The Heat is On! Summer home selling tips.

The heat this summer in Tulsa, OK (and many other parts of the country) has been record setting. If you are selling your home here are some tips to make your house the one that buyers will remember... no matter how hot it gets!

Of course, the number one tip is, keep it cool! If you have a showing scheduled for your home, make sure it is an oasis for the buyers. They will want to stay longer if it feels good!

Brighten it up! Summer is the time for bright touches of colors and lots of light, not the heavy dark colors and closed drapes associated with winter. Add some splashes of summer colors with pillows and accents and open the drapes.

Make sure that it smells fresh! A light citrus smells is perfect for summer.

Clean! Clean! and Clean some more! A clean decluttered home is what buyers want to see. Put away personal hygiene items in the bathrooms and be sure the kitchen is spotless.

Even if your yard is turning brown, be sure that the landscaping near the entry looks fresh and green! Buyers will remember that first impression... dead flowers in a pot are not inviting.

Emergency Homeowners Loan Program EHLP (ELPH is on the way!)

Facing foreclosure or falling behind in your payments? The Department of Housing & Urban Development has a new program that is designed to provide eligible homeowners with up to $50,000 in an interest free loan to be used to help catch up on past due payments, delinquent taxes, unpaid mortgage insurance, etc. According to the HUD website, the program is designed to assist homeowners who have lost at least 15% of their income due to job loss, decrease in wages, medical emergency or other factors due to the economy. Applicants needs to be at least 3 months behind in their payments and the mortgage must be on their primary residence. Other restrictions include income limits, mortgage cost burden, and the ability of the borrower to resume payments. More information on restrictions, application process and deadlines can be found at www.nw.org under the Foreclosure Resources tab. The website indicates that the preapplication process will end July 22.

Baby It's Cold Outside...

1. Don’t forget the curb appeal! Keep the leaves cleaned up, add a colorful wreath to the door and if it snows, don’t forget to shovel a nice wide path!
2. Turn on the lights and open the blinds, the more light the better. Make sure the windows are clean, though!
3. Keep it warm! Buyers will spend more time in a warm house than in a cold house.
4. Clean and clean some more. Fresh paint, clean carpets and a spotless house are a key to a good showing in any season.
5. Add some splashes of color to brighten up your home, bright colored pillows or festive décor will make your home stand out.
6. A closed up house, especially one with pets, can get a little smelly! Make sure that yours smells great when buyers are coming! Vanilla and cinnamon are wonderful welcoming smells for buyers and you can never beat the aroma of fresh baked cookies.

Buying A Short Sale

BUYING A SHORT SALE

If you are long on time and patience and are hoping to get a good deal on your home purchase, the short sale market may be right for you. A short sale is when the mortgage holder is accepting less than full payoff of their mortgage in exchange for releasing the lien. By purchasing a short sale, you may also be helping keep a troubled homeowner from facing foreclosure. There are some things to consider before entering this market:

Know your market: Not every short sale listing is a good deal. Some properties have been so overmortgaged that even at a lower price than what is owed on it, it is still overpriced. It is important to know the values in the area and the condition of the property.

Work with an experienced real estate agent: There are a lot of potential issues in trying to purchase a short sale and an experienced agent can help you navigate them. It is important to know how along in the foreclosure process the property is and whether or not there are additional liens or encumbrances on the property that might prevent the sale.

Be prepared to be patient: The banks have been working to streamline their short sale processes, but it may take 3-6 months (or longer) to successfully purhase a short sale, and some of them may go back to the bank or go to sheriff's sale before approval can be reached.