FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Guaranteed Rate Chosen Lender of the Year – Again

Chicago,IL. December 5, 2011-For the second year in a row, Guaranteed Rate was voted Lender of the Year by Chicago Agent Magazine. Although there was plenty of stiff competition, local agents, builders and developers agreed that Guaranteed Rate’s straightforward business model structured around its customers is the best of its kind.

“Guaranteed Rate is delighted to be chosen Lender of the Year by the Chicagoland Realtor community.” Victor Ciardelli, CEO and president of Guaranteed Rate states, “We help our Realtor partners succeed in part by offering great mortgage rates and products, but we also go the extra mile by offering several unique and innovative tools to our Realtor partners that help differentiate them from the marketplace.”

Originally opening their operation in Chicago, Guaranteed Rate now covers 43 states with over 70 offices. With their forward-thinking approach and customer-orientated mindset, Guaranteed Rate has become one of the largest and fastest growing independent mortgage lenders in the country, while still keeping a neighborhood vibe.

“Guaranteed Rate’s business model has always placed the highest emphasis on helping our Realtor partners grow their businesses,” continues Victor Ciardelli, “so winning this honor is especially rewarding for us. Thank you again for this award and be assured that Guaranteed Rate will continue to work diligently in the years ahead in helping Realtors succeed in growing their own businesses.”

Media Contact:

Tiffany Cummins

TRC & Associates

(925) 212-4200

The art of the relationship is the power of communication with constant updates.  When we work together you can expect smooth sailing, peace of mind and a feeling of security throughout your real estate sales transaction. Being a REALTOR means more to me than selling homes.  It’s about people, families and their hopes and dreams.  For a relationship based on trust, knowledge and expertise when buying or selling your next home, give me a call on my cell at 630-842-8812 or email me at Carla@CarlaSteuck.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Bringing the Dream of Homeownership Within Reach

As part of its plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address the economic challenges facing our nation, Congress has passed legislation that grants a tax credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers.

Here is more information about how the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit can help prospective home buyers become part of the American dream.

Who Qualifies?

First-time home buyers who purchase homes between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009.

To qualify as a “first-time home buyer” the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.

Which Properties Are Eligible?

The 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.

How Much Will the Credit Be?

The maximum allowable credit for home buyers is $8,000. Each home buyer’s tax credit is determined by two factors:

The price of the home—the credit is equal to 10% of the purchase price of the home, up to $8,000.

The buyer’s income—single buyers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000—may receive the maximum tax credit.

If the Buyer(s)’ Income Exceeds These Limits, Can He/She Still Get a Credit?

Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit.

The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $75,000 and $95,000 for single buyers and between $150,000 and $170,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income—over $95,000 for singles and over $170,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.

Will the Tax Credit Need to Be Repaid?

No. The buyer does not need to repay the tax credit, if he/she occupies the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during the three-year period, the credit will be recouped on the sale.

Please don’t hesitate to call or email me if I can help you.

Sincerely,

Some of my past clients have recently mentioned that they are thinking about renting out their home or condo instead of taking their chances of breaking even in todays slowing real estate market. But, are they ready to take on being a landlord?  Do they know the cost involved in doing so?  There are landlord-tenant laws, fair housing laws and local renting rules that have to be followed. Being a landlord is not as simple as hanging out a “for rent” sign.  The landlord has to get the home in rentable condition and keep it maintained. This includes keeping the grounds of the property clean and free of debris.  If anything goes wrong with the property, the landlord has to be available day or night to fix it. 

A successful landlord has to screen potential renters by way of credit checks, get references, take the time to pick the best tenants and managers carefully.  Sometimes you have to make the choice to gamble on not so good credit scores.  And, if you want to get a tenant out that is not paying rent or is causing a problem, the eviction process can be long, painful and costly.

Renting your home can be a profitable alternative to selling your home in a slow market, but you have to be sure that you have what it takes.  I would strongly suggest that you discuss the option with your accountant or others in the area that have rented before you take on being a landlord. If you should decide to rent your home, condo or townhome, be sure to get it in writing and have the maximum amount of rental insurance, property liability, and any other type of insurance that may be required in your state. This can protect you from devastating losses.

If you do not have the time or live too far away from the rental property, you may need to enlist the services of a real estate agent in leasing out your property. Having an experienced, local real estate agent at your disposal can be very valuable.  To date there are 48 properties for rent in Hinsdale.  They range in asking rental prices of $1000/month to $20,000/month.  In the past six months Hinsdale has rented 45 properties, ranging from $1400/month to $6000/month.  For a current list of properties cick on MLS search above or send me an email and I’ll be happy to send the list.

I came home from a prospective clients home today and they were wondering if it would be better if they vacate their home in order to sell it right away.  Over the years there have been many sellers that have asked me the question…Is it better to vacate the home or keep the furnishings in the home?  I thought that I should share that there are two different points of view in the real estate world about this subject. 

One would be that an empty house is like a blank canvas.  Prospective clients can more easily imagine what there belongings would look like in the vacant, clean, neutral home.  Although, the buyer may also assume that since the home is vacant the seller is more motivated to sell.  This train of thought might lead the buyer to think that the seller will entertain a much lower offer.

The other point of view would be to make sure home is furnished in order to gain top dollar for the home.   Personal taste in home furnishings is highly subjective on whether it looks better with the furnishings or without.  Unless the furniture is relatively new, neutral in taste and design and looks really great with the other furnishings and artwork in the home, it may have a more positive effect to vacant the home.  Homes that do not paint the picture of comfort and beauty with furniture may appeal more to the buyer that can easily paint the home with their own furnishings. In fact it is a buying signal to the agent, when they start to place their own furniture in the home. 

Will the vacant homes attract lower offers?  They might, but if the price is right, the home will attract reasonable offers too.  Sometimes these offers end up with shorter closing timeframes, because the home is ready to be occupied immediately.  Time is money.  Sometimes you have to spend money to make money.  When a home is vacant the scrapes on the walls, the worn out or dirty carpet and other things may become more visable.  In this case it would be advised that if you do vacate the home in order to sell it, an investment in a handyman, a cleaning company, a fresh coat of paint, or possibly new carpet will improve the condition of the home.  This always give a cleaner, neutral canvas for the prospective buyers.

Being a Realtor for Life means more to me than selling homes.  I understand the art of marketing a vacant home.  Let me help you paint the picture.  I have the vision and experience to help you. Give me a call when you need help in deciding if your home should be vacated or left furnished.  I can be reached at 630-842-8812 or visit my website at www.CarlaSteuck.com.  I look forward to hearing from you.

I have been selling homes in the Chicago western suburbs since 1989. During this time I have had the pleasure of working with hundreds of buyers and sellers. I love what I do, I love to help people, and I love the real estate business. I have systems in place that will aid you in fully exposing your home or in expediting your home search. Once I show you the systems that I have in place, I think you will agree that I spend more time, money and resources on my clients than most other Realtors.

I have found ways to not just write your address on a ‘list’ of properties for sale, but to actually become pro-active in selling properties. I have also found ways to make sure my clients know about newly listed properties right away, so they don’t miss out on the home of their dreams.

- Carla