25% of Consumers Have Errors on Credit Report

Consumers need to be extra vigilant about checking for any errors on their credit reports, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

One in four Americans report they’ve found an error on their credit report, according to a study conducted by the FTC, which analyzed 1,001 consumers’ credit reports from the three major agencies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Researchers helped the consumers spot potential errors on their reports.

Five percent of the consumers found such large errors on their report that they could have gotten stuck paying more for mortgages or other financial products, if they hadn’t taken steps to correct it before applying, according to the study.

The Worst Colors to Use in a Home

Emerald may be this year’s color of the year and hot hue, but which colors should you avoid?

Color research tells us some colors to avoid. Colors that can be considered, as some researchers note, “eye irritants” and can even cause headaches or mess with your vision.

According to color research, the worst offending color: Yellow as a “pure bright lemon.”

Selling your home preparations...

Possible large projects:
These large projects may cost you a bit of money, but some may be well worth the expense. I will help you decide which of these improvements will add value to your home, and which are not necessary.

• Painting—exterior and/or interior.
• Improving lawn and landscaping.
• Cleaning and repairing windows and screens.
• Cleaning and/or replacing carpets.
• Touching up or refinishing cabinets.
• Storing or disposing of furniture in order to make rooms appear larger.
• Cleaning drapes.
• Cleaning and repairing all appliances.

Home Ownership is Within More Americans' Reach

Low interest rates helped keep housing affordability high in the final quarter of 2012, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index released on Thursday.

Flood Forecast Making Big Changes After Snowfall

Heavy snow that piled up from storm after storm means big changes to the flood forecast for the Red River.
The F-M area now has a 79% risk of major spring flooding.
Just last month, the risk was only 6%. Major flood stage in Fargo is 30 feet, one that's been surpassed numerous times before.
There's a 50% chance the river will reach 33.2 feet. That's the level at which Fargo has to build a temporary dike on 2nd street, and Moorhead begins diking to protect the Hjemkomst Center.

Read Full Article Here: Flood Forecast Making Big Changes After Snowfall

2012 Cost vs. Value Report - Fargo, ND

To receive a FULL copy of the Fargo area Cost vs. Value Report.

Simply send an email to...
shannonbarnum@gmail.com
With subject line:  "Cost Value Report"

We will send you the full 11 page report of the Fargo areas remodeling cost vs. value studies done to help you decide what projects you can safely do to your home to get the most return on investment in today's market.

Top 10 Remodeling Projects ~ With Biggest Returns...

Home owners are investing in their homes once again, according to recent industry surveys that point to a strong rebound taking hold in home remodeling. Home owners also may be seeing higher gains from some of these remodeling projects at resale, according to the most recent Cost vs. Value Report, which reviews the top remodeling projects that offer the highest returns at resale. The Cost vs. Value Report is conducted each year by Remodeling Magazine, in conjunction with REALTOR(R) Magazine.

Which remodeling projects offer the potential for some of the biggest pay-backs at resale? The following mid-range remodeling jobs offer the highest returns, according to the 2013 Cost vs. Value Report.

1. Entry door replacement (steel)
Estimated job cost: $1,137
Return on investment at resale: 85.6%

2. Deck addition (wood)
Job cost: $9,327
ROI: 77.3%

Freddie Mac Mortgage Rates Report

Mortgage Rates Holding Steady...

Mortgage rates remained mostly unchanged throughout this past week, continuing a month long track of staying at their historical lows, Freddie Mac reported. "Mortgage rates have been stable, near record lows, for the past 4 weeks. Here’s a closer look at national averages for mortgage rates for the week ending February 21, according to Freddie Mac:

• 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: inched up to a 3.56 average this week, with an average 0.8 point, up from last week’s 3.53 percent. A year ago at this time, 30-year rates averaged 3.95 percent.
• 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: remained unchanged this week at 2.77 percent, with an average 0.8 point. Last year at this time, 15-year rates averaged 3.19 percent.

Home Scents That Help You Sell

Scents that help your home SELL!

Best & Worst scents for selling your home

Real estate professionals have long paid attention to the smell of a home, making sure the scent is pleasing to buyers to hopefully bring about a quicker sale. But new research suggests that some of the common scents real estate professionals may reach for in prepping a home for sale can actually turn off home buyers. Some of the worst scents for real estate open houses: Potpourri, chocolate-chip cookies, gourmet foods, and other baked goods, according to the study. On the other hand, some of the best smells: Lemon, green tea, cedar, pine, basil, and vanilla...

Read Full Article Here:
Wall Street Journal: "Using Smell to Make a Sale!"

Area Home Prices Strongest Performance in 7 Years

Fargo, ND Statistics...

Median Home Price 4th Quarter 2011: $154,000
Median Home Price 2012: $158,400
Yr. Change: +2.9%

Qualifying income:
With 5% down - $34,809
With 10% down  - $32,977
With 20% down - $29,313


Read Full Article Here: Strongest Performance of Area Home Prices in 7 yrs

Home Staging Tips: Table Layering

Home Sellers Staging Guide to a Faster, More Profitable Sale

Click here to find out your homes value in TODAY'S market!

• A sparkling home! Bathrooms, kitchens, carpets/flooring, windows and exterior should appear fresh and new with surfaces that appear to be germ free and smell fresh.
• Create a cohesive, well balanced and upscale environment buyers aspire to own. Furniture should be positioned to create a warm and inviting conversation area buyers can envision spending time with family and friends in. Draw attention to views and features through the use of line and color. Accessories per surface should generally range from 1-3 decorative items and no more than 5. Functional and everyday items should be put away for showings.
• Outdated areas may deter a sale. Inexpensive solutions include updating light fixtures and switch plates, cabinetry knobs, faucets. Studies show most updates actually have 100% or higher return on investment.