EZ Talks: Recent Episodes

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1. General Things to do
   1. Deep clean, declutter and unnecessary furniture
   2. Toys
   3. Pet stuff
   4. Do not mix bulb types
   5. Turn off all fans
2. Bedrooms
   1. Clear Clutter
   2. Make beds
   3. Tidy up toys, clothes, and valuables
3. Bathrooms
   1. Leave toilet seats down
   2. Clear clutter
   3. Clear dirty towels and arrange fresh accent towels
4. Living Room/ Dining Room
   1. Turn off TVs
   2. Place pillows & thrown blankets
   3. Declutter all areas
   4. Arrange furniture neatly
5. Kitchen
   1. Remove small appliances
   2. Remove all rugs and dishtowels
   3. Remove magnets/photos, etc. from refrigerator
   4. Ensure all visible areas are freshly cleaned
   5. Store garbage can out of sight
6. Exterior
   1. Hide garbage cans
   2. Uncover and clean barbeques o
   3. Close garage door o
   4. Ensure landscaping is freshly manicured o
   5. Place a fresh wreath and door mat at entrance to home o
   6. Clean up after any animals o
   7. Hide “cute” yard decorations o I
   8. f you have a pool, hot tub, or spa, take security gates down, uncover, and clean o
   9. If taking twilight photos, replace any broken outdoor lighting o
   10. Remove any seasonal/holiday decorations

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Thinking of selling your home for sale by owner

1. Did you know there can be over 100 things that an agent does during listing and selling a home?
2. As an individual do you know where to get data that can prevent potential lawsuits?
3. Do you know how to price your home correctly?
4. Do you know all the costs to estimate what your proceeds might be to buy your next home?
5. Scheduling showings and liability
6. Protections in contracts
7. Earnest Money
8. Inspections
9. Attorneys
10. Appraisals
11. Termites
12. Closing
13. Possession

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Happy Graduation- Inspiring the Next Generation of Homeowners

1. Kelso- Bio and background
2. Getting Started- Kelso personal experience on becoming a homeowner after graduation
3. Setting realistic expectations
4. Savings for the future and down payments
5. Investing for retirement
6. Helping people realize not to make emotional changes in retirement planning.

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Staging your home to sell

1. Start with Curb Appeal to get them in the door. Check out last week’s live to get tips for curb appeal.
2. Kitchen Facelift
   1. Pack up appliances that are not regularly used
   2. Clear all clutter off countertops
   3. Update hardware if needed
   4. Paint cabinets to give them a lift
   5. Deep clean sinks, faucets and appliances
3. Furniture
   1. Reduce amount of furniture to make the room look bigger
   2. Rethink their placement
   3. Reduce clutter on tables, book shelves, and not so many pillows on the couch/chairs
4. Office Space
   1. If possible you can add functional office space. More people are working from home.
      1. If a room is not used much
      2. Or a corner of the living room
   2. Depersonalize
      1. Remove family photos from walls and tables
      2. Remove kids artwork, diplomas etc
      3. Replace with generic artwork that goes with the space
   3. Organize storage space
      1. Pantry spaces
      2. Closets
      3. Understairs closets
   4. Bathrooms
      1. Deep clean & Declutter
      2. You want it to look like a spa and inviting
      3. New shower curtains that are not busy looking
      4. New rugs/bathmats
      5. Clean or replace caulk
      6. Clean grout and use a grout stain if needed
   5. Aromas/Clean Scents
      1. Soft scented candles or diffusers.
      2. Make sure you home doesn’t smell like your furry friends
   6. Lighting
      1. Open curtains & blinds to let in natural light
      2. Create a focal point with the curtains
      3. Leave lights on in every room for showing to invite people in
      4. At dark, turn on outdoor lighting even if people are not showing. You never know who is driving by.
   7. Always have a plan to be show ready
      1. Keep flooring clean as much as possible
      2. Keep beds made
      3. Keep items put away
      4. A plan of action with toys for those last minute showings.

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Selling a mobile home

1. What types of homes are financeable through FHA? Double wide only.
2. How can you tell if it is a single wide or double wide? The manufacture plate number. If there is an A & B, it is a double wide
3. Do all lenders finance mobile homes? No, if you are considering purchasing a mobile home, ask your lender if they finance mobile homes.
4. Does it matter how old the mobile home is? Depends on the lender.
5. What are some things a mobile home need to be financeable
   1. Certificiate of affixation ( Where the title is retired to the state and the axel & wheels are removed. Please see our episode with the closing attorney for more details)
   2. Engineers foundation certificate
   3. Know the mobile home plate/tag numbers
   4. If metal tags are not available, an IBTS letter is required. IBTS is the only agency that can provide manufactured home owners, real estate agents, brokers and other stakeholders with a label verification letter, which can suffice for missing HUD labels. IBTS can also provide a copy of the original data plate or a Performance Verification Certificate. IBTS does not provide verification services for modular homes or mobile/manufactured homes built before June 15, 1976. See IBTS.org for more details or to order one.
6. Do you have to have all of this information to sell? Yes and No. Financing will require most of these things whereas an all cash transaction will not.

If you are considering selling a mobile home, please consult with a Realtor for guidance or call us we would be glad to help.  

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What it means to be a Realtor

1. Definition of a Realtor- the dictionary defines a Realtor as a real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors
   1. When an agent is a member of NAR they are held to a Code of Ethics
   2. In addition to the Code of Ethics with are held to the laws of the state in which we are licensed with
2. Fiduciary Duties
   1. Loyalty
   2. Confidentiality
   3. Obedience
   4. Disclosure
   5. Full accounting and
   6. The duty to use skill, care and diligence
   7. Honesty & Fair dealing
3. HGTV vs Realtor- What you see on TV is nothing compared to what all Realtors do for the public
   1. There are over a hundred things a Realtor does getting ready to sell, during the listing, while its under contract to close and even after closing.
4. Why do I enjoy being a Realtor

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Things you need to know when being a first time home buyer.

1. Getting started
   1. Finding a lender and getting pre-qualified
   2. Finding the right realtor & setting up a home search
2. The Offer
   1. You found the right house what’s next
   2. What goes into an offer
3. The Closing process
   1. Some of the Do’s & Don’ts during the closing process
   2. Contingencies, Inspections & Appraisals
   3. Closing Day

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Determine How Much Home You Can Afford

• Dti- Debt to income ratio
• Pre-qualification

Save for a Down Payment

• Mortgage insurance
• Types of loans
• Closing costs

Find a Real Estate agent you can trust

• Research agents
• interview them

Get a Mortgage Preapproval and Lender selection

• Research lenders
• Interview what types of loans they offer

Find the Perfect home for you

• Research areas
• Look at houses on the internet to see your likes and dislikes
• Discuss these with your agent

Make an Offer

• Discuss the current strategies for the housing market
• Discuss the length of time the house has been on the market
• Discuss if it is in multiple offers

Choose a Real Estate Attorney/Closing company

Schedule a Home Inspection

• Home inspection

• Septic inspection

• Well inspection

• Pool inspection

Prepare for Closing

• Appraisal

• Termite clearance

• Do’s & Donts

• utilities

Schedule closing & close on your new home

• Setting the date

• Wiring the funds

• What to bring to closing

• When do you get keys

Congratulations you are a home owner!

Next week : Renting vs Buying

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What type of homes are financeable through FHA? Double wide only. Single wides do not qualify.

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1. Yes, and should for your protection
   1. Years of knowledge an training on your side
   2. State approved Realtor Contract vs Atty Contract
   3. Knowledge of inspections that should be done
   4. Negotiation tactics
   5. Problem solving
2. Will it costs you as a buyer to use a Realtor in a FSBO
   1. Yes if the seller choses not to co-op with a Realtor
   2. No if the seller choses to co-op with a Realtor

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1. Why is it important to be pre-qualified before looking for a home
2. What information is needed to get pre-qualified
3. What can you do to help to be pre-qualified in the future if you don’t qualify now.
4. Home loan types and what are the requirements to be qualified
   1. USDA
   2. FHA
   3. Conventional
5. Non-traditional financeable homes
6. What to do and not do while going through the loan process.

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1. Exterior curb appeal: First impressions are what get buyers in the door
2. Think about proportions: If you have a large flat front yard, small flowers will not be seen. Consider shrub to line walk ways or large plants in flower beds to fill space.
3. Emphasize walkways leading to your front door. The ultimate goal is to move them to the front door to see more inside
4. Look at a color wheel. Find complementary colors in plants that accent the color of your home.
5. Avoid blocking the view of doors and windows with large plants.
6. Try to keep it low maintenance. You will be having a lot on your plate when trying to sell a home. A low maintenance landscape will help alleviate time constraints.
7. If you already have a well landscaped exterior, make sure to weed flower beds and trim bushes add fresh mulch mow and trim the yard Keep yards free of debris add a splash of color with small annual flowers added to the flower beds or planters with flowers.
8. “Make sure it's well-lit Nothing is more welcoming than warm, bright lighting at night. Use small lanterns or pathway lights to highlight a walkway, or larger spotlights to make a certain landscaping item the star of your yard. Either way, a house always looks more welcoming when you can easily see it—even at night!”

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• Roof & Gutters-
  1. Gutters- unclog & make sure gutters and downspouts are secure.
  2. Roof- Check for missing, lose or damaged shingles
• Doors & Windows-
  1. Doors- check weatherstripping, tighten any loose hardware and oil if needed, hardware and tracks of garage door
  2. Windows- Clean, repair screens, and repair/replace caulk
• HVAC Systems- Change filters, clean vents/grilles, wash outside units, and trim any foliage around outside unit.
• Change batteries and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Check your laundry room dryer vent and hose for lint buildup
• Flush Water heater and remove sediment
• Test the interior and exterior GFCI outlets
• Inspect your fire extinguisher recharge or replace if necessary
• Check interior and exterior pipes for leaks
• Inspect and clean outdoor lighting
• Pressure wash decks, fencing, sidewalks, driveways,
• Repair/Replace, paint, seal or stain any exterior trim, siding, decks, support posts as needed
• Fix any potholes or cracks in your driveway
• Lawn Maintenance
  1. Preform seasonal maintenance on equipment
  2. Check sprinkler systems for leaks or damage
  3. Remove dead leaves, branches, or debris
  4. Fertilize grass and plants as needed and ad mulch
• Inspect exterior for yard for insects or pest damage
• Repair any masonry damage or cracks Do Not plug brick weep holes!

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1) Buyer- a contract to buy a home is a legally binding contract, make sure you have the best guidance to keep you legal.     a) Knowing lenders to point you in the right direction for the right pre- approval     b) Knowing the areas, where to get the data to help you select the right area.    c) Knowing the current trends that get offers accepted.    d) Making sure you protected through the process by advising on inspections, warranties, and other service providers.    e) For more information on the buying process check out our FB Live we did on March 17th

2) Seller    a) Not all Realtors are right for you.    b) What does an agent do before the first meeting         i) Getting tax & deed information,        ii) CMA       iii) details of area & subdivision.

c) A realtor knows the trends of the market to get you the max for your home. We give strategies, tips on staging, what makes the best photos for your home, timing of marketing and expectations of timing of going under contract all the way to the closing day.    d) A Realtor has a network of people they have used, worked with, affordable with good quality and that they can recommend to you during the entire process.    e) Lastly, they know the steps to keep you protected legally and financially. The proper disclosures to protect you, the licensed contractors for repairs, and navigate a contract successfully.

3) What if you are buyer and seller? If buying or selling is stressful enough, try doing both at the same time. In addition to all we talked about in buyers and sellers a few things are additional when doing both and here is where and expert can ease the stress.    a) Timing it right    b) Funds for your purchase that come from your sale est.    c) Coordinating the move, utilities, and keys.

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Welcome to EZ Talks. Where it is all about topics that matter when you are thinking about one of life’s most treasured investments, your home. EZ Realty realtors are your home town trusted Realtors here to give guidance, trusted information and a sense of ease during life’s biggest financial investments. We are here to make it EZ for you.