Butte Homes

Posts Tagged ‘Butte Homes’

Good News for Butte Homeowners, Tax Credit for home buyers extended.

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

The Senate voted yesterday to pass an extension of the first-time homebuyer tax credit until April 2010. 98 Senators voted in favor of H.R. 3548, with zero votes against (two Senators did not vote). H.R. 3548 is a bill is primarily concerned with extending unemployment benefits. The bill is currently amended to include the extension of an $8,000 tax credit for those buying their first homes as well as an $6,500 tax credit for some borrowers buying a home for a second time. “This critical program has already enabled hundreds of thousands of Americans to become first-time homebuyers,” said Business Roundtable, an association of CEOs of leading U.S. companies. the tax credit can still be removed from the final wording of the bill, if placed under further review. However given recent lobbying efforts in the industry and a feeling of presidential support, this remains unlikely. Hopefully the House will pass the bill and it could reach the President on Friday.

Tags: Butte First Time Home Buyers, Butte Homes, Butte Howners, First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, First Time Home Buyers in Butte MT
Posted in First Time Home-Buyers | No Comments »

Energy Efficient Mortgages for Butte Real Estate

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

If you’re looking to buy Butte real estate, you’re probably already looking at mortgage possibilities as well. Since many buyers are also looking for energy efficient options, I thought it only right that I brought EEMs (Energy Efficient Mortgages) and EIMs (Energy Improvement Mortgages) to your attention.

What are EEMs and EIMs?

An EEM adds a home’s energy efficiency into the mortgage, giving you the ability to finance energy efficient measures as part of the mortgage payment. One of the good things about an EEM is that it stretches the debt-to-income qualification ratio, which means that you can qualify for a larger loan and a more energy efficient home.

An EIM is for existing Butte real estate that you plan to make energy efficient improvements to. You can include the cost of the improvements into the mortgage without raising the down payment. In addition, whatever you save in utility costs from the improvements can go to finance more improvements.

Qualifications

If you’re trying to qualify for an EEM or EIM, you’ll need to have a home energy rating conducted first. This is to give you an estimated Energy Savings Value – the value of the measures and the estimated monthly energy savings.

Types of Energy Mortgages

There are several types of energy mortgages available:

Conventional - sponsored by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, these EEMs give the Fannie Mae approved lender the ability to raise your income, matching a dollar for each estimated dollar gained through efficiency.
FHA - Lenders can add 100% of the cost of improvements to an approved FHA loan, up to $4,000 or 5% of the home value (maximum of $8,000). FHA loan limits won’t stop you from getting the EEM. You can find out more about the FHA EEMs on their website.
VA – Veteran’s Administration EEMs cap energy improvements at $3,000 to $6,000, and are for buying existing [city] real estate. If you’re a qualifying reservist, veteran or military personnel, you can find more information on the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs website.
Last but not least, there is the Energy Star mortgage pilot program. Currently, it is only available in a few states, but it’s growing to include others.

If you’re interested in making energy efficient improvements to an existing home or buying a home that’s already energy efficient, I strongly recommend that you look into EEMs and EIMs.

If you’re looking for an energy efficient home or one you can make energy efficient, I can help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me for more information.

Links:

Fannie Mae approved lender

http://www.fanniemae.com/flApplication/fanniemae/findLender.jsp?p=Find+a+Lender+Search

FHA EEMs

http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page?_pageid=73,1&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs

http://www.homeloans.va.gov/rlcweb.htm

Energy Star mortgage pilot program

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=bldrs_lenders_raters.pt_lender_mortgage

Tags: Butte Homes, Butte Real Estate, Mortgage Rates in Butte MT, Mortgages, Real Estate in Butte MT
Posted in Mortgage | No Comments »

Buying One of the Butte Homes for Sale? Don’t Forget Your…

Friday, October 30th, 2009

2009 might not have brought on the hottest market for sellers, but it’s an excellent market for buyers. If you’re taking advantage and buying one of the Butte homes for sale, it means you’ll be moving soon. It also means that you’ll probably forget something you really need in the new house – after it’s too late.

Don’t Forget Your…

There are at least five items commonly forgotten when moving:

1. Personal Phonebook – Make sure you pack up any personal numbers, phonebooks or notepads you might have written needed numbers on. If you have time, transfer them to your computer. Even if you call the numbers a lot, there is still a chance you’ll forget them.

2. Neat and Tidy – Too often, people will be giving their old home a final once-over and find a spot that needs to be cleaned. Realizing they have packed the cleaning equipment, they rush out to buy new cleaners. Instead, have your cleaning supplies set aside as one of the last things to go – just in case.

3. Records – No, not the vinyl ones. If the Butte home for sale is in another neighborhood, you’ll have to get your medical records, vet records for your pet and your child’s permanent school record. Copies usually aren’t allowed, so make sure you have the real deal!

4. Your Address – As silly as it may seem, it’s easy to forget your new address. Write it down and put it in your wallet or purse for easy reference.

5. Hidden Valuables – Did you remember that roll of bills you hid in the attic, or the necklace in the bathroom? Before leaving, collect all your valuables and put them in a safe deposit box.

If you’re looking to buy one of the Butte homes for sale, I can help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me at judy@montana.com for more information.

Links:

Items commonly forgotten when moving

http://www.articlesbase.com/moving-and-relocating-articles/10-things-people-forget-when-moving-979883.html

Medical records

http://www.genetichealth.com/Resources_Collecting_Medical_Records.shtml#Anchor3

Tags: Butte Homes, Butte Homes for Sale, Buying a Home in Butte MT, Buying a House in Butte, Homes for Sale in Butte MT
Posted in Homes for Sale | No Comments »

The Laws are Changing for Butte Real Estate

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Not just Butte real estate, either. Since the end of 2007, as the real estate market started to decline, new rules, regulations, mandates and more have come down the pipeline.

State Specific Laws

Take Michigan, for instance. Ranking sixth in the nation on the number of foreclosures, Michigan legislature enacted the “Lifeline Law.” This law gives an extra 90 days for homeowners to work with banks to come up with solutions other than foreclosure. California did the same, with the California Foreclosure Prevention Act. In New York, judicial hearings are mandatory for both borrowers and lenders before foreclosure can go through.

Nationwide Laws

Other laws have been enacted throughout the United States, such as Congress lowering homeowners’ tax deductions.

Before 2009, if you used your Butte real estate as a primary residence for at least two years out of the last five, you could keep up to $500,000 (married couples – $250,000 if single) in real estate gains on your tax return. That exemption is now pro-rated to the time you spent in the house, which could be quite substantially less than what your tax exemption would have been last year.

As well, new appraisal rules went into effect May 1,and, although they aren’t government rules, they do affect Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans. With the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) put into place, every lender that goes through Freddie or Fannie has to follow the HVCC to the letter. The HVCC stops mortgage brokers from having home appraisals done themselves. Instead, the home appraisals must be done by a third party appraisal management company in the same area as the home.

Laws that Affect You

Other laws have been put into place that may (or may not) effect the Butte real estate you own or are looking to buy. However, with so many coming down the line, make sure that you ask your real estate agent what laws have been put into place that may affect your purchase, sales or ownership.

If you’re looking to buy or sell real estate and need a professional who keeps up to date on the real estate laws, I can help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me for more information.

Links:

Lifeline Law

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=111013&catid=48

California Foreclosure Prevention Act

http://www.corp.ca.gov/FSD/CFP/default.asp

HVCC

https://www.efanniemae.com/sf/guides/ssg/relatedsellinginfo/appcode/pdf/hvccfaqs.pdf

Tags: Butte Homes, Butte Housing Market, Butte Real Estate, Homes in Butte MT, Real Estate in Butte MT
Posted in Real Estate | No Comments »

Helping Families Save Their Butte Homes

Monday, October 26th, 2009

By now, everyone knows that, just like the Dot Com bubble, the real estate market grew its own bubble to a degree that it finally popped. Foreclosure numbers went up, sales went down and everyone, from the government to lenders to John Q public, started looking around for someone they could point a finger at and blame.

The hard truth is that placing blame doesn’t do anyone any good, especially those trying to save their Butte homes. The truth is that it’s time to do what Americans have been doing since the country was founded – picking ourselves up off the ground, dusting off and working with what we still have. Thanks to new acts such as the “Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009,” it’s even more possible to do that.

If you’ve been dealing with the possibility of foreclosure, you may have missed the news, so here are a few uplifting highlights that can make all the difference:

If you rent your Butte home and the home is foreclosed upon, you have to receive a 90-day eviction notice. You can’t just be preemptively kicked off the property. As well, if you have a lease you have to be allowed to live on the property until the lease is up unless:

a) the new owner wants to move in and make it his or her residence or

b) state law says the lease can be terminated on notice.

Although three months doesn’t seem like a lot of time, that’s three months you wouldn’t have had in most states before the Act was passed.

Lenders and homeowners are now receiving incentives for successful loan modifications and refinancing under the Making Homes Affordable Program. According to the White House government website, “Servicers covering more than 75 percent of loans in the country have now begun modifications and refinancing under the Administration’s MHA Program.”

One of the biggest challenges to homeowners is finding out who owns the mortgages on their homes. This can make it incredibly difficult to discuss refinancing or modification with the mortgage owner. Thanks to the Act, you have to be informed whenever your loan is sold or transferred to another party. Now, you always know who has control of your mortgage and who you need to talk to.

Dealing in the current real estate market can be hard. If you’re already struggling financially, it can be even harder. Try to keep abreast of the current laws that can help homeowners and families keep their homes!

If you can’t qualify for loan modification or refinancing, and are considering a short sale, I can help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me at judy@montana.com for more information.

Links:

Foreclosure numbers went up

http://www.realtytrac.com/foreclosure/foreclosure-rates.html

Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009

http://www.zillow.com/blog/mortgage/2009/05/21/president-obama-signs-helping-families-save-their-homes-act/

White House government website

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/reforms-for-american-homeowners-and-consumers-president-obama-signs-the-helping-families-save-their-homes-act-and-the-fraud-enforcement-and-recovery-act/

Tags: Butte Homes, Butte Housing Market, Buying a Home in Butte MT, Homes in Butte MT
Posted in Homes | No Comments »

Helping Families Save Their Butte Homes

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

If you’ve been dealing with the possibility of foreclosure, you may have missed the news, so here are a few uplifting highlights that can make all the difference:

If you rent your Butte home and the home is foreclosed upon, you have to receive a 90-day eviction notice. You can’t just be preemptively kicked off the property. As well, if you have a lease you have to be allowed to live on the property until the lease is up unless:

the new owner wants to move in and make it his or her residence or

state law says the lease can be terminated on notice.

Although three months doesn’t seem like a lot of time, that’s three months you wouldn’t have had in most states before the Act was passed.

Lenders and homeowners are now receiving incentives for successful loan modifications and refinancing under the Making Homes Affordable Program. According to the White House government website, “Servicers covering more than 75 percent of loans in the country have now begun modifications and refinancing under the Administration’s MHA Program.”

One of the biggest challenges to homeowners is finding out who owns the mortgages on their homes. This can make it incredibly difficult to discuss refinancing or modification with the mortgage owner. Thanks to the Act, you have to be informed whenever your loan is sold or transferred to another party. Now, you always know who has control of your mortgage and who you need to talk to.

If you can’t qualify for loan modification or refinancing, and are considering a short sale, I can help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me at judy@montana.com for more information.

Keyword/Tag Butte homes

Links:

Foreclosure numbers went up

http://www.realtytrac.com/foreclosure/foreclosure-rates.html

Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009

http://www.zillow.com/blog/mortgage/2009/05/21/president-obama-signs-helping-families-save-their-homes-act/

White House government website

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/reforms-for-american-homeowners-and-consumers-president-obama-signs-the-helping-families-save-their-homes-act-and-the-fraud-enforcement-and-recovery-act/

Tags: Avoiding Foreclosure in Butte MT, Butte Foreclosures, Butte Homes, Housing Market
Posted in Foreclosures | 1 Comment »

How to Pick Perfect Pumpkins for Butte Homes

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

It’s getting close to Halloween, and families across the nation are slowly but surely decorating their Butte homes. The spirit of the season is in the air, the leaves are changing colors, and pumpkins are going up for sale. It’s time to carve!

Picking Tips

Make sure your pumpkin has a stem; it won’t last very long if it doesn’t.
The pumpkin needs to have a flat bottom so it won’t roll.
No holes or soft spots, because they’ll rot.
Choose a light-colored pumpkin for easier carving, or a dark colored pumpkin for a longer lasting decoration.

Pattern Tips

On the steps of Butte homes everywhere, pumpkin faces sprout fangs and witches ride their brooms. Maybe you want your carvings to stand out, though. Here are a few things to look at when choosing a pattern:

Keep in mind who’ll be doing the carving. Smaller children generally have a harder time with detailed carvings.
Carving patterns should be as large as the pumpkin you’re working with.
If your design is elaborate, draw it out on paper first. You can’t erase a cut.
Remember that you have to leave space between the cuts. The pumpkin has to stay together.

Carving Tips

Before carving, wash the pumpkin and let it dry.
Use good carving tools – or a sharp knife and a small serrated knife – for the more elaborate designs (unless you want to carve a difficult design with a spoon tip)
Start at the center of your design and work outwards.
Use petroleum jelly on the cuts after you’re done so the pumpkin will last longer.

Left-overs

Once you’re done carving, you’ll have a lot of left over pumpkin. Instead of throwing it in the trash, try roasting the pumpkin seeds for a great snack, or using the flesh for a delicious pumpkin pie.

Soon, children will be visiting Butte homes in mass, and with these tips on pumpkins, patterns and carving (and candy, of course), you can have them oohing and aahing with delight.

LINKS:

Carving patterns – http://www.pumpkinlady.com/pattern.htm

Carving tools – http://www.pumpkincarvingtools.com/

Roasting pumpkin seeds – http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Roasting-Pumpkin-Seeds/Detail.aspx

Tags: Butte Homes, Decorating Your Home, Home Decoration, Homes in Butte UT
Posted in Homes | No Comments »

Halloween Decorating Ideas for Your Butte Home

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

It’s October, which means Halloween is just around the corner. Are you still struggling to come up with great decorating ideas for your Butte home? Have no fear; your real estate agent is here to help. Here are a few ideas that will take away those holiday Halloween jitters:

Nothing says “Halloween” like twitching fingers, growling werewolves and hovering demon skeletons. Thanks to today’s technology, you can turn your decorations into a hellish wonderland with animated Halloween props. Build a graveyard and have a rocking tombstone or a creeping skeleton to snatch up visitors.
Everybody has the standard jack-o-lantern on the front porch. As Halloween nears, they crop up everywhere. This year, try something a little different. There are plenty of pumpkin-carving patterns available for purchase or for free on the Internet. Grab some bloodcurdling patterns and get to work.
Are you throwing a party this year? Add a little fog to your Halloween decorations! Fog machines aren’t near as expensive as they used to be. You can grab one big enough for fantastic, spine-tingling effects for less than $50. Sometimes the extra touches make all the difference, and fog is a great addition
Spruce up your doorbell with sinister sound effects and chilling Halloween music. Record-A-Chime^TM by Dimango® Carlon® is perfect for just such a thing. Although it’s somewhat expensive at $59.98, you can record whatever sound effect or music you want for any holiday.

Each Halloween, people struggle to come up with something different for their Butte home. I hope these ideas help you find your “something different” and get your creative juices flowing. Have fun, stay safe and happy holidays!

Links:

Animated Halloween props

http://www.frightcatalog.com/Halloween-Props/Animated-Props/

pumpkin-carving patterns

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/halloween/mpatterns.htm

Record-A-Chime^TM

http://www.dimango.com/dc-record-a-chime.htm

Tags: Butte Homes, Butte MT Home Decoration, Decorating Your Home, Homes in Butte MT
Posted in Homes | No Comments »

3 Ways to Improve the Indoor Air Quality of Your Butte Real Estate

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

When people think of environmental concerns, very seldom do they think of their home environment. Mold spores, carcinogens, allergens and more can fill up your Butte real estate and create a bad environment. Here are a few ways to make sure your indoor air quality is as good as it can be:

Check for mold. Mold has a distinctive odor; somehow, it manages to smell both wet and dry, as well as musty. It can grow around windows, in the bathroom and in your air ducts. For windows, bathrooms and small areas within your home, you can clean the mold yourself wearing protective gear and using the right mold cleanup methods.

Check the ductwork. Mold, dust, insect parts and other small to microscopic pollutants settle in ductwork and then, when the air is turned on, flow out into the various units. I recommend leaving this job to professionals with the proper equipment. Research green janitorial services in your area that specialize in environmentally safe cleaning practices and provide good indoor air quality through the practices.

Check your carpet. Carpets can be a big cause of bad indoor air quality. Some carpets contain a high level of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which are emitted into the air as gases. Exposure to VOCs can cause nose and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and skin rashes. If you’re having any of these issues, your may want to replace your carpet with an eco-friendly carpet.

If you’re looking for eco-friendly Butte real estate, I can help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me for more information

Links:

Using the right methods

http://www.epa.gov/mold/cleanupguidelines.html

VOCs

http://www.aerias.org/DesktopModules/ArticleDetail.aspx?articleId=131

Eco-friendly carpet

http://www.greenyour.com/home/furnishings/carpet-and-rugs/tips

Tags: Butte Homes, Butte Houses, Butte Real Estate, Checking House Air Quality
Posted in Real Estate | No Comments »

Adding Resale Value: Butte Homes and Landscapes

Monday, September 14th, 2009

If you’ve ever sold one of the Butte homes, you’ve probably heard the term “curb appeal” more times than you care to count from your real estate agent. Well, it’s time to hear it again, but maybe in a way you hadn’t considered.

With curb appeal, you might think of cutting your lawn, trimming bushes and getting rid of weeds. Have you considered that creating a beautiful landscape for your home can add resale value? Here are some tips on how to do just that:

Planting Frenzy

A beautiful landscape adds increasing value over time. That doesn’t mean you go on a planting frenzy, however. As a landscaping do-it-yourselfer, you don’t want buy a whole bunch of plants and throw them in the ground. You need to purchase the type of plants that will give your home the best resale value. The types of plants that add more resale value to Butte homes are trees and long-living flowering shrubs. Others, such as perennials, add less resale value, and still others, like vegetable gardens that need to be replaced yearly, add the least amount of value to a home.

Steps to Take

By following these steps in order, you have a much better chance of getting the best resale value out of your landscaping work:

Talk to the experts: Local nurseries, gardeners and professional landscapers can help you with what to plant, how to plant and where to find them.
Check grading and drainage: Bad drainage can ruin a lot of landscaping work, as can a poorly graded lawn. Pay attention during a heavy rain and make sure there is no erosion in your planned area, and no standing water. Both conditions can make a mess of landscaping.
Remove local plant pests: Local plant pests include such things as eucalyptus, scotch broom, pampas grass and certain types of ivy. These plants can quickly overgrow your garden, lowering your property value. If you have any plant pests, check online or with professionals to find out how to remove them.
Design: As any good landscaper knows, always start out by drawing out a landscape design on graph paper. Pay attention to the spacing needed for each plant, as well as such things as when the flowers will bloom and what the colors will look like together.
Prepare the soil: Not every yard has soil that’s perfect for planting. Make sure you have a good soil mix and make sure the plants you use match the PH of the soil.
Start planting! Butte homes with beautiful landscapes have a much better chance of selling, and selling well. Turn your thumb green and get to work on your home’s curb appeal.

If you’re thinking of selling your home, with or without a beautiful landscape, I can help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me for more information.

Links:

Landscaping do-it-yourselfer: http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Landscaping_for_Increased_Property_Value-Home_Selling-A1814.html

Professional landscapers: http://www.apld.com/index_main.asp

Drawing out a landscape design: http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com/landscapeplanning.html

Tags: Butte Homes, Homes in Butte MT, Landscaping, Landscaping Homes in Butte MT, Selling a Home in Butte MT
Posted in Homes | No Comments »

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Judy Kivela
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Posts Tagged ‘Butte Homes’

Good News for Butte Homeowners, Tax Credit for home buyers extended.

Energy Efficient Mortgages for Butte Real Estate

Buying One of the Butte Homes for Sale? Don’t Forget Your…

The Laws are Changing for Butte Real Estate

Helping Families Save Their Butte Homes

Helping Families Save Their Butte Homes

How to Pick Perfect Pumpkins for Butte Homes

Halloween Decorating Ideas for Your Butte Home

3 Ways to Improve the Indoor Air Quality of Your Butte Real Estate

Adding Resale Value: Butte Homes and Landscapes

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Find Local Homes

Recently Asked Questions

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My Blog

Hot Topics

Judy KivelaBroker/Owner

Company Info

Real Estate Tools

Posts Tagged ‘Butte Homes’

Market Recap

Find Local Homes

Recently Asked Questions

market alert newsletter

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Judy Kivela
Broker/Owner