Heather Seitz: Part 2 of 2.

Heather Seitz: Part 1 of 2.

Find the HOTTEST markets with the biggest profits, lowest risk and highest returns.

Are you having trouble selling a house?

We have some ideas that can help you in today’s difficult market.

Join our special conference call on Facebook. The advantages of this call system:

* You can type your questions in so we can see them.
* You can mute yourself by clicking on a microphone icon.
* You can “raise your hand” to speak.
* You can even upload your pictures so we can see your house outside and inside.

How to participate:

1- Join Facebook
http://www.facebook.com

2- Join the Conference Call for Home Sellers. Click the link below to add the conferencing application and join the call.
http://apps.facebook.com/freeconference/conf/show/11113

3- Join the group: Jeanette Fisher's Home Seller's Helpline
Click on the Groups button on the left under applications.
Search for Jeanette Fisher’s Home Seller’s Helpline or try this link:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9721931758&ref=mf
This is where you will upload your photgraphs.

I know all this seems complicated, but the conference call will be unlike all the other teleseminars we’ve done. This is a hands-on experience where you will get answers to YOUR home selling questions.

Joy in technology!

Jeanette

by Jeanette Fisher

It's an open secret. The American economy is in trouble, and President Bush acknowledged that fact by unveiling a $150 billion economic stimulus package recently. However, that package contains no provisions for raising the $417,000 conforming loan limit to allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to begin purchasing so-called jumbo loans.

The main thrust of the president's plan is to try to stimulate economic growth through about $100 billion in relief tax cuts and incentives for individuals, families, and businesses. No specific mention was made about trying to revive the country’s sagging real markets or the intensely troubled mortgage lending industry. Disagreements within Congress have continued to hinder the progress of legislation that would allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to be able to purchase larger loans, as well.

As far as trying to bolster the housing market, the Bush administration has concentrated its efforts on FHASecure, which a new FHA loan guarantee program that would allow some delinquent borrowers who have adjustable-rate mortgages to refinance using fixed-rate loans, and a voluntary program they can Hope Now, which encourages lenders to work with borrowers in creative ways to refinance or restructure their loans rather than moving forward with the foreclosure process. However, some critics of the plan contend that neither one of those programs will provide any real help to the nearly two million American homeowners who are facing foreclosure, especially in light of the fact that home prices are declining in many areas of the country.

The Mortgage Bankers Association recently estimated that some 384,000 loans are currently in some stage of foreclosure, although many of those loans don’t cover owner occupied real estate. There is some good news, though. The MBA also reported that some 54,000 loans were restructured during the third quarter of 2007 and another 183,000 were modified to establish repayment plans that would allow homeowners to stay in their houses.

The real estate crunch is far from over, however. The National Association of Realtors recently suggested that any stimulus package passed by Congress needs to include an increase in the conforming loan limit for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac if the country’s housing market is to recover any time soon. According to the NAR, simply raising the conforming loan limit to $625,000 would reduce the supply of homes on the market within a couple months, would strengthen home prices by at least two percentage points, and could increase real estate activity by more than $40 billion. The NAR also stated that raising those conforming loan limits could reduce foreclosures by as many as 210,000 in a relatively short time.

It’s yet to be determined if the Bush package will be amended to reflect those suggestions. As of this moment, there is no such wording in the plan.

Copyright © 2007 Jeanette J. Fisher

Fix up the home you're living in with Seven Secrets to Glorious Home Design at http://residentialdesignguide.com

I thought you might be interested to hear about a beautiful, brand new Beach House at a wholesale price...80 or 85% of (recent) appraised value.
This is a great investment chance.
One home in Otter Crest, fabulous view, is even furnished and ready to be a Vacation Rental.

The other, in quiet Oceanside, has Ocean and Arch Cape views from every window.

Both have hardwood, slab granite, tile, gas fireplaces, 2450 and 2668 square feet.

One our Investors hit a snag and is liquidating. He'll need to decide something within the next week, so let me know right away.
Either of these are a great investment, either as a family getaway or as a vacation rental.

Typical appreciation on the coast is average 14% the last several years.

 
Did I mention the views?




Contact my friend Susan by email to susangrace at sunlink dot NET

Enjoy!

Jeanette

by Jeanette Fisher

What's different about flipping houses in today's market? While some market conditions remind seasoned investors of flipping HUD repos in the eighties, there are some investing principles that have changed. Because investors went crazy buying houses for no money down, banks have tightened up their lending practices. Sellers also are more careful about turning over their title without a secure down payment.

However, many real estate investors will make a fortune in 2008. That's because they will learn how to invest from professionals who made money "in the old days" -- before the recent skyrocketing frenzy. AND, these beginning investors won't let fear keep them from taking action. If you have courage and will take the time to learn your local real estate market, here are five problems and solutions for flipping houses in 2008.

1. Prices keep dropping in a declining market.

The problem of declining prices means that you must know your market. You must be able to buy low and sell higher. You must know how much repairs and holding costs will be for properties. Smart investors will track every penny, save money on repairs, and fix the houses in a way that tempts home buyers.

2. Loans are harder to secure.

Investors will find it extremely hard to find 100 percent loans. You will need ten to thirty percent down depending on your credit score. If you don't already own your own home, you still can get 100 percent financing for owner occupied, which is how many beginners get into the market. You must keep your credit in perfect condition.

3. Larger reserves needed to qualify.

Lenders require about three monthly payments as cash reserves in the bank. Lenders know about tricks like borrowing money and will look at how long the funds have been in your account. Keep your bank accounts solvent.

4. Houses take longer to sell.

With fewer qualified buyers and more houses on the market, it will take longer to sell most houses. The houses that are selling either offer deep discounts or features beyond ordinary. Interior design and home staging strategies will make a huge difference. Agents will show the houses that look great and typical buyers will pass on fixers.

5. Agents will bend over backwards to sell to you.

If you're a qualified buyer, real estate agents will work hard to find you what you want. On the other hand, you will need to watch out for desperate agents who might paint a positive picture or gloss over problems.

Learn about your real estate market, short sales, REOs, and desperate sellers who are willing to give up equity to move.

Learn how to make more money flipping houses using interior design psychology strategies to fix houses for your target buyers: http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com

Office in Faux Flip; walls rubbed with powder to create aging. This quick solution and more decorative arts in Flip That House with FAUX.

Copyright © 2008 Jeanette Fisher

A Beginner's Guide to Flipping Houses

With over 233027 views on EzineArticles alone, this flipping houses article is my most published real estate article.

The article begins with:

"If you're dreaming of making money in real estate, it's time to stop dreaming and get to work, because making money in real estate isn't just a vague pipedream. It can be done, even by a young and inexperienced person, when you learn how to 'flip' houses."

The most interesting thing about this article is that it tells the story of my friend's daughter and it took place about ten years ago, when the market was similar to today's real estate market.

In fact, my book Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars was written about how we made money fixing and flipping houses in the golden old days. My point, don't think that because the market seems bad that you can't make a fortune. I'll bet savvy investors will make millions next year in foreclosures, REOs, short sales, and even buying through agents who know their market.

The best way for you to make money in 2008 is to know your market, prepare your credit, and surround yourself with experts.

Joy to you in 2008,

Jeanette Fisher

More about Flipping Houses using interior design psychology for higher profits.

Bob is known as the ‘guru’s guru’ and teaches advanced real estate investing techniques including buying discounted liens, notes and judgments, buying out of bankruptcy, short sales, and more.  With the combination of his experienced years of investing and his fifteen years of legal practice in real estate, Bob understands and wants to share the hurdles, opportunities and cycles of the real estate investing market for today’s independent investor.
Find out about all the great BONUSES Bob offered Money4Investors.com Members

 

 

Click here to see the BONUSES

Bob is known as the ‘guru’s guru’ and teaches advanced real estate investing techniques including buying discounted liens, notes and judgments, buying out of bankruptcy, short sales, and more.  With the combination of his experienced years of investing and his fifteen years of legal practice in real estate, Bob understands and wants to share the hurdles, opportunities and cycles of the real estate investing market for today’s independent investor.
Find out about all the great BONUSES Bob offered Money4Investors.com Members

 

 

Click here to see the BONUSES

by Jeanette Fisher

There are some home staging companies out there that will try to convince you that you need to bring in truckloads of furniture to stage an empty house, but I don't think that's necessary, and it may even be counterproductive. After all, the whole idea is to encourage home buyers to envision their own furnishings in your home when they walk in. On the other hand, you don't want someone to walk in and get a feeling of coldness and sterility, either.

When I have an empty house to stage for sale, I begin by putting up window coverings to lend a feeling of softness to a room, because fabric adds texture, which the mind translates as added softness. By window coverings, I'm not talking about blinds. I'm talking about soft fabrics. Blinds can add an even greater feeling of sterility to a room. Keep the coverings pulled back, though, to allow as much light and air into a room as possible. That will make the room feel larger and more friendly.

You can also add inexpensive panels to a room, either plain or lacy, depending upon the style of home and the actual room you're staging. For instance, if you're doing a bedroom, where privacy is important, you don't want the panel too sheer. The same applies if there's a view you want to block out. Use something that is less transparent, but not so solid that it doesn't let light through. The worst thing you can do is make a room feel dark and closed in. Always strive for warmth and airiness when you're staging a room.

The next thing I'd recommend is to put a round table in a breakfast room or kitchen, and sometimes even in a dining room. I also add an absolutely gorgeous fabric skirt that reaches all the way to the floor, surrounded by four chairs, even if they're garden chairs.

I also space a few chairs around the house, in case buyers want to sit and talk. The longer I can keep them in a house, the better my chances of selling it, and people are most comfortable sitting around a round table. Psychologically, sitting at a round table means that no one can be at the head of the table. Everyone is equal and will be more open to expressing themselves openly and honestly.

There are lots of other staging ideas, of course, but these are my favorites, and I've had a great deal of success with them--without having to spend very much money!

Read more about staging our Faux Flip featured on Flip That House for Habitat for Humanity.

This bedroom actually looked smaller until we added a few furnishings.