Accredited Staging Professional = ASP

Got it done! I finished my ASP designation course today. It was a good time for sure. Met some awesome new people in my class and learned more than I thought I would. It gives you a more in depth look at what it takes to make the house presentable.

For those of you who are unaware of what an ASP is, it's an Accredited Staging Professional. Say hello to Arizona's newest ASP RE Agent! Accredited ASP Stagers and ASP Real Estate Agents are true Professionals trained under strict guidelines using proven Staging techniques developed for over 30 years. When you bring your home on the market and prepare your house for sale always hire an ASP because they are the true leaders in the Home Staging and Real Estate Industries.

Home Staging is the very best proven way to get top dollar for your home as you prepare it for sale. Homes that are Staged with an ASP Professional Home Stager sell faster and for more money! This is because Staging sets the scene throughout the house to create immediate buyer interest in your property. This will then lead to your home selling for the highest possible price in today's market. Remember, "The way you live in your home, and the way you market and sell your house are two different things."

So when you are ready to list your home, please give me a call so that we can start the process of getting your house Sold!

For more information on Home Staging, visit StagedHomes.com & don't forget to check out my website a www.ShielaSuttle.com Happy Staging!

Fannie Mae Scraps Declining Markets Policy

Fannie Mae will no longer require borrowers to put up an extra 5 percent down payment when purchasing homes in areas deemed "declining markets," the country’s largest secondary mortgage market company said Friday.

Fannie Mae had been hearing concerns from REALTORS® and others for months that its declining-markets policy was bad for the housing market because it discouraged consumers from buying homes in markets hardest-hit by foreclosures.

"It stigmatized communities with lower sales and prices," said Dick Gaylord, president of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

NAR met several times this spring with Fannie Mae officials and sent letters reflecting members' unease with the policy. “We heard the concerns of NAR and we reviewed and determined that changes in our policy were needed,” Gwen MuseEvans, Fannie Mae vice president for credit policy and controls, said in a statement Friday.

Fannie Mae's announcement comes as more than 8,000 REALTORS® are gathered in Washington, D.C., where Fannie Mae is headquartered, for NAR's 2008 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.

Under the policy change, borrowers can get loans up to 95 percent loan-to-value, even in markets in which prices have been falling. Prior to the change, borrowers could only get loans up to 90 percent to give lenders a 5-percentage-point cushion to protect against possible price declines in the future.

“This new down payment policy reinforces our goal to support successful home-owning,” says Marianne Sullivan, Fannie Mae's senior vice president of credit policy and risk management for single-family homes.

The new policy takes effect June 1.

— By Robert Freedman for REALTOR® magazine online