Preparing for a short sale can be very daunting. However, if you have the right people in your corner, it won't seem that bad. Communication is key during this process, you as the seller needs to be in touch with all other parties involved. Your Realtor will also need to be in touch with the buyers and their Realtor. Another key factor is having all the correct documentation ready to go. You will need a hardship letter, recent tax returns forms (W2, and or 1099's), recent paystubs, and a financial statement detailing assets. Make sure you have all this ready to go, so it doesn't hold up the process or the next step. Your Realtor, lender and yourself will be grateful! For more home buying and selling tips, please visit www.RochesterHomeLocator.com and also register for our new lisitng al... 07/05/2011

When you're searching for a mortgage company, ask your Real Estate Agent for some suggestions. They have many contacts and would be able to put you in the right direction. Some factors you should consider is the lender's general reputation. Most Realtors will work with reputable banks. Some lenders will have great rates, others will be a little more willing to consider people who are on the border. Whichever company is right for you, make sure you consider the interest rate and loan fees. For more tips on the Rochester, New York Real Estate market visit www.RochesterHomeLocator.com and sign up for our new listing alert! Our website, www.RochesterHomeLocator.com is a great place to learn all about homes for sale Rochester, NY. 07/05/2011

Cleaning off your countertops can make your space look un-cluttered and larger to potential buyers. A home that is lived in is great and you probably often need access to the cookbooks, mixer, or untensils that you may keep there, but to a buyer it can just make the space look cluttered and messy.  Stow your things in cupboards or the pantry, especially if your kitchen is on the smaller side (also make sure your dishes are always out of the sink!).  Another great thing you can do is limit the photos and knick-knacks that you have around your house. Although they may be sentimental and important to you, when a buyer comes to see your home, they may not be able to appreciate what the space can do for them if there is too much stuff around, sort of a 'can't see the forest for all the trees... 07/01/2011

The new term floating around in the real estate world, specifically in Rochester NY Real Estate, is Lease/Purchase, which can be interchanged with the phrase Rent To Own.  Many people wonder what this is and often get confused as to what these terms mean.  The way that these typically work is that you, the buyer, have intent on purchasing a home within the next year or so.  The buyer can rent or lease the home for a specified amount of time before they are to purchase the property.  This should not be confused with a Lease OR Purchase home.  The sellers of these properties ARE intending to sell the homes.  When you enter into a lease/purchase, you sign a purchase contract, giving a deposit (which varies depending on the property and length of lease) which a portion is non-refundable, an... 07/01/2011

When you list your house to be sold, you are most often only selling the house, not the contents, so who cares what your stuff looks like, right?! Wrong!  Buyers look at everything even if they aren't buying your furniture.  The look of your "stuff" can help sell the house.  If your furniture looks worn or damaged, sprucing it up can make all the difference, helping a buyer to visualize themselves living in your home.  Adding slipcovers to worn couches or chairs can give a crisp, clean feel to the room.  Or why not cover a couple of pillows with fabric from the discount table at the local fabric store.  Sanding and staining or painting a coffee table or end table is also a great idea to add freshness to a room.  These projects don't have to be expensive, and they can really make a diffe... 07/01/2011

As someone who has been locked out of their home at 11:30pm wearing pajamas & has a hard to wake spouse, let me assure you that it's no fun! A key hidden in a strategic place is a great idea! If this idea makes you nervous don't worry, there are solutions you can use. The best idea, or so I think, is a fireproof lockbox installed in your garage. These can be screwed right to the wall. Stick your key in the box, set your code & days of being locked out are gone! There are some great homes in Rochester, NY that you can see to find the perfect place to hide your key! Go to www.RochesterHomeLocator.com 06/30/2011

What is the first thing people see when they come to view your house to see if they would like to buy it? Your front yard, including landscaping. First impressions are so important in selling your home. If your outdoor looks unkempt, buyers will often times enter your home with a preconcieved notion of the state of your cleanliness. Make sure your shrubs are trimmed, weeds are pulled, grass is mowed & clean up any grass left on the driveway or sidewalk. Another good idea is to make sure porches are swept, and door bell & door knobs are working. With all of this in order your next showing produce a buyer that thinks, "Ahh, I could live here!" Check out some Rochester, NY Real Estate to see some first impressions & search for your dream home. 06/30/2011

When you buy your first home it's such an exciting experience and you can't wait to move in and make it your own! One thing many people don't think of is to get themselves a homeowner basic tool kit. You'll be thanking yourself the first time the power goes out or your faucet leaks. Some of the things you should have included are a flash light, candles and matches, a screw driver with multiple bits, fire extinguisher, adjustable crescent wrench & good old fashioned pliers. You'll be amazed how much you'll use this kit! Go to www.RochesterHomeLocator.com and take a look at some homes in Rochester, NY to start looking for that perfect home so you can make your tool kit. Or better yet, ask for one as a housewarming gift. Happy fixing and don't forget to add bandaids to your toolkit list! 06/30/2011

One thing to consider when staging your home, is in the master bedroom. Get matching night stands and change out older bedding and declutter. Many home owners forget something as simple as getting matching bedding and putting some decorative throw pillows on the bed. When a room looks balanced it will make it so much more appealing to the potential Buyer. Check out www.RochesterHomeLocator.com for more buying and selling tips in Rochester, New York. 06/30/2011

The residential property disclosure laws makes sure that the seller is mandated to disclose any defects in wiring, plumbing, or heating systems in the home. However, some issues the seller may honestly not know about and therefore can't disclose them. If the buyer does a home inspection and there are problems that arise and the seller is made aware of it, the seller needs to disclose there are issues. That is if the buyer walks away from that deal. One disclosure law in New York State is the lead disclosure. If your home was built before 1978, you need to sign a lead disclosure form. Homes built before 1978 commonly had lead paint and therefore you need to disclose that the home may potentially have lead paint. For more buying and selling tips, please visit www.RochesterHomeLocator.com ... 06/29/2011

One thing that surprisingly sellers forget to think about is how the utilities will be transferred to the new buyer after closing. This includes gas, electric and water. As a general rule, we also tell our sellers to call the utility companies once a closing date is scheduled. This way in their system they will make a notation of when everything will be transferred over. We always tell our seller to not turn them off! Sometimes they get confused and feel that turning them off is what their suppose to do. But, all they need to do is just tell the company that the new buyer will be calling and giving them all their information. So, to avoid much confusion and headaches, check with your local utility company and tell them you're just transferring the service. For more buying and selling ti... 06/29/2011

Moving day can be very stressful, but only if you aren't prepared. Making sure the right procedures are in place, will ensure any confusion. If you are also a seller and a buyer it can be very tricky. The attorney's need to schedule your closing on your current home plus the closing on your new home, and you're in the middle. You will need to go to the attorney's office that will be closing your new home, plus throw the fact that you have to move out, it can get messy. But, some options can be to see if the owners of your new home wouldn't mind if you stored some things in their garage a few days prior and if the house is vacant, ask to put some things inside. In the end it all works out, make sure you have a skillful Realtor and Attorney to get the job done! For more buying and selling... 06/29/2011

If you're building a home in the Rochester, NY area its great because you will have a chance to make any additions before it's too late. When you're picking out the additions, be careful in selecting features that will not be beneficial for re-sale value. You don't want these features to over improve your home. Money spent on kitchens and bathrooms are usually a safe investment. If you plan to finish the basement later, you might want to "rough-in" the plumbing for a bath during original construction. Check out www.RochesterHomeLocator.com for a list of our new homes in the Rochester, New York area! 06/28/2011

When purchasing a home, consider purchasing a home warranty. Sometimes the Buyer will ask the Seller to pay for it, but that's not necessary. You can always approach the topic and ask the seller, but if they do not agree, it's not a bad idea to purchase one yourself. This way if something big goes on the house, you won't be strapped for cash. Most major expenses in the home are covered under that warranty. It will provide you with greater peace of mind! It will also come in handy if you have a rental property, when things go wrong, you can at least rest assured it will be covered! Make sure to visit www.RochesterHomeLocator.com for all homes in Rochester, New York. 06/28/2011

Buying a home in the Rochester, NY area is a very fun and exciting experience. One key point in your search is to find a Realtor that will work for you! Finding a good real estate professional can be difficult, you need to find someone you feel completely comfortable with and trust. A good Realtor will have the knowledge and skill to handle tough negotiations and situations that may arise. Once you've found a Realtor you can work with, it's essential to work with them exclusively and stay loyal to them. When they know you have committed to them, they will devote their time and energy in finding you the perfect home! For more buying and selling tips, please go to www.RochesterHomeLocator.com and also be sure you check out all the homes in Rochester, NY currently listed. 06/28/2011

If your credit score dips below the 620 bench mark during your loan process, what option do you have? One solution can be to get an FHA loan, but this would involve mortgage insurance that would increase your overall loan amount and monthly payments. The smart thing to do is to not buy anything large that could lower your score. You could consider a rent 2 own property that allows you a temporary period of time to rebound while restoring your credit. Vist www.Rent2OwnROC.com to learn more about this option! For more buying and selling tips, please visit www.RochesterHomeLocator.com and let the Salafia Sold Team help you today! 06/27/2011

In Rochester NY Real Estate, we have added a new listing to the group! It's a 3 bedroom 2 full bath Ranch with a spacious floor plan. Bargain priced at $77,900 this home is loaded with potential. The master bedroom features a bath. It also is vinyl sided and the private yard is a must see! The home also has an attached 2 car garage. This home is packed with value, go to www.RochesterHomeLocator.com for more information and pictures on this home. For a list of homes for sale in Rochester, NY go to www.RochesterHomeLocator.com and make sure to sign up for our new listing alert!   Address: 1505 Westside Dr Chili, NY 06/27/2011

In these times, it's all about getting the most value for your money. Asphalt driveways have become more and more expensive due to the rising cost of crude oil. So, when considering a new install of a driveway, do you go with asphalt or concrete? Concrete is set to last roughly 20 years or more, with little to no maintenance. Initially, the cost up front is more due to the labor and time involved in pouring it. However, since it lasts much longer than asphalt it may be worth it. Many homeowners are considering this because the price of asphalt is almost comparable. Make sure to weigh all your options, you may be surprised that you can get a concrete driveway for as much as an asphalt driveway. Check out www.RochesterHomeLocator.com for more buying and selling tips. Also, consider going ... 06/27/2011

To start the process of buying a home, for most home buyers getting a mortgage is the most important. The first step is to pull the Buyers credit score. It is important when buying a home to have a score of 620, most banks won't loan you money unless it's higher than a 620. One thing the mortgage broker should be advising their clients is to go on a "credit lockdown." This means, no applying for credit and making sure all bills are paid on time. The mortgage broker will have to pull credit towards the end of the loan process, and it can change your score if you've made large purchases or applied for new credit. Overall, just make smart decisions when it comes to credit. It's one of the biggest purchases in your life, so you want to make sure everything goes as smooth as possible. Make s... 06/27/2011

Bring the indoor living space outside. Particularily outdoor kitchens. Adding sophisticated grills/stoves, comfortable & weather friendly casual furniture. Create privacy with landscape add color with such things as outdoor throw rugs, water resistant cushions and a large overhead umbrella. Take advantage of outdoor space while you can. For a ton of buying and selling tips, please go to www.RochesterHomeLocator.com and check out homes in Rochester, NY. 06/24/2011