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We are living in a technology-driven world, and your homes connection with the digital world can be an important part of its appeal when it comes time to sell.

It wasnt all that long ago that technology wasnt a big factor in selling a house. It didnt matter what cable company or internet provider you had; buyers werent going to make their final decision on that sort of thing. But these days, good internet and Wi-Fi service can be key for many buyers. As we rely on our devices and laptops more and more”for work, school and staying in touch with friends and relatives”connectivity is about a lot more than watching TV and playing video games.

Let house hunters know which service providers are in the area, and even keep the brochures handy during open houses. Most companies offer discounts to new customers; having that information available to buyers can be helpful in attracting interest.

Todays digital world is largely wireless, but your home may still have some unsightly wires showing that arent necessary. Give your TVs, computers and printers a check to make sure there arent unused wires and cables that are all tangled up and making the area look messy.

Show off the technology you have. If you have an Amazon Echo, or similar device, use it to set lighting, turn on TVs or to play music. Likewise, be sure to highlight features such as a smart thermostat if your home has one. Not that you should invest in these technologies if you dont have them, but they can be a plus.

Get rid of old technology. If you have old TVs or computers that arent being used, consider discarding them. Everyone likes TVs, but having one in every room is too much. And older technology can make a home seem dated.

On the other hand, a state-of-the-art television or theater room can be a big attraction. If you have a family room, or home theater space, stage the scene. Have the TV on (to a family-friendly movie) and set up snacks (nut-free) with the proper lighting. Create a scene that parents will want to experience with their kids, or that will make those without kids dream of the perfect movie night at home.

Investing in brand-new technology doesnt make a lot of economic sense when selling a home, but taking some simple steps, and showcasing what you do have, can show buyers that your home will suit their twenty-first century needs.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Those considering purchasing a new home may want to consider becoming a condo owner. Popular with every homeowner”from first-time buyers to retirees”condos offer many advantages over a traditional stand-alone property. Below are the top three.

Affordability: If you’re looking for a newly built home, a condo is likely to be less expensive than a stand-alone property. Why? Condos are often smaller in size than homes containing comparable numbers of bedrooms and baths. In addition, condos often share many building elements such as walls and roofing, so the cost of construction is often lower, resulting in lower pricing.

Low Maintenance: Condo life is a low maintenance life, as living in a condo means you’re likely paying Property Owners Association dues (POA), which cover many maintenance items such as landscaping, pest services, roofing, painting, and driveway repairs. Having so many services covered is appealing to busy professionals, parents of young children and retirees who may not feel up to mowing and raking. POA fees are typically relatively inexpensive, and for those too busy or tired to take on tasks alone, they are well worth the cost.

Amenities: Condos are all about top-notch amenities. From swimming pools and restaurants to golf courses and clubhouses with workout centers, many of today’s condo developments are filled with fantastic features. Expenses for building and maintaining these amenities are typically shared among condo owners, so you can enjoy these lux amenities at a very minimal cost.

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Shopping for a mortgage can be overwhelming. Even if youve owned a few homes and have had a few home loans, chances are there are some mortgage options you dont know about.

Here are four to ask a mortgage expert about:

1. A 20 percent down payment isnt a must. The long-held view that at least a 20 percent down payment is needed to buy a home is outdated.

A loan approved by the Federal Housing Administration, or FHA, can have a minimum down payment of 3.5 percent. For a $300,000 home, instead of having to come up with $60,000 (20 percent) down, a 3.5 percent down payment requires $10,500 down.

2. Banks arent the only home lenders. Traditional lenders like banks and credit unions are just some of the places to get a home loan.

Savings and loan associations are one option, using the savings deposits of private investors to make mortgage loans. Theyre usually locally-owned and managed, and are chartered by the federal or state government.

Mutual savings banks are another option. Theyre like savings and loans and were created to help low-income consumers. Unlike commercial banks, they can borrow from the Federal Home Loan Bank System to make investments such as mortgages.

3. Youll likely get more money than you need. After determining your ability to repay a home loan and the cost of the home, the lender will tell you how much of a loan you qualify for. Chances are it will be a larger loan than you can afford.

New federal laws in 2014 are meant to hold lenders more responsible for the loans they underwrite, but the guidelines still allow larger loans for most people.

That doesnt mean you have to necessarily borrow that much money. But it could help pay your closing costs, or be used to buy a bigger home. But if youre getting a bigger loan only because you qualify for it and can buy a better or bigger home, you could be in trouble soon if you cant afford the payments. Only you know your day-to-day finances”not your lender”so sticking to a loan you can afford is wise.

4. A home loan can help cover repairs. If youre getting an FHA loan, its 203(k) program allows up to $35,000 from the loan to be used for home repairs and improvements.

Chances are the home youre buying will need (or youll just want to change) new carpet or paint, and this add-on loan product can pay for the improvements. The total loan amount is based on the projected home value after the fixes are made.

Interested in more real estate tips? Contact me today!

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Energy loss attributed to windows accounts for nearly 25 percent of the annual heating and cooling costs for the average American home, according to the Department of Energy. Do double-paned windows provide enough savings to justify their cost?

Experts say that even a clear glass, double-paned vinyl or wood-framed window can reduce energy usage by up to 24 percent in cold climates during the winter, and by up to 18 percent in hot climates during the summer, when compared to older, single-pane models. The savings may be even greater if you choose top-of-the-line models and/or triple-paned windows.

Double-paned windows are a boon to the environment as well, because when you burn less fossil fuel, you create fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

As an added bonus, double-paned windows significantly reduce traffic sounds and other outdoor noise, making them a smart buy in busy urban areas.

Apart from the cost, there’s no downside to installing double-paned windows, although experts say that quality matters. From failed seals to improperly spaced glass, poorly manufactured windows can negate energy savings and lead to other problems, such as condensation developing between the panes”so it’s wise to buy from a reputable dealer.

Also, replacing individual windows rather than upgrading entire homes or floors will not likely yield your intended energy savings. Old windows will still leak air even if you install one double-paned one, making it imperative to replace all the windows in your home at the same time.

Costs can vary considerably depending upon the number of windows to be replaced and the overall quality of materials used. On average, you may expect to pay between $300 and $500 per window, plus an installment fee. But competition is keen and sales do occur, so a thrifty homeowner should get several estimates before choosing a contractor.

Interested in more real estate information? Feel free to contact me directly.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Owing more money on your mortgage loan than your home is worth”commonly referred to as being underwater on a home mortgage”can seem hopeless.

There were 6.7 million underwater homes in the U.S. at the end of the first quarter of 2016, representing 12 percent of all properties with a mortgage, according to RealtyTrac. The numbers are dropping since a peak of 12.8 million homes in 2012, when 28 percent of all properties with a mortgage were underwater.

For people still underwater, those numbers dont offer much solace. However, there are some options for underwater homeowners, including:

Short sale: If you have to sell your home, a short sale may get you the most money. Your lender has to agree to let you sell it for less than you owe, which may lead to the home being sold quicker than it would otherwise.

Your lender must agree to the lower price, and it will take the loss, and your credit score will fall. Lenders can also reject short sale offers on your home, causing the deal to fall through.

Refi: Refinancing your home loan wont increase the homes value and may still leave you underwater, but youll have a lower interest rate and a lower monthly mortgage payment.

It can be almost impossible to refinance with negative equity. The federal governments Home Affordable Refinance Program, or HARP, helps by giving lenders incentives to help underwater homeowners. Loans can be refinanced at 105 percent to 125 percent of a homes value.

To be eligible for HARP, the loan must be owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, and the borrower must be current on mortgage payments, having not missed a payment during the past 12 months. If you dont have a good credit score or high enough income, you could be denied for HARP.

Another option is the federal Home Affordable Modification Program, or HAMP. A financial hardship that puts the mortgage in default must be shown. This isnt a refinancing option, but a way to change the contract terms to lower your payments for up to 60 months.

Walk away: If you dont think your homes value will ever come back, you can walk away from your home by no longer making monthly payments and defaulting on the loan”called a strategic default.

Some consider this unethical, and the foreclosure that will eventually occur will hurt your credit score and stay on your credit report for seven years.

Published with permission from RISMedia.