For example, according to the Pending Sales Report, contracted home sales for this past month were 12.8% higher than they were at this time last year.  Additionally, the rates for this month are also significantly higher than they have been since the Homebuyers’ Credit was implemented in April 2010.  The report showed that this past month’s index stood at 101.4, which the NAR considers to be a “historically healthy” level.

As the Pending Home Sales Report shows, home sales have noticeably increased over this past month, giving evidence of a real estate market that is showing significant signs of improvement.  Danielle Windus-Cook Properties can help you take advantage of this prime time to find your ideal new home in the Rochester area.

Maximizing your home’s curb appeal is also essential if you are a potential seller because pictures can be a key means of attracting potential buyers to view your property.  In recent years, searching for real estate properties online has become more popular than ever before.  Today, over 88 percent of potential homebuyers begin their real estate search online, making pictures now more important than ever before.

There are several quick, simple, and cost-effective steps that any homeowner can take to improve their home’s curb appeal, whether you are planning to sell your home in the near future or just want to spruce up your home’s appearance.  For example, pressure washing your deck, siding, driveway, or walkway is a quick but effective way to improve your home’s exterior features.  Incorporating colorful plants and shrubbery, making sure your roof is in prime condition, attaching new and noticeable house numbers, installing attractive lights along your sidewalk or walkway, or even painting your front door are additional ways to improve your home’s curb appeal.

Danielle Windus-Cook Properties can answer any questions you might have about additional steps you can take to improve your home’s curb appeal.

One preliminary step you can take in preparation for your mortgage application is to collect and organize your financial documents.  These will include tax returns from the past two years, W2’s, 1099’s, K1’s, and at least a month’s worth of pay stubs.  It is also recommended that you review these documents and are well prepared to explain them to your lender.

Another step you can take is to accumulate, organize, and review your bank statements.  Most lenders require that you present bank statements from at least 3 months prior to your signed contract.  You should also be prepared to explain any large deposits you have recently made.  If you make any significant cash deposits, be ready to explain the deposit to your lender, who will likely require you to source it through a bill of sale or a DMV receipt, for example.

In relation to your credit, it is recommended that you run your credit with your loan officer and then review the results, correcting any errors you might find before you apply for a mortgage.  In order to ensure the best credit score possible, it is also wise to pay down balances to under 30% of available credit.

Danielle Windus-Cook Properties can answer any further questions you might have about mortgage applications and additional steps you can take to ensure a smooth and efficient mortgage application process.

One design tip is to incorporate planters around your patio, arranging them strategically around your space to create natural accents for your patio.  Another step you can take to freshen up your outdoor patio is to add vibrant, colorful plants around your patio to bring a pop of color to the space.  Outdoor furniture is another great way to prepare your patio for spring.  Lounge chairs, tables and umbrellas can help to make your patio ideally suited for entertaining this spring.  An outdoor kitchen is another way you can make entertaining and spending time outdoors more convenient and enjoyable as weather grows warmer and milder.

These are only a few simple steps you can take to prepare your patio for spring parties, barbecues, or entertaining.

For instance, Paul Diggle of Capital Economics, stated, “The increase in households’ confidence in the outlook for the housing market, coupled with a gradual improvement in the pace of economic recovery, should drive a rise in home sales later this year.”  A leading economist from Fannie Mae, Doug Duncan, commented,

“Conditions are coming together to encourage people to want to buy homes.  Americans’ rental price expectations for the next year continue to rise, reaching their record high level for our survey this month.  With an increasing share of consumers expecting higher mortgage rates and high prices over the next 12 months, some may feel that renting is becoming more costly and that homeownership is a more compelling housing choice.”

Moody’s director of housing economics, Celia Chen, stated that “The residential property market is recovering, as the factors underlying demand and supply strengthen.  Even after accounting for unusual seasonal patterns brought on by the unusually warm winter, conditions have not been this strong since the government ended homebuyer tax credits in 2010.”

Mark Vitner, the senior economist for Wells Fargo, also has an optimistic view for the real estate market this year.  He claims, “Existing home sales…are up 5.2 percent from a year ago…We are likely to see payback from increases earlier this year.”  Additionally, Mark Fleming of CoreLogic also adds that “since the peak in home prices, mortgage rates have declined and affordability has risen dramatically.  Housing affordability is at levels not seen since prior to the early 1990s.”

Danielle Windus-Cook Properties can answer any questions you might have about the current state of Rochester’s real estate industry, and can help you find your ideal new home during this prime time for homebuyers.

In her research, Isaacs found a number of strong ties between foreclosures and detrimental impacts on the children involved.  For instance, she states, “Families receiving foreclosure notices are much more likely to move than other families, and children who move frequently do less well in school.”  Additionally, Isaacs found that “homeowners receiving foreclosure notice are under a lot of financial and psychological stress,” which has the potential to be passed on to the children.  A key final point that Isaacs stressed in her report is, “Because foreclosures are often highly concentrated in certain neighborhoods, children living in or near foreclosed homes may suffer the consequences of living in neighborhoods with more vacant houses, higher crime rates, lower social cohesion, and a lower tax base.”

If you may be at risk of foreclosure, there are a number of options open to you, such as the National Mortgage Settlement.  Danielle Windus-Cook Properties can also answer any questions you might have regarding mortgages and foreclosures.

One simple step you can take to bring the beauty of spring into your home is to place flower or plant bouquets throughout rooms in your home.  Whether you chose to create a colorful collection of springtime flowers like peonies, roses and wildflowers, or small bouquets of white tulips, flowers can help create a cheerful atmosphere in your home that reflects the changes in weather outside.

You can also use creative table settings to bring a touch of springtime to your home’s interior.  From colorful placemats to vibrant flower arrangements, a fresh table setting can enliven your dining room for spring.  Another design technique you can utilize is to incorporate vibrant, colorful patterns into your living space.  Whether they be geometric or flower patterns, prints can easily be added to your home’s décor through pillows, slip-covers, rugs, or comforters and blankets.  Additionally, placing an emphasis on nature-inspired décor is a great way to welcome spring into your home, through simple ways such as wallpaper, curtains, pillows, wood accents, and artwork.

These are only a few simple steps every homeowner can take to incorporate the excitement and vibrancy of spring into their home’s interior décor.

According to the National Housing Survey, 80 percent of homeowners decided to invest in their own home because they believe it provides a good environment in which to raise their children.  Another reason given by 79 percent of Americans reveals that their desire for an environment in which their family can feel safe and secure.  Additionally, 74 percent of homeowners stated they bought their own home because they wanted additional living space than their previous residence allowed.  Finally, 70 percent of those surveyed invested in a home of their own in order to have the freedom to renovate and decorate their space however they wish.

These answers reveal the enduring value of homeownership to the American people, and the main reasons why they choose to own their own home.  Danielle Windus-Cook Properties can help you to make your American Dream a reality and to find your ideal new home in the Rochester area

One simple, quick change you can make to your outdoor living space is to incorporate bright, vibrant colors through chairs, tablecloths, umbrellas, and even plants.  Bringing a pop of color to your deck or patio is an affordable and easy change that is perfect for spring.  If you prefer a more natural setting in your outdoor space, you can instead choose to use outdoor furniture and plants of muted, neutral colors to complement your outdoor space’s natural features, whether they be a garden, a waterfall or fountain, or plants and foliage.

A screened porch or patio provides the perfect setting for homeowners to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about insects.  Another way to make cooking and entertaining outdoors more convenient for springtime is to create an outdoor kitchen in your home’s backyard or patio.  Fire pits, swings, and outdoor furniture also set a comfortable atmosphere for your family and friends to enjoy the pleasant weather springtime ushers in.

These are only a few quick and simple changes that homeowners can make to their outdoor spaces to create more inviting, vibrant outdoor settings and enjoy the warmer temperatures and beautiful weather of spring.

One fact to take into consideration is that you should not deposit cash into your bank account after applying for a mortgage.  This should be avoided primarily because lenders will be sourcing your finances, and cash is not easily traceable.  While deposits of small amounts are typically not an issue, making significant cash deposits is not advisable.  It is helpful to speak with your loan officer about the best way in which to track and manage your assets.

It is also recommended that you do not purchase large, expensive items such as cars or furniture.  This can create new debt, which brings along with it additional monthly obligations and qualifications.  Also, this potential new debt could make your loan a riskier investment for your lender, or even preclude you from qualifying for the mortgage.

Another action to avoid is changing bank accounts.  Because lenders will be sourcing and tracking your assets, maintaining consistent bank accounts can help ensure this process proceeds as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Additionally, it is advisable that you do not apply for new credit after applying for a mortgage.  Whether in the form of a new credit card or a new car, having your credit report evaluated by different sources can affect your FICO score.  A lowered credit score could lead to a higher interest rate for your mortgage, and could even potentially affect your eligibility for approval.

These are only a few key recommendations for potential buyers to take into consideration after applying for a mortgage.  Danielle Windus-Cook Properties can answer any questions you might have about your mortgage application process.