New Year's TIPS 2013

Now that the end of the year is upon us, it’s time to start thinking about some New Year resolutions.
If you’re 2013 resolution is to buy or sell a home, here are some suggestions to help you along the way. For everyone else, we’ve added some tips about building equity and investing in updates to your home.

  Buying:
If you’re in the market to buy your first home or if you’re upsizing/downsizing, here are some ideas that can help you make this dream a reality:

• Create a buying timeline and work towards your goal
• Check your credit scores and work to improve your rating
• Start or increase your savings for a down payment
• Start the loan pre-approval process
• Meet with your real estate agent
• Start looking for homes

Selling:
If you are planning to put your home on the market in 2013, here are some good places to start:

• Create a selling timeline to work towards having your home ready for market
• Make a list of home improvements and a plan on how to manage them
• Get rid of the clutter
• Contact a real estate agent

Building Equity:
You may not be moving this year, but you can create a plan to increase your equity in the home you have now. Here are some tips:

• Take advantage of low interest rates by refinancing to a lower rate
• Consider refinancing to a shorter term loan
• Make extra lump-sum payments. Consider using your tax refund, cash gifts, work bonuses, garage sale money, or any other unexpected income toward paying down your principal.
• Pay every two weeks instead of once a month. A biweekly payment plan can substantially reduce the amount of interest you pay because you are breaking the interest accrual down from 30 days to every 15.
• Pay a little extra each month. Even if you’re only rounding up to the next $100 increment, putting a little extra money towards your principal every month can add up.

Investing In Your Home
You can add a lot of value and additional enjoyment to your home by investing in improvements and upgrades.

• Choose a home improvement project that will yield a good return on investment when you do choose to sell
• Create a home checklist to track maintenance projects over the year
• Make eco-improvements to increase your home’s sustainability and reduce your utility payments over the long-term. These improvements are generally a good return on your investment when reselling.

o Upgrade furnace to an efficient model

o Upgrade windows for better insulation

o Add alternative energy resources, such as solar power

o Update toilets and showers to low-flow

o Install a programmable thermostat

o Update to energy-efficient appliances

What are your New Year’s resolutions?

(courtesy of Windermere blog at windermere.com)

It's that time of year...

The year is nearly over and the holidays are in full swing! In an effort to enjoy the holidays, spend quality time with friends and family and stay ahead of the stress, we have compiled a list (with the help of some great resources) of some good ways to “keep calm and carry on” through the New Year.

1. Plan ahead-Figure out the most important things that you must do in order to survive the holidays (top gifts, top traditions, the most urgent items-- including parties and house guests). The more you plan ahead and pre-prepare, the easier everything will be in the moment (at least that is my philosophy).

2. Create a space for yourself-Making space for yourself can help decrease your stress. Having a solitary space to read a book or take a nap undisturbed is sanctuary in the midst of madness.

3. Be prepared for surprises-Just think of the worst that could happen and prepare for it. The worst likely will not happen, but just being prepared can decrease stress. And if something less than the worst happens you can rest assured, because you are ready for it. If worst than the worst case scenario happens, think about what a great story it will be in the years to come.

4. Keep it clean-Whether you are hosting a party or housing guests for the holidays, clutter is distracting and unnecessary. Schedule time to do a deep clean on your home prior to guests arriving, weeks in advance if need be.

5. Get into the spirit!-Congratulate yourself on a job well done and enjoy the holiday season!

 

From our family to yours, wishing you all things merry and bright this holiday season!

The Landes Team

Yvonnca, David, Keith, Kristen & Hilary

Yesterday a pastor called me to ask me to help him buy a house and we went on talking about what he was looking in an agent and the experiences he had in the past. I told him the market and what it is bring and he wanted to tell me that he ones brought a house for 65000 that was worth 200,000. I told him those deals are not out there and that I would help him to find a good deal but I couldn't lie and tell him that I could find that deal. He went on to tell me about the bible and that I need to know where I came from as a Black American and that is what is wrong with christians TODAY that we don't know how we got here from Africa, when he said that, I told him I know where I came from and I came from God and that's all I need to know. He went on to tell me how I should treat people of a different color for what my ancestors had went through in the past and when he said that I had to stop him there and say the God I serve everyday teaches me to love all people and treat people as I would want to be treated, went on to say that it is not for me to judge anyone of today for what happen in the past all of that was out of our control. Why am I am telling this story to make a point in my walk and my point is, I don't care what happen in the past but I do care about what happens in my future and my future is with every race because God would have us all to love one another as he loved us. I asked the pastor so why did you call me again and he told me to hire me and I declined the business because a man that would try to turn me against God's people is not a man that I would do business with. You have to be careful on what the devil sends you way in the form of the MIGHT DOLLAR......
 

Great week for The Landes Team

What a week several contract written and two new listing. I just signed on a new buyer agent. The Landes Team is growing quick... Call us today 865-660-1186.

Yvonnca Landes
Realty Executives/The Landes Team
www.knoxvilleshomes.com

The Landes Team would like to welcome Hilary Barrett to our team, we are so excited to have her knowledge in the real estate field. Call us today for a free consultant!!!!!!!!!! 865-660-1186.

Yvonnca Landes-Realty Executives

Testimonial-Client Letter

Yvonnca,

I wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed meeting with you last night. I slept better than in a long time. I told my Mom this morning, you felt like a member of the family.  The Lord was so good to me yesterday in many ways and I feel you were one of the blessing he sent. I got up with joy in my heart this morning (and that hasn't happened in a while). I just wanted to thank you for representing our home and for being the wonderful business woman and Christian you are.

Sincerely,

Amy White

SPRING IS HERE.....................

Spring time in East Tennessee is BEAUTIFUL!!!!  I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the world.  Why not take spring cleaning to another level - start the season by preparing to move to the home of your dreams!  Whether you are a first time home buyer, or are looking to sell your current home and take advantage of today's low prices and historically low interest rates buy more house, The Landes Team is here to help.  Call us today so that we can help YOU!
Yvonnca Landes
Realty Executives Associates
865-660-1186