Well it is that time of year again…from graduation to planning vacation – May is a big month!  This week’s article is all about managing stress.  Click on the link for more information

New Weekly Article – Secrets to Stress Relief

Happy Mother’s Day!  Spring weather in Albuquerque can be unpredictable.  But as we round the corner to June it is the perfect time to thing about living up your outdoor space.

Living in the desert we enjoy low humidity, few bugs and cool evenings – the ideal setting for outdoor entertaining.  This week’s article is all about outdoor decorating.  Enjoy and call me for dinner – I would love to see what you’ve done.

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New Weekly Article – Outdoor Decor

If spring brings on the itch of home improvement this weeks article may be just for you.  Click the link below for information on tips for your bathroom remodel.   New Weekly Article – Make a Splash

Let me help you with your spring clean up!!  April 21st to April 28th there will be a dumpster in the Vista Encantada parking lot!  We will also have a donation box for f gently used clothing and shoes to Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Be sure to stop in and say ‘Hello.”

This annual event is our way of saying thank you to our clients and friends for their business and referrals.

HAPPY CLEANING!!

Spring is here and time to pack away all your winter wear.  This weeks article is all about closets.  Check it out.  Closet Envy

Here are 6 Quick Tips to container gardening like a pro.

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New Weekly Article – Hot Pots

By Rob Chrisman

The “other shoe” dropped Monday when HUD announced that mortgage insurance for FHA loans will increase April 1, 2012 and again June 1, 2012. Mortgage insurance, similar to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guaranty fees, protect one party from the risks of the borrower becoming delinquent of going into foreclosure.

FHA loans have two tiers of mortgage insurance.

As FHA mortgage insurance exists today, there is an up-front mortgage insurance premium equal to of 1 percent of the loan’s amount. Upfront MIP can be added to closing costs, or borrowers can finance it by adding it to the loan amount.

There is also an annual MI premium that varies by loan type. For 30-year fixed rate mortgage, annual MIP is equal to 1.1% of  your loan size for LTVs of 95% or lower. For everyone else, annual MIP is 1.15% of the loan size.

Annual MIP is paid monthly. The formula is (Loan Size) * (MIP Rate) / (12 Months) =  Monthly MIP payment.

So what the does the FHA’s new mortgage insurance rates mean to FHA mortgage applicants?

Starting April 1, 2012, Upfront MIP for loans raises from 1.000% to 1.750% of the loan size. Annual MIP fees change, too, climbing by 10 basis across the board, and by an additional 25 basis points for loans between $625,500 and $729,750.

$729,750 is the largest FHA loan limit. It’s reserved for high-cost areas like the Washington, D.C. Metro area, New York City, and many parts of California.

If you think you’ll want an FHA loan for your next mortgage, the best way to avoid the new FHA fees is to have your FHA Case Number assigned before the new FHA MI premiums go into effect April 1, 2012. All existing FHA mortgages will use the “old” MI rates.

by THE KCM CREW on FEBRUARY 22, 2012

You may believe that selling your home is impossible in today’s market. You may feel powerless to the process. What could YOU possibly do to turn this housing market around? There is no doubt that today’s real estate market is extremely difficult to navigate. However, we want you to know that thousands of homes sold yesterday, thousands will sell today and thousands will sell each and every day from now until the end of the year.

It is totally within your power to guarantee that your house will sell even in the current market.

“How?”, you ask. Let’s look at the simplicity of the famous Serenity Prayer and apply it to selling a home in today’s real estate market.

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”

Accept the things you cannot change

The two main reasons that the housing prices have softened:

1. the current economy

2. the inventory of distressed properties (foreclosures and short sales)

As an individual homeowner, there is no way for you to impact either of those two situations. The best think-tanks in the country are struggling to discover solutions.

Have the courage to change the things you can

There is not a vacuum of buyers in the market. There is a vacuum of homes a buyer in today’s market will purchase. Let us explain: could you sell your home today for $1? … $1,000 … $10,000? Of course you could. There are plenty of buyers in the market for a home they consider priced correctly. You have to decide what the correct price is for your home if you truly want to sell. If you want your house sold, you must list it at a price a buyer will pay for it. Not a buyer from 2006 but today’s buyer who has plenty of homes from which to choose.

It will take courage to sit with a real estate professional and honestly decipher the true value of your home. If you want to sell, you must have that courage.

The wisdom to know the difference

We all realize that the economic situation will take some time to correct. If we want to wait for prices to return to 2006 levels, we will probably have to wait for 5-7 years.

Look at the reason you decided to sell in the first place and decide whether the extra money you would get from the sale is worth that wait. Is money more important than being with family? Is money more important than your health? Is money more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should?

This is where your wisdom must kick in. You already know the answers to the questions we just asked. You have the power to take back control of the situation by pricing your home to guarantee it sells. The time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire. That is what is truly important.

Spring is just around the corner which means great weather for entertaining friends and house guests.

If you are looking for new and delicious brunch recipes click on the link below:

New Weekly Article – Brunch Recipes