Category: Articles to Share

Existing-Home Sales Lose Momentum in July

Existing-Home Sales Lose Momentum in July

Existing-home sales lost momentum in July because of stubbornly low inventory on the market across the country, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Last month, existing-home sales posted their first year-over-year drop since November 2015.

Total existing-home sales, which includes completed transactions for single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and co-ops, dropped 3.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.39 million in July. Sales are 1.6 percent below a year ago.

“Severely restrained inventory, and the tightening grip it’s putting on affordability, is the primary culprit for the considerable sales slump throughout much of the country last month,” says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “REALTORS® are reporting diminished buyer traffic because of the scarce number of affordable homes on the market, and the lack of supply is stifling the efforts of many prospective buyers attempting to purchase while mortgage rates hover at historical lows.”

Here’s a closer look at the data from July:

  • Home prices: The median existing-home price for all housing types was $244,100, up 5.3 percent from a year ago.
  • All-cash sales: Comprising 21 percent of transactions in July, all-cash sales were down from 23 percent a year ago. It is the lowest share of cash sales since November 2009 (when it was 19 percent). Individual investors account for the bulk of cash sales and purchased 11 percent of homes in July, down from 13 percent a year ago.
  • Distressed sales: Foreclosures and short sales made up 5 percent of sales, down from 7 percent a year ago. It is the lowest share since NAR began tracking distressed sales in October 2008. Broken out, 4 percent of sales last month were foreclosures, while 1 percent were short sales. Foreclosures, on average, sold for a discount of 18 percent below market value; short sales were discounted an average of 16 percent.
  • Days on market: Forty-seven percent of sold homes were on the market for less than a month. Properties typically stayed on the market for 36 days in July, down from 42 days a year ago. Short sales were on the market the longest, at a median of 95 days, while foreclosures sold in 54 days. Non-distressed homes averaged 34 days on themarket.
  • Inventory levels: Total housing inventory by the end of the month inched up by 0.9 percent to 2.13 million existing homes for sale. Still, that is 5.8 percent lower than a year ago. Inventories have declined year-over-year for the last 14 consecutive months. Unsold inventory is at a 4.7-month supply at the current sales pace.

“Although home sales are still expected to finish the year at their strongest pace since the downturn, thanks to a very strong spring, the housing market is undershooting its full potential because of inadequate existing inventory combined with new-home construction failing to catch up with underlying demand,” Yun says. “As a result, sales in all regions are now flat or below a year ago, and price growth isn’t slowing to a healthier and sustainable pace.”

Source: National Association of REALTORS®

 I read this article at: http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2016/08/24/existing-home-sales-lose-momentum-in-july?om_rid=AACmlZ&om_mid=_BXvfk$B9RrPPgx&om_ntype=RMODaily

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Got Questions? – The Caton Team is here to help.  

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Connect with us professionally at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinawendtcaton

Please enjoy my personal journey through homeownership at:

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Thanks for reading – Sabrina

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina – A Family of Realtors

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina BRE# 01413526 / Susan BRE #01238225 / Team BRE# 70000218/ Office BRE #01499008

 

10 Principles of Organizing That Work in Every Room

10 Principles of Organizing That Work in Every Room

Feeling overwhelmed by your stuff? Here’s how to make your things more findable and easier to put away

Getting your home organized is a great feeling, but figuring out where to start can be overwhelming. Keep the process simple by zeroing in on these 10 principles of organizing, which can be applied to any space, anytime.

  1. Get to know active vs. passive zones. Active zones are the spots in your home that you pass or touch daily (usually multiple times a day), and include the entryway, top drawers and eye-level shelves and cabinets.

Passive zones are the less frequently used spaces in your home, including the guest room, garage or basement, very high and very low shelves, and nooks deep within closets.

A common organizing mistake is to clutter your prime active zones with items you don’t frequently need. For example: Don’t keep your spare lightbulbs in the top drawer in the kitchen when you only need to grab one every few months!

  1. Make open storage beautiful. Every home can use a combination of open and closed (i.e., hidden) storage. But what you choose to store on your open shelving should be visually pleasing. In the living room, this is a good place for books (arranged by color if you’re feeling artsy) and pretty objects, not beaten-up board games and stacks of video games. Likewise in the kitchen, open shelving is the place to put your matching sets of clear drinking glasses or favorite teacups, not the plastic food storage containers.
  2. Keep things findable. Out of sight, out of mind is an especially apt expression when it comes to organizing. Clear containers are ideal when you want to be able to see the contents at a glance, and open baskets can corral loose items while still letting you look inside.

If you use containers that aren’t transparent, be sure to label them clearly — or take it a step further and label each with a photo of the objects inside. (Instant cameras are ideal for this.)

  1. Make it easy to put away. This is most important when it comes to kid stuff, but we can all benefit from this rule.

When you need to go get something, you’ll get it out — it doesn’t really matter where it is — but when it’s time to clean up, we all get a little lazy.

To increase the likelihood of stuff being put back in its place, use easy-to-access bins, baskets and hampers, simple filing systems, and wall hooks for frequently used items.

  1. Group by task. I think of this as the first-aid kit phenomenon: When you need a Band-Aid, you may also need some antibiotic ointment, maybe some tweezers to remove a splinter, and a gauze pad; in a first-aid kit, everything you need to complete the task of caring for your injury is conveniently located in one place.

When you’re organizing your stuff, remember this and group everything you need to complete a task in the same place.

For example, you could make one box for medications, another for spare office supplies, one for holiday cookie cutters and sprinkles, and so on. Labeled shoebox-size boxes (like the ones shown here) work well for grouping small items together.

  1. Create a way station for items in transit. We all have a certain amount of stuff that’s constantly in transit: library books waiting to be returned, our bag and keys, the dog’s leash, the casserole dish a friend left after your last party.

Instead of allowing these random items to pile up, create a dedicated space that can handle them and keep them neat.

If you have room by the main entrance to your home, this is the most logical spot — a few baskets on a shelf and some wall hooks should do the trick.

  1. Subdivide and conquer. Wide-open drawers are an invitation to clutter. Anytime you have a drawer where you’ll be storing small items, use a drawer organizer. Use them for cutlery in the kitchen, office supplies in your desk, small and useful household items in your junk drawer, and daily essentials (sunglasses, keys) in a drawer near the entry.
  1. Go vertical. What happens when you go for something at the bottom of a pile? That’s right, it topples.

Avoid this organizing nightmare and go vertical instead. Use shelf risers to increase cabinet capacity, store sheet pans and trays in a vertical holder, and use wall-mounted holders to store brooms and mops so they won’t tip over.

  1. Choose the right container for the job. It can be heartbreaking to find that some of your most precious items — old family photographs, Grandma’s wedding gown — have been ruined thanks to improper storage.

Take preventative measures by choosing the right storage container for the job. Photographs and paper memorabilia should be stored in acid-free containers or albums, and textiles should be kept in breathable storage boxes or bags designed for that purpose.

  1. Store heavy items down low. You should never have to balance on a stepladder while trying to lift something heavy.

Keep heavy items at or below waist height, including boxes, kitchen equipment (those dutch ovens and stand mixers weigh a ton!) and anything else that takes some real effort to lift.

And if you live in earthquake country, this is doubly important: You don’t want heavy items falling out of high cupboards and landing on someone’s head.

Tell us: What’s your biggest home-organizing challenge?

I read this article at: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/66905378?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u3264&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery2

Remember to follow our Blog at: https://therealestatebeat.wordpress.com/

Got Questions? – The Caton Team is here to help.  

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App:  http://thecatonteam.com/mobileapp

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Connect with us professionally at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinawendtcaton

Please enjoy my personal journey through homeownership at:

http://ajourneythroughhomeownership.wordpress.com

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina – A Family of Realtors

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina BRE# 01413526 / Susan BRE #01238225 / Team BRE# 70000218/ Office BRE #01499008

 

7 Things Every Homeowner Should Do Once a Year

I enjoy sharing articles like this – which reminds me I really should go through that junk drawer….

 7 Things Every Homeowner Should Do Once a Year

Look how responsible you are

When you bought your house, there were a million and ten things you needed to do. (Hi, inspection, mortgage application and downstairs bathroom conversion.) But over the years, auto-pilot has set in, and those driveway pavers you always meant to replace are still staring you in the face. Stay on top of your home maintenance to-dos by making sure you tackle each of the following once a year.

Clean your gutters


Old frisbees. Dead leaves. Dead rodents. (Ew.) Nasty stuff can accumulate in your gutters, and keeping them clear is super important for getting snow and rain off that fancy new roof you just replaced. Here’s the best part: If you get them cleaned right now, you won’t have to think about them again until 2017.

Steam clean your carpets


Yes, you’re a hygienic person who generally doesn’t track gross stuff into her house. But over time, buildup has a way of accumulating–especially in snowy or dusty regions, or if you’ve got children or pets. Rent a steamer (or hire a professional), and relish in a pile that’s as plush and vibrant as the day you bought it.

Wash your windows… like, for real


Again, you’re probably already Windex-ing the inside of those suckers on a weekly or monthly basis. But the outsides need love, too. Most modern windows pivot inward, so you can wash the whole thing from inside your house. But if you live in an older building and can’t get to windows on the second or third floor, hire a gent with a squeegee and a ladder.

Empty all your drawers


OK, this one isn’t just for home owners, but anyone who lives in a house should really be in the habit of emptying and assessing every drawer one time per calendar year. Tackle it room-by-room, taking everything out, deciding if you really need it, then purging accordingly before neatly repacking.

Trim your trees

Next-door neighbor Frank hates when your sycamore cascades over his tool shed. Trim that puppy once a year for the health of your tree (a heavy bow is never a good thing) and, of course, your neighborly relations.

Schedule the exterminator


If you think you only need to talk to Larry the Roach Guy when you’ve actually got creepy crawlers, think again. Getting your house checked and treated preemptively for bugs gives you a much better chance of not finding something disgusting (or paying thousands of dollars for termite damage) down the road.

Check out an open house in the neighborhood


Even if you plan to live in your home until they take you out on a stretcher, it’s always a good idea to get a sense of the market. Plus, aren’t you dying to know what Kenny and Margaret did with that hideous wood-paneled rec room?  You know you want to.

I read this article at: http://www.purewow.com/home/things-home-owners-should-do-yearly?utm_medium=email&utm_source=national&utm_campaign=Best_of_Web_6_28_2016_06_28_b&utm_content=Food_editorial

Remember to follow our Blog at: https://therealestatebeat.wordpress.com/

Got Questions? – The Caton Team is here to help.  

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App:  http://thecatonteam.com/mobileapp

Visit our Website at:   http://thecatonteam.com/

VISIT OUR INSTAGRAM PAGE: http://instagram.com/thecatonteam

Visit us on Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sabrina-Susan-The-Caton-Team-Realtors/294970377834

Yelp us at: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-caton-team-realtors-sabrina-caton-and-susan-caton-redwood-city

Or Yelp me: http://www.yelp.com/user_details_thanx?userid=gpbsls-_RLpPiE9bv3Zygw

Connect with us professionally at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinawendtcaton

Please enjoy my personal journey through homeownership at:

http://ajourneythroughhomeownership.wordpress.com

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina – A Family of Realtors

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina BRE# 01413526 / Susan BRE #01238225 / Team BRE# 70000218/ Office BRE #01499008

7 Inexpensive Ways to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal

7 Inexpensive Ways to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Your neighbors will be so jealous…

Whether you’re trying to sell your house or simply make your home the envy of everyone on your cul-de-sac, trust us: A little goes a long way. Here, seven ways to refresh your front door (and beyond) without breaking the bank.

PAINT YOUR DOOR

A fresh coat of paint–colorful or not–goes a long way when it comes to updating your exterior view. While you’re at it, replace (or touch up) your hardware–like the doorknob and knocker.

REPLACE YOUR HOUSE NUMBERS

Pick up a set that has a matte or metallic sheen. It’ll look expensive and polished, not to mention easier to read from the street. (You’re welcome, UPS guy.)

PRESSURE WASH YOUR FRONT PORCH

It’s a great way to remove deeply set dirt stains and will give your porch that brand-new and shiny vibe. (You can even add a bit of wood cleaner to really get the job done.) Don’t own a pressure washer? Rent one from your local Home Depot for about $35 a day.

INSTALL SOLAR LIGHTS

You don’t have to break the bank to add a bit of accent lighting to your front yard. An eight-pack of solar lights costs about $27 on Amazon. Use them to accentuate freshly pruned trees or shrubs–or simply to illuminate the path to your front door.

MAKE OVER YOUR MAILBOX

If it’s busted–get a new one. Or take it a step further by planting a variety of resilient and colorful flowers and shrubs (think hydrangea or elephant ears) at the base of the box.

ADD WINDOW BOXES FILLED WITH BLOOMS

In addition to being inexpensive, window boxes are easy to install (you often don’t even have to drill) and won’t damage your house’s facade. Stick them in the windows to the left and right of your front door and fill them with plants like marigolds and petunias that thrive on direct sunlight.

REPAINT (OR REPLACE) YOUR GUTTERS

If they’re peeling and cracked, sand gutters and downspouts down and apply a fresh coat of paint. Or–if you’re in the mood for something a bit fancier–you could upgrade the whole system with sleek copper piping.

I read this article at: http://www.purewow.com/home/curb-appeal-tips

Remember to follow our Blog at: https://therealestatebeat.wordpress.com/

Got Questions? – The Caton Team is here to help.  

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App:  http://thecatonteam.com/mobileapp

Visit our Website at:   http://thecatonteam.com/

VISIT OUR INSTAGRAM PAGE: http://instagram.com/thecatonteam

Visit us on Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sabrina-Susan-The-Caton-Team-Realtors/294970377834

Yelp us at: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-caton-team-realtors-sabrina-caton-and-susan-caton-redwood-city

Or Yelp me: http://www.yelp.com/user_details_thanx?userid=gpbsls-_RLpPiE9bv3Zygw

Connect with us professionally at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinawendtcaton

Please enjoy my personal journey through homeownership at:

http://ajourneythroughhomeownership.wordpress.com

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina – A Family of Realtors

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina BRE# 01413526 / Susan BRE #01238225 / Team BRE# 70000218/ Office BRE #01499008

 

7 Tax Deductions You Didn’t Know You Could Take

7 Tax Deductions You Didn’t Know You Could Take

Like summer camp…and baggage fees…

You guys, the deadline for filing your  taxes has past BUT – there is always next year.  Haven’t even started reviewing your W-2s and 1099s and, gah, so many receipts? It’s not all bad. Here, seven surprising deductions that could save you serious cash.

RÉSUMÉ PAPER

As long as the job you’re looking for is in your current line of work, it’s A-OK to deduct the costs of interviewing–everything from résumé paper and printer ink to cabs and parking receipts. (Hey, you tried to find on-street parking for, like, four whole minutes.)

MEMBERSHIP DUES

The Alliance for Women in Media, Pet Sitters International, the American Association of School Librarians… If you belong to a professional organization, your annual dues and any other miscellaneous membership expenses (like the fee to attend the spring power luncheon) can all be written off.

FRENCH CLASSES

Come on, the fact that you now parle français totally helped your ability to communicate with clients overseas. And there’s another education-focused payoff: You can get a partial credit on your taxes for any money you put toward advanced learning and improving job-related skills.

GOING GREEN

Alas, there’s no longer a tax credit for installing storm windows or insulation, but there is a tax credit for adding big-picture eco-friendly items like solar water heaters, wind turbines and more to your home (a whopping 30 percent of the total cost).

BAGGAGE FEES

That self-funded trip you took to Akron, Ohio, for the freelance assignment of a lifetime? Start itemizing your credit card statement. Travel expenses you incur when self-employed count as tax deductions. (Talk about the perks of being your own boss.)

SUMMER CAMP

Sure, you know all about child-care tax credits, but did you know that camp (as long as it’s not overnight) totally counts toward the deduction? Huzzah!

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES

OK, not the ones you actually ate. But if you bought any boxes to donate to a food drive or an organization in need, you have a free pass to write off the cost. Proof that no charitable donation is too small.

  • Note as a Realtor I do not provide Tax advice – just thought this article was interesting. Please contact your CPA for more information.

 I read this article at: http://www.purewow.com/money/7-Tax-Deductions-You-Didnt-Know-You-Could-Take

Remember to follow our Blog at: https://therealestatebeat.wordpress.com/

Got Questions? – The Caton Team is here to help.  

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App:  http://thecatonteam.com/mobileapp

Visit our Website at:   http://thecatonteam.com/

VISIT OUR INSTAGRAM PAGE: http://instagram.com/thecatonteam

Visit us on Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sabrina-Susan-The-Caton-Team-Realtors/294970377834

Yelp us at: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-caton-team-realtors-sabrina-caton-and-susan-caton-redwood-city

Or Yelp me: http://www.yelp.com/user_details_thanx?userid=gpbsls-_RLpPiE9bv3Zygw

Connect with us professionally at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinawendtcaton

Please enjoy my personal journey through homeownership at:

http://ajourneythroughhomeownership.wordpress.com

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina – A Family of Realtors

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina BRE# 01413526 / Susan BRE #01238225 / Team BRE# 70000218/ Office BRE #01499008

 

8 Things First-Time Homeowners Never Realize

8 Things First-Time Homeowners Never Realize

 

You did it! You bought your first house and it’s yours and you can do whatever you want with it! Well…not so fast. Here, eight things that first-time homeowners often don’t realize before it’s too late.

THAT YOU MIGHT NEED TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS STAT

If you just plunked down a ton of money to buy the house (closing costs, whaaaa), it can seem ridiculous to shell out again right away. But even if you’ve passed inspection and are moving into a well-built abode, there’s a good chance you’ll have to do something big (a new boiler… a roof fix) within your first year. Keep a cushion of cash on hand, even if it means waiting to buy that farmhouse table you’ve been coveting.

AND THAT THOSE IMPROVEMENTS COULD REQUIRE PERMITS

It depends on where you live and the extensiveness of your plans, but plenty of renovations–say, a kitchen remodel or a window installation–might require a permit from the city government. Do your research, talk to your contractor, ask your Realtor and don’t risk starting anything that’s not good and legal.

BUT THAT OTHER IMPROVEMENTS COULD SAVE YOU MONEY

Did you know that you could earn a 30 percent tax credit by installing a geothermal heat pump? Or that you could save on monthly energy bills by getting a solar panel and selling electricity back to the grid? Hooray for going green!

THAT YOUR NEIGHBORS MIGHT NOT BE AS JAZZED ABOUT YOUR 4TH-FLOOR ADDITION AS YOU ARE

You’ve been excited to install that gargoyled turret since the day you moved in. Frank next door is terrified you’ll obstruct his views and park a dumpster in front of his house. Have him over for sangria to discuss any big-ticket renovations that could disrupt his life–and proceed with serious caution when it comes to projects that are likely to piss off more than one neighbor.

THAT YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW TRASH LAWS

Recycling goes out on Tuesdays. Big electronics on the first Friday of every month. Anything glass must be in a clear bag. Learn your city’s trash laws, and follow them to a T. (Unless you love getting hit with fines.)

THAT LAWNS REQUIRE ATTENTION DURING EVERY SEASON

Once the temps rise, you are all about that lawn-mower life. But news flash: You also have to take care of your yard from September to May. Keep your lawn raked and tidy in the fall (or risk turning your property into a slip-and-slide) and your grass short and debris-free come winter.

THAT YOU MIGHT BE LIABLE FOR STUFF THAT DOESN’T SEEM LIKE YOUR PROBLEM

Got a tree that overhangs Frank-the-neighbor’s driveway? Got a sewer line that runs beneath your yard? Got an icy sidewalk that you just don’t feel like salting? All of those things are your responsibility to maintain and keep safe for others.

THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING AT ONCE

You have a new house! You want to make it beautiful and homey and full of cheery wallpaper right away. But slow down there, hotshot: If you pace yourself and tackle one thing at a time, you’ll make your money and energy go a lot further. Plus, it’s fun to always have a next project on the horizon. Isn’t that why you bought a house in the first place?

 

I read this article at: http://www.purewow.com/home/things-home-owners-dont-realize?utm_medium=email&utm_source=national&utm_campaign=Homeowner_Things_2016_05_24_a&utm_content=Food_editorial

Remember to follow our Blog at: https://therealestatebeat.wordpress.com/

Got Questions? – The Caton Team is here to help.  

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App:  http://thecatonteam.com/mobileapp

Visit our Website at:   http://thecatonteam.com/

VISIT OUR INSTAGRAM PAGE: http://instagram.com/thecatonteam

Visit us on Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sabrina-Susan-The-Caton-Team-Realtors/294970377834

Yelp us at: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-caton-team-realtors-sabrina-caton-and-susan-caton-redwood-city

Or Yelp me: http://www.yelp.com/user_details_thanx?userid=gpbsls-_RLpPiE9bv3Zygw

Connect with us professionally at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinawendtcaton

Please enjoy my personal journey through homeownership at:

http://ajourneythroughhomeownership.wordpress.com

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina – A Family of Realtors

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina BRE# 01413526 / Susan BRE #01238225 / Team BRE# 70000218/ Office BRE #01499008

 

Estate Planning: 11 Things to Do Before You Die

Death is not a topic anyone wants to think about, let alone talk about.  However, it is the inevitable outcome of life and something we can plan for.  I learned the hard way when my father passed of a heart attack – we were in the midst of planning for this day – we just hadn’t gotten that far.  It took me months to comb through boxes and boxes of paperwork to piece together everything.  I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.  So today, you can take steps to make the end a little more manageable for your family.  I found this article on Legal Zoom and thought I would share it here.  It takes but a moment to create a trust, to write down the passwords and your wishes.  Do it now – in good health – and know, when the time comes – you have helped your family with the one thing they don’t ever want to think about.  

– Thank you for reading – Sabrina

 

Estate Planning: 11 Things to Do Before You Die

 

Pondering your own mortality is probably not high on your list of enjoyable activities, and yet getting your affairs in order is advisable for everyone.

You may think “estate planning” is only for the wealthy, or that—since you’re relatively young and/or healthy—you don’t need to worry about such things, but neither is true.

Even people with modest assets can benefit from end-of-life planning, which encompasses much more than just writing a last will and testament. And, as we all know, death doesn’t discriminate by age or any other factor.

A little forethought now about how you would like things to go once you’re incapacitated or gone can give you great peace of mind now, as well as spare your loved ones a lot of hassle later.

What are some of the most important things you can do now? Here is a handy estate planning checklist.

  1. Gather important documents and contact information.

Property deeds, vehicle titles, official certificates (birth, marriage, etc.), the contact information for your attorney, insurance broker, doctor—all of these are things you can gather and put in the same, safe place now to make it easier for your loved ones later.

As a bonus, getting all these materials together should also make compiling your estate plan easier, as you will have a lot of the necessary information at your fingertips.

  1. Execute a last will and testament.

A will is one of the most important estate planning documents you can have, as it details where you would like your property go after your death. Unless you make a will, you are leaving things up to your state’s intestacy laws, which apply when someone dies without a will. And you should not assume that the state will make the same choices you would have made.

When you create a will, you, the testator, name an estate administrator or executor: a person you trust to handle the distribution of your estate. You can also name a legal guardian for any minor children and their property, as well as leaving instructions for the care of your pets.

  1. Complete a living will or advance directive.

A living will or advance directive is a legal document in which you name someone to communicate with medical personnel regarding your treatment preferences should you become incapacitated or otherwise unable to express your preferences yourself.

Issues addressed in living wills generally include breathing tubes, feeding tubes, and other life-sustaining medical treatments.

  1. Put in place a power of attorney.

A durable power of attorney allows you to name someone to be in charge of making decisions for you if you become incapacitated. You may choose to name a separate health care power of attorney for medical decisions and a financial power of attorney for financial decisions.

A health care power of attorney works hand-in-hand with a living will to ensure that your wishes regarding medical treatment are followed. A Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorization is also necessary to allow others to speak with doctors and nurses about your condition.

  1. Establish a living trust.

A living trust can be a great way for you to make sure your wishes are followed after your death, as well as providing for fast distribution of your assets to beneficiaries, avoiding estate taxes and keeping your financial affairs private.

With a living trust, you, as the grantor, retain control over any property placed within the trust throughout your lifetime. Upon your death, your pre-chosen successor trustee gains control of the trust and will then distribute your assets according to your instructions—all bypassing probate, thus saving both time and money.

An irrevocable trust can also serve as asset protection, to protect your property from being touched by creditors or lawsuits.

  1. Update your beneficiaries.

If you have life insurance, retirement accounts, pensions, or pay-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death accounts, make sure your beneficiaries are up to date, as these accounts transfer according to their beneficiary designations; your last will does not control them. Any time there is a change in your family situation is a good time to review your beneficiaries.

  1. Secure your digital assets.

Along with online bank, investment, and shopping accounts, many people also have social media accounts that need handling upon the death of the owner.

Facebook, for instance, has a special section in which you can select someone to take over your account upon your passing, but you should also think about what you want to happen with websites, blogs, and any other online activities in which you participate.

  1. Plan final arrangements.

Final arrangements can include organ donation, as well as funeral plans, including how they are to be paid for. Pay-on-death bank accounts are often the best way to handle funeral expenses.

Your will isn’t the best place to include this information because it often isn’t read immediately, so a letter to your estate administrator or a trusted loved one is best.

  1. Make copies and store.

Once you have gathered all your estate planning documents, make copies and store the original and copies in a safe place, such as a fireproof safe in your home or a safe deposit box. Make sure at least one other person will be able to access these documents after your death.

  1. Talk with your loved ones.

Just getting everything down on paper is a great step forward in estate planning, but talking with your loved ones about your wishes is priceless. The clearer they are on what you want, the more likely it is that your wishes will be followed—and the fewer problems they will have, as they won’t have to guess your intentions.

This talk doesn’t have to be all grim and dire, however. You can also take this opportunity to talk to them about your life and memories, and even pass along cherished photographs and stories.

  1. Keep everything current.

Once you put together your estate plan, don’t just put it in that safe place and forget about it. At least yearly, perhaps on your birthday, you should revisit the documents to make sure they still reflect your intentions.

And a bonus: Get the help you need.

While there is no legal requirement that you consult an estate planning attorney, you may want to speak with an attorney to make sure you have adequately addressed all potential concerns while running through the above estate planning checklist.

 

I read this article at: https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/estate-planning-11-things-to-do-before-you-die?utm_source=monthlynewsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_content=2016_05_May&utm_campaign=NL_2016_05_May

Remember to follow our Blog at: https://therealestatebeat.wordpress.com/

Got Questions? – The Caton Team is here to help.  

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522

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Connect with us professionally at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinawendtcaton

Please enjoy my personal journey through homeownership at:

http://ajourneythroughhomeownership.wordpress.com

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina – A Family of Realtors

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina BRE# 01413526 / Susan BRE #01238225 / Team BRE# 70000218/ Office BRE #01499008

 

6 Things You Should Never Let Movers Touch

6 Things You Should Never Let Movers Touch

 

So after years of DIY/friend-assisted moves, you’ve finally decided to hire movers. As a fellow lazy convenience-minded person, I salute you. The heavy-lifting, traffic-negotiating, stair-climbing nightmare parts of moving day are out of your hands.

But before you kick back and start daydreaming of sleeping in on the big day, I also have some bad news: There are some things you always want to move yourself.

Even if you’ve hired pros, you’re still probably going to be renting a truck or tucking a few things away in your car. Yes, I know—that completely bursts your nothing-to-do bubble. But you’ll want these things for their safe arrival.

  1. Your pets

Obviously, you’re not going to pack Rover in a box with some air holes, but you still need to do some prep work.

Moving is stressful for pets. Add the potential danger of their busting free in the chaos of moving, and it could be a bad situation. Save yourself a headache later and pack them a travel bag now.

If you’re moving across town, plan to take water and food bowls, food, treats, an extra leash, a favorite toy, and a crate with you in the car.

If you’re moving out of state, your movers probably won’t transport your pets, but you can hire a pet-moving service.

  1. Houseplants

Houseplants are a bigger moving-day hassle than you might realize.

First, your mover might not be able to take some of your plants, because local and interstate laws may forbid it.

“Before doing anything with houseplants, it’s good to check with your state’s Department of Natural Resources or the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make sure there aren’t any restrictions for moving that particular type of plant,” says Jonathan Deesing, a community specialist with imove.

If the plants are allowed on the truck, you’ll still have to worry about everything arriving safely.

“Only pack up plants that are hardy and can survive a bumpy ride,” he says. Fragile plants (we’re looking at you, orchids) may not survive in the back of the truck. So put them in an open box in your car with some padding to keep the pots from tipping over.

  1. Firearms

If you’re packing, the movers probably aren’t.

Whether you’ve got an antique revolver just for display or a powerful hunting rifle, this one is a big no-no for obvious reasons.

“It’s best to move your guns on your own for safety reasons, and many moving services will not even consider moving guns for you anyway,” Deesing says.

If you’re moving your arsenal, don’t forget your safety lessons. Pack bullets and guns separately, and keep everything clearly marked and out of the reach of children.

And remember the rules and regulations.

“Make sure you have all the paperwork in order before moving guns across state lines,” Deesing says.

  1. Your record collection and other valuables

Whether it’s the complete history of the blues on 350 vinyl records, or a collection of antique snow globes, “if you can’t stand the thought of losing it, don’t put it on a moving truck,” Deesing says.

Your moving company isn’t going to toss any of your stuff around (we hope), but accidents do happen. It’s one thing when it happens to that bookshelf you bought at Target, but another when it happens to your great-grandmother’s antique lamp set. If in doubt, bring it with you.

  1. Personal paperwork

Pack your Social Security card, birth certificate, auto title, and any other important paperwork in a waterproof case, and haul that with you. Inevitably, something gets misplaced in a move. And it’s not helpful to find your passport six months after you had to scramble to get a last-minute replacement for your vacation to Spain.

“Of all your belongings, these can often be the most difficult to recover if lost or damaged in transit,” Deesing says.

  1. Climate-sensitive artwork

If you’re moving across town or within the same state, your artwork can probably be safely packed and stowed away on the moving truck. If you’re moving several states away and the temperature might change drastically on the trip, you might want to bring those originals with you in your climate-controlled car.

“If you have artwork in a truck and move from the Northeast to the Deep South, it could irreversibly damage certain paints and materials,” Deesing says.

———

For everything else, follow this rule: When in doubt, overcompensate.

“Communication is key with any part of the move, and this is no exception,” Deesing says. “Don’t take risks, either—clearly label your fragile items and feel free to supervise movers as they load items onto the truck.”

 

I read this article at: http://www.realtor.com/advice/move/always-move-these-things-yourself/?identityID=9851214&MID=2016_0513_WeeklyNL-comafter23&RID=353497822&cid=eml-2016-0513-WeeklyNL-blog_2_dontletmoverstouch-blogs_trends

Remember to follow our Blog at: https://therealestatebeat.wordpress.com/

Got Questions? – The Caton Team is here to help.  

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522

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Connect with us professionally at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinawendtcaton

Please enjoy my personal journey through homeownership at:

http://ajourneythroughhomeownership.wordpress.com

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina – A Family of Realtors

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina BRE# 01413526 / Susan BRE #01238225 / Team BRE# 70000218/ Office BRE #01499008

 

Housing Opportunities for Young Adults Repaying Student Debt

HAPPY 4th of July Weekend!!!!

 

HUD Secretary Castro, Panelists Discuss Housing Opportunities for Young Adults Repaying Student Debt

 

WASHINGTON (May 10, 2016) — Struggles exist for many young adults trying to become homeowners, and the burden of repaying their student loan debt is in part delaying their ability to buy, according to speakers at a regulatory issues forum on student debt and homeownership at the 2016 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.

The high-profile session discussing the impact student loan debt is having on young households’ ability to purchase homes was keynoted by U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro. During his remarks, Secretary Castro announced some of the regulatory changes coming soon to ensure housing opportunities exist for young men and women – many of whom are currently repaying the loans they borrowed to earn a college degree.

Secretary Castro began his address by saying the prescription to the American Dream has always been working hard, saving your money and investing in yourself, often by getting a great education. What has changed in recent times is that the third step – getting a great education – is more expensive than ever.

According to Castro, HUD is committed to working with its partners across the administration and in the housing community to explore additional changes that can help more Americans purchase a home. That’s why last November, Federal Housing Administration Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ed Golding announced changes to condo rules that would address a lengthy and complex recertification process, owner-occupancy requirements, and limits on the types of property insurance that FHA considers acceptable coverage. Secretary Castro announced that the proposed condo rule has left the HUD building and is at the Office of Management and Budget for review.

“Today’s exciting news about the big changes coming to condos are a long-fought win for Realtors®, and we’re eager to see it come to fruition,” said NAR President Tom Salomone, broker-owner of Real Estate II Inc. in Coral Springs, Florida. “Realtors® know that condos are an important option for buyers, especially for first-time buyers looking for affordable options in the marketplace.”

Secretary Castro concluded, “Realtors® help make the dream of homeownership for so many Americans a reality, and HUD is committed to partnering with them to ensure that the hard-won progress we’re seeing in our housing market continues to grow for many years to come.

A panel discussion followed consisting of Rohit Chopra, a senior official at the U.S. Department of Education; Meta Brown, senior economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; NAR’s Jessica Lautz, managing director of survey research; and Mabel Guzman, chairwoman of NAR’s student loan debt work group and a Realtor® from Chicago-based real estate brokerage @Properties.

The panel participants agreed that in addition to affordability concerns, inventory shortages and lifestyle factors such as marrying later in life and having to repay student loan debt are burdening a segment of creditworthy buyers by making it more difficult to save for a down payment.

Discussing some of the ways the Education Department is working to address student loan debt, Chopra said income-based repayment options and holding student loan servicers more accountable during the repayment process will go a long way to ensuring that relief exists for those burdened by their debt. “We need to make sure the pillars of the American Dream of graduating from college and owning a home go together – and not compete with each other,” he said.

Sharing research from the New York Fed, Brown explained just how much student debt has defied the current business cycle of the past 10 years. Non-mortgage debt balances, such as debt from auto loans and credit cards, experienced a period of decline during the immediate aftermath of the Great Recession and have how either flatlined or rebounded slowly in recent years. The exception during this time has been student debt balances, which have ballooned from over $300 billion at the end of 2004 to over $1.2 trillion debt today.

Brown concluded that carrying high balances of student debt is likely leading to a growing share of young student borrowers retreating from the housing market and ultimately having to co-reside with their parents.

Pointing to NAR survey data of actual homebuyers and renters, Lautz said even with the numerous obstacles they face, millennials do make up the largest share of buyers among all generations, and over 90 percent of them currently renting have indicated a desire to become homeowners in the future.

“With home prices and rents on the rise, saving for the down payment is a challenge for many would-be buyers,” said Lautz. “Unfortunately, among other factors, repaying student debt is delaying a typical individuals’ path to homeownership by roughly five years.”

The final speaker, Guzman, said that in addition to Congress passing legislation that helps ease borrowers’ debt burden, Realtors® can play a big role by working with their young clients at the beginning stages of their housing needs, particularly during the leasing process when renting their first place.

“Realtors® can be a resourceful advocate for their young clients repaying student debt by educating them about their housing options and pointing them to credible resources, such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s information on student debt,” added Guzman. “The urge to be a homeowner is not lost among young adults, and we can all can work together early in the process to make sure they’re able to buy when they’re ready.”

The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

I read this article at: http://www.realtor.org/news-releases/2016/05/hud-secretary-castro-panelists-discuss-housing-opportunities-for-young-adults-repaying-student-debt?om_rid=AACmlZ&om_mid=_BXOhUyB9NrAnqP&om_ntype=RESMonthly

Remember to follow our Blog at: https://therealestatebeat.wordpress.com/

Got Questions? – The Caton Team is here to help.  

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522

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Please enjoy my personal journey through homeownership at:

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Thanks for reading – Sabrina

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina – A Family of Realtors

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina BRE# 01413526 / Susan BRE #01238225 / Team BRE# 70000218/ Office BRE #01499008

‘Brexit’ Could Give U.S. Real Estate Brief Boost

I was floored when I heard the news about BREXIT – and honestly the first thing I thought of – investing in real estate.  Enjoy this article….

 

‘Brexit’ Could Give U.S. Real Estate Brief Boost

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

 

Britain’s vote yesterday to exit the European Union will likely have a long-term impact on the world economy, but in the short-term, U.S. real estate could be flooded with investors flocking to the U.S. as a safe haven, pushing up the dollar and sending down mortgage rates.

“Demand for U.S. real estate could rise,” says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.

On the commercial side, global corporations could show additional interest in U.S. real restate as they come to see the U.K. as a less certain place to set up or maintain their businesses, Yun says, “especially in London, as it becomes a less attractive place to conduct global business.”

While a rise in the dollar could hurt U.S. exports, it’s also expected to put downward pressure on long-term mortgage interest rates. “Mortgage rates will tumble,” says Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate.com, “possibly hitting new record lows. If you’re a borrower, don’t wait to lock in your rate, as this opportunity may not last long.”

However, Fannie Mae Chief Economist Doug Duncan says low rates because of economic uncertainty could last for a while. “The Fed will very likely be on hold for some time as it observes the impact on U.S. and global financial markets and economic activity,” he says.

If mortgage rates — already at historic lows — drop even further, that could help drive up sales of all types of U.S. real estate, including on the residential side. Foreign households who might have otherwise looked to London to buy might turn to U.S. residential real estate, although U.K. citizens, who historically are among the top buyers of investment and vacation homes in the U.S., could pull back. “The British economy will be disrupted, and hence we should expect fewer Brits able to buy in the U.S.,” Yun says.

Steve Rick, chief economist at CUNA Mutual Group, was quoted in a Bankrate.com article saying a further drop in mortgage interest rates could give new life to home-mortgage refinancing, which started to cool early this year after several years of big growth. “This would create another mini refinance mortgage boom at financial institutions, as homeowners rush to lock in near-historic low interest rates,” he said.

In the long run, though, the uncertainty stemming from the vote could cause broad global weakening, which would hurt jobs, income, and consumer confidence. That would be a net-negative for U.S. real estate, even if it sees gains in the short-term.

—Robert Freedman, REALTOR® Magazine

What are your thoughts?  I’d love to hear – email me at Info@TheCatonTeam.com

I read this article at: http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2016/06/24/brexit-could-give-us-real-estate-brief-boost?om_rid=AACmlZ&om_mid=_BXdXpEB9PJZQ4u&om_ntype=NARWeekly

Remember to follow our Blog at: https://therealestatebeat.wordpress.com/

Got Questions? – The Caton Team is here to help.  

Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App:  http://thecatonteam.com/mobileapp

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Connect with us professionally at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinawendtcaton

Please enjoy my personal journey through homeownership at:

http://ajourneythroughhomeownership.wordpress.com

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina – A Family of Realtors

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina BRE# 01413526 / Susan BRE #01238225 / Team BRE# 70000218/ Office BRE #01499008