In our continuing effort to provide the best service to our clients, we have just added

Since its inception in 1994, Centralized Showing Service, Inc. has been the the first company to address the issue of home showing inefficiencies in the residential real estate community.

Centralized Showing Service has become the largest and most successful company of its kind. It currently schedules over 15 million showings per year and has over 100,000 REALTOR® members in over 40 markets across the U.S. Their members includes everything from, independent agents to large companies to entire REALTOR® Associations and MLS board-wide service. 

This service provides us a courteous and professional way to schedule showing appointments.  We started using this service about 2 weeks ago and it has been great!

Potential homebuyers expect that there will be many expeneses when purchasing a home. However, if you are planning to sell your home, you should be informed that there will also be costs involved with the 

Loan Payoff:  It is important to look at is how much you owe on your current home loan before you sell. The total owed will be greater than the last statement balance, because the interest on the loan is paid in arrears. In addition, many mortgages have prepayment penalties if you pay off the mortgage early. Be sure to examine your mortgage agreement and read the fine print.

Closing Costs: Although most of the closing costs are the responsibility of the buyer, the seller is expected to pay the property taxes and insurance up to the date of the closing, even if they're not due yet. in addition, some buyers will ask the seller for help with other closing costs as part of the negotiations.

Realtor Commission: Typically there's a 4 percent to 7 percent commission on the sale price of the house if you opt to go with an agent. Usually this rate is between 5 percent and 6 percent, so be sure to account for this cost when pricing your home and figuring up your expenses that come with selling your home.

Home Inspections: Although the buyer pays for the home and pest inspections, it's a good idea to get your own inspection before putting your house on the market. This way you're aware of any hidden problems before selling.

Legal expenses: Even if you are using a real estate professional and not selling your home yourself, you still may want an attorney to examine the sales contract and assist with closing, which can be complicated.

Many homeowners are not aware of the costs involved with selling a home but there are some perks as well. With any home sale you are eligible for a tax write off of up to $250,000 gained in the sale of your home for a single owner, and $500,000 for married couples. This applies for most state taxes as well; check with a tax professional to get all the details of any tax credit that may be available to you and your situation. 

Before you finalize the closing of your home, you will be given an opportunity to walk thru the home to inspect and look for any last minute issues. It is important to know what to look for during the final walk through and many times your agent will accompany you to help you inspect the house to to verify that everything has been addressed that was agreed upon. 

Before you begin your inspection, it is a good idea to make a list of things to look for so you can be prepared.  It is also recommended that you have your Sales Contract with you so that you can review any items that should be included with the house.

Here is a list of items to check on a final walk-through:

• Did the movers bang up the walls, rip the rugs or scratch the wooden floors?
• Did the moldings around the doors get damaged when they moved an appliance from a room?
• Does the heating and air conditioning system still work?
• Are all of the appliances still working?
• Have all the items that the seller agreed to remove from the home out of the home?
• Turn on and off every light fixture
• Run water & look under sinks for leaks
• Open and close all doors and doors
• Flush toilets
• Inspect ceilings, wall and floors
• Make sure any repairs that were agreed upon have been made

Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned and you may find that there are some issues that have not been taken care of as agreed. You do have options in case this happens. It is a good idea to work with an attorney to come to a satisfactory arrangement.

If you currently own a home but want to purchase a new property, you may want to consider a bridge loan. This is a short term loan that a borrower takes out against their current property to finance the

Generally, a home equity loan is less expensive, but bridge loans contain more benefits for some borrowers. In addition, many lenders will not lend on a home equity loan if the home is on the market. It is a good idea to compare the benefits between the two loans to determine which is a better fit for their particular situation and plan ahead before making an offer to purchase another home.

How Do Bridge Loans Work?

To apply for a bridge loan, you must show that you are financially able to pay both mortgage payments in case the primary property does not sell right away. To ease the transition, most bridge loans will allow you to have a few months before your actual first payment is due. However, interest will accrue during that time.

Bridge loans are meant to be short term loans, normally coming due in a year or upon the sale of the primary property. Because it is a short term loan, the interest rates are usually quite a bit higher than regular mortgages and there are fees associated with it.

Pros of a Bridge Loan

• A bridge loan is a great solution if you want to purchase another home without having to sell your current property.
• The buyer can immediately put a home on the market without restrictions.
  Bridge loans may not require monthly payments for a few months.
• If the buyer has made a contingent offer to buy and the seller issues a Notice to Perform, the buyer can remove the contingency to sell and still move forward with the purchase.

Cons of a Bridge Loans

• Bridge loans cost more than home equity loans.
• Strict lending requirements. Buyers must be qualified by the lender to own two homes and many will not meet this requirement.
• If the buyer is unable to sell their primary property, they will have to pay 2 mortgages and risk foreclosure on the 1st.

As with any loan option it is a good idea to weight the pros and cons and consider all your options. If you think a bridge loan might be the solution for you, check out this Bridge Loan Calculator to see an estimated idea of payments.

The real estate purchase agreement also indicates specifics of the sale such as the time frame for the sale and any conditions or contingencies relating to the sale, and other things you should be aware of.

 As with any other legal contract, a real estate contract may be formed by one party making an offer and another party accepting the offer. Typically, the party making the offer prepares a written real estate contract, signs it, and transmits it to the other party who would accept the offer by signing the contract. At this point, the other party may accept the offer, reject it or make a counteroffer. To be enforceable, a real estate contract must possess original signatures by the parties and any alterations to the contract must be initialed by all the parties involved. It is always a good idea to work with a real estate professional when dealing with legal forms before signing if you have any questions or are confused with any of the terms.

When you begin your search for a new home, it can be easy to get caught up when looking at homes and fall in love with one and not catch potential problems. While you should always have a professional home inspection before signing any contracts you can still be on the look out for some potential issues before you start the process of purchasing the home. Below are some red flags to look for when searching for your home.

• Strange odors.  Pet smells, musty odors and even cigarette smells are red flags as they can be hard to get rid of and may signal a deeper problem. Keep in mind if the home smells like heavy cleaning products the seller might be trying to hide a problem.
• Wiring Issues. While an electrician is the only one to accurately diagnose wiring problems there are some things you can be on the look out for. Make sure all the switches and outlets in the house function properly. Any lights that flicker or don't work as well as hot outlets are all symptoms of wiring problems.
• Problems With Windows. You can tell a foggy window problem right away just by looking at them but also be sure to check out all the windows to make sure they are fully functional. Some older windows maybe warped or painted shut and if you do see foggy windows that is a sign that the seal is broken.
• Ceiling stains. Some buyers don' think about looking up at the ceiling but if you see stains then its obvious..something’s leaking. It might be a simple repair or it might be quite costly. Most roof leaks result from neglected flashing that seals “valleys” in the roof or around a chimney or vents, roof leaks mean mean it’s time to replace shingles. If the leak is under a bathroom it might be shower or even the toilet that is causing problems.
• Insects and Rodents. Keep a close eye out for signs of rodents and bugs. Be on the lookout for hidden mouse traps, rodent droppings, roach motels or other signs that there may be a problem. If you do locate a home that you are ready to purchase, absolutely get a termite inspection as they can only be detected by a professional inspection.

Of course these are just some things to look for and while they may not present a serious problem and may be a mior fix it is important to be aware of potential issues and headaches downt the road.

For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” real estate transaction. This certification will allow me to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities.

Short Sales and Foreclosures are part of today's real estate market and I have the tools and knowledge to answer any questions and to be with you in case you need assistance. Contact me today for more information!

We strongly believes in reinvesting in community and all of us at

This scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior of Columbia, Waterloo, Valmeyer or Gibault High Schools, enrolling in a college or university of his/her choice for use towards tuition and/or books for the 2009/2010 School Year. 

A committee of local business people will review the applications and select 5 finalists.  Each finalist will give an oral presentation in which 1 recipient will be chosen.

You can contact either the Columbia, Waterloo, Valmeyer or Gibault  High School to pick up the application or you can contact us at 939-HOME or 281-HOME (4663)

Deadline:  April 1, 2010

The holidays are over and the decorations are put away but we what stays with us all year is the generosity of our community. In the photo you will see Sherrie and I loading our truck with canned goods from our holiday food drives.

Thanks to the wonderful donations we received, we delivered over 7 large containers of food and supplies that were delivered to the Hope Christian Church food pantry. We would like to thank our customers and friends for their generous donations, which were collected when we gave out pies on Thanksgiving, during the Columbia Christmas parade as well as donations received from our neighbors during our neighborhood Christmas party.

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and we wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year!

Now that the holidays are upon us our focus switches to giving mode. We want to give those we care about all we can and the very best to our family.  Have you ever thought about making a small investment in Real Estate for your children or grandchildren? 

There are many useful resources out there to give you more information such as how to calculate cash flow from rental property and online calculators to help you figure out investment costs. The time is right to buy, your children and grandchildren will thank you for it someday!

We thank everyone who came out and stopped by for some of our hot chocolate and candy canes. The picture on the left is an old time fire truck and the below photo is of my son, Brayden and nephew Max riding on the fire truck with Max’s grandpa Rich Dreher. We had a great time and really got into the holiday spirit. Happy Holidays to everyone! 

Please stop by to learn more about why we are the #1 Choice when it comes to your real estate needs!  Happy Holidays!

The holiday season is a busy and exciting one but is it the right time to sell your home? You bet!

Curb appeal. As mentioned above the visual aspects of a home during the holiday season can make a buyer feel that your home is welcoming and may fall in love with the charm. Aside from decorations remember the basics, if you live in a snowy area, make sure walkways are cleared and any trace of ice is cleared. Remember to trim all trees and keep landscaping in order and a perhaps hang a festive wreath on your door.

Market to motivated buyers. The holidays are a hectic time so anyone house hunting during the holidays must have a good reason for doing so. By targeting buyers who are perhaps are in need of housing quickly due to relocation, buyers wanting to purchase before the new year or even military personnel, if you live near a military base.

Make your home welcoming. Make your home feel cozy and inviting during showings by lighting a fire, playing soft holiday music and offering homemade holiday treats. If buyers feel welcome they are more likely to spend more time admiring the home.

A good rule of thumb is to keep decorations on the conservative side. Not all home shoppers may celebrate the holidays in same way you do and you don't want to overwhelm. You want potential buyers to notice your home not necessarily your decorations.

A very common question that I often answer for

There are many question you should ask yourself. Do you think you’re ready to move into the world of homeownership? Does your job require you to relocate frequently? Are you ready to “settle down” and raise a family? Not sure what you want to do yet? Answering these questions honestly can help you to make a decision that you can work with.

As a real estate professional, I do know that buying a home has real advantages in today’s market: Realtor.com reports that housing affordability is the best it’s been in nearly 30 years. Right now buyers can cash in on hefty price drops and rock-bottom mortgage interest rates--and many people don’t realize just how great the market is!

So should you rent or should you buy? The Our Family Place Home Buyer’s Information Center lists some of the pros and cons noted below, and I’ve added some of my own:

Buying Advantages:

* You gain equity in your home through mortgage payments.
* Your home could be one of the best long-term investments you will ever make.
* You can decorate and remodel the way you want.
* You get homeowner tax breaks.
* You build your credit standing.
* You can improve your property using home equity loans.
* You gain independence and pride as a homeowner.
* You can transfer your property through your will.

Buying Disadvantages:

* Your costs are variable.
* Your equity may change due to market conditions.
* You usually must sell your home to move.
* You handle maintenance and upkeep.
* You usually need more cash to get in.

Renting Advantages:

* Your costs are fixed for the term of your rental.
* You don’t lose equity.
* You can move at the end of your lease term.
* You have fewer maintenance worries.
* You need less cash to get in.

Renting Disadvantages:

* You never get equity.
* You can’t always decorate or remodel the way you want.
* You don’t get any tax breaks.
* Your lease is for a limited time period determined by your landlord.
* Your rent may go up at the end of your lease and other terms may change.
* Your landlord may not fix problems or invest in routine property maintenance.
* You normally can’t transfer your lease without the landlord’s OK.
* You may face eviction if you and your landlord have a dispute.

There are lots of variables to consider, and you’ll need to do your homework to decide what’s right for you. To put these pros and cons into dollar terms, try out this rent v. buy calculator. This is a useful tool to help you work with different scenarios and see what they mean for your finances and help you to make a decision.

The $8,000 tax break for

The measure removes the first-time-only stipulation, though, opening the benefit up to existing homeowners who’ve lived in their current residence for at least five years but want to relocate to a new primary residence. The incentive amount for those buyers is $6,500.

The tax break would only be offered on homes priced at $800,000 or less, and beneficiaries who sell the home or stop using it as their primary residence within three years would be required to repay the credit.

Homebuyers who file as single or head-of-household taxpayers can claim the full credit ($8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers) if their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $125,000. For married couples filing a joint return, the combined income limit is $225,000. Single or head-of-household taxpayers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000, and married couples who earn between $225,000 and $245,000 are eligible to receive a partial credit. The credit is not available for single taxpayers whose MAGI is greater than $145,000 and married couples with a MAGI that exceeds $245,000.

The National Association of Realtors estimates that of the 1,400,000 million buyers, 350,000 of them would not have purchased a home without the added taxpayer’s incentive from the federal government.

Visit the Federal Housing Tax Credit website for more information on qualifying, how to file for the credit and other frequently asked questions.

A common question I get from homesellers is “I  want to sell my house, but I’m not sure it’s the right time." My answer: When the time is right for you. There’s no “one size fits all” response. As we all know the market conditions can change and there is not alway a right time. You have to evaluate the pros and cons of selling in today’s market in light of your own financial and personal goals.

Eventhough we hear about the gloomy market everyday, you can sell your home in a buyer’s market!

FrontDoor.com, HGTV’s companion information site, lists the Top 10 Ways to Beat the Sluggish Housing Market. Here are my takes on my favorites:

 •  “Hire an aggressive, well-connected real estate agent.” Of course I love this one--and it’s great advice. A qualified real estate professional is your MVP in the selling game. I’ve spent years building a base of satisfied clients and responsive contacts. I know my market, and I know how to sell your house in my market area.

• We all know that today's market is tough. It is important to have a focused selling plan right from the start.  Having an organized game plan is your key to getting your home sold fast and for the price you want. Your real estate agent can come up with a marketing  plan that gets your home sold.

• The competition is tough so it is important that your home is in tip top shape. If you know you need to make repairs, do them now before your home goes on the market. And if you’re worried there may be less-obvious problems that might affect a sale, call in a professional home inspector.

• Consider staging your home and doing some remodeling. If your home could use some updating with amenities that buyers really want--and are willing to pay for--take the plunge. For some great ideas, check out FrontDoor.com’s 10 Things that Make Buyers Bite.

• Entice buyers with incentives. Throw in some extras that you can afford, like help with closing costs or flexibility with the closing date. It’s a buyer’s market so every incentive you offer willl help you make the sell.

Deciding to sell your home now is a major decision in which you should take time to explore the possibilities. Weighing the pros and cons of your situation is the best way to start. Feel free to contact me to discuss your options, I would be happy to help

I get these questions often from potential buyers who are confused--and often overwhelmed--by the home mortgage process. Getting a home loan doesn’t have to be an ordeal if you do your homework first. A qualified real estate agent can assist with a list of local lenders and information resources to make your life easier. So just ask!

I recommend that you do two things right away, even before you start house hunting:

* Get your credit reports from the “Big Three” credit reporting agencies. Lenders will review these reports, and you need to know what they contain--and where you stand. Don’t be surprised by “red flags” when negotiating with a lender. Take action beforehand to correct or explain the negatives.

Under Federal law, you’re entitled to one free report from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion each year. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to learn more.

* Get pre-qualification from one or more lenders on a possible loan amount. That way you’ll have a good “guesstimate” of the loan amount you would qualify for--and how much house you can afford. Once you’ve chosen a lender, you can even get pre-approved for a loan. Knowing your mortgage limit up front will be a tremendous help in your search for the right home.

So how do you find out about mortgage loan basics and the best way to work with lenders? One resource I like is looking for the best mortgage is a free, easy-to-understand booklet you can download from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. You’ll get a “shop, compare, negotiate” strategy:

* How to get loan information from more than one lender
* How to get rate and fee information that you can compare
* How to get your “best deal”

This publication also includes a glossary of common mortgage loan terms and a handy worksheet you can use when talking with lenders. The worksheet is great. You’ll find yourself saying, “I didn’t even think of that!” And that’s why it’s such a valuable resource: It keeps you organized and on point.

Bottom line: Do your homework. Learn what you need to know about your home mortgage options up front--and get approved quickly for your new home when you’re ready to buy.

Want to know more about home mortgages? Just ask us, we’re always happy to help! I’m always available to discuss your specific needs or answer any questions you might have about any aspect of real estate.