Just a note to all the visitors to my blog and websites. I don't spam. I don't send out email drip campaigns. If you contact me via my website, any response you get will be personally generated by me.
If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 home within 90 days and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction! Make sure you hire an E B A! Call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.
Exclusive Buyers Agents do not list homes and never represent Sellers. They represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...
People who don't really need to sell their home should not put them on the market at ridiculously high prices.
Prices don't go up 20% just because Sellers LIST their homes at 120% or more of market value. In order for prices to stabilize and/or improve, inventory levels need to shrink or the number of Buyers needs to increase significantly, and quickly.
It doesn't help anyone if more than 63% of the inventory on the market is significantly overpriced.
I work with Buyers Only. We see LOTS of homes. Many of my clients write offers on multiple homes before we get a contract. After lots of negotiations, many Sellers are still 10% above market value and will not budge. My Buyers move on. These Sellers aren't serious. They don't need to sell and won't sell unless they can find a Buyer who is dumb enough to overpay for their home. That's just not likely to happen in today's market.
Because of the amount of inventory, Buyers have the luxury of continuing to make reasonable offers to unreasonable sellers until they find one who is willing to be reasonable and willing to sell their home at (or below!) market value.
Fortunately, there are some Sellers who are listing their homes at or near market value. (Note: THESE are the homes that actually SELL.) Even then, many are still negotiable because of all the competition. (Never mind that most of this "competition" isn't really competition at all.)
My clients aren't the only Buyers who have seen a lot of overpriced inventory and aren't willing to overpay for a home in today's market. Buyers are out there and they will jump on well-priced listings. Multiple offer situations are still common in this economy for well-priced homes. It almost seems that they are more common for a well-priced home... It seems most homes that are priced well are Sellers who are "motivated" to sell.
Bottom line for owners: Do everyone a favor and don't list your home just to see if you can get some uninformed buyer to pay you 20% more than it's worth. Buyers aren't falling for it. Those days are gone. The "boom" is over. Everybody will be better off with less overpriced inventory on the market.
If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 home within 90 days and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction! Make sure you hire an E B A! Call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.
Exclusive Buyers Agents do not list homes and never represent Sellers. They represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...
RE BarCamp is a fabulous FREE day of sharing and learning.
What makes a BarCamp the best event you'll attend this year? YOU set the agenda. YOU come to learn and to share only the things YOU are interested in!
The main focus of the Salt Lake BarCamp on June 5th is Social Media & Technology.
Topics Include:
Blogging
Twitter
You Tube
Facebook
Search Engine Optimization
Podcasting
Web Marketing
Google
and MORE!
Come learn about the tools and technologies successful agents are using in this economy. Have YOU found a tool or strategy that has helped your business? Come share it with a group of people EAGER to listen!
BarCamp is:
fun
interactive
fulfilling
exciting
refreshing
eye-opening
motivating
inspiring
powerful
FREE
You can't afford NOT to come to this FREE event if you want your business to thrive like never before, even in this economy!
There will be a wide variety of topics and no hard selling of products or services. This is about SHARING information so that we can all take our businesses to the next level. Recent BarCamps in Phoenix, LA, New York and many other major markets have had as many as 50 or more sessions, all within 1 amazing day of opportunity.
RE Bar Camps are FREE for attendees. There are prizes and giveaways. Lunch will be provided for AT LEAST the first 100 who register, so don't delay!
I recently transferred to Salt Lake City from California. Having owned a few homes, and also having dealt with various agents in the past, I did not relish the stress and hassles involved in the home buying process. I investigated my options, and wanted an agent that would be a good fit for me. I wanted an agent who was willing to work only for me. Little did I know that I was about to embark on one of the most rewarding and remarkable adventures of my life.
Benjamin Clark is the best! He made the buying process an absolute pleasure. He was with me every step of the way and made sure that it was as smooth and hassle-free as possible. He was always available and prepared to take me to as many locations as possible, giving me a great overview for location and price. When I found my future house, he handled the negotiations with all the professionalism I could ever hope for. He was knowledgeable, courteous, patient, and tireless in his efforts to find, obtain and help me purchase the right house.
Ben helped make my purchase a truly enjoyable experience. I would highly recommend Ben (an EBA - Exclusive Buyer's Agent) for your real estate needs.
Ben, thank you for everything.
Merlin and Rose Hubbard Salt Lake City, Utah
Is your job transferring you to Utah? Want to settle down? If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 homein the next 1-3 months and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction! Make sure you hire an E B A! Call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.
Exclusive Buyers Agents do not list homes and never represent Sellers. They represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...
I saw this and realized just how different the experience is for clients of Exclusive Buyer's Agents than it must seem to most of the public who work with pushy real estate agents.
British humor and real estate all in one short video clip.
If you want to have a different experience when buying a home, get an agent on YOUR side of the transaction who will work for you and not try and SELL you any home.
If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 homein the next 1-3 months and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction! Make sure you hire an E B A! Call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.
Exclusive Buyers Agents do not list homes and never represent Sellers. They represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...
I had a recent experience with my current mortgage holder that makes me wonder if consumers are accepting "deals" from banks that are not "deals" at all.
First, to be clear: I have equity in my home and I don't need a loan modification. I'm just in the market to refinance because rates are pretty good right now.
I called to get a payoff on my existing loan.
I got transferred to a loan retention department where they had a "special deal" for me if I stayed with them. I think it was something like 1/8 less than my current rate. AND I had to pay origination fee and other junk closing costs...
I told them that their retention rate was terrible. It was 7/8 higher than another option with no points or fees.
They told me I might qualify for a loan modification under Obama's plan.
I told them I likely wouldn't go for that even if I did qualify, but I would listen to their sales pitch just to see how low my special government "bailout" rate could be.
Turns out the Obama "special deal" was only 1/8 better than the lender's deal. Still about 3/4 higher than the rate I had locked in elsewhere with no points or fees. I even pointed that out and asked what was up with that? The rep just said that some people thought it was a good deal and that the program wasn't meant for everybody.
Beware. Not all of the "deals" out there are deals at all.
I just KNOW someone somewhere would be laughing all the way to the bank (pun intended) if I bought into either of those deals.
I'm not saying there aren't a select few out there who cannot benefit from some of the programs out there. But most have to live in an area where no depreciation has taken place in the past 2 years...
Some in the real estate and lending industries feel the most touted "programs" are merely publicity stunts. They wouldn't be surprised to find out some conglomeration of lenders lobbied for such programs. The main benefactors of many programs are not really homeowners, but lenders... "Just follow the money," they say.
I certainly don't even know if the "Obama" program being pitched by my loan servicer was really tied to the "stimulus package". It could just be that lenders are trying to find the "some people" out there who will think the offer is a good deal because they used certain buzzwords in the sales pitch.
If you hear "Bailout" "Obama" or "Stimulus Package" watch out. Slow down. Do your homework.
The lender could just be trying to stimulate their own bottom line...
If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 homein the next 1-3 months and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction! Make sure you hire an E B A! Call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.
Exclusive Buyers Agents do not list homes and never represent Sellers. They represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...
The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the right to receive a copy of your credit report annually as reported by the 3 main credit bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion and Experian.
Before you fall for a "Free" credit report offer, make sure you visit the FTC's website first.
As they say on their website: Anyone can write a catchy jingle or dance a jig. Here are some ads from the FTC's website. Not too bad if I must say so:
If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 homein the next 1-3 months and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction! Make sure you hire an E B A! Call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.
Exclusive Buyers Agents do not list homes and never represent Sellers. They represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...
A recent ABC4 news report points out some reasons why Utah is weathering the economic storm better than other states. Diversification seemed to be the main theme. All of Utah's eggs aren't in one basket.
Here are 5 of the examples given:
International Exports
Tourism
Alternative Energy Research & Development
Technology Research & Development
Population Influx - People AND Businesses are relocating to Utah
While Utah isn't an economic Utopia, the diverse interests of it's residents and it's industrial pursuits certainly make it a great place to live.
Utah generally receives favorable scores in surveys and analyses regarding great places to live. Health, access to recreation, educational opportunities and even access to museums and the "arts" all help make Utah a well-rounded place to live with something for almost everyone.
If you plan on relocating to Salt Lake City or the Surrounding Area, make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction! Make sure you hire an E B A!
If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 homein the next 1-3 months and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.
Exclusive Buyers Agents do not list homes and never represent Sellers. They represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...
Demand for rental homes and units in many parts of the country is on the rise as many homeowners who are unable to refinance their mortgages to today's lower rates because their property values have declined have sold their homes "short" or left them altogether after foreclosure. Increased restrictions for obtaining mortgage financing (high credit scores and larger down payments) have also reduced the pool of renters who "qualify" for homeownership.
As demand rises for rental units, the cost of renting should rise. As inventory of homes available for purchase grows, and demand shrinks (or is reduced due to a smaller pool of buyers who "qualify"), the downward pull on home values takes its toll.
For those with excellent credit, stable employment and a reasonable down payment (about 5% or more will do), this may be the best time ever to purchase a home. Not only have prices been "slashed" by as much as 10-50% in many areas, but interest rates are about as low as they have ever been (just above or just below 5% in recent days).
First time buyers (defined as those who have not owned any real estate in the past 3 years) who make up to $150,000 combined or $75,000 alone, may qualify for up to $8,000 in the form of a refundable Federal tax credit. $6,000 is available for any Utah Buyer who purchases New Construction (1600+ grants available first-com first-served. You do NOT have to be a first-time buyer, but similar income restrictions apply).
You used to be able to say it was smart to buy if you were planning on staying in a home for at least 3 years. This was because it took that long for appreciation to cover the costs associated with selling the home. During the boom, you may have been able to buy a home and sell it in 3 months without taking a loss.
In today's economy, it probably still makes sense to buy a home if you plan to stay in it for an extended period of time (5 years +).
If you do buy a home in Salt Lake City or the Surrounding Area in today's economy, make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction! Make sure you hire an E B A!
If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 homein the next 1-3 months and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.
Exclusive Buyers Agents do not list homes and never represent Sellers. They represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...
Earnest Money is applied as a credit to you at Settlement.
The settlement sheet is basically a balance sheet. The money you owe is on the top of your side (purchase price, closing costs, your portion of property taxes, etc.)
All the money paid on your behalf (loan proceeds, earnest money, the seller's portion of property taxes, etc.) is on the bottom of your side and is a credit to you.
The difference between what you owe and what you have paid (including the Earnest Money) is what you have to bring in to closing (or what is refunded to you if you have brought in too much).
In other words, the earnest money is credited on your behalf, but not directly for any specific cost.
Whatever your total cost to close would have been with no Earnest Money, it will be reduced by the amount of the Earnest Money Deposit you have paid, and you will bring in that much less at closing.
A good lender and title company should have these figures for you and your broker a day or two before settlement. You and your broker should review the Settlement Statements for accuracy and have any corrections made prior to Settlement.
A good Exclusive Buyer's Agent (EBA) can help you select lenders and title companies who perform in a timely manner. Having a reliable lender and a responsive title company will add to the smoothness of your transaction and can eliminate a lot of stress and frustration.
If you are buying a home in Salt Lake City or the Surrounding Area, make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction! Make sure you hire an EBA!
If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 homein the next 1-3 months and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.
Exclusive Buyers Agents do not list homes and never represent Sellers. They represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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RE BarCamp is a fabulous FREE day of sharing and learning. 
I recently transferred to Salt Lake City from California. Having owned a few homes, and also having dealt with various agents in the past, I did not relish the stress and hassles involved in the home buying process. I investigated my options, and wanted an agent that would be a good fit for me. I wanted an agent who was willing to work only for me. Little did I know that I was about to embark on one of the most rewarding and remarkable adventures of my life. 
Beware the Buzzwords.
Many "FREE" credit reports turn out to not be so free at all.
A recent 
Demand for rental homes and units in many parts of the country is on the rise as many homeowners who are unable to refinance their mortgages to today's lower rates because their property values have declined have sold their homes "short" or left them altogether after foreclosure. Increased restrictions for obtaining mortgage financing (high credit scores and larger down payments) have also reduced the pool of renters who "qualify" for homeownership.
Earnest Money is applied as a credit to you at Settlement.
