MORTGAGE RATES HIT A 2-MONTH HIGH

Mortgage rates increased for the second week in a row and the third time in the last four weeks. As investors grapple with the state of the US economyic recovery, quarterly corporate earnings and a dealine for increasing the debit ceiling, mortgage rates could increase.

If you are purchasing a home, you might want to lock in your mortgage rate.

For all your real estate needs contact Billings Real Estate Professionals

DOS & DON'TS FOR OPEN HOUSES

1. Use Open houses as a convenient time for touring homes with your agent.





2. Open every door if you are serviously interested in a home.





3. Don't open every drawer--do not look in personal drawers to furniture





4. Offer hospitality to buyers--make sure there is parking





5. Intensively clean and de-odorize the place





6. Don't overdo the sensory staging--some people have severe allergies





7. Don't underdo the curb appeal, landscaping and exterior prep





8. Take the take-aways--fliers that you can note your reactions

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all your real estate needs.

BEFORE YOU LIST YOUR HOME

OUTSIDE

1. Go around the house and move all garbage cans, discarded wood etc.



2. Check gutters and roof for dry rot and moss. Make sure they are clean



3. Looks at all plants. Keep plants from blocking windows. You can't sell a house if you cannot see it!



4. Remove any dead plants.



5. Keep your lawn freshly cut, edged and fertilized.



6. Clear patios or decks of all small items.



7. Check the condition of the paint on your home. First impression or "curb appeal" is very important.

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals to list or purchase a home. We have agents ready and willing to help you with all your real estate needs.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY

Interest rates have never been lower. This is a great time to purchase a home.

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for professional help with your home purchase or to list and sell your home.

STAGING ENABLES SELLERS TO PORTRAY A LIFESTYLE THAT PROSPECTIVE BUYERS CAN RELATE AND ASPIRE TO

• Get rid of stuff



• Depersonalize



• Clean, Clean Clean



• Update old and deteriorating spaces



• Define spaces--don't have buyers guess what rooms are used for



• Fill empty rooms



• Lighten up spaces



• Open up indoor walkways



• Clean out closets and leave them one-third empty



• Curb appeal really counts



• Be model-ready--pose rooms well for good photo shoots

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all of your real estate needs.

Be Choosy With Home Improvement Projects

• Emphasize the essentials over the extras by investing in basic upgrades, such as fresh paint (use neutral colors) and new fixtures


• Know that curb appeal is vital; exterior projects can sometimes provide a greater return on investment than interior projects


• Avoid over-improvement by sticking to what's proportional in your neighborhood


• Consier adding a bathroom, bedroom or renovating the kitchen, which are appealing features for home buyers


• Projects that add square footage to bring a house up to - but not significantly beyond - community norms typically yield good returns.

HOMEBUYER TURN-OFFS

1. Stalker-ish Sellers--Follow the buyer all over the house
2. Shabby dirty crowded and/or smelly houses
3. Irrational seller expection (I.E. overpriced)
4. Feeling misled
5. New ugly home improvements
6. Crazy listing photos (or not photos at all)

Call Billings Real Estate Professionals for all of your real estate needs.