Credit Convalescence I know don’t know that there’s a firm rule of thumb out there — ultimately, individual lenders decide to make a loan or not based on individual circumstances — but there are some conventions as to how long it takes a would-be borrower to rehabilitate their credit after a short sale. The consensus?...Read More
Too-Good-to-be-True Real Estate Come-On’s Combine an (over)heated housing market, scarce inventory (at least at the lower price rungs), and a shaky economy in which lots of consumers have still-battered credit, and what do you get? Home-made signs (like the one to the right) on telephone poles promising would-be home Buyers their pick of hundreds of...Read More
How Well Does a Home “Show?” Savvy Sellers (and their agents) know that buying a home is an inherently emotional process. Accordingly, they take the necessary steps to make sure that — in Realtors’ lingo — the home “shows well.” In a nutshell, that means that the home is made to look as inviting as possible: everything...Read More
Location of Closing I paid for that mike! –Ronald Reagan, 1984 Presidential debate You’d think that the home seller — who’s invariably footing most of the closing bill, starting with the Realtors’ commissions — would get to choose where to hold the closing. But by convention, it’s the Buyer’s call. Why’s that? I’d guess it’s...Read More
Flying (& Mountain Climbing) Metaphors Pilots in turbulent weather will frequently announce to their passengers that they’re “climbing to 40,000 feet” or “descending to 30,000 feet” in search of a smoother ride. As a Buyer’s agent, I will point out to clients if moving up (or down) a rung in price makes sense (cents?). That...Read More
What’s That in Dog Years??* Some 60 year-olds act (and look) like they’re 45; others, like they’re 75. The same is true, kind of, for roofs. While a typical roof lasts 20-25 years, there are plenty of exceptions to that rule — at both extremes. Of course, it’s the roofs that wear out prematurely that concern...Read More
