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Home Seller: Improving Curb Appeal

by Galand Haas

Good Monday Morning!

If your home has curb appeal, you'll be able to sell it quickly and for top dollar. That's why REALTORS® rate exterior home remodeling projects as the most valuable homeowners can make.

Many homeowners are confused about which projects will provide the most return on investment as they prepare their homes for the market. The 2014 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, co-sponsored by the National Association of Realtors and Remodeling magazine, outlines the costs and resale returns on the most popular home improvement projects.

Realtors know which home features are important to buyers in their area. Projects such as a new entry door, siding and window replacements can recoup homeowners more than 78 percent of costs upon resale.

So why remodel anything if it's not going to give you back 100%? It's because the first impression a homebuyer gets is priceless. You want the buyer to choose your home, and quit looking for something better. If the buyer doesn't like what he sees, you won't get another chance to make any kind of impression.

So which home improvement projects will net the most return? Eight of the top 10 most cost-effective projects are exterior projects.

Replacing your front door with a steel entry will cost $1,100 on average, but you'll get nearly 97% of what you spent back in your pocket.

The second most popular improvement is a deck or patio addition, which will return over 87 percent of costs, similar to the return on fiber-cement siding. Vinyl siding returns a little over 78 percent of costs. In the Eugene and Springfield market area, it is best to stay away from vinyl and go with siding products like Hardi Plank.  This kind of siding is much moire popular with buyers.

A midrange garage door replacement returns nearly 84 percent while an upscale garage door replacement offers 82.9 percent of costs recouped. Wood window replacements recoup over 79% of costs and vinyl windows return nearly as much.

New exterior paint also is at the top of the list along with keeping roofs moss free.

Rounding the top 10 projects are an attic bedroom and minor kitchen remodel. These are important too, but you've got to pique buyers' interest first.

The good news is that the return for all projects is higher in the last two years. To find out what the best return on home improvements is in your area contact me.  I would be more than happy to visit your home and make a checklist of projects that when completed can make a huge difference in the price your home sells at and how long it takes it to sell.

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

Image Unavailable
28292 Cantrell RD
Price: $550,000 Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Sq Ft: 2531
Acres of Seclusion & Mountain Views! Wonderful property with pond, gazebo, deck, greenhouse, shop, water feature and lots of storage! Home has an open floor plan, skylights, vaulted ceiling, large windows for amazing views, wood stove, kitchen with ...



AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Sincerely,
Galand

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The Numbers are in: December 2013

by Galand Haas

Good Monday Morning!

The statistics are in for December 2013 home sales in the Eugene/Springfield and surrounding areas.  As you will see the market continues to slump, which is most likely seasonal.  The good news is that the overal market was up significantly from December of 2012.  We continue to be in a strong sellers market with only 4.4 months of inventory.  As I have said repeatedly, if you are considering selling your home, don't wait until Spring.  Take advantage of this current sellers market and get your home listed soon. Here are the numbers.

December Residential Highlights

Closed sales increased this December in Lane County, but other measures continued their seasonal decline. The 270 closed sales represented the best December in Lane County since 2006, when there were 281 for the month. Florence again bested previous Decembers— the 32 closed sales bested the closest month (December 2009) by nine! Pending sales (173) declined by 31.1% from November (251) and 12.2% compared to December 2012 (197). New listings (175) decreased by 34.9% from the previous month (269) and by 2.8% compared to the same month last year.

Total market time rose slightly to 115 days in December, and inventory lowered to 4.4 months.

Year-to-Date Summary

The 5,560 new listings represent a

14.4% increase over the 4,861 entered in the same period of 2012. There have been 3,765 pending and 3,792 closed sales through the end of 2013, up 11.8% and 14.9%, respectively, from 3,367 pendings and 3,300 closed sales by December 2012.

Average and Median Sale Prices

The average price through December is $224,900, up 11.9% from this time in 2012, when the average was $200,900. In the same comparison, the median price increased 12.4% from $178,000 last year to $200,000 this year. 

Have and Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

Image Unavailable
88604 ERMI BEE RD
Price: $499,000 Beds: 4 Baths: 3 Sq Ft: 3376
Wonderful Wooded Retreat! Secluded 5ac property offers granite, tile, skylites, vaulted ceiling, 4 decks, 3 sliders, beautifully landscaped grounds w/ wtr feat. & pond, walking trail, great view in every rm, oversized garage plus studio (672 sf incl...



AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Sincerely,
Galand

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Of The New Mortgage Rules (2014), Here Are 8 You Should Know

by Galand Haas

Good Monday Morning!

The new mortgage rules issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) are in effect as of January 10th, 2014. Banks can no longer engage in irresponsible lending practices leaving borrowers unable to repay their mortgages. Lenders can only provide “Qualified Mortgages” that comply with the “Ability-to-Repay” rule. 

 

Here are 8 features of the 2014 mortgage rules you need to know: 

  1. No-doc or low-doc loans are prohibited: Lenders must supply and verify complete consumer financial information. 
  2. Limited points and fees: No more than 3% for a loan of more than $100,000.
  3. No risky loan features: Terms cannot exceed 30 years, no interest-only payments, no negative-amortization payments where principal increases.
  4. Tightened Debt-to Income Ratio: Borrowers cannot exceed 43% Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)  
  5. No “teaser” rates: Lenders must verify a borrower’s ability to repay BOTH principal and interest over the long-term, NOT only during an introductory or “teaser” period with lower interest rates. 
  6. Contact with missed payments: Mortgage lenders must attempt contact with homeowners within 36 days of a missed payment. They must also provide available payment options no later than 45 days after the due date.
  7. Clear monthly billing statements: Lenders must send clear statements indicating  what portion of your payment went to escrow and principal, balance owed, and any service or transactional fees. 
  8. Early warning for ARM: Lenders must notify borrowers of increased rates 210-240 days before the next payment and follow up with an additional notice 60-120 days before the new payment is due

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

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6815 B ST
Price: $192,500 Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Sq Ft: 1233
Delightful Cul-de-sac Home. Located at the end of the cul-de-sac, this adorable home offers a living room with large window that opens to dining area, kitchen with garden window and pocket door opens to family room with wood burning fireplace and sl...



AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Sincerely,
Galand

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VideoVideo

Good Monday Morning!

No matter what you hear, Spring/Summer is not the best time to place your home on the market for sale in the Eugene and Springfield area.  By far the best time to place your home on the market is right now!  The inventory of homes for sale is always at it's lowest point from January through May.  Following this time inventories of homes for sale climb dramatically and this means that the competition level for your home increases along with this higher inventory.  Buyer demand for homes is typically just as strong through the Winter and early Spring as it is during late Spring and Summer.  With high demand and low inventories, you have a better chance of selling, typicaly a shorter market time and many times a higher sales price than waiting until later in the year.  

Right now there is a shortage of homes for sale and very strong demand.  Don't wait for the leaves on the trees, the flowers and the green grass to get your home on the market.  If you are considering the sale of your home, please call me.  I can set up a time to meet and we can look at what selling your home in this current market looks like.

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

Video Link: http://eugeneoregonhomesforsale.com/video/This-Month-in-Real-Estate-US-January-2014

Image Unavailable
28292 Cantrell Rd
Price: $550,000 Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Sq Ft: 2531
Acres of Seclusion & Mountain Views! Wonderful property with pond, gazebo, deck, greenhouse, shop, water feature and lots of storage! Home has an open floor plan, skylights, vaulted ceiling, large windows for amazing views, wood stove, kitchen with ...



AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Sincerely,
Galand

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Photo of Haas Real Estate Team  Real Estate
Haas Real Estate Team
Keller Williams Realty Eugene and Springfield
2645 Suzanne Way Suite 2A
Eugene OR 97408
Direct: (541) 349-2620
Fax: 541-687-6411

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