Before coming into work this morning, I was watching CNN, and President Obama emphasized that homeowners need to check out a new U.S. government website called, Making Home Affordable.gov.

As usual, I want to bring your attention to another wonderful, credible site for your information needs!  Below is a quote from the website that gives a brief description of what the site’s about:

“The Home Affordable Refinance Program gives up to 4 to 5 million homeowners with loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac an opportunity to refinance into more affordable monthly payments. The Home Affordable Modification Program commits $75 billion to keep up to 3 to 4 million Americans in their homes by preventing avoidable foreclosures.

“Our consumer website, www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov, provides homeowners with detailed information about these programs along with self-assessment tools and calculators to empower borrowers with the resources they need to determine whether they might be eligible for a modification or a refinance under the Administration’s program. Through this website, borrowers can also connect with free counseling resources to help with outstanding questions; locate homeowner events in their communities; find a handy checklist of key documents and materials to have ready when making that important call to their servicer as well as FAQs from borrowers in similar circumstances; and much more.”

Joan Jackson, Publisher

Baby Boomer Resource Center

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Buy Now

When trying to sell your home in a buyer’s market, the competition can sometimes be pretty stiff.  Many retirees are caught in the Boomer housing syndrome of wanting to downsize, but are having trouble off-loading their current home in a competitive market.

Sure, you get to buy in a down market, BUT, you also have to sell  your home too.  That’s why staging your home for selling has become any increasingly popular addition for home sellers!

Home stagers set up your home with either existing furniture, add additional furnishings (and yes…they assist you in GETTING RID OF THE CLUTTER!), or completely move out your stuff, paint, and redecorate.

Visit the site, International Association of Home Staging Professionals to find a local stager, or ask your agent for a referral.  It can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars – a cost that is most often recouped in the sale of your more-appealing home, which could potentially sell faster.

This is definitely a site worth a look if you’re looking to sell anytime in the near future.

~Joan Jackson, Publisher, The Baby Boomer Resource Center.com