Multifamily housing takes an energy efficient turn

The housing market is changing in more ways than one, with the three largest hitters, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), establishing a better hold on energy efficiency for multifamily units.

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Staff Blog, all three institutions are now offering mortgage loans that encourage owners and developers of apartment buildings to manage their property more efficiently. The benefits are projected to be great, especially for residents who will have lower monthly costs overall.

Market trends continue to indicate that energy efficiency is an important part of housing for consumers. If a building is found to be an "energy hog" or one that has no clear form of energy efficient means, possible tenants may look elsewhere to raise their family. The value of the property will then fall as lower monthly costs elsewhere attract these potential applicants instead.

The FHA stated its policy would offer owners of apartment buildings a discount if certain efficiency requirements are met, including Energy Star standards. In addition, Fannie Mae has offered price breaks for highly efficient properties, as well as Freddie Mac in terns of small rebates.

The NRDC is currently working in 12 different states to increase energy efficiency in multifamily housing, with a projected cut to electricity use by as much as 26 percent.

"This is one significant element to expand the availability of affordable and workforce rental housing in America and we will continue to advocate for other measures toward these critically important objectives," said David Stevens, president and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Take charge of your home and energy use today with an energy audit from Alban Inspections. To learn more, visit our website.

Hosting a home sale is one of the biggest financial undertakings a person can make. If it goes off without a hitch, an offer can be made within a few short hours. But for some sellers, there are mistakes that can be easy to make, especially if it's spur of the moment.

Listing your home during the winter is already a slight disadvantage, but a sale is definitely not impossible. Many homeowners know what to do, but knowing what not to do is also important. Keep the following three things in mind, filed under "never do during your home sale" for future reference.

1. Be sure not to forget all the great perks: When you're meeting with a real estate agent or listing the highlights of your home online, be sure to not forget anything! Buyers want homes with it all and then some. Have you had a recent energy audit or have you made awesome home improvements? With this information in mind, buyers are more likely to make an offer.
2. Don't put your foot in your mouth: A home sale can be comparable to a first date at times. There are things that should be said, and there are also hot topics to avoid. Never lead off a sentence with, "We've never had this problem" or something as general as, "Our home is in perfect condition." When buyers have the highest of expectations, simple issues can become more glaring.
3. Never skimp on the cleaning: No buyer will be able to see themselves in a dirty or messy home. Be sure to invest in a professional cleaning service a few days before and even make touch-ups the morning of the open house.

Find more realty tips on our website!

With the new year in full swing, many potential buyers are curious about the current state of the housing market. If you're interested in purchasing your first home, moving into a new place or just perusing the available options, right now is the best time to make a move.

According to Realtor.com, there are many incentives right now for buyers to enter the market. These include:

1. Home prices: Stabilization is becoming more apparent throughout the market. As prices become more affordable, different types of buyers are entering the market, giving sellers a better vantage point too. The market is returning to buyers' favor, giving everyone a slight break in terms of pricing.
2. Lower down payments: Down payments no longer have to break the bank. Although a bigger down payment is best for lower monthly payments in the future, buyers no longer have to base their realistic expectations on one requirement. For example, new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac programs allow some buyers to only put down a 3 percent payment, even with low credit scores.
3. Record low interest rates: Interest rates are currently at record lows with 30-year fixed rate loans still at about 4 percent. Although prices may be high in some markets, taking advantage of lower interest rates now may pay off in the future.
4. Rising rent prices: If you're a renter, or were one in the past, the pain of rising prices is likely what pushed you to make a change. A recent study found that 88 percent of property managers raised their rent in the last 12 months alone, with a 8 percent hike projected for 2016.

Before you list your home for sale, be sure to invest in a home inspection or energy audit for better, competitive pricing. Visit our website to learn more.

When it comes to selling a house, there are many factors realtors must keep in mind to ensure sellers get the most bang for their buck and buyers are satisfied with their overall purchase.

When preparing for a home sale or initial walkthrough, there are a few steps realtors should take. These include:

• Attracting buyers with curb appeal: Curb appeal is one of the most important aspects of a home sale. The outside of the home is what first attracts buyers to home showings, and as such, it should be as inviting as possible. Keep walkways clear, exterior paint up to date and any decorations to a minimum. Allow potential buyers to see the space as their own from the beginning. 
• Showcasing the best aspects of the space: Does the home come with an in-ground pool? How about a newly furnished stainless steel kitchen? Buyers want to see the best qualities of the home, which often helps push the selling point. Before a home is listed or a walkthrough begins, be sure to have a list of important parts of the home to see before it ends.
• Stressing the importance of cleanliness: This may seem obvious, but ensuring the home is as clean as possible is imperative for a smooth sale process. Buyers like to envision themselves in the home, and often can't do so if closets are full to the brim or counters are cluttered with different things. By decluttering the home and investing in organization, buyers will have an easier time seeing the home as theirs.

Before listing your home, consider scheduling an energy audit to determine the efficiency of your home as another great selling point! For more realtor tips or energy information, visit our website. 

Selling real estate is known to come with some risk. Due to this, September has been named Realtor Safety Month by the National Association of Realtors. With the rise of social media as a tool for many realtors, some worry that their online presence may leave them vulnerable to a range of events.

The Silicon Valley Association of Realtors created a list of safety tips during this September that will be helpful for realtors throughout their career. 

Keep the following four tips in mind during your next home showing:

• Be careful with all personal information: Although it may not seem like you're sharing a lot of your personal information, social media has the ability to pinpoint your exact location or broadcast where you may be next. Be sure to turn off this feature and keep your profile private. Consider making a second page for your real estate business without any details of your private life on it.
• Keep the potential buyer in sight: Never let a buyer walk behind you during the showing or out of your range of vision. This ensures nothing is stolen from the house, as well as so you know where everyone is at all times.
• Know all the exits: Once you enter a property, be sure to note all the potential exits. During an emergency situation, seconds count more than you think.
• Use the buddy system: Let your coworkers know where you're going to be, who is supposed to be viewing the property and when you expect to be back at the office. Having a checks and balances system is great for both safety and tracking open houses.

Just like realtor safety, energy audits and energy efficiency tests are integral to the home buying process. Learn more about Alban Inspections by visiting our website.

Millennials are entering the housing market in search of homes that allow walking to be their number one mode of transportation. 

According to the 2015 National Community and Transportation Preference Survey, those between the ages of 18-34 prefer walking by 12 percentage points over driving. This age group also prefers living in attached housing, within walking distance of shops and restaurants, and an overall shorter commute. 

They are also the age group that is most likely to rely on public transportation. Because of this, Millennials are more open to expanding public transportation, as well as creating different modes of transit such as biking. Many wish to both live and develop future neighborhoods where walking is the easiest form of getting from point A to point B. 

"While there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all community, more and more homebuyers are expressing interest in living in mixed-use, transit-accessible communities," said NAR President Chris Polychron. 

The survey also found that:

• 48 percent of respondents want to live in communities with small yards and within walking distance of community amenities. This is preferred over living in a place with a larger yard but having to drive to amenities.
• 60 percent of adults said they live in detached, single-family homes, but 25 percent said they would rather live in attached homes with better walking options. 
• 85 percent said sidewalks are a positive factor when purchasing a home, and 79 percent said being within walking distance of places is very important.

In terms of roadways to and from work and other places, 83 percent said maintaining and repairing them should be a high priority, while expanding them to alleviate traffic and other congestion came in second at 60 percent. 

Find more realtor information on our website. If you're interested in a new home inspection during your search or learning about home inspection cost, Alban Inspections can help.

A recent rash of crimes targeting realty agents has many on edge in terms of their own wellbeing.

California and Florida are just two of the many states across the region reporting an uptick in robberies and assaults against home sellers. In both attacks, a dangerous weapon was used to subdue the victim. 

Many law enforcement agencies, as well as realtor companies are calling for a stance against this violence. They are also encouraging their employees to remain vigilant during showings.

Keep these four tips in mind for optimal safety:

• Check in with the client and a friend: Let a friend or coworker know where you are at all times. Keep a running list of realtors and their locations in the office to keep track of employees as well. If someone doesn't return or answer a call, know that you can find them with ease. 
• Don't get blocked in: Don't let open house attendees block your car in a driveway or on a street. Ensure that you're able to make a quick getaway if need be.
• Maintain some personal privacy: Even though a realtor must maintain a public presence, not every detail of your life has to be out there. Be sure to keep some information private such as your own home location, vacation plans or where your kids go to school.
• Scan the house beforehand: Before an open house begins, scan it from the outside and from the inside (safely). If there is any questionable activity or people, leave the location or call for help. Sometimes just a feeling is enough to determine a dangerous situation.

For more realtor safety tips, energy audit information or to schedule a home inspection with a reliable home inspection company, contact Alban Inspections or visit our website.

According to Realtor.com home sales are continuing to increase, as first-time homebuyers continue to enter the market. Recent data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that first-time buyers have pushed home sales for the month of May to their highest levels since 2009. 

First-time buyers in May represented 32 percent of all sales, up from 30 percent in April and 27 percent a year ago.

NAR's chief economist Lawrence Yun believes this can be attributed to, "strong job gains among young adults, less expensive mortgage insurance, and lenders offering low downpayment programs."

Overall house sales, sold by regular people and not developers, increased by 5.1 percent from April, to an adjusted annual rate of 5.35 million in May. 45 percent of homes sold in May were only on the market for less than a month. 

A continued projection for this market is fast sales and high prices. As home sales continue to surge, the median price of homes also continues to rise. This number currently sits at about $228,700 nationally, nearly 8 percent higher than the previous May. 

This is currently the 39th consecutive month of year-over-year price gains, which shows little to no signs of slowing down. Many experts believe this will also attract first-time buyers as the market continues to offer lower down payment options and assistance programs for closing costs. 

As the housing market continues to change, be sure to check back here for the latest realtor tips and home energy efficiency changes. Schedule a consultation with a home inspection company, such as Alban Inspections, for more information or check out our website. 

According to the Christian Science Monitor, changes in mortgage loan products as well as an increase in employment opportunities and homes to buy are making 2015 the best time to own a home since 2008. Many believe 2015 is actually the year of the housing market.

What does this mean for sellers? Keep these five tips in mind to get the most money for your property when the time comes to put the for sale sign out front.

• Consider renovations: Many homebuyers expect their options to come with the most recent renovations and changes. If your kitchen and living room seem to be lacking, ask for guidance from a trusted realtor or friend on what should be changed. 
• Keep staging in mind: How you present your home to potential buyers is extremely important. Ensure the space of the room is used wisely, and that the room appears both open and inviting for potential buyers. Be sure to also get rid of any clutter or unneeded items as these too can take away from the ambiance. 
• Make sure the house is in pristine condition: If the house isn't clean, don't show it to potential buyers. Be sure to clean behind appliances, furniture and other similar areas as buyers do move things around while you're gone. Keep the closets in mind as well, as these are often an important selling point.
• Online advertising: List your home online for a bigger turnout at an open house. Online sources give buyers access to your home that may be farther away than a usual purchasing crowd. 
• Obtain a comparative list of houses nearby: List your house competitively, but correctly, by looking at other recent listings in your neighborhood.

For more home selling tips and realtor information, visit our website. Alban inspections is here for all your energy efficient home inspection needs.

Buying your first home can be a daunting experience. With a large housing market and so much to choose from, the possibilities for purchase are endless. Before you make a final decision, create a checklist filled with features, locations, add-ons and any other desires. For a start, keep these five tips in mind. 

• Choose a mortgage that works for you: Before starting your home search, choose a mortgage that you know will work for your budget. Having a plan going into a purchase will make your purchasing point stronger. Deciding on a mortgage also indicates a sense of what you can really afford.
• Conduct a home inspection: Never buy a home without first conducting a home inspection. Even if everything seems picture perfect, issues with the insulation, roofing or foundation can be hiding just out of sight. Contact a professional, such as Alban Inspections for a reliable, expert home inspection.
• Find out the exact location of boundary lines: Before purchasing a home, understand exactly where your boundary lines are. This is critical for future building opportunities as well as maintaining a good relationship with your neighbors. 
• Know how much you can really afford: If a home isn't in your price range, don't look at it. Although it is a good idea to shop around, stretching your budget beyond your means is never a great idea, especially when the first few monthly payments roll in.
• Love the landscape: The backyard or front yard may not seem like a selling point, but it will be if the grass doesn't grow or there is no curb appeal at all. Take a good look at the landscape before making any decisions.

For more realtor tips or to schedule an audit with a home inspection company, contact Alban Inspections.