How saving water and using green practices make a sale that much greener.

In the Midwest, we view water, if we think of it at all, as a given. Turn on the tap, it rushes out. Take a 10-minute shower, no problem. Water our expanses of grass, and the lawn is green. In comparison, water in our western states is a precious resource that is managed and even hoarded.

Maybe we should be more conscious of our water use before we too end up with precious little. Do you know…

• The amount of water leaked from U.S. homes is near one trillion gallons per year. And that 10 percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons of water per day.
• One person who leaves the water running while brushing their teeth once a day uses 2.68 gallons of water.
• Taking your car to the car wash is a water-saving idea. You could use up to 110 gallons of water washing your own car if you spend 10 minutes rinsing it at home. The automated car wash can do the job with 19-45 gallons of water. Another advantage–car washes must collect water and remove oil, grit, sediments and soap before sending the water to a municipal wastewater plant.
• Hundreds of gallons of water are wasted hosing off driveways. Use a broom and you’re also reducing water pollution. Water sprayed on a driveway combines with oil and antifreeze, then seeps into the water table.
• Many people in our world exist on three gallons or less of water per day. That’s one toilet flush here.

Check all the water-related systems, install low flow devices, replace rubber gaskets, inspect pipe connections and read your water bill. If it changes drastically from month-to-month, you’ve got a water leak somewhere.

By switching over to greener water practices, you’ll not only help save our generous water table, but you may find a little more green in your wallet come sale time.

Cooler months get buyers busy. Should you lock in that mortgage rate or wait until they go even lower?

Traditionally April, May, June and July are the best selling months for real estate. Buyers and sellers want to get settled in their new home before school starts, learn about their neighborhood and meet a few people on the block.  Certainly, we live in non-traditional times now and the real estate market has seen tremendous changes during the last four years. What factors are in play for us this spring?

Weather Cooler months and a sense of renewal are still high on buyers’ list. We’ve been fortunate that our spring has been a long one, despite our worries about what summer will be like.
Housing activity has been up this year, starting 2012 on a more positive note. Buying activity usually goes down during extremely hot and cold temperatures and our mild winter was a plus. More sellers see the opportunity for a sale and buyers are encouraged by affordable living.

Location We’re looking at micro markets now, especially in the Midwest. We’re in a good place. Pending home sales in the Midwest are up according to the National Association of REALTORS, and we are one of two regions that saw positive competed sales. We also have affordable housing prices, many entertainment, cultural and sports opportunities, plus excellent academic options, all attractive to people moving in to our area. We need to keep these advantages in mind when we look at our market.

Financing Interest rates are still low, an average of 4.25 percent for a 30-year-fixed rate and 3.42 percent for a 15-year fixed rate, but lending is still a tight situation. The best case scenario for a buyer is 20 percent down and a high credit score in this market. But, loans are available–rather than go with a mega bank that may well still be dealing with bad loans during the past few years, look locally. We have some exemplary regional banks, credit unions and independent mortgage companies that didn’t buy into the sub-prime disaster.

Now comes the big question–you’re pre-approved and have begun your home search. Should you lock in a rate now, or wait some more for the rates go lower? We think a lock is the best way to go. The federal government, which has helped to keep mortgage rates down, can’t do that forever. Sooner or later, rates will begin to climb again. And, 4.25 percent really is a good rate!

Trees help market homes as existing sales increase in the Midwest

Spring brings a feeling of renewal, the sense of possibilities and growth. We’re seeing that in the real estate market in the Midwest. The latest data from the National Association of Realtors show pending home sales in the Midwest increased more than other regions, with home sales up 6.5 percent in February compared to January of this year, and up 19 percent from 2011.

If you are preparing your home for sale, or beginning your search to buy, also consider this growth–trees. As important as the air we breathe­–in fact they provide a substantial amount of that air, absorbing tons of carbon dioxide and emitting clean oxygen–trees provide us with a spiritual sense of well being in addition to their job of improving air quality, conserving water, providing shade in the summer and as screens from the harsh winter winds.

And as a home seller or buyer, there are more reasons to value the trees on your property.

■ Home with excellent trees and landscaping can expect a sale price 6-7 percent higher than homes with substandard landscaping, according to a Clemson University study.

■ 98% of realtors believe that mature trees have a “strong or moderate impact” on the salability of homes listed for over $250,000 (83% believe the same for homes listed under $150,000), according to American Forests Magazine and Arbor National Mortgage.

■ Homeowners who landscape with trees can realize a 100-200 percent cost recovery, higher than bathrooms and kitchens, according to Money Magazine.

■ With summer coming on, try this on for size–the U. S. Department of Agriculture says the net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to 10 room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day.

What would our beautiful parks, streets, playgrounds and backyards be without trees? Not so beautiful or charming. Trees are vital to our health, wealth and happiness, believes State Forester Lisa Allen of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Keep that in mind when you plan your landscaping, take the kids to the park or look for the perfect romantic picnic spot. Where else, but under a tree.

Housing Affordability Index Hits Record High

Housing affordability conditions have reached the highest level since recordkeeping began in 1970, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

NAR’s Housing Affordability Index rose to a record high 206.1 in January, based on the relationship between median home price, median family income and average mortgage interest rate. The higher the index, the greater the household purchasing power.

An index of 100 is defined as the point where a median-income household has exactly enough income to qualify for the purchase of a median-priced existing single-family home, assuming a 20 percent downpayment and 25 percent of gross income devoted to mortgage principal and interest payments. For first-time buyers making small downpayments, the affordability levels are relatively lower.

NAR President Moe Veissi, broker-owner of Veissi & Associates Inc., in Miami, said this latest data underscores buyer opportunities in today’s market. “This is the first time the housing affordability index has broken the two hundred mark, meaning the typical family has roughly double the income needed to purchase a median-priced home,” he said. “For buyers who can qualify for a mortgage, now is a very good time to become a homeowner.”

NAR projects the affordability index for all of 2012 will be at an annual high, with little movement in mortgage interest rates or home prices during the year. “Housing inventory levels have declined to a point where conditions are becoming much more balanced in much of the country,” Veissi said. “If access to credit improves, we could see a much more meaningful increase in home sales and broader stabilization in home prices with modest gains in areas with stronger job growth.”

The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

You are selling a house, not a home. Remove yourself from the sale, de-personalize and hire an agent who works for you.

There are at least two equations in the real estate process–the seller and the buyer. Each approach a transaction with different criteria, but with the same end; an exchange of property. We’ve already covered what a buyer needs to know and now it’s time for our sellers to step up to a successful sale.

1. It’s not 2007 anymore. Get used to the fact that in today’s market your home most likely won’t sell for what you think it’s worth. Sellers, more than buyers, have an emotional investment in their homes. You’ve raised children there, become part of the community and spent a major part of your life in this house. That’s fine for you, but buyers want a good deal at a reasonable price, not memories (or at least yours). Keep in mind you are selling a house, not a home.
2. Choose a real estate agent wisely and listen. Gone too are the days when your agent only organized open houses and placed an ad for your home in the newspaper. We still do that, but we’ve learned how to adapt to the complicated real estate market now. You want an agent who will work for you and understands your geographic area. Seller’s agents market not only to buyers but their agents too. We’re current on what buyers want, the latest online tools and what buyers are looking for.
3. Your agent will provide you with comparables in your neighborhood. These are listings that compare your property with similar properties on the market or those that have sold recently. Comparables will help determine a reasonable price that will sell your house quickly.
4. Get a pre-sale home inspection. Buyers are pickier than ever and may jump on what they see as a deficiency. Keep in mind that buyers will also contract for their own home inspection and may use the results to get you to do renovations at your own expense as a condition on the sale. Stay ahead of the game with your own inspection. Repair what may be code deficiencies, address termite issues and get your heating and cooling systems inspected and serviced.
5. Update your house appropriately. More important than adding swimming pools and media rooms are fresh coats of paint (most buyers aren’t fans of brilliant primary colors); new kitchen and bath hardware and refinished hardwood floors. If your house has carpeting, check underneath for hardwoods. Remove the carpet and start refinishing.
6. Most definitely de-clutter. Please. Buyers want to see themselves in your house, not you. Once we had a buyer who was interested in a house, but the seller left a wall-full of family pictures. The visual clutter sent the buyer out the door immediately, unable to picture her family in the home. Box the personal items away and think of how they will grace your new home.
7. Staging is no longer a novelty. A stager can see how your furniture, or a lot less of it, will open space and lightness. She’ll also get those family photos off the wall. 95 percent of potential buyers begin their home search online. If their immediate reaction is negative, they’ll not pursue your house further.
8. Expect a lowball offer. That’s an undefined term, but it usually means the buyer is submitting an offer far below the asking price. Again, take your emotions out of the equation and remember you are selling a house, not your home. Lowball offers may open a dialogue between you and the buyer so the negotiations progress to an acceptable price. Pay attention to your real estate agent’s advice, the comparables in your neighborhood and decide if you want to proceed with the potential buyer or end negotiations.

The real estate market is beginning to show signs of growth just in time for spring

We’re headed into spring, the prime buying/selling season for real estate, accompanied by some upbeat news. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors came to town, bringing with him positive info about the national and local real estate scene.

The St. Louis region has upped home sales by 3.5 percent in December 2011 compared to December 2010. Yun is forecasting an even better 2012 with a four percent increase in home sales. Combine still low interest rates with low home prices, and that supports the best housing affordability conditions in 30 years. Yun also noted that existing inventory is shrinking and rents are rising.

Housing goes hand-in-hand with several other economic indicators, mainly the employment situation and the stock market. There is a modest jobs recovery–the national unemployment rate is around 8.5 percent while in St. Charles the rate is 6.6 percent–and we are feeling a bit more secure, enough to re-enter the stock market and consider investing less of a risk. This information was provided by the Economic Development Center of St. Charles County, a co-sponsor with the St. Charles County Association of Realtors.

Another bright spot–The January 2012 report from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau on new residential construction shows a 6.2 percent gain in building permits from January 2011 to January 2012 and housing starts rose 16.2 percent in the same time period.

The yearly gains are encouraging, but we’re still in a step-by-step recovery for both existing and new homes. A responsible, sustainable approach will create a stable real estate market to benefit buyers and sellers.

13 THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it..
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house.. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom - and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door - understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If yo u're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it athttp://www.faketv/.com/)

8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU: 

1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.
4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.
7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.
8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , and Kentucky ; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs http://www.crimedoctor.com/ and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job.