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Baby Boomers Staying in Place

Monday, January 23, 2017
by Don DeHanas, Broker

There seems to have been an accepted progression for homeowners going from starter home, to gradually moving into one’s dream home, then, downsizing after becoming an empty nester and finally, into a retirement home. However, Marianne Cusato’s 2016 Aging-in-Place Report indicates that many older Americans don’t plan on following that pattern.

61% of homeowners above the age of 55 intend on staying in their homes indefinitely. 2/3 of them believe that the home’s layout will serve their needs without having to make aging-related improvements. Some of the reasons being cited for staying in place are:

66% say their home is conveniently located

38% say they live close to their family

68% say they feel independent in their home

54% say they are familiar with their neighborhood

66% say the feel safe in their home Typical renovations that might be considered for their current home are things like grab bars in the tub or shower, shower seats, taller toilets, handheld showerheads and additional handrails on stairways.

It seems that the report’s conclusion is that regardless of a homeowner’s age, they want to thrive in their home. The same emotional reasons that causes a person to want to buy a home are the things that cause them to hold onto them if is practical.

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How to Attract Home Buyers

Monday, January 16, 2017
by Don DeHanas, Broker

There is a common body of knowledge among real estate professionals that indicates that the longer a home is on the market, the lower the price will be. Many sellers discount this belief in the beginning because they feel confident their home will sell quickly. Lowering the price is the most obvious thing that can be done to encourage buyers but it might be good to look at what builders do. Builders offer a variety of incentives such as upgrades, seller-paid closing costs, interest rate buy downs, washers, dryers, refrigerators or big screen TVs. Interestingly, much of the resale market doesn’t employ these techniques.

According to the latest NAR Home Buyers and Sellers Profile, 64% of sellers did not offer any incentives at all. 21% of sellers offer a home warranty. 16% of sellers offered assistance with closing costs and 6% offered credit toward remodeling or repairs.  The attached chart indicates that while 80% of sellers were not willing to offer incentives in the beginning of their marketing period, as weeks passes and their home hasn’t sold, closer to half did add incentives. The ideal outcome is to maximize proceeds in the shortest time possible with the fewest unexpected issues. This involves having a firm understanding of current, local market conditions and crafting a marketing plan that will insure results.

There is so much at stake, the value of a trusted real estate professional is essential. Call DeHanas Real Estate for all of your residental property sales and property management needs at 301-870-1717.

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DeHanas Team Welcomes Tonga Turner

Friday, January 13, 2017
by Don DeHanas, Broker

Don DeHanas, Broker/owner of DeHanas Real Estate Services in Waldorf, recently announced the affiliation of Tonga Turner to the team. "Tonga is highly enthusiastic and detail oriented making her the perfect well-rounded real estate professional" says DeHanas. "We are excited she has joined our family team"!

Integrity, honesty and partnership are the three major foundations on which Tonga Turner’s real estate career has been built on. "Real estate is more than just, renting, selling or buying a home, it’s an important decision. Even if you are a seasoned homebuyer or seller, or looking to make your very first purchase", says Turner, who adds, "and I'll be here to guide you every step of the way".

From working with 3 major fortune 500 companies as a top business executive, to brokering major corporate deals in the private sector, Tonga’s job has always been to put the client first. If you are looking for a seasoned negotiator that is always working to achieve the best possible result for you and your family, then give Tonga Turner a call. Providing superior, quality real estate concierge services for today’s professionals.  Tonga truely is working to make real estate dreams come true.

DeHanas Real Estate Services is locally owned and operated, specializing in residential property sales, Bank-owned home sales, short sales, investment property and Property Management.

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Real Estate Fact or Myth

Monday, January 2, 2017
by Don DeHanas, Broker

• “It’s impossible to get low down payment loans.” – FACT! FHA down payments are 3.5% and VA is 0%. In some areas, there may be some 0% down payment USDA loans available. FNMA and Freddie Mac have 3% down payment programs.

• “It takes perfect credit to get a loan.” - FACT! There is a relationship of better rates to better credit but many issues on a credit report can be explained or corrected. The way to know for sure is to speak to a reliable lender.

• “If I’ve had a bankruptcy or Foreclosure, I can’t qualify.” - FACT! Credit history following a bankruptcy or foreclosure is very important and there can be extenuating circumstances. It only takes a few moments with a reliable lending professional to find out if your individual situation will allow you to qualify for a new mortgage. Will I Ever Be Able to Buy a House After Bankruptcy?

• “Getting pre-approved is expensive.” - FACT! Usually, the only expense to getting pre-approved is the cost of the credit report which could be around $35. The advantage is that you will know that you qualify for a particular mortgage amount.

• “I should wait to qualify until I find a home.” - FACT! It can take weeks to qualify for a mortgage especially if there are issues that need to be corrected. The best interest rates are only available for the highest credit scores. It is to your advantage to start the qualifying process early in your home search.

• “All lenders are the same.” - FACT! Reliable lending professionals will explain the entire process before collecting fees, quote fees up-front, have competitive products, do what is necessary to get the loan approved and close at the locked rate and terms. Ask for recommendations from recent borrowers.

• “Adjustable Rate Mortgages are more expensive than fixed rate mortgages.” - FACT! Adjustable Rate Mortgages can be less expensive than fixed rate mortgages if the buyer’s circumstances warrant it. If a buyer is only going to be in a home for a few years before selling, it can be determined if an ARM loan will result in the lowest way to finance the property. There are many variables and you need to be aware of them before deciding which type of loan to finance your home purchase.

Buyers and Sellers need solid information to make good decisions. Call us with your questions or to get a recommendation of a reliable lender who can give you the real facts.

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Displaying blog entries 1-4 of 4

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The DeHanas Team
DeHanas Real Estate Services
601 Post Office Road, Suite 2D
Waldorf MD 20602
Office: 301-870-1717
1-800-842-0190
Fax: 240-754-7867
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Servicing all Anne Arundel County, Calvert County, Charles County, and Prince George's County as well as Annapolis, Bowie, Chesapeake Beach, Crofton, Dunkirk, Edgewater, Ft. Meade, Huntingtown, La Plata, North Beach, Odenton, Owings, Pasadena, Severn, Waldorf, and the Upper Marlboro areas of Maryland, all of Washington DC, and Northern Virginia, including Alexandria, Arlington, and King George County real estate advertised in this website are subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap and familial status, or national origin, or any intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. DeHanas Real Estate Services will not knowingly accept any listing agreement for real estate sales in Anne Arundel County, Calvert County, Charles County, and Prince George's County as well as Annapolis, Bowie, Chesapeake Beach, Crofton, Dunkirk, Edgewater MD, Ft. Meade, Huntingtown, La Plata, North Beach, Odenton, Owings, Pasadena, Severn, Waldorf, and the Upper Marlboro, all of Washington DC, and Northern Virginia, including Alexandria, Arlington, and King George County areas which are in violation of the law. Our clients and customers are informed that all dwellings advertised on our website in Anne Arundel County, Calvert County, Charles County, and Prince George's County as well as Annapolis, Bowie, Chesapeake Beach, Crofton, Dunkirk, Edgewater MD, Ft. Meade, Huntingtown, La Plata, North Beach, Odenton, Owings, Pasadena, Severn, Waldorf, and the Upper Marlboro, all of Washington DC, and Northern Virginia, including Alexandria, Arlington, and King George County areas are available on an equal opportunity basis. All prices and finance claims appearing in this site are subject to change without notice.