5 Things to Know About Home Security Systems

Home security systems, combined with automated monitoring, can help protect your home from thieves.

 

New technology means that you have many more options for boosting your home security. You can use a variety of home protection services, a mobile phone app, or even a low-tech solution such as an automated dimmer switch.

 

1. New players mean fresh options
With cable and Internet providers now offering security systems, the industry is changing. Many of these firms sell simple install-it-yourself services that eliminate the usual upfront fee of $1,000 or so.

Prices also vary based on whether the provider levies an equipment charge, the level of monitoring, and more, so total all costs before you buy, says Kevin Brasler of rating site Consumers' Checkbook.
In the first year, expect to pay between $250 and $1,500.

2. Your phone can help keep you safe 
A basic security system (alarm, control panel, and series of motion sensors) costs about $20 to $30 a month, but many companies now offer a mobile app for a few dollars more.

Michelle Schenker of security tip website ASecureLife.com, recommends springing for the app, which allows you to use your smartphone or tablet to arm your system, see alerts, and turn off false alarms, even when you're far from home.

3. Someone must call the cops 
With mobile tracking tools taking off, some firms do not offer monitoring services, which alert the police when an alarm is triggered. Yes, going with a non-monitoring option will save you $10 to $15 a month.

Still, Robert Siciliano of BestHomeSecurityCompanys.com, which rates security systems, advises against it: "You want that call made to protect you."

4. Customer service is the key
Many companies use similar technology, so it's service -- say, how quickly they fix faulty systems and respond to calls -- that makes firms stand out, Brasler says.

Before you choose a provider, check its reviews on sites like Angie's List (subscriptions are $3 a month) and Yelp. Keep in mind that national firms, such as ADT, "are only as good as the dealer in your area," says Schenker. And since break-ins don't always happen during business hours, look for 24/7 support.

5. The pros aren't your only choice
If you're among the 80% of homeowners without a security service, there are steps you can take to help fend off break-ins.

Trim any shrubbery that could shelter someone trying to get in through a window. Security company stickers, often sold on eBay, could dissuade a potential intruder, says Siciliano.

Thieves typically look for vacant homes, so when you're out, set an automated dimmer switch ($40 to $75) to turn on lights at odd times.

Tips for Moving with Pets

Hot Home Trends

Whether you’re looking to buy a new home or you’re thinking about making some home improvements that will pay you back when you decide to sell your current home, it’s always good to be aware of the trends in home layouts and design that are rising in popularity. Here are just a few of the latest and greatest developments in home layouts:

 

     

·         Open it up. Homeowners are increasingly leaning toward converting their square footage from small, compartmentalized rooms and hallways to more open, useful rooms that flow and avoid wasted space.

 

·         Go gourmet. The foodie revolution is bringing families out of the dining room and into the kitchen. Functional yet luxurious kitchens that marry style and utility are becoming focal points for gathering and entertaining. Islands with seating are popular, and stone tile, induction cooktops, and sophisticated metal appliances are surging in demand. Homeowners who update their kitchen are finding ways to make those updates while staying within the kitchen’s original footprint in order to retain coziness. Meanwhile, walk-in pantries are also hot. Since more people are eating in, families need increased food storage where traditional staples share shelf space with gourmet products.

 

·         What’s old is new again. Remodeling with reclaimed or recycled materials has reached an all-time high. Installing new flooring? Think about finding wood from a nontraditional source. Home building centers are increasingly stocking reclaimed materials and there are websites that specialize in recycled building materials.

 

·         Go green. Environmental awareness is on the rise and with it, the advent of eco-friendly appliances and fixtures. Energy efficiency is becoming more mainstream as homeowners shore up their insulation, install new windows, and purchase new, high efficiency appliances. Low-flow faucets save on water waste, and home gardens are allowing cooks to save some money on groceries and go organic.

 

·         The future is now. Even a couple of decades ago, who would have imagined how much we would rely on smartphones and tablets in our everyday lives? Homes are incorporating this technology via apps that can control garage doors, security systems, and even climate control remotely. For tech-savvy families, “command centers” for the home are on the rise as homeowners seek a central docking area for charging multiple devices.

 

·         Customize the master suite. While master suites have enjoyed popularity for a while now, times are changing as master bathrooms phase out bulky bathtubs and opt for sleek and accessible showers instead. Some master baths now incorporate the elements of a home spa, such as a sauna compartments. And master suites are on the move. As the nation’s population ages, accessibility is a new emphasis. Don’t be surprised to see more and more master suites on the main floor.

 

·         Keep it in the family. Guest suites and in-law space are in high demand as more families turn to multigenerational living to save adult kids money or take care of aging family members.

 

·         Secondary living space. While formal parlors or sitting rooms are a notion of the past, “family rooms” are becoming media centers. And the new media room is often a teen lounge or hangout with projection systems, video games, and on-demand films and programming.

 

·         Take it outside. Outdoor living is all the rage right now as busy families opt for “staycations.” Outdoor kitchens, fire pits, swimming pools, and living areas are the new summer hangout space, where people can congregate outdoors just footsteps from home.

 

With cozy living replacing high-upkeep, homeowners are increasingly seeking quality over quantity. Square footage may be shrinking, but usable space has never been more desirable. With that in mind, new homebuyers and existing homeowners can work within a more manageable space … while still enjoying all the most desired comforts of home.

 

 

 

 

 

Written by Kristin Brown, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Homebuyers: To get the house, get there first!

Housing inventory is stiflingly tight in many locations, making it a challenge to find, much less land, your dream home.

The number of available houses in the hottest markets has dropped dramatically over the past year, says the National Association of Realtors: In the Boston area, for one, inventory levels are down 29% vs. 2012. And Denver, Seattle, and San Francisco aren't far behind.

"Some homes are flying off the market in a matter of days," says Paul Bishop, VP of research for NAR.

Shopping in a popular spot? You'll have to go beyond the usual sellers' market tactics, such as getting prequalified for a mortgage. These strategies will help you find homes first, stopping a bidding war before it starts.

Go unlisted

One way to head off the competition is to look for so-called pocket listings, homes that are for sale but don't show up on the multiple listing service, where brokers post available properties.

Owners may choose not to list because they want to keep details about their houses private, or simply because they don't want to deal with staging the home and taking photos, says Zillow contributor and agent Brendon DeSimone, who works in New York and California.

To find these homes, you'll need a well-connected broker. "You want someone who has an inside track," says DeSimone. Agents who have experience with pocket listings should be able to tell you about examples of off-the-radar houses they've handled in the past, as well as any they are currently aware of (keep in mind that pocket listings are most common in areas with tight inventory).

A caution: Buyers considering an unlisted property should be on the lookout for defects and check that the price is in line with the area, says San Francisco broker Samuel Cadelinia. Owners sometimes use this low-profile method to avoid calling attention to a problem or to see if they can sell for more money.

Get the real-time scoop 

Many would-be buyers depend on automatic search, a regular roundup of listings sent out by the local MLS. But by the time these emails go out to shoppers, included homes may have been online for hours or even days.
Ask your agent about real-time MLS alerts, emails that are sent the moment a new listing goes live. While not yet in all markets, the alerts are available in the San Francisco Bay area, Las Vegas, Columbus, parts of Connecticut, and more.

Agents often have a home for 24 hours or so before entering it into the MLS, so your broker may be able to give you a heads-up on a house he just received. To increase your chances of getting that call, tell him that you'd like to be notified immediately, and be sure he knows exactly what type of house you're after.

See through bad listings

Don't be scared off by a hideous paint job, bad lighting, or unflattering photos. "Sometimes sellers don't listen to agents about getting the house ready for sale," says DeSimone.
In a tight market, he says, it's worth checking out marginal listings to avoid missing a badly packaged gem -- just factor in the price of any project required to bring the home up to snuff.

Set your search criteria a bit higher than your target price; you'll likely catch some overpriced homes that may eventually go for less. How will you know? The number of days on the market is one telltale sign, says Cadelinia.

For example, if most homes in the area are gone within a month but this one's been on the market for two, the owner may be willing to consider a lower offer. If the listing is new, get a sense of how realistic the cost is by comparing it with the recent sale price of similarly sized houses in the same area.

Spot would-be sellers

Finding a home that's not for sale but might be soon is tricky but not impossible.
One strategy: Ask your agent to search expired listings, says Mark Cenci, a Chillicothe, Ohio, realtor. Owners who tried to sell a couple of years ago may not be up on rising home values (June median home prices were 16% higher than two years prior, says the NAR) and might be swayed by what you're willing to pay.

Rental properties are another prospective target, since landlords may also be out of touch with current prices. Sure, it's a reach, but in this market, says Cenci, "you need to explore every option."





 

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First Published: October 14, 2013: 3:47 PM ET

National Foreclosure Settlement Rules Tweaked Amid Complaints

The $25 billion national mortgage foreclosure settlement is getting tweaked, to address numerous complaints that mortgage servicers are falling short in their dealings with struggling borrowers.

When it was announced in February 2012, the settlement sought to compensate borrowers for wrongs they experienced in the foreclosure process. Equally important was the development of new mortgage servicing standards that applied to the nation’s five largest servicers, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup and Ally/GMAC.

But homeowners, housing counselors and state attorneys general have complained that the banks are not complying with many of the 304 standards they agreed to as part of the pact with the Justice Department, state attorneys general and the five companies.

Those standards “were supposed to eliminate headaches for borrowers, but homeowners continue to report problems,” said Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, whose office is a member of the settlement’s monitoring committee.

The changes announced Tuesday night by the committee, many of which were agreed to only by Bank of America and Wells Fargo, seek to correct those issues.

Under the new procedures announced Tuesday night, all five banks will give homeowners 60 days, instead of 30, to submit additional documents that might help them secure a loan modification before the home goes into foreclosure or moves toward a foreclosure-related sale. The banks also have promised to do a better job of overseeing employees who work with borrowers.

Two servicers, Bank of America and Wells Fargo, also agreed to adopt other policies, such as being more specific about what missing information they need from homeowners. Currently, if a borrower sends in a document but forgets to sign it, the servicer may send a letter saying the document is missing, rather than just telling the homeowner that they forgot to sign it.

Those two companies also agreed to escalate loan modification applications when a customer is being asked repeatedly for more documents. And they will use an online portal to submit documents and create a direct contact for the housing counseling agencies working with struggling homeowners.

The committee continues to discuss additional service improvements with the three other banks, according to Natalie Bauer, a Madigan spokeswoman.

In May, Madigan said she saw an “alarming” pattern of potential violations of loan modification servicing standards. Among them: In 60 percent of files reviewed by her office, servicers did not notify borrowers within the required five days that their applications for a loan modification were missing documents. And in 45 percent of the files reviewed, servicers asked homeowners for documents multiple times.

In his June report on the settlement’s progress, independent monitor Joseph A. Smith Jr., said four of the five banks were failing to comply with the servicing aspects of the settlement.

At the time, Shaun Donovan, secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development said the “deep and pervasive problems” in mortgage servicing were unacceptable.







Copyright © 2013 The Chicago Tribune. Distributed by MCT Information Services.

Strength of Housing Recovery Questioned

The recovery in the U.S. housing market could run out of steam if it depends on investors to carry it along, an economic report explains.

In a report titled “Opening the Credit Box,” Moody’s Analytics economist Mark Zandi and Urban Institute market analyst Jim Parrott say rising home prices and interest rates will force the recovery to rely on first-time buyers, as investment buyers will begin to back away.

But first time buyers are not yet in a position to keep the recovery strong, Zandi and Parrott claim.

The Housing Wire reported Monday that the housing market’s recovery has produced some positive data. Zandi and Parrott report home prices are up 15 percent from two years ago and housing starts have doubled since their low point in the 2008-09 recession.

However, the average credit score among first-time home buyers is near 750, about 50 points higher than it was 10 years ago, the report said.

“Lenders have reassessed how much risk they are willing to take on, in part because they were burned badly in the crisis and in part because they have come to recognize a range of costs associated with riskier lending not fully appreciated before,” the report says.

The costs that are now influencing lenders include the expenses associated with handling distressed loans, potential costs of litigation and risks to a firm’s reputation, the report says.

Succinctly put, lending is tight. “Lenders are only willing to make loans intended for purchase by Fannie [Mae – Federal National Mortgage Association] or Freddie [Mac – Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.] or insurance by the FHA [Federal Housing Administration] if there is little prospect of default, so that they do not expose themselves unwittingly to the risk that they will bear the cost,” the report says.

 





Copyright © UPI 2013

FHA, VA Loans ‘Safe’ During Government Shutdown

Contrary to widespread media reports, new Federal Housing Administration (FHA) single-family home loans will be processed if the expected government shutdown occurs at midnight.

Florida Realtors® confirmed details contained in a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) contingency plan posted online. According to George Gonzalez, a deputy press secretary at HUD, the Office of Single Family Housing will endorse new loans and maintain the minimum operations necessary to support FHA’s existing portfolio through the FHA Call Center and the National Servicing Center’s Call Center.

Already scheduled closings on multi-family projects with firm commitments will proceed. Some services, such as the processing of change orders or construction inspections, will be affected during the first 10 business days of the shutdown.

VA home loans will continue to be processed as well, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Florida Realtors could not confirm by press time if this includes new loans as well as loans already in the system. The Veteran Benefits Administration, which oversees loans and the National Call Centers, among other things, employs 21,237 people. Funding is available to support all employees for some period of time.

Flood insurance

In other news, Florida Realtors continues to follow efforts to delay implementation of the Biggert-Waters Act of 2012, which will trigger crippling flood insurance rate increases for thousands of Florida property owners.

Late last Friday, Florida Congressman Rich Nugent introduced legislation to delay increases in flood insurance premium rates until an affordability study required under the act is completed.

“The legislation will also require that if the study finds the new rates are not affordable, then the Florida Emergency Management Association must make recommendations about what changes Congress should make,” according to a statement Rep. Nugent issued on his website.  Congress would then be required to vote up-or-down on the recommendations. If either chamber rejects the changes, the new flood insurance rates would be delayed for at least six months.

Finally, the National Association of Realtor’s (NAR) Flood Insurance Presidential Advisory Group meets later this week in Washington, D.C. Florida Realtors’ interests are represented by members Dean Asher, 2013 Florida Realtors president; Moe Veissi, past president of Florida Realtors and NAR; and Orlando Realtor and NAR Director Bob Caldwell.






© 2013 Florida Realtors®