This Month in Real Estate (US): January 2011 Spanish

How Can a Home Inspection Benefit You?

Sure we are all doing what we can to save money these days and buyers are often tempted to cut corners on things like home inspections to save money for fun items like furniture or a big-screen television. Don’t! A home inspection is one of the best investments you can make when purchasing a new home or other real estate.

Learn how to use a home inspection to your advantage with these pointers.

Plan and Prepare

Think of a home inspection as a fact-finding mission. Having a complete home inspection performed is one step toward finding out everything there is to know about the property.

Go beyond the basics by having water, soil, electrical, HVAC, pest and other systems thoroughly tested in addition to the regular home inspection. Hidden home defects often become apparent, including poorly performed repairs, forgotten faults, structural damage or other potential pitfalls, that could transform your dream home into a nightmare.

Save Money

Almost every property has a few defects - even new homes - and buyers are often surprised how seemingly insignificant items can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the price of a home. Having an independent inspection performed often saves more money than it costs, since the sellers are forced to fix the problem or negotiate the price based upon the new information. Remember, once a defect is known the sellers are legally bound to disclose it to all prospective buyers.

Negotiate

Motivated sellers may not have the time or interest to fix all the problems on a property.

If you have more time than money, a home inspection provides a strong rationale to lower the purchase price or work out other alternatives while the home is being repaired or renovated.

That is a few of the ways I can save you money. Please feel free to ask me more.

I pull out all the stops to sell your home.

Lonnie Snyder

REALTOR ®

Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound

Phone: 206-406-2710

Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington's Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.

Essential Tips to Help You Sell Your Home in a Slow Market

With hundreds of homes available on the market today how can you make sure yours is the next to sell? Selling a home in a down market takes more planning and preparation but with help from me plus a little know-how it’s still possible to get a great response with these quick tips:

Price Is Everything

Without a doubt, the most important consideration is to price the house right - especially if you want a quick sale. When the market was red-hot homes sold fast so it is easy to forget that historically homes are on the market an average of six months before selling. Be realistic and work with your agent to price right.

Staging & Updating

You only have a few moments to sell your home to a new buyer. Make sure your home looks its best by updating paint, making small repairs and taking the time to properly stage your home for online and in-person viewing.

Pre-Qualify

Window-shopping is a popular past-time even when it comes to real estate. One of the benefits of working with an agent is the ability to preserve your valuable time and only entertain serious offers from qualified potential buyers.

Offer Incentives

Get noticed by offering buyer incentives. Buyer incentives are a welcome addition to any deal and include things like gift cards, LCD televisions, Home warranty or new appliances. Find out what tops the local “wish list” when it comes to amenities then calculate the cost of offering an incentive. They are an easy and effective way to capture the attention of potential buyers in a crowded market.

If you are thinking about selling your home contact me.

I pull out all the stops to sell your home.

Lonnie Snyder

REALTOR ®

Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound

Phone: 206-406-2710

Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington's Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.

Essential Secrets to Selling in a Down Market

You only have a few moments to sell your home to a new buyer. With hundreds of homes available on the market today how can you make sure yours is the next to sell? Staging, with the recent downturn in the economy and continued sluggishness in the real estate market; staging is more important than ever.

Here are the top reasons why home-staging matters, and how you can make it work for you:

A picture is worth a thousand words:Over 80% of home buyers begin their search online, so the first impression of your home might be the last. Make sure your home looks its best.

Visualize their space, not your place: Staging becomes even more important when buyers visit in person. Properly performed home staging is essential to allowing prospective buyers to visualize the home as “their space” rather than trying to see through your clutter and belongings. A home should be attractive yet neutral enough to allow buyers an opportunity to get a feel for how their own furniture and belonging would fit.

Browsers spend more time looking at pretty pictures: Not only are buyers searching online, but they tend to spend more time viewing attractive properties than those without pictures or with “ugly” photos. Use plenty of photos to showcase your home or property.

Staging does not have to cost a fortune to be effective, but does require experience for best results. If your thinking about selling your home please give me a call.

I pull out all the stops to sell your home.

Lonnie Snyder

REALTOR ®

Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound

Phone: 206-406-2710

Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington's Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.

Getting a Home Inspection Can Provides Peace of Mind

So you’ve just toured your prospective new home, fallen in love with it and want to put an offer in immediately! Buying a home is an emotional investment as well as a financial one and the last thing you want is to have unpleasant surprises after you’re all moved in. Having the home professionally inspected from top to bottom can help you avoid this. For just a few hundred dollars, you can have peace of mind knowing you’ve made the right decision. Many problems with a house can result in large, unexpected repair bills so at least if you’re aware of these problems ahead of time, you can factor them into the price of your offer. This recommendation doesn’t just apply to buyers. More and more homeowners are having home inspections done before they put their property on the market. It’s best to be prepared -- the last thing you want is the purchaser finding out a new roof is needed and it costing you the sale of your home. Whether it’s your home or a home you’re buying, it’s important to be familiar with the condition of the property. Make sure you are there when the inspection is happening so you can get your questions answered. I can offer a few recommendations of an experienced, certified home inspector and ensure the cost includes a written report.

I pull out all the stops to sell your home.

Lonnie Snyder

REALTOR ®

Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound

Phone: 206-406-2710

Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington's Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.

Selling Your Home? Avoid Costly Mistakes.

With a little information and attention, you can avoid expensive mistakes.

The single biggest mistake people make is setting the asking price too high. An amount suited both to the home and to the market conditions attracts the greatest number of prequalified buyers, increasing the likelihood that you’ll get a higher price in the end.

Curb appeal is everything. Houses not shown at their best are another source of lost profit. Act on any advice you are given about cosmetic changes and minor repairs.

A clean, tidy and sweet-smelling home goes without saying.

Set viewing hours for the greatest accessibility to buyers. In a competitive market, people can easily go elsewhere and fall in love with another house.

Don’t be home during the showings. Prospective buyers feel more comfortable raising concerns and poking about when the current owners are not present.

Remove as many personal items as possible. The things that mark the house as yours interfere with the buyers’ abilities to imagine it as theirs.

Sell before you buy to avoid loss of negotiating position at both ends. Plan for the move early, and pack as much as you can as soon as possible.

I pull out all the stops to sell your home.

Lonnie Snyder

REALTOR ®

Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound

Phone: 206-406-2710

Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington's Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.

Extraordinary House Benson Hill Renton WA.

Stylish remodeled home.

Home features Pergo flooring, wainscot in living and dining area, fresh paint, new vinyl windows. Crisp clean eat in kitchen with pantry & plenty of cabinet space.

Updated 3/4 bath with new ceramic tile off master bedroom. Main bath boasts ceramic tile flooring and shower with pedestal sink and updated fixtures. Ceramic tile on lower level landing as well as in the full bath. Indoor laundry room.

Large family room with fully fenced back yard plus so much to list!

1 year Home Service Agreement included.

Do to the rapid changing market please call our Price Hotline: 206-406-2710

Check out all the photos here.

http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages#!/pages/Renton-WA/Call-Snyder/284902661884

Tiffany Park, Renton WA

Great opportunity to own a home in the Tiffany Park area.

This home has 4 Bedrooms and 3 full baths.

Large park and nice walking trails close by.

This is a short sale and we are down to $225,000

Call me today for your private showing.

I Pull Out All The Stops To Sell Your Home

Lonnie Snyder

REALTOR®

Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound

Phone: 206-406-2710

Email: snyder@kw.com

Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/

Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.

Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

Home Projects that Pay

Favoring Family Rooms
While family rooms became popular after many American homes were built, the lack of one can be a deal-breaker for many house-hunters. That doesn't mean you necessarily have to add an extension onto your house, but you may face sacrificing other spaces in order to create one. Existing space can easily be turned into a family room. To enlarge smaller spaces, try lowering the floor, opening the ceiling or expanding out with large bay windows.
Home Office Tradeoffs
Home offices are a growing trend, especially in predominately professional neighborhoods. So why would adding a home office not be a good idea? Well, if you convert a bedroom in order to make that home office, it will no longer be considered a bedroom in a real estate listing; and that could adversely affect your asking price.
Losing out on Landscaping
Ornate landscaping and fancy gardens are great for adding curb appeal, but will rarely affect the value of the home. Remember that landscaping is all about personal preference, and requires time and money to maintain - potential buyers won't pay up for them.
You're Better off with Basic Improvements
Fixing what you already have can be more important than making improvements. It may not be all that enjoyable, but basic improvements have the greatest return. Sure, you can have a magnificent master suite and brand new kitchen, but if your roof is leaking, you're in big trouble. If you're thinking of making any home improvements, be sure to tackle any problems with the home's structure or mechanical systems first. Proper maintenance, like updating plumbing and electrical systems, is where you'll get the most payback.
Consult the Professionals
You can't always make a decision about home improvements based solely on the financial aspects. You may need extra space for an expanding family or have a home improvement that just can't wait. On the other hand, if you're planning to sell and are considering making improvements in order to increase the selling price, do your homework first. What's important to you may not be important to a potential buyer. Talk to experienced realtors, builders, and other industry professionals about whether you're likely to make back the money you put into the improvements.

I Pull Out All The Stops To Sell Your Home
Lonnie Snyder

REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Blogsite: http://renton-real-estate.blogspot.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.
Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

Home Improvement Projects that Pay

So, you're ready to remodel? Thinking about redoing a room or adding on to your home? Whatever you do, don't get caught up in the myth that all home improvement projects will pay off. By far, the most common home improvement mistake is spending money on amenities that won't add value to the home. As a rule, improvements that increase the functional space of a home hold their value longer than ones that just make a house look better.
Kitchens are King
As the heart of the house, kitchens generally suffer the most wear and tear. Something as simple as replacing old cabinet hardware can really make a big difference. The most popular minor improvements include adding functionality with dual sinks and cooking stations, and cosmetic upgrades such as under-cabinet lighting and ceramic tile back- splashes on the countertops. Regardless of what kitchen improvements you decide to go with, be sure to select a classic design style and high quality materials. To add space in the kitchen area, you might want to consider a walk-in pantry or breakfast alcove. While these improvements can add up, they'll also be highly regarded by potential buyers.
Bathrooms are Your Best Bet
Remember the days of living with just one bathroom? How on earth did you manage? While finding space to add a bathroom can prove tricky, if your home only has one bathroom, your best bet would be to add a second one. Adding an extra bathroom with all the trimmings all but pays for itself. Popular remodels include ceramic tiles, Jacuzzi bathtubs, skylights and vaulted ceilings. If a full-blown bathroom overhaul is too pricey, something as simple as just replacing the water fixtures can go a long way.
Swimming Pools Can Sink You
A swimming pool has no resale value at all. In fact, swimming pools actually repel more prospective buyers than they attract because of their expensive upkeep and liability. If your really must have that swimming pool, go ahead, but know that it will cost you.

One sure sign of agents who make integrity and hard work central to their service is that they're successful even when the market is slow.

That said, even though the market has been better, I'm still doing well. One reason: I know how to use all the latest high-tech tools to maximize a home's market exposure.

I also want to point out that this market offers a great opportunity to "move up" because the values of higher priced homes have been reduced more than yours has. Additionally, a slower market gives you the luxury of viewing more homes as well.

So if you've considered moving, or if you hear that any family, friends or work colleagues are, please call or email me any time.

Thank you,

I Pull Out All The Stops To Sell Your Home

Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/

I am a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washingtons Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.

Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

Building Permits and Inspections

Building Permits and Inspections
Necessary For Your Protection

Probably the most intimidating part of building your own house is the permit process. Not only do the requirements vary from township to township, but at times the decisions made seem so subjective that we find ourselves seething in frustration. However, permits and inspections are a necessary step, and they are in place predominately for your protection. Ask any earthquake victim in Iran. Because I am concerned here with new construction, I won't go into the permits required for renovation; that's another story. In a new development, the buyer usually doesn't have to think about permits; the builder takes care of all the details. With independent projects, you may end up engaging a contractor who hires all the sub- contractors and takes care of the permits. This makes life infinitely easier for the buyer, but you'll pay for that convenience. In rural areas, because township officials are usually volunteers, they tend to work only one or two hours a week, and often after five o'clock. If you miss their time, you'll probably have to wait another week. This could run your builder ragged and cause unwelcome delays.

If you decide to get the permits yourself, the first thing you want to do is go to the township office and acquire their Code Requirements for Single Family Dwellings, and also their Building Permit Requirement Checklist (or whatever they call these documents). The Code Requirements will cover everything from smoke detectors to egress windows, from stair requirements to insulation, from foundations to chimneys and anything in between. It wouldn't hurt to send a copy to your log home manufacturer, just in case. The Building Permit checklist, though more simply worded, will be the most important document to familiarize yourself with. If even one of these items are unchecked, you won't get that permit that day!

Once you start the process, you come to realize that the Construction Permit is the most important, the most sought-after, and the most critical objective in your immediate scope. Without it, you cannot even break ground. Since everything ties together, the township wants to make sure you have your "ducks in a row" before they "permit" you to start. There will usually be a one-year time limit to the permit or a six-month time limit if construction is stopped in the middle. You should budget about $1500-$2000 for your average building permit, unless there unusual circumstances attached to your project (wetlands delineation, variances, etc.).

Here is what may be acquired to qualify for the building permit:
1. TAX CERTIFICATION: This document is to verify the ownership of the land and that payments are current.
2. TWO SETS OF SEALED BUILDING PLANS: What they want is an Architect's or Building Engineer's stamp on the plans that come from the home manufacturer. Do not assume that the plans will come pre-stamped. Not all manufacturers have the ability to apply a seal from every state. Included in the building plan will probably be a separate foundation plan, since most log homes do not provide a foundation as part of the building. If there is a separate foundation plan, it too will need to be stamped by a qualified engineer or architect.
3. SIGNED, SEALED ELECTRIC PERMIT APPLICATION: Don't expect the log home manufacturer to provide electrical drawings. Once you hire an electrician, you'll have to sit down with him and determine where you are putting your outlets, light switches and fixtures. Local code will determine how close together your outlets will go. Do yourself a favor and put in many more outlets than you think you will need; retrofitting could be unsightly. Also, plan on twice as many light fixtures than a standard home - wood sucks up light like a sponge. While you are at it, it helps to include your cable wires, phone wires and CAT5 in every room; even though you may not think you'll need it. Once you move into the house, you may change a room's usage from your original conception - we did, and regretted our shortsightedness.
4. SIGNED, SEALED PLUMBING PERMIT APPLICATION: This is another set of drawings that will not come from the home manufacturer. You and the plumber must figure out where the fixtures are going, and if you live in the country remember that the plumbing needs to hook into your septic. (This permit is separate from the septic design permit).
5. APPROVED COUNTY SEPTIC DESIGN: The septic design comes from the local civil engineer. The permit application comes from the township, but the septic approval came from the county. HVAC DIAGRAM: Showing where your ductwork is going.
6. DRIVEWAY PERMIT: In some cases, this comes from the Director of Public Works.
7. STATE WELL PERMIT and TOWNSHIP WELL PERMIT (if you are digging your own well): If there is a drought going on, they might put a hold on new well permits, which will put a hold on the whole project. So get it as quickly as possible.
8. PLOT PLAN AND ZONING APPROVAL: The Plot Plan will come from the local civil engineer. This is not the same as a survey, which will be required by the mortgage company. The plot plan shows the location of the house, driveway, well and septic as well as the perimeter of the building envelope.
9. WATER TABLE INVESTIGATION these are the big ones. You might have local wetland delineation issues, easements or setbacks to worry about. Once you get that Construction Permit, treat yourself to a celebratory dinner. You'll have earned it! The Construction Permit needs to be prominently displayed on the job site. You also need to keep one of those sealed sets of building plans on site at all times, just in case you get a surprise visit from an inspector. Hopefully by now you will have made friends with the township inspector, because he's going to have a big say in the ease or difficulty of your project.
10. ON REPORT: This will help you determine whether you can dig a basement, or do you need to raise the house up?

The inspections are all spelled out and will be required at each step in the process before you can move on. This could cause a delay of one to several days (not counting bad weather), so think ahead - but not too far ahead. The first inspection will come pretty quick. When your excavator digs the hole for your foundation, the township may inspect the bottom of the footing trenches before placement of footings. If you are using a Superior Walls precast foundation system, there will be no footings so this inspection will be unnecessary. However, the footings for your deck and porches will need to be inspected. There will be a foundation inspection before the backfill is shoveled in. The big inspection will be the framing inspection. This must be done before the insulation is added. Then, there will be an inspection for the plumbing, the electrical panel and wiring, the septic or sewer service, then insulation. At the end of the project, there will be a final inspection before issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy; the inspector will look at the finishing work, the smoke detectors, fixtures, etc. There may be other inspections in between, depending on the township. Unless you are acting as your own general contractor, inspections should not concern you, except that if something fails the whole project grinds to a halt. If you are the Homeowner Builder, you will probably be arranging the inspections yourself, and it helps to know what the township is looking for.

Emergency items for the home.

I have 15 water shutoff valves in my house and I know exactly where each of them are and how to operate them. Do you?
Many small home emergencies become huge disasters because we don't know how to take care of the property when the unexpected happens. Buying a home of your own is not just about building wealth and saving taxes -- it's not just about money. Since homeownership represents the largest investment for most people, you definitely need to become a project manager as well. Homeowners' losses for 2002 from all perils totaled $25.6 billion, down from $26.8 billion in 2001, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Get to know your home intimately. Knowing where the shutoff valves are located, for instance, can save you a lot of money and grief later if disaster strikes. .
In this article will discuss emergency items for the home. I hope that this information is helpful in the maintenance of homes.

Water Shutoffs
Some bathrooms have three cut-off valves -- one for the commode, two under the sink (hot and cold water). If, for some reason, those break and there is water coming through, it is important to know where the main water valve is located and to test it to make sure the knob doesn't break off in case of a real emergency. There also may be two water shut off valves going toward the outside water faucets. It's easy to let these valves age into disrepair.

Hot Water Heater
How's the hot water heater? Have you checked the bottom of it lately to see any evidence of rust? For many homeowners, this is one of those household items that never gets checked until water is running everywhere. The hot water heater should also have a cutoff valve. Know how to use it and have your kids try it out too.

Insurance Claims
Finally, if you find that you didn't do the above preventative activities, then you should at least know where your insurance policy is located and understand what is covered and what is not. If you live in attached dwellings, like condos and townhouses, then you want to make sure you keep enough insurance to cover your house and any damage that might cross your limited property line. To keep your rates down, take care of the little stuff -- anything under $500 -- and report the more expensive accidents (flooding of the basement). If you're looking for lower homeowners insurance rates, you could even consider a higher deductible. Switching your deductible from $250 to $1,000, for instance, could cut your premium by 25 percent. Emergencies can become less taxing with a little testing, preventative maintenance and knowing your home's systems.

Large Fairwood home.

This wonderful home is larger than it looks.

Your family can enjoy game night with the open floor plan. The 4 bedroom plus the bonus room will open up opportunities for your family.

Don't miss the great back yard with the large deck and the fire pit that you will want all your friends to enjoy.

The master bedroom will have all the ladies happy with a full wall of closet space.

Great shed or shop out back and there is a garden around the side of the home.

1 Year AHS Warranty.

Check out this and other homes on my featured properties.

I Pull Out All The Stops To Sell Your Home

Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Blogsite: http://renton-real-estate.blogspot.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.

Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

Electrical Panel

Have you looked over your electrical panel as well?
If you've remodeled, the labels may need to be changed (that's assuming you have labels). If they aren't clearly marked you've got a great family project on your hands. This can take either a few minutes or an hour or so, depending on how many outlets, switches and lights you have in the house. If you have those handy walkie-talkies or a mobile phone, it makes the job of identifying the circuit breakers or fuses a lot easier. One person stays by the panel flipping switches, while the other teammate walks the house letting you know what's on and what's off.
To identify the circuits will require turning on all the lights in the house. For outlets, you'll just have to switch off the breaker and have your partner flip on an appliance, radio or lamp that's plugged in that outlet to determine the match.
The good thing about this project is that it won't have to be done again unless you remodel and add on more outlets and switches on more circuit breakers.

I Pull Out All The Stops To Sell Your Home
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Blogsite: http://renton-real-estate.blogspot.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South
Bellevue.Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

Water Damage

Well the rains have begun here in Renton WA. There are a few things you can look for when buying a house. In addition to causing destruction, water damage also has an adverse affect to the indoor air quality of your home. Damage from water can cause wood rot, insect infestation and mold . The obvious causes of water damage are leaking roofs, windows, doors, foundation cracks and visible plumbing leaks. These are fairly easy to detect, enabling a quick repair before maximum damage occurs. The not-so-obvious culprits are moisture behind finished basement walls that are insulated with fiberglass; poor grading around foundation walls and air leaks that occur between the living space and attic. Insulating finished basement walls with fiberglass is not a good idea. Fiberglass will absorb water and not allow it to travel through the wall, preventing a drying effect.

The Answer To Moisture Traps:
Some people think installing a plastic barrier in the wall is the answer, but this approach only traps moisture. A better way is to use rigid insulation (also known as blue board). This insulation is semi- permeable and allows moisture to travel through the wall, allowing it to dry. Water can also enter the basement if the grade of the land is pitched toward the house. Grading the soil away from the house and adding rain gutters will guide rainwater away from the house. Openings from the house to the attic and poor ceiling insulation in houses located in colder climates can lead to ice dams that cause water to back up into the house. Air leakage from the house to the attic will carry moisture in the form of humidity into the attic that can form water on the underside of the roof leading to rotting and mold.

The House and The Attic
Leakage Points
Typical leakage points between the house and attic are: · Leaky attic hatches · Holes drilled for plumbing pipes and electrical wires that penetrate the attic and are usually not sealed · Recessed light fixtures that are not the airtight type · Exhaust fans that vent directly into the attic



I Pull Out All The Stops To Sell Your Home
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.

Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

Avoid Water Damage

Five easy ways to avoid water damage
Today we address the matter of water damage in homes. We hope this information will be of value to you in preventing saturation challenges in the future.
1.Switch to stainless steel hoses.
Switch to stainless steel hoses: Consider replacing standard rubber or plastic hoses with stainless steel- braided or mesh hoses. Worn out hoses with kinks, cracks or bulges need to be replaced immediately.
2. Don't leave dishwashers and washers running if you leave the house.
If something breaks while a home owner is away, what could have been a small mop-up job often turns into a thousand-gallon mess best left to professionals.
3.Check the attic air conditioners and swamp coolers.
Check attic air conditioners and swamp coolers: When attic systems fail, water damages everything that lies below. At least once a year, go up to the attic or roof to check these appliances before they wear out. Look for wear and tear and loose connections -- particularly if the unit is mounted on the roof and exposed to sun and rain. exposed to sun and rain.
4. Water Heaters.
Replace old water heaters: Water heaters do damage when they get too old and the tank rusts and bursts, allowing water to pour into adjacent rooms. On average, water heaters last 10 to 12 years. Don't wait for them to fail; replace your tank once a decade. Today's energy-efficient systems will also be cheaper to operate.
5. Consider water alarms.
Consider water alarms: Home owners can install water alarms for a quick alert when an appliance isn't working right. Hooking up the system to an appliance is usually as simple as hooking up a hose to an outdoor faucet.


I Pull Out All The Stops To Sell Your Home
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.
Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

Facts About Gas And Electric Heating Systems

To make your home more energy efficient, you need to understand the energy efficiency of different types of heating and cooling systems. Knowing this information can be of great help when it comes time to buy or sell your home. Many times people are confused by inaccurate information they receive from manufacturers and sellers of heating and cooling equipment. But all you need to know in order to make wise decisions when purchasing this equipment are a few simple facts.

Sizing and Equipment Is Important.
First of all, the proper sizing of equipment is of utmost importance for comfort and low utility bills. Once the proper size is known, then you must decide what type of system best suits your needs. Let's look at three ways houses are heated: natural gas furnace, air-to- air electric heat pump, geothermal heat pump (electricity). Now, let's consider how efficient they are. And when I talk about heating efficiency, I'm talking about how efficiently the system converts either natural gas or electricity to heat for your home.

· Gas Furnace - 80% Efficient
A typical gas furnace will be rated at about 80 percent efficiency when it is new and if it is installed properly. That percentage will lessen with each year's use. An 80-percent efficiency rating means that 80 percent of the gas used will provide heat and the other 20 percent goes up the flue. For example, look at your neighbor's gas flue on a cold winter morning and see the steam coming out.

· Another Type Of Heating - An Air-To-Air Heat Pump
Another popular type of heating system, an air- to-air heat pump, uses electricity instead of gas. An air-to-air heat pump, properly installed, would operate at an efficiency of around 250 percent. I know what you are thinking. "How can anything be more than 100 percent energy efficient?"

Efficiency
Remember, we are talking about how efficiently a unit uses either electricity or gas to move or create heat. Unlike a gas-fired furnace, a heat pump does not actually create heat, it simply moves heat from one location to another. Air-to-air pumps extract the heat from the air. With a heat pump, you use one unit of electricity and get about 2.5 units of heat. A good point when selling your home.

· Thermal Heat

My favorite system, the geothermal heat pump, is simply the very best there is. Most geothermal heating systems operate at close to 400 percent energy efficiency! That's five times the efficiency of the 80 percent gas furnace. As this heat pump is extracting heat from Mother Earth, which is a constant 57 degrees, it is operating on minimal stress and using a very small amount of electricity to move the heat from the earth into the house. With a geothermal system, you buy one unit of electricity (one unit of heat) and Mother Earth will give you three more units of heat for free (that three units of heat is solar energy that Mr. Sunshine gave us over millions of years). WOW that still blows my mind.

I Pull Out All The Stops To Sell Your Home
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/

Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

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New FHA Guideline on Condo's

Effective October 1, 2009, FHA is implementing new condo guidelines that could devastate the values in condo developments. FHA is one of the primary sources of financing for condo developments, especially those with a large number of units that are priced within FHA loan limits. Because many of the homeowners in condo developments had zero to very low down payments, the foreclosure rate has increased, causing huge losses to FHA. When insurers, such as FHA experience huge losses, they write new regulations to limit those losses in the future.
The new lending guidelines are going to be so tough, fewer developments will qualify for FHA financing, which will significantly limit the buyer pool.
Until now, most condo developments could apply to FHA for an approved status, therefore making FHA financing available in that development. In addition, in developments that were not approved, spot approvals were sometimes available for individual units. (The lender applied for an approval for the unit you wanted to buy, in spite of the development not being approved).
Following are the new guidelines: (This is not pretty, so prepare yourself)1. There will be NO more spot approvals.2. All development not considered primarily residential are out. For instance, a development with more than 25% of the total floor area dedicated to commercial business use is out.3. Noise issues is a new concern, so any development within 1,000 feet of a highway, freeway, or heavily travelled road, 3,000 feet of a railroad, 1 mile of an airport, or 5 miles of a military airfield will become ineligible for approval.4. If the property has an obstructed view , or is located within 2000 feet of any facility handling or storing explosive or fire prone materials, it is not insurable - we're not talking just fireworks factories here. A gas station 2 blocks away can disqualify this development.5. Any property located within 3000 feet of a dump, landfill, or superfund site, is ineligible.6. No more than 10% of the properties can be owned by a single investor, including builders or developers who are renting out or have not yet sold vacant units. For 2-3 unit developments, no one can own more than one unit.7. No more than 15% of the homeowners can be more than 30 days late on their homeowner dues.8. For new developments, at least 50% of the units must be sold prior to applying for FHA approval (valid presales include those with purchase agreement and lender validation of an approved loan in process)9. A minimum of 50% of the units must be owner occupied or sold to owners who intend to occupy as their principal residence.10. Projects in designated wetland and flood zones will not qualify.11. All current condominium project approvals will be invalid (with the exception of projects approved on or after October 1, 2008) and projects must be re-approved under the new options available. Going forward, all projects will require recertification every two years.
Heres why these changes will likely hurt condo values:1. Obtaining the approval from FHA is a very time intensive and expensive process. Many condo developments are not currently approved because of the time and expense. Imagine how many fewer projects will be approved if the homeowner association has to re-apply every two years, beginning this October.2. Many condo projects are very close to major transportation, deliberately. Condo owners are often looking for ease of transport, and that is often a factor in choosing a development.3. Many existing developments will be excluded from insurability simply because of the arrearage rule, due to the current economy. 4. What happens to a development that was built in a great location, but a gas station is now just a couple blocks away (flammable materials?) Condo owners cannot control what businesses are approved once the development is already there.5. A decrease in the buyer pool will hurt re-sales. Conforming loans require better credit, and larger down payments. What can you do if you are a condo owner?
The first thing I would do is call a meeting of the homeowners association and try to figure out if your development will qualify for FHA financing based on the above new rules. If it will, I would definitely be taking steps to get your development FHA insured (unless it was certified after October 1, 2008).
If your development was FHA approved, and no longer will be, I would be contacting the FHA, your congressional representatives, etc. I think you need to get pro-active to keep these new rules from being implemented as they are.
If you are a home buyer, and thinking about buying a condo, should you wait to see what happens? I can’t advise you to do that, but it is probably time to do some soul searching before you make that investment.
There is always a chance that some of these rules will change prior to October 1, 2009, especially if the outcry from the public, and those directly affected, are loud enough. Outcry is the only tool we have available to us right now, so make your voices heard.

I Pull Out All The Stops To Sell Your Home
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Blogsite: http://renton-real-estate.blogspot.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.
Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.

There Are Defects In Every Home

We'd all like to buy the perfect home. Unfortunately, it doesn't exist. Even new homes have defects. That's why it's important to have any home you buy inspected by qualified professionals-even if it's brand new. You'll undoubtedly discover defects during your inspections. In fact, you should hope that any significant defects are uncovered before you remove your inspection contingency from the purchase contract. It's far worse to be surprised after closing by unanticipated repair expenses.
Armed with a complete assessment of the current condition of the property, you can make an informed decision about whether to purchase the property in its present condition. Or, you may want to renegotiate the terms of your contract with the seller. If defects are incurable, you may want to withdraw from the contract altogether. Your purchase contract should set guidelines for how inspection defects are to be handled. For example, the seller may have had a "termite" inspection completed before marketing the property. If so, the contract might specify which party-buyer or seller-will pay for the required corrective work. Not all inspection contingencies are the same. Some specify that the buyers have the unilateral right to approve or disapprove inspections. In this case, if the buyers disapprove the inspections, the contract may be cancelable at the buyer's option.

HouseHunting Tips
What To Consider
House Hunting Tip: Even if your contract allows you to withdraw due to inspections, carefully consider before electing this option. You will already have spent considerable time, effort and money finding and inspecting the property. If the defects are correctable, it's usually worthwhile to try negotiating an agreement with the sellers rather than starting the process over again. Some inspection contingencies provide for buyers to give the sellers the opportunity to correct defects, rather than just walk away from the deal. In this case, the terms of the contract often become subject to further negotiation. Before asking a seller for inspection-related concessions, make a list of the significant defects that you discovered during your inspections. Then find out how much it will cost to repair these defects. When you make your request, put it in writing and include a copy of your cost accounting list along with the reports and estimates on which you're basing your request.
You may find that the seller is not willing to negotiating over items that were disclosed to you before you made an offer to purchase the property. It still may be worthwhile to point out that the cost of the previously disclosed items in addition to the newly discovered defects alter the amount you can reasonably pay for the property. Sellers are wise to consider any reasonable proposal from a well-qualified buyer. If the inspection- related defects are significant, they are likely to be a concern to other buyers. Depending on the law in your state regarding seller disclosures, you may have to provide copies of the buyer's reports to future buyers who are interested in the property. There are several ways in which sellers can participate in buyers' repair requests. They can have the work done by closing, if time permits. Often contractors will accept payment at closing. Or they can credit money to buyers as long as the credit is called a credit for buyers' nonrecurring closing costs. Lenders usually limit the amount of such a credit to 3 percent of the purchase price or equal to the actual amount of the nonrecurring closing costs, whichever is less.

I Pull Out All The Stops To Sell Your Home
Lonnie Snyder
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 206-406-2710
Email: snyder@kw.com
Website: http://www.callsnyder.com/
Blogsite: http://renton-real-estate.blogspot.com/
Lonnie Snyder is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Washington’s Kent, Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue.
Oh, By The Way. . . . . I AM NEVER TOO BUSY FOR REFERRALS.