Martha Story\’s Real Estate Blog

Check out this new Single-family property that I just posted on my Web site. It is at 20875 Horseshoe Rd in Carson. This Single-family property has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths.

Check out this new Single-family property that I just posted on my Web site. It is at 20875 Horseshoe Rd in Carson. This Single-family property has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths.

Check out this new Single-family property that I just posted on my Web site. It is at 20875 Horseshoe Rd in Carson. This Single-family property has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths.

Check out this new Single-family property that I just posted on my Web site. It is at 20875 Horseshoe Rd in Carson. This Single-family property has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths.

I am usually a pretty decisive person, but there are a few things I am very indecisive about.   One of those is window treatments.    Some of the  reasons I can’t make up mind is  one they are expensive, two there are so many options, and three they are going to be there for awhile.  Let’s face it,  because they did cost so much and the decision was excruciating to make.    When I first moved into my new construction home we went with wood blinds for all the must have privacy  windows.   Later, I added some curtains to some other windows for decor and some bamboo like textured  roman shades in the breakfast nook.   Recently, I decided it was time to do the last three windows and even scarier redo the dining room window.   Even though it has the wood blinds it looks so naked and boring.   I have put this off in part because it has two side by side windows and  a huge half circle window above them.   I know those half circles look great but are really a pain for me to decide what to do with them.   I say them because on the front of my house I have two rooms with the same window  arrangement and they would have to match for a unified look from the outside.   Having decided to do something about a month ago, I have yet to decide what.   I have looked and considered some options, especially for the half rounds which would more than likely be a custom made permanent wood plantation blind.   The cost, let’s just say is a home investment.    When you are buying a home make sure your offer specifies the window treatments are to stay.    In my home covering these  huge windows  is important  because they let in a huge amount of afternoon sun and heat while facing west.   So, I need to keep  it cooler, to reduce  my power bills, but also to protect my furniture and other  items from fading.   These are just some of the things to consider when making your decision about which kind of window treatment will work  best in your home.   One thing I did accomplish last week, which I had done in another home with a the same issue, was window tinting.   I had a company come out and tint those front  west facing windows.    I must say, I don’t know why I didn’t do it sooner.   The cost was minimal  but the effect was dramatic and it gives me a little more time to decide on  how much dressing up to do in my dining room.   So, if you  have windows  and  heat is an issue  you may consider tinting,  to protect your furnishings and reduce your energy costs, and then decorate your windows.

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Region 2010-Q1 2011-Q1 Change

Check out this new Single-family property that I just posted on my Web site. It is at 20550 Horseshoe Rd in Prince George. This Single-family property has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths.

The most important strategy  for avoiding foreclosure is to be proactive, contact your lender, read your mail,  seek help, and   contact a Realtor and attorney for advice.   The sooner the better, allowing more time for a solution to be worked out.

1. Contact your lender & ask about Forbearance and Reinstatement plans to  bring your loan current and maintain payments.  

2. If your situation is a temporary one, contact lender who may allow  a Repayment plan,  where you increase payments until missed payments are caught up.  

3. Refinance your current Loan with better rates and terms.

4. Modify your current loan with your Lender.

5. Rent your home & make mortgage payments to your Lender.

6. Sell your home & pay off the loan amount due.

7. Borrow money from a relative or friend to bring payments current.

8. Get protection under the Service Members Civil Relief Act(SMCRA).

9. Enter into a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure “Friendly Foreclosure”.

10. File for Bankruptcy protection to stall the foreclosure process.

11. Sell your home in a “short sale” if the Lender agrees to accept a discounted payoff for the outstanding mortgage due, especially if the amount owed is more than the home’s worth.

Housing counselors available at Hud 1-800-569-4287.

Contact me for more information by email at realestatestory@yahoo.com or by phone at 804 357-6228.

The Obama administration has outlined two ways it hopes  will bring relief to responsible homeowners under the Making Home Affordable Program, including an effort to achieve greater affordability for homeowners by lowering payments on their second mortgages as well as a set of measures to help underwater borrowers stay in their homes.  

At the heart  of the Making Home Affordable Program  are these two objectives

Parallel Second Lien Program to Help Homeowners Achieve Greater Affordability

Integration of Hope for Homeowners to Help Underwater Borrowers
Regain Equity in their Homes

Buyers can seek help through their lenders by refinancing or through a modification of their current loan.   If you are a homeowner who  pays your mortgage on time but are not able to refinance to take advantage of today™s lower mortgage rates perhaps due to a decrease in the value of your  home, you should check in to refinancing.   If you are struggling to make your  monthly mortgage payment perhaps because your  interest rate has increased or you  have less income, a modification could be your relief.

For more Information and specifics on both of these objectives go to www.Hud.gov  or  http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov  

If you know of someone who may  be struggling to pay their mortgage please share this information with them!   You may very well help them save their home!

Harris & Associates has partnered with service providers in the real estate industry to  save you money on your home purchase!   How much money could you save by using our preferred providers?   Up to a $1000 on services which include  lender and home inspection discounts  to name a few.    Combine these savings with your 2009 First-Time home buyer tax credit of up to $8000.     With these savings it is a  great time to buy a home!!    

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