3 Moving Hacks So Smart, Even MacGyver Would Be Proud

When it comes time to move from the old place to the new one, everyone could use a few handy moving hacks … even MacGyver.
Sometimes, there are things about moving that we don’t consider until it’s too late: duct tape, bubble wrap, etc.
We’ve got your back, so you’re ready when you’re hit with the unexpected. We’ve got a list of moving hacks here that would make even MacGyver say, “Hey! I never thought of that!”
Moving can be a headache, and no one likes it—but with a few good friends and a few handy tricks, you might make MacGyver proud.

1. Snacks as Moving Hacks

Not only are snacks like Pringles and popcorn tasty, they can also come in seriously handy when it comes time to move.
Once you’ve polished off the chips, those Pringles cans are indispensable for packing up pens, pencils and the conglomeration of stuff in your “junk drawer.” These handy cans can hold a number of loose items that would otherwise end up rolling all over of the floor of your moving truck.
And when you run out of packing peanuts or bubble wrap, good ol’ fashioned popcorn—which is also dirt cheap—is a terrific substitute. Pop a few kernels and use it to fill up the empty space in your boxes of fragile items.

2. Stretch It!

When you’re carrying stuff down to your truck, going in and out of the house, few things are as annoying as having the door slam on you over and over—potentially even locking you out of the house!
Your best bet to fix that problem? A simple rubber band. Hook one end over the inside knob, turn the knob so it’s in the “open” position, and then you twist the band in an “X” over the latch and hook the other end to the outside knob.
Rubber bands also come in super-handy for keeping small boxes closed or binding clothes hangers together by their hooks.

3. Plate It Up

When you’re packing up your kitchen, you have to be extra careful with plates and glasses, so they don’t get broken en route to your new home. Sure, you could buy those foam squares that are meant to separate your plates and keep them safe, but that can be expensive.
Instead, buy a party pack of foam plates at your local grocery store. They cost just pennies, and they’ll protect your dishes better than foam squares or newspaper.
And when you get to your new place, you also will have something to eat off of while you’re unpacking.
http://www.realtor.com/advice/3-moving-hacks-smart-macgyver-proud/






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Mortgage apps skyrocket on lower interest rates

Mortgage applications increased 13.9% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending Sep. 18, 2015.
The previous week’s results included an adjustment for the Labor Day holiday.
The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 13.9% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 26% compared with the previous week. The Refinance Index increased 18% from the previous week. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased 9% from one week earlier to its highest level since June 2015. The unadjusted Purchase Index increased 20% compared with the previous week and was 27% higher than the same week one year ago.
“We saw significant rate volatility last week surrounding the FOMC meeting, and rate declines toward the end of the week likely drove applications from both prospective home buyers and borrowers looking to refinance. The 30-year fixed rate remained unchanged over the week even though there was substantial intra-week fluctuation, but we saw rate decreases in other loan products like the 15-year fixed, 5/1 ARM, and 30-year jumbo,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s Chief Economist.
The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 58.4% of total applications from 56.2% the previous week. The adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) share of activity increased to 6.9% of total applications.


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To discuss your home buying or refinancing needs call The Easterbrook Team at 916-850-6050.


John Easterbrook NMLS# 226555
916-224-7653
easterbrookteam@spmc.com


Patty Aguon NMLS# 994635
916-833-5063
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Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company
Bidwell Branch
806 Bidwell Street
Folsom, CA 95630

Size Advantage

Based in Folsom, California, Sierra Pacific Mortgage has 144 offices nationwide. The Easterbrook Team (John Easterbrook, Patty Aguon, Lorae Oliver, and Kelly Mickelson) at Sierra Pacific Mortgage Corporation is associated with the #1 office in the nation for SPMC for the 3^rd month in a row!  We want to thank you so much for the support.  Come by and visit our office at 806 Bidwell Street in Folsom or call (916) 850-6050.

Is It Time to Downsize? Ask Yourself These 4 Questions First

When is the right time to “rightsize” to a home that’s better suited to your needs? Well, if you’re in the 60+ crowd (or have a parent in that demo), there are plenty of things that can go into that decision. Maybe you’re finding yourself in a (more or less) empty nest. Maybe you want to (finally!) get serious about retirement planning. Maybe all that maintenance on your current home is more than you can or want to handle. Or, heck, maybe you just want to simplify your life.
Whatever the scenario, you’ll find that you have plenty of company. The U.S. Census Bureau’s population projections forecast that the number of Americans aged 65 and older will more than double by 2030, increasing from 35 million in 2010 to an estimated 72 million.
Of course, getting older doesn’t mean you have to slow down or compromise on the lifestyle you want. It just means you have to make informed, calculated decisions on how best to achieve it. And that’s especially true when it comes to homeownership.
So if you’re thinking about downsizing, ask yourself these questions first:

Q: What kind of lifestyle do I want after I downsize?

For some folks, it’s a matter of living a simpler life focused on family. Some might want to cross off travel destinations on their bucket lists. Some might want a low-maintenance community with high-end upgrades and social events. Decide what you want to achieve from your move first, and you’ll be able to better narrow down your housing options.
Alex Haigh, a Realtor® with Illustrated Properties in Stuart, FL, says most folks come to South Florida for the warmer weather and amenities, and he’s seeing more seniors who are still working—because they enjoy it or want to have an extra cushion in their budgets.
Debra Whitfield, a Realtor in Charleston, SC, who specializes in working with seniors, sees her older clients making two types of moves.
“The first move are retirees looking to enjoy their freedom, so they come down to Charleston to find active adult communities where they meet like-minded people that they can befriend easily,” Whitfield says. “The second comes after retirees have enjoyed their freedom for 10 years or so and they decide to move one last time to live closer to family to have the physical, emotional, and spiritual support they need.”

———

Q: What should my buying budget look like? 

If you’re planning to retire soon or have already entered those coveted golden years, you’ll likely be on a fixed income. Downsizing might net you a decent profit, especially if the home you’re buying next costs considerably less than the one you’re selling. Consider other expenses as you age: medical bills, health and life insurance, travel, estate planning, final expenses, and home maintenance. The common rule of thumb: Spend no more than 30% of your monthly income on housing. But in theory, it should be a lot less if you’re downsizing.






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The Easterbrook Team with Sierra Pacific Mortgage
806 Bidwell Street
Folsom, CA 95630


John Easterbrook NMLS#226555
916-224-7653
easterbrookteam@spmc.com


Patty Aguon NMLS#994635
916-833-5063
easterbrookteam@spmc.com

The Six Most Common Open House Mistakes

One of the key factors to a successful career in real estate is hosting successful open houses. They provide an opportunity to expose buyers to homes, grow your client database and expand your business. However, many agents make crucial mistakes when conducting these events. To learn more about the worst kinds of errors, we spoke with two experienced agents, Frank Montro of Frank Montro Homes and Connie Tomlinson of Realty Executives.
1. Not Reaching Out to Potential Clients One of the most common mistakes real estate agents make at open houses is thinking that success means just selling the house. With dozens of people walking through the home, connecting with potential future clients is often more important than trying to close a deal on the house. “Most people don’t walk into an open house and whip out their checkbooks,” say Montro. “Real estate isn’t a transaction business; real estate is a relationship business. You’re looking to meet that one person who gives you four or five referrals. If you sell a house, and you do not get two, three, four, five referrals out of it, then you’re not selling. You’re just handling a transaction.” Tomlinson agrees, adding that the people walking through could serve as free advertising. “If you get multiple buyers through who show interest, they could spread the word that it’s a great house, and get that exposure out there.”
2. Doing Minimal Cleaning Cleanliness is paramount. But that doesn’t just mean wiping down the counters. The front lawn, the first thing potential buyers will see, should be trimmed and mowed so that people are excited to walk in. Indoors, everything should be spotless. “It’s amazing how important it is to have a clean house,” says Montro. “Nothing turns somebody off faster than to walk into a house that’s dirty.” Buyers have sharp eyes, so do not forget to double-check the nooks and crannies where dust or dirt might have built up. A solid understanding of the house will help with this, says Tomlinson. “You need to know the house, and go through the house ahead of time.” - See more at: https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/the-six-most-common-open-house-mistakes/#sthash.eo838ZKp.dpuf




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U.S. Named Hottest Global Housing Market

In a survey of 14 countries, the United States emerged on top as the hottest market for global residential property, according to real estate advisors Savills. Savills researchers analyzed factors like population growth, rising wealth, and limited housing supply to rank the top picks for investors worldwide and which markets offer the potential for the highest price increases over the next five years.

NAR's International Buying Report: Foreign Buyers Spend More on U.S. Real Estate

The United States showed the most promise for highest returns for investors. Home prices are up about 30 percent from their 2009 downturn, according to the company. The survey singled out San Francisco, in particular, as having one of the highest growth potentials, ahead of New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.
According to Savills researchers, here are the countries that ranked the highest as having the most promise worldwide for residential investors:

1. United States
2. United Arab Emirates
3. Singapore
4. United Kingdom
5. Spain

http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2015/09/16/us-named-hottest-global-housing-market#sf13155028




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John Easterbrook-NMLS#226555-916-224-7653
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Easterbrookteam@spmc.com

5 tips to protect sellers’ homes during a showing

With strangers wandering through the house, these precautions will make your sellers feel more comfortable


Takeaways:

• Encourage the sellers to hide any valuables during a showing, including medication.
• Hide personal photos that show the homeowners’ faces.
• Make sure the sellers lock all doors except for the primary entrance where visitors will be entering.

There is a lot that goes into selling a home, and many homeowners often feel overwhelmed throughout the process. As a real estate agent, it’s your responsibility to make them feel at ease.
Homeowners might feel concerned about leaving their home during a showing — and rightfully so. Depending on the showing, there could be hundreds of strangers walking in and out of their home.
It’s easy to get caught up in making a home look perfect for a showing, but it is just as important to help clients keep their belongings safe while their home is on the market. There are things that both the agent and homeowners can do to stay safe.


It’s vital to help clients keep their belongings safe while the home is on the market.


To Read The Entire 5 Reasons in Detail Please Click Here!






To discuss your home buying options or refinance needs call The Easterbrook Team!
916-850-6050* 806 Bidwell Street Folsom, CA 95630*Sierra Pacific Mortgage


John Easterbrook-NMLS# 226555-916-224-7653
Patty Aguon-NMLS#994635-916-833-5063


EasterbrookTeam@spmc.com