buying: Refi or Buying, mortgage advice; - 11/08/13 01:18 AM
Low interest rates have enticed thousands of Americans to seek funding for a new home or to refinance an existing mortgage.  This surge has created a demand for mortgage brokers, whose job it is to help borrower’s complete applications and secure loan rates.  It is estimated that brokers process hundreds of billions of dollars in mortgages every year.  If you are thinking of buying a home or refinancing  your existing one, here are some tips for finding a qualified broker to help;
Get good references.  If you want the help of a mortgage broker, ask friends or a trusted professional at … (0 comments)

buying: Protecting the American Dream - 09/12/12 09:21 AM
The National Association of Home Builders has launched a new website, www.ProtectHomeownership.com, to inform consumers about the various tax, legislative and regulatory policies under consideration by Congress that could change the structure of homeownership and inspire the public to take action to protect it.  The site also documents homeownership’s importance to individual households and to local, state and national governments by providing various economic reports and data, poll questions and frequently asked questions.  It offers multiple ways for consumers to help protect this aspect of American life, including signing an online petition urging policy makers to keep housing a national priority, … (0 comments)

buying: The benefits of working with a Real Estate agent - 05/25/12 03:45 AM
If you are considering buying or selling a home, you may think you will “save some money” and do it yourself.  But did you know that by using a knowledgeable real estate professional, you are more likely to save not only money, but also valuable time and energy?  With the many tasks you are currently trying to juggle, do you have the sales skills – not to mention the contacts and resources – to do it on your own?  Instead of trying to take on more work for yourself, think about what a real estate representative can do for you.
As buyers, you … (0 comments)

buying: "No Regrets" say home buyers - 11/22/11 11:25 AM
Despite the ups and downs of the housing market and the decline in home values, most homeowners, including those who are underwater on their mortgages, don’t regret owning a home.  In a recent survey by the National Assoication of Home Builders, three out of four Americansbelieve that owning a home is the best long-term investment and is worth the risk of a sometimes-volatile housing market.  Approximately 95 percent say they are happy with the decision to own a home.
The sentiment is also strong among homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages.  Nearly two-thirds believe owning a home is worth the … (0 comments)

buying: Determining the Possession Date - 11/14/11 09:13 AM
When you buy a new home,you’ll eagerly await the day you can move in.  But how is that date determined?  The date of possession is one of several details that must be negotiated between you and the seller.
In most cases, possession will be transferred after you have signed your mortgage loan and a clear title has been transferred.  Then, when you and the seller agree on a date, it will be incorporated into the written contract.  Once this is done, the date cannot be changed without written agreement.
In rare cases, a seller may request to stay in the house … (2 comments)

buying: Bye Bye buyers remorse - 11/08/11 02:46 PM
These days, everyone is trying to keep a better watch on their money.  But if it seems like all you’re doing is watching your slip through your fingers, it may not be entirely your fault.
Marketing expert and author of “Buyology” Truth and Lies About Why We Buy”, Martin Lindstrom says that “we are much more seduced by outside factors when shopping than we think we are.”  And numerous studies seem to back up this idea that consumers may not have as much control as they think over how much they spend.
So what can a thrifty shopper do to put … (3 comments)

buying: App Orchard - 10/21/11 02:14 PM
Buying or selling your house?  There’s an app for that.  Well, not exactly, but there’s plenty of high-tech help available to guide you through the process.
The iZillow app gives you access to date on more than 80 millions homes, including square footage and an estimate of fair market value.  Take a drive around your possible new neighborhood and see home values pop up on your phone with real-time real estate info.
Get real-time mortgage rates from hundreds of lenders nationwide with the Mortgage Marvel app.  Use it to compare the rates and fees –prices reflect transaction-related pricing adjustments, such as … (0 comments)

buying: Home Ownership Remains a Top Priority for Renters - 09/01/11 09:42 AM
Nearly three out of four renters (72 percent) say owning a home is a top priority for their future, up from 63 percent a year ago, according to the 2011 National Housing Pulse Survey from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. But more than three-fourths of renters say they would be less likely to buy a home if they were required to put 20 percent down, and 71 percent believe a 20 percent down payment requirement could have a negative impact on the housing market.
Some groups of homeowners — including self-described “working class” homeowners, younger non-college graduates, African Americans and Hispanics … (1 comments)

buying: Curb Appeal Starts at the Curb - 05/10/11 04:34 PM
Getting you house in top shape is important when welcoming potential buyers inside.   But you don't want to forget about enticing buyers from the outside as well.  Your yard is definitely part of the first impression and having it in tip-top condition can help set the tone of any visit.  Unfortunately, summer's scorching sun can often work against you.  Here's how you can keep your garden and yard looking healthy and beautiful even in the hottest months:
Keep Watering, Set up a sprinkler in your yard and make sure your flowers and grass get water daily.  You'll save water - and … (2 comments)

buying: Survey Reveals Consumer Confusion about Mortgage Process - 03/08/11 11:41 AM
More than two-thirds of Americans (70.6 percent) believe access to affordable mortgages is a serious problem, according to a new survey by MortgageMatch.com. Respondents also say that the most challenging aspect of getting a mortgage is understanding the mortgage process and dealing with the lenders' requirements, ranking it more challenging (32.3 percent) than getting the mortgage itself (23 percent) and negotiating the sale price on a home (25.3 percent). More than three out of four recent homebuyers (79 percent), especially those earning more than $50,000 a year, report that getting a mortgage was more difficult than they expected.
To add to … (1 comments)

buying: Real Estate Investment Buying Tips - 11/17/09 03:05 AM
Foreclosures and bank REOs are pulling a new wave of novice investors into the market, some of whom are just a little clueless.
They see the price and they say, wow! I can buy that house and turn it into a rental.  But they don't understand the local market, they don't understand landlording, and don't even necessarily visit the property.
 What are some of the key rules for freshman class investors?
      Number one: Due diligence is never optional. You've got to understand the local market - and that includes not just where prices are headed, but specific market demand for … (2 comments)

buying: 5 Ways to Improve your Credit Score - 09/10/09 05:15 AM

•1.       Pay your bills on time.  Payment history accounts for roughly 35% of your score.  So paying bills on time is the most important thing you can do.  If you're behind, get caught up and then stay current.  If you're struggling, contact your creditors to work out a payment schedule.
 
•2.      Increase the length of your credit history.  It accounts for 15% of your score.  Canceling an old card or getting a lot of new credit within a short time span can hurt your score because it lowers the average age of your accounts.
 
•3.      Keep credit card … (2 comments)

buying: Home sales increase by 35.2 % in May. - 07/01/09 11:07 AM
Home sales increased 35.2 percent in May in California compared with the same period a year ago, while the median price of an existing home declined 30.4 percent, C.A.R. reported last week. "With affordability for first-time buyers at a record high, sales of existing, single-family homes continued to remain above the 500,000 level for the ninth consecutive month," said C.A.R. President James Liptak. "Buyers are beginning to realize that the combination of favorable home prices, historically low mortgage rates, and first-time home buyer tax credits, may not align again for many years."The sales gains over last year have diminished in recent … (0 comments)

buying: Calif. housing market shows signs of recovery. - 06/25/09 03:01 PM
 A surge in home sales that started in some of California's more affordable inland areas has begun to spread to several more expensive coastal areas, another indicator that the state's real estate market may be in recovery mode.
 •·         Many homes in the lower end of the market are receiving multiple offers, with some prospective buyers bidding well above asking prices. Inventory levels for homes priced under $500,000 stood at 3.2 months in May 2009, compared with 9.4 months in May 2008.
•·         Some buyers, especially those in historically higher-priced markets such as the San Francisco Bay Area, are newly optimistic … (0 comments)

buying: Should you sell your investment using a 1031-tax deferred exchange? - 06/22/09 03:56 PM
A few years ago, many were seeing their real estate investments appreciate at incredible rates, and in turn, were doing 1031 tax-deferred exchanges to defer their capital gains liabilities into new investment properties. But in today's market, many investors see limited or no appreciation in their investment property. In times like this, does it make sense for an investor to sell their property and do a 1031 exchange? In many cases, the answer is "yes."With almost all real estate sales involving improved property, there is the recapture of depreciation. Section 1250 of the Internal Revenue Code requires that depreciation be recaptured … (0 comments)