Moving Tips from Navy Wives

School is nearly out which means many families will be on the move. More job relocations happen between June and August than at any other time of the year. Who better to ask for moving tips than military wives who have to move their families and pack up all their possessions every year or so to keep the family together. We polled a few service wives and came up with a list of great tips for moving day to get you started.

• Get organized. Before you start filling the first box, do some planning. Draw a simple layout of your new home. Label each room with a one- to two-word label: kitchen, up bath, master bed, Emily bed, living, etc. On every box you pack, write the same labels so movers will know where each box goes. On moving day, tape a copy of the labelled house plan to the front door, at the top of the stairs and in every hallway. Put a sign on the entrance to each room telling movers which room it is. This will cut down on your need to direct movers on moving day and on misdirected boxes. One Navy wife assigns each room a color which goes on the layout chart, the door signs and on each box. She said the colors make it quick and easy to tell what goes where.
• Supply central. Get plenty of boxes, clear box tape (so you can see what you've written on the boxes), paper, pens and indelible black marking pens (like Sharpies). Save newspapers or, even better, get packing paper from the moving company (it doesn't leave an ink residue). Always get more boxes than you think you'll need. If you buy boxes from the moving company, you can return those you don't use for credit.
• Emergency kit. The moving van may not arrive the same day you do, so you'll need some basic living items to get you through the first few days. And even if the van and you arrive on the same day, it's going to take awhile to unpack and get everything put away. So set aside a couple of boxes to hold the basics and take them with you in your car. You should include basic kitchen supplies, paper towels, sponge, dish soap; checkbook, address book, vital records and basic desk supplies (paper, pens, tape, etc.); essential bathroom kit, toilet paper, kleenex, towels and washcloths, medications and first aid supplies; sheets, blankets and pillows; clothing for a couple of days, including comfortable shoes; a few favorite books, toys, games, stuffed animals for the kids (let them each pack a backpack of their favorite things); pets and necessary supplies; flashlight (the lamps will be on the van, remember). Plan to buy paper plates and cups, drinks and snacks when you get there.
• Savvy packing. Packing up your whole house can seem overwhelming so get started early. Break it up and pack each room in sections. Pack items that will be used together in the same box. For example: all desk items should be packed together so when you unpack, everything you need for your desk is together. Let the kids pack their own rooms (with guidance). Sort as you go. Have a big bag for trash and a donation box for items you won't need in the new house. Be brutal. Don't pay to take unwanted items with you to the new house. Pare down the clutter before you move.
• Label everything. Label each box with your key word, but also write on the box (or on a sheet of paper taped to the outside of the box) a summary of contents. You're going to have a dozen boxes marked "kitchen." If you've marked the boxes baking supplies, pots and pans, dishes, pantry, etc., you'll have an easier time finding what you need when you get to your new house. If you tape a list to the outside of the box, completely seal it to the box with clear packing tape to prevent it from tearing off the box during the move.

For great tips on buying and selling your home, finding a mortgage, and more, click the post title. On his Homes Buy Day website, veteran realtor John Day shares great tips gleaned from many years working in the real estate industry. If you're buying or selling a home in Maryland or the Washington DC metro area, John Day is your key to success.

Protect Yourself Against Mortgage Fraud

The neighbors were concerned. In their upscale New Albany, Ohio neighborhood, six $350,000 homes had been sold in the past six months, at least the homes all displayed "sold" signs in their front yards. But no one had moved in, no one had been around to mow the grass, you couldn't see any furniture when you peeked in the window, calls to the realty number displayed on the sold signs got a disconnect message. It was more than curious. It was downright worrisome. Afraid the neglected homes would negatively affect their property values and diminish their own efforts to sell, the neighbors called police.

A lengthy investigation turned up a local mortgage fraud ring. Buying quarter to half million dollar homes with creative financing packages and no money down, the ring had pocketed the loan money, abandoned the homes, defaulted on the mortgages and made a ton of money in the process. It was shocking!

It always is. No one expects to be a victim of mortgage fraud. That's something that happens to the other guy. Well a lot of "other guys" just like you have been duped by the perpetrators of mortgage fraud. In the past year mortgage default and foreclosures have become rampant across the country, jumping 47% this spring compared to a year ago, according to RealtyTrac, Inc. Foreclosures are highest among borrowers with marginal credit who were enticed to take out high-priced loans on homes they ultimately couldn't afford. The crisis has lead Senators Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Charles Schumer (New York) and Bob Casey (Pennsylvania) to introduce a bill that would mandate tougher federal standards for mortgage lenders and provide funding for consumer programs to educate homeowners and help them avoid foreclosure.

Every homeowner needs to protect himself against mortgage fraud, says veteran Maryland realtor John Day. He urges buyers to think before they sign on the dotted line.

• Don't falsify information on a loan application or allow yourself to be a party to false information provided by a mortgage broker or lender.
• Don't participate in falsely inflating a home's appraisal.
• Don't sign fake supporting documentation for your loan and don't ever sign a blank form.
• Don't purchase loans disguised as refinances.
• Don't trust businesses or websites that promise to boost your credit score for a fee.

Good advice for all homeowners -- buyers and sellers. Another piece of advice, DO work with an honest, reputable, qualified real estate agent like John Day. A lead agent at prestigious Long & Foster Realtors, John will guide you through the confusing process of buying or selling a home in Maryland or the Washington DC metro area. Visit John’s Homes Buy Day website for great tips and to check out the latest listings. If you’re buying or selling a home, John Day is your key to success.

Vacation Home Market Still Strong

Despite downturns in the housing market, the vacation home market has remained strong. In fact, the demand for vacation homes increased by 4.7% last year to a record 1.07 million units, the National Association of Realtors reported. The number of vacation homes sold last year totaled 14% of the total market, up from 12% in 2005.

Strong demographic forces continue to drive the vacation home market upward, reported NAR chief economist David Lereah. According to the 2006 NAR survey, the typical vacation home buyer was 44 years old with a household income of $102,000. On average, the vacation home purchased was located 215 miles from the buyer's primary residence and cost $200,000.

With high market inventories, low interest rates and still low purchase prices, the vacation home market is predicted to remain strong throughout 2007. Maryland is a beautiful state offering many opportunities for relaxation and recreation. Veteran realtor John Day offers a number of excellent properties in beautiful settings from rolling countryside to sparkling waterfronts. Click the post title to take a look at some of the exciting vacation properties available today. Visit John's website to preview hundreds of lovely homes in scenic Maryland.

Give John a call and talk to him about what you're looking for. If you're considering buying a vacation property in another state, John will be happy to help you find a reliable real estate professional. With his years of experience in the business and intimate familiarity with Maryland's many beautiful communities, John can help you find the perfect vacation property. If you're buying or selling a home in Maryland or the Washington DC metro area, John Day is your key to success.

Humble Backyard Shed Goes Upscale

The humble backyard shed has gone upscale. No longer a utilitarian metal box shoved into a back corner or hidden behind the garage, sheds are taking a prominent place in the design of your home's outdoor environment.

Once relegated to the storage of dusty lawn mowers, shovels and garden rakes, sheds are now being marketed as hobby and work spaces, complete with custom-designed interiors. While extra storage is still a primary consideration, new uses for modern sheds include hobby rooms, greenhouses, workshops, offices, children's playhouses, pool houses, horse stables, dog kennels, entertainment bars, even guesthouses. Heating and cooling systems, electrical wiring, sinks with running hot and cold water, bathrooms and insulation are just some of the features being included in some custom-built sheds. You can have your own home away from home just steps away from your back door!

Today's shed has come a long way from the white aluminum box you kept your bike in as a kid. Sheds can be ordered to match the architectural style of your house with custom paint jobs to match the color. To your yard you can add a miniature version of an English cottage, a western ranch house with a wide plank porch, a thatched-roof tiki hut, Cinderella's castle, a log cabin -- you're limited only by your imagination and your wallet. Even run-of-the-mill sheds offer shutters, flower boxes, cupolas, skylights, fancy windows and quality ventilation systems. Models come in a variety of sizes to fit any yard.

For many homeowners, the new shed become a prominent design feature in their outdoor living space. Landscaping to tie the shed into the rest of the yard and flagstone pathways to deck or patio are common. Check with your city about zoning laws before purchasing a shed. Some cities require a builder's permit and may restrict size or setbacks.

For the latest trends in real estate, visit John Day's Homes Buy Day website. A veteran realtor with years of experience in the Maryland and metro Washington DC housing markets, John knows what buyers are looking for. If you're buying or selling a home, give John a call today. John Day is your key to success.

Home Remodeling Projects Get Back to Basics

Just in case the proliferation of home store ads hasn't tipped you off, May is National Home Improvement Month. The slowdown in the housing market has cooled homeowners' ardor for high-end remodeling projects. Savvy homeowners want to make certain that when they sell they'll recoup most of their investment.

Gone are the fancy faucets, fireplaces in the master bath, custom hardwood floors, Italian tile and other expensive extras that tickled the fancy of home remodelers a few years ago when a hot housing market guaranteed a 90% return on their investment. Today, with return on investment running at 70%, popular remodeling projects focus on safety, energy efficiency and home maintenance.

What gives you the best return on your remodeling dollar?

• Safety upgrades. Electric and gas systems should be in top shape and comply with current codes. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are good selling points.
• Energy efficiency. Have your furnace cleaned and your A/C checked. Add insulation to your attic. Replace old appliances with new energy-efficient ones that are cheaper to operate. Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Home maintenance. Have the roof and gutter system checked and make necessary repairs. Scrape and paint peeling siding, or better yet, replace it with aluminum siding. Install energy-efficient windows. Repairs left undone can wind up costing your thousands of dollars in damage to your home, so fix problems as soon as they're discovered.

Once you've covered these important basics, if you still have the remodeling bug, you'll get the best return from updating your kitchen (75%) and bath (72%).

If you want to know what remodeling projects sell best in your neighborhood, contact veteran realtor John Day. If you're planning to sell your house, don't waste unnecessary repair and remodeling dollars, talk to John and have him take a look at your house. He can let you know what you need to do to make your house saleable in today's market. Visit John's website to see what the competition has to offer. If you're buying or selling a home in Maryland or the Washington DC metro area, realtor John Day is your key to success.

Bring the Horses with You!

If the pastoral life beckons, you'll want to see this beautiful home in Northern Calvert County, Maryland. This beautiful one-acre country estate located at 845 Woodland Way in Owings is sited directly in front of a wonderful 70-acre parcel complete with scenic walking and riding trails. Three stables on that parcel are available for a small rental fee, so bring your horses and enjoy the peaceful solitude of an early morning ride.

This beautiful home has so many delightful features. Enjoy the fresh breeze and relaxing view from the wonderful wraparound porch. Cool off on hot summer days in the refreshing in-ground pool. Gleaming hardwood floors invite you into a lovely, comfortable country home. On cold days, cozy up in front of the toasty fireplace. Five spacious bedrooms and three full and 1 half baths provide plenty of space for the whole family. A roomy 3-car detached garage provides ample room for cars and has an extra storage area that would make a convenient workshop. There's a nice au-pair suite in the finished basement with its own rear entrance for live-in help, aging parents, a returning collegiate or visiting guests.

To take a virtual tour of this beautiful country estate, click the post title. To schedule a personal tour, call veteran realtor John Day. Visit John's Homes Buy Day website to view other outstanding properties in Maryland and the Washington DC metro area. If you're buying or selling a home, John Day is your key to success.

Gorgeous Home Includes Extensive Amenities

You won't find a better value in the prestigious South River Colony neighborhood in Edgewater, Maryland. This stunning colonial-style home located at 158 Colony Crossing is absolutely gorgeous inside and out. Elegantly decorated and beautifully landscaped, this home shows like a designer's model. You will also enjoy extensive community amenities, including clubhouse with exercise room, swimming pool, tennis courts, jog/walk path, playground, golf club and golf course. This is the luxurious lifestyle you've always desired with plenty of activities for the whole family.

Elegant crown moldings, columns, a double staircase and stunning fireplace are among the architectural elements that set this bright, airy home apart. There's a wonderful family room and a cozy den for dad. The dream kitchen features granite counters, a full range of top-line appliances, and a convenient washer/dryer. Or cook outdoors while you relax on the lovely patio in the beautiful backyard. There's plenty of space for the kids to play.

This spacious home has 4 bedrooms. Mom will love the huge walk-in closet in the master bedroom. Your family will enjoy the 3 full and 1 half baths with a luxurious master bath that includes a separate soak tub and shower -- and the 60-gallon hot water heater can handle morning showers or evening baths for all! The partially-finished basement gives you even more room to expand. With walkout stairs to the lush backyard, it would make a fabulous entertainment center, game room or play center for the kids. Zoned heating and cooling ensure comfort no matter where you are in your new home.

This home is a dream come true and not to be missed. Click the post title to take a virtual tour, then call veteran realtor John Day to schedule your exclusive tour. You can get a close-up view of this stunning home at 9 p.m., Wednesday, May 30 on Home TV. Visit John's website to preview other fine homes in Maryland and the Washington DC metro area. If you're buying or selling a home, John Day is your key to success.

Sellers Use Incentives to Lure Buyers

Buyers are in the driver's seat in today's housing market. New home builders are offering some pretty incredible incentives, including $15,000 in new furniture, season tickets to college football games, luxury bath spas, plasma TVs, even yearlong golf memberships in exclusive clubs. Builders say the glitzy offers are getting more people in the door, but it's the financial incentives that close the deal. Builders might offer to buy out a renter's lease or pay a home or condo owner's mortgage payments for 6 months. Some are offering to reduce purchase prices by $30,000 to $40,000 or provide up to $50,000 worth of free options and upgrades.

Obviously, you can't expect an individual home seller to offer incentives on the same scale as big-budget builders, but you can ask him to sweeten the deal before you sign your name on the dotted line, says veteran realtor John Day in his informative May newsletter. (Click the post title to read John's article, Should You Buy in THIS Market?) If you're buying a pre-owned home, it's reasonable to expect the following incentives, advises John.

• If you're putting down 10% or more, you can ask for up to 6% of the purchase price in incentives. While these incentives can't be cash rebates or be applied to your down payment, you can ask the seller to pay your closing costs or buy down your interest rate.
• If you're putting down 5% or less, you can ask for 3% of the purchase price in incentives. Incentive limits are keyed to lending standards that prevent mortgage fraud.

Talk to experienced realtor John Day. He can explain what incentives are being offered in the area where you're buying or selling a home. John can recommend a lender who can discuss your particular circumstances and the incentives that might be available to you. Read John's monthly newsletter for practical advice on buying and selling homes. In it you'll always find interesting articles and easy to understand charts that track trends in the housing and mortgage markets. For additional information on buying and selling a home, visit John Day's website. If you're buying or selling a home in Maryland or the greater Washington DC metro area, John Day is your key to success.

Stunning Upper Marlboro, Maryland Home Beckons

This stunning brick-front colonial in Upper Marlboro, Maryland defines elegance from its beautifully landscaped front yard to its gorgeous interior. Located at 5200 Starting Gate Drive in desirable Upper Marlboro, this newer home has been meticulously cared for. The owners have already found a home in North Carolina and are ready to sell!

You'll fall in love with the gleaming oak cabinets in the bright airy country kitchen. Four bedrooms with 2 full and 1 half baths provide plenty of privacy for the whole family. After a long day, you'll enjoy relaxing in the spacious master suite. The well-appointed master bath has a delicious garden tub and a separate shower. The finished lower level sports a great recreation room and its own half bath, giving you room to expand. The delightful wooded rear yard provides privacy in a beautiful setting.

Call John Day to schedule your private tour of this exceptional home today. Click the post title for more information and to take a virtual tour of this stunning Maryland home. It won't be on the market long, so call today. Visit John's Homes Buy Day website for more exciting listings in Maryland and the Washington DC metro area. Whether you're buying or selling, John Day is your key to success.

Should You Buy a House in Today's Market?

Last month in his newsletter, John Day answered the question, Should you SELL a home in this market? (See our April 7, 2007 blog post.) In John's May newsletter, he talks about Should you BUY a home in this market? (Click the post title to read the full May newsletter.)

First, John says, ask yourself how long you plan to live in the house. If it's less than two years, it rarely pays to move due to the costs associated with selling. Most buyers rely on the gains made from selling their former home to pay for the realtor commissions, down payment and closing costs necessary to buy their new home. In an uncertain market like we have today, John warns, it may take two years or more for a home's value to appreciate enough to cover these costs. The homeowner risks not earning enough on the sale to cover the new buy and winding up with a net loss.

"However, most buyers live in their new home an average of seven years or more," John notes. "If that fits you, it almost always makes sense to buy rather than rent, in practically any market."

There are several compelling reasons to buy a house today, John says:

• It's impossible to "time the market" so you might as well jump in. "Even ... the most knowledgeable experts cannot reliably anticipate the 'bottom' of a real estate market," John explains. So if prices are low like they are today, don't wait too long, gambling that they'll go even lower. They could just as easily start to turn upward.
• "Renting is just throwing money away," John says. As a renter you lose the lucrative tax deductions of owning a home and can't shape your home to your liking. (Yep, you're stuck with the blue shag carpeting and avocado kitchen sink.) Owning a home builds equity. All those monthly payments are, in a manner of speaking, going into your pocket, not your landlord's. And you can make your home your castle, reshaping it to suit the needs and comfort of you and your family.
• Interest rates are at historic lows right now. "If you wait, interest rates could be higher," warns John, and so could your monthly payment. No one can accurately predict what will happen to interest rates and when, but they have started to edge up by minuscule amounts in the past two months and leading economists do expect they to rise.
• "The easiest way to accumulate wealth is through home ownership," reminds John. "Three out of four people have more equity in their home than assets in retirement plans, stocks, mutual funds, and savings." Over time, nearly all homes appreciate in value. In the past five years, the median appreciation rate nationally has been 10% per year.

For valuable information you can use, go to John Day's website to read his free monthly newsletter. You'll find valuable information on buying and selling homes, easy to understand charts tracking the latest trends in the housing market, answers to common real estate questions, even the latest movie reviews. Also check out the Tips section of John's Homes Buy Day website for great information for buyers and sellers gained from John's many years as a top agent for prestigious Long & Foster Realtors. If you're buying or selling a house in Maryland or the Washington DC metro area, John Day is your key to success.

Just One Look ... The Importance of Curb Appeal

"Just one look, baby that's all it took" goes the song and the same is true for home buyers. A buyer's first glance of your home can be all it takes to make or break the sale. Curb appeal is the all important element that makes a buyer want to get out of his car and come inside. If your home doesn't look good on the inside, the buyer will assume it isn't going to look any better on the outside and will just keep on driving.

Creating good curb appeal doesn't have to take a lot of money, but it pays to know where to spend your dollars to have the greatest impact on buyers. There are four sure fire ways to instantly boost your home's appeal, says Maureen Gilmer of the DIY (Do It Yourself) Network:

• Edge it. Give your garden beds a clean, crisp appearance by edging them with thick concrete pavers. The heavier the paver, the better it stays in place. Use ones with tapered edges that can follow the curving lines of landscape beds.
• Mulch it. Cover bare ground around shrubs and trees with mulch to prevent weeds and provide a uniform, neat appearance to your landscaping. Cover bare surfaces with 2 inches of bagged organic mulch for a natural earthy look.
• Color it. Give worn-looking fences and railings a fresh coat of paint or stain. Shy away from colors labelled "redwood," and stick with muted upscale tones in warm grays, soft greens, antique golds or subtle blues that complement your existing house color.
• Plant it. Buy whole flats of seasonal flowers in bright colors. Buy a single color or two coordinated hues rather than mixed colors and plant them en masse to create an eye-catching display. This is no place to be stingy. A couple of flowers here or there won't do the job. You want a mass of color to catch the buyer's eye.

For more tips on creating curb appeal with maximum impact, contact experienced realtor John Day. John is a master at staging homes to create buyer appeal inside and out. Visit John's website for great tips for both sellers and buyers. If you're selling or buying a home in Maryland or the Washington DC metro area, John Day is your key to success.

Understanding Mortgage Loans

Mortgage loans can be confusing. Loose mortgage practices in the past couple of years created havoc in the housing market and mortgage industry, pushing many unwary homeowners to the brink of foreclosure, and often over the edge. To protect yourself, keep in mind these important points when you're shopping for a home mortgage:

• Clean up your credit. Before you start shopping for a home, pay off as much debt as possible, pay down your credit card balances, and make sure you pay your bills on time. At least 6 months before applying for a mortgage, check your credit reports for errors and get your record corrected. By law, you are entitled to one free report per year from Experian, Trans Union and Equifax. Get a report from all three. Scores can vary by agency and lenders will use the middle score to set your mortgage rate.
• Figure out how much you can spend. You should not spend more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing, including mortgage, interest, property taxes and insurance. Your total monthly debt payments, including mortgage, credit cards and car loans shouldn't exceed 36%. Those are the numbers the banks will use in determining the limits of your home loan.
• Fixed or adjustable rate? Fixed-rate loans are the mortgage of choice today. Interest rates are at 40-year lows which makes locking them in for the life of your loan an attractive option. If you choose an adjustable-rate loan, make sure you can afford the payments at the highest rate and watch out for prepayment penalties.
• Understand the numbers. When you buy a house, it's easy to get confused by all the numbers thrown at you. It's important to understand the true price of your home loan. Don't neglect to figure in escrow payments for property taxes and homeowners insurance and closing costs. Shop around to get the best deal and get good faith estimates from your favorite three so you can make a direct comparison.

An experienced realtor like John Day can help walk you through the maze of information and requirements involved in buying or selling a home. You'll find John personable and easy to talk to. John is knowledgeable about the process of buying or selling a home and can answer all your questions. He's a top agent with prestigious Long & Foster Realtors and a real estate educator. With years of experience buying and selling homes in Maryland and the Washington DC metro area, John is also intimately familiar with each communities and neighborhood. Experience matters. If you're buying or selling a home, John Day is your key to success. Click the post title to visit John Day's website to learn more about his services and view the latest listings.

What to Expect at Closing

When you've found the home of your dreams and your offer has been accepted, the only thing between you and a key to the front door is the closing. The closing is the final stage of a real estate transaction. Typically those gathered around the table will include you (the buyer) and your agent, the seller and his agent, and a title agent who represents the financial parties involved. Generally chosen by the seller, the title agent directs the closing. His duties include:

• Review all paperwork with each party.
• Transfer money and documents from one party to another.
• Collect and disperse money for the lenders.
• Properly record all documents.

Before the closing, your real estate agent and lender should each give you a list of documents and checks you need to bring with you, as well as a list of items you'll can expect to receive. To prepare for the closing you should:

• Review your loan terms and purchase agreement. Your realtor can explain these documents to you and answer your questions.
• Conduct a final walk-through inspection of your new home to make sure that all agreed repairs have been made and that no items listed in your agreement have been changed or removed from the home.
• Collect the appropriate documents.
• Obtain certified or cashier's checks from the bank in the amounts specified. Personal checks are usually not accepted at a closing.

At the closing you'll be given several documents to read and sign including the settlement statement which details charges to each side, a truth-in-lending statement that states the annual percentage rate of your loan and other terms and conditions, the mortgage note and the deed. You will also need to pay the closing costs, down payment and escrow payment for taxes and home insurance. Closing costs generally run 2% to 6% of the mortgage loan amount and include:

• appraisal fee
• title search
• credit reports
• transfer taxes
• mortgage points and other fees

When you work with realtor John Day, your closing day will go smoothly. A veteran of hundreds of closings, John is familiar with all the little problems that can arise -- and how to avoid them. His experience and attention to detail ensure that your closing will be problem-free. The only thing you'll need to worry about is remembering to bring the champagne!

If you're buying or selling a home in Maryland or the Washington DC metro area, give realtor John Day a call. Visit John's website to view the latest listings and read helpful articles for both buyers and sellers. If you're buying or selling a home, realtor John Day is your key to success.