Maintain your AC

As we get closer and closer to summer and we all start turning on our central AC or installing our window units you may be wondering..."Is there something I should be doing  to make sure my AC will last and not break down on a 95 degree day?"  Although we can not guarantee that it won't break down, we can throw some tips your way to help you stay cool and keep your AC going!

If your unit is a through the wall or in the window one of the first things you will want to check will be the filter.  A dirty filter can make the air flow restricted, keeping you warmer than what you'd like.  With some units you can simply rinse off your filter while others you'll need to get a new one.  Use your vacuum attachment to keep the coils clean and if you have any bent fins, try and bend them back.  For that they actually make a specially designed brush instead of using a screw driver which can cause more damage than you had in the first place.  There are also kits you can buy to seal the area around a window unit to make sure no air leaks out.

When it comes to a central air unit there are some things that you can check.  Once again, check any filters to make sure the air flow is at it's highest efficiency and that the air is clean.  Be sure to keep the coils clean and during the summer months when you are using the AC, keep plants around 2-3 feet away from the unit to ensure proper air flow.  If you can, check your duct work.  Around 30% of your heat and air can be lost in poorly insulated duct work.  Using a professional to complete a summer maintenance check is also a great idea.  They can open the unit to clean and check everything for you.  We have some great companies as part of our Home Services department.

Has anyone tried these tips or have any others?  Feel free to share!

Moving to Western New York?

Have you ever relocated for a job, family, school or any reason at all?  Then we are sure you know how hard it is to know exactly what you are looking for without having ever lived (or even visited in some cases) in that area..  And if you have never relocated, you may not know what to expect or where to start!  We here at Nothnagle REALTORS are here to help.

It is always a great first step to create your own "wish list" that includes things you like about your current home along with things you want in your new home. There may be things such as: four bedrooms, a master bath, gas oven, and an in ground pool. It may also be best to break the list into "must haves" and
"would likes" so that you know where you are willing to compromise.

Your next step would be finding a REALTOR that suits your needs and can best assist you for what you are looking for.  Nothnagle can help you with that.  We have a whole relocation team that specializes in getting you matched with an agent to best assist you.  These agents have worked with people moving into the area before so they know what to expect.  They know their areas and can answer any questions for you that you may have about schools, things to do, taxes, and everything in-between.

So don't hesitate!  Contact one of our Nothnagle Realtors Relocation specialists today!

Tips for an Open House

Getting ready to have your open house and want to give it the best chance possible to look great to all of those potential buyers (and occasional curious neighbor) that will walk through?  Here are some quick and easy things that you can do to help you and your agent out!

• Clean it up - Whether you are doing it yourself or hiring someone from our Home Services department; cleaning up is the number one recommendation.  Removing clutter, taking out trash, dusting...anything you can think of to make your home look cleaner, more presentable, and showing pride in ownership.
• Let there be light - Natural light is a great asset to a home.  Opening blinds and curtains allows for the light to flow in showing the true size of the room and giving a great "welcome home" feeling.
• Check your curb appeal - It is the first thing that everyone will see and we all have heard the saying that you only have one chance to make a first impression...so why not make it a great impression?  Sweeping the porch, deck, and walkways.  Cleaning debris in the yard.  Every little bit can help!
• Find something to do - You may find that your agent will recommend that you not be around when you are having in open house.  While there are many reasons for this that can vary from agent to agent; one is to make the potential buyer feel more comfortable looking around.  Also, if you have pets either make sure they are properly secured or are with you at the time.  Just because you may love animals doesn't mean everyone else does!

Ideas to Beat the Heat

With the last couple of days in the 80's and 90's you may be trying to think of some ways to beat the heat. In this post we will give you a few pointers to help with the heat so you can still enjoy the great weather this summer.

• Wear loose fitting light colored clothing.  Lighter colors attract less heat and with loose clothing it will allow for more air-flow to help keep you cool.
• Change your routine.  As nice as that run may be early afternoon on a Saturday, summer is not the time for it!  Adjust your activities so they are happening earlier or later in the day when the temperatures are cooler and the sun isn't beating on you as harshly.
• Stay hydrated!  Stick with water unless you are working out or working hard (then add a sports drink in there).  Stay away from anything with caffeine or alcohol as those will dehydrate you faster.
• Use fans!  Even if you have central air or an A/C unit using a fan can make it seem cooler (that way you won't have to put as much stress on your A/C units.  If you are air conditioner-less then try getting a window fan and putting it on the sunny side of your home so it pulls the hot air out and open a window in shaded areas so it pulls cooler air in.

What kind of ideas do you have to stay cool?  Leave them here, on our Facebook, or Twitter!

Are you pre-approved?

If you are just starting to look for a house, you may have had someone ask you that very question.  "Are you pre-approved?"  Pre-approved?  For what?  Getting pre-approved is a great first step in the home buying process with a lot of benefits to make your path to a new home a lot smoother.

Have you already started looking at homes or want to but aren't sure of what price range to look at?  With a pre-approval letter they let you know how much of a home you would be able to purchase and afford.  That way you are looking within your limits and don't fall in love with a home that you wouldn't be able to purchase.

But that isn't the only benefit...there are quite a few.  You can use it as a negotiating tool as well.  When you put an offer in on a home and your agent lets them know you are pre-approved it will give them the assurance that there is a great chance you will have the funds available.  Which is great for a seller knowing the likely hood they would get to closing and have to start all over again is minimal.  It also can reduce your closing time.  You won't be putting in an offer and then going to see about approval.  Once you gain acceptance from the sellers, your mortgage broker can send an appraiser right out!

So if you are looking for a home and have yet to get your pre-approval...why not try one of our mortgage vendors?

What exactly are seller concessions?

It's a question that many first time home buyer and first time home seller have.  But what exactly are they?  Does it have something to do with a concession stand?  When it comes to real estate we aren't talking about selling hot dogs and hamburgers...we are talking money!

The best way to describe seller concessions is a way for the buyer to pay for closing costs without having to use the money they have in their "pocket."  For example: If the buyer and seller agree on a selling price $100,000 and the estimated closing costs will be 4% the buyer can ask for that to be added on in the form of seller's concessions, making the price $104,000.  The seller would the "pay" $4,000 to closing costs for the buyer.

There are many different factors when it comes to seller's concessions such as loan to value and the appraisal.  We do recommend that you speak with your Nothnagle real estate agent or one of our mortgage partners if you have questions.

In the meantime...

5 Tools for a First-Time Homeowner

If you are a first time homeowner this is more than likely something you have yet to think about. I mean if something breaks where you are now you are more than likely going to be calling either you parents or the landlord.  But now the home is yours and with that comes the maintenance responsibility as well.  So here are the 5 must have tools so you can keep up with everything.

• Hammer - There is so much that a hammer can do that there is no reason not to have one!  Putting nails into the wall, taking them out, or even using the claw to pull weeds out of your garden.  The hammer is a must have.
• Tape Measure - Often over-looked until you need to measure something then what do you do?  Pull out a dollar bill and count how many dollar bills wide your new entertainment system can be?  Trust us, the tape measure is something you will want to have around.
• 4 Headed Screwdriver -  Oh you already have a screwdriver!  But are you sure it's the right one?  How many times have you gone to fix something that was loose just to find out you needed a flat head and all you had was a phillips head?  With the 4 headed screwdriver you get small and large of both.
• Pliers - There are a few different types out there so you may want to grab more than one.  But they are handy!  Tightening nuts, loosening soda bottle caps, using a towel as protection and bending the tip of a metal fence back.  With those options and more, a must have the must be!
• Utility Knife - This is another often looked over tool that should be in the tool box.  Stronger than a box cutter, a utility knife can score drywall, cut rope and wires, and it can open a box too.

With these 5 basic tools a new homeowner can at least have a nice start to maintaining their own home.  Are there any others you recommend?  Leave them here in the comments or let us know at either place below.

National Open House Weekend!!!

Did you hear?  Do you know what is happening this weekend?  It's National Open House Weekend!!!

National Open House Weekend is the BIGGEST 2-day housing event in the world!  Through Nothnagle REALTORS alone we are going to have well over 400 open houses.  Even though we have had a great start to 2012, we expect this weekend to be the perfect kick-off to one of the busiest spring buying seasons we have ever had.

That is great news for both buyers and sellers.  In western New York we still have low interest rates on mortgages and  great affordability so don't miss out!  Even if you aren't quite in the market to purchase a home yet or even if you are interested in selling, get out to an open house.  That will give you a chance to meet an agent that would be able to assist you.

Be sure to keep up with us by liking/following us and we look forward to seeing you this weekend!

3 Reasons to Buy Now!

Are you on the fence about buying a home? Not sure if now is the time? Here are 3 benefits as to why buying a home is a GREAT idea!

Equity Building
Of course there are many different variables when it comes to a home loan, but rates are still really low making it easier for you to build equity faster. One thing home buyers may choose to do is go with a shorter term (such as 15 years). This allows them to pay off the loan sooner and with low interest rates, some are even opting to pay more on their monthly payment. When you combine all of that you are building equity in your home faster and saving a considerable amount on interest!

Tax Deduction
Even though many of you already know, the taxes you pay on your home are actually deductible when it comes to those dreaded taxes. This mostly applies to your first home and a vacation home but you can actually find detailed information about it by clicking here and going right to the IRS website!

Pride
Remember walking into your friend's home right after they bought it? What about helping them paint rooms and remodel the bathroom? You may have thought, "Wow...this would be so fun. I could change things and it would be mine! I could do whatever I wanted!" Well now is your chance! Inside to out, there are many things you can do to make a house a home and take pride in every aspect. So call Nothnagle REALTORS today and we can help make it happen for you!

Have a Project and Need Some Help?

Has there been something you have been waiting all winter to get done? Maybe you don't know where to start or you need some help with either part of it or all of it. Well, let Nothnagle Home Services help you out!

It doesn't even matter what it is! Been staring outside all winter imagining you little deck was 3 times the size so it could hold your new grill, new patio set, and your built in hot tub? What about someone to take care of your lawn (even if it's just while you are away) or remodel your kitchen? Because we have licensed and insured vendors that we work with for all of that...and more! You can actually check out the whole list by clicking here.

Wait, you own a business and want to see about becoming one of our partners? Nothnagle Home Services is always looking for great vendors to help our great clients. So fill out the form here and someone will contact you and go over everything that we can do for you and everything you can do for our clients.

Home Services also has their own Facebook so be sure to click the like because when one of our vendors has a special promotion you'll get it right there in your news feed!

And I am sure you have...but just in case,

Home Inspections

If you are a first time home buyer, you may not know what to expect when it comes to a home inspection.  Today we will give you a break down of what to expect as you go through the process.

Before the inspection even happens there are two things that come to mind.  Cost and time.  How much will it cost and who pays for it?  To start, it is usually a fee payed by the home buyer and is often seen as a bargain compared to potential issues that a home can have.  But how much will it cost?  The cost can vary depending on the type of tests and the size of the home.  For more information speak directly with your Nothnagle Agent! How long does it take though?  This also varies based on the tests completed and the size of the home.  On average, a home inspection can take any where from 2-4 hours to complete everything.

During the inspection, the inspector will be checking many areas in your potential new home to make sure everything is safe.  From structural components such as your foundation and frame to interior items such as mold and damaged walls.  Everything in between is covered too!  So even the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical get checked out.  There are some additional items you can have checked as well that are not part of what is considered "standard" and your Nothnagle agent can best guide you.

Ok, so after I get my home inspection...what's next?  What if something comes up?  Well after your inspection is complete both you and the seller will get a copy of the report.  Any problems or recommendations that were discovered during the inspection will show here.  From the report you and your agent can decide what to do next.  Do you need to negotiate some repairs or walk away?  Maybe even get a home warranty...just in case.

Still have questions?  Ask away!  Comment here or reach us at either place below.

Spring To-Do List

With Spring here (or at least right around the corner) we thought it might be nice to share a nice to-do list with you. This will give you some great ideas that you may have not thought about!

Roof Repairs
Even though we didn't have nearly the winter that we usually do, it still may have been enough to do some damage to your roof. You may want to grab the ladder and take a look; checking for any visible damage and loose shingles. Of course, if you don't feel comfortable...give one of our certified vendors a call to check it out for you.

Check Those Gutters
If you do decide to take the ladder and travel to the roof you may want to take a look at the gutters! Once again, checking for any visible damage and seeing if the gutters are still secure or if they seem a little loose. Don't forget to check the downspouts for damage and to make sure they are still properly connected.

Yard Clean-Up
Anything that may have fallen after you cleaned-up the yard in the fall or even anything that may have accumulated during the mild winter we had should be taken care of. This will allow the grass in your yard to be able to grow properly. Replace dead plants with new ones.

Air Conditioner
If you have central air, you may have already turned it on a couple of weeks ago when we were in the high 70s. But for those with window units or just fans, most of you more than likely have yet to get them set up. You will want to check them and make sure that they are in proper working order. Finding out now ensures that when the warm weather comes (and stays) that you will be ready...and cool. Those with central air...check your filters! The heat has been running all winter so it may be time for a replacement.

Smoke Detectors
Speaking of replacement, don't forget those smoke detectors! If you haven't already performed the semi-annual task of testing and replacing the batteries...now is the time! And for those with CO2 detectors don't forget to check them as well!

Of course if you ever need any assistance with anything, check out our Nothnagle Home Services program!

New FHA Rule

Have you heard about the new rule for mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration?

Starting on April 1st, 2012 the FHA will no longer be insuring mortgage commitments to borrowers that have more than $1,000 in ongoing credit disputes in the file. What this means is that you will have to either pay off the amount or enter into a payment plan for the balance in order to qualify. Just saying you have set up a payment plan isn't enough though. The plan has to be documented with and submitted to the FHA and you have to have made at least 3 payments.

There are some exceptions though. Of course if it's listed as fraud/identity theft then that will not count against you. Also, any disputes that are older than 2 years will not be held against you either.

The FHA has said that part of the reason is because their reserve, which is mandated by congress has fallen bellow the limit (which is why they will also be increasing the insurance premiums on the 1st as well).

So what are you thoughts? Oh....and as always....

Discount Points

The name alone sounds enticing doesn't it? I mean, who wouldn't want a discount...ESPECIALLY on the largest purchase most of us will ever make! But what exactly are discount points and how do you get them?

Discount points (also know as closing or mortgage points)are a type of prepaid interest that mortgage borrowers can purchase to lower the amount of interest they will have to pay on subsequent payments. Just like with origination points, 1 point is equal to 1% of the total loan. So, on a $100,000 loan each point would be equal to $1,000. Each point you pay can lower your interest rate from 1/8 to 1/4 of a percent. Another great thing (as if lowering your interest rate wasn't enough) is that discount points are also tax deductible in the year that they are paid.

So give one of our Mortgage Specialists a call!

Mortgage Origination Points

Especially if you are a first time home buyer you may be sitting there, reading this, and thinking to yourself...."Mortgage points? Who's keeping score?" Well hopefully this will clear it all up for you!

To start with let's explain what a mortgage point is and don't worry...it's not that complicated. A mortgage point is a fee based on one percent of the total mortgage. So if your mortgage amount was $100,000 then each point would be valued at $1,000. There are two different types of points though.

Origination Points are used to pay for the costs of getting the loan in the first place. Typically it is a fee to compensate the lender or loan officer for evaluating, processing, and approving the loan. Origination points are also not tax deductible.

In the next post we will be talking about Discount/Closing Points. Until then...check us out below!

First Time Buyer Incentive for Rochester

For the 20th year in a row, Rochester will be holding it's "City Living Sundays" event starting on the 18th (with another on the 25th). At both of these events, the city will be offering advice to first time home owners on neighborhoods, financing, and the market.

The events will be attended my Realtors, Lawyers, the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors, as well as lenders and other professions. On top of that, you will be able to find seminars on both home owning and finances.

Agents will be showing their listings in the $45,000 to $200,000 range on Sunday with the Landmark Society of Western New York holding bus tours of the areas the Saturday before. Margot Garcia, senior community housing planner for the city, stated that 62% of homes that had an open house last year sold!