Thursday, December 22, 2011

FYI on DIY – The True Cost of Self-Moves

FYI on DIY – The True Cost of Self-Moves

After you have bought or sold your home, the next challenge emerges: MOVING.
When homeowners are attracted to the perceived monetary savings of a self-move, whether a truck rental or via portable moving containers, they soon realize that many other factors need to be taken into consideration.

In addition to the potentially complicated logistics of a self-move, there are also the physical, emotional, and affiliated costs to review:
Do you have people available to help with the packing and loading at both origin and destination?

- Do you have fragile items that will require special handling? Do you have the knowledge and tools to crate them as needed?  Are you prepared to be responsible for any damage or loss of property?

-  Will you need to rent additional equipment/ supplies/ hired-hands to move larger items such as appliances?

-  Did you add applicable costs like packing materials, extra insurance, gas, tolls, lodging, day labor, and meals to get a true cost of the self-move option?

- Are you going to miss work while packing and driving across country?  This should also figure in to the total cost of a self-move as well.

Self-moving can be a great option for people with small households and in good physical condition, or at least have a large pool of friends and family volunteers that will work for pizza (and know how to safely and efficiently pack your worldly possessions).

For most families and active adults that are moving, the peace of mind, convenience, and personal touch service of a move advocate is tough to beat.

Van Line Express, a preferred partner of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, selects reputable movers from their quality network; arranges multiple estimates; and ensures the process goes smoothly through pack, load and delivery days.

In addition, because of the volume of moves we manage, we have the clout to ensure aggressive pricing and attentive customer service.

Your Prudential Snyder & Company Realtor can assist you in the sale or purchase of your home and can assist you with your move by contacting Van Lines Express and starting the move process for you.
As always, we here at Prudential Snyder & Company Realtors are here to assist you with any of your Ann Arbor home buying, home selling, rental or other Ann Arbor area real estate needs.  We cover Chelsea Homes, Dexter Homes, Ypsilanti Homes, Saline Homes, and the entire Washtenaw County area as well as Western Wayne County, and parts of Livingston, Lenawee, Oakland, and Monroe Counties.
Call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. We’re also available via email at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder and Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors!

Monday, December 19, 2011

FHA POWERSAVER PROGRAM TO OFFER LOW-COST FINANCING TO CREDIT-WORTHY BORROWERS

FHA POWERSAVER PROGRAM TO OFFER LOW-COST FINANCING TO CREDIT-WORTHY BORROWERS

 
 
Power Saver LoansWASHINGTON – Eighteen national, regional and local lenders, including Detroit based Quicken Loans, will participate in a new two-year pilot program that will offer qualified borrowers living in certain parts of the country low-cost loans to make energy-savingimprovements to their homes. Backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), these new PowerSaver loans will offer homeowners up to $25,000 to make energy-efficient improvements of their choice, including the installation of insulation, duct sealing, replacement doors and windows, HVAC systems, water heaters, solar panels, and geothermal systems.
U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the participating lenders (see attached list) during a tour of a family-run company that offers home energy audits and upgrades in Long Island, New York.
The remodeling industry cites surveys that point to a growing demand among homeowners interested in making their homes energy efficient. Yet options are still limited for financing home energy improvements, especially for the many homeowners who are unable to take out a home equity loan or access an affordable consumer loan. Initially, the PowerSaver pilot program is estimated to assist approximately 30,000 homeowners to finance energy-efficient upgrades though higher market demand may increase this impact. According to HUD projections, more than 3,000 jobs will be created through this pilot program and the impact may be larger if market demand for the loan program increases over time.
PowerSaver loans will be backed by the FHA but require these lenders to have significant “skin in the game.” FHA mortgage insurance will cover up to 90 percent of the loan amount in the event of default. Lenders will retain the remaining risk on each loan, incentivizing responsible underwriting and lending standards.
PowerSaver has been carefully designed to meet a need in the marketplace for borrowers who have the ability and motivation to take on modest additional debt to realize the savings over time from home energy improvements. PowerSaver loans are only available to borrowers with good credit, manageable debt and at least some equity in their home (maximum 100% combined loan-to-value).

Participating lenders are largely selected based on their commitment to work in partnership with established home energy retrofit programs provided by states, cities, utilities and home performance contractors. These markets include, but are not limited to areas of the country participating in the Energy Department’s Better Building Program.
As always, we here at Prudential Snyder & Company Realtors are here to assist you with any of your Ann Arbor home buying, home selling, rental or other Ann Arbor area real estate needs.  We cover Chelsea Homes, Dexter Homes, Ypsilanti Homes, Saline Homes, and the entire Washtenaw County area as well as Western Wayne County, and parts of Livingston, Lenawee, Oakland, and Monroe Counties.
Call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. We’re also available via email at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder and Company for the best Ann Arbor Real Estate Agents!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Ann Arbor Luxury Properties

Luxury Properties in Ann Arbor

Prudential Snyder is on the forefront of luxury properties in Ann Arbor. We make it easy to search for luxury homes and our real estate agents have special qualifications to assist both buyers and sellers with all of their fine home real estate needs.

Prudential Fine Homes International

We are a leading network of real estate sales professionals working with buyers and sellers of residences priced in the top 10% of the local market.  These luxury properties include but are not limited to homes, estates and residences with historic significance or unique architectural quality.
Prudential Snyder & Company Realtors is pleased to announce the following real estate sales professionals have earned the Prudential Fine Homes International designation and are ready to help you with your luxury homes needs in Ann Arbor.

Meet your Prudential Fine Homes International Realtors:

All of our designees are full-time real estate sales professionals who have met or exceeded the required sales standards in the luxury property market.  They are highly skilled practitioners ready to guide you through the sale or purchase of your luxury home.
As always, we here at Prudential Snyder & Company Realtors are here to assist you with any of your Ann Arbor home buying, home selling, rental or other Ann Arbor real estate needs.

Ann Arbor Luxury Homes Contact

Call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends.
We’re also available via email at info@prusnyder.com. Choose Prudential Snyder and Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Ann Arbor Realtors Sales Report

Ann Arbor Realtors Sales Report


Houses in Ann Arbor
Photo: Elvert Barnes

Ann Arbor Realtors Sales Report

Sales activity by Ann Arbor Real Estate Agents for the first four months of 2011 has just been released by the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors.

April’s sales volume represents a 9.8% increase over March. April’s total units were 337 and total units sold in March were 307.  While a comparison of activity to April, 2010 shows a decline in sales activity, it is important to remember that last year’s activity was extraordinarily high due to the April 30, 2010 deadline for the homebuyer’s tax credit.
Ann Arbor Realtors generated a 20% increase in residential listings in April, 2011 as compared to April, 2010.  Even though residential sale prices have continued to decline in the region, year-to-date residential sales volume is even with last year.  Due to the stabilization and appreciation of housing values in the Ann Arbor School District, the year-to date average sales price of residential property for the greater Ann Arbor market   increased by 3.55 %.
Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, recently said “Based on the current uptrend with very favorable affordability conditions, rising apartment rents and ongoing job creation, existing home sales should rise around 5 to 10 percent this year with sales growth of lower price homes likely to outperform high-end homes.  That means the price trend will reflect more homes sold in the lower price ranges.”
For additional information go to the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors web site: http://AAABoR.com or contact your Ann Arbor Realtors at Prudential Snyder & Company Realtors.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

FACEBOOK: LIVING IN ANN ARBOR

FACEBOOK:  LIVING IN ANN ARBOR

Ann Arbor Realtors invite you to our new Facebook page Living in Ann Arbor, sponsored by Prudential Snyder & Company Realtors.

People don’t just want a house, they want a lifestyle.Living In Ann Arbor Facebook Page

Living in Ann Arbor allows you to experience many of the wonderful things that make Ann Arbor a great place to live.  We’ll have content covering major City events like the Ann Arbor Art Fair and Summer Festival.  You’ll be able to learn about Restaurant Week and all the critically acclaimed restaurants we have in our great city.  Education is king in the Greater Ann Arbor area.  Ann Arbor is home to The University of Michigan, one of the highest ranked public universities in the United States and in nearby Ypsilanti is Eastern Michigan University which is nationally renowned for training the finest teachers in the country.

Insights from community members and Ann Arbor Real Estate experts.

Of course, Living in Ann Arbor would not be complete without giving you a chance to learn about all the great neighborhoods and communities that make Ann Arbor a special place to live.  Many of the contributions on all of the page’s content will come from Prudential Snyder & Company’s Ann Arbor Realtors.  They all live here, raised their families here and have experienced the outstanding lifestyle found only in Ann Arbor.
For additional information, please call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and week ends.  You can also email us at info@prusnyder.com or on line at www.prusnyder.com anytime.  Choose Prudential Snyder & Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors!

Friday, December 9, 2011

YOU MAY HAVE TO SHOW A PAY STUB BEFORE YOU CLOSE ON YOUR NEW HOME

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU MAY HAVE TO SHOW A PAY STUB BEFORE YOU CLOSE ON YOUR NEW HOME?


Pay stubs for buying a new home
Photo: Brian Collette

Buying a new home? You may need to show a pay stub.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently changed their policies on verification of income, causing lenders to require buyers to produce a paystub before officially buying a new home.

Why is this a big deal?

Here’s why it’s a big deal: Prior to the change in policy at the national level, buyers who were moving to start a new job would be able to show their offer letter from their new employer to their lender as proof of employment and income and could close on their new home before they started their new position. Now closing has to be delayed until the buyer actually receives a paycheck putting their lives and their relocation on hold.

What’s being done about it?

This is what’s being done about it: The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has not changed their guidelines and allow for an employment start date up to 60 days after closing. They allow a client to put as little as 3.5% down for mortgages up to $345,000 and have a variety of loans available. Ann Arbor Realtors have recently become aware of a program for University of Michigan employees. Bank of America has recently negotiated an exemption from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for U of M employees that also allows for an employment start date up to 60 days after closing. They require a minimum of 5% down on mortgages up to $417,000 when buying a new home.

For additional information, please call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. You can also email us at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder & Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Ann Arbor Housing Report August 2011

Ann Arbor Housing Report August 2011

Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor August Housing Report 2011

The Ann Arbor Area Board of REALTORS has released the August Ann Arbor Housing Report.

A lot of friendly neighbors were saying “Welcome to Ann Arbor” last month. The Ann Arbor  housing report for August 2011 shows  a big win for the Ann Arbor area Real Estate market. The electricity in the housing market was comparable to the electricity in the air at the Notre Dame vs Michigan night game last Saturday. Well, that may be a small exaggeration, but it was definitely an exciting time in this office. Board-wide figures indicate that there were 322 residential units sold in August, up 23 percent over last year.  Sales of condos jumped 46 percent, from 65 in August of 2010 to 95 in August of 2011. Sales of all property types are up 27 percent compared to August of 2010. Not too shabby, all of you Ann Arbor Realtors!
Ann Arbor Housing Report 2011
The Ann Arbor Area Board of REALTORS attributes this growth to continued affordability and low mortgage rates. According to the Ann Arbor Housing Report, year-to-date sales are on pace to match or exceed 2010 numbers which were strongly influenced by the federal tax stimulus. The year-to-date average sales price continues to climb, showing 4.2 percent growth over last year.
For additional information or stats from the August Ann Arbor Area Housing Report, please call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. You can also email us at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder & Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors and Ann Arbor Real Estate.
You can view the actual report at the following address: http://www.aaabor.com/downloads/News/HousingStats/2010-2011/08-2011stats.pdf

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Android Real Estate Apps

Android Real Estate Apps

Android Real Estate Apps

Android Real Estate Apps

Real Estate Apps for Android Devices to help you house hunt on the move.

Have you ever been out for a drive and thought to yourself, I would love to live here? With mobile apps, the time investment to house hunt on the spot has been drastically reduced. Instead of going home, getting on the computer and searching from there, you could be checking out some of the local real estate for sale in Ann Arbor right now. Searching for houses for sale in Ann Arbor on the go is a lot more efficient when you use mobile apps on your smart phone. Whether you’re on your way to lunch, out for a run, or on the way home from work, you can find homes or rentals near you with mobile apps for your Android device.
To help you make the most of your mobile search we’ve compiled a list of mobile apps for your Android device. These are the best of the best and have the ratings to prove it.
REALTOR.com App for Android
Realtor.com Android Real Estate App
  • This app has the most frequently updated database, which will give you the most correct and most current information. The database is updated at least every 15 minutes, so you are never without correct and up-to-date information that may be lacking with other apps. The information you will find on other apps is usually either incomplete or out of date (for days, weeks, or even months).

Zillow App For AndroidZillow Android Real Estate App
  • This app is the golden standard for usability by which other mobile real estate apps are measured. It has information on over 90 million homes, voice search, Google Street View, and GPS tracking & search capabilities.



Trulia App for AndroidTrulia Android Real Estate App
  • With this app, the focus is on usability. Of all of the apps, this may be the easiest to use! Some awesome features of this app are integrating open house times straight to your phone’s calendar, GPS tracking & search capabilities, and voice search.


Smarter Agent App for Android
Smarter Agent Android Real Estate App
  • This app shows aparments for rent as well as homes for sale. It has search capabilities as well as all of the information listed in the MLS for a property.

Homes.com App for Android
Homes.com Android Real Estate App
  • This app is pretty basic and can help you find what you are looking for without any bells and whistles. It has search capabilities and allows you to refine your search pretty easily.
For additional information, please call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. You can also email us at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder & Company for the most knowledgeable and innovative Ann Arbor Realtors.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

What is a deed?

What’s a Deed and are there different kinds of Deeds?

Deed Signed By President Fillmore

A Deed signed by President Fillmore. (Photo: Meredith Harris)

A deed is a written legal document by which ownership of real property is conveyed from one party to another. It must contain five essential elements in order to actually convey the ownership of the land from one party to another.

First, the deed must identify the grantor or seller and the grantee or the buyer. The actual act of conveying ownership is known as a grant.
Second, the deed must state the consideration, or money, was given by the buyer to the seller.
Third, the deed must contain words of conveyance which clearly states that the seller is making a grant of real property to the buyer.
A legal description of the boundaries and the exact location of the land is the fourth requirement.
Lastly, the grantor, seller, executes the deed by signing it.
In order for the deed to take affect, there must be delivery and acceptance. The seller delivers the deed to the buyer at closing and then to ensure that a record of the transfer of ownership has taken place, the deed is recorded with the local government as evidence of the change in ownership.
There are several types of deeds. The one most commonly used and considered to be the best deed a buyer can receive is known as a warranty deed. It contains all of the five elements referenced above. It also warrants that there are no liens or other encumbrances on the property other than property taxes or municipal assessments. Unfortunately, as a result of the high level of  foreclosures, buyers of foreclosed properties will receive a sheriff’s deed. It conveys the foreclosed party’s title and warrants that the sheriff has not damaged the property’s title.
Information courtesy of Charles J. Jacobus & Bruce Harwood authors of Real Estate Principles
For additional information, please call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. You can also email us at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder & Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors and Ann Arbor Real Estate.

Monday, November 14, 2011

5 tips to sell your home fast!

Top 5 things you should know to helpsell your home fast.



tips for selling your home

Our Ann Arbor real estate is selling fast, and it’s because we follow some simple rules.

1. Curb appeal is key to selling your home

If it looks like a dump, then it has probably been treated like one! Why would
anyone want to live there? Curb appeal is all about first impressions. Buyers
want to feel like they could live there from the moment they pull up in front of
the house. Fix what’s broken, paint, cut the grass and plant some flowers.

2. Deodorize

If it smells, it never sells! Even though Fido and Princess Kitty are part of the
family, they frequently are responsible for making the house smell like a kennel.
Professionally clean the carpet and the furniture. Some carpet may need to be
replaced. Keep the dog clean. Cats take care of themselves. Besides, washing a
cat can turn a beautiful day into hell on earth.

3. Really want to sell your home? Repair and Repaint

Putty and paint makes it what it ain’t! Repair the dry wall, gouges in the wood
surfaces and paint the walls. Your daughter’s favorite purple wall color has got
to go. We like to repaint our Ann Arbor homes with a neutral shade that will be attractive to a wide variety of buyers.

4. Put away your moth collection

One man’s treasure is another man’s junk! De-clutter! Knick-knacks, heirlooms
what ever you want to call them have got to go. After all, they are special to you
and only you. If you are lucky enough to have expensive collections you should
put them away to keep them safe.

5. No guns, drugs, or other valuables

This isn’t the OK Corral! If you own a gun, lock it away. Don’t leave it on the
night stand next to the bed. The same is true for prescription drugs, fine jewelry
and valuable art work.
We may be putting these tips into effect in one of our newest properties at 1003 Berkshire Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104MLS #3102999.

For additional information, please call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. You can also email us at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder & Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors.