Great News From Veterans Affairs

The department of Veterans Affairs will use a locality based approach in raising ceilings on its n0-down payment home loans from $417,000.00 to as much as $729,000.00. The increase are effective immediately under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. The increased limits for veterans are based on local housing costs, tied to the similar locality adjustments of the Federal House Loan mortgage Corporation., Freddie Mac. More information about VA home loans is available at www.homeloans.va.gov. Source: Department of Veterans Affairs. Feel free to contact me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Mortgage News!

Buyers flock to FHA, government-backed loans Borrowers are flocking to government-insured loans, particularly those offered by the Federal Housing Administration, as they seek to refinance out of costly adjustable-rate mortgages or take out purchase loans with low down payments. The Mortgage Bankers Association says applications for government-insured loans were up 133.9 percent in July from a year ago, while applications for conventional loans like those purchased and guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac fell 50.2 percent. The FHA loan limit increases signed into law earlier this year, coupled with the permanent increases included in the recent Housing Bill can be credited with increased applications for these loans.Source: Inman News, 8.18.08

Feel free to contact me at findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Enviromental Home Hazards

Although homeowners say they are concerned about common environmental health risks, they often do little to protect themselves. A recent survey by pest control company Orkin, Inc., with the assistance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH), found that 70 percent of owners have never had their homes tested or inspected for lead, radon, carbon monoxide or mold even though they are concerned that environmental hazards could affect their health. While nearly all (95 percent) are aware that pests, such as ticks, mosquitoes, roaches and rodents can spread disease, nearly 70 percent reported that they do not consult a pest control professional. The CDC, NCHH and Orkin have launched a public awareness campaign to educate consumers on how to protect themselves against harmful environmental health hazards and close the gap between awareness and action. If you have any questions contact me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com Have a great day.

Energy Star Info

This is an interesting site to help you find energy efficient products. Figure out how much you would save by using an Energy Star fan at http://www.energystar.gov/ Click the "heating and coling" link through to ceiling fans, where you will find a Savings Calculator worksheet as well as lists of energy efficient fans. The site goes into quite of few different areas like making your HVAC more efficent. If you like more info contact me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Did You Know?

Running a sprinkler for two hours can use up to 500 gallons of water. To figure out the right amount to water, put an empty tuna can on your lawn. When it's full, you've water about the right amount. For more info on how to save around the house contact me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Reverse Mortages

In a survey by the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Atlanta, 26% of homeowners who have reverse mortgages said their #1 reason for getting such a loan is to pay for daily living expenses. Only 3% said they used funds from a reverse mortgage to pay for a vacation. Other reasons cited for obtaining a reverse mortgage:

• Budget too tight 19%
• Need more liquid assets 16%
• Home repairs and maintenance 15%
• Provide care for dependents, pay medical bills 8%
• Pay property taxes and homeowners insurance 7%
• Falling behind on monthly payments 6%
• If you additional information contact me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Cut, Don't Run

Pools, sprinklers, hoses - there are many ways to use water outdoors in the summertime, and there are also countless and easy ways to conserve it. Check out the follwing tips for developing good H20 habits:

• Water your lawn only when necessary; if you leave footprints when you walk across it, it's time to water (usually once every three days).
• Minimize evaporation by watering your lawn during the early morning hours,when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.
• Divide your watering cycle into shorter periods to reduce unoff and allow for better absorption.
• Periodically check your pool for leaks if you have an automatic refilling device.
• Weed your lawn and garden regularly; weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light and water. for more info contact me at findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Check Out Cork Flooring

Cork isn't just for wine bottles anymore. This green material is, well popping up all over the place, from wall coverings that are durable and soundproof to stylish flooring that's easy on your feet. Plus, cork is naturally antimicrobial and insect-repellent, and it does not absorb dust. Harvested from the bark of the cork oak, the material is so eco-friendly and renewable. So, save a tree and look to cork the next time you're considering what to do with the outdated parquet kitchen floor. If you like more info check out http://www.corkflooring.biz . If you have a question email me at findit@LehighValleyRealty.com .

The Sky Is Not Falling

Everyday whether the news comes from the local paper or other media, our local Real Estate market is still alive. It is not doom & gloom! It is a state of mind if you keep hearing the negative reports, you tend to believe in it. In the media "Blood Sells". Our local market is healthy, it is a fabulous time to purchase the home of your dreams. Buyers have choices in this market. They are not pressured to make an instant decision and again having a variety of homes to choose from. No one can predict the future, however we all need shelter. Let's look at the facts. We have the lowest interest rates in years, ample housing stock both in new and resale homes. Builders are giving incentives as well as some sellers. You do not have the competition from other buyers for the same home as a few years ago. Real Estate goes in cycles, in the long run it is still the best investment. It is tangible, equity build-up, tax benefits and it is yours. It is true the lending institutions had to adjust their lending practices. But the end result is their is plenty of money to loan. If you need additional info contact me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Moving Service for Pet Owners

An estimated 70 million Americans own pets and consider them part of the family. So when it comes time to move or travel, pet owners are faced with a dilemma about how to transport their pets safely and with minimal hassle.

Petrelocation.com is an online company offering a door-to-door service for transporting animals across town, across the country or to another part of the world. The Austin, Texas based company uses a network of carriers and transportation routes to create a customized travel itinerary for many types of animals. If clients want to know where their beloved pals are at any time during their travels, they can check the real-time flight status online. The website also provides destination-specific information, such as local veterinarians, dog parks and vaccination requirements. For more info contact me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

National Association of Realtor's 2007 Profile

An overwhelming number of homebuyers say central air conditioning is the most desired home feature when choosing a home, according to the 2007 Buyer's Home Feature Preferences. Other features homeowners ranked as "very important."

• Garages (2 or more spaces) 57%
• Walk-in closet in master bedroom 53%
• Backyard/play area 50%
• Cable/Satellite TV-ready 46%
• High-speed Internet access 40%
• Separate shower enclosure in master/main bath 36%
• Fencing 36%
• Patio 36%
• Home less than 10 years old 33%

For more info contact Jeffrey Burnatowski at findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Spring Cleaning

With the spring selling season arriving, start polishing your home!

Let the sun in. Make every room look brighter with clean blinds and windows. Washing windows on a cloudy day reduces streaking.

Sniff out smells. Check out your drip tray underneath your refrigerator and wash out any standing water from defrosting. Was the inside of the refrigerator with baking soda and water solution.

Make your bed better. Vacuum mattresses and box springs, and then rotate and flip over. Wash mattress pads, dust ruffles and pillow case covers in hot water.

Clean those coils. Improve energy efficiency by vacuuming grates, coils and condensers of your furnace, stove and refrigerator.

Wash the walls. Grease smoke and dust can adhere to walls and makes decorating look dingy.
For more info feel free to contact me at findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Great News For Buyers & Sellers

FHA Loan Limits increased to $402,500 in the Lehigh Valley:

On March 6, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development published new FHA and conforming loan limits, based on median home prices as mandated by the Economic Stimulus Act signed by President Bush in February. New loan limits for FHA and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are now calculated at 125 percent of the HUD published median prices.

In the Lehigh Valley, single-family FHA loan limits increased from $305,666 to $402,500 effective immediately. NAR was deeply involved in advocating for this positive change. NAR expects the impact on the housing market to be significant because of the infusion of capital into the mortgage market, which should result in lower interest rates across the board. In addition, there will be a direct impact on high-cost areas that previously required borrowers to take out costlier jumbo mortgages. If you need more info contact me at findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Landscaping Facts

• Homes with "excellent" landscaping can expect a sale price about 6 to 7 percent higher than equivalent houses with "good" landscaping, while improving landscaping from "average" to "good" can result in a 4 to 5 percent increase. (Clemson University)
  
• Landscaping can bring a recovery value of 100 to 200 percent at selling time. Kitchen remodeling brings 75 to 125 percent recovery rate, bathroom remodeling a 20 to 120 percent recovery rate and addition of a swimming pool a 20 to 50 percent recovery rate. (Money Magazine)
  
• The American Nursery & Landscaping Association web site has facts about landscaping and the value it adds to a home at www.anla.org. If you like additional information, email me at findit@LehighValleyRealty.com .
  

Top Design Trends

For the third consecutive year, home offices are the most popular special - function room among homeowners, according to the American Institute of Architects' Home design Trend survey for the second quarter of 2007. Nearly two-thirds (61 percent) of residential architects surveyed said homeowners are looking for home offices in their new homes compared with 51 percent a year ago. The survey also found that homeowners want more than a desk in the corner of the bedroom; they are looking for accoustic privacy, better natural lighting and, in some cases, a separate entry for clients. Other special -function rooms that are gaining popularity include a media room/home theater, a fitness room and a kid's or guest wing. Rising utility costs and greater enviromental awareness are also prompting an increasing number of homeowners to go green with their home designs, the survey concludes. More homeowners are demanding sustainable designs and energy-efficient products, such as tankless water heaters, geothermal heating and cooling systems, structual insulation panels, and flooring products made of bamboo and cork. I hope you had founfd this informative. Feel free to contact me at findit@LehighValleyRealty.com .