The Lowdown on Short  Sales

A short sale is sale of real estate in which the sale proceeds fall short of the balance owed on the property’s mortgage loan.  It is also referred to as a pre-foreclosure.  Commonly thought of as a dreaded process, the short sale has benefits for all parties (Banks, Sellers, Buyers) involved being that it is the most economical solution to a problem.  It often occurs when a Seller/Borrower find themselves in a financial crisis and are unable to pay their mortgage, the Bank/Mortgage Company offers the option of selling the property at a moderate loss rather than pressuring the borrower and to avoid hefty foreclosure fees and poorer credit for the borrower.  The drawbacks are:  the bank dictates the sale, which involves long waiting periods and the borrower may still be obligated to pay the deficiency or the remaining balance of the mortgage.  Buyers looking for a home can get a great deal on a short sale as long as they are not in a hurry to close.
The team at Tammy Mitchell Hines & Company are always available to assist you with all of your real estate needs, including short sales.  Tammy is a CDPE - Certified Distressed Property Expert, qualified to handle Short Sales.  She recently attended the annual Star Power Convention in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  Tammy was one of five experts selected to share and impart her expertise to a crowd of over 600 Realtors.  Armed with knowledge and compassion, Tammy can help you with a Short Sale.  If you or anyone you know is having trouble making their house payments, give Tammy a call.  There is hope and she is here to help. www.TammyCares.com 

The home buying process has evolved into something similar to catalog browsing. Gone are the days of stopping by a real estate office and enduring high pressure, hard selling and feeling obligated to look at a house you know you don’t want. When MLS went online, it empowered consumers who now have taken control and demand free information that is accessible twenty-four hours a day seven days a week.

The greatest invention since the wheel is, hands down, the super information highway – the Internet. Without leaving the comfort of your home, you can bring the world to you. And due to astounding technological advancements, you can also take the world with you when you do leave home. Wi-fi, laptops and smartphones, allow you to receive live information wherever you go.

There are about 6 billion people on the planet and 3,000,000 of them use the Internet everyday. About 521,000 people buy a home in the United States every year and 90% of buyers start their search online. Maybe one day you will be able to add your dream house to a shopping cart and click proceed to checkout…takes point & click to a whole new level!

But until that time…Tammy Mitchell Hines & Company stays abreast of technology and makes sure consumers have easy access to properties, correct and concise information and useful links and tools to make informed decisions. Browse from the comfort of your home, then choose which homes you want our knowledgeable staff to schedule a private showing for you at your convenience.

Yes folks, it's that time of year again. Time to hit your local retailers for books, clothes, shoes and other acoutrement your children will need for this school year.

Whether they are in kindergarten or college it's inevitable dollars will be spent. So make sure you are shopping your local retailers this year. It will save you gas, time and even more importantly help a neighbor.

Check out our local registration below...have a happy and safe rest of the Summer!

Columbia Community Unit School District 4

REGISTRATION:

Tuesday, July 27; Wednesday, July 28; Thursday, July 29
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  & 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Enrollment Info

Eagleview Elementary
First Day of School, Wednesday, August 18, 2010
8:15 AM – 11:45 AM
First FULL Day of School – Thursday, August 19, 2010
8:15 AM – 3:15 PM

Parkview Elementary
First Day of School, Wednesday, August 18, 2010
8:00 AM – 11:25 AM
First FULL Day of School – Thursday, August 19, 2010
8:00 AM – 2:55 PM

Columbia Middle School
First Day of School, Wednesday, August 18, 2010
7:45 AM – 11:15 AM
First FULL Day of School – Thursday, August 19, 2010
7:45 AM – 2:45 PM

Columbia High School
First Day of School, Wednesday, August 18, 2010
7:45 AM – 11:15 AM
First FULL Day of School – Thursday, August 19, 2010
7:45 AM – 2:45 PM

223 S Breidecker, Columbia, IL

Located in Columbia, a half mile away from Main Street, this unique 1.5 story home is full of light and charm.  Nestled in a quiet neighborhood & surrounded by mature trees,  the 3 bedroom 1.5 bath home is a true delight. 

The first attention-getting feature that you will note is the expansive wraparound deck with plenty of room for outdoor entertaining or a relaxing time to soak up the rays.  This home sits on a .21 acre fenced lot that has plenty of mature trees for shade and privacy. 

Ready to move into and a 2-car built in garage. This home has a spacious kitchen with oak cabinets and built-in desk with bookshelves.

Formal dining room has mirrored wall for a more spacious feel. Fabulous living room with large windows for great natural light. There is 1 bedroom on the main level along with a full bath with skylights. Upstairs you will find 2 spacious bedrooms and a bath. The walkout basement offers a family room and laundry area with counter space and lots of cabinet storage. This home is 1708 square feet of comfort and convenience.

See a LIVE TOUR to view all the beautiful details in this lovely home.



Purchasing a home is a big step and a big decision. The average person spends around 1/3 of their income on their home. The home that you choose has a big impact on your life and can have a big impact on your finances as well. While driving neighborhoods is an excellent idea to help you decide which locations you prefer, it's not a very efficient way to find your new home. Gas is expensive and your time is valuable. A good Buyer's Agent is invaluable to a Buyer and can be the difference between a wonderful transaction and a nightmare. Your Buyer's Agent will listen to your needs, make fantastic suggestions based on your likes & dislikes, and provide you with a list of homes that all match your wants and needs. Your Buyers Agent has helped many new home-buyers through many purchases, and will help you better organize your search and decision making process, saving you valuable time.

The average person buys 3-5 homes in their lifetime. A good Buyers Agent will assist in 3-5 home purchases every month. What might seem complicated and intimidating to you is fairly common and familiar to your Realtor. Your Buyers Agent will know what to expect and will know when to alert you if anything out of the ordinary occurs. It takes a lot of people to close a real estate transaction: Buyers Agent, Listing Agent, Loan Officer, Inspector, Appraiser, Insurance Agent, General Contractors, and sometimes more! A good agent will come with a strong closing team that has performed in the past and will continue to perform. With your strong Buyers Agent and their closing team, you
can rest assured that you will have plenty of support.

At Tammy Mitchell Hines & Co, you are covered. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff will take care of all of your real estate needs from beginning to end.

We'd like introduce our two newest Buyer's Agents to Tammy Mitchell Hines & Co

Carla Mercer is the newest member of the team, we look forward to a long prosperous connection! Carla, is a wife & a mother of 2 girls and is very active in their lives.

Chris Lavalle has been an agent for over 5 years and is a wonderful addition to our team! She's married with 4 children and is active in the community and in the lives of her family.

Welcome to downtown Waterloo.  Where friends become family!

331 E. 4th St., Waterloo, IL

           $259,900

A fabulous opportunity awaits you in Waterloo.  Imagine living in a historic home in the heart of downtown Waterloo.  An amazing 4 BR, 2 Bath historic home that sits on 3.88 acres is offered at an incredible price.  This German Colonial was built in 1840 and the barn and silo that was erected are still majestically standing.  This home has wood floors throughout almost all of the rooms. The Library as you enter is so enchanting with the over-sized built in bookshelves & fireplace mantel. The Family Room is spacious with a wood burning fireplace & is open to the formal dining room. The kitchen has been beautifully remodeled with extra tall, glass front cherry cabinets. The kitchen is also equipped with a fabulous coffee bar and wet bar. There is also a laundry room and full bath with whirlpool tub on the main level. Upstairs you will find 4 spacious bedrooms and a full bath with a new claw foot tub & shower. The seller has put a lot of money into hooking the home up to public utilities. The home is heated with forced air gas heat or the radiators may be utilized. The 2 story barn is absolutely wonderful. This home also has a basement that has an 11 foot ceiling in part of it – there are endless possibilities for this room:  home theatre, man-cave, game room, luxury suite, etc.

Waterloo became the Monroe County seat in 1825.  Through almost 200 hundred years of growth, the town has maintained its antiquated charm and beauty.  On December 1, 1978, its historic district was recognized and placed on the National Register of Historic Places. While preserving its historical heritage, Waterloo is a place that embraces new ideas while providing a safe and welcoming atmosphere where people can live, work, and raise a family.  Many roads provide historic and contemporary views of farming and rural living as well, a healthy downtown and plenty of green space in between with picturesque landscapes remaining throughout the community.  The population has recently surpassed 10,000 with new businesses and homes popping up everywhere. The city boasts a one of a kind historic restaurant, The Courthouse Café & Collectibles, a must see.  Located only 20 minutes from downtown St. Louis, Waterloo is a wonderful community!

The Truth About Pricing Your Home 

Comparables (or Comps) refer to data about properties that are comparable in type and size to those of interest to a buyer or to the property a seller wishes to list. This data may consist of past property prices and information or list prices and data on current listings. The method applies to capital values; the comparison method of valuation is used mainly for residential property.

A CMA is what real estate professionals use as an evaluation of comparable recently sold homes in the area.   It is very important to define the criteria for choosing comparable homes.  The wrong comparables equal the wrong price range. A good comp uses appropriate parameters:  Type, Size, No. of bed & baths, School district/Neighborhood, Lot size, Date of sale.

Agents will usually drive by their comps to get a visual and a feel for the neighborhood as well as condition of the house.  Additionally, they create summary stats like price per square foot.  To calculate a fair value range for your target home, agents will multiply the average price-per-square-foot of your comparables by the square footage of your target home. This will provide a baseline for the market price.  Then, if the target home has characteristics that make it more or less desirable, an adjustment to the value is made (up or down) to account for them.  A full and detailed report to listing prospect/client can not be complete without a similar market analysis of the properties listed and competing with their home at the time.

BUT, no matter what anyone tells you, the truth is, until your house is sold nobody can guarantee what it's worth or what it will sell for.

Do you remember Eric Jones, the Optometrist in Waterloo?  He has now moved and opened his own company!  He is also inviting you to his Grand Opening! 

Dr. W. Eric Jones, Optometrist 

Fountains Eyecare Center 

Grand Opening & Trunk Show

Wednesday, May 26, 2010  Ribbon Cutting 4 PM, Open House 5-7 PM

Hor d'oeuvres provided by Shogun Japanese Restaurant

Coach, Gucci, Fendi, Nike, Calvin Klein, & Nautica stylists will be on hand with their entire frame lines to help you find the perfect frame to fit your style.

Special Grand Opening Discounts:

40% off all eyeglass frames

40% off all designer sunglasses

50% off all lenses

$50 off eye exam

(must be scheduled at Grand Opening)

One day only!

1502 Gedern, Columbia, IL

What I first noticed when I came upon this spectacular home at 1502 Gedern was how elegant it looked. I tried to capture that elegance in the front view picture I took but trust me…my pics don’t quite do it justice you really have to see it for yourself. That said, once you step inside and walk on the beautiful wood flooring in the hallways you’ll want to also take note of not one but two fireplaces! The home is 2 stories high and features 3.5 bathrooms.

I personally love the balcony view from the second floor overlooking the downstairs hearth room…warm and cozy! Don’t let this 4 bedroom home get away. Feel free to browse the pictures I’ve taken and call me if you or anyone you know may be interested. Happy House Hunting!

Do you ever set personal financial goals for yourself and then fall short?

There's a simple reason you may not be achieving what you've set out to do:

You don't pay yourself first.

Paying yourself first isn't a new concept but it's an often a forgotten one, especially when times get tough. But I assert that now is the perfect time to start!

Try the following steps below to help you achieve your goals and gain a sense of accomplishment while doing so:

• The most obvious thing...Just Do It!...Pay yourself first.
  • Figure out how much you'd like to squirrel away.
    • Be it 5% or 10% of your income or $10 
  • Whatever you decide, do it consistently.

• Decide what you are saving for.
  • a really expensive pair of shoes :-)
  • A new home
  • Furniture
  • A new bathroom
  • Vacation
  • Retirement
  • College

• All of the above, some of the above or whatever you decide make sure you are clear as to what you are saving and what it's going towards.
• Now, don't touch it!
  
  • Leave it there until you've accomplished your goal.

I know conventional wisdom says to save large chunks of funds for retirement but some of us have a 401k to do that. Others may see that is too far reaching and not even try. So what about that vacation or that couch? Who says we have to whip out a credit card? Why not defer your gratification a few months? Check out your local furniture store they may offer layaway. I know Sears and Kmart have started layaway again and not a moment too soon!

These are just a few ideas off the beaten path to get you in the habit of saving.

Remember...Pay yourself first and you'll get premium results!