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traciedemars · 7 years ago

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Pre-approvals....what you need to know, Upcoming Free (& non-promotional) Home Buyer Classes: Saturday, September 22nd, from 12pm-3pm (ish) Vancouver YMCA, conference room 11324 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver WA (corner of SR500 & Gher Road/112th Ave) Saturday, October 6th , from 9am-12pm (ish) Marshall Community Center, conference room 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College) Saturday, October 20th, from 5pm-8pm (ish) Marshall Community Center, conference room 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College) If these class dates and/or times don't work for you, please let us know. We understand that you have lives, and families, and work. We will work something out that works better with your schedule. Just let us know.... ....we also have home seller classes available too...link on left on website Remember...with reservation...we will throw in lunch, or dinner! :-D ~~~~~~~~~Happy ...well, whatever day it is! What a month! Yesterday, my youngest child started 3rd grade. I think I have started and stopped this email about 4 times in the last couple of weeks, but what with everything going on... it kind of went on the back burner. It's a different world from when I went to school... when I was at school, teachers had the last word on everything. If a teacher called home, you were in trouble....if a teacher needed something... it happened. When my older kids were young, teachers still got what they needed … now, I am not going to lie to you... I did have it out with my older daughters high school principal a few times! Teachers though... teachers I have the utmost respect for them. When I was young, I wanted to be a teacher... I wanted to teach high school history and English. Yep, that was my goal when I was young... not a singer or a movie star... a teacher! Of course, I am not a teacher... I am a Realtor, but I still teach....and I still help. So, here we are... another school year started, and all of the sudden we are in the last trimester of the year. So here's to 'Happy Hallowthankmas' period time. So this week let's talk about the what the steps are to buying a home? This is where it gets crazy because most of us just don't know....you just kind of 'fall into it'... You meet up with someone, and like a whirlwind romance, next thing you know you are in a 30 year commitment called a mortgage loan! So....if you are thinking about buying a home, what are your steps? What do you need to know before you start? Well, that is what the Free Home Buyer Education Classes are for! ....that, and this weekly blog anyhow! :-D The first step to buying a home is the home buyer education classes. Did you know that more people will get education when buying a car than when buying a home? The classes are non-promotional, free, and meant to give home buyers a head start on the information they need to buying a home, and taking advantage of the state loan programs that are out there to HELP people buy a home! Real Estate & Lending is all about 'verbiage' as we are 'taught' scripts to make things sound good for you, when in actuality...it may not be that great at all. We do go over all of that, and try to make everything as clear as possible considering it starts off as mud. :-) As instructors of the classes we are volunteers, so while we HOPE that you will call us to help you with your homebuying adventure, by no means do you have to. :-)Buying a home, especially your first home, is such a big thing that sometimes it is hard to wait when we get the bug. Buying a home is still the American dream, and gives us roots in a community. It is the place where we raise our children, plant our gardens, paint our rooms, and show our personality. A house isn't just a place of four walls and a door, but a home....and a place of dreams. Knowing all of this as we do, when it comes to buying a home, patience isn't always our biggest virtue! :-D The second step in the home buying process is talking with a lender to help you get pre-approved for a loan. The reason why we say that talking to a lender is your second step is because while you don't go grocery shopping without knowing how much is in your bank account, you should never go looking at homes without knowing how much you can afford. A lenders job is to pre-approve you for as much as they can, but that doesn't always mean that you can, or that you should, spend that much on purchasing a home. We all have lives, and you don't want to be housepoor. Make sure that you know your budget, and what is a comfortable amount for you to spend monthly on a mortgage. Remember to make sure that you have enough for small things like eating out (ok....if you have my family it isn't a 'small' thing at all to eat out!), going to the movies, maybe going on a family trip....and let's not forget buying groceries and gas! Also...as a homeowner, now you have other additional expenses and potential repairs to put aside for. I always tell all my clients to put aside some money from every check into a 'special' account at a banking institution that you don't regularly frequent. Maybe it is a credit union across town that is only open for 4 hours a day, but make sure you don't have a checkbook or a debit card for it. It doesn't have to be a lot of money....maybe only $10-$20 per check, but this is your 'rainy day' fund...or really, the funds for any home repairs that will, eventually, come up. Being a home owner does mean being prepared for home repairs that always happen at the worst possible time! Home Warranties really are your best friend when buying a home...and yes, this is different than Homeowners Insurance (aka Hazard Insurance). That will be a topic for another week. :-) The rule of thumb though is to make sure that when you are looking for homes, after you get pre-approved, to make sure you are looking at homes with your buyers agent that you can afford, and not max out your budget! Remember that not all lenders can access the downpayment assistance loans, so make sure that you are going through someone who can. If you have any questions about that, please feel free to call, or email, Chris Berg @ Pinnacle Mortgage...503-320-0925 (he is local), and [email protected] . When getting pre-approved, make sure to ask your lender if your pre-approval has already gone through the manual underwriters. We are seeing more, and more people lately who, thinking they are pre-approved, go out and find a home, only to find out days before signing, that the manual underwriters are declining their loan! This is terrible as this means that this family who have already packed up, given notice, and are ready to move....now have no loan, and therefore, no home! I don't want that to happen to any of my clients, so as a buyers agent, when I am speaking with a lender, I always ask their lender if the buyers loan approval was sent to the manual underwriter, or if it is just a computer approval. Having your pre-approval go through the manual underwriters, instead of just a computer approval, does take some more time, usually up to a week more, but in the end it is always better to be safe rather than sorry! Please remember that your pre-approval is only good for 90 days, and yes, you will have to update it at the end of the process...usually when your file goes to underwriting for the final documents to sign. Please continue to pay your bills (on time), please do not change work hours, please do not go out and buy appliances, do not get a personal loan for 'stuff for the house', do not go buy a car/truck/boat/etc. If you have any questions, please talk with your lender first as all of these things can cause your loan to be declined...at the final step....which is awful for everyone. Your pre-approval is NOT set in stone.... A pre-approval is a snap-shot of your 'current' financial situation, and if that changes...so can your pre-approval. Your financial situation will be looked at by a myriad of different people, and scrutinized about 2-3 times by the underwriters...which are actually the people with the power. Please remember to talk with your lender and real estate agent...we are here to help! :-) A pre-approval is good for a monthly mortgage payment amount...not a purchase price. Your interest rate can not be locked in until about 30-45 days from closing/keys. What this means is that the interest rate you are quoted at the time of pre-approval is merely a 'guesstimate'. This part is always a bit strange, but your lender can't even start your actual loan process until you have a signed around contract on a home...signed (and agreed to) by the person with the legal authority to sell that home. If interest rates go up in the process of buying your home, and your rate is not locked in, then your monthly mortgage payment will change...and so can your pre-approval. Your buyers agent, and your lender should work together, and communicate with each other to help you through this process! I know I say this all the time, but we work for YOU! By working together we help you achieve your goal of your own home where you can kick your shoes off, turn on some football (ok, maybe that is just my house!), and relax! A buyers agent and a lender should work together as a team, communicating with each other, and with you, every step of the way....that is what we are here for! :-) I also asked Chris Berg for some information on this email...There are three forms of approvals that you will see when you purchase a home. Prequalification, preapproval, and approval. A prequalification is not worth the paper it's printed on and most if not all sellers will not except a prequalification when you make an offer on a home. The reason for this is that a prequalification is basically just checking your credit but not verifying income or down payment or any of the other thousand things that can go wrong during the transaction. A preapproval covers all the things they seller needs to see. Not only does it verify your credit but also verifies your income, tax returns, W-2s, down payment, employment and address history, and rent payments. A preapproval is what you need in order to make an offer on a home. An approval is generally not achieved until you were under contract on a home. It verifies all the items in a preapproval but also includes the appraisal and preliminary title report on all borrowers and sellers. In order to get a preapproval you need to bring your lender your last two years tax returns, W-2s, last 30 days pay stubs, ID, and two months bank statements if you have a down payment. If you are seriously considering buying a home a preapproval, with most lenders, will not cost you any money and will allow you to deal with any issues well before you spend the money to make an offer on a home. No animals were harmed during the writing of this email. Thank you, Chris BergMortgage Advisor with Pinnacle Capital MortgageMLO-198082503-320-0925 [email protected] Information is power, and as always...May the odds be ever in your favor out there.... If you are looking for a real estate agent, I would love to be able to help you. If you have any questions, or comments please get a hold of me anytime. You can call, text, email, or even facebook me. Please remember that while I mean these emails/blogs to be helpful, and educational, I am still hoping that you will call, or email me as I would be honored to help you with your home buying, or home selling adventure! :-) As always....this is just a quick overview.... again...and I can't say this enough...please remember that your agent is NOT a salesperson, and should not be acting like one. Real Estate is not really about houses, it is about relationships. Your agent, and your lender work for YOU. You drive the bus...we are merely GPS to help you get to your goals. Like the classes, this weekly blog email is to help you with your home adventure. The goal is to be informative and non-promotional. :-) We are, however, hoping you will call and want us to help with your adventure. Thank you again for your business and your referrals!! ...and thank you for referring these classes to your friends, family, and co-workers. ....disclaimer...if you have already purchased a home, or would no longer like to receive these emails, please let me know and I will be happy to remove you from any further mailings... Upcoming Topics: What do I need to buy a home, Hiring a Realtor...questions to ask, What if I don't have a Down Payment? ..... &....What does an Agent do for me? Debt to Income Ratios....What is this? Last Week: Why take a home buyers (or sellers) class? Have a great day, and I will talk to you soon, ;-D Tracie DeMars Real Estate broker Re/Max - Van Mall 360/ 903-3504 cell 360/ 882-3600 fax www.traciedemars.com [email protected] “Interested in free and non promotional home education classes? Go to www.freehomebuyerclasses.com for local upcoming home buyer and home SELLER classes, or facebook: Tracie DeMars Real Estate for my home buyer education blog.” "Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be." - Shel Silverstein, American poet, cartoonist and composer, (1930 - 1999

#traciedemars #realestate #traciedemarsrealestate #pnwrealtor #traciedemarsrealtor #learningtobuyahome #learningtosellahome #freehomebuyereducation #freehomesellereducation #preapprovals #traciedemarsremax #remax #chrisberg #chrisbergpinnaclemortgage #helpinghomebuyers #helpinghomesellers #homebuyerbuyereducation #homesellereducation

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traciedemars · 4 years ago

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Tuesday's Tips with Tracie Be aware.. Showing Homes with Big Brother & Covid

www.learningtobuyahome.com

www.freesellerclasses.com

#traciedemarsrealestate #traciedemarsrealtor #traciedemars #traciedemarsremax #remax #vancouverwa #learningtobuyahome #learningtosellahome #learningtobuyahomedotcom #homebuyereducation #homesellereducation

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traciedemars · 5 years ago

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Tuesday's Tips with Tracie www.learningtobuyahome.com Selling your home and building a home

#TracieDeMars #TracieDeMarsRealEstate #TracieDeMarsReMax #TracieDeMarsRealtor #LearningToBuyAHome #LearningToBuyAHomeDotCom #LearningToSellAHome #FreeSellerClasses #HowToBuyAHome #HowToSellAHome

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traciedemars · 5 years ago

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Tuesday's Tips with Tracie: selling & buying contingent

#learningtobuyahome #learningtosellahome #realestate #traciedemars #freesellerclasses #remax

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traciedemars · 5 years ago

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COVID & buying or selling...Education

Home Buyer & Seller Education & Virtual Classes

Please remember that, currently, ALL BUYER & SELLER classes are being held virtually. We look forward to teaching at the community centers again, once they open.

For the virtual classes, they are TWO hours long, and will start at the scheduled starting time. Please email [email protected] for link & password

Upcoming Home BUYER Classes

Saturday, August 8, from 10am-12pm (ish)

Saturday, August 15, from 11am-1pm (ish)

Saturday, August 22nd, from 12pm-2pm (ish)

Monday, August 24th, from 5pm - 7pm (ish)

Saturday, August 29th, from 10am - 12pm (ish)

Upcoming Home SELLER Classes

Saturday, August 8th, from 12:30-2:30pm

Saturday, August 22nd, from 9am-11am

Thursday, August 27th, from 5:30pm-7:30pm

Happy August!

I have to admit.. I am sad today. Today is the day before the Clark County Fair would have started. Today I should be at the fairgrounds setting up our booth and getting ready for the fair to start tomorrow morning. We are at the fair every year, and as exhausting as it is, it is also fun, exciting...and honestly... I absolutely love it when our friends, family, clients (both past, present, and future) come and visit us. I love seeing everyone and visiting with them. I also love being able to give little gifts to everyone. I am also looking at the projected weather forecast for the next week, and honestly, I am crying a bit as it is really a PERFECT fair forecast.....of course it is, right? Remember how at the beginning of this year we were so excited? All the holidays that were going to fall on the weekends? 4th of July on a Saturday? Rock on! Halloween on a Saturday AND with a Full Moon? AWESOME! Christmas? New Years? On Saturdays? Score!! It's like the stars all lined up for a perfect year....and well, it's like that piece of cake you are so excited to come home to eat, and that you have been thinking about ALL day...and you come home, and it is GONE!!! Someone else ate it!! You know what I mean...right? That is what 2020 feels like to me... crazy.. but here we are.

HEADS UP, if you are a CLIENT, please check your mail boxes! We couldn't do a Client Appreciation this spring, but there is something in your mailbox that should be a little fun. We are also trying to plan something for the end of summer... we will see how that shakes out... stay tuned!

This month I am going to talk about showing a home and a few of those 'hidden' fees that people don't think about. Whether you are thinking about selling (because it is definitely a sellers market), or you are buying a home... how does that work right now with COVID and everything else going on? Well, hopefully, this should help. As always...feel free to reach out with any questions! Thank you!!

While showing homes, we go over lots of 'little' things that otherwise people don't think about. Some of these items are the 'hidden' costs of buying a home....those things that you weren't planning on, but probably should be. Not too long ago, I was on one of the facebook swap/free/sale sites, and I was reading how some people were upset with the home buying process and the 'hidden' fees they weren't told about. It is true that there are a LOT of fees and other expenses involved with buying a home. The point of these blogs, and of course, the home buyer classes is to give folks this information. There shouldn't be anything 'hidden' about the home buying process. As you know, I am a big fan of not sugarcoating anything....I believe that an ugly truth is better than a pretty lie every day of the week. You might not always like what I have to say (and that is ok), but I am not going to hold anything back from you on the off chance you might not ask me to help you buy, or sell, your home. Personally I don't just want to hear about the 'good' things about a loan, or process....I want to hear it all...the good, the bad, and the ugly, so that I can make the best decision for me and my family based on the pros and the cons....not just the good. So....yes, I am not going to just agree with what you read on the internet, or saw on HGTV, or heard from your direct and personal circle....I am going to give you the pros and cons because this is YOUR home buying (or selling) adventure, and YOU need to make the decisions. My job is to help you find, and have, all the information I can get you so that you can make those choices based on a full picture....not just half of one. Last month we talked about the 'basic' fees of earnest money, home inspection (including the possibility of radon & sewer scope), and appraisal. However there are a few other 'fees' that you might want to think about.

Other fees?

Changing out locks

...I always advise my clients to change out the locks of their new homes. Why? Well, even if the sellers give you all the keys they have...there is not guarantee that there isn't more keys running around somewhere. I used to change out my house locks every couple of years because my kids were always losing keys. Finally....last year... I went and purchased the the house locks that have the key pad. It is awesome!! I don't worry about lost keys anymore. Every family member has a code, and what is the best is that I can add and delete codes as needed. So...go away for a couple of days, and have a house sitter? Give them a code,and when you get back you simply delete the code. I tell you....worth it!

Mailbox key

...yes, legally you are not supposed to copy the mailbox key, but a lot of people do. Mail is not something you want to mess with. Take your HUD form down to the post office, and have them re-key the box, and get a new key. Cost is about $100, but for peace of mind...that isn't much. When you are changing out locks, talk with the locksmith... she/he may be able to help with this as well.

Paint

...you will probably want to paint some, or all, the rooms of your new home. Each gallon of paint runs about $25. Paint is the easiest thing you can do to make the home 'yours', and it's fun! Paint can change the entire feel of a room, or home. Personally, I am a fan of semi-gloss. I like the shine to it, and most importantly, it cleans up easy....with kids and big dogs, this is my go-to.

Minor repairs

...during the home inspection the inspector will probably point out repairs that the home may need. Some of these repairs may be cosmetic repairs that will be part of your 'honey-do list' with your new home. Remember that, at the home inspection, we are looking for any repairs that will affect the safety of the home, or occupants...or anything that may need a contractor to repair. The 'big' areas that we usually see repairs for are roofs, attic spaces, crawlspaces, and siding. These are the places that usually get called out during the repair process for a licensed contractor to come in Remember that home inspectors are licensed for home inspections. It is during this period that we will request a second opinion by a licensed contractor...who can give a better, more thorough inspection/repair for the item that the inspector called out. All homes have some repairs that will need to be done by the (new) homeowner....it is part of being a homeowner. Don't forget that the worst thing a homeowner can do is to defer maintenance. If you need help with that, give me a call or email... I always have a 'guy' that you can call for help. Anytime you need work done around the home that you can't do, give me a holler...I know people. I tease, but it is true. I know excellent contractors that will usually give you a better deal because I refer them out. I refer them out because they do a good job...and give better deals. Just like in Real Estate... referrals are the name of the game. :-)

Lawn supplies

...did you come from an apartment? Well, most likely now you have a yard. You will need a lawnmower to start with. There will be other lawn equipment that will follow...weed eaters, trimmers, wheel barrels, shovels, and a myriad other things that come with having a yard.

Appliances

...don't forget that washer, dryer, and fridges don't come with the home. If you don't already have these appliances then you may also be purchasing a washer, dryer, and/or a fridge. Just please, please, please wait until AFTER you get keys for the home before you go purchase these things.

Curtains/Blinds

...if your new home doesn't already have some then this may be on your 'to buy' list. Sometimes even if your home does have some, you may want new ones. Honestly, I have had very good luck with curtains at places like Target, or Fred Meyer, or even Wal-Mart. I think I've gotten all my curtains from Target. They have blinds as well.

House Cleaner/Carpet Cleaner

...when a home is vacant you know exactly what you're going to be walking into when your buyers agent (hopefully me LOL) gives you keys, but... when the home is owner occupied, you don't. Yes, you can and will do a walk thru of the home before closing, but it will still be occupied. In many cases, when the home is owner occupied the (soon to be) previous owner doesn't vacate the property until day of closing, or sometimes even a couple of days after closing. With cases like this, you really don't know what condition the home will be upon closing. We have to have faith that the (soon to be) previous owner will leave the home in a clean condition, but sometimes...well, sometimes, they don't. Also, one persons idea of clean is not another persons idea of 'clean'. :-) Many times, whether the home is vacant or owner occupied, a buyer will book a professional carpet cleaning, or house cleaning after closing....simply for peace of mind.

Insurance

...wait..you already have insurance, don't you? Well...yes, you have mortgage insurance, title insurance, and homeowners insurance, but what about earthquake insurance? You don't...

When I purchased my home my homeowners insurance included earthquake insurance. About 10 years ago though we received a letter that no longer would homeowners insurance include earthquake insurance....why? Because we live in the #1 high danger area for earthquakes. Because of that earthquake insurance must now be purchased separately. So, AFTER you buy your home, call your insurance company and add on earthquake insurance. Cost isn't too much, but it is important....just in case.

Toilet Seats

Yeah, I know you probably didn't think of that, but really....if it were me, I would change out the toilet seats when you buy your new home. Why? Well, since now you are thinking about it....I'm sure you can see why. LOL Toilet seats are not expensive, and really...having new seats just makes you feel better! :-D

As we've talked about, once you hire a Realtor to help you with your home adventure, you are ready for the 'fun' part.....LOOKING AT HOMES! :-) This is always an exciting time for buyers, and it should be! Every home you pull up to has the possibility to be 'the one'....The one you make an offer on, the one that you buy, the ONE that becomes YOUR HOME...and it is very exciting. For the sellers though, it is very stressful because currently it is THEIR home, and they're leaving so that strangers can come in. As a Realtor, we are trying to make this as easy as possible for both the buyer and seller, but we need help... especially right now...

We are in the world of COVID, and it has changed how we look at homes.

For the homeowners (sellers), we are asking that the home be available to show, that the home be clean, nothing of value is being left out, all medicines are put away and out of sight (not left in bathrooms or kitchen cabinets), anything that a seller wants excluded from the sale is noted, that sweet pups are either removed or kenneled, that sweet kitties are noted as inside only or inside/outside ok, and that please, please... homeowners (sellers) be gone for showings. Selling your home means opening up your home to strangers. Please note that anytime a Realtor shows your home, that Realtor is responsible for the buyers they bring into your home. If you have any COVID concerns, please bring them up with, and talk about them with your Realtor. As always, there is more to it than this, but that is a different class....and email. You can always call me for more information when you are selling your home.

For the buyers....it gets a bit more complicated... before we go house shopping, we are asking that you have a pre-approval letter with a solid lender, we are asking that you do not look at homes above your price range, we are asking that you have thought about the Top Three things you want in a home (so we can show you homes that have those items you value most), and that you help us help you.... We are currently in Phase 2 which means that we can't have more than 3 people (including the Realtor) in the house at a time, and yes, masks are currently required when we are showing homes. Many homes will request that we take off shoes so be sure to wear easy on/off shoes.

When a Realtor opens the lockbox to show you the home, we are taking responsibility for everything that happens from that moment on....until we lock up the house and put the key back into the lockbox. As I say all the time... Real Estate is NOT like HGTV... you don't just get to wander the home while your Realtor sits outside... we must be with you at all times when touring your potential new home. Sometimes this can be like herding cats, but we understand your excitement... just please, please as you are touring the home, and we know you have your family with you, please...we must all stay together. Don't make me sing to you here.....

As cool as those toys look, I'm sorry but the kiddos can't play with them, and sorry...but you can't jump on the beds either. It's ok to open cupboards, and closets, but we can't open dressers, or go through someone else's personal items. Touring a home is a VISUAL thing....sorry. However, yes, you can use the bathroom....usually.. sometimes we do have requests from sellers that bathrooms are NOT used. I showed a home last week where the sellers literally taped the toilets shut on days they were showing. I thought it was funny...

When we are looking at homes, often we have more than one home to look at, and many homes are owner occupied so your Realtor makes appointments. We do the best we can to make sure we have enough time to look at the homes, but we need to stay within our timeframes as the sellers are waiting to come home after we leave, or there are other Realtors waiting to show the home. I promise we are not trying to 'rush' you through the home...we are just trying to stay within the timeframes so that you can see the other homes on your list.

Looking at homes is exciting, and many of you will send your Realtor a long list of homes to go see, but what you don't know.....yet...that looking at homes is exhausting, and they quickly starts to blend together. Don't look at more than 6-8 in one appointment. I've had clients look at up to 10 at once, and that is a lot. We can do it....just be prepared. Your Realtor should give you a print out for each home we see, so be sure to take notes on each of the houses because they will blend together and you will not remember what you liked, or didn't like, about the first couple of homes by the time we get to the last couple of homes. :-)

With the real estate market being so crazy right now, it's important that if a home comes up that you like, that you let your Realtor know as soon as possible so we can make an appointment for you to see it. Many homes are receiving multiple offers and go pending within a few days. Your Realtor should be sending you a list of homes as they come on the market for you to check....drive by the homes...check out those neighborhoods....and let's make an appointment to go see the inside of the home.

Do not trust Internet photos! Realtors hire professional photographers for our listings for a reason. Smile Internet photos are a lot like internet dating...you don't know what you're going to get when you get there

Like the neighborhood, but not sure about the house? Let's at least go check out the inside! You never know as you can't judge a book (or a house) by its cover.

ASK QUESTIONS!! For heavens sake...this is a home you are thinking about buying... ask questions! As your Realtor, we are here to help! If we can't answer your questions, we can at least set up in the right direction to get those answers.

Buying a home is a very emotional experience. Your Realtor is here to point out pros/cons, and to help you.... Trust your heart, but use your head... or your Realtor. :-) Remember that we work FOR you.

Thank you again for your business and your referrals!! ...and thank you for referring these classes to your friends, family, and co-workers.

. ..disclaimer...if you have already purchased a home, or would no longer like to receive these emails, please let me know and I will be happy to remove you from any further mailings...

Information is power, and as always...May the odds be ever in your favor out there.... If you are looking for a real estate agent, I would love to be able to help you.

If you have any questions, or comments please get a hold of me anytime. You can call, text, email, or even facebook me. Please remember that while I mean these emails/blogs to be helpful, and educational, I am still hoping that you will call, or email me as I would be honored to help you with your home buying, or home selling adventure.

Upcoming Topics:

What if I don't have a Down Payment?

How do I hire a Realtor, & do I have to sign anything?

Heating Types (but I want AC)

Last Week: Can you buy a home with ZERO out of pocket?

Have a great day, and I will talk to you soon,

;-D

Tracie DeMars

Real Estate broker

Re/Max - Van Mall

360/ 903-3504 cell

360/ 882-3600 fax

www.traciedemars.com

[email protected]

“Interested in free and non promotional home education classes? Go to www.learningtobuyahome.com or www.freesellerclasses.com for local upcoming home BUYER and home SELLER classes, or facebook: Tracie DeMars Real Estate for my home buyer education blog.”

"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be."

- Shel Silverstein, American poet, cartoonist and composer, (1930 - 1999).

#traciedemars #traciedemarsrealestate #buyingahome #sellingahome #learningtobuyahomedotcom #learningtobuyahome #learningtosellahome #buyersagent #sellersagent #traciedemarsremax #remax #traciedemarsrealtor #pnwrealtor

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traciedemars · 6 years ago

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Property Taxes (the elephant in the room) Upcoming Free (& non-promotional) Home Buyer Classes: ...we also have home seller classes available. Link on left on website page Saturday, March 16th, from 11am-2pm (ish) Vancouver YMCA, conference room 11324 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver WA (corner of SR500 & Gher Road/112th Ave). Monday, February 18th, from 5pm-8pm (ish) Marshall Community Center, conference room 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College) Saturday, March 30th, from 10am-1pm (ish) Marshall Community Center, conference room 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College) If these class dates and/or times don't work for you, please let us know. We understand that you have lives, and families, and work. We will work something out that works better with your schedule. Just let us know.... ....we also have home seller classes available too...link on left on website Remember...with reservation...we will throw in lunch, or dinner! :-D ~~~~~~~~~ Happy Daylight Savings time aka National Napping Day~ After the nastiest of the last couple of weeks... what a gorgeous day!!! ...and did you hear? It's supposed to hit 60 degrees this week? It's like a heat wave! WooHoo! Is it? Could it be? Spring may finally be coming...and I know we are all excited, right? Spring also means that we have a Client Appreciation event coming up. We will be hosting Avengers: Endgame the first Saturday of May...yes, a week after it opens, but we are still excited, right? If there is a different movie that you think we should host....we still have time to change it! :-D Let me, or Chris Berg ([email protected]) know. We are always open to suggestions. Ok, now to be honest with you, this is NOT the email I was going to send out this week. There was some craziness that has been going on with social media the last week or so, and I wanted to talk about it...and I might send it out next week, but I am not sure that right now is the best time for it. I mean...it is always a good time to talk about protecting yourself and to talk about agency, but I think I need to have that blog read by an outside source to make certain it is clear and not just venting. You know what I mean... You spend time typing something up, and then read what you typed, and think, "oh crap...do I sound crazier than what I am talking about?" Yeah... I better make sure first. So, instead we are going to talk about something else that has been all over facebook recently.... surprise... we are going off topic *gasp*. Let's talk about the elephant in the room...Property Taxes (insert scare music here). As you know from previous posts, a mortgage payment is one payment for you, but then it is broke down into payments within that payment. There's your actual loan amount (principal) with interest. Your interest doesn't change (unless you refinance), so this amount is always the same, but over the course of your home ownership you pay less on interest and more towards principal. Then there is the amount that goes into your 'escrow' account. From your escrow account is paid a couple of things... Insurances (mortgage, hazard, flood) and property taxes. Most folks have some mortgage insurance and this is the cost to secure the loan....it protects the lender. Your hazard insurance is another term for homeowners insurance. This is the insurance you carry to protect the property if something outside of your care, custody, and control were to happen to the home. It's a lot like car insurance in that it is there to protect the asset from damage and to correct, or fix, that damage, and to bring the asset (in this case, the home) back to original (before the damage) condition. For example, if your home catches fire, you wouldn't have the money to fix that damage, but with hazard/home insurance, you would be able to correct the fire damage with only the insurance deduction out of pocket. Flood insurance is only required if you are in a designated flood plain, and if you have it will be paid from the escrow account as well. Then there is the amount that goes toward paying your property taxes. The amount needed in your escrow account to pay these items can change, and as it does, your monthly mortgage payment will change too. Every year you will get a statement from your escrow account letting you know if you are paying enough into that escrow account. In a market upswing, where your home is increasing in value, is going to usually mean you will have a deficit in that account and you will either A) have to send an additional check for $XX amount to deposit into your escrow account and your mortgage payment will now be $XXXX.xx, or B) you can spread that amount over the next 12 months of mortgage payments and your mortgage payment will now be $XXXX.xx. I receive calls on this every year, and that is ok. I am always here to help! Property tax payment dates are weird.... they're due on April 1 (pay period from January 1 thru June 30), and again on October 1 (pay period from July 1 thru December 31). They can be paid in full on April 1, or split with 1/2 due on April 1, and half due on October 1. I've seen escrow statements with either option paid by the bank. Remember that every year your escrow company will assess your escrow account to make sure you have enough in there, or if you have enough projected to come in via your monthly payments, to pay your insurances and taxes. If you have too much (in a declining market), you will receive a check with the option to mail it back and your payments become XX amount, or to keep the check and your payments will be XX amount....or... (and this is the case for the past couple of years now), it is projected by your escrow company that you will NOT have enough and you have one of two options ... you can send a check to the escrow company and your payment will be XX, or you can increase your monthly payments to XXX to cover the difference. Yes, I know that I just repeated myself, but it bears repeating. Yes, your mortgage payment amount WILL change every year. Every year the Clark County Assessors assess the value of the home for taxes. As your home value increases, so do your property taxes. One thing to note is that they will use information that is available based on sales average from a year or so ago for that area. This is not current information. Tax assessed value is not market value... I will repeat... TAX ASSESSED VALUE IS NOT MARKET VALUE. We are in an escalating market... (aka sellers market), and home values are still going up. This is why tax assessed value is not market value because the market is always moving and changing...ebbing and flowing... and your taxes are the same for that period. "For every pro...there is a con, and for every con...there is a pro" (I will give a gift card to the person who can tell me what song that line is from) ....while this is a fun song from one of my favorite Disney movies (hint, hint) it is true nonetheless. As your market value increases, so do your property taxes, and as the market declines and values go down, so will your taxes. As your market value increases, so does the amount you need to insure your home against catastrophe and calamity, you might want to be prepared for that. This can also increase (or decrease) your monthly payment amount. It really is a case of, 'you can't have your cake and eat it too'.... everyone loves it when their home values go up, but no one likes it when their property taxes do. I get that. My property taxes went up a lot last year, and they will this year again as I added on to my home so now there is more to tax. It sucks... I get it. However, everyone hates it when they see their home values go down...but they like it when their taxes do. Taxes go down when home values go down, but we wouldn't see that right away. Sigh.... can't win for losing, right? Be prepared though... as home values increased significantly again last year (2018), taxes will go up again next year. The higher values jump in a year... so do your property taxes. 2016 & 2017, we saw a sharp increase in home values. Home values did increase again in 2018, but not as much in percentage as they did the two previous years. As an industry we still expect to see an increase in home values this year, but again, not as much as a percentage as 2016/2017, and maybe not as much as last years either. As an industry, the thought is that the rising interest rates will help the market to 'balance out'. Of course, as I've often said... my crystal ball is broken and the Magic 8 Ball often lies to me. I'm always available to answer your questions, so feel free to reach out to me anytime. :-) Remember that this is just a quick overview.... again...and I can't say this enough...please remember that your agent is NOT a salesperson, and should not be acting like one. Real Estate is not really about houses, it is more about relationships. Your agent, and your lender work for YOU. You drive the bus...we are merely GPS to help you get to your goals. Like the classes, this weekly blog email is to help you with your home adventure. The goal is to be informative and non-promotional. :-) All home buying adventures should START with the Home Buyer Education Classes. Don't talk to lenders/agents until after the classes so you know the questions to ask, what all the paperwork means, and fully understand the process. As always...the classes are Free and Non-Promotional. After teaching these classes for 14 years, we are not there to promote ourselves, or any 'special' agenda like some classes, and while we certainly hope you will call Chris or I, or both of us, to help with your home adventure, that certainly isn't the main focus of the classes. If you have any questions about this, or something you have heard... or if you would like me to assist you with your home adventure... please call, email, or text. We are here to help. Thank you again for your business and your referrals!! ...and thank you for referring these classes to your friends, family, and co-workers. . ..disclaimer...if you have already purchased a home, or would no longer like to receive these emails, please let me know and I will be happy to remove you from any further mailings... Upcoming Topics: Delayed Possession... What is this & what does it mean to you Interest Rates (information from Chris Berg,Cardinal Financial) What do I need to buy a home, Hiring a Realtor...questions to ask, What if I don't have a Down Payment? ..... &.... Debt to Income Ratios....What is this? Last Week: Is Big Brother Watching? Well...maybe... Have a great day, and I will talk to you soon, ;-D Tracie DeMars Real Estate broker Re/Max - Van Mall 360/ 903-3504 cell 360/ 882-3600 fax www.traciedemars.com [email protected] “Interested in free and non promotional home education classes? Go to www.freehomebuyerclasses.com for local upcoming home buyer and home SELLER classes, or facebook: Tracie DeMars Real Estate for my home buyer education blog.” "Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be." - Shel Silverstein, American poet, cartoonist and composer, (1930 - 1999).

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traciedemars · 8 years ago

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Looking at homes? What Buyers need to know. (home buyer & Seller education) Upcoming Free (& non-promotional) Home Buyer Classes: Saturday, June 10th, from 9am-12pm (ish) Marshall Community Center, conference room 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College)

Monday, June 12th , from 5pm-8pm (ish) Marshall Community Center, conference room 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College) Saturday, June 24th, from 11am-2pm (ish) Vancouver YMCA, conference room 11324 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver WA (corner of SR500 & Gher Road/112th Ave) If these class dates and/or times don't work for you, please let us know. We understand that you have lives, and families, and work. We will work something out that works better with your schedule. Just let us know.... ....we also have home seller classes available too...link on left on website Remember...with reservation...we will throw in lunch, or dinner! :-D ~~~~~~~~~

Happy sunny weather!!

It's that time again (and again!)... CLIENT APPRECIATION EVENT time... Yay!! :-D Saturday, June 17 from 3pm-6pm. Chris Berg & I would like to invite our clients to come watch a movie with us. Didn't we just have one? Well, yes...yes, we did and we had so much fun that we want to do it again! Which one now? Well, it involves some Disney, a red car, a tow truck, some really good music, and really good friends along Route 66 . Come join us for Cars 3!! This is just our small way of saying, "THANK YOU" for your continued support, friendship, and oh yes, referrals. We appreciate YOU so much. Come watch a movie with us! There's always room for friends and family too. :-) We do need rsvp's, and those can be made via Facebook or email to either Chris Berg ([email protected]) or Tracie DeMars ([email protected]) for right now.

We are always excited for the client appreciation events, and it's almost as exciting for us as getting someone's offer accepted on their dream home... or getting an offer signed around on the home they're selling. I know people think that Real Estate is about houses, and while, yes...that is partly correct, it isn't completely correct. :-D Real Estate is more about the relationships we form with our clients, and assisting them with their goals.

From the homeowners (sellers), we are asking that the home be available to show, that the home be clean, nothing of value is being left out, all medicines are put away and out of sight (not left in bathrooms or kitchen cabinets), anything that a seller wants excluded from the sale is noted, that sweet pups are either removed or kenneled, that sweet kitties are noted as inside only or inside/outside ok, and that please, please... homeowners (sellers) be gone for showings. As always, there is more to it than this, but that is a different class....and email. You can always call me for more information when you are selling your home. From the buyers....it gets a bit more complicated... before we go house shopping, we are asking that you have a pre-approval letter with a solid lender, we are asking that you do not look at homes above your price range, we are asking that you have thought about the Top Three things you want in a home (so we can show you homes that have those items you value most), and that you help us help you.... When a Realtor opens the lockbox to show you the home, we are taking responsibility for everything that happens from that moment on....until we lock up the house and put the key back into the lockbox. As I say all the time... Real Estate is NOT like HGTV... you don't just get to wander the home while your Realtor sits outside... we must be with you at all times when touring your potential new home. Sometimes this can be like herding cats, but we understand your excitement... just please, please as you are touring the home, and we know you have your family with you, please...we must all stay together. Don't make me sing to you here..... As cool as those toys look, I'm sorry but the kiddos can't play with them, and sorry...but you can't jump on the beds either. It's ok to open cupboards, and closets, but we can't open dressers, or go through someone else's personal items. Touring a home is a VISUAL thing....sorry. Yes, you can use the bathroom. When it's wet out (and frankly lately it's been more wet than not), it's always a good take off our shoes before we enter someone else's home so be sure to wear easy on & off shoes. When we are looking at homes, often we have more than one home to look at, and many homes are owner occupied so your Realtor makes appointments. We do the best we can to make sure we have enough time to look at the homes, but we need to stay within our timeframes as the sellers are waiting to come home after we leave, or there are other Realtors waiting to show the home. I promise we are not trying to 'rush' you through the home...we are just trying to stay within the timeframes so that you can see the other homes on your list. Looking at homes is exciting, and many of you will send your Realtor a long list of homes to go see, but what you don't know.....yet...that looking at homes is exhausting, and they quickly starts to blend together. Don't look at more than 6-8 in one appointment. I've had clients look at up to 10 at once, and that is a lot. We can do it....just be prepared. Your Realtor should give you a print out for each home we see, so be sure to take notes on each of the houses because they will blend together and you will not remember what you liked, or didn't like, about the first couple of homes by the time we get to the last couple of homes. :-) With the real estate market being so crazy right now, it's important that if a home comes up that you like, that you let your Realtor know as soon as possible so we can make an appointment for you to see it. Your Realtor should be sending you a list of homes as they come on the market for you to check....drive by the homes...check out those neighborhoods....and let's make an appointment to go see the inside of the home. Do not trust Internet photos! Realtors hire professional photographers for our listings for a reason. :-) Internet photos are a lot like internet dating...you don't know what you're going to get when you get there Like the neighborhood, but not sure about the house? Let's at least go check out the inside! You never know as you can't judge a book (or a house) by its cover. ASK QUESTIONS!! For heavens sake...this is a home you are thinking about buying... ask questions! As your Realtor, we are here to help! If we can't answer your questions, we can at least set up in the right direction to get those answers. Buying a home is a very emotional experience. Your Realtor is here to point out pros/cons, and to help you.... Trust your heart, but use your head... or your Realtor. :-) Remember that we work FOR you.

Thank you, as always, for reading this. Now, as we enjoy the holiday with our family....let's take a moment to remember WHY we have this holiday....to remember our brave men and women who fought, and died, so that we can enjoy our time with our families. Memorial Day isn't just about BBQ's, fun, and family... it's about those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We Remember....

I hope this helps you this week! Please, if you have any questions, please feel free to call, email, text, or even facebook me anytime. I am always here to help!

Information is power, and I hope that I am help you! Good luck, and as always...May the odds be ever in your favor out there.... If you are looking for a real estate agent, I would love to be able to help you. I hope that explains this a bit, but if you have any questions, or comments please call or email me anytime! Please remember that while I mean these emails/blogs to be helpful, and educational, I am still hoping that you will call, or email me. I would love to help you with your home buying, or home selling adventure! :-)

As always....this is just a quick overview.... again...and I can't say this enough...please remember that your agent is NOT a salesperson, and should not be acting like one. Real Estate is not really about houses, it is about relationships. Your agent, and your lender work for YOU. You drive the bus...we are merely GPS to help you get to your goals. Like the classes, this weekly blog email is to help you with your home adventure. The goal is to be informative and non-promotional. :-) We are, however, hoping you will call and want us to help with your adventure. Thank you again for your business and your referrals!! ...and thank you for referring these classes to your friends, family, and co-workers. ....disclaimer...if you have already purchased a home, or would no longer like to receive these emails, please let me know and I will be happy to remove you from any further mailings... Upcoming Topics: Hiring a Realtor...questions to ask, What if I don't have a Down Payment? ..... &.... What does an Agent do for me?

Last Week: Buyers Due Diligence...what you need to know

Have a great day, and I will talk to you soon, ;-D Tracie DeMars Real Estate broker Re/Max - Van Mall 360/ 903-3504 cell 360/ 882-3600 fax www.traciedemars.com [email protected] “Interested in free and non promotional home education classes? Go to www.freehomebuyerclasses.com for local upcoming home buyer and home SELLER classes, or facebook: Tracie DeMars Real Estate for my home buyer education blog.”

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traciedemars · 6 years ago

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Winter Time & Buying (or not Buying) a Home Upcoming Free (& non-promotional) Home Buyer Classes: ...we also have home seller classes available. Link on left on website page Saturday, January 5th, from 9am-12pm (ish) Marshall Community Center, conference room 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College) Thursday, January 17th, from 5pm-8pm (ish) Marshall Community Center, conference room 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College) Saturday, January 26th, from 11am-2pm (ish) Vancouver YMCA, conference room 11324 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver WA (corner of SR500 & Gher Road/112th Ave) If these class dates and/or times don't work for you, please let us know. We understand that you have lives, and families, and work. We will work something out that works better with your schedule. Just let us know.... Remember...with reservation...we will throw in lunch, or dinner! :-D ~~~~~~~~~ Happy New Year! Welcome to the 'lost time'... when I was a little girl I really thought this time of year was time in limbo. We had Christmas, and then time kind of stopped and floated...then BAM! ... it was New Years Day, and time started again. I know it sounds silly, but that is the way it really felt to me , and kind of still does. There is all this build up to Christmas, and then time kind of 'floats' to New Years Day. This is the time for reflection maybe? I love the holidays... November, December...those are my absolute favorite months of the year. I love the cold, wet weather.. I love the darkness... and I love that my husband has time off to be home, and winter vacation for the youngest. I love having all my family together. This time of year I love to snuggle down on the couch with some tea, and a fire, and some good movies on the TV....with some crochet to occupy myself with too. LOL Let's be honest though... this is also the time of year for reflection....and this year was maybe one of our hardest as we had a very difficult loss this summer in my family, and then just this past week, a very loved friend of mine that Ive known for 30 years... he passed. This Christmas my son decided to spend both christmas eve, and christmas day with his girlfriends family, and I didn't like that at all. Like every year there is good, and bad... but this year the losses seemed to be overwhelming for so many. However, it wasn't all bad.... we had some wonderful family vacations, we had some AMAZING client appreciation events, and I was blessed to assist 54 people with the home buying & home selling adventures. 54 sets of keys exchanged as some folks sold their homes and moved to their next adventures, and some folks got keys for their first home (and you never forget your first), and some folks got the keys for their next home to carry them to their next adventures. Man, it has been a mixed bag year for certain.... Here's to 2019! Here's to helping you, and yours with your home buying ... or selling... adventures. Here's to the Clark County Fair in August, the Home & Garden Show at the end of April, and the Client Appreciation events (Infinity War: End Game, the new Star Wars and another one that we are still deciding on. Here's to birthdays, anniversaries, house-iversarys, and get-togethers with the ones we love. Here's to house warming parties, and that final walk through on the home you're leaving. Here's to the joy you feel when you get keys to the home that is YOURS, and no one else's. Here's to love, friendship, joy, and happiness. Here's to memories, and 365 days of new adventures. We got this! So, this week, let's talk about the current market for a quick moment.....I know that it's winter, and it's the after holidays, but honestly, if you are even 'thinking' about buying a home....NOW is the best time. Yes, there are not a whole lot of homes on the market, but the market is not as competitive as it is during the spring time. Remember that from offer to keys it will take about 6-7 weeks. The market tends to pick up and start getting crazy again right about March-April when folks start getting their tax refunds. So lately I've had a few clients lately asking me where all the homes are. Well, it's the holidays... and many folks will wait until after the new year to put their home on the market...new year, and fresh start. I know of a few homes getting ready to go on the market within the next month. If you're thinking about buying ....January through March is a great time to be out there. We are in that tail end of the best time of year to be a buyer :-) Now...please remember that my magic wand is broken, and the magic 8 ball exploded all over my house with the holidays... so no one really knows what is going to happen. However, most people in the real estate industry agrees that in 2019 we will see interest rates continue to go up. This is a very solid bet. It's a split decision with industry sources on when prices should plateau off. With Seattle and the Portland area being 2 of the top markets in the United States, it really depends on how soon we will see more homes on the market. This is a lot like foretelling the weather right now... as it really depends on when things happen. Most industry sources do say that home prices should start plateauing though. This doesn't mean that the home prices will not go up...they just shouldn't go up like last year. They should steady out. As people see the change in the market coming, more homeowners should put the home on the market so they can begin their move to their new home, and this will help all the price ranges see more homes on the market...which should help with the multiple offers that we saw so much of during the spring of 2018. I'll be honest here... the last couple were awful for multiple offers. This past summer, and fall were not as bad, and this winter has been quite a bit different than the past couple of years winters. This is usually a beginning sign that we have reached that plateau... but this spring and summer will tell the tale. So yes, prices are still going up, but let's talk about how all that works. I bought my old home in late 2001, with a 6.875% interest rate....don't feel bad, or shocked....in a 'healthy' market, a 'normal' interest rate would be about 7%. We were THRILLED to be under 7%! We sold that home in 2017, and it was harder than I thought it would be. It was our first home, and we had lived there for 16 years. It was the craziest thing, but did you know that when our buyers purchased our home for the $285,000 it was worth, with the 4% interest rate.... our mortgages were almost THE SAME! Wait...I'm not (that) crazy...it's economics. Yes, they bought it for more than I owed, but with a much lower interest rate. That equaled my lower owed amount, but higher interest rate. How crazy is that??? Now, here's the crazy part... in 2016, my old house was only worth about $245,000, and right now, that same home is worth $325,000! NUTS!!! My mother purchased a home in the 80's for $70,000, but her interest rate was 18.375%!!! ....now that is crazy!! The point of this is that while yes, prices are going up, the interest rates are still really low, so you can purchase more home. When this changes, and interest rates rise it doesn't mean that home prices will immediately start dropping, they should start leveling off ...it will take a bit of time to balance out though. I have clients asking me if they should just settle then on a home, and frankly this is a tough question. No, you shouldn't 'just settle' on a home, but you may have to adjust either the type of home you want, the location, or be able to go up in purchase price to get what you want. Please remember that this most likely is not your last home, but your home for the next 5-10 years....that's the average. Know what your top 3 things are that you need in a home. Whether you are buying a home, or selling a home...it is exciting, scary, fun, and frustrating. It's a lot like a roller coaster, or driving down Mill Plain during rush hour,....or during that last month of pregnancy. I tell you....there's a reason I don't drink often.....I'm afraid once I start that I won't stop! ;-D (just kidding) Buying and/or selling a home always going to be a a roller coaster when you're on the ride. We're here though to help...that's what we do. When you are looking for a home, you need to consider more than just the house. You are also buying the neighborhood, the schools, the property taxes, the local parks, the neighbors, and the local infrastructure. The home needs to 'fit' you like your favorite pair of pj's. For example....this last weekend I had a client look at a home that she liked. On paper it was everything she said she wanted, and she couldn't find anything against the house that would cause her to not want to write an offer. So why was she hesitant? Because this home was that sweater or shirt that looks good on the rack, and so you try it on. It fits ok, and it looks all right, but there is just 'something' that is 'off' with it.....you can't figure it out either. Sometimes you buy it, but never wear it, and sometimes you put it back. Buying the 'right' home is a lot like that. You can, and will, see homes you like, but they just don't 'fit'. Put that home back. Sometimes you see an item of clothing on the rack that you really don't know about....but you try it on anyway and BAM! you look AMAZING! Some homes don't look like much from the outside, but you get inside and they are amazing. Remember that internet home photos are a lot like internet dating....you never know what you are going to see when you get there, and many agents hire professional photographers for a reason. I can always tell which photos an agent did themselves, and who hired someone. Finding the 'right' home is like sliding into your favorite jeans, or boots.....there is just something about it that 'fits'. I see homes I 'like' all the time, but just because I like it doesn't mean it fits. If you are obsessed with a home that you have seen though. You really like the home, and you keep going back to the pictures, and driving by the house.....that's the 'right' home....even if it was one of the first homes you saw, or it was something you didn't think you wanted, or weren't sure about. That home is that sweater/shirt/shoes that you just weren't sure about....until you tried it on. Darling, you look AMAZING! Trust your instincts....this is YOUR home, and YOUR mortgage. With rents going up so much lately you can buy for about what your renting...or close to it. What is the best time to buy, or sell? Whenever YOU are ready. Sometimes waiting makes sense, and sometimes it really doesn't. I am a firm believer that the right home will always be ready when you are, and that it will all fall into place. Remember....your agent works for you. YOUR agent isn't a salesperson. We shouldn't be trying to 'sell' you on anything. YOUR agent works for YOU....not the other way around. When you hire an agent you are hiring a representative; someone who should be looking out for your best interests. Always ask questions. We do this all the time, and we love it, so use our knowledge to your advantage. There really is NO stupid question in real estate. There is always learning opportunities, and that is goes for us as well. If i can't answer your question; I will help you find someone who can. We're in this together. Don't forget though... that the first step in ANY adventure is education. Take a home buyer class, or a home seller class....that's what they're there for. Information is power, and as always...May the odds be ever in your favor out there.... If you are looking for a real estate agent, I would love to be able to help you. If you have any questions, or comments please get a hold of me anytime. You can call, text, email, or even facebook me. Please remember that while I mean these emails/blogs to be helpful, and educational, I am still hoping that you will call, or email me as I would be honored to help you with your home buying, or home selling adventure. As always....this is just a quick overview.... again...and I can't say this enough...please remember that your agent is NOT a salesperson, and should not be acting like one. Real Estate is not really about houses, it is about relationships. Your agent, and your lender work for YOU. You drive the bus...we are merely GPS to help you get to your goals. Like the classes, this weekly blog email is to help you with your home adventure. The goal is to be informative and non-promotional. :-) We are, however, hoping you will call and want us to help with your adventure. Thank you again for your business and your referrals!! ...and thank you for referring these classes to your friends, family, and co-workers. ....disclaimer...if you have already purchased a home, or would no longer like to receive these emails, please let me know and I will be happy to remove you from any further mailings... Upcoming Topics: Delayed Possession... What is this & what does it mean to you Interest Rates (information from Chris Berg, Pinnacle Mortgage) What do I need to buy a home, Hiring a Realtor...questions to ask, What if I don't have a Down Payment? ..... &....What does an Agent do for me? Debt to Income Ratios....What is this? Last Week: Winter time home maintenance and things to look for Have a great day, and I will talk to you soon, ;-D Tracie DeMars Real Estate broker Re/Max - Van Mall 360/ 903-3504 cell 360/ 882-3600 fax www.traciedemars.com [email protected] “Interested in free and non promotional home education classes? Go to www.freehomebuyerclasses.com for local upcoming home buyer and home SELLER classes, or facebook: Tracie DeMars Real Estate for my home buyer education blog.” "Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be." - Shel Silverstein, American poet, cartoonist and composer, (1930 - 1999).

#traciedemars #traciedemarsrealestate #traciedemarsrealtor #pnwrealtor #realestate #buyingahome #learningtobuyahome #learningtosellahome #selling a home #buyersagent #sellersagent #vancouverwarealtor #clarkcountywarealtor #knowledgeispower #knowingishalfthebattle #traciedemarsremax #remax #traciedemarsdotcom

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traciedemars · 7 years ago

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Seeing homes... what buyers & sellers ‘should’ know... Upcoming Free (& non-promotional) Home Buyer Classes:

Saturday, June 16th , from 9m-12pm (ish) Vancouver YMCA, conference room 11324 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver WA (corner of SR500 & Gher Road/112th Ave) Tuesday, June 19th, from 5m-8pm (ish) Marshall Community Ceneter, conference room 1009 E McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College)

....we also have home seller classes available too...link on left on website

Remember...with reservation...we will throw in lunch, or dinner! :-D ~~~~~~~~~

Happy sunny weather!!

It's that time again (and again!)... CLIENT APPRECIATION EVENT time... Yay!! :-D Saturday, June 16 from 3pm-6pm.

Chris Berg

& I would like to invite our clients to come watch a movie with us. Didn't we just have one? Well, yes...yes, we did and we had so much fun that we want to do it again!

Which one now? Well, it involves some Disney, NO CAPES, a family, and a very long wait!

Come join us for The Incredibles 2!!

This is just our small way of saying, "THANK YOU" for your continued support, friendship, and oh yes, referrals. We appreciate YOU so much. Come watch a movie with us! There's always room for friends and family too. :-) We do need rsvp's, and those can be made via Facebook or email to either Chris Berg (

[email protected]

) or Tracie DeMars (

[email protected]

) for right now.

When it's wet out (which it hasn't been lately), it's always a good take off our shoes before we enter someone else's home so be sure to wear easy on & off shoes.

With the real estate market being so crazy right now, it's important that if a home comes up that you like, that you let your Realtor know as soon as possible so we can make an appointment for you to see it. Your Realtor should be sending you a list of homes as they come on the market for you to check....drive by the homes...check out those neighborhoods....and let's make an appointment to go see the inside of the home. Do not trust Internet photos! Realtors hire professional photographers for our listings for a reason. :-) Internet photos are a lot like internet dating...you don't know what you're going to get when you get there

Like the neighborhood, but not sure about the house? Let's at least go check out the inside! You never know as you can't judge a book (or a house) by its cover. ASK QUESTIONS!! For heavens sake...this is a home you are thinking about buying... ask questions! As your Realtor, we are here to help! If we can't answer your questions, we can at least set up in the right direction to get those answers. Buying a home is a very emotional experience. Your Realtor is here to point out pros/cons, and to help you.... Trust your heart, but use your head...�� or your Realtor. :-) Remember that we work FOR you.

Thank you, as always, for reading this. Now, Memorial Day just passed, and as nice as it was to spend the day with our family....let's take a moment to remember WHY we have this holiday....to remember our brave men and women who fought, and died, so that we can enjoy our time with our families. Memorial Day isn't just about BBQ's, fun, and family... it's about those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We Remember....

I hope this helps you this week! Please, if you have any questions, please feel free to call, email, text, or even facebook me anytime. I am always here to help!

As always....this is just a quick overview.... again...and I can't say this enough...please remember that your agent is NOT a salesperson, and should not be acting like one. Real Estate is not really about houses, it is about relationships. Your agent, and your lender work for YOU. You drive the bus...we are merely GPS to help you get to your goals. Like the classes, this weekly blog email is to help you with your home adventure. The goal is to be informative and non-promotional. :-) We are, however, hoping you will call and want us to help with your adventure. Thank you again for your business and your referrals!! ...and thank you for referring these classes to your friends, family, and co-workers. ....disclaimer...if you have already purchased a home, or would no longer like to receive these emails, please let me know and I will be happy to remove you from any further mailings... Upcoming Topics: Credit 101.... part 2 (with information about credit class)

Hiring a Realtor...questions to ask,

Buyers Due Diligence ...what you need to know &....

What does an Agent do for me?

Last Week: Loans & Down Payment Information

Have a great day, and I will talk to you soon,

;-D

Tracie DeMars

Real Estate broker

Re/Max - Van Mall

360/ 903-3504 cell

360/ 882-3600 fax

www.traciedemars.com

[email protected]

“Interested in free and non promotional home education classes? Go to www.freehomebuyerclasses.com for local upcoming home buyer and home SELLER classes, or facebook: Tracie DeMars Real Estate for my home buyer education blog.”

- Shel Silverstein, American poet, cartoonist and composer, (1930 - 1999).

#traciedemars #traciedemarsrealestate #traciedemarsrealtor #pnwrealtor #traciedemarsremax #remax #realestate #learningtobuyahome #learningtosellahome #homebuyereducation #homebuying #homesellereducation #homeselling101 #homebuying101 #knowledgeispower #knowingishalfthebattle #vancouverwa #clarkcountywa #clarkcountyrealtor

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traciedemars · 8 years ago

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Septic or Sewer? Home Buyer (or seller) Education... Upcoming Free (& non-promotional) Home Buyer Classes: Tuesday, April 11th , from 5pm-8pm (ish) Marshall Community Center, conference room 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College)

Saturday, April 22nd, from 11am-2pm (ish) Vancouver YMCA, conference room 11324 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver WA (corner of SR500 & Gher Road/112th Ave)

Monday,May 8th, from 5pm-8pm (ish) Marshall Community Center, conference room 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College)

If these class dates and/or times don't work for you, please let us know. We understand that you have lives, and families, and work. We will work something out that works better with your schedule. Just let us know.... ....we also have home seller classes available too...link on left on website Remember...with reservation...we will throw in lunch, or dinner! :-D ~~~~~~~~~

Happy Monday!

It's that time again... CLIENT APPRECIATION EVENT time... Yay!! :-D Saturday, May 6 from 3pm-6pm. Chris Berg & I would like to invite our clients to come watch a movie with us? Which one? Well, it involves an adorable stick creature, a genetic mutation raccoon, and some really good music. This is just our small way of saying, "THANK YOU" for your continued support, friendship, and oh yes, referrals. We appreciate YOU so much. Come watch a movie with us! We do need rsvp's, and those can be made via our lovely Jennifer Ehasz Cobb by email to [email protected] for right now. She will be sending out the links for the rsvp's to those who contact her, or us.

So, this week let's talk about septic and sewer... yep, the weather is volatile and crappy, so let's take that one step further and talk about what people don't like to think about in your home. Many areas in Clark County are still on Septic systems, and not hooked up to the Sewer. This, of course, makes sense in rural areas where you don't expect sewer hook-up, but many places in Vancouver are still on septic as well as the sewer lines are not available there. However, sometimes the sewer line is there, but the home is still on a private septic system. I grew up on a septic system... both at my grandparents home that was on acreage & at my mothers home that was on a septic...in Vancouver, and by a hospital. It is surprising to some people just how many homes in Vancouver are still on a septic. For me, septic isn't a big deal. It just has to be maintained, and as a homeowner, you have to be careful what you *ahem* flush. Homes with a septic shouldn't have a garbage disposal as they aren't equipped to handle that.

What is a septic system? How Septic Systems Work A typical septic system contains two major components: a septic tank and a soil drainfield. The septic tank: ♦ Removes solids, which helps protect the soil drainfield from clogging that can result in premature failure of the onsite system. ♦ Digests a portion of the solids and stores the remaining portion. Up to 50% of the solids that remain in the tank decompose. The remaining 50% accumulates in the bottom of the tank as sludge. When the level of sludge exceeds the tank’s holding capacity, the sewage has less time to settle before leaving the tank. Eventually, the sludge level increases enough to allow solids to enter into the drainfield, resulting in damage to the field and the need for extensive repairs. The soil drainfield: ♦ Is located underground in an unsaturated soil area on your property. ♦ Further treats the effluent through physical, chemical, and biological processes. The field consists of a series of underground perforated pipes installed in a one-foot deep layer of washed gravel, or a series of plastic chamber units. Here, the effluent is distributed, stored, and ultimately applied to the soil for treatment. After filtering through the soil, the treated effluent enters the groundwater level for final disposal.

A sewer system is, of course, is a city/county maintained sewage disposal system. The city/county is responsible for the care and maintenance of the sewage lines UNTIL it hits your property lines. Once all pipes hit your property line, the maintenance & repair responsibility is the homeowners.

Maintenance of your septic system?The lack of septic tank maintenance can cause sewage to back up into your house or solids to overflow to the drainfield. Once solids overflow and leave through the tank outlet, they can quickly clog a drain field to the point that a new one is required. Most septic tanks need to be pumped every three to five years, depending on the tank size and the amount and type of solids entering the tank. The inspection of the sludge and scum levels is the only way to determine when a tank needs to be pumped. This is not necessarily a pleasant task, but can be done relatively easily. Septic tank pumping firms are available to perform the inspection. Your septic needs inspected every 2 years and that inspection on file with the Clark County Health Department. An average septic system needs pumped every 3-5 years.

So what if you have, or buy a home that is on septic and the sewer comes in your area/street? Do you have to hook up to it? Actually you don't. If your septic system is in good working order you can decline to hook up to the sewer. If your septic system fails though...then yes, you will need to hook up to the sewer. So what is the cost to hook up to the sewer? Roughly about $7,000-$15,000. What is the cost of a new septic system? Roughly about $7,000-$15,000. Yes, that is a lot of money, but there is help for it....Vancouver’s Sewer Connection Incentive Program (SCIP) extends public wastewater main lines to areas where septic systems were initially installed because sewer wasn't available then, typically areas that were later annexed into the city. Through SCIP, we are working with homeowners to provide an easy and affordable solution to change from septic systems to safe, reliable public sewer.

Now...just in case you haven't noticed, I have shamelessly plagiarized parts of this email from the Clark County & City of Vancouver websites For more information you can go to the following websites: www.clark.wa.gov/public-health/propertyowners & www.cityofvancouver.us/publicworks/page/sewer-connection-incentive-program-scip.

Well, that is this weeks crappy discussion! LOL ...sorry, I couldn't help myself.

If you have any questions about this, or something you have heard...or if you would like me to help you with your home adventure, please call, email, text, or facebook me anytime. I am, as always, happy to help! Thank you again for your business and your referrals!! ...and thank you for referring these classes to your friends, family, and co-workers. . ..disclaimer...if you have already purchased a home, or would no longer like to receive these emails, please let me know and I will be happy to remove you from any further mailings... Upcoming Topics: Buyers Due Diligence, What are the 'Hidden' Costs of Buying a Home? ..... What if I don't have a Down Payment? ..... &.... What happens after an offer is made?

Last Week: What happens AFTER the home inspection?

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