We are seeing more sellers coming to the conclusion that for them to continue to make payments on a property that may not come back for 7 to 10 years does not make any sense, especially after the banks have been bailed out.  This is also known as a “strategic default”  and  this video presents some straight forward facts that a lot of sellers ask us on a daily basis about the process.

Check out the video below for more facts on the positives and the negatives of the short sale process.

A Surprisingly Easy way to improve the quality of the air  you breathe in your home is to place specific  house plants  in some of the rooms.

Some house  plants remove harmful elements like formaldehyde and benzene from the air through photosynthesis

Here are a few of the top houseplants you should consider:

• English Ivy
• Snake Plant
• Peace Lily
• Bamboo Palm
• Elephant Ear
• Spider Plant

This household “tip” brought to you by Annie Grogan and Fidelity National Home Warranty

Now, in reality, roller shades may not suit your particular needs and some of the higher priced products will solve more design issues for you. But, if you are considering a basic look, take a peek at roller shades as an option. I will be writing in the future about certain design trends, and roller shades will be a big part of that future.

Gorilla Glue, This product is 100 percent waterproof and perfect for fixing things like a broken piece of trim or a loose stone on a walkway or a loose brick in your veneer. Be careful because it will expand as it cures, you will only need a very small amount for an indestructible bond.

Sandpaper and a two-part, epoxy-based wood filler; for outdoor wood repair needs. All exterior door and window trim work should be checked every spring because gaps and cracks not only reduce your home’s efficiency, but can also provide an entry location for unwanted insects and rodents. Most of these repairs can easily be taken care of and will prevent damage to the integrity of the wood.

Cordless drill and variety of high quality screws are a must. Due to expansion and contraction during the winter, screws are likely to loosen. Tighten up exposed screws on things like your deck, wood railings, etc., before they become a safety hazard. I hope these few items will help you tackle some of your spring repair projects.

Remember Home Inspections and Energy Audits are not just for Real Estate Transactions.

Rob Ernst

Home Inspector & Energy Auditor

Certified Structure Inspector

9732 Pyramid Way #149
Sparks, NV 89441
Phone: +1 775 342-4767

E-mail: rob@homecsi.com

 www.homecsi.com

Providing the Best to REALTORS® The superior coverage of the Homeowner’s Policy of Title Insurance, backed by the nation’s best title insurer, provides outstanding benefits to REALTORS® as well. Here’s how: Reduces the REALTORS® exposure in a transaction regarding certain regulatory matters. Increases the client’s satisfaction and confidence by providing the finest protection available. Helps ensure the client’s ability to resell the home in the future, free of potentially damaging title problems. Gives the REALTOR® and client peace of mind in the increasingly complex world of real estate. Informing clients about premium title insurance such as the Homeowner’s Policy makes good business sense. With superior title coverage issued through and by a reputable title insurer, REALTORS® and clients benefit from two critical layers of protection.Providing the Best to Homeowners Homeowners depend upon the strength and stability of a reputable title insurer to back their policies for years to come. Ticor Title has a long and proud history of providing homeowners with the most innovative title and escrow products in the industry. With Ticor Title, homeowners can enjoy peace of mind knowing they are insured by one of the industry’s premier title insurers. And with the Homeowner’s Policy, they’ll enjoy even more peace of mind knowing they have the best title policy available. Superior All-Inclusive Benefits from the Homeowner’s Policy This superior policy gives your clients the most thorough and comprehensive coverage available in the industry. The new Homeowner’s Policy includes the following basic coverage: False impersonation of the true owner of the property Forged deeds, releases or wills Undisclosed or missing heirs Instruments executed under invalid or expired power of attorney Mistakes in recording legal documents Misinterpretation of wills Deeds by minors Deeds by persons supposedly single, but in fact married Liens for unpaid estate, inheritance, income or gift taxes Fraud The Homeowner’s Policy also Provides the Following Additional Benefits Pre and Post Policy Protections:The Homeowner’s Policy coverage protects homeowners against claims arising both before and after the policy date. The homeowner is covered if someone else has an interest in or claims to have rights affecting the title, or the title is defective. Post-policy protection also includes coverage for forgery, impersonation, easements, use limitations and structural encroachments built by neighbors (except for boundary walls or fences) after the policy date. Expanded Access Coverage:The Homeowner’s Policy provides homeowners with expanded access protection for right of access to and from the property. Traditional title policies do not define the type of access a homeowner has to the property, but the Homeowner’s Policy specifically insures both actual pedestrian and vehicular access, based upon a legal right. Restrictive Covenant Violations:The Homeowner’s Policy protects homeowners against the loss of title to property because of a violation of a restrictive covenant that occurred before the insured acquired title. Building Permit Violations:The Homeowner’s Policy covers homeowners if they must remove or remedy an existing structure (except for boundary walls and fences) because it was built without a building permit from the proper government office. This coverage is subject to deductible amounts and maximum limits of liability. Subdivision Law Violations:The Homeowner’s Policy protects homeowners if they can’t sell the property or get a building permit because of a violation of an existing subdivision law. Homeowners are also protected if they are forced to correct or remove the violation. This coverage is subject to a policy deductible and maximum limits of liability. Zoning Law Violations:The Homeowner’s Policy protects homeowners if they must remove or remedy existing zoning laws or regulations (subject to the policy deductible and maximum limit of liability). Homeowners are also protected if they can’t use the land for a single-family residence due to the way the land is zoned. Encroachment Protections:Covers homeowners if forced to remove an existing structure because it encroaches on a neighbor’s land (coverage for encroachments of boundary walls or fences is subject to policy deductible and maximum limit of liability). Covers homeowners when someone else has a legal right to, and does, refuse to perform a contract to purchase the homeowner’s land, lease it or make a mortgage loan on it because a neighbor’s existing structures encroach onto the land. Water and Mineral Rights Damage:The Homeowner’s Policy provides coverage if a homeowner’s existing improvements, including lawns, shrubbery and trees, are damaged because someone exercised a right to use the surface of the land for the extraction of minerals or water. Supplemental Tax Lien:The Homeowner’s Policy protects homeowners if a supplemental tax lien is filed and assessed against the property because of new construction or a change of ownership prior to the policy date. Map Inconsistencies:The Homeowner’s Policy provides coverage if the map attached to the homeowner’s policy does not show the correct location of the land, according to public records. Continuous Coverage:The Homeowner’s Policy covers homeowners forever, even if they no longer have the title. The policy insures anyone who inherits the title because of the homeowner’s death and the spouse who receives the title after a dissolution of marriage. The Homeowner’s Policy also allows homeowners to transfer title to their home into a trust after the policy date and receive uninterrupted coverage, at no extra cost. Value-Added Protection: Traditional title policies don’t increase their coverage as the value of a home increases. Not so with the Homeowner’s Policy. The policy amount automatically increases by ten percent per year for five years, up to 150% over the original policy amount. This automatic increase in coverage is included at no extra cost. How to Offer Homeowner’s Policy Coverage Your Ticor Title Representatives can provide you and your clients with information about the Homeowner’s Policy coverage in simple, easy-to-understand language. Your representative is also available to meet with your clients personally to explain the Homeowner’s Policy or any other product we offer. Simply request the Homeowner’s Policy Coverage for your client when opening an escrow. It’s that easy! Title Policy Coverage Comparison Protect yourself as a REALTOR® while protecting your clients with superior title insurance coverage. Call your local Ticor Title Representative for more details or specific policy language pertaining to the Homeowner’s Policy of Title Insurance. This coverage has certain limitations and exclusions that apply. This policy has been adopted by both the CLTA and ALTA. Coverage Item CLTA Standard Coverage ALTA Residential (Plain Language) New Homeowner’s Policy Post Policy Forgery Protection No No Yes Enhanced Access Coverage No No Yes Building Permit Violations No No Yes Subdivision Map Act Coverage No No Yes Restrictive Covenant Violations No No Yes Mineral Extraction Coverage No No Yes Map Inconsistencies Coverage No No Yes Coverage Extended to Living Trusts No No Yes Enhanced Encroachment Coverage No No Yes Automatic Inflation Protection (5 years) No No Yes Protect yourself as a REALTORS® while protecting your clients with superior title insurance coverage. Call your local Ticor Title Representative for more details or specific policy language pertaining to the Homeowner’s Policy of Title Insurance. This coverage has certain limitations and exclusions that apply. This policy has been adopted by both the CLTA and the ALTA.

Erin Schiller is the Regional Business Development & Education Director at Ticor Title in Reno. For over 24 years she has been dedicated to improving and educating the members of the Reno Sparks Association of Realtors, you can visit her at Ticor Title Reno or call her at 775-324-7400.

It’s important to understand your coverage as well as the limitations so that your expectations of what your home warranty can do for you are successfully met.  Many homeowners expect their warranty to cover everything in their home and this is just not the case.  Consequently, when a service request is reasonably denied per the contract, they are unhappy and frustrated.  A quick read of the contract would help alleviate some of this frustration as well as minimize false expectations.

Let’s review just a few of the points:

»   Covered systems and appliances must be in good working order at the start of the contract period.

»   Home warranty coverage is for failures due to normal wear and tear; frozen pipes or misuse/abuse are not covered.

»   Covered major systems and appliances typically include plumbing, toilets, water heater, heating and ductwork, ceiling fans, attic fans, exhaust fans, smoke detectors, dishwasher, range, oven, cook top, garbage disposal, instant hot water dispenser and trash compactor.

»   Additional coverage for an additional fee is usually available for the refrigerator(s), washer, dryer, air conditioner, swimming pool/spa and more.

»   Typically, additional coverage can be added within 30 days of the close of escrow.

»   Covered systems and/or appliances must be located within the main foundation of the home or garage.  Exceptions generally include exterior well pump, air conditioner/evaporative cooler, pressure regulator, waste/stop valves, water heater and swimming pools and spas.

»   The homeowner is responsible for general maintenance and cleaning per manufacturer’s specifications.

»   Secondary damage is not covered by the home warranty, but is likely covered by homeowner’s insurance. For example, if the hot water heater leaks and the floor and sub floor are damaged, your home warranty will take care of the hot water heater repairs or even replacement (the extent is determined by which plan you have). Your homeowner’s insurance will most likely cover damages to the floor itself.

»   Home warranty companies are not responsible for the diagnosis, repair, removal, or remediation of mold, mildew, rot or fungus.

»   If a warranty holder calls their own technician for repairs or replacements without contacting the warranty company first, the warranty company will not be required to do a reimbursement of that cost.

»   Buyers coverage starts at the close of escrow, however if the contract fee has not been received, the warranty company will dispatch service once they receive confirmation of payment from the closing or escrow company.

»   Contracts can be renewed year after year.

»   If the covered property changes ownership prior to the expiration of the contract, it may be transferred to the new owner for the remainder of the contract period, and/or extended for one full year after pro-ration.

Please click on the link below to read our FNHW contract.

Why would a buyer want an EEM? Well that answer is very simple. The EEM allows the financing of Energy Efficient upgrades with no extra qualifying.  The extra cost of the mortgage is offset by the Energy Savings each month.  Energy Efficient upgrades make the house more comfortable and healthier. You get to save from day one. Homes with Energy Upgrades are likely to sell faster and for more money. A 20% Energy Savings is very obtainable in homes 12 years and older.

Why should Lenders and Real Estate Agents suggest an EEM to their clients? The EEM allows for larger loans while saving the buyer money in Energy costs. More people will be able to afford upgrades that will save them money every month and will make the home money.  Lower utility bills make a home more affordable to operate and can help lower defaults. There is very little work needed on your part. An Energy Auditor like myself has to perform the energy audit and then performs the test out ensuring the contractor did the work required to meet the savings requirement.  It sets you apart from everyone else in the industry and makes for happier clients. There are only a small portion of people that are involved with the EEM process right now and they are getting great referrals.

If you want to be ahead of the curve and are into being more environmentally responsible the EEM is the best way to go GREEN in the real estate world. Come to the EEM Workshop at the Reno/Sparks Association of Realtors April 19^th. I will be on hand to speak and answer questions. If you have any questions about the process or would like to have me to come to your office to discuss EEM’s and Energy Audits please feel free to contact me. I’m Northern Nevada’s only Energy Auditor and Home Inspector. I do not perform repairs so my Audits and Inspections are truly unbiased.

EEM Workshop

Rob Ernst

Home Inspector & Energy Auditor

Certified Structure Inspector

9732 Pyramid Way #149
Sparks, NV 89441
Phone: +1 775 342-4767

E-mail: rob@homecsi.com

 www.homecsi.com