Tag: home owner

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Buyer and seller expectations can affect real estate sales

by Dan Krell
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DanKrell.com
© 2013

Home SalesBuyer and seller expectations can affect the housing market

Recent positive housing news has raised expectations for many home sellers, but not for some home buyers who are looking for a great deal. This combination of seller and buyer expectations can make for an interesting spring market.

Expectations, much like beliefs, are influenced by your experiences as well as information to which you’re exposed. A combination of media reports and stories by relatives, friends, and co-workers could create an expectation about the home buying process that could be practical or unrealistic.

Regardless of your expectations, the home selling/buying process is full of pitfalls and surprises. If you’re not prepared, your expectations could set you up for disappointment. Of the many components of the sale/purchase process, the highest expectations are typically placed on pricing and the home inspection.

Home sellers obviously want to sell their home for the highest price. News of low inventory and increasing average home sale prices nationally and regionally would lead you to believe that your home could fetch a higher price. Of course, expectations of a higher price should be reality checked with factual neighborhood data.

Home buyers, on the other hand, want to buy a perfect home and feel as if they bought for a good price. For many buyers, stories of homes purchased at serious discounts are fresh in their memories and may set an unrealistic expectation. Once again, factual data can be a reality check; and depending on the neighborhood, savvy negotiation could be warranted. For example, buyers are encountering fierce competition (not unlike the market just before the financial crisis) in some neighborhoods. And although home buyers are rushing to see homes recently added to the inventory, many are not interested in paying the list price. And although some homes are getting multiple offers, many are not. And of those receiving multiple offers, many of those offers are below list price.

Additionally, appraisals can be an issue too; buyers and sellers alike typically expect that the home appraises for the contract price. If not properly prepared, some home sellers can react to low appraisals by initially finding fault with the appraiser’s comparables and methodology, as well as wanting the buyer to pay the balance; while home buyers may experience increased uncertainty and doubt about their purchase.

High expectations are typically had for the home inspection by all. Home sellers who put forth the effort to prepare their home for a sale, often spending money for updates and upgrades, expect the home inspection to reveal a perfect home. If not prepared, the seller can become headstrong when confronted with an inspection that is other than exemplary. Buyers wanting a perfect home may also be demanding of even inconsequential repairs to be made by the seller.

Buyers and sellers sometimes choose to work with agents who offer promise to meet their sometimes unrealistic expectations, only to be let down by the reality of the sale/purchase process.

Veteran real estate agents often appreciate the novelty of each real estate transaction, due to the ever changing market, circumstances of the transaction, as well as the personalities of the parties involved. Your real estate agent can help you set the tone of your expectations; an experienced and skillful real estate agent can prepare you for the ups and downs of the selling/buying process by reframing your expectations to fit the reality of your neighborhood housing market.

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This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. This article was originally published the week of March 25, 2013. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws. Copyright © 2013 Dan Krell.

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Sequestration will affect real estate and housing markets

by Dan Krell
DanKrell.com

Housing and Sequestraion(Dan Krell © 2013) Remember the “Fiscal Cliff?” Well, after a two month hiatus, sequestration concerns are again entering (if not intrusively) the minds of those who may be affected. And, if you remain indifferent on the matter, you might consider the local economic effect from looming government budget cuts that may begin on March 1st.

On February 14th, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan provided written testimony to the “Hearing before the Senate Committee on Appropriations on The Impacts of Sequestration” (HUD.gov). Secretary Donovan outlined what he described as the “harmful effects of Sequestration” to not only at-risk populations, but families, communities, and the economy at large, as he concluded, “…Sequestration is just such a self-inflicted wound that would have devastating effects on our economy and on people across the nation.”

As a result, HUD counseling would be limited. According to Secretary Donovan, about 75,000 families would not be able to receive the critical counseling services that include pre-purchase counseling, and foreclosure prevention counseling. According to the Secretary: “…This counseling is crucial for middle class and other families who have been harmed by the housing crisis from which we are still recovering, and are trying to prevent foreclosure, refinance their mortgages, avoid housing scams, and find quality, affordable housing. Studies show that housing counseling plays a crucial role in those 3 efforts. Distressed households who receive counseling are more likely to avoid foreclosure, while families who receive counseling before they purchase a home are less likely to become delinquent on their mortgages.”

FHA has been the workhorse to stabilize the housing market as well as providing the means for affordable home purchases. Those directly affected by sequestration would be home buyers and home owners who are applying for FHA mortgages; as well as those seeking assistance through HAMP and HAFA. In written testimony, Secretary Donovan stated that “…furloughs or other personnel actions may well be required to comply with cuts mandated by sequestration.” As a result, “…The public will suffer as the agency is simply less able to provide information and services in a wide range of areas, such as FHA mortgage insurance and sale of FHA-owned properties.”

Another concern is the possibility of a sharp increase in interest rates. Up until now, home buyers (and those refinancing) have had the benefit of historically low mortgage interest rates. Low mortgage interest rates are one of the reasons why home affordability is also at historic levels. A sharp rise in interest rates combined with FHA mortgage delays could shock the housing and real estate market. The result could be housing activity similar to what we experienced immediately after the financial crisis. Granted, the shock would probably not be as prolonged as what occurred in 2008-2009, but nonetheless significant.

In a region that has been relatively unaffected by unemployment and economic issues due to a strong government workforce, sequestration could essentially put a damper on the local housing recovery. Home buyer activity has already been affected, as those who are concerned about sequestration have either put their home purchase plans on hold, or have changed their housing plans altogether. And of course, over time, the changes to consumer behavior would trickle down to various sectors of the economy.

But don’t worry, although sequestration is set to begin March 1st, budget cuts won’t occur all at once. Unless Congress acts on the matter, you might not immediately feel its effects.

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This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice.  Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws. Copyright © 2012 Dan Krell.

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What’s your relationship with your home; how homes impact our lives

by Dan Krell
DanKrell.com
© 2012
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homesHave you considered your relationship with your home?  Just like the relationships we have with our family, friends, and acquaintances, we also have relationships with inanimate objects such as our cars, computers, and our homes.  Granted, the relationships we have with our cars and homes are not the same as our human relationships, and it may sound farfetched; but if you think about it for moment, these relationships can affect our moods and lifestyles just the same.

Your relationship with your home can sometimes make you feel satisfied or frustrated, and maybe both.  But chances are that you were not always ambivalent about your home.   At one time you might have thought your home was perfect.  Or you may have decided that you were ok with the quirks in the home because you once planned to fix them.

But the reality is that over time you change: your lifestyle changes; your use of space changes.  Likewise, your home changes too: the systems become less efficient; the rooms may feel too small/large; the kitchen becomes dated, etc.

Just like your human relationships, your home requires maintenance.  Regular maintenance of your home’s systems can help assure that you will be comfortable day to day.  Ignored systems can fail when you rely on them the most, leaving you miserable and wondering about your home.  Commonly ignored systems include (but certainly not limited to) HVAC and the roof.  Having a licensed HVAC professional check the home’s furnace and air conditioning as recommended may not only ensure the system works when you need it the most, but may also help lower energy bills.  Regular inspection of the home’s roof gutters and downspouts could prevent future water penetration issues.

homeOf course, as we continually change and develop, we want our relationships to grow as well.  So, it is possible that one day you might look around your home and feel that it’s time to spice up the relationship a little – You might be thinking of some renovations, updates, and possibly expanding the home.

Unless you plan to make renovations regularly, don’t make a mistake and focus solely on making your home “trendy.”  Before you decide on a major project, experts recommend you consult with a professional interior designer and/or architect to assist in making choices that can prolong the “freshness” of the renovation.

Kitchens and bathrooms are usually where the most money is spent, and that’s because those rooms tend to get the most traffic and use.  When designing a kitchen or bathroom, it is easy to go overboard on the renovation, but even a modest refurbishment can increase your enjoyment of the home.

As you renovate the interior, don’t give the exterior the short shrift.  Upgrading the home’s windows and siding not only increases the home’s efficiency, but may also increase the home’s curb appeal when it’s time to sell.

Relationships change and sometimes end; even the most meaningful ones.  This is no different with your home.  One day you may find that although your home may have sheltered you and your family without fail for many years, you may find that your needs may have changed; you may need more or less space, or may need to live in a different city.  And just like old friends, you may one day find yourself fondly thinking about your “old” home where you once lived.

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This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. This article was originally published in the Montgomery County Sentinel the week of November 26, 2012. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws. Copyright © 2012 Dan Krell.

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New laws affect homebuyers and homeowners

homesTwo new laws that went into effect this month will have an effect on home buyers and home owners. One law affects home buyers purchasing foreclosed property, and the other is with regard to the Maryland homestead property tax credit.

First, H.B. 1373 Real Property – Foreclosed Property Registry, which went into effect October 1st, requires that Maryland homes purchased at a foreclosure sale be registered with the State of Maryland. According to the foreclosure registry website a “foreclosure purchaser” must initially register a home within 30 days of the foreclosure sale, and a final registration within 30 days of the recordation of the deed. A “foreclosure purchaser” is defined by H.B. 1373 as being “…the person identified as the purchaser on the report of sale required by Maryland rule 14–305 for a foreclosure sale of residential property.”

You might wonder why a registration is necessary once a foreclosed home is purchased. The registry was an outgrowth of purchased foreclosed homes that remained vacant. Vacant homes are at risk for a variety of problems; and if left vacant and untended for long periods of time can not only become an eyesore, but can risk the health and safety of the immediate neighborhood. Trespassing and infestation is a major concern; the longer a home sits vacant and untended, the probability increases for vandalism, vermin, squatters, and gang activity.

The law is most likely aimed at lenders that purchase back their own foreclosure or bulk purchasers, because at one time it was possible that some of these homes sat untended for long periods of time. In the past, such homes might have been cited for health and safety code violations with the intent to have someone tend to the home. However, since ownership may not have been clear due to the foreclosure process or absence of a point of contact, some of these attempts went unheeded.

For more information or questions about the registry, contact the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (www.dllr.state.md.us).

The other law that went into effect this month is H.B. 1081 The Homestead Property Tax Credit Reform Act of 2012. The purpose of the law is to stop the abuse of applying the credit when not applicable. Home owners who are “caught” claiming multiple properties and/or rented properties may have to pay uncollected tax and possibly a penalty.

real estate

But enforcement of this law has been questioned, as was reported by Steve Kilar for the Baltimore Sun in his October 1st article (Homestead Credit Penalty Goes Into Effect This Week). Some are concerned if and how the penalty would be applied to those who are “caught” wrongly receiving the homestead credit. Enforcement may, as was reported, rely on the requirement for the State to prove “willful misrepresentation.”

The effort to weed out those who are undeserving of receiving the homestead credit began several years ago, when in 2007 home owners were required to apply to receive the credit. This application process is culminating to a frenzy of home owners who have not yet reapplied. And according to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, home owners who have yet to apply/reapply for the homestead credit will have until December 31st to submit the application. If you are unsure if you have applied/reapplied, you can check your status by following the instructions on the SDAT website on the homestead credit).

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This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2012

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Homeseller turned landlord

Dan Krell, Realtor®
DanKrell.com
© 2012

Reluctant home sellers turn to renting their homes.

home for saleHanding over the keys of your most expensive investment to another person is not how you think you would have moved on with your life.  But, because the housing market threw a wrench in many peoples’ plans, many home owners who could not sell their homes decided to rent it instead.  Unfortunately, some didn’t know what to expect from their tenants, while others didn’t realize that they had obligations as a landlord.  And as you might imagine some rental arrangements did not turn out so well.

Although the home owner turned landlord may feel kinship to the hard core real estate investor, there are some differences.  Unlike the genuine real estate investor, most people are not accustomed to leaving their home in another’s care (often the person is a total stranger).  Another difference is that the home owner may decide to rent their home to ride out the housing market, while the hard core investor has made a commitment to the real estate investment as a vehicle for accumulating wealth; many investors will hold property for many years looking forward to the future payoff of appreciation when the property is sold.

Of course there is a commonality too; the desire for positive cash flow.  The positive cash flow is the perpetual incoming of cash so the mortgages and other real estate related expenses (such as property taxes, HOA/condo dues, maintenance, insurance, etc.) can be paid. Although a positive cash flow is a good thing, some are content just to break even and have no net proceeds from the rental.  Expenses can add up quickly and turn the rental into a negative cash flow situation (when the rent does not cover all the home expenses); which can became the source of serious financial issues.

home for saleSo, you decided to rent your home (or maybe you were talked into it) so you could move on with your life, what now?  Finding tenants and maintaining the property can be an issue for the novice and experienced alike.  Although seasoned real estate investors have systems in place for various aspects of their business (from finding tenants to collecting rent); you might consider hiring a licensed professional to manage your rental property.  For a fee, professional property managers take care of your rental property: which can include finding tenants, collect rents, and maintain the property.

And since rental agreements can be rather legally complex, consulting with an attorney prior to entering into the agreement would be prudent; as well as consulting with an attorney when issues arise between you and your tenant.

Consider getting additional information about rental properties before embarking on your new journey.   Some municipalities and local governments offer resources to inform you of your obligations and provide additional resources.  For example, the local government of Montgomery County MD offers resources for landlords and tenants.  Besides the “Commission on Landlord – Tenant Affairs,” which hears landlord – tenant disputes; other resources are available including a description of “ordinary wear and tear,” and links to the District Court of Maryland listing actions a landlord can take against a tenant (and vise verse).

What seems to be a comprehensive guide is the “Landlord – Tenant Handbook,” which is offered as a manual to renting for both the landlord and tenant.  The handbook describes: the obligations of the landlord and tenant; property licensing requirements; rental application and lease; security deposits; property maintenance; complaints; terminating the lease; and “survival tips.” The handbook and other landlord – tenant resources can be found at montgomerycountymd.gov/dhca (click the “Landlord & Tenant” link).

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(if this article appears anywhere other than a feed originating from, or directly on DanKrell.com, the article has been re-posted without permission).
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This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. This article was originally published in the Montgomery County Sentinel the week of September 10 , 2012. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws. Copyright © 2012 Dan Krell.

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