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How To Make the Move To Your Ludlow & Rutland VT Home Hassle Free

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It doesn’t matter if you are moving across town or across the country, moving is stressful! But a little planning can go a long way to making the move to your new Ludlow VT home less stressful. Below are 10 time-saving tips for a hassle-free move. 

iStock_000001214384XSmall1. Make a list. 

Create a week-by-week checklist of everything that needs doing. Start 60 days prior to your move and include the most trivial items. Staying on schedule will eliminate a lot of headaches, especially the closer you get to moving day. 

2. Hire a quality moving company. 

If the quote you get from a moving company seems too good to be true…it probably is! An unreliable company will cost you more in the long run, so be sure to check out the companies you interview with the Better Business Bureau. 

3. Have a yard sale. 

Now is the perfect time to get rid of items you haven’t used in the last few years. Why pack, move and unpack something you most likely won’t use in your new Ludlow VT home? Discard it now rather than later. 

4. Create a system. 

Create a color coded boxing system with a different color for each room in the house. Only pack items for a specific room in specific boxes. Let your movers know which colors correspond to which room so they will put the boxes in the correct room. 

5. Unplug. 

Most movers won’t unplug appliances, computers, etc. Before the movers arrive, disconnect all appliances, electrical equipment and lighting fixtures that go to your new Ludlow Vt home.

6. Stock up on packing supplies. 

Don’t run out of packing tape the morning of the move; have plenty of supplies on hand. Early on in the moving process, start gathering boxes, tape, bubble wrap, newsprint, box cutters and markers. Try to save time and the environment by packing with materials you already have. Load up suitcases and plastic containers and use pillows, scarves and towels to “wrap” fragile items.

7. Pack a moving survival kit. 

Pack a “last-to-go” box with all of the necessities-toiletries, snacks, important documents-and keep it with you instead of packing it in moving truck.

8. Clean it up. 

An empty house is much easier to clean than one with boxed stacked everywhere. Clean your new home before you move in so you can concentrate on unpacking after the movers leave. 

9. Create a floor plan. 

Prior to the move, create a floor plan with graph paper and cutouts for the furniture. Plan where the furniture will go so the movers can put it in the right place the first time and you don’t have to move it around later.

10. Change service prior to the move. 

Arrange for your mail, utilities, phone, cable, Internet and any other services to be transferred prior to the move so you don’t have a lapse in service. There is nothing worse than not having water, heat or air conditioning on moving day! 

Learn more about Ludlow and Rutland VT homes by visiting ISellVermontRealEstate.com.

Selling Your Ludlow VT Home With Short Sale

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If you’re thinking of selling your Ludlow VT home, and you expect that the total amount you owe on your mortgage will be greater than the selling price of your home, you may be facing a short sale. A short sale is one where the net proceeds from the sale won’t cover your total mortgage obligation and closing costs, and you don’t have other sources of money to cover the deficiency. A short sale is different from a foreclosure, which is when your lender takes title of your home through a lengthy legal process and then sells it. 

house-squeeze1. Consider loan modification first. If you are thinking of selling your Ludlow VT home because of financial difficulties and you anticipate a short sale, first contact your lender to see if it has any programs to help you stay in your home. Your lender may agree to a modification such as: 

  • Refinancing your loan at a lower interest rate
  • Providing a different payment plan to help you get caught up
  • Providing a forbearance period if your situation is temporary 

When a loan modification still isn’t enough to relieve your financial problems, a short sale could be your best option if 

  • Your property is worth less than the total mortgage you owe on it.
  • You have a financial hardship, such as a job loss or major medical bills.
  • You have contacted your lender and it is willing to entertain a short sale. 

2. Hire a qualified team. The first step to a short sale is to hire a qualified real estate professional* and a real estate attorney who specialize in short sales. Interview at least three candidates for each and look for prior short-sale experience. Short sales have proliferated only in the last few years, so it may be hard to find practitioners who have closed a lot of short sales. You want to work with those who demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of the short-sale process and who won’t try to take advantage of your situation or pressure you to do something that isn’t in your best interest. 

A qualified real estate professional can: 

  • Provide you with a comparative market analysis (CMA) or broker price opinion (BPO).
  • Help you set an appropriate listing price for your home, market the home, and get it sold.
  • Put special language in the MLS that indicates your home is a short sale and that lender approval is needed (all MLSs permit, and some now require, that the short-sale status be disclosed to potential buyers).
  • Ease the process of working with your lender or lenders.
  • Negotiate the contract with the buyers.
  • Help you put together the short-sale package to send to your lender (or lenders, if you have more than one mortgage) for approval. You can’t sell your home without your lender and any other lien holders agreeing to the sale and releasing the lien so that the buyers can get clear title.  

3. Begin gathering documentation before any offers come in. Your lender will give you a list of documents it requires to consider a short sale. The short-sale “package” that accompanies any offer typically must include 

  • A hardship letter detailing your financial situation and why you need the short sale
  • A copy of the purchase contract and listing agreement
  • Proof of your income and assets
  • Copies of your federal income tax returns for the past two years 

4. Prepare buyers for a lengthy waiting period. Even if you’re well organized and have all the documents in place, be prepared for a long process. Waiting for your lender’s review of the short-sale package can take several weeks to months. Some experts say: 

  • If you have only one mortgage, the review can take about two months.
  • With a first and second mortgage with the same lender, the review can take about three months.
  • With two or more mortgages with different lenders, it can take four months or longer.

What is my Ludlow VT home worth?

Information courtesy of Realtor magazine with permsiion by the National Association of Realtors.

Energy Saving Tax Credits Help Ludlow VT Homeowners

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The ‘American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009‘ which became law on February 17, promotes energy independence and green jobs through tax credits and government grants. This is part of an effort to make Ludlow VT  homes and buildings more energy efficient. 

Energy saving provisions include: 

  • $6 billion to state and local governments for energy efficiency and conservation grants for energy audits, retrofits and financial incentives. 
  • 30% tax credit (increased from 10%) to homeowners for new furnaces, windows and insulation. 
  • $5 billion to modernize the nation’s electricity grid and install smart meters on homes, saving homeowners money. 
  • $5 billion for weatherization assistance for low income households. 
  • $2 billion for federally assisted housing (section 8) efficiency efforts.  

This bill is good news for Ludlow VT homeowners wanting to make their homes more energy efficient. Interested in buying a Ludlow VT home? Visit ISellVermontRealEstate.com. 

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Ludlow VT Home Buyers Going Green

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Ludlow VT Home Buyers Going Green

Today’s Ludlow VT home buyers are looking for green features in the homes they buy. The green trend is a means of lowering costs, becoming more environmentally friendly, and adopting a healthier lifestyle. 

The average green buyer will shell out an average of$12,400 for green features, according to the National Association of REALTORS. National Association of Home Builders green-building standards program manager Kevin Morrow expects the market share of green-certified homes to rise to 20 percent in 2010 from about 10 percent in 2009 and 2 percent in 2006.

Green features Ludlow VT home buyers are looking for include energy efficiency, water efficiency, resource efficiency, and indoor air quality and include such elements as Energy Star appliances, low-flow shower heads, carpets and paint with low volatile organic compounds, and building materials procured from local suppliers.

Today’s Ludlow VT home buyers benefit from tax credits and other financial incentives. 

Learn more about buying green by visiting ISellVermontRealEstate.com or give us a call anytime. 

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When Buying A Ludlow VT Home Makes Sense

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When Buying  A Ludlow VT Home Makes Sense

 

The housing market has never been better for many potential Ludlow VT home buyers. In fact, more often than not, it is less expensive to own your own home rather than rent.

 

The National Low Income Housing Coalition reports that in 57 out of the 100 most populated metro areas, renting a three-bedroom home is more expensive than monthly costs on a six percent mortgage for a typical low-priced house in the same area.

 

With all the news these days concerning the economic crunch and these tumultuous economic times, you might think I’m crazy saying it is a good time to buy a Ludlow VT home. Of course, buyers with strong credit are best positioned to take advantage of today’s opportunities. A high credit score will yield a lower interest rate and increase the likelihood that a loan application will be approved.

 

For example, a buyer with a 6 percent mortgage will pay a third less per month than a buyer who has a loan at 8 percent. This difference can be hundreds of dollars per month.

 

FHA loans, VA loans and government backed first-time buyer loans are all available to qualified buyers. With the current low interest rates and affordable housing prices, it is a great time to buy your Ludlow VT home.

 

It is also a time to keep in mind that buying a home is a long term investment…and an investment you and your family can enjoy for many years!

 

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Ludlow VT Home Buying Mistakes; How To Avoid Them.

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No matter what the condition of the housing market, purchasing a Ludlow VT home is a major commitment and a vital financial decision. A home is much more than a financial investment; it is an investment in a new lifestyle and a new way of looking at property. Those who are unprepared to make the leap from renting to home ownership can make some costly mistakes, and learning to avoid those blunders is vital.

Think With Your Head Not Your Heart
One of the most common mistakes made by first time home buyers is allowing emotion to rule the day. Although buying a home can be an emotional process, there are some things home buyers can do to prevent emotional ties from getting in the way of sound financial discipline. 

While it is all too easy to picture your family relaxing in the backyard of a new home, take a step back and look at the home with the eyes of an investor. Pretend for a moment that you are not going to live in the house but are buying it as a pure investment. Is it still just as attractive, or has it lost some of its appeal? Emotional attachment is fine, but it should not overrule your good judgment.

Consider All the Costs of Home Ownership  
Buying more house than they can afford is a classic blunder for many first time homeowners. One of the chief culprits behind this error is factoring in only the cost of the mortgage versus the cost of continuing to rent. While it is certainly appealing to go from collecting rent receipts to building up home equity, keep in mind that the costs of owning a home do not end with the monthly mortgage check.

Don’t Try to Time the Market
Market timing doesn’t work in the stock market, and it doesn’t work in the home market either. Although it can be tempting to try to wait for the market to hit rock bottom, you may be left out in the cold when the market starts to turn around. Many professionals, including home builders, lenders and real estate investors, have a great deal of difficulty timing the market, even with all their specialized knowledge and experience.

While some Ludlow VT home buyers will be lucky enough to sell their existing homes at the top of the market and buy their next one when the market craters, most of us will not be so lucky. There are bargains to be found in every real estate market; the key is to arm yourself with as much information as possible and shop smart. 

Learn more about the Ludlow VT housing market by visiting ISellVermontRealEstate.com or giving us a call 800-659-1819 #103. 

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Making Your Ludlow VT Home More Appealing To Buyers

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Does your Ludlow VT home have a façade only a homeowner could love? Selling a home can be an emotional experience, and people can lack objectivity when it comes to their own abode. Presenting a home in its best light is always important, but it’s imperative in our current competitive real estate market. 

Professional advice and assistance can make the difference between “Wow!” and “Whaaa?” – a recent industry study found that staged homes 94.9 percent of staged homes sell in 35 days or less, while unstaged homes sell in 171.2 days. 

Below are 7 tips to ‘setting the stage’ and making your Ludlow VT home more appealing to buyers: 

1. Thoroughly clean from top to bottom, especially kitchens and baths.

A dirty house an immediate buyer turn-off. The two most important areas are the kitchen and the bathrooms. If you have not deep cleaned all counter and tile surfaces to a spotless condition, you stand the chance of having the buyers walk right back out the door. 

2. De-clutter the entire house.

Clutter makes it extremely hard for the buyers to visualize moving into your home. The disorganization affects the buyer’s ability to focus on your home and they will most likely overlook your key selling features. In addition, clutter has the affect of making your home appear smaller than it is as the “open” feeling is gone. 

3. Remove the personal memorabilia.

People are generally curious and when you want them to notice the beautiful entryway they may be focused on all the family pictures on the piano or all the “stuff” stuck to the front of your refrigerator. Your objective is to change the view of your home from “lived in” to “ready to move in.” 

4. Neutralize inside and out.

The best way to present a home is for the wall colors to be painted a neutral color. This goes for the outside as well – a loud or non-neutral color may just keep the buyers from even stopping to see the inside. 

5. Let the sun shine in with spotless windows.

Nothing is more distracting to a buyer than to be looking at a view through a dirty window. What you don’t see is often more important that what you do see. 

6. Make your pets go away.

While your pets are a loving member of your family, for the buyers their presence, food and boxes are generally a turn-off. Every trace of their presence should be removed so, once again, the buyers are not distracted from the prime objective – viewing your home in the best possible light. 

7. Add curb appeal.

A healthy, neat, trimmed and well maintained yard and flower beds are the keys to getting the buyers up to the front door. A well-maintained exterior translates to a well maintained home in the mind of the buyer. 

Need help setting the stage and showing off your Ludlow VT home in its best light? Give us a call, we are glad to help. 

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Ludlow VT Home Buyers – Why Get A Home Inspection

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Buying your Ludlow VT home is one of the most significant decisions and biggest investments you will ever make. A professional home inspection will enable you to learn a great deal about a home, help give you peace of mind and answer some important questions. Whether you are buying or selling, you will have the benefit of knowing the ins and outs of a particular home.

Homebuyer Benefits:
You will gain an education of the home, top to bottom, so that you will know exactly what you are buying.. This information will help you to buy with confidence knowing that a true professional has carefully evaluated and inspected your future home.

Home Seller Benefits:
For sellers, a pre-listing inspection can detect previously unknown problems or potential upgrades that you wish to address prior to selling your home. Being aware of issues in advance will allow for disclosure of problems, which can result in smoother transactions for all parties.

Good Hiring Practices:
1. Hire a Professional.
Confirm your home inspector is a member of American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) – http://www.ashi.org/ and National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) http://nahi.org/.

2. Obtain a printed report.
Make sure you are given a complete, written report of your inspection results, preferably with photos included.

3. Attend the inspection.There is no substitute for the being at the inspection. The report provided is only a part of the inspection. When you attend the inspection, you can ask questions, and become more familiar with your home, you’ll gain greater comfort and confidence in your buying decision.

If you are ready to take advantage of the current Ludlow VT real estate market, please begin by calling me at 802-353-1983 or visit ISellVermontRealEstate.com. You may also begin searching the MLS here.

How to Add Light to Your Ludlow VT Home

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We’ve all rolled our clocks back an hour and are beginning to adjust to the earlier onset of evening. In the winter months our homes can seem darker than usual, but there are ways to use the natural light that is available in your home to brighten things up. Money Magazine has published a list of “Do’s” and “Don’ts” for adding light to any home – among the topics covered are:click here. For more information about Ludlow VT real estate, please visit ISellVermontRealEstate.com or call me at 802-353-1983.

– Skylights (pick ones that open and choose carefully where to put them)
– Big windows (install them to showcase your best views, but don’t forget to add small windows above or below them that open)
– Window height (put windows high on the wall, but not tight to the ceiling)
– Window grouping (group several windows together, but don’t separate them with fat supports)
– Window shades (install shades in windows that face east, west, and south; avoid using UV-inhibiting coating)

Following these tips for adding light to your home will help to increase your home’s value. To receive a complimentary comparative home value analysis,

What Is Your Ludlow VT Home Built On?

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Many of us may just think of it as the dirt and grass that our home is sitting on, but the makeup and quality of the soil upon which your home is built is extremely complex and varies from area to area. Investigating the soil on your property can tell you a great deal about the history and future of not only your home, but also about the land you have invested in.

But wait – does this mean we need to put on our ecologist hats and go digging in our yard with test tubes and Petri dishes? Of course not! The nice folks at the US Department of Agriculture’s have already done the “dirty” work for us and put together an extremely comprehensive Web Soil Survey website that contains digital maps and unbelievable amounts of digital soil data that has been methodically collected. Just type in your address and then explore almost anything you ever wanted to know about the soil upon which your home is sitting including chemical properties, erosion factors and likelihood, and its drainage class.

This is valuable information if you are considering building an addition to your existing home or just want to feel confident that the soil upon which your family treads every day is safe.

Please click here to request a complimentary e-book filled with information about selling your home and moving with kids and/or pets. Or feel free to visit my website or email me if you would like to learn more about Okemo Mountain VT real estate. I’m here to help!