The chaos of moving day is a prime time to forget or misplace essential items.  When you’re preparing for the big move to your new home, the following items are some of the most overlooked (and the most sorely missed in a time of need!).

To prevent the hassle and heartbreak of forgotten possessions and lost information, make a check list containing the following items:

1. Jewelry, watches, and small valuables:  These small, expensive and often irreplaceable items are best kept in a safe deposit box or kept with trustworthy friends or relatives on moving day.

2. Garage door opener:  The old one won’t be of much use at your new house, will it? Be sure to leave it behind for the new owners.  Also, make sure the old owners of your new house give you theirs!

3. Spare keys:  Sets to your old house should remain with the new owners, but don’t forget sets to the new house!  There’s nothing more frustrating than arriving at your new place without a way to get in.

4. Old address books:  Yes, we all have fancy new smartphones, but it seems like families all have a well-worn phone book stashed in a spice drawer somewhere.  These are practically family heirlooms of information, so don’t leave them behind.

5. Unfinished errands:  Do you have any clothes at the dry cleaner?  Books due to the library?  What about other video game or DVD rentals?  It can be a real hassle to settle up on these items from 100 miles away, right?

6. Medical records:  While a lot of medical information is digital these days, you should make sure you don’t misplace your copies, including dental information and prescriptions.  It’s easy to lose them at the bottom of a hastily thrown-away box.

Did you buy a home last year? Have you owned your home for a decade? Do you have an accurate idea of how much equity you really have in your home? If you were to sell today, do you know how much cash you’d have available moving forward?

Understanding the true equity you have in your home is a vital part of understanding your complete financial picture.  You may have a vague idea of what you think your home is worth, but do you really know?  And if you’re not sure, can you really be sure of your equity?

I often help clients get an accurate picture of their home equity through a three step process:

First, I use a comparative market analysis to establish a probable range of sale prices for your home.  This takes into account recent closings as well as the unique features your home has to offer potential buyers.

Second, we look at your current loan and any other outstanding obligations which must be settled from the proceeds of the sale.

Third, I take into account any other fees or expenses incurred during the sales  process which would impact the free equity in the home.

Whether the actual equity turns out to be $1,000 or $100,000, my clients find a certain peace of mind knowing exactly where they stand.  The facts can help them plan for the future and make decisions about whether or not now is a good time to make any changes.

Are you curious about your home equity position? Contact me if you’d like to learn more: Michelle Blue 425-785-0434

Now is perhaps one of the best times in history to purchase a home.  Low interest rates and unparalleled affordability have created a perfect storm for qualified buyers.

So does that mean the “flipping days” are here again?  Probably not.  While there may be shrewd investors out there who have the ability to squeeze out a profit on flipping properties in this market, the margins aren’t favorable and re-selling is tough.

It is, however, an excellent time for buyers looking for a long-term home investment, especially those who want to manage a rental property.  There’s a good margin between true value and current prices, for one.  Additionally, there’s great potential for higher rental values as rental inventory decreases under the pressure of potential buyers who can’t yet qualify for a loan.

Do you have a college graduate or newlywed child? Another great investment is the purchase of a home for someone in the family that may occupy it as a tenant until such time they can afford their own home.

If you’re curious about which neighborhoods would make the purchase of an investment property a good move, feel free to contact me today.  I’d be happy to help advise you on an investment purchase.

I came across this interesting infographic in the Washington Post recently called "Anatomy of a Burglary," which reveals some fascinating statistics about break-ins, including a few ways to protect your valuables and deter thieves.

Some interesting facts:

* Most burglaries occur between 10AM and 3PM.
* The typical house burglar is a male teenager who lives within a couple of miles of your home.
* Burglars spend on an average between 8 and 12 minutes inside your home.

Not only did the graphic detail the most common entry points for a burglar, but it also offered these helpful tips for protecting your home:

* A home with a security system is 3 times less likely to be broken into than a home without a security system. (Even if you don't have one, buying the stickers for them can deter an amateur.)
* Consider alternatives to the master bedroom for hiding valuables. It's the first place most burglars go.
* Burglars want to spend fewer than 60 seconds breaking in. Anything you can do to lengthen that time will increase the likelihood they'll pass on your house.
* The appearance of an unoccupied home is what typically attracts burglars. Not bringing the garbage cans back up a few days after trash day can be a big sign you're not around.

For a detailed look at the infographic, visit the Washington Post site here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/artsandliving/homeandgarden/features/2007/burglary-070507/graphic.html

Protect your home and your valuables! Common sense is often enough to keep you from becoming a victim.  And remember: Keep an inventory of your possessions for insurance purposes.

Quality of your neighborhood got you nervous? Looking to move to a nicer zip code? I'd be glad to help you find a safer home. Contact me!

Do you ever wish you lived closer to work?  Some of the happiest people I know have the shortest commutes.  Traffic stress, the cost of gasoline, and the hours wasted on the road take their toll.

Well, if you've ever been looking for a reason to move closer to your work, this might just send you over the edge.  The truth is, it could be a major financial mistake not to cut a long commute out of your life.

This eye-opening infographic from StreamlineRefinance.net shows you how much more home you can afford when you eliminate a long commute from your life.  From their math, it looks to be anywhere from $15,900 (1 mile reduction) to an astonishing $477,000 (30 mile reduction)! 

While you might have some arguments against their assumptions, I think the graphic is useful all the same:  It gets you thinking about how you value your time and the "hidden costs" of a long drive to your livelihood!

Check out the infographic for yourself: http://www.streamlinerefinance.net/cost-of-commuting.html 

Thinking it might be time to move closer to your job? I work with families relocating all the time, and would love to help you sell your current home and find a perfect upgrade closer to work! Contact me today: 425-785-0434  Michelle.Blue@Windermere.com