The Bush Administration unveiled on October 1 additional mortgage assistance for homeowners at risk of foreclosure. The HOPE for Homeowners program will refinance mortgages for borrowers who are having difficulty making their payments, but can afford a new loan insured by HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA).

The HOPE for Homeowners program will refinance mortgages for borrowers who are having difficulty making their payments, but can afford a new loan insured by HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The program begins October 1, 2008 and ends September 30, 2011.

Under the program, lenders will refinance loans to 90 percent of a house’s current value, automatically giving the owner 10 percent equity.

Call the Colorado Foreclosure Hotline at 1-877-601-HOPE to learn more.

If you need assistance selling your home or navigating through the short sale process, please call me at 303-475-1500 to better understand your options.

Let’s discuss Jay’s Top Ten Mistakes when selling your Home:

• Your asking Price is too high - the market sets the price, not agents or homeowners
• Condition of your home - not up to current standards set by your competition
• Lack of curb appeal - We are a visual society. I have tons of ideas for curb appeal.
• Home Depot Overload - aka try not to over -improve your home. Get advice on remodeling returns.
• Pay for an Inspection and Appraisal Upfront - increases YOUR negotiation position
  
• Dark colored rooms and walls - scare people away..paint is cheap..use it!
  
• Skidaddle - when your house is being shown by a Realtor..don’t hang around!
• 6 Week Magic- the first 6-8 weeks on the market are crucial..Be prepared.
• Let your agent negotiate - Stay behind the scenes for better results.
• Act quickly - when offers arrive on your doorstep. Or your house may end up like this one below…
  

Call me or email to request my free E Book: 450 IDEAS TO SELL YOUR HOME FASTER

UPDATE:  Received 2 calls for feedback from the listing agents.  Restored my faith!  And the 1 agent that did follow up, we have presented an offer as it was one of the best houses in the area in that price range.

Started to work with a single mom who is looking to buy in Parker, CO. We have started the search in Stroh Ranch area and visited 6 homes the other day. All were under $220k and out of the 6, 2 were in what I would call showable condition. One was under contract and vacant. Out of the six, I have not received one call from their listing agent for feedback. Sure, some sent automated email for feedback, but here’s the thing. This business is a people business and if you cannot pick up the phone to follow-up with buyer’s agents, then you are doing a disservice to your sellers. Out of the six, one house was beautifully staged, had cookies (big hit with kids), was recently painted with designer colors and priced right. This house will sell before the others.

One house that has been on the market for 46 days, didnt even have a yard sign in the front yard. I asked the lady who was smoking profusely in her kitchen (I guess she didnt want to sell the house) where her sign was. She kinda shrugged and said, “I guess he hasnt brought it out yet.” As a Realtor, these scenarios make my blood curdle. So..expect more people! Expect pictures for your listings, (we can now put up to 10 in the MLS), Expect good signage and flyers, expect your agent will call for feedback, expect virtual tours if your selling your Colorado home. And if your not getting this basic level of marketing ..its time to find someone that is ready to hustle to sell your house in this very soft buyer’s market. Good day.

Protect your home and property by winterizing by doing the following tasks:

• Winterize & cover your air conditioner
• Get a check up on your furnace
• Clean or replace your furnace filters
• Clean your carpets, tile and upholstery (your going to be indoors more now)
• Clean your air ducts
• Seal your air ducts ( you can save more than 20% on heating bills with sealed ducts)
• Clean out your gutters
• Clean out your flower beds
• Blow out your sprinklers
• Seal your driveway
• Seal your deck & fence
• Touch up calking around windows
• Check weather stripping on doors & windows
• Replace windows that might be energy wasting
• Trim trees
• Aerate & fertilize your lawn
• Take down summer decorations
• Plan for holiday decorations ( if you hire these out make your reservations now)
• Put outdoor furniture away
• Clean and cover your BBQ grill

These are all great tasks to get your home ready for winter and save you money by protecting your assets.

1. Hire a cleaning service. A spotlessly clean home is essential; dirt will turn off a prospect faster than anything.

2. Pay attention to the outdoors. Mow your lawn, and be sure toys and yard equipment are put away.

3. Serve cookies, coffee, and soft drinks. It creates a welcoming touch. But be sure the kitchen has been cleaned up; use disposable cups so the sink doesn’t fill up.

4. Lock up your valuables, jewelry, and money. Although the real estate salesperson will be on site during the open house, it’s impossible to watch everyone all the time.

5. Turn on all the lights. Even in the daytime, incandescent lights add sparkle.

6. Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that’s not possible, crate them or confine them to one room (a basement or bath), and let the salesperson know where to find them.

7. Leave. It’s awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets and express their opinions of your home with you there.