First Check Inspection

Anyone can become skilled estimating rehab repairs and its as easy as adhering to the Rule of Three.  What is the Rule of Three you say? Anytime you have a repair that needs to be completed and you are not certain ofthe cost, you need to get three bids from licensed professionals. 

For example, let’s say you need to have the outside of a property painted and you’re certain extensive work will be needed before it can be painted.  Since you are not sure of the cost, contact three licensed painters/contractors and have them bid on the project and give it to you in writing.  These three bids should come in relatively close in dollar amount and now you know what a realistic price is to complete the work.

But what if the prices are all over the place?  When this happens, you’ll want to get three more bids and soon you’ll have a tight price range for completing the work.

Note: Once you have determined a price range, I recommend that you determine the cost per square foot so you can use it as a future reference. 

Why Contractor Bids Might Vary By A Wide Margin

It is not uncommon for contractors to bid the exact same work with prices that are all over the board.You don’t want to put trust in a contractor relationship and believe that the contractor will always provide the best service or price, so you need to understand why this happens.  Here are some reasons why prices vary:

The contractor is too busy.  When a contractor is busy and you ask them to bid a job, they will always give you a bid even if they don’t know how to fit it in their schedule.  But when they are too busy, they “jack up” the bid amount and figure if you are willing to pay that exorbitant bid then they will find a way to complete work.  The reason they do this is because they know the worst thing they can do is not give you a bid since you would never come back to them for future work.

They are a General Contractor.  General Contractors often hire another contractor (called a sub-contractor) to complete the work and they make their profit by marking up the bid of the sub contractor.  This mark-up is commonly around 20% and can create a large difference in the bid amounts.

The contractor needs work.  When a contractor is hungry for work and needs to pay the bills, the bid amounts go down considerably.There are times that it is up to 50%.  If the person is doing the work themselves, the reason for discounting the work is obvious. Meanwhile, contractors with crews will often discount their bids when work is slow because they need to keep crews working and gainfully employed or risk losing them.

Lots of investors get too comfortable when using a contractor and usually end up paying too much due to not getting bids every time they need them.  Many times, I’ve used a contractor or handyman that was great to work with on the first project, but not subsequent projects. My reasons for not using them again has varied over the years but the most common reason is because I found them when they were just starting or hungry for business. Fast-forward a few months or years and business has picked up for them so as a function of supply and demand, their prices have gone up.It’s always important to get several bids and a lot of things can happen.

An Extreme Difference In Bid Amounts

Let me describe the condition of this house.Sometimes you walk into a house thinking it’s not too bad, but then you go in and BAM… it’s like walking into a dump.

The floors were covered completely in trash to the point where you could not tell if there was bare concrete, carpet, tile or linoleum. You literally had to walk across trash and hear it squish under the pressure of your weight.

The kitchen and countertops were completely covered in trash and you could not even walk into the area.  In the dining room, there was a dog door and I was thankful because it provided some ventilation for the pungent odor.  The living room had 8 feet long cobwebs extending across the ceiling and the front door was sealed shut by spider webs–from both the inside and outside.Lo and behold, right, dead center, in the middle of the room was a baby pen that had been used as a ferret cage - nasty! The rest of the house was in the same condition. 

So, here’s the house in nasty condition and I had to get labor-only bids for interior paint, exterior paint, kitchen installation, ceramic tile installation, and a new roof.We decided to buy materials and contract the labor seperately because this project had a lot of material expense.  Any guesses on the different bids?

Well, our bids ranged from $3,800 to $25,000.All bids were from licensed contractors, but that was an extreme difference.  Because the property was so filthy, many of the contractors could not see past the inexpensive general cleanup and made the job into much more than it really was.  Luckily, we understood the importance of getting multiple bids and had the work completed for under $7,000.

Note: Believe it or not, the owner, who was employed in the health care industry, occupied the house.  Scary thought.  Then, on the first day of general cleanup, I was in the house when a neighbor told me the house had a tick infestation problem.Not long after, I went outside and found about 20 ticks on my leg under my trousers.All said and done, we made over $64,000, but that was one nasty home!

Take Heed New Investors

If the repair costs exceed 25% of the after repaired value of the house, I’d recommend that you do not purchase the house to fix up unless you have rehabbing experience. 

If the repairs will exceed 25%, this is an extensive property renovation and there are too many things that can go wrong that could turn this type of a property into a bad deal.  For seasoned investors with rehabbing experience, this could be a great deal, but if you are new it would be better to sell the property quickly, commonly called a ‘flip’ or ‘wholesaling’ to another investor that wants to complete the repairs.

About The Author:
Gerald Romine is a nationally recognized real estate expert that has been featured across North America sharing the stage with political leaders, film stars, and business leaders. Since 1989, Gerald has been involved with real estate as a real estate agent, broker, rehabber, investor, and builder and has been involved with everything from houses to apartments. For more information about Gerald’s products or services visit www.kickassrealestate.com

Technorati Tags: buying, kickassrealestate.com, property repairs, real estate

Flipping properties for profit has gotten a lot of attention lately, but the process is not really new at all. Buying and selling fixer upper homes has already proven to be a successful path to wealth for many. The opportunity for relatively quick and surprisingly high profits is enticing for many who want to try their hand at flipping properties.

But flipping properties has potential pitfalls as well. It may not work out equally well for everyone. Before launching a house flipping project of your own, consider the following points. Knowing and applying this information when you’re starting out could greatly increase the return on your investment at the end.

Find the right neighborhood

Location should be one of your primary considerations if you’re thinking about flipping properties. You don’t want to try flipping a house in an established, high-priced neighborhood–there’s not much profit potential left there. You also need to stay away from stagnant, run down neighborhoods. What you’re looking for is a neighborhood on the move, a neighborhood where prices are showing signs of moving up, but where there are still bargains to be found.

Find the right property

Locating the right property is a crucial component of success. Your best bet is a house that’s priced at about 60 percent of the value of surrounding homes. The house will almost certainly be older and will need some maintenance and updating. But it offers the potential for a handsome profit with a modest amount of work.

Fixer uppers are sometimes difficult to spot because real estate listings normally paint a rosy picture of the property. Look for clues that indicate the condition of the home. Nothing beats a personal visit to take a closer look at the property and the neighborhood.

Get it inspected and appraised

Once you’ve found a home that appears to be a good match, it’s time to dig beneath the surface a little. Have the house inspected by your own inspector. An inspection will help you decide whether to move ahead with the project or not. An inspection will help you predict your renovation costs, avoid any hidden repair headaches and prioritize your makeover tasks.

Get an appraisal of the home’s worth as it stands today and what the value could be if repairs are made. Compare that to what other homes in the surrounding neighborhood have recently sold for. These figures will indicate whether you should pursue the deal or not.

Plan your renovation

When planning your renovations, stick to basic improvements that contribute the most to the price of the house. Don’t spend time making design choices that potential home buyers may not agree with. Focus on increasing your profit and evaluate every renovation task by how much it contributes to your profit.

Flipping properties has excellent potential, but profit is never guaranteed. However, by following these steps to get your project off to the right start, you can greatly increase your chances for a rewarding profit.

Mark Walters
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/flipping-properties-how-to-start-well-95662.html

Decks are one of the most beautiful additions to any home. They add beauty, value, and a serene home getaway that is unbeatable. Imagine yourself sunbathing on your deck with the rays of summer sunshine dancing on your lawn chair. Imagine having a get together with friends, the barbecue grill smoking away spreading its luscious smells to all of your guests and admiring neighbors. Imagine an evening of star gazing with your kids on the solid surface of your deck. Before you imagine too much, though, think about the disastrous consequences of a poorly built outdoor structure. The media is full of stories about decks crashing in on homeowners leaving permanent disability in its wake. If you are ready to build the right outside deck for your structure, there are ten things you should consider first.

The first thing to think about is the purpose of your deck. Will it be used for entertaining guests on a regular basis? If so, have you considered how many guests you want the deck to hold? That should be one of your primary considerations. More guests will equal more weight. It will also mean you might need extra space for lawn furniture, grills, and people. You also might want the deck to be a play area for you small children. If so, that means a whole host of other issues throughout the planning process. Whatever your deck’s intended purpose, it is best to think it all the way through before starting on the process.

The next thing you should consider is your deck’s location. If you have landscaping issues where you think you will be placing your deck, which is one more thing you are going to have to deal with in the building process. You may also need to consider tree removal, as well as entrances and exits to your home. Remember, you have to have a way to actually access your deck, and if you want it in a place where you do not have an exit, you may need to add one to get the deck in your desired location.

The third thing you need to consider is your deck plan. This will serve as a guide to the entire project. It does not require a professional hand; it just requires someone who can be thorough enough to cover all of the aspects involved.

Another thing you must consider is how your deck will attach to your home. There are many different ways this can be done. It can be freestanding, but that is not always practical or safe. If it is to attach to the house, you have to decide how you will cut away the siding at the joining point. You must also check on the framing of your home where you wish your deck to stand. Is it strong enough?

The fifth thing you must consider are the deck supports as a whole. You need to decide exactly how many footings and posts you will need, and where you intend to place them. If you plan a very large deck, you should plan for a large number of footings and posts. With a smaller deck, you might not need quite as many.

An additional thing to note is the decking material you plan to use. Do you want a wood deck or one made of composite materials? If wood, you should choose your variety. Redwood, cedar, and pressure treated pine are all popular because they resist rot and decay. If you choose another wood decking material, you will, on a constant basis, need to provide protectant and sealant material. Composite decking materials are a good choice because they have been chemically engineered to avoid all of the problems of traditional wood.

The seventh thing to think about is the permits that will be required to build your deck in your area. Different areas have different zoning laws and requirements. Where some areas will require a building permit, others will require only a periodic site inspection. Some require both. It is best to check with your city government to decide what action you need to take to file for a permit.

The eighth thing to consider is the tools required for the project. Do you have everything you need on hand? How much additional expense will this add to the project? At the very least, you will need three different saws. If you do not have this kind of experience, you should consider the next point very carefully.

The ninth thing to think about is whether or not you will need professional help with this project. Decking is a big project to undertake if you are a weekend handyman. Moreover, if you have very little construction experience, decking is not a good first learning project. Poorly built decks are very dangerous, and if you cannot handle the project, leave it to a professional.

The final thing to consider is the extras you might want to build into your deck. You could add flower boxes on each corner. You might want a decorative hand rail. You might even want built in seating for your guests. Whatever extras you add, they will personalize your deck.

A deck can be a great place for a number of activities, but it is a huge undertaking.

Paul P. Duxbury
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/are-you-considering-building-a-deck-86531.html

When buying a home in Arizona, the buyer usually has several commonly asked questions about the process and most importantly, about the monies involved. Every single Real Estate transaction is like a finger print, no two are alike. This article is designed to help people that may have questions about purchasing Real Estate in Arizona.

What is the first step when thinking about purchasing a home in Arizona? The first step is to get pre-qualified for a loan, unless you are planning on paying full price cash for the home. Very rarely will someone pay full price cash for a home, so they most obtain a loan. When you obtain a loan, you will have a monthly payment, much like purchasing a car. Depending on how much you are putting down, and how much you can afford towards a monthly mortgage payment will determine how much house you can buy. The purpose of getting pre-qualified for a home loan is to determine your price range, and also to make sure all documentation the lender requires to finance your loan is obtainable by the buyer. If you do not know a lender, a qualified Real Estate professional should be able to recommend one to you.

What is the next step after getting pre-qualified? After you are pre-qualified for a loan, it is now time to go with your Real Estate agent to look for a home in your desired area in your price range. Once you find a home in your price range that is available, you simply write an offer to purchase the home with your Real Estate agent.

How long after you write an offer to purchase a home can you move into the property? That is completely up to the buyer. However, a good Real Estate agent will recommend that at least thirty days from the time you write the offer, to the time you move in. This gives the lender, the Real Estate agents, and all other parties involved to complete the paper work needed to finalize the transaction between the seller and the buyer. The reason this process takes a minimum of thirty days is because an inspection needs to be completed, an agreement between the parties on what is to be fixed between the parties, an appraisal, documentation from each party, loan document preparation, and many other factors. Thirty days is the sort of the industry informal standard, however, the buyer and the seller can negotiate a close of escrow date that fits both of their schedules. In Real Estate, most everything is negotiable.

After we have made an offer, and the contract has been accepted by the seller, what is the next step? The next step is to begin the inspection period. Generally, the inspection period is ten days but can be negotiated shorter or longer if a modification in the contract is made in writing. The inspection period is designed to give the buyer time to get the home inspected to make sure that there are no major issues with the home. The buyer has the right to do an inspection on a home and is very highly recommended. Generally, home inspections cost any where between two hundred and fifty dollars and four hundred dollars depending on the size of the home. The buyer pays for this inspection up front. The buyer may waive their right to do a home inspection and not spend this money, however, that is not a very good idea.

When purchasing a home, who are all the people involved? There should be the buyers agent, the buyer, the seller, the selling agent, a title company, an inspector, an appraiser, and a lender. It is the Real Estate agent’s job to make sure all of these people are on the same page. If just one of these people drop the ball, there may be delays regarding closing escrow on time.

Why is it so important to use an experienced Realtor? The difference between a good Realtor and a bad Realtor could cost you a lot of money. Would you rather have an agent that has lived in Arizona their whole life, has done countless transactions in the area, and has a college degree, or would you rather use a Realtor that is a high school drop out and has only completed one transaction? When you are dealing with hundreds of thousands of dollars, it might be a good idea to select an agent that has the experience and the education. If you need a good, experienced, qualified Real Estate professional in Arizona to help you buy or sell property, please click on the link below.

Nick McConnell
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/scottsdale-arizona-coldwell-banker-real-estate-the-residential-buyer-138763.html

Mold and its effects that it has on the body have been well documented.There are many connections between breathing problems and being exposed to mold.  People that already suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are more susceptible to lung infections when exposed to mold. And those diagnosed with asthma may develop a sever attack of asthma when exposed to mold. There is good evidence to support that mold causes things like rhinitis, urticaria, conjunctivitis, and nasal congestion. All of these health concerns lead to the necessary mold removal. Sometimes mold is easily found, while at other times it can be behind walls, around pipes, or in basements. This makes removing mold completely difficult.

Now these tips are coming from an experienced water damage San Diego company.

Finding molds in nature is a common occurrence. The molds in nature are all a part of the life cycle. They are there to help break down other organic material like fallen leaves. Mold reproduces by spores and this is how it finds its way into our homes or place of business. When spores are blown
onto a moist or wet surface they are able to stick to various structures and multiply. This is why moisture control in buildings is the essential element to mold control. Removing mold can be a huge task once it has taken hold. When you are doing the removal, the spores do become airborne, and they are looking
another target.

Health concerns are cause for concern when free spores are present. These spores that are airborne cause the allergic reactions, irritations and can be inhaled into our lungs. Anything that spores grow and live on they destroy. Mold removal is a must. You may be able to take on this type of job yourself, but there are some steps you should follow. If the infected area is less than ten square feet, then the EDA states that you should be able to clean this up yourself. Now if the area that is infected is larger, they suggest to hire a professional to do the removal.

If the area is something you feel you can handle, there are a few precautions that you must do prior to the mold removal.  First, protect yourself from inhaling the mold spores by wearing a N-95 respirator. You will find these cost between 12 to 25 dollars and can be bought at most hardware stores. Second, wear long gloves made of a natural rubber.  Do not touch mold with your bare hands. Third step, also wear goggles, and make sure they don’t have breathing holes to protect your eyes from the mold spores. Now you are ready to start cleaning. Start by repairing broken pipes and then remove all the mold with disinfectants and a water combination or you can use chlorine bleach and water
mixture. Following the cleanup, the next thing to do is dry everything. Remember the key is moisture control. If you haven’t fixed the problem, chances are the mold will return.

Follow these key steps as  they have been gained from years of experience as a mold removal San Diego company.

Technorati Tags: mold removal, water damage

A home inspection is probably some of the best money you will ever spend when you are purchasing a home or a condominium.

A licensed, experienced and competent home inspector is worth their weight in gold.

The home inspector takes about 2 hours or so to inspect your prospective purchase. They are looking for major structural repairs, such as roofing, plumbing, foundation, electrical, framing, deck problems, code violations, and also checks things such as your air conditioning systems, all your toilets, sinks, tubs, garage door openers, etc. Plus they’ll inspect all of your electrical outlets inside and outside of the home. The home inspector will also look at the fireplace if you have one, inspect the outside chimney, check out all of the interior doors and windows to look for any “seal failures”. They will also check your heating and hot water system, water conditioning system if there is one. It’s the home inspector’s job to give your home a thorough “check-up”.

When the home inspector is finished, he will write up a report, note the repairs he feels need immediate attention by the seller, give an estimate of what the repairs should cost, and then we look over the report together, and if necessary, negotiate any repairs with the seller.

Usually at the time of the home inspection, a pest inspection is also performed. A licensed pest inspector arrives at the same time of the home inspector and goes through the home to look for any wood boring or wood infestation insects, such as termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, or carpenter bees. If there is any infestation noted, a report will be issued and signed by the inspector, and that will also be discussed and negotiated by your real estate agent to have the seller pay for any treatment and if there are any damages caused, the seller usually should pay for damages also.

The average cost for a home inspection currently is about $275-$300 depending on the size of the house, and obviously the part of the country you live in. A condominium usually runs a bit less. For more details on this you can visit the Suffield CT Real Estate website.

The average cost for a pest inspection is $75.00.

A Pest Inspection is a requirement by most lenders today and a home inspection is just a must do!

Betty Sanville
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/why-a-home-inspector-can-be-your-best-friend-when-it-comes-to-your-real-estate-investment-85768.html

Experience International recommends their clients base their property purchasing decisions when looking for property for sale abroad based on the following 5 key principles:

• Credibility
• Ease of Purchase
• Security
• Return on Investment
• Exit Strategy

These stringent principles should be used on every property to ensure it is priced correctly.This is even more important considering the current economic climate to ensure their capital invested provides maximum returns at minimal risk. Through investing in a property using these principles ensures you are buying the right property and at the right price.

Credibility
Credibility is the key to working out the current price of a property and is derived from: Location, Quality of build, Developer’s track record and other comparable projects.By ensuring the credibility of the development gives strength and guidance on what the value should be.

Ease of Purchase
The buying procedure in every country varies hugely.  When reviewing the purchase price make sure that you fully understand all costs included in purchasing your property.And can include: payment plan options, taxes, solicitors fees, notary fees, finance and mortgage costs as well as the ongoing costs once you have purchased such as maintenance and service charges. The availability of mortgages or other finance should also be fully checked.

Security
As a standard procedure Experience International carry out strict due diligence on every property development that they sell, however we also advise all clients to do their own research.Varioua checks need to be done including: seller has clear land title, Correct Licenses for the country, correct planning permission, Developer, banks lending criteria, valuations, comparisons against other developments and security of your deposit.

Return on Investment
The sustainable income achieved from your property during its life time will ultimately determine its future value.  Purchasing property during the current economic climate is a real buyers market.  The yield and future capital value are key in determining the success of your investment.

Exit Strategy
Often clients do not think about their exit strategy during their purchase decision.The profit is always made when you purchase a property not when you sell, this means purchase a property wisely. Knowledge of your exit strategy options is very important to understand such how you will sell, what market exists, how demand and supply trends are moving, your current discount to market value, long term rental market if holding along with risks, what you can do to mitigate these risks and the worst case scenario.

A Case study
Zambrone Villas in Italy is a newly completed property in Calabria development is the perfect example of a holiday home that would suit the typical British holiday maker.  

Its asking prices are from €127,500 (£113,570) which you get a 2 bed, 1 bath semi-detached villa, with terrace, garden and sea views.

Location – Zambrone is a stunning area of Calabria, situated on the coast and boasts one of the best beaches on the Costa Degli De and close to the marina and centre for restaurants, watersports and recreational activities.

Size – the total plot including internal, terrace and garden is 263.95 square metre (£430 per sqm).This is way under market prices and comparables plus considering this property is on a coastal location which often carries a premium.

Quality - This completed development has been built to very high standards and is currently being offered at off plan prices.Every property has already been registered at the local Building Registry ensuring purchasing in this development is safe and secure.

Specifications – research properties available nearby.  The Zambrone villas are a gated development with a communal swimming pool and all villas come with sea views.

It is a good idea to compare like for like, so be sure your comparable properties are of a similar specification in terms of the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, reception rooms, furniture included etc. 

Rental Income – When looking for a property to draw in a strong rental income many of the above points will be very important in assessing rental values.Every factor of this purchase indicates a very positive rental potential.

If you are looking at an investment property you need to assess the weekly rental rate (or monthly if targeting long term local market) and likely occupancy rate. Local rental companies are a perfect source although you cannot always be sure you are being told whole truth. The internet is now an excellent tool for assessing rental values and demand so use it well to ensure the property purchase and investment stacks up and the comparables you are using for the price will also provide some rental data. So in the case of the Zambrone Villas in Italy then simply do a search for Calabria property for rent in similar locations with the same or similar features and specification.

We hope this article helps and that you find success with your overseas property purchase and investment.

Technorati Tags: abroad, calabria, investment, italy, overseas, property, real estate, travel, villas

Your house is your dream castle or your palace, if you want to be fanciful. This is the place where you will be entertaining and the final place which will reflect your personality. For this reason your home should always look well constructed and beautifully decorated like a home should be. Now if you are creative person and pretty good with do-it-yourself jobs, you can take on the task of your homes renovations or you can leave it to the professionals.

With complete homes renovations you might want to let professionals tackle the job. You will of course need to look for the various companies who will provide you with this service and find out what are the rates that are charged for home renovations. With this in your mind do some hunting around for several different homes renovation and home improvement companies.

These people have the knowledge and the experience to remodel every aspect of your home. The only thing that they will need from you is the various instructions that will let them know where you want the various changes to go. Once in a while you can go around the house and give your approval about the homes renovations that are taking place before your eyes.

There are many items that you may have to buy so that your home will resemble the plan that is in your mind. To make sure that every part of the homes renovations match, you will need to give your comments and suggestions. This way the homes renovations crew will know if something needs to be changed on the spot or if you don’t mind how it looks.

Now while the interior is being done you should see what work needs to be accomplished on the outside. Take a slow walk around the whole of your house. This way you can see what homes renovations need to be accomplished to the exterior of the house. From this inspection you can decide if you will leave those homes renovations for later or if you are going to do them now.

Home renovations don’t just mean fixing new rooms, painting the walls and ceilings it also means giving your entire house a face lift. Therefore while the renovation crew is busy fixing and repairing your home you can go and buy some home furnishing items that will complement the new look.

Once all of your homes renovations have been finalized you can take a walk through the house and see if it has turned out just the way that you had in your mind. The final touches to your homes renovations will take place when all of the furniture both old and new, are gracing your newly done rooms.

John Pawlett
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/home-renovations-89338.html

On the surface, window cleaning seems like a pretty easy job.Ask any teen to do your window cleaning, for pay, and they will gladly jump at the chance to make some money. The problem however, is that they will only do this once before they come to tell you that they don’t ever want to do that again. Now the challenge when cleaning the windows is not the actual work involved, it’s how and when you do it, and what tools you are going to use.  Take it from my years as a San Diego Window cleaning company, if you want someone to enjoy cleaning your windows, or if you want to do it yourself, keep some of these tips below in mind.

If your washing your windows in direct sunlight, you will start to realize that this will cause unsightly streaks that never seem to go away no matter how much you clean them! It’s frustrating, but knowing a simple tip like washing them when the sun passes away from the windows, or is not so hot, can save you from failure and frustration as well.

Some San Diego window washing tips that take the frustration and hassle out of window cleaning are:

How you hold the squeegee counts!

Now when you are holding the squeegee, be sure that the angle is correct and it is in the directino of the water flow. If the water is running down to your feet, move the squeegee sideways causing the water being squeegeed to go down to the part you haven’t cleaned yet. If you’re on a rooftop for example and the down angle is above your head, squeegee forward again so the water flows to the part not yet touched. If you go against the flow water will build up and flow out the sides of the squeegee causing streaks.

Wiping the blade is important!

Some people will be tempted to squeegee the entire window without even considering to wipe the blade until the end. This doesn’t work very well and can cause a streak to form from the water left on the blade. Every time you go to get that (which is twice in the same spot essentially) you cause another streak.Wiping after each stroke the blade will avoid this problem completelyand get the window cleaned much faster without retracing steps.

Overlap the streaks

After every stroke, make the next stroke overlap (about an inch into the dry area) and make your next stroke. If you’re pointing the squeegee so the water buildup falls downward towards the wet part of the window and you’re drying off the blade after each stroke, you will not create
an additional window streak that will need to be done over. Never try to squeegee right on the line, this could cause splash up into the dry area and is counter productive.

Use a lot of water

If you are afraid to use a lot of water, you will not have an easy time trying to make smooth strokes with the squeegee. be generous with your water use and always if you can, use sideway strokes on the water that is dripping down towards the wet part of the glass.

So there you have it.  Some easy to apply San Diego window cleaning tips for all you do it your selfers.  Follow these steps and you will be pleased with how your windows turn out.

Technorati Tags: window cleaning, window cleaning tips, window washing, window washing tips

When you are out shopping for a home, your Realtor will more than likely ask you for a home loan prequalification letter.Listing agents usually will not show a home to someone unless they have been prequalified for a loan.

The sales agent wants or needs this letter to determine what kind of buyer you are, what kind of home you can afford and if you are actually in a position to buy a house.

But many people mistakenly believe that a prequalification letter means they are approved for a mortgage.This could not be further from the truth.

A prequalification letter is nothing more than a loan officer’s or bank employees opinion of your credit worthiness and their opinion what loan amount you will qualify for.

The mortgage prequalification letter states that the loan officer has reviewed the home buyer’s credit, income, work history etc and that the borrower is “Pre-Qualified” for a mortgage with a certain dollar amount.

The operative term in the letter is pre-qualified. That means before you are actually approved.

In just about every instance, the document states in no uncertain terms that it is not a commitment to lend money.

Does this mean anything to you?

What it means is that a pre-qualification letter is not worth the paper it’s written on. It is non binding, and the lender or broker is in no way obligated to issue a mortgage to you.

A mortgage loan commitment on the other hand is a document which virtually guarantees that you will receive a mortgage as long as you provide the lender with all the documentation and conditions required.

A commitment is issued after you loan file has been fully underwritten. It clearly and legally spells out all the terms of your mortgage.

A mortgage loan commitment is binding and the lender must issue the mortgage if you fulfill all the requirements. It can not “change its mind” as to weather they want to give you the money or not.

Why Do I Need That?

Well, the bottom line is that you may have been pre-qualified for mortgage, but when it comes right down to it, you may not be able to actually get approved for a loan.Unfortunately, this is not uncommon. Many times people have gone out, done all the right things, find the home of their dreams, only to be left heartbroken.

This is a terrible crisis. They lost their home, their deposit money, everything. And on top of it, they have nowhere to sleep.

Why risk it, get a commitment letter in the beginning and avoid any trouble.

It also helps you bargain with the seller of the home too. When you negotiate for your new home with a seller, having a mortgage loan commitment in your hand is virtually the same as being a cash buyer.

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