YouTube – Terrel Hills TX March 21, 2011.avi.

Krishna Perkins, ABR, SFR, New Home Certified

How to short sale is burning question for many home owners in this market. Many owners realize that just letting go of a home is an even bigger disaster for them. I will give you a couple of quick tips to navigate through a successful short sale. First if you are a home owner who has simply lost value in your home and not had a life changing event that has hampered your ability to keep up with your mortgage i.e.. job loss, reduced pay, loss of a spouse, etc. A short sale may not be an option for you. Call a certified short sale agent to discuss further.

Step one- Collect all notices from your bank

Step two- Collect all financial documents; pay check stubs, bank statements, wills, tax returns

Step three- Prepare a letter of explanation to your mortgage lender stating the reason you are behind and need a short sale.

Step four- Contact a licensed Realtor that has short sale training. Don’t worry you wont have to pay them for their services. The bank will cover the commission earned in the short sale.

Remember for a successful short sale to happen you have to have your documents ready to go. A short sale can be a long process but in the end can save you from years in damage to your credit. Agents with training in short sales can be identified with the SFR designation after their names. This stands for Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource.

Krishna Perkins, ABR, SFR
www.sahomelocator.com

Water saving landscapes can be a hot selling feature especially when you live in an area susceptible to drought. We have just come out of a record setting summer in San Antonio for 100 degree heat in 2009. With dead lawns, sky rocketing water bills and fines reaching hundreds of dollars, more eco-friendly lawns are catching on here. Drought resistant plants (AKA xeriscaping) need less water and can add lasting beauty to your home. When considering the best plants for your home, visit your local nursery or visit the saws website for tips and links to more water saving landscape ideas.

Krishna Perkins

Home owners’ insurance should be among your top priorities when searching for a home. Your monthly payment will be determined by many factors. Be sure to shop around for an insurance provider with a good rating and the coverage you need. Don’t forget to consult with your insurance company early when you find a home. Your insurance company can tell you if there have been any recent claims on a home that could effect your decision to make the purchase. Also a big concern for the San Antonio area is flooding. We have flood zones all over and they do change from time to time. Flood insurance is not included in a regular policy and can be very expensive.

Current home owners can also benefit by shopping around since rates change every year and switching companies can save. In fact I’m going to switch my policy this year. Yikes! I’ve been over paying.

Visit The Texas Department of Insurance to compare companies

Krishna Perkins

Termite inspection is often a forgotten expense buyers face and neglect on a regular basis. Just recently I noticed some termites in my own bathroom sink! They had come out of the wall behind my mirror and fell into the sink. I later found out that they were coming in through the plumbing. It’s a miracle I found them before they could do more damage. The home had a previous inspection before we bought it and there were no termites at the time. However, it did have previous treatments for termites before the inspection.

My pest control tech explained to me that there was a recent spike in activity due to the rain we just had. Here in San Antonio we have Subterranean termites. Subterranean termites will start swarming in the spring usually, but when in a drought you are more likely to see them after some much needed rain comes in, so keep your eyes open. They can come through plumbing space in the slab or shifting cracks.

Don’t let termites go unchecked. An inspection for a buyer can start around $100. Extreme damage can cost thousands. Don’t be affraid to ask for a discount or shop arround. If you own your home many pest control experts will give you a free inspection and only charge for the treatment. Treatment can be around $350 depending on what needs to be done and what type of home you have. After each termite inspection or treatment, pest control will leave a sticker under the kitchen sink (it’s the law). Also termite reports, if available, will be listed on a seller’s disclosure notice when a house is listed for sale. This information will serve you in looking for future termite activity in problem areas.

For detailed pictures and descriptions of termites click here.

Krishna Perkins ABR, SFR

Covenant Partners
http://www.sahomelocator.com