Smooth Relocating Depends on Thoughtful Preparation

Most everyone with any relocating experience should recognize ‘the moment.’

No matter how much advance thought and elbow grease you’ve put in, that’s the moving day moment when everything seems to starts happening at once, and there’s literally no time left to attend to the stray details you’ve been meaning to take care of …  

It’s all but inevitable: the yellow pad that you’ve organized with all the contact information you need today more than any other day: why, it’s packed! and sealed! inside one of the cartons that’s already out there in the van!  

When you’re relocating the unplanned will always happen. Nevertheless, you can control the areas that have the most impact on how successful your move will be.  

One element that needs careful attention is the people part. It’s too easy to lose touch with those who relocating timetable. With a little preparation and imagination, it’s possible to turn events like garage sales and going-away parties into really fun celebrations.  I had a friend who hosted their going away party with a garage sale. She was able to make a few extra bucks as well as saying goodbye to her loved ones.

People are important in your life, so decide early how to announce to family and friends your

Another good idea is to assemble key belongings in a box that will accompany you: important documents like passports and birth certificates, jewelry, or other prized possessions. 

Most household moving veterans agree that the single most vital step is securing a dependable moving company. Price is important — but so is hiring a group that will guard your belongings safely during your relocation. Scrupulous interviewing and checking out the reputation of mover candidates will more than pay off in reduced stress come moving day. And even if you are an eternal optimist, get adequate insurance: relocating does inevitably involve unforeseeable risk.

‘The moment’ when your relocating is in full swing can be one when you are able to enjoy the anticipation of a new and exciting chapter in your household’s history. If you have sold your East Bay home already – congrats! And if you are just beginning the process, do give me a call — I’d love to put my resources to work for you!    written by Gina Odom, Realtor

Distressed Sales Decrease, While Short Sales Rise

A short sale is the option usually preferred by anyone who faces foreclosure. 

It’s the path that, with the approval of the mortgage lender, promises to ultimately minimize damage to the homeowner’s credit score. 

According to Realty Trac, distressed sales of all kinds continued to decrease in the last reported quarter, yet the non-foreclosure short sale volume increased by 4%. That amounts to a significant 22% of all sales. Realty Trac’s are the most reliable national statistics, and our East Bay short sale profile has likewise reflected the continuing working out of the distressed property phenomenon. 

Completing a short sale in Oakland (or anywhere else, for that matter!) can be challenging. If you’ve decided that it is your best course, you can do a lot to help your agent accomplish it:

• From the beginning of the short sale process, keep your agent informed of any changes in the financial picture. That means keeping up-to-date on the changing balance remaining on the mortgage, as well as the number of missed payments. When the information is at hand, your agent can impart the sense of urgency that gets your home sold as fast as possible. 
• The speed of sale is important, yet while a short sale specialist is an expert in that arena, other important details regarding taxation and the law may influence the best overall strategy. By encouraging your real estate agent to work alongside an experienced attorney or tax specialist, you will form a team that can execute your short sale package more efficiently than if they worked independently.
• Executing a short sale means meeting multiple demands—each with its own timing requirements. That can mean a lot of pressure: but if your agent asks you to do something or provide additional information, stand ready to do it! That speeds negotiations with buyers and lenders, increasing the chance that you will successfully close your short sale.

Short selling a home is a somewhat complicated process. I offer a no-obligation, in-home consultation to help assess your circumstances and the next steps to consider. I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert so please Call me anytime! by Gina Odom, Realtor