#Babyboomers#retire#realestate#montgomerycounty#maryland

An average of 10,000 baby boomers retire each day, and while some may decide to downsize or relocate, others choose to adapt their homes for enjoyment into their golden years. A large part of aging in place is ensuring that everything is within reach and easy to use. Here are some ideas that can help you prepare to age well in your home. Add Small, Important Features Think convenience and accessibility when selecting new appliances, like a front-load washer and dryer, and adding fixtures, such as adjustable showerheads, lever-style door handles and handrails on both sides of a staircase. Even small adjustments like lower light switches and higher electrical outlets can have an impact on the functionality of your home later in life. Make Thoughtful Renovations If you're budgeting for a larger remodel, consider some of the more common aging-in-place improvements: Increase the width of doorways to at least 36 inches. Add a step-free exterior entrance or ramp. Install a bathroom on the ground floor, complete with a walk-in shower and low-rise tub. Opt for pocket doors where possible. Outfit the kitchen with shallow sinks, multilevel countertops and a bottom-freezer fridge. Consider Technology Smart technology in the home has practical uses for those looking to age in place. Smart bath monitors can turn the water off before a tub overflows, and detection alarms on stoves can now alert homeowners to a potentially dangerous situation before toxic gases are even present. Motion-activated lights, smart doorbells with a video monitor and smart home security systems give seniors who live independently more peace of mind. Even if you're nowhere near retiring, it's important to make a plan. When it comes to aging in place, it makes sense to have the fixes complete before you need them. Should you decide to down-size, I'm here to help. Pamela DuBois

TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME

Maximize Curb Appeal Cut grass, pull weeds, trim hedges, sweep leaves and debris from your front walkway and porch. Paint your front door if needed. Declutter Clean closets, basement and garage, and clear kitchen counters. Rent a storage unit for off-season clothes and bulky furniture. Dust and clean ceiling fan blades, fireplace mantle, appliances, faucets, moldings, baseboards and windows. Consider getting your carpets professionally cleaned. Repair Fix or replace anything that is broken. De-personalize Remove family photos, kid’s artwork on the refrigerator and knickknacks. Brighten up Open all shades and blinds. Add floor or table lamps to dim areas; turn all lights on for evening showings. Appeal to the Senses Bake cookies or bread, or light a scented candle for a homey smell. Microwave vanilla extract for a 10 seconds to get the same smell of baking cookies. Create a Spa-like Bathroom Add a luxurious look with plants, scented candles, colorful coordinating towels, washcloths and rugs.

#Pamela DuBois! “Wow” is what comes to mind when I think of her. I have never interacted with anyone who gives so much importance to the needs, likes and preferences of the customer. She makes sure every small detail is taken care of. She does not rush you or force you to accept deals just to close it and be done with a deal. She in fact recommends not to go after something if she sees that it is not good for you in the long run. She was extremely patient with us, continuously sending us details of several properties, waiting for us patiently during the pre-approval process. She went out of her way to help us out with several things with the house. She is an extremely professional, knowledgeable, dedicated, super-friendly and resourceful realtor who can deliver anything for you. I’m so glad I stumbled upon her name while searching for a property when we moved to the DC( DMV) area. She always has the time for you and is honest to the core. No matter how high your expectations are, she always delivers! To make it better she has a heart of Gold and is a pleasure to interact with. In the process of finding a beautiful house, I not only found an absolutely awesome and the BEST realtor in this region, but also found a friend for life. She is and has been a true blessing. Wishing her nothing but the very best.

Housing Market will have the best year in a decade per Freddie Mac

At the end of 2015, interest rates on 30-year fixed rate mortgages averaged over 4 percent, but declined at the start of 2016 and have remained below 4 percent so far this year. Low mortgage interest rates help support home buyer affordability in the face of rising house prices and stagnant income. If interest rates rise rapidly, like they did in the spring of 2013, housing market activity is likely to cool significantly. Our forecast is for mortgage interest rates to gradually rise, remaining below 4 percent for the first half of 2016, before inching higher and closing the year around 4.4 percent. On balance, the downside risks to this forecast are greater than the upside—there’s a substantial likelihood that rates could remain below 4 percent throughout 2016. The path of rates depends on global economic conditions. Many countries have negative interest rates. In Japan the 10-year government bond reached a record low of negative 0.1 percent in March. Across Europe many countries’ sovereign bond yields also have negative interest rates, some on maturities out to 10 years. Exhibit 1 compares sovereign bond yields for 2-year and 10-year maturities across several advanced economies. While we think there’s little chance the U.S. will have negative rates any time soon, negative rates abroad keep the lid on long-term rates in the U.S. We think the outlook for global growth will improve—or at least stabilize—throughout the balance of this year and the downward pressure on U.S. rates will abate. More good news on the domestic U.S. economy, and a return to tightening by the Federal Reserve, will push rates higher later this year. The Fed is likely to only raise rates twice this year, which will slow the pace of interest rate increases.

Maryland Real Estate by Pamela DuBois: Six Reasons to buy Now!!

Maryland Real Estate by Pamela DuBois: Six Reasons to buy Now!!: Is it really 2016 already? For those of you who happen to be planning on buying a home in the new year—or even just trying to—there’s a who...

Six Reasons to buy Now!!

Is it really 2016 already? For those of you who happen to be planning on buying a home in the new year—or even just trying to—there’s a whole lot to celebrate. Why? A variety of financial vectors have dovetailed to make this the perfect for home buyers to get out there and make an (winning) offer. Here are six home-buying reasons: Reason No. 1: Interest rates are still at record lows Even though they may creep up at any moment, it’s nonetheless a fact that interest rates on home loans are at historic lows, with a 30-year fixed-rate home loan still hovering around 4%. “Remember 18.5% in the ’80s?” asks Tom Postilio, a real estate broker with Douglas Elliman Real Estate and a star of HGTV’s “Selling New York.”“It is likely that we’ll never see interest rates this low again. So while prices are high in some markets, the savings in interest payments could easily amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of the mortgage.” Reason No. 2: Rents have skyrocketed Another reason home buyers are lucky is that rents are going up, up, up! (This, on the other hand, is a reason not to be thankful if you’re a renter.) In fact, rents outpaced home values in 20 of the 35 biggest housing markets in 2015. What’s more, according to the 2015 Rent.com Rental Market Report, 88% of property managers raised their rent in the past 12 months, and an 8% hike is predicted for 2016. “In most metropolitan cities, monthly rent is comparable to that of a monthly mortgage payment, sometimes more.” Reason No. 3: Home prices are stabilizing For the first time in years, prices that have been climbing steadily upward are stabilizing, restoring a level playing field that helps buyers drive a harder bargain with sellers, even in heated markets. Reason No. 4: Down payments don’t need to break the bank Probably the biggest obstacle that prevents renters from becoming homeowners is pulling together a down payment. But today, that chunk of change can be smaller, thanks to a variety of programs to help home buyers. For instance, the new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Home Possible Advantage Program allows for a 3% down payment for credit scores as low as 620. Reason No. 5: Mortgage insurance is a deal, too If you do decide to put less than 20% down on a home, you are then required to have mortgage insurance (basically in case you default). A workaround to handle this, however, is to take out a loan from the Federal Housing Administration—a government mortgage insurer that backs loans with down payments as low as 3.5% and credit scores as low as 580. The fees are way down from 1.35% to 0.85% of the mortgage balance, meaning your monthly mortgage total will be significantly lower if you fund it this way. In fact, the FHA predicts this 37% annual premium cut will bring 250,000 first-time buyers into the market. Why not be one of them? Reason No. 6: You’ll reap major tax breaks Please, Mr. Postman Send me news, tips, and promos from realtor.com® and Move. Enter your email address Sign Up Tax laws continue to favor homeowners, so you’re not just buying a place to live—you’re getting a tax break! The biggest one is that unless your home loan is more than $1 million, you can deduct all the monthly interest you are paying on that loan. Homeowners may also deduct certain home-related expenses and home property taxes.