GET YOUR LIST OF FORECLOSED AND DISTRESSED HOMES

to 830,000 from 1.1 million in 2010, according to a new report by CoreLogic. Nationally, 1.4 million homes, or 3.4 percent of all homes with a mortgage, were in the foreclosure inventory at the end of 2011. For the month of December, 55,000 homes had completed the foreclosure process, down from 57,000 in November and down from 67,000 in December 2010. 

Thats GOOD NEWS!

The share of borrowers who were delinquent on their mortgage payments by 90 days or more was 7.3 percent in December 2011 compared to 7.8 percent a year earlier.

REAL ESTATE IS LOCAL!!

Florida led the nation with the largest percentage of foreclosures inventory with 11.9 percent, followed by New Jersey (6.4 percent), Illinois (5.4 percent), Nevada (5.3 percent) and New York (4.6 percent).  Add that UP!   thats 33%.  So 1/3 of the foreclosures are in 5 states…

States with the lowest foreclosure inventory were:

Wyoming (0.7 percent), Alaska (0.8 percent), North Dakota (0.8 percent), Nebraska (1.0 percent) and

WASHINGTON STATE (1.3 percent). FRI, FEB 10, 2012 

CLICK the links for information on your LOCAL COMMUNITY, or HOME SALES information in YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Mortgage Interest Deduction Under Attack

Americans overwhelmingly oppose any action by Congress to tamper with the mortgage interest deduction, but it could be eliminated or scaled back as Congress and the Administration are looking at tax increases in light of deficit concerns.

The consequences would be devastating for home owners, the housing market and the nation’s economy.

Homeownership Works

Housing and homeownership are critical to a strong and prosperous nation. New home construction spurs productivity, creates jobs for millions of Americans, and generates revenues for all levels of government.

For almost a century, national policy has acknowledged the importance of the home in American family life. Today, homeownership is under attack. Legislative and regulatory proposals now under consideration would greatly harm home owners, home buyers, the housing market and the nation’s economy. Learn more from NAHB’s Homeownership Works publication.

National Homeownership Poll

A poll taken in January 2012 showed that Americans still overwhelmingly consider homeownership a core value and would oppose efforts to weaken or eliminate the mortgage interest deduction or diminish a federal role to help qualified home buyers obtain affordable 30-year mortgages. Read the press release. View the Powerpoint presentation.

Repealing the Mortgage Interest Deduction? Hold the Applause!

John C. Weicher, Director of the Center for Housing and Financial Markets at the Hudson Institute, finds that eliminating the mortgage interest deduction is “bad economic policy.” Read his analysis.

Who Benefits from the Housing Tax Deductions?

The income tax deductions for mortgage interest and real estate taxes primarily benefit middle class taxpayers, and larger benefits are collected by larger households and families, such as those with children, according to an NAHB analysis. Read a summary of the study. Read the full report.

GET INVOLVED    <<<<<<<<<< click here for more details!

SaveMyMortgageInterestDeduction.com is dedicated to preserving the mortgage interest deduction and protecting homeownership. Please join us in this important effort.

This is a great time to plant indoor blooms and Paperwhites are EASY, FRAGRANT and force easily.

Weeks of enjoyment from first blush to full bloom, you can start spring indoors NOW!

 Paperwhites ~ FRAGRANT ~ 20 bulbs ~ 17+cm (largest commercially available)

A Season for Sharing in Fire Safety

Each year fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damage. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), there are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. By following some of the outlined precautionary tips, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty.

Preventing Christmas Tree Fires

• Christmas Tree Fire Hazards - Movie segments demonstrating how fast a live Christmas tree can become fully engulfed in flames. Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases.

• Selecting a Tree for the Holiday
  Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.
• Caring for Your Tree
  Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
• Disposing of Your Tree
  Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or woodburning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.

Holiday Lights

• Maintain Your Holiday Lights
  Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
• Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets
  Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires – they should not be warm to the touch.
• Do Not Leave Holiday Lights on Unattended

Holiday Decorations

• Use Only Nonflammable Decorations
  All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents.
• Never Put Wrapping Paper in a Fireplace
  It can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers and may result in a chimney fire.
• Artificial Christmas Trees
  If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Candle Care

• Avoid Using Lit Candles
  If you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.
• Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree
  Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame – candles, lighters or matches.

Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call for help. And remember to practice your home escape plan.

Create Special memories over this holiday season, with friends and loved ones.  Have A SAFE HOLIDAY

GGMATTHEWS,
REALTOR IN VANCOUVER

http://www.felidahomes.com
http://www.vancouver-portland-realestate.ggmatthews.com 

Links of Interest

• Turkey Fryer Product Safety Tips from: Underwriters Laboratories | Consumer Product Safety Commission

LIST YOUR HOME IN WINTER????

As we roll through the holidays and into winter, many would-be sellers will be holding off on listing their home, waiting for the spring “selling season” to put their home on the market. But if you’re ready to sell your home now, is waiting until spring the best strategy? Not according to the data, it isn’t.

We pulled a year’s worth of data on three quarters of a million homes listed across the country and analyzed sales statistics by season. Here’s what we found:

• Homes listed in winter sell faster: 46 days in winter vs. 55 days in summer
• Homes listed in winter are more likely to sell: 59.2% sell in winter vs. 53.1% sell in summer
• Homes listed in winter sell closest to their original price: a 2.7% drop from the final price in winter vs. a 5.2% drop from the final price in summer, worth more than $7,000 on a $300,000 home

Homes listed in winter sell best.
Yup, you read that right: Overall, homes listed in winter sell best. 5.8% more homes listed in winter eventually sell (compared to the overall percentage of homes listed throughout the year), and they sell 1.4 percentage points closer to their original list price than the median—that’s $4,900 on a $350,000 home.

Spring wins in one category: Speed. Homes listed in spring sell the fastest, sitting on the market for 15% less time than the median. Winter comes in second in this category though, at six percent below the median, while homes listed in summer and fall both sell slower than the median (12% and 16%, respectively).

Here in the Pacific Northwest, as your REALTOR IN VANCOUVER,  I can tell you, my business doesnt stop in Winter.  I have HOME BUYERS who want to be “home for the holidays”, and buyers ready to begin their search just after the holidays.

If you are considering SELLING YOUR HOME, contact me for a consultation.

GGMATTHEWS, REALTOR IN VANCOUVER
360-600-3042

http://www.ggmatthews.com
http://www.felidahomes.com
http://www.vancouver-portland-realestate.ggmatthews.com 

“I am interested in short sale properties. I am a serious investor looking for a home for my wife and myself. If I like the property, I’d offer 30% less than asking price….”

With all the information and misinformation that people are reading in the media, I understand that this buyer is looking for a good buying opportunity. Isn’t everybody?  It sounds like they want to purchase for your own Home.. PERFECT!

Short sales can provide these opportunities but only if they fit the situation and are right for You, and you have the patience and committment to follow through on the entire process.  It is important to know what to expect and to develop a buying strategy that allows you to reach Your Home Buying Goals.  I always suggest a consultation meeting to evaluate if your situation; including needs and preferences and to discuss the ins and outs of buying short sale properties.   There ARE opportunities in Short Sales,

http://vancouver-portland-realestate.ggmatthews.com/SHORT SALES   This is a great MAP search for Bank owned or Short sale properties.   You can change the search to show homes in your price range and size, bedrooms, etc.   But this UNIQUE feature from Spatial Match, shows you ONLY the homes that Meet Your Criteria!

BEFORE you get started, …there are a few things you should know about short sales.

Seven Facts Every Buyer Needs to Know about Short Sales

1. There is nothing “short” about short sales, except that your offer (and asking price) is for LESS THAN (or short) of the amount the seller owes the bank.

2. Properties offered as short sales are typically priced to sell and offered at a price below market value.

3. Low-ball offers don’t get you as a buyer “in the door” Most likely, the seller’s bank will reject the offer.

3. Make your offer based on previous sales of similar properties in the area.

a. Seller will accept or negotiate your offer.
b. Seller’s lender will review and has to approve the contract.
c. Seller’s lender has the final word and is not obligated to approve.

In this process, the lender will obtain appraisals and price opinions based on previous sales comparables.The lender will present these findings to their investors for approval.

4. Proof of funds (if cash) or mortgage approval are required with offer.  Get your prequalification before you even begin looking.

5. Show the seller and seller’s lender that you are serious by making an above average “good faith” deposit and demonstrate commitment by getting inspections completed.  1% of purchase price is a good guide, yes it will apply to the purchase.

6. Short sales take time. Be prepared for additional negotiations with the seller’s lender. The entire short sale process could easily last from 2-6 months.  Where will you be living during this time?

7. There is no guarantee for the successful outcome of a short sale offer even if seller and buyer agree on all terms.

Because of the substantial time commitment and involvement by buyer, seller, agents, title companies, attorneys, and lenders, contracts submitted for consideration need to be such that they have a reasonable chance of success.

If you would like a CUSTOM MAP, developed for you, for YOUR SEARCH.   Contact me,  and I will develop and send you your Custom Search.   For more REAL ESTATE related Blogs… go to my REAL ESTATE BLOG   All Reale, state related informationClick the Real Estate TAB above or one of the links below:

http://www.ggmatthews.com
http://www.felidahomes.com
http://www.vancouver-portland-realestate.com 

But this is an especially exciting Christmas, for a couple of my clients that gives HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, a whole new twist!  A NEW HOME, for the holidays, closing December 16th, and December 21st!!!

IF YOU HAVE A HOME LISTED, during this time of year …the Answer is YES, ..people DO buy homes for Christmas!  If you presently have a home listed for sale,  here are a few tips.

KEEP IT SIMPLE:  DONT OVER DO IT!

On the exterior, there were mismatched icicles all around, trees lit, and a bunch of random blowup carnival-looking characters grouped on the front lawn.  One had clearly expired. It didn’t look as overdone as the Christmas Vacation movie, but it was distracting nonetheless.

The interior had multiple santas, trees, things that made sounds (actually danced) as you walked past, and well, I am sad to say, a lot of Christmas “chachkies” on display.  Don’t get me wrong.  I LOVE Christmas, but there is a time and place for everything and decorating your house that is for sale with a little too much spirit is distracting to say the least.

Remember that buyers looking at houses during the holidays are generally ready to buy.
So, if your home will be on the market in the coming weeks and you like to decorate it, by all means keep your ‘sprucing up’ to a minimum and for enhancement purposes only.  Here are some holiday decorating tips if your house is for sale:

1.      Remember how your agent badgered you to de-clutter your house before you listed?  Don’t re-clutter it  with lots of decorations and dancing santas.

2.      If you historically put up a huge tree, think about downsizing a bit.  While a tree can add appeal to a room, it shouldn’t take up too much space and should be in an out-of-the-way corner.  Remove a piece of furniture or two if you have to in order to compensate for the space the tree is occupying.  Leave the buyer some ‘room’ to envision living in that space.

3.      If you like to display gifts under the tree, now is not a good time to do that.  Tuck them away securely and enjoy them on your holiday.

4.      Keep outside lighting and any seasonal wreaths, sprays, bows, to a minimum remembering that the exterior can generate that cluttered…and unappealing….look as well.  Maybe just use a front door wreath with a soft spotlight and some candles in the windows.  Understated yet inviting.

5.      Invest in some flameless battery operated candles and place them strategically around the house to create a warm, cozy feeling.  Maybe use in a festive centerpiece, fireplace mantle, or even in the bathroom.  The ambient glow will convey a nice, homey appeal.

6.      If you have a fireplace, you might consider getting a fireplace candelabra and lighting that up with battery operated candles to show off the fireplace, set the stage and help the buyers imagine themselves using that room and fireplace.

7.      Be careful with using scents. Whether it’s potpourri or maybe lighting a scented bayberry candle to make the house smell good (to you but maybe not to someone else)  before showings….. just leave it for another time.

Prepare your home for sale AND the holidays by strategically enhancing its appearance and ambiance with tasteful, minimal holiday decorations. By doing so, you just might be on your way to getting something special in your Christmas stocking and some GREEN in your bank account!   Need a consultation  CONTACT ME, I am happy to help!

 Realtorinvancouver

click here

Realtor in Vancouver, Active Rain Profile:  http://activerain.com/ggmatthews

This list provided by the courtesy of  Barbara Altieri, REALTOR® Fairfield County CT Real EstateCompanyRealtyQuest, CT Homes for Sale and Real Estate

E-mail    Contact Barbara Altieri, REALTOR® Fairfield County CT Real Estate (RealtyQuest, CT Homes for Sale and Real Estate)
Websitehttp://www.realtyquest.com
Office Phone(203) 656-4993 x 29

ACTIVE RAIN PROFILE:  http://activerain.com/barbaraaltieri

Tree lined Streets, Vancouver WA

Felida is a special community in Northwest Vancouver, WA.; USA. Tree lined street begin to turn to gold, as summer closes and winter is held back by the Indian Summer.  Pumpkins ripen on the vine and porches will be dressed with pumkins and scarecrows as Halloween Eve approaches.

Felida has a lot to offer!   It is a little off the beaten path, but at the same time just a short distance off Interstate 5.  Shopping is a short distance away but 3 community markets meet most immediate needs.   There is the Country Store,  The little Red Barn (farmers market), and the Shell station/minit mart, which interestingly has quite a nice wine selection.

Next door is the Felida Pet Hospital, and Farrar’s Bistro.

I can hardly pass thru Felida without stopping for a cup of the soup de jour…a delicious and suprising homemade treat…everytime.   This time of year, Pumpkin/Pear soup …sounds perfect.   I stop frequently with HOME BUYERS, as we tour some of the lovely homes and views in Vancouver.  Today I caught old friends having a casual lunch on the patio.

Well,   that’s not all felida has to offer.  There are many Parks, Great Schools, Walking Trails, bicycle trails, rowing and sailing near by on Vancouver Lake, and a quality of life not easily surpassed.

I just listed a home in Felida, sold several this past year, and it is almost always a place I talk about, when introducing newcomers, to the community.

(listing currently at 10202 NW 33rd Court,  http://vancouver-portland-realestate.ggmatthews.com/luxury-ranch-lake-view

Well… I imagine I will write more, later.   about the HOMES IN FELIDA, and the NW LIFESTYLE, we enjoy!  Here is a perfect Park Directory for all of clark county:

http://www.cityofvancouver.us/parks-recreation/parks_trails/parks/index.asp

picassa web album:  https://picasaweb.google.com/matthews.gg/FelidaFall2011?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Gloria Matthews,
your Realtor in Vancouver

http://www.ggmatthews.com,   http://www.felidahomes.com,  
http://www.vancouver-portland-realestate.ggmatthews.com 

CONTACT ME

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Buying or Selling ? go to http://vancouver-portland-realestate.ggmatthews.com
to begin your search for real estate for sale in Vancouver Wa.