buying a house: It's Not Just Business - It's Personal - Appraisers - 07/25/09 08:48 AM
I've never liked that saying, "It's not personal, it's only business." That's why recent regulation regarding appraisers is hard for me to swallow.
Some of my appraisers over the years became great friends of our family. Some were wonderful office companions. Others I only spoke to over the phone. But they … (10 comments)
|
buying a house: Smoke Alarms and Home Inspectors - 07/24/09 09:32 AM
I'm one of those cooks that multi-tasks. So when the smoke alarm started going off, we attributed the deafening noise to my cooking habits. Days later, smoke alarms all over the house began to join in. Truth be told there was a funny smell too. I'll admit, we poked around some … (15 comments)
|
buying a house: Housing - Is The Big Whoosh On The Way? - 07/20/09 09:16 AM
You know the feeling. You light the BBQ and for the next half a second you're holding your breath for the whoosh. It's uncomfortable.
That's what housing feels like to me recently. The whoosh is certain to come, but which whoosh is coming? Inflation or more of the same, falling real … (18 comments)
|
buying a house: Unemployed? Would You Still Consider Buying A House? - 07/15/09 04:29 PM
Take a look at what Michael asked me today. "I was recently laid off from my job. I was... getting ready to start my kick-off on my real estate portfolio." He asked me how he could proceed with buying a house.
I don't know enough about Michael to know if he … (12 comments)
|
buying a house: How To Know Where You Are Going - Choosing A Real Estate Agent - 07/06/09 09:53 AM
Why is interviewing prospective real estate agents important? Yogi Berra knew... "If you don't know where you're going, you'll end up somewhere else."As home buyers, we all want a deal. And why not? For most of us a house is the biggest purchase of our lives.
But there is another bargain … (4 comments)
|
buying a house: How To Simplify Buying A House - 07/05/09 09:58 AM
Buying a home is all about comparison. Here's a solution to narrowing down your search.
In fact if you have been preapproved as your Realtor recommends, most of your previewing will likely fall into a similar price range. So more criteria other than price will help to avoid confusion.
The Department … (9 comments)
|
buying a house: Mortgage Loan Process [Tiny Tips] Part 2 in a continuing series... - 05/10/09 08:48 AM
Just the other day, a friend asked me about the mortgage loan process - What to expect. Common mistakes to avoid. Key questions. A bird's eye view.Think back to the first time you applied for a home loan. It's a strange new world if you don't know what to expect from … (2 comments)
|
buying a house: Unemployment Mortgage Payment Protection [Buy A House With Confidence] Part 6 - 05/03/09 09:27 AM
Mortgage payment protection insurance is an innovative solution for those who want to buy a house but are afraid of losing a job or getting laid off. Builders are leading the pack to inject confidence back into home buying. Day Six in a continuing series...
Now real estate agents are also … (5 comments)
|
buying a house: Unemployment Mortgage Payment Protection [Buy A House With Confidence] Part 2 - 04/29/09 07:56 AM
Unemployment mortgage payment protection is a new solution to an old problem. The fact is many people know this is the ideal time for buying a house but are simply afraid of current economic instability. Builders are leading the pack with this innovative solution to inject confidence back into home buying. … (2 comments)
|
buying a house: Unemployment Mortgage Payment Protection [Buy A House With Confidence] Part 1 - 04/28/09 08:59 AM
Mortgage payment protection insurance is a new solution to an old problem. The fact is many people know this is the ideal time for buying a house but are simply afraid of current economic instability. Builders are leading the pack with this innovative solution to inject confidence back into home buying. … (2 comments)
|
buying a house: Mini Skirts And Buying A House [Affording A Mortgage] Wrap It Up Kate! - 03/29/09 06:18 AM
The concluding solution for buying a house, affording a mortgage and why America is still the land of homeownership. I know because my Dad told me so. (AKA My Rant Draws To A Close...)"Kate, WHAT did the bank say? I can afford THAT MUCH in a mortgage? I'm shocked. I really … (11 comments)
|
buying a house: Mini Skirts And Buying A House [Affording A Mortgage] Part 6 - 03/28/09 11:09 AM
But Wait! There's More! An ongoing solution for home buyers and why America will continue to be THE land of homeownership. (continued from yesterday...)Now don't misunderstand me. I am not advocating victimhood. Because in the end, no one is responsible for me but ME!But I AM advocating...
a simple solution to … (0 comments)
|
buying a house: Mini Skirts And Buying A House [Affording A Mortgage] Part 5 - 03/27/09 09:44 AM
I am beginning to understand what Dad was saying. Fannie, Freddie and FHA had raised their skirts throwing caution to the wind. They were the modern Flappers. (continued from yesterday...)The late 90's ushered in the Roaring 2000's. Fannie, Freddie and FHA vied for the most liberal guidelines. Credit scoring and automated … (1 comments)
|
buying a house: Mini Skirts And Buying A House [Affording A Mortgage] Part 4 - 03/26/09 07:59 AM
I am beginning to understand what Dad was saying. During times of prosperity, once-traditional standards tend to diminish. Fannie, Freddie and FHA were gradually raising their hemline. (continued from yesterday...)Take for instance what I heard a Freddie representative say in 1998. To paraphrase the speaker who attended our conference, "We are … (0 comments)
|
buying a house: Mini Skirts And Buying A House [Affording A Mortgage] Part 3 - 03/25/09 07:46 AM
No girls, this is not about squeezing into a short skirt to get a better deal on a house... But affording a mortgage and skirt hems do go hand in hand. I know because my dad told me so...Turns out Dad was right! Remember her? The Flapper? It's the Roaring 20's. … (0 comments)
|
buying a house: Mini Skirts And Buying A House [Affording A Mortgage] Part 2 - 03/24/09 08:20 AM
No girls, this is not about squeezing into a short skirt to get a better deal on a house... But affording a mortgage and skirt hems do go hand in hand. I know because my dad told me.Now here is what Dad would say. Times of prosperity bring shorter skirts. More … (6 comments)
|
buying a house: Mini Skirts And Buying A House [Affording A Mortgage] - 03/23/09 07:47 AM
No girls, this is not about squeezing into a short skirt to get a better deal on a house... But affording a mortgage and skirt hems do go hand in hand. I know because my dad told me.
I was one of those kids who asked too many questions at the … (5 comments)
|
buying a house: Stimulus Package A Vote For Inflation [Take Advantage Of Buying A House] Part 8 - 02/27/09 06:26 AM
Part 8 in a continuing series... Because the price of buying a home has hit near bottom, real estate prices too will rise.
Five years from now, homes will be worth more than they are today and mortgage lending rates most likely will be higher also.Do you want to make sure … (3 comments)
|
buying a house: Stimulus Package A Vote For Inflation [Take Advantage Of Buying A House] Part 7 - 02/26/09 06:56 AM
Part 7 in a continuing series... Here is my prediction for buying a house.
Here in lies a big mistake that actually could easily be made. Thinking short term.Renting versus buying a home seems like a better deal right now. But if you want to protect yourself and your … (4 comments)
|
buying a house: Stimulus Package A Vote For Inflation [Take Advantage Of Buying A House] Part 6 - 02/25/09 07:53 AM
Here is my prediction for buying a house. Part 6 in a continuing series...
Inflation means that the cost of items we enjoy and need every day will become more expensive. For example the price of renting a house is never getting cheaper. So how do we protect ourselves from what … (0 comments)
|
;)
;)
