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4 Colors That Turn Off Buyers

Designers

Could the wrong shade of paint dampen interest in a home?

First, take note of palettes consumers tell researchers they like: The favorite color combos for exteriors are white and gray, beige and taupe, and slate and black, according to the 2013 National Home Color Survey. On the inside, neutral wins too. The most popular 2016 colors include grays and shades of white, as well as natural-looking greens.

Although it’s tough to prove, a Zillow Digs analysis of 50,000 photos of recently sold homes even suggests homes with creamy yellow or wheat-colored kitchens, light green or khaki bedrooms, dove or light gray living rooms, and mauve or lavender dining rooms sold for $1,100 to $1,300 more than properties decorated with less popular colors.

So, what are the paint chips that should be avoided? Credit.com highlights the findings based on studies of colors.

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Bad Habits That May Ruin a Home

Home

Certain home owner habits could actually be harming the home, and can lead to major home improvement projects later on. This Old House recently featured a list of several bad home owner habits to avoid.

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17526 149th Ave SE #J6, Renton, WA 98058

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$116,000

1 bedroom; 588 square feet

Light, bright and beautiful! You will love this completely remodeled top floor condo that features fresh paint and new floors through-out. New Kitchen: counters, cabinets, appliances, sink, garbage disposal. New Bathroom: vanity, shower, toilet. All new light fixtures, switches, thermostats, baseboards, blinds, water heater. You’ll enjoy reserved parking right in front of the condo, the large utility closet and storage on the deck. Perfect for all seasons with a cozy wood fireplace, pool and sport court!

Sold 11/9/16

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14424 2nd Ave E, Tacoma, WA 98445

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$145,000

3 bedrooms; 1 bathroom; 1,030 square feet

Lots and lots of potential! The seller is going to miss the mature fruit trees, grapes and irrigation system. Fully-fenced with 2 gates; lots of RV, boat and toy parking. The attached garage is deep with shop area; there’s also a 2 car garage and shed with power. Ideal for an investor with cash as this is to be sold as-is with everything currently in/out of the home and non-compliant structure. The shy 1/2 acre lot is zoned Moderate Density Single-Family; buyer to verify redeveloping availability/value.

Sold 12/2/16

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What to Expect When You’re Inspecting

what-to-expect-when-youre-inspecting

A home inspection can be a nerve-racking part of the home-buying process – but it is also a vital step. Here are a few things an inspector may find that could add to the cost of a home – or save you from buying a lemon altogether.

1. Lurking charges

Even though a home’s electrical system may seem to function adequately, inspections can reveal safety issues. This frequently happens with old wiring that’s corroded or outdated, or with new wiring that was improperly installed.

2. A failing grade

Poor grading, or a slope that drains water toward your house instead of away from it, can cause all kinds of problems such as flooded crawl spaces or basements, rotting walls and framing, and mold and foundation damage.

3. Trouble on top

Roofing materials don’t last forever, and inspectors often find problems with aging materials that will soon cause problems. The scale of necessary repairs can range from needing to replace a few shingles to needing an entirely new roof.

4. Mold

Especially in humid regions, mold can sprout anywhere moisture collects, like attics, basements and drywall around leaky pipes. If the inspector finds mold, a separate mold inspection may be required.

5. Foundation flaws

As a home settles over the years, the foundation can shift. Symptoms include cracks in the drywall, uneven floors, and doors and windows that won’t shut. While home inspectors can identify basic foundation issues, if they see something that seems structurally suspicious, they’ll often recommend you call a foundation engineer to assess the situation.

6. Not going with the flow

Inspectors often find clogged or bent gutters, or gutters that channel water too close to the house, where it can cause damage.

How concerned should you be if any of these issues appear on the inspection report? As an experienced Realtor, I will be able to translate the inspection and suggest remedies – or how fast you should run from a deal. Contact me for your real estate needs!

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Home Buyer Advantage Starts Now

Family

Buyers had to be prepared to bring their housing A-game this year. Amid tight inventories of homes for sale and a tight lending environment, they’ve needed to get pre-approved for a mortgage, be laser-focused on what it is they want in in order to make quick decisions, and even forgo some contingencies to get the home they wanted.

Though active listings likely will fall more (8 percent over last year), the market still may be shifting slightly as the start of the school year arrives and give buyers more bargaining power, writes Jonathan Smoke, realtor.com®’s chief economist in his latest column.

Read the article on REALTORmag…

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New-Home Sales Near 10-Year High

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New-home sales in July jumped to the highest level in nearly a decade, with sales of new single-family homes climbing 12.4 percent month-over-month and reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 654,000, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday. That marks the highest level since October 2007.

Low mortgage rates, improving income growth, and steady job creation have helped propel home buying for both new and existing homes. New-home sales have posted strong gains since the beginning of this year, up 13.3 percent compared to a year ago. In June, sales of existing homes also reached their strongest pace in nearly a decade, though they slipped in July, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

Read the full article…

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Under Contract? 5 Things NOT to Do Before You Close

Under Contract

The seller has accepted your offer, the inspector didn’t find any underground streams or shaky foundations, and the closing date is set. You’re in the homestretch! While you can breathe a little easier, remember, the deal’s not done until everyone signs all the (zillion) documents at the closing table. And, your lender can still change their mind. Here are some things to avoid in the run-up to the big day.

  1. Don’t mess with your income-to-debt ratio
    The ratio of your monthly income to your monthly debts is one of the main factors the lender considered when qualifying you. And your lender will probably run your financials two or three more times before closing. While it’s tempting, don’t take out a big loan for the new deck you want to install when you move into your new place. Don’t sign the lease on the new Audi that will look perfect in your new driveway. The bank looks at lease payments like any other debt payment.
  2. Don’t disappear
    Be sure to keep in touch with your lender and be readily available to immediately address any last-minute concerns.
  3. Don’t change jobs
    Lenders love stability. Switching jobs right before closing can make them anxious, and you want to give them every reason to feel confident. Most lenders prefer to have a two-year job history in hand, so making a big career move could slow things down, or squash the deal entirely.
  4. Don’t open new credit cards
    Yes, you’ll be buying furniture to fill those lovely rooms. Yes, you might need a new fridge. And yes, new dishes to match the new kitchen would be splendid. But resist the lure of opening new credit cards until after closing. Doing so can affect your credit score. For now, just open catalogs.
  5. Don’t be late
    Even though you may have been riding the real estate roller coaster and life’s been chaotic, be sure to stay current with all bill payments. Late payments, too, can affect that all-important credit score.

Wondering what else is involved in the final stretches of a home purchase? I will be happy to answer any of your questions!

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August 2016 RE/MAX National Housing Report

August 2016 NHR

Unlike the month’s temperatures, July home sales cooled off from June’s highest year-to-date level. In the RE/MAX National Housing Report analysis of 53 U.S. cities, July sales fell in 49 markets by 8.8% from July 2015 and by 13.1% from June. Over the last seven years, the average drop in sales from June to July has been 8.2%. The Median Sales Price dropped slightly from June to $225,000, which is still 4.7% higher than one year ago. At the same time, inventory continued to tighten by dropping 3.0% lower than June and 16.6% lower than a year ago, resulting in a Months Supply of just 3.5. Five metro areas reported an inventory supply of less than two months. Meanwhile, the average Days on Market dropped to 53 which is just one day less than the average in June and four days below last year.

Read the full article in RE/MAX’s Newsroom…

Watch the short video on YouTube…

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5722 99th St Ct E, Puyallup, WA 98373


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JUST LISTED!

$129,900

2 bedrooms; 1.25 bathrooms; 1,087 square feet

You will love this turnkey townhome that is conveniently located for commuters! Enjoy cooking in the kitchen with many cabinets, dining on newer laminate floor, large bedrooms with spacious walk-in closets and the private patio/yard. Ideal for owners with multiple cars since the garage contains lots of storage, there’s one assigned space and additional spaces available. Stoney Brook is beautifully maintained and features an athletic court, playground and grass areas to be appreciated by you and your pets!

Sold 10/24/16