1. Disassociate Yourself With Your Home.
   • Say to yourself, "This is not my home; it is a house -- a product to be sold much like a box of cereal on the grocery store shelf.
   • Make the mental decision to "let go" of your emotions and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer be yours.
   • Picture yourself handing over the keys and envelopes containing appliance warranties to the new owners!
   • Say goodbye to every room.
   • Don't look backwards -- look toward the future.
2. De-Personalize.
   Pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms. Buyers can't see past personal artifacts, and you don't want them to be distracted. You want buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls, and they can't do that if yours are there! You don't want to make any buyer ask, "I wonder what kind of people live in this home?" You want buyers to say, "I can see myself living here."
3. De-Clutter!
   People collect an amazing quantity of junk. Consider this: if you haven't used it in over a year, you probably don't need it.
   • If you don't need it, why not donate it or throw it away?
   • Remove all books from bookcases.
   • Pack up those knickknacks.
   • Clean off everything on kitchen counters.
   • Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
   • Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.
4. Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets.
   Buyers love to snoop and will open closet and cabinet doors. Think of the message it sends if items fall out! Now imagine what a buyer believes about you if she sees everything organized. It says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well. This means:
   • Alphabetize spice jars.
   • Neatly stack dishes.
   • Turn coffee cup handles facing the same way.
   • Hang shirts together, buttoned and facing the same direction.
   • Line up shoes.
5. Rent a Storage Unit.
   Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Since your bookcases are now empty, store them. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room's purpose and plenty of room to move around. You don't want buyers scratching their heads and saying, "What is this room used for?"
6. Remove/Replace Favorite Items.
   If you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances or fixtures with you, remove them now. If the chandelier in the dining room once belonged to your great grandmother, take it down. If a buyer never sees it, she won't want it. Once you tell a buyer she can't have an item, she will covet it, and it could blow your deal. Pack those items and replace them, if necessary.
7. Make Minor Repairs.
   
   • Replace cracked floor or counter tiles.
   • Patch holes in walls.
   • Fix leaky faucets.
   • Fix doors that don't close properly and kitchen drawers that jam.
   • Consider painting your walls neutral colors, especially if you have grown accustomed to purple or pink walls.
     (Don't give buyers any reason to remember your home as "the house with the orange bathroom.")
   • Replace burned-out light bulbs.
   • If you've considered replacing a worn bedspread, do so now!
8. Make the House Sparkle!
   
   • Wash windows inside and out.
   • Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior.
   • Clean out cobwebs.
   • Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks.
   • Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
   • Clean out the refrigerator.
   • Vacuum daily.
   • Wax floors.
   • Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
   • Bleach dingy grout.
   • Replace worn rugs.
   • Hang up fresh towels.
   • Bathroom towels look great fastened with ribbon and bows.
   • Clean and air out any musty smelling areas. Odors are a no-no.
9. Scrutinize.
   
   • Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside? Does the house welcome you?
   • Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look to a buyer.
   • Examine carefully how furniture is arranged and move pieces around until it makes sense.
   • Make sure window coverings hang level.
   • Tune in to the room's statement and its emotional pull. Does it have impact and pizzazz?
   • Does it look like nobody lives in this house? You're almost finished.
10. Check Curb Appeal.
    If a buyer won't get out of her agent's car because she doesn't like the exterior of your home, you'll never get her inside.
    • Keep the sidewalks cleared.
    • Mow the lawn.
    • Paint faded window trim.
    • Plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together. Yellow evokes a buying emotion. Marigolds are inexpensive.
    • Trim your bushes.
    • Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number.

The Green Coalition will be hosting an event that not only benefits you but also the environment.  With Tri Products Inc., they will be doing FREE Electronic Waste Recycling on the days of October 30th and 31st from 9am - 3pm in the Ramona Bowl parking lot located at 27400 Ramona Bowl Rd., Hemet, CA 92544.  They will be accepting most types of electronic devices including Computers, Monitors, Printers, Scanners, Copiers, Phones, TVs, VCR/DVD players, Toner Cartridges, Power Supplies and more!  They will not accept however, Refrigerators, Washers and Dryers, Light Bulbs, Household Batteries or Hazardous Waste.  So come on down and help make a difference in your environment.

Also, if you looking to buy or sell your home Century 21 McDaniel & Associates is here to help you so give us a call today at (951) 652-0645 or (951) 925-7628.  We have agents who are always ready to help you here at Century 21 McDaniel & Associates the REO, Bank Owned, Foreclosure and Short Sale Experts!!!!

Today we will again be a discussion of the options you have if you are struggling with your mortgage payments and want to avoid foreclosure.  However, today's options are not things you can do to keep your home, today's are things you can do to avoid foreclosure and leave your home.  Remember the entire goal here is to avoid foreclosure and we cannot stress that enough.  There are only two options we're going to present to leave your home and let's go ahead and get started with them.

First, you may very well qualify for a Short Sale and what happens with a short sale is that you end up selling your home for less than the balance remaining on your mortgage.  If your mortgage company agrees to the short sale then once your home is sold you would pay off the entirety (or a portion of) the balance remaining on your mortgage.  The short sale option becomes relevant when you are unable to refinance or modify your mortgage, you're facing a long term hardship, you are behind on your payments, owe more than the home is worth or have not been able to sell your home for the price that would cover what you still owe on your mortgage.  Also some of the benefits of doing a short sale as opposed to letting your home go into foreclosure are that you eliminate or reduce your mortgage debt, you avoid the negative impact that foreclosure has on your credit score, you can start repairing your credit sooner than if you went into foreclosure and you may be able to get a Fannie Mae mortgage to purchase a home sooner than if you would have foreclosed.

The second option we would like to present to you is called Deed-in-Lieu and once again while not ideal it is preferable to foreclosure.  The Deed-in-Lieu is where the homeowner voluntarily transfers the ownership of the property to the owner of the mortgage in exchange for a release from your mortgage loan and payments.  This option is beneficial in that you eliminate or reduce your mortgage debt, avoid the negative impact of foreclosure, you may be eligible for relocation assistance, start repairing your credit sooner and if your loan is owned by Fannie Mae you may qualify for the Deed-For-Lease in which Fannie Mae would lease your home back to you instead of making you leave it.  Once you've qualified for the Deed-In-Lieu you are required to vacate the property and may be required to sign standard pre-closing documents as well as attend the closing.  Also, you will be required to leave the interior as well as the exterior of the home in good condition meaning debris, trash, personal belongings and damage must be removed from the property.

That will wrap up today's discussion of avoiding foreclosure.  Remember whether your looking to buy or sell we have an agent for you so give us a call!


Century 21 McDaniel & Associates

Last time we talked about just a few of the options that would allow you to work out your financial situation and retain your home.  These options, mind you, were the least destructive to your credit and are the most favorable options if you qualify for them.  However, you do not qualify for refinancing or repayment there is still hope and it lies in these next few options which take a litte bit more of a toll on your credit but they do help you keep your home and that is the goal we're shooting for with these plans.

The first option we'd like to talk about today is Forebearance.  This method is the most effective when being used for short-term payment relief including reduced income or temporary job loss.  What
Forebearance is is an agreement between you and your mortgage company to temporarily suspend or reduce your monthly mortgage payments for a set amout of time.  This allows you to take care of
your financial problems and bring your mortgage back current.  Of course the money that wasn't paid during the Forebearance must be paid back and there are also a few ways you can do this.  First, you can move the payments to the end of your mortgage thus lengthening the term of your mortgage, this is one way you can repay the money.  Second, you can always pay it off in a one time payment but depending on the length of the Forebearance this can be tough. 
Third, you can add a specific amount to your current monthly payment and pay it off similar to a repayment plan.

While Forebearance was a more agreeable option when you are facing a short-term hardship, there is also an option that is more well suited for long-term hardships and that one is called Modification. 
This option allows you to reach and agreement with your mortgage company to modify the original terms of the mortgage.  This may include lowering your monthly payment, lowering your interest rate or even increasing the length of the loan.  This can be helpful to giving you a new start and resolving the delinquency status you have with your mortgage company, though beware it will damage your credit, however not as much as a Foreclosure.

That will wrap up today's discussion.  Hopefully you are now well educated in the options allowing you to resolve your financial woes and retain your home.  Next time we wil be discussing options in leaving your home while still avoiding Foreclosure.  And remember if you or someone you know is trying to buy or sell a home we're waiting to hear from you!  Call us at (951)652-0645 or (951)925-7628

Sincerely,

Century 21 McDaniel & Associates

The REO, Bank Owned, Foreclosure and Short Sale Experts!

Let's face it, the current high stress economy has taken it's toll on just about everyone.  It's true, there's no shame in admitting it.  Of course what most people don't know is that there are ways of avoiding the loss of one's home and the complete destruction of their credit.  Century 21 McDaniel & Associates would like to enlighten you to some of the methods for staying in you're home and avoiding Foreclosure.

One of the very first options that should be considered is to Refinance your home.  With this option the homeowner is given an entirely new mortgage on their house.  This means the possibility of lowering your interest rates, your monthly payment or adjusting other terms of your loan to better provide you the with the means to stay in your home.  The other upside to Refinancing as opposed to the other options is that Refinancing has no negative effect on your credit whatsoever. 

A second option to help you stay in your home if you're drowning in past due amounts and late fees is to apply for a Repayment Plan.  This plan will help you make you mortgage current as well as resolve your delinquency.  The way this usually works is that the mortgage company will help you set up a plan where you pay back your delinquency over a set amount of time (e.g. 3, 6, 9 months).  This amount will be attached to your current mortgage payments.  This option is much less damaging to your credit than a Foreclosure though it does have a slightly negative effect on it.

That will conclude this discussion of options to stay in your home and avoid Foreclosure.  Next time we will have a couple more options to discuss with you that will allow you to avoid Foreclosure and retain your home.  Until then remember that if you're looking to sell your home Century 21 McDaniel & Associates is here to help you with a slew of agents always ready to assist you.  So call us today! (951) 652-0645 and (951) 925-7628.  Thank you everybody! Until next time!


Century 21 McDaniel & Associates

The REO, Bank Owned, Foreclosure and Short Sale Experts!

Unlike the not so distant past today's Real Estate world is laden with hundreds of tools at every Company, Broker and Agents disposal.  Websites once thought to be the playthings of the adolescent are now seen for their ever-growing use in the world of business and Real Estate in particular.  I mean think about it Real Estate agents need to list and sell people's houses and people are gathering on these websites more than ever before so why not take advantage.  In a world where social networking websites inform you of ones every action why not tell the person who's lounging by the pool, eating pizza and reading People magazine that "Hey!  I'm selling houses over here!  And I can sell yours too!"  The fact is that over 60% of Fortune 1000 companies are using some form of social media so it must be working right?  

Where billboards, benches and buses are still viable forms of advertisement we do have to take one fact into consideration and it's this: There is a limited supply of those forms of advertisement and they are likely to already be taken up by someone elses smiling face!  Whereas Facebook and Twitter well they aren't running out of room anytime soon and they are in fact supremely cost-efficient to mailers and door hangers.  If you're a new agent or company these very tools make it possible to get into markets that have been dominated for years because while people remember the dinosaurs that are phone books and fliers they just don't have time for them now that Facebooks and Twitters can in days do the jobs that these forms of advertising did in weeks to months.

At a time where saving minutes and your money are at a premium why drive around for hours looking at houses when you could direct somebody to your YouTube and give them a virtual walk-through of a house at a time that is convenient for both of you?  Why pay monthly fees for billboards when people are spending more time in front of a computer than they are in their cars?  While we can never disregard the tools of the past that have gotten us where we are today we certainly cannot ignore the modern tools that can make us better at what we do today.

That being said don't forget that we have agents waiting to help you sell your home so get a hold of us today at:

(951) 652-0645 and (951) 925-7628
www.c21mcdaniel.com
www.facebook.com/century21mcdaniel&associates

Sincerely,

Century21 McDaniel & Associates

The REO, Bank Owned, Foreclosure and Short Sale Experts!

Money's tight and everyone is struggling right now.  That's the story of the current economy, right?  Everybodies looking for those little ways to save a buck here and there.  Well at Century 21 McDaniel & Associates we would like nothing more than to find ways for you to save those precious dollars as well.  That's why when we hear about a program like the one Southern California Edison is offering we make it our first priority to tell you!

The fact is that 70% of the energy that is used in your home is to power your appliances and your refrigerator is taking up a whopping 18% of that energy.  If you're using an old,inefficient refrigerator, well then you're using even more.  That's why SCE is now offering a program to not only recycle your old regfrigerator for free, but when you recycle through SCE they will also give you a cool $50 for giving them the priveledge.  Want more?  If you go as far as purchasing a new ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator they will give you another $50 rebate!

All you have to do is schedule an appointment at either the SCE website, www.sce.com/pickup or call 1-800-234-9722, Monday-Friday between 7am and 6pm, or Saturday between 7am and 3:30pm.  So let's all keep cool and save some money today! Give them a call!

Looking for somewhere to keep that new refrigerator?  Well then give Century 21 McDaniel & Associates a call where we specialize in REO, Bank Owned, Foreclosure and Short Sales!  Whether you're looking to buy a new home or sell your existing one we have an agent that can help you today! So CALL!  (951) 652-0645 & (951) 925-7628

Sincerely,

Century 21 McDaniel & Associates

The REO, Bank Owned, Foreclosure and Short Sale Experts!

Today we'd like to talk about a few facts involving the two most popular types of common interest developments in California.  Condominiums and Planned Unit Developments (PUDs).  Both of these types of properties have a few key similarities as well as some key differences.

Some of the characteristics that are shared by these two types of property are:

- Common Ownership of private residential property

- Mandatory membership of all owners in an Association which controls use of the common property.

-Governing documents or CC & Rs which establish the rules all owners must follow in use of their individual lots as well as shared areas.

Now, what are the differences you ask? Well for one the owner of a Condominium owns 100% of the unit as defined by the Condominium Plan.  They also own a share in all common areas.  The PUD owner only owns the lot as shown in the Tract Map along with the structure and improvements.  However, they do receive rights and easements to use in the common areas.

Don't forget people the summer is the perfect time to sell your home!  So if you're looking to put your house on the market Century 21 McDaniel has an agent for you.  We excel in everything including REO, Bank Owned, Foreclosure and Short Sales, so give put you in your dream home today and give us a call!

Century 21 McDaniel & Associates

The REO, Bank Owned, Foreclosure and Short Sale experts!

One of the biggest goals here at Century 21 McDaniel & Associates is helping people sell homes.  However, it's not enough for us to just sell a home, we also strive to help you get the most you can out of your home.  That's why with some of these quick and easy exterior fixes you can vastly improve the curb appeal of your home. 

The addition of lighting can go great lengths in making people not only feel welcome but also safe and secure when visiting your home.  And for an even more eco-friendly experience go green when you install solar powered exterior lighting.  Save your piece of mind and your money by using solar lights.

If you really want to make your house stand above the rest don't forget to paint your doors.  Painting the garage the same color as the house can really help it blend, while painting the door the same color as your trim can really help your house stand out from the rest.

Clean the inside and outside of your windows.  Getting rid of this dust is a sure way to give your home a more lively feel.  The addition of shutters is not only a good way to maintain privacy but they are also a great way to brighten the look of your home.

A stone or curved pathway to the front door and to the gate are not only a fantastic way to save your grass but it also adds visual interest to any home.  This especially becomes true if it meanders through a little flower garden.

Last but not least adding a patio is one the most functional improvements you can make to the outdoor area.  Adding a retractable awning to your patio is also a great way to keep your patio in use during all seasons of the year.

Just these simple exterior fixes can help turn your property from a house into a home!

Sincerely,

Century 21 McDaniel & Associates

Your Hemet/San Jacinto REO, Bank Owned, Foreclosure and Short Sale experts!

Here at Century 21 McDaniel & Associates your REO, Bank Owned, Foreclosure and Short Sale experts in the Hemet/San Jacinto Valley we often come across questions concerning consumers damaged credit and what can they do to fix it? Even with a bad credit can I still take out a mortgage on a house?  What makes  my credit so important when it comes to buying a house?  Well here at Century 21 McDaniel we really want to help find that Hemet/San Jacinto home of your dreams so we've taken it upon ourselves to answer some of those questions for you through a series of blogs over the next couple of months.

Did you know that by mid 2008 lenders were approving fewer than 1 out of 4 applications from prospective buyers with bad credit.  A year earlier lenders were approving 2 out 3 applications with those same scores.

If your credit score is high enough you qualify for the lenders top rates and loans.  Lenders will be fighting for your business. On the other hand if your score is low or nonexistent you will enter a no-man's land where mainstream credit is all but impossible to come by.  If you do find anyone willing to loan you money you can expect to be hit with a high rate.  Even with a relatively bad or mediocre credit score it could cost you thousands of dollars over a lifetime.

Sometimes all it takes is a single missed payment to knock more than 100 points off of your credit score and put you in a lenders high-risk catergory.  This applies even more if you have already have a high credit score.

Paying on time, above the minimum due on credit cards will help to improve credit scores.  This causes creditors to offer more cards at better rates allowing you to spread your balance instead of maxing out cards.

Sincerely,

Century 21 McDaniel & Associate

Hemet/San Jacinto's REO, Bank Owned, Foreclosure and Short Sale Experts

A recent survey has found that an increase in Americans who have been waiting on the sidelines to buy a house are now preparing to enter the market in the near future.  Of about 60% of people moving into rentals about 24%  were previous homeowners only renting temporarily while researching homes for purchase.  Many of these were not foreclosure moves either.  Surveys show that consumers who moved due to foreclosure dropped by about 70% compared to those in a survey taken in February 2010.  Though the market is continuing to flux from month to month there is still a strong interest in consumers looking to purchase homes.  This coincides with the fact that property values in the last 12 month have seen a rise of 17% from an average of $180,000 to $210,000 in Riverside County, Ca.

Another topic we wanted to breach is a certain program in the Hemacinto Valley that continues to touch the lives of 100's of children.  There are a lot of great programs out there helping those in need right now, but one that has captured our attention is organized by the Assistance League of Hemacinto and it is called Operation School Bell. This program has been around for years now, helping clothe an average of 1,000 children a year! $120 can provide a child with 3 new pairs of clothes, underwear, socks, shoes, a backpack, school supplies and a bag filled with hygiene products. Come on people every child deserves with a clean set of clothes and the supplies they need to learn so open your hearts and get in touch with the Assistance League today at (951) 652-8307 or visit them at:

180 N. Girard St.
Hemet, CA 92544

Thank you everyone, every dollar really does help!

http://www.hemacintoassistanceleague.org/programs.shtml

I know, I know a lot of you hear Hemet and you say "Hemet, where on Earth is that?"  Well let me tell you where it is friends, it's right smack in the middle of everything!  Let's say that you enjoy the beach but you don't want to pay sky-high beach home prices well then Hemet is the place for you with it's moderately priced homes and quick freeway access without even living next to the freeway!  Too good to be true right? Well not if you live in the Hemet/San Jacinto Valley.  Maybe you're not a beach person, but you like spending time in the mountains instead.  Hemet/San Jacinto offers a glorious mountain view and manageable weather all year around while lying right at the base of Idyllwild.  Even after all of this you may not be into the outdoors at all, maybe your thing is shopping, restaurants and other social hangouts well you're still in luck because not only have Hemet/San Jacinto been expanding their shopping/eateries at a jaw-dropping rate but these beautiful towns are just a mere 30 minutes away from the Temecula Mall and Wine Country while offering equally gorgeous homes at lower prices.  Even Los Angeles and Orange county are a just a trip down the freeway!  But the difference is that in the Hemet/San Jacinto Valley you don't have to sacrifice you're air quality and you're time sitting in traffic.

So when looking for a new home if convenience, comfort, beauty and saving money are the things you desire well then you've heard it from us, the Hemet/San Jacinto Valley is the place for you!  We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Century 21 McDaniel & Associates

Your REO, Bank Owned, Foreclosure and Short Sale experts!

July 4th is just around the corner and how are your favorite Hemet, San Jacinto, Beaumont and Winchester Realtors celebrating it?  With the extension of the first time home buyers tax credit of course!

If you were in escrow as of April 30th, 2010 but failed to close escrow before the June 30th, 2010 deadline then we have good news for you!  Congress has passed an extension to those in escrow as of April 30th, 2010, you now have until September 30th, 2010 to close escrow and qualify for the first time home buyers tax credit! 

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN3027132920100701

Also this Fourth of July don't forget to check out the numerous REO, Bank Owned, Foreclosure and Short Sale properties we have listed all over the Hemet, San Jacinto, Beaumont and Winchester areas!

We look forward to assisting you with all of your home buying and selling needs over the holiday weekend.  Have a happy Fourth of July!

Welcome to the new website for Century 21 McDaniel and Associates, the leaders in REO and Bank Owned Real Estate in the Hemet, San Jacinto, Beaumont, Winchester and surrounding areas. 

As you may or may not know we've been the consistent leader in REO and Bank Owned properties in the Hemet, San Jacinto, Beaumont and Winchester areas and now we've streamlined our website to assist you in your home buying experience even further!

Be sure to check out our Featured Listings page which is constantly updated with a large number of REO, Bank Owned, Investment and Foreclosure properties all around the Hemet, San Jacinto, Beaumont, Winchester and surrounding areas.

Also don't forget to check out our new Blog!  We will be keeping you up to date with all the exciting real estate news concerning REO and Bank Owned properties in the Hemet, San Jacinto, Beaumont and Winchester areas.

For those of you interested in a career in the real estate business we have an entire page dedicated to giving you helpful information and a website to a school that specializes in real estate education!  If you are considering a career in real estate please use these tools and kick start your real estate career today!