Category Archives: Grays Home Solutions

How to sell your house fast in Hagerstown

Every homeowner that we meet are the same….. They want top dollar and they want their homes sold ASAP. I wish I was the real estate fairy and could wave my magic wand and could accommodate to all. But the “real” estate world does not totally operate like that….. or does it?

Grays Home Solutions ” Your Local RE Team ” has developed a system that is second to none. We understand that no two sellers are the same. What works for one seller may not work for another. That is why we do more than just list a home. When you list a home on the market you usually are asked to make some repairs, paint this, replace that. While you are hard at work making these so called repairs who does this cost? That’s right YOU ! After you have made your repairs at the discretion of another they will want to be compensated for their services. Most agents charge between 5% – 6% of your sales price. So there is a quick $ 6,000.00 gone on every $ 100,000.00. Here’s the fun part. Then you get to wait. Not Days and weeks, but months. Showing after showing after showing… with usually only low offers if any at all.

When you decide to sell your home do you really want to wait months? Who does this cost? You are right once again… YOU ! Once you get an offer and you are so fed up at this point you just accept it because you are tired of waiting, your buyer will probably need to get a loan. How does this affect you? Well the bank will want to send someone out to secure their money. Do you think they will find anything that needs fixed or replaced? They always do ! Who pays for this list of repairs ? Correct Again.. YOU DO Do you think the buyers will offer full price ? Most do not….. I mean what is so special bout your home ?? Do you think the buyer will need some closing help ? Most do.

So let me get this right…. You want to sell your home so you call a local RE Company. You know you will pay them a commission to ” guide you through the process ” you know you will need to clean and make repairs, you know more than likely you will have another list of repairs to make once the home is inspected, you know the buyer will not offer full price and most likely ask for closing help….. and oh yea this takes month to accomplish. Doesn’t that sound like fun??

Well I’m here to tell you there is a better way, a cheaper way, and a faster way. How can you find out? You pick up the phone and call to schedule your free consultation. Like I said earlier there is no cookie cutter approach. Every home and every homeowner is different one way or another. After we analyze your situation we will develop a battle plan that get’s results.

How can you be sure ? Visit our website and read our facebook comments. These testimonials are from people who were once in your shoes. Only they took action. They did not pre-judge and they were open to new ideas. The results speak for their selves.

The whole process begins with you. We cant help if you don’t call. We are a local company and we are here to help people just like you. You can reach Darren or Jerred @ 240.347.3141

Gray’s Home Solutions Providing Answers For Washington County Homeowners

Local Real Estate Experts Create Amazing System To Help Homeowners Sell Quickly,

Regardless of Situation.

Today’s real estate market can be stressful and unpredictable. Traditional advice says fix up the house, hire a realtor, pay for advertising, schedule open houses, wait for an offer, negotiate the offer, have a home inspection, repair those items, give concessions at closing, pay the realtor’s commission…

Anyone who is trying to sell a house knows what a slow, expensive process it can be.

“Around 2008, we were seeing lots of people devastated by the housing market crash, upside down on equity and facing foreclosure,” says Darren Gray, co-founder of Gray’s Home Solutions. “And the traditional methods of selling a home weren’t working anymore.”

In addition to market changes, homeowner finances can be strained by any number of events, including divorce, a change of jobs, relocation demands or medical bills. Even an inherited home can be a burden if the new owner doesn’t decide to live in it. Insurance, upkeep and property taxes still need to be made while the house sits on the market.

“I got tired of seeing good people get stuck in bad situations, with no one helping them out.”

That’s why Darren and his son, Jerred, started the company in 2009.

By embracing new, innovative and proven methods, these real estate experts are able to help homeowners sell quickly and fairly.

Area residents are probably familiar with the friendly, smiling house seen on Gray’s Home Solutions signs. The Middletown, MD based company offers various options, since no one approach is right for everyone. This multi-solution approach is what makes the company so unique, and so successful.

“I can’t tell you how many homeowners we’ve helped that others said were doomed. We’ve helped folks avoid credit killers like foreclosure and sell houses in so-called bad neighborhoods. We’ve even helped fatigued landlords get out of their rental properties,” says Jerred.

“In many cases, we are able to help these sellers in under a month. One of our colleagues says we’re like real estate pros on steroids,” Darren jokes.

The process starts with a phone call and a free consultation. Call 240-347-3141 or visit GraysHomeSolutions.com for more information.

Grays Home Solutions Recognized for Helping Local Homeowners

This father and son team means business

Grays Home Solutions helps with problem properties

Staff photo by Graham Cullen Darren Gray, left, and Jerred Gray, of Gray’s Home Solutions pose for a photograph near a home the company recently bought from a distressed homeowner facing foreclosure.

Father and son Darren and Jerred Gray have launched Grays Home Solutions LLC to help in the sale of problem properties.* What led you to launch this business?

Seeing so many foreclosures in the newspaper and having had friends and family members lose their homes due to uncontrolled circumstances.

* What is unique about it?

It is free and it offers solutions to problems that others have failed to help with.

* What do you do that nobody else does?

(1) We offer a free service.

(2) We purchase homes in as little as seven days.

(3) We have options for sellers that others do not.

* Why do you believe you’ll be successful?

(1) There will always be a demand for our service.

(2) It serves the community well.

(3) It serves the well-being of ones in an unfortunate situation.

* Tell us something specific about your business field, who your customers are or how you see a new business doing in a challenging economy.

We are a local company based in Middletown and have developed a unique system to purchase “problem property” in the area — a home that is an eyesore to others and in need of repairs or the home is in a negative equity situation. Either of which the sellers want to move on with life and are having difficulty finding a buyer for the home. We offer quick and free options and can in most cases purchase these homes in seven days or less.

The challenging economy is exactly why we have developed this system where conventional thinking has failed.

More and More People Getting Into The Flipping Industry

Flipping Industry Heating Up

It looks so easy on TV. Buy a bargain-basement house, pull up some nasty carpet, re-tile the bathroom, paint away the wall stains and sell it for a hefty profit.

It’s not, however, all those popular shows that are driving the flipping market today. It’s pure and simple prices — and profit. There is a severe lack of good quality, turn-key homes for sale, and that has created a seller’s market across the nation, even for those reselling homes.

After cooling off in 2014, home flipping is on the rise again — its share of all home sales is up 20 percent in the first three months of this year from the previous quarter and up 3 percent from the same period a year ago, according to a new report from RealtyTrac, which defines a flip as a property bought and resold within a 12-month period.

While flipping today is nothing like it was during the housing boom a decade ago, when investors used risky mortgages, it is reaching new peaks in 7 percent of the nation’s metro markets, including Baltimore, Buffalo, New Orleans, San Diego and even pricey Seattle.

Diana Olick | CNBC

Dana Rice, real estate agent and home flipper, at her latest project in Bethesda, Maryland, a very small colonial, within walking distance to shops and Metro.

“While responsible home flipping is helpful for a housing market, excessive and irresponsible flipping activity can contribute to a home price pressure cooker that overheats a housing market, and we are starting to see evidence of that pressure cooker environment in a handful of markets,” said Daren Blomquist, senior vice president at RealtyTrac.

That’s because flippers today largely use cash — 71 percent did in the first quarter of this year. Compare that to just 27 percent who used cash at the height of the housing boom. That helps keep most flippers conservative, but it also exacerbates the problems for entry-level homebuyers, who are facing one of the tightest housing markets in history. They simply can’t compete against all-cash buyers.

Usually flippers look for distressed properties either in the foreclosure process or already bank-owned. These are not always listed on public sale sites. There are fewer of those today, so flippers are moving to the mainstream market, creating that new pressure.

“A telltale sign is when flippers are acquiring properties at or close to full market value. Those markets are so competitive that even the off-market properties flippers are looking to buy are not selling at much of a discount — and there may be very few distressed properties available,” said Blomquist.

Examples of these markets include San Antonio, where Blomquist says flippers are actually purchasing at a 7.8 percent premium above estimated full market value, as well as Austin, Texas; Salt Lake City; Naples, Florida; Dallas and San Jose, California.

Despite the premium to buy, flippers are still seeing growing gains in profit. Home flippers realized an average gross profit of more than $58,000 in the first quarter of this year, the highest since the third quarter of 2005, according to RealtyTrac.

Real estate agent Dana Rice and her husband flip houses in the tony D.C. suburb of Bethesda, Maryland. Prices there are well above the national median, and there are few distressed properties. Instead, they target old, small fixer-uppers. Even those command a hefty purchase price up front, but they can also offer big rewards.

“I didn’t want a teardown. There is so much character in this part of Bethesda,” said Rice. “I don’t think that everybody wants a brand new build. There is a hole in the market because not everyone wants to do a renovation. If you put a little bit of effort in, these numbers can be huge.”

Rice purchased her latest project, a very small colonial, within walking distance to shops and Metro, for $680,000. She expects to put half a million dollars into the renovation, adding both square footage and high-end finishings; she is confident that in this competitive market she will see an 18-25 percent return on investment.

“It’s like birthing a baby. … If you’re overpriced, you’re dead in the water.”-Dana Rice, real estate agent and home flipper

“It’s like birthing a baby,” she said, noting that she will wait to list it until she feels the market is just right. “If you’re overpriced, you’re dead in the water.”

The lack of inventory is certainly a double-edged sword for flippers. Their initial investment price can be high, and flippers are often competing against local builders, who may want to tear the house down and put something up that is twice the size. On the other hand, not everyone wants or can afford a huge, new, expensive home, and that gives flippers the edge.

“The key here is that there is particularly a dearth of listed inventory in good condition,” said Blomquist. “That is the inventory flippers are competing against when they sell.”

Should You Buy A Home or Not ?

Are You Really Ready to Buy a Home?

Maybe, maybe not. Ask yourself these questions before deciding.

Homeownership isn’t right for everyone.

Let’s say you’re a veteran renter and you’re getting tired of seeing your money go straight to your landlord’s bank account. You want to start building value in a home of your own and the thought of buying a house is becoming more and more tempting.

Should you do it?

It depends. Homeownership isn’t a sure path to building wealth if you’re using a mortgage like most homebuyers do. The truth is: You’ll be paying a lot and not getting anything in return in the form of mortgage interest, mortgage insurance, property taxes, property insurance, homeowners association fees and home maintenance. All of that money simply vanishes – the only part that actually builds wealth for you is the tiny fraction of your mortgage payment that goes toward your balance.

There are actually many financial and life situations where renting is by far the better deal, just as there are many financial and life situations where buying is the better deal.

One great step to take is to use this handy “rent versus buy” calculator. It’s a spectacular tool for helping you run the numbers and figure out if you’re ready to buy a home on paper. But on paper is just part of the story. Are you really ready for homeownership? Do the realities of your life make you ready?

Ask yourself these questions before deciding.

Q: Are you planning to live in the area long term?

During the first few years of a mortgage, homeowners build very little equity in their home. The portion of their mortgage payment that actually goes toward the principal of their mortgage is tiny, meaning that after a few years, you still only own a tiny fraction of your home.

Thus, if you’re only planning on living in the area for a short while, you’re almost always better off renting. The value of home ownership doesn’t reveal itself until you’ve lived there for a while.

Q: Am I able to save a significant amount each month for a down payment?

Homeownership comes with many more costs than does renting. As a renter, virtually your only bills for your living space include rent, utilities and renters insurance. If you’re a homeowner, you’re contending with your mortgage bill, mortgage insurance, property taxes, homeowners insurance, homeowners association fees and all of the maintenance costs that come with a home.

If, as a renter, your financial state is so tight that you’re unable to save much each month for a down payment, then the costs of homeownership would likely stretch your budget substantially beyond what you can afford. The ability to save a significant amount each month for a down payment is a great litmus test as to whether your finances are ready to deal with the costs of homeownership.

Q: How will my commuting costs change?

Quite often, you’ll find people who are renting properties that are fairly close to where they work, but then buy a home that’s far from work.

If buying a home means you’ll no longer be able to walk or bike to work, your commuting costs are about to skyrocket. Even if you can take mass transit from your new location, you’re still going to be footing the bill. Your reliance on a car may now go up, if your move puts you farther from grocery stores and other necessary amenities.

Include the cost of transportation changes in your calculations or else you may find yourself in a very rough spot.

Q: Am I overreaching?

Even after thinking through these questions, people still often fall in love with a home that’s simply beyond their budget. If they dive in, they may find themselves walking the tightrope for many years as they deal with the burden of an enormous mortgage and high additional expenses.

Yes, this can pay off if everything goes perfectly, but when is life perfect? If you’re buying for the first time, you’re far better off in a reasonably priced home that will still grow in value while giving you some financial breathing room as you learn the ins and outs of being a homeowner. You can certainly jump to the “dream home” later, but don’t make it your first move after renting.

Q: Do I have the time?

If you constantly find yourself pressed for time as a renter, it’s not going to get better when you move into a house that has maintenance and lawn care needs, which you’ll be solely responsible for.

Does your current schedule afford you the time to deal with tackling home repairs, mowing the lawn and tending to the greenery? If not, you should be very careful when you consider moving into a home, particularly one that belongs to a homeowners association.

Homeownership can be a very expensive proposition and it’s easy to make big missteps early on by jumping in before you’re financially ready. Take the time to make the right choice when it comes to the biggest financial decision of your life.

Having Difficulty Choosing Paint Colors ?

How Do I Choose a Wall Color?

FAHQS: FREQUENTLY ASKED HOME QUESTIONS

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Making design decisions for your home doesn’t have to be a hand-wringing experience. But there’s something about choosing paint colors for your walls that can seem impossible. With so many options out there, it can make you want to turn to someone else to make the final choice. Today’s Frequently Asked Home question: Which color should I paint my walls?

Consider neutrals: One easy way to go with is a with a neutral color like white, beige or gray to give your room a clean canvas.

If you want color, narrow to cool or warm colors; you’ll cut your color choices in half. If you’re going to go with a bold color, I suggest going all the way. (In other words, if you want bold, go for that bold shade that’s dark and dramatic; don’t wimp out and pick a paint chip a few shades lighter.)

Remember that the sheen of a wall can have a huge effect on how a color is perceived in a room, so know the finishes available and how they might transform your room.

Finally, don’t paint an entire room before stepping back to see if you like a color: Use paint swatches to test small areas of the color in all different types of light. And be sure to seek out color suggestions by finding out the colors used in your favorite house tours.

Some great paint color choices to start with:

7 FREE EVENTS

America cherishes — and deeply depends on — its 28 million small businesses, and the thinkers, doers and dreamers who own and work for them. Producing close to half of our national goods and services, and creating approximately two out of every three new jobs each year, they’re the backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of the American dream.

That’s why, every year since 1963, to honor and uplift entrepreneurs from California to New York, the National Small Business Administration (SBA) declares one week a year National Small Business Week (NSBW). This year, the special week takes place from May 1 through May 6.
To honor, elevate and celebrate the entrepreneurs behind our small businesses, the SBA is hosting many free, inspiring and educational events throughout its 10 regions and 68 districts during NSBW. Several companies and organizations will join the SBA in applauding the entrepreneurial spirit of our nation’s small-business owners, offering free workshops, webinars and other events throughout the week, the theme of which is once again “Dream Big, Start Small.” To spread the word via social media, the hashtag is #DreamSmallBiz.

Related: Cash Crunch: What’s the Best Loan for Your Small Business?

For all the hard work you do, day in day out, “contributing to our collective American story,” we think you deserve to take a break, kick back and dream big. Here’s a list of free, inspiring events, webinars and more for entrepreneurs to take advantage of during NSBW:

1. Attend an inspiring SBA-hosted NSBW event near you.
SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet will travel across the country in a week, co-hosting NSBW events in the following cities: Washington D.C., Atlanta, New York, Denver, Phoenix and San Jose, Calif. She’ll be talking with local business leaders, presenting awards and sharing helpful business tips and trends. To attend one of these events, register here.

2. Watch the SBA NSBW action unfold via livestream all week.
If you can’t make it to one of the NSBW events in the above-listed cities, you can still watch the action happen via livestream. Head over to www.sba.gov/nsbw/ starting at 7:30 p.m. E.T. on Sunday, May 1, to tune in. You can also follow Contreras-Sweet at @MCS4Biz on Twitter or Instagram for updates on the fly all week. Follow the SBA’s official Twitter feed here as well.

Related: An Entrepreneur’s American Dream in 5 Quotes

3. Learn how to grow your business online with Google.
Google is teaming up with small-business-focused organizations in towns and cities across the country to host free workshops on how to grow your company’s reach online. Head over to www.gybo.com and click on the U.S. map to find a Google workshop near you.
Google says attendees will learn how to manage their business information as it appears across Google Search and Google Maps. They’ll also brush up on how to use Google AdWords Express, Google Analytics and Google Apps for Work to better boost online visibility and to optimize internal workflows.

Related: Google Launches Program to Help Small Businesses

4. Expand your business acumen via a NSBW webinar.
The SBA hosts a series of informative small-business webinars, starting Monday, May 2, and ending Thursday, May 5. Topics to be covered include: demystifying voluntary employee benefits; recent payment technology innovations; cloud, mobile and social apps for growing your business; business-loan-application best practices and how to use Intuit Quickbooks. To see the complete webinar schedule, click here.

5. Attend a Facebook “Boost Your Business” networking event.
In honor of NSBW, Facebook will host four Boost Your Business events in cities throughout Texas next week. If you happen to be in the Lone Star State and want to attend, the networking events will unfold in Corpus Christi on May 2, Houston on May 3, San Antonio on May 5 and College Station on May 6.

Each offers a day of connecting with local community and small-business leaders and fellow entrepreneurs and business owners. Lots of tips on how to use Facebook and Instagram to amplify your business’s reach will be shared. Breakout sessions will hone in on using both popular social platforms for marketing and for sharing video content. For more information on these events, head over here.

Related: What’s Missing From Your Facebook Ad Strategy

6. Get social with Twitter’s “#TweetHour” on scaling your business.
Kicking off on Thursday, May 5 at 7 a.m. E.T., Twitter will put on a #TweetHour focused on tips for scaling your small business. The scheduled host for the hour is Simon Walker, a marketing manager from IFTTT, a San Francisco-based tech startup that automates web services. Walker will also be tweeting about how to save time and money, and how to boost productivity, all things most entrepreneurs and small-business owners can get behind.

To join the hour dedicated to doling out and swapping business growth advice, log on Twitter and search for and use the hashtag #TweetHour.
7. Learn how to access loans and capital through Sam’s Club and Accion’s webinar.
Having a healthy cashflow is key to staying in business. For many small companies and entrepreneurs, business loans and capital are essentially the lifeblood of their operations. To find out more about how to access finance options such as these, tune in to Sam’s Club Giving, Small Business Majority and Accion International’s hour-long webinar on Wed., May 4 at 4 p.m. E.T.

Remodeling ? Good ROI Ideas

These projects are the best long-term remodeling investments you can make:

1. Replacing Your Front Door

Your faithful front door works tirelessly — day in and day out — to usher in you and your guests, and to seal your house up tight. But when Old Faithful gets tired and worn out, don’t hesitate to call in a replacement. Year in and year out, replacing your old front door with a new steel door is a project that kicks up curb appeal and yields the best payback.

“It gives you the best bang for your buck in terms of transforming the look and feel of your home,” says Brandon Erdmann, president of the remodeling firm HomeSealed Exteriors in Milwaukee. “Plus, old exterior doors can be a huge source of energy loss. So you’re improving the look of your house, improving energy efficiency, and you’re able to do it without breaking the bank.”

It’s also a relatively low-cost project. According to the “2015 Remodeling Impact Report,” a new steel front entry door has a national median cost of $2,000 installed, and can recover 75% of that cost at resale.

2. New Siding

Old, worn siding, along with generally sad curb appeal, can contribute to a loss of up to 10% of your home’s value, according to some appraisers. New siding, on the other hand, practically screams “my owner takes care of me.”What to choose? Both vinyl and fiber-cement siding are good replacement options.

Vinyl siding is low-cost, durable, and easy to install, and it hits all the right notes when it comes to getting a return on your home improvement dollars. Best of all: It’s a low-maintenance feature that frees up your time.

Today’s vinyl siding includes fade-resistant finishes and transferrable lifetime warranties that are much better than the 10-year guarantees of just two decades ago. There’s good payback, too. According to the “2015 Remodeling Impact Report,” the $12,000 national median cost of a vinyl siding replacement job returns a solid 83% if you should decide to sell your home.

Fiber-cement siding also shows a strong payback of 79% in the “2015 Remodeling Impact Report.” Although its national median cost of $19,100 makes it the pricier option, it has one thing vinyl still lacks — the perception of quality.

And quality matters. In a survey from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), “quality” was the one of the most important traits that home buyers focused on when shopping for a house. A final word: 100% of homeowners responding to the “Report” said they were happy or satisfied with the result of their fiber-cement siding replacement project.

3. Kitchen Upgrade

We’re not talking about the dream kitchen remodels that are plastered on Pinterest and Houzz. But a minor kitchen remodel — one that keeps a lid on costs by refacing instead of replacing cabinets, and includes new flooring, countertops, and modestly priced appliances — is an ever-popular project.“People are always willing to update their kitchens,” says Dale Contant, 2016 president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and owner of Atlanta Build and Design. “It’s the hub of the home.”

Although the ROI on a kitchen update is relatively modest — the “2015 Remodeling Impact Report” says you can expect a return of 67% on the $30,000 national median cost of a kitchen upgrade — you’ll get lasting satisfaction. Eighty-two percent of homeowners said their updated kitchen gave them a greater desire to be at home, and 95% were happy or satisfied with the result.

4. Deck and Patio Additions

Like alfresco living? You’re in good company. According to a 2014 Home Trends Survey from the American Institute of Architects, our love of outdoor living spaces — especially decks and patios — is on the rise.One big reason is that decks and patios are a sweet way to expand living space at a low cost of $8 to $35 per square foot — a bargain compared to the $150-and-up per-square-foot cost of a new addition.

5. Turning an Attic into a Bedroom

When it comes to romantic rooms, a bedroom retreat is hard to beat. But a treetop boudoir is much more than a daydream — it’s a good investment. You’ll gain living space without having to add on to your home’s footprint — the walls, floor, and ceiling already exist. That helps keep remodeling costs under control.There are code restrictions you’ll have to navigate when converting an attic to a bedroom, but if your house qualifies and you can cover the cost (about $65,000 says the “2015 Remodeling Impact Report”), chances are you won’t regret your decision. Some 94% of homeowners responding to the “Report” said they were happy or satisfied with their new attic space.

6. New Garage Door

Steel

No surprise that a garage door replacement project made it onto our list of all-time winners — a new garage door provides a big boost for your home’s curb appeal at a relatively modest cost. That’s especially good news if you’re thinking about selling your house.

A project that replaces an older, two-car, embossed steel door has a current cost of about $2,300, according to the “2015 Remodeling Impact Report.” If you sell, you can expect a healthy ROI of 87% on your investment.

There are options galore, too. A host of factory-finish colors, wood-look embossed steel, and glass window insets are just some of the possibilities that’ll give your doors bankable personality.

Facing Foreclosure ?

Can an Investor Buy Your Home if You’re in Foreclosure and Sell It Back to You?

Short sales fraud is rising as investors seek to profit from lender losses.

Government initiatives have helped to facilitate widespread and legitimate alternatives to foreclosure, such as short sales. Lenders work with homeowners to sell their home for less than the balance owed and accept the sale proceeds as settlement. Homeowners in foreclosure are financially distressed and often desperate to keep their home. Investors take advantage of short sales to make money off of financially distressed homeowners by re-selling the home to them for a profit.

The Basics

Short sales take place in the pre-foreclosure stage and sometimes before the homeowner defaults. This is because the lender is convinced the homeowner’s financial circumstances will cause him to end up in foreclosure eventually. Nonetheless, convincing a lender to short sell a home is not easy. The transaction takes several months to complete, requires full documentation of the homeowner’s financial situation, marketing of the property and negotiating sales price and terms with the lender. Lenders prohibit homeowners from benefiting from the short sale by living in the home after the sale.

Mortgage Fraud

Lenders consider a homeowner who remains in the home after a short sale as a tenant or buyer a participant in mortgage fraud. When short sales rise, so does fraud, says Freddie Mac, one of the major owners of the nation’s mortgages. As a result, most lenders require homeowners to sign an Arm’s Length Affidavit, a disclosure provided to all parties to the transaction before the close of escrow. It stipulates that behind-the-scenes arrangements that allow the homeowner to benefit financially from the short sale are illegal. In a typical short sale fraud, as detailed in a CNN report, a real estate agent obtains a legitimate bid on a short-sale home. The agent sandbags the bid while presenting the bank a lower bid from an accomplice scammer. After the bank accepts the low bid, the real estate agent sells the home to the original higher bidder, thus cheating the bank and pocketing the profit.

Considerations

A homeowner in foreclosure cannot afford to pay the mortgage he already has and therefore cannot acquire a new mortgage in the near future. The impact of missed payments and the short sale itself diminishes credit. Furthermore, a waiting period set by lender seasoning requirements prevents a borrower with a prior short sale from obtaining a new mortgage for at least several years. If the homeowner buys back his home with cash, the lender may consider it fraud because he claimed financial hardship before the short sale.

Tips

The real estate professional selling your home is aware of the Arm’s Length Affidavit and that he may also be held liable for any involvement or knowledge of a short sale scheme in the transaction. If an investor approaches you directly with the plan, the real estate agent is required to act in your best interest, not the investor’s, and support you in rejecting the offer.

Is Your home Healthy ??

Is Your House Ruining Your Health ?

Is Your House Ruining Your Health?

Home has traditionally been viewed as a sanctuary, a place of refuge from the dangers and uncertainties lurking in the outside world. As safe and secure as we try to make our homes, hidden perils can sometimes still find their way inside. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as many as 6 out of 10 homes and buildings are actually hazardous to human health. Consider also that, according to the Greenguard Environmental Institute, most people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, where air pollution levels are typically two to five times higher than they are outdoors. The primary contributors to poor indoor air quality are furnishings and building materials, which release hundreds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Because prevention is the first step toward a cure, here we highlight some of the most common sources of indoor health hazards and offer a few practical alternatives that can lessen your family’s exposure to household toxins.

Asbestos

Once an extremely common building material, asbestos is often found in older homes, particularly in shingles, ceiling tiles, and flooring. This durable, fire-resistant material is composed of microscopic fibers. If these fibers become airborne they can be trapped in the lungs, where they can cause a host of health problems. Professional asbestos testing and removal can protect you from this substance’s ill effects.
Lead

Another common contaminant in older homes is lead, a toxic metal that was once widely used in paints. It poses particular danger for children, who may ingest chips of flaking paint and dust from window frames or door moldings. Lead poisoning can lead to developmental delays, learning disabilities, and harm to the nervous system, so it’s imperative to eliminate the contamination from your home and choose lead-free materials going forward.
Paint

While today’s paints no longer contain lead, they do contain VOCs, which can off-gas, irritating the eyes, nose, and throat. Fumes from oil-based paints are typically the worst offenders; these paints are therefore usually reserved for outdoor projects and small-scale indoor uses where their hard, glossy finish is preferred. Latex paints, which produce fewer odors, are most commonly used indoors. Many companies now offerlow-VOC paints that have fewer toxic fumes.
Solvents

Cleanup after a painting project can also mean exposure to harmful VOCs, resulting in headaches and dizziness. Paint thinners and other solvents typically contain high levels of VOCs, which can permeate indoor air and furnishings. There are numerous “green” solvents on the market that are designed to eliminate paint, grease, and oil without harmful side effects.
Mold

One of the most prevalent causes of household illness is mold, which can lurk in damp environments, including basements, carpeting, the areas under sinks, or even in wall and ceiling insulation. This living organism gives off airborne spores, which can cause allergic reactions as well as respiratory and skin problems. Eliminating any damp conditions in your home is the key to prevention.
Formaldehyde

Commonly used in drywall, engineered woods, paneling, and other construction materials, this chemical preservative is linked to myriad health problems, including eye, nose, throat, and sinus issues. Many manufacturers today are marketing formaldehyde-free products to avoid these potential health hazards.
Flame Retardants

The average American home contains multiple sources of toxic flame-retardant chemicals—called polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs—because they are widely used in carpeting, upholstery, draperies, and other textiles, as well as in foam insulation, electronics, and plastics. PBDEs have been linked to cancer and reproductive disorders. In the past, the use of these chemicals was mandated by law; today, however, there are less-toxic alternatives available.
Herbicides and Pesticides

Although most of these chemicals are put to work outside the house to prevent unwelcome visitors in the garden and lawn, they can enter the house on shoes and clothing, and even in the air. Many of these substances can cause illness in people and pets, so it is best to seek out natural pest control options and enforce a leave-the-shoes-at-the-door policy.
Treated Lumber

Treated lumber is a popular choice for decks, fences, and other outdoor projects because the wood is durable, long-lasting, and resistant to weather and insects. Treated lumber, however, is filled with chemicals—insecticides, fungicides, arsenic, and copper to name a few—which can cause a range of health problems, including cancer. Naturally durable woods like redwood or cedar may be a healthier alternative.
Cleaning Products

It turns out that many bath and kitchen cleansers contain chemicals that are dangerous to the skin and eyes, and often produce fumes that can irritate the nose and throat. Fortunately, nontoxic cleansers like vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda enable you to remove dirt without adding danger.
Radon

Although you can’t see, smell or taste radon, this highly radioactive gas can move up through the ground and into your home through cracks and holes in the foundation. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US, so measures to mitigate the gas are crucial. There are plenty of inexpensive DIY radon kits in the marketplace, but you may want to hire a qualified tester, especially when buying or selling a home.
For More…

If you’re interested in more about home hazards, consider:
8 Home Hazards—and How to Mitigate Them
10 Pretty Plants You Didn’t Know Were Poisonous
The Power Outage Survival Guide