The Good Part Of Raising The Conforming Loan Amount

 Why It Just Became Much Easier To Buy a Home

Since the pandemic began, Americans have reevaluated the meaning of the word home. That’s led some renters to realize the many benefits of homeownership, including the feelings of security and stability and the financial benefits that come with rising home equity. At the same time, many current homeowners have decided their house no longer meets their needs, so they moved into homes with more space inside and out, including a home office for remote work.

However, not every purchaser has been able to fulfill their desire for a new home. Here are two obstacles some homebuyers are facing:

• The ability to save for a down payment
• The ability to qualify for a mortgage at the current lending standards

This past week, both of those challenges have been mitigated to some degree for many purchasers. The FHFA (which handles mortgages by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and the Federal Housing Administration) is raising its loan limit for prospective purchasers in 2022. The term used to describe the maximum loan amount they will entertain is the Conforming Loan Limit.

What Is the Difference Between a Conforming Loan and a Non-Conforming Loan?

Investopedia explains the difference in a recent post:

“Conforming loans are the only loans that meet the requirements to be acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Jumbo loans, which exceed the conforming limit, are the most common type of nonconforming loan.”

What Difference Does It Make to Me as a Home Buyer?

A Forbes article earlier this year explains the benefits of a conforming loan and why they exist:

“Since lenders can’t sell non-conforming loans to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to free up their cash, they’re a bit riskier for the lender. This is especially true for jumbo loans, which aren’t backed by any government guarantees. If you default on a jumbo loan, it’s a huge blow to the lender.

Thus, lenders generally charge higher interest rates to compensate, and they can have even more requirements. For example, lenders who give out jumbo loans often require that you make a down payment of at least 20% and show that you have at least six months’ worth of cash in reserve, if not more.”

What Happened Last Week?

The FHFA has significantly increased its Conforming Loan Limits for 2022. Sandra L. Thompson, FHFA Acting Director, explains in the press release that:

“Compared to previous years, the 2022 Conforming Loan Limits represent a significant increase due to the historic house price appreciation over the last year. While 95 percent of U.S. countie​s will be subject to the new baseline limit of $647,200, approximately 100 counties will have conforming loan limits approaching $1 million.”

This means that more homes now qualify for a conforming loan with lower down payment requirements and easier lending standards – the two challenges holding many buyers back over the last year.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) also increased its Conforming Loan Limits for 2022. That could also mean an easier path to homeownership for many prospective buyers. As the Forbes article explains:

“FHA loans can be very beneficial if you don’t have as much savings, or if your credit score could use some work.”

Bottom Line

Buying your first or your next home may have just gotten much easier (less stringent qualifying standards) and less expensive (possibly lower mortgage rate). Let’s connect to discuss how these changes may impact you.

~ Lauren Witz Greber (Licensed as Lauren Lefkowitz) ~ 

Witz Real Estate ~  Lauren@KeepYourWitz.com ~ (661) 313-5470 

Santa Clarita Valley Home Sales Activity - November 2021

Yes, of course, inventory is down right now. We just had Thanksgiving, Hanukkah is happening right now, Christmas is just a few short weeks away!

You may be surprised to read this but sales are still robust. Yep, I like that word! LOL

Reminder, I include Acton, Agua Dulce, Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, Valencia, Stevenson Ranch, Val Verde, & Castaic as SCV. So, the below numbers are with those areas included.

As of this moment:

Coming Soon: 13

Active: 217

In Escrow: 518

Closed in the Last 30 Days:

I have no idea what/who this little guy is, but the number on his hat worked for this post!

I've got 2 Sellers working on the list of things I suggested to get their home market ready. I've got a couple back-burner buyers.

Really looking forward, so bad to say this, for the holidays to be over so we can get back to selling homes for people! 

If you have questions about Real Estate, whether Selling or Buying, just give me a shout. 

Lauren@KeepYourWitz.com / (661) 313-5470

What to do With Your Home Equity

4 Ways Homeowners Can Use Their Equity

Your equity is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your goals as a homeowner. And chances are, your equity grew substantially over the past year. According to the latest Equity Insights Report from CoreLogic, homeowners gained an average of $51,500 in equity over the past year.

If you’re looking for the best ways to use your growing equity, here are four options:

1. Use Your Equity To Buy a Home That Fits Your Needs

If you’re finding you no longer have the space you need, it might be time to move into a larger home. Or, it’s possible you have too much space and would like something smaller. No matter the situation, consider using your equity to power a move into a home that fits your changing lifestyle. Moving into a larger home can provide extra space for remote work or loved ones. Downsizing, on the other hand, may mean saving time and money by caring for a smaller home.

2. Move to the Location of Your Dreams

If the size of your home isn’t a challenge but your current location is, it could be time to relocate to a new area. Maybe you enjoy vacationing in the mountains, at the beach, or another area, and you’re dreaming of living there year-round. Or perhaps the distance between you and your loved ones is greater than you’d like, and you want to close the gap. No matter what, your home equity can fuel your move to the location where you really want to live.

3. Start a New Business

If you’re not ready to move into a new home, you can use your equity to invest in a new business venture. As the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy says:

“There is an estimate of 31.7 million small business owners in the United States, many of them started their business with the equity they had in their home.”

While it’s not recommended that homeowners use their equity for unnecessary spending, leveraging your equity to start a business that you’re passionate about can potentially grow your nest egg further.

4. Fund an Education

Whether you have a loved one preparing to head off to college or you’re planning to go back to school yourself, the thought of paying for higher education can be daunting. In either situation, using a portion of your growing equity can help with those costs, so you can make an investment in someone’s future.

Bottom Line

Your equity can help you achieve your goals. If you’re unsure how much equity you have in your home, let’s connect today so you can start planning your next move.

Totally My Opinion Here... On The Zillow Mess.

So, by now, everyone and their brother has read about the Zillow fiasco. I've decided just to blog about that elephant in the room today!

Maybe you don't consider it a fiasco, but most Realtors are actually tickled pink that Zillow got egg on their face. I mean, the meme's going around are hilarious. The Realtor networking groups are making them up daily.

For me? I'd say it's about time they took a tumble. A very big, financially challenging, tumble.

As long as I've been a Realtor, and Zillow has been around, I've done battle (practically) with clients over those Zestimates. I've told clients time & time again, use them for their easy navigation, but look at other sites for reality, etc.

Recently Zillow became a brokerage. They got 'in-bed' with one particular company and they tried to do a bit of monopolizing the market. They also did some scandalous, completely against the association of Realtor code of ethics, things that I blogged or YouTubed about before. No need to repeat.

Recently I became involved in one of their iBuying fiascos. It was awful. And, later we found out that they paid way too much for the house. Not sure if they used their Zestimate, but they over paid by about 60k if I'm remembering correctly.

My eldest son even got wind of Zillow buying up properties for more than they were worth. What did I think of that he wondered. 

We agents all figured they were just trying to gain a market share. Say, look at us, we buy & sell sooooo many houses! Hah.

So, here we are now, they have stopped doing the iBuying, have admitted to a financial fiasco, and have let go of quite a large chunk of Zillow employees.

My take on this? Well, the only thing I love about Zillow is my profile on their site. It will keep track of my sales, allow my clients to post reviews, heck I've even got my Love-My-Peeps party video on there!

But, when a company tries too hard to be the best, without having the experience, expertise, and ethics, to truly be the best....you know what happens.

And, it happened. Happened as large as that elephant in the picture. Not sure what their recovery is going to be like, but for now.....let this serve as a reminder that not all realtors are created equal. And, needless to say, the bigger is certainly not always the better. IMHO.

~ Lauren Witz Greber ~ (Licensed as Lauren Lefkowitz) ~ Lauren@KeepYourWitz.com ~

Yep, They Still Do!

Sellers Have Incredible Leverage in Today’s Market

With mortgage rates climbing above 3% for the first time in months, serious buyers are more motivated than ever to find a home before the end of the year. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), puts it best, saying:

"Housing demand remains strong as buyers likely want to secure a home before mortgage rates increase even further next year."

But the sense of urgency they feel is complicated by the lack of homes for sale in today’s market. According to the latest Existing Home Sales Report from NAR:

“From one year ago, the inventory of unsold homes decreased 13%. . . .”

What Does This Mean for Sellers Today?

With buyers eager to purchase but so few homes available, sellers who list their houses this fall have a tremendous advantage – also known as leverage – when negotiating with buyers. That’s because, in today’s market, buyers want three things:

• To be the winning bid on their dream home.
• To buy before rates rise
• To buy before prices go even higher.

Your Leverage Can Help You Negotiate Your Best Terms

These three buyer needs give homeowners a leg up when selling their house. You might already realize this leverage enables you to sell at a good price, but it also means you can negotiate the best terms to suit your needs.

And since buyer demand is still high, there’s a good chance you’ll get offers from multiple buyers who are willing to compete for your house. When you do, look closely at the terms of each offer to find out which one has the best perks for you.

If you have questions about what’s best for your situation, your trusted real estate advisor can help. They have the expertise and are skilled negotiators in all stages of the sales process.

Bottom Line

Today’s buyers are motivated to purchase a home this year, and that’s great news if you’re thinking of selling. Let’s connect today to discuss how much leverage you have as a seller in today’s market.

Story of The Week - Things I Thought Every Realtor Did!

Yeah, yeah...you've seen the long list of things a Realtor does. And, trust me, my list is very long. Some times I feel like I'm on auto-pilot since I've been doing it for 19+ years. But, the bumps & hurdles in the road to close escrow help to keep my on my toes.

My hubby and I have been looking at retirement property recently. Hard to have my Realtor hat off while someone else 'plays' Realtor for us. REALLY hard. And, as our agent will tell you, it's hard on him as well. LOL

But, things we've discussed make me wonder if every agent does a few things that I always do. Or, they just take the listing, get the sign posted, put it in the MLS, and wing it?!?!?

1) I, 99.9% of the time, meet my photographer at the my listings for a shoot. Only times I haven't met him was when he had to go back for twilight shots. I want to make sure he's getting the image I have in my head for the best presentation on one of my listings. I'm the one that works with buyers, so I'm the one that needs to show him what those buyers will want to see at one of my listings.

    I have come to find out that not all agents do that. Really?

2) I, 99.9% of the time,  meet the Appraiser at the property. I think once I couldn't be there....but I made sure he had the full contract (if he needed it) AND, that the list of upgrades I always hand over were waiting in an envelope just for him.

    I have come to find out that not all agents do that either. Really?

3) 100% of the time I am at the buyers home inspection when I'm working with buyers. I want to see what the inspector is finding, I do my own agent inspection, and if buyers want to be there...well, damn, I definitely think their agent should be there as well.

    I have come to find out that not all agents do that too. Sheesh. Really?

Part of this came from my conversations with the retirement house Realtor. But, a lot came from the appraiser I just met today...and, yes, I totally had my list of upgrades ready for him!

AnyWhoHow, I was pretty surprised. And, thought it'd make for a good blog post!

Questions about Real Estate? Just Holler!

Lauren@KeepYourWitz.com / (661) 313-5470

Renovation Thoughts Before You List Your Home For Sale

 The Best Use of Time (and Money) When It Comes to Renovations

In the current sellers’ market, many homeowners wonder what, if anything, needs to be remodeled before they list their house. That’s where a trusted real estate professional comes in. They can help you think through today’s market conditions and how they impact what you should – and shouldn’t – renovate before selling.

Here are some considerations a professional will guide you through:

1. With current supply challenges, buyers may be willing to take on projects of their own.

A more balanced market typically sees a 6-month supply of homes for sale. Above that, and we’re in a buyers’ market. Below that, and we’re in a sellers’ market. According to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), our current supply of homes for sale, while rising, still remains solidly in sellers’ market territory:

“Unsold inventory sits at a 2.6-month supply at the current sales pace, modestly up from May's 2.5-month supply but down from 3.9 months in June 2020.”

So, what’s that mean for you? If you’re a seller trying to decide whether or not to renovate, this is especially important because it’s indicative of buyer behavior. When there aren’t enough homes for sale, buyers may be more willing to purchase a home that doesn’t meet all their needs and renovate it themselves later.

2. Not all renovation projects are equal.

You don’t want to spend time and money on a project that isn’t worth the cost or is too niche design-wise for some homebuyers. According to an article by Renofi.com, basing home updates on what’s trendy right now can be a costly mistake:

“The last thing you as a homeowner want to do is center your home design around a passing fad - even worse, one thats design quality won’t last a good while.”

Before making any decisions, talk to your real estate advisor. They have insight into what other sellers are doing before listing their homes and how buyers are reacting to those upgrades. Don’t spend the time and money to be trendy – if your buyer wants to upgrade to the newest fad later, they can.

3. If you’ve already made upgrades this past year, your agent can help spotlight them.

If you have already completed some renovations on your house, you’re not alone. The pandemic kept people at home last year, and during that time, many homeowners completed some home improvement projects. HomeAdvisor’s 2021 State of Home Spending Report found:

“35% of households that completed an improvement project undertook some type of interior painting, while 31% completed a bathroom remodel and 26% installed new flooring.”

Let your real estate professional know if you fall in this category. They can highlight any recent upgrades you’ve made in your house’s listing.

Bottom Line

When it comes to renovations, your return-on-investment should be top of mind. Let’s connect today to talk through any upgrades you’ve already made and to find out what you should prioritize before you sell to maximize your house’s potential.

4 Tips To Prep for Your Home Sale This Fall

Even in a hot sellers' market like today's in which homes are selling so quickly, it's still important to make a good first impression on potential buyers. Taking the time upfront to prep your house appropriately can bring in the greatest return on your investment.

Here are four simple tips to make sure you maximize the sale of your house this fall.

1. Price It Right

One of the first things buyers will notice is the price of your house. That's why it's important to price it right. Your goal in pricing your house is to draw attention from competing buyers and let bidding wars push the final sales price up. Pricing your house too high to begin with could put you at a disadvantage by discouraging buyers from making an offer.

Your trusted real estate advisor can help you find the price for your home that reflects the current market value. Lean on your agent to help you with this crucial first step.

2. Keep It Clean

It may sound simple, but keeping your house clean is key to making sure it gets the attention it deserves. As realtor.com says in the Home Selling Checklist:

When selling your home, it's important to keep everything tidy for buyers. . . . Remember to take special care with the bathroom, making sure the tile, counters, shower, and floors shine.

Before each buyer visits, assess your space and determine what needs your attention. Wash the dishes, make the beds, and put away any toys. Doing these simple things can reduce any potential distractions for buyers.

3. Make It Easy To Visit

Giving buyers the opportunity to see your house on their schedule can be a true game-changer. Buyers are less likely to make an offer if it's difficult to plan a tour or they can't easily fit it into their schedule. Making your house available as often as possible helps create opportunities for more buyers to fall in love with your house.

Rest assured your trusted real estate advisor will keep your health and safety top of mind when buyers tour your home. Agents use the latest guidance to stay up to date on any protocols and sanitization recommendations.

4. Help Buyers Feel at Home

Finally, it's important for buyers to see all the possible ways they can make your house their next home. As the realtor.com article puts it:

The goal is to create a blank canvas on which buyers can project their own visions of living there, and loving it.

An easy first step to create this blank canvas is removing personal items – pictures, awards, and sentimental belongings – from your space. If you're unsure what should be packed away and what can stay, consult your trusted real estate advisor. Spending the time on this step can pay off in the long run, as the 2021 Profile of Home Staging from the National Association of Realtors notes:

Eighteen percent of sellers' agents said home staging increased the dollar value of a residence between 6% and 10%.

Bottom Line

To make the most of today's sellers' market, avoid the temptation to skip over the essential preparation steps. Let's connect today to discuss all the ways you can maximize your home sale.

I'll Pay 12K Over Appraised Value - Huh?

 What Buyers and Sellers Need To Know About the Appraisal Gap

It’s economy 101 – when supply is low and demand is high, prices naturally rise. That’s what’s happening in today’s housing market. Home prices are appreciating at near-historic rates, and that’s creating some challenges when it comes to home appraisals.

In recent months, it’s become increasingly common for an appraisal to come in below the contract price on the house. Shawn Telford, Chief Appraiser for CoreLogic, explains it like this:

“Recently, we observed buyers paying prices above listing price and higher than the market data available to appraisers can support. This difference is known as ‘the appraisal gap . . . .’”

Why does an appraisal gap happen?

Basically, with the heightened buyer demand, purchasers are often willing to pay over asking to secure the home of their dreams. If you’ve ever toured a house you’ve fallen in love with, you understand. Once you start to picture yourself and your furniture in the rooms, you want to do everything you can to land the property, including putting in a high offer to try to beat out other would-be buyers.

When the appraiser comes in, they look at things a bit more objectively. Their job is to assess the inherent value of the home, so they’re going to study the facts. Dustin Harris, Appraiser Coach, drives this point home:

“It’s important for everyone to understand that the appraiser’s job in the end is to remain that unbiased third party, to truly tell the client what that home is worth in the current market, regardless of what decisions have been made on the price side of things.”

In simple terms, while homebuyers may be willing to pay more, appraisers are there to assess the market value of the home. Their goal is to make sure the lender isn’t loaning more money than the home is worth. It’s objective, rather than emotional.

In a highly competitive market like today’s, having a discrepancy between the two numbers isn’t unusual. Here’s a look at the increasing rate of appraisal gaps, according to data from  CoreLogic (see graph below):

What does this mean for you?

Ultimately, knowledge is power. The best thing you can do is understand appraisal gaps may impact your transaction if you’re buying or selling. If you do encounter an appraisal below your contract price, know that in today’s sellers’ market, the most common approach is for the seller to ask the buyer to make up the difference in price. Buyers, be prepared to bring extra money to the table if you really want the home.

Above all else, lean on your real estate agent. Whether you’re a buyer or seller, your trusted advisor is your ally if you come up against an appraisal gap. We’ll help you understand your options and handle any additional negotiations that need to happen.

Bottom Line

In today’s real estate market, it’s important to stay informed on the latest trends. Let’s connect so you have an ally to help you navigate an appraisal gap to get the best possible outcome.

Santa Clarita Home Sales Activity - August 24, 2021

If you follow me on Social Media, you know I just put a sweet family into escrow. We've been working together for 6 months to find a home. We hadn't written an offer for the last few months because....well.....the market was insane! We'd go look at houses, the seller would get a dozen offers in, usually about 10% over list price too!

Well, fast forward to now, and we wrote an offer about 3% over list price, there were only 4 offers in. And, we settled 4% over list price to open escrow today. Win for my peeps!

So, not surprising will be that our housing inventory has climbed a good amount! Last month this time we only had 254 active homes available for sale. Today? We have THREE HUNDRED & FIFTY NINE! 

Yeah, that's pretty exciting for me to help buyers get into escrow. A little more challenging for Sellers to get what they could have gotten at the beginning of '21.

Currently we have 29 homes in that Coming Soon category, where sellers are finishing up getting ready for market. We have 547 homes in escrow & we have closed on 441 properties in the last 30 days.

If you want more information, breakdown, opinions, about SCV Real Estate...just holler!

~ Lauren@KeepYourWitz.com / (661) 313-5470 ~

Thinking About Selling Your Home To Zillow? DON'T!

I'm in the middle, well almost at the end, of an escrow. We were scheduled to close tomorrow, 8/19/2021. Were being the key word.

There is a chain of transactions. There was only supposed to be two, but Lo & Behold, there are three. And, the third one is a Zillow home purchase. Zillow is purchasing the furthest buyers home....now.

I'm representing one seller, our buyers are selling their home to buy ours. Their buyer came in non-contingent and was to do a bridge loan with a local lender. That's the way the contract read.

Back in the old days, people changed their financing so much that the California Association of Realtors added a paragraph to the CONTRACT (people take the purchase agreement so lightly, but it is a contract people) that the stated financing was exactly what was going to happen. Well, that's what it says in layman terms.

So, late last week, the other listing agent and myself find out that those buyers are in fact not doing a bridge loan, but are selling their home to Zillow. Well, it actually turns out somehow Zillow is selling it to some buyers. Yes, Zillow can do that now.

This is in fact a breach of contract, but we just want to close, so we're kinda stuck now!! 

So, here we are, a day before closing and the Zillow sale is mucking up everything. The people over there don't know what they are doing, they didn't even seem to know about our escrow. The sellers of the home are befuddled with the poor online contract system. Kept getting booted out of the Zillow program during an important phase of the process. The Sellers agent that is representing them in the purchase is not part of the Zillow mess so the homeowners are basically trying to tackle it on their own.

AND, our poor escrow team is busting their hump just trying to communicate with the Zillow peeps to get everything squared away....and Zillow is a mucky mess. A very yucky, mucky, mess.

And, of course, due to the delay, our buyers had to reschedule their plans for moving into my sellers home. 

Listen to me when I say this! Oy, Zillow = NO.....again!!! 

What Goes Around Comes Around - Good or Bad

I heard about this last week, wasn't surprised. Was quite disappointed though, to the point of being angry.

Anger is a bad emotion to have, for any reason.

But, when the big Housing Wire writes about it too, it's a big deal.

"Former marketing rep provided real estate agents with video marketing and information on pocket listings"

One of our local title reps caused his company to have to pay over a million dollars in fines for the alleged illegal perks to Realtors.

And, from personal experience with this guy? It's true, well, my interaction with him at least.

Many years ago it was okay for affiliates to 'help' us. I actually worked with this rep, but parted ways when he did something awful.

I was approached by he & his advisory group on more than one occasion to join the crowd. When he called me about it, he distinctly said I would be expected to use the services of the affiliates. Regardless of the relationships and trust I had with others, I was expected to use theirs. No thank you. When an associate of mine in the group called me again this year about it....I said "Is he still part of the group?" Yes he was, I said no thank you again.

It's weird to me how people just think doing things against the law are ok. My profession isn't always thought of so highly, and this guy just stunk it up a bit more.

I've had people over the years think that I get a 'kick-back' if we use a particular affiliate. I tell them it's illegal to do so, and I don't do it. The affiliates I refer to work hard, and honestly, for my clients. That's why I refer to them. Trust, hard work, high ethics, those are important to me.

At any rate, if you want to read the whole HW article, here ya go:

Read About The Turd Title Rep Here

Any questions? Just holler. Lauren@KeepYourWitz.com

Thoughts From Experts! What Are Yours?

Key Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying a Home

Sometimes it can feel like everyone has advice when it comes to buying a home. While your friends and loved ones may have your best interests in mind, they may also be missing crucial information about today’s housing market that you need to make your best decision.

Before you decide whether you’re ready to buy a home, you should know how to answer these three questions.

1. What’s Going on with Home Prices?

Home prices are one factor that directly impacts how much it will cost to buy a home and how much you stand to gain as a homeowner when prices appreciate.

The graph below shows just how much experts are forecasting prices to rise this year:Continued price appreciation is great news for existing homeowners but can pose a significant challenge if you wait to buy. Using these forecasts, you can determine just how much waiting could cost you. If prices increase based on the average of all forecasts (12.46%), a median-priced home that cost $350,000 in January of 2021 will cost an additional $43,610 by the end of the year. What does this mean for you? Put simply, with home prices increasing, the longer you wait, the more it could cost you.

2. Are Today’s Low Mortgage Rates Going To Last?

Another significant factor that should inform your decision is mortgage interest rates. Today’s average rates remain close to record-lows. Much like prices, though, experts forecast rates will rise over the coming months, as the chart below shows:Your monthly mortgage payment can be significantly impacted by even the slightest increase in mortgage rates, which makes the overall cost of the home greater over time when you wait.

3. Why Is Homeownership Important to You?

The final question is a personal one. Before deciding, you’ll need to understand your motivation to buy a home and why homeownership is an important goal for you. The financial benefits of owning a home are often easier to account for than the many emotional ones.

The 2021 National Homeownership Market Survey shows that six of the nine reasons Americans value homeownership are because of how it impacts them on a personal, aspirational level. The survey says homeownership provides:

• Stability
• Safety
• A Sense of Accomplishment
• A Life Milestone
• A Stake in the Community
• Personal Pride

The National Housing & Financial Capability Survey from NeighborWorks America also highlights the emotional benefits of homeownership:Clearly, there’s a value to homeownership beyond the many great financial opportunities it provides. It gives homeowners a sense of pride, safety, security, and accomplishment – which impacts their lives and how they feel daily.

Bottom Line

Homeownership is life-changing, and buying a home can positively impact you in so many ways. With any decision this big, it helps to have a trusted advisor by your side each step of the way. If you’re ready to begin your journey toward homeownership, let’s connect to discuss your options and begin your journey.

How To Meet With The Appraiser

Don't be afraid. Don't try to hide anything. Don't wink at them either!

Sellers generally aren't the ones that meet the appraiser, it's 99% of the time the listing agents responsibility to meet them. Well, some agents (lazy in my eye) have allowed the appraiser to come in without the agent being there. Once, I let an appraiser use a combo box because we were on a deadline and I couldn't meet him when he could meet me. I did leave him a detailed list of upgrades my Sellers had completed though. The appraisal came in AOK.

So, this morning I read an article from the National Association of Realtors on what you should give the appraiser when you meet with them to assist in their report completion. My comments are in RED.

1. * MLS printout for the subject home The appraiser already has this.
2. * Copy of the contract I always ask if they need this. Honestly great way to get their email address.
3. * Spreadsheet of other offers received Oh lordy, no. They have enough paperwork to look through.
4. * Property data sheet or brochure used during the marketing period Nope, nope, nope. I'm selling the house, not me.
5. * List of improvements that includes year completed and cost YES, Big YES!
6. * Description of special features that make the subject property stand out from other homes in the area YES, in writing for sure!
7. * MLS printouts of sales you want the appraiser to consider They know which ones to use. I actually walk into appraisal appointments saying I know you can see all comparable sales like I can.
8. * MLS printouts of pending sales with actual contract prices If it's a challenging one, that I have confirmed the contract price with that listing agent, then yes.
9. * MLS printouts of current listings They have access to all of this. Can you imagine what their car would look like if I gave them this too?
10. * Realtors Property Resource® (RPR) report using the Refine Value tool to offer your own opinion of value No appraiser wants to hear MY opinion of value. They can get offended pretty quickly. 
11. * Survey of the property, if available If it's that kind of property,100% yes.
12. * Floor plan and measurement of the home, if available If it's not a track house, yes. BUT, they have to do their own measurements anyways.

There has to be a certain amount of Trust & Respect with an appraiser. Appreciate that they are much more well trained than a Realtor is to determine value. Know that their job, like mine, is somewhat of a repetitious beast. They get better with age. They learn with experience. 

And, I've learned in almost 2 decades, they really don't want some dang Realtor telling them what they need to do.

One thing the list didn't mention? ALWAYS have the HOA information handy. They can find that too, but they love to jot it on their notes and not have to look for it. Trust me on this!

The purpose of this photo? 

Well, when the appraiser that scheduled a week ago for today calls in sick?

Ya don't bother to do your hair and you get to wear a sundress with no concerns at all that you don't look uber professional!

You Want Your Kitchen To Feel Like It's Outdoors You Say?

Well, Houzz obviously would be the best place to check out for some great ideas!

The biggest takeaway from the article I read is of course...LIGHT. Well, that sure makes sense! The more light the more outdoorsy feel for sure. And, of course, what's the best way to get more light in your kitchen? Windows!

So, the article was about remodeling your indoor kitchen to feel more like the outdoors. Definitely to consider getting the max daylight in the positioning of your kitchen. Better in the kitchen than in the bedrooms!

They even mentioned skylights for extra light, so if you're doing some extensive remodeling or building from scratch remember this.

Another idea they mentioned was to use products that come, well almost, directly from nature. Like ceiling beams!!! Oh, and yes, maybe some brick pavers somewhere....we do see those outside a lot.

Here's the Houzz article if you want to read the entire thing:

8 Ways to Remodel Your Indoor Kitchen to Get An Outdoor Vibe

And, here's a couple of my fave pics from their article too!

I mean, talk about an outdoor vibe!

I'm sure you know this is my fave!

Those beams, those skylights, all that light!

LOVE it!!