6 tips to sell your home FAST / PLUS 4 outdoor living areas gaining appeal

The real estate market is local. So if you want to sell your home fast, first find out how quickly homes at your price point are selling in your area. Then take these steps to speed up the process.

1. Ask Agents the Key Question. Ask prospective Realtors the average time their listings were on the market before they sold. Days on the market is influenced by the state of the market and the list price, but you still want to see who sold their homes the quickest.
2. Price It Right. If you want to sell fast, start off with an attractive price. Your home will stand out from homes that are listed unrealistically high. You'll get more showings and more potential buyers.
3. Prep It Completely. Make your home look its best inside and out. Curb appeal counts. Paint the front door, pull weeds, plant bright flowers. Inside, put extra furniture in storage along with any clutter you can't throw out. Then clean the place thoroughly.
4. Shoot It Sharp. Once your home looks great, have your Realtor take lots of crystal clear pictures that show off the house and grounds. Keep cars, kids and pets out of the picture.
5. Stay on Top of the Marketing. Marketing is the agent's responsibility, but check up on the advertising and ask to be featured prominently.
6. Seriously Consider the First Offer. "The first offer is the best offer" this is true more often than not. Unless the offer is preposterous, holding out may be just wasting time when you need to sell your home fast. Again, enlist the services of a professional and heed their advice!

LIVE LARGER OUTSIDE
Today, more people are upgrading their homes by creating outdoor living areas with more function, comfort and style. Here are four ideas gaining appeal around the country.

1: Outdoor Kitchens. Barbecuing is just the beginning. Outdoor kitchens can also include a stove, oven and small refrigerator so the cook has all ingredients at hand. Some layouts include sinks, storage cabinets and preparation areas.
2: Outdoor Dining Spaces. These can be covered with a weatherproof gazebo that can be hung with curtains and screens. Tables with durable glass or tile tops, along with matching chairs with removable cushions make an attractive patio. Fancy hammocks and "gravity" chairs are also popular. These living areas can come alive at night with special lighting, outdoor fireplaces, chimneys and gas-powered fire pits in a style to complement your home.
3: Waterworks. Fountains, self-contained waterfalls, small ponds and water gardens add the soothing sounds of water without costing a lot. But if pools are common in your neighborhood, adding one can enhance your outdoor living and might increase property value. But first find out about maintenance and other ongoing expenses.
4: Shade Trees. Outdoor living is always enhanced with the addition of a few large shade trees. They provide cool shade in summer and beautiful silhouettes in winter. Planted on the east side of the house, shade trees prevent morning heat and on the west and southwest sides, they stop heat buildup from the afternoon sun to cut cooling costs.

If you'd like to know more about financing or refinancing your home or about funding home improvements, please call or email us we're always here to help.... Have a great day!

P.S. Each month brings more evidence the housing market is recovering in many areas, with record low mortgage rates and very affordable home prices. But it's a good idea to get the financing process started early. So if you're thinking about buying or refinancing, please call or email us now to discuss your situation. 

The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment and/or mortgage advice or a commitment to lend. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, there is no guarantee of its accuracy. The material contained in the newsletter is the property of PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company and cannot be reproduced for any use without prior written consent. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Lender. © 2012 PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Trade/service marks are the property of PlainsCapital Corporation, PlainsCapital Bank, or their respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company (NMLS no: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in the following states: AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY. Licensed by: AL State Banking Dept.- consumer credit lic no. MC21004; AZ Dept. of Financial Institutions- mortgage banker lic no. BK 0907334; Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act- lender lic no. 4130996; CT Dept. of Banking- lender lic no. ML-13649; D.C. Dept. of Insurance, Securities and Banking- dual authority lic no. MLO13649; IL Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation- lender lic no. MB.6760635; IN Dept. of Financial Institutions- sub lien lender lic no. 11169; ME Dept. of Professional & Financial Regulation- supervised lender lic no. SLM8285; MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation- lender lic no. 11058; Massachusetts Division of Banking– lender & broker license nos. MC5404, MC5406, MC5414, MC5450, MC5405; MI Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth- broker/lender lic nos. FR 0010163 and SR 0012527; Licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department- lender lic no. 14553-MB; NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance-lender lic no. 0803658; NM Regulation and Licensing Dept. Financial Institutions Division- lender license no. 01890; ND Dept. of Financial Institutions- money broker lic no. MB101786; RI Division of Banking- lender lic no. 20102678LL and broker lic no. 20102677LB; TX OCCC Reg. Loan License- lic no. 7293; VT Dept. of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration- lender lic no. 6127 and broker lic no. 0964MB; WA Dept. of Financial Institutions-consumer lender lic no. 520-CL-49075; WV Div. of Financial Institutions- lender license ML31704 and broker license MB-31703. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. NMLS# 10331

Inside Lending Newsletter - For the week of July 23, 2012 – Vol. 10, Issue 30

QUOTE OF THE WEEK... "Never, never, never give up." --Winston Churchill INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE... The famed British statesman's advice certainly applies to the housing market. Indeed, those who haven't given up are starting to see positive signs. Wednesday, June Housing Starts were UP 6.9% for the month, UP 23.4% compared to a year ago and at their highest annual rate since October 2008.The total number of homes under construction (started but not finished) gained for the tenth month in a row, the first time that's happened since 2003-2004. No wonder Home Builder Confidence had its biggest monthly jump in almost 10 years. Thursday, Existing Home Sales were off 5.4% for June, but they're still UP 4.5% compared to a year ago. The median price of an existing home, at $189,400, is UP 7.9% over a year ago, the largest annual gain since 2006. Average existing home prices are UP 6.9% versus last year, inventory is down 24.4% from a year ago and the supply of existing homes for sale is at 6.6 months. Some economists are even predicting that housing will add to GDP this year for the first time since 2007. BUSINESS TIP OF THE WEEK... Instead of spending hours on all your marketing efforts, work in 15-minute bursts on one thing at a time -- for example, newsletter content, then tweets, then a Facebook survey. >> Review of Last Week ANXIOUSLY UP... Stocks fell Friday thanks to new anxieties over European sovereign debt (Spain again) and the Dow and the Nasdaq gave up all their July gains, although the three market indexes ended higher for the week. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke didn't do much to relieve the anxiety, sharing his weaker economic outlook with Congress in his semi-annual testimony. Corporate earnings season began with a number of disappointing reports and even some of the positive ones were well-received only because of lowered expectations. The week got off to a horrible start with June Retail Sales down 0.5%, dropping  for the third month in a row. This clearly shows the economy slowing in Q2, although retail sales excluding autos are still up 3% in the last 12 months. Manufacturing data was mixed, with growth in New York, contraction in the Philadelphia region and Industrial Production up 0.4% overall. New weekly unemployment claims shot up by 24,000, heading back toward the 400,000 level. But the Fed's Beige Book hinted that reports on residential housing were "largely positive." For the week, the Dow ended up 0.4%, at 12823; the S&P 500 was also up 0.4%, to 1363; and the Nasdaq climbed 0.6%, to 2925.  Even though stocks held their own midweek, the hammering they took on Friday over Eurozone worries sent investors scurrying to bonds. Prices went northward, with the FNMA 3.5% bond we watch ending the week UP .83, at $106.05. Average U.S. mortgage rates were mostly lower with some types of mortgages reaching all-time lows in Freddie Mac's weekly survey. Their Chief Economist said, "With little signs of inflation and...U.S. Treasury bond yields in check, fixed mortgage rates are remaining low and helping to stir the housing market." DID YOU KNOW?... The net worth of an individual is the amount by which all their assets, including cash, exceed their liabilities. >> This Week’s Forecast NEW HOME SALES, PENDING HOME SALES, Q2 GDP... Housing and economic growth are the big topics this week. June New Home Sales are expected to show slow but steady upward movement. June Pending Home Sales, tracking contract signings on existing homes, should be up, but not by as much as the month before. This is an indicator for existing home sales a couple of months out. All eyes will be on Friday's Q2 GDP read. Unfortunately, many economists are predicting slower growth from the original estimate, which was already down from the Q1 number. >> The Week’s Economic Indicator Calendar Weaker than expected economic data tends to send bond prices up and interest rates down, while positive data points to lower bond prices and rising loan rates. Economic Calendar for the Week of Jul 23 – Jul 27  Date Time (ET) Release For Consensus Prior Impact W Jul 25 10:00 New Home Sales Jun 374K 369K Moderate W Jul 25 10:30 Crude Inventories 07/21 NA –0.800M Moderate Th Jul 26 08:30 Initial Unemployment Claims 07/21 375K 386K Moderate Th Jul 26 08:30 Continuing Unemployment Claims 07/21 3.300M 3.300M Moderate Th Jul 26 08:30 Durable Goods Orders Jun 1.0% 1.3% Moderate Th Jul 26 10:00 Pending Home Sales Jun 0.7% 5.9% Moderate F Jul 27 08:30 GDP–Advanced Q2 1.2% 1.9% Moderate F Jul 27 08:30 GDP Deflator–Advanced Q2 1.5% 2.0% Moderate F Jul 27 09:55 Univ. of Michigan Consumer Sentiment–Final Jul 72.0 72.0 Moderate >> Federal Reserve Watch    Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months... Virtually no economist alive expects the Fed to raise the Funds Rate for quite some time. Note: In the lower chart, a 1% probability of change is a 99% certainty the rate will stay the same. Current Fed Funds Rate: 0%–0.25% After FOMC meeting on: Consensus Aug 1 0%–0.25% Sep 13 0%–0.25% Oct 24 0%–0.25% Probability of change from current policy: After FOMC meeting on: Consensus Aug 1      <1% Sep 13      <1% Oct 24      <1% UIE

This e-mail is an advertisement for Dan Davidson. The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment and/or mortgage advice, or a commitment to lend. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, there is no guarantee of its accuracy. The material contained in the newsletter is the property of PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company and cannot be reproduced for any use without prior written consent. It is designed for real estate and other financial professionals only. It is not intended for consumer distribution. The material does not represent the opinion of PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. © 2012 PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Trade/service marks are the property of PlainsCapital Corporation, PlainsCapital Bank, or their respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company (NMLS no: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in the following states: AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY. Licensed by: AL State Banking Dept.- consumer credit lic no. MC21004; AZ Dept. of Financial Institutions- mortgage banker lic no. BK 0907334; Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act- lender lic no. 4130996; CT Dept. of Banking- lender lic no. ML-13649; D.C. Dept. of Insurance, Securities and Banking- dual authority lic no. MLO13649; IL Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation- lender lic no. MB.6760635; IN Dept. of Financial Institutions- sub lien lender lic no. 11169; ME Dept. of Professional & Financial Regulation- supervised lender lic no. SLM8285; MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation- lender lic no. 11058; Massachusetts Division of Banking– lender & broker license nos. MC5404, MC5406, MC5414, MC5450, MC5405; MI Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth- broker/lender lic nos. FR 0010163 and SR 0012527; Licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department- lender lic no. 14553-MB; NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance-lender lic no. 0803658; NM Regulation and Licensing Dept. Financial Institutions Division- lender license no. 01890; ND Dept. of Financial Institutions- money broker lic no. MB101786; RI Division of Banking- lender lic no. 20102678LL and broker lic no. 20102677LB; TX OCCC Reg. Loan License- lic no. 7293; VT Dept. of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration- lender lic no. 6127 and broker lic no. 0964MB; WA Dept. of Financial Institutions-consumer lender lic no. 520-CL-49075; WV Div. of Financial Institutions- lender license ML31704 and broker license MB-31703. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. NMLS# 10331