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Tammy Colfack
REALTORS®

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Prudential Utah | American Fork
315 South 500 East
American Fork, UT 84003

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FUN TIPS

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

A SEALED ENVELOPE-  Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap.  The envelope can then be resealed.

USE EMPTY TOILET PAPER ROLL TO STORE APPLIANCE CORDS.   It keeps them neat and you can srite on the roll what appliance it belongs to.  You can even cover the roll with contact paper to make it look good.

FOR ICY DOOR STEPS IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES:  get warm water and put Dawn dish washing liquid in it.  Pour it all over the steps.  They won’t Refreeze.  (wish I had known this for the last 40 years.)

TO REMOVE OLD WAX FROM A GLASS CANDLE HOLDER:  put it in the freezer for a few hours.  Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down.  The Wax will fall out.

CRAYON MARKS ON WALLS:  This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda.  Comes off with little effort  (elbow grease that is!).

PERMANENT MARKER ON APPLIANCES/COUNTER TOPS:  ( Like store receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel.

I hope that these tips will be of some help for you.  Some of them can even help when you are trying to get you home ready to sell!

I guess the biggest tip is when you are getting ready to sell your home or buy another one give me a call.  I will be a great help in helping you do both.

I’ll send more tips tomorrow!!

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CHANGES TO FHA LOANS

Friday, February 5th, 2010

FHA loans which were the original “subprime” loans have come to be known for great options for first time home buyers or buyer’s with bad credit because of their current features:

1.  DOWN PAYMENT: they require very little down payment and that down payment can even be gifted from a family member or employer

2.  CREDIT: you don’t have to have stellar credit (or even a credit score at all with non-traditional trade lines) although most lenders require only 620 compared with Conventional at 680 or higher

3.  DEBT RATIO: you can have higher debt ratio (up to 58%) than conventional (44%)

4.  CO-SIGNER: borrowers who are students with no monthly income can use their “kiddie conco” feature and have a family member co-sign and qualify for the same terms as if the borrower were to qualify all on their own.

5.  STREAMLINE: Borrowers can also “streamline” refinance their loan with no appraisal or income documentation.

Hopefully, these few facts about FHA loans will help you to understand that their are still good loans to be had.

The insentivies are going to be gone soon and interest rates will be going up and so will the cost of homes.  Now is the time to find that dream home that you would love to have.  I would love to help you

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CONSIDERATIONS WHEN SELLING YOUR OWN HOME

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

1.  Will someone always be home to answer the phone?

2.  are you prepared to spend evenings and weekends at home to meet prospects?

3.  Will you know about the latest financing methods?

4.  Will the prospects tell you the truth about their financial status?

5.  Can you get them to sign the purchase agreement?

6.  Who will draft the purchase agreement and insure that all legal forms and requirements are done correctly?

7.  Will you really save money selling your own home?

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF:

1.  What questions do I need answered already before buyers look at my house?

2.  What questions should I ask potential buyers as they are looking at my house?

3.  How do I determine what my house is worth in today’s market?

4.  Is it true that I save the commission if I sell it myself?

5.  Do I have the time to sell it anyway?

6.  What are my best sources of buyers?

7.  How can I improve my home’s marketability?

8.  How can I make my home more presentable during the showings?

9.  What should I say during the showing of my house?

10.  How will I pre-screen buyers?

11.  How do I know if a buyer is financially qualified?

12.  How do I get involved in my buyer’s financing?

13.  What do I need to know about a written real estate contract?

14.  What happens during the contract negotiations?

15.  Can a Realtor negotiate better than me as a 3rd party?

16.  What do I need to do between contract and closing?

17.  What are my closing costs?

18.  How can a Realtor actually save me more money?

19.  Do FSBO”S ever eventually list with a Realtor before they are sold?

There are many aspects about selling a house.  I do it every day.  I have sold hundreds of houses, I have 20 + years of experience.  You do what you do best and I promise you I will do what I do best; I will sell your home for the most money the market will bear and the least effort on your part.  I will negotiate and protect you so that selling your home will be a good experience for you.

Please call me at 801-836-0205, email me @ [email protected] or blog me.  I would love to interview with you.  Thanks,

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Safety First, In Selling Your Home In Lehi, Utah

Monday, November 16th, 2009

A For Sale sign by owner in a yard is an invitation to anyone to ask to see your home.

There have been many instances where thieves have posed as prospective buyers to learn what might be of value in the home… or worse, how to gain access to the home while someone is alone.  People with felonies or criminal intent do not take the risk of being accompanied by a licensed real estate agent who could later be a witness against them.

Before a professional agent puts anyone in the car to see a listing, they have each buyer pre-qualified as to their needs, desires and financial capabilities. 

Since you don’t have this opportunity, you must be very careful about who you show you home to and have more than one family member home during the showings.  Do not explain too much about how your alarm system works or what your family’s work and life habits are.

Never allow people looking at your home to be alone.  Always go with them from room to room.

Be certain that all jewelry and other small valuable items are well hidden

Be certain that you know the location of your keys at all times.  Shoud one turn up missing, change that lock as soon as possible.

Never leave a minor child alone in the home.

If there are two or more parties being shown the home, be certain they stay together.  Never allow one to go off by himself.

Never, under any circumstances, indicate that you will be alone in the home at night.

Please be careful.  Selling ones home has many aspects to it.  Use a professional.

Call, email or blog me.  I will be happy to help you.

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Realtors Provide Valuable Service in Lehi, Utah

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

What do we do for our commission that you cannot do?  First, and most important, we have more prospective buyers coming to us.  Another important fact is that we act as a third party.  This is very important when you start negotiating.  People will be more candid with us than to the seller directly.  If they make a ridiculous offer or make a less than flattering comment about something, you might be offended and end the sale before it started.  Through comparisons, we can show the buyer your home is worth the asking price.  You only have one home to show.  When your phone rings, how do you know what the person on the other end is interested in buying?  This is a great community but  we are not above crime.  We professionally market your home, for the highest market value, while protecting you, your property and your interest.

If you would like some help selling your home, please call, email or send me a blog.  I will be happy to help you.

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First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended

Monday, November 9th, 2009

The U.S. Congress has approved a bill that extends and broadens tax credits that were set to expire this month.  The bill extends the credit for contracts signed by April 30th and closing by June 30th.  Income limits are expanded to cover more affluent buyers; couples earning up to $225,000 and individuals earning up to $125,000 annually now qualify.  It  also creates a new $6,500 credit for buyers who have owned their current home for at least five (5) years.  Homes worth more than $800,000 wouldn’t be eligible.

Please contact me with any questions or needs.

Tammy K. Colfack    801-836-0205 or [email protected] or blog me.

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Sellers, Be Careful and Informed!

Friday, November 6th, 2009

There are many factors to consider in selling your home.  It is not an easy task.  You will hear stories of people that sell their house for more money than what a Real Estate company said it was worth and  in only a few days.  This has happened; however, not very often.  I can tell many more tales of how people have tried and failed.  If it is that easy to sell your home, why are there so many Real Estate companies? 

BUYERS LIKE WORKING WITH REAL ESTATE AGENTS      

You, as a “For Sale By Owner.” are likely to be dealing with a more sophisticated, bargain hunter type buyer.  First time buyers feel more secure with Realtors.  Sincere and serious buyers appreciate our resources for finding a variety of homes in their price range, as well as our expertise in negotiating and following through on the preocess of the transaction.  We charge no fee to the buyers.  We drive them around and cater to their every wish.  When you bought your home, did you use the services of a real estate company?  Most people do. 

There are many more reasons to use a realtor.  I’ll tell you more next time.  

If you want more information on buying or selling a home.  Please call, email or blog me.  Hope to be hearing from you soon.

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Why Buyers & Sellers Need to Visit with A Realtor First

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

One of the most important jobs that a Real Estate agent has is to inform his or her buyer & seller what the market is doing.  We also need to help you understand why you should or should not buy or sell right now.  We should also help you know what the loan market is doing and what types of loans are available and what loans are good for your families and situations.  We need to inform the seller what the market is doing and what you can do to help sell your home and to get the most amount of money for your home.  I will help the buyer negotiate a good and realistic price for the home and I will make sure the buyer is helped through every step of the transaction.   I will help the seller Market your  home for the most money, I will help the seller Stage your  home to get the most money,  I will negotiate for the seller to make sure that you  are getting the most value from your  home.  If you would like these services from me, please call,  email or answer my blog.

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No Matter what Market

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

Just thought I would talk a little today to those of you who are waiting for the market to get better to sell your home.  I know that you think that you will get more money for your home if you sell it in a better market and that is true, but you will also buy in a higher market, thus, the home you buy will be more money.  So it really doesn’t matter what market you sell your home in as long as you sell your home and buy your home in the SAME MARKET.   Right now the market is down.  It’s what we call a buyers market, but when you sell, you will be a buyer too.  Our market right now has the lowest interest rates that we have had in years.  There are incentives for you to buy right now.  We know that when the market gets better, interest rates will go up, the incentives will be gone, and you will pay more for that new home.  Yes, you will get more for your home but will the market go up enough to compensate for what you will loose in the interest rate and the incentives.  Also, will it compensate for the price difference that you will pay for your new home.  These are questions you need to ask yourself.  If you would like to know more, please contact me.  Don’t keep setting on that fence, jump off and get that new home you’ve been waiting for.

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Facts About Lehi, Utahs Housing Market

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

We often hear the phraase “this is the worst since the Great Depression.”  This is like comparing a headache to a brain tumor.  We don’t wan to understate the current economic challenges, but we don’t want to overstate them either.  Let us have an appropriate perspective, particularly her in Lehi, Utah.  Utah’s housing market is much better than you think.  The media has portrayed the nations problems onto Utah, but not only are we no where near the great depression comparison, but we fair better then the nation is every caategory. 

Foreclosures:  Today in Utah 1.4%  Nationwide 3%  The Great Depression:  Nationwide 50%

Unemplooyement:  Utah’s Unemployment rate is significantly lower then the national averate.  Today in Utah6.7&, Nationwide about 20%.   The Great Depression, Nationwide  25%.

Bargain prices are bringing buyers back to the market.  Interest rates are still great.  There is money to be borrowed.  Now is the time to buy.  We still have some great insentive programs that are only here till the end of November.  We all need to get off the fense and buy that American Dream Now.  To own our own home. 

Please contact me for information on how to get into a new home.  Your own home is a great asset.

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