5 Home Improvement Tips to Improve Property Value

http://www.wenatcheevalleyhome.com/miarticles/articleid/68/

Helpful Home Buying & Selling Info - July

* Your New Home and Its Appliances
* Keeping Everyone Happy During Home Improvement Projects
* What Is Mortgage Life Insurance?
* Should Bathroom Design Matter to Home Buyers?

http://www.wenatcheevalleyhome.com/miarticles/articleid/59

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Are you thinking about buying a home?

For most people, buying a home represents one of the largest purchases they’ll ever make. Here are some factors to consider before you start shopping for your next home:

* How much money you want to spend.

* What type of home you would like.

* Where you want to live.

* When you want to move.

* How much you qualify to borrow and what type of financing is available to you.

To help you focus on affordable homes and neighborhoods and keep your expectations realistic, it pays to get pre-qualified by a lender right away. When you start your search, you will want to get pre-approved for a loan as soon as possible. The pre-approval process includes a credit check and employment verification. Once you are pre-approved and make an offer, all the lender needs to do is appraise the property you want to buy.

Why is pre-approval so important? Sellers are more likely to choose an offer that is pre-approved over an offer from someone whose financial picture is still in question. Get pre-approved and you strengthen your position in the eyes of most sellers. If you or someone you know is interested in buying a home or needs some real estate advice, please visit our website at www.WenatcheeHouses.com for buying and selling tips, MLS property searches, town and community information and more

Warm regards,

The Davidson Team

"Start Packing Today!"

When you make an offer on a home

When you make an offer to buy a home, the seller has the option to accept it, reject it, or counter your offer with a different price and/or terms. In a market with strong demand, a seller may not counter an offer but merely choose the highest one.

When you find the home that fits your needs, we can help you negotiate a price that you can feel good about. Here are a few ways to strengthen your position when making an offer:

* Take the time to get pre-approved, not just pre-qualified.

* Keep contingencies to a minimum (only necessary ones like inspection, financing, etc.)

* Have a substantial earnest money deposit to show the seller that you're serious.

We're happy to help you with any questions you have about finding a home and navigating the home buying process. Please visit our website for buying and selling tips, MLS property searches, town and community information and more. You may also email or call us any time.

Blaine's Recipe of the Week: 7/14/08

For me, a wonderful sauce can make any meat tast amazing. Here's one of my best that compliments any beef or lamb dish and provides that wow factor.

Dijon/Port Lamb or Beef Reduction Sauce

Drippings from meet

¾ cup port

¾ cup beef stock

¾ cup heavy cream

¾ cup shallots

3+ tablespoons fresh mint

3+ tablespoons unsalted butter

3-6 tablespoons Dijon depending on your taste (add at end)

Throw all items except the butter and dijon into a sauce pan and whisk/reduce considerably on high heat. Toward the tail end of the reduction process, add the butter and dijon.

Enjoy!

Some Easy Ways To Maintain Home Values

The easiest way to maintain and improve your home's value is consistent maintenance and repair. Keeping up with seasonal issues like inspecting your roof for weather damage in the spring or cleaning gutters and downspouts in the fall keeps the time you have to spend on these tasks at a minimum. When you're thinking about the value of your home, also keep these things in mind:

__ Overall condition of your property. In addition to the above tasks, inspect your property regularly and maintain a clean home. With the pace of life getting faster, many people just don't have the time to "fix up" a new home. They want a home they can move into easily. Keeping up with maintenance and small repairs also allows you more time to enjoy your property.

__ Bedrooms and bathrooms. How many are there? Have they been remodeled or updated?

__ Outdoor area. How big is the yard? Is there a deck or patio?

__ Garage. 1, 2 or 3 cars?

__ Kitchen. How up-to-date is it? Has it been remodeled?

__ Is there a family room? How big is it?

Visit The Davidson Team at www.WenatcheeHouses.com for home maintenance tips, buying and selling tips, MLS property searches, town and community information and more!

Warm regards,

The Davidson Team

"Start Packing Today!"