Getting your house in order - Part II

Getting your house in order for what ever reason..
               season changes,
                    selling ,
                       or just want to feel better about where you live-

isn't easy. CHAOS (Can't Have Any One Over Syndrome) is especially true for anyone who works out side the home and especially true for those who don't. One is not enough time, the other is not seeing what others see- becoming oblivious to the clutter and dirt.

Lists can help. Honestly. They are how I survive. It's one thing to have it "in your mind" to do; it's another to see it on paper and be able to cross it off.

Here is the FLYLADY's List. I think it's excellent because it reminds you to care for yourself and your family in the middle of your CHAOS.

"1. Make a list of what needs to be done.

2. Look at the list and prioritize, don't just up to do it yet.

3. Drink some water, tea or your favorite beverage.

4. Spend this 15 minutes calming yourself. Breathing deep and slowly thinking about the next hour and what you can get done.

5. Love on your babies.

6. Kiss your husband.

Then go back to work with a renewed spirit.

No more turning in circles, not knowing what to do next. You have a plan. You can do this, if you will just think slowly and calmly, write a few things down and then you won't feel so stressed. Being stressed about this is not going to help. In fact it will make things worse.

Now set a timer for 15 minutes and take a break.

You are Really FLYing when you can do this! "
FlyLady

Getting your house in order

"Are YOU living in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome) like Franny in the pink sweats? Do you feel overwhelmed, overextended, and overdrawn? Hopeless and you don't know where to start? Don't worry friend, we've been there, too.


Step through the door and follow FlyLady as she weaves her way through housecleaning and organizing tips with homespun humor, daily musings about life and love, the Sidetracked Home Executives (SHE) system, and anything else that is on her mind."-Flylady.com


For anyone who has known me for any length of time, cleaning and ridding myself of clutter is something I strive to do but am not always successful.  Perhaps clutter  I have many projects going in many different directions and I WILL finish them. Sometime.  I found FLYLADY years ago and she has helped me a lot.  That sentence that says "Hopeless and you don't know where to start" speaks to me.  So, I'm going to borrow from her the things that has helped me the most in the hopes that, if you are like me, then perhaps you will become a fan and make your  life a little easier at the same time. Because I truly am a Sidetracked Home Executive .  Picking up a few tricks will help you now and in the future .  For guests, for family, and for me should you ever decide to sell.


Today I am including one of the BIGGEST helps for me.  DECLUTTERING!!  HUGE help.  Hope you will think so, too.  


Put your home on a diet. If this is difficult for you, try reading one of my favorite books, "Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui" by Karen Kingston.

1. When to Declutter: Decide how often you are going to declutter a zone. Do a little every day - use a timer. But be warned - this can become compulsive! Once you get started you will want to clean like a banshee! Don't burn yourself out! Only do small amount at a time. The house did not get dirty overnight and it will not get clean overnight. When you set the timer you can only do two sessions at a time. This goal may seem unattainable right now, but you can do it in little pieces. In a couple of months, the whole house will be decluttered.
   
2. Decluttering Equipment: You will need garbage bags, boxes, magic markers, and a dust rag. Label the boxes "Give Away", "Throw Away", and "Put Away". Line the "Throw Away" box with a plastic garbage bag.
   
3. Set your timer: for 1 hour (or 30, 15, or 10 minutes - it does't matter how long). Just do the job as fast as you can and do not pull out more stuff than you can put away in that length of time. This means just one drawer, one closet (or even one shelf in one closet), one magazine rack, or digging under just the furniture in the zone. Not all of them at once!
   
4. Start at the entrance to the room: Then, work your way around the room clockwise. Do not skip a spot. Whatever happens to be next, just do it.
   
5. Declutter Away! With boxes at your feet and dust rag in your waistband, start off by cleaning out and getting rid of the things that do not belong in this room. Put garbage in the "Throw Away" box, donations in the "Give Away" box, and stuff that goes somewhere else in the "Put Away" box. Don't worry that you do not have a place for everything right now. By the time you finish you will. That's a promise from FlyLady!
   
6. What to declutter? Things to ask yourself as you get rid of your clutter:
   • Do I love this item?
   • Have I used it in the past year?
   • Is it really garbage?
   • Do I have another one that is better?
   • Should I really keep two?
   • Does it have sentimental value that causes me to love it?
   • Or does it give me guilt and make me sad when I see the item?
   
   Cleanse this room of everything that does not make you SMILE.
   
7. Sing this song: "Please release me, let me go" as sung from the stuff's point of view. It needs to be loved by someone and if you don't love it - GET RID OF IT!
   
8. Get rid of the garbage! When the "Throw Away" box gets full, pull out the garbage bag, close it, and put it in the trash can, the pickup truck, or wherever you keep your garbage. Put a new garbage bag in the "Throw Away" box and keep on Flying until the timer goes off.
   
9. Donations: When the "Give Away" box gets full, seal it off, and put it in your car. The next time you are out, you can donate to the area thrift shop. Do not save your clutter for a yard or garage sale, you will be blessed by giving it away. The value can be deducted on your income tax. Remember you are trying to get rid of clutter - not relocate it somewhere else in your home. Now, grab another box, label it "Give Away", and get back to work.
   
10. "Put Away" Stuff: When the "Put Away" box gets full, take the box in your arms and run around the house (good thing you have shoes on - right?) and put the items in the room where they belong. If they have a place, put them there, if not put them in the room where they logically belong. By the time you have finished you will have a place for everything and everything will be in it's place.
    
11. Timer Goes Off: When the timer goes off, you have to put away all the boxes, but first you have to empty them all. Go as fast as you can. 

FLYLADY.com

Why should you consider purchasing a home?

Do your upstairs neighbors stomp on your ceiling? Do the meatballs they're cooking next door fill your apartment with the smell of searing meat? Perhaps you long to sit quietly in your own backyard after a long day. Buying a home is a big step, but maybe you're closer than you think.


For the vast majority of us, owning a home is part of the American Dream. According to a study conducted by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS, 87 percent of those polled cited owning a home as the number one criterion for defining "the good life."


Owners and renters alike considered homeownership desirable for the following reasons: the pride of ownership, their dislike of paying rent, and the ability to change features of their homes to match their individual tastes and needs.


Like Mom and apple pie, owning your own home provides a sense of security and well-being that's hard to beat. Home is where we raise our families, have friends over for summer barbecues, paint the baby's room pink or blue, and find refuge from the outside world.


In addition to these intrinsic benefits, owning a home offers other advantages as well. For instance, as a homeowner, you have control over your environment. Not only can you change your home to meet your needs, but you also aren't subject to the terms of a lease or a landlord. As a homeowner, you can experience the emotional and financial security that comes from knowing what your housing expenses will be from year-to-year. Unlike rents, which can increase annually, most mortgages have fixed or capped monthly payments. So, as a homeowner, you can have a much better idea of what proportion of your paycheck goes toward your home. Think of it as the ultimate savings plan--it sure beats a passbook.


Bottom-Line Benefits
And it only gets better. Homeownership is the primary component in the creation of wealth for many Americans. (Data from Harvard University's Joint Center of Housing Studies illustrate not only that the median net wealth of homeowners is 34 times greater than that of renters, but also that over half of that wealth is generated from home equity.) As you pay down your loan amount each month, you accumulate equity, a growing ownership interest in your property. If you need funds, you can borrow against this equity in the form of a home equity loan. Further, interest on a portion of home equity is tax deductible.


Remember, most homes appreciate in value over time and can be a source of income for you, especially if you've lived in your house for many years. When you retire, you can sell your home if you need the funds or make use of a home equity conversion mortgage. This type of mortgage allows you to continue to live in your home and receive a monthly check at the same time. In essence you are able to tap into the accumulated home equity and receive a monthly sum which reflects the amount of that equity and the number of years you wish to receive that payment. In return for providing you with the payments, the lender receives an ownership interest in the home. These mortgages sometimes are called reverse annuity mortgages. Ask your lender about them.


Finally, don't forget about the significant tax advantages of owning your home. Interest on a home mortgage and property taxes are deductible. For most of us, mortgage interest provides the largest tax deduction. Also, a home is the single most important factor that determines whether you will be able to file a return which takes advantage of the wide range of allowable itemized deductions.


-article from the OAR

Ohio home sales decline 2.6% in the first 2 months of 2011

Trying to sell and things not going as planned?  Don't give up but also be aware of what the stats say... 


Ohio home sales  through the first two months of 2011 reached 10,854, a 2.6% decline from the 11,147 sales posted during the same period a year ago. The average sales price (January through February) this year is $116,871, a 3.1% decrease from the $120,590 mark set during the period a year ago.


Total dollar volume this year tops $1.26 billion, a 5.6% decrease from the two month mark a year ago of $1.3 billion.
Sales in February 2011 reached 5,524, a 5.4% decline from the 5,839 sales posted during the month a year ago. The month's average sale price of $118,037 was a negligible 1.6% below the $119,994 mark of February 2010. The total dollar volume in February 2011 topped $652 million, a 6.9% decline from the $700 million posted a year ago.


NAR is reporting that existing-home sales in the U.S., dropped 9.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.88 million in February from an upwardly revised 5.40 million in January and are 2.8 percent below the 5.02 million pace in February 2010. The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $156,100 in February, 5.2% below February 2010.


An NAR practitioner survey shows first-time buyers purchased 34% of homes in February, up from 29% in January; they were 42% in February 2010.


Taken from the Ohio Association of Realtors-2011 


So, what does this mean to Home Sellers?  


It means being the best quality at the best price.  Just the same as it has been for the past year.  The competition is still high and the market favors Buyers right now. Use that information to plan your strategy.  Set your house apart from the others.  Make it stand out.  It will make a difference.

Items to take to your Lender when you apply for a loan:

What Your Lender Needs From You

It's the million dollar question: How much do you need to borrow? Regardless of the amount of your mortgage, expect to be asked that very question – plus a whole lot more. So, it's best to be prepared. Know what your lender will ask and bring necessary documents with you to your appointment. Use our mortgage loan checklist as a reference for compiling the information and documents your lender will undoubtedly ask for. Mortgage Loan Checklist Amount of money you want to borrow The length of the loan Current address (If you've been at your present address less than two years, you'll also need to provide your previous address.) Social Security Number Employer's name and address (If you've been at your present job less than two years, you'll need to provide your former employer's address as well.) Gross monthly income All bank account numbers and their approximate balances Your assets (real estate, personal property, paid-up life insurance, etc.) A complete list of debts (include account numbers) A copy of the purchase agreement for your new home A written account of any problems that may concern your loan application, such as explanation of bankruptcy, late payments, etc Once you've begun the application process, you can expect your lender to: Verify the facts of your application Obtain a credit report Make a property appraisal Review all the details of your loan application Make a determination on your loan

Qualifying...a little more information

It's kind of ironic, but house hunting usually begins in your own living room! That's because the best house-hunting strategies start with careful planning. So, long before you start pouring over online listings and hitting the neighborhoods with your Real Living agent, first decide your price range. Knowing your housing budget upfront will quickly bring your efforts into focus. How much you can (and want) to spend depends upon two things: What you want or need your monthly payment to be. How much you're willing or able to put toward a down payment. Remember that your monthly mortgage payment will include the principal and interest on the loan as well as property taxes and insurance (both fire and hazard). These four costs are abbreviated P.I.T.I. (for principal, interest, taxes and insurance). And, depending on which home you buy, your monthly cost could also include homeowner association dues, condominium fees and Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). Qualifying As part of the planning process, find out how much you can comfortably afford by getting pre-qualified. Keep in mind that although there are a number of loan types available, you still need to work toward finding a monthly payment that makes sense for you. As a general rule, expect your monthly mortgage to be no more than 25 to 33 percent of your gross monthly income. Use our quick and easy lending formula to figure your housing budget. Credit Scoring In deciding how much house you can afford, consider getting your credit score as early in the home-buying process as possible. Your credit score helps your lender determine the type and size of your mortgage loan; so knowing your score can save you loads of time and maybe even a little disappointment. Your credit score is a numerical measurement of your credit report and reflects your overall management of credit. Using information compiled by credit bureaus, your credit score is based on several factors including: Your payment history The amount of credit you have Information reported monthly by your creditors Any serious problems in the past with debts, such as liens, bankruptcies, collections and judgments. Your final score is used by lenders to help determine the likelihood that you'll repay your loan on a timely basis. Credit scores typically fall in a numerical range, from 300 to 900. Generally, the higher the score, the lower the risk you are for the lender. Keep in mind that credit scoring is only one factor considered by a lender. You can expect a careful analysis of all the information collected from you during the loan process. By the way, even if you're already pre-qualified, you can benefit from knowing your credit score. While pre-qualification measures your debt and income ratios to predict your qualifying loan amount, your credit score provides a clear indication of your credit standing – a major factor during the final loan approval process. -Taken from the Real Living Mortgage sight.

THINKING ABOUT BUYING A HOME?

Figuring Your Housing Budget

*Have you ever shopped for clothes, furniture or gifts without a budget and later found that you'd overspent? It's easy to do especially when looking at so many great houses with your agent. Obviously, staying on budget is very important when house hunting. That's why you'd probably like to have a ballpark idea of how much house you can afford - before you start looking and even before meeting with your mortgage broker or lender. To get a rough estimate of how much you'll qualify for, do what the lenders do – plug your budget numbers into a basic mortgage calculation formula. Lender Formulas Lenders typically use one of two formula guidelines; although most will require that you meet both sets of guidelines. Even if you don't meet the guidelines, talk with your chosen home mortgage consultant. S/he can provide additional details specific to your situation, and since there are other formulas that exist, you may qualify under another standard.  For example, VA loans are calculated on a single ratio that's based upon mortgage payment and all debts. If you have very little debt, this formula may allow you to qualify more easily for a more expensive home. Of the two usual formulas, the first compares income-to-housing costs (without including long-term debts), while the second includes all debts. 28 Percent Formula: Total monthly housing costs (P.I.T.I.) = 28 percent (or less) of gross monthly income. 36 Percent Formula: P.I.T.I. + all monthly debts = 36 percent (or less) of gross monthly Income. So, if you're a family with a monthly gross income (before taxes) of $3,500, you would multiply $3,500 by 28 and 36 percent. The result shows that you might qualify for a home mortgage with monthly payments between $980 and $1,260 a month. Note that these percentages may be slightly less if you have long-term debts (more than eight months) or alimony/child support payments. The number and ages of your children as well as household budget items may also have an impact. Now that you have a better idea of what your approximate housing budget may be, learn more about:

Type: Conventional


Characteristics: Can be obtained with as little as 5 percent down payment. If the down payment is less than 20 percent, it may be necessary for the loan to have Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) to protect the lender.
Term: Paid off in equal monthly payments over 15, 25 or 30 years.
Interest Rate: Stays the same for the life of the loan.


Type: FHA

Characteristics: Insures loans, making lenders willing to finance home purchases on favorable terms. Down payments as low as 3 percent. Discount points may be paid by either seller or buyer. 


Term: Varies by lender; however, the FHA charges an up-front Mortgage Insurance Premium, similar to Private Mortgage Insurance that can be financed in the mortgage amount or paid in cash at settlement. The borrower must also pay an annual Mortgage Insurance Premium(MIP) of 0.50 percent, which is collected monthly.
Interest Rate: Varies by lender.Stays the same for the life of the loan.


Type: VA

Characteristics: Available to qualified veterans of the Armed Services, Reserves and National Guard. Loans can exceed $200,000 with no down payment. Flexible underwriting guidelines. Closing costs may be a gift. Can be combined with second mortgages and are assumable (upon qualifying) by future buyer.


Term: Payment fixed for the full term.
Interest Rate: Varies by lender but. Stays the same for the life of the loan.

Type: Renovation Financing Characteristics: Provides buyers money to fix up, renovate, repair, replace or remodel a home with the purchase. We loan on the "after improved value" and can do a loan on a home in ANY condition. We can combine this type of financing with FHA or Conventional financing. Available for singles, doubles, triples or quads. When you're ready to think about buying your new home, make sure you explore these primary loan options and the dozens of others available. The best lending partners will be able to find the right one for your needs.

*Taken directly from the Real Living Mortgage web site. so, if you have any questions about what you are reading, ask me and I will get you the answers or call Mark or Joel directly:  Mark Cooper  at 614-273-6342 or Joel Ghitman at 614-418-7317