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first time homebuyer: 5 Must-Haves For a Fab First Home - 08/04/11 09:24 AM
  These days, the term starter home is a little misleading. It implies a highly temporary home soon to be traded in for a bigger, fancier model. But because of a the current real estate market, moving up to a new home wont be as quick as it has been in the past.

I am seeing more first-time home buyers looking at larger homes, spending a little more for the home that they are planning to live in for a good long time.  When I ran across this article about 5 Must-Haves For a Fab First Home I knew I … (0 comments)

first time homebuyer: Your Home Buying Team - 01/07/10 08:06 AM
You will depend on a number of housing professionals when you purchase your first home. Your written contract has been accepted by the seller.  Now, it's time for your Home Buying Team to get to work for you.  Depending on your situation your Team may only include a few of the following specialists.
The Real Estate AgentsA your REALTOR, I have been specially trained and licensed to sell homes in St. Augustine. I specialize in matching buyers and sellers and am paid a commission from the money that the seller receives from the home sale. When one agent represents the buyer … (1 comments)

first time homebuyer: I Found My New Home - Now What? - 01/07/10 07:44 AM
You have had fun shopping for your new home and have narrowed down your choices to the home of your dreams. It is in your price range; you love the neighborhood and want it to be yours as quickly as possible. What’s next?
After you have decided what you would like to pay, your agent will help you write a purchase offer. Your offer will include the legal description of the property, the personal property included in the sale (such as window treatment, range, washer and dryer) as well as the terms of your financing and closing date.
Your offer should … (0 comments)

first time homebuyer: How Much Home Can I Afford? - 12/16/09 08:36 AM
As a first-time homebuyer, you are are probably curious about how much you can afford before you even talk to a real estate agent or home loan professional.   As a general rule of thumb most people who have good credit and a steady income can afford to buy a home that cost 2 and one half to three percent of their annual income.Most lenders can include other forms of steady income which may be in addition to your salary.  This would include such sources such as retirement, disability, child support, alimony or commissions and bonuses.   You will most likely be required to … (0 comments)

first time homebuyer: Heated Real Estate Market moving first-time buyers off the fence? - 08/09/09 09:25 AM
Heated Real Estate Market moving first-time buyers off the fence? 
It's true.... the economy is showing signs of improvement and The St. Augustine housing market is beginning to heat up.  Tell me, then, why are there scores of would-be buyers still waiting on the sidelines...are they waiting for further positive housing trends?  Their time is running short on the federal government's $8,000 tax credit.
The official expiration date of the credit is December 1, 2009.  But Buyers NEED to make a decision on a home way before that...in fact VERY SOON!
The reason is, in order to qualify for the credit; … (0 comments)

first time homebuyer: Fix it and Flip it - No More - 12/20/08 10:03 AM
Ah, the good old days.....buy low, do a few fixes here and there and then sell for a nice profit.  Fix it and keep it is more like it now a days.  The National Association of Realtors reports that the typical first time home buyer plans to stay in that home for 10 years, up from seven years in 2007.  They also report that the number of first-time buyers is rising.  They now account for 41 percent of transactions.  This is up from 39 percent in last year's survey and 36 percent in 2006. 
Based on this report, it appears that … (2 comments)