HOW TO SPOT A GOOD DEAL: FORECLOSURES AREN’T ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM

Most homebuyers in search of a property automatically assume buying a foreclosed home means they’re getting the best deal out there. However, this often isn’t the case. Purchasing a foreclosed home truly can be a great investment, but it could also be an eye-opening experience for those not aware of the process and problems that can arise along the way.

One of the reasons a foreclosure may not be as good of a deal as it appears to be on paper is that distressed home sellers may have more debt than just their home mortgage. They may have a lien or loans against their property, which the bank could factor into the sale price. Another issue could be the amount of work and repair needed on a home, if the sellers had stopped maintaining it. A home may sit vacant for months, which could be problematic in a tropical climate such as ours, where hot and humid temperatures can cause serious damage. Foreclosures typically take a lot longer to close on the sale, therefore buyers need to be flexible on their timeframe. Securing property prior to a foreclosure can mean the difference in having a move-in ready home versus a bank-owned home typically stripped of its contents. Buyers need to be aware of these types of concerns when pursuing a foreclosure, but if the price is right and the home is free of these types of issues, buying a foreclosed property can prove to be a very wise purchase.

Establishing a relationship with a knowledgeable Horizon Realty International agent and sharing what you are looking for up front will allow you to get a jumpstart on finding the best property for you. Knowledge of the local real estate market and access to a network of resources are invaluable in finding a great real estate opportunity. More often than not, in our market, the best real estate deals are found prior to a property facing foreclosure. Being aware of new inventory before it hits the market, monitoring shifts in the existing inventory (i.e. price reductions) and the ability to act quickly are all key strategies. A reputable Horizon Realty International agent should be able to offer insight on an ideal opportunity if it arises, as they’ll be in tune with a home’s value and current financial situation, both of which will help to determine the true value of the deal.

Our team of Realtors® is out in the local market every single day, networking with our contacts and working together for our clients so we can best represent their needs. Horizon Realty International has a proven track record and longstanding success to best represent you. Contact your Horizon Realty International agent today to learn more about great deals in the area and how we can help you find your next home, 941-238-0953

 

The 6 phases of a foreclosure

If you or someone you know is facing possible foreclosure, you should know what to expect

Many people have either gone through foreclosure, a process that allows a lender to recover the amount owed on a defaulted loan by selling or taking ownership of the property, or know someone who has.

RealtyTrac released its U.S. Foreclosure Market Report on April 15 for the first quarter of 2010. The report calculates foreclosure filings, including default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions, and showed that 932,234 properties were involved in the first quarter. That was a 7% increase from the last quarter of 2009 and a 16% increase from the first quarter of 2009. An astonishing one in every 138 U.S. housing units received a foreclosure filing during the quarter. If you or a loved one are facing foreclosure, make sure you understand the process. While it varies from state to state, there are normally six phases of a foreclosure.

Phase 1: Payment default
A payment default occurs when a borrower has missed at least one mortgage payment. The lender will send a missed-payment notice indicating that it has not yet received that month’s payment. Typically, mortgage payments are due on the first day of each month, and many lenders offer a grace period until the 15th. After that, the lender may charge a late-payment fee and send the missed payment notice.

After two payments are missed, the lender may send a “demand letter.” This is more serious than a missed-payment notice; however, at this point the lender is probably still willing to work with the borrower to make arrangements for catching up on payments. The borrower would normally have to remit the late payments within 30 days of receiving the letter.

Phase 2: Notice of default (NOD)
A notice of default is sent after 90 days of missed payments. In some states, the notice is placed prominently on the home. At this point, the loan will be handed over to the lender’s foreclosure department in the same county where the property is located. The borrower is informed that the notice will be recorded. The lender will typically give the borrower another 90 days to settle the payments and reinstate the loan. This is referred to as the reinstatement period.

Phase 3: Notice of trustee’s sale
If the loan has not been brought up-to-date within the 90 days after the notice of default, a notice of trustee’s sale will be recorded in the county where the property is located. The lender must also publish a notice in the local newspaper for three weeks indicating that the property will be available at public auction. All owners’ names will be printed in the notice and in the newspaper, along with a legal description of the property, the property address and when and where the sale will take place.

Phase 4: Trustee’s sale
The property is placed for public auction and will be awarded to the highest bidder who meets all of the necessary requirements. The lender, or firm representing the lender, will calculate an opening bid based on the value of the outstanding loan, any liens and unpaid taxes, and any costs associated with the sale. Once the highest bidder has been confirmed and the trustee’s sale is completed, a “trustee’s deed upon sale” will be provided to the winning bidder. The property is then owned by the purchaser, who is entitled to immediate possession.

Phase 5: Real-estate owned (REO)

If the property is not sold during the public auction, the lender will become the owner and will attempt to sell the property on its own, through a broker or with the assistance of an REO asset manager. These properties are often referred to as “bank-owned.” The lender may remove some of the liens and other expenses in an attempt to make the property more attractive.

Phase 6: Eviction
The borrower can often stay in the home until it has been sold either through a public auction or later as an REO property. At this point, an eviction notice is sent demanding that any people vacate the premises immediately. Several days may be provided to allow the occupants sufficient time to remove any personal belongings, and then typically the local sheriff will visit the property and remove the people and any remaining belongings. Belongings may be placed in storage and retrieved later for a fee.

The bottom line
Throughout the foreclosure process, many lenders will attempt to make arrangements for the borrower to get caught up on the loan and avoid a foreclosure. The obvious problem is that when a borrower cannot meet one payment, it becomes increasingly difficult to catch up on multiple payments. If there is a chance that you can catch up on payments — for instance, you just started a new job after a period of unemployment — it is worth speaking with your lender. If a foreclosure is unavoidable, knowing what to expect throughout the process can help prepare you.

5 Things that Will Make Potential Buyers Lose Interest in Your Home

If you are selling your home, then you probably have read all the tips for staging a home. However, you should also evaluate your home for things that could make a potential homebuyer leave your home quickly.

1. Not–so-nice DIY projects.
You may have saved thousands by remodeling the kitchen or adding on an entire new room yourself. However, if a potential homebuyer can walk into your house and know immediately that the work was done by the homeowner and not a professional, he will start seeing dollar signs as to how much it will cost to remodel the kitchen or repair the extra room. If you are not a professional contractor, reconsider any major do-it-yourself home improvement projects before putting your house on the market.

2. Oops! The buyer just fell into the pool.
You may have spent long summer days enjoying your backyard pool, but a pool is not always an asset when selling a house. That’s especially true if the pool takes up most of the backyard or doesn’t have a safety fence. If a buyer steps out into the backyard and almost steps into your pool, you can easily lose that buyer. If you have a large pool and a small backyard, you will have lost many potential homebuyers. This can include those who have small children, plan to have children, have dogs, and those that just don’t want the hassle of keeping up a pool.

3. Maybe hire a house cleaner?
The goal when selling a house is to make buyers feel comfortable and want to stay in your house exploring for as long as possible. The longer potential buyers are in the home, the more likely they are to make an offer. However, if your house is a mess with dirty laundry flung on floors and showers or toilets that have not seen a scrub brush in many weeks, then the potential buyers are going to rush the viewing. They will not feel comfortable looking in every closet or cabinet but instead want to get out as quickly as possible.

4. What’s that terrible smell?
Even the best pets with attentive owners can make mistakes. However, if your cat’s “mistake” involves marking the carpet, then do not try to cover up the smell. Adding scented candles or plug-in air fresheners only make the entire house smell worse. Mixing chemically made rose scents with the powerful scent of cat urine really will not make your house welcoming or help others picture themselves living there. They’ll be too distracted wondering where that smell is coming from. If your pet has damaged any floors or other parts of the house, do not try to mask the smell. Remove and replace the damaged flooring.

5. Wish away the wallpaper.
You may have carefully selected the wallpaper for your favorite room. However, wallpaper is out of fashion and not popular with most homeowners. Like the do-it-yourself project, potential homebuyers see wallpaper and begin calculating how much time and money it will take to remove it. When choosing between two well-liked houses and one has wallpaper and one does not, the house without the wallpaper will often win the buyer’s bid.

Some of these are home features that you just can’t change, such as a large pool. If that’s the case, then have reasonable expectations when selling the home. It may take longer to sell the home or you may have to lower your asking price.

Radiant Floor System Adds Heat Under Your Feet

Home Foreclosure and Debt Cancellation

Update Dec. 11, 2008 — The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 generally allows taxpayers to exclude income from the discharge of debt on their principal residence. Debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure, qualify for this relief.

This provision applies to debt forgiven in calendar years 2007 through 2012. Up to $2 million of forgiven debt is eligible for this exclusion ($1 million if married filing separately). The exclusion doesn’t apply if the discharge is due to services performed for the lender or any other reason not directly related to a decline in the home’s value or the taxpayer’s financial condition.

The amount excluded reduces the taxpayer’s cost basis in the home. More details. Further information, including detailed examples, can also be found in Publication 4681, Canceled Debts, Foreclosures, Repossessions, and Abandonments.

The questions and answers, below, are based on the law prior to the passage of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007.

1. What is Cancellation of Debt?

If you borrow money from a commercial lender and the lender later cancels or forgives the debt, you may have to include the cancelled amount in income for tax purposes, depending on the circumstances. When you borrowed the money you were not required to include the loan proceeds in income because you had an obligation to repay the lender. When that obligation is subsequently forgiven, the amount you received as loan proceeds is reportable as income because you no longer have an obligation to repay the lender. The lender is usually required to report the amount of the canceled debt to you and the IRS on a Form 1099-C, Cancellation of Debt.

Here’s a very simplified example. You borrow $10,000 and default on the loan after paying back $2,000. If the lender is unable to collect the remaining debt from you, there is a cancellation of debt of $8,000, which generally is taxable income to you.

2. Is Cancellation of Debt income always taxable?

Not always. There are some exceptions. The most common situations when cancellation of debt income is not taxable involve:

• Bankruptcy: Debts discharged through bankruptcy are not considered taxable income.
• Insolvency: If you are insolvent when the debt is cancelled, some or all of the cancelled debt may not be taxable to you.You are insolvent when your total debts are more than the fair market value of your total assets. Insolvency can be fairly complex to determine and the assistance of a tax professional is recommended if you believe you qualify for this exception.
• Certain farm debts: If you incurred the debt directly in operation of a farm, more than half your income from the prior three years was from farming, and the loan was owed to a person or agency regularly engaged in lending, your cancelled debt is generally not considered taxable income. The rules applicable to farmers are complex and the assistance of a tax professional is recommended if you believe you qualify for this exception.
• Non-recourse loans: A non-recourse loan is a loan for which the lender’s only remedy in case of default is to repossess the property being financed or used as collateral. That is, the lender cannot pursue you personally in case of default. Forgiveness of a non-recourse loan resulting from a foreclosure does not result in cancellation of debt income. However, it may result in other tax consequences, as discussed in Question 3 below.

3. I lost my home through foreclosure. Are there tax consequences?

There are two possible consequences you must consider:

• Taxable cancellation of debt income.(Note: As stated above, cancellation of debt income is not taxable in the case of non-recourse loans.)
• A reportable gain from the disposition of the home (because foreclosures are treated like sales for tax purposes).(Note: Often some or all of the gain from the sale of a personal residence qualifies for exclusion from income.)
Use the following steps to compute the income to be reported from a foreclosure:

Step 1 – Figuring Cancellation of Debt Income (Note: For non-recourse loans, skip this section. You have no income from cancellation of debt.)
1. Enter the total amount of the debt immediately prior to the foreclosure.___________
2. Enter the fair market value of the property from Form 1099-C, box 7. ___________
3. Subtract line 2 from line 1.If less than zero, enter zero.___________
The amount on line 3 will generally equal the amount shown in box 2 of Form 1099-C. This amount is taxable unless you meet one of the exceptions in question 2. Enter it on line 21, Other Income, of your Form 1040.

Step 2 – Figuring Gain from Foreclosure

4. Enter the fair market value of the property foreclosed. For non-recourse loans, enter the amount of the debt immediately prior to the foreclosure ________
5. Enter your adjusted basis in the property.(Usually your purchase price plus the cost of any major improvements.) ____________
6. Subtract line 5 from line 4. If less than zero, enter zero.
The amount on line 6 is your gain from the foreclosure of your home. If you have owned and used the home as your principal residence for periods totaling at least two years during the five year period ending on the date of the foreclosure, you may exclude up to $250,000 (up to $500,000 for married couples filing a joint return) from income. If you do not qualify for this exclusion, or your gain exceeds $250,000 ($500,000 for married couples filing a joint return), report the taxable amount on Schedule D, Capital Gains and Losses.

4. I lost money on the foreclosure of my home. Can I claim a loss on my tax return?

No. Losses from the sale or foreclosure of personal property are not deductible.

5. Can you provide examples?

A borrower bought a home in August 2005 and lived in it until it was taken through foreclosure in September 2007. The original purchase price was $170,000, the home is worth $200,000 at foreclosure, and the mortgage debt canceled at foreclosure is $220,000. At the time of the foreclosure, the borrower is insolvent, with liabilities (mortgage, credit cards, car loans and other debts) totaling $250,000 and assets totaling $230,000.

The borrower figures income from the foreclosure as follows:

Use the following steps to compute the income to be reported from a foreclosure:

Step 1 – Figuring Cancellation of Debt Income (Note: For non-recourse loans, skip this section. You have no income from cancellation of debt.)
1. Enter the total amount of the debt immediately prior to the foreclosure.___$220,000__
2. Enter the fair market value of the property from Form 1099-C, box 7. ___$200,000__
3. Subtract line 2 from line 1.If less than zero, enter zero.___$20,000__
The amount on line 3 will generally equal the amount shown in box 2 of Form 1099-C. This amount is taxable unless you meet one of the exceptions in question 2. Enter it on line 21, Other Income, of your Form 1040.
Step 2 – Figuring Gain from Foreclosure
4. Enter the fair market value of the property foreclosed. For non-recourse loans, enter the amount of the debt immediately prior to the foreclosure. __$200,000__
5. Enter your adjusted basis in the property.(Usually your purchase price plus the cost of any major improvements.) ___$170,000__
6. Subtract line 5 from line 4.If less than zero, enter zero.___$30,000__

The amount on line 6 is your gain from the foreclosure of your home. If you have owned and used the home as your principal residence for periods totaling at least two years during the five year period ending on the date of the foreclosure, you may exclude up to $250,000 (up to $500,000 for married couples filing a joint return) from income. If you do not qualify for this exclusion, or your gain exceeds $250,000 ($500,000 for married couples filing a joint return), report the taxable amount on Schedule D, Capital Gains and Losses.

In this situation, the borrower has a tax-free home-sale gain of $30,000 ($200,000 minus $170,000), because they owned and lived in their home as a principal residence for at least two years. Ordinarily, the borrower would also have taxable debt-forgiveness income of $20,000 ($220,000 minus $200,000). But since the borrower’s liabilities exceed assets by $20,000 ($250,000 minus $230,000) there is no tax on the canceled debt.

Other examples can be found in IRS Publication 544, Sales and Other Dispositions of Assets, under the section “Foreclosures and Repossessions”.

6. I don’t agree with the information on the Form 1099-C. What should I do?
Contact the lender. The lender should issue a corrected form if the information is determined to be incorrect. Retain all records related to the purchase of your home and all related debt.

7. I received a notice from the IRS on this. What should I do?
The IRS urges borrowers with questions to call the phone number shown on the notice. The IRS also urges borrowers who wind up owing additional tax and are unable to pay it in full to use the installment agreement form, normally included with the notice, to request a payment agreement with the agency.

8. Where else can I go to get tax help?
If you are having difficulty resolving a tax problem (such as one involving an IRS bill, letter or notice) through normal IRS channels, the Taxpayer Advocate Service may be able to help. For more information, you can also call the TAS toll-free case intake line at 1-877-777-4778, TTY/TDD 1-800-829-4059.
In some cases, you may qualify for free or low-cost assistance from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC). LITCs are independent organizations that represent low income taxpayers in tax disputes with the IRS. Find information on an LITCs in your area.

Perks to Buying During the Holidays

Home Decor Evolution: Trends to Try for an Instant Update

Gone are the days when a stylish home and a busy family have to be mutually exclusive. Home decorating is hotter than ever and everyone is getting in on the trend.

With an ever-increasing focus on DIY design projects, resources such as shelter magazines, design blogs, TV shows and online home decor retailers are making high design accessible to any homeowner. If your budget doesn’t include hiring an interior decorator to update your decor, a few tips from the experts will go a long way.

Design duo Robert and Cortney Novogratz are the stars of HGTV’s “Home by Novogratz” and parents to seven children. Known for using vintage and eclectic items to create fun and stylish interiors that are also family-friendly, they point out that selecting unique pieces for your home is an easy way to make your style stand out.

“Having vintage pieces in your home is very important,” Robert Novogratz says. “Our world is becoming more and more homogenized and a vintage piece really sets your space apart from anywhere else. Vintage pieces add a sense of history, tell a story, and make your space unique. It could be a family heirloom or something from a flea market.”

Still, many people shy away from antique decor, associating it with hunting through flea markets and excessive spending on one-of-a-kind items. With all of the resources available on the Internet, you do not need to be a world traveler or an avid “antiquer” to create an eclectic look and feel in your home.

The leading online curated sales destination for the home, One Kings Lane, recently launched Vintage and Market Finds, which is a permanent online marketplace featuring curated premium antique and vintage treasures. The marketplace is comprised of items from the country’s top vintage and antique dealers, offering remarkable prices and tremendous value to shoppers looking to update their homes with timeless decor.

To help you get in on the vintage trend, Cortney and Robert Novogratz are sharing their secrets for creating unique and family-friendly spaces that fuse style with purpose:

* Embrace the possibilities. When you’re shopping for vintage pieces, consider how they can be repurposed and reimagined for your home. You can use an antique chest as a coffee table that doubles as stylish storage for blankets, pillows and toys. You will find new ways to incorporate pieces you’re drawn to by keeping an open mind.

* Add history to your home. Vintage items, from coffee table books to maps and globes, can be incorporated into lively gathering spaces―or even your kids’ bedrooms. Parents with an eye for style shouldn’t be concerned about adding unique items to their home. While you do not want to not put the most expensive pieces in your kids’ bedrooms, collectables like classic books and vintage maps make perfect decorative learning tools.

* Mix it up. A mix-and-match approach can give a home an eclectic yet comfortable style, adding a touch of livability to ultramodern spaces and pops of personality to more traditional decor. This works well for a dining room table. Balance a traditional mid-century candelabra with bright-colored modern candles for a centerpiece. Using mismatched vintage plates when entertaining guests is a fun way to add eclectic style to a dinner party.

* Play up your story. Your home is your castle, and it should reflect who you are. A personal element, like your initials or a lucky number, can provide inspiration as well as a starting point for looking for vintage elements for your home. Start small and build as you go, keeping an eye out for items like chests, boxes, lighting, books, art and furniture.

Stylish home decor is more accessible now than ever, and with all of the resources available, decorating your space is not only easy, but fun. Using vintage pieces makes a chic statement about who you and your family are and how you live.

8 Reasons Why E-mail Marketing Works

Mention e-mail marketing to real estate agents and you may find that many are still hesitant to move away from their tried-and-true snail mail methods. Others, however, are rapidly discovering that e-mail marketing is just about one of the most effective means of generating sales.
Want proof? When Shop.org surveyed retailers for their State of Retailing Online 2009 report, they found that e-mail was the most-mentioned successful tactic overall. The Ad Effectiveness Survey commissioned by Forbes Media in February/March 2009 placed e-mail marketing second only to SEO for generating conversions. And, research conducted in 2009 by the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) demonstrated that e-mail out-performs all other forms of direct marketing.
The bigger question, of course, is why? Out of all the hundreds or even thousands of messages consumers are exposed to each day, why is e-mail marketing so effective?
There are several reasons, and real estate agents who embrace these principles will quickly find themselves joining in the chorus of praise.

1. E-mail marketing has a broad reach. It’s tough to find anyone who doesn’t have at least one e-mail address these days, which means you can reach out to your entire customer and/or prospect base. Just be sure to get their permission first by asking if you can add them to your mailing list.

2. E-mail marketing is proactive. Many real estate agents start promoting their services by taking out ads in a phone directory, a real estate guide, a local community newspaper, a billboard, or by sending direct mail and placing door hangers. The problem is your customers and prospects have to happen across the ads in order to see them. E-mail marketing goes directly to a place they’re already looking – their e-mail in-box. And unlike paper-based mail or door hangers, e-mail gives them the opportunity to contact you directly to get a quote or more information by simply clicking a mouse.

3. E-mail marketing is targeted. Most forms of advertising are based on the concept that if you hit thousands of people with your message, even though it means nothing to most of them, a few are likely to respond. E-mail marketing, though, is based on the idea of sending the right message directly to the right people based on their preferences, local market conditions and other factors. You can build one master list, then segment it by geographic location, marital status, gender, age, income, time of year, etc. It eliminates a lot of the guesswork that makes other forms of marketing so inefficient.

4. E-mail marketing provides data. If you’re using an e-mail marketing application or service designed for small business, you can run reports that show which e-mails or messages worked, as well as which didn’t, so you can improve your next campaign. You can even run split tests, sending one offer or message to half your list and a different one to the other half, so you can get a better feel for what exactly makes customers and prospects buy from you.

5. E-mail marketing allows you to engage. It’s nice to get the immediate reaction from a seller who sees your ad just as he/she decides to list a home. But your real goal is to build a relationship with a broader base of prospects so they think of you whenever it’s time for them to sell. E-mail marketing allows you to do that by bringing them community and market news, current mortgage rates, decorating ideas, timely tips (such as how to get a garden ready for spring), and more on a regular basis. It’s a great way to engage them – and keep them engaged.

6. E-mail marketing has a low cost of entry. Most forms of advertising or marketing require a big up-front investment before you see any results. That can get expensive for a real estate agent trying to keep expenses down. E-mail marketing has very little up-front cost, allowing you to market effectively without having to stop your core business work for long periods to get it done.

7. E-mail marketing is less intrusive. Unlike television or radio commercials, or especially telemarketing calls, e-mail marketing doesn’t interrupt a prior activity to deliver a message. Opening e-mail is the activity your customers and prospects are engaged in when they see your message. If you’ve done a good job of building that relationship, they’ll actually look forward to seeing what you have to say (instead of using a remote to zap past your message).

8. E-mail marketing works. According to the DMA’s research, e-mail marketing generated a return on investment of $43.62 for every dollar spent on it in 2009. You’re unlikely to find that kind of ROI out of any other form of marketing or advertising. That, of course, is the best reason of all to launch an e-mail marketing campaign.

Done correctly, e-mail marketing allows you to become (and remain) visible to your customers and prospects with highly-targeted messages at a minimal cost. All while delivering outstanding, measurable results. It’s like having an extra agent on your side – without having to split the commission.

Wendy Lowe is director of product marketing for Campaigner (www.campaigner.com), an e-mail marketing solution that enables organizations to have highly-personalized one-to-one e-mail dialogues with their customers, measure how they respond, and analyze those responses to interact in a more intelligent, automated way. Wendy can be reached at wlowe@protus.com.

Don’t let foreclosed homes ruin your neighborhood

Take action to protect your neighborhood and your own home’s value.

Vacant or foreclosed homes can diminish an area’s quality. As they deteriorate from neglect, these homes become eyesores that drag down the property value of other homes in the neighborhood. Luckily, you don’t have to sit back and watch a foreclosed home fall apart. You can take actions to protect your neighborhood and your property value.

The danger of doing nothing
Vacant homes take an economic, physical and social toll on a neighborhood. Empty houses tend to attract trespassers and squatters, and can become havens for illegal and dangerous activities. It’s possible to prevent these problems by taking steps to safeguard and invest in your neighborhood.

What happens to neighborhoods
The 2007 mortgage crisis provides some important clues as to how your neighborhood could be affected by empty homes. Many properties sat empty for more than a year because the foreclosure process was delayed. Banks were overwhelmed by the number of troubled homeowners. Some properties were bought by investors with the intention of flipping them for a profit, meaning these residences were vacant to begin with, and have remained vacant since.

No longer a piggy bank
Nearly half of the home sales in foreclosure or “short sales” in 2009 were sold at a discount, according to the Center for Responsible Lending. It estimated that 69.5 million homes near foreclosures saw a price drop of $7,200 on average per home. This led to a $502 billion total decline in property values. The nonprofit research and policy organization also predicted that 91.5 million nearby homes would be affected within the following four years, causing the tax base to become smaller. Low home values mean less equity. People depending on the value of their home to achieve investment goals, such as retirement or college, have seen those goals delayed.

Encouraging crime
Crime is a major concern with these vacant homes. Unkempt lawns and dilapidated roofs advertise to thieves that the home is empty. Many of these opportunists will steal the home’s copper pipes, copper wiring, appliances and fixtures. A vacant home becomes a magnet for vandalism, drug dealers, prostitution and violent crimes. Poor communities are especially hard hit because homeowners there have fewer resources to make improvements compared to residents of more affluent areas.

The vacant homes also lead to increased municipal costs because of the need for more services, such as police, fire and code enforcement. Funding these services can take away from property tax revenue.

What you can do
Take measures to stabilize your neighborhood before your home loses value. Organize or host foreclosure-prevention workshops. Request a community-based organization to come to your neighborhood and hold a meeting. Contact local lenders, loan servicers and housing counselors to find out whether they are able to hold a workshop at your home or local community center. The workshops could give your quietly struggling neighbors the assistance they need.

When you notice a property going astray — such as obvious damage or grass height not meeting the appropriate community standards — locate the owners of the property so they can immediately handle the situation and reduce the financial loss. Call the real-estate agent who is listing the property if the home is up for sale. To find out who owns the home, you can contact the homeowners association, community managers, or your local housing and inspections department.

Some more tips
Organizing a neighborhood watch is a great way to prevent crime and vandalism. Try to learn who’s moving in and who’s leaving so you know which homes are at risk. Identify block captains to monitor these homes until the situation is resolved. It helps to create a checklist for issues such as:

• Signs of running water.

• Lights left on.

• Trash, debris and other items left outside.

• Broken doors or windows.

• Graffiti.

• Structural damage.

Some active measures include:

• Parking cars in the driveways of vacant homes to give the appearance that the home is occupied.

• Maintaining the lawn.

• Painting the boards covering the doors and windows so they look like doors and windows.

• Clearing trash and organizing neighborhood clean-up projects.

Other creative techniques for you to try include:

• Hanging curtains and blinds in the windows.

• Using deadbolts for the locks.

• Using baby monitors.

• Installing motion detectors, floodlights and cameras to catch burglars.

Before you attempt any of these more creative options, make sure you talk to the owner or a representative of the bank holding the property title. Making alterations to a property, even positive ones, can be construed as trespassing.

Additional community efforts can involve grassroots strategies such as pooling funds from community groups and local government to buy foreclosed properties, renovating the homes or tearing them down to create community spaces. Some mortgage companies may hire a property preservation company to check in on and handle the maintenance of a foreclosed home. The company may contact you to let you know that they are checking on the home and may ask you to contact them if a situation arises. The company sticker will usually be placed on the door of the home, indicating that it is frequently being looked after.

Positive Housing Market Trends

Mortgage rates have hit record lows, which means housing affordability is at an all-time high. But are home buyers taking advantage of this opportunity? The latest real estate news suggests that potential home buyers are becoming actual home owners.
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), pending home sales for November increased 7.3 percent to the highest level in 19 months. The Pending Home Sales Index assesses the health of the real estate market by evaluating housing contract activity. An index of 100 is considered healthy; the November index sits at 100.1, up from the previous year’s November index of 94.5. The index hasn’t been this high since April 2010, when the then-upcoming deadline for the home buyer tax credit created an increased demand in the housing market. In today’s market, there might not be a tax credit incentivizing buyers, but there are record-low mortgage rates. Potential buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines for the market to improve are finally signing contracts to take advantage of a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage below 4 percent.

The Supply of Homes on the Market Decreased
The total housing inventory for November fell 5.8 percent. By the end of the month, 2.58 million existing homes were available for sale. Of those homes, 29 percent were foreclosures and short sales, down from 33 percent a year ago; while still high, this is movement in the right direction.

Construction Spending Increased
The improving real estate market is also boosting the construction trade. According to the U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce, construction spending rose 1.2 percent in November, due in large part to a 2 percent increase in residential construction spending.

Residential construction spending is up, foreclosures are down and more real estate contracts are being signed. Unfortunately, not all of those contracts will make it to closing. According to NAR, around 33 percent of its members reported contract failures, on track with October numbers but far above the reported 9 percent of contract failures a year ago. The possible reasons for these contract failures are varied; declined mortgage applications, failed home inspections, and low appraisals can all sink a deal. NAR economists believe that the number of existing home contracts that make it to closing should increase in the months ahead.

Are You Ready to Buy?
If you’re looking to purchase a home, take every precaution to ensure your deal isn’t one of the 33 percent. Secure your financing before placing an offer on a home, and seek a second appraisal if the first is too low. If your first deal falls through, don’t be afraid to make an offer on another home. Based on the latest real estate news, it’s a good time to buy.