Buying a Home • Home • Uncategorized • January 17, 2018

What is the difference between a Short Sale and a Foreclosure

by Windermere K-2 Realty, LLC

As unfortunate as it can be when homeowners fall behind on mortgage payments and must face the possibility of losing their homes, short sales and foreclosures provide them options for moving on financially. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually quite different, with varying timelines and financial impact on the homeowner. Here’s a brief overview.

A short sale comes into play when a homeowner needs to sell their home but the home is worth less than the remaining balance that they owe. The lender can allow the homeowner to sell the home for less than the amount owed, freeing the homeowner from the financial predicament.

On the buyer side, short sales typically take three to four months to complete and many of the closing and repair costs are shifted from the seller to the lender.

Short Sale vs Foreclosure

On the other hand, a foreclosure occurs when a homeowner can no longer make payments on their home so the bank begins the process of repossessing it. A foreclosure usually moves much faster than a short sale and is more financially damaging to the homeowner.

After foreclosure the bank can sell the home in a foreclosure auction. For buyers, foreclosures are riskier than short sales, because homes are often bought sight unseen, with no inspection or warranty.

Community • Home • Moses Lake Relocation • January 3, 2018

Modern Architecture in Moses Lake

by Windermere K-2 Realty, LLC

I don’t know about you but the one thing that I wish Moses Lake had more of is Modern Architecture. There is something about the clean lines that speaks to my OCD. Looking through these articles and seeing all these beautiful homes make me wish we had a builder in town who did more modern homes. Are you a fan of clean lines or would you rather stick with the craftsman style?

Houzz Tour: New Midcentury-Inspired House Opens Up to Ocean Views

Community • Great things about this little town • Uncategorized • December 12, 2017

Why Community Involvement from your Agent Should Matter to You

by Heather Adkinson

Free Masks During Fire Season

Kandi Bersanti winning 2016 Community Involvement Award

This is a topic that is close to my heart. The more involved I get in the Moses Lake Community the more I see, especially this community, how much we need people to get involved. We want to have a community that everyone wants to belong to, we want to feel that what we do matters to this community. With Windermere’s emphasis on community and core values we are able and expected to be out in the community making it a better place to live for you. Every time you use a Windermere agent you are saying that community matters and that businesses that contribute are important to you. Here we are as a company making a living off of those that live in our community and those who choose us, there should be a level of expectation from you that the business will in turn contribute in a positive manner to the place that you live. Look at those you do business with in the community and pay attention to those that you see out doing good and understand and see where their companies heart truly lies. What are they doing to help make this place better?

This year we were able to contribute thanks to you to:

Grant County Homeless Task Force

Moses Lake Canine Program

Moses Lake Museum and Art

Community Family Services

Grant County 4-H & FFA Sale

Boys & Girls Club

Moses Lake Booster Club

Community Services of Moses Lake

Columbia Basin Allied Arts

Big Bend Intervention Fund Donation

Windermere Shred Day

This list is not inclusive of all the committees we are involved with and individual donations we all make as agents. We at Windermere THANK YOU for allowing us to do what we do.

2017 Donation Tree to Habitat for Humanity

Home • Home Improvement • Safety • December 5, 2017

Home Security

by Heather Adkinson

Every 23 seconds, a house is burgled in the United States, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Each break-in costs home owners an average of $2,200 in stolen personal goods and possessions.

A $250 to $700 home security system can provide a powerful deterrent: it sends the message that your house won’t be an easy target, and gives crooks a strong incentive to pick another place.

How a home security system works

A home security system works like this: a keypad in your house’s entryway communicates with sensors and motion detectors around the home. The brain of the system—the control panel—is installed in the attic or utility room.

If an intruder breaks a window or kicks in a door:

The sensor sends signals to the control panel, which typically uses your phone line to contact an off-site monitoring station.

Simultaneously, it sets off an ear-splitting siren within the house.

Staffers call the house immediately and ask for a password.

If there’s no response, or if the person who picks up the phone gives the wrong password, monitors will notify the police.

Types of installers

Once you’ve elected to invest in a home security system, you’ll need to decide whether to go with a national installer or a local company. Security experts recommend choosing a company with at least ten years’ experience. Either way, you’ll spend $35 to $75 per month on monitoring fees.

National firms boast that their call centers are fully redundant, which means if a center in Oshkosh loses power, the Vancouver center will pick up the slack.

Local installers are going to be close by, and those companies have an incentive to do a great job in order to maintain their reputation in the community.

Full service companies—ones that operate and control all aspects of your home security system, from installation to service and monitoring—generally provide good personalized care and attention to detail.

Before you sign a contract:

Talk to neighbors who own a home security system about their installer; if you’re new in town, ask firms for letters of reference.

Choose a company that offers 24-hour repair service.

Finally, educate yourself online before making a call; websites such as www.alarmsystemreviews.com offer useful information about home security systems.

Great things about this little town • Moses Lake Relocation • Things to do • Uncategorized • November 29, 2017

Moses Lake Agriculture Parade

by Heather Adkinson

The Moses Lake Ag parade has been a staple in this Agriculture town for over 20 years now. Started in 1995 by Sue Tebow this year she will be honored with the title “Grand Marshall” of this yearly parade.

This parade, on December 1st, filled with lighted tractors, farm equipment, and community merchants, is a perfect accompaniment to the close ties that we share with Agriculture here in the Basin. If you’ve lived here long enough we all know and have been helped in some way by the local farmers and their contribution to the community. Just look towards the lighted corridor on I-90 through Grant County and you will see their willingness to make the holidays brighter even for those driving back and forth across the state. Farm land ablaze with Christmas characters for miles keeps us all entertained in those long hours of driving.

This parade honoring our local farmers will begin in Sinkiuse square at 5:00 pm. The local stores will remain open for shoppers and on the streets you will find toasted marshmallows, hot chocolate, fresh made mini doughnuts and best of all FREE french fries donated by Simplot. In addition to the food there will be local dance and singing talent organized by Dale Roth in the square. Lighted parade will begin at 7:00.

All of this is put on and hosted by the Moses Lake Business Association as they strive to supply this city with a thriving downtown community where local residents can enjoy the local food and fare. Come join us, bundle up warm, as we pay tribute to the industry that keeps food on our table. We could not do it without all the help from this giving community.

Home Improvement • November 21, 2017

Five secret weapons for DIY projects

by Heather Adkinson

Are there DIY projects that have been lingering on your to-do list for too long because you’re dreading the trip to the hardware or craft store? There are some projects you can tackle with items that are almost certainly already in your home.

1. Vinegar: There’s probably a jug of vinegar in your pantry right now. You can soak items in vinegar to remove mineral deposits (like in a clogged showerhead), and you can boil vinegar in your microwave to remove odors and make it easier to clean.

2. Cola: A can of Coke or Pepsi can be used to clean many surfaces, including your glass windows, porcelain toilet, or chrome fixtures. Just do some research before using it on metal surfaces, as it can be corrosive.

3. Baking soda: This item may actually be more useful for applications other than baking. A baking soda-vinegar paste is great for cleaning bathrooms and kitchens. Baking soda can also be used to absorb odors.

4. Butter knife: Screwdrivers are easy to misplace. If can’t find a screwdriver when you need one, a butter knife—preferably an older one that you no longer need for table setting—is pretty effective for both Phillips- and flat-head screws.

5. Toothpaste: Is there an unsightly scratch on your car or bike? The grit in tarter-control toothpastes makes for an effective scratch remover. Clean the scratch, apply some toothpaste, let it sit for a few minutes, and then buff it out with paper towel.

Buying a Home • Moses Lake Relocation • November 16, 2017

Which Down Payment Strategy is Right For You?

by Windermere K-2 Realty, LLC

You’ve most likely heard the rule: Save for a 20-percent down payment before you buy a home. The logic behind saving 20 percent is solid, as it shows that you have the financial discipline and stability to save for a long-term goal. It also helps you get favorable rates from lenders.
But there can actually be financial benefits to putting down a small down payment—as low as three percent—rather than parting with so much cash up front, even if you have the money available.

THE DOWNSIDE

The downsides of a small down payment are pretty well known. You’ll have to pay Private Mortgage Insurance for years, and the lower your down payment, the more you’ll pay. You’ll also be offered a lesser loan amount than borrowers who have a 20-percent down payment, which will eliminate some homes from your search.

THE UPSIDE

The national average for home appreciation is about five percent. The appreciation is independent from your home payment, so whether you put down 20 percent or three percent, the increase in equity is the same. If you’re looking at your home as an investment, putting down a smaller amount can lead to a higher return on investment, while also leaving more of your savings free for home repairs, upgrades, or other investment opportunities.

THE HAPPY MEDIUM

Of course, your home payment options aren’t binary. Most borrowers can find some common ground between the security of a traditional 20 percent and an investment-focused, small down payment. Your trusted real estate professional can provide some answers as you explore your financing options.

Buying a Home • Home • Moses Lake Relocation • November 8, 2017

5 Negotiating Tactics that Backfire

by Windermere K-2 Realty, LLC

Negotiation is a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties. On the other hand, using the wrong negotiation tactics can sink a deal pretty quickly. Here are some negotiation tactics buyers (and real estate professionals) should avoid:

1. Lowball offers: Going far below market value when you make an offer damages your credibility as a buyer and can be insulting to the seller. The seller has a range in mind that they’ll accept, and if you’re not even approaching the low end of that range, they won’t even consider the offer.

2. Incremental negotiations: Don’t continue to go back to the seller with small increases in your offer ($1,000 or less). The constant back-and-forth can grow tiresome and lead the seller to consider other opportunities.

3. “Take it or leave it”: Try not to draw a line in the sand with your initial offer. The seller can get defensive and consider other offers if you immediately show that you’re unwilling to budge. Even if it’s true, don’t make a show of it.

4. Nitpicking after inspection: Obviously if inspection reveals a major issue, it should be factored into the final sale price. But insisting on a lower price for every minor repair can put negotiations in a stalemate.

5. Asking for more, more, more: Some buyers will request that the sellers throw in add-ons like furniture or appliances that weren’t included in the listing. Try to avoid giving the seller a reason to build up resentment and think that you’re being greedy.

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Buying a Home • November 2, 2017

Buying A New Home

by Windermere K-2 Realty, LLC

Moving into a new home is an exciting time, and you’re probably daydreaming about decor and paint schemes and new furniture. But before you get into the fun stuff, there are some basics you should cover first.

Change the locks

Even if you’re promised that new locks have been installed in your home, you can never be too careful. It’s worth the money to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that no one else has the keys to your home. Changing the locks can be a DIY project, or you can call in a locksmith for a little extra money.

Steam clean the carpets

It’s good to get a fresh start with your floors before you start decorating. The previous owners may have had pets, young children, or just some plain old clumsiness. Take the time to steam clean the carpets so that your floors are free of stains and allergens. It’s pretty easy and affordable to rent a steam cleaner—your local grocery store may have them available.

Call an exterminator

Prior to move-in, you probably haven’t spent enough time in the house to get a view of any pests that may be lurking. Call an exterminator to take care of any mice, insects, and other critters that may be hiding in your home.

Clean out the kitchen

If the previous occupants wanted to skip on some of their cleaning duties when they moved out, the kitchen is where they probably cut corners. Wipe down the inside of cabinets, clean out the refrigerator, clean the oven, and clean in the nooks and crannies underneath the appliances.

Seasonal • January 15, 2015

Preparing Your Home for a Winter Wonderland

by Windermere K-2 Realty, LLC

December 16, 2014 By Lois Kincaid

As they say, winter is coming, and while it is tempting to curl up and hibernate in bed for the next few months, you shouldn’t put off these important home maintenance duties.

Clean and check the gutters: While you are on the roof hanging holiday lights, make sure your gutters are clear of leaves, secured to the house, and in good condition. If you do find problem spots, seal, secure, and make note to fix these in the spring. You want to divert water away from your home.

Insulate external water sources: In cold climates pipes can freeze, which can then lead to cracked pipes and flooding. Bring hoses and sprinklers inside for the winter and use insulation to wrap external faucets. Insulating interior pipes can help prevent disaster. If you don’t have insulation, you can keep a faucet dripping during particularly cold days so water is flowing through the pipes.

Check your water heater: One way to save money during the winter months is to wrap your water heater, so it doesn’t have to use as much energy to keep the water hot in a tank. You should check on your heater to make sure it isn’t leaking and in good repair regularly.

Interior insulation: Keep the heat in and the cold out with increased insulation in your attic and basement. This is an investment, and best done before the winter hits, but can make a big difference in how warm your house feels and how high your heating bill goes.

Check for cracks and leaks: Do you feel a draft? Check the sealing on your windows and doors. You can add weather stripping and silicon to seal these leaks. Foundations can leak as your home settles, so you should also check your basement for water coming through the walls, pipes, and older windows. You will want to seal these appropriately to minimize damage from flooding or mold.

Weatherize your windows: Your windows can be a great source of heat leakage depending on their age and condition. If you have older windows, you can use a clear film to help insulate them during the winter. If you don’t want to film the windows you can install extra thick drapes or curtains to help keep the interior of your home warm.

Check your heating system: What is one thing gas fireplaces, wood burning stoves, and central air heating systems all have in common? They all need to be cleaned and maintained. Check and clean your indoor heating system thoroughly. If you use an old fashioned wood stove, make sure there are no leaks and that all soot build up or nests are removed. If a furnace is what you have remember to change the filters as recommended or clean out your reusable filters.

Check your chimney with care: Nothing is as cozy as sitting by the fireplace during the winter, but use with care! Have your chimney checked by a professional to ensure that it’s in good condition and clear of critters or nests. You can also use a creosote log at the start of the season to help break down any old residue.

Invest in home security: The holidays are prime times for burglars looking to score some extra gifts so make sure your home is safe and secure at all times. Check your locks to make sure these are secure and consider a home security system with visible cameras to act as a deterrent. Keep evidence of big gifts hidden from view too. And make sure you discreetly get rid of any large boxes that might alert a prowler that you have new big-ticket items in your home.

Deck the halls and be merry: Decorate your home and prepare for guests. If you have a Christmas tree, keep it from drying out (and creating a fire hazard) by watering regularly. Keep decorative candles and menorahs away from children and flammable materials. You may want to consider battery powered candles, these can be a safe alternative to traditional candles.

Wishing you and yours a happy and safe holiday!