Just Ask Madeline
Happenings In & Around Real Estate
JUSTASKMADELINE.COM
Stunning Town Home in Stafford!
ST7756524
We listed this house on January 17, 2012 and had a contract on it the next day!
Potomac Hills
Is Stafford a great place to live? We would say definitely YES!
For more pictures: Click Here
Want Your Own Lighthouse???
You could probably enjoy living here! But at this price?
$2,873,000
Maine has more than 60 lighthouses, this property was not a lighthouse but was built as a unique living space.
Living Room
A good portion of us would never be able to live like this, but the views sure do give a feeling of peace.
Thanks for reading out posts.
Groupon for Discounts
6.24.2010
Contract Released for 107 Spinnaker Way
Still adding posts from original blog, we had no idea that we posted so much!!!
Good News for our Sellers! They got another contract and for more money, closed on Thursday, August 19, 2010 You have a ratified contract on your new town home and you can't wait to move in.You get orders to move to another area, are your hopes dashed? They sure are! 107 Spinnaker Way is back on the market. www.107spinnakerway.comBack on the Market!!!!
Good News for our Sellers! They got another contract and for more money, closed on Thursday, August 19, 2010 You have a ratified contract on your new town home and you can't wait to move in.You get orders to move to another area, are your hopes dashed? They sure are! 107 Spinnaker Way is back on the market. www.107spinnakerway.comBack on the Market!!!!
Zillow Chief Economist estimates home prices will hit the bottom in 2012
Third quarter home values report
For the third quarter, there is a mixture of good news and bad news. The level of single family homeowners underwater in the third quarter is up to 28.6 percent from 26.8 percent in the past quarter while home values continue to “tread water” as real estate media company Zillow phrased it, dropping only 0.2 percent in the quarter.Quarterly declines were reported in 67 percent of metro areas tracked by zillow, with 26 of 157 markets posting an increase in values.Over the last year, housing values have dropped 4.4 percent with 86 percent of markets showing value drops and only 11 markets improving in value. Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Stan Humphries says home prices will hit the bottom in 2012, pointing to unemployment and negative equity as the main plagues to housing. http://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/zillow-chief-economist-says-home-prices-will-hit-the-bottom-in-2012/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AGNew
We understand the point that Dr. Humphries is making, but there is still too much shadow inventory that has not hit the market. Homes are still being foreclosed, people are still having to short sale their homes because they owe more on their homes than they are worth and again that shadow inventory or foreclosed properties that lenders are holding back, millions of homes have not hit the market. In an already hard hit economy, when these foreclosed homes are released into the housing market, the sales price of homes will not go up in many areas, because the influx will be too large. When folks no longer have to sell their homes as short sales, which is a big force in causing home prices to fall, then we may be able to say that falling home prices have hit rock bottom.
FOLKS, WE still have to be careful out there, when it comes to thoughts on the housing market ending soon.
Cribs for Kids: Would You Pay $50,000 for a Playhouse?
We couldn't resist this article at all. With everyone struggling to make ends meet and all this arguing about taxes, this is just plain ridiculous! 
What do you think?
Spacious lofts, built-in bookshelves, faux fireplaces with walnut mantel, decorative wrought iron railings, crown molding, air conditioning, balconies, slate roofs, cupolas, front balustrades, Flemish Bond brick façades and a striking four-column front porch.The descriptions read like something out of the real estate section of the Sunday newspaper. A quick glance at the online pictures of the palatial houses with their sprawling, manicured lawns gives the same impression – until you notice the name of the construction company: Lilliput Play Homes, "creators of distinctive play houses for children."For children of the rich and famous, gone are the days of the pillow fort. Crudely built tree houses are out and classical architecture and interior designers are in. These mini-homes, typically replicas of the houses the children actually live in, come complete with electrical systems and varnished hardwood floors.
Playhouse 'Mansions'
Featured on the website of Lilliput Play Homes is a miniature mansion, a $50,000 playhouse measuring 24 feet long, 8 feet deep and 11 feet tall, dwarfing the little girl sitting on the front stoop.Read more: Cribs for Kids: Would You Pay $50,000 for a Playhouse? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/feature_12004326_cribs-kids-would-pay-50000-playhouse.html#ixzz1dPtZmWUxIf someone can afford to spend money like this, why don't they help people to stay in their homes with a loan? Or better yet, buy some of the homes that people are losing and then turn around and let them rent it!
Disputing Credit Reports
Here's a practical guide on Disputing Credit Reports direct from the Federal Trade Commission. There are ways to improve credit without spending a lot of money on credit repair companies.
You'll find a sample letter to use for your disputes. Make sure every time you contact a creditor that you have something in writing from them, stating the actions that they are taking.
Every time you contact someone by phone, make sure you keep a written record of the conversation. Get the person's name, what department they are in, write the date and time you made the call, ask if they can email to you the steps that you need to take.
Don't get discouraged if it seems like you are getting the run around. If you can't get the information or direction you need, always ask to speak to someone higher in authority. You do not have to deal with nasty people, get their names and title, then move up the ladder til you talk with someone that has sense.
How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
Your credit report contains information about where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued or arrested, or have filed for bankruptcy. Credit reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nation’s credit reporting companies.
Some financial advisors and consumer advocates suggest that you review your credit report periodically. Why? Because the information it contains affects whether you can get a loan — and how much you will have to pay to borrow money.
To make sure the information is accurate, complete, and up-to-date before you apply for a loan for a major purchase like a house or car, buy insurance, or apply for a job.
To help guard against identity theft. That’s when someone uses your personal information — like your name, your Social Security number, or your credit card number — to commit fraud. Identity thieves may use your information to open a new credit card account in your name. Then, when they don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report. Inaccurate information like that could affect your ability to get credit, insurance, or even a job.
Getting Your Credit Report
An amendment to the FCRA requires each of the nationwide credit reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.
For details, see Your Access to Free Credit Reports at ftc.gov/credit.
How to Order Your Free Report
The three nationwide credit reporting companies have set up one website, toll-free telephone number, and mailing address through which you can order your free annual report. To order, visit annualcreditreport.com, call 1-877-322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
You can use the form in this brochure, or you can print it from ftc.gov/credit. Do not contact the three nationwide credit reporting companies individually. They are providing free annual credit reports only through annualcreditreport.com, 1-877-322-8228, and Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
You may order your reports from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies at the same time, or you can order from only one or two. The law allows you to order one free copy from each of the nationwide credit reporting companies every 12 months.
You need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth. If you have moved in the last two years, you may have to provide your previous address. To maintain the security of your file, each nationwide credit reporting company may ask you for some information that only you would know, like the amount of your monthly mortgage payment. Each company may ask you for different information because the information each has in your file may come from different sources.
Other situations where you might be eligible for a free report under federal law, you’re also entitled to a free report if a company takes adverse action against you, such as denying your application for credit, insurance, or employment, based on information in your report. You must ask for your report within 60 days of receiving notice of the action. The notice will give you the name, address, and phone number of the credit reporting company.
You’re also entitled to one free report a year if you’re unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days; if you’re on welfare; or if your report is inaccurate because of fraud, including identity theft.
Otherwise, a credit reporting company may charge you up to $10.50 for another copy of your report within a 12-month period. To buy a copy of your report, contact:
Experian-1-888-397-3742
TransUnion-1-800-916-8800
Equifax-1-800-685-1111
Under state law, consumers in Colorado, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont already have free access to their credit reports.
For details, see Your Access to Free Credit Reports at ftc.gov/credit.
Correcting Errors
Under the FCRA, both the credit reporting company and the information provider (that is, the person, company, or organization that provides information about you to a credit reporting company) are responsible for correcting inaccurate or incomplete information in your report. To take advantage of all your rights under this law, contact the credit reporting company and the information provider.
Step One
Tell the credit reporting company, in writing, what information you think is inaccurate. Include copies (NOT originals) of documents that support your position. In addition to providing your complete name and address, your letter should clearly identify each item in your report you dispute, state the facts and explain why you dispute the information, and request that it be removed or corrected. You may want to enclose a copy of your report with the items in question circled. Your letter may look something like the one below. Send your letter by certified mail, “return receipt requested,” so you can document what the credit reporting company received. Keep copies of your dispute letter and enclosures.
Credit reporting companies must investigate the items in question — usually within 30 days — unless they consider your dispute frivolous. They also must forward all the relevant data you provide about the inaccuracy to the organization that provided the information. After the information provider receives notice of a dispute from the credit reporting company, it must investigate, review the relevant information, and report the results back to the credit reporting company. If the information provider finds the disputed information is inaccurate, it must notify all three nationwide credit reporting companies so they can correct the information in your file.
When the investigation is complete, the credit reporting company must give you the results in writing and a free copy of your report if the dispute results in a change.
This free report does not count as your annual free report. If an item is changed or deleted, the credit reporting company cannot put the disputed information back in your file unless the information provider verifies that it is accurate and complete.
The credit reporting company also must send you written notice that includes the name, address, and phone number of the information provider.
If you ask, the credit reporting company must send notices of any corrections to anyone who received your report in the past six months. You can have a corrected copy of your report sent to anyone who received a copy during the past two years for employment purposes.
If an investigation doesn’t resolve your dispute with the credit reporting company, you can ask that a statement of the dispute be included in your file and in future reports. You also can ask the credit reporting company to provide your statement to anyone who received a copy of your report in the recent past. You can expect to pay a fee for this service.
Step Two
Tell the creditor or other information provider, in writing, that you dispute an item. Be sure to include copies (NOT originals) of documents that support your position. Many providers specify an address for disputes. If the provider reports the item to a credit reporting company, it must include a notice of your dispute. And if you are correct — that is, if the information is found to be inaccurate — the information provider may not report it again.
About Your File
Your credit file may not reflect all your credit accounts. Although most national department store and all-purpose bank credit card accounts will be included in your file, not all creditors supply information to credit reporting companies: some local retailers, credit unions, travel, entertainment, and gasoline card companies are among the creditors that don’t.
When negative information in your report is accurate, only the passage of time can assure its removal. A credit reporting company can report most accurate negative information for seven years and bankruptcy information for 10 years. Information about an unpaid judgment against you can be reported for seven years or until the statute of limitations runs out, whichever is longer. There is no time limit on reporting: information about criminal convictions; information reported in response to your application for a job that pays more than $75,000 a year; and information reported because you’ve applied for more than $150,000 worth of credit or life insurance. There is a standard method for calculating the seven-year reporting period. Generally, the period runs from the date that the event took place.
For more information, see Building a Better Credit Report at ftc.gov/credit.
Sample Dispute Letter
| Date Your Name Your Address City, State, Zip Code Complaint Department Name of Company Address City, State, Zip Code Dear Sir or Madam: I am writing to dispute the following information in my file. I have circled the items I dispute on the attached copy of the report I received. This item (identify item(s) disputed by name of source, such as creditors or tax court, and identify type of item, such as credit account, judgment, etc.) is (inaccurate or incomplete) because (describe what is inaccurate or incomplete and why). I am requesting that the item be removed (or request another specific change) to correct the information. Enclosed are copies of (use this sentence if applicable and describe any enclosed documentation, such as payment records and court documents) supporting my position. Please reinvestigate this (these) matter(s) and (delete or correct) the disputed item(s) as soon as possible. Sincerely, Your name Enclosures: (List what you are enclosing.) |
The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. Watch a video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc.gov/video to learn more. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
August 2011
Mortgage And Loan Modification Scams On The Rise….Homeowner Beware!
5.24.2010
Foreclosure Fraud On The Rise. Realtors®, loan officers…everyone. Read this post immediately. There has been a dramatic spike in FORECLOSURE and LOAN MOD SCAMs. Mortgage Loan Modification Scams: Typically what is happening is that troubled homeowners are paying $1000…$2000…$3000 UP FRONT and receiving no services. What’s worse, many of these LOAN MOD scammers are collecting the fees and never doing anything to try to help the homeowner.
If you are doing loan mods the ethical and honest way you know that you NEVER charge upfront fees. If you are in one of the hand full of states that requires any sort of ‘license’ or ’state approved process’ you must comply. IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Let’s be clear about this next point. Mortgage Loan Modifications are a fantastic way to help others and make money in this market. Start by lowering your own house payment. Next, learn the honest and ethical way to start your own loan modification business. Mortgage Rescue Scams. This type of thing has gone of for years. Here is the typical scenario: Homeowner is late 90 days+ on their mortgage. They have equity. A mortgage rescue scammer offers to ’save their mortgage. The scammer makes it so the homeowner signs the deed over. Next, the scammer has the seller pay THEM their mortgage payment. Additionally, the homeowner agrees to sign a lease on their former home (remember they signed over their deed).
The homeowners are led to believe that the scammer will bring the mortgage current and then make the payments for the homeowners over an agreed period of time. Homeowner is told that they can ‘buy’ the house back from the scammer. What really happens is that the scammer never makes a payment. Keeps the lease payments…and then (when there is equity) throws the now renter out of the house. The house is sold and the scammer keeps the former owners equity. There are many forms of this scam but, that’s the basic format. Here is the news report:The U.S. Treasury has announced a new effort to crack down on criminals who prey on people seeking help with their mortgage problems. On Monday, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner reported that government agencies had recently identified dozens of suspicious companies that were running suspicious ads about mortgage foreclosure rescue services.According to Geithner, the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has already produced a number of recent leads that are helping law enforcement agencies stop foreclosure scams or further investigate suspicious companies.
Geithner also noted that the Obama administration’s Making Home Affordable program is an important part of its economic stimulus effort, which makes foreclosure fraud an even higher law enforcement priority.“American homeowners desperately need the relief this program offers, but the very last thing they need is to be taken advantage of as they try to hold on to their homes,” said Geithner. A report by ABC News said that the FBI is currently investigating about 2,100 mortgage fraud cases, a 400-percent increase from 2004.The scams typically target homeowners with damaged credit scores who are willing to pay upfront fees to people who claim they can resolve their mortgage problems. Unfortunately, many of these people end up with worse consumer credit in the long run.
Foreclosure Fraud On The Rise. Realtors®, loan officers…everyone. Read this post immediately. There has been a dramatic spike in FORECLOSURE and LOAN MOD SCAMs. Mortgage Loan Modification Scams: Typically what is happening is that troubled homeowners are paying $1000…$2000…$3000 UP FRONT and receiving no services. What’s worse, many of these LOAN MOD scammers are collecting the fees and never doing anything to try to help the homeowner.
If you are doing loan mods the ethical and honest way you know that you NEVER charge upfront fees. If you are in one of the hand full of states that requires any sort of ‘license’ or ’state approved process’ you must comply. IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Let’s be clear about this next point. Mortgage Loan Modifications are a fantastic way to help others and make money in this market. Start by lowering your own house payment. Next, learn the honest and ethical way to start your own loan modification business. Mortgage Rescue Scams. This type of thing has gone of for years. Here is the typical scenario: Homeowner is late 90 days+ on their mortgage. They have equity. A mortgage rescue scammer offers to ’save their mortgage. The scammer makes it so the homeowner signs the deed over. Next, the scammer has the seller pay THEM their mortgage payment. Additionally, the homeowner agrees to sign a lease on their former home (remember they signed over their deed).
The homeowners are led to believe that the scammer will bring the mortgage current and then make the payments for the homeowners over an agreed period of time. Homeowner is told that they can ‘buy’ the house back from the scammer. What really happens is that the scammer never makes a payment. Keeps the lease payments…and then (when there is equity) throws the now renter out of the house. The house is sold and the scammer keeps the former owners equity. There are many forms of this scam but, that’s the basic format. Here is the news report:The U.S. Treasury has announced a new effort to crack down on criminals who prey on people seeking help with their mortgage problems. On Monday, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner reported that government agencies had recently identified dozens of suspicious companies that were running suspicious ads about mortgage foreclosure rescue services.According to Geithner, the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has already produced a number of recent leads that are helping law enforcement agencies stop foreclosure scams or further investigate suspicious companies.
Geithner also noted that the Obama administration’s Making Home Affordable program is an important part of its economic stimulus effort, which makes foreclosure fraud an even higher law enforcement priority.“American homeowners desperately need the relief this program offers, but the very last thing they need is to be taken advantage of as they try to hold on to their homes,” said Geithner. A report by ABC News said that the FBI is currently investigating about 2,100 mortgage fraud cases, a 400-percent increase from 2004.The scams typically target homeowners with damaged credit scores who are willing to pay upfront fees to people who claim they can resolve their mortgage problems. Unfortunately, many of these people end up with worse consumer credit in the long run.
Fast Fixes for Common Gutter Problems
5.24.2010
Maintaining gutters is the most important thing you can do to prevent water from damaging your house, and keeping them in shape is an easy homeowner task.
Gutters are designed to do one thing—channel water away from the foundation—and they’re critical to protecting the structural integrity of your house. But in order for gutters to do their job properly, they have to be kept in shape and free of clogs, holes, and sags.
Luckily, most common gutter problems are easy for homeowners to fix themselves. And it’s worth the effort. “Gutters are one of those things where routine maintenance and inspecting them can really prevent bigger problems down the road,” says Jason Stutzman, director of home maintenance and repair for Brothers Redevelopment in Denver.
Here are the gutter problems that the pros see most often, and the recommended solutions:
Clogged gutters:
This is the most common problem of all. Left untended, gutters and downspouts get so clogged with debris that they’re rendered useless. The excess weight of leaves, twigs, and standing water can also make them sag and pull away from the fascia.
Clean them at least once a year, and twice a year if you have a lot of trees nearby. Gary Mindlin, managing partner of New York City-based Top Hat Home Services, schedules gutter maintenance four times a year, with additional checks after big storms.
You can clean your own gutters if you’re comfortable on a ladder, don’t mind getting wet and dirty, and don’t have an extremely tall house. After you’ve cleared the muck, flush them with a garden hose to make sure they’re flowing properly. If you’d prefer, you can hire someone to do the job for you for between $50 and $250, depending on the size of your house.
Another option for dealing with chronically clogged gutters is to outfit them with gutter covers. These include mesh screens, clip-on grates, and porous foam. They still need regular maintenance, though, and the cost can be more than the gutters themselves.
Sagging gutters and gutters pulling away from the house:
This is usually a problem with the hangers, the hardware that secures the gutters to the fascia. They might have deteriorated over time, the fasteners may have backed out of the wood, or they’re spaced too far apart to support the weight of full gutters. The cost to fix it yourself is cheap; hangers generally cost $10 or less apiece, and the fasteners run about $1 each.
Keep your gutters free of debris:
- Buy a gutter scoop ($4 to $7 at the hardware store).
- While it's raining, check gutters for leaks.
- Check that water runs freely through downspouts.
- Make sure downspout extenders are securely attached.
Leaks and holes:
Leaky gutter joints can be sealed by caulking the joint from the inside with gutter sealant, says John Eggenberger, vice president of training and corporate development for the Mr. Handyman franchise of home repair companies.
A tube costs about $5. Very small holes can be filled with gutter sealant. Larger holes will require a patch. If you can’t find a gutter patching kit at the hardware store, you can make a patch from metal flashing.
Improperly pitched gutters:
Gutters need to be pitched toward the downspouts for the water to flow properly. You want at least a quarter inch of slope for every 10 feet. Get on a ladder after a rainstorm and look in the gutter; if there’s standing water, it’s not pitched properly.
To correct this yourself, you’ll need to measure from the peak to the downspout. Snap a chalk line between the two and find the spots where the gutter is out of alignment. You might be able to push it up into place by bending the hanger.
If that doesn’t solve the problem, you might need to take a section down and rehang it. If you have seamless gutters, call the company that installed them to correct the problem.
Downspouts draining too close to the foundation:
Downspouts need to extend several feet from the house, or they’ll dump right into the basement. Gutter extensions attached to the bottom of the downspout will discharge water well beyond the foundation. They’re inexpensive and easy to install. “I like the downspout material extended four or five feet and screwed on,” says Reggie Marston, president of Residential Equity Management Home Inspections in Springfield, Va. Cost: less than $20 per downspout.
Missing guttersIf your house has no gutters at all, consider investing in a system. The cost depends on the material. Most residential gutters are aluminum, which is lightweight and durable. “Unless an aluminum gutter is damaged by something, it will last forever,” says Scott McCurdy, vice president of Jacksonville, Fla.,-based disaster repair contractor Coastal Reconstruction. Vinyl, galvanized steel, and copper also are available options.Aluminum gutters range from about $4.50 to $8.50 per linear foot installed. On a 2,000-square-foot house with about 180 linear feet of gutters, that’s roughly $800 to $1,500.Serial remodeler Pat Curry is a former senior editor at BUILDER, the official magazine of the National Association of Home Builders, and a frequent contributor to real estate and home-building publications.
Foundation Inspection A simple check of your foundation prevents expensive repairs later: Check soil around the foundation for proper grading.
Foundation Inspection A simple check of your foundation prevents expensive repairs later: Check soil around the foundation for proper grading.
- Repair minor foundation cracks with silicone caulk or epoxy putty.
- Sight down your foundation wall to check for straightness.