Craigslist Rental Scams - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale
Craigslist Rental Scams are not a new thing. This has been going on for a while. It has not been a common thing here in Whatcom County, WA, until now. This past week it has been happening more in Whatcom County, WA.
Homes that are listed for sale in Whatcom County, WA have been showing up on Craigslist as rentals. They are copying and pasting the pictures and attaching false contact information!
Please, if you are looking for rental Homes on Craigslist, Be Careful! Do not send any Personal information or money to anyone you can not meet in person! If it sounds to good to be true it is. Many people have sent hundreds of dollars in deposit and rent money. You should never rent any home without seeing it first. Sometimes the home has been rented to several people and it was never for rent in the first place. These people are then angry with no where to go!
You must be very careful. You do not know who you are contacting on Craigslist. You also have no idea if they are, who they say they are. Please, Everyone help to spread the word!
Real Estate agents check Craigslist and flag all listing of yours that get posted and report to the local police depatment.
Those renters that have been victims can do the same!
Craigslist Rental Scams - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale
Last Friday President Barack Obama signed the “Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009” into law, extending the first-time homebuyer tax credit as well as certain jobless benefits at a time when the US unemployment rate has officially reached 10.2%.
With the first-time homebuyer tax credit originally scheduled to expire on Dec. 1st, 2009, HR 3548 now allows first-time buyers to claim 10% of the purchase price of their home, up to $8,000 for single or married taxpayers filing jointly, if they close on the purchase by midnight June 30th, 2010. Taxpayers must purchase or be locked into a contract to close before midnight on April 30th, 2010.
There is more good news that accompanies the extension. The credit is allowed for those with incomes up to $125,000 or $225,000 for taxpayers filing jointly. The credit reduces for those with incomes between $125,000 and $145,000 - or $225,000 and $245,000 if filing jointly. Anyone with an income higher than $145,000, $245,000 if filing jointly, cannot not receive credit.
Taxpayers who have lived in their home for five consecutive years out of the last eight years before closing on a new home may qualify for a reduced credit - $6,500 joint filers and $3,250 for those who file jointly. Other restrictions may apply so consult your tax professional.
GOOD NEWS - 30 Year Fixed Rate Mortgages are still below 5.0% and today's 2 Year Auction is going extremely well meaning we might see the rates dip a bit lower.
MORE GOOD NEWS - Fast Closings for Mortgages - With the rates as low as they are and the 1st time Homebuyer Tax Credit deadline the end of November, the number of mortgage loans in process is high. In the field in it common for refinance mortgages to take a minium of 45-60 days to close and I've heard of loans that started 5 months ago that still are in process and not closed! As for purchase mortgages, they too are experiencing longer processing times. Especially FHA.
This information courtesy of:
Pennie Talbot-Whitish
Mortgage Loan Officer
Horizon Bank, Cornwall Office
1500 Cornwall Ave.
Bellingham, WA 98225
360.756.2540
360.224.6558 Cell phone
360.733.1872 Fax number
pennie.whitish@horizonbank.com
www.horizonbankmortgage.com/PennieWhitish
The market is flooding with properties that are priced quite down to earth and this is providing the real investors of the US and overseas with some valuable opportunities to earn some real cash. In fact, the earnings you can expect from investing in short sale property can vary anywhere between $25,000 and $200,000 or beyond, the sum being contingent upon your investment, your investment pattern, the location of investment and so on and so forth
With the greater number of property foreclosure incidents occurring across the whole of United States, more and more people are being forced to short sale their homes in order to avoid foreclosure auction, thereby losing home. Short sale is proving to be highly beneficial to all these homeowners by settling their due mortgage at a much lesser rate than what they actually owe to the bank or the lender organization, that is, less than the loan balance. Moreover, since they are under the threats of facing foreclosure and obviously are short of real money, they can hardly avail the traditional means of selling their homes through realtors or to other prospects. The obvious choice for them remains property, thereby avoid foreclosure short sale and it is to this beginning that the real estate industry in the US is gaining on some real momentum.
The market is flooding with properties that are priced quite down to earth and this is providing the real investors of the US and overseas with some valuable opportunities to earn some real cash. In fact, the earnings you can expect from investing in short sale property can vary anywhere between $25,000 and $200,000 or beyond, the sum being contingent upon your investment, your investment pattern, the location of investment and so on and so forth. Most of the times, you can expect to get a short sale property at only 60% of the original rate, which you can sell in the open market, after necessary refurbishments, to earn you over 30% of the price value of the property under concern.
However, how much profit you make is determined by your vision and certain aspects that you need to keep in mind in order to make a deal worthy of investment. Let yourself be open to several options in investment, although keeping in mind what would fetch you more returns and which would not. Deciding on a particular property for investment is of crucial significance as your choice can make or break a deal in no time at all. Always predicate your choice of property on the ability to make profit out of it – for instance, take into consideration the location of the property and how viable it will be in the open market, when you intend to sell it at a later point in time.
Assess the property of your concern very well before you opt to buy it. For example, consider the number and extend of repairs and refurbishments you will need to do in a particular property to make it viable to a general buyer. Remember, every dollar you put in for repair or refurbishment is a part of your investment and it will definitely affect the returns you wish from it. However, if you foresee good profit opportunities, investing after a property will not be a bad deal. For this you need a general understanding of the real estate market and its forces. It is advisable to consult a short sale expert agency for their assistance in this domain. From negotiating with a seller to that with the concerned mortgage authority - the short sale experts - they will best help you address every aspect involved in the closing of a successful real estate deal.
Proud to be part of EXIT Realty International's support of Habitat For Humanity. For more information please visit my web site at www.RealBellingham.com/Habitat
EXIT Realty Corp. International is proud to work with its charity of choice, Habitat for Humanity, by sponsoring builds throughout North America. While EXIT Realty's work with Habitat is focused here at home, both organizations are acutely aware of the basic right of people around the world to adequate shelter. To further this initiative the United Nations has declared the first Monday in October World Habitat Day. The World Habitat Day website states, "The idea is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat." Habitat for Humanity is a proud supporter of World Habitat Day.
Habitat for Humanity's website states, "The theme of this year's observance of World Habitat Day, Planning Our Urban Future, is meant to underscore the urgency of meeting the needs of city dwellers in a rapidly urbanizing world."
Find out more about the work of Habitat for Humanity around the world here: www.habitat.org
The green real estate movement is today’s mantra for everything from energy-efficient appliances and toxin-free building materials to all-natural cleaning supplies or water-saving products. Everywhere we turn, marketing screams for our lives to “go green!” Whether it’s the bag you pack your groceries in, separating recyclables before putting out the garbage or checking the tags on what you buy to ensure it’s organic, day-to-day living centers around being – or quickly becoming – eco-friendly.
With that in mind, EXIT Realty Corp. International announced today the launch of its green initiative, “teal is the new green”, which includes training, resources and other tools to assist their agents in marketing themselves as proficient green REALTORS®. The centerpiece to this initiative is a new alliance with EcoBroker® International, the world’s first and largest green designation program for real estate professionals.
EcoBroker's® green designation training and ongoing support will provide EXIT Realty agents with the resources to be constructive green ambassadors in an ever-changing business and consumer world. They will be able to knowledgeably assist clients in their pursuit of properties that provide affordability, comfort and a healthier environment. EXIT-EcoBroker certified professionals will also help sellers effectively market their properties with green features. EcoBroker® is the only designation which is taught by experts in both the green industry and the real estate industry. With over 5,400 agents trained world-wide, they are the largest green designation program for real estate.
“We are also the only green certification program that requires our members to take four hours of additional education each year,” says John Stovall, VP Business Development for EcoBroker® International. “Our annual Advantage Course will keep EXIT-EcoBrokers on top of the latest information in the world of green real estate.”
EXIT-EcoBrokers will be equipped with additional energy and environmental information as well as tools to help them provide added value to all of their real estate transactions. “This training helps our agents address the newest topics in real estate, such as green home certification programs like ENERGY STAR®", says Tami Bonnell, President of the US Organization of EXIT Realty Corp. International. “It also provides practical solutions to assist them in working through issues that may arise in any real estate transaction, such as mold, radon, or poor indoor air quality to name just a few.”
Mississauga, ON(Grassroots Newswire)– In spite of the challenges faced by the real estate industry this past year, EXIT Realty Corp. International proudly continues its support for its charity of choice, Habitat for Humanity. At the EXIT Realty International Convention held last week in Washington DC, Christine Ireborg, EXIT's liaison with Habitat announced that pledges to date have exceeded $1.68 million. View our latest video presentation here.
"EXIT Realty couldn't be more proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity to help make the dream of homeownership come true for deserving families across the U.S. and Canada," said Ireborg. "We wanted to identify with an organization that shares our values and philosophies; an organization based on giving back." A portion of every transaction fee collected by EXIT Realty Corp. International is dedicated to its charitable fund.
EXIT Realty has 11 corporately sponsored builds under its tool belt with the current one in Newark, New Jersey scheduled for dedication later this year. EXIT Realty associates will be swinging hammers once again at upcoming builds in these cities:
November 2009 – Austin, Texas January 2010 – Florida Spring 2010 – Salt Lake City, UT Spring 2010 – Columbia, SC
EXIT Realty brokers and agents can pre-register to participate in these builds by logging into the EXIT Resource Center. For more information about EXIT Realty's work with Habitat for Humanity, please visit www.exitrealty.com/habitat.
Today's market presented a terrific opening for qualified buyers. Here are three tips to help sellers make the most of today's opportunities:
* Make it shine. Buyers are attracted to attractive homes. Make your home stand out by mowing the lawn, raking the leaves, washing windows, and cleaning the carpets. These are small things that will make a big difference.
* Remove clutter. Not only do clean homes show better, but tidy homes offer more to the imagination. One person's treasure is another person's trash. Removing unnecessary clutter will help potential buyers envision their own potential or the home.
* Pay attention to the market. Work with your agent and price your home to sell. A competitively priced home is the one that sells first, and in this market that counts for a lot.
These simple tips can help you sell your home and take advantage of our today's market. Please contact us if you have any questions about selling your home. We are here to help!
homes for sale, bellingham WA, foreclosure, foreclosures, short sales, homes, houses, columbia, fairhaven, samish, lettered streets, alabama hill, old town, silver beach, cordata, birchwood, whatcom falls, puget, york, sehome, mt. baker, mount baker, wwu, south hill, edgemoor, happy valley, cornwall park, king mountain, meridian, whatcom chamber of commerce
Existing home sales are up 3.4 percent over the same time last year, according to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Helped by the $8,000 tax credit to first time buyers, existing home sales are on pace to reach 5.1 million units for 2009, up from the 4.93 million units projected in August 2008.
Existing Home Sales By Region
"Home sales retrenched from a very strong improvement in July but continue to be much higher than before the stimulus. The first-time buyer tax credit is having the intended impact of bringing buyers into the market, allowing them to take advantage of very favorable affordability conditions,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist.
Although existing home sales are up from this time in 2008, the overall numbers are down from just one month ago. "The decline demonstrates we can’t take a housing rebound for granted," Yun said. In the previous four months, sales had risen over 15 percent. Low mortgage rates have contributed to the overall market rise. Freddie Mac reported an average national commitment rate of 5.19 percent in August for a 30 year conventional fixed rate mortgage, down considerably from 6.49 percent offered in August 2008.
homes for sale, bellingham WA, foreclosure, foreclosures, short sales, homes, houses, columbia, fairhaven, samish, lettered streets, alabama hill, old town, silver beach, cordata, birchwood, whatcom falls, puget, york, sehome, mt. baker, mount baker, wwu, south hill, edgemoor, happy valley, cornwall park, king mountain, meridian, whatcom chamber of commerce
An open house can be beneficial for both the buyer and the seller. For the buyer, it is an opportunity to view the home casually to determine if it meets their needs and criteria. For sellers, it is an opportunity to reach a larger number of potential buyers in a shorter period of time. The following tips can help you and your real estate agent ensure that the open house is successful.
Take time before the open house to make sure the exterior of the home is appealing. Curb appeal, as it is known, sets the stage for the visit. Mow the grass, trim the bushes and sweep the front porch. You should also consider planting colorful flowers or placing potted plants near the homes entrance.
Inside, the first impression is the last impression, so keeping the house very neat and clean for the open house is extremely important. It may be a difficult task if you are residing in the house, but taking time to run the vacuum and the dishwasher makes a huge difference.
How does your home smell? Is the garlic from last night’s Italian dinner still lingering? Will the bleach you used to clean the bathroom overwhelm the buyer when they enter the room? The fact is, studies have shown that the senses, including smell, can heavily influence one’s opinion. Use scented candles or a small simmering pot of potpourri with cinnamon to create the effect of “home.” Baking cookies is another option. They smell and taste good!
Continue to set the stage. Hopefully, you took the time to stage your home prior to listing. Whether or not you did, be sure to evaluate how your furniture and furnishings are displayed. You want to appeal to the broadest range of buyers as possible. Ask your real estate agent for advice.
Give them space. Whether you or your agent are conducting the open house, give buyers the opportunity to view the home without hovering over them. When they first come in, ask them to sign the open house sheet and give them a flyer with the property details and information. Let them know you are available if they have questions and invite them to go through the home. Before they leave, ask if they have any questions and thank them for stopping by. Following up afterwards by phone will help solicit feedback and offers.
Open houses are one of many tools that you and your real estate agent can use as part of a comprehensive marketing plan. Take the time to prepare for these so that you can maximize the opportunity to showcase your home.
The majority of my clients already live in or around Bellingham and are both selling and buying in our area. Some of my clients are selling out of the area and moving to Whatcom County from as far away as California or even Washington, DC. Bellingham and Whatcom County are vibrant places and are undergoing many changes. This is the greatest time ever to live in the Pacific Northwest and especially in Whatcom County.
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.
.jpg)
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
The green real estate movement is today’s mantra for everything from energy-efficient appliances and toxin-free building materials to all-natural cleaning supplies or water-saving products. Everywhere we turn, marketing screams for our lives to “go green!” Whether it’s the bag you pack your groceries in, separating recyclables before putting out the garbage or checking the tags on what you buy to ensure it’s organic, day-to-day living centers around being – or quickly becoming – eco-friendly.
;)
;)
