What is a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)?

A Comparative Market Analysis is a handy little tool most people would like to have.

Just like all tools, they are not the same in all hands.  I use state of the art technology and databases to create usable information for you.  

    -  A CMA will provide an educated, data based approximate estimate of your homes value.

·   -  It must be produced by a trained and licensed Real Estate Professional.

·   -  While there are standards and procedures, not all CMA’s are equal.

·         I use cutting edge technology, tapping into the most up to the moment records, with computerized data analytics with experienced human interpretation to bring you the best and truest assessment of your home.

WHY YOU WANT A CMA:

1.  It provides a good assessment of what your house could sell for.

2.  Investors and Buyers can get more detailed information and determine if the asking price really does reflect current market value before committing to buy.

3.  It helps you choose home improvements and upgrades wisely, determine which will bring you the best return on investment, and avoid over improving in the wrong areas.

4.  It helps you determine if your home value has risen enough that you may be eligible to ask for a home equity loan.

5.  It provides valuable insights and information to make your more knowlegable about your homes worth when looking at refinaincing.

6.  Some lenders may reduce your monthly mortgage payments by removing the Premium Mortgage Insurance if you can show your home value has increased, giving you no owe less than 80% of the homes current value.  (Every lender is different)

7.  It gives you first hand knowledge and about your homes value in todays current market.

·    

You can get your custom-made Home Comparative Market Analysis in exchange for your donation of any size made directly to any charity listed in my links section. (See the top right of this page)

You will receive one custom made, comprehensive, state of the art report 

giving you a good overview of your home’s current market value.  

This service is provided by appointment only.

Reserve your place today! 

Email:  HeatherNovaHomes@gmail.com

Phone: 305-281-1873

What you should know about renting in Northern Virginia

Here are 10 things you may wish to know before renting in Virginia:

1.  Read the fine print.  Always make sure you know what you are agreeing to.

2.  Some leases require you to pay HOA (Home Owner Association) or Condo Fees in addition to the rent you are already paying.

3.  Prepare to pay a nonrefundable application fee for the places you want to rent.

4.  Know your credit score before you apply.  Many landlords will not consider tenants with a credit score below a certain level.

5.  Have your checkbook ready.  When you apply, be ready to submit a check for the first month’s rent and security deposit with it.

 

6.  Always disclose pets.  There are plenty of pet friendly communities.  Expect your pet deposit to be around $250- $500.

7.  Be aware of carpet cleaning requirements. Especially when you have pets.  Many landlords require the carpets be cleaned annually or bi-annually.

8.  Know your budget and how much you can really afford.

9.  Plan your timing.  Landlords won’t hold a property empty for an extra month until you’re ready to move.

10.  Call Heather Maier to help find your new rental home!

·         Get access to properties and databases not available to the general public.

·         Save your time by having Heather pre-screen potential properties for you.

·         Avoid discouragement. Find out quickly if the property you are interested in has already been rented.  Quite often it takes the public websites and rental sites up to a week to show it is not longer available.

·         Find the best deals that meet your criteria and lifestyle desires.

·         Get facts in advance so you won’t be surprised by clauses and fine print later.

IMPORTANT:  Most people do not know that it is the landlord that almost always takes care of my finders fee for you!  So you, my friend, have no reason not to call today!

Email: HeatherNovaHomes@gmail.com

305-281.1873

How to Get Into The Making Home Affordable Program

If you are struggling to make your mortgage payments you may be eligible for assistance through the Making Home Affordable Program. (HAMP for short).

What HAMP does:

If you can get in the HAMP program it lowers your monthly mortgage payments in order to make them more affordable and sustainable for the long term.

Here are the basic facts about this program:

1.  It is an official program of the Department of Treasury and Housing and Urban Development.

2.  It seeks to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. 

3.  It may lower your monthly payments for long term sustainability.

4.  It is available for your primary residence and for homes and properties that are not your primary residence.

5.  Not all lenders participate in this program.  Here is the government list of participating lenders:  http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/get-started/contact-mortgage/Pages/default.aspx 

6.  Explore the different programs to see which one might be right for you prior to contacting your lender or the HUD Counselor.  http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/get-started/finding-the-right-program/Pages/default.aspx

7.  You can work with a HUD Counselor to advise and advocate for you:  You can call 888-995-HOPE (4673), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to immediately speak to an expert advisor in over 160 languages. This around-the-clock service is available completely free of charge.  http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/get-started/housing-expert/Pages/default.aspx

Remember, don't be discouraged.  

Keep looking and asking for help.  

New programs and policies are coming about 

all the time to help homeowners.

If you would like a detailed market report showing the current market value of your home,  you can do so by emailing or calling Heather to make an appointment today.

These reports are extremely valuable in keeping you informed and having facts at your fingertips prior to talking with your lender.

Your report is created for you in exchange for a donation of any size to one of the charities listed at the top right corner of this page.

Best wishes,

Heather Maier

email:  HeatherNovaHomes@gmail.com

305.281.1873

Underwater mortgages down 42%!

Due to market conditions, a staggering number of homeowners  found themselves owing more on their homes then their homes were worth.

This latest report released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is a good sign that the real estate market is recovering.

As of the end of June 2013 the numbers of homeowner who owe more than what their mortgage is currently worth dropped from 12.1 million to 7.1 million.  

Here are some other good recovery signs:

- More lenders are making loan modification programs available

- There are more foreclosure mitigation service and options available.

- The Making Home Affordable Program continues to press lenders to identify and respond to struggling mortgage holders prior to any foreclosure actions.

If you would like to assess your homes current market value please feel free to email or give a call to set up an appointment.

These home reports are intensive, and full of detailed information that provides you with a good overview of how your home sits in current market conditions.

Reports are created for you in exchange for a donation of any size to one of my current charities.  (View the list on the top right of this page).

Best wishes,

Heather Maier

Email:  HeatherNovaHomes@gmail.com

305-281-1873

Why I became a Real Estate Agent

Why did I become a real estate agent?

I guess the real question is why does anyone do what they love?

My hobby has always been looking for, reviewing and analyzing the profitability of different properties for myself and others.   It is a natural fit and something I have always enjoyed doing without pay.

When I found myself at a cross roads, being very successful yet very unhappy in the work I was doing, I decided to be bold and make a change.   This kind of work is less secure than what I was used to.  There are so many unpredictable and uncontrollable variables that can affect your ability to make a living.

The one thing I knew for sure is that I know how to work in a way that gets results.

I have always been that person who can take difficult or seemingly impossible situations and straighten them out.   I am that guy you call when you have a concept or idea, and can make it happen.

 Results.  Results is what I do.

Good results are what people need and are counting on in all their real estate transactions.

Whether buying, selling or renting, I put 100% into making things go as smoothly and profitably as possible.

I like working with people, and enjoy making this process easier, well informed and less intimidating for them.   Giving people good information so that they can make good data based decisions is an essential part of the service I provide.

Another key reason I switched to this career is to have the flexibility to work with nice people.  Simple as that may sound, working with pleasant, nice people really adds to my enjoyment and quality of life.

I was blessed to have multiple offers and opportunities of Brokers to work with, and I chose what was the best fit for me.  I was the first agent for a start up brokerage, working for a young broker that I sensed was going to be very successful.

I followed my instincts and was glad I did.

Working for Kareem Fleming @ KaZo Properites and KaZo Property Management has been one of the best decisions I ever made.