What's On Your Mind? Here's Your Chance to Tell Us!

Hello and welcome back! We hope you're enjoying your week and maybe even tackling some of the March home maintenance tasks we discussed last week. Did anyone else think we might get through this winter without wintry weather? It's chilly today! Oh well. Let's just hope it doesn't last long and we get right back on track with sunshine and warmer temperatures -- perfect for scouting your new home.

This week's post is just a little different. We have been publishing this weekly blog for over three years now, and we want to make sure it's reaching our friends and clients in the way we intend. The purpose of the ERA First Advantage blog is to inform, educate, inspire, and even entertain our readers. We want this weekly post to be a way for all of you to connect with us and stay current on all things real estate, home, and community, even if you're not in the market to buy or sell a home.

As your resident blogger, I pretty much have creative freedom and can write about what inspires or concerns me as a Realtor and homeowner at any particular time. However, what is currently on my radar might not align with what all of you want to read about. That thought is the inspiration for this week's blog -- time to check in.

What topics do you want to know more about? What are you interested in at the moment? We really do want to know so we can serve you better as a company and as individual agents. Below are categories relating to all things real estate, home, and community that are great "starting points" for blog content. This is where our topics begin. This is where we find inspiration to bring real estate information to you and hopefully make the entirety of home ownership easier for you. If you would be so kind as to choose 2 or 3 that interest you most and share them in the comment section on this Facebook post or this blog post, we would appreciate it so much! Even better, if there is a specific topic you'd like us to write about that is not listed here, feel free to share that as well! Our goal is to serve our clients, so if there are things you'd like to learn more about or cover, we're here to help with that.

Listing Your Home
Finding an Agent
Home Staging
Inspections
Appraisals
The Closing Process
Preparing your home for sale
Negotiating an offer
Mortgage Options
Community Profiles
Affordable Cosmetic Updates
Curb Appeal
Landscaping
Seasonal Maintenance
Contracts
ERA Agent Profiles
ERA Staff Profiles
Local Business Spotlight
Decorating Tips
Home Improvement Resources
DIY ideas
Builder Profiles
New Construction
Home Technology

What else is on your mind? Please choose two or three of these categories and type them in the comment section on this Facebook post! Thank you, thank you for your help as we continually make improvements in serving the real estate needs of the Tri-State!

Happy March! Time to Get to Work!

Welcome back on this first day of March! We hope everyone affected by the recent flooding and heavy rain is recovering and drying out by now. This month certainly has certainly in like a lion! March is typically a fickle month in the Tri-State. It could snow, especially early in the month, we could get some nasty storms like we experienced last week, or we could have a stretch of beautiful, warm days that give everyone spring fever (fingers crossed we have more of those). Our vote, of course, is for a dose of early spring weather! After a long winter, we are ready to get out and get some work done on our homes' exteriors or in the yard.

Does anyone else feel this way? We like to call this time the early spring itch. This time of year begins to bring all of us out of our houses and into our yards or neighborhoods. We also find that specifically in our business, it brings out more buyers and sellers who have been waiting to make a move and maybe looking at homes online throughout winter, and that is great. Your ERA First Advantage agent can certainly help you find your new home and sell your current one.

So whether you're in the market to make a move in the coming months or simply want to spiff up your own home sweet home, we have put together a maintenance guide for the month of March. Give yourself the whole month to work on these items, and by the beginning of April, you'll be ready to move on to other projects or just enjoy your beautiful space and all you've accomplished.

• Change out the HVAC filter. It will run more efficiently and safely, especially as the weather warms up.
• Test all your smoke detectors. Replace batteries where needed. If you have carbon monoxide detectors in the home (which you should), check them as well.
• Clean out your gutters and downspouts. We want water to flow freely throughout the upcoming rainy season.
• Clear any debris off your roof and take a look for any missing shingles or other necessary roof repairs. We don't want to welcome spring with a leaky roof!

• Begin trimming trees, bushes, or other plants that are near the house. This will not only help aesthetically with your curb appeal, but will also prevent these plants from growing up the side of your house and doing any damage by rubbing against brick or siding.
• Little by little, remove any dead limbs and plants from your yard and landscaping. As the weather warms, these areas can become a hot bed for insects to live.

• Uncover your crawl space and look inside to make sure it's dry and clear. Test and clean the sump pump if you have one. 
• Clean and inspect your deck and/or porch. Look for necessary repairs like cracks or rot. This is also a great time to re-stain your deck so you can enjoy it when the weather is beautiful!

• Check handrails around decks and porches, and secure if needed for safety. This is especially important if you're thinking of selling your home because buyers will be concerned if the house seems unsafe in any way.
• Look closely at caulking and weather stripping after the harsh winter weather. Repair as needed so moisture doesn't get inside. This project also helps tremendously with energy efficiency.

What else do you work in your home throughout this month? Do you focus more on indoor or outdoor tasks? Do you take on a few projects at a time and split them among the spring months? We would love to hear from you!

Have a fantastic weekend and check back next week!

Quick Finance Lesson: FHA Loans

This week we are focusing on a little finance -- always a great way to spend some time! The FHA loan is quite popular in our local market, and since it is government-insured, it often seems confusing for many buyers, so we're going to break it down today. It's a great option for many buyers which is why we need learn a little more about this type of home loan. And remember, like other home loans, it has its pros and cons.

The FHA loan -- FHA meaning the Federal Housing Administration -- is actually the largest insurer of residential loans in the world. The Federal Housing Administration has been around since 1934 and has insured tens of millions of loans in the decades since in the United States and its territories. As a division of the U.S. government's Department of Housing and Urban Development, the FHA doesn't actually lend the money to borrowers. Its purpose is to insure the loans issued by approved banks. As a home buyer, your financing is still being provided by your local bank, but the FHA loan gives that bank extra insurance in the form of mortgage insurance, which ultimately is paid for by the borrower over the life of the loan.

This extra insurance from the FHA allows banks to lend to borrowers with less stringent guidelines to qualify for financing, and FHA loans often have attractively low interest rates as well. Initially, the purpose of the FHA loan was to provide a way for low-income and first-time buyers to purchase a home they couldn't otherwise afford with traditional financing. As long as borrowers met the qualifying requirements of employability, job stability, and reliability, they could get an FHA loan to purchase their home.

In today's market, there are more specific guidelines to qualify for FHA financing. Current requirements cover items like mortgage lending limits, debt-to-income ratios, and even closing costs for a particular property. The FHA determines the amount the buyer qualifies for because it reduces the risk for lenders who issue the loan, a very real concern for many banks who have dealt with borrowers defaulting on their payments over the past 5-7 years. If you are interested in pursuing FHA financing, be prepared to provide a hefty amount of financial and employment records that will be used to determine the loan terms. Additionally, FHA loans only cover single family and multi-family units up to 4, so borrowers would need a special loan to purchase a condo or apartment housing more than 4 units. Of course, in our market those are a bit more rare and specialized type of purchase, so you would just want to get additional guidance from your lender.

While there are some extra tasks associated with applying for an FHA loan, if you qualify, it could very well be worth your effort. For borrowers with great credit, you can get a mortgage with a down payment of as little as 3.5% of the purchase price, and the down payment funds can even be a gift from an approved source. This is a huge benefit for buyers who may not have a five-figure nest egg to put down on a house. Another attractive feature of the FHA loan is that it provides some avenues of relief for borrowers who experience a major financial trauma and suddenly have problems paying their monthly mortgage. Should that situation arise, homeowners need to get in touch with their loan officer immediately to work out the details. 

Current FHA rates with Excellent credit score according to Lending Tree:

30 year fixed: 3.875%

15 year fixed: 3.375

The bottom line is that this form of mortgage financing is a great option for many types of buyers, and while it may be a bit of an inconvenience to provide the detailed records and documentation initially required by the lender, the excellent terms of the loan and option for a low down payment make the effort worthwhile. Our advice? If you're preparing to buy a home, ask your ERA First Advantage agent for some local FHA-approved lenders to meet and discuss all your options. You mortgage officer is your best resource for accurate, current information regarding loans, FHA and others. Let him or her help you determine your best fit as you prepare to buy your new home.

Ready for Spring! Get a Head Start on Your Garden

What is happening with this weather today? We are definitely getting a taste of spring and all the warmth, sunshine, and outdoor activities that we will enjoy soon. We have been discussing yards and gardens a lot lately in the offie and with clients as we (im)patiently wait for brighter days, so it seems like a good time to discuss our early garden planning. We all know that nice gardens add tremendous curb appeal to a home, so if you're thinking of selling or are getting ready to buy a home that lacks plant life, today's post will be very helpful for you.

It is definitely not too early to begin preparing your garden arrangements now, especially if you want to make some significant changes to your landscape. You need to consider your budget, new/existing plants, when to buy & plant, plus any relocating of plants.

The first item to consider in your planning is your budget. We only note this first because costs can get out of hand very quickly in the gardening world, even at places like Lowe's and Walmart that are very reasonably priced. Landscaping and gardens are an investment, but we want to be careful to keep resale and long-term maintenance cost in mind as well.

• Plan for your largest investments first. Are you buying any trees or having any new rocks or beds made in the yard? Those will incur the most costs.
• Next, how many plants will you need? When you map out your landscaping areas, always note how large each item will get. Your yard will fill up quicker than you think.
• Other than shrubs/flowers, what else do you need to buy? Do you need to put down fresh mulch or rock this year? How many bags of potting soil and fertilizer do you need for freshening the flower beds?
• Are you going to do a vegetable garden? There are some extra costs associated with building a raised bed and building scaffolding for the vegetable plants.
• Check around for pricing on your chosen plants. We are lucky to have an abundance of nurseries, landscapers, and grocery stores that carry garden supplies, so you can shop around a bit.

After you have a budget in mind, begin researching what you want to plant.

If you're starting from scratch, this might be a challenge. If you are able, schedule a consultation with a landscaper or friend who is a gardening veteran to get some help planning what you will need. The right landscaping can completely change the way your home looks, so you want to think through your plants & invest right. You don't have to pay a professional to install everything for you, but it might be nice to get their input on what you should do. If you are not able to work with a professional, this guide from Martha Stewart is the best help we've found! You can't go wrong with Martha, right?

If you've got some existing plants and just want to freshen and liven up for spring, you can simply start researching what grows well in our region. The Tri-State is in Hardiness Zone 7, so be sure you set your sights on trees, shrubs, and flowers that will be happy in our area. Those will be the easiest to grow and will fare best in our climate.

Next, if you want to scatter some seeds, the next few weeks will be a good time to do that. Many seeds actually need a period of cold before they sprout. If you aren't comfortable putting the seeds outside, most will do well growing in containers in a sunny area of your house until early spring. This would be a great project to try with school-age kiddos, and it would give everyone some ownership over what is being planted in the yard. A few fun options to try are:

• Flanders or Corn Poppies
• Larkspur
• Foxglove
• Hollyhock
• Dianthus
• Snapdragon

Before you actually plant flowers or new shrubbery, keep our last killing frost date in mind, which is April 1-30. If you plant during the month of April, you do risk losing some plants to that last frost we tend to have in our area. Our meteorologists are typically really good about warning local gardeners of a spring frost, so you can always place blankets over the plants if you just really want to plant early. Let's hope for a warm April this year!

Finally, if you're thinking of beginning a compost bin, now is the time to get started on that. Use this guide to make your own compost; it is a little gross when you think about what goes into the mixture, but we promise your plants will love it! You will enjoy bigger blooms, greener leaves, & faster growth because of all those nutrients.

What else are you looking forward to doing with your garden this spring? Share with us, and please also share any gardening tips you've picked up! Enjoy this first taste of spring-like weather! It is a bit short-lived, but warmer days are coming!

Embracing Top Home Trends

Is anyone else getting just a bit stir-crazy and ready for the freshness and new life of spring? We are, and we think this is the perfect time to think about implementing some fun updates around the house. This time of year is always exciting because the approaching spring season means a fresh start, whether that means a big move or simply changing some things up around your current home. This week's blog is a fun one because we are sharing 5 of our favorite trends for 2018. There are a lot -- just check out Pinterest or some home design websites if you want to peruse them all -- but the ones we want to share appear to be the easiest to implement in updates, renovations, and new construction.

We chose these particular trends because they will help you create a cozy, updated, stylish, and livable home that will attract buyers should you decide to move.

Here are a few of our favorites:

1. Natural Elements - This is not the terracotta tiles from the 80s! The new natural stone look has a matte, very natural finish. Picture the look of a coastal California home that features the limestone, natural brick, and cobblestone finishes. It will be big for use as an accent wall, flooring, and to surround fireplaces. This is a beautiful range of materials that adds warmth and character.

2. Bold Hues -- especially green - This hue is going to be seen a lot in bedrooms and living rooms. While we continue to see a great deal of hunter shades of green, olive is going to be everywhere this year. Use it on your walls as a backdrop for tan, rich leather, weathered brass, and linen finishes. It adds depth and sophistication to a room otherwise adorned with neutrals and a little rustic edge. Your resident blogger has also been scoping inspiration for olive green kitchen cabinets. Stunning!

3. Warm Color Palettes - This just looks cozy, right? The warmth and neutrality of this space is so soothing and inviting. While we will see some bold color choices this year, warm neutrals still reign supreme, especially in bedrooms where we want to keep things classic. However, don't be afraid to use some patterns and colorful accents. The bedspread or a cushy rug is the perfect way to add some personality.

4. No Space Left Behind - We all know how expensive a new home can be, so one trend we are really embracing is creative use of space. You don't need a 3,000 square foot home to have all the spots you need to live and work. Try to think of news ways to utilize the space in your home or a home you're building. Carve out a reading or work nook, add some built-ins, and consider finishing out that attic or basement to add usable space in your home.

5. Lavender - This color is definitely not just for use in nursery decor. It is admittedly a bit feminine, but with updated finishes it is modern and fresh. Adding lavender to a room will completely change its vibe, adding softness and sophistication. Use it on your walls (personally love it for a powder room), rugs, or upholstery. It is soft and inviting, so it will add instant impact wherever you incorporate it.

So, what do you think? Will you use any of these in your home or new construction in 2018? Share some other upcoming trends that you love as well!

Bouncing Back from a Low Appraisal

One of the worst feelings a seller (and agent) can experience during a real estate transaction is the gut-punch delivered by a low appraisal. I have worked through this situation both as a realtor and homeowner, and I can attest that neither “side” has the easier task to get back on track after this setback.

 As an agent, I can think of two or three separate occasions in which the appraisal from the buyer’s lender came back lower than the purchase price. I can assure you that your ERA First Advantage agent will do everything in his or her power to prevent  lowering the price and losing a lot of money as a result of the appraisal. And of course, we never want the sale to fall through and potentially lose a sale or new home for our clients. Often, we can try to make some strategic fixes and adjustments. As a result, in some transactions, we can manage to bridge the gap between the appraisal value and purchase price. It's always worth a try.

Personally, your resident blogger experienced a low appraisal as the homeowner, or at least as a very involved and interested party. Shortly before my husband and I got married and bought our home in Evansville, he had to sell his house in another town. He had lived there for about two years. He had gotten a great deal when he purchased the home, and made some nice updates while he was there. When the appraisal value came back at about $20K less than the buyers’ purchase price, we were stunned. That’s a truly significant difference! We were planning to use the money from the sale for a down payment on a home in Evansville. Imagine our fear of losing twenty thousand dollars in our budget. It was quite troubling and stressful.

 We were much younger and less savvy at that point, so I deeply appreciated the advice the listing agent provided for us. In this post, I’d like to share a few ways you can help “right the wrong” of a low appraisal. As an agent, I, nor any ERA First colleague, can make no guarantees, as we are not the professional appraiser assessing the home. That said, these are some steps homeowners and agents can take to potentially get that value increased. It’s a discouraging situation, but doing as much as possible to fight back is well worth the time and effort.

Request a copy of the appraisal report. If you have the report in-hand, you can see exactly what criteria was checked to determine the value of the home. The report should also provide the comparable homes the appraiser referenced as well. Be sure to double check all the measurements for square feet and the numbers of bedrooms and bathrooms to ensure accuracy.  If you see anything that doesn’t look right in the report, tell your agent and the lender immediately.

Go over the comps with a fine-tooth comb. Appraisers use comparable homes as a significant factor in determining your home’s value. Look carefully at the size, age, condition, location, lot size, and amenities for your home and the comps. Also look at when each home sold because market values tend to fluctuate even over just six months. This is really the best tool you have to use as proof that your home is worth more. What does your property have that others don’t? Why is it worth more in this sale?

Compile data on improvements and updates. This is something my husband and I did for his home when we dealt with the low appraisal. What updates have you made to the home that have increased its value? List everything, even small updates like improvements to the landscaping. It all matters in this situation. It’s even more helpful if you can provide receipts or invoices for work that was done to prove cost added into appreciation of the home. Be thorough and as detailed as possible in this task.

Get a second opinion. My recommendation is to have your realtor tackle this step, especially if he or she is gutsy and tactful enough to make the appraiser question some of the conclusions in the report. It’s a bit risky but can be tremendously effective if approached professionally and back-up data to support higher value.

Whatever you decide to do, fight for your home’s value and the work and care you’ve put into it. Do not settle for a low appraisal, whether you’re refinancing or selling. Oh, and in case you were wondering how that personal situation I mentioned was resolved… that list and a second opinion worked! We provided a typed, detailed rundown of everything he had done to improve the home throughout his two years as owner. Fortunately, the Realtor worked well with the buyer’s agent and they worked together to take the case to the lender. The outcome was an appraisal value of just $1,000 less than the purchase price. We were, of course, willing to negotiate with those terms.

 While you must be objective and understand why the appraiser is adjusting value a certain way, remember that you still have some power as a homeowner and can challenge a report you deem inaccurate. It’s worth every penny!

Are You Ready for Some Football?

One of the biggest sports weekends of the year is almost here -- Super Bowl LII will be played February 4th at 5:30 pm in Minneapolis between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles! Around the office, as we have followed our teams and recapped games, we are a mixed bag as we start predicting the winner, but we all agree that we can't wait to get together with friends and family for a day filled with food, drinks, and fun.

Whether you've hosted an annual Super Bowl party for years or are gathering everyone at your home for the first time, (great housewarming idea if you've moved!) we want to offer a few ideas about how to throw your most festive football gathering.

This week, we are sharing our Top 5 Tips if you're watching the game at your house (no need to travel to Minnesota!), plus we are sharing a couple crowd-pleasing recipes, and a few party decor ideas as well.

So, if you're getting things in order to have all your loved ones over next Sunday, here are a few things we recommend (and even better if you can get a head start on your prep):

1. If you haven't already, send invites! An e-vite is super easy and free to send, and they look really nice when your guests open the emails. If you've already sent your invites, follow up with a casual text, email, or phone call next week to make sure everyone has your party on their calendars. Plus, you want to know how many people to prepare food for.

2. Prepare ahead as much as possible. Rearrange furniture, clean your house, put up decorations, and buy your groceries before Super Bowl weekend. Use game day Sunday to prepare food as needed and be ready to greet your guests as they arrive. You want to be able to enjoy the festivities with them, right?

3. Let guests bring something if they offer. A lot of people really do enjoy preparing a dip or fun appetizer for parties, so if they are willing to help, let them! That should give your "spread" of food a nice variety, and it will take some of the stress off you as the host.

4. Plan some activities for kids. Many kids will not sit and watch the entire game. They will get bored or tired, so it is a nice idea to have some games, coloring books, a craft, or another available room where they can go watch a movie if they want.

5. Play a few games with the adults too! Honestly, not everyone will be into the game, so try a game like Commercial Bingo that everyone can participate in. You could even have a few small prizes available for the winners!

Next, we have asked around and found a couple recipes that we just might have to "test" before game day!! Super Bowl parties are synonymous with great food, so here are a couple ideas to take your food game to the next level!

Buffalo Chicken Dip -- This one is a classic, and there's a reason for that! This delicious dip goes fast everywhere we take it! Serve with tortilla chips, veggies, or crispy bread.

Brownies -- the perfect pick-me-up before the second half of the game. These are filled with caramel and you can add pecans if you choose to take them up a notch! Full disclosure: If you don't have time to mess with baking from scratch, Betty Crocker Fudge Brownies from the box are outstanding, especially mixed with about 1/2 cup of Nutella -- no one will no know the difference. 😄

Chile Con Queso -- You've got to use your crock pot on game day! This dip is so easy & feeds a crowd. We like it prepared with either ground beef or sausage!

You can't go wrong with these. Throw together some sliders, chicken wings, and any form of pizza for a delicious Super Bowl feast. Your guests will leave very happy...and full.

 If you want to go all out, put up a few decorations to really show off your house! Stop in at Target, Walmart, or Dollar General to check out everything they have to offer, and we also found a ton of easy DIY projects on Pinterest.

What are you cooking up for the biggest weekend in sports? Share with us!