Charlotte, NC Real Estate Podcast with Lars Hedenborg

What's the Secret to Finding the Best Possible Value for Your Charlotte Home?

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:44:00 -0500

Today, I want to briefly go through our Home Equity Evaluation Audit and how we're different than other agents in helping you price your home for maximum value.

Most agents will come out to your property and pull a few comps. They'll show you a few MLS sheets with homes that are similar to yours and what they have sold for. They don't have any real definitive research and data behind how to price your property properly.

We do things differently than most agents. We use four methods to help our clients price their properties for the market:

1. Comparable analysis: We use seven comps to come up with a market value.
2. Technical analysis: We will go through and look at tax values.
3. Internet estimates: We don't hang out hat on these, but we look at how Internet estimates match up to the final sale price of comparable homes.
4. Square-footage analysis: We look at dollar per square foot ranges in terms of what comparable listings are selling for.

Most agents will simply pull a few comps and come in otherwise unprepared. They typically try to get you the information you need to be truly informed about your home's value.

If you're thinking of selling, please reach out to us. We would love to prepare an equity evaluation audit for your property. We look forward to hearing from you!

How to Avoid 7 Costly Home Selling Mistakes in Charlotte

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 14:52:00 -0500

Selling your Charlotte area home? Get a free home value report

Buying a Charlotte area home? Search all homes for sale

Today we'll be talking about how you can avoid seven costly mistakes when selling your home. I've actually got it in a brochure right here, so please don't hesitate to ask me for a copy.

1. Find a full-time real estate agent. A part-time agent is only partially committed to satisfying your needs as a consumer. Why work with someone that won't commit to your needs? Most agents sell 8-10 homes per year, but my team sold over 400 properties this year.

2. You need a pricing strategy that will attract the most buyers to your home. Ideally, you'll create a bidding war and push your sales price through the roof.

3. Don't limit your marketing. We spend nearly $30,000 per month on marketing, but it all comes back to us because we end up selling homes that are well-marketed to consumers. Your home will be seen by hundreds of buyers.

4. You have to sell your home to two different people: the buyer and the appraiser. You need to convince the appraiser and the bank that your home is worth what you say it is.

5. You have to understand your rights and your obligations. Most agents just want a paycheck, but we act as a team and as fiduciaries to our clients. We wouldn't walk you into a situation where you would end up getting hurt.

6. Don't sign a listing agreement with no "out". We have an easy-exit listing agreement, so you can fire us at any time. Most agents will want you to sign a contract for an entire year or six months.

7. Last, but not least - you have to select the right agent! I suggest you meet with our team and discuss what you want out of a transaction. If we're not the right fit for you, we can refer you elsewhere. No harm done!

If you need help selling in Charlotte, please don't hesitate to contact my team. We look forward to hearing from you!

12 Quesions You Must Ask a Real Estate Agent Before Hiring Them

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 17:19:00 -0500

Selling your Charlotte area home? Get a free home value report

Buying a Charlotte area home? Search all homes for sale

Today I am going to talk to you about some questions that you absolutely need to ask a real estate agent before hiring them. We’ve got a book of twelve, which we can send to you if you’d like, but today we are just going to go over a few of them. Here are some of the questions you need to be asking your real estate agent:

Are you a full-time agent?

There are a lot of part-timers in real estate that passively sell a few homes per year. That doesn’t give them a lot of practice negotiating, working with other agents, and all of the other tasks an agent is responsible. We are full-time agents here at the Lars Group and we spend our time wisely, which will allow us to sell over 400 homes this year.

What kind of operation do you run?

Most are doing the dozen or so tasks of an agent by themselves. They are putting out flyers, lockboxes, etc. instead of focusing on their clients. We have our business systematized so our agents can focus more on their clients without having to run around doing unnecessary tasks.

Do you have client testimonials?

We survey all of our clients and ask them about their experience, and how we can improve it in the future. This helps our business, and our service, constantly grow.

Do you have a marketing plan?

Being able to market listings as an agent is crucial. We have a 151-point marketing plan that we would love to share with you.

What percentage of your business comes from referrals?

Any good agent should have happy customers, and those happy customers should come back to do business, as well as refer their friends and family to the agent that made them happy. A lot of our business comes from past clients and referrals, and we take pride in that.

These are just a few of the questions that you should be asking. To get our full book that details each question, reach out to us and we’ll send you a copy. We would love to share that with you. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email.

How Do We Make the Buying Process Easier?

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 16:53:00 -0400

Selling your Charlotte area home? Get a free home value report

Buying a Charlotte area home? Search all homes for sale

Today I’m excited to talk to you about our home buyer guide and the process we use to get buyers the best deals when they are searching for homes. We have worked with hundreds of buyers to develop this system and refine our process so they get the best home for the best price and the best terms, all the while being hassle-free.

Today we are just going to talk about a specific page in our home buyer guide, the buying road map, and I’m going to guide you through that today.

Most agents will just go out and start showing you properties without sitting down with you first and talking strategy, your needs, and what the outcome will be. We take the time to do this, and we also talk to you about financing and how we will get you the best interest rate and best terms.

Then we start showings. We make sure you have access to the newest homes instantly when they hit the market, and you’ll be able to preview those properties right away. We have skilled buyer specialists who will negotiate for you and make sure you get the best deal possible.

The average agent may sell 6-8 homes a year if they are lucky, but our average buyer specialist is doing 3 deals a month. In terms of representing your best interest in a transaction, our buyer specialists are more than capable.

Finally, after you've found the home and made the offer, we are on to the closing process. We have a client care person dedicated to make the process of getting to closing as seamless as possible.

If you’re thinking about buying in Charlotte, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. If you’d like a copy of our home buyer guide, we would love to send you a free copy as well. Just let us know. We look forward to hearing from you!

Do You Need a Boost To Your Morning Routine?

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 16:07:00 -0500

There are many great Charlotte area homes for sale. Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call me at (704) 800-1200 Ext. 106 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

Today I'm coming to you from Everlasting Changes. I wanted to share with you a routine that I've begun to adopt recently, which is a vigorous workout to begin my day.

It's really given me the energy I need to perform well throughout the day, and it's made me adopt an overall healthier lifestyle. It's helped to improve multiple facets of my life, whether it's business, family, or overall health. I would encourage you to give it a try.

Brent Kasmer is the owner, and he and his staff are really excellent at what they do. They've made such a profound impact on my life that I just thought I'd share this with you. This is a fantastic gym in Charlotte, and I highly recommend it to anyone.

If you would like to learn more, please don't hesitate to contact me.

As always, contact me with any questions or concerns you might have about real estate here in Charlotte. My team is always happy to serve you!

How We Can Help You Navigate the Market in 2015

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Wed, 7 Jan 2015 10:28:00 -0500

The holiday season has ended, and now it's time to get down to business. But first, I just want to say I hope you have a very successful and happy 2015! We also want to say thanks for the fabulous support you gave us in 2014 - we improved over 2013 even though the market was flat. It was a huge accomplishment and it's all thanks to your support! We truly do appreciate it, as we're still in the top 20 for RE/MAX.

If you're looking to buy or sell, we have all the tools right here to get started. Searching our local MLS for homes is easy and obligation-free. Give it a try and let us know if you have any questions or would like assistance in your real estate venture!

We want to make 2015 our best year yet. We don't think it will be difficult, as you have all shown to be so very supportive of our team and our mission. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you - it truly means the world to us!

Until next time, have a fantastic week!

How to Price Your Home for Maximum Value

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:21:00 -0500

Today we are going to talk to you a little bit about how we price properties. Our goal is to price our properties not only to be competitive in the market, but get you top dollar for your real estate transaction as well.

What most average agents do when they get your listing is come out and do a CMA, a comparative market analysis of your property. However, we are not average agents, and go above and beyond to sell your home. We take things a step further with our equity evaluation plan. We go through 4 different approaches to get the best, most comprehensive answer as to what price to list your home. The 4 variables we use to determine your home's value are:

1. Comparable Market Analysis

2. Relative Tax Analysis

3. Internet evaluations

4. Square footage evaluation

The average agent just simply goes through a CMA, which is about 20 pages long. Our equity evaluation is nearly quadruple that, and we take pride in the fact that we are willing to work harder than anybody else out there to get your home sold. On top of all this, we also have a plan dedicated to pricing your home for maximum value, which should give you a good idea as to what dynamics are in play when it comes to pricing your home for maximum value.

If you or somebody you know is thinking about selling your home, be sure to give us a call or send us an email. We would love to have a chance to prove to you that we are indeed your best choice for buying and selling real estate in Charlotte.

Thanks again, and have a Happy Holidays!

Don't Believe the Hype About the Spring Selling Season

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 17:42:00 -0500

Don't Believe the Hype About the Spring Selling Season

Around this time of year, we get a lot of questions about whether now is the right time to put your home on the market. With the holidays coming up in quick succession, is now a smart time to list a property? There are three things in the market that affect conditions at any given time: active inventory, new listings, and homes going under contract and selling.

Typically, inventory will decline this time of year, so many sellers assume it's just not a good time to be on the market. The reality is, there isn't that much of a drop off in buyers who are going under contract this time of year, relative to inventory. There's less competition on the market this time of year - specifically during the months of November, December, January, and even February - making now the ideal time to put your home on the market.

If you are interested in taking advantage of these favorable conditions, we have a Maximum Payoff Guide we would love to send out to you. We also have a VIP Seller Program that includes the 151 steps how we get properties sold for the most amount of money, in the least amount time, and with the least amount of stress. Additionally, we have a guide to getting the maximum value for your home in terms of pricing and the Seven Business Principles we follow here at The Lars Group. We would love to share all of this with you - give us a call or shoot us an email for the real estate resources you deserve!

What We do Differently to Sell Homes

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:07:00 -0400

What We do Differently to Sell Homes

Today we are going to talk to you about what really sells a home, and what we do differently to get better results for our clients. Over the last 10 years, the way business is done in real estate has changed pretty dramatically. It used to be that open houses and yard signs were the keys to selling homes, but with the rise of the internet, that's no longer the case.

We have a 151 step system that we follow to sell every one of our listings.We would be happy to send a copy to you if you were interested in what we do differently, especially with the internet and advanced marketing techniques we have available to us. We would also be glad to send you another one of our brochures, "The Maximum Payoff Guide for Sellers," which includes how we do our online marketing and use social media to sell homes.

If you have any questions at all about the home selling process, let us know. We will send these educational resources out to you at no cost. We would love for you to take a look at them and see for yourself what we can do differently than anyone else to sell your home.

Our Advice for Purchasing New Construction

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 17:04:00 -0400

How to Purchase New Construction

New construction is appearing in Charlotte and our surrounding areas very rapidly. Because of this, I will be showing you the necessary steps you must take to purchase these properties because it is a little different than purchasing a resale home.

The first thing you'll need to buy new construction is a qualified real estate agent. Four out of our seven agents here actually have sales experience in the new construction industry, so please feel free to contact us for assistance. We are very well-equipped to find you a suitable new home and ensure that you're not being taken advantage of.

We recently caught wind of a buyer who paid $30,000 more than other buyers of new construction, and this was mainly because this person was not equipped with a real estate agent. As real estate agents we will sit down and speak with you so we can understand your needs, and we will then negotiate with builders to get you a good price with good terms.

If you need any assistance buying new construction in Charlotte please don't hesitate to contact me or my team. We're always willing to sit down with you and discuss your individual needs.

75 Point Home Preparation Checklist

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Thu, 1 May 2014 15:53:00 -0400

75 Point Home Preparation Checklist

Now that the spring market is upon us, I wanted to speak with you about preparing your home for sale now that the market is heating up. In terms of preparing your home for the market, we actually have a 75 Point Checklist that I can provide to you if you’re thinking about putting your home on the market.

This detailed checklist contains valuable tips that will help get top-dollar for your property. You won’t need to spend a lot of money or time – this list is a proven formula that will get the most money for your home.

Feel free to reach out to me by phone or email to obtain your copy of the 75 Point Checklist!

Your Key to Real Estate Success

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 10:28:00 -0400

Your Key to Real Estate Success

If you’re looking to sell your property, check out our 151 Step VIP Seller Program and our Maximum Payoff Guide for Sellers. The 151 Step System actually details every step of the way, including how we make sure that the home is listed, marketed, under contract, sold and how we get you your proceeds of sale. We employ each step every time we take a listing! This has resulted in a very high success rate.

In regards to our Maximum Payoff Guide, it includes some great tips that will help sell your property as fast as possible for top-dollar, with as few hassles as possible! These documents are available to you free, with no obligation.

Please feel free to call or email me for your copy of these two wonderful guides. Thanks and have a great day!

Market Update: Act Now to Capitalize on Low Prices and Low Rates!

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 13:22:00 -0400

Market Update: Act Now to Capitalize on Low Prices and Low Rates!

About six days ago, CoreLogic released a report on our market. With some of the snow storms that recently hit the South, our area shut down and caused a minor blip in the amount of homes that sold. However, that did not affect the overall market. When you compare January 2013 to January 2014, we can account for a 9% rise in pricing. A part of that increase can be attributed to higher-priced homes that are selling this year instead of the previous year because buyers are trading up.

Overall, the market is very strong. If you’re looking to sell your property, it is a great time to consider listing your home and if you’re looking to buy a property, it is a great time to enter the market as prices are projected to rise in the future and rates remain historically low.

If you have any questions about buying or selling, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Thanks and have a great day!

Selling Your Home: 151 Intricate Steps to Competitively Market Your Home!

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 16:56:00 -0500

How Our Marketing is Different

Today I wanted to speak with you about how we are different when it comes to selling homes. The last ten years of real estate have really changed the way things are done. Previously, open houses and yard signs sold homes; now, the internet, advanced marketing methods and direct response advertising principles are being brought into what we do. Our team does have an advanced yard marketing system that beats the national average of 4% homes sold from yard signs.

We boast an extensive 151 Step Marketing Program that we use to sell properties. Due to the numerous marketing channels we have at our disposal, it takes a lot more effort to market your home more competitively. Along with sending you our 151 Step Marketing Program, we will also send you our Maximum Payoff Guide that goes over what sets us apart from our buyer lead generation systems, how we utilize social media, yard signs, how we use the MLS and photography.

Those are a few tools that are available at no obligation to you. If you would like a copy of either of those guides, call our office and we will have them sent out to you. Also if you have any questions about the home selling process, we would be happy to answer them and do our best to earn your business. God bless!

How Sellers can get a Strong Appraisal on Properties

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 11:05:00 -0500

In the market that we find ourselves in today, appraisals can be very important for our sellers and we want you to know how to get a good price for your property. With so many variables involved in the process, we actually step in and help you throughout the entire process. This is very rare for listing agents, but we want to ensure that you get a great appraisal on your property.

How Can You Help With the Appraisal Process

We will actually have you prepare an informational package for an appraiser once he/she arrives at your property. This can include:

Information on the best comparable properties for them to use.

Information in regards to and and all upgrades that you have made on your home. This will help to up the price if the appraiser finds it necessary.

We will also have you provide data on the price per square footage, including upstairs and below ground. It's important to provide the right numbers to an appraiser to get an appropriate price.

We prefer to get actively involved in the process so that you can get a strong appraisal and a good sale on your property. These are just a few of the ways that we assist you in the listing, marketing, and sales process.

If you have any questions at all, please contact me at (704) 800-1200x106 or email at Lars@LarsRealEstate.com

Why Should You Be a Pre-approved Buyer?

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 11:10:00 -0500

There are many great Charlotte area homes for sale. Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call me at (704) 800-1200 Ext. 106 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

Today I wanted to talk to you about a very important topic, especially if you’re in the market to purchase a home. Becoming pre-approved, not just pre-qualified, is the most important step in your home search. Before I go into that, I wanted to point out our market snapshot tool that has you plug in your information on your home and it returns a detailed report of the market as it pertains to you and your home. If you’re looking to buy a home, we have the best property search tool on the market as well.

In terms of becoming pre-approved, you have to look at it from a seller’s standpoint. For example, if a seller has an attractive property and is gaining interest and showings, you have to think about how your offer is perceived by the seller. If you make an offer with just a pre-qualification letter, the seller will see that the lender did not pull your credit or any background check, it doesn’t put you in a strong position.

If you’re working with the right lender, they will put you through a more rigorous process. They will request paystubs to verify your income and your assets so when they can write you a strong preapproval letter. This will be appreciated by seller when it comes to closing time to avoid any issues. You may even be able to close in 14-21 days if you have been pre-approved!

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me. Until we talk again, God bless and be well!

Why is it Important That You Accurately Price Your Home?

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Thu, 9 Jan 2014 13:13:00 -0500

I hope you’re having a great year! Today I wanted to talk about a topic that is near and dear to my heart as well as most of our clients’ hearts and that is pricing your home properly and getting the most value possible. Before I go into that, I wanted to point out our market snapshot tool that has you plug in your information on your home and it returns a detailed report of the market as it pertains to you and your home. If you’re looking to buy a home, we have the best property search tool on the market as well.

We sell a lot of properties with a lot of sellers. To do this, we have a four step process that looks at tax values, square footage analysis, past comparable sales and we even check internet estimates to see if they correlate with actual sold values. This is a very rigorous process and if you’re thinking about selling and would like to know the value of your home, we would certainly take you through that process.

In terms of pricing your home properly, I can speak with personal experience from selling four of my own investment properties within the last four weeks in this market. I went through a process where I looked at the comparables in the area and chose not to price on the high side. Overpricing your home leads to more time on the market, greater chance of price reduction and statistics show you will get less money for home and it will take two to three times longer to sell even with required price reductions.

Buyers are very savvy these days and with publicly available information, they know what comparable properties are selling for. Also, bank appraisals are very rigorous in making sure they aren’t loaning more money against a property that isn’t worth a certain price. There is no way to trick the market into making your home worth more than it is. However, hiring an agent professional team with the appropriate income and budget to invest in marketing and advertising for their listings is important. This is what we do! Our goal is to have instant interest in your property.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call me! God bless and see you soon.

How to Prep Your Home for Sale

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 11:33:00 -0500

Today I wanted to discuss with you about how important it is to prepare your home for sale. Before I go into that, I wanted to point out our market snapshot tool that has you plug in your information on your home and it returns a detailed report of the market as it pertains to you and your home. If you’re looking to buy a home, we have the best property search tool on the market as well.

I cannot argue enough for preparing your home for sale. This doesn’t mean investing thousands of dollars in renovations; this can be as easy as cleaning your property. We have a 75 point checklist that we go through when we list properties and I would be happy to send it out to you. If you’re looking to sell your home, this checklist is one of the best available. Most of the items on this checklist are very inexpensive and require some time. However, a little time and little expense will return tenfold on a property.

Along with preparing your home for sale, getting a pre-inspection and home warranty are just as vital. For example, a pre-inspected and warrantied BMW will sell for more than buying one at an action. If you have any questions, please contact me. God bless and talk to you soon!

Should You Keep Your Home on the Market During the Holidays?

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 11:37:00 -0500

During the fall and winter months, I am always asked if people should keep their home on the market or list it just before the holidays. Before I go into that, I wanted to point out our market snapshot tool that has you plug in your information on your home and it returns a detailed report of the market as it pertains to you and your home. Click here to access it. If you’re looking to buy a home, we have the best property search tool on the market as well.

Fortunately, we’re not in a market North Dakota where the market shuts down for three months due to seasonality. Our peak months are May, June and July but homes are still selling. We live in a large job relocation market and January is the time executives are looking to move. I would not recommend holding off until the spring market because the buyers out there now are serious.

If you have any questions, please contact me. God bless and talk to you soon!

How Has the 2013 Market Affected You?

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Tue, 5 Nov 2013 17:04:00 -0500

Welcome back! If you’re looking to sell your property, we have a market snapshot tool that has you plug in your information on your home and it returns a detailed report of the market as it pertains to you and your home. If you’re looking to buy a home, we have the best property search tool on the market as well.

The market has been crazy this year. The year started with a slight surplus of inventory but then began to pick up in certain areas causing inventory to plummet. The problem with the increase is that it wasn’t happening in every area causing confusion between markets. Interest rates also rose 1% in August which scared off buyers and triggered a slow September. With all the market uncertainties, we will make sure you have all the information available.

I cannot say for sure whether it is a buyer or seller’s market; it varies from neighborhoods and price points. Since we are in a weird market, I will be happy to consult you every step of the way. Talk to you soon!

How is the Government Shutdown Affecting the Housing Market?

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 14:16:00 -0400

Government Shutdown Risks Hurting The Housing Recovery

From: http://www.forbes.com/sites/morganbrennan/2013/10/01/heres-how-the-government-shutdown-will-affect-housing/

By: Morgan Brennan, Forbes Staff

The government shutdown is here. Whether it’s not being able to get a new Social Security card or visit a national park, Americans will immediately feel the effects. But there’s one bright spot of the economy that stands to be affected as well: housing.

One of the biggest questions regarding the shutdown and how it will affect housing has revolved around the mortgage market, specifically prospective buyers’ access to new home loans. After all, more than 90% of all loan activity is underwritten, insured, or owned by the government and its affiliated entities.

Initially at least, the mortgage market is likely to be only minimally impacted. New loans will continue to push through most government agency pipelines. What will change is how long the process takes, as many agencies expect to experience delays.

Mortgages purchased and securitized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be unaffected because their operations are paid for by fees charged to lenders. And the Department of Veterans Affairs will continue to guarantee mortgages for Americans that have served in the military since these loans are funded by user fees as well.

But if the government shutdown of 1995-1996 is any indicator, the process will take longer than usual. “Loan Guaranty certificates of eligibility and certificates of reasonable value were delayed,” the VA warned in its September 25th contingency plan.

Where there has been mounting concern is the Federal Housing Administration, which currently endorses about 15% of the entire single-family mortgage market. Several media outlets recently reported that the FHA would be unable to endorse any single-family loans and that no staff would be available underwrite and approve new loans.

That prospect would be somewhat worrisome – if it were actually true. The FHA’s Office of Single Family Housing will indeed remain open for business, albeit with a smaller staff. “FHA will be able to endorse single family loans during the shutdown. A limited number of FHA staff will be available to underwrite and approve new loans,” the report now states. In other words, other lenders’ loans will continue to be insured and some in-house lending will continue to take place at a reduced rate.

The reason for that mix-up: the initial draft of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s contingency plan mistakenly stated that single-family loan operations would cease. The report was amended over the weekend.

The FHA’s single-family loan operations are funded through multi-year appropriations, meaning their budget is not tied to the government’s standoff over funding for the new fiscal year that starts in October. On the other hand, what will be more affected is the agency’s Multifamily Housing Office, which is funded through yearly appropriations.

“Because we are able to endorse loans, we don’t expect the impact on the housing market to be significant, as long as the shutdown is brief,” continues the HUD report. “If the shutdown lasts and our commitment authority runs out, we do expect that potential homeowners will be impacted, as well as home sellers and the entire housing market.”

One government lender that will indeed suspend its home loan activity, however, is the Department of Agriculture. The USDA says that no new housing loans or guarantees will be issued through its Rural Development programs in a shutdown. The department also warns that such a scenario could cause “a setback in construction start-up,” and if the shutdown lasts for an extended period, “a substantial reduction in housing available in rural areas relative to population.”

“The government doesn’t generally approve loans, they basically just insure them,” says Don Frommeyer, president of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers and a vice president at Amtrust Mortgage Funding. “For the most part you aren’t going to see much of a hit in the mortgage market unless it goes for a long period of time.”

If it does stretch on, he adds, the worry will be what mortgage rates do in a market shrouded in fiscal uncertainty and how that will affect the home buying, especially in light of recent rate spikes.

Home lending aside, many economists and real estate experts are keeping a close watch on how Americans will react to this shutdown. “Administratively everything should keep moving along, but it’s more about the confidence of consumers and whether they perceive that the government shutdown could lead to a recession,” says Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors.

Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi recently told the Senate Budget Committee that a partial shutdown could shave as much as 1.4 percentage points off of fourth quarter economic growth if it drags on for several weeks.

Americans’ confidence in their ability to buy and sell homes hit a record high in May, according to a Fannie Mae survey. Since then, as mortgage rates jumped more than a percentage point, that confidence level has plateaued. If prospective homebuyers fear that the country’s economic recovery will stall, or worse slip back into recession, they will pull back on purchases, worries Yun.

“Home sales is always the first housing variable that changes so one would see sales declining and that would naturally lead to more inventory on the market and eventually put pressure on prices,” he says. But that would be a worst-case scenario based on a long-term shutdown.

Jed Kolko, chief economist at Trulia TRLA +6.43%, notes that if the shutdown lasts longer than a few days, the first places to feel the impact will be local economies with large concentrations of federal government workers. Metro areas like Washington, D.C. and Bethesda, Md., where 19% and 13% respectively of total local wages go to federal employees, would be the feel the negative effects of unpaid furloughs and with them, tightened consumer spending and weakening local economic growth. Though not all will be equally affected, other metro areas like Virginia Beach, Va., Honolulu, Hawaii, and Dayton, Ohio are areas that Kolko is keeping an eye on: “Whether there is a big effect depends on how long the shutdown lasts, how long people think the shutdown lasts, and whether people get back-pay. All those things matter for the impact.”

Still others are worrying even more about the next fiscal standoff, in mid-October, surrounding the debt ceiling debate and its accompanying threat of debt default by the U.S. ”With the threat of an impending partial government shutdown and yet another battle over the nation’s debt ceiling, in particular, we are really messing with fire right now—even if it doesn’t seem to bother some legislators,” says Stan Humphries, chief economist at Zillow.

“But the effects of a government default associated with the impending debt-ceiling deadline would be more pronounced because of its greater impact on domestic and international markets. This will rattle consumers and investors alike, slow down the overall economic recovery and further slow the housing recovery, which is already undergoing a moderation in the pace of home value gains due to rising mortgage rates,” he warns.

Communication Breakdown

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 08:56:00 -0400

As we mentioned earlier, the number one reason for relationship problems, whether in business or with family and friends, is poor communication, lack of communication or miscommunication.

In the real estate industry communication is crucial: communication problems create the bulk of the challenges we face.

In fact, 72% of real estate consumers cite poor communication as their chief complaint when working with a real estate agent. It’s a major issue and it needs to be handled immediately to ensure that both agent and client can continue to thrive in the world of real estate sales.

In his book, “Everyone Communicates, Few Connect” , John C. Maxwell examines the importance of effective communication.

Following are some hilarious examples of how communication problems can be exaggerated when a language barrier exists.

Dry cleaners in Bangkok: “Drop Your Trousers Here for Best Results."
In a Tokyo hotel: “Is forbidden to steal hotel towels please. If you are not person to do such thing is please not to read notis."
In a Bucharest hotel lobby: “The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable.”
In a hotel in Athens: “Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11 a.m. daily.”
Outside a Hong Kong tailor shop: “Ladies may have a fit upstairs.”
In a Rhodes tailor shop: “Order your summers suit. Because is big rush we will execute customers in strict rotation.”
In a Copenhagen airline ticket office: “We take your bags and send them in all directions.”
In an Acapulco hotel: “The Manager has personally passed all the water served here.”
From a brochure of a car rental firm in Tokyo: “When passenger of foot heave in sight, tootle the horn. Trumpet him melodiously at first, but if he still obstacles your passage then tootle him with vigor.”

How can you communicate better today with the people that you know?

How to Prepare for Seamless Transition

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Mon, 5 Aug 2013 08:59:00 -0400

If you're moving this summer, the busiest season for moving, you know how daunting it can be. But if you create a blueprint for your move, the transition from house to house will go more smoothly.

Here are 10 things you can do to prepare for a seamless transition.

1. Full serve, partial serve or a do-it-yourself move. Can you do it alone or should you hire a licensed moving company for a full-service or partial-service move? This is one of the first and often most difficult questions soon-to-be moving households face. The answer depends on your lifestyle, household size, budget and amount of time you have to get everything accomplished. Get written quotes from at least three licensed moving companies so you know you’re getting the best deal based on your specific moving needs. Moving yourself or doing a partial-service move? Packing calculators can make it easier to estimate the amount of boxes and packing materials needed.

2. Plan to unpack BEFORE you pack. Take photos of each room in the new home before you arrive with furniture, plants, appliances and family in tow. Write down on a clip board where each item should go in your next home before packing, and carry it with you on moving day. List out the major items that need to be assembled first. As you place each item in its new room, cross it off the list and you will be one step closer to enjoying your new home.

3. Be strategic about packing. If you have more than a month to ‘pick up and move’, start early. Complete a free change of address and schedule utilities ahead of time at Moving.com. Start packing early. Whether it’s one room, one cabinet or a drawer at a time, weed through what may be years of accumulation. As you’re going through your belongings, divide everything into these helpful categories: donate to charity, give to a friend, recycle, trash, pack now, or keep handy until moving day. You’ll be surprised at how much you can donate, recycle or give to friends. And, you’ll not be overwhelmed with the task at hand three days before you move.

4. Moving is NOT child’s play. Plan ahead. Consider daycare on moving day, or get help from a friend or family member. Provide lunch or some other appropriate thank you gesture if you do call in a favor. If that’s not an option, prioritize setting up safe places for your children to play in the new home on moving day so they’re not underfoot. This will help everyone remain happy and calm on moving day.

5. Don’t fight with Fido. Sometimes we forget that all the packing and constant in-and-out of visitors is stressful for animals. Consider checking your pet into a daycare facility, or setting up a time for a friend to take them or check them into pet day care. Don’t let your four-legged best friends get lost in the shuffle and remember to make day-of moving arrangements.

6. Keep track of small parts. Some items need to be broken down into pieces when moving, but do you know what to do with the small screws and washers that you end up with? Rather than tape them to the furniture, which can result in losing them, put everything in a baggie that is clearly marked and sealed. Keep all of the separate baggies together in one box on moving day and personally take it with you to your new home.

7. Take pictures of electronic hook-ups. Hooking up TVs, DVRs, home theater systems and computers can be challenging. Before unplugging any wires for the move, take a photo of the connections, print them out and label them in detail. This will create fewer headaches when setting up technology in the new home. Keep track of all loose wires using baggies or boxes that are clearly labeled, and personally carry these easy-to-lose items on moving day.

8. Packing cleaning products and toxins. Products such as detergents, pesticides and paint are heavy and unwieldy to pack. Dispose of as many as possible before the move in an eco-friendly way. Call your city’s waste disposal department for guidance on proper disposal. For items that must be transported, pack them in a small box within a larger box for protection against leaks. Don’t overstuff boxes with these items! Consider marking these boxes in a different color, and seal them extra tight. Keep them separate from the rest of the boxes, particularly if you have kids and pets.

9. Consider getting full value insurance protection. If using a professional mover, it may cost a few dollars extra, but it provides peace of mind and eliminates later annoyances. Investing in full value protection means any lost or damaged articles will be repaired or replaced, or a cash settlement will be made at current market value, regardless of age. It's important to note that the required minimum coverage of 60 cents per pound would not cover the replacement cost of more expensive items such as a flat screen TV if damaged in transit.

10. Know your rights. If using a professional mover, research your rights as a consumer with either the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for interstate moves or contact the state agency within the state in which you reside for moves within state. Also, enlist the help of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or local law enforcement if the moving company fails to live up to its promises or threatens to hold your belongings hostage. FMCSA requires interstate movers to offer arbitration to help settle disputed claims.

*Excerpted from Move.com via Realtor.com.

Your Mid-Year Checkup

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 08:41:00 -0400

Here’s a great summer project to help you enjoy an even better version of yourself.

1. It’s the “who” that matters.

Focus on who you want to be. The goals we have in life are important, but who we want to be when they are attained is even more crucial. Want to lose weight: “I enjoy great health, nutrition and hydration each day.” Want to be a better parent: “I’m a committed and devoted parent who loves his/her kids no matter who they are or what they do.” After you identify your who, ask yourself what actions would be fit with your desire to "be" instead of "get".

2. Let go of the need for control.

Much of our anger and stress in life comes from our inability to control people and situations over which we have no control. The person in front of us taking too long in the checkout line, the driver who seems to be going left around the world with the directional stuck on, the customer service rep who endlessly puts you on hold while “resolving” your credit card issue, etc. The only thing we can control are our emotions and what we do with our time. Other than that, we need to accept that much of what happens in life is out of our control and just roll with the punches.

3. Be a giver.

Look around your homes for items and articles of clothing that just get no use anymore. Serve your heart, soul and someone else by giving and expecting nothing back in return. Life always gives back to those who give and here’s a perfect opportunity to do something nice for someone.

4. Get organized.

Messy desks, drawers and closets are often sources of stress for us…especially when we really need to find something. Take the time to organize things that are in disarray in your life. Being able to locate what you want, when you want it, can lead to a much happier you. Plus, you may find some items that you can give away to make you an even better giver.

5. Establish rituals.

Yes, some routines can seem boring and confining, but in reality, they are actually freeing. Instead of being worried and anxious wondering if your credit-card bill is late again, you'll feel calm knowing that you always pay bills on Thursday after work, so you have nothing to be concerned about. Rituals remove stress!

6. Stop worrying.

In How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, by Dale Carnegie, you’ll find that more than 90% of the things that we worry about in life never come to fruition. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have or what you don’t want to happen to you, focus on what you want and what you’d like to experience. Just doing that will erase most of the worry you experience each day.

7. Merge things in your life

Look for something in your life that is spread all over the place and consolidate – group of small bills, paper clips, tools – anything to make things easier for yourself. Instead of spreading your collectibles all over the house, combine them into one main cupboard or cabinet to make things really easy on yourself. By merging things together by type, style or form, you'll be able to see the duplicates easily and free up some time and space.

8. Touch it once.

We can waste a lot of time in life by moving the same thing around the house or our desk just to get it out of the way. When a project like paying bills comes up, get the bill, pay it and file the payment receipt or information at the same time. You’ll get some of your valuable time back and feel a sense of accomplishment all at the same time.

9. Learn your lessons.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. It’s an old adage, but it’s still relevant today. Learn from your mistakes and take those lessons into the future. Don’t repeat the same behaviors expecting different results as that’s the definition of insanity.

10. Take time for yourself.

Build time into your schedule to regroup and check in with yourself. If you have to schedule it…schedule it. Time passes by fast enough without us having to run around like crazy to make it go faster. Spend an hour a week being by yourself with your favorite book, a journal or just listening to music. You’ll connect with yourself in ways you can’t when you’re busy and put your life back on center.

Sad Cat Diaries

Lars@LarsRealEstate.com (Lars Hedenborg) — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 09:53:00 -0400