From Anna Matsunaga Keller Williams Realty Tacoma 253 353 2662 www.teammomentumrealestate.com

Many buyers took advantage of the tax credit for purchasing a home and now some of those folks are in a place where they need to move or sell.  What then, the rules provide for the buyer staying in their home at least 3 years, if they can't what then. 

Here is a link to an article that may help answer the question for your situation.  Also if you are in the area and would like tax advice regarding this situation, please contact me and I will put you in touch with a great Tax expert who can help you.  Need to sell your home, afraid it might be a short sale?  I am experienced with that as well and have all the resources you will use along the way.

Here is the link and looking forward to talking with you soon. 

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-02-03/classified/sc-cons-0203-re-matters-20110203_1_first-time-home-buyer-tax-tax-credit-federal-income-taxes

Thinking you may rent your home instead?  Call me in that case as well I have resources you will find helpful.

Anna Matsunaga 253 353 2662

www.teammomentumrealestate.com

From Anna Matsunaga, Team Momentum, Keller Williams Tacoma 253 353 2662

www.teammomentumrealestate.com

This blog written by a fellow Realtor has some very good points and I feel they are important for anyone thinking about selling a home. 

Shared by Anna Matsunaga, Team Momentum, Keller Williams Realty Tacoma 253 353 2662

www.teammomentumrealestate.com

Our focus in life makes such a difference in the life that we have.  This short little movie would be a great way to remind you. 

Think this might be one to watch every day.  Click the link :)

http://www.findingjoymovie.com/?cm_mmc=CheetahMail-_-MO-_-02.06.12-_-FJOYmovie-USCAXX-&utm_source=CheetahMail&utm_campaign=FJOYmovie

Let me know what you think.  Let me know what you think. 

--Anna Matsunaga www.teammomentumrealestate.com

From Anna Matsunaga, Team Momentum, Keller Williams Realty Tacoma

253-353-2662  www.teammomentumrealestate.com

Here are some things you should know when you are considering purchasing a short sale.

1. The property is "As Is"  that does not mean something is wrong with it. It does mean that the client does not have the money to make repairs.  You may inspect for your own information, and there will be no negotiations over repairs.

2. Your offer must be accepted by both the seller AND the seller's Lien holder(s).  Getting the seller's approval will likely be easy, getting lender approval will likely be more difficult and could easily take 2-3 months or even more.

3. The only thing "short" about the process is the price for the house, it is short of what the sellers owe on the house.  The short sale processing is slow, then, when an offer is accepted, banks tend to want you to move faster than lightening in closing it and also in producing any paperwork or anything else that they require.  It is important that your lender knows this up front AND that you have chosen a lender who can be ready to fund the loan on short notice.

Are you considering buying a short sale?  Call me for a consultation on how to successfully purchase a short sale and the pros and cons of doing so.

--Anna Matsunaga, Team Momentum Keller Williams realty Tacoma. 253 353 2662

www.teammomentumrealestate.com

From Anna Matsunaga, Team Momentum, Keller Williams Tacoma 253 353 2662

www.teammomentumrealestate.com

When you are a real estate buyer, whether this is your 1st 10th or 100th transaction, if you are financing it each time you will make a decision about who you go to to procure your loan.  How do you choose?  What are the differences?  How do you know if you have some one who is good?

Here are some simple steps that will make all the difference in the world for you.-

1.  First find a Realtor you trust and hire them to represent you. 

2.  Get a list of preferred lenders from your realtor

.

3. Call each of the lenders-

-

When you do note things like  a. Did they answer the phone or get back with you in a prompt manner?

                                            b. Did you feel comfortable during your interaction?

                                            c. Did they answer your questions or make a time to get back with you with the answers?

                                            d. Did they make a time for a consultation with you? 

If the answer is yes to these questions they are likely above average.

4. Set an appointment with one or more of them for an interview.  At the interview there are many questions you will likely have, here are a few you may not have thought to ask and to which the answers are important.

                               a. May I speak with 3 of your references?

                                b. When is the best time to reach you via phone if I want to talk with you?

                                c. Do you have a team?  Or will you be doing all the processing of the loan from start to finish. ( the right answer to this is yes I have a team and XXXXX is what they do, you want some one who has a support team)

                                d. Will you require you have all my paperwork before you give me an approval letter?  ( again the right answer to this is "yes")

                                e. How will you insure that I have a copy of an approval letter available when I find " the perfect house" even if it is on the weekend or late in the day?

                                f. Will you keep me and my realtor in the loop as things develop?  How will you keep us up to date during the loan process and how often should we expect to hear from you?

                                g. How do you prefer to communicate (ie email, text, phone, in person and so on)

With that said, here is a list of 4 local lenders I have had very good experiences with thus far who I would recommend interviewing.

Brenda- Republic Mortgage- 253 732 4448

Alan-Sterling Savings- 253 232 3972

Paulette- Guild Mtg 360 451 5139

Heather-Director's Mtg 253 576 5757

Know you will be happy with any of them, they are all very good, communicative and professional.

 
Happy shopping, and looking forward to helping you find that perfect next purchase!  Call me so we can set you up for your free consultation and get you your buyer's guide. 

www.teammomentumrealestate.com  253 353 2662 --Anna

From Anna Matsunaga, Team Momentum, Keller Williams Realty Tacoma

www.teammomentumrealestate.com

253 353 2662

With the new postal rates coming into effect as of the 1/22/2012, I am going to the post office today to pick up the "make up stamps" as well as to mail post cards to clients.  Since I sell real estate, I do use alot of stamps.....

Got busy and realized it was past 5pm, no worries, there are locations open longer....so if you are wanting to run in to the closest post office or postal station to up date your stamp inventory....here is a link that has all the local stations and office's hours, could save you time!

http://www.hoursmap.com/c/tacoma-wa/us+post+office-hours-locations-s1254658

Need your new stamps?  You have the information you need it, where to go and when they are open.  Me?  I am headed over to the post office at Evergreen station, if you are one of my  real estate clients in the Tacoma area, if you don't have it already, one of my Winter seasonal cards is on it's way to you now.  Let me know what you think. :)

--Anna Matsunaga

www.teammomentumrealestate.com

From Anna Matsunaga, www.teammomentumrealestate.com Keller Williams Tacoma

253 353 2662

Here is information that was passed on to me to help home and business owners who experience damage from our recent storm in Pierce County.....Hope it is helpful to you!  Please pass it on if you know some one who needs the help.

From Anna Matsunaga, Team Momentum, Keller Williams Realty Tacoma www.teammomentumrealestate.com

253 353 2662

All of us have stress.  Having some stress is a good thing, it can motivate us to do well, to complete tasks and so on.  The only folks with no stress are dead.  On the other hand many people live with stress that is debiliating and harmful and no one performs best that way.

Here is a quick 3 minute movie from the folks at simple truths about stress.....enjoy and have a productive and happy day!

http://play.simpletruths.com/movie/stress-is-a-choice/?cm_mmc=CheetahMail-_-MO-_-01.23.12-_-SIACmovie-USCAXX-&utm_source=CheetahMail&utm_campaign=SIACmovie

www.teammomentumrealestate.com

From Anna Matsunaga, Team Momentum, Keller Williams Realty 253 353 2662  That's 253 353 ANNA!

www.teammomentumrealestate.com

Considering buying a home?  Not sure because of all the things you are hearing about with the market?

Time to get the facts. 

1.  There is no "best time" to buy.  The best time is the best time for you.  If you intend to live in your home long term, historically you will come out well in your investment regardless of exactly where you are in the market when you buy.

2. Home prices are down, way way down.  ( Under 2003 prices here in Pierce county)

3. Interest rates are great!  ( much lower than they were in 2003 which makes homes far more affordable than they were then, what drives your monthly payment even more than the price of your home is your interest rate)

---so if you want to consider moving forward to owning your own home here are some steps to take.

These apply whether you are ready now or want to move forward in a year or 2.  You will want to meet with and get qualified with a lender even if you are not ready just yet since you will want to know where you stand and if there are things you will put on your "to do" list to make it so you are qualified.  If you are not ready yet, you can use the time in between to make yourself ready by the date that you have planned.

1. Find a Realtor(r) that you trust to guide you through the process.  Talk with them and schedule a time for a consultation.  Then if it is a good fit, hire them to work for you.  ( Did you know that you can hire them to help for FREE?)

2. Ask your Realtor(r) to refer you to lenders who they and their clients have had good experiences with.  ( this is a good idea since to do their job a Realtor(r) must work with lenders on an ongoing basis and know who gives good service and communicates well and who does not.  They know who can provide you with an approval letter on the week end, who picks up the phone, who returns calls and so on.)

3. Interview the lenders and decide on one.  ( If you would like a list of questions you may want to ask please contact our team, www.teammomentumrealestate.com)

4. Provide them with all of the documentation they need as soon as you can.

5. Let your Realtor(R) know as soon as you have your approval and make sure it is an approval, not just a pre-qualification,

and get it in writing.

6. Read the information your Realtor(r) gives you about the buying process and ask questions.

7. Work to get clear on what you really want in your home.  ( Materials your Realtor(r) provides you may be very helpful here and so will consulting with your Realtor(R)

8. Start shopping for real, this is the fun part......along the way we will be here to help you with the resources and information that will help you make good choices and feel secure each step of the way

. 

** Keep in mind, most people are actually in a position to either buy a home or buy their next home sooner than they think they are, it is usually just a matter of getting started on the steps.  Some people will use credit repair, or save for downpayment before they buy.  Some will have other things that will be done first.  Consulting with your Realtor(r) and their preferred lenders will get you started on the path so you will know what it is you intend to complete before buying....or you may find you are qualified to buy right now and if that is the case you can decide if you want to do it now or set a date in the future.....either way you are on your way!

We look forward to helping you realize your next move forward in your life!  We will help you whether you are in our area or not, if you are in our area, contact us so we can meet for your free consultation, if you are out of our area, contact us so we can find you a GREAT Realtor(r) who specializes in your area!  www.teammomentumrealestate.com

www.teammomentumrealestate.com

From Anna Matsunaga, Team Momentum, Keller Williams Realty Tacoma

253 353 2662  www.teammomentumrealestate.com

How many of you play "Pet Society" on Face book?  It is one of the most popular games ever and I understand why, it really appeals across the board for many personalities and ages....it is fun once in a while as as way to pay some time. 

Not that I get alot of time to play computer games on Facebook, I do however sometimes play on there while waiting for something to download or as a way to send virtual "gifts" to my daughter who loves to play on it....so the other day I got thinking after taking a tour of some of my friend's homes as well as those of my kids....do your choices and so on on Pet Society tell anything about the "real you?"

Not sure if this is true across the board, just going to share what I saw with my family and our profiles.....

* My youngest daughter's pet is always broke.  She never has any money.  Why?  Because she spends it all on clothing and make overs for her pet.  She has a whole room that is a closet and it is stuffed with clothing of all discriptions as well as more in the clothing storage area you all have for your pets along with the chest for other items you are storing. Her house has clothing all over it and things and furnishings pretty much all scattered around. If you knew her....well let's just say that that is very true to real life.

*My oldest daughter's pet always has lots of money.  Her house is neat and well arranged, she has a modest amount of clothing.  She always has alot of money, because her pet 'works" hard to earn it and because she rarely spends money.  When she does buy things on Facebook she actually plans ahead and makes large purchases or just one tiny small one.....again pretty true to real life.

*My Oldest son's pet is also broke all the time.  Why?  Because he buys things for others with his money and gives them to their pets.  He also at times makes impulse purchases he later wishes he did not.  His decor is always changing and you will find an interesting mix of things in his rooms as you wander his house.  Usually his pet has flies around him since he has not been bathed in a while.  Again, any one who knows him will know that alot of this fits too......so......

* After thinking this about each of theirs I got up the courage to look at my "pet" and his house to see if it was pretty true to life.  I modeled my pet after a real cat who was a part of our lives for over a decade and who I still miss.  He is dressed in nice thing, nothing overly fancy.  He seems to have a moderate amount of money.  Not alot of money...why, well my kids keep going in and spending his money by logging into my profile, buying gifts and sending them to their own pets.  He has a garden and it is planted with all trees since the trees have the greatest rate of return.  ( I can buy one seed and in three days it starts making fruit that I can then save or sell for a profit.)  The house also is a pretty mixed bag, why? well I did not place or choose much of the furniture with the exception of the bedroom since the kids kept going in and changing it, sending it to themselves, recycling it and picking it out for me instead of me picking out my own.......hmmmmm....again this is extreemly accurate.  In fact in my own non virtual house our bedroom is the only one that I have decorated and chosen pretty much everything for, in the rest of the house the furnishings are often moved by other family members and often  did not choose them.....The same can be said for where my money goes, to the family.....

Any way just wondering if I should friend future clients and see if they have a pet society profile......you know, before I have a consult with them....:)

--Oh and my pet's garden is full of things that bring in a profit and butterflies....here is Mr. Twinkle and his front yard garden.....

Anna Matsunaga, Team Momentum, Keller Williams Realty Tacoma

253 353 2662- www.teammomentumrealestate.com