Normalina Martin’s Blog

Top 5 Steps Toward Improving Your Credit Score

Home prices and interest rates are down, and your desire to buy a home is high. But many of my clients worry that their credit score just isn™t good enough for lenders to see them as a worthy credit risk, especially in light of today™s tougher credit and lending standards.

2. Examine your credit reports. Creditors do not necessarily report to each agency, so you may find differences in reports”and credit bureaus do not verify the information they get from creditors. Note any errors, such as incomplete or outdated information or inaccurate account histories. If you find errors, such as a paid-up account that was not reported or a difference in the amount owed, proceed to step number three.

3. Dispute and document. Complete the dispute form that came with the credit report or write a letter identifying each mistake and stating why it is wrong. Include a copy of the report with errors circled and copies of any supporting documents. Keep copies of everything you send. The credit bureau must investigate disputes within 30 days of receiving your letter. Items not verified as accurate by a creditor are removed and you will be sent a free, updated report.

Remember that your credit score is not always set in stone. There are actions you can take immediately to raise your score both in the short term and long term. If you would like more information on other ways to change your credit score, please e-mail me; and please also be sure to forward this important article to others who may be caught in the credit-score crunch.

Normalina Martin, ABR, SFR, e-PRO
Real Estate Consultant
Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR)
Short Sale Foreclosure Resource (SFR)
Certified Internet Real Estate Professional (e-PRO)
407-760-0767Normalina@OrlandoYourHome.com

www.OrlandoYourHome.com

How to Help Your Home Stand Out and Sell Faster

In today™s buyers market, home-selling clients are always asking me what they can do to help their homes stand apart from the competition. As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network(R), I have seen how effective home staging can make all the difference in not only a quicker sale but a more profitable sale, as well.

First, it™s important to realize that home staging does not refer to the usual steps taken when your home is placed on the market, like painting the front door, taking away personal photos, and baking something in the oven. Staging, rather, is the professional merchandising of your home, which helps create an instant connection with potential buyers as they walk through the door. Just as new homebuilders create a model home for buyers to envision themselves living in, home staging does the same for your existing home.

Here are some important facts to be aware of before embarking on the home-staging process:

1. Make sure your home stager is knowledgeable about real estate and, in particular, your local market. Knowing what other homes in your area sold quickly provides the stager with important clues as to what buyers are attracted to.

2. Real estate agents, especially Top 5 Members like me, are excellent sources for referrals on home stagers in your area. Be sure to ask your neighbors as well.

3. Staging seeks to minimize the furniture in any given room in order to create the right spacing, while displaying as much floor space as possible. Be prepared with a convenient storage solution before you begin the staging process.

4. According to the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSPR), there is a growing trend toward eco-friendly home staging, where stagers provide specific œgreen materials to sellers. This creates unique appeal to today™s environmentally conscious consumers.

5. Home staging is also on the rise among short sale and foreclosure properties where homes might be in need of special care. If you are in a financially challenged situation and need to sell your home, talk to your real estate professional about staging. Certain lenders are working with stagers in order to expedite these types of sales.

In the current real estate climate, homes must be merchandised and marketed wisely. Please e-mail me to find out how staging can make a significant impact on the outcome of your home sale¦and please forward this email to anyone else who might be in need of home staging.

Check out this new property that I just posted on my Web site. It is in Orlando. This property has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths.

Check out this new property that I just posted on my Web site. It is in Oviedo. This property has 6 bedrooms and 4 baths. If you are bored by cookie cutter one size fits all homes then you will be captivated by this traditionally laid out pool home of over 4800 sq ft, designed for comfort and easy living in prestigious Tuscawilla. The totally remodeled kitchen is to die for and so fabulous for entertaining friends and family and this home also contains a mother-in-law suite. Nothing has been spared from the lovely landscaping, brick wall around the pool area, beautiful extension add on, work-out room, bar/game area, circular driveway and gated rear, all located on a spacious lot in one of Tuscawilla’s best areas. This is definitely not a “cookie cutter clone” but rather a well maintained, traditionally comfortable and welcoming home with “good bones”. Ceiling fan in guest bedroom does not convey. This home comes with a full one year warranty. WOW! Owner will consider financing with twenty percent down. .

Check out this new property that I just posted on my Web site. It is in Oviedo. This property has 6 bedrooms and 4 baths. If you are bored by cookie cutter one size fits all homes then you will be captivated by this traditionally laid out pool home of over 4800 sq ft, designed for comfort and easy living in prestigious Tuscawilla. The totally remodeled kitchen is to die for and so fabulous for entertaining friends and family and this home also contains a mother-in-law suite. Nothing has been spared from the lovely landscaping, brick wall around the pool area, beautiful extension add on, work-out room, bar/game area, circular driveway and gated rear, all located on a spacious lot in one of Tuscawilla’s best areas. This is definitely not a “cookie cutter clone” but rather a well maintained, traditionally comfortable and welcoming home with “good bones”. Ceiling fan in guest bedroom does not convey. This home comes with a full one year warranty. WOW! Owner will consider financing with twenty percent down. .

Check out this new Single-family property that I just posted on my Web site. It is at 3037 Kingfisher Pt in Oviedo. This Single-family property has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. Fabulous country estate on 2 1/2 acres with several acres of adjoining conservation and pond located in one of the finest gated estate communities in this area. This home was built with the highest regard for the very best materials and with for future expansion, if required. From the moment you enter this home you will be impressed by the attention to every detail and fine craftsmanship including solid oak floors throughout except for Italian porcelain in the bathrooms and 3 feet wide entry to each room. The truly “gourmet” country kitchen is designed for those who love to cook which is evidenced by double convection ovens and microwaves, Thermidor professional gas cooktop, and separate sub zero freezer and refrigerator. I urge you to see the attached list as there are so many fabulous features to this very special home. One horse is permitted on this acreage.

Check out this new property that I just posted on my Web site. It is in Oviedo.

I™ve just sold a Single family property at 4349 Atwood Dr in Orlando. Come and visit my site to see other properties in that area. If you are interested in looking for or selling your home, please Contact Me.

Check out this new property that I just posted on my Web site. It is in Oviedo.