November 2008
Volume 11 Issue 11
Gut(ter) Check
For most homeowners, cleaning the gutters is near the bottom of the proverbial to-do list. But keeping your gutters clean can really save you a lot of headaches; overflowing gutters can damage roofs and wreak havoc on your foundation. Keeping the water flowing properly isn't as big a deal as you might think. And if you clean your gutters every six months, you'll save yourself time and money.
According to www.hgtv.com, you can tell if a gutter needs cleaning by looking up at the gutter's top, outside rim. If it is discolored, there's a buildup and water is not flowing as it should.
• To clean the gutters, use a ladder. Make sure to be safe and cautious around power lines. If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, hire a professional.
• There are several ways to clean gutters. One is to simply put on a pair of gloves and dig the debris out by hand and rinse it with your hose. Or you can use barbeque tongs or make a scoop by cutting a plastic, two-liter soda bottle.
• To dispose of the debris, hang a bucket on the ladder with a bungee cord or lay a tarp on the ground to catch the falling debris. When you're done, just roll up the tarp and empty it into the trash.
This months joke:
Question: Who was the drummer in the Thanksgiving band?
Answer: The turkey, because he had the drumsticks!
FREE programs from me to you, including "How To Buy A Home In Orlando" booklet
A Hidden Danger
You've checked everything in plain view - kitchen appliances, floors and windows. Now you're ready to sign a contract, right? Not yet. One of the most important things that should never go unchecked is actually invisible.
Radon is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas, but it may be a problem in your home. This radioactive gas comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. Radon leaks into the house through cracks or holes in the foundation and can cause lung cancer when you breathe it. Any home can have radon, whether the home is new or old, well-sealed or drafty - with or without a basement.
If your home tests positive (a radon level of four picocuries per liter or higher), you'll want to hire a professional to install a vent pipe and fan to filter the gas away from your home. Sealing or caulking openings in the foundation and walls also can reduce the amount of radon entering through the soil.
Before buying or selling your home, it's important to test your house for radon. If buying, ask the seller for information on any radon- resistance systems in the house and their radon test results.
It's quite easy to test your home for radon, and knowing your radon level is worth it - for both buyers and sellers.
For more information on how you can protect your family and home from radon, visit www.epa.gov/radon.
Click here for Instant Recognition
Question: What are the steps for a “Short Sale”?
Answer: A short sale time line usually takes from 30 to 180 days from the date the offer is received.
Some steps that will determine the length of time are:
• Offer from the buyer, signed and accepted agreement by the seller/present owner with the stipulation it must be approved by the 3rd party (3rd party is the present mortgage holder[s]). This with the mortgage companies list of needed items sent to the current mortgage holder.
• Negotiator is assigned by the mortgage company to handle the transaction
• Appraisal ordered by the present mortgage holder
• Owner provided documents required by the present mortgage holder (timeframe depends on current owner’s cooperation and how busy the mortgage company is)
• Negotiate delegated decisions. (Non-delegated decisions will take an additional 30-60 days. Investors like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and insurers (FHA, VA, MI companies) have to approve the short sale before it can proceed.) Subordinate lenders (such as those who hold second mortgages) must agree to accept a payoff amount to release their lien.
• Approve, counter or decline.
• Proceed with sale until closing.
Whether you are the buyer or the seller in a short sale, the timeline will depend on the current mortgage holder, any secondary liens, and submission of the papers required by the present mortgage holder to make this all come together for a successful closing.
Have questions? email Risa at questions@risa.net or call her at 1-800-699-4901
List of all of the special days celebrated in November 2008
November 2008 Calendar of Events in Orlando
New Holiday/Vacation Homes For Sale
Use This Moving Truck for FREE 
RE/MAX Town & Country Realty has a moving truck (pictured above) that our clients can use FREE for their local (inside the Metro-Orlando area) moves.
When Risa helps you buy or sell a home, just let her know that you would like to use the RE/MAX Moving Truck. Then Ray, the Moving Truck Coordinator, will coordinate your reservation to use the truck for a 24 hour period and outline all of the details for the truck’s use. Tell Risa early on in your transaction that you’d like to use the truck to make sure that you can reserve the best time for your move!
We’re glad to be able to offer this additional service to our clients. Risa Saltman wants to help make your moving process as smooth, enjoyable and efficient as possible.
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Call Risa at 1-800-699-4901
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