Latest Articles by ngleason

Sell Your House - Finance It!

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Ever thought about seller financing? It does not always work out that a buyer will connect with a seller that can afford to offer seller financing, but there is always the chance that it is worth asking. There are even a couple of new web sites that will assist you in setting it all up.

However, there are risks involved with this sort of sale, even though they can also be very successful, so why would anyone want to become involved?

One of the deciding factors will be how badly you want to sell your home and how much mortgage is owing on it. It is fairly difficult for sellers to find prospective buyers at the moment and it is also difficult for buyers to find financing. This means that the financial climate is right for both parties to try and find a solution outside the norm. However, you will need a very low mortgage or, ideally, no mortgage at all, to be able to follow this route.

Often prospective buyers will go and look at a home that is offering seller financing whereas they may not normally bother to become involved with house-buying. Looking at a home that you may have the chance of buying is more encouraging than just viewing homes and hoping that you can get financing.

A prospective buyer will be more responsive to the pleasing aspects of a home that they feel they could actually own. They may have even given up looking if they are struggling to get financing, so the offer of seller financing could draw them back into the market.

If you are leaving the country or for whatever reason, you simply have to sell your house and do not need the lump sum of cash to pay off your own mortgage on the house, this could be one option that you could investigate. You will definitely need the help of a good real estate agent and a good lawyer, both of whom need to be experienced in seller financing.

There are many options that you can choose from if you are thinking of this solution. As the seller, you will be calling most of the shots; this is because you own the investment (property) and therefore you are taking most of the risk.

How much risk you take will depend on your choice of finance plan. The buyer can also negotiate certain aspects of the plan with you, for instance the type of plan, the number of years, the down payment and the interest rate, to name but a few.

It must be reiterated that you DO need to have experienced professional personnel on board in a deal like this. Having said that, here are a few of the options that you can draw up in a seller financed sale.

The buyer can give a legal Promissory Note and the seller will carry a mortgage for the sale price of the house. This is sometimes called an All Inclusive Trust Deed (AITD).

The buyer puts a down payment on the house, receives the deed and the seller will arrange to hold a mortgage on the remaining balance.

There is also a system that uses the lease option or lease purchase, also known more commonly as 'rent to own'. The most popular way of doing this is for the buyer to rent the home for a set period, during which time it may be agreed that some of the rental portion may be used against the future house purchase. Once the lease/purchase period is up, the buyer will have hopefully arranged a loan to buy off the rest of the property.

There is also the equitable title system of financing, where the buyer shares the title with you but the seller retains the deed. A contract is then put into place in which the buyer makes payments to the seller, at the end of the full pay out of the purchase price, he is given the deeds. The contract can be written up to allow the buyer to keep paying a monthly sum or to have the opportunity to pay down - or pay off - the mortgage.

All of these options mean that you will be receiving more cash for your home than the asking price. This is because whoever carries financing (in this case - you) will also be charging interest that is payable to them each month. In this respect you can find yourself 'better off' by becoming a private financier, as long as you and your lawyer draw up a contract that is water-tight. Get his opinion on the contract in writing by email or letter.

Water-tight means that if the new buyer reneges on the contract at any time, it reverts back to being your private property. You do not want to have a contract where you have to go to court to evict the unhappy new 'owner' and have to rely on a judge to make the decision of whether this is an appropriate action.

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Nancy and Craig Gleason are real estate agents with expertise in Chautauqua Lake Real Estate. For detailed Chautauqua Institution Real Estate listings or information on other Chautauqua County areas, contact Nancy or Craig with Real Estate Advantage.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Container Gardening Extravaganza, Part 1

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Well, there is a big story about house sales increasing - only it is not really news because it always happens at this time of the year. However, it does remind all home owners that if you want to sell your home now is the best time to do it.

Presentation of the front of your home is important, but with a chilly start to the year there are not many plants peeping through yet. One artistic way to dress up your front is to use containers pots. It's okay that some of them are expensive, as you can take them with you when you go and have instant plants in your new house!

Container gardens also look good on the deck, so here are a few reminders to help you to get the best looks from your pots. The first consideration, of course, is the pot itself. While the plain terra cotta pot will lend itself to most 'looks', there are certain styles that bring a look with them.

For instance, if you choose white pots on a stem rather like the Grecian statue look, then you will probably have to buy this style of pot for the whole grouping of pots. Some can be elevated on white stands of different heights that are usually formed like Greek columns, and the odd Greek statue will not go amiss!

This is a rather sophisticated look, and it is also limiting so if you like more choice, think about the ceramic glazed pots. These come in rich blues and greens - in fact all colors. To elevate some of these pots you can buy extra pots and turn them upside down to make a figure eight shaped stand. (Stand the same color pot on the same color upside-down pot for unity.)

These will often come in sets of three and may come on sale around springtime. If they do come on sale, hurry along to buy them as they usually go fast. Now we come to the grouping plan. Many of us will be arranging these pots on our deck, so a corner is a good spot for that, but whether they are going to stand on your porch, deck or yard, the grouping will follow the same formula.

If you do not want to use a corner then choose a spot, perhaps backing up to your deck railings or house wall. Arrange the pots in a certain order if you have one in mind or try this idea:

From three sets of three ceramic pots, the biggest three will be approximately eighteen inches tall, the middle three will be approximately fourteen inches tall and the smallest three will be ten inches tall.

You will also need an eighteen inch block to stand a big pot on, and a nine inch block to stand another big pot on. As you are facing your pots, your left hand will refer to the left side of the grouping and the right hand will be the right side.

I suggest you draw a sketch of this so that you can follow a visual plan (sorry I can't!). Here goes: the eighteen inch block is at the back of the group and a large pot stands on it. Directly in front of this but moved over slightly, say six inches to the left of it, stand another large pot on top of the nine inch block.

The third large container will also be in front of the back one slightly to the right hand side, nestled between the two pots and this third pot will be standing on the floor (i.e. not raised.)

At this point you have one pot at a height of 36", one at a height of 27" and one standing on the floor at 18" high; so each oif these large pots are at staggered heights. The choice of plants, shrubs etc is also important but that is in part two of container gardening extravaganza, so for now, back to the pots!

We upturn one fourteen inch pot to use a stand and place a matching fourteen inch pot on top of it. This duo is positioned on the left between the back pot and the pot on the nine inch block. This will mostly hide the larger block.

The remaining fourteen inch pot and one ten inch pot will stand side by side in the very front of the nine inch block, to disguise it. One ten inch pot will be placed on the far right hand side of the large container standing on the floor. The last pot is your choice and depends if you want the arrangement to be a longer shape or a deeper shape.

The final touch I would suggest is that you add a decorative extra: buy a large flat glazed bowl about 12" diameter. Choose one that matches or complements your pots and fill it with water. You can be sure to always have some foliage in it by going to the local fish-tank shop (aquarium) and buying a few fish tank greens for a dollar. When you have company just toss in a few floating flower heads for effect.

It is possible to economize on pots if you can be clever with your arrangement of them. For instance, pots will often be grouped with some taller ones at the back, and this is where you can economize.

The back pots are mostly hidden by the front pots except for a few inches below the rims; if you can camouflage this by using trailing plants then you can just buy cheap pots for here, if you need to economize. However, it is not always easy to ensure the plants permanently camouflage the pots.

Right, now that the pots are placed, let's move onto to the plants. For this you will need to read Container Gardening Extravaganza, Part 2.

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Nancy and Craig Gleason are real estate agents with expertise in Chautauqua Lake Real Estate. For detailed Chautauqua Institution Real Estate listings or information on other Chautauqua County areas, contact Nancy or Craig with Real Estate Advantage.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Home Investing In NY

Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500

As the home investment craze sweeps the nation savvy investors are continually looking for the next best real estate deal. Investors in the Northeast know that the Upstate area of New York is a market that always pays off. The Upstate area is a hugely popular vacation destination with a huge demand for vacation and short-term rentals. This has created a need for quality homes by interested investors and due to this need the art of home investing is alive and well in Chautauqua Lake.

The first thing that an investor should consider when thinking about an investment in Upstate, NY real estate is whether they will be renting the home themselves or attempting to flip the home to another buyer or investor. Either way there are likely some changes that you will want to make to the home to make it perfect for renters or attractive to other buyers. The basics are a great place to start with upgrades. Things like new appliances really catch the attention of buyers and renters alike. Not only do cutting-edge appliances make the kitchen (in particular) look great but if you are renting the property yourself, they can save you money as new appliances are more energy efficient than older models.

Cleanliness is a major point of import for sales and rentals alike. It is hard to grab the attention of investors or clients in any positive way if the home is unkempt or messy. Also, the home should be in the exact condition that you advertise it in for sales or rentals. The last thing you want is people arriving to view or stay and finding something other than what they were expecting. Homes that aren't as they appear in ads can bring unwanted negative attention and reputation to a property.

The principles of curb appeal apply to both rentals and home sales. Both areas of investment rely on portraying as attractive an image as possible. Both buyers and renters want to be impressed with what they see on their first glance. However, if you are selling the home, curb appeal becomes even more important as buyers can be hesitant to spend a large sum of money on a property that does not impress them at first sight. Take the time to think about what your market is when purchasing a home. If you plan for each eventuality then there should be no surprises when the time comes to market the property.

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Craig Gleason is a lifelong resident of the Chautauqua Lake area. Craig and his wife Nancy are realtors who specialize in Chautauqua Lake real estate and properties in the Chautauqua Lake area. For more information on this amazing areas homes, contact Craig & Nancy today or visit us online at http://www.chautauquarealestate.com/

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Buying Pre-Planning

Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500

So you are ready to purchase a home! Congratulations, you are about to embark on a financial journey that has the ability to be the safest and most prosperous investment that you will ever make. For years home purchases have been seen as one of the most desirable investments due to the fact that once the home is purchased, it continues to make money for the owner. Equity is a powerful thing that can enable you to purchase other properties and grow your wealth. In order for this to happen, you need a game plan for your purchase. A step-by-step plan that is designed to make the purchase process easier and eliminate any chance of error.

Before you start the home shopping you will need to arrange your finances. The amount of money you have to work with will depend largely on the state of your credit. If you have damaged credit then its advisable to get a detailed copy of your credit report and attempt to fix any issues that are outstanding. These items can reduce the amount you are eligible for in a home loan and if serious enough disqualify you from eligibility. Once these matters have been cleared up (if necessary) continue with your mortgage shopping. Finding the right mortgage is an important things as it will dictate your financial picture for the foreseeable future. Under normal borrowing circumstances the fixed rate mortgage will be the most attractive as it offers a non changing monthly payment at an interest rate that will stay the same for the duration of the loan. Once you have been fully approved it is time to start home shopping. Don't skip the approval step as buying with a pre-approved mortgage gives you pull in any bidding situation. Home sellers are looking for the sale that will go off without a hitch and dealing with people who don't have their mortgage secured is a hassle that most will try to avoid.

Take the time to search your chosen area completely, weighing each available home in turn. such a large purchase is not something to be rushed. There is nothing quite like finding that perfect home and having the security and financing to purchase it.

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Craig Gleason is a lifelong resident of the Chautauqua Lake area. Craig and his wife Nancy are realtors who specialize in Chautauqua Lake real estate and properties in the Chautauqua Lake area. For more information on this amazing areas homes, contact Craig & Nancy today or visit us online at http://www.chautauquarealestate.com/

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Beautiful Chautauqua Lake Real Estate

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Upstate New York is one of the most popular of the destinations in the Northeastern region. A country of beautiful lakes and rolling hills, the Chautauqua Lake area is renowned for its stately homes and excellent style of life. There is much to offer any new home owner in this area, as well as visitors and vacationers.

The Chautauqua Lake area is bordered by Lake Erie and has Lake Chautauqua as the centerpiece. This beautiful area has more than 1,500 square miles of amazing lake-modeled land . This area is also home to some simply amazing homes and properties. Like much of Upstate New York, properties in this area tend to be on the larger side, and combine lake front living with land parcels of up to 5 or more acres. The Chautauqua Lake area is possessed of a real country feeling that is far different from the busting atmosphere of the southern area of the state. In fact, the Upstate area is a favorite retreat of city dwellers and has been for many years. This has always been a place that is famous as a great location for vacation homes, and the entire area truly comes alive during the summer months.

This charming town is also the home of the Chautauqua Institution. The institution is a historic summer resort and during the summer months over 7,500 summer residents and some 140,000 daily visitors take part in seminars, summer courses, theater, symphony, and ballet. This area is truly a cultural center and provides more things to do and see than your average town. It is for this reason that Chautauqua is so widely known as a nexus for education and culture.

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Craig Gleason is a lifelong resident of the Chautauqua Lake area. Craig and his wife Nancy are realtors who specialize in Chautauqua Lake real estate and properties in the Chautauqua Lake area. For more information on this amazing areas homes, contact Craig & Nancy today or visit us online at http://www.chautauquarealestate.com/

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Staging Your Home In Winter

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Staging your home is a very important step in the selling process. Now, under the best circumstances you should be able to stage your home and yard in good weather during the spring and summer months. Unfortunately that is not always the case. Sometimes it is necessary to stage your home in more adverse weather conditions. Those who live in the eastern U.S. can relate to the fact that sometimes the weather gets a little...disagreeable. But that is not reason to close down the selling of your home, in fact; it could be a great opportunity.

Staging your home in snow and other extreme weather conditions gives you an opportunity to show how welcoming and warm your home can be, even if is snowing and windy outside. As with any staging, take the time to do the preliminary cleaning in order to give yourself a nice base to work from. Now, there are some definite concerns for the exterior of the home that relate to the weather. Snow and ice can cause some unnecessary accidents so be sure to keep a good supply of de-icer on hand for the sidewalk, driveway and front walk. Also make sure that these walks are clear of obstructions that could cause an accident for any viewers.

Now you have the task of making the interior as inviting as possible. Warmth is a great place to start. If the home has fireplaces then light them up, if there are no fireplaces; make sure that the temperature is warm and welcoming. A cozy home will encourage viewers to stay a bit longer and explore the home more. Another powerful tool in the stagers arsenal is scent. Scent is one of the most powerful of the human senses and having pleasant aromas in a home during the selling process can help to put people at ease, favorites are things like cinnamon, vanilla or fresh baked cookies. It also may be in your best interest to have some plastic boot covers at the door. If viewers have been to a few homes, they may tire of taking their shoes on and off. Having some waterproof boot covers will make things easier on them and keep your floors in good condition.

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Craig Gleason is a lifelong resident of the Chautauqua Lake area. Craig and his wife Nancy are realtors who specialize in Chautauqua Lake real estate and properties in the Chautauqua Lake area. For more information on this amazing areas homes, contact Craig & Nancy today or visit us online at http://www.chautauquarealestate.com/

Source: http://www.articletrader.com