Should you rent or sell your home?

In an area as transient as Jacksonville, NC, homeowners are often faced with the prospect of moving.  It's part of the military lifestyle, right?  It should always be a discussion whether to rent or sell.  

Some people don't want to deal with the hassles of being a landlord.  Some people don't want to bring money to the table to close.  Whether you should rent or sell your home addresses the question:  how much can you sell your home compared to what you owe.  Regardless of what you decide, experts suggest knowing your competition to know how to price your home for sale or rent.

Becoming a landlord can mean a lot of work.  It’s a very subjective decision—there’s no formula.  On the other hand, owning a home costs money. Real estate is an investment and you have to put money into your investment and nurture it.

Since your current home could hamper your purchasing power of another property, experts suggest answering a few questions to make the decision process easier.

Question No.1: How much can you charge for rent?

If you owe more than what you can sell it for and you have to leave the house anyway, look at how much you can rent the house for. Consider whether the rent that you can charge will pay for the monthly mortgage payment, taxes and insurance or if you have to cover the difference every month.

Renting could work well for you if property values are rising.  Treat that rental property like its own company—any profit goes back into the property for repairs, maintenance and to pay down that mortgage.  Hold all profits in an emergency fund or reserve for the property to cover any unexpected expenses or to help pay down the mortgage.

If you do have a positive cash flow, it may be better to hold onto the property and become a landlord, says Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac, but consider whether you want this responsibility. “If you’re counting on home price appreciation to get your investment back on that property and in the meantime, you’re losing money every month [from renting], it may be a good time to cut your losses and not wait out home price appreciation.”

Question No.2: Do you have to upgrade your property?

A tenant won’t put up with the problems that you did, so Blomquist recommends walking through the house and assessing what needs to be repaired or upgraded.  

If you decide to make substantial upgrades, analyzing every individual element isn’t an accurate portrayal of what you’ll get back. “When you do a few changes together, the kitchen, bath, painting and carpeting, all the sudden you’ve raised the level of the house to something nice,” says Corbett. “The whole is better than the sum of the parts.” Upgrades in strategic areas of your home create a lifestyle upgrade that could make the investment worthwhile.

While getting rid of clutter and painting can help sell your home, take a common sense approach to home improvements. Over improving your home won’t get you a return on your investment while improving your home to the neighborhood norm will get you more of a return. If you’re in a buyer’s market with plenty of inventory, you’re going to have to make that home competitive.

Question No.3: How much does it cost to maintain your property?

Rental properties have continuous maintenance expenses, especially when a tenant moves out. “You need to have a bit of a cash flow every month,” says Corbett.

Tenants can be just as picky as buyers and there are costs to turning a property, like repainting, cleaning carpets, replacing flooring, and repairing any damage or wear and tear. Landlords tailor rentals differently than they do their own homes.

Sometimes you have to decide if it’s better for you to sell and take a hold onto the property and rent it out for the long term knowing there are expenses with every new tenant.  You have to take care of these things otherwise you won’t get as much rent.

Question No.4: If you’re underwater, is a short sale worthwhile?

If your house is underwater, you may need to bring money to the table at closing. The amount you owe can determine whether it’s worthwhile to rent your home and take advantage of the housing recovery or pursue a short sale. Since home prices appreciate about 3% per year on average, it’s probably worth it to rent a home with an LTV less than 110%, says Blomquist. Doing a short sale could hinder your ability to buy another property.

For higher LTV homes, a short sale may be a good option because banks are willing to approve short sales even if you haven’t missed a payment, says Blomquist. Also consider that the law exempting homeowners from paying taxes on debt that’s forgiven expires in 2014, which may provide additional incentive to cut your losses.

Call Amanda today to talk about your real estate options!  910.545.0450

Farmer's Market Opening Day TOMORROW!

That's right!  Onslow County's Farmer's Market opens tomorrow, April 13, 2013 at 8:30 at the Highway 258 location.
They will be open on Tuesday and Saturday mornings until November 2nd.  You'll be able to find all of your favorite fruits and veggies, as well as homemade breads, jams, jellies, arts, crafts and even plants!

There will be a second location opening next Thursday (April 18th) at noon near the Commons at 100 Recreation Lane.
Visit either of the local sites to help support our local farmers and commerce!  It's a great opportunity to buy organic and fresh food, as well contribute to the Jacksonville community.

Time for Spring Cleaning!

It is time to start your spring cleaning! In order to help you, I have compiled a list of 13 things you should replace now!

Your Toothbrush

Technically, you’re supposed to get rid of your toothbrush every three to four months, but if you can’t remember the last time you changed out yours, now’s the time.

Batteries on Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

These are not the home accessories you want to go dead. Stick fresh batteries in now to ensure they don’t go beep (unnecessarily) in the night.

Eye Makeup

Your eye makeup is one big breeding ground for bacteria, and it’s not worth risking a massive infection to scrape every last bit out of your mascara tube. Change out your mascara and eyeliner especially, as those go closest to your eye and tend to have the shortest shelf lives.

Your Foundation

After a year, your foundation will likely be less than its best -- and may already be separating. For optimal color, swap it out for a fresh bottle now.

Your Sneakers

If you put more miles on your Manolos than your Nikes, you may not need to change out your sneakers just yet. But for most people, their sneakers see enough wear and tear that they won’t provide good support after a year of use -- which means you’ll set yourself up for joint and back pain down the road. So after you’re done with your spring cleaning, treat yourself to a new pair.

Your Kitchen Sponge

Sanitizing your kitchen sponge in the dishwasher or with a quick zap in the microwave will only take it so far. If you’ve just used your sponge to scrub every inch of your kitchen, it’s time to put it to pasture.

Baking Soda in Your Fridge/Freezer

Your baking soda helps absorb the odors from last night’s (or, ahem...last month’s!) leftovers. Spring for a fresh box to keep your fridge smelling good.

Your Pillows

Not to get too intimate, but odds are that after a year of use, your pillows are loaded with dried saliva, flakes of dead skin and those icky creatures they attract -- dust mites. Using a washable pillow cover beneath your pillowcase could help you keep your pillows for longer, but if you don’t use covers, change out your pillows every year.

Your Water Filter

Whether you have a stand-alone filter or one linked to your fridge, it needs to be replaced to help keep your water chemical- and contaminant-free.

Your Sunscreen

Once opened, your sunscreen starts losing potency. Most sunscreens do last for two to three years, but it might be a good idea to trade yours out now for better protection.

Cedar in Your Closets

Keep the moths at bay by freshening the cedar in your closets -- either by sanding the cedar blocks to refresh the scent, or by replacing them.

Your Toilet Brush

Even if you’re fastidious about disinfecting it regularly, it still has the grossest job in the house. Trade it in for a fresh one to minimize germ transmission.

Canned Goods and Bottled Water in Your Emergency Kit

Even canned goods won’t last forever -- so go ahead and use that soup and beans that you have stockpiled (or donate it to your local food bank) and swap in some fresh supplies.

FBI installing home security systems? SCAM!

A new scam is out there offering a free security system. The telemarketers are trying to trick you to install the new security system free of charge.

A telemarketer is offering a FREE install of a system, signs, and stickers. The system is automated and calling homes targeting the elderly it seems like.

Let's be logical here, the FBI is not in the security business. They are not even interested in residential crime. They deal with federal issues and are in the business of investigating.

Secondly, the security installation business is cut throat. The government would not get involved in home security, at least for now…

So if you have gotten a message offering this installation, just ignore it. It is just another person lying to try to get into your wallet.

Here's the news story about a lady in Virginia Beach who helped bring it to light.  Usually, when it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Crimson Faire- Richland's Next Big Thing!! New Construction Homes near Camp Lejeune and New River MCAS!

Crimson Faire is a new construction neighborhood in Richlands, off of Gum Branch Road, approximately 11 miles from Western Boulevard.  Featuring homesites from a half acre to upwards of four acres, this community is perfect for those who want their privacy, at an affordable price!

New construction homes range in sizes from 1,000 square feet to 2,000 square feet and feature 3-4 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 2 car garages.  With three different builders in the community, it promises to not look like a "cookie-cutter neighborhood."  

Boasting floorplans from A. Sydes Construction, Caviness and Cates, and Wynn Construction, home buyers are sure to enjoy functional and energy efficient floorplans on large homesites!  All builders are offering closing cost assistance and other buyer incentives on these great new construction homes.

The Stansbury floorplan by A. Sydes Construction features three spacious bedrooms and two bathrooms in a split floorplan.  The large open living area flows easily to the kitchen and dining room.  The large master bathroom and walk-in closet is a MUST SEE!  Situated on over an acre, this home is priced at only $150,000!  

This is the Eastman floorplan by Wynn Construction.  The three bedrooms and two bathrooms offer plenty of room for the growing family.  The tray ceiling in the living room is gorgeous and you'll love the Carolina evenings on the back patio!  The kitchen boasts plenty of counter space and a large pantry!  Priced at $158,900, this home is ready for it's new family!

Crimson Faire offers the neighborhood feel with space and privacy, as well as being in the Richlands school district!  Call me today to take a look at these great homes!

Amanda has earned the Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR®) designation through the National Association of Realtors® and can offer a higher level of expertise and service to her buyer clients.  Call her today for all of your home buying needs!

Amanda Parmer  910.545.0450  ajparmer09@gmail.com

www.AmandaParmerSellsHomes.com

Riverwalk Park, Jacksonville, NC is one of six finalists for Great Places in NC Contest!

If you've been to Riverwalk Festival, National Night Out, Onslow Oktoberfest, Winterfest or any of the free movie nights in the summertime months, you've witnessed how Riverwalk Park in downtown Jacksonville, North Carolina has become a center for family-friendly events and activites.  These events and the efforts of our local businesses, planning committees and organizations like Bettering Our Local Downtown (BOLD) over the last twenty years has earned Jacksonville, North Carolina a place in the running for top honors in an online contest celebrating great places in the state.

Downtown Jacksonville is one of six finalists in the Great Neighborhoods for Kids category, of Great Places in North Carolina.  Residents can vote until 5pm this Friday by going to ncgreatplaces.upickem.net.  You can read more about this great honor here.

Using a VA Loan?

The majority of people buying a home in Jacksonville, North Carolina utilize their VA loan entitlement.  Why wouldn't you?  It's 100% financing, with little to no closing costs in this housing market.  It's a perfect opportunity to invest in your financial future!
But there are some things you might not know!

~You can use your VA loan more than once!  Many military members intend to use their VA loan for their "forever home".  But it's actually designed for first-time homebuyers!  Even if you use your VA loan on one home, you are still entitled to use it again and again and again!  And, you can use it more than once at a time!  Military members move around!  That's the lifestyle.  But just because you have a home in California that you bought with a VA loan, doesn't mean that you can't simultaneously have a home in Jacksonville, NC with a VA loan!
~You only need 90 days of active duty service during wartime to qualify to use your VA loan!  And, you don't need perfect credit (although it doesn't hurt!!)
~The VA isn't lending you the money- they're only backing it up for you, kind of like insurance.  So you can still shop different lenders for the best interest rate!
~They are for primary residences only.  However, military members move around- a lot!  So after a reasonable amount of time, it can be used for a rental home if necessary.

For more information on how to utilize your VA entitlement to buy a home, give me a call!  I can recommend lenders in the area who are familiar with VA loans and who have worked with my military clients in the past!