Archive for
May, 2009
Posted by Annalisa Burgos | May 8, 2009
My mother-in-law and I get along well, but I’m not sure how I’d feel about her living with me and my husband. Sure we’d get a babysitter and homemade enchiladas whenever we want. But there’s just something disconcerting about having your husband’s mother so close — the potential for power struggles and disagreements on how the household is run and how the children are raised. Not to mention the possibility that your husband will have to choose sides during an argument.
That said, many families across the country live happily with their mother-in-laws, and in a recession, sharing one roof to save money may not be such a bad idea. Which is why I expect a growing demand for “mother-in-law suites” or accessory dwelling units, as some cities call them.
A brief background — zoning and land use laws typically ban multiple dwelling units on one property, but some cities allow a relative or guest to live in secondary units, hence the term “mother-in-law suite,” or as I’ve heard here in the Northeast “a mother/daughter home.” You essentially have a separate living area, with its own kitchen and bathroom, connected to a single family home. They come in various forms, often a finished attic or basement or a detached building elsewhere on the property.
As more extended families and relatives move in together, properties with mother-in-law suites will become more appealing. Real estate agents already call out the feature in their listings. Before you buy one, make sure you check your local laws — you may or may not be able to rent out the space.
Check out these pictures of an awesome Craftsman-style home with mother-in-law suite (more like house!) for sale in Redmond, Oregon. It’s like getting two homes for the price of one! It’s listed for 390K.
If this one isn’t for you, don’t worry. We’ve got tons more on www.FrontDoor.com. And if you do decide to have your mother-in-law live with you, good luck with that.
Posted by Annalisa Burgos | May 7, 2009
During the height of the real estate boom, pricing a home was more like a technicality in the selling process, a suggestion to buyers. More often than not, the home would sell for more than what it was listed for, especially in hot markets. Back in the good ‘ol days, selling a home for at least your asking price was a sure thing.
Welcome to 2009. Pricing is no longer just a technicality. It means the difference between getting multiple showings or none. A home’s price can make or break a deal and affect whether your home will sell quickly or languish on the market for months.
FrontDoor’s new Pricing Guide (www.frontdoor.com/pricing) breaks down the various pricing strategies and factors you should consider to determine what your home is worth and get it sold.
One of the most common pricing faux-pas sellers make is getting emotionally involved. Sure, you may have invested a lot of time, sweat and money into your home, but if you’re selling in this market, forget about getting any love back. Pricing it below your competition will help you get it sold quickly. Learn how to avoid six common pricing mistakes and get solutions to four pricing dilemmas.
Also, special thanks to Nancy Spearrin, a seller from Solon, Maine, who shared her selling nightmare. Read her story in “My House is Worth What?” And if you’ve got a story to share, let us know by posting a comment.
Posted by Annalisa Burgos | May 5, 2009
To many of us, the foreclosure crisis is a tragic reality of today’s economy. For savvy con artists, it’s an opportunity to make a lot of money.
Case in point, a California woman, Anna Santos, 22, pled guilty on Monday to mortgage fraud. According to the Mortgage Fraud Blog, Santos reportedly scammed 100 homeowners, offering non-existent loan modification services and conning them out of thousands of dollars. She mailed flyers promoting a foreclosure rescue program that appeared to be from victims’ lenders or a government agency. Victims mailed Santos (operating under a false company name) as much as $3,000 and received forged loan modification documents.
It’s all very sad. You’re facing foreclosure and what little money you have left is stolen by someone you trusted would help you. Which is precisely why lawmakers and government agencies want to more aggressively investigate and prosecute cases of real estate fraud. The Department of Justice, for one, is working to form a national mortgage fraud task force.
Many homeowners facing foreclosure may feel desperate and trapped, and as a result, grasp for any bit of hope they can find. But it’s important to take a breath and research your options. Don’t jump at any offer you get in the mail. In fact, there are three major red flags you should look out for before participating in any foreclosure rescue program.
READ THE RED FLAGS OF MORTGAGE FRAUD.
And get more tips and advice for fighting foreclosure on FrontDoor.com.
Posted by Annalisa Burgos | May 4, 2009
Moving sucks. I’m actually moving from Jersey City to Manhattan this week and I’m NOT looking forward to it. My husband and I are doing it on the cheap so no movers, just us. Luckily, we’ve been in a “transition” period since December so we have no furniture (just our bed) and don’t have much stuff anyway.
On the other hand, most people have rooms and rooms of stuff and trying to get all that from point A to point B can be overwhelming. Allow your friends at FrontDoor to help.
This month’s top 10 kicks off Moving Month on FrontDoor.com. Get our Top 10 time-saving tips for your move. From drawing a furniture floor plan to creating a moving checklist, planning ahead can save you time, money and energy.
Even non-type-A personalities can move with ease, thanks to FrontDoor’s Moving Guide. We break down everything you need to know to get it together, including how to choose movers, move greener and hold a garage sale so you don’t end up bringing your “sure-it’ll-fit-again” prom dress or that florescent lava lamp you got at the swap meet.
And coming soon, our new “Major Move” video series! Watch as our no-nonsense moving expert helps one family shape up and ship out!
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