Comments for Bellingham Homeowners PIT Stop | Bellingham Real Estate http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com Professional Industry Tips Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:57:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 Comment on An Explanation of Washington Wood Destroying Organisms (WDOs) by Mike http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/2009/02/an-explanation-of-washington-wood-destroying-organisms-wdos/comment-page-1/#comment-116 Mike Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:32:16 +0000 http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/?p=144#comment-116 As a Pest Management Professional, with over 10 years experience dealing with carpenter ants on a daily basis in Western Washington, I am bothered by your statement "The initial nests in houses is started in decaying wood". While this is one of the conducive conditions that may result in an infestation, it is not the only factor in initial colony formation. In treating many hundreds of cases of carpenter ants, less than 25 percent have ever been associated with decay within the structure. We find many colonies in sound wall voids, attics, and under the insulation of completely dry crawlspaces. When decaying wood is present, more often, it is moisture ants or dampwood termites, that manifest as the problem pests. With the increased use of rigid panel construction (foam core), and styrofoam insulation of roofs, walls, and crawlspaces, it is styrofoam that is becoming a common site for colony establishment. As a Pest Management Professional, with over 10 years experience dealing with carpenter ants on a daily basis in Western Washington, I am bothered by your statement “The initial nests in houses is started in decaying wood”. While this is one of the conducive conditions that may result in an infestation, it is not the only factor in initial colony formation. In treating many hundreds of cases of carpenter ants, less than 25 percent have ever been associated with decay within the structure. We find many colonies in sound wall voids, attics, and under the insulation of completely dry crawlspaces. When decaying wood is present, more often, it is moisture ants or dampwood termites, that manifest as the problem pests. With the increased use of rigid panel construction (foam core), and styrofoam insulation of roofs, walls, and crawlspaces, it is styrofoam that is becoming a common site for colony establishment.

]]> Comment on Short Sales, What They mean to Your Credit as a Seller by Colin http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/2009/02/short-sales-what-they-mean-to-your-credit-as-a-seller/comment-page-1/#comment-115 Colin Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:52:04 +0000 http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/?p=335#comment-115 Jack, The angle you mention is not my understanding and not what I have seen. It takes negotiation, but the Short Sale can be negotiated to show up as "paid as agreed" on a persons credit. My understanding is that it does take a knowledgeable and well trained listing agent to get this done, but that it is done regularly. Also, the 2 years it takes to get a loan after a Short Sale is far better than the 5 years it takes after foreclosure. You don't mention your sources of information. I am not sure you would be able to find a credible backing for your perspective out in the marketplace. Jack,

The angle you mention is not my understanding and not what I have seen. It takes negotiation, but the Short Sale can be negotiated to show up as “paid as agreed” on a persons credit. My understanding is that it does take a knowledgeable and well trained listing agent to get this done, but that it is done regularly. Also, the 2 years it takes to get a loan after a Short Sale is far better than the 5 years it takes after foreclosure.

You don’t mention your sources of information. I am not sure you would be able to find a credible backing for your perspective out in the marketplace.

]]> Comment on Why do I need to stage; my house will sell itself…… by David Helm http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/2009/03/why-do-i-need-to-stage-my-house-will-sell-itself/comment-page-1/#comment-24 David Helm Sun, 22 Mar 2009 10:35:32 +0000 http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/?p=403#comment-24 Jennifer, can you post some pictures of a properly staged house so we can see the difference? Jennifer, can you post some pictures of a properly staged house so we can see the difference?

]]> Comment on Foreclosure Inspections by Glenn Sanford http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/2009/03/foreclosure-inspections/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Glenn Sanford Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:17:57 +0000 http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/?p=400#comment-23 Hey David, You're right. I know we have represented some buyers on bank owned homes and I'm not sure if the homes had been de-winterized (not my clients), however this looks like something we should have on our checklist when working with buyer's on bank owned homes. Thanks for the info. Glenn Hey David,

You’re right. I know we have represented some buyers on bank owned homes and I’m not sure if the homes had been de-winterized (not my clients), however this looks like something we should have on our checklist when working with buyer’s on bank owned homes. Thanks for the info.

Glenn

]]> Comment on Short Sales, What They mean to Your Credit as a Seller by Jack DeCook http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/2009/02/short-sales-what-they-mean-to-your-credit-as-a-seller/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Jack DeCook Tue, 10 Feb 2009 04:14:41 +0000 http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/?p=335#comment-21 If a home owner wants to keep their home it might be possible to negotiate a "Loan Modification" from their lender. In this situation the home owner would contact the lender and state that they could continue to make payments on the loan if the rate was a little lower or if the term of the loan where extended or both. I have seen this done in the past but it is unusual. The loans that I saw this occur on had a good equity position, low loan to value. I have heard of some lenders doing this recently, even without being asked to do so. A Loan Modification is a good way for a lender to convert a non preforming asset into one that is being paid as agreed. If the loan modification is not available then I would recommend calling the lender early on, before you become late on a payment, and let them know that you are not going to be able to make your payments. Clean the home and call your Realtor. As I am sure you have heard, or will hear, the short sale process is not fun. Your Realtor should be able to help you through the process. The faster the home is sold the sooner the derogatory credit will fall off of the homeowners credit report. Sincerely, Jack If a home owner wants to keep their home it might be possible to negotiate a “Loan Modification” from their lender. In this situation the home owner would contact the lender and state that they could continue to make payments on the loan if the rate was a little lower or if the term of the loan where extended or both. I have seen this done in the past but it is unusual.

The loans that I saw this occur on had a good equity position, low loan to value. I have heard of some lenders doing this recently, even without being asked to do so. A Loan Modification is a good way for a lender to convert a non preforming asset into one that is being paid as agreed.

If the loan modification is not available then I would recommend calling the lender early on, before you become late on a payment, and let them know that you are not going to be able to make your payments. Clean the home and call your Realtor. As I am sure you have heard, or will hear, the short sale process is not fun. Your Realtor should be able to help you through the process. The faster the home is sold the sooner the derogatory credit will fall off of the homeowners credit report.

Sincerely, Jack

]]> Comment on Short Sales, What They mean to Your Credit as a Seller by Glenn Sanford http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/2009/02/short-sales-what-they-mean-to-your-credit-as-a-seller/comment-page-1/#comment-20 Glenn Sanford Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:57:21 +0000 http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/?p=335#comment-20 Jack, Are there better strategies for someone who is upside down on their home and without the necessary income to continue to keep the mortgage current? If someone has to go down the Short Sale route is there a best way to go about it? Glenn Jack,

Are there better strategies for someone who is upside down on their home and without the necessary income to continue to keep the mortgage current? If someone has to go down the Short Sale route is there a best way to go about it?

Glenn

]]> Comment on What’s That Beautiful Green Stuff on my Roof? by David Helm http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/2009/02/whats-that-beautiful-green-stuff-on-my-roof/comment-page-1/#comment-19 David Helm Sat, 07 Feb 2009 01:37:18 +0000 http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/?p=186#comment-19 Good job on installing the metal roof. It'll last a long time. You're right about moss growing on the metal and, yes it is easier to clean. Good job on installing the metal roof. It’ll last a long time. You’re right about moss growing on the metal and, yes it is easier to clean.

]]> Comment on What’s That Beautiful Green Stuff on my Roof? by Eddi Hughes http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/2009/02/whats-that-beautiful-green-stuff-on-my-roof/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Eddi Hughes Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:19:35 +0000 http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/?p=186#comment-18 Several years ago, my step father and I worked on several of his properties. We converted the shingle roofing to metal roofing. That was a tedious task, but extended the longevity. Moss can still build up on metal roofing, it's just easier to clean! Several years ago, my step father and I worked on several of his properties. We converted the shingle roofing to metal roofing. That was a tedious task, but extended the longevity. Moss can still build up on metal roofing, it’s just easier to clean!

]]> Comment on Top 5 Reasons People Get Reverse Mortgages by Chuck http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/2009/02/top-5-reasons-people-get-reverse-mortgages/comment-page-1/#comment-17 Chuck Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:06:39 +0000 http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/?p=45#comment-17 Justin, What insurance and securities licenses do you have? A 6 or 7? Justin, What insurance and securities licenses do you have? A 6 or 7?

]]> Comment on What is a Short Sale? by David Helm http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/2009/02/what-is-a-short-sale/comment-page-1/#comment-16 David Helm Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:50:02 +0000 http://bham.homeownerspitstop.com/?p=228#comment-16 Dale, How do you think this will change if the stimulus bill currently in Congress is passed? Dale, How do you think this will change if the stimulus bill currently in Congress is passed?

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