The Real Estate Advisors

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what should I do inside my house to stage it for showing? If you're looking to make a good first impression on a buyer when your house is being shown, a little work up front will go a long way. First and foremost, you need to clear off the clutter from all surfaces. You want your house to show like a model home. No surface should have more than three items on it, and the bigger the items, the better. You don't have to clear out a closet to make it feel bigger, but clear enough out so that one third of it is empty. Also, any bookcases and pantries should have a few shelves that are one third empty. Take down any personal pictures. Do a thorough cleaning of the entire house and pay extra attention to the kitchen and the bathrooms as these rooms have to be spotless. Have your tile and grout steamed cleaned by a carpet cleaner. They will look brand new. And it doesn't hurt to bake some cookies. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Telehassy to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment? The SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment was brought about because of the inequity and tax role assessments of a home's value for tax purposes. Someone who has been in their home quite a long time will have a vastly lower assessment than what their house is worth. So someone who has just bought a home will get a full tax assessment while the person next door to them may be paying only half of that. Some older folks were feeling trapped in their homes because if they moved they could not afford to pay the current tax rates. So the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment came about where you could take your lower assessment with you to your new home. So if your home was assessed $50,000 less than what it was worth, you would be able to reduce the assessment on your new home by $50,000 in order for you to be able to pay roughly the same taxes. It wouldn't be locked out of moving to a new home because you can't afford the taxes. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at TLHrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what type of maintenance should I be doing on my home? It is always a good idea to keep up on maintenance on your home, whether you're thinking of selling or not. Have your heat and air conditioner service once a year and replace the air filter every three months. Keeping bugs out can be as simple as repairing holes in the windows and door screens. You can also keep bugs out by sealing cracks and holes on the outside of the house, as well as inside at baseboards behind the sinks and around pipes and windows. Speaking of windows, make sure yours are in good condition and have a tight fit. Clean the tracks and replace any torn or missing weather stripping. Preventing outside air from leaking in will help reduce your energy bills. Clean your gutters of debris. This will keep them working and help to avoid any wood rot that occurs from water overflow. Focusing on these small jobs now can lead to big savings of your time and money in the future. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when a buyer is coming to look at my home, should I be there? One of the first questions I usually get on showings is, should you be there or not? And that is definitely no. If somebody is coming back to look at your home for the third or fourth time, it might not hurt to be around for questions. But when they are first coming to look at your home, you should not be there. You will tend to say things that might turn off a potential buyer. I had one seller comment on the deer that would occasionally come into the backyard. The buyer was deathly afraid of animals and immediately crossed that house off her list, even though the house was perfect for her. Also, buyers are not comfortable opening closet doors while you're standing there. And nobody is going to buy a home when they have not looked in the closets. So as much as you would like to be there to help, it is usually not a good idea. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I save my money or buy investment property for retirement? That is a good question. Let's look at some numbers. I talked with a financial planner and asked how much money would I have to save if I retired in 15 to 20 years and wanted to make $2,000 a month from the money that I saved. She came back and said I would have to save $800,000. Or I can find a property that costs about $200,000 that makes $2,000 a month in rent. I could buy that property for about $50,000 down plus closing costs. The mortgage would be $1,100 a month on a 30 year loan. Barring lots of repairs, you should be able to make about $10,000 a year. Send that $10,000 to your mortgage and you should have the property paid off in 15 to 20 years. Then you would make the $2,000 a month from the rent. So $2,000 a month for retirement for $800,000 or $50,000. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new closing disclosures? Already October 1st of 2015, new required closing disclosures went into effect. These are the statements you receive at closing that list your closing costs and the amount of money you bring to closing. The traditional good faith estimate, the truth in lending disclosure and the HUD 1 are all being combined and streamlined to provide consumers more transparency regarding what you're paying for a mortgage and the related closing costs. You will now get a loan estimate and a closing disclosure that are similar so you can easily compare what you were promised when you applied for your loan and what you receive and pay in closing costs. The new disclosure must be provided three days before closing. Check this disclosure thoroughly as soon as you get it and call your lender immediately if you notice any problems. If the bank needs to make any adjustments that triggers another three day period which could delay closing. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I become a real estate agent? This is a question I do get quite often. If you were thinking of starting a career in real estate, I would suggest having at least six months of savings in the bank. This gives you plenty of time to get started and established without having to panic about paying the next month's bills. Look into taking a class to prepare yourself for the test. You can do this locally in a sit down classroom or take a class online. Then you need to take and pass the real estate test. Then start interviewing real estate companies and ask about their training programs. You can also get training at the board of realtors. And speaking of the board, you should join your local board of realtors as well as the state association of realtors and the national association of realtors. Buy some business cars to start passing out. You can expect to spend at least $1,000 on the expenses just listed. If you have energy and are organized, real estate could be a great career for you. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking to buy an auction property. What should I do? When an auction property comes up on the market, you can usually bid over a couple of days. But most of the action is going to happen in the last hour or two of the auction, and they will usually extend the auction as long as people are still actively bidding. If you win the auction, you have just bought a house and have to put down a deposit and a buyer's premium immediately. Make sure you've done all your homework and do diligence before now, because it is very difficult and very costly to back out. Before you bid, make sure you have a thorough home inspection done along with a termite and wood rotten inspection. Have your attorney or title company run a title search on the property to make sure that there are no outstanding leans or other problems with the property. There usually repairs you have to do, but auctions can be a great way to get a good price on a house. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm going to buy a house. What can I do to ensure a smooth and easy closing? There are three main things you can do that will make your real estate closing as hassle-free as possible. First, get pre-approved for the loan. Working with your lender ahead of time to secure your financing not only helps determine what you can afford, but it also helps uncover any problems that might come up and impact your closing. Second, listen to your lender and your Realtor. Buying a home involves a mountain of paperwork, so be prepared. And just when you think you're done submitting the last of the forms, the bank will undoubtedly want something more. Always respond to your lender requests very promptly. And third, stay calm. Everyone agrees. Be flexible. Be responsive. And above all, remain calm. Your lender will ask you for all sorts of last-minute details. Don't take it personally. Sometimes things just come up at the last minute. Stay calm and keep your eye on the prize. Closing and owning your new home. The real estate advisor's is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I bought a house. What type of inspections do I need? Once you have negotiated a contract on a house, you usually have 10 to 15 days to conduct inspections to verify all the systems are in good working order. You should start with a full home inspection. These inspectors will check all of the systems, the heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as any appliances. Sometimes you will need additional inspections from an air conditioning company or a fireplace specialist if there are any problems found in those areas. You will also want a radon inspection. Radon is a naturally occurring gas found in the ground that sometimes seeps into homes and causes elevated levels that you will want to have mitigated. If there is a septic tank, you will need to pay for having the tank pumped as well as the inspection because they need to pump the tank to be able to visually inspect it. And if there is a pool, you should plan on a pool inspection also. Quite a lot of inspections, but they will give you peace of mind. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am moving. Do I need to move everything? If you're moving, this is a great time to go through your belongings, get rid of some stuff and simplify your life a little bit. There are many wonderful charities that you can donate quite a variety of items to, and some of them will even pick up. Think of the items that you have been debating letting go of and donate some of that furniture. Trim down your kitchen gadgets and appliances, and go through your clothes and donate anything that you haven't worn in the last two years. Find out your entire pantry and take everything to a local food bank and feed some of the hungry folks around town. Don't forget to grab a receipt and give it to your accountant at the end of the year for a tax deduction. This is a great way to free up some space, help the local community, and trim down the number of boxes that you'll need to move. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm new to the area and needs some repair work done around my home. Where can I find someone who is qualified and trustworthy? In addition to helping customers buy or sell a home, local realtors are a great resource for all sorts of information in the community and typically have developed relationships with people in the trade and service industries, including carpenters, plumbers, ceramic tile installers, made services, tree surgeons, pet care providers, and many more. A realtor knows their community and can help customers in selecting an area of town based on a buyer's interest, such as schools, parks, beaches, trails, culture, arts, local and regional attractions, and points of interest. A relationship with your realtor may hold more value than just helping you find a place to call home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I wanted to check my credit score and report. Where should I look? Checking your credit report at least once a year, or even more often is imperative in this day and age of cybercrime and information hacking. People's identities and even business identities are stolen every day. One of the best things you can do is to check through your entire credit report once a year, even if you've had no problems that you're aware of. The government has a site that you can check once a year, and it will not count as an inquiry on your credit report. You can access a copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. Obtaining your credit score on the site may require the payment of a nominal fee, but the credit report itself is free of charge. Other sites advertised are commercial sites and will charge you a fee to access your credit report. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com This is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much house can I buy? Knowing this in the beginning of your home search will save you a lot of grief down the road. The best bet to answering this question is to call a local bank or mortgage company. They can give you a very accurate figure. They can also send a pre-qualification letter, which you will need anyways. But if you're looking for a quick and dirty way to figure out what price range you can afford, start with your monthly gross salary. Take 28-32% of that depending on what type of loan you're getting. This is the maximum amount of a mortgage payment that you can have. Then, take 43% of your monthly salary. This is the maximum amount of total debt that you can have, including your mortgage. Why just 43%? Because they want you to have money left over to pay your taxes, buy food, gas, etc. So take that 43% amount and subtract your monthly payments like your car payment and credit cards and the final figure is what you qualify for. Or the 28% figure, whichever is lower. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, am I ready to buy a home? If you're wondering if a home purchase is a good decision for you, here's a few questions to ask yourself. Do you have the desire to commit to the same community for the next five to seven years? Are you stable in your career? Why do you want to buy? Buying a home is a great way to increase your personal wealth. Are your finances ready? Do you have good credit? Do you have a pattern of paying your bills on time? And do you have savings? If you're looking to buy a $200,000 home, you need about $19,000 for down payment, closing costs and prepaids. Don't forget about your moving expenses. You should also have some cash reserves for any unexpected surprises that might come up. I had to put in a new sewer line in the older home I recently bought. That took all of my landscape and decorating budget and plus a little bit more. But if you can answer yes to these questions, then a home purchase may be right for you. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the best home improvements to do now that will help improve the resale value of my home later? If you're looking to sell your home in a few years, you don't want to pay for impractical or expensive improvements now that will be out of style by the time you put that 4 sales sign in your yard. You want to look at traditional and fashionable upgrades that will provide value and aesthetic beauty for years to come. New kitchens top the list. New countertops and appliances are usually a sure bet. Bathrooms are next. Be sure to avoid all white as that usually looks too sterile. Bring in some light by adding skylights or sun tunnels if you can. Put up some extra storage shelves or cabinets to reduce the clutter in your home. Add an island into the kitchen. Put down some hardwood floors. Popular outdoor items include fireplaces, decks, fountains, and landscaping. And an outdoor kitchen can definitely boost the wow factor for your resale. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I rent or should I buy? I'm often asked the question, is it better to rent or buy a house? The length of time is one of the biggest factors in making this decision. You need to ask yourself, how long do you plan on living there? Is your job stable? Are you subject to being transferred for your job? Do you have any looming family issues that might take you out of town for an extended period of time? If you think you're likely to stay in the house for less than one to three years, then it is better to rent. The market at most of Tallahassee is back to normal, where you can make about 2-3% appreciation a year on your home. That means it will take you about two years just to be able to break even if you had to sell your home quickly. So, if you're going to be in your home for less than three years, you should look at rent team. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much money do I need to buy a house? Closing costs are always a big question on every home buyer's mind. There are three main parts to your closing costs. There's your down payment, then you have the closing costs, such as title insurance, appraisals, surveys, bank underwriting fees, all of that sort of thing. Finally, you have prepaids, which is setting up an escrow account to pay for your taxes and insurance. If you're buying a house for $200,000 and putting down 5% with the bank, your costs are going to run about $19,000. The 5% down payment will be $10,000 of it, then there's about $6,000 in closing costs, and another $3,000 for your prepaids. But, in many cases, you can ask the seller to pay some of your closing costs. You always have to put down your own down payment and prepaids, but you can ask the seller to pay most apart of your closing costs. In this case, that could save you up to $6,000. The real estate advisor's is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor, and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Calville Banker, Heart Tung, and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when is the buying season for houses? People are always asking me if this is a good time to put their homes on the market. Is there a better time than others? There is definitely a cycle when it comes to buying homes. March to June is the high season for buying, and then everyone wants to move in July in between school years. August, it slows down a little bit as everybody's getting ready for school to start. September to November is a slow but even pace. At the beginning of the holidays, you get the round of investors coming in, snapping at properties before the end of the year, which is followed by the steep drop in buyers until the end of the year. Then on January 1st, we get a surge of calls from new buyers that last for about two weeks. About the same as New Year's resolutions. Now, February, February is the lowest inventory month because everybody is waiting on the high season to list their homes, making that a great time to sell. The real estate advisor is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heartung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker, Heartung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what exactly is title insurance? Title insurance is where they are ensuring the title to your home. If you bought a house and someone came and knocked on your door and said, you know, an uncle of mine came to you 40 years ago and owns part of this property, that is where your title insurance would come in. They'll go to court or they'll fix the problem or they'll pay you back for any losses that you might incur from such a claim. The title company or attorney who does your closing will do a thorough title search for you. Going back as much as 30 years to check for any claims, deed changes or judgments that haven't been satisfied or taken care of, they'll make sure that there's no tax leans on your house or other nasty surprises that sometimes come up during these searches. At closing you will get a clear title to your property, so you don't have to worry about answering your door. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can we do to increase our curb appeal? Curb appeal is very important. It often makes a difference between somebody deciding to look at your home or not. Stand across the street and take an honest appraisal of what a potential buyer will see. Make sure that all the beds are weeded and new pine straws put down. Add some flowers to give a splash of color. When was the last time you used your front door? Polish up that hardware and paint the door. Make sure the glass is sparkling clean and brush away all of the spider webs. Press your wash, your front steps, walkways, driveway, and parking areas. What about your mailbox? Give it a fresh coat of paint and replace the numbers. If somebody is driving along looking for the address, this is the first thing that will catch their eye. A little bit of effort and a modest budget can make a big difference in your home's curb appeal. Set the tone right and get ready to invite buyers into your home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm buying a house that has polybutylene pipes. Should I be concerned? Polybutylene is a form of plastic that was used extensively for water supply piping from 1978 to 1995 as a cheap substitute for copper pipes. They're usually gray, but they can be white with adult finish. There are several different kinds of polybutylene pipes, but there's one in particular that has the wrong type of fittings. These are the ones that cause most of the problems. Your home inspector should check for these pipes in your home inspection. You will also want to check with your insurance company for their policy on these pipes. Some insurance companies will say they cover them, but then they exclude water damage, which is the damage you will have. So they're not really covering your polybutylene pipes. And if you do find you have polybutylene pipes, you do have the option of changing out the pipes to copper for a couple thousand dollars. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do short sales take so long? Despite the name short sale, there is nothing short or quick about a short sale. With a short sale, the owner of the property is trying to sell their property for less than they owe on their mortgage. When you put in an offer, it starts with the owner. Once that has been agreed upon, then the offer goes to the bank. During that time, the bank figures out the least they can take on the mortgage, then they go back and negotiate with the owner on how to cover or write off the deficiency that is left on the mortgage. Once that has agreed upon, the bank replies back to the buyer, with an acceptance or a counter offer. This often takes two to six months just to hear back on your offer and then another 30 to 60 days to close. There is nothing quick about a short sale, but for those buyers that have the patience and no set timelines or deadlines, they can be a chance to get an incredible bargain on a home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale? A foreclosure is a property that is wholly owned by the bank. They have gone through the entire process of obtaining the property back from the owner. They know what all the fees and the payoffs are at this point. The bank can negotiate with you and can usually give you an answer on your offer within 48 hours and can close on the property in 30 to 60 days or even sooner with a cash buyer. A short sale is a property that still has the owner involved in the sale. The owner is trying to sell the property for less than they still owe on their mortgage. So your offer goes to the owner, then to the bank, and it often takes two to six months to hear back on your offer. And then another 30 to 60 days to close. For closures and short sales are often a great way to get a bargain on a home, depending on the work that is needed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, I don't live in a flood zone, why would I buy flood insurance? Well, sadly, over 20% of the flood insurance claims come from outside high flood risk areas. If you recall the extensive flooding in the Houston area a few years ago, most of the damaged homes were not in what was considered a flood zone, and most homeowners didn't have flood insurance. The next question is what's covered by flood insurance? Generally speaking, the building and foundation, all the permanently installed appliances, flooring, wallboard, electrical and plumbing systems. But personal property, like clothing and furniture, have to be insured under a separate personal property policy. Call your insurance agent for more information. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's a green home? A green home is built with environmentally friendly materials and a focus on the efficient use of energy and water. There are many things you can do to make your home a greener home. You can install energy star appliances, low-e windows, change your lighting to LED fixtures and bulbs. A green home is often more desirable to a buyer than a home that's not because the recurring daily costs to operate the home are less. However, getting a home certified as a green home is a very rigorous process and usually only homes built in the last five or so years can offer a certification. Many home builders will offer the option of a green home along with the certification. If you're planning on building a home, give it real consideration. Since it will cost you less to live there and when you sell your home, you'll have an extra edge that buyers will value. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some of the general rules of the road when selling your home and you have pets? Well 70% of households own pets of some kind, and the third most common reason a buyer will buy your home is a home or neighborhood that suits their dog, so most buyers will be understanding of your pets. Having said that, buyers do not spend long viewing a home if your dog is constantly barking. If your dog is very vocal, you'll want to remove him or her so that buyers are not stressed out. You also want to make sure your home and yard are as clean as humanly possible. You may be used to the pet smells, but it's a turn off for the buyers. If there are features about your home or neighborhood that make it especially pet friendly, pet doors or fence yard, distance to the dog park and doggy daycare, let buyers know. They probably have a pet and it may make a difference in how they see your home and neighborhood. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's the best policy if there are pets in a home that's for sale? Number one, the best policy is to ignore those pets as much as you can. Do not pet or play with any pet, whether they're contained or not. You are in their home and the homeowner isn't there. They may feel uneasy with you in the home and may react in a negative and unexpected way. Number two, forget to say, don't feed the pets. And lastly, if the pets are inside, make sure they remain inside. If they're outside, make sure they remain outside. Pets are like family members and you wouldn't want to do anything that could harm the seller's furry family. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when buying a home? Number one, underestimating the cost. When you select your lender and your realtor, be sure they go over in detail how much the closing costs will be. Closing costs are in addition to the down payment that you've saved. Sometimes sellers are willing to pay some of your closing costs on your behalf. Be sure to let your realtor know that you will need help with your closing costs before you make an offer. Number two, don't expect to find your dream home, especially if this is your first purchase. No home will check all the boxes. Figure out what's most important to you and what you'll be willing to do later. An example might be you can paint and change the countertops later if the location's right. And number three, once you've talked to your lender and established your budget, don't make any large purchases that could change your debt to income ratio and therefore change your budget. I tell home buyers you can buy socks but no shoes until after you move in. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, do I need flood insurance? If you're in an area that is listed as a flood zone and you're getting a mortgage, then your lender will require it. But even if you're paying cash, it's advisable to get flood insurance. To find out if the property you're interested in buying is in a flood zone, you can go to the Property Appraisers website and there's a link to the current maps or you can go to the FEMA website, FEMA.gov to check. Your insurance agent can also tell you when you ask for a quote. You will want to get an elevation certificate when you have the survey done so you can get an accurate quote for flood insurance. The next question is how expensive is it? It varies widely, but the determining factors are based on flooding risk and the date your property was constructed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's a smart home? Basically, any home that has three categories of technology connected to high-speed internet that can be controlled remotely by phone or tablet is a smart home. Examples of technology are security devices, alarms, cameras, locks, garage door openers, as well as lighting, appliances, thermostat, and entertainment like television and speakers. In a recent survey, half of homeowners and potential buyers have or want to invest in this kind of technology. As a homeowner, you can enjoy a sense of security, comfort, and save money with a smart home. If you have internet capability, you can retrofit your home to be a smart home. As a home seller, this technology makes your home more attractive to potential buyers as well. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org-slash-real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some general rules of the road when looking at homes that remain occupied by the seller? You have decided to buy home and you and your realtor are starting to set up showings. It's an exciting process. There are some do's and do's when you are inside a home. Yes, it's okay to look in those closets and cabinets. You want to judge the size of the closets as well as the size and quality of the built-in cabinetry. But know it isn't okay to pick up personal items belonging to the sellers. This is still their home and you need to be respectful of that. If you bring your children with you, please be sure that they're under your control at all times. You should also be aware that many homes have video and audio surveillance capability. Do not say or do anything you don't want the seller to see or hear. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, why is it a good idea for buyers to work with local lenders when purchasing a home? Choosing a lender is one of the most important steps in the home buying process. We recommend that all buyers get pre-qualified with a local lender before starting the process. You wouldn't buy pizza before you knew how much money you had available to pay for it. The same goes for a much, much more important purchase of a home. Local lenders will be able to tell you what price range you can comfortably shop in, and they have rates that are as good or better than internet-based lenders. Plus, you have the advantage of being able to talk to the same person every time you call with a question. This important step will help you avoid costly disappointments as you go through the home buying process. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, is it a good idea to attend the home inspection when purchasing a home? Buyers often ask, should they attend the home inspection? Our answer is yes, if it all possible and allow two to three hours. The inspector will check all the systems of the home, electrical, plumbing, appliances, roofing, that sort of thing. Remember, this is a visual inspection and they can't see through the walls. But inspectors can help you get to know your new home. If you see something that you're concerned about, point it out and ask, is this a big deal or something easily fixed? How do I maintain it? Ask your inspector. If you were buying this home, what would your concerns be? Inspectors should be able to give clear, reasonable recommendations should any concerns be found. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, condominium living. Is it the right choice for you? When you purchase a condominium, you only own basically the interior of the unit. The condominium association owns the dirt under the unit, the common area, and the exterior of the unit and is responsible for maintaining all of those. This can be convenient and offer a carefree lifestyle since you as the owner are only responsible for the interior of the unit. With this convenience comes a price tag and limitations as to what you as the owner can change. The association collects monthly fees to pay for and contract for the app keep of the property. Before you buy, carefully read all the condominium documents that outline your responsibilities as well as those of the condominium association. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what will it take to buy this property? We are finding some price points can be very competitive and multiple offers are received on a property. Does the highest offer always win? Well, sometimes yes, sometimes no. The seller may look more favorably on an offer that can close quickly or an offer with fewer contingencies. The seller may also still have an emotional attachment to the home, so you as a buyer may want to write them a letter to submit with your offer, letting them know how much you love the home and how it would suit you and your family. You may also want to add an escalation clause to your offer as well. More about an escalation clause in a future real estate advisors. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I pay for a rate on test? We strongly recommend that you test your home. Rate on is a colorless, odorless, and naturally occurring gas found in this part of Florida. Why test? Because it's been found to be the second leading cause of lung cancer. The test needs to be set up for a minimum of 48 hours. The testing device takes readings all during that time and records the levels that averages the rate on levels. If the levels average below four pico-curies per liter, it's deemed acceptable. If four or over, then the levels should be mitigated so they are reduced to the acceptable levels. Who tests for rate on? Most home inspectors can test for rate on, but only a rate on reduction contractor is qualified to install systems to reduce the levels. After the system is installed, additional tests are done to ensure that the levels have been properly reduced. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I have a survey done before I purchase a property? We always recommend a survey, even if nothing has changed since the last one was done. You will want to know exactly where your boundaries are, in case you want to add a fence or outbuilding or landscaping in the future. Even more importantly, you'll want to know if current fencing, outbuildings, and landscaping is on your property or your neighbor's property. You may need to ask them to remove items and crouching on the property you are purchasing, or your new neighbor may ask you to move them at your expense if they encroach on their property. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, what determines if the real estate market is a buyer's market or seller's market? The short answer is supply and demand. If there are more homes on the market than buyers able to buy, then it's a buyer's market. The buyers have the upper hand and oftentimes sellers have to negotiate more on pricing. This can put downward pressure on pricing. If on the other hand there are more buyers than homes on the market, then sellers have the upper hand and there's upward pressure on pricing. Oftentimes you will see multiple offers on properties in this case. Remember, this can vary widely from city to city and even neighborhood to neighborhood. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are few tips when selling your home? Your home is on the market and your first showing is scheduled. What do you need to prepare to get ready? Make sure you put your best foot forward. You never get a second chance for that first impression. Open blinds, turn on lights, pick up straighten up. A sparkling clean home will make a big impression. Expect buyers to open and look in your closets, straighten up cabinets. They want to be sure that there's room for their stuff. Do not stay for the showing. Buyers will not feel comfortable looking at your home with you standing there. Also, if you have video and audio surveillance, disclose that to the realtor. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org-slash-realestate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between an as is sale and a warranted sale? There are three basic ways you can make an offer on a house. The first is warranted with a clear WDO. Warranted means the seller would have to fix anything wrong with the systems of the house. The heating and cooling, the plumbing system, the electrical system, or any appliances that they leave. Second, you can also ask for not warranted, but with a clear WDO. The WDO is the Wood Destroyed Organism Report, also known as the termite letter. A clear WDO means the seller would fix any Woodrot, mold, fungus, carpenter bees, powder post beetles, anything that would eat wood, thus the Wood Destroyed Organism Name. Lastly, you can make your offer as is where is, meaning the seller would not have to fix anything. This is typical of bank foreclosure homes. With any of these offers, you should be able to do inspections in a certain time period and back out if you don't like the results. The real estate advisors is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm hearing a lot about wire fraud and closings. What should I watch for? One of the big problems today with closings is wire fraud. Crooks are getting very sophisticated and finding emails of people in real estate transactions and go to great lengths to recreate those email chains to look like you're getting new wire instructions from your lender or Realtor. You will open an email that says, the wire instructions have changed. Please send your wire to dot dot dot. It will look like it's from Cindy Cooper, but the last name is spelled with an e instead of an r at the end. And the whole email chain that you've been a part of is there beneath it. It's very easy to miss. Once the wire is sent, even if you catch it right away, usually the money is moved within minutes and is gone. The big key is to never trust wire instructions sent through an email. Always call the source and verify all wiring information verbally. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, is there ever a time or a market when nothing sells? There has always been a certain amount of houses that sell every single month in Tallahassee. No matter if it's a good or bad market or the busy or slow time, there are always about 200 houses a month sold here in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas. Because there's always reasons people have to buy in cell houses. There are job transfers, moves, marriages, deaths, divorces, and babies. These things that trigger home sales happen all the time. What does go up and down is the inventory of homes available for sale. We have an average of around 1200 houses and townhouses on the market at any given time. When the market was really terrible several years ago, we had 7,000 homes on the market. And 200 sales a month out of 7,000 available might not seem like much, but the houses were still selling at the exact same pace as they always did. Tallahassee's advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between warranted and home warranty? Many people confuse a warranted home with a home warranty. When you buy a house, you can buy it as is or warranted. Warranted means the seller would fix anything wrong with the systems of the house, the heating and air, the plumbing system, the electrical system, and any appliances that they leave. You can also buy a house with or without a clear WDO or termite letter, but that is a different part. That covers wood, rot, fungus, mold, carpenter bees, things like that. But warranted means the seller is warranting the systems of the house to be in working order. A home warranty is basically an insurance policy you can buy to cover the systems of the house. They're usually for one year, and if anything goes wrong with any of the systems or appliances, you can call the warranty company, and for a standard fee, usually $75 or $100, they will come out and fix or replace the item that is broken. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cobble Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, which home improvements recoup the most money? The new yearly cost versus value report is out and the number one project for return on your investment is Addic Insulation, with an average return of over 107%. Now this is not a high cost project, so let's take a look at some others. If you're doing a major kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel, the average return is 50 to 60% of your investment dollars. But if you're looking at just a minor remodel, those numbers jump to 60 to 80%. Next with a high return is a front door replacement in the 70 to 90% range, depending on if you're just doing the front door or a whole entrance and also if you're using a regular or a steel door. This is followed by a garage door replacement in the 75 to 80% range. Window replacements will get you 70 to 75% and generators or decks will give you a solid 50 to 60% return on your money. The real estate advisors is a service of City Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I keep my home safer from burglars? By now, everyone knows not to put the box from your new TV out at the street. It just screams, come and get me to any potential burglars. Some other good ideas are to maintain the outside of your property. Not only will it look good and keep your neighbors happy, but a well-maintained yard to tears, thieves and vandals who target vacant houses. Know your neighbors, introduce them to your real estate agent so they know who will be coming and going from your home. Embrace the power of lighting. Lock your doors and reinforce those locks. Invest in good locks and strike plates and a solid door frame. And don't forget new technology. Not only do most new buyers ask for it, it can also make your safety a snap. Smart home technology can remotely control lighting and music, see who is at your front door and even change the thermostat. Even that old-fashioned timing device for lamps is still a good idea. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am buying a home as is. What is the difference between as is compared to warranted? When you're riding a contract, one of the items to negotiate will be if you're taking the home as is or warranted. If the seller elects to sell the house warranted, that means he is warranting that the systems of the house are in good working order up until the day of closing. Systems being the heating and cooling, electrical plumbing and any appliances he is leaving. If you take the house as is, where is? That means there'll be no repairs made at all by the seller. This is often the case with foreclosure sales. You can also buy a house as is, but with the seller providing a clear WDO or would destroy an organism's report, also known as the termite letter. Some banks will require a clear WDO. This means the seller will fix any wood rock, fungus, mold, carpenter bees or termites. So purchasing a home as is can mean two different things, negotiate accordingly. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, George Eterner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I save money on plumbing repairs? Every home has plumbing issues at some point. One of the best ways to save money on plumbing repairs is usually old-fashioned preventative maintenance, most of which you can do yourself. In order to fix leaks timely, you have to be able to see them. Don't treat that space under your sink as a storage cabinet, treat it as a maintenance space. Keep it clean and clear. Your garbage disposal is not a trash can. Keep the grease out and run hot water through it during and after use. It is not normal for your sink to take 10 minutes to drain. Use a drain cleaner or clean out the pee trap underneath the sink. Dripping faucets and running toilets are usually in the realm of most do-it-yourselfers. The parts are cheap and you can find manuals and tutorials to guide you. These are easy fixes, but if the problem is beyond these, it may be time to call in a professional. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm a for sale by owner, any advice on showing my home? Yes, get a Realtor, no, just kidding. I do know people who are selling their own homes and I always give a little safety talk to them with the things I've learned over the years. First, get all of your buyer's information before you agree to let them into your home. What is their full name, their phone number, and email address? Then, when you have them coming back to look at your home, have them lead the way. Don't walk into a room first as they can easily cut off your means of escape. Let them walk into a room first, go up the stairs first, go into the garage or the patio first. Always have a direct line to a doorway at all times. Next, let someone know you're showing the house and feel free to share that with your buyer. Say, oh, my sister is coming over right when we are done here. Always remember, no sale is worth your safety. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, do you have any negotiation tips to share? Yes, I do know a few. First off, always counter every contract and counter quickly. Don't let your potential buyers cool down or find another home. No one is still as excited about a deal four days later. Next, send a clear signal that you're slowing down. You can do this by offering less and less each time you counter back. If you want them to come down $5,000, start at $10,000 off the price. You want to leave yourself enough room to go back and forth a couple of times. Never start with your best or final offer and never say during negotiations. This is my final offer. It is too hard to go back if you don't really mean that. But all that being said, if there is another offer on the table, then all negotiations go right out the window. You need to be prepared to offer full price or more if you have decided this is indeed your new home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some good tips for moving? Moving is always a little crazy, so the following tips and tricks may help with the havoc. When packing glasses, put them in tube socks to prevent cracks. Also, you can usually pick up boxes with cardboard separators at your local liquor store. To prevent necklaces and bracelets from tangling up, use an empty toilet paper roll or a drinking straw. Thread each chain through the toilet paper roll or the straw and fasten the clasp. When you're packing your ceramic plates, use bubble wrap or put paper plates in between them. Slide a trash bag over your hanging clothes to make them easier to stack and carry. Use your towels, sheets, and dishcloths to cushion other objects, pack pillows at the top of your boxes, and wrap artwork in blankets. For electronics, use the plastic tabs from bread to wrap electronic cords and prevent tangles. Be sure to label them and snap a picture of where they were before you disconnect them. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, do you have any tips to make moving easier? Moving is never easy, but here are a few tips to help with the headache of moving into your new home. Photograph all of your cords. This will make it easier to reconnect them later. Get a Movers Guide from the Post Office. You need to notify them of your new address anyway, and it includes helpful coupons. Color code your boxes to the different rooms in the house. Anything you need immediately after moving should be marked or packed in red. Make sure these important boxes go on the truck last so they will come off the truck first. Your important boxes should contain one first night essential box. Put in medications, toothbrushes, change of clothes, anything else you will need that first night. Pack a first day cleaning kit so you can clean out cabinets and closets before you move your items in, and put valuables and important documents in a special box and put it away in your car away from all the activity. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the top questions buyers ask sellers? When a buyer finally finds the home of their dreams, they often have a list of questions for the seller. There are, however, certain questions that come up time and time again. If you're looking to sell your home, take the time to answer some of these questions and leave a sellers' disclosure or other information at the house so the buyers will see it when they are there looking at your home. The most frequently asked questions are, how old is the house? When was it last renovated? Who did the work and were all the appropriate permits pulled? How old is the roof? What appliances and fixtures are included in the sale? How much are homeowners' association fees, average utility bills, lawn service or pool maintenance? And how old is the air conditioner? Sellers who provide the answers to these questions before they are asked will save time and appear very helpful and honest to the buyer. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Collwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the oldest building in Tallahassee? The oldest building in Tallahassee is known as the columns and was built by William Money Williams in 1830. It was originally on Park Avenue and Adam Street but was moved to 100 North Devall Street in 1971. Other fun facts about Tallahassee include the current capital building designed by Edward Stone is the third tallest capital building in the United States, right after Washington DC and Austin. The Tallahassee police department is the third oldest in the nation. He was founded in 1841. Doke Campbell Stadium is the biggest Atlantic Coast Conference football stadium and is also the country's biggest continuous brick structure. Also, FSUs believe to be where streaking was invented. Wally Amos, founder of famous Amos cookies, was born and raised in Tallahassee and Tallahassee is the only Florida city that has ever recorded a sub-zero temperature of negative two degrees in 1899. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do deals fall apart? Sometimes things don't go according to plan. Some of the main things that come up are, first, buyers remorse. This sets in anywhere from an hour to a few days after the ink has dried on the contract. Everyone has second thoughts, but think long and hard about your end goal before doing anything permanent. Next up would be repairs. Anywhere from misunderstanding who will fix what to thinking a repair will be $10,000. Real facts and figures help here. Get an estimate from one or two contractors and see what that repair really costs. What you thought was a $10,000 problem may actually be an easy $300 fix. The third problem is, surprise, buyers are sometimes not good money managers. This is not the time to take out any new debt or spend the money that the bank expects to be in your account. And last, financing. Many times these days you don't know if your buyer is actually going to get the loan until a few days before closing. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is real estate a good investment. Yes, it almost always is, but if you are under the age of 25, there is another great investment to look into. It is a magic of compound interest. If you can invest $5,000 right now at a reasonable rate of return, you should be able to double your money every 5 to 7 years. If you are under 25, you should be able to double that money 8 times. You would be in your 70s, but let's look at the numbers. $5,000 right now, then it would be 10,000, 20,000, 40, 80, 160, 320, then $640,000, then $1.2 million. If you can put away $5,000 right now and don't touch it. If that seems out of reach, invest $100 right now. Everybody can come up with $100. Invest $100 today and it will be $100,000 when you're in your 70s. It will be the easiest $100,000 you will ever make. The real estate advisor is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, could it be my home is outdated? If you're thinking of putting your house on the market soon, it is time to take a step back and take a cold hard look at your decor. You may still love some of the dated touches you put in years ago, or maybe you don't want to go through the trouble and expense of updating to current colors and finishes. I do understand, but once you put your house on the market, it is no longer your house anymore, and you need to start looking at it from a potential buyer's point of view. The things that scream dated the most to buyers are, wide appliances, busy wallpaper, bold paint colors, dated fixtures and hardware, especially anything with a gold finish, tile countertops, popcorn ceilings, carpet in the bathrooms, wood paneling, and linoleum floors. Choose materials and colors that are neutral and will appeal to a wide range of people. Aiming for neutrality is the best way to ensure your home is in fashion and will not turn off any buyers. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I found a great rental online but they want me to mail the deposit out of the country. Is this a scam? Yes, there are several scams prevalent in today's marketplace. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Here are some other red flags to look for. The property is listed by two different parties at two different prices on the same website. The price is way below market value. The property pops on and off the market within hours. The owner of the property is in a foreign country, often saying they're missionaries, military personnel or professors. There's no sign in the yard or there is a sign and the person is different from whom you are talking to online. You're asked to provide personal information, bank account numbers for wiring, social security number, a copy of your driver's license. They ask you just to look in the windows and then send or wire money. Be careful and always know who you're dealing with, especially in an online transaction. The real estate advisor is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I protect my property listing from rental scams? The new big scam I see most often today is a scammer will lift your property listing information and put it up as a rental. The ads will say something like, call me directly, ignore the sign in the yard, send me $1,000 and I'll send you the keys. They're getting more and more sophisticated every day. So here's a quick and easy way to check if your property listing has been hijacked as a rental or any other listing. Do a web search for your house image. Open two windows on your web browser. In one, open an image search tool such as Google Images. Then in the other, open a website with your listing photo in it. Click on that photo and hold down the mouse button while you drag the picture back into the first window you opened and drop the picture into the search bar. Then you will see all of the places your home photo has been appearing online. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can I do to build the perfect patio? Patio's are great and can be enjoyed almost year round. The first thing to consider when you're putting in the patio is just like any other real estate. Location, location, location. How are you going to use the patio? Do you want every minute in the sun or a little shelter in the shade? Do you want the patio near the house-freeze access or maybe down in a flat spot if you have a sloping yard? Next, think of the size and shape you want for your patio. Also, think of adding built-ins such as seating, fire pits, planters, water features, maybe even a hot tub. Materials vary widely. Concrete patios of today can be tinted, stamped, and decorated in many different ways. There's also natural stone, flagstone, clay bricks, and pavers that come in a variety of shape sizes and colors. Make sure you check on the location of any utility cables before you dig. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new trends to look for in homes today? The next big trend I see coming up is home automation. People want to control more and more aspects of their home through their smartphones. Smart home technologies will add utility as well as value to your home as some buyers are now looking for these features to already be in place when they buy a home. You can probably get a starter kit of smart devices to enhance your home for about a thousand dollars. There are three basic types of technologies to look for. The first is home systems control. That would be your temperature and lighting controls and ways to turn the appliances on and off when you're not home. Next would be home accessibility products that can allow you to grant access to your home remotely or open and close the garage door. And lastly, you'd want to look for security and monitoring products that can monitor your home remotely and send you notifications in case of any kind of disturbance. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calville Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what features are most wanted by homeowners? I was reading an interesting article the other day on the top 13 features that homeowners want the most. Surprisingly, the number one item was a laundry room by a whopping 92%. So when people ask me for advice on what upgrades to look at or where to concentrate their limited renovation budget or what type of things to consider adding to their floor plan when building a new home, these are the features I think you should keep in mind. The number one thing is at laundry room. This is followed by energy star appliances, then exterior lighting. Next, larger kitchen and bathrooms, no surprise there. Number five is energy star windows, followed by ceiling fans at number six. Next on the list is a patio. Number eight is a full bathroom on the main level. Number nine, hardwood floors. Number ten, more insulation. Next up is garage storage, followed by an eating kitchen and coming in at number 13 is a walk-in pantry. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking at my tax role assessment. Is that what my house is really worth? I have had people who are looking to buy a house, pull up the tax role, and tell me that house is only worth so much because that is what the tax role assessment says. Your tax assessment is what your home is valued at for tax purposes. It does not represent what your home might be worth in today's market. The tax assessor can only raise the taxes on your home's debt a maximum of 2-3% a year. So, even if your home may have doubled in value, your assessment will not reflect that. The only time they can fully reassess a home is when it is sold. So, if a home has been sold in the last year or two, the tax assessment on the tax role is probably pretty close to the value of the house. But if they've been there over five years, it will not be reflective of today's market at all. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what should I do inside my house to stage it for showing? If you're looking to make a good first impression on a buyer when your house is being shown, a little work up front will go a long way. First and foremost, you need to clear off the clutter from all surfaces. You want your house to show like a model home. No surface should have more than three items on it, and the bigger the items, the better. You don't have to clear out a closet to make it feel bigger, but clear enough out so that one third of it is empty. Also, any bookcases and pantries should have a few shelves that are one third empty. Take down any personal pictures. Do a thorough cleaning of the entire house and pay extra attention to the kitchen and the bathrooms as these rooms have to be spotless. Have your tile and grout steamed cleaned by a carpet cleaner. They will look brand new. And it doesn't hurt to bake some cookies. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Telehassy to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment? The SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment was brought about because of the inequity and tax role assessments of a home's value for tax purposes. Someone who has been in their home quite a long time will have a vastly lower assessment than what their house is worth. So someone who has just bought a home will get a full tax assessment while the person next door to them may be paying only half of that. Some older folks were feeling trapped in their homes because if they moved they could not afford to pay the current tax rates. So the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment came about where you could take your lower assessment with you to your new home. So if your home was assessed $50,000 less than what it was worth, you would be able to reduce the assessment on your new home by $50,000 in order for you to be able to pay roughly the same taxes. It wouldn't be locked out of moving to a new home because you can't afford the taxes. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at TLHrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what type of maintenance should I be doing on my home? It is always a good idea to keep up on maintenance on your home, whether you're thinking of selling or not. Have your heat and air conditioner service once a year and replace the air filter every three months. Keeping bugs out can be as simple as repairing holes in the windows and door screens. You can also keep bugs out by sealing cracks and holes on the outside of the house, as well as inside at baseboards behind the sinks and around pipes and windows. Speaking of windows, make sure yours are in good condition and have a tight fit. Clean the tracks and replace any torn or missing weather stripping. Preventing outside air from leaking in will help reduce your energy bills. Clean your gutters of debris. This will keep them working and help to avoid any wood rot that occurs from water overflow. Focusing on these small jobs now can lead to big savings of your time and money in the future. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when a buyer is coming to look at my home, should I be there? One of the first questions I usually get on showings is, should you be there or not? And that is definitely no. If somebody is coming back to look at your home for the third or fourth time, it might not hurt to be around for questions. But when they are first coming to look at your home, you should not be there. You will tend to say things that might turn off a potential buyer. I had one seller comment on the deer that would occasionally come into the backyard. The buyer was deathly afraid of animals and immediately crossed that house off her list, even though the house was perfect for her. Also, buyers are not comfortable opening closet doors while you're standing there. And nobody is going to buy a home when they have not looked in the closets. So as much as you would like to be there to help, it is usually not a good idea. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I save my money or buy investment property for retirement? That is a good question. Let's look at some numbers. I talked with a financial planner and asked how much money would I have to save if I retired in 15 to 20 years and wanted to make $2,000 a month from the money that I saved. She came back and said I would have to save $800,000. Or I can find a property that costs about $200,000 that makes $2,000 a month in rent. I could buy that property for about $50,000 down plus closing costs. The mortgage would be $1,100 a month on a 30 year loan. Barring lots of repairs, you should be able to make about $10,000 a year. Send that $10,000 to your mortgage and you should have the property paid off in 15 to 20 years. Then you would make the $2,000 a month from the rent. So $2,000 a month for retirement for $800,000 or $50,000. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new closing disclosures? Already October 1st of 2015, new required closing disclosures went into effect. These are the statements you receive at closing that list your closing costs and the amount of money you bring to closing. The traditional good faith estimate, the truth in lending disclosure and the HUD 1 are all being combined and streamlined to provide consumers more transparency regarding what you're paying for a mortgage and the related closing costs. You will now get a loan estimate and a closing disclosure that are similar so you can easily compare what you were promised when you applied for your loan and what you receive and pay in closing costs. The new disclosure must be provided three days before closing. Check this disclosure thoroughly as soon as you get it and call your lender immediately if you notice any problems. If the bank needs to make any adjustments that triggers another three day period which could delay closing. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I become a real estate agent? This is a question I do get quite often. If you were thinking of starting a career in real estate, I would suggest having at least six months of savings in the bank. This gives you plenty of time to get started and established without having to panic about paying the next month's bills. Look into taking a class to prepare yourself for the test. You can do this locally in a sit down classroom or take a class online. Then you need to take and pass the real estate test. Then start interviewing real estate companies and ask about their training programs. You can also get training at the board of realtors. And speaking of the board, you should join your local board of realtors as well as the state association of realtors and the national association of realtors. Buy some business cars to start passing out. You can expect to spend at least $1,000 on the expenses just listed. If you have energy and are organized, real estate could be a great career for you. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking to buy an auction property. What should I do? When an auction property comes up on the market, you can usually bid over a couple of days. But most of the action is going to happen in the last hour or two of the auction, and they will usually extend the auction as long as people are still actively bidding. If you win the auction, you have just bought a house and have to put down a deposit and a buyer's premium immediately. Make sure you've done all your homework and do diligence before now, because it is very difficult and very costly to back out. Before you bid, make sure you have a thorough home inspection done along with a termite and wood rotten inspection. Have your attorney or title company run a title search on the property to make sure that there are no outstanding leans or other problems with the property. There usually repairs you have to do, but auctions can be a great way to get a good price on a house. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm going to buy a house. What can I do to ensure a smooth and easy closing? There are three main things you can do that will make your real estate closing as hassle-free as possible. First, get pre-approved for the loan. Working with your lender ahead of time to secure your financing not only helps determine what you can afford, but it also helps uncover any problems that might come up and impact your closing. Second, listen to your lender and your Realtor. Buying a home involves a mountain of paperwork, so be prepared. And just when you think you're done submitting the last of the forms, the bank will undoubtedly want something more. Always respond to your lender requests very promptly. And third, stay calm. Everyone agrees. Be flexible. Be responsive. And above all, remain calm. Your lender will ask you for all sorts of last-minute details. Don't take it personally. Sometimes things just come up at the last minute. Stay calm and keep your eye on the prize. Closing and owning your new home. The real estate advisor's is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I bought a house. What type of inspections do I need? Once you have negotiated a contract on a house, you usually have 10 to 15 days to conduct inspections to verify all the systems are in good working order. You should start with a full home inspection. These inspectors will check all of the systems, the heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as any appliances. Sometimes you will need additional inspections from an air conditioning company or a fireplace specialist if there are any problems found in those areas. You will also want a radon inspection. Radon is a naturally occurring gas found in the ground that sometimes seeps into homes and causes elevated levels that you will want to have mitigated. If there is a septic tank, you will need to pay for having the tank pumped as well as the inspection because they need to pump the tank to be able to visually inspect it. And if there is a pool, you should plan on a pool inspection also. Quite a lot of inspections, but they will give you peace of mind. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am moving. Do I need to move everything? If you're moving, this is a great time to go through your belongings, get rid of some stuff and simplify your life a little bit. There are many wonderful charities that you can donate quite a variety of items to, and some of them will even pick up. Think of the items that you have been debating letting go of and donate some of that furniture. Trim down your kitchen gadgets and appliances, and go through your clothes and donate anything that you haven't worn in the last two years. Find out your entire pantry and take everything to a local food bank and feed some of the hungry folks around town. Don't forget to grab a receipt and give it to your accountant at the end of the year for a tax deduction. This is a great way to free up some space, help the local community, and trim down the number of boxes that you'll need to move. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm new to the area and needs some repair work done around my home. Where can I find someone who is qualified and trustworthy? In addition to helping customers buy or sell a home, local realtors are a great resource for all sorts of information in the community and typically have developed relationships with people in the trade and service industries, including carpenters, plumbers, ceramic tile installers, made services, tree surgeons, pet care providers, and many more. A realtor knows their community and can help customers in selecting an area of town based on a buyer's interest, such as schools, parks, beaches, trails, culture, arts, local and regional attractions, and points of interest. A relationship with your realtor may hold more value than just helping you find a place to call home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I wanted to check my credit score and report. Where should I look? Checking your credit report at least once a year, or even more often is imperative in this day and age of cybercrime and information hacking. People's identities and even business identities are stolen every day. One of the best things you can do is to check through your entire credit report once a year, even if you've had no problems that you're aware of. The government has a site that you can check once a year, and it will not count as an inquiry on your credit report. You can access a copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. Obtaining your credit score on the site may require the payment of a nominal fee, but the credit report itself is free of charge. Other sites advertised are commercial sites and will charge you a fee to access your credit report. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com This is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much house can I buy? Knowing this in the beginning of your home search will save you a lot of grief down the road. The best bet to answering this question is to call a local bank or mortgage company. They can give you a very accurate figure. They can also send a pre-qualification letter, which you will need anyways. But if you're looking for a quick and dirty way to figure out what price range you can afford, start with your monthly gross salary. Take 28-32% of that depending on what type of loan you're getting. This is the maximum amount of a mortgage payment that you can have. Then, take 43% of your monthly salary. This is the maximum amount of total debt that you can have, including your mortgage. Why just 43%? Because they want you to have money left over to pay your taxes, buy food, gas, etc. So take that 43% amount and subtract your monthly payments like your car payment and credit cards and the final figure is what you qualify for. Or the 28% figure, whichever is lower. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, am I ready to buy a home? If you're wondering if a home purchase is a good decision for you, here's a few questions to ask yourself. Do you have the desire to commit to the same community for the next five to seven years? Are you stable in your career? Why do you want to buy? Buying a home is a great way to increase your personal wealth. Are your finances ready? Do you have good credit? Do you have a pattern of paying your bills on time? And do you have savings? If you're looking to buy a $200,000 home, you need about $19,000 for down payment, closing costs and prepaids. Don't forget about your moving expenses. You should also have some cash reserves for any unexpected surprises that might come up. I had to put in a new sewer line in the older home I recently bought. That took all of my landscape and decorating budget and plus a little bit more. But if you can answer yes to these questions, then a home purchase may be right for you. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the best home improvements to do now that will help improve the resale value of my home later? If you're looking to sell your home in a few years, you don't want to pay for impractical or expensive improvements now that will be out of style by the time you put that 4 sales sign in your yard. You want to look at traditional and fashionable upgrades that will provide value and aesthetic beauty for years to come. New kitchens top the list. New countertops and appliances are usually a sure bet. Bathrooms are next. Be sure to avoid all white as that usually looks too sterile. Bring in some light by adding skylights or sun tunnels if you can. Put up some extra storage shelves or cabinets to reduce the clutter in your home. Add an island into the kitchen. Put down some hardwood floors. Popular outdoor items include fireplaces, decks, fountains, and landscaping. And an outdoor kitchen can definitely boost the wow factor for your resale. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I rent or should I buy? I'm often asked the question, is it better to rent or buy a house? The length of time is one of the biggest factors in making this decision. You need to ask yourself, how long do you plan on living there? Is your job stable? Are you subject to being transferred for your job? Do you have any looming family issues that might take you out of town for an extended period of time? If you think you're likely to stay in the house for less than one to three years, then it is better to rent. The market at most of Tallahassee is back to normal, where you can make about 2-3% appreciation a year on your home. That means it will take you about two years just to be able to break even if you had to sell your home quickly. So, if you're going to be in your home for less than three years, you should look at rent team. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much money do I need to buy a house? Closing costs are always a big question on every home buyer's mind. There are three main parts to your closing costs. There's your down payment, then you have the closing costs, such as title insurance, appraisals, surveys, bank underwriting fees, all of that sort of thing. Finally, you have prepaids, which is setting up an escrow account to pay for your taxes and insurance. If you're buying a house for $200,000 and putting down 5% with the bank, your costs are going to run about $19,000. The 5% down payment will be $10,000 of it, then there's about $6,000 in closing costs, and another $3,000 for your prepaids. But, in many cases, you can ask the seller to pay some of your closing costs. You always have to put down your own down payment and prepaids, but you can ask the seller to pay most apart of your closing costs. In this case, that could save you up to $6,000. The real estate advisor's is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor, and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Calville Banker, Heart Tung, and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when is the buying season for houses? People are always asking me if this is a good time to put their homes on the market. Is there a better time than others? There is definitely a cycle when it comes to buying homes. March to June is the high season for buying, and then everyone wants to move in July in between school years. August, it slows down a little bit as everybody's getting ready for school to start. September to November is a slow but even pace. At the beginning of the holidays, you get the round of investors coming in, snapping at properties before the end of the year, which is followed by the steep drop in buyers until the end of the year. Then on January 1st, we get a surge of calls from new buyers that last for about two weeks. About the same as New Year's resolutions. Now, February, February is the lowest inventory month because everybody is waiting on the high season to list their homes, making that a great time to sell. The real estate advisor is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heartung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker, Heartung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what exactly is title insurance? Title insurance is where they are ensuring the title to your home. If you bought a house and someone came and knocked on your door and said, you know, an uncle of mine came to you 40 years ago and owns part of this property, that is where your title insurance would come in. They'll go to court or they'll fix the problem or they'll pay you back for any losses that you might incur from such a claim. The title company or attorney who does your closing will do a thorough title search for you. Going back as much as 30 years to check for any claims, deed changes or judgments that haven't been satisfied or taken care of, they'll make sure that there's no tax leans on your house or other nasty surprises that sometimes come up during these searches. At closing you will get a clear title to your property, so you don't have to worry about answering your door. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can we do to increase our curb appeal? Curb appeal is very important. It often makes a difference between somebody deciding to look at your home or not. Stand across the street and take an honest appraisal of what a potential buyer will see. Make sure that all the beds are weeded and new pine straws put down. Add some flowers to give a splash of color. When was the last time you used your front door? Polish up that hardware and paint the door. Make sure the glass is sparkling clean and brush away all of the spider webs. Press your wash, your front steps, walkways, driveway, and parking areas. What about your mailbox? Give it a fresh coat of paint and replace the numbers. If somebody is driving along looking for the address, this is the first thing that will catch their eye. A little bit of effort and a modest budget can make a big difference in your home's curb appeal. Set the tone right and get ready to invite buyers into your home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm buying a house that has polybutylene pipes. Should I be concerned? Polybutylene is a form of plastic that was used extensively for water supply piping from 1978 to 1995 as a cheap substitute for copper pipes. They're usually gray, but they can be white with adult finish. There are several different kinds of polybutylene pipes, but there's one in particular that has the wrong type of fittings. These are the ones that cause most of the problems. Your home inspector should check for these pipes in your home inspection. You will also want to check with your insurance company for their policy on these pipes. Some insurance companies will say they cover them, but then they exclude water damage, which is the damage you will have. So they're not really covering your polybutylene pipes. And if you do find you have polybutylene pipes, you do have the option of changing out the pipes to copper for a couple thousand dollars. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do short sales take so long? Despite the name short sale, there is nothing short or quick about a short sale. With a short sale, the owner of the property is trying to sell their property for less than they owe on their mortgage. When you put in an offer, it starts with the owner. Once that has been agreed upon, then the offer goes to the bank. During that time, the bank figures out the least they can take on the mortgage, then they go back and negotiate with the owner on how to cover or write off the deficiency that is left on the mortgage. Once that has agreed upon, the bank replies back to the buyer, with an acceptance or a counter offer. This often takes two to six months just to hear back on your offer and then another 30 to 60 days to close. There is nothing quick about a short sale, but for those buyers that have the patience and no set timelines or deadlines, they can be a chance to get an incredible bargain on a home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale? A foreclosure is a property that is wholly owned by the bank. They have gone through the entire process of obtaining the property back from the owner. They know what all the fees and the payoffs are at this point. The bank can negotiate with you and can usually give you an answer on your offer within 48 hours and can close on the property in 30 to 60 days or even sooner with a cash buyer. A short sale is a property that still has the owner involved in the sale. The owner is trying to sell the property for less than they still owe on their mortgage. So your offer goes to the owner, then to the bank, and it often takes two to six months to hear back on your offer. And then another 30 to 60 days to close. For closures and short sales are often a great way to get a bargain on a home, depending on the work that is needed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, I don't live in a flood zone, why would I buy flood insurance? Well, sadly, over 20% of the flood insurance claims come from outside high flood risk areas. If you recall the extensive flooding in the Houston area a few years ago, most of the damaged homes were not in what was considered a flood zone, and most homeowners didn't have flood insurance. The next question is what's covered by flood insurance? Generally speaking, the building and foundation, all the permanently installed appliances, flooring, wallboard, electrical and plumbing systems. But personal property, like clothing and furniture, have to be insured under a separate personal property policy. Call your insurance agent for more information. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's a green home? A green home is built with environmentally friendly materials and a focus on the efficient use of energy and water. There are many things you can do to make your home a greener home. You can install energy star appliances, low-e windows, change your lighting to LED fixtures and bulbs. A green home is often more desirable to a buyer than a home that's not because the recurring daily costs to operate the home are less. However, getting a home certified as a green home is a very rigorous process and usually only homes built in the last five or so years can offer a certification. Many home builders will offer the option of a green home along with the certification. If you're planning on building a home, give it real consideration. Since it will cost you less to live there and when you sell your home, you'll have an extra edge that buyers will value. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some of the general rules of the road when selling your home and you have pets? Well 70% of households own pets of some kind, and the third most common reason a buyer will buy your home is a home or neighborhood that suits their dog, so most buyers will be understanding of your pets. Having said that, buyers do not spend long viewing a home if your dog is constantly barking. If your dog is very vocal, you'll want to remove him or her so that buyers are not stressed out. You also want to make sure your home and yard are as clean as humanly possible. You may be used to the pet smells, but it's a turn off for the buyers. If there are features about your home or neighborhood that make it especially pet friendly, pet doors or fence yard, distance to the dog park and doggy daycare, let buyers know. They probably have a pet and it may make a difference in how they see your home and neighborhood. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's the best policy if there are pets in a home that's for sale? Number one, the best policy is to ignore those pets as much as you can. Do not pet or play with any pet, whether they're contained or not. You are in their home and the homeowner isn't there. They may feel uneasy with you in the home and may react in a negative and unexpected way. Number two, forget to say, don't feed the pets. And lastly, if the pets are inside, make sure they remain inside. If they're outside, make sure they remain outside. Pets are like family members and you wouldn't want to do anything that could harm the seller's furry family. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when buying a home? Number one, underestimating the cost. When you select your lender and your realtor, be sure they go over in detail how much the closing costs will be. Closing costs are in addition to the down payment that you've saved. Sometimes sellers are willing to pay some of your closing costs on your behalf. Be sure to let your realtor know that you will need help with your closing costs before you make an offer. Number two, don't expect to find your dream home, especially if this is your first purchase. No home will check all the boxes. Figure out what's most important to you and what you'll be willing to do later. An example might be you can paint and change the countertops later if the location's right. And number three, once you've talked to your lender and established your budget, don't make any large purchases that could change your debt to income ratio and therefore change your budget. I tell home buyers you can buy socks but no shoes until after you move in. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, do I need flood insurance? If you're in an area that is listed as a flood zone and you're getting a mortgage, then your lender will require it. But even if you're paying cash, it's advisable to get flood insurance. To find out if the property you're interested in buying is in a flood zone, you can go to the Property Appraisers website and there's a link to the current maps or you can go to the FEMA website, FEMA.gov to check. Your insurance agent can also tell you when you ask for a quote. You will want to get an elevation certificate when you have the survey done so you can get an accurate quote for flood insurance. The next question is how expensive is it? It varies widely, but the determining factors are based on flooding risk and the date your property was constructed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's a smart home? Basically, any home that has three categories of technology connected to high-speed internet that can be controlled remotely by phone or tablet is a smart home. Examples of technology are security devices, alarms, cameras, locks, garage door openers, as well as lighting, appliances, thermostat, and entertainment like television and speakers. In a recent survey, half of homeowners and potential buyers have or want to invest in this kind of technology. As a homeowner, you can enjoy a sense of security, comfort, and save money with a smart home. If you have internet capability, you can retrofit your home to be a smart home. As a home seller, this technology makes your home more attractive to potential buyers as well. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org-slash-real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some general rules of the road when looking at homes that remain occupied by the seller? You have decided to buy home and you and your realtor are starting to set up showings. It's an exciting process. There are some do's and do's when you are inside a home. Yes, it's okay to look in those closets and cabinets. You want to judge the size of the closets as well as the size and quality of the built-in cabinetry. But know it isn't okay to pick up personal items belonging to the sellers. This is still their home and you need to be respectful of that. If you bring your children with you, please be sure that they're under your control at all times. You should also be aware that many homes have video and audio surveillance capability. Do not say or do anything you don't want the seller to see or hear. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, why is it a good idea for buyers to work with local lenders when purchasing a home? Choosing a lender is one of the most important steps in the home buying process. We recommend that all buyers get pre-qualified with a local lender before starting the process. You wouldn't buy pizza before you knew how much money you had available to pay for it. The same goes for a much, much more important purchase of a home. Local lenders will be able to tell you what price range you can comfortably shop in, and they have rates that are as good or better than internet-based lenders. Plus, you have the advantage of being able to talk to the same person every time you call with a question. This important step will help you avoid costly disappointments as you go through the home buying process. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, is it a good idea to attend the home inspection when purchasing a home? Buyers often ask, should they attend the home inspection? Our answer is yes, if it all possible and allow two to three hours. The inspector will check all the systems of the home, electrical, plumbing, appliances, roofing, that sort of thing. Remember, this is a visual inspection and they can't see through the walls. But inspectors can help you get to know your new home. If you see something that you're concerned about, point it out and ask, is this a big deal or something easily fixed? How do I maintain it? Ask your inspector. If you were buying this home, what would your concerns be? Inspectors should be able to give clear, reasonable recommendations should any concerns be found. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, condominium living. Is it the right choice for you? When you purchase a condominium, you only own basically the interior of the unit. The condominium association owns the dirt under the unit, the common area, and the exterior of the unit and is responsible for maintaining all of those. This can be convenient and offer a carefree lifestyle since you as the owner are only responsible for the interior of the unit. With this convenience comes a price tag and limitations as to what you as the owner can change. The association collects monthly fees to pay for and contract for the app keep of the property. Before you buy, carefully read all the condominium documents that outline your responsibilities as well as those of the condominium association. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what will it take to buy this property? We are finding some price points can be very competitive and multiple offers are received on a property. Does the highest offer always win? Well, sometimes yes, sometimes no. The seller may look more favorably on an offer that can close quickly or an offer with fewer contingencies. The seller may also still have an emotional attachment to the home, so you as a buyer may want to write them a letter to submit with your offer, letting them know how much you love the home and how it would suit you and your family. You may also want to add an escalation clause to your offer as well. More about an escalation clause in a future real estate advisors. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I pay for a rate on test? We strongly recommend that you test your home. Rate on is a colorless, odorless, and naturally occurring gas found in this part of Florida. Why test? Because it's been found to be the second leading cause of lung cancer. The test needs to be set up for a minimum of 48 hours. The testing device takes readings all during that time and records the levels that averages the rate on levels. If the levels average below four pico-curies per liter, it's deemed acceptable. If four or over, then the levels should be mitigated so they are reduced to the acceptable levels. Who tests for rate on? Most home inspectors can test for rate on, but only a rate on reduction contractor is qualified to install systems to reduce the levels. After the system is installed, additional tests are done to ensure that the levels have been properly reduced. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I have a survey done before I purchase a property? We always recommend a survey, even if nothing has changed since the last one was done. You will want to know exactly where your boundaries are, in case you want to add a fence or outbuilding or landscaping in the future. Even more importantly, you'll want to know if current fencing, outbuildings, and landscaping is on your property or your neighbor's property. You may need to ask them to remove items and crouching on the property you are purchasing, or your new neighbor may ask you to move them at your expense if they encroach on their property. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, what determines if the real estate market is a buyer's market or seller's market? The short answer is supply and demand. If there are more homes on the market than buyers able to buy, then it's a buyer's market. The buyers have the upper hand and oftentimes sellers have to negotiate more on pricing. This can put downward pressure on pricing. If on the other hand there are more buyers than homes on the market, then sellers have the upper hand and there's upward pressure on pricing. Oftentimes you will see multiple offers on properties in this case. Remember, this can vary widely from city to city and even neighborhood to neighborhood. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are few tips when selling your home? Your home is on the market and your first showing is scheduled. What do you need to prepare to get ready? Make sure you put your best foot forward. You never get a second chance for that first impression. Open blinds, turn on lights, pick up straighten up. A sparkling clean home will make a big impression. Expect buyers to open and look in your closets, straighten up cabinets. They want to be sure that there's room for their stuff. Do not stay for the showing. Buyers will not feel comfortable looking at your home with you standing there. Also, if you have video and audio surveillance, disclose that to the realtor. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org-slash-realestate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between an as is sale and a warranted sale? There are three basic ways you can make an offer on a house. The first is warranted with a clear WDO. Warranted means the seller would have to fix anything wrong with the systems of the house. The heating and cooling, the plumbing system, the electrical system, or any appliances that they leave. Second, you can also ask for not warranted, but with a clear WDO. The WDO is the Wood Destroyed Organism Report, also known as the termite letter. A clear WDO means the seller would fix any Woodrot, mold, fungus, carpenter bees, powder post beetles, anything that would eat wood, thus the Wood Destroyed Organism Name. Lastly, you can make your offer as is where is, meaning the seller would not have to fix anything. This is typical of bank foreclosure homes. With any of these offers, you should be able to do inspections in a certain time period and back out if you don't like the results. The real estate advisors is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm hearing a lot about wire fraud and closings. What should I watch for? One of the big problems today with closings is wire fraud. Crooks are getting very sophisticated and finding emails of people in real estate transactions and go to great lengths to recreate those email chains to look like you're getting new wire instructions from your lender or Realtor. You will open an email that says, the wire instructions have changed. Please send your wire to dot dot dot. It will look like it's from Cindy Cooper, but the last name is spelled with an e instead of an r at the end. And the whole email chain that you've been a part of is there beneath it. It's very easy to miss. Once the wire is sent, even if you catch it right away, usually the money is moved within minutes and is gone. The big key is to never trust wire instructions sent through an email. Always call the source and verify all wiring information verbally. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, is there ever a time or a market when nothing sells? There has always been a certain amount of houses that sell every single month in Tallahassee. No matter if it's a good or bad market or the busy or slow time, there are always about 200 houses a month sold here in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas. Because there's always reasons people have to buy in cell houses. There are job transfers, moves, marriages, deaths, divorces, and babies. These things that trigger home sales happen all the time. What does go up and down is the inventory of homes available for sale. We have an average of around 1200 houses and townhouses on the market at any given time. When the market was really terrible several years ago, we had 7,000 homes on the market. And 200 sales a month out of 7,000 available might not seem like much, but the houses were still selling at the exact same pace as they always did. Tallahassee's advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between warranted and home warranty? Many people confuse a warranted home with a home warranty. When you buy a house, you can buy it as is or warranted. Warranted means the seller would fix anything wrong with the systems of the house, the heating and air, the plumbing system, the electrical system, and any appliances that they leave. You can also buy a house with or without a clear WDO or termite letter, but that is a different part. That covers wood, rot, fungus, mold, carpenter bees, things like that. But warranted means the seller is warranting the systems of the house to be in working order. A home warranty is basically an insurance policy you can buy to cover the systems of the house. They're usually for one year, and if anything goes wrong with any of the systems or appliances, you can call the warranty company, and for a standard fee, usually $75 or $100, they will come out and fix or replace the item that is broken. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I sell or rent my home? If you don't need the cash out of your current home to buy your next home and are prepared to be a landlord, a rental can provide predictable long-term income. Your first consideration is, can you afford two homes? You need to be able to qualify for the new home and be able to pay for all the costs for both properties, including mortgage payments, repairs, upkeep, and yard maintenance. Next, consider if the old property is likely to appreciate. You can never predict the future, but you can determine if trends in your neighborhood are pointing towards up and coming or on the decline. Also, you want to look at tax consequences. If you've owned your home for a long time, you probably have a great amount of equity built up. You can write off capital gains on your homestead, but not after it's been turned into a rental property. So be sure you're not throwing away a significant tax write off. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org-realestate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cobble Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, which home improvements recoup the most money? The new yearly cost versus value report is out and the number one project for return on your investment is Addic Insulation, with an average return of over 107%. Now this is not a high cost project, so let's take a look at some others. If you're doing a major kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel, the average return is 50 to 60% of your investment dollars. But if you're looking at just a minor remodel, those numbers jump to 60 to 80%. Next with a high return is a front door replacement in the 70 to 90% range, depending on if you're just doing the front door or a whole entrance and also if you're using a regular or a steel door. This is followed by a garage door replacement in the 75 to 80% range. Window replacements will get you 70 to 75% and generators or decks will give you a solid 50 to 60% return on your money. The real estate advisors is a service of City Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I keep my home safer from burglars? By now, everyone knows not to put the box from your new TV out at the street. It just screams, come and get me to any potential burglars. Some other good ideas are to maintain the outside of your property. Not only will it look good and keep your neighbors happy, but a well-maintained yard to tears, thieves and vandals who target vacant houses. Know your neighbors, introduce them to your real estate agent so they know who will be coming and going from your home. Embrace the power of lighting. Lock your doors and reinforce those locks. Invest in good locks and strike plates and a solid door frame. And don't forget new technology. Not only do most new buyers ask for it, it can also make your safety a snap. Smart home technology can remotely control lighting and music, see who is at your front door and even change the thermostat. Even that old-fashioned timing device for lamps is still a good idea. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am buying a home as is. What is the difference between as is compared to warranted? When you're riding a contract, one of the items to negotiate will be if you're taking the home as is or warranted. If the seller elects to sell the house warranted, that means he is warranting that the systems of the house are in good working order up until the day of closing. Systems being the heating and cooling, electrical plumbing and any appliances he is leaving. If you take the house as is, where is? That means there'll be no repairs made at all by the seller. This is often the case with foreclosure sales. You can also buy a house as is, but with the seller providing a clear WDO or would destroy an organism's report, also known as the termite letter. Some banks will require a clear WDO. This means the seller will fix any wood rock, fungus, mold, carpenter bees or termites. So purchasing a home as is can mean two different things, negotiate accordingly. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, George Eterner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I save money on plumbing repairs? Every home has plumbing issues at some point. One of the best ways to save money on plumbing repairs is usually old-fashioned preventative maintenance, most of which you can do yourself. In order to fix leaks timely, you have to be able to see them. Don't treat that space under your sink as a storage cabinet, treat it as a maintenance space. Keep it clean and clear. Your garbage disposal is not a trash can. Keep the grease out and run hot water through it during and after use. It is not normal for your sink to take 10 minutes to drain. Use a drain cleaner or clean out the pee trap underneath the sink. Dripping faucets and running toilets are usually in the realm of most do-it-yourselfers. The parts are cheap and you can find manuals and tutorials to guide you. These are easy fixes, but if the problem is beyond these, it may be time to call in a professional. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm a for sale by owner, any advice on showing my home? Yes, get a Realtor, no, just kidding. I do know people who are selling their own homes and I always give a little safety talk to them with the things I've learned over the years. First, get all of your buyer's information before you agree to let them into your home. What is their full name, their phone number, and email address? Then, when you have them coming back to look at your home, have them lead the way. Don't walk into a room first as they can easily cut off your means of escape. Let them walk into a room first, go up the stairs first, go into the garage or the patio first. Always have a direct line to a doorway at all times. Next, let someone know you're showing the house and feel free to share that with your buyer. Say, oh, my sister is coming over right when we are done here. Always remember, no sale is worth your safety. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some good tips for moving? Moving is always a little crazy, so the following tips and tricks may help with the havoc. When packing glasses, put them in tube socks to prevent cracks. Also, you can usually pick up boxes with cardboard separators at your local liquor store. To prevent necklaces and bracelets from tangling up, use an empty toilet paper roll or a drinking straw. Thread each chain through the toilet paper roll or the straw and fasten the clasp. When you're packing your ceramic plates, use bubble wrap or put paper plates in between them. Slide a trash bag over your hanging clothes to make them easier to stack and carry. Use your towels, sheets, and dishcloths to cushion other objects, pack pillows at the top of your boxes, and wrap artwork in blankets. For electronics, use the plastic tabs from bread to wrap electronic cords and prevent tangles. Be sure to label them and snap a picture of where they were before you disconnect them. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, do you have any tips to make moving easier? Moving is never easy, but here are a few tips to help with the headache of moving into your new home. Photograph all of your cords. This will make it easier to reconnect them later. Get a Movers Guide from the Post Office. You need to notify them of your new address anyway, and it includes helpful coupons. Color code your boxes to the different rooms in the house. Anything you need immediately after moving should be marked or packed in red. Make sure these important boxes go on the truck last so they will come off the truck first. Your important boxes should contain one first night essential box. Put in medications, toothbrushes, change of clothes, anything else you will need that first night. Pack a first day cleaning kit so you can clean out cabinets and closets before you move your items in, and put valuables and important documents in a special box and put it away in your car away from all the activity. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the top questions buyers ask sellers? When a buyer finally finds the home of their dreams, they often have a list of questions for the seller. There are, however, certain questions that come up time and time again. If you're looking to sell your home, take the time to answer some of these questions and leave a sellers' disclosure or other information at the house so the buyers will see it when they are there looking at your home. The most frequently asked questions are, how old is the house? When was it last renovated? Who did the work and were all the appropriate permits pulled? How old is the roof? What appliances and fixtures are included in the sale? How much are homeowners' association fees, average utility bills, lawn service or pool maintenance? And how old is the air conditioner? Sellers who provide the answers to these questions before they are asked will save time and appear very helpful and honest to the buyer. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Collwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the oldest building in Tallahassee? The oldest building in Tallahassee is known as the columns and was built by William Money Williams in 1830. It was originally on Park Avenue and Adam Street but was moved to 100 North Devall Street in 1971. Other fun facts about Tallahassee include the current capital building designed by Edward Stone is the third tallest capital building in the United States, right after Washington DC and Austin. The Tallahassee police department is the third oldest in the nation. He was founded in 1841. Doke Campbell Stadium is the biggest Atlantic Coast Conference football stadium and is also the country's biggest continuous brick structure. Also, FSUs believe to be where streaking was invented. Wally Amos, founder of famous Amos cookies, was born and raised in Tallahassee and Tallahassee is the only Florida city that has ever recorded a sub-zero temperature of negative two degrees in 1899. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do deals fall apart? Sometimes things don't go according to plan. Some of the main things that come up are, first, buyers remorse. This sets in anywhere from an hour to a few days after the ink has dried on the contract. Everyone has second thoughts, but think long and hard about your end goal before doing anything permanent. Next up would be repairs. Anywhere from misunderstanding who will fix what to thinking a repair will be $10,000. Real facts and figures help here. Get an estimate from one or two contractors and see what that repair really costs. What you thought was a $10,000 problem may actually be an easy $300 fix. The third problem is, surprise, buyers are sometimes not good money managers. This is not the time to take out any new debt or spend the money that the bank expects to be in your account. And last, financing. Many times these days you don't know if your buyer is actually going to get the loan until a few days before closing. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is real estate a good investment. Yes, it almost always is, but if you are under the age of 25, there is another great investment to look into. It is a magic of compound interest. If you can invest $5,000 right now at a reasonable rate of return, you should be able to double your money every 5 to 7 years. If you are under 25, you should be able to double that money 8 times. You would be in your 70s, but let's look at the numbers. $5,000 right now, then it would be 10,000, 20,000, 40, 80, 160, 320, then $640,000, then $1.2 million. If you can put away $5,000 right now and don't touch it. If that seems out of reach, invest $100 right now. Everybody can come up with $100. Invest $100 today and it will be $100,000 when you're in your 70s. It will be the easiest $100,000 you will ever make. The real estate advisor is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, could it be my home is outdated? If you're thinking of putting your house on the market soon, it is time to take a step back and take a cold hard look at your decor. You may still love some of the dated touches you put in years ago, or maybe you don't want to go through the trouble and expense of updating to current colors and finishes. I do understand, but once you put your house on the market, it is no longer your house anymore, and you need to start looking at it from a potential buyer's point of view. The things that scream dated the most to buyers are, wide appliances, busy wallpaper, bold paint colors, dated fixtures and hardware, especially anything with a gold finish, tile countertops, popcorn ceilings, carpet in the bathrooms, wood paneling, and linoleum floors. Choose materials and colors that are neutral and will appeal to a wide range of people. Aiming for neutrality is the best way to ensure your home is in fashion and will not turn off any buyers. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the top questions buyers ask sellers? When a buyer finally finds the home of their dreams, they often have a list of questions for the seller. There are, however, certain questions that come up time and time again. If you're looking to sell your home, take the time to answer some of these questions and leave a sellers' disclosure or other information at the house so the buyers will see it when they are there looking at your home. The most frequently asked questions are, how old is the house? When was it last renovated? Who did the work and were all the appropriate permits pulled? How old is the roof? What appliances and fixtures are included in the sale? How much are homeowners' association fees, average utility bills, lawn service or pool maintenance? And how old is the air conditioner? Sellers who provide the answers to these questions before they are asked will save time and appear very helpful and honest to the buyer. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I found a great rental online but they want me to mail the deposit out of the country. Is this a scam? Yes, there are several scams prevalent in today's marketplace. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Here are some other red flags to look for. The property is listed by two different parties at two different prices on the same website. The price is way below market value. The property pops on and off the market within hours. The owner of the property is in a foreign country, often saying they're missionaries, military personnel or professors. There's no sign in the yard or there is a sign and the person is different from whom you are talking to online. You're asked to provide personal information, bank account numbers for wiring, social security number, a copy of your driver's license. They ask you just to look in the windows and then send or wire money. Be careful and always know who you're dealing with, especially in an online transaction. The real estate advisor is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I protect my property listing from rental scams? The new big scam I see most often today is a scammer will lift your property listing information and put it up as a rental. The ads will say something like, call me directly, ignore the sign in the yard, send me $1,000 and I'll send you the keys. They're getting more and more sophisticated every day. So here's a quick and easy way to check if your property listing has been hijacked as a rental or any other listing. Do a web search for your house image. Open two windows on your web browser. In one, open an image search tool such as Google Images. Then in the other, open a website with your listing photo in it. Click on that photo and hold down the mouse button while you drag the picture back into the first window you opened and drop the picture into the search bar. Then you will see all of the places your home photo has been appearing online. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can I do to build the perfect patio? Patio's are great and can be enjoyed almost year round. The first thing to consider when you're putting in the patio is just like any other real estate. Location, location, location. How are you going to use the patio? Do you want every minute in the sun or a little shelter in the shade? Do you want the patio near the house-freeze access or maybe down in a flat spot if you have a sloping yard? Next, think of the size and shape you want for your patio. Also, think of adding built-ins such as seating, fire pits, planters, water features, maybe even a hot tub. Materials vary widely. Concrete patios of today can be tinted, stamped, and decorated in many different ways. There's also natural stone, flagstone, clay bricks, and pavers that come in a variety of shape sizes and colors. Make sure you check on the location of any utility cables before you dig. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new trends to look for in homes today? The next big trend I see coming up is home automation. People want to control more and more aspects of their home through their smartphones. Smart home technologies will add utility as well as value to your home as some buyers are now looking for these features to already be in place when they buy a home. You can probably get a starter kit of smart devices to enhance your home for about a thousand dollars. There are three basic types of technologies to look for. The first is home systems control. That would be your temperature and lighting controls and ways to turn the appliances on and off when you're not home. Next would be home accessibility products that can allow you to grant access to your home remotely or open and close the garage door. And lastly, you'd want to look for security and monitoring products that can monitor your home remotely and send you notifications in case of any kind of disturbance. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calville Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what features are most wanted by homeowners? I was reading an interesting article the other day on the top 13 features that homeowners want the most. Surprisingly, the number one item was a laundry room by a whopping 92%. So when people ask me for advice on what upgrades to look at or where to concentrate their limited renovation budget or what type of things to consider adding to their floor plan when building a new home, these are the features I think you should keep in mind. The number one thing is at laundry room. This is followed by energy star appliances, then exterior lighting. Next, larger kitchen and bathrooms, no surprise there. Number five is energy star windows, followed by ceiling fans at number six. Next on the list is a patio. Number eight is a full bathroom on the main level. Number nine, hardwood floors. Number ten, more insulation. Next up is garage storage, followed by an eating kitchen and coming in at number 13 is a walk-in pantry. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking at my tax role assessment. Is that what my house is really worth? I have had people who are looking to buy a house, pull up the tax role, and tell me that house is only worth so much because that is what the tax role assessment says. Your tax assessment is what your home is valued at for tax purposes. It does not represent what your home might be worth in today's market. The tax assessor can only raise the taxes on your home's debt a maximum of 2-3% a year. So, even if your home may have doubled in value, your assessment will not reflect that. The only time they can fully reassess a home is when it is sold. So, if a home has been sold in the last year or two, the tax assessment on the tax role is probably pretty close to the value of the house. But if they've been there over five years, it will not be reflective of today's market at all. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what should I do inside my house to stage it for showing? If you're looking to make a good first impression on a buyer when your house is being shown, a little work up front will go a long way. First and foremost, you need to clear off the clutter from all surfaces. You want your house to show like a model home. No surface should have more than three items on it, and the bigger the items, the better. You don't have to clear out a closet to make it feel bigger, but clear enough out so that one third of it is empty. Also, any bookcases and pantries should have a few shelves that are one third empty. Take down any personal pictures. Do a thorough cleaning of the entire house and pay extra attention to the kitchen and the bathrooms as these rooms have to be spotless. Have your tile and grout steamed cleaned by a carpet cleaner. They will look brand new. And it doesn't hurt to bake some cookies. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Telehassy to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment? The SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment was brought about because of the inequity and tax role assessments of a home's value for tax purposes. Someone who has been in their home quite a long time will have a vastly lower assessment than what their house is worth. So someone who has just bought a home will get a full tax assessment while the person next door to them may be paying only half of that. Some older folks were feeling trapped in their homes because if they moved they could not afford to pay the current tax rates. So the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment came about where you could take your lower assessment with you to your new home. So if your home was assessed $50,000 less than what it was worth, you would be able to reduce the assessment on your new home by $50,000 in order for you to be able to pay roughly the same taxes. It wouldn't be locked out of moving to a new home because you can't afford the taxes. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at TLHrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what type of maintenance should I be doing on my home? It is always a good idea to keep up on maintenance on your home, whether you're thinking of selling or not. Have your heat and air conditioner service once a year and replace the air filter every three months. Keeping bugs out can be as simple as repairing holes in the windows and door screens. You can also keep bugs out by sealing cracks and holes on the outside of the house, as well as inside at baseboards behind the sinks and around pipes and windows. Speaking of windows, make sure yours are in good condition and have a tight fit. Clean the tracks and replace any torn or missing weather stripping. Preventing outside air from leaking in will help reduce your energy bills. Clean your gutters of debris. This will keep them working and help to avoid any wood rot that occurs from water overflow. Focusing on these small jobs now can lead to big savings of your time and money in the future. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when a buyer is coming to look at my home, should I be there? One of the first questions I usually get on showings is, should you be there or not? And that is definitely no. If somebody is coming back to look at your home for the third or fourth time, it might not hurt to be around for questions. But when they are first coming to look at your home, you should not be there. You will tend to say things that might turn off a potential buyer. I had one seller comment on the deer that would occasionally come into the backyard. The buyer was deathly afraid of animals and immediately crossed that house off her list, even though the house was perfect for her. Also, buyers are not comfortable opening closet doors while you're standing there. And nobody is going to buy a home when they have not looked in the closets. So as much as you would like to be there to help, it is usually not a good idea. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I save my money or buy investment property for retirement? That is a good question. Let's look at some numbers. I talked with a financial planner and asked how much money would I have to save if I retired in 15 to 20 years and wanted to make $2,000 a month from the money that I saved. She came back and said I would have to save $800,000. Or I can find a property that costs about $200,000 that makes $2,000 a month in rent. I could buy that property for about $50,000 down plus closing costs. The mortgage would be $1,100 a month on a 30 year loan. Barring lots of repairs, you should be able to make about $10,000 a year. Send that $10,000 to your mortgage and you should have the property paid off in 15 to 20 years. Then you would make the $2,000 a month from the rent. So $2,000 a month for retirement for $800,000 or $50,000. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new closing disclosures? Already October 1st of 2015, new required closing disclosures went into effect. These are the statements you receive at closing that list your closing costs and the amount of money you bring to closing. The traditional good faith estimate, the truth in lending disclosure and the HUD 1 are all being combined and streamlined to provide consumers more transparency regarding what you're paying for a mortgage and the related closing costs. You will now get a loan estimate and a closing disclosure that are similar so you can easily compare what you were promised when you applied for your loan and what you receive and pay in closing costs. The new disclosure must be provided three days before closing. Check this disclosure thoroughly as soon as you get it and call your lender immediately if you notice any problems. If the bank needs to make any adjustments that triggers another three day period which could delay closing. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I become a real estate agent? This is a question I do get quite often. If you were thinking of starting a career in real estate, I would suggest having at least six months of savings in the bank. This gives you plenty of time to get started and established without having to panic about paying the next month's bills. Look into taking a class to prepare yourself for the test. You can do this locally in a sit down classroom or take a class online. Then you need to take and pass the real estate test. Then start interviewing real estate companies and ask about their training programs. You can also get training at the board of realtors. And speaking of the board, you should join your local board of realtors as well as the state association of realtors and the national association of realtors. Buy some business cars to start passing out. You can expect to spend at least $1,000 on the expenses just listed. If you have energy and are organized, real estate could be a great career for you. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking to buy an auction property. What should I do? When an auction property comes up on the market, you can usually bid over a couple of days. But most of the action is going to happen in the last hour or two of the auction, and they will usually extend the auction as long as people are still actively bidding. If you win the auction, you have just bought a house and have to put down a deposit and a buyer's premium immediately. Make sure you've done all your homework and do diligence before now, because it is very difficult and very costly to back out. Before you bid, make sure you have a thorough home inspection done along with a termite and wood rotten inspection. Have your attorney or title company run a title search on the property to make sure that there are no outstanding leans or other problems with the property. There usually repairs you have to do, but auctions can be a great way to get a good price on a house. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm going to buy a house. What can I do to ensure a smooth and easy closing? There are three main things you can do that will make your real estate closing as hassle-free as possible. First, get pre-approved for the loan. Working with your lender ahead of time to secure your financing not only helps determine what you can afford, but it also helps uncover any problems that might come up and impact your closing. Second, listen to your lender and your Realtor. Buying a home involves a mountain of paperwork, so be prepared. And just when you think you're done submitting the last of the forms, the bank will undoubtedly want something more. Always respond to your lender requests very promptly. And third, stay calm. Everyone agrees. Be flexible. Be responsive. And above all, remain calm. Your lender will ask you for all sorts of last-minute details. Don't take it personally. Sometimes things just come up at the last minute. Stay calm and keep your eye on the prize. Closing and owning your new home. The real estate advisor's is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I bought a house. What type of inspections do I need? Once you have negotiated a contract on a house, you usually have 10 to 15 days to conduct inspections to verify all the systems are in good working order. You should start with a full home inspection. These inspectors will check all of the systems, the heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as any appliances. Sometimes you will need additional inspections from an air conditioning company or a fireplace specialist if there are any problems found in those areas. You will also want a radon inspection. Radon is a naturally occurring gas found in the ground that sometimes seeps into homes and causes elevated levels that you will want to have mitigated. If there is a septic tank, you will need to pay for having the tank pumped as well as the inspection because they need to pump the tank to be able to visually inspect it. And if there is a pool, you should plan on a pool inspection also. Quite a lot of inspections, but they will give you peace of mind. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am moving. Do I need to move everything? If you're moving, this is a great time to go through your belongings, get rid of some stuff and simplify your life a little bit. There are many wonderful charities that you can donate quite a variety of items to, and some of them will even pick up. Think of the items that you have been debating letting go of and donate some of that furniture. Trim down your kitchen gadgets and appliances, and go through your clothes and donate anything that you haven't worn in the last two years. Find out your entire pantry and take everything to a local food bank and feed some of the hungry folks around town. Don't forget to grab a receipt and give it to your accountant at the end of the year for a tax deduction. This is a great way to free up some space, help the local community, and trim down the number of boxes that you'll need to move. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm new to the area and needs some repair work done around my home. Where can I find someone who is qualified and trustworthy? In addition to helping customers buy or sell a home, local realtors are a great resource for all sorts of information in the community and typically have developed relationships with people in the trade and service industries, including carpenters, plumbers, ceramic tile installers, made services, tree surgeons, pet care providers, and many more. A realtor knows their community and can help customers in selecting an area of town based on a buyer's interest, such as schools, parks, beaches, trails, culture, arts, local and regional attractions, and points of interest. A relationship with your realtor may hold more value than just helping you find a place to call home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I wanted to check my credit score and report. Where should I look? Checking your credit report at least once a year, or even more often is imperative in this day and age of cybercrime and information hacking. People's identities and even business identities are stolen every day. One of the best things you can do is to check through your entire credit report once a year, even if you've had no problems that you're aware of. The government has a site that you can check once a year, and it will not count as an inquiry on your credit report. You can access a copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. Obtaining your credit score on the site may require the payment of a nominal fee, but the credit report itself is free of charge. Other sites advertised are commercial sites and will charge you a fee to access your credit report. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com This is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much house can I buy? Knowing this in the beginning of your home search will save you a lot of grief down the road. The best bet to answering this question is to call a local bank or mortgage company. They can give you a very accurate figure. They can also send a pre-qualification letter, which you will need anyways. But if you're looking for a quick and dirty way to figure out what price range you can afford, start with your monthly gross salary. Take 28-32% of that depending on what type of loan you're getting. This is the maximum amount of a mortgage payment that you can have. Then, take 43% of your monthly salary. This is the maximum amount of total debt that you can have, including your mortgage. Why just 43%? Because they want you to have money left over to pay your taxes, buy food, gas, etc. So take that 43% amount and subtract your monthly payments like your car payment and credit cards and the final figure is what you qualify for. Or the 28% figure, whichever is lower. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, am I ready to buy a home? If you're wondering if a home purchase is a good decision for you, here's a few questions to ask yourself. Do you have the desire to commit to the same community for the next five to seven years? Are you stable in your career? Why do you want to buy? Buying a home is a great way to increase your personal wealth. Are your finances ready? Do you have good credit? Do you have a pattern of paying your bills on time? And do you have savings? If you're looking to buy a $200,000 home, you need about $19,000 for down payment, closing costs and prepaids. Don't forget about your moving expenses. You should also have some cash reserves for any unexpected surprises that might come up. I had to put in a new sewer line in the older home I recently bought. That took all of my landscape and decorating budget and plus a little bit more. But if you can answer yes to these questions, then a home purchase may be right for you. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the best home improvements to do now that will help improve the resale value of my home later? If you're looking to sell your home in a few years, you don't want to pay for impractical or expensive improvements now that will be out of style by the time you put that 4 sales sign in your yard. You want to look at traditional and fashionable upgrades that will provide value and aesthetic beauty for years to come. New kitchens top the list. New countertops and appliances are usually a sure bet. Bathrooms are next. Be sure to avoid all white as that usually looks too sterile. Bring in some light by adding skylights or sun tunnels if you can. Put up some extra storage shelves or cabinets to reduce the clutter in your home. Add an island into the kitchen. Put down some hardwood floors. Popular outdoor items include fireplaces, decks, fountains, and landscaping. And an outdoor kitchen can definitely boost the wow factor for your resale. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I rent or should I buy? I'm often asked the question, is it better to rent or buy a house? The length of time is one of the biggest factors in making this decision. You need to ask yourself, how long do you plan on living there? Is your job stable? Are you subject to being transferred for your job? Do you have any looming family issues that might take you out of town for an extended period of time? If you think you're likely to stay in the house for less than one to three years, then it is better to rent. The market at most of Tallahassee is back to normal, where you can make about 2-3% appreciation a year on your home. That means it will take you about two years just to be able to break even if you had to sell your home quickly. So, if you're going to be in your home for less than three years, you should look at rent team. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much money do I need to buy a house? Closing costs are always a big question on every home buyer's mind. There are three main parts to your closing costs. There's your down payment, then you have the closing costs, such as title insurance, appraisals, surveys, bank underwriting fees, all of that sort of thing. Finally, you have prepaids, which is setting up an escrow account to pay for your taxes and insurance. If you're buying a house for $200,000 and putting down 5% with the bank, your costs are going to run about $19,000. The 5% down payment will be $10,000 of it, then there's about $6,000 in closing costs, and another $3,000 for your prepaids. But, in many cases, you can ask the seller to pay some of your closing costs. You always have to put down your own down payment and prepaids, but you can ask the seller to pay most apart of your closing costs. In this case, that could save you up to $6,000. The real estate advisor's is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor, and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Calville Banker, Heart Tung, and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when is the buying season for houses? People are always asking me if this is a good time to put their homes on the market. Is there a better time than others? There is definitely a cycle when it comes to buying homes. March to June is the high season for buying, and then everyone wants to move in July in between school years. August, it slows down a little bit as everybody's getting ready for school to start. September to November is a slow but even pace. At the beginning of the holidays, you get the round of investors coming in, snapping at properties before the end of the year, which is followed by the steep drop in buyers until the end of the year. Then on January 1st, we get a surge of calls from new buyers that last for about two weeks. About the same as New Year's resolutions. Now, February, February is the lowest inventory month because everybody is waiting on the high season to list their homes, making that a great time to sell. The real estate advisor is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heartung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker, Heartung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what exactly is title insurance? Title insurance is where they are ensuring the title to your home. If you bought a house and someone came and knocked on your door and said, you know, an uncle of mine came to you 40 years ago and owns part of this property, that is where your title insurance would come in. They'll go to court or they'll fix the problem or they'll pay you back for any losses that you might incur from such a claim. The title company or attorney who does your closing will do a thorough title search for you. Going back as much as 30 years to check for any claims, deed changes or judgments that haven't been satisfied or taken care of, they'll make sure that there's no tax leans on your house or other nasty surprises that sometimes come up during these searches. At closing you will get a clear title to your property, so you don't have to worry about answering your door. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can we do to increase our curb appeal? Curb appeal is very important. It often makes a difference between somebody deciding to look at your home or not. Stand across the street and take an honest appraisal of what a potential buyer will see. Make sure that all the beds are weeded and new pine straws put down. Add some flowers to give a splash of color. When was the last time you used your front door? Polish up that hardware and paint the door. Make sure the glass is sparkling clean and brush away all of the spider webs. Press your wash, your front steps, walkways, driveway, and parking areas. What about your mailbox? Give it a fresh coat of paint and replace the numbers. If somebody is driving along looking for the address, this is the first thing that will catch their eye. A little bit of effort and a modest budget can make a big difference in your home's curb appeal. Set the tone right and get ready to invite buyers into your home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm buying a house that has polybutylene pipes. Should I be concerned? Polybutylene is a form of plastic that was used extensively for water supply piping from 1978 to 1995 as a cheap substitute for copper pipes. They're usually gray, but they can be white with adult finish. There are several different kinds of polybutylene pipes, but there's one in particular that has the wrong type of fittings. These are the ones that cause most of the problems. Your home inspector should check for these pipes in your home inspection. You will also want to check with your insurance company for their policy on these pipes. Some insurance companies will say they cover them, but then they exclude water damage, which is the damage you will have. So they're not really covering your polybutylene pipes. And if you do find you have polybutylene pipes, you do have the option of changing out the pipes to copper for a couple thousand dollars. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do short sales take so long? Despite the name short sale, there is nothing short or quick about a short sale. With a short sale, the owner of the property is trying to sell their property for less than they owe on their mortgage. When you put in an offer, it starts with the owner. Once that has been agreed upon, then the offer goes to the bank. During that time, the bank figures out the least they can take on the mortgage, then they go back and negotiate with the owner on how to cover or write off the deficiency that is left on the mortgage. Once that has agreed upon, the bank replies back to the buyer, with an acceptance or a counter offer. This often takes two to six months just to hear back on your offer and then another 30 to 60 days to close. There is nothing quick about a short sale, but for those buyers that have the patience and no set timelines or deadlines, they can be a chance to get an incredible bargain on a home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale? A foreclosure is a property that is wholly owned by the bank. They have gone through the entire process of obtaining the property back from the owner. They know what all the fees and the payoffs are at this point. The bank can negotiate with you and can usually give you an answer on your offer within 48 hours and can close on the property in 30 to 60 days or even sooner with a cash buyer. A short sale is a property that still has the owner involved in the sale. The owner is trying to sell the property for less than they still owe on their mortgage. So your offer goes to the owner, then to the bank, and it often takes two to six months to hear back on your offer. And then another 30 to 60 days to close. For closures and short sales are often a great way to get a bargain on a home, depending on the work that is needed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, I don't live in a flood zone, why would I buy flood insurance? Well, sadly, over 20% of the flood insurance claims come from outside high flood risk areas. If you recall the extensive flooding in the Houston area a few years ago, most of the damaged homes were not in what was considered a flood zone, and most homeowners didn't have flood insurance. The next question is what's covered by flood insurance? Generally speaking, the building and foundation, all the permanently installed appliances, flooring, wallboard, electrical and plumbing systems. But personal property, like clothing and furniture, have to be insured under a separate personal property policy. Call your insurance agent for more information. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's a green home? A green home is built with environmentally friendly materials and a focus on the efficient use of energy and water. There are many things you can do to make your home a greener home. You can install energy star appliances, low-e windows, change your lighting to LED fixtures and bulbs. A green home is often more desirable to a buyer than a home that's not because the recurring daily costs to operate the home are less. However, getting a home certified as a green home is a very rigorous process and usually only homes built in the last five or so years can offer a certification. Many home builders will offer the option of a green home along with the certification. If you're planning on building a home, give it real consideration. Since it will cost you less to live there and when you sell your home, you'll have an extra edge that buyers will value. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some of the general rules of the road when selling your home and you have pets? Well 70% of households own pets of some kind, and the third most common reason a buyer will buy your home is a home or neighborhood that suits their dog, so most buyers will be understanding of your pets. Having said that, buyers do not spend long viewing a home if your dog is constantly barking. If your dog is very vocal, you'll want to remove him or her so that buyers are not stressed out. You also want to make sure your home and yard are as clean as humanly possible. You may be used to the pet smells, but it's a turn off for the buyers. If there are features about your home or neighborhood that make it especially pet friendly, pet doors or fence yard, distance to the dog park and doggy daycare, let buyers know. They probably have a pet and it may make a difference in how they see your home and neighborhood. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's the best policy if there are pets in a home that's for sale? Number one, the best policy is to ignore those pets as much as you can. Do not pet or play with any pet, whether they're contained or not. You are in their home and the homeowner isn't there. They may feel uneasy with you in the home and may react in a negative and unexpected way. Number two, forget to say, don't feed the pets. And lastly, if the pets are inside, make sure they remain inside. If they're outside, make sure they remain outside. Pets are like family members and you wouldn't want to do anything that could harm the seller's furry family. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when buying a home? Number one, underestimating the cost. When you select your lender and your realtor, be sure they go over in detail how much the closing costs will be. Closing costs are in addition to the down payment that you've saved. Sometimes sellers are willing to pay some of your closing costs on your behalf. Be sure to let your realtor know that you will need help with your closing costs before you make an offer. Number two, don't expect to find your dream home, especially if this is your first purchase. No home will check all the boxes. Figure out what's most important to you and what you'll be willing to do later. An example might be you can paint and change the countertops later if the location's right. And number three, once you've talked to your lender and established your budget, don't make any large purchases that could change your debt to income ratio and therefore change your budget. I tell home buyers you can buy socks but no shoes until after you move in. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, do I need flood insurance? If you're in an area that is listed as a flood zone and you're getting a mortgage, then your lender will require it. But even if you're paying cash, it's advisable to get flood insurance. To find out if the property you're interested in buying is in a flood zone, you can go to the Property Appraisers website and there's a link to the current maps or you can go to the FEMA website, FEMA.gov to check. Your insurance agent can also tell you when you ask for a quote. You will want to get an elevation certificate when you have the survey done so you can get an accurate quote for flood insurance. The next question is how expensive is it? It varies widely, but the determining factors are based on flooding risk and the date your property was constructed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's a smart home? Basically, any home that has three categories of technology connected to high-speed internet that can be controlled remotely by phone or tablet is a smart home. Examples of technology are security devices, alarms, cameras, locks, garage door openers, as well as lighting, appliances, thermostat, and entertainment like television and speakers. In a recent survey, half of homeowners and potential buyers have or want to invest in this kind of technology. As a homeowner, you can enjoy a sense of security, comfort, and save money with a smart home. If you have internet capability, you can retrofit your home to be a smart home. As a home seller, this technology makes your home more attractive to potential buyers as well. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org-slash-real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some general rules of the road when looking at homes that remain occupied by the seller? You have decided to buy home and you and your realtor are starting to set up showings. It's an exciting process. There are some do's and do's when you are inside a home. Yes, it's okay to look in those closets and cabinets. You want to judge the size of the closets as well as the size and quality of the built-in cabinetry. But know it isn't okay to pick up personal items belonging to the sellers. This is still their home and you need to be respectful of that. If you bring your children with you, please be sure that they're under your control at all times. You should also be aware that many homes have video and audio surveillance capability. Do not say or do anything you don't want the seller to see or hear. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, why is it a good idea for buyers to work with local lenders when purchasing a home? Choosing a lender is one of the most important steps in the home buying process. We recommend that all buyers get pre-qualified with a local lender before starting the process. You wouldn't buy pizza before you knew how much money you had available to pay for it. The same goes for a much, much more important purchase of a home. Local lenders will be able to tell you what price range you can comfortably shop in, and they have rates that are as good or better than internet-based lenders. Plus, you have the advantage of being able to talk to the same person every time you call with a question. This important step will help you avoid costly disappointments as you go through the home buying process. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, is it a good idea to attend the home inspection when purchasing a home? Buyers often ask, should they attend the home inspection? Our answer is yes, if it all possible and allow two to three hours. The inspector will check all the systems of the home, electrical, plumbing, appliances, roofing, that sort of thing. Remember, this is a visual inspection and they can't see through the walls. But inspectors can help you get to know your new home. If you see something that you're concerned about, point it out and ask, is this a big deal or something easily fixed? How do I maintain it? Ask your inspector. If you were buying this home, what would your concerns be? Inspectors should be able to give clear, reasonable recommendations should any concerns be found. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, condominium living. Is it the right choice for you? When you purchase a condominium, you only own basically the interior of the unit. The condominium association owns the dirt under the unit, the common area, and the exterior of the unit and is responsible for maintaining all of those. This can be convenient and offer a carefree lifestyle since you as the owner are only responsible for the interior of the unit. With this convenience comes a price tag and limitations as to what you as the owner can change. The association collects monthly fees to pay for and contract for the app keep of the property. Before you buy, carefully read all the condominium documents that outline your responsibilities as well as those of the condominium association. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what will it take to buy this property? We are finding some price points can be very competitive and multiple offers are received on a property. Does the highest offer always win? Well, sometimes yes, sometimes no. The seller may look more favorably on an offer that can close quickly or an offer with fewer contingencies. The seller may also still have an emotional attachment to the home, so you as a buyer may want to write them a letter to submit with your offer, letting them know how much you love the home and how it would suit you and your family. You may also want to add an escalation clause to your offer as well. More about an escalation clause in a future real estate advisors. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I pay for a rate on test? We strongly recommend that you test your home. Rate on is a colorless, odorless, and naturally occurring gas found in this part of Florida. Why test? Because it's been found to be the second leading cause of lung cancer. The test needs to be set up for a minimum of 48 hours. The testing device takes readings all during that time and records the levels that averages the rate on levels. If the levels average below four pico-curies per liter, it's deemed acceptable. If four or over, then the levels should be mitigated so they are reduced to the acceptable levels. Who tests for rate on? Most home inspectors can test for rate on, but only a rate on reduction contractor is qualified to install systems to reduce the levels. After the system is installed, additional tests are done to ensure that the levels have been properly reduced. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I have a survey done before I purchase a property? We always recommend a survey, even if nothing has changed since the last one was done. You will want to know exactly where your boundaries are, in case you want to add a fence or outbuilding or landscaping in the future. Even more importantly, you'll want to know if current fencing, outbuildings, and landscaping is on your property or your neighbor's property. You may need to ask them to remove items and crouching on the property you are purchasing, or your new neighbor may ask you to move them at your expense if they encroach on their property. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, what determines if the real estate market is a buyer's market or seller's market? The short answer is supply and demand. If there are more homes on the market than buyers able to buy, then it's a buyer's market. The buyers have the upper hand and oftentimes sellers have to negotiate more on pricing. This can put downward pressure on pricing. If on the other hand there are more buyers than homes on the market, then sellers have the upper hand and there's upward pressure on pricing. Oftentimes you will see multiple offers on properties in this case. Remember, this can vary widely from city to city and even neighborhood to neighborhood. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are few tips when selling your home? Your home is on the market and your first showing is scheduled. What do you need to prepare to get ready? Make sure you put your best foot forward. You never get a second chance for that first impression. Open blinds, turn on lights, pick up straighten up. A sparkling clean home will make a big impression. Expect buyers to open and look in your closets, straighten up cabinets. They want to be sure that there's room for their stuff. Do not stay for the showing. Buyers will not feel comfortable looking at your home with you standing there. Also, if you have video and audio surveillance, disclose that to the realtor. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org-slash-realestate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between an as is sale and a warranted sale? There are three basic ways you can make an offer on a house. The first is warranted with a clear WDO. Warranted means the seller would have to fix anything wrong with the systems of the house. The heating and cooling, the plumbing system, the electrical system, or any appliances that they leave. Second, you can also ask for not warranted, but with a clear WDO. The WDO is the Wood Destroyed Organism Report, also known as the termite letter. A clear WDO means the seller would fix any Woodrot, mold, fungus, carpenter bees, powder post beetles, anything that would eat wood, thus the Wood Destroyed Organism Name. Lastly, you can make your offer as is where is, meaning the seller would not have to fix anything. This is typical of bank foreclosure homes. With any of these offers, you should be able to do inspections in a certain time period and back out if you don't like the results. The real estate advisors is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm hearing a lot about wire fraud and closings. What should I watch for? One of the big problems today with closings is wire fraud. Crooks are getting very sophisticated and finding emails of people in real estate transactions and go to great lengths to recreate those email chains to look like you're getting new wire instructions from your lender or Realtor. You will open an email that says, the wire instructions have changed. Please send your wire to dot dot dot. It will look like it's from Cindy Cooper, but the last name is spelled with an e instead of an r at the end. And the whole email chain that you've been a part of is there beneath it. It's very easy to miss. Once the wire is sent, even if you catch it right away, usually the money is moved within minutes and is gone. The big key is to never trust wire instructions sent through an email. Always call the source and verify all wiring information verbally. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, is there ever a time or a market when nothing sells? There has always been a certain amount of houses that sell every single month in Tallahassee. No matter if it's a good or bad market or the busy or slow time, there are always about 200 houses a month sold here in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas. Because there's always reasons people have to buy in cell houses. There are job transfers, moves, marriages, deaths, divorces, and babies. These things that trigger home sales happen all the time. What does go up and down is the inventory of homes available for sale. We have an average of around 1200 houses and townhouses on the market at any given time. When the market was really terrible several years ago, we had 7,000 homes on the market. And 200 sales a month out of 7,000 available might not seem like much, but the houses were still selling at the exact same pace as they always did. Tallahassee's advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between warranted and home warranty? Many people confuse a warranted home with a home warranty. When you buy a house, you can buy it as is or warranted. Warranted means the seller would fix anything wrong with the systems of the house, the heating and air, the plumbing system, the electrical system, and any appliances that they leave. You can also buy a house with or without a clear WDO or termite letter, but that is a different part. That covers wood, rot, fungus, mold, carpenter bees, things like that. But warranted means the seller is warranting the systems of the house to be in working order. A home warranty is basically an insurance policy you can buy to cover the systems of the house. They're usually for one year, and if anything goes wrong with any of the systems or appliances, you can call the warranty company, and for a standard fee, usually $75 or $100, they will come out and fix or replace the item that is broken. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I sell or rent my home? If you don't need the cash out of your current home to buy your next home and are prepared to be a landlord, a rental can provide predictable long-term income. Your first consideration is, can you afford two homes? You need to be able to qualify for the new home and be able to pay for all the costs for both properties, including mortgage payments, repairs, upkeep, and yard maintenance. Next, consider if the old property is likely to appreciate. You can never predict the future, but you can determine if trends in your neighborhood are pointing towards up and coming or on the decline. Also, you want to look at tax consequences. If you've owned your home for a long time, you probably have a great amount of equity built up. You can write off capital gains on your homestead, but not after it's been turned into a rental property. So be sure you're not throwing away a significant tax write off. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org-realestate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cobble Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, which home improvements recoup the most money? The new yearly cost versus value report is out and the number one project for return on your investment is Addic Insulation, with an average return of over 107%. Now this is not a high cost project, so let's take a look at some others. If you're doing a major kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel, the average return is 50 to 60% of your investment dollars. But if you're looking at just a minor remodel, those numbers jump to 60 to 80%. Next with a high return is a front door replacement in the 70 to 90% range, depending on if you're just doing the front door or a whole entrance and also if you're using a regular or a steel door. This is followed by a garage door replacement in the 75 to 80% range. Window replacements will get you 70 to 75% and generators or decks will give you a solid 50 to 60% return on your money. The real estate advisors is a service of City Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I keep my home safer from burglars? By now, everyone knows not to put the box from your new TV out at the street. It just screams, come and get me to any potential burglars. Some other good ideas are to maintain the outside of your property. Not only will it look good and keep your neighbors happy, but a well-maintained yard to tears, thieves and vandals who target vacant houses. Know your neighbors, introduce them to your real estate agent so they know who will be coming and going from your home. Embrace the power of lighting. Lock your doors and reinforce those locks. Invest in good locks and strike plates and a solid door frame. And don't forget new technology. Not only do most new buyers ask for it, it can also make your safety a snap. Smart home technology can remotely control lighting and music, see who is at your front door and even change the thermostat. Even that old-fashioned timing device for lamps is still a good idea. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am buying a home as is. What is the difference between as is compared to warranted? When you're riding a contract, one of the items to negotiate will be if you're taking the home as is or warranted. If the seller elects to sell the house warranted, that means he is warranting that the systems of the house are in good working order up until the day of closing. Systems being the heating and cooling, electrical plumbing and any appliances he is leaving. If you take the house as is, where is? That means there'll be no repairs made at all by the seller. This is often the case with foreclosure sales. You can also buy a house as is, but with the seller providing a clear WDO or would destroy an organism's report, also known as the termite letter. Some banks will require a clear WDO. This means the seller will fix any wood rock, fungus, mold, carpenter bees or termites. So purchasing a home as is can mean two different things, negotiate accordingly. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, George Eterner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I save money on plumbing repairs? Every home has plumbing issues at some point. One of the best ways to save money on plumbing repairs is usually old-fashioned preventative maintenance, most of which you can do yourself. In order to fix leaks timely, you have to be able to see them. Don't treat that space under your sink as a storage cabinet, treat it as a maintenance space. Keep it clean and clear. Your garbage disposal is not a trash can. Keep the grease out and run hot water through it during and after use. It is not normal for your sink to take 10 minutes to drain. Use a drain cleaner or clean out the pee trap underneath the sink. Dripping faucets and running toilets are usually in the realm of most do-it-yourselfers. The parts are cheap and you can find manuals and tutorials to guide you. These are easy fixes, but if the problem is beyond these, it may be time to call in a professional. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm a for sale by owner, any advice on showing my home? Yes, get a Realtor, no, just kidding. I do know people who are selling their own homes and I always give a little safety talk to them with the things I've learned over the years. First, get all of your buyer's information before you agree to let them into your home. What is their full name, their phone number, and email address? Then, when you have them coming back to look at your home, have them lead the way. Don't walk into a room first as they can easily cut off your means of escape. Let them walk into a room first, go up the stairs first, go into the garage or the patio first. Always have a direct line to a doorway at all times. Next, let someone know you're showing the house and feel free to share that with your buyer. Say, oh, my sister is coming over right when we are done here. Always remember, no sale is worth your safety. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, do you have any negotiation tips to share? Yes, I do know a few. First off, always counter every contract and counter quickly. Don't let your potential buyers cool down or find another home. No one is still as excited about a deal four days later. Next, send a clear signal that you're slowing down. You can do this by offering less and less each time you counter back. If you want them to come down $5,000, start at $10,000 off the price. You want to leave yourself enough room to go back and forth a couple of times. Never start with your best or final offer and never say during negotiations. This is my final offer. It is too hard to go back if you don't really mean that. But all that being said, if there is another offer on the table, then all negotiations go right out the window. You need to be prepared to offer full price or more if you have decided this is indeed your new home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some good tips for moving? Moving is always a little crazy, so the following tips and tricks may help with the havoc. When packing glasses, put them in tube socks to prevent cracks. Also, you can usually pick up boxes with cardboard separators at your local liquor store. To prevent necklaces and bracelets from tangling up, use an empty toilet paper roll or a drinking straw. Thread each chain through the toilet paper roll or the straw and fasten the clasp. When you're packing your ceramic plates, use bubble wrap or put paper plates in between them. Slide a trash bag over your hanging clothes to make them easier to stack and carry. Use your towels, sheets, and dishcloths to cushion other objects, pack pillows at the top of your boxes, and wrap artwork in blankets. For electronics, use the plastic tabs from bread to wrap electronic cords and prevent tangles. Be sure to label them and snap a picture of where they were before you disconnect them. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, do you have any tips to make moving easier? Moving is never easy, but here are a few tips to help with the headache of moving into your new home. Photograph all of your cords. This will make it easier to reconnect them later. Get a Movers Guide from the Post Office. You need to notify them of your new address anyway, and it includes helpful coupons. Color code your boxes to the different rooms in the house. Anything you need immediately after moving should be marked or packed in red. Make sure these important boxes go on the truck last so they will come off the truck first. Your important boxes should contain one first night essential box. Put in medications, toothbrushes, change of clothes, anything else you will need that first night. Pack a first day cleaning kit so you can clean out cabinets and closets before you move your items in, and put valuables and important documents in a special box and put it away in your car away from all the activity. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the top questions buyers ask sellers? When a buyer finally finds the home of their dreams, they often have a list of questions for the seller. There are, however, certain questions that come up time and time again. If you're looking to sell your home, take the time to answer some of these questions and leave a sellers' disclosure or other information at the house so the buyers will see it when they are there looking at your home. The most frequently asked questions are, how old is the house? When was it last renovated? Who did the work and were all the appropriate permits pulled? How old is the roof? What appliances and fixtures are included in the sale? How much are homeowners' association fees, average utility bills, lawn service or pool maintenance? And how old is the air conditioner? Sellers who provide the answers to these questions before they are asked will save time and appear very helpful and honest to the buyer. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Collwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the oldest building in Tallahassee? The oldest building in Tallahassee is known as the columns and was built by William Money Williams in 1830. It was originally on Park Avenue and Adam Street but was moved to 100 North Devall Street in 1971. Other fun facts about Tallahassee include the current capital building designed by Edward Stone is the third tallest capital building in the United States, right after Washington DC and Austin. The Tallahassee police department is the third oldest in the nation. He was founded in 1841. Doke Campbell Stadium is the biggest Atlantic Coast Conference football stadium and is also the country's biggest continuous brick structure. Also, FSUs believe to be where streaking was invented. Wally Amos, founder of famous Amos cookies, was born and raised in Tallahassee and Tallahassee is the only Florida city that has ever recorded a sub-zero temperature of negative two degrees in 1899. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do deals fall apart? Sometimes things don't go according to plan. Some of the main things that come up are, first, buyers remorse. This sets in anywhere from an hour to a few days after the ink has dried on the contract. Everyone has second thoughts, but think long and hard about your end goal before doing anything permanent. Next up would be repairs. Anywhere from misunderstanding who will fix what to thinking a repair will be $10,000. Real facts and figures help here. Get an estimate from one or two contractors and see what that repair really costs. What you thought was a $10,000 problem may actually be an easy $300 fix. The third problem is, surprise, buyers are sometimes not good money managers. This is not the time to take out any new debt or spend the money that the bank expects to be in your account. And last, financing. Many times these days you don't know if your buyer is actually going to get the loan until a few days before closing. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is real estate a good investment. Yes, it almost always is, but if you are under the age of 25, there is another great investment to look into. It is a magic of compound interest. If you can invest $5,000 right now at a reasonable rate of return, you should be able to double your money every 5 to 7 years. If you are under 25, you should be able to double that money 8 times. You would be in your 70s, but let's look at the numbers. $5,000 right now, then it would be 10,000, 20,000, 40, 80, 160, 320, then $640,000, then $1.2 million. If you can put away $5,000 right now and don't touch it. If that seems out of reach, invest $100 right now. Everybody can come up with $100. Invest $100 today and it will be $100,000 when you're in your 70s. It will be the easiest $100,000 you will ever make. The real estate advisor is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, could it be my home is outdated? If you're thinking of putting your house on the market soon, it is time to take a step back and take a cold hard look at your decor. You may still love some of the dated touches you put in years ago, or maybe you don't want to go through the trouble and expense of updating to current colors and finishes. I do understand, but once you put your house on the market, it is no longer your house anymore, and you need to start looking at it from a potential buyer's point of view. The things that scream dated the most to buyers are, wide appliances, busy wallpaper, bold paint colors, dated fixtures and hardware, especially anything with a gold finish, tile countertops, popcorn ceilings, carpet in the bathrooms, wood paneling, and linoleum floors. Choose materials and colors that are neutral and will appeal to a wide range of people. Aiming for neutrality is the best way to ensure your home is in fashion and will not turn off any buyers. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I found a great rental online but they want me to mail the deposit out of the country. Is this a scam? Yes, there are several scams prevalent in today's marketplace. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Here are some other red flags to look for. The property is listed by two different parties at two different prices on the same website. The price is way below market value. The property pops on and off the market within hours. The owner of the property is in a foreign country, often saying they're missionaries, military personnel or professors. There's no sign in the yard or there is a sign and the person is different from whom you are talking to online. You're asked to provide personal information, bank account numbers for wiring, social security number, a copy of your driver's license. They ask you just to look in the windows and then send or wire money. Be careful and always know who you're dealing with, especially in an online transaction. The real estate advisor is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I protect my property listing from rental scams? The new big scam I see most often today is a scammer will lift your property listing information and put it up as a rental. The ads will say something like, call me directly, ignore the sign in the yard, send me $1,000 and I'll send you the keys. They're getting more and more sophisticated every day. So here's a quick and easy way to check if your property listing has been hijacked as a rental or any other listing. Do a web search for your house image. Open two windows on your web browser. In one, open an image search tool such as Google Images. Then in the other, open a website with your listing photo in it. Click on that photo and hold down the mouse button while you drag the picture back into the first window you opened and drop the picture into the search bar. Then you will see all of the places your home photo has been appearing online. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can I do to build the perfect patio? Patio's are great and can be enjoyed almost year round. The first thing to consider when you're putting in the patio is just like any other real estate. Location, location, location. How are you going to use the patio? Do you want every minute in the sun or a little shelter in the shade? Do you want the patio near the house-freeze access or maybe down in a flat spot if you have a sloping yard? Next, think of the size and shape you want for your patio. Also, think of adding built-ins such as seating, fire pits, planters, water features, maybe even a hot tub. Materials vary widely. Concrete patios of today can be tinted, stamped, and decorated in many different ways. There's also natural stone, flagstone, clay bricks, and pavers that come in a variety of shape sizes and colors. Make sure you check on the location of any utility cables before you dig. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new trends to look for in homes today? The next big trend I see coming up is home automation. People want to control more and more aspects of their home through their smartphones. Smart home technologies will add utility as well as value to your home as some buyers are now looking for these features to already be in place when they buy a home. You can probably get a starter kit of smart devices to enhance your home for about a thousand dollars. There are three basic types of technologies to look for. The first is home systems control. That would be your temperature and lighting controls and ways to turn the appliances on and off when you're not home. Next would be home accessibility products that can allow you to grant access to your home remotely or open and close the garage door. And lastly, you'd want to look for security and monitoring products that can monitor your home remotely and send you notifications in case of any kind of disturbance. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calville Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what features are most wanted by homeowners? I was reading an interesting article the other day on the top 13 features that homeowners want the most. Surprisingly, the number one item was a laundry room by a whopping 92%. So when people ask me for advice on what upgrades to look at or where to concentrate their limited renovation budget or what type of things to consider adding to their floor plan when building a new home, these are the features I think you should keep in mind. The number one thing is at laundry room. This is followed by energy star appliances, then exterior lighting. Next, larger kitchen and bathrooms, no surprise there. Number five is energy star windows, followed by ceiling fans at number six. Next on the list is a patio. Number eight is a full bathroom on the main level. Number nine, hardwood floors. Number ten, more insulation. Next up is garage storage, followed by an eating kitchen and coming in at number 13 is a walk-in pantry. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking at my tax role assessment. Is that what my house is really worth? I have had people who are looking to buy a house, pull up the tax role, and tell me that house is only worth so much because that is what the tax role assessment says. Your tax assessment is what your home is valued at for tax purposes. It does not represent what your home might be worth in today's market. The tax assessor can only raise the taxes on your home's debt a maximum of 2-3% a year. So, even if your home may have doubled in value, your assessment will not reflect that. The only time they can fully reassess a home is when it is sold. So, if a home has been sold in the last year or two, the tax assessment on the tax role is probably pretty close to the value of the house. But if they've been there over five years, it will not be reflective of today's market at all. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what should I do inside my house to stage it for showing? If you're looking to make a good first impression on a buyer when your house is being shown, a little work up front will go a long way. First and foremost, you need to clear off the clutter from all surfaces. You want your house to show like a model home. No surface should have more than three items on it, and the bigger the items, the better. You don't have to clear out a closet to make it feel bigger, but clear enough out so that one third of it is empty. Also, any bookcases and pantries should have a few shelves that are one third empty. Take down any personal pictures. Do a thorough cleaning of the entire house and pay extra attention to the kitchen and the bathrooms as these rooms have to be spotless. Have your tile and grout steamed cleaned by a carpet cleaner. They will look brand new. And it doesn't hurt to bake some cookies. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Telehassy to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment? The SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment was brought about because of the inequity and tax role assessments of a home's value for tax purposes. Someone who has been in their home quite a long time will have a vastly lower assessment than what their house is worth. So someone who has just bought a home will get a full tax assessment while the person next door to them may be paying only half of that. Some older folks were feeling trapped in their homes because if they moved they could not afford to pay the current tax rates. So the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment came about where you could take your lower assessment with you to your new home. So if your home was assessed $50,000 less than what it was worth, you would be able to reduce the assessment on your new home by $50,000 in order for you to be able to pay roughly the same taxes. It wouldn't be locked out of moving to a new home because you can't afford the taxes. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at TLHrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what type of maintenance should I be doing on my home? It is always a good idea to keep up on maintenance on your home, whether you're thinking of selling or not. Have your heat and air conditioner service once a year and replace the air filter every three months. Keeping bugs out can be as simple as repairing holes in the windows and door screens. You can also keep bugs out by sealing cracks and holes on the outside of the house, as well as inside at baseboards behind the sinks and around pipes and windows. Speaking of windows, make sure yours are in good condition and have a tight fit. Clean the tracks and replace any torn or missing weather stripping. Preventing outside air from leaking in will help reduce your energy bills. Clean your gutters of debris. This will keep them working and help to avoid any wood rot that occurs from water overflow. Focusing on these small jobs now can lead to big savings of your time and money in the future. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when a buyer is coming to look at my home, should I be there? One of the first questions I usually get on showings is, should you be there or not? And that is definitely no. If somebody is coming back to look at your home for the third or fourth time, it might not hurt to be around for questions. But when they are first coming to look at your home, you should not be there. You will tend to say things that might turn off a potential buyer. I had one seller comment on the deer that would occasionally come into the backyard. The buyer was deathly afraid of animals and immediately crossed that house off her list, even though the house was perfect for her. Also, buyers are not comfortable opening closet doors while you're standing there. And nobody is going to buy a home when they have not looked in the closets. So as much as you would like to be there to help, it is usually not a good idea. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I save my money or buy investment property for retirement? That is a good question. Let's look at some numbers. I talked with a financial planner and asked how much money would I have to save if I retired in 15 to 20 years and wanted to make $2,000 a month from the money that I saved. She came back and said I would have to save $800,000. Or I can find a property that costs about $200,000 that makes $2,000 a month in rent. I could buy that property for about $50,000 down plus closing costs. The mortgage would be $1,100 a month on a 30 year loan. Barring lots of repairs, you should be able to make about $10,000 a year. Send that $10,000 to your mortgage and you should have the property paid off in 15 to 20 years. Then you would make the $2,000 a month from the rent. So $2,000 a month for retirement for $800,000 or $50,000. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new closing disclosures? Already October 1st of 2015, new required closing disclosures went into effect. These are the statements you receive at closing that list your closing costs and the amount of money you bring to closing. The traditional good faith estimate, the truth in lending disclosure and the HUD 1 are all being combined and streamlined to provide consumers more transparency regarding what you're paying for a mortgage and the related closing costs. You will now get a loan estimate and a closing disclosure that are similar so you can easily compare what you were promised when you applied for your loan and what you receive and pay in closing costs. The new disclosure must be provided three days before closing. Check this disclosure thoroughly as soon as you get it and call your lender immediately if you notice any problems. If the bank needs to make any adjustments that triggers another three day period which could delay closing. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I become a real estate agent? This is a question I do get quite often. If you were thinking of starting a career in real estate, I would suggest having at least six months of savings in the bank. This gives you plenty of time to get started and established without having to panic about paying the next month's bills. Look into taking a class to prepare yourself for the test. You can do this locally in a sit down classroom or take a class online. Then you need to take and pass the real estate test. Then start interviewing real estate companies and ask about their training programs. You can also get training at the board of realtors. And speaking of the board, you should join your local board of realtors as well as the state association of realtors and the national association of realtors. Buy some business cars to start passing out. You can expect to spend at least $1,000 on the expenses just listed. If you have energy and are organized, real estate could be a great career for you. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking to buy an auction property. What should I do? When an auction property comes up on the market, you can usually bid over a couple of days. But most of the action is going to happen in the last hour or two of the auction, and they will usually extend the auction as long as people are still actively bidding. If you win the auction, you have just bought a house and have to put down a deposit and a buyer's premium immediately. Make sure you've done all your homework and do diligence before now, because it is very difficult and very costly to back out. Before you bid, make sure you have a thorough home inspection done along with a termite and wood rotten inspection. Have your attorney or title company run a title search on the property to make sure that there are no outstanding leans or other problems with the property. There usually repairs you have to do, but auctions can be a great way to get a good price on a house. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm going to buy a house. What can I do to ensure a smooth and easy closing? There are three main things you can do that will make your real estate closing as hassle-free as possible. First, get pre-approved for the loan. Working with your lender ahead of time to secure your financing not only helps determine what you can afford, but it also helps uncover any problems that might come up and impact your closing. Second, listen to your lender and your Realtor. Buying a home involves a mountain of paperwork, so be prepared. And just when you think you're done submitting the last of the forms, the bank will undoubtedly want something more. Always respond to your lender requests very promptly. And third, stay calm. Everyone agrees. Be flexible. Be responsive. And above all, remain calm. Your lender will ask you for all sorts of last-minute details. Don't take it personally. Sometimes things just come up at the last minute. Stay calm and keep your eye on the prize. Closing and owning your new home. The real estate advisor's is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I bought a house. What type of inspections do I need? Once you have negotiated a contract on a house, you usually have 10 to 15 days to conduct inspections to verify all the systems are in good working order. You should start with a full home inspection. These inspectors will check all of the systems, the heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as any appliances. Sometimes you will need additional inspections from an air conditioning company or a fireplace specialist if there are any problems found in those areas. You will also want a radon inspection. Radon is a naturally occurring gas found in the ground that sometimes seeps into homes and causes elevated levels that you will want to have mitigated. If there is a septic tank, you will need to pay for having the tank pumped as well as the inspection because they need to pump the tank to be able to visually inspect it. And if there is a pool, you should plan on a pool inspection also. Quite a lot of inspections, but they will give you peace of mind. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am moving. Do I need to move everything? If you're moving, this is a great time to go through your belongings, get rid of some stuff and simplify your life a little bit. There are many wonderful charities that you can donate quite a variety of items to, and some of them will even pick up. Think of the items that you have been debating letting go of and donate some of that furniture. Trim down your kitchen gadgets and appliances, and go through your clothes and donate anything that you haven't worn in the last two years. Find out your entire pantry and take everything to a local food bank and feed some of the hungry folks around town. Don't forget to grab a receipt and give it to your accountant at the end of the year for a tax deduction. This is a great way to free up some space, help the local community, and trim down the number of boxes that you'll need to move. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm new to the area and needs some repair work done around my home. Where can I find someone who is qualified and trustworthy? In addition to helping customers buy or sell a home, local realtors are a great resource for all sorts of information in the community and typically have developed relationships with people in the trade and service industries, including carpenters, plumbers, ceramic tile installers, made services, tree surgeons, pet care providers, and many more. A realtor knows their community and can help customers in selecting an area of town based on a buyer's interest, such as schools, parks, beaches, trails, culture, arts, local and regional attractions, and points of interest. A relationship with your realtor may hold more value than just helping you find a place to call home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I wanted to check my credit score and report. Where should I look? Checking your credit report at least once a year, or even more often is imperative in this day and age of cybercrime and information hacking. People's identities and even business identities are stolen every day. One of the best things you can do is to check through your entire credit report once a year, even if you've had no problems that you're aware of. The government has a site that you can check once a year, and it will not count as an inquiry on your credit report. You can access a copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. Obtaining your credit score on the site may require the payment of a nominal fee, but the credit report itself is free of charge. Other sites advertised are commercial sites and will charge you a fee to access your credit report. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com This is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much house can I buy? Knowing this in the beginning of your home search will save you a lot of grief down the road. The best bet to answering this question is to call a local bank or mortgage company. They can give you a very accurate figure. They can also send a pre-qualification letter, which you will need anyways. But if you're looking for a quick and dirty way to figure out what price range you can afford, start with your monthly gross salary. Take 28-32% of that depending on what type of loan you're getting. This is the maximum amount of a mortgage payment that you can have. Then, take 43% of your monthly salary. This is the maximum amount of total debt that you can have, including your mortgage. Why just 43%? Because they want you to have money left over to pay your taxes, buy food, gas, etc. So take that 43% amount and subtract your monthly payments like your car payment and credit cards and the final figure is what you qualify for. Or the 28% figure, whichever is lower. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, am I ready to buy a home? If you're wondering if a home purchase is a good decision for you, here's a few questions to ask yourself. Do you have the desire to commit to the same community for the next five to seven years? Are you stable in your career? Why do you want to buy? Buying a home is a great way to increase your personal wealth. Are your finances ready? Do you have good credit? Do you have a pattern of paying your bills on time? And do you have savings? If you're looking to buy a $200,000 home, you need about $19,000 for down payment, closing costs and prepaids. Don't forget about your moving expenses. You should also have some cash reserves for any unexpected surprises that might come up. I had to put in a new sewer line in the older home I recently bought. That took all of my landscape and decorating budget and plus a little bit more. But if you can answer yes to these questions, then a home purchase may be right for you. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the best home improvements to do now that will help improve the resale value of my home later? If you're looking to sell your home in a few years, you don't want to pay for impractical or expensive improvements now that will be out of style by the time you put that 4 sales sign in your yard. You want to look at traditional and fashionable upgrades that will provide value and aesthetic beauty for years to come. New kitchens top the list. New countertops and appliances are usually a sure bet. Bathrooms are next. Be sure to avoid all white as that usually looks too sterile. Bring in some light by adding skylights or sun tunnels if you can. Put up some extra storage shelves or cabinets to reduce the clutter in your home. Add an island into the kitchen. Put down some hardwood floors. Popular outdoor items include fireplaces, decks, fountains, and landscaping. And an outdoor kitchen can definitely boost the wow factor for your resale. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I rent or should I buy? I'm often asked the question, is it better to rent or buy a house? The length of time is one of the biggest factors in making this decision. You need to ask yourself, how long do you plan on living there? Is your job stable? Are you subject to being transferred for your job? Do you have any looming family issues that might take you out of town for an extended period of time? If you think you're likely to stay in the house for less than one to three years, then it is better to rent. The market at most of Tallahassee is back to normal, where you can make about 2-3% appreciation a year on your home. That means it will take you about two years just to be able to break even if you had to sell your home quickly. So, if you're going to be in your home for less than three years, you should look at rent team. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much money do I need to buy a house? Closing costs are always a big question on every home buyer's mind. There are three main parts to your closing costs. There's your down payment, then you have the closing costs, such as title insurance, appraisals, surveys, bank underwriting fees, all of that sort of thing. Finally, you have prepaids, which is setting up an escrow account to pay for your taxes and insurance. If you're buying a house for $200,000 and putting down 5% with the bank, your costs are going to run about $19,000. The 5% down payment will be $10,000 of it, then there's about $6,000 in closing costs, and another $3,000 for your prepaids. But, in many cases, you can ask the seller to pay some of your closing costs. You always have to put down your own down payment and prepaids, but you can ask the seller to pay most apart of your closing costs. In this case, that could save you up to $6,000. The real estate advisor's is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor, and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Calville Banker, Heart Tung, and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when is the buying season for houses? People are always asking me if this is a good time to put their homes on the market. Is there a better time than others? There is definitely a cycle when it comes to buying homes. March to June is the high season for buying, and then everyone wants to move in July in between school years. August, it slows down a little bit as everybody's getting ready for school to start. September to November is a slow but even pace. At the beginning of the holidays, you get the round of investors coming in, snapping at properties before the end of the year, which is followed by the steep drop in buyers until the end of the year. Then on January 1st, we get a surge of calls from new buyers that last for about two weeks. About the same as New Year's resolutions. Now, February, February is the lowest inventory month because everybody is waiting on the high season to list their homes, making that a great time to sell. The real estate advisor is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heartung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker, Heartung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what exactly is title insurance? Title insurance is where they are ensuring the title to your home. If you bought a house and someone came and knocked on your door and said, you know, an uncle of mine came to you 40 years ago and owns part of this property, that is where your title insurance would come in. They'll go to court or they'll fix the problem or they'll pay you back for any losses that you might incur from such a claim. The title company or attorney who does your closing will do a thorough title search for you. Going back as much as 30 years to check for any claims, deed changes or judgments that haven't been satisfied or taken care of, they'll make sure that there's no tax leans on your house or other nasty surprises that sometimes come up during these searches. At closing you will get a clear title to your property, so you don't have to worry about answering your door. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can we do to increase our curb appeal? Curb appeal is very important. It often makes a difference between somebody deciding to look at your home or not. Stand across the street and take an honest appraisal of what a potential buyer will see. Make sure that all the beds are weeded and new pine straws put down. Add some flowers to give a splash of color. When was the last time you used your front door? Polish up that hardware and paint the door. Make sure the glass is sparkling clean and brush away all of the spider webs. Press your wash, your front steps, walkways, driveway, and parking areas. What about your mailbox? Give it a fresh coat of paint and replace the numbers. If somebody is driving along looking for the address, this is the first thing that will catch their eye. A little bit of effort and a modest budget can make a big difference in your home's curb appeal. Set the tone right and get ready to invite buyers into your home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm buying a house that has polybutylene pipes. Should I be concerned? Polybutylene is a form of plastic that was used extensively for water supply piping from 1978 to 1995 as a cheap substitute for copper pipes. They're usually gray, but they can be white with adult finish. There are several different kinds of polybutylene pipes, but there's one in particular that has the wrong type of fittings. These are the ones that cause most of the problems. Your home inspector should check for these pipes in your home inspection. You will also want to check with your insurance company for their policy on these pipes. Some insurance companies will say they cover them, but then they exclude water damage, which is the damage you will have. So they're not really covering your polybutylene pipes. And if you do find you have polybutylene pipes, you do have the option of changing out the pipes to copper for a couple thousand dollars. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do short sales take so long? Despite the name short sale, there is nothing short or quick about a short sale. With a short sale, the owner of the property is trying to sell their property for less than they owe on their mortgage. When you put in an offer, it starts with the owner. Once that has been agreed upon, then the offer goes to the bank. During that time, the bank figures out the least they can take on the mortgage, then they go back and negotiate with the owner on how to cover or write off the deficiency that is left on the mortgage. Once that has agreed upon, the bank replies back to the buyer, with an acceptance or a counter offer. This often takes two to six months just to hear back on your offer and then another 30 to 60 days to close. There is nothing quick about a short sale, but for those buyers that have the patience and no set timelines or deadlines, they can be a chance to get an incredible bargain on a home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale? A foreclosure is a property that is wholly owned by the bank. They have gone through the entire process of obtaining the property back from the owner. They know what all the fees and the payoffs are at this point. The bank can negotiate with you and can usually give you an answer on your offer within 48 hours and can close on the property in 30 to 60 days or even sooner with a cash buyer. A short sale is a property that still has the owner involved in the sale. The owner is trying to sell the property for less than they still owe on their mortgage. So your offer goes to the owner, then to the bank, and it often takes two to six months to hear back on your offer. And then another 30 to 60 days to close. For closures and short sales are often a great way to get a bargain on a home, depending on the work that is needed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, I don't live in a flood zone, why would I buy flood insurance? Well, sadly, over 20% of the flood insurance claims come from outside high flood risk areas. If you recall the extensive flooding in the Houston area a few years ago, most of the damaged homes were not in what was considered a flood zone, and most homeowners didn't have flood insurance. The next question is what's covered by flood insurance? Generally speaking, the building and foundation, all the permanently installed appliances, flooring, wallboard, electrical and plumbing systems. But personal property, like clothing and furniture, have to be insured under a separate personal property policy. Call your insurance agent for more information. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's a green home? A green home is built with environmentally friendly materials and a focus on the efficient use of energy and water. There are many things you can do to make your home a greener home. You can install energy star appliances, low-e windows, change your lighting to LED fixtures and bulbs. A green home is often more desirable to a buyer than a home that's not because the recurring daily costs to operate the home are less. However, getting a home certified as a green home is a very rigorous process and usually only homes built in the last five or so years can offer a certification. Many home builders will offer the option of a green home along with the certification. If you're planning on building a home, give it real consideration. Since it will cost you less to live there and when you sell your home, you'll have an extra edge that buyers will value. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some of the general rules of the road when selling your home and you have pets? Well 70% of households own pets of some kind, and the third most common reason a buyer will buy your home is a home or neighborhood that suits their dog, so most buyers will be understanding of your pets. Having said that, buyers do not spend long viewing a home if your dog is constantly barking. If your dog is very vocal, you'll want to remove him or her so that buyers are not stressed out. You also want to make sure your home and yard are as clean as humanly possible. You may be used to the pet smells, but it's a turn off for the buyers. If there are features about your home or neighborhood that make it especially pet friendly, pet doors or fence yard, distance to the dog park and doggy daycare, let buyers know. They probably have a pet and it may make a difference in how they see your home and neighborhood. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's the best policy if there are pets in a home that's for sale? Number one, the best policy is to ignore those pets as much as you can. Do not pet or play with any pet, whether they're contained or not. You are in their home and the homeowner isn't there. They may feel uneasy with you in the home and may react in a negative and unexpected way. Number two, forget to say, don't feed the pets. And lastly, if the pets are inside, make sure they remain inside. If they're outside, make sure they remain outside. Pets are like family members and you wouldn't want to do anything that could harm the seller's furry family. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when buying a home? Number one, underestimating the cost. When you select your lender and your realtor, be sure they go over in detail how much the closing costs will be. Closing costs are in addition to the down payment that you've saved. Sometimes sellers are willing to pay some of your closing costs on your behalf. Be sure to let your realtor know that you will need help with your closing costs before you make an offer. Number two, don't expect to find your dream home, especially if this is your first purchase. No home will check all the boxes. Figure out what's most important to you and what you'll be willing to do later. An example might be you can paint and change the countertops later if the location's right. And number three, once you've talked to your lender and established your budget, don't make any large purchases that could change your debt to income ratio and therefore change your budget. I tell home buyers you can buy socks but no shoes until after you move in. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, do I need flood insurance? If you're in an area that is listed as a flood zone and you're getting a mortgage, then your lender will require it. But even if you're paying cash, it's advisable to get flood insurance. To find out if the property you're interested in buying is in a flood zone, you can go to the Property Appraisers website and there's a link to the current maps or you can go to the FEMA website, FEMA.gov to check. Your insurance agent can also tell you when you ask for a quote. You will want to get an elevation certificate when you have the survey done so you can get an accurate quote for flood insurance. The next question is how expensive is it? It varies widely, but the determining factors are based on flooding risk and the date your property was constructed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's a smart home? Basically, any home that has three categories of technology connected to high-speed internet that can be controlled remotely by phone or tablet is a smart home. Examples of technology are security devices, alarms, cameras, locks, garage door openers, as well as lighting, appliances, thermostat, and entertainment like television and speakers. In a recent survey, half of homeowners and potential buyers have or want to invest in this kind of technology. As a homeowner, you can enjoy a sense of security, comfort, and save money with a smart home. If you have internet capability, you can retrofit your home to be a smart home. As a home seller, this technology makes your home more attractive to potential buyers as well. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org-slash-real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some general rules of the road when looking at homes that remain occupied by the seller? You have decided to buy home and you and your realtor are starting to set up showings. It's an exciting process. There are some do's and do's when you are inside a home. Yes, it's okay to look in those closets and cabinets. You want to judge the size of the closets as well as the size and quality of the built-in cabinetry. But know it isn't okay to pick up personal items belonging to the sellers. This is still their home and you need to be respectful of that. If you bring your children with you, please be sure that they're under your control at all times. You should also be aware that many homes have video and audio surveillance capability. Do not say or do anything you don't want the seller to see or hear. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, why is it a good idea for buyers to work with local lenders when purchasing a home? Choosing a lender is one of the most important steps in the home buying process. We recommend that all buyers get pre-qualified with a local lender before starting the process. You wouldn't buy pizza before you knew how much money you had available to pay for it. The same goes for a much, much more important purchase of a home. Local lenders will be able to tell you what price range you can comfortably shop in, and they have rates that are as good or better than internet-based lenders. Plus, you have the advantage of being able to talk to the same person every time you call with a question. This important step will help you avoid costly disappointments as you go through the home buying process. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, is it a good idea to attend the home inspection when purchasing a home? Buyers often ask, should they attend the home inspection? Our answer is yes, if it all possible and allow two to three hours. The inspector will check all the systems of the home, electrical, plumbing, appliances, roofing, that sort of thing. Remember, this is a visual inspection and they can't see through the walls. But inspectors can help you get to know your new home. If you see something that you're concerned about, point it out and ask, is this a big deal or something easily fixed? How do I maintain it? Ask your inspector. If you were buying this home, what would your concerns be? Inspectors should be able to give clear, reasonable recommendations should any concerns be found. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, condominium living. Is it the right choice for you? When you purchase a condominium, you only own basically the interior of the unit. The condominium association owns the dirt under the unit, the common area, and the exterior of the unit and is responsible for maintaining all of those. This can be convenient and offer a carefree lifestyle since you as the owner are only responsible for the interior of the unit. With this convenience comes a price tag and limitations as to what you as the owner can change. The association collects monthly fees to pay for and contract for the app keep of the property. Before you buy, carefully read all the condominium documents that outline your responsibilities as well as those of the condominium association. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what will it take to buy this property? We are finding some price points can be very competitive and multiple offers are received on a property. Does the highest offer always win? Well, sometimes yes, sometimes no. The seller may look more favorably on an offer that can close quickly or an offer with fewer contingencies. The seller may also still have an emotional attachment to the home, so you as a buyer may want to write them a letter to submit with your offer, letting them know how much you love the home and how it would suit you and your family. You may also want to add an escalation clause to your offer as well. More about an escalation clause in a future real estate advisors. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I pay for a rate on test? We strongly recommend that you test your home. Rate on is a colorless, odorless, and naturally occurring gas found in this part of Florida. Why test? Because it's been found to be the second leading cause of lung cancer. The test needs to be set up for a minimum of 48 hours. The testing device takes readings all during that time and records the levels that averages the rate on levels. If the levels average below four pico-curies per liter, it's deemed acceptable. If four or over, then the levels should be mitigated so they are reduced to the acceptable levels. Who tests for rate on? Most home inspectors can test for rate on, but only a rate on reduction contractor is qualified to install systems to reduce the levels. After the system is installed, additional tests are done to ensure that the levels have been properly reduced. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I have a survey done before I purchase a property? We always recommend a survey, even if nothing has changed since the last one was done. You will want to know exactly where your boundaries are, in case you want to add a fence or outbuilding or landscaping in the future. Even more importantly, you'll want to know if current fencing, outbuildings, and landscaping is on your property or your neighbor's property. You may need to ask them to remove items and crouching on the property you are purchasing, or your new neighbor may ask you to move them at your expense if they encroach on their property. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, what determines if the real estate market is a buyer's market or seller's market? The short answer is supply and demand. If there are more homes on the market than buyers able to buy, then it's a buyer's market. The buyers have the upper hand and oftentimes sellers have to negotiate more on pricing. This can put downward pressure on pricing. If on the other hand there are more buyers than homes on the market, then sellers have the upper hand and there's upward pressure on pricing. Oftentimes you will see multiple offers on properties in this case. Remember, this can vary widely from city to city and even neighborhood to neighborhood. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are few tips when selling your home? Your home is on the market and your first showing is scheduled. What do you need to prepare to get ready? Make sure you put your best foot forward. You never get a second chance for that first impression. Open blinds, turn on lights, pick up straighten up. A sparkling clean home will make a big impression. Expect buyers to open and look in your closets, straighten up cabinets. They want to be sure that there's room for their stuff. Do not stay for the showing. Buyers will not feel comfortable looking at your home with you standing there. Also, if you have video and audio surveillance, disclose that to the realtor. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org-slash-realestate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between an as is sale and a warranted sale? There are three basic ways you can make an offer on a house. The first is warranted with a clear WDO. Warranted means the seller would have to fix anything wrong with the systems of the house. The heating and cooling, the plumbing system, the electrical system, or any appliances that they leave. Second, you can also ask for not warranted, but with a clear WDO. The WDO is the Wood Destroyed Organism Report, also known as the termite letter. A clear WDO means the seller would fix any Woodrot, mold, fungus, carpenter bees, powder post beetles, anything that would eat wood, thus the Wood Destroyed Organism Name. Lastly, you can make your offer as is where is, meaning the seller would not have to fix anything. This is typical of bank foreclosure homes. With any of these offers, you should be able to do inspections in a certain time period and back out if you don't like the results. The real estate advisors is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm hearing a lot about wire fraud and closings. What should I watch for? One of the big problems today with closings is wire fraud. Crooks are getting very sophisticated and finding emails of people in real estate transactions and go to great lengths to recreate those email chains to look like you're getting new wire instructions from your lender or Realtor. You will open an email that says, the wire instructions have changed. Please send your wire to dot dot dot. It will look like it's from Cindy Cooper, but the last name is spelled with an e instead of an r at the end. And the whole email chain that you've been a part of is there beneath it. It's very easy to miss. Once the wire is sent, even if you catch it right away, usually the money is moved within minutes and is gone. The big key is to never trust wire instructions sent through an email. Always call the source and verify all wiring information verbally. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, is there ever a time or a market when nothing sells? There has always been a certain amount of houses that sell every single month in Tallahassee. No matter if it's a good or bad market or the busy or slow time, there are always about 200 houses a month sold here in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas. Because there's always reasons people have to buy in cell houses. There are job transfers, moves, marriages, deaths, divorces, and babies. These things that trigger home sales happen all the time. What does go up and down is the inventory of homes available for sale. We have an average of around 1200 houses and townhouses on the market at any given time. When the market was really terrible several years ago, we had 7,000 homes on the market. And 200 sales a month out of 7,000 available might not seem like much, but the houses were still selling at the exact same pace as they always did. Tallahassee's advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between warranted and home warranty? Many people confuse a warranted home with a home warranty. When you buy a house, you can buy it as is or warranted. Warranted means the seller would fix anything wrong with the systems of the house, the heating and air, the plumbing system, the electrical system, and any appliances that they leave. You can also buy a house with or without a clear WDO or termite letter, but that is a different part. That covers wood, rot, fungus, mold, carpenter bees, things like that. But warranted means the seller is warranting the systems of the house to be in working order. A home warranty is basically an insurance policy you can buy to cover the systems of the house. They're usually for one year, and if anything goes wrong with any of the systems or appliances, you can call the warranty company, and for a standard fee, usually $75 or $100, they will come out and fix or replace the item that is broken. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I sell or rent my home? If you don't need the cash out of your current home to buy your next home and are prepared to be a landlord, a rental can provide predictable long-term income. Your first consideration is, can you afford two homes? You need to be able to qualify for the new home and be able to pay for all the costs for both properties, including mortgage payments, repairs, upkeep, and yard maintenance. Next, consider if the old property is likely to appreciate. You can never predict the future, but you can determine if trends in your neighborhood are pointing towards up and coming or on the decline. Also, you want to look at tax consequences. If you've owned your home for a long time, you probably have a great amount of equity built up. You can write off capital gains on your homestead, but not after it's been turned into a rental property. So be sure you're not throwing away a significant tax write off. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org-realestate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cobble Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, which home improvements recoup the most money? The new yearly cost versus value report is out and the number one project for return on your investment is Addic Insulation, with an average return of over 107%. Now this is not a high cost project, so let's take a look at some others. If you're doing a major kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel, the average return is 50 to 60% of your investment dollars. But if you're looking at just a minor remodel, those numbers jump to 60 to 80%. Next with a high return is a front door replacement in the 70 to 90% range, depending on if you're just doing the front door or a whole entrance and also if you're using a regular or a steel door. This is followed by a garage door replacement in the 75 to 80% range. Window replacements will get you 70 to 75% and generators or decks will give you a solid 50 to 60% return on your money. The real estate advisors is a service of City Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I keep my home safer from burglars? By now, everyone knows not to put the box from your new TV out at the street. It just screams, come and get me to any potential burglars. Some other good ideas are to maintain the outside of your property. Not only will it look good and keep your neighbors happy, but a well-maintained yard to tears, thieves and vandals who target vacant houses. Know your neighbors, introduce them to your real estate agent so they know who will be coming and going from your home. Embrace the power of lighting. Lock your doors and reinforce those locks. Invest in good locks and strike plates and a solid door frame. And don't forget new technology. Not only do most new buyers ask for it, it can also make your safety a snap. Smart home technology can remotely control lighting and music, see who is at your front door and even change the thermostat. Even that old-fashioned timing device for lamps is still a good idea. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am buying a home as is. What is the difference between as is compared to warranted? When you're riding a contract, one of the items to negotiate will be if you're taking the home as is or warranted. If the seller elects to sell the house warranted, that means he is warranting that the systems of the house are in good working order up until the day of closing. Systems being the heating and cooling, electrical plumbing and any appliances he is leaving. If you take the house as is, where is? That means there'll be no repairs made at all by the seller. This is often the case with foreclosure sales. You can also buy a house as is, but with the seller providing a clear WDO or would destroy an organism's report, also known as the termite letter. Some banks will require a clear WDO. This means the seller will fix any wood rock, fungus, mold, carpenter bees or termites. So purchasing a home as is can mean two different things, negotiate accordingly. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, George Eterner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I save money on plumbing repairs? Every home has plumbing issues at some point. One of the best ways to save money on plumbing repairs is usually old-fashioned preventative maintenance, most of which you can do yourself. In order to fix leaks timely, you have to be able to see them. Don't treat that space under your sink as a storage cabinet, treat it as a maintenance space. Keep it clean and clear. Your garbage disposal is not a trash can. Keep the grease out and run hot water through it during and after use. It is not normal for your sink to take 10 minutes to drain. Use a drain cleaner or clean out the pee trap underneath the sink. Dripping faucets and running toilets are usually in the realm of most do-it-yourselfers. The parts are cheap and you can find manuals and tutorials to guide you. These are easy fixes, but if the problem is beyond these, it may be time to call in a professional. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm a for sale by owner, any advice on showing my home? Yes, get a Realtor, no, just kidding. I do know people who are selling their own homes and I always give a little safety talk to them with the things I've learned over the years. First, get all of your buyer's information before you agree to let them into your home. What is their full name, their phone number, and email address? Then, when you have them coming back to look at your home, have them lead the way. Don't walk into a room first as they can easily cut off your means of escape. Let them walk into a room first, go up the stairs first, go into the garage or the patio first. Always have a direct line to a doorway at all times. Next, let someone know you're showing the house and feel free to share that with your buyer. Say, oh, my sister is coming over right when we are done here. Always remember, no sale is worth your safety. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, do you have any negotiation tips to share? Yes, I do know a few. First off, always counter every contract and counter quickly. Don't let your potential buyers cool down or find another home. No one is still as excited about a deal four days later. Next, send a clear signal that you're slowing down. You can do this by offering less and less each time you counter back. If you want them to come down $5,000, start at $10,000 off the price. You want to leave yourself enough room to go back and forth a couple of times. Never start with your best or final offer and never say during negotiations. This is my final offer. It is too hard to go back if you don't really mean that. But all that being said, if there is another offer on the table, then all negotiations go right out the window. You need to be prepared to offer full price or more if you have decided this is indeed your new home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some good tips for moving? Moving is always a little crazy, so the following tips and tricks may help with the havoc. When packing glasses, put them in tube socks to prevent cracks. Also, you can usually pick up boxes with cardboard separators at your local liquor store. To prevent necklaces and bracelets from tangling up, use an empty toilet paper roll or a drinking straw. Thread each chain through the toilet paper roll or the straw and fasten the clasp. When you're packing your ceramic plates, use bubble wrap or put paper plates in between them. Slide a trash bag over your hanging clothes to make them easier to stack and carry. Use your towels, sheets, and dishcloths to cushion other objects, pack pillows at the top of your boxes, and wrap artwork in blankets. For electronics, use the plastic tabs from bread to wrap electronic cords and prevent tangles. Be sure to label them and snap a picture of where they were before you disconnect them. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, do you have any tips to make moving easier? Moving is never easy, but here are a few tips to help with the headache of moving into your new home. Photograph all of your cords. This will make it easier to reconnect them later. Get a Movers Guide from the Post Office. You need to notify them of your new address anyway, and it includes helpful coupons. Color code your boxes to the different rooms in the house. Anything you need immediately after moving should be marked or packed in red. Make sure these important boxes go on the truck last so they will come off the truck first. Your important boxes should contain one first night essential box. Put in medications, toothbrushes, change of clothes, anything else you will need that first night. Pack a first day cleaning kit so you can clean out cabinets and closets before you move your items in, and put valuables and important documents in a special box and put it away in your car away from all the activity. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the top questions buyers ask sellers? When a buyer finally finds the home of their dreams, they often have a list of questions for the seller. There are, however, certain questions that come up time and time again. If you're looking to sell your home, take the time to answer some of these questions and leave a sellers' disclosure or other information at the house so the buyers will see it when they are there looking at your home. The most frequently asked questions are, how old is the house? When was it last renovated? Who did the work and were all the appropriate permits pulled? How old is the roof? What appliances and fixtures are included in the sale? How much are homeowners' association fees, average utility bills, lawn service or pool maintenance? And how old is the air conditioner? Sellers who provide the answers to these questions before they are asked will save time and appear very helpful and honest to the buyer. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Collwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the oldest building in Tallahassee? The oldest building in Tallahassee is known as the columns and was built by William Money Williams in 1830. It was originally on Park Avenue and Adam Street but was moved to 100 North Devall Street in 1971. Other fun facts about Tallahassee include the current capital building designed by Edward Stone is the third tallest capital building in the United States, right after Washington DC and Austin. The Tallahassee police department is the third oldest in the nation. He was founded in 1841. Doke Campbell Stadium is the biggest Atlantic Coast Conference football stadium and is also the country's biggest continuous brick structure. Also, FSUs believe to be where streaking was invented. Wally Amos, founder of famous Amos cookies, was born and raised in Tallahassee and Tallahassee is the only Florida city that has ever recorded a sub-zero temperature of negative two degrees in 1899. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do deals fall apart? Sometimes things don't go according to plan. Some of the main things that come up are, first, buyers remorse. This sets in anywhere from an hour to a few days after the ink has dried on the contract. Everyone has second thoughts, but think long and hard about your end goal before doing anything permanent. Next up would be repairs. Anywhere from misunderstanding who will fix what to thinking a repair will be $10,000. Real facts and figures help here. Get an estimate from one or two contractors and see what that repair really costs. What you thought was a $10,000 problem may actually be an easy $300 fix. The third problem is, surprise, buyers are sometimes not good money managers. This is not the time to take out any new debt or spend the money that the bank expects to be in your account. And last, financing. Many times these days you don't know if your buyer is actually going to get the loan until a few days before closing. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is real estate a good investment. Yes, it almost always is, but if you are under the age of 25, there is another great investment to look into. It is a magic of compound interest. If you can invest $5,000 right now at a reasonable rate of return, you should be able to double your money every 5 to 7 years. If you are under 25, you should be able to double that money 8 times. You would be in your 70s, but let's look at the numbers. $5,000 right now, then it would be 10,000, 20,000, 40, 80, 160, 320, then $640,000, then $1.2 million. If you can put away $5,000 right now and don't touch it. If that seems out of reach, invest $100 right now. Everybody can come up with $100. Invest $100 today and it will be $100,000 when you're in your 70s. It will be the easiest $100,000 you will ever make. The real estate advisor is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, could it be my home is outdated? If you're thinking of putting your house on the market soon, it is time to take a step back and take a cold hard look at your decor. You may still love some of the dated touches you put in years ago, or maybe you don't want to go through the trouble and expense of updating to current colors and finishes. I do understand, but once you put your house on the market, it is no longer your house anymore, and you need to start looking at it from a potential buyer's point of view. The things that scream dated the most to buyers are, wide appliances, busy wallpaper, bold paint colors, dated fixtures and hardware, especially anything with a gold finish, tile countertops, popcorn ceilings, carpet in the bathrooms, wood paneling, and linoleum floors. Choose materials and colors that are neutral and will appeal to a wide range of people. Aiming for neutrality is the best way to ensure your home is in fashion and will not turn off any buyers. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I found a great rental online but they want me to mail the deposit out of the country. Is this a scam? Yes, there are several scams prevalent in today's marketplace. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Here are some other red flags to look for. The property is listed by two different parties at two different prices on the same website. The price is way below market value. The property pops on and off the market within hours. The owner of the property is in a foreign country, often saying they're missionaries, military personnel or professors. There's no sign in the yard or there is a sign and the person is different from whom you are talking to online. You're asked to provide personal information, bank account numbers for wiring, social security number, a copy of your driver's license. They ask you just to look in the windows and then send or wire money. Be careful and always know who you're dealing with, especially in an online transaction. The real estate advisor is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I protect my property listing from rental scams? The new big scam I see most often today is a scammer will lift your property listing information and put it up as a rental. The ads will say something like, call me directly, ignore the sign in the yard, send me $1,000 and I'll send you the keys. They're getting more and more sophisticated every day. So here's a quick and easy way to check if your property listing has been hijacked as a rental or any other listing. Do a web search for your house image. Open two windows on your web browser. In one, open an image search tool such as Google Images. Then in the other, open a website with your listing photo in it. Click on that photo and hold down the mouse button while you drag the picture back into the first window you opened and drop the picture into the search bar. Then you will see all of the places your home photo has been appearing online. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can I do to build the perfect patio? Patio's are great and can be enjoyed almost year round. The first thing to consider when you're putting in the patio is just like any other real estate. Location, location, location. How are you going to use the patio? Do you want every minute in the sun or a little shelter in the shade? Do you want the patio near the house-freeze access or maybe down in a flat spot if you have a sloping yard? Next, think of the size and shape you want for your patio. Also, think of adding built-ins such as seating, fire pits, planters, water features, maybe even a hot tub. Materials vary widely. Concrete patios of today can be tinted, stamped, and decorated in many different ways. There's also natural stone, flagstone, clay bricks, and pavers that come in a variety of shape sizes and colors. Make sure you check on the location of any utility cables before you dig. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new trends to look for in homes today? The next big trend I see coming up is home automation. People want to control more and more aspects of their home through their smartphones. Smart home technologies will add utility as well as value to your home as some buyers are now looking for these features to already be in place when they buy a home. You can probably get a starter kit of smart devices to enhance your home for about a thousand dollars. There are three basic types of technologies to look for. The first is home systems control. That would be your temperature and lighting controls and ways to turn the appliances on and off when you're not home. Next would be home accessibility products that can allow you to grant access to your home remotely or open and close the garage door. And lastly, you'd want to look for security and monitoring products that can monitor your home remotely and send you notifications in case of any kind of disturbance. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calville Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what features are most wanted by homeowners? I was reading an interesting article the other day on the top 13 features that homeowners want the most. Surprisingly, the number one item was a laundry room by a whopping 92%. So when people ask me for advice on what upgrades to look at or where to concentrate their limited renovation budget or what type of things to consider adding to their floor plan when building a new home, these are the features I think you should keep in mind. The number one thing is at laundry room. This is followed by energy star appliances, then exterior lighting. Next, larger kitchen and bathrooms, no surprise there. Number five is energy star windows, followed by ceiling fans at number six. Next on the list is a patio. Number eight is a full bathroom on the main level. Number nine, hardwood floors. Number ten, more insulation. Next up is garage storage, followed by an eating kitchen and coming in at number 13 is a walk-in pantry. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking at my tax role assessment. Is that what my house is really worth? I have had people who are looking to buy a house, pull up the tax role, and tell me that house is only worth so much because that is what the tax role assessment says. Your tax assessment is what your home is valued at for tax purposes. It does not represent what your home might be worth in today's market. The tax assessor can only raise the taxes on your home's debt a maximum of 2-3% a year. So, even if your home may have doubled in value, your assessment will not reflect that. The only time they can fully reassess a home is when it is sold. So, if a home has been sold in the last year or two, the tax assessment on the tax role is probably pretty close to the value of the house. But if they've been there over five years, it will not be reflective of today's market at all. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what should I do inside my house to stage it for showing? If you're looking to make a good first impression on a buyer when your house is being shown, a little work up front will go a long way. First and foremost, you need to clear off the clutter from all surfaces. You want your house to show like a model home. No surface should have more than three items on it, and the bigger the items, the better. You don't have to clear out a closet to make it feel bigger, but clear enough out so that one third of it is empty. Also, any bookcases and pantries should have a few shelves that are one third empty. Take down any personal pictures. Do a thorough cleaning of the entire house and pay extra attention to the kitchen and the bathrooms as these rooms have to be spotless. Have your tile and grout steamed cleaned by a carpet cleaner. They will look brand new. And it doesn't hurt to bake some cookies. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Telehassy to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment? The SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment was brought about because of the inequity and tax role assessments of a home's value for tax purposes. Someone who has been in their home quite a long time will have a vastly lower assessment than what their house is worth. So someone who has just bought a home will get a full tax assessment while the person next door to them may be paying only half of that. Some older folks were feeling trapped in their homes because if they moved they could not afford to pay the current tax rates. So the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment came about where you could take your lower assessment with you to your new home. So if your home was assessed $50,000 less than what it was worth, you would be able to reduce the assessment on your new home by $50,000 in order for you to be able to pay roughly the same taxes. It wouldn't be locked out of moving to a new home because you can't afford the taxes. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at TLHrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what type of maintenance should I be doing on my home? It is always a good idea to keep up on maintenance on your home, whether you're thinking of selling or not. Have your heat and air conditioner service once a year and replace the air filter every three months. Keeping bugs out can be as simple as repairing holes in the windows and door screens. You can also keep bugs out by sealing cracks and holes on the outside of the house, as well as inside at baseboards behind the sinks and around pipes and windows. Speaking of windows, make sure yours are in good condition and have a tight fit. Clean the tracks and replace any torn or missing weather stripping. Preventing outside air from leaking in will help reduce your energy bills. Clean your gutters of debris. This will keep them working and help to avoid any wood rot that occurs from water overflow. Focusing on these small jobs now can lead to big savings of your time and money in the future. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when a buyer is coming to look at my home, should I be there? One of the first questions I usually get on showings is, should you be there or not? And that is definitely no. If somebody is coming back to look at your home for the third or fourth time, it might not hurt to be around for questions. But when they are first coming to look at your home, you should not be there. You will tend to say things that might turn off a potential buyer. I had one seller comment on the deer that would occasionally come into the backyard. The buyer was deathly afraid of animals and immediately crossed that house off her list, even though the house was perfect for her. Also, buyers are not comfortable opening closet doors while you're standing there. And nobody is going to buy a home when they have not looked in the closets. So as much as you would like to be there to help, it is usually not a good idea. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I save my money or buy investment property for retirement? That is a good question. Let's look at some numbers. I talked with a financial planner and asked how much money would I have to save if I retired in 15 to 20 years and wanted to make $2,000 a month from the money that I saved. She came back and said I would have to save $800,000. Or I can find a property that costs about $200,000 that makes $2,000 a month in rent. I could buy that property for about $50,000 down plus closing costs. The mortgage would be $1,100 a month on a 30 year loan. Barring lots of repairs, you should be able to make about $10,000 a year. Send that $10,000 to your mortgage and you should have the property paid off in 15 to 20 years. Then you would make the $2,000 a month from the rent. So $2,000 a month for retirement for $800,000 or $50,000. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new closing disclosures? Already October 1st of 2015, new required closing disclosures went into effect. These are the statements you receive at closing that list your closing costs and the amount of money you bring to closing. The traditional good faith estimate, the truth in lending disclosure and the HUD 1 are all being combined and streamlined to provide consumers more transparency regarding what you're paying for a mortgage and the related closing costs. You will now get a loan estimate and a closing disclosure that are similar so you can easily compare what you were promised when you applied for your loan and what you receive and pay in closing costs. The new disclosure must be provided three days before closing. Check this disclosure thoroughly as soon as you get it and call your lender immediately if you notice any problems. If the bank needs to make any adjustments that triggers another three day period which could delay closing. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I become a real estate agent? This is a question I do get quite often. If you were thinking of starting a career in real estate, I would suggest having at least six months of savings in the bank. This gives you plenty of time to get started and established without having to panic about paying the next month's bills. Look into taking a class to prepare yourself for the test. You can do this locally in a sit down classroom or take a class online. Then you need to take and pass the real estate test. Then start interviewing real estate companies and ask about their training programs. You can also get training at the board of realtors. And speaking of the board, you should join your local board of realtors as well as the state association of realtors and the national association of realtors. Buy some business cars to start passing out. You can expect to spend at least $1,000 on the expenses just listed. If you have energy and are organized, real estate could be a great career for you. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking to buy an auction property. What should I do? When an auction property comes up on the market, you can usually bid over a couple of days. But most of the action is going to happen in the last hour or two of the auction, and they will usually extend the auction as long as people are still actively bidding. If you win the auction, you have just bought a house and have to put down a deposit and a buyer's premium immediately. Make sure you've done all your homework and do diligence before now, because it is very difficult and very costly to back out. Before you bid, make sure you have a thorough home inspection done along with a termite and wood rotten inspection. Have your attorney or title company run a title search on the property to make sure that there are no outstanding leans or other problems with the property. There usually repairs you have to do, but auctions can be a great way to get a good price on a house. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm going to buy a house. What can I do to ensure a smooth and easy closing? There are three main things you can do that will make your real estate closing as hassle-free as possible. First, get pre-approved for the loan. Working with your lender ahead of time to secure your financing not only helps determine what you can afford, but it also helps uncover any problems that might come up and impact your closing. Second, listen to your lender and your Realtor. Buying a home involves a mountain of paperwork, so be prepared. And just when you think you're done submitting the last of the forms, the bank will undoubtedly want something more. Always respond to your lender requests very promptly. And third, stay calm. Everyone agrees. Be flexible. Be responsive. And above all, remain calm. Your lender will ask you for all sorts of last-minute details. Don't take it personally. Sometimes things just come up at the last minute. Stay calm and keep your eye on the prize. Closing and owning your new home. The real estate advisor's is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I bought a house. What type of inspections do I need? Once you have negotiated a contract on a house, you usually have 10 to 15 days to conduct inspections to verify all the systems are in good working order. You should start with a full home inspection. These inspectors will check all of the systems, the heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as any appliances. Sometimes you will need additional inspections from an air conditioning company or a fireplace specialist if there are any problems found in those areas. You will also want a radon inspection. Radon is a naturally occurring gas found in the ground that sometimes seeps into homes and causes elevated levels that you will want to have mitigated. If there is a septic tank, you will need to pay for having the tank pumped as well as the inspection because they need to pump the tank to be able to visually inspect it. And if there is a pool, you should plan on a pool inspection also. Quite a lot of inspections, but they will give you peace of mind. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am moving. Do I need to move everything? If you're moving, this is a great time to go through your belongings, get rid of some stuff and simplify your life a little bit. There are many wonderful charities that you can donate quite a variety of items to, and some of them will even pick up. Think of the items that you have been debating letting go of and donate some of that furniture. Trim down your kitchen gadgets and appliances, and go through your clothes and donate anything that you haven't worn in the last two years. Find out your entire pantry and take everything to a local food bank and feed some of the hungry folks around town. Don't forget to grab a receipt and give it to your accountant at the end of the year for a tax deduction. This is a great way to free up some space, help the local community, and trim down the number of boxes that you'll need to move. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm new to the area and needs some repair work done around my home. Where can I find someone who is qualified and trustworthy? In addition to helping customers buy or sell a home, local realtors are a great resource for all sorts of information in the community and typically have developed relationships with people in the trade and service industries, including carpenters, plumbers, ceramic tile installers, made services, tree surgeons, pet care providers, and many more. A realtor knows their community and can help customers in selecting an area of town based on a buyer's interest, such as schools, parks, beaches, trails, culture, arts, local and regional attractions, and points of interest. A relationship with your realtor may hold more value than just helping you find a place to call home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I wanted to check my credit score and report. Where should I look? Checking your credit report at least once a year, or even more often is imperative in this day and age of cybercrime and information hacking. People's identities and even business identities are stolen every day. One of the best things you can do is to check through your entire credit report once a year, even if you've had no problems that you're aware of. The government has a site that you can check once a year, and it will not count as an inquiry on your credit report. You can access a copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. Obtaining your credit score on the site may require the payment of a nominal fee, but the credit report itself is free of charge. Other sites advertised are commercial sites and will charge you a fee to access your credit report. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com This is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much house can I buy? Knowing this in the beginning of your home search will save you a lot of grief down the road. The best bet to answering this question is to call a local bank or mortgage company. They can give you a very accurate figure. They can also send a pre-qualification letter, which you will need anyways. But if you're looking for a quick and dirty way to figure out what price range you can afford, start with your monthly gross salary. Take 28-32% of that depending on what type of loan you're getting. This is the maximum amount of a mortgage payment that you can have. Then, take 43% of your monthly salary. This is the maximum amount of total debt that you can have, including your mortgage. Why just 43%? Because they want you to have money left over to pay your taxes, buy food, gas, etc. So take that 43% amount and subtract your monthly payments like your car payment and credit cards and the final figure is what you qualify for. Or the 28% figure, whichever is lower. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, am I ready to buy a home? If you're wondering if a home purchase is a good decision for you, here's a few questions to ask yourself. Do you have the desire to commit to the same community for the next five to seven years? Are you stable in your career? Why do you want to buy? Buying a home is a great way to increase your personal wealth. Are your finances ready? Do you have good credit? Do you have a pattern of paying your bills on time? And do you have savings? If you're looking to buy a $200,000 home, you need about $19,000 for down payment, closing costs and prepaids. Don't forget about your moving expenses. You should also have some cash reserves for any unexpected surprises that might come up. I had to put in a new sewer line in the older home I recently bought. That took all of my landscape and decorating budget and plus a little bit more. But if you can answer yes to these questions, then a home purchase may be right for you. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the best home improvements to do now that will help improve the resale value of my home later? If you're looking to sell your home in a few years, you don't want to pay for impractical or expensive improvements now that will be out of style by the time you put that 4 sales sign in your yard. You want to look at traditional and fashionable upgrades that will provide value and aesthetic beauty for years to come. New kitchens top the list. New countertops and appliances are usually a sure bet. Bathrooms are next. Be sure to avoid all white as that usually looks too sterile. Bring in some light by adding skylights or sun tunnels if you can. Put up some extra storage shelves or cabinets to reduce the clutter in your home. Add an island into the kitchen. Put down some hardwood floors. Popular outdoor items include fireplaces, decks, fountains, and landscaping. And an outdoor kitchen can definitely boost the wow factor for your resale. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I rent or should I buy? I'm often asked the question, is it better to rent or buy a house? The length of time is one of the biggest factors in making this decision. You need to ask yourself, how long do you plan on living there? Is your job stable? Are you subject to being transferred for your job? Do you have any looming family issues that might take you out of town for an extended period of time? If you think you're likely to stay in the house for less than one to three years, then it is better to rent. The market at most of Tallahassee is back to normal, where you can make about 2-3% appreciation a year on your home. That means it will take you about two years just to be able to break even if you had to sell your home quickly. So, if you're going to be in your home for less than three years, you should look at rent team. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much money do I need to buy a house? Closing costs are always a big question on every home buyer's mind. There are three main parts to your closing costs. There's your down payment, then you have the closing costs, such as title insurance, appraisals, surveys, bank underwriting fees, all of that sort of thing. Finally, you have prepaids, which is setting up an escrow account to pay for your taxes and insurance. If you're buying a house for $200,000 and putting down 5% with the bank, your costs are going to run about $19,000. The 5% down payment will be $10,000 of it, then there's about $6,000 in closing costs, and another $3,000 for your prepaids. But, in many cases, you can ask the seller to pay some of your closing costs. You always have to put down your own down payment and prepaids, but you can ask the seller to pay most apart of your closing costs. In this case, that could save you up to $6,000. The real estate advisor's is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor, and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Calville Banker, Heart Tung, and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when is the buying season for houses? People are always asking me if this is a good time to put their homes on the market. Is there a better time than others? There is definitely a cycle when it comes to buying homes. March to June is the high season for buying, and then everyone wants to move in July in between school years. August, it slows down a little bit as everybody's getting ready for school to start. September to November is a slow but even pace. At the beginning of the holidays, you get the round of investors coming in, snapping at properties before the end of the year, which is followed by the steep drop in buyers until the end of the year. Then on January 1st, we get a surge of calls from new buyers that last for about two weeks. About the same as New Year's resolutions. Now, February, February is the lowest inventory month because everybody is waiting on the high season to list their homes, making that a great time to sell. The real estate advisor is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heartung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker, Heartung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what exactly is title insurance? Title insurance is where they are ensuring the title to your home. If you bought a house and someone came and knocked on your door and said, you know, an uncle of mine came to you 40 years ago and owns part of this property, that is where your title insurance would come in. They'll go to court or they'll fix the problem or they'll pay you back for any losses that you might incur from such a claim. The title company or attorney who does your closing will do a thorough title search for you. Going back as much as 30 years to check for any claims, deed changes or judgments that haven't been satisfied or taken care of, they'll make sure that there's no tax leans on your house or other nasty surprises that sometimes come up during these searches. At closing you will get a clear title to your property, so you don't have to worry about answering your door. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can we do to increase our curb appeal? Curb appeal is very important. It often makes a difference between somebody deciding to look at your home or not. Stand across the street and take an honest appraisal of what a potential buyer will see. Make sure that all the beds are weeded and new pine straws put down. Add some flowers to give a splash of color. When was the last time you used your front door? Polish up that hardware and paint the door. Make sure the glass is sparkling clean and brush away all of the spider webs. Press your wash, your front steps, walkways, driveway, and parking areas. What about your mailbox? Give it a fresh coat of paint and replace the numbers. If somebody is driving along looking for the address, this is the first thing that will catch their eye. A little bit of effort and a modest budget can make a big difference in your home's curb appeal. Set the tone right and get ready to invite buyers into your home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm buying a house that has polybutylene pipes. Should I be concerned? Polybutylene is a form of plastic that was used extensively for water supply piping from 1978 to 1995 as a cheap substitute for copper pipes. They're usually gray, but they can be white with adult finish. There are several different kinds of polybutylene pipes, but there's one in particular that has the wrong type of fittings. These are the ones that cause most of the problems. Your home inspector should check for these pipes in your home inspection. You will also want to check with your insurance company for their policy on these pipes. Some insurance companies will say they cover them, but then they exclude water damage, which is the damage you will have. So they're not really covering your polybutylene pipes. And if you do find you have polybutylene pipes, you do have the option of changing out the pipes to copper for a couple thousand dollars. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do short sales take so long? Despite the name short sale, there is nothing short or quick about a short sale. With a short sale, the owner of the property is trying to sell their property for less than they owe on their mortgage. When you put in an offer, it starts with the owner. Once that has been agreed upon, then the offer goes to the bank. During that time, the bank figures out the least they can take on the mortgage, then they go back and negotiate with the owner on how to cover or write off the deficiency that is left on the mortgage. Once that has agreed upon, the bank replies back to the buyer, with an acceptance or a counter offer. This often takes two to six months just to hear back on your offer and then another 30 to 60 days to close. There is nothing quick about a short sale, but for those buyers that have the patience and no set timelines or deadlines, they can be a chance to get an incredible bargain on a home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale? A foreclosure is a property that is wholly owned by the bank. They have gone through the entire process of obtaining the property back from the owner. They know what all the fees and the payoffs are at this point. The bank can negotiate with you and can usually give you an answer on your offer within 48 hours and can close on the property in 30 to 60 days or even sooner with a cash buyer. A short sale is a property that still has the owner involved in the sale. The owner is trying to sell the property for less than they still owe on their mortgage. So your offer goes to the owner, then to the bank, and it often takes two to six months to hear back on your offer. And then another 30 to 60 days to close. For closures and short sales are often a great way to get a bargain on a home, depending on the work that is needed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, I don't live in a flood zone, why would I buy flood insurance? Well, sadly, over 20% of the flood insurance claims come from outside high flood risk areas. If you recall the extensive flooding in the Houston area a few years ago, most of the damaged homes were not in what was considered a flood zone, and most homeowners didn't have flood insurance. The next question is what's covered by flood insurance? Generally speaking, the building and foundation, all the permanently installed appliances, flooring, wallboard, electrical and plumbing systems. But personal property, like clothing and furniture, have to be insured under a separate personal property policy. Call your insurance agent for more information. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's a green home? A green home is built with environmentally friendly materials and a focus on the efficient use of energy and water. There are many things you can do to make your home a greener home. You can install energy star appliances, low-e windows, change your lighting to LED fixtures and bulbs. A green home is often more desirable to a buyer than a home that's not because the recurring daily costs to operate the home are less. However, getting a home certified as a green home is a very rigorous process and usually only homes built in the last five or so years can offer a certification. Many home builders will offer the option of a green home along with the certification. If you're planning on building a home, give it real consideration. Since it will cost you less to live there and when you sell your home, you'll have an extra edge that buyers will value. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some of the general rules of the road when selling your home and you have pets? Well 70% of households own pets of some kind, and the third most common reason a buyer will buy your home is a home or neighborhood that suits their dog, so most buyers will be understanding of your pets. Having said that, buyers do not spend long viewing a home if your dog is constantly barking. If your dog is very vocal, you'll want to remove him or her so that buyers are not stressed out. You also want to make sure your home and yard are as clean as humanly possible. You may be used to the pet smells, but it's a turn off for the buyers. If there are features about your home or neighborhood that make it especially pet friendly, pet doors or fence yard, distance to the dog park and doggy daycare, let buyers know. They probably have a pet and it may make a difference in how they see your home and neighborhood. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's the best policy if there are pets in a home that's for sale? Number one, the best policy is to ignore those pets as much as you can. Do not pet or play with any pet, whether they're contained or not. You are in their home and the homeowner isn't there. They may feel uneasy with you in the home and may react in a negative and unexpected way. Number two, forget to say, don't feed the pets. And lastly, if the pets are inside, make sure they remain inside. If they're outside, make sure they remain outside. Pets are like family members and you wouldn't want to do anything that could harm the seller's furry family. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when buying a home? Number one, underestimating the cost. When you select your lender and your realtor, be sure they go over in detail how much the closing costs will be. Closing costs are in addition to the down payment that you've saved. Sometimes sellers are willing to pay some of your closing costs on your behalf. Be sure to let your realtor know that you will need help with your closing costs before you make an offer. Number two, don't expect to find your dream home, especially if this is your first purchase. No home will check all the boxes. Figure out what's most important to you and what you'll be willing to do later. An example might be you can paint and change the countertops later if the location's right. And number three, once you've talked to your lender and established your budget, don't make any large purchases that could change your debt to income ratio and therefore change your budget. I tell home buyers you can buy socks but no shoes until after you move in. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, do I need flood insurance? If you're in an area that is listed as a flood zone and you're getting a mortgage, then your lender will require it. But even if you're paying cash, it's advisable to get flood insurance. To find out if the property you're interested in buying is in a flood zone, you can go to the Property Appraisers website and there's a link to the current maps or you can go to the FEMA website, FEMA.gov to check. Your insurance agent can also tell you when you ask for a quote. You will want to get an elevation certificate when you have the survey done so you can get an accurate quote for flood insurance. The next question is how expensive is it? It varies widely, but the determining factors are based on flooding risk and the date your property was constructed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's a smart home? Basically, any home that has three categories of technology connected to high-speed internet that can be controlled remotely by phone or tablet is a smart home. Examples of technology are security devices, alarms, cameras, locks, garage door openers, as well as lighting, appliances, thermostat, and entertainment like television and speakers. In a recent survey, half of homeowners and potential buyers have or want to invest in this kind of technology. As a homeowner, you can enjoy a sense of security, comfort, and save money with a smart home. If you have internet capability, you can retrofit your home to be a smart home. As a home seller, this technology makes your home more attractive to potential buyers as well. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org-slash-real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some general rules of the road when looking at homes that remain occupied by the seller? You have decided to buy home and you and your realtor are starting to set up showings. It's an exciting process. There are some do's and do's when you are inside a home. Yes, it's okay to look in those closets and cabinets. You want to judge the size of the closets as well as the size and quality of the built-in cabinetry. But know it isn't okay to pick up personal items belonging to the sellers. This is still their home and you need to be respectful of that. If you bring your children with you, please be sure that they're under your control at all times. You should also be aware that many homes have video and audio surveillance capability. Do not say or do anything you don't want the seller to see or hear. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, why is it a good idea for buyers to work with local lenders when purchasing a home? Choosing a lender is one of the most important steps in the home buying process. We recommend that all buyers get pre-qualified with a local lender before starting the process. You wouldn't buy pizza before you knew how much money you had available to pay for it. The same goes for a much, much more important purchase of a home. Local lenders will be able to tell you what price range you can comfortably shop in, and they have rates that are as good or better than internet-based lenders. Plus, you have the advantage of being able to talk to the same person every time you call with a question. This important step will help you avoid costly disappointments as you go through the home buying process. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, is it a good idea to attend the home inspection when purchasing a home? Buyers often ask, should they attend the home inspection? Our answer is yes, if it all possible and allow two to three hours. The inspector will check all the systems of the home, electrical, plumbing, appliances, roofing, that sort of thing. Remember, this is a visual inspection and they can't see through the walls. But inspectors can help you get to know your new home. If you see something that you're concerned about, point it out and ask, is this a big deal or something easily fixed? How do I maintain it? Ask your inspector. If you were buying this home, what would your concerns be? Inspectors should be able to give clear, reasonable recommendations should any concerns be found. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, condominium living. Is it the right choice for you? When you purchase a condominium, you only own basically the interior of the unit. The condominium association owns the dirt under the unit, the common area, and the exterior of the unit and is responsible for maintaining all of those. This can be convenient and offer a carefree lifestyle since you as the owner are only responsible for the interior of the unit. With this convenience comes a price tag and limitations as to what you as the owner can change. The association collects monthly fees to pay for and contract for the app keep of the property. Before you buy, carefully read all the condominium documents that outline your responsibilities as well as those of the condominium association. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what will it take to buy this property? We are finding some price points can be very competitive and multiple offers are received on a property. Does the highest offer always win? Well, sometimes yes, sometimes no. The seller may look more favorably on an offer that can close quickly or an offer with fewer contingencies. The seller may also still have an emotional attachment to the home, so you as a buyer may want to write them a letter to submit with your offer, letting them know how much you love the home and how it would suit you and your family. You may also want to add an escalation clause to your offer as well. More about an escalation clause in a future real estate advisors. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I pay for a rate on test? We strongly recommend that you test your home. Rate on is a colorless, odorless, and naturally occurring gas found in this part of Florida. Why test? Because it's been found to be the second leading cause of lung cancer. The test needs to be set up for a minimum of 48 hours. The testing device takes readings all during that time and records the levels that averages the rate on levels. If the levels average below four pico-curies per liter, it's deemed acceptable. If four or over, then the levels should be mitigated so they are reduced to the acceptable levels. Who tests for rate on? Most home inspectors can test for rate on, but only a rate on reduction contractor is qualified to install systems to reduce the levels. After the system is installed, additional tests are done to ensure that the levels have been properly reduced. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I have a survey done before I purchase a property? We always recommend a survey, even if nothing has changed since the last one was done. You will want to know exactly where your boundaries are, in case you want to add a fence or outbuilding or landscaping in the future. Even more importantly, you'll want to know if current fencing, outbuildings, and landscaping is on your property or your neighbor's property. You may need to ask them to remove items and crouching on the property you are purchasing, or your new neighbor may ask you to move them at your expense if they encroach on their property. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, what determines if the real estate market is a buyer's market or seller's market? The short answer is supply and demand. If there are more homes on the market than buyers able to buy, then it's a buyer's market. The buyers have the upper hand and oftentimes sellers have to negotiate more on pricing. This can put downward pressure on pricing. If on the other hand there are more buyers than homes on the market, then sellers have the upper hand and there's upward pressure on pricing. Oftentimes you will see multiple offers on properties in this case. Remember, this can vary widely from city to city and even neighborhood to neighborhood. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are few tips when selling your home? Your home is on the market and your first showing is scheduled. What do you need to prepare to get ready? Make sure you put your best foot forward. You never get a second chance for that first impression. Open blinds, turn on lights, pick up straighten up. A sparkling clean home will make a big impression. Expect buyers to open and look in your closets, straighten up cabinets. They want to be sure that there's room for their stuff. Do not stay for the showing. Buyers will not feel comfortable looking at your home with you standing there. Also, if you have video and audio surveillance, disclose that to the realtor. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org-slash-realestate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between an as is sale and a warranted sale? There are three basic ways you can make an offer on a house. The first is warranted with a clear WDO. Warranted means the seller would have to fix anything wrong with the systems of the house. The heating and cooling, the plumbing system, the electrical system, or any appliances that they leave. Second, you can also ask for not warranted, but with a clear WDO. The WDO is the Wood Destroyed Organism Report, also known as the termite letter. A clear WDO means the seller would fix any Woodrot, mold, fungus, carpenter bees, powder post beetles, anything that would eat wood, thus the Wood Destroyed Organism Name. Lastly, you can make your offer as is where is, meaning the seller would not have to fix anything. This is typical of bank foreclosure homes. With any of these offers, you should be able to do inspections in a certain time period and back out if you don't like the results. The real estate advisors is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm hearing a lot about wire fraud and closings. What should I watch for? One of the big problems today with closings is wire fraud. Crooks are getting very sophisticated and finding emails of people in real estate transactions and go to great lengths to recreate those email chains to look like you're getting new wire instructions from your lender or Realtor. You will open an email that says, the wire instructions have changed. Please send your wire to dot dot dot. It will look like it's from Cindy Cooper, but the last name is spelled with an e instead of an r at the end. And the whole email chain that you've been a part of is there beneath it. It's very easy to miss. Once the wire is sent, even if you catch it right away, usually the money is moved within minutes and is gone. The big key is to never trust wire instructions sent through an email. Always call the source and verify all wiring information verbally. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, is there ever a time or a market when nothing sells? There has always been a certain amount of houses that sell every single month in Tallahassee. No matter if it's a good or bad market or the busy or slow time, there are always about 200 houses a month sold here in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas. Because there's always reasons people have to buy in cell houses. There are job transfers, moves, marriages, deaths, divorces, and babies. These things that trigger home sales happen all the time. What does go up and down is the inventory of homes available for sale. We have an average of around 1200 houses and townhouses on the market at any given time. When the market was really terrible several years ago, we had 7,000 homes on the market. And 200 sales a month out of 7,000 available might not seem like much, but the houses were still selling at the exact same pace as they always did. Tallahassee's advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between warranted and home warranty? Many people confuse a warranted home with a home warranty. When you buy a house, you can buy it as is or warranted. Warranted means the seller would fix anything wrong with the systems of the house, the heating and air, the plumbing system, the electrical system, and any appliances that they leave. You can also buy a house with or without a clear WDO or termite letter, but that is a different part. That covers wood, rot, fungus, mold, carpenter bees, things like that. But warranted means the seller is warranting the systems of the house to be in working order. A home warranty is basically an insurance policy you can buy to cover the systems of the house. They're usually for one year, and if anything goes wrong with any of the systems or appliances, you can call the warranty company, and for a standard fee, usually $75 or $100, they will come out and fix or replace the item that is broken. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I sell or rent my home? If you don't need the cash out of your current home to buy your next home and are prepared to be a landlord, a rental can provide predictable long-term income. Your first consideration is, can you afford two homes? You need to be able to qualify for the new home and be able to pay for all the costs for both properties, including mortgage payments, repairs, upkeep, and yard maintenance. Next, consider if the old property is likely to appreciate. You can never predict the future, but you can determine if trends in your neighborhood are pointing towards up and coming or on the decline. Also, you want to look at tax consequences. If you've owned your home for a long time, you probably have a great amount of equity built up. You can write off capital gains on your homestead, but not after it's been turned into a rental property. So be sure you're not throwing away a significant tax write off. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org-realestate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cobble Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, which home improvements recoup the most money? The new yearly cost versus value report is out and the number one project for return on your investment is Addic Insulation, with an average return of over 107%. Now this is not a high cost project, so let's take a look at some others. If you're doing a major kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel, the average return is 50 to 60% of your investment dollars. But if you're looking at just a minor remodel, those numbers jump to 60 to 80%. Next with a high return is a front door replacement in the 70 to 90% range, depending on if you're just doing the front door or a whole entrance and also if you're using a regular or a steel door. This is followed by a garage door replacement in the 75 to 80% range. Window replacements will get you 70 to 75% and generators or decks will give you a solid 50 to 60% return on your money. The real estate advisors is a service of City Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I keep my home safer from burglars? By now, everyone knows not to put the box from your new TV out at the street. It just screams, come and get me to any potential burglars. Some other good ideas are to maintain the outside of your property. Not only will it look good and keep your neighbors happy, but a well-maintained yard to tears, thieves and vandals who target vacant houses. Know your neighbors, introduce them to your real estate agent so they know who will be coming and going from your home. Embrace the power of lighting. Lock your doors and reinforce those locks. Invest in good locks and strike plates and a solid door frame. And don't forget new technology. Not only do most new buyers ask for it, it can also make your safety a snap. Smart home technology can remotely control lighting and music, see who is at your front door and even change the thermostat. Even that old-fashioned timing device for lamps is still a good idea. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am buying a home as is. What is the difference between as is compared to warranted? When you're riding a contract, one of the items to negotiate will be if you're taking the home as is or warranted. If the seller elects to sell the house warranted, that means he is warranting that the systems of the house are in good working order up until the day of closing. Systems being the heating and cooling, electrical plumbing and any appliances he is leaving. If you take the house as is, where is? That means there'll be no repairs made at all by the seller. This is often the case with foreclosure sales. You can also buy a house as is, but with the seller providing a clear WDO or would destroy an organism's report, also known as the termite letter. Some banks will require a clear WDO. This means the seller will fix any wood rock, fungus, mold, carpenter bees or termites. So purchasing a home as is can mean two different things, negotiate accordingly. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, George Eterner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I save money on plumbing repairs? Every home has plumbing issues at some point. One of the best ways to save money on plumbing repairs is usually old-fashioned preventative maintenance, most of which you can do yourself. In order to fix leaks timely, you have to be able to see them. Don't treat that space under your sink as a storage cabinet, treat it as a maintenance space. Keep it clean and clear. Your garbage disposal is not a trash can. Keep the grease out and run hot water through it during and after use. It is not normal for your sink to take 10 minutes to drain. Use a drain cleaner or clean out the pee trap underneath the sink. Dripping faucets and running toilets are usually in the realm of most do-it-yourselfers. The parts are cheap and you can find manuals and tutorials to guide you. These are easy fixes, but if the problem is beyond these, it may be time to call in a professional. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm a for sale by owner, any advice on showing my home? Yes, get a Realtor, no, just kidding. I do know people who are selling their own homes and I always give a little safety talk to them with the things I've learned over the years. First, get all of your buyer's information before you agree to let them into your home. What is their full name, their phone number, and email address? Then, when you have them coming back to look at your home, have them lead the way. Don't walk into a room first as they can easily cut off your means of escape. Let them walk into a room first, go up the stairs first, go into the garage or the patio first. Always have a direct line to a doorway at all times. Next, let someone know you're showing the house and feel free to share that with your buyer. Say, oh, my sister is coming over right when we are done here. Always remember, no sale is worth your safety. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, do you have any negotiation tips to share? Yes, I do know a few. First off, always counter every contract and counter quickly. Don't let your potential buyers cool down or find another home. No one is still as excited about a deal four days later. Next, send a clear signal that you're slowing down. You can do this by offering less and less each time you counter back. If you want them to come down $5,000, start at $10,000 off the price. You want to leave yourself enough room to go back and forth a couple of times. Never start with your best or final offer and never say during negotiations. This is my final offer. It is too hard to go back if you don't really mean that. But all that being said, if there is another offer on the table, then all negotiations go right out the window. You need to be prepared to offer full price or more if you have decided this is indeed your new home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some good tips for moving? Moving is always a little crazy, so the following tips and tricks may help with the havoc. When packing glasses, put them in tube socks to prevent cracks. Also, you can usually pick up boxes with cardboard separators at your local liquor store. To prevent necklaces and bracelets from tangling up, use an empty toilet paper roll or a drinking straw. Thread each chain through the toilet paper roll or the straw and fasten the clasp. When you're packing your ceramic plates, use bubble wrap or put paper plates in between them. Slide a trash bag over your hanging clothes to make them easier to stack and carry. Use your towels, sheets, and dishcloths to cushion other objects, pack pillows at the top of your boxes, and wrap artwork in blankets. For electronics, use the plastic tabs from bread to wrap electronic cords and prevent tangles. Be sure to label them and snap a picture of where they were before you disconnect them. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, do you have any tips to make moving easier? Moving is never easy, but here are a few tips to help with the headache of moving into your new home. Photograph all of your cords. This will make it easier to reconnect them later. Get a Movers Guide from the Post Office. You need to notify them of your new address anyway, and it includes helpful coupons. Color code your boxes to the different rooms in the house. Anything you need immediately after moving should be marked or packed in red. Make sure these important boxes go on the truck last so they will come off the truck first. Your important boxes should contain one first night essential box. Put in medications, toothbrushes, change of clothes, anything else you will need that first night. Pack a first day cleaning kit so you can clean out cabinets and closets before you move your items in, and put valuables and important documents in a special box and put it away in your car away from all the activity. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the top questions buyers ask sellers? When a buyer finally finds the home of their dreams, they often have a list of questions for the seller. There are, however, certain questions that come up time and time again. If you're looking to sell your home, take the time to answer some of these questions and leave a sellers' disclosure or other information at the house so the buyers will see it when they are there looking at your home. The most frequently asked questions are, how old is the house? When was it last renovated? Who did the work and were all the appropriate permits pulled? How old is the roof? What appliances and fixtures are included in the sale? How much are homeowners' association fees, average utility bills, lawn service or pool maintenance? And how old is the air conditioner? Sellers who provide the answers to these questions before they are asked will save time and appear very helpful and honest to the buyer. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Collwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the oldest building in Tallahassee? The oldest building in Tallahassee is known as the columns and was built by William Money Williams in 1830. It was originally on Park Avenue and Adam Street but was moved to 100 North Devall Street in 1971. Other fun facts about Tallahassee include the current capital building designed by Edward Stone is the third tallest capital building in the United States, right after Washington DC and Austin. The Tallahassee police department is the third oldest in the nation. He was founded in 1841. Doke Campbell Stadium is the biggest Atlantic Coast Conference football stadium and is also the country's biggest continuous brick structure. Also, FSUs believe to be where streaking was invented. Wally Amos, founder of famous Amos cookies, was born and raised in Tallahassee and Tallahassee is the only Florida city that has ever recorded a sub-zero temperature of negative two degrees in 1899. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do deals fall apart? Sometimes things don't go according to plan. Some of the main things that come up are, first, buyers remorse. This sets in anywhere from an hour to a few days after the ink has dried on the contract. Everyone has second thoughts, but think long and hard about your end goal before doing anything permanent. Next up would be repairs. Anywhere from misunderstanding who will fix what to thinking a repair will be $10,000. Real facts and figures help here. Get an estimate from one or two contractors and see what that repair really costs. What you thought was a $10,000 problem may actually be an easy $300 fix. The third problem is, surprise, buyers are sometimes not good money managers. This is not the time to take out any new debt or spend the money that the bank expects to be in your account. And last, financing. Many times these days you don't know if your buyer is actually going to get the loan until a few days before closing. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is real estate a good investment. Yes, it almost always is, but if you are under the age of 25, there is another great investment to look into. It is a magic of compound interest. If you can invest $5,000 right now at a reasonable rate of return, you should be able to double your money every 5 to 7 years. If you are under 25, you should be able to double that money 8 times. You would be in your 70s, but let's look at the numbers. $5,000 right now, then it would be 10,000, 20,000, 40, 80, 160, 320, then $640,000, then $1.2 million. If you can put away $5,000 right now and don't touch it. If that seems out of reach, invest $100 right now. Everybody can come up with $100. Invest $100 today and it will be $100,000 when you're in your 70s. It will be the easiest $100,000 you will ever make. The real estate advisor is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, could it be my home is outdated? If you're thinking of putting your house on the market soon, it is time to take a step back and take a cold hard look at your decor. You may still love some of the dated touches you put in years ago, or maybe you don't want to go through the trouble and expense of updating to current colors and finishes. I do understand, but once you put your house on the market, it is no longer your house anymore, and you need to start looking at it from a potential buyer's point of view. The things that scream dated the most to buyers are, wide appliances, busy wallpaper, bold paint colors, dated fixtures and hardware, especially anything with a gold finish, tile countertops, popcorn ceilings, carpet in the bathrooms, wood paneling, and linoleum floors. Choose materials and colors that are neutral and will appeal to a wide range of people. Aiming for neutrality is the best way to ensure your home is in fashion and will not turn off any buyers. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I found a great rental online but they want me to mail the deposit out of the country. Is this a scam? Yes, there are several scams prevalent in today's marketplace. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Here are some other red flags to look for. The property is listed by two different parties at two different prices on the same website. The price is way below market value. The property pops on and off the market within hours. The owner of the property is in a foreign country, often saying they're missionaries, military personnel or professors. There's no sign in the yard or there is a sign and the person is different from whom you are talking to online. You're asked to provide personal information, bank account numbers for wiring, social security number, a copy of your driver's license. They ask you just to look in the windows and then send or wire money. Be careful and always know who you're dealing with, especially in an online transaction. The real estate advisor is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I protect my property listing from rental scams? The new big scam I see most often today is a scammer will lift your property listing information and put it up as a rental. The ads will say something like, call me directly, ignore the sign in the yard, send me $1,000 and I'll send you the keys. They're getting more and more sophisticated every day. So here's a quick and easy way to check if your property listing has been hijacked as a rental or any other listing. Do a web search for your house image. Open two windows on your web browser. In one, open an image search tool such as Google Images. Then in the other, open a website with your listing photo in it. Click on that photo and hold down the mouse button while you drag the picture back into the first window you opened and drop the picture into the search bar. Then you will see all of the places your home photo has been appearing online. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can I do to build the perfect patio? Patio's are great and can be enjoyed almost year round. The first thing to consider when you're putting in the patio is just like any other real estate. Location, location, location. How are you going to use the patio? Do you want every minute in the sun or a little shelter in the shade? Do you want the patio near the house-freeze access or maybe down in a flat spot if you have a sloping yard? Next, think of the size and shape you want for your patio. Also, think of adding built-ins such as seating, fire pits, planters, water features, maybe even a hot tub. Materials vary widely. Concrete patios of today can be tinted, stamped, and decorated in many different ways. There's also natural stone, flagstone, clay bricks, and pavers that come in a variety of shape sizes and colors. Make sure you check on the location of any utility cables before you dig. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new trends to look for in homes today? The next big trend I see coming up is home automation. People want to control more and more aspects of their home through their smartphones. Smart home technologies will add utility as well as value to your home as some buyers are now looking for these features to already be in place when they buy a home. You can probably get a starter kit of smart devices to enhance your home for about a thousand dollars. There are three basic types of technologies to look for. The first is home systems control. That would be your temperature and lighting controls and ways to turn the appliances on and off when you're not home. Next would be home accessibility products that can allow you to grant access to your home remotely or open and close the garage door. And lastly, you'd want to look for security and monitoring products that can monitor your home remotely and send you notifications in case of any kind of disturbance. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calville Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what features are most wanted by homeowners? I was reading an interesting article the other day on the top 13 features that homeowners want the most. Surprisingly, the number one item was a laundry room by a whopping 92%. So when people ask me for advice on what upgrades to look at or where to concentrate their limited renovation budget or what type of things to consider adding to their floor plan when building a new home, these are the features I think you should keep in mind. The number one thing is at laundry room. This is followed by energy star appliances, then exterior lighting. Next, larger kitchen and bathrooms, no surprise there. Number five is energy star windows, followed by ceiling fans at number six. Next on the list is a patio. Number eight is a full bathroom on the main level. Number nine, hardwood floors. Number ten, more insulation. Next up is garage storage, followed by an eating kitchen and coming in at number 13 is a walk-in pantry. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking at my tax role assessment. Is that what my house is really worth? I have had people who are looking to buy a house, pull up the tax role, and tell me that house is only worth so much because that is what the tax role assessment says. Your tax assessment is what your home is valued at for tax purposes. It does not represent what your home might be worth in today's market. The tax assessor can only raise the taxes on your home's debt a maximum of 2-3% a year. So, even if your home may have doubled in value, your assessment will not reflect that. The only time they can fully reassess a home is when it is sold. So, if a home has been sold in the last year or two, the tax assessment on the tax role is probably pretty close to the value of the house. But if they've been there over five years, it will not be reflective of today's market at all. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what should I do inside my house to stage it for showing? If you're looking to make a good first impression on a buyer when your house is being shown, a little work up front will go a long way. First and foremost, you need to clear off the clutter from all surfaces. You want your house to show like a model home. No surface should have more than three items on it, and the bigger the items, the better. You don't have to clear out a closet to make it feel bigger, but clear enough out so that one third of it is empty. Also, any bookcases and pantries should have a few shelves that are one third empty. Take down any personal pictures. Do a thorough cleaning of the entire house and pay extra attention to the kitchen and the bathrooms as these rooms have to be spotless. Have your tile and grout steamed cleaned by a carpet cleaner. They will look brand new. And it doesn't hurt to bake some cookies. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Telehassy to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment? The SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment was brought about because of the inequity and tax role assessments of a home's value for tax purposes. Someone who has been in their home quite a long time will have a vastly lower assessment than what their house is worth. So someone who has just bought a home will get a full tax assessment while the person next door to them may be paying only half of that. Some older folks were feeling trapped in their homes because if they moved they could not afford to pay the current tax rates. So the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment came about where you could take your lower assessment with you to your new home. So if your home was assessed $50,000 less than what it was worth, you would be able to reduce the assessment on your new home by $50,000 in order for you to be able to pay roughly the same taxes. It wouldn't be locked out of moving to a new home because you can't afford the taxes. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at TLHrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what type of maintenance should I be doing on my home? It is always a good idea to keep up on maintenance on your home, whether you're thinking of selling or not. Have your heat and air conditioner service once a year and replace the air filter every three months. Keeping bugs out can be as simple as repairing holes in the windows and door screens. You can also keep bugs out by sealing cracks and holes on the outside of the house, as well as inside at baseboards behind the sinks and around pipes and windows. Speaking of windows, make sure yours are in good condition and have a tight fit. Clean the tracks and replace any torn or missing weather stripping. Preventing outside air from leaking in will help reduce your energy bills. Clean your gutters of debris. This will keep them working and help to avoid any wood rot that occurs from water overflow. Focusing on these small jobs now can lead to big savings of your time and money in the future. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when a buyer is coming to look at my home, should I be there? One of the first questions I usually get on showings is, should you be there or not? And that is definitely no. If somebody is coming back to look at your home for the third or fourth time, it might not hurt to be around for questions. But when they are first coming to look at your home, you should not be there. You will tend to say things that might turn off a potential buyer. I had one seller comment on the deer that would occasionally come into the backyard. The buyer was deathly afraid of animals and immediately crossed that house off her list, even though the house was perfect for her. Also, buyers are not comfortable opening closet doors while you're standing there. And nobody is going to buy a home when they have not looked in the closets. So as much as you would like to be there to help, it is usually not a good idea. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I save my money or buy investment property for retirement? That is a good question. Let's look at some numbers. I talked with a financial planner and asked how much money would I have to save if I retired in 15 to 20 years and wanted to make $2,000 a month from the money that I saved. She came back and said I would have to save $800,000. Or I can find a property that costs about $200,000 that makes $2,000 a month in rent. I could buy that property for about $50,000 down plus closing costs. The mortgage would be $1,100 a month on a 30 year loan. Barring lots of repairs, you should be able to make about $10,000 a year. Send that $10,000 to your mortgage and you should have the property paid off in 15 to 20 years. Then you would make the $2,000 a month from the rent. So $2,000 a month for retirement for $800,000 or $50,000. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new closing disclosures? Already October 1st of 2015, new required closing disclosures went into effect. These are the statements you receive at closing that list your closing costs and the amount of money you bring to closing. The traditional good faith estimate, the truth in lending disclosure and the HUD 1 are all being combined and streamlined to provide consumers more transparency regarding what you're paying for a mortgage and the related closing costs. You will now get a loan estimate and a closing disclosure that are similar so you can easily compare what you were promised when you applied for your loan and what you receive and pay in closing costs. The new disclosure must be provided three days before closing. Check this disclosure thoroughly as soon as you get it and call your lender immediately if you notice any problems. If the bank needs to make any adjustments that triggers another three day period which could delay closing. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I become a real estate agent? This is a question I do get quite often. If you were thinking of starting a career in real estate, I would suggest having at least six months of savings in the bank. This gives you plenty of time to get started and established without having to panic about paying the next month's bills. Look into taking a class to prepare yourself for the test. You can do this locally in a sit down classroom or take a class online. Then you need to take and pass the real estate test. Then start interviewing real estate companies and ask about their training programs. You can also get training at the board of realtors. And speaking of the board, you should join your local board of realtors as well as the state association of realtors and the national association of realtors. Buy some business cars to start passing out. You can expect to spend at least $1,000 on the expenses just listed. If you have energy and are organized, real estate could be a great career for you. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking to buy an auction property. What should I do? When an auction property comes up on the market, you can usually bid over a couple of days. But most of the action is going to happen in the last hour or two of the auction, and they will usually extend the auction as long as people are still actively bidding. If you win the auction, you have just bought a house and have to put down a deposit and a buyer's premium immediately. Make sure you've done all your homework and do diligence before now, because it is very difficult and very costly to back out. Before you bid, make sure you have a thorough home inspection done along with a termite and wood rotten inspection. Have your attorney or title company run a title search on the property to make sure that there are no outstanding leans or other problems with the property. There usually repairs you have to do, but auctions can be a great way to get a good price on a house. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm going to buy a house. What can I do to ensure a smooth and easy closing? There are three main things you can do that will make your real estate closing as hassle-free as possible. First, get pre-approved for the loan. Working with your lender ahead of time to secure your financing not only helps determine what you can afford, but it also helps uncover any problems that might come up and impact your closing. Second, listen to your lender and your Realtor. Buying a home involves a mountain of paperwork, so be prepared. And just when you think you're done submitting the last of the forms, the bank will undoubtedly want something more. Always respond to your lender requests very promptly. And third, stay calm. Everyone agrees. Be flexible. Be responsive. And above all, remain calm. Your lender will ask you for all sorts of last-minute details. Don't take it personally. Sometimes things just come up at the last minute. Stay calm and keep your eye on the prize. Closing and owning your new home. The real estate advisor's is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I bought a house. What type of inspections do I need? Once you have negotiated a contract on a house, you usually have 10 to 15 days to conduct inspections to verify all the systems are in good working order. You should start with a full home inspection. These inspectors will check all of the systems, the heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as any appliances. Sometimes you will need additional inspections from an air conditioning company or a fireplace specialist if there are any problems found in those areas. You will also want a radon inspection. Radon is a naturally occurring gas found in the ground that sometimes seeps into homes and causes elevated levels that you will want to have mitigated. If there is a septic tank, you will need to pay for having the tank pumped as well as the inspection because they need to pump the tank to be able to visually inspect it. And if there is a pool, you should plan on a pool inspection also. Quite a lot of inspections, but they will give you peace of mind. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am moving. Do I need to move everything? If you're moving, this is a great time to go through your belongings, get rid of some stuff and simplify your life a little bit. There are many wonderful charities that you can donate quite a variety of items to, and some of them will even pick up. Think of the items that you have been debating letting go of and donate some of that furniture. Trim down your kitchen gadgets and appliances, and go through your clothes and donate anything that you haven't worn in the last two years. Find out your entire pantry and take everything to a local food bank and feed some of the hungry folks around town. Don't forget to grab a receipt and give it to your accountant at the end of the year for a tax deduction. This is a great way to free up some space, help the local community, and trim down the number of boxes that you'll need to move. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm new to the area and needs some repair work done around my home. Where can I find someone who is qualified and trustworthy? In addition to helping customers buy or sell a home, local realtors are a great resource for all sorts of information in the community and typically have developed relationships with people in the trade and service industries, including carpenters, plumbers, ceramic tile installers, made services, tree surgeons, pet care providers, and many more. A realtor knows their community and can help customers in selecting an area of town based on a buyer's interest, such as schools, parks, beaches, trails, culture, arts, local and regional attractions, and points of interest. A relationship with your realtor may hold more value than just helping you find a place to call home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I wanted to check my credit score and report. Where should I look? Checking your credit report at least once a year, or even more often is imperative in this day and age of cybercrime and information hacking. People's identities and even business identities are stolen every day. One of the best things you can do is to check through your entire credit report once a year, even if you've had no problems that you're aware of. The government has a site that you can check once a year, and it will not count as an inquiry on your credit report. You can access a copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. Obtaining your credit score on the site may require the payment of a nominal fee, but the credit report itself is free of charge. Other sites advertised are commercial sites and will charge you a fee to access your credit report. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com This is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much house can I buy? Knowing this in the beginning of your home search will save you a lot of grief down the road. The best bet to answering this question is to call a local bank or mortgage company. They can give you a very accurate figure. They can also send a pre-qualification letter, which you will need anyways. But if you're looking for a quick and dirty way to figure out what price range you can afford, start with your monthly gross salary. Take 28-32% of that depending on what type of loan you're getting. This is the maximum amount of a mortgage payment that you can have. Then, take 43% of your monthly salary. This is the maximum amount of total debt that you can have, including your mortgage. Why just 43%? Because they want you to have money left over to pay your taxes, buy food, gas, etc. So take that 43% amount and subtract your monthly payments like your car payment and credit cards and the final figure is what you qualify for. Or the 28% figure, whichever is lower. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, am I ready to buy a home? If you're wondering if a home purchase is a good decision for you, here's a few questions to ask yourself. Do you have the desire to commit to the same community for the next five to seven years? Are you stable in your career? Why do you want to buy? Buying a home is a great way to increase your personal wealth. Are your finances ready? Do you have good credit? Do you have a pattern of paying your bills on time? And do you have savings? If you're looking to buy a $200,000 home, you need about $19,000 for down payment, closing costs and prepaids. Don't forget about your moving expenses. You should also have some cash reserves for any unexpected surprises that might come up. I had to put in a new sewer line in the older home I recently bought. That took all of my landscape and decorating budget and plus a little bit more. But if you can answer yes to these questions, then a home purchase may be right for you. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the best home improvements to do now that will help improve the resale value of my home later? If you're looking to sell your home in a few years, you don't want to pay for impractical or expensive improvements now that will be out of style by the time you put that 4 sales sign in your yard. You want to look at traditional and fashionable upgrades that will provide value and aesthetic beauty for years to come. New kitchens top the list. New countertops and appliances are usually a sure bet. Bathrooms are next. Be sure to avoid all white as that usually looks too sterile. Bring in some light by adding skylights or sun tunnels if you can. Put up some extra storage shelves or cabinets to reduce the clutter in your home. Add an island into the kitchen. Put down some hardwood floors. Popular outdoor items include fireplaces, decks, fountains, and landscaping. And an outdoor kitchen can definitely boost the wow factor for your resale. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I rent or should I buy? I'm often asked the question, is it better to rent or buy a house? The length of time is one of the biggest factors in making this decision. You need to ask yourself, how long do you plan on living there? Is your job stable? Are you subject to being transferred for your job? Do you have any looming family issues that might take you out of town for an extended period of time? If you think you're likely to stay in the house for less than one to three years, then it is better to rent. The market at most of Tallahassee is back to normal, where you can make about 2-3% appreciation a year on your home. That means it will take you about two years just to be able to break even if you had to sell your home quickly. So, if you're going to be in your home for less than three years, you should look at rent team. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much money do I need to buy a house? Closing costs are always a big question on every home buyer's mind. There are three main parts to your closing costs. There's your down payment, then you have the closing costs, such as title insurance, appraisals, surveys, bank underwriting fees, all of that sort of thing. Finally, you have prepaids, which is setting up an escrow account to pay for your taxes and insurance. If you're buying a house for $200,000 and putting down 5% with the bank, your costs are going to run about $19,000. The 5% down payment will be $10,000 of it, then there's about $6,000 in closing costs, and another $3,000 for your prepaids. But, in many cases, you can ask the seller to pay some of your closing costs. You always have to put down your own down payment and prepaids, but you can ask the seller to pay most apart of your closing costs. In this case, that could save you up to $6,000. The real estate advisor's is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor, and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Calville Banker, Heart Tung, and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when is the buying season for houses? People are always asking me if this is a good time to put their homes on the market. Is there a better time than others? There is definitely a cycle when it comes to buying homes. March to June is the high season for buying, and then everyone wants to move in July in between school years. August, it slows down a little bit as everybody's getting ready for school to start. September to November is a slow but even pace. At the beginning of the holidays, you get the round of investors coming in, snapping at properties before the end of the year, which is followed by the steep drop in buyers until the end of the year. Then on January 1st, we get a surge of calls from new buyers that last for about two weeks. About the same as New Year's resolutions. Now, February, February is the lowest inventory month because everybody is waiting on the high season to list their homes, making that a great time to sell. The real estate advisor is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, I don't live in a flood zone, why would I buy flood insurance? Well, sadly, over 20% of the flood insurance claims come from outside high flood risk areas. If you recall the extensive flooding in the Houston area a few years ago, most of the damaged homes were not in what was considered a flood zone, and most homeowners didn't have flood insurance. The next question is what's covered by flood insurance? Generally speaking, the building and foundation, all the permanently installed appliances, flooring, wallboard, electrical and plumbing systems. But personal property, like clothing and furniture, have to be insured under a separate personal property policy. Call your insurance agent for more information. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's a green home? A green home is built with environmentally friendly materials and a focus on the efficient use of energy and water. There are many things you can do to make your home a greener home. You can install energy star appliances, low-e windows, change your lighting to LED fixtures and bulbs. A green home is often more desirable to a buyer than a home that's not because the recurring daily costs to operate the home are less. However, getting a home certified as a green home is a very rigorous process and usually only homes built in the last five or so years can offer a certification. Many home builders will offer the option of a green home along with the certification. If you're planning on building a home, give it real consideration. Since it will cost you less to live there and when you sell your home, you'll have an extra edge that buyers will value. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some of the general rules of the road when selling your home and you have pets? Well 70% of households own pets of some kind, and the third most common reason a buyer will buy your home is a home or neighborhood that suits their dog, so most buyers will be understanding of your pets. Having said that, buyers do not spend long viewing a home if your dog is constantly barking. If your dog is very vocal, you'll want to remove him or her so that buyers are not stressed out. You also want to make sure your home and yard are as clean as humanly possible. You may be used to the pet smells, but it's a turn off for the buyers. If there are features about your home or neighborhood that make it especially pet friendly, pet doors or fence yard, distance to the dog park and doggy daycare, let buyers know. They probably have a pet and it may make a difference in how they see your home and neighborhood. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's the best policy if there are pets in a home that's for sale? Number one, the best policy is to ignore those pets as much as you can. Do not pet or play with any pet, whether they're contained or not. You are in their home and the homeowner isn't there. They may feel uneasy with you in the home and may react in a negative and unexpected way. Number two, forget to say, don't feed the pets. And lastly, if the pets are inside, make sure they remain inside. If they're outside, make sure they remain outside. Pets are like family members and you wouldn't want to do anything that could harm the seller's furry family. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when buying a home? Number one, underestimating the cost. When you select your lender and your realtor, be sure they go over in detail how much the closing costs will be. Closing costs are in addition to the down payment that you've saved. Sometimes sellers are willing to pay some of your closing costs on your behalf. Be sure to let your realtor know that you will need help with your closing costs before you make an offer. Number two, don't expect to find your dream home, especially if this is your first purchase. No home will check all the boxes. Figure out what's most important to you and what you'll be willing to do later. An example might be you can paint and change the countertops later if the location's right. And number three, once you've talked to your lender and established your budget, don't make any large purchases that could change your debt to income ratio and therefore change your budget. I tell home buyers you can buy socks but no shoes until after you move in. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, do I need flood insurance? If you're in an area that is listed as a flood zone and you're getting a mortgage, then your lender will require it. But even if you're paying cash, it's advisable to get flood insurance. To find out if the property you're interested in buying is in a flood zone, you can go to the Property Appraisers website and there's a link to the current maps or you can go to the FEMA website, FEMA.gov to check. Your insurance agent can also tell you when you ask for a quote. You will want to get an elevation certificate when you have the survey done so you can get an accurate quote for flood insurance. The next question is how expensive is it? It varies widely, but the determining factors are based on flooding risk and the date your property was constructed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can we do to increase our curb appeal? Curb appeal is very important. It often makes a difference between somebody deciding to look at your home or not. Stand across the street and take an honest appraisal of what a potential buyer will see. Make sure that all the beds are weeded and new pine straws put down. Add some flowers to give a splash of color. When was the last time you used your front door? Polish up that hardware and paint the door. Make sure the glass is sparkling clean and brush away all of the spider webs. Press your wash, your front steps, walkways, driveway, and parking areas. What about your mailbox? Give it a fresh coat of paint and replace the numbers. If somebody is driving along looking for the address, this is the first thing that will catch their eye. A little bit of effort and a modest budget can make a big difference in your home's curb appeal. Set the tone right and get ready to invite buyers into your home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm buying a house that has polybutylene pipes. Should I be concerned? Polybutylene is a form of plastic that was used extensively for water supply piping from 1978 to 1995 as a cheap substitute for copper pipes. They're usually gray, but they can be white with adult finish. There are several different kinds of polybutylene pipes, but there's one in particular that has the wrong type of fittings. These are the ones that cause most of the problems. Your home inspector should check for these pipes in your home inspection. You will also want to check with your insurance company for their policy on these pipes. Some insurance companies will say they cover them, but then they exclude water damage, which is the damage you will have. So they're not really covering your polybutylene pipes. And if you do find you have polybutylene pipes, you do have the option of changing out the pipes to copper for a couple thousand dollars. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do short sales take so long? Despite the name short sale, there is nothing short or quick about a short sale. With a short sale, the owner of the property is trying to sell their property for less than they owe on their mortgage. When you put in an offer, it starts with the owner. Once that has been agreed upon, then the offer goes to the bank. During that time, the bank figures out the least they can take on the mortgage, then they go back and negotiate with the owner on how to cover or write off the deficiency that is left on the mortgage. Once that has agreed upon, the bank replies back to the buyer, with an acceptance or a counter offer. This often takes two to six months just to hear back on your offer and then another 30 to 60 days to close. There is nothing quick about a short sale, but for those buyers that have the patience and no set timelines or deadlines, they can be a chance to get an incredible bargain on a home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale? A foreclosure is a property that is wholly owned by the bank. They have gone through the entire process of obtaining the property back from the owner. They know what all the fees and the payoffs are at this point. The bank can negotiate with you and can usually give you an answer on your offer within 48 hours and can close on the property in 30 to 60 days or even sooner with a cash buyer. A short sale is a property that still has the owner involved in the sale. The owner is trying to sell the property for less than they still owe on their mortgage. So your offer goes to the owner, then to the bank, and it often takes two to six months to hear back on your offer. And then another 30 to 60 days to close. For closures and short sales are often a great way to get a bargain on a home, depending on the work that is needed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am buying a home as is. What is the difference between as is compared to warranted? When you're riding a contract, one of the items to negotiate will be if you're taking the home as is or warranted. If the seller elects to sell the house warranted, that means he is warranting that the systems of the house are in good working order up until the day of closing. Systems being the heating and cooling, electrical plumbing and any appliances he is leaving. If you take the house as is, where is? That means there'll be no repairs made at all by the seller. This is often the case with foreclosure sales. You can also buy a house as is, but with the seller providing a clear WDO or would destroy an organism's report, also known as the termite letter. Some banks will require a clear WDO. This means the seller will fix any wood rock, fungus, mold, carpenter bees or termites. So purchasing a home as is can mean two different things, negotiate accordingly. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, George Eterner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm hearing a lot about wire fraud and closings. What should I watch for? One of the big problems today with closings is wire fraud. Crooks are getting very sophisticated and finding emails of people in real estate transactions and go to great lengths to recreate those email chains to look like you're getting new wire instructions from your lender or Realtor. You will open an email that says, the wire instructions have changed. Please send your wire to dot dot dot. It will look like it's from Cindy Cooper, but the last name is spelled with an e instead of an r at the end. And the whole email chain that you've been a part of is there beneath it. It's very easy to miss. Once the wire is sent, even if you catch it right away, usually the money is moved within minutes and is gone. The big key is to never trust wire instructions sent through an email. Always call the source and verify all wiring information verbally. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, is there ever a time or a market when nothing sells? There has always been a certain amount of houses that sell every single month in Tallahassee. No matter if it's a good or bad market or the busy or slow time, there are always about 200 houses a month sold here in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas. Because there's always reasons people have to buy in cell houses. There are job transfers, moves, marriages, deaths, divorces, and babies. These things that trigger home sales happen all the time. What does go up and down is the inventory of homes available for sale. We have an average of around 1200 houses and townhouses on the market at any given time. When the market was really terrible several years ago, we had 7,000 homes on the market. And 200 sales a month out of 7,000 available might not seem like much, but the houses were still selling at the exact same pace as they always did. Tallahassee's advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between warranted and home warranty? Many people confuse a warranted home with a home warranty. When you buy a house, you can buy it as is or warranted. Warranted means the seller would fix anything wrong with the systems of the house, the heating and air, the plumbing system, the electrical system, and any appliances that they leave. You can also buy a house with or without a clear WDO or termite letter, but that is a different part. That covers wood, rot, fungus, mold, carpenter bees, things like that. But warranted means the seller is warranting the systems of the house to be in working order. A home warranty is basically an insurance policy you can buy to cover the systems of the house. They're usually for one year, and if anything goes wrong with any of the systems or appliances, you can call the warranty company, and for a standard fee, usually $75 or $100, they will come out and fix or replace the item that is broken. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cobble Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, which home improvements recoup the most money? The new yearly cost versus value report is out and the number one project for return on your investment is Addic Insulation, with an average return of over 107%. Now this is not a high cost project, so let's take a look at some others. If you're doing a major kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel, the average return is 50 to 60% of your investment dollars. But if you're looking at just a minor remodel, those numbers jump to 60 to 80%. Next with a high return is a front door replacement in the 70 to 90% range, depending on if you're just doing the front door or a whole entrance and also if you're using a regular or a steel door. This is followed by a garage door replacement in the 75 to 80% range. Window replacements will get you 70 to 75% and generators or decks will give you a solid 50 to 60% return on your money. The real estate advisors is a service of City Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I keep my home safer from burglars? By now, everyone knows not to put the box from your new TV out at the street. It just screams, come and get me to any potential burglars. Some other good ideas are to maintain the outside of your property. Not only will it look good and keep your neighbors happy, but a well-maintained yard to tears, thieves and vandals who target vacant houses. Know your neighbors, introduce them to your real estate agent so they know who will be coming and going from your home. Embrace the power of lighting. Lock your doors and reinforce those locks. Invest in good locks and strike plates and a solid door frame. And don't forget new technology. Not only do most new buyers ask for it, it can also make your safety a snap. Smart home technology can remotely control lighting and music, see who is at your front door and even change the thermostat. Even that old-fashioned timing device for lamps is still a good idea. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am buying a home as is. What is the difference between as is compared to warranted? When you're riding a contract, one of the items to negotiate will be if you're taking the home as is or warranted. If the seller elects to sell the house warranted, that means he is warranting that the systems of the house are in good working order up until the day of closing. Systems being the heating and cooling, electrical plumbing and any appliances he is leaving. If you take the house as is, where is? That means there'll be no repairs made at all by the seller. This is often the case with foreclosure sales. You can also buy a house as is, but with the seller providing a clear WDO or would destroy an organism's report, also known as the termite letter. Some banks will require a clear WDO. This means the seller will fix any wood rock, fungus, mold, carpenter bees or termites. So purchasing a home as is can mean two different things, negotiate accordingly. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, George Eterner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I save money on plumbing repairs? Every home has plumbing issues at some point. One of the best ways to save money on plumbing repairs is usually old-fashioned preventative maintenance, most of which you can do yourself. In order to fix leaks timely, you have to be able to see them. Don't treat that space under your sink as a storage cabinet, treat it as a maintenance space. Keep it clean and clear. Your garbage disposal is not a trash can. Keep the grease out and run hot water through it during and after use. It is not normal for your sink to take 10 minutes to drain. Use a drain cleaner or clean out the pee trap underneath the sink. Dripping faucets and running toilets are usually in the realm of most do-it-yourselfers. The parts are cheap and you can find manuals and tutorials to guide you. These are easy fixes, but if the problem is beyond these, it may be time to call in a professional. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm a for sale by owner, any advice on showing my home? Yes, get a Realtor, no, just kidding. I do know people who are selling their own homes and I always give a little safety talk to them with the things I've learned over the years. First, get all of your buyer's information before you agree to let them into your home. What is their full name, their phone number, and email address? Then, when you have them coming back to look at your home, have them lead the way. Don't walk into a room first as they can easily cut off your means of escape. Let them walk into a room first, go up the stairs first, go into the garage or the patio first. Always have a direct line to a doorway at all times. Next, let someone know you're showing the house and feel free to share that with your buyer. Say, oh, my sister is coming over right when we are done here. Always remember, no sale is worth your safety. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, do you have any negotiation tips to share? Yes, I do know a few. First off, always counter every contract and counter quickly. Don't let your potential buyers cool down or find another home. No one is still as excited about a deal four days later. Next, send a clear signal that you're slowing down. You can do this by offering less and less each time you counter back. If you want them to come down $5,000, start at $10,000 off the price. You want to leave yourself enough room to go back and forth a couple of times. Never start with your best or final offer and never say during negotiations. This is my final offer. It is too hard to go back if you don't really mean that. But all that being said, if there is another offer on the table, then all negotiations go right out the window. You need to be prepared to offer full price or more if you have decided this is indeed your new home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some good tips for moving? Moving is always a little crazy, so the following tips and tricks may help with the havoc. When packing glasses, put them in tube socks to prevent cracks. Also, you can usually pick up boxes with cardboard separators at your local liquor store. To prevent necklaces and bracelets from tangling up, use an empty toilet paper roll or a drinking straw. Thread each chain through the toilet paper roll or the straw and fasten the clasp. When you're packing your ceramic plates, use bubble wrap or put paper plates in between them. Slide a trash bag over your hanging clothes to make them easier to stack and carry. Use your towels, sheets, and dishcloths to cushion other objects, pack pillows at the top of your boxes, and wrap artwork in blankets. For electronics, use the plastic tabs from bread to wrap electronic cords and prevent tangles. Be sure to label them and snap a picture of where they were before you disconnect them. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, do you have any tips to make moving easier? Moving is never easy, but here are a few tips to help with the headache of moving into your new home. Photograph all of your cords. This will make it easier to reconnect them later. Get a Movers Guide from the Post Office. You need to notify them of your new address anyway, and it includes helpful coupons. Color code your boxes to the different rooms in the house. Anything you need immediately after moving should be marked or packed in red. Make sure these important boxes go on the truck last so they will come off the truck first. Your important boxes should contain one first night essential box. Put in medications, toothbrushes, change of clothes, anything else you will need that first night. Pack a first day cleaning kit so you can clean out cabinets and closets before you move your items in, and put valuables and important documents in a special box and put it away in your car away from all the activity. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the top questions buyers ask sellers? When a buyer finally finds the home of their dreams, they often have a list of questions for the seller. There are, however, certain questions that come up time and time again. If you're looking to sell your home, take the time to answer some of these questions and leave a sellers' disclosure or other information at the house so the buyers will see it when they are there looking at your home. The most frequently asked questions are, how old is the house? When was it last renovated? Who did the work and were all the appropriate permits pulled? How old is the roof? What appliances and fixtures are included in the sale? How much are homeowners' association fees, average utility bills, lawn service or pool maintenance? And how old is the air conditioner? Sellers who provide the answers to these questions before they are asked will save time and appear very helpful and honest to the buyer. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what's a smart home? Basically, any home that has three categories of technology connected to high-speed internet that can be controlled remotely by phone or tablet is a smart home. Examples of technology are security devices, alarms, cameras, locks, garage door openers, as well as lighting, appliances, thermostat, and entertainment like television and speakers. In a recent survey, half of homeowners and potential buyers have or want to invest in this kind of technology. As a homeowner, you can enjoy a sense of security, comfort, and save money with a smart home. If you have internet capability, you can retrofit your home to be a smart home. As a home seller, this technology makes your home more attractive to potential buyers as well. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org-slash-real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some general rules of the road when looking at homes that remain occupied by the seller? You have decided to buy home and you and your realtor are starting to set up showings. It's an exciting process. There are some do's and do's when you are inside a home. Yes, it's okay to look in those closets and cabinets. You want to judge the size of the closets as well as the size and quality of the built-in cabinetry. But know it isn't okay to pick up personal items belonging to the sellers. This is still their home and you need to be respectful of that. If you bring your children with you, please be sure that they're under your control at all times. You should also be aware that many homes have video and audio surveillance capability. Do not say or do anything you don't want the seller to see or hear. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, why is it a good idea for buyers to work with local lenders when purchasing a home? Choosing a lender is one of the most important steps in the home buying process. We recommend that all buyers get pre-qualified with a local lender before starting the process. You wouldn't buy pizza before you knew how much money you had available to pay for it. The same goes for a much, much more important purchase of a home. Local lenders will be able to tell you what price range you can comfortably shop in, and they have rates that are as good or better than internet-based lenders. Plus, you have the advantage of being able to talk to the same person every time you call with a question. This important step will help you avoid costly disappointments as you go through the home buying process. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, is it a good idea to attend the home inspection when purchasing a home? Buyers often ask, should they attend the home inspection? Our answer is yes, if it all possible and allow two to three hours. The inspector will check all the systems of the home, electrical, plumbing, appliances, roofing, that sort of thing. Remember, this is a visual inspection and they can't see through the walls. But inspectors can help you get to know your new home. If you see something that you're concerned about, point it out and ask, is this a big deal or something easily fixed? How do I maintain it? Ask your inspector. If you were buying this home, what would your concerns be? Inspectors should be able to give clear, reasonable recommendations should any concerns be found. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, condominium living. Is it the right choice for you? When you purchase a condominium, you only own basically the interior of the unit. The condominium association owns the dirt under the unit, the common area, and the exterior of the unit and is responsible for maintaining all of those. This can be convenient and offer a carefree lifestyle since you as the owner are only responsible for the interior of the unit. With this convenience comes a price tag and limitations as to what you as the owner can change. The association collects monthly fees to pay for and contract for the app keep of the property. Before you buy, carefully read all the condominium documents that outline your responsibilities as well as those of the condominium association. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what will it take to buy this property? We are finding some price points can be very competitive and multiple offers are received on a property. Does the highest offer always win? Well, sometimes yes, sometimes no. The seller may look more favorably on an offer that can close quickly or an offer with fewer contingencies. The seller may also still have an emotional attachment to the home, so you as a buyer may want to write them a letter to submit with your offer, letting them know how much you love the home and how it would suit you and your family. You may also want to add an escalation clause to your offer as well. More about an escalation clause in a future real estate advisors. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I pay for a rate on test? We strongly recommend that you test your home. Rate on is a colorless, odorless, and naturally occurring gas found in this part of Florida. Why test? Because it's been found to be the second leading cause of lung cancer. The test needs to be set up for a minimum of 48 hours. The testing device takes readings all during that time and records the levels that averages the rate on levels. If the levels average below four pico-curies per liter, it's deemed acceptable. If four or over, then the levels should be mitigated so they are reduced to the acceptable levels. Who tests for rate on? Most home inspectors can test for rate on, but only a rate on reduction contractor is qualified to install systems to reduce the levels. After the system is installed, additional tests are done to ensure that the levels have been properly reduced. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I have a survey done before I purchase a property? We always recommend a survey, even if nothing has changed since the last one was done. You will want to know exactly where your boundaries are, in case you want to add a fence or outbuilding or landscaping in the future. Even more importantly, you'll want to know if current fencing, outbuildings, and landscaping is on your property or your neighbor's property. You may need to ask them to remove items and crouching on the property you are purchasing, or your new neighbor may ask you to move them at your expense if they encroach on their property. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker, associate with Coldwell Banker, and today's question for the real estate advisors is, what determines if the real estate market is a buyer's market or seller's market? The short answer is supply and demand. If there are more homes on the market than buyers able to buy, then it's a buyer's market. The buyers have the upper hand and oftentimes sellers have to negotiate more on pricing. This can put downward pressure on pricing. If on the other hand there are more buyers than homes on the market, then sellers have the upper hand and there's upward pressure on pricing. Oftentimes you will see multiple offers on properties in this case. Remember, this can vary widely from city to city and even neighborhood to neighborhood. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. This is Georgia Turner, broker associate with Coldwell Banker. And today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are few tips when selling your home? Your home is on the market and your first showing is scheduled. What do you need to prepare to get ready? Make sure you put your best foot forward. You never get a second chance for that first impression. Open blinds, turn on lights, pick up straighten up. A sparkling clean home will make a big impression. Expect buyers to open and look in your closets, straighten up cabinets. They want to be sure that there's room for their stuff. Do not stay for the showing. Buyers will not feel comfortable looking at your home with you standing there. Also, if you have video and audio surveillance, disclose that to the realtor. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org-slash-realestate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Collwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the oldest building in Tallahassee? The oldest building in Tallahassee is known as the columns and was built by William Money Williams in 1830. It was originally on Park Avenue and Adam Street but was moved to 100 North Devall Street in 1971. Other fun facts about Tallahassee include the current capital building designed by Edward Stone is the third tallest capital building in the United States, right after Washington DC and Austin. The Tallahassee police department is the third oldest in the nation. He was founded in 1841. Doke Campbell Stadium is the biggest Atlantic Coast Conference football stadium and is also the country's biggest continuous brick structure. Also, FSUs believe to be where streaking was invented. Wally Amos, founder of famous Amos cookies, was born and raised in Tallahassee and Tallahassee is the only Florida city that has ever recorded a sub-zero temperature of negative two degrees in 1899. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do deals fall apart? Sometimes things don't go according to plan. Some of the main things that come up are, first, buyers remorse. This sets in anywhere from an hour to a few days after the ink has dried on the contract. Everyone has second thoughts, but think long and hard about your end goal before doing anything permanent. Next up would be repairs. Anywhere from misunderstanding who will fix what to thinking a repair will be $10,000. Real facts and figures help here. Get an estimate from one or two contractors and see what that repair really costs. What you thought was a $10,000 problem may actually be an easy $300 fix. The third problem is, surprise, buyers are sometimes not good money managers. This is not the time to take out any new debt or spend the money that the bank expects to be in your account. And last, financing. Many times these days you don't know if your buyer is actually going to get the loan until a few days before closing. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is real estate a good investment. Yes, it almost always is, but if you are under the age of 25, there is another great investment to look into. It is a magic of compound interest. If you can invest $5,000 right now at a reasonable rate of return, you should be able to double your money every 5 to 7 years. If you are under 25, you should be able to double that money 8 times. You would be in your 70s, but let's look at the numbers. $5,000 right now, then it would be 10,000, 20,000, 40, 80, 160, 320, then $640,000, then $1.2 million. If you can put away $5,000 right now and don't touch it. If that seems out of reach, invest $100 right now. Everybody can come up with $100. Invest $100 today and it will be $100,000 when you're in your 70s. It will be the easiest $100,000 you will ever make. The real estate advisor is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, could it be my home is outdated? If you're thinking of putting your house on the market soon, it is time to take a step back and take a cold hard look at your decor. You may still love some of the dated touches you put in years ago, or maybe you don't want to go through the trouble and expense of updating to current colors and finishes. I do understand, but once you put your house on the market, it is no longer your house anymore, and you need to start looking at it from a potential buyer's point of view. The things that scream dated the most to buyers are, wide appliances, busy wallpaper, bold paint colors, dated fixtures and hardware, especially anything with a gold finish, tile countertops, popcorn ceilings, carpet in the bathrooms, wood paneling, and linoleum floors. Choose materials and colors that are neutral and will appeal to a wide range of people. Aiming for neutrality is the best way to ensure your home is in fashion and will not turn off any buyers. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I found a great rental online but they want me to mail the deposit out of the country. Is this a scam? Yes, there are several scams prevalent in today's marketplace. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Here are some other red flags to look for. The property is listed by two different parties at two different prices on the same website. The price is way below market value. The property pops on and off the market within hours. The owner of the property is in a foreign country, often saying they're missionaries, military personnel or professors. There's no sign in the yard or there is a sign and the person is different from whom you are talking to online. You're asked to provide personal information, bank account numbers for wiring, social security number, a copy of your driver's license. They ask you just to look in the windows and then send or wire money. Be careful and always know who you're dealing with, especially in an online transaction. The real estate advisor is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I protect my property listing from rental scams? The new big scam I see most often today is a scammer will lift your property listing information and put it up as a rental. The ads will say something like, call me directly, ignore the sign in the yard, send me $1,000 and I'll send you the keys. They're getting more and more sophisticated every day. So here's a quick and easy way to check if your property listing has been hijacked as a rental or any other listing. Do a web search for your house image. Open two windows on your web browser. In one, open an image search tool such as Google Images. Then in the other, open a website with your listing photo in it. Click on that photo and hold down the mouse button while you drag the picture back into the first window you opened and drop the picture into the search bar. Then you will see all of the places your home photo has been appearing online. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can I do to build the perfect patio? Patio's are great and can be enjoyed almost year round. The first thing to consider when you're putting in the patio is just like any other real estate. Location, location, location. How are you going to use the patio? Do you want every minute in the sun or a little shelter in the shade? Do you want the patio near the house-freeze access or maybe down in a flat spot if you have a sloping yard? Next, think of the size and shape you want for your patio. Also, think of adding built-ins such as seating, fire pits, planters, water features, maybe even a hot tub. Materials vary widely. Concrete patios of today can be tinted, stamped, and decorated in many different ways. There's also natural stone, flagstone, clay bricks, and pavers that come in a variety of shape sizes and colors. Make sure you check on the location of any utility cables before you dig. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new trends to look for in homes today? The next big trend I see coming up is home automation. People want to control more and more aspects of their home through their smartphones. Smart home technologies will add utility as well as value to your home as some buyers are now looking for these features to already be in place when they buy a home. You can probably get a starter kit of smart devices to enhance your home for about a thousand dollars. There are three basic types of technologies to look for. The first is home systems control. That would be your temperature and lighting controls and ways to turn the appliances on and off when you're not home. Next would be home accessibility products that can allow you to grant access to your home remotely or open and close the garage door. And lastly, you'd want to look for security and monitoring products that can monitor your home remotely and send you notifications in case of any kind of disturbance. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calville Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what features are most wanted by homeowners? I was reading an interesting article the other day on the top 13 features that homeowners want the most. Surprisingly, the number one item was a laundry room by a whopping 92%. So when people ask me for advice on what upgrades to look at or where to concentrate their limited renovation budget or what type of things to consider adding to their floor plan when building a new home, these are the features I think you should keep in mind. The number one thing is at laundry room. This is followed by energy star appliances, then exterior lighting. Next, larger kitchen and bathrooms, no surprise there. Number five is energy star windows, followed by ceiling fans at number six. Next on the list is a patio. Number eight is a full bathroom on the main level. Number nine, hardwood floors. Number ten, more insulation. Next up is garage storage, followed by an eating kitchen and coming in at number 13 is a walk-in pantry. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking at my tax role assessment. Is that what my house is really worth? I have had people who are looking to buy a house, pull up the tax role, and tell me that house is only worth so much because that is what the tax role assessment says. Your tax assessment is what your home is valued at for tax purposes. It does not represent what your home might be worth in today's market. The tax assessor can only raise the taxes on your home's debt a maximum of 2-3% a year. So, even if your home may have doubled in value, your assessment will not reflect that. The only time they can fully reassess a home is when it is sold. So, if a home has been sold in the last year or two, the tax assessment on the tax role is probably pretty close to the value of the house. But if they've been there over five years, it will not be reflective of today's market at all. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what should I do inside my house to stage it for showing? If you're looking to make a good first impression on a buyer when your house is being shown, a little work up front will go a long way. First and foremost, you need to clear off the clutter from all surfaces. You want your house to show like a model home. No surface should have more than three items on it, and the bigger the items, the better. You don't have to clear out a closet to make it feel bigger, but clear enough out so that one third of it is empty. Also, any bookcases and pantries should have a few shelves that are one third empty. Take down any personal pictures. Do a thorough cleaning of the entire house and pay extra attention to the kitchen and the bathrooms as these rooms have to be spotless. Have your tile and grout steamed cleaned by a carpet cleaner. They will look brand new. And it doesn't hurt to bake some cookies. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Telehassy to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment? The SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment was brought about because of the inequity and tax role assessments of a home's value for tax purposes. Someone who has been in their home quite a long time will have a vastly lower assessment than what their house is worth. So someone who has just bought a home will get a full tax assessment while the person next door to them may be paying only half of that. Some older folks were feeling trapped in their homes because if they moved they could not afford to pay the current tax rates. So the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment came about where you could take your lower assessment with you to your new home. So if your home was assessed $50,000 less than what it was worth, you would be able to reduce the assessment on your new home by $50,000 in order for you to be able to pay roughly the same taxes. It wouldn't be locked out of moving to a new home because you can't afford the taxes. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at TLHrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what type of maintenance should I be doing on my home? It is always a good idea to keep up on maintenance on your home, whether you're thinking of selling or not. Have your heat and air conditioner service once a year and replace the air filter every three months. Keeping bugs out can be as simple as repairing holes in the windows and door screens. You can also keep bugs out by sealing cracks and holes on the outside of the house, as well as inside at baseboards behind the sinks and around pipes and windows. Speaking of windows, make sure yours are in good condition and have a tight fit. Clean the tracks and replace any torn or missing weather stripping. Preventing outside air from leaking in will help reduce your energy bills. Clean your gutters of debris. This will keep them working and help to avoid any wood rot that occurs from water overflow. Focusing on these small jobs now can lead to big savings of your time and money in the future. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when a buyer is coming to look at my home, should I be there? One of the first questions I usually get on showings is, should you be there or not? And that is definitely no. If somebody is coming back to look at your home for the third or fourth time, it might not hurt to be around for questions. But when they are first coming to look at your home, you should not be there. You will tend to say things that might turn off a potential buyer. I had one seller comment on the deer that would occasionally come into the backyard. The buyer was deathly afraid of animals and immediately crossed that house off her list, even though the house was perfect for her. Also, buyers are not comfortable opening closet doors while you're standing there. And nobody is going to buy a home when they have not looked in the closets. So as much as you would like to be there to help, it is usually not a good idea. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I save my money or buy investment property for retirement? That is a good question. Let's look at some numbers. I talked with a financial planner and asked how much money would I have to save if I retired in 15 to 20 years and wanted to make $2,000 a month from the money that I saved. She came back and said I would have to save $800,000. Or I can find a property that costs about $200,000 that makes $2,000 a month in rent. I could buy that property for about $50,000 down plus closing costs. The mortgage would be $1,100 a month on a 30 year loan. Barring lots of repairs, you should be able to make about $10,000 a year. Send that $10,000 to your mortgage and you should have the property paid off in 15 to 20 years. Then you would make the $2,000 a month from the rent. So $2,000 a month for retirement for $800,000 or $50,000. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new closing disclosures? Already October 1st of 2015, new required closing disclosures went into effect. These are the statements you receive at closing that list your closing costs and the amount of money you bring to closing. The traditional good faith estimate, the truth in lending disclosure and the HUD 1 are all being combined and streamlined to provide consumers more transparency regarding what you're paying for a mortgage and the related closing costs. You will now get a loan estimate and a closing disclosure that are similar so you can easily compare what you were promised when you applied for your loan and what you receive and pay in closing costs. The new disclosure must be provided three days before closing. Check this disclosure thoroughly as soon as you get it and call your lender immediately if you notice any problems. If the bank needs to make any adjustments that triggers another three day period which could delay closing. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I become a real estate agent? This is a question I do get quite often. If you were thinking of starting a career in real estate, I would suggest having at least six months of savings in the bank. This gives you plenty of time to get started and established without having to panic about paying the next month's bills. Look into taking a class to prepare yourself for the test. You can do this locally in a sit down classroom or take a class online. Then you need to take and pass the real estate test. Then start interviewing real estate companies and ask about their training programs. You can also get training at the board of realtors. And speaking of the board, you should join your local board of realtors as well as the state association of realtors and the national association of realtors. Buy some business cars to start passing out. You can expect to spend at least $1,000 on the expenses just listed. If you have energy and are organized, real estate could be a great career for you. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking to buy an auction property. What should I do? When an auction property comes up on the market, you can usually bid over a couple of days. But most of the action is going to happen in the last hour or two of the auction, and they will usually extend the auction as long as people are still actively bidding. If you win the auction, you have just bought a house and have to put down a deposit and a buyer's premium immediately. Make sure you've done all your homework and do diligence before now, because it is very difficult and very costly to back out. Before you bid, make sure you have a thorough home inspection done along with a termite and wood rotten inspection. Have your attorney or title company run a title search on the property to make sure that there are no outstanding leans or other problems with the property. There usually repairs you have to do, but auctions can be a great way to get a good price on a house. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm going to buy a house. What can I do to ensure a smooth and easy closing? There are three main things you can do that will make your real estate closing as hassle-free as possible. First, get pre-approved for the loan. Working with your lender ahead of time to secure your financing not only helps determine what you can afford, but it also helps uncover any problems that might come up and impact your closing. Second, listen to your lender and your Realtor. Buying a home involves a mountain of paperwork, so be prepared. And just when you think you're done submitting the last of the forms, the bank will undoubtedly want something more. Always respond to your lender requests very promptly. And third, stay calm. Everyone agrees. Be flexible. Be responsive. And above all, remain calm. Your lender will ask you for all sorts of last-minute details. Don't take it personally. Sometimes things just come up at the last minute. Stay calm and keep your eye on the prize. Closing and owning your new home. The real estate advisor's is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I bought a house. What type of inspections do I need? Once you have negotiated a contract on a house, you usually have 10 to 15 days to conduct inspections to verify all the systems are in good working order. You should start with a full home inspection. These inspectors will check all of the systems, the heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as any appliances. Sometimes you will need additional inspections from an air conditioning company or a fireplace specialist if there are any problems found in those areas. You will also want a radon inspection. Radon is a naturally occurring gas found in the ground that sometimes seeps into homes and causes elevated levels that you will want to have mitigated. If there is a septic tank, you will need to pay for having the tank pumped as well as the inspection because they need to pump the tank to be able to visually inspect it. And if there is a pool, you should plan on a pool inspection also. Quite a lot of inspections, but they will give you peace of mind. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am moving. Do I need to move everything? If you're moving, this is a great time to go through your belongings, get rid of some stuff and simplify your life a little bit. There are many wonderful charities that you can donate quite a variety of items to, and some of them will even pick up. Think of the items that you have been debating letting go of and donate some of that furniture. Trim down your kitchen gadgets and appliances, and go through your clothes and donate anything that you haven't worn in the last two years. Find out your entire pantry and take everything to a local food bank and feed some of the hungry folks around town. Don't forget to grab a receipt and give it to your accountant at the end of the year for a tax deduction. This is a great way to free up some space, help the local community, and trim down the number of boxes that you'll need to move. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm new to the area and needs some repair work done around my home. Where can I find someone who is qualified and trustworthy? In addition to helping customers buy or sell a home, local realtors are a great resource for all sorts of information in the community and typically have developed relationships with people in the trade and service industries, including carpenters, plumbers, ceramic tile installers, made services, tree surgeons, pet care providers, and many more. A realtor knows their community and can help customers in selecting an area of town based on a buyer's interest, such as schools, parks, beaches, trails, culture, arts, local and regional attractions, and points of interest. A relationship with your realtor may hold more value than just helping you find a place to call home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I wanted to check my credit score and report. Where should I look? Checking your credit report at least once a year, or even more often is imperative in this day and age of cybercrime and information hacking. People's identities and even business identities are stolen every day. One of the best things you can do is to check through your entire credit report once a year, even if you've had no problems that you're aware of. The government has a site that you can check once a year, and it will not count as an inquiry on your credit report. You can access a copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. Obtaining your credit score on the site may require the payment of a nominal fee, but the credit report itself is free of charge. Other sites advertised are commercial sites and will charge you a fee to access your credit report. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com This is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much house can I buy? Knowing this in the beginning of your home search will save you a lot of grief down the road. The best bet to answering this question is to call a local bank or mortgage company. They can give you a very accurate figure. They can also send a pre-qualification letter, which you will need anyways. But if you're looking for a quick and dirty way to figure out what price range you can afford, start with your monthly gross salary. Take 28-32% of that depending on what type of loan you're getting. This is the maximum amount of a mortgage payment that you can have. Then, take 43% of your monthly salary. This is the maximum amount of total debt that you can have, including your mortgage. Why just 43%? Because they want you to have money left over to pay your taxes, buy food, gas, etc. So take that 43% amount and subtract your monthly payments like your car payment and credit cards and the final figure is what you qualify for. Or the 28% figure, whichever is lower. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, am I ready to buy a home? If you're wondering if a home purchase is a good decision for you, here's a few questions to ask yourself. Do you have the desire to commit to the same community for the next five to seven years? Are you stable in your career? Why do you want to buy? Buying a home is a great way to increase your personal wealth. Are your finances ready? Do you have good credit? Do you have a pattern of paying your bills on time? And do you have savings? If you're looking to buy a $200,000 home, you need about $19,000 for down payment, closing costs and prepaids. Don't forget about your moving expenses. You should also have some cash reserves for any unexpected surprises that might come up. I had to put in a new sewer line in the older home I recently bought. That took all of my landscape and decorating budget and plus a little bit more. But if you can answer yes to these questions, then a home purchase may be right for you. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the best home improvements to do now that will help improve the resale value of my home later? If you're looking to sell your home in a few years, you don't want to pay for impractical or expensive improvements now that will be out of style by the time you put that 4 sales sign in your yard. You want to look at traditional and fashionable upgrades that will provide value and aesthetic beauty for years to come. New kitchens top the list. New countertops and appliances are usually a sure bet. Bathrooms are next. Be sure to avoid all white as that usually looks too sterile. Bring in some light by adding skylights or sun tunnels if you can. Put up some extra storage shelves or cabinets to reduce the clutter in your home. Add an island into the kitchen. Put down some hardwood floors. Popular outdoor items include fireplaces, decks, fountains, and landscaping. And an outdoor kitchen can definitely boost the wow factor for your resale. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I rent or should I buy? I'm often asked the question, is it better to rent or buy a house? The length of time is one of the biggest factors in making this decision. You need to ask yourself, how long do you plan on living there? Is your job stable? Are you subject to being transferred for your job? Do you have any looming family issues that might take you out of town for an extended period of time? If you think you're likely to stay in the house for less than one to three years, then it is better to rent. The market at most of Tallahassee is back to normal, where you can make about 2-3% appreciation a year on your home. That means it will take you about two years just to be able to break even if you had to sell your home quickly. So, if you're going to be in your home for less than three years, you should look at rent team. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much money do I need to buy a house? Closing costs are always a big question on every home buyer's mind. There are three main parts to your closing costs. There's your down payment, then you have the closing costs, such as title insurance, appraisals, surveys, bank underwriting fees, all of that sort of thing. Finally, you have prepaids, which is setting up an escrow account to pay for your taxes and insurance. If you're buying a house for $200,000 and putting down 5% with the bank, your costs are going to run about $19,000. The 5% down payment will be $10,000 of it, then there's about $6,000 in closing costs, and another $3,000 for your prepaids. But, in many cases, you can ask the seller to pay some of your closing costs. You always have to put down your own down payment and prepaids, but you can ask the seller to pay most apart of your closing costs. In this case, that could save you up to $6,000. The real estate advisor's is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor, and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Calville Banker, Heart Tung, and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when is the buying season for houses? People are always asking me if this is a good time to put their homes on the market. Is there a better time than others? There is definitely a cycle when it comes to buying homes. March to June is the high season for buying, and then everyone wants to move in July in between school years. August, it slows down a little bit as everybody's getting ready for school to start. September to November is a slow but even pace. At the beginning of the holidays, you get the round of investors coming in, snapping at properties before the end of the year, which is followed by the steep drop in buyers until the end of the year. Then on January 1st, we get a surge of calls from new buyers that last for about two weeks. About the same as New Year's resolutions. Now, February, February is the lowest inventory month because everybody is waiting on the high season to list their homes, making that a great time to sell. The real estate advisor is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heartung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker, Heartung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what exactly is title insurance? Title insurance is where they are ensuring the title to your home. If you bought a house and someone came and knocked on your door and said, you know, an uncle of mine came to you 40 years ago and owns part of this property, that is where your title insurance would come in. They'll go to court or they'll fix the problem or they'll pay you back for any losses that you might incur from such a claim. The title company or attorney who does your closing will do a thorough title search for you. Going back as much as 30 years to check for any claims, deed changes or judgments that haven't been satisfied or taken care of, they'll make sure that there's no tax leans on your house or other nasty surprises that sometimes come up during these searches. At closing you will get a clear title to your property, so you don't have to worry about answering your door. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can we do to increase our curb appeal? Curb appeal is very important. It often makes a difference between somebody deciding to look at your home or not. Stand across the street and take an honest appraisal of what a potential buyer will see. Make sure that all the beds are weeded and new pine straws put down. Add some flowers to give a splash of color. When was the last time you used your front door? Polish up that hardware and paint the door. Make sure the glass is sparkling clean and brush away all of the spider webs. Press your wash, your front steps, walkways, driveway, and parking areas. What about your mailbox? Give it a fresh coat of paint and replace the numbers. If somebody is driving along looking for the address, this is the first thing that will catch their eye. A little bit of effort and a modest budget can make a big difference in your home's curb appeal. Set the tone right and get ready to invite buyers into your home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm buying a house that has polybutylene pipes. Should I be concerned? Polybutylene is a form of plastic that was used extensively for water supply piping from 1978 to 1995 as a cheap substitute for copper pipes. They're usually gray, but they can be white with adult finish. There are several different kinds of polybutylene pipes, but there's one in particular that has the wrong type of fittings. These are the ones that cause most of the problems. Your home inspector should check for these pipes in your home inspection. You will also want to check with your insurance company for their policy on these pipes. Some insurance companies will say they cover them, but then they exclude water damage, which is the damage you will have. So they're not really covering your polybutylene pipes. And if you do find you have polybutylene pipes, you do have the option of changing out the pipes to copper for a couple thousand dollars. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do short sales take so long? Despite the name short sale, there is nothing short or quick about a short sale. With a short sale, the owner of the property is trying to sell their property for less than they owe on their mortgage. When you put in an offer, it starts with the owner. Once that has been agreed upon, then the offer goes to the bank. During that time, the bank figures out the least they can take on the mortgage, then they go back and negotiate with the owner on how to cover or write off the deficiency that is left on the mortgage. Once that has agreed upon, the bank replies back to the buyer, with an acceptance or a counter offer. This often takes two to six months just to hear back on your offer and then another 30 to 60 days to close. There is nothing quick about a short sale, but for those buyers that have the patience and no set timelines or deadlines, they can be a chance to get an incredible bargain on a home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale? A foreclosure is a property that is wholly owned by the bank. They have gone through the entire process of obtaining the property back from the owner. They know what all the fees and the payoffs are at this point. The bank can negotiate with you and can usually give you an answer on your offer within 48 hours and can close on the property in 30 to 60 days or even sooner with a cash buyer. A short sale is a property that still has the owner involved in the sale. The owner is trying to sell the property for less than they still owe on their mortgage. So your offer goes to the owner, then to the bank, and it often takes two to six months to hear back on your offer. And then another 30 to 60 days to close. For closures and short sales are often a great way to get a bargain on a home, depending on the work that is needed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between an as is sale and a warranted sale? There are three basic ways you can make an offer on a house. The first is warranted with a clear WDO. Warranted means the seller would have to fix anything wrong with the systems of the house. The heating and cooling, the plumbing system, the electrical system, or any appliances that they leave. Second, you can also ask for not warranted, but with a clear WDO. The WDO is the Wood Destroyed Organism Report, also known as the termite letter. A clear WDO means the seller would fix any Woodrot, mold, fungus, carpenter bees, powder post beetles, anything that would eat wood, thus the Wood Destroyed Organism Name. Lastly, you can make your offer as is where is, meaning the seller would not have to fix anything. This is typical of bank foreclosure homes. With any of these offers, you should be able to do inspections in a certain time period and back out if you don't like the results. The real estate advisors is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm hearing a lot about wire fraud and closings. What should I watch for? One of the big problems today with closings is wire fraud. Crooks are getting very sophisticated and finding emails of people in real estate transactions and go to great lengths to recreate those email chains to look like you're getting new wire instructions from your lender or Realtor. You will open an email that says, the wire instructions have changed. Please send your wire to dot dot dot. It will look like it's from Cindy Cooper, but the last name is spelled with an e instead of an r at the end. And the whole email chain that you've been a part of is there beneath it. It's very easy to miss. Once the wire is sent, even if you catch it right away, usually the money is moved within minutes and is gone. The big key is to never trust wire instructions sent through an email. Always call the source and verify all wiring information verbally. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, is there ever a time or a market when nothing sells? There has always been a certain amount of houses that sell every single month in Tallahassee. No matter if it's a good or bad market or the busy or slow time, there are always about 200 houses a month sold here in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas. Because there's always reasons people have to buy in cell houses. There are job transfers, moves, marriages, deaths, divorces, and babies. These things that trigger home sales happen all the time. What does go up and down is the inventory of homes available for sale. We have an average of around 1200 houses and townhouses on the market at any given time. When the market was really terrible several years ago, we had 7,000 homes on the market. And 200 sales a month out of 7,000 available might not seem like much, but the houses were still selling at the exact same pace as they always did. Tallahassee's advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between warranted and home warranty? Many people confuse a warranted home with a home warranty. When you buy a house, you can buy it as is or warranted. Warranted means the seller would fix anything wrong with the systems of the house, the heating and air, the plumbing system, the electrical system, and any appliances that they leave. You can also buy a house with or without a clear WDO or termite letter, but that is a different part. That covers wood, rot, fungus, mold, carpenter bees, things like that. But warranted means the seller is warranting the systems of the house to be in working order. A home warranty is basically an insurance policy you can buy to cover the systems of the house. They're usually for one year, and if anything goes wrong with any of the systems or appliances, you can call the warranty company, and for a standard fee, usually $75 or $100, they will come out and fix or replace the item that is broken. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I sell or rent my home? If you don't need the cash out of your current home to buy your next home and are prepared to be a landlord, a rental can provide predictable long-term income. Your first consideration is, can you afford two homes? You need to be able to qualify for the new home and be able to pay for all the costs for both properties, including mortgage payments, repairs, upkeep, and yard maintenance. Next, consider if the old property is likely to appreciate. You can never predict the future, but you can determine if trends in your neighborhood are pointing towards up and coming or on the decline. Also, you want to look at tax consequences. If you've owned your home for a long time, you probably have a great amount of equity built up. You can write off capital gains on your homestead, but not after it's been turned into a rental property. So be sure you're not throwing away a significant tax write off. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org-realestate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cobble Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, which home improvements recoup the most money? The new yearly cost versus value report is out and the number one project for return on your investment is Addic Insulation, with an average return of over 107%. Now this is not a high cost project, so let's take a look at some others. If you're doing a major kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel, the average return is 50 to 60% of your investment dollars. But if you're looking at just a minor remodel, those numbers jump to 60 to 80%. Next with a high return is a front door replacement in the 70 to 90% range, depending on if you're just doing the front door or a whole entrance and also if you're using a regular or a steel door. This is followed by a garage door replacement in the 75 to 80% range. Window replacements will get you 70 to 75% and generators or decks will give you a solid 50 to 60% return on your money. The real estate advisors is a service of City Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I keep my home safer from burglars? By now, everyone knows not to put the box from your new TV out at the street. It just screams, come and get me to any potential burglars. Some other good ideas are to maintain the outside of your property. Not only will it look good and keep your neighbors happy, but a well-maintained yard to tears, thieves and vandals who target vacant houses. Know your neighbors, introduce them to your real estate agent so they know who will be coming and going from your home. Embrace the power of lighting. Lock your doors and reinforce those locks. Invest in good locks and strike plates and a solid door frame. And don't forget new technology. Not only do most new buyers ask for it, it can also make your safety a snap. Smart home technology can remotely control lighting and music, see who is at your front door and even change the thermostat. Even that old-fashioned timing device for lamps is still a good idea. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am buying a home as is. What is the difference between as is compared to warranted? When you're riding a contract, one of the items to negotiate will be if you're taking the home as is or warranted. If the seller elects to sell the house warranted, that means he is warranting that the systems of the house are in good working order up until the day of closing. Systems being the heating and cooling, electrical plumbing and any appliances he is leaving. If you take the house as is, where is? That means there'll be no repairs made at all by the seller. This is often the case with foreclosure sales. You can also buy a house as is, but with the seller providing a clear WDO or would destroy an organism's report, also known as the termite letter. Some banks will require a clear WDO. This means the seller will fix any wood rock, fungus, mold, carpenter bees or termites. So purchasing a home as is can mean two different things, negotiate accordingly. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, George Eterner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I save money on plumbing repairs? Every home has plumbing issues at some point. One of the best ways to save money on plumbing repairs is usually old-fashioned preventative maintenance, most of which you can do yourself. In order to fix leaks timely, you have to be able to see them. Don't treat that space under your sink as a storage cabinet, treat it as a maintenance space. Keep it clean and clear. Your garbage disposal is not a trash can. Keep the grease out and run hot water through it during and after use. It is not normal for your sink to take 10 minutes to drain. Use a drain cleaner or clean out the pee trap underneath the sink. Dripping faucets and running toilets are usually in the realm of most do-it-yourselfers. The parts are cheap and you can find manuals and tutorials to guide you. These are easy fixes, but if the problem is beyond these, it may be time to call in a professional. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm a for sale by owner, any advice on showing my home? Yes, get a Realtor, no, just kidding. I do know people who are selling their own homes and I always give a little safety talk to them with the things I've learned over the years. First, get all of your buyer's information before you agree to let them into your home. What is their full name, their phone number, and email address? Then, when you have them coming back to look at your home, have them lead the way. Don't walk into a room first as they can easily cut off your means of escape. Let them walk into a room first, go up the stairs first, go into the garage or the patio first. Always have a direct line to a doorway at all times. Next, let someone know you're showing the house and feel free to share that with your buyer. Say, oh, my sister is coming over right when we are done here. Always remember, no sale is worth your safety. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, do you have any negotiation tips to share? Yes, I do know a few. First off, always counter every contract and counter quickly. Don't let your potential buyers cool down or find another home. No one is still as excited about a deal four days later. Next, send a clear signal that you're slowing down. You can do this by offering less and less each time you counter back. If you want them to come down $5,000, start at $10,000 off the price. You want to leave yourself enough room to go back and forth a couple of times. Never start with your best or final offer and never say during negotiations. This is my final offer. It is too hard to go back if you don't really mean that. But all that being said, if there is another offer on the table, then all negotiations go right out the window. You need to be prepared to offer full price or more if you have decided this is indeed your new home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some good tips for moving? Moving is always a little crazy, so the following tips and tricks may help with the havoc. When packing glasses, put them in tube socks to prevent cracks. Also, you can usually pick up boxes with cardboard separators at your local liquor store. To prevent necklaces and bracelets from tangling up, use an empty toilet paper roll or a drinking straw. Thread each chain through the toilet paper roll or the straw and fasten the clasp. When you're packing your ceramic plates, use bubble wrap or put paper plates in between them. Slide a trash bag over your hanging clothes to make them easier to stack and carry. Use your towels, sheets, and dishcloths to cushion other objects, pack pillows at the top of your boxes, and wrap artwork in blankets. For electronics, use the plastic tabs from bread to wrap electronic cords and prevent tangles. Be sure to label them and snap a picture of where they were before you disconnect them. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, do you have any tips to make moving easier? Moving is never easy, but here are a few tips to help with the headache of moving into your new home. Photograph all of your cords. This will make it easier to reconnect them later. Get a Movers Guide from the Post Office. You need to notify them of your new address anyway, and it includes helpful coupons. Color code your boxes to the different rooms in the house. Anything you need immediately after moving should be marked or packed in red. Make sure these important boxes go on the truck last so they will come off the truck first. Your important boxes should contain one first night essential box. Put in medications, toothbrushes, change of clothes, anything else you will need that first night. Pack a first day cleaning kit so you can clean out cabinets and closets before you move your items in, and put valuables and important documents in a special box and put it away in your car away from all the activity. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the top questions buyers ask sellers? When a buyer finally finds the home of their dreams, they often have a list of questions for the seller. There are, however, certain questions that come up time and time again. If you're looking to sell your home, take the time to answer some of these questions and leave a sellers' disclosure or other information at the house so the buyers will see it when they are there looking at your home. The most frequently asked questions are, how old is the house? When was it last renovated? Who did the work and were all the appropriate permits pulled? How old is the roof? What appliances and fixtures are included in the sale? How much are homeowners' association fees, average utility bills, lawn service or pool maintenance? And how old is the air conditioner? Sellers who provide the answers to these questions before they are asked will save time and appear very helpful and honest to the buyer. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Collwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the oldest building in Tallahassee? The oldest building in Tallahassee is known as the columns and was built by William Money Williams in 1830. It was originally on Park Avenue and Adam Street but was moved to 100 North Devall Street in 1971. Other fun facts about Tallahassee include the current capital building designed by Edward Stone is the third tallest capital building in the United States, right after Washington DC and Austin. The Tallahassee police department is the third oldest in the nation. He was founded in 1841. Doke Campbell Stadium is the biggest Atlantic Coast Conference football stadium and is also the country's biggest continuous brick structure. Also, FSUs believe to be where streaking was invented. Wally Amos, founder of famous Amos cookies, was born and raised in Tallahassee and Tallahassee is the only Florida city that has ever recorded a sub-zero temperature of negative two degrees in 1899. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do deals fall apart? Sometimes things don't go according to plan. Some of the main things that come up are, first, buyers remorse. This sets in anywhere from an hour to a few days after the ink has dried on the contract. Everyone has second thoughts, but think long and hard about your end goal before doing anything permanent. Next up would be repairs. Anywhere from misunderstanding who will fix what to thinking a repair will be $10,000. Real facts and figures help here. Get an estimate from one or two contractors and see what that repair really costs. What you thought was a $10,000 problem may actually be an easy $300 fix. The third problem is, surprise, buyers are sometimes not good money managers. This is not the time to take out any new debt or spend the money that the bank expects to be in your account. And last, financing. Many times these days you don't know if your buyer is actually going to get the loan until a few days before closing. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is real estate a good investment. Yes, it almost always is, but if you are under the age of 25, there is another great investment to look into. It is a magic of compound interest. If you can invest $5,000 right now at a reasonable rate of return, you should be able to double your money every 5 to 7 years. If you are under 25, you should be able to double that money 8 times. You would be in your 70s, but let's look at the numbers. $5,000 right now, then it would be 10,000, 20,000, 40, 80, 160, 320, then $640,000, then $1.2 million. If you can put away $5,000 right now and don't touch it. If that seems out of reach, invest $100 right now. Everybody can come up with $100. Invest $100 today and it will be $100,000 when you're in your 70s. It will be the easiest $100,000 you will ever make. The real estate advisor is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, could it be my home is outdated? If you're thinking of putting your house on the market soon, it is time to take a step back and take a cold hard look at your decor. You may still love some of the dated touches you put in years ago, or maybe you don't want to go through the trouble and expense of updating to current colors and finishes. I do understand, but once you put your house on the market, it is no longer your house anymore, and you need to start looking at it from a potential buyer's point of view. The things that scream dated the most to buyers are, wide appliances, busy wallpaper, bold paint colors, dated fixtures and hardware, especially anything with a gold finish, tile countertops, popcorn ceilings, carpet in the bathrooms, wood paneling, and linoleum floors. Choose materials and colors that are neutral and will appeal to a wide range of people. Aiming for neutrality is the best way to ensure your home is in fashion and will not turn off any buyers. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I found a great rental online but they want me to mail the deposit out of the country. Is this a scam? Yes, there are several scams prevalent in today's marketplace. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Here are some other red flags to look for. The property is listed by two different parties at two different prices on the same website. The price is way below market value. The property pops on and off the market within hours. The owner of the property is in a foreign country, often saying they're missionaries, military personnel or professors. There's no sign in the yard or there is a sign and the person is different from whom you are talking to online. You're asked to provide personal information, bank account numbers for wiring, social security number, a copy of your driver's license. They ask you just to look in the windows and then send or wire money. Be careful and always know who you're dealing with, especially in an online transaction. The real estate advisor is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I protect my property listing from rental scams? The new big scam I see most often today is a scammer will lift your property listing information and put it up as a rental. The ads will say something like, call me directly, ignore the sign in the yard, send me $1,000 and I'll send you the keys. They're getting more and more sophisticated every day. So here's a quick and easy way to check if your property listing has been hijacked as a rental or any other listing. Do a web search for your house image. Open two windows on your web browser. In one, open an image search tool such as Google Images. Then in the other, open a website with your listing photo in it. Click on that photo and hold down the mouse button while you drag the picture back into the first window you opened and drop the picture into the search bar. Then you will see all of the places your home photo has been appearing online. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can I do to build the perfect patio? Patio's are great and can be enjoyed almost year round. The first thing to consider when you're putting in the patio is just like any other real estate. Location, location, location. How are you going to use the patio? Do you want every minute in the sun or a little shelter in the shade? Do you want the patio near the house-freeze access or maybe down in a flat spot if you have a sloping yard? Next, think of the size and shape you want for your patio. Also, think of adding built-ins such as seating, fire pits, planters, water features, maybe even a hot tub. Materials vary widely. Concrete patios of today can be tinted, stamped, and decorated in many different ways. There's also natural stone, flagstone, clay bricks, and pavers that come in a variety of shape sizes and colors. Make sure you check on the location of any utility cables before you dig. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new trends to look for in homes today? The next big trend I see coming up is home automation. People want to control more and more aspects of their home through their smartphones. Smart home technologies will add utility as well as value to your home as some buyers are now looking for these features to already be in place when they buy a home. You can probably get a starter kit of smart devices to enhance your home for about a thousand dollars. There are three basic types of technologies to look for. The first is home systems control. That would be your temperature and lighting controls and ways to turn the appliances on and off when you're not home. Next would be home accessibility products that can allow you to grant access to your home remotely or open and close the garage door. And lastly, you'd want to look for security and monitoring products that can monitor your home remotely and send you notifications in case of any kind of disturbance. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calville Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what features are most wanted by homeowners? I was reading an interesting article the other day on the top 13 features that homeowners want the most. Surprisingly, the number one item was a laundry room by a whopping 92%. So when people ask me for advice on what upgrades to look at or where to concentrate their limited renovation budget or what type of things to consider adding to their floor plan when building a new home, these are the features I think you should keep in mind. The number one thing is at laundry room. This is followed by energy star appliances, then exterior lighting. Next, larger kitchen and bathrooms, no surprise there. Number five is energy star windows, followed by ceiling fans at number six. Next on the list is a patio. Number eight is a full bathroom on the main level. Number nine, hardwood floors. Number ten, more insulation. Next up is garage storage, followed by an eating kitchen and coming in at number 13 is a walk-in pantry. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking at my tax role assessment. Is that what my house is really worth? I have had people who are looking to buy a house, pull up the tax role, and tell me that house is only worth so much because that is what the tax role assessment says. Your tax assessment is what your home is valued at for tax purposes. It does not represent what your home might be worth in today's market. The tax assessor can only raise the taxes on your home's debt a maximum of 2-3% a year. So, even if your home may have doubled in value, your assessment will not reflect that. The only time they can fully reassess a home is when it is sold. So, if a home has been sold in the last year or two, the tax assessment on the tax role is probably pretty close to the value of the house. But if they've been there over five years, it will not be reflective of today's market at all. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what should I do inside my house to stage it for showing? If you're looking to make a good first impression on a buyer when your house is being shown, a little work up front will go a long way. First and foremost, you need to clear off the clutter from all surfaces. You want your house to show like a model home. No surface should have more than three items on it, and the bigger the items, the better. You don't have to clear out a closet to make it feel bigger, but clear enough out so that one third of it is empty. Also, any bookcases and pantries should have a few shelves that are one third empty. Take down any personal pictures. Do a thorough cleaning of the entire house and pay extra attention to the kitchen and the bathrooms as these rooms have to be spotless. Have your tile and grout steamed cleaned by a carpet cleaner. They will look brand new. And it doesn't hurt to bake some cookies. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Telehassy to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment? The SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment was brought about because of the inequity and tax role assessments of a home's value for tax purposes. Someone who has been in their home quite a long time will have a vastly lower assessment than what their house is worth. So someone who has just bought a home will get a full tax assessment while the person next door to them may be paying only half of that. Some older folks were feeling trapped in their homes because if they moved they could not afford to pay the current tax rates. So the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment came about where you could take your lower assessment with you to your new home. So if your home was assessed $50,000 less than what it was worth, you would be able to reduce the assessment on your new home by $50,000 in order for you to be able to pay roughly the same taxes. It wouldn't be locked out of moving to a new home because you can't afford the taxes. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at TLHrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what type of maintenance should I be doing on my home? It is always a good idea to keep up on maintenance on your home, whether you're thinking of selling or not. Have your heat and air conditioner service once a year and replace the air filter every three months. Keeping bugs out can be as simple as repairing holes in the windows and door screens. You can also keep bugs out by sealing cracks and holes on the outside of the house, as well as inside at baseboards behind the sinks and around pipes and windows. Speaking of windows, make sure yours are in good condition and have a tight fit. Clean the tracks and replace any torn or missing weather stripping. Preventing outside air from leaking in will help reduce your energy bills. Clean your gutters of debris. This will keep them working and help to avoid any wood rot that occurs from water overflow. Focusing on these small jobs now can lead to big savings of your time and money in the future. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when a buyer is coming to look at my home, should I be there? One of the first questions I usually get on showings is, should you be there or not? And that is definitely no. If somebody is coming back to look at your home for the third or fourth time, it might not hurt to be around for questions. But when they are first coming to look at your home, you should not be there. You will tend to say things that might turn off a potential buyer. I had one seller comment on the deer that would occasionally come into the backyard. The buyer was deathly afraid of animals and immediately crossed that house off her list, even though the house was perfect for her. Also, buyers are not comfortable opening closet doors while you're standing there. And nobody is going to buy a home when they have not looked in the closets. So as much as you would like to be there to help, it is usually not a good idea. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I save my money or buy investment property for retirement? That is a good question. Let's look at some numbers. I talked with a financial planner and asked how much money would I have to save if I retired in 15 to 20 years and wanted to make $2,000 a month from the money that I saved. She came back and said I would have to save $800,000. Or I can find a property that costs about $200,000 that makes $2,000 a month in rent. I could buy that property for about $50,000 down plus closing costs. The mortgage would be $1,100 a month on a 30 year loan. Barring lots of repairs, you should be able to make about $10,000 a year. Send that $10,000 to your mortgage and you should have the property paid off in 15 to 20 years. Then you would make the $2,000 a month from the rent. So $2,000 a month for retirement for $800,000 or $50,000. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new closing disclosures? Already October 1st of 2015, new required closing disclosures went into effect. These are the statements you receive at closing that list your closing costs and the amount of money you bring to closing. The traditional good faith estimate, the truth in lending disclosure and the HUD 1 are all being combined and streamlined to provide consumers more transparency regarding what you're paying for a mortgage and the related closing costs. You will now get a loan estimate and a closing disclosure that are similar so you can easily compare what you were promised when you applied for your loan and what you receive and pay in closing costs. The new disclosure must be provided three days before closing. Check this disclosure thoroughly as soon as you get it and call your lender immediately if you notice any problems. If the bank needs to make any adjustments that triggers another three day period which could delay closing. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I become a real estate agent? This is a question I do get quite often. If you were thinking of starting a career in real estate, I would suggest having at least six months of savings in the bank. This gives you plenty of time to get started and established without having to panic about paying the next month's bills. Look into taking a class to prepare yourself for the test. You can do this locally in a sit down classroom or take a class online. Then you need to take and pass the real estate test. Then start interviewing real estate companies and ask about their training programs. You can also get training at the board of realtors. And speaking of the board, you should join your local board of realtors as well as the state association of realtors and the national association of realtors. Buy some business cars to start passing out. You can expect to spend at least $1,000 on the expenses just listed. If you have energy and are organized, real estate could be a great career for you. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking to buy an auction property. What should I do? When an auction property comes up on the market, you can usually bid over a couple of days. But most of the action is going to happen in the last hour or two of the auction, and they will usually extend the auction as long as people are still actively bidding. If you win the auction, you have just bought a house and have to put down a deposit and a buyer's premium immediately. Make sure you've done all your homework and do diligence before now, because it is very difficult and very costly to back out. Before you bid, make sure you have a thorough home inspection done along with a termite and wood rotten inspection. Have your attorney or title company run a title search on the property to make sure that there are no outstanding leans or other problems with the property. There usually repairs you have to do, but auctions can be a great way to get a good price on a house. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm going to buy a house. What can I do to ensure a smooth and easy closing? There are three main things you can do that will make your real estate closing as hassle-free as possible. First, get pre-approved for the loan. Working with your lender ahead of time to secure your financing not only helps determine what you can afford, but it also helps uncover any problems that might come up and impact your closing. Second, listen to your lender and your Realtor. Buying a home involves a mountain of paperwork, so be prepared. And just when you think you're done submitting the last of the forms, the bank will undoubtedly want something more. Always respond to your lender requests very promptly. And third, stay calm. Everyone agrees. Be flexible. Be responsive. And above all, remain calm. Your lender will ask you for all sorts of last-minute details. Don't take it personally. Sometimes things just come up at the last minute. Stay calm and keep your eye on the prize. Closing and owning your new home. The real estate advisor's is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Gulf beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I've bought a house. What type of inspections do I need? Once you have negotiated a contract on a house, you usually have 10 to 15 days to conduct inspections to verify all the systems are in good working order. You should start with a full home inspection. These inspectors will check all of the systems, the heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as any appliances. Sometimes you will need additional inspections from an air conditioning company or a fireplace specialist if there are any problems found in those areas. You will also want a raid on inspection. Rade on is a naturally occurring gas found in the ground that sometimes seeps into homes and causes elevated levels that you will want to have mitigated. If there is a septic tank, you will need to pay for having the tank pumped as well as the inspection because they need to pump the tank to be able to visually inspect it. And if there's a pool, you should plan on a pool inspection also. Quite a lot of inspections, but they will give you peace of mind. Submit a question for the real estate advisors at www.wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Information provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am moving. Do I need to move everything? If you're moving, this is a great time to go through your belongings, get rid of some stuff and simplify your life a little bit. There are many wonderful charities that you can donate quite a variety of items to, and some of them will even pick up. Think of the items that you have been debating letting go of and donate some of that furniture. Trim down your kitchen gadgets and appliances, and go through your clothes and donate anything that you haven't worn in the last two years. Find out your entire pantry and take everything to a local food bank and feed some of the hungry folks around town. Don't forget to grab a receipt and give it to your accountant at the end of the year for a tax deduction. This is a great way to free up some space, help the local community, and trim down the number of boxes that you'll need to move. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm new to the area and needs some repair work done around my home. Where can I find someone who is qualified and trustworthy? In addition to helping customers buy or sell a home, local realtors are a great resource for all sorts of information in the community and typically have developed relationships with people in the trade and service industries, including carpenters, plumbers, ceramic tile installers, made services, tree surgeons, pet care providers, and many more. A realtor knows their community and can help customers in selecting an area of town based on a buyer's interest, such as schools, parks, beaches, trails, culture, arts, local and regional attractions, and points of interest. A relationship with your realtor may hold more value than just helping you find a place to call home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I wanted to check my credit score and report. Where should I look? Checking your credit report at least once a year, or even more often is imperative in this day and age of cybercrime and information hacking. People's identities and even business identities are stolen every day. One of the best things you can do is to check through your entire credit report once a year, even if you've had no problems that you're aware of. The government has a site that you can check once a year, and it will not count as an inquiry on your credit report. You can access a copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. Obtaining your credit score on the site may require the payment of a nominal fee, but the credit report itself is free of charge. Other sites advertised are commercial sites and will charge you a fee to access your credit report. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com This is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much house can I buy? Knowing this in the beginning of your home search will save you a lot of grief down the road. The best bet to answering this question is to call a local bank or mortgage company. They can give you a very accurate figure. They can also send a pre-qualification letter, which you will need anyways. But if you're looking for a quick and dirty way to figure out what price range you can afford, start with your monthly gross salary. Take 28-32% of that depending on what type of loan you're getting. This is the maximum amount of a mortgage payment that you can have. Then, take 43% of your monthly salary. This is the maximum amount of total debt that you can have, including your mortgage. Why just 43%? Because they want you to have money left over to pay your taxes, buy food, gas, etc. So take that 43% amount and subtract your monthly payments like your car payment and credit cards and the final figure is what you qualify for. Or the 28% figure, whichever is lower. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, am I ready to buy a home? If you're wondering if a home purchase is a good decision for you, here's a few questions to ask yourself. Do you have the desire to commit to the same community for the next five to seven years? Are you stable in your career? Why do you want to buy? Buying a home is a great way to increase your personal wealth. Are your finances ready? Do you have good credit? Do you have a pattern of paying your bills on time? And do you have savings? If you're looking to buy a $200,000 home, you need about $19,000 for down payment, closing costs and prepaids. Don't forget about your moving expenses. You should also have some cash reserves for any unexpected surprises that might come up. I had to put in a new sewer line in the older home I recently bought. That took all of my landscape and decorating budget and plus a little bit more. But if you can answer yes to these questions, then a home purchase may be right for you. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cobble Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, which home improvements recoup the most money? The new yearly cost versus value report is out and the number one project for return on your investment is Addic Insulation, with an average return of over 107%. Now this is not a high cost project, so let's take a look at some others. If you're doing a major kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel, the average return is 50 to 60% of your investment dollars. But if you're looking at just a minor remodel, those numbers jump to 60 to 80%. Next with a high return is a front door replacement in the 70 to 90% range, depending on if you're just doing the front door or a whole entrance and also if you're using a regular or a steel door. This is followed by a garage door replacement in the 75 to 80% range. Window replacements will get you 70 to 75% and generators or decks will give you a solid 50 to 60% return on your money. The real estate advisors is a service of City Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I rent or should I buy? I'm often asked the question, is it better to rent or buy a house? The length of time is one of the biggest factors in making this decision. You need to ask yourself, how long do you plan on living there? Is your job stable? Are you subject to being transferred for your job? Do you have any looming family issues that might take you out of town for an extended period of time? If you think you're likely to stay in the house for less than one to three years, then it is better to rent. The market at most of Tallahassee is back to normal, where you can make about 2-3% appreciation a year on your home. That means it will take you about two years just to be able to break even if you had to sell your home quickly. So, if you're going to be in your home for less than three years, you should look at rent team. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much money do I need to buy a house? Closing costs are always a big question on every home buyer's mind. There are three main parts to your closing costs. There's your down payment, then you have the closing costs, such as title insurance, appraisals, surveys, bank underwriting fees, all of that sort of thing. Finally, you have prepaids, which is setting up an escrow account to pay for your taxes and insurance. If you're buying a house for $200,000 and putting down 5% with the bank, your costs are going to run about $19,000. The 5% down payment will be $10,000 of it, then there's about $6,000 in closing costs, and another $3,000 for your prepaids. But, in many cases, you can ask the seller to pay some of your closing costs. You always have to put down your own down payment and prepaids, but you can ask the seller to pay most apart of your closing costs. In this case, that could save you up to $6,000. The real estate advisor's is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor, and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between an as is sale and a warranted sale? There are three basic ways you can make an offer on a house. The first is warranted with a clear WDO. Warranted means the seller would have to fix anything wrong with the systems of the house. The heating and cooling, the plumbing system, the electrical system, or any appliances that they leave. Second, you can also ask for not warranted, but with a clear WDO. The WDO is the Wood Destroyed Organism Report, also known as the termite letter. A clear WDO means the seller would fix any Woodrot, mold, fungus, carpenter bees, powder post beetles, anything that would eat wood, thus the Wood Destroyed Organism Name. Lastly, you can make your offer as is where is, meaning the seller would not have to fix anything. This is typical of bank foreclosure homes. With any of these offers, you should be able to do inspections in a certain time period and back out if you don't like the results. The real estate advisors is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm hearing a lot about wire fraud and closings. What should I watch for? One of the big problems today with closings is wire fraud. Crooks are getting very sophisticated and finding emails of people in real estate transactions and go to great lengths to recreate those email chains to look like you're getting new wire instructions from your lender or Realtor. You will open an email that says, the wire instructions have changed. Please send your wire to dot dot dot. It will look like it's from Cindy Cooper, but the last name is spelled with an e instead of an r at the end. And the whole email chain that you've been a part of is there beneath it. It's very easy to miss. Once the wire is sent, even if you catch it right away, usually the money is moved within minutes and is gone. The big key is to never trust wire instructions sent through an email. Always call the source and verify all wiring information verbally. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, is there ever a time or a market when nothing sells? There has always been a certain amount of houses that sell every single month in Tallahassee. No matter if it's a good or bad market or the busy or slow time, there are always about 200 houses a month sold here in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas. Because there's always reasons people have to buy in cell houses. There are job transfers, moves, marriages, deaths, divorces, and babies. These things that trigger home sales happen all the time. What does go up and down is the inventory of homes available for sale. We have an average of around 1200 houses and townhouses on the market at any given time. When the market was really terrible several years ago, we had 7,000 homes on the market. And 200 sales a month out of 7,000 available might not seem like much, but the houses were still selling at the exact same pace as they always did. Tallahassee's advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between warranted and home warranty? Many people confuse a warranted home with a home warranty. When you buy a house, you can buy it as is or warranted. Warranted means the seller would fix anything wrong with the systems of the house, the heating and air, the plumbing system, the electrical system, and any appliances that they leave. You can also buy a house with or without a clear WDO or termite letter, but that is a different part. That covers wood, rot, fungus, mold, carpenter bees, things like that. But warranted means the seller is warranting the systems of the house to be in working order. A home warranty is basically an insurance policy you can buy to cover the systems of the house. They're usually for one year, and if anything goes wrong with any of the systems or appliances, you can call the warranty company, and for a standard fee, usually $75 or $100, they will come out and fix or replace the item that is broken. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Calville Banker, Heart Tung, and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when is the buying season for houses? People are always asking me if this is a good time to put their homes on the market. Is there a better time than others? There is definitely a cycle when it comes to buying homes. March to June is the high season for buying, and then everyone wants to move in July in between school years. August, it slows down a little bit as everybody's getting ready for school to start. September to November is a slow but even pace. At the beginning of the holidays, you get the round of investors coming in, snapping at properties before the end of the year, which is followed by the steep drop in buyers until the end of the year. Then on January 1st, we get a surge of calls from new buyers that last for about two weeks. About the same as New Year's resolutions. Now, February, February is the lowest inventory month because everybody is waiting on the high season to list their homes, making that a great time to sell. The real estate advisor is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heartung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker, Heartung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what exactly is title insurance? Title insurance is where they are ensuring the title to your home. If you bought a house and someone came and knocked on your door and said, you know, an uncle of mine came to you 40 years ago and owns part of this property, that is where your title insurance would come in. They'll go to court or they'll fix the problem or they'll pay you back for any losses that you might incur from such a claim. The title company or attorney who does your closing will do a thorough title search for you. Going back as much as 30 years to check for any claims, deed changes or judgments that haven't been satisfied or taken care of, they'll make sure that there's no tax leans on your house or other nasty surprises that sometimes come up during these searches. At closing you will get a clear title to your property, so you don't have to worry about answering your door. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can we do to increase our curb appeal? Curb appeal is very important. It often makes a difference between somebody deciding to look at your home or not. Stand across the street and take an honest appraisal of what a potential buyer will see. Make sure that all the beds are weeded and new pine straws put down. Add some flowers to give a splash of color. When was the last time you used your front door? Polish up that hardware and paint the door. Make sure the glass is sparkling clean and brush away all of the spider webs. Press your wash, your front steps, walkways, driveway, and parking areas. What about your mailbox? Give it a fresh coat of paint and replace the numbers. If somebody is driving along looking for the address, this is the first thing that will catch their eye. A little bit of effort and a modest budget can make a big difference in your home's curb appeal. Set the tone right and get ready to invite buyers into your home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm buying a house that has polybutylene pipes. Should I be concerned? Polybutylene is a form of plastic that was used extensively for water supply piping from 1978 to 1995 as a cheap substitute for copper pipes. They're usually gray, but they can be white with adult finish. There are several different kinds of polybutylene pipes, but there's one in particular that has the wrong type of fittings. These are the ones that cause most of the problems. Your home inspector should check for these pipes in your home inspection. You will also want to check with your insurance company for their policy on these pipes. Some insurance companies will say they cover them, but then they exclude water damage, which is the damage you will have. So they're not really covering your polybutylene pipes. And if you do find you have polybutylene pipes, you do have the option of changing out the pipes to copper for a couple thousand dollars. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do short sales take so long? Despite the name short sale, there is nothing short or quick about a short sale. With a short sale, the owner of the property is trying to sell their property for less than they owe on their mortgage. When you put in an offer, it starts with the owner. Once that has been agreed upon, then the offer goes to the bank. During that time, the bank figures out the least they can take on the mortgage, then they go back and negotiate with the owner on how to cover or write off the deficiency that is left on the mortgage. Once that has agreed upon, the bank replies back to the buyer, with an acceptance or a counter offer. This often takes two to six months just to hear back on your offer and then another 30 to 60 days to close. There is nothing quick about a short sale, but for those buyers that have the patience and no set timelines or deadlines, they can be a chance to get an incredible bargain on a home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale? A foreclosure is a property that is wholly owned by the bank. They have gone through the entire process of obtaining the property back from the owner. They know what all the fees and the payoffs are at this point. The bank can negotiate with you and can usually give you an answer on your offer within 48 hours and can close on the property in 30 to 60 days or even sooner with a cash buyer. A short sale is a property that still has the owner involved in the sale. The owner is trying to sell the property for less than they still owe on their mortgage. So your offer goes to the owner, then to the bank, and it often takes two to six months to hear back on your offer. And then another 30 to 60 days to close. For closures and short sales are often a great way to get a bargain on a home, depending on the work that is needed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with cold little banker Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Gulf beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Online at TLHrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper Realtor. Today's real estate advisor's question is, how is the market doing? This is one of the first questions I'm always asked. The talent-hassy market is rebounding nicely. Most of Tallahassee has hit the bottom and is working its way back up. There are many neighborhoods in town that have not had any foreclosure activity in the last few years and have stabilized back to a normal market. The prices are increasing about 2 to 3% a year, which is what the market was doing before the crash, and that is very sustainable appreciation. The main problem area now is the Northwest. With all of the new construction around the university that can house an additional 8,000 people, and only 300 new students to take up those spaces, they are pulling renters and buyers from the surrounding neighborhoods, putting downward pressure on prices and rents in those areas. If there are still 6 foreclosures on the street, then that neighborhood is probably still not seen the bottom yet, although this does lead to some incredible bargains in those neighborhoods now. Submit a question for the real estate advisors at www.wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisor's is a service to Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwill Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tennessee to the Sandy Gulf beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwill Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I sell or rent my home? If you don't need the cash out of your current home to buy your next home and are prepared to be a landlord, a rental can provide predictable long-term income. Your first consideration is, can you afford two homes? You need to be able to qualify for the new home and be able to pay for all the costs for both properties, including mortgage payments, repairs, upkeep, and yard maintenance. Next, consider if the old property is likely to appreciate. You can never predict the future, but you can determine if trends in your neighborhood are pointing towards up and coming or on the decline. Also, you want to look at tax consequences. If you've owned your home for a long time, you probably have a great amount of equity built up. You can write off capital gains on your homestead, but not after it's been turned into a rental property. So be sure you're not throwing away a significant tax write-off. Submit a question for the real estate advisors at www.su.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. And the right it is the opinion of the sponsor, and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cobble Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, which home improvements recoup the most money? The new yearly cost versus value report is out and the number one project for return on your investment is Addic Insulation, with an average return of over 107%. Now this is not a high cost project, so let's take a look at some others. If you're doing a major kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel, the average return is 50 to 60% of your investment dollars. But if you're looking at just a minor remodel, those numbers jump to 60 to 80%. Next with a high return is a front door replacement in the 70 to 90% range, depending on if you're just doing the front door or a whole entrance and also if you're using a regular or a steel door. This is followed by a garage door replacement in the 75 to 80% range. Window replacements will get you 70 to 75% and generators or decks will give you a solid 50 to 60% return on your money. The real estate advisors is a service of City Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I keep my home safer from burglars? By now, everyone knows not to put the box from your new TV out at the street. It just screams, come and get me to any potential burglars. Some other good ideas are to maintain the outside of your property. Not only will it look good and keep your neighbors happy, but a well-maintained yard to tears, thieves and vandals who target vacant houses. Know your neighbors, introduce them to your real estate agent so they know who will be coming and going from your home. Embrace the power of lighting. Lock your doors and reinforce those locks. Invest in good locks and strike plates and a solid door frame. And don't forget new technology. Not only do most new buyers ask for it, it can also make your safety a snap. Smart home technology can remotely control lighting and music, see who is at your front door and even change the thermostat. Even that old-fashioned timing device for lamps is still a good idea. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am buying a home as is. What is the difference between as is compared to warranted? When you're riding a contract, one of the items to negotiate will be if you're taking the home as is or warranted. If the seller elects to sell the house warranted, that means he is warranting that the systems of the house are in good working order up until the day of closing. Systems being the heating and cooling, electrical plumbing and any appliances he is leaving. If you take the house as is, where is? That means there'll be no repairs made at all by the seller. This is often the case with foreclosure sales. You can also buy a house as is, but with the seller providing a clear WDO or would destroy an organism's report, also known as the termite letter. Some banks will require a clear WDO. This means the seller will fix any wood rock, fungus, mold, carpenter bees or termites. So purchasing a home as is can mean two different things, negotiate accordingly. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, George Eterner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I save money on plumbing repairs? Every home has plumbing issues at some point. One of the best ways to save money on plumbing repairs is usually old-fashioned preventative maintenance, most of which you can do yourself. In order to fix leaks timely, you have to be able to see them. Don't treat that space under your sink as a storage cabinet, treat it as a maintenance space. Keep it clean and clear. Your garbage disposal is not a trash can. Keep the grease out and run hot water through it during and after use. It is not normal for your sink to take 10 minutes to drain. Use a drain cleaner or clean out the pee trap underneath the sink. Dripping faucets and running toilets are usually in the realm of most do-it-yourselfers. The parts are cheap and you can find manuals and tutorials to guide you. These are easy fixes, but if the problem is beyond these, it may be time to call in a professional. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm a for sale by owner, any advice on showing my home? Yes, get a Realtor, no, just kidding. I do know people who are selling their own homes and I always give a little safety talk to them with the things I've learned over the years. First, get all of your buyer's information before you agree to let them into your home. What is their full name, their phone number, and email address? Then, when you have them coming back to look at your home, have them lead the way. Don't walk into a room first as they can easily cut off your means of escape. Let them walk into a room first, go up the stairs first, go into the garage or the patio first. Always have a direct line to a doorway at all times. Next, let someone know you're showing the house and feel free to share that with your buyer. Say, oh, my sister is coming over right when we are done here. Always remember, no sale is worth your safety. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, do you have any negotiation tips to share? Yes, I do know a few. First off, always counter every contract and counter quickly. Don't let your potential buyers cool down or find another home. No one is still as excited about a deal four days later. Next, send a clear signal that you're slowing down. You can do this by offering less and less each time you counter back. If you want them to come down $5,000, start at $10,000 off the price. You want to leave yourself enough room to go back and forth a couple of times. Never start with your best or final offer and never say during negotiations. This is my final offer. It is too hard to go back if you don't really mean that. But all that being said, if there is another offer on the table, then all negotiations go right out the window. You need to be prepared to offer full price or more if you have decided this is indeed your new home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some good tips for moving? Moving is always a little crazy, so the following tips and tricks may help with the havoc. When packing glasses, put them in tube socks to prevent cracks. Also, you can usually pick up boxes with cardboard separators at your local liquor store. To prevent necklaces and bracelets from tangling up, use an empty toilet paper roll or a drinking straw. Thread each chain through the toilet paper roll or the straw and fasten the clasp. When you're packing your ceramic plates, use bubble wrap or put paper plates in between them. Slide a trash bag over your hanging clothes to make them easier to stack and carry. Use your towels, sheets, and dishcloths to cushion other objects, pack pillows at the top of your boxes, and wrap artwork in blankets. For electronics, use the plastic tabs from bread to wrap electronic cords and prevent tangles. Be sure to label them and snap a picture of where they were before you disconnect them. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, do you have any tips to make moving easier? Moving is never easy, but here are a few tips to help with the headache of moving into your new home. Photograph all of your cords. This will make it easier to reconnect them later. Get a Movers Guide from the Post Office. You need to notify them of your new address anyway, and it includes helpful coupons. Color code your boxes to the different rooms in the house. Anything you need immediately after moving should be marked or packed in red. Make sure these important boxes go on the truck last so they will come off the truck first. Your important boxes should contain one first night essential box. Put in medications, toothbrushes, change of clothes, anything else you will need that first night. Pack a first day cleaning kit so you can clean out cabinets and closets before you move your items in, and put valuables and important documents in a special box and put it away in your car away from all the activity. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the top questions buyers ask sellers? When a buyer finally finds the home of their dreams, they often have a list of questions for the seller. There are, however, certain questions that come up time and time again. If you're looking to sell your home, take the time to answer some of these questions and leave a sellers' disclosure or other information at the house so the buyers will see it when they are there looking at your home. The most frequently asked questions are, how old is the house? When was it last renovated? Who did the work and were all the appropriate permits pulled? How old is the roof? What appliances and fixtures are included in the sale? How much are homeowners' association fees, average utility bills, lawn service or pool maintenance? And how old is the air conditioner? Sellers who provide the answers to these questions before they are asked will save time and appear very helpful and honest to the buyer. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Collwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the oldest building in Tallahassee? The oldest building in Tallahassee is known as the columns and was built by William Money Williams in 1830. It was originally on Park Avenue and Adam Street but was moved to 100 North Devall Street in 1971. Other fun facts about Tallahassee include the current capital building designed by Edward Stone is the third tallest capital building in the United States, right after Washington DC and Austin. The Tallahassee police department is the third oldest in the nation. He was founded in 1841. Doke Campbell Stadium is the biggest Atlantic Coast Conference football stadium and is also the country's biggest continuous brick structure. Also, FSUs believe to be where streaking was invented. Wally Amos, founder of famous Amos cookies, was born and raised in Tallahassee and Tallahassee is the only Florida city that has ever recorded a sub-zero temperature of negative two degrees in 1899. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do deals fall apart? Sometimes things don't go according to plan. Some of the main things that come up are, first, buyers remorse. This sets in anywhere from an hour to a few days after the ink has dried on the contract. Everyone has second thoughts, but think long and hard about your end goal before doing anything permanent. Next up would be repairs. Anywhere from misunderstanding who will fix what to thinking a repair will be $10,000. Real facts and figures help here. Get an estimate from one or two contractors and see what that repair really costs. What you thought was a $10,000 problem may actually be an easy $300 fix. The third problem is, surprise, buyers are sometimes not good money managers. This is not the time to take out any new debt or spend the money that the bank expects to be in your account. And last, financing. Many times these days you don't know if your buyer is actually going to get the loan until a few days before closing. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is real estate a good investment. Yes, it almost always is, but if you are under the age of 25, there is another great investment to look into. It is a magic of compound interest. If you can invest $5,000 right now at a reasonable rate of return, you should be able to double your money every 5 to 7 years. If you are under 25, you should be able to double that money 8 times. You would be in your 70s, but let's look at the numbers. $5,000 right now, then it would be 10,000, 20,000, 40, 80, 160, 320, then $640,000, then $1.2 million. If you can put away $5,000 right now and don't touch it. If that seems out of reach, invest $100 right now. Everybody can come up with $100. Invest $100 today and it will be $100,000 when you're in your 70s. It will be the easiest $100,000 you will ever make. The real estate advisor is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, could it be my home is outdated? If you're thinking of putting your house on the market soon, it is time to take a step back and take a cold hard look at your decor. You may still love some of the dated touches you put in years ago, or maybe you don't want to go through the trouble and expense of updating to current colors and finishes. I do understand, but once you put your house on the market, it is no longer your house anymore, and you need to start looking at it from a potential buyer's point of view. The things that scream dated the most to buyers are, wide appliances, busy wallpaper, bold paint colors, dated fixtures and hardware, especially anything with a gold finish, tile countertops, popcorn ceilings, carpet in the bathrooms, wood paneling, and linoleum floors. Choose materials and colors that are neutral and will appeal to a wide range of people. Aiming for neutrality is the best way to ensure your home is in fashion and will not turn off any buyers. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I found a great rental online but they want me to mail the deposit out of the country. Is this a scam? Yes, there are several scams prevalent in today's marketplace. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Here are some other red flags to look for. The property is listed by two different parties at two different prices on the same website. The price is way below market value. The property pops on and off the market within hours. The owner of the property is in a foreign country, often saying they're missionaries, military personnel or professors. There's no sign in the yard or there is a sign and the person is different from whom you are talking to online. You're asked to provide personal information, bank account numbers for wiring, social security number, a copy of your driver's license. They ask you just to look in the windows and then send or wire money. Be careful and always know who you're dealing with, especially in an online transaction. The real estate advisor is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I protect my property listing from rental scams? The new big scam I see most often today is a scammer will lift your property listing information and put it up as a rental. The ads will say something like, call me directly, ignore the sign in the yard, send me $1,000 and I'll send you the keys. They're getting more and more sophisticated every day. So here's a quick and easy way to check if your property listing has been hijacked as a rental or any other listing. Do a web search for your house image. Open two windows on your web browser. In one, open an image search tool such as Google Images. Then in the other, open a website with your listing photo in it. Click on that photo and hold down the mouse button while you drag the picture back into the first window you opened and drop the picture into the search bar. Then you will see all of the places your home photo has been appearing online. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can I do to build the perfect patio? Patio's are great and can be enjoyed almost year round. The first thing to consider when you're putting in the patio is just like any other real estate. Location, location, location. How are you going to use the patio? Do you want every minute in the sun or a little shelter in the shade? Do you want the patio near the house-freeze access or maybe down in a flat spot if you have a sloping yard? Next, think of the size and shape you want for your patio. Also, think of adding built-ins such as seating, fire pits, planters, water features, maybe even a hot tub. Materials vary widely. Concrete patios of today can be tinted, stamped, and decorated in many different ways. There's also natural stone, flagstone, clay bricks, and pavers that come in a variety of shape sizes and colors. Make sure you check on the location of any utility cables before you dig. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new trends to look for in homes today? The next big trend I see coming up is home automation. People want to control more and more aspects of their home through their smartphones. Smart home technologies will add utility as well as value to your home as some buyers are now looking for these features to already be in place when they buy a home. You can probably get a starter kit of smart devices to enhance your home for about a thousand dollars. There are three basic types of technologies to look for. The first is home systems control. That would be your temperature and lighting controls and ways to turn the appliances on and off when you're not home. Next would be home accessibility products that can allow you to grant access to your home remotely or open and close the garage door. And lastly, you'd want to look for security and monitoring products that can monitor your home remotely and send you notifications in case of any kind of disturbance. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwill Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Gulf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tllhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwill Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what features are most wanted by homeowners? I was reading an interesting article the other day on the top 13 features that homeowners want the most. Surprisingly, the number one item was a laundry room by a whopping 92%. So when people ask me for advice on what upgrades to look at or where to concentrate their limited renovation budget or what type of things to consider adding to their floor plan when building a new home, these are the features I think you should keep in mind. The number one thing is a laundry room. This is followed by energy star appliances, then exterior lighting. Next, larger kitchen and bathrooms, no surprise there. Number five is energy star windows, followed by ceiling fans at number six. Next on the list is a patio. Number eight is a full bathroom on the main level. Number nine, hardwood floors. Number ten, more insulation. Next up is garage storage, followed by an eating kitchen and coming in at number 13 is a walk-in pantry. So, been a question for the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Information provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwill Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tennessee to the Sandy Gulf beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwill Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I sell or rent my home? If you don't need the cash out of your current home to buy your next home and are prepared to be a landlord, a rental can provide predictable long-term income. Your first consideration is, can you afford two homes? You need to be able to qualify for the new home and be able to pay for all the costs for both properties, including mortgage payments, repairs, upkeep, and yard maintenance. Next, consider if the old property is likely to appreciate. You can never predict the future, but you can determine if trends in your neighborhood are pointing towards up and coming or on the decline. Also, you want to look at tax consequences. If you've owned your home for a long time, you probably have a great amount of equity built up. You can write off capital gains on your homestead, but not after it's been turned into a rental property. So be sure you're not throwing away a significant tax write-off. Submit a question for the real estate advisors at www.su.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. And the right it is the opinion of the sponsor, and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cobble Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, which home improvements recoup the most money? The new yearly cost versus value report is out and the number one project for return on your investment is Addic Insulation, with an average return of over 107%. Now this is not a high cost project, so let's take a look at some others. If you're doing a major kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel, the average return is 50 to 60% of your investment dollars. But if you're looking at just a minor remodel, those numbers jump to 60 to 80%. Next with a high return is a front door replacement in the 70 to 90% range, depending on if you're just doing the front door or a whole entrance and also if you're using a regular or a steel door. This is followed by a garage door replacement in the 75 to 80% range. Window replacements will get you 70 to 75% and generators or decks will give you a solid 50 to 60% return on your money. The real estate advisors is a service of City Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I keep my home safer from burglars? By now, everyone knows not to put the box from your new TV out at the street. It just screams, come and get me to any potential burglars. Some other good ideas are to maintain the outside of your property. Not only will it look good and keep your neighbors happy, but a well-maintained yard to tears, thieves and vandals who target vacant houses. Know your neighbors, introduce them to your real estate agent so they know who will be coming and going from your home. Embrace the power of lighting. Lock your doors and reinforce those locks. Invest in good locks and strike plates and a solid door frame. And don't forget new technology. Not only do most new buyers ask for it, it can also make your safety a snap. Smart home technology can remotely control lighting and music, see who is at your front door and even change the thermostat. Even that old-fashioned timing device for lamps is still a good idea. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwool Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tennessee to the Sandy Gulf beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwool Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking at my tax role assessment. Is that what my house is really worth? I have had people who are looking to buy a house, pull up the tax role, and tell me that house is only worth so much because that is what the tax role assessment says. Your tax assessment is what your home is valued at for tax purposes. It does not represent what your home might be worth in today's market. The tax assessor can only raise the taxes on your homestead a maximum of 2 to 3% a year. So, even if your home may have doubled in value, your assessment will not reflect that. The only time they can fully reassess a home is when it is sold. So, if a home has been sold in the last year or two, the tax assessment on the tax role is probably pretty close to the value of the house. But if they've been there over five years, it will not be reflective of today's market at all. Submit a question for the real estate advisors at www.wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Information provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Will Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tennessee to the Sandy Gulf beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Cold Will Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what should I do inside my house to stage it for showing? If you're looking to make a good first impression on a buyer when your house is being shown, a little work up front will go a long way. First and foremost, you need to clear off the clutter from all surfaces. You want your house to show like a model home. No surface should have more than three items on it, and the bigger the items, the better. You don't have to clear out a closet to make it feel bigger, but clear enough out so that one third of it is empty. Also, any bookcases and pantries should have a few shelves that are one third empty. Take down any personal pictures. Do a thorough cleaning of the entire house and pay extra attention to the kitchen and the bathrooms, as these rooms have to be spotless. Have your tile and grout steamed cleaned by a carpet cleaner. They will look brand new, and it doesn't hurt to bake some cookies. Some in a question for the real estate advisors at www.su.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Information provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Telehassy to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment? The SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment was brought about because of the inequity and tax role assessments of a home's value for tax purposes. Someone who has been in their home quite a long time will have a vastly lower assessment than what their house is worth. So someone who has just bought a home will get a full tax assessment while the person next door to them may be paying only half of that. Some older folks were feeling trapped in their homes because if they moved they could not afford to pay the current tax rates. So the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment came about where you could take your lower assessment with you to your new home. So if your home was assessed $50,000 less than what it was worth, you would be able to reduce the assessment on your new home by $50,000 in order for you to be able to pay roughly the same taxes. It wouldn't be locked out of moving to a new home because you can't afford the taxes. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at TLHrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what type of maintenance should I be doing on my home? It is always a good idea to keep up on maintenance on your home, whether you're thinking of selling or not. Have your heat and air conditioner service once a year and replace the air filter every three months. Keeping bugs out can be as simple as repairing holes in the windows and door screens. You can also keep bugs out by sealing cracks and holes on the outside of the house, as well as inside at baseboards behind the sinks and around pipes and windows. Speaking of windows, make sure yours are in good condition and have a tight fit. Clean the tracks and replace any torn or missing weather stripping. Preventing outside air from leaking in will help reduce your energy bills. Clean your gutters of debris. This will keep them working and help to avoid any wood rot that occurs from water overflow. Focusing on these small jobs now can lead to big savings of your time and money in the future. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Will Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tennessee to the Sandy Gulf Feeches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Will Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when a buyer is coming to look at my home, should I be there? One of the first questions I usually get on showings is, should you be there or not? And that is definitely no. If somebody is coming back to look at your home for the third or fourth time, it might not hurt to be around for questions. But when they are first coming to look at your home, you should not be there. You will tend to say things that might turn off a potential buyer. I had one seller comment on the deer that would occasionally come into the backyard. The buyer was deathly afraid of animals and immediately crossed that house off her list, even though the house was perfect for her. Also, buyers are not comfortable opening closet doors while you're standing there. And nobody is going to buy a home when they have not looked in the closets. So, as much as you would like to be there to help, it is usually not a good idea. Submit a question for the real estate advisors at www.su.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Information provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I save my money or buy investment property for retirement? That is a good question. Let's look at some numbers. I talked with a financial planner and asked how much money would I have to save if I retired in 15 to 20 years and wanted to make $2,000 a month from the money that I saved. She came back and said I would have to save $800,000. Or I can find a property that costs about $200,000 that makes $2,000 a month in rent. I could buy that property for about $50,000 down plus closing costs. The mortgage would be $1,100 a month on a 30 year loan. Barring lots of repairs, you should be able to make about $10,000 a year. Send that $10,000 to your mortgage and you should have the property paid off in 15 to 20 years. Then you would make the $2,000 a month from the rent. So $2,000 a month for retirement for $800,000 or $50,000. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new closing disclosures? Already October 1st of 2015, new required closing disclosures went into effect. These are the statements you receive at closing that list your closing costs and the amount of money you bring to closing. The traditional good faith estimate, the truth in lending disclosure and the HUD 1 are all being combined and streamlined to provide consumers more transparency regarding what you're paying for a mortgage and the related closing costs. You will now get a loan estimate and a closing disclosure that are similar so you can easily compare what you were promised when you applied for your loan and what you receive and pay in closing costs. The new disclosure must be provided three days before closing. Check this disclosure thoroughly as soon as you get it and call your lender immediately if you notice any problems. If the bank needs to make any adjustments that triggers another three day period which could delay closing. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I become a real estate agent? This is a question I do get quite often. If you were thinking of starting a career in real estate, I would suggest having at least six months of savings in the bank. This gives you plenty of time to get started and established without having to panic about paying the next month's bills. Look into taking a class to prepare yourself for the test. You can do this locally in a sit down classroom or take a class online. Then you need to take and pass the real estate test. Then start interviewing real estate companies and ask about their training programs. You can also get training at the board of realtors. And speaking of the board, you should join your local board of realtors as well as the state association of realtors and the national association of realtors. Buy some business cars to start passing out. You can expect to spend at least $1,000 on the expenses just listed. If you have energy and are organized, real estate could be a great career for you. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking to buy an auction property. What should I do? When an auction property comes up on the market, you can usually bid over a couple of days. But most of the action is going to happen in the last hour or two of the auction, and they will usually extend the auction as long as people are still actively bidding. If you win the auction, you have just bought a house and have to put down a deposit and a buyer's premium immediately. Make sure you've done all your homework and do diligence before now, because it is very difficult and very costly to back out. Before you bid, make sure you have a thorough home inspection done along with a termite and wood rotten inspection. Have your attorney or title company run a title search on the property to make sure that there are no outstanding leans or other problems with the property. There usually repairs you have to do, but auctions can be a great way to get a good price on a house. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm going to buy a house. What can I do to ensure a smooth and easy closing? There are three main things you can do that will make your real estate closing as hassle-free as possible. First, get pre-approved for the loan. Working with your lender ahead of time to secure your financing not only helps determine what you can afford, but it also helps uncover any problems that might come up and impact your closing. Second, listen to your lender and your Realtor. Buying a home involves a mountain of paperwork, so be prepared. And just when you think you're done submitting the last of the forms, the bank will undoubtedly want something more. Always respond to your lender requests very promptly. And third, stay calm. Everyone agrees. Be flexible. Be responsive. And above all, remain calm. Your lender will ask you for all sorts of last-minute details. Don't take it personally. Sometimes things just come up at the last minute. Stay calm and keep your eye on the prize. Closing and owning your new home. The real estate advisor's is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Gulf beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I've bought a house. What type of inspections do I need? Once you have negotiated a contract on a house, you usually have 10 to 15 days to conduct inspections to verify all the systems are in good working order. You should start with a full home inspection. These inspectors will check all of the systems, the heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as any appliances. Sometimes you will need additional inspections from an air conditioning company or a fireplace specialist if there are any problems found in those areas. You will also want a raid on inspection. Rade on is a naturally occurring gas found in the ground that sometimes seeps into homes and causes elevated levels that you will want to have mitigated. If there is a septic tank, you will need to pay for having the tank pumped as well as the inspection because they need to pump the tank to be able to visually inspect it. And if there's a pool, you should plan on a pool inspection also. Quite a lot of inspections, but they will give you peace of mind. Submit a question for the real estate advisors at www.wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Information provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am moving. Do I need to move everything? If you're moving, this is a great time to go through your belongings, get rid of some stuff and simplify your life a little bit. There are many wonderful charities that you can donate quite a variety of items to, and some of them will even pick up. Think of the items that you have been debating letting go of and donate some of that furniture. Trim down your kitchen gadgets and appliances, and go through your clothes and donate anything that you haven't worn in the last two years. Find out your entire pantry and take everything to a local food bank and feed some of the hungry folks around town. Don't forget to grab a receipt and give it to your accountant at the end of the year for a tax deduction. This is a great way to free up some space, help the local community, and trim down the number of boxes that you'll need to move. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm new to the area and needs some repair work done around my home. Where can I find someone who is qualified and trustworthy? In addition to helping customers buy or sell a home, local realtors are a great resource for all sorts of information in the community and typically have developed relationships with people in the trade and service industries, including carpenters, plumbers, ceramic tile installers, made services, tree surgeons, pet care providers, and many more. A realtor knows their community and can help customers in selecting an area of town based on a buyer's interest, such as schools, parks, beaches, trails, culture, arts, local and regional attractions, and points of interest. A relationship with your realtor may hold more value than just helping you find a place to call home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I wanted to check my credit score and report. Where should I look? Checking your credit report at least once a year, or even more often is imperative in this day and age of cybercrime and information hacking. People's identities and even business identities are stolen every day. One of the best things you can do is to check through your entire credit report once a year, even if you've had no problems that you're aware of. The government has a site that you can check once a year, and it will not count as an inquiry on your credit report. You can access a copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. Obtaining your credit score on the site may require the payment of a nominal fee, but the credit report itself is free of charge. Other sites advertised are commercial sites and will charge you a fee to access your credit report. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am buying a home as is. What is the difference between as is compared to warranted? When you're riding a contract, one of the items to negotiate will be if you're taking the home as is or warranted. If the seller elects to sell the house warranted, that means he is warranting that the systems of the house are in good working order up until the day of closing. Systems being the heating and cooling, electrical plumbing and any appliances he is leaving. If you take the house as is, where is? That means there'll be no repairs made at all by the seller. This is often the case with foreclosure sales. You can also buy a house as is, but with the seller providing a clear WDO or would destroy an organism's report, also known as the termite letter. Some banks will require a clear WDO. This means the seller will fix any wood rock, fungus, mold, carpenter bees or termites. So purchasing a home as is can mean two different things, negotiate accordingly. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, George Eterner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how can I save money on plumbing repairs? Every home has plumbing issues at some point. One of the best ways to save money on plumbing repairs is usually old-fashioned preventative maintenance, most of which you can do yourself. In order to fix leaks timely, you have to be able to see them. Don't treat that space under your sink as a storage cabinet, treat it as a maintenance space. Keep it clean and clear. Your garbage disposal is not a trash can. Keep the grease out and run hot water through it during and after use. It is not normal for your sink to take 10 minutes to drain. Use a drain cleaner or clean out the pee trap underneath the sink. Dripping faucets and running toilets are usually in the realm of most do-it-yourselfers. The parts are cheap and you can find manuals and tutorials to guide you. These are easy fixes, but if the problem is beyond these, it may be time to call in a professional. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm a for sale by owner, any advice on showing my home? Yes, get a Realtor, no, just kidding. I do know people who are selling their own homes and I always give a little safety talk to them with the things I've learned over the years. First, get all of your buyer's information before you agree to let them into your home. What is their full name, their phone number, and email address? Then, when you have them coming back to look at your home, have them lead the way. Don't walk into a room first as they can easily cut off your means of escape. Let them walk into a room first, go up the stairs first, go into the garage or the patio first. Always have a direct line to a doorway at all times. Next, let someone know you're showing the house and feel free to share that with your buyer. Say, oh, my sister is coming over right when we are done here. Always remember, no sale is worth your safety. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, do you have any negotiation tips to share? Yes, I do know a few. First off, always counter every contract and counter quickly. Don't let your potential buyers cool down or find another home. No one is still as excited about a deal four days later. Next, send a clear signal that you're slowing down. You can do this by offering less and less each time you counter back. If you want them to come down $5,000, start at $10,000 off the price. You want to leave yourself enough room to go back and forth a couple of times. Never start with your best or final offer and never say during negotiations. This is my final offer. It is too hard to go back if you don't really mean that. But all that being said, if there is another offer on the table, then all negotiations go right out the window. You need to be prepared to offer full price or more if you have decided this is indeed your new home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com This is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much house can I buy? Knowing this in the beginning of your home search will save you a lot of grief down the road. The best bet to answering this question is to call a local bank or mortgage company. They can give you a very accurate figure. They can also send a pre-qualification letter, which you will need anyways. But if you're looking for a quick and dirty way to figure out what price range you can afford, start with your monthly gross salary. Take 28-32% of that depending on what type of loan you're getting. This is the maximum amount of a mortgage payment that you can have. Then, take 43% of your monthly salary. This is the maximum amount of total debt that you can have, including your mortgage. Why just 43%? Because they want you to have money left over to pay your taxes, buy food, gas, etc. So take that 43% amount and subtract your monthly payments like your car payment and credit cards and the final figure is what you qualify for. Or the 28% figure, whichever is lower. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, am I ready to buy a home? If you're wondering if a home purchase is a good decision for you, here's a few questions to ask yourself. Do you have the desire to commit to the same community for the next five to seven years? Are you stable in your career? Why do you want to buy? Buying a home is a great way to increase your personal wealth. Are your finances ready? Do you have good credit? Do you have a pattern of paying your bills on time? And do you have savings? If you're looking to buy a $200,000 home, you need about $19,000 for down payment, closing costs and prepaids. Don't forget about your moving expenses. You should also have some cash reserves for any unexpected surprises that might come up. I had to put in a new sewer line in the older home I recently bought. That took all of my landscape and decorating budget and plus a little bit more. But if you can answer yes to these questions, then a home purchase may be right for you. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the best home improvements to do now that will help improve the resale value of my home later? If you're looking to sell your home in a few years, you don't want to pay for impractical or expensive improvements now that will be out of style by the time you put that 4 sales sign in your yard. You want to look at traditional and fashionable upgrades that will provide value and aesthetic beauty for years to come. New kitchens top the list. New countertops and appliances are usually a sure bet. Bathrooms are next. Be sure to avoid all white as that usually looks too sterile. Bring in some light by adding skylights or sun tunnels if you can. Put up some extra storage shelves or cabinets to reduce the clutter in your home. Add an island into the kitchen. Put down some hardwood floors. Popular outdoor items include fireplaces, decks, fountains, and landscaping. And an outdoor kitchen can definitely boost the wow factor for your resale. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I rent or should I buy? I'm often asked the question, is it better to rent or buy a house? The length of time is one of the biggest factors in making this decision. You need to ask yourself, how long do you plan on living there? Is your job stable? Are you subject to being transferred for your job? Do you have any looming family issues that might take you out of town for an extended period of time? If you think you're likely to stay in the house for less than one to three years, then it is better to rent. The market at most of Tallahassee is back to normal, where you can make about 2-3% appreciation a year on your home. That means it will take you about two years just to be able to break even if you had to sell your home quickly. So, if you're going to be in your home for less than three years, you should look at rent team. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much money do I need to buy a house? Closing costs are always a big question on every home buyer's mind. There are three main parts to your closing costs. There's your down payment, then you have the closing costs, such as title insurance, appraisals, surveys, bank underwriting fees, all of that sort of thing. Finally, you have prepaids, which is setting up an escrow account to pay for your taxes and insurance. If you're buying a house for $200,000 and putting down 5% with the bank, your costs are going to run about $19,000. The 5% down payment will be $10,000 of it, then there's about $6,000 in closing costs, and another $3,000 for your prepaids. But, in many cases, you can ask the seller to pay some of your closing costs. You always have to put down your own down payment and prepaids, but you can ask the seller to pay most apart of your closing costs. In this case, that could save you up to $6,000. The real estate advisor's is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor, and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Calville Banker, Heart Tung, and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when is the buying season for houses? People are always asking me if this is a good time to put their homes on the market. Is there a better time than others? There is definitely a cycle when it comes to buying homes. March to June is the high season for buying, and then everyone wants to move in July in between school years. August, it slows down a little bit as everybody's getting ready for school to start. September to November is a slow but even pace. At the beginning of the holidays, you get the round of investors coming in, snapping at properties before the end of the year, which is followed by the steep drop in buyers until the end of the year. Then on January 1st, we get a surge of calls from new buyers that last for about two weeks. About the same as New Year's resolutions. Now, February, February is the lowest inventory month because everybody is waiting on the high season to list their homes, making that a great time to sell. The real estate advisor is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heartung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker, Heartung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what exactly is title insurance? Title insurance is where they are ensuring the title to your home. If you bought a house and someone came and knocked on your door and said, you know, an uncle of mine came to you 40 years ago and owns part of this property, that is where your title insurance would come in. They'll go to court or they'll fix the problem or they'll pay you back for any losses that you might incur from such a claim. The title company or attorney who does your closing will do a thorough title search for you. Going back as much as 30 years to check for any claims, deed changes or judgments that haven't been satisfied or taken care of, they'll make sure that there's no tax leans on your house or other nasty surprises that sometimes come up during these searches. At closing you will get a clear title to your property, so you don't have to worry about answering your door. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can we do to increase our curb appeal? Curb appeal is very important. It often makes a difference between somebody deciding to look at your home or not. Stand across the street and take an honest appraisal of what a potential buyer will see. Make sure that all the beds are weeded and new pine straws put down. Add some flowers to give a splash of color. When was the last time you used your front door? Polish up that hardware and paint the door. Make sure the glass is sparkling clean and brush away all of the spider webs. Press your wash, your front steps, walkways, driveway, and parking areas. What about your mailbox? Give it a fresh coat of paint and replace the numbers. If somebody is driving along looking for the address, this is the first thing that will catch their eye. A little bit of effort and a modest budget can make a big difference in your home's curb appeal. Set the tone right and get ready to invite buyers into your home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm buying a house that has polybutylene pipes. Should I be concerned? Polybutylene is a form of plastic that was used extensively for water supply piping from 1978 to 1995 as a cheap substitute for copper pipes. They're usually gray, but they can be white with adult finish. There are several different kinds of polybutylene pipes, but there's one in particular that has the wrong type of fittings. These are the ones that cause most of the problems. Your home inspector should check for these pipes in your home inspection. You will also want to check with your insurance company for their policy on these pipes. Some insurance companies will say they cover them, but then they exclude water damage, which is the damage you will have. So they're not really covering your polybutylene pipes. And if you do find you have polybutylene pipes, you do have the option of changing out the pipes to copper for a couple thousand dollars. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are some good tips for moving? Moving is always a little crazy, so the following tips and tricks may help with the havoc. When packing glasses, put them in tube socks to prevent cracks. Also, you can usually pick up boxes with cardboard separators at your local liquor store. To prevent necklaces and bracelets from tangling up, use an empty toilet paper roll or a drinking straw. Thread each chain through the toilet paper roll or the straw and fasten the clasp. When you're packing your ceramic plates, use bubble wrap or put paper plates in between them. Slide a trash bag over your hanging clothes to make them easier to stack and carry. Use your towels, sheets, and dishcloths to cushion other objects, pack pillows at the top of your boxes, and wrap artwork in blankets. For electronics, use the plastic tabs from bread to wrap electronic cords and prevent tangles. Be sure to label them and snap a picture of where they were before you disconnect them. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, do you have any tips to make moving easier? Moving is never easy, but here are a few tips to help with the headache of moving into your new home. Photograph all of your cords. This will make it easier to reconnect them later. Get a Movers Guide from the Post Office. You need to notify them of your new address anyway, and it includes helpful coupons. Color code your boxes to the different rooms in the house. Anything you need immediately after moving should be marked or packed in red. Make sure these important boxes go on the truck last so they will come off the truck first. Your important boxes should contain one first night essential box. Put in medications, toothbrushes, change of clothes, anything else you will need that first night. Pack a first day cleaning kit so you can clean out cabinets and closets before you move your items in, and put valuables and important documents in a special box and put it away in your car away from all the activity. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the top questions buyers ask sellers? When a buyer finally finds the home of their dreams, they often have a list of questions for the seller. There are, however, certain questions that come up time and time again. If you're looking to sell your home, take the time to answer some of these questions and leave a sellers' disclosure or other information at the house so the buyers will see it when they are there looking at your home. The most frequently asked questions are, how old is the house? When was it last renovated? Who did the work and were all the appropriate permits pulled? How old is the roof? What appliances and fixtures are included in the sale? How much are homeowners' association fees, average utility bills, lawn service or pool maintenance? And how old is the air conditioner? Sellers who provide the answers to these questions before they are asked will save time and appear very helpful and honest to the buyer. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Collwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the oldest building in Tallahassee? The oldest building in Tallahassee is known as the columns and was built by William Money Williams in 1830. It was originally on Park Avenue and Adam Street but was moved to 100 North Devall Street in 1971. Other fun facts about Tallahassee include the current capital building designed by Edward Stone is the third tallest capital building in the United States, right after Washington DC and Austin. The Tallahassee police department is the third oldest in the nation. He was founded in 1841. Doke Campbell Stadium is the biggest Atlantic Coast Conference football stadium and is also the country's biggest continuous brick structure. Also, FSUs believe to be where streaking was invented. Wally Amos, founder of famous Amos cookies, was born and raised in Tallahassee and Tallahassee is the only Florida city that has ever recorded a sub-zero temperature of negative two degrees in 1899. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do deals fall apart? Sometimes things don't go according to plan. Some of the main things that come up are, first, buyers remorse. This sets in anywhere from an hour to a few days after the ink has dried on the contract. Everyone has second thoughts, but think long and hard about your end goal before doing anything permanent. Next up would be repairs. Anywhere from misunderstanding who will fix what to thinking a repair will be $10,000. Real facts and figures help here. Get an estimate from one or two contractors and see what that repair really costs. What you thought was a $10,000 problem may actually be an easy $300 fix. The third problem is, surprise, buyers are sometimes not good money managers. This is not the time to take out any new debt or spend the money that the bank expects to be in your account. And last, financing. Many times these days you don't know if your buyer is actually going to get the loan until a few days before closing. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is real estate a good investment. Yes, it almost always is, but if you are under the age of 25, there is another great investment to look into. It is a magic of compound interest. If you can invest $5,000 right now at a reasonable rate of return, you should be able to double your money every 5 to 7 years. If you are under 25, you should be able to double that money 8 times. You would be in your 70s, but let's look at the numbers. $5,000 right now, then it would be 10,000, 20,000, 40, 80, 160, 320, then $640,000, then $1.2 million. If you can put away $5,000 right now and don't touch it. If that seems out of reach, invest $100 right now. Everybody can come up with $100. Invest $100 today and it will be $100,000 when you're in your 70s. It will be the easiest $100,000 you will ever make. The real estate advisor is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, could it be my home is outdated? If you're thinking of putting your house on the market soon, it is time to take a step back and take a cold hard look at your decor. You may still love some of the dated touches you put in years ago, or maybe you don't want to go through the trouble and expense of updating to current colors and finishes. I do understand, but once you put your house on the market, it is no longer your house anymore, and you need to start looking at it from a potential buyer's point of view. The things that scream dated the most to buyers are, wide appliances, busy wallpaper, bold paint colors, dated fixtures and hardware, especially anything with a gold finish, tile countertops, popcorn ceilings, carpet in the bathrooms, wood paneling, and linoleum floors. Choose materials and colors that are neutral and will appeal to a wide range of people. Aiming for neutrality is the best way to ensure your home is in fashion and will not turn off any buyers. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I found a great rental online but they want me to mail the deposit out of the country. Is this a scam? Yes, there are several scams prevalent in today's marketplace. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Here are some other red flags to look for. The property is listed by two different parties at two different prices on the same website. The price is way below market value. The property pops on and off the market within hours. The owner of the property is in a foreign country, often saying they're missionaries, military personnel or professors. There's no sign in the yard or there is a sign and the person is different from whom you are talking to online. You're asked to provide personal information, bank account numbers for wiring, social security number, a copy of your driver's license. They ask you just to look in the windows and then send or wire money. Be careful and always know who you're dealing with, especially in an online transaction. The real estate advisor is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I protect my property listing from rental scams? The new big scam I see most often today is a scammer will lift your property listing information and put it up as a rental. The ads will say something like, call me directly, ignore the sign in the yard, send me $1,000 and I'll send you the keys. They're getting more and more sophisticated every day. So here's a quick and easy way to check if your property listing has been hijacked as a rental or any other listing. Do a web search for your house image. Open two windows on your web browser. In one, open an image search tool such as Google Images. Then in the other, open a website with your listing photo in it. Click on that photo and hold down the mouse button while you drag the picture back into the first window you opened and drop the picture into the search bar. Then you will see all of the places your home photo has been appearing online. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do short sales take so long? Despite the name short sale, there is nothing short or quick about a short sale. With a short sale, the owner of the property is trying to sell their property for less than they owe on their mortgage. When you put in an offer, it starts with the owner. Once that has been agreed upon, then the offer goes to the bank. During that time, the bank figures out the least they can take on the mortgage, then they go back and negotiate with the owner on how to cover or write off the deficiency that is left on the mortgage. Once that has agreed upon, the bank replies back to the buyer, with an acceptance or a counter offer. This often takes two to six months just to hear back on your offer and then another 30 to 60 days to close. There is nothing quick about a short sale, but for those buyers that have the patience and no set timelines or deadlines, they can be a chance to get an incredible bargain on a home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale? A foreclosure is a property that is wholly owned by the bank. They have gone through the entire process of obtaining the property back from the owner. They know what all the fees and the payoffs are at this point. The bank can negotiate with you and can usually give you an answer on your offer within 48 hours and can close on the property in 30 to 60 days or even sooner with a cash buyer. A short sale is a property that still has the owner involved in the sale. The owner is trying to sell the property for less than they still owe on their mortgage. So your offer goes to the owner, then to the bank, and it often takes two to six months to hear back on your offer. And then another 30 to 60 days to close. For closures and short sales are often a great way to get a bargain on a home, depending on the work that is needed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can I do to build the perfect patio? Patio's are great and can be enjoyed almost year round. The first thing to consider when you're putting in the patio is just like any other real estate. Location, location, location. How are you going to use the patio? Do you want every minute in the sun or a little shelter in the shade? Do you want the patio near the house-freeze access or maybe down in a flat spot if you have a sloping yard? Next, think of the size and shape you want for your patio. Also, think of adding built-ins such as seating, fire pits, planters, water features, maybe even a hot tub. Materials vary widely. Concrete patios of today can be tinted, stamped, and decorated in many different ways. There's also natural stone, flagstone, clay bricks, and pavers that come in a variety of shape sizes and colors. Make sure you check on the location of any utility cables before you dig. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and George Eterner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and George Eterner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new trends to look for in homes today? The next big trend I see coming up is home automation. People want to control more and more aspects of their home through their smartphones. Smart home technologies will add utility as well as value to your home as some buyers are now looking for these features to already be in place when they buy a home. You can probably get a starter kit of smart devices to enhance your home for about a thousand dollars. There are three basic types of technologies to look for. The first is home systems control. That would be your temperature and lighting controls and ways to turn the appliances on and off when you're not home. Next would be home accessibility products that can allow you to grant access to your home remotely or open and close the garage door. And lastly, you'd want to look for security and monitoring products that can monitor your home remotely and send you notifications in case of any kind of disturbance. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwill Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Gulf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tllhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwill Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what features are most wanted by homeowners? I was reading an interesting article the other day on the top 13 features that homeowners want the most. Surprisingly, the number one item was a laundry room by a whopping 92%. So when people ask me for advice on what upgrades to look at or where to concentrate their limited renovation budget or what type of things to consider adding to their floor plan when building a new home, these are the features I think you should keep in mind. The number one thing is a laundry room. This is followed by energy star appliances, then exterior lighting. Next, larger kitchen and bathrooms, no surprise there. Number five is energy star windows, followed by ceiling fans at number six. Next on the list is a patio. Number eight is a full bathroom on the main level. Number nine, hardwood floors. Number ten, more insulation. Next up is garage storage, followed by an eating kitchen and coming in at number 13 is a walk-in pantry. So, been a question for the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Information provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with cold little banker Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Gulf beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Online at TLHrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper Realtor. Today's real estate advisor's question is, how is the market doing? This is one of the first questions I'm always asked. The talent-hassy market is rebounding nicely. Most of Tallahassee has hit the bottom and is working its way back up. There are many neighborhoods in town that have not had any foreclosure activity in the last few years and have stabilized back to a normal market. The prices are increasing about 2 to 3% a year, which is what the market was doing before the crash, and that is very sustainable appreciation. The main problem area now is the Northwest. With all of the new construction around the university that can house an additional 8,000 people, and only 300 new students to take up those spaces, they are pulling renters and buyers from the surrounding neighborhoods, putting downward pressure on prices and rents in those areas. If there are still 6 foreclosures on the street, then that neighborhood is probably still not seen the bottom yet, although this does lead to some incredible bargains in those neighborhoods now. Submit a question for the real estate advisors at www.wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisor's is a service to Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwool Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tennessee to the Sandy Gulf beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwool Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking at my tax role assessment. Is that what my house is really worth? I have had people who are looking to buy a house, pull up the tax role, and tell me that house is only worth so much because that is what the tax role assessment says. Your tax assessment is what your home is valued at for tax purposes. It does not represent what your home might be worth in today's market. The tax assessor can only raise the taxes on your homestead a maximum of 2 to 3% a year. So, even if your home may have doubled in value, your assessment will not reflect that. The only time they can fully reassess a home is when it is sold. So, if a home has been sold in the last year or two, the tax assessment on the tax role is probably pretty close to the value of the house. But if they've been there over five years, it will not be reflective of today's market at all. Submit a question for the real estate advisors at www.wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Information provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Will Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tennessee to the Sandy Gulf beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Cold Will Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what should I do inside my house to stage it for showing? If you're looking to make a good first impression on a buyer when your house is being shown, a little work up front will go a long way. First and foremost, you need to clear off the clutter from all surfaces. You want your house to show like a model home. No surface should have more than three items on it, and the bigger the items, the better. You don't have to clear out a closet to make it feel bigger, but clear enough out so that one third of it is empty. Also, any bookcases and pantries should have a few shelves that are one third empty. Take down any personal pictures. Do a thorough cleaning of the entire house and pay extra attention to the kitchen and the bathrooms, as these rooms have to be spotless. Have your tile and grout steamed cleaned by a carpet cleaner. They will look brand new, and it doesn't hurt to bake some cookies. Some in a question for the real estate advisors at www.su.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Information provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Telehassy to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment? The SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment was brought about because of the inequity and tax role assessments of a home's value for tax purposes. Someone who has been in their home quite a long time will have a vastly lower assessment than what their house is worth. So someone who has just bought a home will get a full tax assessment while the person next door to them may be paying only half of that. Some older folks were feeling trapped in their homes because if they moved they could not afford to pay the current tax rates. So the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment came about where you could take your lower assessment with you to your new home. So if your home was assessed $50,000 less than what it was worth, you would be able to reduce the assessment on your new home by $50,000 in order for you to be able to pay roughly the same taxes. It wouldn't be locked out of moving to a new home because you can't afford the taxes. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at TLHrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what type of maintenance should I be doing on my home? It is always a good idea to keep up on maintenance on your home, whether you're thinking of selling or not. Have your heat and air conditioner service once a year and replace the air filter every three months. Keeping bugs out can be as simple as repairing holes in the windows and door screens. You can also keep bugs out by sealing cracks and holes on the outside of the house, as well as inside at baseboards behind the sinks and around pipes and windows. Speaking of windows, make sure yours are in good condition and have a tight fit. Clean the tracks and replace any torn or missing weather stripping. Preventing outside air from leaking in will help reduce your energy bills. Clean your gutters of debris. This will keep them working and help to avoid any wood rot that occurs from water overflow. Focusing on these small jobs now can lead to big savings of your time and money in the future. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Will Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tennessee to the Sandy Gulf Feeches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Will Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when a buyer is coming to look at my home, should I be there? One of the first questions I usually get on showings is, should you be there or not? And that is definitely no. If somebody is coming back to look at your home for the third or fourth time, it might not hurt to be around for questions. But when they are first coming to look at your home, you should not be there. You will tend to say things that might turn off a potential buyer. I had one seller comment on the deer that would occasionally come into the backyard. The buyer was deathly afraid of animals and immediately crossed that house off her list, even though the house was perfect for her. Also, buyers are not comfortable opening closet doors while you're standing there. And nobody is going to buy a home when they have not looked in the closets. So, as much as you would like to be there to help, it is usually not a good idea. Submit a question for the real estate advisors at www.su.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Information provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I save my money or buy investment property for retirement? That is a good question. Let's look at some numbers. I talked with a financial planner and asked how much money would I have to save if I retired in 15 to 20 years and wanted to make $2,000 a month from the money that I saved. She came back and said I would have to save $800,000. Or I can find a property that costs about $200,000 that makes $2,000 a month in rent. I could buy that property for about $50,000 down plus closing costs. The mortgage would be $1,100 a month on a 30 year loan. Barring lots of repairs, you should be able to make about $10,000 a year. Send that $10,000 to your mortgage and you should have the property paid off in 15 to 20 years. Then you would make the $2,000 a month from the rent. So $2,000 a month for retirement for $800,000 or $50,000. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new closing disclosures? Already October 1st of 2015, new required closing disclosures went into effect. These are the statements you receive at closing that list your closing costs and the amount of money you bring to closing. The traditional good faith estimate, the truth in lending disclosure and the HUD 1 are all being combined and streamlined to provide consumers more transparency regarding what you're paying for a mortgage and the related closing costs. You will now get a loan estimate and a closing disclosure that are similar so you can easily compare what you were promised when you applied for your loan and what you receive and pay in closing costs. The new disclosure must be provided three days before closing. Check this disclosure thoroughly as soon as you get it and call your lender immediately if you notice any problems. If the bank needs to make any adjustments that triggers another three day period which could delay closing. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I become a real estate agent? This is a question I do get quite often. If you were thinking of starting a career in real estate, I would suggest having at least six months of savings in the bank. This gives you plenty of time to get started and established without having to panic about paying the next month's bills. Look into taking a class to prepare yourself for the test. You can do this locally in a sit down classroom or take a class online. Then you need to take and pass the real estate test. Then start interviewing real estate companies and ask about their training programs. You can also get training at the board of realtors. And speaking of the board, you should join your local board of realtors as well as the state association of realtors and the national association of realtors. Buy some business cars to start passing out. You can expect to spend at least $1,000 on the expenses just listed. If you have energy and are organized, real estate could be a great career for you. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking to buy an auction property. What should I do? When an auction property comes up on the market, you can usually bid over a couple of days. But most of the action is going to happen in the last hour or two of the auction, and they will usually extend the auction as long as people are still actively bidding. If you win the auction, you have just bought a house and have to put down a deposit and a buyer's premium immediately. Make sure you've done all your homework and do diligence before now, because it is very difficult and very costly to back out. Before you bid, make sure you have a thorough home inspection done along with a termite and wood rotten inspection. Have your attorney or title company run a title search on the property to make sure that there are no outstanding leans or other problems with the property. There usually repairs you have to do, but auctions can be a great way to get a good price on a house. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm going to buy a house. What can I do to ensure a smooth and easy closing? There are three main things you can do that will make your real estate closing as hassle-free as possible. First, get pre-approved for the loan. Working with your lender ahead of time to secure your financing not only helps determine what you can afford, but it also helps uncover any problems that might come up and impact your closing. Second, listen to your lender and your Realtor. Buying a home involves a mountain of paperwork, so be prepared. And just when you think you're done submitting the last of the forms, the bank will undoubtedly want something more. Always respond to your lender requests very promptly. And third, stay calm. Everyone agrees. Be flexible. Be responsive. And above all, remain calm. Your lender will ask you for all sorts of last-minute details. Don't take it personally. Sometimes things just come up at the last minute. Stay calm and keep your eye on the prize. Closing and owning your new home. The real estate advisor's is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Gulf beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I've bought a house. What type of inspections do I need? Once you have negotiated a contract on a house, you usually have 10 to 15 days to conduct inspections to verify all the systems are in good working order. You should start with a full home inspection. These inspectors will check all of the systems, the heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as any appliances. Sometimes you will need additional inspections from an air conditioning company or a fireplace specialist if there are any problems found in those areas. You will also want a raid on inspection. Rade on is a naturally occurring gas found in the ground that sometimes seeps into homes and causes elevated levels that you will want to have mitigated. If there is a septic tank, you will need to pay for having the tank pumped as well as the inspection because they need to pump the tank to be able to visually inspect it. And if there's a pool, you should plan on a pool inspection also. Quite a lot of inspections, but they will give you peace of mind. Submit a question for the real estate advisors at www.wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Information provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwool Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tennessee to the Sandy Gulf beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwool Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking at my tax role assessment. Is that what my house is really worth? I have had people who are looking to buy a house, pull up the tax role, and tell me that house is only worth so much because that is what the tax role assessment says. Your tax assessment is what your home is valued at for tax purposes. It does not represent what your home might be worth in today's market. The tax assessor can only raise the taxes on your homestead a maximum of 2 to 3% a year. So, even if your home may have doubled in value, your assessment will not reflect that. The only time they can fully reassess a home is when it is sold. So, if a home has been sold in the last year or two, the tax assessment on the tax role is probably pretty close to the value of the house. But if they've been there over five years, it will not be reflective of today's market at all. Submit a question for the real estate advisors at www.wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Information provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Will Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tennessee to the Sandy Gulf beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Cold Will Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what should I do inside my house to stage it for showing? If you're looking to make a good first impression on a buyer when your house is being shown, a little work up front will go a long way. First and foremost, you need to clear off the clutter from all surfaces. You want your house to show like a model home. No surface should have more than three items on it, and the bigger the items, the better. You don't have to clear out a closet to make it feel bigger, but clear enough out so that one third of it is empty. Also, any bookcases and pantries should have a few shelves that are one third empty. Take down any personal pictures. Do a thorough cleaning of the entire house and pay extra attention to the kitchen and the bathrooms, as these rooms have to be spotless. Have your tile and grout steamed cleaned by a carpet cleaner. They will look brand new, and it doesn't hurt to bake some cookies. Some in a question for the real estate advisors at www.su.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Information provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Telehassy to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment? The SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment was brought about because of the inequity and tax role assessments of a home's value for tax purposes. Someone who has been in their home quite a long time will have a vastly lower assessment than what their house is worth. So someone who has just bought a home will get a full tax assessment while the person next door to them may be paying only half of that. Some older folks were feeling trapped in their homes because if they moved they could not afford to pay the current tax rates. So the SAVE OUR HOMES Amendment came about where you could take your lower assessment with you to your new home. So if your home was assessed $50,000 less than what it was worth, you would be able to reduce the assessment on your new home by $50,000 in order for you to be able to pay roughly the same taxes. It wouldn't be locked out of moving to a new home because you can't afford the taxes. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am moving. Do I need to move everything? If you're moving, this is a great time to go through your belongings, get rid of some stuff and simplify your life a little bit. There are many wonderful charities that you can donate quite a variety of items to, and some of them will even pick up. Think of the items that you have been debating letting go of and donate some of that furniture. Trim down your kitchen gadgets and appliances, and go through your clothes and donate anything that you haven't worn in the last two years. Find out your entire pantry and take everything to a local food bank and feed some of the hungry folks around town. Don't forget to grab a receipt and give it to your accountant at the end of the year for a tax deduction. This is a great way to free up some space, help the local community, and trim down the number of boxes that you'll need to move. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm new to the area and needs some repair work done around my home. Where can I find someone who is qualified and trustworthy? In addition to helping customers buy or sell a home, local realtors are a great resource for all sorts of information in the community and typically have developed relationships with people in the trade and service industries, including carpenters, plumbers, ceramic tile installers, made services, tree surgeons, pet care providers, and many more. A realtor knows their community and can help customers in selecting an area of town based on a buyer's interest, such as schools, parks, beaches, trails, culture, arts, local and regional attractions, and points of interest. A relationship with your realtor may hold more value than just helping you find a place to call home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at TLHrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what type of maintenance should I be doing on my home? It is always a good idea to keep up on maintenance on your home, whether you're thinking of selling or not. Have your heat and air conditioner service once a year and replace the air filter every three months. Keeping bugs out can be as simple as repairing holes in the windows and door screens. You can also keep bugs out by sealing cracks and holes on the outside of the house, as well as inside at baseboards behind the sinks and around pipes and windows. Speaking of windows, make sure yours are in good condition and have a tight fit. Clean the tracks and replace any torn or missing weather stripping. Preventing outside air from leaking in will help reduce your energy bills. Clean your gutters of debris. This will keep them working and help to avoid any wood rot that occurs from water overflow. Focusing on these small jobs now can lead to big savings of your time and money in the future. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Will Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tennessee to the Sandy Gulf Feeches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Will Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when a buyer is coming to look at my home, should I be there? One of the first questions I usually get on showings is, should you be there or not? And that is definitely no. If somebody is coming back to look at your home for the third or fourth time, it might not hurt to be around for questions. But when they are first coming to look at your home, you should not be there. You will tend to say things that might turn off a potential buyer. I had one seller comment on the deer that would occasionally come into the backyard. The buyer was deathly afraid of animals and immediately crossed that house off her list, even though the house was perfect for her. Also, buyers are not comfortable opening closet doors while you're standing there. And nobody is going to buy a home when they have not looked in the closets. So, as much as you would like to be there to help, it is usually not a good idea. Submit a question for the real estate advisors at www.su.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Information provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I wanted to check my credit score and report. Where should I look? Checking your credit report at least once a year, or even more often is imperative in this day and age of cybercrime and information hacking. People's identities and even business identities are stolen every day. One of the best things you can do is to check through your entire credit report once a year, even if you've had no problems that you're aware of. The government has a site that you can check once a year, and it will not count as an inquiry on your credit report. You can access a copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. Obtaining your credit score on the site may require the payment of a nominal fee, but the credit report itself is free of charge. Other sites advertised are commercial sites and will charge you a fee to access your credit report. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealters.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I save my money or buy investment property for retirement? That is a good question. Let's look at some numbers. I talked with a financial planner and asked how much money would I have to save if I retired in 15 to 20 years and wanted to make $2,000 a month from the money that I saved. She came back and said I would have to save $800,000. Or I can find a property that costs about $200,000 that makes $2,000 a month in rent. I could buy that property for about $50,000 down plus closing costs. The mortgage would be $1,100 a month on a 30 year loan. Barring lots of repairs, you should be able to make about $10,000 a year. Send that $10,000 to your mortgage and you should have the property paid off in 15 to 20 years. Then you would make the $2,000 a month from the rent. So $2,000 a month for retirement for $800,000 or $50,000. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the new closing disclosures? Already October 1st of 2015, new required closing disclosures went into effect. These are the statements you receive at closing that list your closing costs and the amount of money you bring to closing. The traditional good faith estimate, the truth in lending disclosure and the HUD 1 are all being combined and streamlined to provide consumers more transparency regarding what you're paying for a mortgage and the related closing costs. You will now get a loan estimate and a closing disclosure that are similar so you can easily compare what you were promised when you applied for your loan and what you receive and pay in closing costs. The new disclosure must be provided three days before closing. Check this disclosure thoroughly as soon as you get it and call your lender immediately if you notice any problems. If the bank needs to make any adjustments that triggers another three day period which could delay closing. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com This is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much house can I buy? Knowing this in the beginning of your home search will save you a lot of grief down the road. The best bet to answering this question is to call a local bank or mortgage company. They can give you a very accurate figure. They can also send a pre-qualification letter, which you will need anyways. But if you're looking for a quick and dirty way to figure out what price range you can afford, start with your monthly gross salary. Take 28-32% of that depending on what type of loan you're getting. This is the maximum amount of a mortgage payment that you can have. Then, take 43% of your monthly salary. This is the maximum amount of total debt that you can have, including your mortgage. Why just 43%? Because they want you to have money left over to pay your taxes, buy food, gas, etc. So take that 43% amount and subtract your monthly payments like your car payment and credit cards and the final figure is what you qualify for. Or the 28% figure, whichever is lower. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, am I ready to buy a home? If you're wondering if a home purchase is a good decision for you, here's a few questions to ask yourself. Do you have the desire to commit to the same community for the next five to seven years? Are you stable in your career? Why do you want to buy? Buying a home is a great way to increase your personal wealth. Are your finances ready? Do you have good credit? Do you have a pattern of paying your bills on time? And do you have savings? If you're looking to buy a $200,000 home, you need about $19,000 for down payment, closing costs and prepaids. Don't forget about your moving expenses. You should also have some cash reserves for any unexpected surprises that might come up. I had to put in a new sewer line in the older home I recently bought. That took all of my landscape and decorating budget and plus a little bit more. But if you can answer yes to these questions, then a home purchase may be right for you. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the best home improvements to do now that will help improve the resale value of my home later? If you're looking to sell your home in a few years, you don't want to pay for impractical or expensive improvements now that will be out of style by the time you put that 4 sales sign in your yard. You want to look at traditional and fashionable upgrades that will provide value and aesthetic beauty for years to come. New kitchens top the list. New countertops and appliances are usually a sure bet. Bathrooms are next. Be sure to avoid all white as that usually looks too sterile. Bring in some light by adding skylights or sun tunnels if you can. Put up some extra storage shelves or cabinets to reduce the clutter in your home. Add an island into the kitchen. Put down some hardwood floors. Popular outdoor items include fireplaces, decks, fountains, and landscaping. And an outdoor kitchen can definitely boost the wow factor for your resale. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I rent or should I buy? I'm often asked the question, is it better to rent or buy a house? The length of time is one of the biggest factors in making this decision. You need to ask yourself, how long do you plan on living there? Is your job stable? Are you subject to being transferred for your job? Do you have any looming family issues that might take you out of town for an extended period of time? If you think you're likely to stay in the house for less than one to three years, then it is better to rent. The market at most of Tallahassee is back to normal, where you can make about 2-3% appreciation a year on your home. That means it will take you about two years just to be able to break even if you had to sell your home quickly. So, if you're going to be in your home for less than three years, you should look at rent team. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much money do I need to buy a house? Closing costs are always a big question on every home buyer's mind. There are three main parts to your closing costs. There's your down payment, then you have the closing costs, such as title insurance, appraisals, surveys, bank underwriting fees, all of that sort of thing. Finally, you have prepaids, which is setting up an escrow account to pay for your taxes and insurance. If you're buying a house for $200,000 and putting down 5% with the bank, your costs are going to run about $19,000. The 5% down payment will be $10,000 of it, then there's about $6,000 in closing costs, and another $3,000 for your prepaids. But, in many cases, you can ask the seller to pay some of your closing costs. You always have to put down your own down payment and prepaids, but you can ask the seller to pay most apart of your closing costs. In this case, that could save you up to $6,000. The real estate advisor's is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor, and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Calville Banker, Heart Tung, and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when is the buying season for houses? People are always asking me if this is a good time to put their homes on the market. Is there a better time than others? There is definitely a cycle when it comes to buying homes. March to June is the high season for buying, and then everyone wants to move in July in between school years. August, it slows down a little bit as everybody's getting ready for school to start. September to November is a slow but even pace. At the beginning of the holidays, you get the round of investors coming in, snapping at properties before the end of the year, which is followed by the steep drop in buyers until the end of the year. Then on January 1st, we get a surge of calls from new buyers that last for about two weeks. About the same as New Year's resolutions. Now, February, February is the lowest inventory month because everybody is waiting on the high season to list their homes, making that a great time to sell. The real estate advisor is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heartung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker, Heartung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what exactly is title insurance? Title insurance is where they are ensuring the title to your home. If you bought a house and someone came and knocked on your door and said, you know, an uncle of mine came to you 40 years ago and owns part of this property, that is where your title insurance would come in. They'll go to court or they'll fix the problem or they'll pay you back for any losses that you might incur from such a claim. The title company or attorney who does your closing will do a thorough title search for you. Going back as much as 30 years to check for any claims, deed changes or judgments that haven't been satisfied or taken care of, they'll make sure that there's no tax leans on your house or other nasty surprises that sometimes come up during these searches. At closing you will get a clear title to your property, so you don't have to worry about answering your door. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can we do to increase our curb appeal? Curb appeal is very important. It often makes a difference between somebody deciding to look at your home or not. Stand across the street and take an honest appraisal of what a potential buyer will see. Make sure that all the beds are weeded and new pine straws put down. Add some flowers to give a splash of color. When was the last time you used your front door? Polish up that hardware and paint the door. Make sure the glass is sparkling clean and brush away all of the spider webs. Press your wash, your front steps, walkways, driveway, and parking areas. What about your mailbox? Give it a fresh coat of paint and replace the numbers. If somebody is driving along looking for the address, this is the first thing that will catch their eye. A little bit of effort and a modest budget can make a big difference in your home's curb appeal. Set the tone right and get ready to invite buyers into your home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm buying a house that has polybutylene pipes. Should I be concerned? Polybutylene is a form of plastic that was used extensively for water supply piping from 1978 to 1995 as a cheap substitute for copper pipes. They're usually gray, but they can be white with adult finish. There are several different kinds of polybutylene pipes, but there's one in particular that has the wrong type of fittings. These are the ones that cause most of the problems. Your home inspector should check for these pipes in your home inspection. You will also want to check with your insurance company for their policy on these pipes. Some insurance companies will say they cover them, but then they exclude water damage, which is the damage you will have. So they're not really covering your polybutylene pipes. And if you do find you have polybutylene pipes, you do have the option of changing out the pipes to copper for a couple thousand dollars. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale? A foreclosure is a property that is wholly owned by the bank. They have gone through the entire process of obtaining the property back from the owner. They know what all the fees and the payoffs are at this point. The bank can negotiate with you and can usually give you an answer on your offer within 48 hours and can close on the property in 30 to 60 days or even sooner with a cash buyer. A short sale is a property that still has the owner involved in the sale. The owner is trying to sell the property for less than they still owe on their mortgage. So your offer goes to the owner, then to the bank, and it often takes two to six months to hear back on your offer. And then another 30 to 60 days to close. For closures and short sales are often a great way to get a bargain on a home, depending on the work that is needed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with cold little banker Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Gulf beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Online at TLHrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper Realtor. Today's real estate advisor's question is, how is the market doing? This is one of the first questions I'm always asked. The talent-hassy market is rebounding nicely. Most of Tallahassee has hit the bottom and is working its way back up. There are many neighborhoods in town that have not had any foreclosure activity in the last few years and have stabilized back to a normal market. The prices are increasing about 2 to 3% a year, which is what the market was doing before the crash, and that is very sustainable appreciation. The main problem area now is the Northwest. With all of the new construction around the university that can house an additional 8,000 people, and only 300 new students to take up those spaces, they are pulling renters and buyers from the surrounding neighborhoods, putting downward pressure on prices and rents in those areas. If there are still 6 foreclosures on the street, then that neighborhood is probably still not seen the bottom yet, although this does lead to some incredible bargains in those neighborhoods now. Submit a question for the real estate advisors at www.wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisor's is a service to Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how do I become a real estate agent? This is a question I do get quite often. If you were thinking of starting a career in real estate, I would suggest having at least six months of savings in the bank. This gives you plenty of time to get started and established without having to panic about paying the next month's bills. Look into taking a class to prepare yourself for the test. You can do this locally in a sit down classroom or take a class online. Then you need to take and pass the real estate test. Then start interviewing real estate companies and ask about their training programs. You can also get training at the board of realtors. And speaking of the board, you should join your local board of realtors as well as the state association of realtors and the national association of realtors. Buy some business cars to start passing out. You can expect to spend at least $1,000 on the expenses just listed. If you have energy and are organized, real estate could be a great career for you. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm looking to buy an auction property. What should I do? When an auction property comes up on the market, you can usually bid over a couple of days. But most of the action is going to happen in the last hour or two of the auction, and they will usually extend the auction as long as people are still actively bidding. If you win the auction, you have just bought a house and have to put down a deposit and a buyer's premium immediately. Make sure you've done all your homework and do diligence before now, because it is very difficult and very costly to back out. Before you bid, make sure you have a thorough home inspection done along with a termite and wood rotten inspection. Have your attorney or title company run a title search on the property to make sure that there are no outstanding leans or other problems with the property. There usually repairs you have to do, but auctions can be a great way to get a good price on a house. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and wfsu. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm going to buy a house. What can I do to ensure a smooth and easy closing? There are three main things you can do that will make your real estate closing as hassle-free as possible. First, get pre-approved for the loan. Working with your lender ahead of time to secure your financing not only helps determine what you can afford, but it also helps uncover any problems that might come up and impact your closing. Second, listen to your lender and your Realtor. Buying a home involves a mountain of paperwork, so be prepared. And just when you think you're done submitting the last of the forms, the bank will undoubtedly want something more. Always respond to your lender requests very promptly. And third, stay calm. Everyone agrees. Be flexible. Be responsive. And above all, remain calm. Your lender will ask you for all sorts of last-minute details. Don't take it personally. Sometimes things just come up at the last minute. Stay calm and keep your eye on the prize. Closing and owning your new home. The real estate advisor's is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, am I ready to buy a home? If you're wondering if a home purchase is a good decision for you, here's a few questions to ask yourself. Do you have the desire to commit to the same community for the next five to seven years? Are you stable in your career? Why do you want to buy? Buying a home is a great way to increase your personal wealth. Are your finances ready? Do you have good credit? Do you have a pattern of paying your bills on time? And do you have savings? If you're looking to buy a $200,000 home, you need about $19,000 for down payment, closing costs and prepaids. Don't forget about your moving expenses. You should also have some cash reserves for any unexpected surprises that might come up. I had to put in a new sewer line in the older home I recently bought. That took all of my landscape and decorating budget and plus a little bit more. But if you can answer yes to these questions, then a home purchase may be right for you. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the best home improvements to do now that will help improve the resale value of my home later? If you're looking to sell your home in a few years, you don't want to pay for impractical or expensive improvements now that will be out of style by the time you put that 4 sales sign in your yard. You want to look at traditional and fashionable upgrades that will provide value and aesthetic beauty for years to come. New kitchens top the list. New countertops and appliances are usually a sure bet. Bathrooms are next. Be sure to avoid all white as that usually looks too sterile. Bring in some light by adding skylights or sun tunnels if you can. Put up some extra storage shelves or cabinets to reduce the clutter in your home. Add an island into the kitchen. Put down some hardwood floors. Popular outdoor items include fireplaces, decks, fountains, and landscaping. And an outdoor kitchen can definitely boost the wow factor for your resale. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I rent or should I buy? I'm often asked the question, is it better to rent or buy a house? The length of time is one of the biggest factors in making this decision. You need to ask yourself, how long do you plan on living there? Is your job stable? Are you subject to being transferred for your job? Do you have any looming family issues that might take you out of town for an extended period of time? If you think you're likely to stay in the house for less than one to three years, then it is better to rent. The market at most of Tallahassee is back to normal, where you can make about 2-3% appreciation a year on your home. That means it will take you about two years just to be able to break even if you had to sell your home quickly. So, if you're going to be in your home for less than three years, you should look at rent team. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much money do I need to buy a house? Closing costs are always a big question on every home buyer's mind. There are three main parts to your closing costs. There's your down payment, then you have the closing costs, such as title insurance, appraisals, surveys, bank underwriting fees, all of that sort of thing. Finally, you have prepaids, which is setting up an escrow account to pay for your taxes and insurance. If you're buying a house for $200,000 and putting down 5% with the bank, your costs are going to run about $19,000. The 5% down payment will be $10,000 of it, then there's about $6,000 in closing costs, and another $3,000 for your prepaids. But, in many cases, you can ask the seller to pay some of your closing costs. You always have to put down your own down payment and prepaids, but you can ask the seller to pay most apart of your closing costs. In this case, that could save you up to $6,000. The real estate advisor's is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor, and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Calville Banker, Heart Tung, and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when is the buying season for houses? People are always asking me if this is a good time to put their homes on the market. Is there a better time than others? There is definitely a cycle when it comes to buying homes. March to June is the high season for buying, and then everyone wants to move in July in between school years. August, it slows down a little bit as everybody's getting ready for school to start. September to November is a slow but even pace. At the beginning of the holidays, you get the round of investors coming in, snapping at properties before the end of the year, which is followed by the steep drop in buyers until the end of the year. Then on January 1st, we get a surge of calls from new buyers that last for about two weeks. About the same as New Year's resolutions. Now, February, February is the lowest inventory month because everybody is waiting on the high season to list their homes, making that a great time to sell. The real estate advisor is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heartung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker, Heartung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what exactly is title insurance? Title insurance is where they are ensuring the title to your home. If you bought a house and someone came and knocked on your door and said, you know, an uncle of mine came to you 40 years ago and owns part of this property, that is where your title insurance would come in. They'll go to court or they'll fix the problem or they'll pay you back for any losses that you might incur from such a claim. The title company or attorney who does your closing will do a thorough title search for you. Going back as much as 30 years to check for any claims, deed changes or judgments that haven't been satisfied or taken care of, they'll make sure that there's no tax leans on your house or other nasty surprises that sometimes come up during these searches. At closing you will get a clear title to your property, so you don't have to worry about answering your door. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can we do to increase our curb appeal? Curb appeal is very important. It often makes a difference between somebody deciding to look at your home or not. Stand across the street and take an honest appraisal of what a potential buyer will see. Make sure that all the beds are weeded and new pine straws put down. Add some flowers to give a splash of color. When was the last time you used your front door? Polish up that hardware and paint the door. Make sure the glass is sparkling clean and brush away all of the spider webs. Press your wash, your front steps, walkways, driveway, and parking areas. What about your mailbox? Give it a fresh coat of paint and replace the numbers. If somebody is driving along looking for the address, this is the first thing that will catch their eye. A little bit of effort and a modest budget can make a big difference in your home's curb appeal. Set the tone right and get ready to invite buyers into your home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Gulf beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHreelestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Hartung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I've bought a house. What type of inspections do I need? Once you have negotiated a contract on a house, you usually have 10 to 15 days to conduct inspections to verify all the systems are in good working order. You should start with a full home inspection. These inspectors will check all of the systems, the heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as any appliances. Sometimes you will need additional inspections from an air conditioning company or a fireplace specialist if there are any problems found in those areas. You will also want a raid on inspection. Rade on is a naturally occurring gas found in the ground that sometimes seeps into homes and causes elevated levels that you will want to have mitigated. If there is a septic tank, you will need to pay for having the tank pumped as well as the inspection because they need to pump the tank to be able to visually inspect it. And if there's a pool, you should plan on a pool inspection also. Quite a lot of inspections, but they will give you peace of mind. Submit a question for the real estate advisors at www.wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Information provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I am moving. Do I need to move everything? If you're moving, this is a great time to go through your belongings, get rid of some stuff and simplify your life a little bit. There are many wonderful charities that you can donate quite a variety of items to, and some of them will even pick up. Think of the items that you have been debating letting go of and donate some of that furniture. Trim down your kitchen gadgets and appliances, and go through your clothes and donate anything that you haven't worn in the last two years. Find out your entire pantry and take everything to a local food bank and feed some of the hungry folks around town. Don't forget to grab a receipt and give it to your accountant at the end of the year for a tax deduction. This is a great way to free up some space, help the local community, and trim down the number of boxes that you'll need to move. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm buying a house that has polybutylene pipes. Should I be concerned? Polybutylene is a form of plastic that was used extensively for water supply piping from 1978 to 1995 as a cheap substitute for copper pipes. They're usually gray, but they can be white with adult finish. There are several different kinds of polybutylene pipes, but there's one in particular that has the wrong type of fittings. These are the ones that cause most of the problems. Your home inspector should check for these pipes in your home inspection. You will also want to check with your insurance company for their policy on these pipes. Some insurance companies will say they cover them, but then they exclude water damage, which is the damage you will have. So they're not really covering your polybutylene pipes. And if you do find you have polybutylene pipes, you do have the option of changing out the pipes to copper for a couple thousand dollars. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do short sales take so long? Despite the name short sale, there is nothing short or quick about a short sale. With a short sale, the owner of the property is trying to sell their property for less than they owe on their mortgage. When you put in an offer, it starts with the owner. Once that has been agreed upon, then the offer goes to the bank. During that time, the bank figures out the least they can take on the mortgage, then they go back and negotiate with the owner on how to cover or write off the deficiency that is left on the mortgage. Once that has agreed upon, the bank replies back to the buyer, with an acceptance or a counter offer. This often takes two to six months just to hear back on your offer and then another 30 to 60 days to close. There is nothing quick about a short sale, but for those buyers that have the patience and no set timelines or deadlines, they can be a chance to get an incredible bargain on a home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale? A foreclosure is a property that is wholly owned by the bank. They have gone through the entire process of obtaining the property back from the owner. They know what all the fees and the payoffs are at this point. The bank can negotiate with you and can usually give you an answer on your offer within 48 hours and can close on the property in 30 to 60 days or even sooner with a cash buyer. A short sale is a property that still has the owner involved in the sale. The owner is trying to sell the property for less than they still owe on their mortgage. So your offer goes to the owner, then to the bank, and it often takes two to six months to hear back on your offer. And then another 30 to 60 days to close. For closures and short sales are often a great way to get a bargain on a home, depending on the work that is needed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Realtor's from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf beaches, online at tlhrealtors.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heartung. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm new to the area and needs some repair work done around my home. Where can I find someone who is qualified and trustworthy? In addition to helping customers buy or sell a home, local realtors are a great resource for all sorts of information in the community and typically have developed relationships with people in the trade and service industries, including carpenters, plumbers, ceramic tile installers, made services, tree surgeons, pet care providers, and many more. A realtor knows their community and can help customers in selecting an area of town based on a buyer's interest, such as schools, parks, beaches, trails, culture, arts, local and regional attractions, and points of interest. A relationship with your realtor may hold more value than just helping you find a place to call home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I wanted to check my credit score and report. Where should I look? Checking your credit report at least once a year, or even more often is imperative in this day and age of cybercrime and information hacking. People's identities and even business identities are stolen every day. One of the best things you can do is to check through your entire credit report once a year, even if you've had no problems that you're aware of. The government has a site that you can check once a year, and it will not count as an inquiry on your credit report. You can access a copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. Obtaining your credit score on the site may require the payment of a nominal fee, but the credit report itself is free of charge. Other sites advertised are commercial sites and will charge you a fee to access your credit report. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with cold little banker Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Gulf beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Online at TLHrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper Realtor. Today's real estate advisor's question is, how is the market doing? This is one of the first questions I'm always asked. The talent-hassy market is rebounding nicely. Most of Tallahassee has hit the bottom and is working its way back up. There are many neighborhoods in town that have not had any foreclosure activity in the last few years and have stabilized back to a normal market. The prices are increasing about 2 to 3% a year, which is what the market was doing before the crash, and that is very sustainable appreciation. The main problem area now is the Northwest. With all of the new construction around the university that can house an additional 8,000 people, and only 300 new students to take up those spaces, they are pulling renters and buyers from the surrounding neighborhoods, putting downward pressure on prices and rents in those areas. If there are still 6 foreclosures on the street, then that neighborhood is probably still not seen the bottom yet, although this does lead to some incredible bargains in those neighborhoods now. Submit a question for the real estate advisors at www.wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisor's is a service to Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at TLHrealestate.com This is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblin. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much house can I buy? Knowing this in the beginning of your home search will save you a lot of grief down the road. The best bet to answering this question is to call a local bank or mortgage company. They can give you a very accurate figure. They can also send a pre-qualification letter, which you will need anyways. But if you're looking for a quick and dirty way to figure out what price range you can afford, start with your monthly gross salary. Take 28-32% of that depending on what type of loan you're getting. This is the maximum amount of a mortgage payment that you can have. Then, take 43% of your monthly salary. This is the maximum amount of total debt that you can have, including your mortgage. Why just 43%? Because they want you to have money left over to pay your taxes, buy food, gas, etc. So take that 43% amount and subtract your monthly payments like your car payment and credit cards and the final figure is what you qualify for. Or the 28% figure, whichever is lower. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, am I ready to buy a home? If you're wondering if a home purchase is a good decision for you, here's a few questions to ask yourself. Do you have the desire to commit to the same community for the next five to seven years? Are you stable in your career? Why do you want to buy? Buying a home is a great way to increase your personal wealth. Are your finances ready? Do you have good credit? Do you have a pattern of paying your bills on time? And do you have savings? If you're looking to buy a $200,000 home, you need about $19,000 for down payment, closing costs and prepaids. Don't forget about your moving expenses. You should also have some cash reserves for any unexpected surprises that might come up. I had to put in a new sewer line in the older home I recently bought. That took all of my landscape and decorating budget and plus a little bit more. But if you can answer yes to these questions, then a home purchase may be right for you. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what are the best home improvements to do now that will help improve the resale value of my home later? If you're looking to sell your home in a few years, you don't want to pay for impractical or expensive improvements now that will be out of style by the time you put that 4 sales sign in your yard. You want to look at traditional and fashionable upgrades that will provide value and aesthetic beauty for years to come. New kitchens top the list. New countertops and appliances are usually a sure bet. Bathrooms are next. Be sure to avoid all white as that usually looks too sterile. Bring in some light by adding skylights or sun tunnels if you can. Put up some extra storage shelves or cabinets to reduce the clutter in your home. Add an island into the kitchen. Put down some hardwood floors. Popular outdoor items include fireplaces, decks, fountains, and landscaping. And an outdoor kitchen can definitely boost the wow factor for your resale. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, realtor with Calwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, should I rent or should I buy? I'm often asked the question, is it better to rent or buy a house? The length of time is one of the biggest factors in making this decision. You need to ask yourself, how long do you plan on living there? Is your job stable? Are you subject to being transferred for your job? Do you have any looming family issues that might take you out of town for an extended period of time? If you think you're likely to stay in the house for less than one to three years, then it is better to rent. The market at most of Tallahassee is back to normal, where you can make about 2-3% appreciation a year on your home. That means it will take you about two years just to be able to break even if you had to sell your home quickly. So, if you're going to be in your home for less than three years, you should look at rent team. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, how much money do I need to buy a house? Closing costs are always a big question on every home buyer's mind. There are three main parts to your closing costs. There's your down payment, then you have the closing costs, such as title insurance, appraisals, surveys, bank underwriting fees, all of that sort of thing. Finally, you have prepaids, which is setting up an escrow account to pay for your taxes and insurance. If you're buying a house for $200,000 and putting down 5% with the bank, your costs are going to run about $19,000. The 5% down payment will be $10,000 of it, then there's about $6,000 in closing costs, and another $3,000 for your prepaids. But, in many cases, you can ask the seller to pay some of your closing costs. You always have to put down your own down payment and prepaids, but you can ask the seller to pay most apart of your closing costs. In this case, that could save you up to $6,000. The real estate advisor's is a service of City Cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor, and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Calville Banker, Heart Tung, and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, when is the buying season for houses? People are always asking me if this is a good time to put their homes on the market. Is there a better time than others? There is definitely a cycle when it comes to buying homes. March to June is the high season for buying, and then everyone wants to move in July in between school years. August, it slows down a little bit as everybody's getting ready for school to start. September to November is a slow but even pace. At the beginning of the holidays, you get the round of investors coming in, snapping at properties before the end of the year, which is followed by the steep drop in buyers until the end of the year. Then on January 1st, we get a surge of calls from new buyers that last for about two weeks. About the same as New Year's resolutions. Now, February, February is the lowest inventory month because everybody is waiting on the high season to list their homes, making that a great time to sell. The real estate advisor is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, realtors with Coldwell Banker Heartung, real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker, Heartung and Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what exactly is title insurance? Title insurance is where they are ensuring the title to your home. If you bought a house and someone came and knocked on your door and said, you know, an uncle of mine came to you 40 years ago and owns part of this property, that is where your title insurance would come in. They'll go to court or they'll fix the problem or they'll pay you back for any losses that you might incur from such a claim. The title company or attorney who does your closing will do a thorough title search for you. Going back as much as 30 years to check for any claims, deed changes or judgments that haven't been satisfied or taken care of, they'll make sure that there's no tax leans on your house or other nasty surprises that sometimes come up during these searches. At closing you will get a clear title to your property, so you don't have to worry about answering your door. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at TLHrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung in Noblen. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what can we do to increase our curb appeal? Curb appeal is very important. It often makes a difference between somebody deciding to look at your home or not. Stand across the street and take an honest appraisal of what a potential buyer will see. Make sure that all the beds are weeded and new pine straws put down. Add some flowers to give a splash of color. When was the last time you used your front door? Polish up that hardware and paint the door. Make sure the glass is sparkling clean and brush away all of the spider webs. Press your wash, your front steps, walkways, driveway, and parking areas. What about your mailbox? Give it a fresh coat of paint and replace the numbers. If somebody is driving along looking for the address, this is the first thing that will catch their eye. A little bit of effort and a modest budget can make a big difference in your home's curb appeal. Set the tone right and get ready to invite buyers into your home. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Cold Well Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Cold Well Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, I'm buying a house that has polybutylene pipes. Should I be concerned? Polybutylene is a form of plastic that was used extensively for water supply piping from 1978 to 1995 as a cheap substitute for copper pipes. They're usually gray, but they can be white with adult finish. There are several different kinds of polybutylene pipes, but there's one in particular that has the wrong type of fittings. These are the ones that cause most of the problems. Your home inspector should check for these pipes in your home inspection. You will also want to check with your insurance company for their policy on these pipes. Some insurance companies will say they cover them, but then they exclude water damage, which is the damage you will have. So they're not really covering your polybutylene pipes. And if you do find you have polybutylene pipes, you do have the option of changing out the pipes to copper for a couple thousand dollars. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner, and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung and Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, why do short sales take so long? Despite the name short sale, there is nothing short or quick about a short sale. With a short sale, the owner of the property is trying to sell their property for less than they owe on their mortgage. When you put in an offer, it starts with the owner. Once that has been agreed upon, then the offer goes to the bank. During that time, the bank figures out the least they can take on the mortgage, then they go back and negotiate with the owner on how to cover or write off the deficiency that is left on the mortgage. Once that has agreed upon, the bank replies back to the buyer, with an acceptance or a counter offer. This often takes two to six months just to hear back on your offer and then another 30 to 60 days to close. There is nothing quick about a short sale, but for those buyers that have the patience and no set timelines or deadlines, they can be a chance to get an incredible bargain on a home. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of wfsu.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Heart Tung. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Golf Beaches, Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner online at tlhrealestate.com. Hello, this is Cindy Cooper, a Realtor with Calwell Banker, Heart Tung in Noblan. Today's question for the real estate advisors is, what is the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale? A foreclosure is a property that is wholly owned by the bank. They have gone through the entire process of obtaining the property back from the owner. They know what all the fees and the payoffs are at this point. The bank can negotiate with you and can usually give you an answer on your offer within 48 hours and can close on the property in 30 to 60 days or even sooner with a cash buyer. A short sale is a property that still has the owner involved in the sale. The owner is trying to sell the property for less than they still owe on their mortgage. So your offer goes to the owner, then to the bank, and it often takes two to six months to hear back on your offer. And then another 30 to 60 days to close. For closures and short sales are often a great way to get a bargain on a home, depending on the work that is needed. Listen to archives of the real estate advisors at WFSU.org slash real estate. The real estate advisors is a service of city cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. Content provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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The real estate advisors is made possible in part by Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Realtors with cold little banker Hartung and Noblan. Real estate sales from the streets of Tallahassee to the Sandy Gulf beaches. Cindy Cooper and Georgia Turner. Online at TLHrealestate.com Hello, this is Cindy Cooper Realtor. Today's real estate advisor's question is, how is the market doing? This is one of the first questions I'm always asked. The talent-hassy market is rebounding nicely. Most of Tallahassee has hit the bottom and is working its way back up. There are many neighborhoods in town that have not had any foreclosure activity in the last few years and have stabilized back to a normal market. The prices are increasing about 2 to 3% a year, which is what the market was doing before the crash, and that is very sustainable appreciation. The main problem area now is the Northwest. With all of the new construction around the university that can house an additional 8,000 people, and only 300 new students to take up those spaces, they are pulling renters and buyers from the surrounding neighborhoods, putting downward pressure on prices and rents in those areas. If there are still 6 foreclosures on the street, then that neighborhood is probably still not seen the bottom yet, although this does lead to some incredible bargains in those neighborhoods now. Submit a question for the real estate advisors at www.wfsu.org slash real estate. The real estate advisor's is a service to Cindy Cooper, Georgia Turner and WFSU. And provided is the opinion of the sponsor and not of WFSU.

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