Best Home Improvement Projects

Home Improvement Projects based on Cost and Return on Investment
1.Cleaning and de-cluttering—this costs almost nothing and will increase the amount you receive on your house.
2.Home staging
3.Lightening and brightening
4.Landscaping—curb appeal is important
5.Repairing plumbing
6.updating electrical
7.Replacing or shampooing carpets
8.painting interior walls
9.Repairing dmaged floors
10.Updating kitchen
11.Painting out side of home
12.Updating bathrooms

The home improvement projects with the highest price increases to a home’s resale value are updating the kitchen followed by painting the outside of the home and home staging.

Inexpensive cosmetic home improvements and basic improvements greatly enhance the value of the home.

Home Inspections Important

Home inspections are important to buyers because they may discover potential problems with their home purchase before those issues become apparent after residing in the home and naturally those problems then become their problems. Problems such as low water pressure, small water leaks,foundation problems,roof problems,drainage problems and the list could go on and on but the point is that the inspection can potentially reveal things about the home that are not readily apparent to the casual observer with a quick visual walk through. The inspection can also help the seller to recognize problems and possibly fix them before they become possible obstacles to a sucessful sale and closing. My wife Jo Ann & I believe so firmly in home inspections that we are offering FREE HOME INSPECTIONS for buyers or sellers that list or buy from us, valued up to $400.00. Just call or e-mail Larry or Jo Ann Thomas at 628-2903 or 545-9249 or e-mail larrythomasbrep@msn.com and tell us you saw our offer on the company website and wish to list or buy your next home from us and take advantage of our offer.

First Time Home Buyers Programs available in Billings MT

If you are thinking about buying your first home or becoming a homeowner again after years of renting you may be eligible for assistance that can help you get into a home with less money down or a lower interest rate. The most important factor in finding the right programs is finding the right lender and a real estate agent who is willing to spend extra time and effort making sure you understand the process and are getting the best deal. It is very important to find a lender and an agent that have knowledge and experience in dealing with first time home buyers.
There are 5 main programs available in the Billings area. Give me a call to explain these programs and help you with them.

Jacque Lorang 690-5277 or email ablahoo@yahoo.com

5 Questions to Consider before Purchasing a Home

1. Why are rates so low?
2. Are rates expected to stay this low?
3. Why do different mortgage surveys come up with different average interest rates?
4. What else does a consumer need to know?
5. So is now the best time to buy a home?

Give us a call to discuss these points. 248-4409

NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY

The average interest rate for a 30-year mortgage dropped to a record low of 4.71 percent this week.
The rates were pushed down by an aggressive government campaign to reduce borrowing costs.
The rate, published Thursday by Freddie Mac, is the lowest since the mortgage finance company began tracking the data in 1971.
Contact Billings Real Estate Professionals to start the process to purchase that new home. 248-4409

Why Should You Buy Now ???

The price of gold is steadily going up and has increased over 20% in the last two months. Why should that concern you, if you're not buying or selling gold ? Because as the price of gold goes up, the value of the dollar goes down. It takes more dollars to buy the same ounce of gold and therefore it makes those dollars worth less. And as the value of the dollar decreases it increases the pressure on inflation. Also all the stimulus dollars floating around the economy is also increasing the pressure on inflation since most the stimulus money is new money created by the government. More money in the money supply makes the existing dollars worth less.
The Federal Reserve Board has historically reacted to control inflation by raising interest rates. Right now interest rates are at an alltime low but after the 4th quarter reports start coming in around the 3rd week of January next year and inflation rears it's ugly head then the fed will almost certainly raise interest rates. You would be amazed at how much just a 1 percent interest rate difference would cost on a fixed rate mortgage of 30 years,literally thousands of dollars. And if they raise the rate, who knows when and where it will reach it's ceiling. So if there was ever an ideal time to buy, it's NOW, while interest rates are low and all the tax incentives like $8000 for 1st time homebuyers and $6500 for present homeowners to upgrade and $2500 to upgrade your home's energy efficiency are still in effect.
Call Larry or Jo Ann Thomas at 628-2903 or 545-9249 today and let us find your next home tomorrow.

Tips for buyers

Interested in buying a home and claiming the home-buyer tax credit? Here are five tips:
1. Don't procrastinate. Start searching for a home now.
2. Don't count on another extension.
3. Mind the interest rates. Mortgage interest rates are low
right now, but could rise next year. Higher rates will
affect your monthly mortgage payments.
4. Communicate with your lender.
5. Don't take shortcuts. Don't forgo any of the steps you would
normally take just to make the tax credit deadline. Skipping
steps could cost you in the long run.

Give us a call to help you start looking for your new home.
248-4409