Here is a checklist to help keep you on track:

60 Days Before You Move

• Sort and Purge-Go through every room, decide what needs to come with you and what can go. Make piles of things to throw away and things to donate.
• Plan a Yard Sale-Start planning a yard sale to reduce the amount of stuff you need to move. Some extra money for the move will also come in handy.
• Hire a Mover-Contact at least three moving companies. On-site estimates are better than over the phone or internet estimates. Get each estimate in writing, and make sure it has a USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) number on it.
• Create a Moving Binder-Store all of your move-related paperwork (checklists, contracts, receipts) in a binder. You may also want to inventory all of your items with photos or lists.

Six Weeks Before Your Move

• Get Packing Supplies-Determine how many packing supplies you’ll need and designate a room where you can begin to store and organize.
• Take Measurements-If possible get room dimensions of your new home. Make sure large pieces of furniture will fit.  Don’t forget to take measurements for appliances too.

30 Days Before Your Move

• Confirm with Mover-Check with your mover the details of your move.
• Start Packing-Begin packing out-of-season clothes and unnecessary items.
• Label-Make sure to label boxes with what rooms the boxes will go in at your new home.
• Start/Stop Utilities-Make arrangements to connect and disconnect your cable, internet and utilities.
• Change your Address- Contact or visit your local Post Office to obtain a Change of Address form. You can also obtain this form online at http://www.usps.com.
• Make Notifications- Change your address to the following: registry of motor vehicles, banks, schools, friends & family, insurance companies, doctors and specialists, cell phone providers, credit card companies and magazine and newspapers.
• Contact Service Providers—Notify landscapers, cleaning services that you are moving, and look for new ones in your new hometown.

Two Weeks Before Your Move

• Call Locksmith- Have your new home’s locks changed on moving day or before.
• Arrange Services- Have a cleaning company prepare the new home before you arrive and tidy the old home after you leave. Arrange for carpet cleaning too.
• Pack the bulk of your items.
• Start Cleaning-Begin cleaning any rooms in your house that have been emptied, such as closets, basements or attics.

One Week Before Your Move

• Pack Suitcases- Finish your general packing a few days before your moving date. Pack suitcases for everyone in the family with enough clothes to wear for a few days.
• Gather Keys- Organize all keys, alarm codes and garage door openers so that you can be prepared to hand them over to the new owner or real estate agent.

A Few Days Before Your Move

• Defrost the Freezer- Empty, clean and defrost the freezer at least 24 hours before moving day.
• Make Payment Plans- You will need to make sure you have made arrangements to pay the mover and have a tip (usually 10%-15%).

Moving Day

• List Contact Info- Write out a list for your movers of things they’ll need: phone numbers, exact moving address and maps.
• Take Inventory- Before the movers leave, sign the bill of lading/inventory list and keep a copy.
• Walk-Through- Do a walk-through of your new home with your real estate agent.
• Layout New Home- Tape names to doors to assist movers in placing furniture and boxes.
• Have Director- Arrange for someone to direct the movers at your new home.

This property features 13 total rooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath, 6 bedrooms, 0.14 Acres, and is currently available for $469,900.

For complete details click here.

There are many reasons why people go into foreclosure. Some of those reasons include:

• Job loss
• Unexpected death, illness or medical emergency
• Adjustable rate mortgage increase
• Unexpected home maintenance expense

There are ways to avoid foreclosure. The best way to avoid foreclosure is to prevent the filing of a Notice of Default. If a home owner knows they are unable to pay their mortgage they should immediately call their lender.

Lenders do not want to foreclose. They may be willing to work with the home owner but it is important that the home owner doesn’t ignore contact from the lender.

The lender may propose several options:

• Forbearance
  • Lenders may agree to a repayment plan before taking legal action
• Debt Forgiveness
  • Very rarely the lender might give you a break and waive your obligation.
• Repayment plan
  • The lender may agree to spread the payments out over a longer loan term.
• Modification
  • In some cases, the lender may agree to freeze the interest rate of an adjustable rate loan or extend the amortization period.
• Refinance
  • Adding payments to an existing loan balance may be an option if the homeowner has sufficient equity and meet the lender’s guidelines for refinance.
• Partial Claim
  • Certain government loans may contain provisions that allow the homeowner to apply for another loan to pay back missed payments.

Preventing the Notice of Default filing is the best way to prevent foreclosure. If none of the above options have worked there are still some options a homeowner can leverage. Once the Notice of Default is filed, the homeowner only has a small time frame to reinstate the loan by bringing the payments current and pay the costs of filing the foreclosure.

If you are unable to make up the payments you still have a few options:

• Sell your home
  • If you have equity in your home a quick sale is probably the best option at this point. Your home will need the best exposure and marketing to achieve the quickest sale possible.  A full marketing plan and the proper price positioning should get your home sold in time to avoid foreclosure.
• Attempt a short sale
  • If your home is worth less than the amount you owe, you might be a candidate for a short sale. A short sale is when you sell your home for less than what the amount owed.  A short sale will affect your credit rating but not as bad as a foreclosure. A short sale is negotiated with the lender.
• Deed in lieu
  • The homeowner deeds the property back to the lender by giving the lender a properly prepared and notarized deed, and the lender forgives the mortgage.

For more information on how to prevent foreclosure visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development site to Avoiding Foreclosure. http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/avoiding_foreclosure

This is a Colonial style home and features 7 total rooms, 2 full baths, 3 bedrooms, 0.11 Acres, and is currently available for $299,900.

For complete details click here.

This is a Bungalow style home and features 6 total rooms, 1 full bath, 3 bedrooms, 0.19 Acres, and is currently available for $469,900.

For complete details click here.

This is a Contemporary style home and features 7 total rooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath, 3 bedrooms, 0.69 Acres, and is currently available for $539,000.

For complete details click here.

Space out your purchases

Many first-time home buyers are coming into home-ownership without all the things they need to fill their new home. Many new homeowners feel the pressure to buy everything at once. It is important to focus on the most necessary items first.

According to a study from the National Association of Home Builders, furnishings represent a substantial investment, with home buyers spending about $5,300 on furnishings during the first year after buying a home. Space out your home furnishing purchases and focus on the most necessary pieces first, such as a bed, living room sofa and dining room table.

Windows can also present a problem for new homeowners. Don’t feel pressured to choose window treatments for every window all at once. Make a priority list starting with the areas where privacy is a must and go from there.

You will also need to prioritize appliances. You may want to rush out and buy that huge flat screen TV but consider what other appliances need to take priority, such as a refrigerator, stove, or washer/dryer.

New Responsibilities

A new home comes with new responsibilities. This may be the first time you have to take care of a yard. Don’t go crazy, invest in a few key garden tools, such as hedge trimmers, a sprinkler, and a lawn mower. No need to invest big money in expensive landscaping services at first. Just focus on keeping your yard uncluttered and neat.

Another new responsibility is home maintenance. There is no landlord to call when an issue arises. You will want to make sure you are equipped to handle minor issues on your own. Many home improvement stores have tool sets you can purchase, but make sure it includes a hammer, screw drivers, pliers, wrenches, a tape measure and a staple gun.

http://www.879mainstnorwellma.com/