If you want to get this nation moving again, sign the petition at this link:

http://www.newbottomline.com/underwater_mortgages_report?utm_campaign=underwater_pros&utm_medium=email&utm_source=bac

It is no secret what has been holding back the economy is a lack of hiring. Fix housing, and we’ll create 1 million jobs.

I’m sorry, we won’t restore confidence overnight. Our political leaders have seen to that. The continuing calamity in world financial markets can stop. How? We need to end the foreclosure crisis. We need to modify 1 million mortgages.

Before it’s too late.

Your home is still terrific. It should be easy to sell with everything you’ve done over the five years you owned it. You think, anyway.

Do not fall into that trap. If you’re the typical homeowner, you move about every five years. Five years can be an eternity for exterior paint. Hardwood floors can get beat up. And there was that bottle of juice that exploded when it hit the floor two years ago. The entryway has not been the same since.

Accidents happen, but you don’t want to accidentally find out your home doesn’t shine with home shoppers.

If you bought a new build with upgrades, your home was perfect after you had hung some window treatments, planted trees and added some potted plants here and there. Your agent, though, thinks the place looks a bit threadbare and has recommended new paint, particularly neutral colors that are a safe bet when selling (but you didn’t get around to it).

So, the first showing didn’t go well. You ended up with two business cards and a handful of neighbors dropped by. Don’t panic.

Here are six things you can do now to impress:

No. 1 You know the drill: Floor to ceiling cleaning. Grout in bathrooms and kitchens has to be scrubbed. Use cleaning products designed to remove things like mildew. Bring out the Murphy’s Oil and wipe down all the woods. Windows and surfaces like counters should shine.

No. 2 De-personalize. Your husband might have a great photo collection from the Ansel Adams exhibit. That can stay. The personal stuff should get boxed up and stored. If you have particular taste in art, you might want to remove that, too. If you want to know what is safe for display, get in the car and drive out to a new home community. The new home builders have studied precisely what does not sell and what sells. You won’t get in trouble for “just visiting.”

No. 3  De-clutter. Favorite chairs, ceramic collections and the stuff you use daily need to be put out of sight. If you plan to keep a beat up chair, rent a storage unit and store books and other items. The idea is to make rooms look larger. That lived-in look doesn’t help people visualize their own furniture in your home. Better are rooms that flow. Make sure there are not too many pieces.

No. 4 Stage for effect. Stone fireplaces have a stunning impact on a room. You can enhance a room with some spot lighting. This is something you might want to take a few clues from the designers again. Yes, the new home builders have a gold mine of ideas that you can steal. If you’re on a budget, tour an open house. You can find plenty of simple ideas that help show off a room. Area rugs under dining room tables are a nice touch.

No. 5 Get regular maintenance caught up. I know it is summer, but some prospective buyer is going to peek at whether you change the filter in the furnace. Repair screens on windows and doors. Make sure screen doors don’t slam.

No. 6 Paint the interior and spot paint the exterior. If the exterior could use more paint than that, make the investment. Nothing improves the curb appeal like new paint. If you’re landscaping looks great, that and the paint are the great first impression you need to make.

Some fixes are judgment calls. Does it make sense to buy new carpet before you get ready to sell? Carpet doesn’t come with an expiration date. Heavily trafficked areas might be fixed. You can have a carpet repair service bid on removing a stain or replacing carpet. Your agent will be able to tell you if it makes more sense to offer a carpet allowance.

Another thing that might get overlooked are odors. Pet odors have to be addressed. Have the carpet professionally cleaned after you have already done some spot cleaning.

You can hire a professional stager, too. Homeowners with truly stunning homes can benefit the most from a pro who can transform a home into a show piece. There is no secret to home staging. Think less is more: Less clutter. More shine.

The economy is stuck. Like a motorist who wandered too far from the road and ended up mired in deep mud, that’s where the economy is.

We’ve tried a very expensive stimulus to get hiring going. It had all the impact of a mosquito landing on our shirt-covered backs – to borrow one from funny man Bill Cosby. But, the stimulus wasn’t funny.

There hasn’t been nearly enough hiring to come from that program to get real estate moving. Nor has the economy benefitted a great deal. Just looking at the stock market, prices went up and then came back down. It’s like the stimulus never happened.

What will it take then? To borrow one from the Clintons: It’s the jobs, stupid.

Confidence has not been restored. The latest consumer confidence reading shows the barometer of trust that things are getting better is slipping.

Home values are slipping, too.

You see what is happening? Foreclosures have reduced values so far builders can’t build homes to compete on price. Foreclose another home and there goes the neighborhood, the community and then the state. There are so many foreclosures pending, some of us in real estate don’t see an end to it. In fact, the time it takes to foreclose one home takes almost two years these days. The foreclosures are going to be our ruin – if we don’t act to stop them.

The analysis comes back around to hiring.

It won’t happen until we get real estate moving again.

One million modifications by December. That’s my proposal. There are places the money can come from. From TARP, the FDIC, Fannie Mae, lenders, investors, or even a surcharge on new mortgages. That’s not as important as getting the economy going again. The attorneys general say the mortgage servicer providers and lenders owe us all for the abuses that followed the real estate crash. That’s $30 billion. Take another $30 billion from these other sources, and we might just pull it off.

Save a home from foreclosure and it restores hope in that small corner of the economy. Save another and another … You can see where I’m going with it.

The jobs will follow. The rest of us will see ourselves get back to the business of doing business.

One million.

We turn our thoughts to the men and women who didn’t come back. Those of us who are reunited with our loved ones always remember the unthinkable could have been our story.

I always think of the loved ones who will never see their soldier again. I can’t imagine the pain, the sacrifice.

My mother’s sisters never forgot the brother they lost over Czechoslovakia in World War II. His memory clung to them always. We plan to go to the museum that marks the battle over Czechoslovakia, the one that claimed the uncle I never knew. We’ll go there with a wreath. Our prayer will contain our thanks. It is important to us that we never forget those who paid the ultimate price. We’ll make that trip soon.

We are forever scarred by the 9/11 attack.

I was awakened by the telephone that eventful and horrible day. My brother-in-law told me to turn on the TV. The family had been trying to reach us for hours. My daughter and I had been visiting my kid sister in New York and we were supposed to be at the World Trade Center that morning. The Twin Towers were in flames when the TV came on.

The days that would follow were a blur. The streets seemed unaffected, until those large trucks and earth movers rumbled by on the way to the Trade Center.

The thought that kept running through my mind was I had to call home. Cell phones weren’t getting service. I hated that day for a lot of reasons. I hated the feeling of helplessness.

I remember a rather strange thing, too. My daughter had an overwhelming feeling of foreboding the day before. I think it might be the reason that my brother-in-law found us sleeping instead of up and exploring the city.

I felt a jolt when I heard the ultimate terrorist had been killed. It was as if a second earthquake had returned the landscape to its proper place. It felt right and I allowed myself a noisy cheer. Bin Laden is dead!

Unless you have family in the service, you can’t know the many nights that sleep didn’t come. A heavy heart accompanied myself and my husband into slumber. When we passed photos of our young man standing proud in his uniform, my heart always felt the sting of thinking “what if.” I hate that feeling. So forgive me if I let myself feel a bit joyous that a terrible threat has been removed. It was a just operation far away in a place close to the area where my son had left weeks ago. And, maybe the world can return to normal.

Here is what Bankrate.com wrote for an MSN blog on the subject:

Atlanta-based financial adviser Bill Kring wishes people understood that they need to have adequate savings in place to pay the bills while money is flying out the door for cabinetry, plumbers and plants.

“If you don’t close in 30 days, they keep your money,” he says. “Then you need more cash to carry the house, the insurance, the utilities and the maintenance. You won’t get a contractor to renovate a house for no money. People go to trade shows and buy these books and tapes on how to buy a house with no money down. I’ve never seen someone actually do that.”

There are more reasons why you should do some research before launching into the flipping business as a novice. You need to be familiar with the FHA rules and the all important tax consequences of taking short term gains.

In my 25 years of selling homes, I have not met anyone who started with nothing and parlayed that into millions. That doesn’t mean there is no such person. However, I have met people who have used other people’s money and both do well. You need deep pockets and a lot of savvy that comes from years in the business. At least one member of a team should have ample knowledge and experience. If you do it right, it can be a very profitable business.

I should have impressed you by now that fixing and flipping involves risk. It’s risk the media and others don’t appreciate. Otherwise they wouldn’t regard the activity with scorn. The benefit to a neighborhood can be measured. Home prices improve when a rundown home becomes a showpiece. If the huge profits seem unwarranted, recall that eventually event the veteran fix-and-flipper gets dinged.

What some fixers fail to consider is that locating properties is a full-time job. You need someone scouting the landscape all the time because there is plenty of competition from others who are doing the same thing. And, you have to be able to act fast. Great opportunities attract lookers like a dropped watermelon on a summer’s day.

Note, too that the auction people are aware of what is going on. They make more money when there is a sense of urgency. Their job is to extract the maximum amount of money from auctions. No one is giving anything away. Weeks ago, I took interest in a property in a great location here in Longmont. I was attracted first because I know this neighborhood, and I expected that a business associate would be interested, too. The response to the listing and advertising was enormous, though, and I backed off before the bidding began. I did take the tour and discovered there was easily $30,000 worth of work to be performed. Like the big one in fish stories of lore, this one got away.

What others are saying: I’ve posted the question a few times in the past year on Trulia’s Q&A: Would it be foolhardy to do a fix and flip in this market?

Agents preach caution, and some are promoting fixing and flipping. They have clients who are active in this area. The real estate profession is an understandable ally. They know fixing creates additional sales opportunities. But there is an additional reason for throwing out the welcome map that is not selfish. More attractive properties are easier to sell. And in the current market, one less foreclosure eyesore is a positive. Removing all those unsightly foreclosure signs is reason enough to encourage more fixes.

Banks would be wise to encourage the activity because the sooner the market gets healthier, the sooner they can move property off their books. Fixers might negotiate a better deal because a successful renovator is a repeat customer.

Rent then sell: The flip can involve years if the strategy is to rent the home before selling it. The right investment property  can be improved just enough to attract renters. Sometimes this strategy is forced on a renovator if the property is not sold. If you can’t move something at your price, the fix and flip seller can settle for less or hold the property. Real estate professionals recommend buying an inexpensive property and making needed repairs along with maintenance chores that were ignored. Cosmetic touches like new paint and some landscaping are essential.

In this market, you can count on the fact that there are problem properties out there that someone walked away from. Even the experts occasionally run into negative surprises. The importance of mentioning this is not only to remind fixers to have a ready list of questions when they look at properties, but the price that is negotiated should factor in some risk.

The rent-first strategy might put a longer horizon on making capital gains, but it can be a life saver if the market is not ready. A few years later, the investor returns to make additional renovations.

Hazards seen on TV: The cable shows on rehabbing homes offer plenty of case studies. And, as noted, even the very cautious find surprises. Remember: “As is” means you bear the risk of these surprises.

Another consideration is how well you answer one question: Can you sleep nights?

It’s risky business to begin with. But have you thought about this question: Can you sleep with a thousand details dancing inside your head?

Happily, a lot of homes can be fixed!

Supply is plentiful and will remain that way for years. With lending as scarce as it is, change does not seem to be in the cards.

The stock market spun on its heels as good news flooded onto the wires today. This pivot was prompted by news out of Intel and the heretofore moribund housing industry. That’s not a mistake. What is happening in housing is a response to the harshest environment ever seen in the industry. Builders are not going to go quietly. They’re remaking themselves and pricing aggressively. A USA Today article today spotlights the new product by Meritage homes, which is a net-zero energy home.

Meanwhile, employers are hiring. Numbers have exceeded expectations. Investors are climbing that wall of worry!

Stock market on fire!

Sales of existing homes in January were up 13.3% year over year in Phoenix. At BigBuilderOnline, they’re calling this the “Year of the Clear.” Phoenix has a large inventory of bank-owned properties to match that aggressive stance. In Miami, investors are in a frenzy snapping up deals, sending sales figures up 47 percent. Here in Colorado, concern over foreclosure activity remains a big worry, even though that activity is way down by 30 percent. An improving economy along with net job gains in my area mean further declines in prices are not as worrisome.

Despite the most recent stats that show foreclosure sales down, sales still represent a quarter of homes sold in the U.S. Investors might view it as the perfect environment, particularly those who watch for HUD properties.

Meanwhile, banks are looking at the improving conditions, too, and may take the opportunity to move even foreclosure properties off their books. For what it’s worth, the banks say they are not interested in swamping the market. For an investor, the news couldn’t be better. After all, rents are not going to go down and that means some renters will begin looking as the economy picks up more. More competition for fixers seems likely, too, as word spreads flipping means profits.

Photograph from Singer Construction in Los Angeles: http://bit.ly/gbFzO2

Investors have to decide for themselves if this is the glint of opportunity. If you’re contemplating, you should weigh the risks.

Sales remain sluggish in places. The Denver Business Journal, though reports sales have skyrocketed. Prices are picking up, too. And another thing, homeowners are reluctant to sell in this market. The prices just don’t motivate someone who has owned a home for six years or less.

Even as markets turn more favorable, the uninitiated need to know it’s a risky business.

Fixing and flipping can be very unforgiving. It doesn’t help that lending has lagged an improving economy. Worse may be the fact that bank owned property is sold without any warranties as to the condition of the home. That means every purchase comes down to that crucial inspection. Spotting potentially expensive problems can make or break a startup operation.

Keen eye

Inspections are allowed. Some foreclosure auctions allow inspection ahead of the start of bidding. A property auctioned here in Longmont had plenty of inspection opportunities ahead of the bidding. (By the way, that property had potential written all over it.)

Before the clock winds down – usually in a matter of weeks – the would-be buyer has to discover all defects and problems. You better be good or have a phone list of people who are good. And you had better know when to walk away.

Flipping university

If you’re like me, you have done your share of remodeling and upgrading. My own experience has included a lot of minor work. My husband and I have ripped out plenty of linoleum tile, replaced toilets and fixed drawers and cabinets. I laugh about the times colleagues have commented on the paint flecks in my hair (from the wild brush work by others in the Alvarez crew). While the work paid huge dividends in enjoyment of my new home, I would not claim to be a home flipper. Then again,  I wouldn’t sell myself short, either. Experience counts.

School starts for many a fix-and-flip renovator when that “for sale” sign comes off the front yard. If you’re good, the sign goes back up in 30  to 60 days.

You have potential, if:

1. you have ample cash and good credit
2. good organization skills
3. a no-nonsense attitude
4. recognize a good value
5. perform or hire good work
6. anticipate a recovering market

That’s a good start. I should add if you can perform work that can pass for professionally done, you’re ahead of the game. By the way, buyers can spot DIY work from space.

The risk game

The biggest risk might be the negative surprise. If a home is more a project or has a few negative surprises hiding somewhere under the grime, it comes out of profit . In this economic climate, strategy is critical. A frequently mention strategy among real estate professionals is the fix and rent approach. Makes sense, if there is positive cash flow. The flip occurs when market conditions improve.

Quick feet and some imagination help. But, there is a hazard in doing too much, too. Fall in love with a home and you’re likely to end up moving into it. Spend too much money, you ultimately fail. Spend too little, and you can fail, too.

My advice is to work with an agent who knows the market and can tell you three important pieces of information:

1. what is selling well in the market
2. what is too much to spend on a property
3. what price you can hope to get on a nicely done renovation

For any investment purchase, a fix-and-flipper can make dramatic changes with some paint and installing new floors. If you have some interior design background and you can put colors together with the right architecture and rooms, you’re ahead of most of the general population. Upgrading linoleum to tile or wood floors can make a huge difference. But, you have to know your market and to know if that’s an expense that should be incurred.

Part 2 of this series, Getting Started, will appear next week.

The old timers might prefer to not let the word out because once the secret gets loose out there, it’s all over for getting tables. Shh!

Oh, heck … Tired of the chain restaurants? Like great coffee at a reasonable price? Longmont has a few of its great spots tucked away on Francis Street.

On a Monday afternoon, Ziggis is playing host to almost a dozen laptop ticklers with a hot drink at their side. As long as we’re letting the word out, we have two of these coffee shops – the one on Main Street, which features live music on weekends and the one on Francis Street – as well as a drive-up store on Hover Street.

On a sunny day in March, it was just warm enough to grab a table outdoors. The traffic was just starting to get heavy around 3 when the kids at the nearby schools burst out the doors.

But the story doesn’t end here. We might have easily been tempted to stay on for dinner at Ragizzi Italian Grill. The spaghetti is so good you might never try anything else on the menu. But you have to try the pizza, too. The menu is very reasonably priced. We usually order out. One of us grabs a tub of spaghetti with salads and garlic bread. Feeds a big troop. Everyone enjoys.

Start your morning with what must be the best breakfast burrito in town at Santiago’s Mexican Restaurant. Travelers have been known to ask to be greeted at the airport with a Santiago’s burrito. Forget ambiance. Bring cash. Grab and go.

Dream house | art by Raymond Alvarez.

Diana Olick of CNBC and others have made what some might think a safe declaration. I, for one, don’t believe that the ownership era is coming to an end.

Before anyone gets wound up, though, I am a big believer in sustainable and modest living. I also believe plenty of people won’t settle for renting. For one thing, the pendulum will swing too far – as it always does. Before long, those renters will be howling about high rents.

And what about privacy? I’m not talking about keeping your site visits screened from prying eyes. How about having a back yard you can add to without consulting someone on whether they want a flower bed or awning there.

The migration to outlying areas that was witnessed in the build up to the financial crisis left many homes empty when migration turned on its heels. Gas prices are usually responsible for that trend reversal. These days, commuting is becoming less of an issue. Living close to a city center will be less important. So, don’t be surprised if the trend out of the suburbs becomes a trend back to small towns and suburbs. The low cost and easier living will bring them back.

An improving economy will make a dent in the bank foreclosure inventory. Price stability is next.

Homes are more affordable than they have been in 50 years. Sellers are reluctant to sell into weakness – especially after they see the latest appraisal.  So, the long term outlook is for stability and then possibly a swing to the middle or even a seller’s market after three years. The huge discounts are here. If you can’t afford a home now, start working on your credit profile. Landing a great interest rate is a big accomplishment. Landing financing makes it all happen.

Homeownership is still the dream. The latest polls show more than 60 percent of samplings favor ownership over renting. When that group gets moving, look out!