Talking Real Estate - OCTOBER 2015

OCTOBER 2015   Whether you are looking to buy or sell, I can offer the highest levels in real estate expertise and professionalism. Don’t hesitate to contact me and allow me to help guide you through that process! ANGELES LOMELI Realtor RealtorAngelesLomeli@gmail.com   |   Cell: 408-841-1722 Direct: 209-326-0665 http://www.AngelesLomeli.com     FINANCIAL TIPS 15 vs. 30 Year Mortgages Which is better: A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage or go for a lower-interest 15-year one? Typically, 15-year mortgage allows you to pay off your mortgage quicker and save a significant chunk of money on interest. However, a 30-year may be a logical choice for most people because it has more advantages. Let’s take a look at the differences: Payments are less with a 30-year mortgage which enables more consumers to qualify for home purchases. Generally, you can make additional principal payments to pay off your loan faster without penalty. A 15-year loan means you are committed to giving that extra money to your lender each month, whether you can really afford to at the time or not. The higher payments of a 15-year mortgage make little sense if they keep you from building savings or contributing to a 401(k) plan, IRA or college fund. The amortization schedule of 30-year fixed is back-heavy, with early-term payments big on interest and light on principal. A 15-year fixed is always light on interest which lowers its taxpayer benefits. While it’s true you gain more of a tax break from a 30-year loan, it shouldn’t be the main consideration when deciding on a term. The 30-year borrower pays less in yearly taxes because they pay significantly more in interest. So it all comes down to choice and circumstances: Choose the 15-year loan if you have the financial wherewithal to assume the payments. Your interest savings will be substantial and you’ll own your home faster. The 30-year loan offers lower payments and greater flexibility. You can always choose to pay more on your mortgage when the money is available. SHOWING YOUR HOME Making color work in your home Don’t be offended if an agent suggests that you paint before placing your home on the market. They understand “color psychology.” Since people’s reaction to color is immediate, it can have a tremendous influence on their daily choices. You can make your home stand out from the competition, sell more quickly and at a higher price if you use color effectively. Blues will feel cool, reds and oranges feel warm. Deeper shades of color imply intimacy and serenity. Lighter exterior colors are favored because they can make the property seem larger. For older homes, you may want to consider historical accuracy, as this could be a big selling point as well. For the interior, consider the purpose of each room. Kitchen and dining areas painted in “food colors” such as coffee browns, celery greens and scrambled-egg yellows will make the rooms feel more natural. Hallways are a great place to bring in the exterior colors for overall harmony. Master bedrooms in medium shades of green or blue for warm selling seasons, and rouge red for cooler weather. Other bedrooms can be painted in creamy tones of green, blue or a pale shell pink. Shades of blue, green or lavender can form a relaxing atmosphere in the bathroom. When thinking about color, common sense helps. You should match other things in your home and keep a comfortable environment as well. HOME OWNERSHIP TIPS Get Your Home Documents Organized As a homeowner, you accumulate all sorts of documentation the moment you make the offer on your home. Loan documents, inspections, insurance policies, receipts and warranties are just a few of the documents you may be collecting. Knowing where these items are can save you a lot of time and money. Keep closing papers such as the deed, settlement statement, appraisal, disclosures, mortgage note, inspections and title insurance policy together in one place—preferably in a safe deposit box. For other records, a practical record-keeping system doesn’t have to be expensive. Purchase an accordion file and label each flap with a different category. Those might include: Insurance Policies. Purchase and House Data. Property Taxes. Home Maintenance and Improvements. Warranties, Manuals and Receipts. Home Inventory. Organizing your home files may take a considerable amount of time initially, but it will definitely be time well spent in the event you need the documents in the future. HOMESELLING TIPS Selling an Ugly Home You’ve just inherited an old house in a distant location and want to put it on the market. You don’t have the time, resources or energy to make it perfect and just want a quick sale. Or maybe you had renters who did substantial damage and you don’t have the money to make necessary renovations. Just because it needs work doesn’t mean you can’t sell it. Many buyers today are looking for deals and may see potential in your home. So what to do? Here are a few tips when on the market: Leave brochures for new cabinets in the kitchen, color palette around the bedrooms. Create computerized images of what updates might look like. Secure bids from licensed contractors on necessary fixes and provide them to potential buyers. People may mentally overestimate the cost of a new roof, shower stall, drywall repair or fresh paint. Providing sample estimates will bring the home into clearer perspective. Work with your real estate agent to make the home as presentable as possible for the least amount of money. Nothing is going to attract people more than a lowered price. You will need to discount to gain an advantage over comparables in better condition. A down-and-out house doesn’t mean you’re stuck. With small repairs, research and practical pricing, you can turn that “Ugly Betty” into a sale.     2051 Geer Rd. Turlock, CA 95382 © 2015 BHH Affiliates, LLC. Real Estate Brokerage Services are offered through the network member franchisees of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Most franchisees are independently owned and operated. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Information not verified or guaranteed. If your property is currently listed with a Broker, this is not intended as a solicitation. Equal Housing Opportunity.