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Loan Programs and Loan Options In today's lending market there are many options to choose from. Sometimes the differences in these programs can be subtle but significant. We offer a variety of loan programs to fit your needs. This page provides an overview of many of the different programs on the market. Contact us to find out what programs are currently available, or for any other related questions.
80/15/5 - This is a loan which carries a second mortgage for up to 15% of the purchase price of the property. It is usually used when wishing to avoid PMI insurance or to keep your first mortgage under the FNMA/FHLMC limit to avoid Jumbo rates. The borrower puts down a 5% down payment and then finances a first mortgage up to the FNMA/FHLMC limit and a second mortgage of up to 15% of the purchase price. Other variations are 80/10/10 or 75/15/10.
FHA MORTGAGE - Backed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development this mortgage offers the borrower the ability to put as little a 3% down payment and they can even finance "allowable" closing costs. Seller can contribute up to 6% of the purchase price to the buyer towards closing costs.
203K FHA MORTGAGE - Same as FHA above but with the ability to finance home improvements that are needed. One mortgage is given based on the value plus improvements up to 115% of the future value. These improvements must be over $5000 and can be for a new kitchen, new bathroom, to add a garage or to structurally improve the property. They cannot be to add a swimming pool etc...
VA MORTGAGE - Backed by the Veterans Administration and the federal government it is similar to FHA except that you have to be a qualified Veteran or military person.
JUMBO LOANS - Offers 30 and 15 year fixed rate mortgage and competitive ARM products with full document, alternate documentation and limited documentation. Cash out and No cash out refinance are allowable. Single family detached, Condo's, PUD's and single-family second homes can be financed with no prepayment penalty.
EMERGING MARKETS PROGRAM - 0% Down payment required and closing costs can be financed up to 105% of the purchase price. Only single-family homes that will be owner occupied are eligible. First time home buyer status not required and there are no income limits.
ZERO DOWN PROGRAMS - Same as above only the borrower pays for closing costs or can have the seller contribute up to 6% towards closing costs.
NO DOC/STATED INCOME - Loans where your income is not requested or verified with as little as 10% down are stated income loans. There are several varieties of the "no-doc" loan today. Basically the type of loan that is best suited for a particular borrower depends on that borrower's situation. Some borrowers choose not to disclose employment, income or asset information, while others may be willing to disclose employment and asset information but not income. Still others might be willing to disclose even income but select a program that doesn't calculate debt-to-income ratios allowing those borrowers to exceed the traditional guidelines in order to qualify for a larger mortgage amount. With all the different variations of the no-doc loan, there is definitely a mortgage program for today's non-conventional borrowers.
INTEREST ONLY - Shorter term adjustable rate mortgage where borrower is not required to make payment on the principal.
FLEX 97% - Similar to FHA but without maximum mortgage amount limitations. Must be a single family, owner occupied home and borrower must have a credit score of over 680.
A- THRU D LOANS - These mortgages are for the credit challenged. They can vary from slightly damaged credit to severely damaged. Whatever the situation we have a mortgage that will get you back on track.
2ND MORTGAGE LOANS - Subordinate to the first mortgage these loans offer the borrower the ability to get money for home improvement, debt consolidation or many other reasons without disturbing their first mortgage. Convenient when you have a low interest first mortgage.
125% 2nd MORTGAGE - Same as above but the 2nd mortgage we will lend up to 125% of the value of the home.
HIGH DEBT RATIO LOANS - Borrowers having the ratio of their monthly bills to their monthly income higher than 50% is considered a high debt ratio. Loan programs are available for these borrowers, allowing them to finance the purchase of a home or property.
CONSTRUCTION LOANS - Building a new home can be an exciting prospect - unless you get caught up in a construction loan approval process that's overly complicated and time consuming. With this loan we will finance up to 90% of the cost of land plus the costs of construction. We offer a one time fixed rate closing or the traditional ARM products.
INVESTOR LOANS - Used to finance 1-4 family properties that will be for investment with as little as a 10% down payment. Aggressively priced these programs have many variations such as NO DOC, LIMITED DOC and FULL DOC. PROGRAM NOT AVAILABLE IN NEW YORK.
Click here to contact us for more information on any of these programs. | |
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|  | | Hello and Welcome Now is the perfect time to take advantage of low interest rates and an exceptional market. Feel free to apply online, browse our calculators and tools, learn about our loan programs, and much more. We offer custom solutions for every residential mortgage financing situation. Whatever your residential financing needs, we will tailor a loan that's right for you
We don't need color for an offer like this. It's all here in black and white:
YOUR DOWNPAYMENT AND CLOSING COST FREE!
This is not builder 0% down hype. It's the AMERIDREAM PROGRAM; created by a non-profit organization to enable borrower's to receive a gift for the downpayment for the purchase of their home. PLus up 6% of the purchase price toward closing cost! 
For further infomation please contact Luis martinez cell 732-208-9015 Office 732-734-4500 Ext105 E-Mail http://www.fhaespanol.com/martineznatural@gmail.com
Great Interest Rates WHEN EXPERIENCE COUNTS.......... I can handle any type of client. It doesn't matter on the type of property or even the loan amount that you are seeking. Some loan officers and or lenders can't handle all types or only specialize in a small area. I have handled every type of client, loan amount, document type, or credit type. If a loan officer doesn't at least spend 15 to 20 minutes with you asking you the questions that should be asked, then that is where the problem usually starts. I pride myself in getting to know you and your goals. Like I said, I love to be creative and I can usually find another way of getting you that better rate or lower payment because I know all my programs. I even know a lot of programs that others aren't familiar with. Another important item to mention is that we are one of the quicker growing mid-sized mortgage bankers on the East Coast, with offices on the West Coast also. And what makes us stand out from so many other lenders is our common sense underwriting. Not only do we have all the same programs as everyone else, but we go the extra mile when it comes to being aggressive in our decisions. We are approving loans that others have denied. It comes down to being creative at times, but within reason. Having a great staff from top to bottom is always a big advantage. TEAM WORK. The importance here is know how to maximize the most out of your money to have that financial freedom. This is something that I can help you with, no matter if you are purchasing a new home or refinancing. Programs that Family First Mortgage Corporation offers: - Conventional / FHA / VA loans
- 100% financing
- 95% investment properties
- 95% stated loans
- MTA or COFI loans better known as the Pay Option Arm
- all type of adjustables
- hard to place loans
- First Time Homebuyers
- currently in foreclosure or bankrupcty
- 1 Day out of bankruptcy
- Condo Conversions or Condo Tels
- Specializing in NO DOC loans
- Construction loans
- Home Equity loans and lines of credit
- Less than perfect credit
Something to point out here..... you will see many lenders and or loan officers advertise that they have 100's of programs. Some will say that they deal with over 100 lenders so they can get you the best program and rate. **** this is just to get you to think they have the best. Like I said in a comment, when it's said and done, we all get the same rates and programs from the same places. Anyone can do a 700 credit score with 10% down. It comes down to being creative. What can I do to get your payment down based on that 10% down and that credit score. That's where I stick out above so many....or being very creative for those with less than perfect credit. | 
30 Year Fixed - 6.36% Traditional 30 year mortgage - National Average | 15 Year Fixed - 5.98% Traditional 15 year mortgage - National Average | 5/1 ARM - 6.04% 5 Year Fixed / adjustable rate mortgage - National Average | 3/1 ARM - 5.66% 3 Year Fixed / adjustable rate mortgage - National Average | FNMA 7 Year Balloon - 6.26% Fannie Mae 7 year balloon 30 day yield | FNMA 15 Year - 5.78% Fannie Mae 15 year fixed 30 day yield | FNMA 30 Year - 6.07% Fannie Mae 30 year fixed 30 day yield | CODI - 5.343% Certificate of Deposit Index | COSI - 4.790% Cost of Savings Index | MTA - 4.788% Monthly Treasury Average | COFI-11th District - 4.383% Cost of Funds Index 11th District | COFI-Federal - 4.537% Cost of Funds Index | Federal Funds - 4.50% Federal Funds Rate | Prime Rate - 7.50% Wall Street Journal Prime Rate | 1 Year CMT - 4.04% Constant Maturity Treasury | 30 Year Treasury - 4.74% 30 Year Treasury Bond | 12 Month LIBOR - 4.746% 12 Month USD LIBOR Index |

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Dealing with a Low Appraisal
You've signed the contract, bugs have been smoothed out, details are clear and things are moving along nicely. Inspections have been completed, the results were acceptable and the closing date is nearing its target. Everyone is waiting for the results of the home appraisal. The house sold for a reasonable price and no one is too worried, but the loan commitment letter still needs to be issued. Then, everyone gets a phone call. The appraisal is $7500 less than the sales price. Everyone wants to panic- buyers, seller, agents, etc. - what can be done? Don't panic. Relax. Take a deep breath. Due to the fact that one or both parties may have another contract waiting on the successful completion of this one, it's very possible that a solution can be found. Keep you cool, develop a plan and if you work through the problem, the sale can move forward. In order to resolve the issue, here are some possible options:
Seller reduces price This isn't the only solution, but it is a very common one. Is the seller willing to reduce the price of the home? Many sellers are willing to negotiate in order to save the sale. If the buyers are obtaining a mortgage, they can probably back out of the contract, based on a financing contingency, because the low appraisal will affect the way the lender views the home. However, if the seller reduces the price, there is no need to back out. If you are a cash buyer, be sure to become protected with a contingency clause stating that you can get out of the deal if the appraisal doesn't come in at or above the selling price.
Buyer Pays More Depending on how badly the buyer wants the home, the buyer may chose to make a larger down payment. However, this might not correct the problem. Sometimes, although the buyer is prepared to pay additional money to make things work, the lender still won't approve the loan. Often lenders don't want to finance a property with a negative equity, despite the buyers willingness to take a risk. Be prepared to find out all your options if you chose this scenario.
Negotiation Buyer and SellerBuyer and Seller are both willing to give a little and they come to an agreement. If needed, an attorney or outside influence could be called in to mediate.
Dispute the AppraisalYou can always ask the lender for another appraisal or ask the original appraiser to re-evaluate the property. Your agent should be able to find out which houses were used as comparisons. If your agent doesn't agree that they were good comparables, talk to the appraiser. Most appraisers haven't seen other houses up close the way real estate agents do. It is possible that the appraiser used houses that either needed a lot of work or weren't as comparable as the appraiser first thought. If poor condition of the houses can be verified, it wouldn't hurt to ask the appraiser to see if any adjustments could be made.
Personal Property Won't be IncludedAn appraiser can only put a value on land and improvements of land. If your original contract includes furniture or other types of property, other than land, it won't be considered as part of the appraisal. If other personal property is desired by the buyer, it should be paid for separately.
Ensure Promised Funds Are AvailableOften sellers promise to pay all or part of the buyer's closing costs. Keep in mind that if the price of the home must be reduced, the sellers may not want to pay the closing costs. Always talk with your lender about their policies and be sure to get this agreement in writing, in case the appraisal comes in lower than expected.
Bottom LineSometimes it takes a low appraisal for a seller to become convinced that his house is overpriced. If it is, the asking price should come down. If the seller is willing to work things out, a low appraisal won't matter as much. If the seller isn't willing, you might have to consider withdrawing. Either way, you'll find some resolution.
Click here for information on passing inspections. Feeling scared? Check out our guide on Handling Buyer's Remorse! Buyers and Sellers can both benefit from Home Warranties. | |
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5 Reasons Why Good Houses Don't Sell
There are many reasons why some houses don't sell quickly, but after they've been on the market for awhile, it's possible that their owners will be ready to listen to smaller offers. If you're looking for a good buy, one of these homes might be something to explore.
The House is overpriced.Some houses are priced by what the seller wants, not necessarily by what the house is worth. Most buyers do their research or go with an agent who can tell them if the asking price is reasonable. If the price is to high, the house can stay on the market for much longer than desired.
Terrible Photo is a Turn OffYou might be surprised at how many buyers refuse to view a home simply because of the bad photos in the MLS or ads. It isn't always easy to get good photos and if the person taking the picture doesn't use photo equipment well, then the photo can turn out horribly! Rather than base your decision on a picture, read the printed information and focus on the features. You may find just what you're looking for, and when visiting, find out the house is much better looking than its picture.
Dirty HousesAlthough you might be turned off by the thought of a dirty house, there is often something wonderful lurking behind the grime. Some sellers don't care enough to clean a house, and they list it "as is". Often agents hesitate to show these houses because of turned off buyers and that can mean it stays on the market a long time. If you're willing to add a little TLC or contribute elbow grease, you might find the perfect home at the perfect price!
No Curb AppealMost buyers like to drive by and look. A house that is for sale but hasn't been well kept, or is filled with weeds and unmowed grass, is often a turn off. Instead of thinking of everything wrong, try picturing the house as it could be, with a little work on your part or by hiring a clean up crew. By being willing to shell out a few bucks or working yourself, you can often get a nice home that just needs some touching up, and you just might save yourself more than a few bucks in the price of the home.
If It Worked For the Sellers... Most buyers want a house that is already in move-in condition. However your idea of move-in condition might be different than the sellers. If the shag carpet worked for them, why can't it work for you? At least for a little while... You might find a wonderful home simply by being willing to do some renovation or cosmetic updates. This can often be done after you've moved in and can improve the look of your home tremendously, but also save you money on the price of the home because others wouldn't risk the bother. Some changes to consider: - If there is no fireplace, add a gas fireplace. You can have one added or buy one that rests against the wall.
- A few changes to the master bathroom can make it a relaxing retreat - change the tub or put in an extra window.
- Lighting fixtures can be changed or updated.
- Add siding or brick to a house that's made of wood.
- Turn a screened porch into a sunroom by adding some walls.
Be sure to read disclosure statements carefully or hire a home inspector to properly look at the property you're considering buying. Some houses will need real repairs and those can become a lot more expensive than cosmetic ones. You already know your budget and can decide on your comfort level of doing-it-yourself. Be sure to stay aware of the costs involved vs. the market value of the home once the repairs are completed. If you ever decide to sell, you want to be as sure as you possibly can that you will be able to recover your investment.
Contact your agent! Real estate agents can search for properties based on the number of days they've been on the market. You might ask to see information on properties that have been for sale for at least six months, or longer. Visit some of these houses and think about the what-ifs- how would the house look if you made certain changes. You might surprise yourself with ideas about the potential of what appears to be a "no" home. Click Here to contact your agent now!
For more home selling tips, check out these articles: 10 Tips for sellers Selling Tips
For home buying tips, look here: Tips for New Buyers 11 Steps to Home Buying
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Home Preparation Tips for Sellers To start with, you need to begin separating yourself emotionally from any personal feelings you have about the house. It is no longer your home, it is a commodity that you want to sell. Evaluate your home. Try to see it as if you were seeing it for the first time. If you were considering buying a home, consider what you might think of when seeing this house.
What are the home's best features? How can you make these features stand out? What improvements or changes would be needed immediately?
This brainstorming session will help you know where to start in order to prepare your home for sale.
Make it SpaciousConsider what you can do to make the house seem more spacious. You can start by finding a temporary storage unit or an out of the way location to store any items. Then begin moving excess furniture to make the rooms seem bigger. Clean and organize your closets, getting rid of anything possible to help make the closet size appear large. Do your best to get rid of clutter in every part of the house. Study the house and brainstorm with friends or family members to come up with ideas.
Pack It UpPack up as much as you can of large, personal items or collections... otherwise the buyer will become more interested in looking at those and forget to look at the house. Also, pack away family photos or anything not on the walls. The buyers should be able to imagine their own possessions in your home. If the buyers start discussing how their furniture might fit into your home, then you may be on your way to a contract!
Find and Emphasize FeaturesEvery home has specific features that make it special. Find the features in your home and emphasize them. Try moving heavy drapes if they block your great view. Those hardwood floors are excellent, but you may want to remove the rugs to give a better view. Clear off the tops of your kitchen cabinets so the vaulted ceilings appear higher, and remember to dust as well.
Add Some LifeLiving plants, not artificial, make any home come to life. Consider staging plants throughout the house.
UpdatingHow about fresh paint. Are walls in the house dingy? Are the colors dated? Should you clean curtains or other window ornaments? Look around and see if everything is up to date, especially if your home is older. Try washing walls, or even painting them. Pick new, neutral colors. If anything else needs to be cleaned, like curtains or blinds, do that as well.
Create a MoodIt's possible to create a mood, even if you're not going to be there for the showing. Bake some bread and place a fresh loaf in a basket on the table. It will not only look inviting, the house will smell like freshly baked bread! Depending on where you live, you might want a little music playing softly in the background. If you live near the beach, play something calming. If you live in the mountains, consider some folk music. Whatever you pick, be sure it's something many people might enjoy as your taste in music might be very different than the buyers.
Curb Appeal is EssentialWe mentioned keeping the lawn nicely trimmed, but how about adding other elements to grab a buyer's attention before they walk in the door? Try to think of any other elements that might grab a buyers attention as they approach your home. Sweep your driveway, especially after mowing the lawn. Wash the outside of the home or sidewalks if needed. Enhance landscaping if it might help the appeal. Find an attractive set of fixtures for the outside lighting, or line the driveway with solar lights. This makes the home especially attractive for buyers doing evening drive-bys. For more information on curb appeal, Click Here.
Although every house is different, if you take the time to prepare your house to look it's best, you may be setting your house apart from others. You might sell faster and for a better price then you'd even hoped.
Overall, if buyers have a great impression of the home, they may be more willing to let minor repairs slip by without concern. They'll feel better about the overall maintenance of the home, and may even fall in love with the house as soon as they see it. Although every house is different, if you take the time to prepare the house to its best look, potential buyers will be pleased with the results!
Worried about a low appraisal? Click Here for tips! Click Here to contact your agent. If you're also going to be buying a new home, consider reading Tips for New Buyers or Steps for Home Buying Success. | |
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10 Steps To Take Before You Sell Your Home
Although the home selling process differs depending on your location, there are some steps that every seller should take before putting his house on the market.
1. Pre-approval for your home loanHave you heard the horror stories of sellers who signed a contract to sell before they even know if they could qualify for another one? As the story goes, either they aren't able to sell at the desired price so they can't afford the home they want or even equal to what they currently have, or else they don't qualify financially for a loan the way they did the last time they purchased. They end up either renting or buying something that isn't what they'd hoped for. Before you decide to sell or accept any kind offers, you should get pre-approved by a lender. It's also a good idea to research the market where you'd like to live so that you get an idea of what it will cost to buy your new home. Questions to ask yourself could include: What's the difference in price on a step up? How do homes already for sell compare to your own? What kind of price are you looking or hoping for and is it realistic for what you want to purchase? You can also start looking both at houses that are similar to your own and those that are similar to what you want. Compare prices. You might have to pick up the newspaper or some For Sale magazines (usually free). You can also begin calling agents and other resources.
2. Calculate the cost of your mortgage payoffYou'll need to know the amount required to payoff your mortgage in order to sell. You can contact your lender for this information.
3. Figuring the worth of your homeMost real estate agents will gladly help you determine your home's fair market value, however you might consider ordering an appraisal. Keep in mind that although an appraisal costs money, (and the agent does it for free) the appraisal will give you a more appropriate idea of your home's value and might be worth the extra cost.
4. Estimate Your Costs to SellAlthough you're selling to make money, there is some cost to you in order to sell. Some ideas of things you'll need to pay for and probably want to figure out the cost of include: - Commission to a real estate agency if you plan to use one to help you sell
- Taxes on the sale
- Some seller required fees which might include inspections, surveys, etc.
- Advertising costs to sell, signs, fliers, etc.
- Closing costs (your real estate agent can give you an idea of these costs)
5. Estimate Your Costs to Buy a New HomeWhen you apply for pre-approval of a new loan, your lender should disclose to you an idea of estimated costs to acquire a new home. Some of these costs could include: - Down payment
- Home inspections
- Moving expenses
- Title and policy work
- Hazard insurance
6. Estimate Your ProceedsThere should be some profit but here are some ideas to consider before estimating the final amount: - Make all repairs so that there will be no reason for a potential buyer to submit a lower offer. This does not mean cosmetic repairs are required, but real repairs such as a broken heater, etc.
- If your home is not yet paid off, be sure to deduct your mortgage payoff amount.
- Deduct all selling costs from the total payoff amount.
7. Make Necessary RepairsMost people don't think of their house as a "fixer-upper" but unless you want your house thought of this way, you may need to consider things that are obviously broken and repair them before you try to sell. Otherwise your buyer might think they have a reason to submit a lower offer.
8. Preparing the House for ShowingMost houses need at least a little spiffing up before they are shown to potential buyers. Great curb appeal, fresh paint indoors (and sometimes out), organized closets and cabinets, sparkling clean windows and appliances, and a clutter-free atmosphere are essential if you want the house to appeal to buyers. Very few houses are always in mint condition. Your house may need a little cleaning and organizing to help it become extraordinary. Great curb appeal, fresh paint, arranging closets or cabinets and clean appliances, drawers or windows help make your house appeal to buyers. Do whatever you can to make your house clutter-free and cleaner than it usually is. This is great preparation for showing the house- be sure to maintain this level of cleanliness for as long as it takes to sell your home. Click Here for more info on preparing the house for showing!
9. Becoming Comfortable with Allowing People InIf you are really ready to show your house, you have to learn to be comfortable with people coming through... some of these people may eventually live there! Don't ever ask to be present during a showing unless there is an urgent need for it. Why? Because lurking sellers make nervous buyers. No one feels comfortable exploring or inspecting a house, knowing the owner is watching over their shoulder. Also you need to have your house ready for showing at any time, day or night. Some agents won't even bother showing a home that needs 24 hours notice. Make the house accessible, make yourself removable, and remember to be prepared for showing at a moment's notice.
10. If you're ready to sell, LIST IT!!If you think you're ready to sell, you probably want to make your house visible to potential buyers. You might decide to sell your house for sale by owner. If so, you might want a comparative market analysis (CMA) to help you set your price. Also explore all types of marketing tactics, including print, web and other types of advertising. Although you pay a commission, there are definite advantages to using an agent. Before choosing an agent, here are some things to understand about agencies and to be sure your house is getting the visibility needed: - Find out what is the commission rate. You can make several phone calls and compare agencies offering the same services.
- Get listed on the MLS (multiple listing service). Find out if the agency belongs to more than one MLS. In some areas there's an overlap of popular neighborhoods, making multiple memberships important.
- Find out how long they want you to list with them, keeping in mind that the time is usually negotiable.
- Find out the average length of time it takes to sell a house in your area. Find out the company average. Compare with other company averages for your same area.
- Find out how long the (potential) listing agent has been licensed to sell real estate. Find out what kind of success rate he has.
- Find out what percentage of the agency's listings sell during the initial listing contract period. This initial period can be as long as six months.
- Find out how often you can expect buyer feedback, whether it be after every showing, weekly, more often, etc. Find out the means for this feedback - written, online, etc. Buyer feedback is a very useful tool because if everyone makes the same negative comment, you might consider resolving the problem.
- Find out if the agent will hold an open house for other real estate agents or for buyers. Find out what other marketing tools he might use.
- Determine how showings are to be handled. If you put restrictions on showing, you may cut down on the number of buyers seeing your home, but you need to be sure you can handle showing or leaving at a moment's notice.
- If you have pets it is an excellent idea to find a place for them during showings. If you have an indoor pet, think of taking it with you when you leave for a showing; if it's an outdoor pet, tie it up outside to ensure both the safety of your pet and the buyer.
- Consider a lockbox for times when you aren't available to be reached. Many agencies place a key inside a box that is secured to your home and then only agents have a key to open the lockbox. Helps your home to be available more, even if you're available less.
- If your new home will be in the same area, ask the agent any questions you might have as a buyer. You may choose to use the same agent to buy and sell.
Be sure you're aware of Why Good Houses Don't Sell! You can also contact your agent for more information by Clicking Here. | |
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Making An Offer Determining a Home's ValueNo matter how seasoned a buyer may be, no matter how many homes you've purchased or what you know about the market value of homes in your area, it can still be unsettling to make a formal offer. Below are some ideas about what you should or shouldn't do when making an offer on a home.
Some buyers are so worried about overpaying for a home, or missing the seller's low point, that they come in with an extremely low offer, and it alienates the seller. If the house is obviously overpriced or low is all you can offer, go ahead and do it, but keep in mind that the seller might take it as a personal insult and may not want to deal with you. Consider making a more realistic first offer, if it all possible.
If you offer too high, you may never find out if the seller had a lower point, and might pay more than you needed to for a home. Try to obtain a good idea of the market and of that particular home's market value before you make any type of offer.
Be sure when requesting an agents help for making an offer that you are talking to the buyers agent, not the sellers. A seller's agent has a specific duty to get the best deal he can for the seller. Some agents will offer you a list of comparable properties and the prices they've sold for but will not help you decide the offer. Unethical agents might even try to talk you into a higher offer because they know what the seller is hoping to get. A buyer's agent, however, will help you determine what to offer. Not only will the agent run comparables for you, but will also help you plan and write the offer and probable even present it for you. Remember that having a buyer's agent doesn't cost you anything - their commission comes from the sale of the home.
Visit your county courthouse (or equivalent place where property records are kept). Ask the staff to explain how to decipher deeds or other records that indicate sales prices. An example: Possibly each tax dollar represents $500 in sales price, so it's easy to calculate how much the buyer paid for the property. Home buyers around the US will find huge differences in the ease of this type of search. Some record-keeping systems are much simpler to access than others. Some localities have records available on disk or online, but most do not.
This type of search is easiest to accomplish when you know the address of specific properties or the names of the buyers or sellers. If you attend open houses, keep the listing sheets. When the house has sold, go get the details. Attending open houses helps you track the condition of homes. It's hard to make comparisons by looking only at recorded stats. Check your local courthouse as well because some records could include home facts, sketches or even blueprints.
You might consider ordering an appraisal before you make an offer, however, you want to be sure that the results of your appraisal are not publicized because opinions can vary by appraiser. Also check out advertised prices for similar homes because it can give you an idea of average asking prices... keep in mind, however that the sales price is probably different than the asking price. Consider taking a look at your home's tax value, but it probably won't match exactly the market value of the property.
Other factorsBe sure to consider other factors when deciding an offer amount. If the house has only been on the market for a short time, the sellers may not take the first offer, especially if it's lower than they'd desired. If it's been up for awhile or they need to move, they may be more motivated. Compare with other houses for sale in the same neighborhood or area. Look for repairs or updates needed, especially those that could be costly like roofs, plumbing, electrical, windows, baths or kitchens. If the repairs could be costly and immediate, the offer price could be lower if the seller understands why it is. Remember that your final decision on what to offer will come as a combination of your instinct and research.
For more information about preparing a contract Click Here. Before you offer, be sure to consider the Resale Potential of Your New Home. Click Here to contact your realtor! | |
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10 Things Not To Do When Home Buying It's Not Yours Until the Paperwork is Complete You're counting down the days until closing, the sellers have accepted your offer, the lender has you pre-approved and the house is officially under contract. Does this make the home yours? Nope - nothing is certain until all the paperwork has been signed, and the keys are in your hand. There are still some things that can happen before you close, and if you're not careful about your actions between now and closing, you might accidentally slow things down, cause yourself stress, or worse, break the deal. Here is some advice on what NOT to do until the ink is dry:
1. Don't Change Jobs Banks are always nervous about lending money, and usually a mortgage is the most a person may ever borrow. Banks like to see consistency in your job history. They are less nervous if you change jobs within the same field, but they prefer if you stay put, especially when waiting for mortgage approval. Until the keys are in your hands, don't change jobs unless it's absolutely necessary. 2. Don't Make a Large Purchase It is wonderful news if you've just found out your credit is great. However, making a major purchase can quickly change your credit rating, because it changes your debt-to-income ratio. Although a new car would look great in the driveway of your new home, the car payment will not look great to those lending you money. They may decide not to lend you money after all. It's better to wait until after closing to make any major purchases, including furniture, cars, etc. If you absolutely must make a large purchase, it's a good idea to talk to your loan officer before you do it. 3. Don't Give Earnest Money Directly to a For Sale By Owner Sad as it is, sometimes a seller spends a buyer's deposit money prior to closing. If the transaction doesn't take place, even for valid reasons, like financing problems, repairs, etc., the buyer ends up fighting to retrieve their funds. Your deposit is probably safer if placed in a trust account. Some sellers don't realize or understand that deposit funds are to be applied to your closing expenses. Find a neutral party, preferably an attorney, someone who can hold your deposit until you close. It's also a good idea that your contract defines what happens to these funds if closing never takes place. 4. Don't Forget to Switch Utilities It may seem simple to arrange for utilities to be started or stopped, however many people forget to cancel or apply for utility service. As soon as you have a contract, it's a good idea to call the utility company. Find out how many days lead time they need in order to switch the service, and be sure they'll be discontinuing services at your old home. Depending on how far the move between your old home and your new one, you may have to contact a different utility company for the same service. 5. Don't Forget Hazard Insurance Hazard Insurance is another often forgotten task that some buyers scramble to take care of right before closing. Before you can close, a lender will want ensure that you have some type of coverage for the new home. Obtain this coverage as early as possible in order to avoid delaying the closing. In some areas, other types of insurance coverage may be required. Your lender can indicate what insurance requirements there are in your area. 6. Don't Allow Emotions to Take Over While searching for a home to buy, it's important to be realistic. There is no perfect home, although there is a home perfect for you. If there are repairs needed, don't allow the seller's refusal to do a small repair ruin the deal or your dreams. Often, it isn't a big deal for the buyer to make small repairs. However also keep in mind that some repairs are too big, so don't allow yourself to fall in love with a house that you may not be able to handle, financially or emotionally. Decide beforehand what kind of repairs you can realistically handle and then stick with that decision when looking for homes. Remember to maintain a good attitude and keep a cool head throughout the entire process, including during and after an inspection, as well as at closing. 7. Don't Make Friends with the Seller Although it's important to be cordial, it isn't a great idea to get into a lot of discussion with the seller. No matter how nice you are, the home you are buying used to be theirs and you may just hurt their feelings by making a comment you think is fine. Everyone makes changes to their new home, but some sellers don't like change and a casual statement could end up costing you when issues about repairs or other things come about. Be friendly, but don't make friends with the sellers. Remember, it's not always a good idea to mix business with pleasure. 8. Don't Panic if the Appraisal Comes in Low If the appraisal comes in low, there are several options you have in order to resolve things before you panic. Talk to your lender, your realtor, the seller and others in order to decide what is best for your situation. Some resolution could include buyer paying more, seller asking less, finding middle ground, etc. CLICK HERE to learn more about how to deal with a low apprasial. 9. Don't Ignore Lender Requirements Every lender will have certain requirements or documentation. Listen carefully and provide everything they need in a a timely manner if you want things to go as quickly as possible. Your closing may depend on it. 10. Don't Do Things Alone If you decided to work with an agent, part of your agent's job is making sure things go smoothly and that closing is completed. A good agent should be tracking most of the day to day details that involve the buyer, the seller, the lender or the seller's agent. Don't let your agents off the hook by neglecting to ask for their help. Remember, they're getting paid to help you. To contact your agent today, click here. Also, check out Tips for New Home Buyers! | |
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11 Steps to Home Buying Success Despite the fact that real estate transactions can vary based on laws and customs were you live, some home buying steps are standard, although the order in which they are accomplished may change depending on your location.
Once you begin to understand all parts of your home buying journey, you'll feel confident with all the requirements of those involved in your transaction, as well as yourself.
Put your finances in orderBefore you apply for a home loan, it's a good idea to find out what your credit reports say about your financial history. Your credit report gives lenders an ongoing look on how you manage finances. Your lender will use this to determine your interest rate and other loan terms. If it's been awhile since you last looked, you might be surprised at the content of each report because errors are sometimes reported. There are ways you can clear up any mistakes.
Decide on your needs and wantsEven if you find yourself short on funds, buying a house isn't all that difficult if you are already familiar with your real estate market and have determined what your needs and wants are before you start looking at homes.
Familiarize yourself with the mortgage industryIn order to have home buying success, it is crucial to find both right lender and the right loan. Only you can determine which lender can best meet your needs, so it's a good idea to have a bit of background about the loan process before you start talking to a lender.
Get Pre-Approved for a mortgageBefore house hunting seriously, before approaching a seller, before any decisions about your home, you need to find out how much house you can afford. To do so, talk to a lender. When a seller is presented with two similar offers, and one has no paperwork, and the other has a letter from the bank stating he has been approved for a mortgage in the amount being offered, the seller will probably chose the buyer that has been pre-approved. Wouldn't you?
Working with Real Estate Agents It's important to understand agent duties and loyalties before you make the first phone call to find an agent. Real estate agents represent buyers, sellers and in some states they work as a facilitator for either party - or both. Find a Real estate agent who will work for your best interests and not someone else's.
The fun part - Finding A HomeSome ideas of excellent ways to see what is available: from your agent obtain a sheet of multiple listings to study, read classified ads in newspapers, and pick up magazines (usually free) with Houses for Sale, you might even spend free afternoons driving through neighborhoods to preview the area and homes available. You can even search the internet for thousands of listings.
Tasks to accomplish before you offerDeciding what you want your house to look like, including structure and features, isn't the only important part of your purchase. Also review things such as it's resale potential, heating system efficiency, if the square footage reported is accurate or if there are any other rights to the property.
Making an offerThere are different real estate laws and customs throughout the United States, so there isn't a specific set of instructions that can cover how to make an offer, but there are a few tips that can help, no matter where you live. These include: what comes with the house, (appliances, any furnishings, outside play set, etc.) date of possession, decide how much to offer, any info seller needs to disclose, and if lead paint disclosures are required.
Home Inspections and other testsIt's critical for you to decide which inspections and tests you want to perform... some state require them before the final offer to purchase, while others take place after an offer is final. You can talk to either your agent or an advisor to find out when they should be done and how to handle them. They can also inform you of additional types of testing for your specific area.
Correcting or avoiding problems at the last minuteAs your closing date nears, everyone involved in your real estate transaction should check its progress on a daily basis, because staying on top of things means you'll know immediately if there's a problem that must be dealt with. Here's a bit of information that focuses on a few common problems that home buyers must deal with before they close on a house. If you stay on top of things, especially as your closing date nears, you'll know immediately if a problem arises or needs to be dealt with. Everyone involved in your transaction should check its progress on a daily basis. A few problems that you might encounter before closing could include: dealing with a low appraisal, changes in your credit (don't make a major purchase or change jobs until after you've closed), switch utilities, be sure insurance is lined up and don't let your emotions take over.
ClosingMost of the problems are behind you now and you're on your way to closing, also called settlement, the event that transfers ownership of the property to you. Just a few more things to learn, a few more things to do, and you're there! Closing or settlement, as it's also called, refers to the event of transferring ownership of the property to you! Problems should be behind you and once you do a final walk through of the home, you should be ready to sign.
Congratulations!! Don't ever hesitate to ask questions... whether this is your first home buying experience, or your 21st, it's important to be sure you understand the entire process. You are spending a lot of money, more than you may ever spend again, and you are making a long term commitment. You'll feel better as will those involved if you know what is happening. The steps outlined are a general guide. Every issue you encounter will be specific to your transaction. These issues can best be handled or explained by those helping you complete the deal. Enjoy the journey!
Also check out Tips for New Home Buyers If you're also selling your home, click here Don't forget to look for Home Warranties for Buyers and Sellers | |
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Terrific Tips for First Time Home Buyers It might surprise a first time home buyer that they aren't the only ones who feel confused about the whole home buying process. Almost all home buyers feel the same way, even those who have purchased a home before. It's easy to forget some or all of the home buying steps you've followed in the past. Here are some tips on how to begin:
Educate YourselfYou may have relatives or friends who live in another state or area. They might have some good advice for you, but chances are that the home buying process varies greatly in different areas, so do not make the mistake of relying solely on their advice. Educate yourself about the home buying customs where you want to live. You can talk to realtors, mortgage brokers, loan officers, or even friends who've recently moved into your area. Also the public library might be a good resource.
How to Get Educated Approach a real estate agent by explaining that you do not want to enter into an agreement for representation at the current time. However, find out if they will talk to you about a typical home buying scenario. Any agent that won't take a few moments of time to help you understand home buying, probably, isn't an agent that you want to work with. If you have to make several calls to find someone willing to help you, it will be worth the effort. If you aren't comfortable talking to a real estate agent, you can always try a mortgage broker or a loan officer. Everyone will have a different perspective of the process but all should be able to give you a basic overview or understanding of the home buying process.
Questions to Ask An AgentOnce you find answers to these questions, you'll have a much better idea of the basic home buying customs in your area. - If I decide to work with an agent, once I've decided to purchase a home, will the agent help me compose my offer? If not, who would be willing to help? (Lawyer, Broker, etc.) Some agents use fill-in-the-blank forms and if so, ask for a sample to take home and study and possibly use for ideas to create your own.
- Will an agent give me a sample copy of typical disclosures? What kind of disclosures are sellers required to give to their buyers? Does it differ by city or area?
- Is a home inspection standard in the area? Are there other types of inspections recommended? How much does an inspection usually cost, and who pays the cost, buyer or seller? When is the inspection usually done, before or after an offer or closing?
- Is a survey of the property required, and if so, who pays for it, the buyer or the seller?
- If I want to be sure the deed to the title is problem free, do I need to contact a title company? Does someone else do this for me? What is the average cost for this service?
- Who acts as settlement agent, the person who puts together final paperwork for you to sign? (attorney, title company personnel, real estate broker, other)? Who will put together final paperwork for signing (otherwise known as settlement agent)? Several options could include title company, real estate broker, attorney, etc.
- Other than loan costs, what's the average total cost for other closing fees? What is the average total cost of closing fees, other than the cost of the loan? What is included in these fees, such as taxes, agency fees, etc.?
- Once my offer has been accepted, how long does it normally take to close on a home? What might hold closing up or make it difficult?
- What can I, as the buyer, do to ensure things go smoothly?
Stay CalmIt is very likely that you will hit a few snags on the way to closing - most people do. However, if you keep your head clear, you will be able to work with the right people to resolve any issues that pop up and the transaction will end up smoothly. There are many details to keep track of, so remember not to over react if something goes wrong, and every problem has a solution.
Now BeginNow that you've reviewed this section, your next steps are the same as they would be for every home buyer. Relax, take a few deep breaths and then begin! Dig into the details and simply start the home buying process. If you allow yourself to enjoy it, the whole experience can be fun!
Helpful links for first time home sellers: What is Home Staging and Advice on Staging Your Home Also beware of 10 Things NOT to do when Home Buying | |
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Luis Martinez
Perth Amboy,
NJ
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Superior Home Mortgage
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