If you keep in contact with your lender, that shows them your being proactive and that you’re willing to meet the problem head on. When your lender sees you as a proactive borrower, the chances of getting them to modify your loan will increase.

After each conversation with your lender- ask the person on the phone to make a note in your file that you were cooperative and your willing to work out a plan with them.

7. NEVERSIGN OVER YOUR DEED TO ANYONE WHO REPRESENTS THEMSELVES AS A FORECLOSURE HELP SPECIALIST. In MOST cases it’s a scam. The intent is to steal your home & strip it of all of the equity possible. Sad to say, but this is happening more and more out there as the foreclosure crisis deepens. Also- signing over your Deed does NOT relieve you from making your payments either.

8. NEVER ABANDON YOUR HOME IF YOUR IN A FORECLOSURE. The lender will NOT work with you to resolve your foreclosure if you moved out of the property in question. They will also assume that you’ve just given up & that you won’t care if the situation gets resolved.

9. NEVER PAY A “FORECLOSURE RESCUE” COMPANY UPFRONT FEES TO NEGOTIATE FOR YOU. If you MUST use one of these companies, pay ONLY after the service is complete. I don’t want to sound biased here- but I can honestly say that approx 60-65% of the people who call my office for help- have ALREADY given $1,500-$2,500 to a foreclosure rescue company… and have NEVER HEARD FROM THEM AGAIN! I’m not saying that all foreclosure rescue companies are con artists, but you just need to be careful in today’s environment. If someone tells you they can fix all of your problems for an up front fee of $1,500- it MAY be too good to be true.

10. NEVER DESTROY ANY PART OF YOUR PROPERTY WHILE IN A FORECLOSURE. If you need to move out of your home, chances are the lender (or a representative of the lender) will contact you before your home is sold at auction, & offer you something called “Cash for Keys”. This is where the lender will give you (let’s just say for example- $500) if you leave the home in good condition after your home is sold at auction. The reason for this? Its MUCH cheaper to pay YOU $500 to keep the property in good condition—than to pay a cleaning company / construction company / painter, etc… to get the home in shape to sell it again.

Ed Packman has been in the foreclosure prevention industry for more than 13 years now, and has helped over 1,500 hundred families avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes. These families have been able to continue on with their lives because of the ethical, honest information provided in his e-book, ?How to Stop, Stall or Kill Your Foreclosure? available @ http://www.DIYforeclosure.NET.