55 things NOT to do when buying a home  (Home Buyer Education)
  
Upcoming Free (& non-promotional) Home Buyer Classes:
Tuesday night, November 10th , from 5pm-8pm (ish)
      Marshall Community Center, conference room
     1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College)
Saturday November 14th , from 11am-2pm (ish)
      Vancouver YMCA
      11324 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver WA (SR 500 & 112th/Gher Road)
**please remember that in November & December we do limited classes because of the holidays.  If these class dates and/or times don't work for you, please let us know.  We understand that you have lives, and families, and work.  We will work something out that works better with your schedule.  Just let us know....                                                                                  
....we also have home seller classes available too...link on left on website
                 Remember...with reservation...we will throw in lunch, or dinner!  :-D ~~~~~~~~~                                                                    
  I know...I have to keep reminding you about our WINTER CLIENT APPRECIATION event will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2015, for the Opening Weekend of STAR WARS: The force awakens.  The event will be held from 2:30pm-5:30pm, with seating to start at 2:45pm.  
Because this is expected to be a pretty big event, Chris Berg (Pinnacle Mortgage 503-320-0295, cberg@pcmloan.com), & I are also renting out the top living room portion for 21+....and yes, there will be tickets this time that we will have available for pick up at the Pinnacle Mortgage office with Chris.  We are taking reservations now, so please...if you plan on attending let us know how many tickets you need.  The 21+ area is now full, but we currently have plenty (so far) for the general seating area.  We look forward to seeing you there!!  :-D
Happy Sunday...or in my home, better known as "family day"
 My kindergartner recently told me the following, "Mom, I love Saturday & Sunday....I wish it could be Saturday & Sunday every day".    Preach it, kid!  :-D  In our home, I obviously work on Saturdays with clients, and the classes, but that has always been 'dad day'...that's the day that the kids always get dad to themselves.....and Sunday is "family day".  We try to keep this day as low-key as possible.  With the rainy fall weather it's also, "snuggle & movie/football" day.  Everyone loves & needs some down time, right?  
With the home buyer classes, I am almost always asked if people have to rsvp, and while that is nice so we know how many packets to bring, and how many sandwiches, etc, we should have, we always welcome walk ins too.  So, so why don't we enforce the class rsvp? Because, for one thing they're free, and we teach them a couple of time a month, but also because we know that many folks who rsvp won't make it to the class because other things come up.  Now...don't feel bad....life happens to all of us!  It just does, and the surest way to make fate laugh is to say that you have 'a plan'....or to says that things are going great.  :-D  Our lives are very hectic with family, work, health, traffic,etc. Life happens to the best of us...and life doesn't stop because you are buying a home, or wanting to buy a home either.  We know that life happens, and that things come up....they KEY to this is to talk with your agent and your lender.  Some times, when you're buying a home and life happens, we can make sure it doesn't affect your homebuying adventure.  However....sometimes people do things that does affect their home buying adventure so this week we are going to go over the things you should NOT do while in the process of buying a home...  So, the last couple of weeks I have had some serious topics, so I would like to lighten the mood some, and still impart some knowledge as well.  Chris Berg with Pinnacle Mortgage (503-320-0925 or cberg@pcmloan.com) has come up with a fabulous list of things NOT to do while buying a home....and yes, we have had clients do all of these in the past!  :-)  
55 Things NOT to do while buying a home, or when in underwriting....

1. DON'T buy a car (or co-sign for one)
2. DON'T apply for credit (no new credit cards, or loans)
3. DON'T close your credit account(s)
4. DON'T transfer money into, or between accounts
5. DON'T deposit cash (we will need receipts for where it has come)
6. DON'T quit your job or turn in your notice to quit your job
7. DON'T stop paying your bills
8. DON'T be late paying your bills
9. DON'T put items on layaway
10. DON'T do 'same as cash financing'
11. DON'T buy a fridge (or washer/dryer)
12. DON'T remover or add a person to your accounts
13. DON'T decrease your work hours
14. DON'T LIE TO YOUR LENDER (or lie by omission)
15. DON'T assume you can get away with something (we will find out...it's our job)
16. DON'T try to go around your agent by talking with the seller directly.
17. DON'T threaten your future neighbors
18. DON'T start moving in before closing
19. DON'T neglect of file your taxes
20. DON'T buy a boat
21. DON'T file for divorce
22. DON'T file for legal separation
23. DON'T change your name
24. DON'T have a garage sale, and deposit the cash from it (see #5)
25. DON'T sell a vehicle you don't own, and deposit the cash (see #5)
26. DON'T patrol the property you have made an offer on and threaten/harass other buyers
27. DON'T switch jobs
28. DON'T switch Banks, or open new bank accounts
29. DON'T buy an airplane
30. DON'T schedule an elective surgery
31. DON'T allow anyone to pull your credit
32. DON'T LIE TO YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT (or lie by omission)
33. DON'T assume you will understand closing paperwork...ask questions!
34. DON'T assume the figures at approval will be the same ones at closing.  Approval is mostly guesstimates until you have an accepted offer...again, ask questions
35. DON'T pay your earnest money with CASH!
36. DON'T spend your down payment on furniture, or to go hunting
37. DON'T lose your earnest money on a bet...even if seems like a 'sure thing'
38. DON'T open a business
39. DON'T file Bankruptcy
40. DON'T get arrested
41. DON'T try to re-negotiate terms at closing.  Know your interest rate (and APR) before closing
42. DON'T try to make repairs (or decorate/paint) before closing
43. DON'T try to bribe the appraiser (please don't!)
44. DON'T burn, remove, or cut down trees/brush at home you are in process of buying
45. DON'T write bad checks
46. DON'T charge up your credit cards
47. DON'T accept a new job out of state
48. DON'T break into the home you are buying
49. DON'T do the "would you like to apply for our card to save 15%-25% off your purchase"?  See #2 & #31
50. DON'T get married
51. DON'T allow renters to move into the home you are selling, or buying
52. DON'T let your ID expire
53. DON'T cash out your retirement
54. DON'T decide not to move to Oregon/Washington due to Mt St Helens
55. DON'T hide important financial information like hidden accounts, liens, etc. (we will find out)

whew!  We could probably come up with some more, but that works for now.  
:-)  Please remember that a pre-approval is a snapshot of your current financial situation....if you change your financial situation you could lose your pre-approval...and your home.  When in doubt...DON'T!   Questions?  Ask your agent, ask your lender....please remember that we work FOR you.  Not sure about something?  Ask.  It is always better to be up front about any concerns, or issues you might have so that we can deal with them now...rather than try to play catch up later.                    

Information is power, and I hope that I am able to help you.  Good luck, and as always...
May the odds be ever in your favor out there
....  If you are looking for a real estate agent, I would love to be able to help you.                                                                            
As always....this is just a quick overview.... please remember that your agent, and your lender work for YOU.  You drive the bus...we are merely GPS to help you get to your goals.  Like the classes, this weekly blog email is to help you with your home adventure.  The goal is to be informative and non-promotional.  :-)  We are, however, hoping you will call and want us to help with your adventure.  
If you have any questions about this, or something you have heard...or if you would like me to help you with your home adventure, please call, email,  text, or facebook me anytime.  I am, as always, happy to help! Thank you again for your business and your referrals!!  ...and thank you for referring these classes to your friends, family, and co-workers.   .   
...disclaimer...if you have already purchased a home, or would no longer like to receive these emails, please let me know and I will be happy to remove you from any further mailings

 Upcoming Topics:  
Septic vs Sewer,   What is 'escrow'?  &  "When do I get KEYS?"
Last Week:   
Buyers Due Diligence aka Caveat Emptor (or Buyer Beware)                                
Have a great day, and I will talk to you soon,  
;-D  
Tracie DeMars  
Real Estate broker
Re/Max - Van Mall  
360/ 903-3504 cell  
360/ 882-3600 fax  
www.traciedemars.com
traciedemars@aol.com
“Interested in free and non promotional home buyer classes?  Go to www.traciedemars.com  for local upcoming classes, or facebook: Tracie DeMars Real Estate for my home buyer education blog.  Classes are now available for home owners thinking about selling their home.  Links are on the left."
"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be."    
  - Shel Silverstein, American poet, cartoonist and composer, (1930 - 1999).

​Upcoming Free (& non-promotional) Home Buyer Classes: 
 
  Saturday November 7th , from 9am- 12pm (ish)  (full class)
       Marshall Community Center, conference room
       1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College) 

Tuesday night, November 10th , from 5pm-8pm (ish) 
       Marshall Community Center, conference room 
       1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA (kitty corner from Clark College)

Saturday November 14th , from 11am-2pm (ish)
       Vancouver YMCA
                                                             11324 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver WA (SR 500 & 112th/Gher Road)

**please remember that in November & December we do limited classes because of the holidays.  If these class dates and/or times don't work for you, please let us know.  We understand that you have lives, and families, and work.  We will work something out that works better with your schedule.  Just let us know....                                                                                  
....we also have home seller classes available too...link on left on website
                  
Remember...with reservation...we will throw in lunch, or dinner!  :-D
~~~~~~~~~
                                                                    
Happy November!!
  
   Well, here's fall....and I am ok with it!  :-D  Now that Halloween is done, we can move on to Thanksgiving and Christmas...finally!  I LOVE this time of year...  October, November, and December are my favorite months of the year, so I am one happy camper.  For me, it's all about family, and this is the time of year that highlights that.  Now, don't get me wrong...I like spring, and summer too, but there is something about these three months that just makes me happy.  Is it just me??
    
   I know...I have to keep reminding you about our WINTER CLIENT APPRECIATION event will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2015, for the Opening Weekend of STAR WARS: The force awakens.  The event will be held from 2:30pm-5:30pm, with seating to start at 2:45pm.  
Because this is expected to be a pretty big event, Chris Berg (Pinnacle Mortgage 503-320-0295,cberg@pcmloan.com), & I are also renting out the top living room portion for 21+....and yes, there will be tickets this time that we will have available for pick up at the Pinnacle Mortgage office with Chris.  We are taking reservations now, so please...if you plan on attending let us know how many tickets you need.  The 21+ area is now full, but we currently have plenty (so far) for the general seating area.  We look forward to seeing you there!!  :-D

   I was trying to keep all my pictures Star Wars related between now and the Winter Client Appreciation Event, but I had to go off that plan and use this one. This sign always cracks me up....so why is this so funny to me?  Well, besides the obvious... I always get this question right around Halloween when showing homes.  There was another facebook/real estate post where a realtor was selling a home across from a graveyard.  On the sign there hung a rider that says, "Quiet neighbors".  Brilliant!  ...and funny.  It does make you wonder though....  When I am showing homes there are some questions I just can't answer....is the home haunted?  Um....I don't know?  Has there been a violent crime in the home or in the area?  Um...I don't know?  Believe it or not, that isn't considered a relevant fact when listing the home as it doesn't actually affect the home.  What is a material fact, and what isn't?  What is a seller supposed to disclose?

Caveat Emptor...  That famous Latin saying, and we all know what it means, right?  Buyer Beware.  In real estate this is very true.  As the buyer you are buying a home, whether freshly built, or x-y-z amount of years old based on the information you can find out about the home.  In real estate there are no 'take backs' or returns.  It's not like that awful present that you can take it back for an exchange, or store credit.  You are buying the home...and just like marriage, it is for better or worse.  You are married to that mortgage until you sell the home.  Scared?  It's ok...I always tell my clients that buying the home is scary...and if you aren't scared...you're crazy.  There is only one thing more expensive than buying a home and that is having a child. :-)  

   Don't be afraid though!  Part of being your real estate agents job is to help you through all the possible pitfalls of buying a home, and to explain everything as we go along.  We do this every day, and need to understand that you don't.  As the buyer...remember that you are THE BOSS!  No one gets paid until you get keys, and we want you to get keys. :-)  You have questions?  ASK!!!  ...and expect clear, concise, and understandable answers from your agent.  Just so you know...as part of The Real Estate Law of Agency, there is the Vicarious Liability portion.  Our job is to tell you everything we know, find, out, or hear about the property.  Of course, there are limitations.  (I know...surprise!)  If an agent doesn't know the answer, we shouldn't tell you anything, but only help you to find a source for the information.  Why?  Agents have been sued for being wrong.  I never trust hearsay....for obvious reasons.  :-)  There is a lot an agent doesn't know about the home as we are looking at the same information as you are.  We can, however, help you to get more information, or to help you research any information that is found out.  You need to know what you are getting into when buying a home....all the pro's and all the con's.  NO home is perfect...even if you have it built, but knowing what you are getting into can help you make the decision on which home is right for you.  A buyers agents job is to help you get there.  

So...what about the Sellers Disclosure???

When selling a home, the seller (and sellers agent) is only obligated to disclose known material facts about the home on the sellers disclosure.  The sellers disclosure is about 6 pages long and the seller is 'supposed to' disclose all known facts about the home on it.  Now, these are only material facts that have happened during the current owners ownership.  Has the roof leaked during their ownership? If it has, and even if it has been fixed, it is supposed to be disclosed on the sellers disclosure.  However, if anyone has teenagers you know how often 'supposed to' gets done.  Some sellers will disclose ALL facts about the homes....even those items that have been repaired, some sellers will only disclose those items that they haven't gotten around to fixing, and some sellers just have no idea about anything in their home.  Of course, this is why we do a home inspection.  It isn't that you can't trust the sellers, but when it comes down to it, most sellers don't know anything about their home.  This is called 'Buyers Due Diligence'.  A buyer does have some responsibility for doing some research on the home, and area, that they are wanting, or trying to, buy in.  If your real estate agent knows anything about the home or area then we have to legally disclose it.  However, if it isn't considered a 'material fact', which is considered to be something that affects the home, then your real estate agent may not know about it either.  

   Sellers disclosures are filled out by the sellers on all homes....however, if the seller is a bank, or it is an estate, or an investor then there won't be any sellers disclosures, or if there is, everything will be "don't know".  Even when you do receive a copy of the sellers disclosure though...remember to take it with a grain of salt, and hire a good inspector.  Many sellers now will even just put a majority of 'don't know' answers on the sellers disclosure so as to not have any liability.  The majority of sellers aren't trying to 'hide' anything about the home, they just truly don't know.  A realtor will hand the sellers disclosure to their client, the seller, and that is it.  We, real estate agents, can not help the seller fill out the sellers disclosure at all.  If you have any questions regarding anything on the sellers disclosure, your buyers agent can request more information (if there is any) from the sellers through their sellers agent.  Make sure you also address any concern you have regarding the homes condition to the home inspector you hire.  He (or she) should be able to help you with that.  The inspector I usually refer out encourages the buyer to walk with him during the home inspection so that the buyer is part of that inspection.  I like to call it a 'crash course in homeowning'.  :-)  By the time he is done with the inspection, my client usually knows more about the home than the current owner does!  I can't stress it enough....ask questions!  
 
   Your realtor will help you find out as much about the home as possible.  Your real estate agent should be present at your home inspection, and so should you.  However, whether or not the home is haunted or not, we really can't help you with.  Whether or not there has been a violent crime in the home or area is another thing that we really can't help you with, but we CAN help you by providing some places where you can do some research.  Has anyone died in the home?  Again....I don't know..., but if it is an older home, and an estate?  Maybe you should leave out some milk and cookies occasionally?  :-)  

   What about that new building being built in the neighborhood?  Your real estate agent probably doesn't know what it is, and we shouldn't guess.  That is something that a buyer will want to do some research on.  Is that garage conversion permitted?  Call the city/county.  Is there a landfill in the area?  Contact the city/county.  Your buyers agent will help you find the information, but when it comes down to it, because of past legal problems, we are now limited on the extent that we can delve into everything....but we can help you get there still.  It is weird, but there it is.  There is a lot your buyers agent will do for you, and we will do all that we can to make sure that you are getting the best customer service possible.  Your real estate agent should help you to make sure that you are performing your buyers due diligence to make sure that you won't get any unexpected surprises later.  Now, does that mean there won't be surprises?  Well, I wish I could tell you that you won't have any, but that isn't the case. You never really know a home, or neighborhood until you are actually living in it.  This is why we have a 10 day inspection/disclosure period.  It is during this time that you, the buyer, should be performing the home inspection, doing research on the home & neighborhood, researching the area, the schools, and whatever else is important to you.  

I am a huge fan of talking with neighbors....neighbors are a great source of information on a home.  :-)  Please remember that you are not just buying the home, you are buying the neighborhood.  One of the questions I always ask my clients is if they have thought about the area they want to move to?  Have they looked into schools, if that is important.  Have they considered locations regarding work, or family/friends?  I encourage my clients to drive around.  Vancouver doesn't really have a 'good side', or 'bad side'...Clark county has a lot of 'pocket neighborhoods'.  In a two mile radius you can have million dollar homes, new developments, 'sketchy' neighborhoods, and established 'homey' neighborhoods.  So definitely drive around...check out how well the neighbors are taking care of their yard, what vehicles are around, where are the parks?  Just remember that Clark County has something for everyone!  :-)  What are you looking for in a home/neighborhood?  What are your top 3 things you want (not counting price)?  As a realtor we can not 'steer' you towards, or away, from any neighborhood.  Our job is to help you find the best home we can, in your price range, that fits what you want.  As a realtor, I will help you get all the information I can, or direct you to places that can help you get that information.  For example....census.gov is an excellent site to check out neighborhoods, and schools.  Check it out!  :-)

   So...buyers due diligence....talk to neighbors, walk around the home, and neighborhood... and write down a list of questions.  Ask your inspector about these questions to check out.  Ask your buyers agent to help you find out some answers to these questions, or if they can't find the answers, help you find some places where you can do some research or ask questions.  Your buyers agent is here to help you!  Make sure you know what you are getting into....and any questions?  ASK!  ...and keep asking until you get answers!   As always, if you have any questions, please call or email me...I am always here to help.  :-)  Remember...I am a real estate broker, and I look forward to helping you on your home buying adventure...and assisting you to get those keys.  :-D  Whether you are buying, or selling your home, my goal is to be the real estate broker you think of.  I really want to help you with your first time, and every time.  I believe that real estate is about relationships.....and no...that is not a shameless plug!  LOL

               
      Information is power, and I hope that I am able to help you.  Good luck, and as always...May the odds be ever in your favor out there....  If you are looking for a real estate agent, I would love to be able to help you.                                                                       
 
    As always....this is just a quick overview.... please remember that your agent, and your lender work for YOU.  You drive the bus...we are merely GPS to help you get to your goals.  Like the classes, this weekly blog email is to help you with your home adventure.  The goal is to be informative and non-promotional.  :-)  We are, however, hoping you will call and want us to help with your adventure.  

If you have any questions about this, or something you have heard...or if you would like me to help you with your home adventure, please call, email,  text, or facebook me anytime.  I am, as always, happy to help!
 
Thank you again for your business and your referrals!!  ...and thank you for referring these classes to your friends, family, and co-workers. 
 
 .   ..disclaimer...if you have already purchased a home, or would no longer like to receive these emails, please let me know and I will be happy to remove you from any further mailings... 
 
 
Upcoming Topics:  Septic vs Sewer,   &  "When do I get KEYS?"

Last Week:   Heating Types (but I want AC)                                  
Have a great day, and I will talk to you soon,   
;-D   
Tracie DeMars   
Real Estate broker    
Re/Max - Van Mall   
360/ 903-3504 cell   
360/ 882-3600 fax   
www.traciedemars.com   
traciedemars@aol.com   
    
“Interested in free and non promotional home buyer classes?  Go to www.traciedemars.com  for local upcoming classes, or facebook: Tracie DeMars Real Estate for my home buyer education blog.  Classes are now available for home owners thinking about selling their home.  Links are on the left."

"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be."    
   - Shel Silverstein, American poet, cartoonist and composer, (1930 - 1999).