If you’re currently using your attic as a catchall for everything from your old Beanie Baby collection to those torrid letters from your sixth-grade pen pal (what were you guys thinking, anyway?), you’re missing out. Homeowners craving some extra space can pass on a pricey addition and invest in a top-floor renovation in the rafters instead. Whether you’re on the prowl for a kid’s playroom, the walk-in closet of your wildest (and weirdest) fantasies, or a man cave with a view, the attic might just be that special ticket. Here’s how to turn this long-forgotten space into the fave new spot in your home.

Replace pull-down ladders with stairs

Converting your hideaway in the rafters into a livable space isn’t without its obstacles. The biggest hurdle is often the stairs … or lack thereof, if your attic is ladder-accessible instead. “This can be the most challenging aspect, since there just might not be enough space to build stairs,” says Kathryn Scott of Kathryn Scott Design Studio. That said, you’d be surprised at what’s possible if you get a little creative.

Tom Cirignano of South Boston, MA, would know: When he and his wife downsized from over 2,700 feet of living area to just 1,100, they quickly found themselves panicking and asking, “Where do we store our stuff?” Fortunately, their new cottage home in Lakeville offered an unused space above the garage. Seeing an opportunity, Cirignano seized it.

​Before you sign a single page at the closing table, you’ll need to have these documents and forms at the ready.
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Real estate paperwork can be overwhelming. Simply put, buying or selling a home buries you in printed materials. Some of them are obvious (W2s, bank statements), and some of them are surprising (what’s a termite letter anyway?). The key is to start collecting them now — before the time crunch begins.

Below are 19 must-have documents that both buyers and sellers will need in hand during the purchase process on that home for sale in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Note: These are just the most commonly needed documents. Some states require specific certification letters like confirmation of hurricane-grade windows, and in some situations, such as when you’re selling to a buyer who’s getting a VA loan, you may have to provide additional certifications to secure loan approval. Always, always talk to your real estate agent about the unknowns.

​Different homes have always come with different features, layouts and amenities. What homebuyers have wanted in a house has been changing slowly over the last several decades. It will continue to change as time goes on. There are now some clear trends emerging. Here are the most important things that homebuyers want in a new home.

​The appraisal comes in below the contract price

In active markets where there can be multiple interested parties for any one home, it’s not uncommon for the bank’s appraisal to be below the contract price. In this case, the buyer might have to bring additional funds to the table, which might not be an option. Or you can try to negotiate with the seller for a lower price.

But with multiple offers, the seller might be unwilling to take less — and why should they, if another buyer is ready to go?

There are other options, like going to another bank and getting a new appraisal, and a buyer who’s been shopping for a while will figure out a way to make it work.  But if you’re new to the process and it feels too uncomfortable, you should walk from the deal.

One in four homebuyers is looking to purchase because their rent is too high, according to a Redfin survey of 750 homebuyers this month.

That’s up from one in five in November, and up from one in eight last August. In each survey, when we asked buyers what most influenced their decision to buy, the only choice cited more frequently was a major life event, such as the birth of a child or a marriage.

Affordability and Competition Headline Buyers’ Concerns

But the grass isn’t always greener. While buyers continued to cite affordability as their top concern, inventory woes are gaining attention. Twenty percent of buyers worried there weren’t enough homes to choose from, up four percentage points from last quarter. And 16 percent of respondents said there was too much competition from other buyers, a five percentage point jump from last quarter.

1. Use interior design trends to gain inspiration

In the same way as fashion changes over time, interior design trends also move as the seasons come and go. So to stay ahead of the game when preparing your home for sale, browse through the web and check out the latest interior design magazines to find what’s trending. For instance, modern interiors call for a base that is kept neutral with flashes of a bright color to brighten up the palette. Also, less structured, informal furnishings are the way to go.

In 2016, the individual, couple, or family able to pay a seller's asking price will first check out the listing online—perhaps through a video virtual tour—to decide whether or not to visit a seller's property. This means that when property owners consider which professionals to list with, these sellers must evaluate the professional online presence and skills of the brokerage and salesperson to ensure they can capture the attention of today's online-savvy buyers, engage them, entice them with the listing, and guide them successfully through the transaction.
When sellers have little or no personal experience with online marketing, or marketing in general, how can they effectively evaluate online marketing expertise? Homeowners who consider themselves savvy when it comes to social media and streaming movies, may be at an even greater disadvantage if you believe the saying, "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing." 

Decoding The Online Listing
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Sellers will benefit from understanding the following three Online Marketing Issues when selecting a listing agent:

Are your home shoppers desperately trying to find “the one?” Finding the perfect housing match can be like finding the perfect mate. For some Americans, this year’s Valentine may come in the form of a home, filled with shiny new fixtures and a great first impression. But that search isn’t always easy.

In a recent article, realtor.com® highlights how home-shopping can feel a lot like dating.

1. You need to have trust.

Americans seem to think they have a better chance at finding love than finding the perfect home. Fifty-two percent of home buyers believe they will find their dream home compared to 73 percent of Americans who believe they will find true love. While competition in the housing market is intense right now, home buyers shouldn’t get disheartened.
​2. Don’t take the first one you find.

Home buyers look at a median of 10 homes before making a purchase. In the search for love, a man will date, on average, six other people before choosing “the one," while a woman typically dates five. Home buyers shouldn’t be discouraged if the first few homes don’t feel right to them. Sometimes it takes a few before finding the perfect match.

3. Try finding an online connection first.

Ninety-two percent of home buyers say they use the Internet during their housing search while 38 percent of single-Americans say they have used online or mobile dating services to find love. Does that make realtor.com® your Matchmaker.com? The majority of Americans surveyed about dating sites and mobile apps say that they find a better romantic match because of the wide range of potential partners they can access. Sounds like a good lesson for real estate too!

4. First impressions do matter.

Seventy-seven percent of home buyers say they’ll know immediately when they’ve found their ideal home; 52 percent of Americans believe in love at first sight when dating. Trust your hunch.

5. Regrets happen.

Eighty percent of home buyers have at least one major regret about their new home purchase; 72 percent of married women admit they’ve considered leaving their husbands at some point. Home owners typically had buyer's remorse when buying a home that was too small or didn't have enough storage space, choosing a home near unpleasant neighbors, and purchasing in a bad school district. At least with real estate, your always a for-sale sign away from moving on.

“The reality, of course, is that neither homes nor relationships are ever truly perfect,” realtor.com®’s article notes. “But if you really work at understanding what you want and what you need, and taking the time to assess a variety of options, you’re likely to find a pretty good fit. Maybe even one that will improve with time.”

Source: realtormag.org
http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2016/02/12/5-dating-tips-apply-home-shopping

Federal regulators could be a wild card in commercial real estate lending in 2016, according to this NAR Government Affairs regulatory update for real estate professionals.

Ask For What You Want

Your future landlord isn’t going to offer an awesome deal right off the bat — not if they’re in the business of making money, any way — so if you want to save dough on your rent or other upfront expenses, you have to ask for it. As your mom used to say, “The worst they can say is ‘no.’”

Remember, everything's negotiable.

Moving into a new apartment and need to mind your budget? There are a few tactics you can employ to score a better deal on your new digs. Consider these tips on how to negotiate your rental or lease agreement to walk away a winner:

Come Prepared to Get the Best Deal

You’ll impress your future landlord — and let them know you’re serious about the property — by coming to the meeting dressed professionally and prepared with all the documents necessary to expedite the agreement.

“I tell all my clients to have all their paperwork at the ready, meaning credit report, application, letter of recommendation, bio, income, bank statements, and tax return,” explains Kimberly Tucci, an agent with Realty Group International. “Since demand is high and supply is low, they need to be prepared and strike when the iron’s hot.”

Consider an Extended Lease Agreement

Most leases are for a one-year term, but if you don’t have any plans to relocate in the immediate future, perhaps you should consider a two-year agreement with the landlord if they’re open to the idea.

“Landlords may give you a break if you commit to an extended lease,” Larsen suggests. “If you offer to take a two-year lease, for example, the guarantee that the apartment won’t sit vacant is appealing. If you’re renewing a lease, your track record as a good tenant can be a bargaining tool for landlords who don’t want to risk losing you or pay the cost of sourcing a new tenant if they’re paying a broker’s fee.”

Know Your Worth as a Tenant

Don’t sell yourself short as a renter. If you’re responsible, professional, quiet, and clean, use those characteristics as selling points when you start negotiations.

“From the landlord’s perspective, a bad tenant can cost much more than some lost rent,” Stern says. “Emphasize your positives that always pay rent timely, you have stable employment, you’ve never had past issues with other landlords, etc. Our current landlord gave us a below market price because she knew she could trust us.”

Source: Time.com
​http://time.com/money/4190394/negotiate-rent-tips/

From one of our lending partners - Movement Mortgage - explaining the mortgage process.

Source: cashflowdiaries
​http://www.cashflowdiaries.com/top-6-reasons-to-buy-a-rental-property/