Valerie Mineiko's Real Estate Blog

  A Little Mortgage Quiz Points are: charges paid to obtain a  home mortgage gross profit for the originator of the loan up-front mortgage interest fees to reduce the interest rate each equal to 1 percent of the total loan amount loan origination fees charged by a lender to raise the yield on a loan when money is tight, interest rates are high, or there is a legal limit on the interest rate that can be charged on a mortgage come in two varieties all of the above If you answered (8) you are correct Points are all those things and more. They are often used to cover a lender’s overhead—salaries, building leases, employee benefits, and other unexpected expenses. Generally, paying one point should lower the interest rate on a loan ¼ percent, two points ½ percent and so on. A rule of thumb is: a no-point loan will have a higher interest rate than a loan with points. Paying points on your mortgage now means you’ll pay less interest later. Lowering the rate reduces your monthly princi...

Homebuyers and sellers often don’t agree on many things, but they do share one important concern: they both want a successful transaction. This camaraderie is very evident during the appraisal process. The results of the home’s appraisal can mess up the entire deal.  Appraisers take several factors into account when deciding the  worth of a home.  While some of these, such as location, can’t be helped, there are other things that a homeowner can do to ensure that the home is appraised for maximum its value. 1. Information Matters Most Appraisers don’t much time in the home. In fact, the interior inspection only takes around 20 -30 minutes. It’s pretty easy for the inspector to assess the amenities of the home, as they do it so often. They tend to look around rather quickly, so you don’t have much time to make a good first impression, so make sure to have everything as perfect as possible in advance of the appraiser’s visit. First, make sure there is a packet of informatio...

To make the most out of Halloween this year, consider using the following safety tips to ensure a great experience for you and your kids. Remember Costume Safety Try to choose costumes that are bright and reflective. The kids’ shoes should fit well and their costumes should be short enough to avoid tripping. Always carry a flashlight with fresh batteries to light the way for all the children. Safety on the Trick or Treat Trail The young children should always be accompanied by their parents or a responsible adult, while older children trick-or-treating alone should have a route and a specific time when they should return home. Encourage kids to obey the rules of the road when of walking around, such as crossing at intersections and designated crosswalks to avoid accidents. Also, be sure to only visit homes that have a porch light on – remember, not everyone celebrates Halloween. The Treat Distribution Remember to replace any burned-out bulbs outside, and remove obstacles such as garden...

  Fireworks: It’s that time again! Time for fireworks, but it’s also time for to pay great attention to safety as well. Tens of thousands of people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with fireworks every year. Roughly 55 percent of the injuries were burns, and most of the injuries involved the hands, eyes and head. Another alarming statistic is that about half of the victims were under the age of 15! Some Safety Tips When Attending Public Fireworks Displays 1) Obey the police, fire and safety officials, and respect the safety barriers that have been put in place to allow the trained operator room to safely do his job. It’s crucial that you resist any temptation to get close to the actual firing site. The best view of the fireworks show is from about a quarter of a mile or more away. 2) Although it’s a rare happening, a firework component could fall to the ground unexploded. If you find one, don’t touch it – immediately contact the local fire or police d...

Whether you’re home, out for the day, or on vacation, it’s a important to keep your home safe from intruders. When your home is for sale it can attracts more attention from people, so it’s especially important to keep your home safe when you  list it for sale. Here are a few things you can do to protect your home Most burglars get into people’s homes through an unlocked door or window. Remember to: • Always lock all your doors and windows. • Have dead bolts on your doors • Never leave keys in hiding places outside the house. • Keep your garage door closed and locked. • It’s a good idea to have a solid wood or metal door with high quality doorframes. You can trigger the panic button on your car to set off an alarm that can scare away someone trying to break into your home. When you’re not home, be sure to give the impression that someone is there. Put your lights on timers & have a neighbor pick up your newspapers and mail. Having bright lights outside around doors and windows d...