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buying: ZILLOW, TRULIA, and the likes, are they the true "Experts" in real estate? - 01/19/12 02:38 AM
So are Zillow & Trulia the real estate "experts?" I am confident, and brave enough to say NO!
The real estate industry has seen many changes within the past few years, from technology advancements, to the role of a Realtor, and the changes happened so fast and furious its no wonder there are many that are confused.
Because of this fast pace of change, the creation of businesses like a Zillow, and Trulia, and blog sites that allows anyone to "ask an expert," the public (whom the majority always had a negative image of a Realtor) were convinced they … (4 comments)
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buying: Market Update for Charlotte, NC - 11/10/11 07:10 PM
According to the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association, the following is new data showing how our maket is fairing amidst global economic changes.
Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association reports: The number of closings for October 2011 (1,882) increased 12.4 percent compared to October 2010 when closings totaled 1,674. Compared to September 2011 (1,968), closings were down 4.4 percent.
The average sales price in October 2011 ($194,837) was down 3.6 percent compared to October 2010 ($202,146), and down less than one percent compared to September 2011 ($196,649). The median sales price in October 2011 ($152,000) decreased 1.3 percent compared to the October 2010 median sales … (1 comments)
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buying: Why Finding the Right Realtor is Key... - 05/10/10 12:17 PM
Sure, anyone can buy real estate, but there is an art to buying real estate, besides just looking in the classifieds, Craig's list and other internet websites, or driving around town. Don't find out the hard way that you could have avoided some mistakes had you hired a Realtor that knows what she's doing.
You need to understand, When an investor plans to buy a house, he or she is buying to rent it from the day they close the deal. There is no real concern about issues that may be important in the long run. Investors buy property based on … (1 comments)
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buying: What About Credit Score Points...How Are They Rated? - 05/07/10 10:54 AM
So you thought about buying a new home, but have had some credit issues in the past like late payments on your credit cards and car loan, have had a foreclosure, or even filed bankruptcy. How does these things affect your score and by how much?
Well, according to FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation), your score is made up of different elements that you should understand better. This knowledge may get you thinking a bit differently as to how you treat your credit obligations, and why.
Here's is the breakdown:
Payment History = 35%
Amounts Owed, or Total outstanding amount of debt … (1 comments)
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buying: Northwest Charlotte Market Update - March 2010 - 05/03/10 10:58 PM
The following information is for the NW Charlotte real estate market:
45 properties SOLD!
Average Square feet = 1699
Average Bedrooms = 3
Average Bathrooms = 1
Average LIST PRICE = $102,775
Average SOLD PRICE = $99,723
Average DAYS ON MARKET = 96
The Average SALES PRICE for the same month, one year ago (March 2009) was $119,060. That's a 14% decrease.
The Northwest Charlotte area is an up and coming part of Charlotte, that I feel is under rated. If you are a first time buyer and would like to learn more about this area, or you are a homeowner … (0 comments)
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buying: The Tax Credit...Will It Be Extended? - 04/28/10 06:05 PM
I strongly feel that it will not for a couple of reasons:
1) Last year 2009 when the tax credit was about to expire, I would say there were talks, or a buzz about its extension in my industry about a month prior to the expiration date. This year, there is no chatter.
2) The IRS stopped processing the tax credit once they were confronted with new issues that stemmed from the extension. The extension forced the IRS to add /subtract more items to its form in order to process the credit, plus find ways that identified fraud. The new IRS form … (0 comments)
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buying: Working With Real Estate Agents - 04/26/10 06:03 PM
Ok, so you've decided to buy a house and know the best thing to do is work with a Realtor. Good choice! Here are some things you need to know when working with Realtors:
1) Relax! Realtors have a Code of Ethics that you can assume will keep them in line while working on your transaction. Included in their Code are rules and guidelines, that if violated will be reprimand and can possibly cost them to loose or suspend their license.
2) Read your documents your Realtor gives you. Buying a house is nothing to be taken lightly, nor to the extreme of … (1 comments)
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buying: What is Hazard Insurance? - 04/20/10 09:25 AM
As a buyer of real estate, it is always good practice to insure everything you can think of! Banks insure their investments by making sure the borrower takes mortgage insurance. This type of insurance insures that if the borrower does not have at minimum 20% equity, i.e. Down Payment in the deal, then mortgage insurance is mandatory. This insures that if the borrower is not able to make mortgage payments, at least the bank can reposses the property, and hopefully sell it in time to still make money on the deal. Banks are in business to make money, not spend money.
For … (0 comments)
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buying: Loans & Financing When Buying Your Home - 03/19/10 08:07 AM
There are different loans a borrower should learn about before actually obtaining one! I've had plenty of buyers in the past not know what type of loan they were getting from a lender that pre-qualified, or pre-approved them before they hired me.
IS THIS FOR REAL? Yes it is! Most recently, I had a couple that got a pre-approval through one of those online quick loans companies on the web, that told her what she wanted to hear. Great! I'm thinking, they are good as gold. We go shopping for a home. We find one they absolutely love. We write the Offer. … (3 comments)
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buying: Getting Your Credit Report Before Talking To A Lender - 03/17/10 10:54 PM
Now I'm no loan officer, but did get certified as a Loan Originator a couple years ago. Some things I remember from my course, others from real world experience. Like, if you want a loan from anywhere, you must have a good credit score. And "good" means above 660, and that's not really consider "good". "Good" really means a score of 720 and better. But how many of the U.S. population has over a 720 crdit score?...surprisingly, according to my lender source, more than half of the population has a credit score of over 700!
So before you can actually say … (0 comments)
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buying: What About Credit? - 03/06/10 09:17 AM
Credit is so important in today's American economy. You see commercials telling you there is an Obama stimulus plan that addresses helping those with high credit card amounts to call for debt assistance. Why? Because, in America, as we all know, Credit is King!
If you are contemplating buying real estate, your credit is one of the things that gets you qualified for a loan. Today, in order to qualify for a low down payment loan program, like an FHA loan, you must have at minimum a 580 credit score. Now I'll be very honest with you, that may be the … (1 comments)
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buying: When Low-Income Residents Are Not Welcome - 02/23/10 09:53 PM
So, you know I had to follow up with part 2 of the Ballantyne and low-income apartments saga. Last night, I went to the community meeting at the Harris church to see how it would all play out. I went early just to grab a seat close to the front so I could hear everything.
It was a good presentation, as far as the developers having a little powerpoint presentation on the 2 screens they provided. Little did they know they were about to be toast. I don't think they had any idea what they were in for because they started out … (0 comments)
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buying: How To Buy A Home - 02/22/10 02:56 PM
Most Buyers, when they are ready to buy a house, are very excited. However, as a buyer, you must learn "buying etiquette" in order to make the process of finding your next home alot easier on you, and your Realtor.
Almost all buyers think finding the house is the biggest deal in the process. Understand that finding the house is really just a portion of what else needs to be done in the homebuying process. There is still plenty of work to be done, and so, knowing where you want to be make the difference.
Here are a few Tips to get you … (2 comments)
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buying: Buyer Agents...What are they? - 02/13/10 08:51 PM
Someone that is down for the buyer! Period. There is no other way of explaining that but getting straight to the point.
To my surprise, there are buyers, with an agent, or has had an agent, that still do not know the different relationships they can have with a Realtor. All they know is they have to "sign something" with an agent, and they're not quite ready for that. Most buyers are apprehensive in the beginning, because they've been told alot of bad stories about "real estate agents and their contracts."
Well, when you sit and talk with me you will know everything you need to, as … (1 comments)
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buying: Tax Credit Countdown - 02/10/10 09:35 PM
Unless you've lived under a rock within the past 3 months, you know by now the tax credit was extended. Enough of trying to convince Buyers to buy before the expiration date, how about getting them to realize, If you ARE serious about buying your first home, and have had cold feet in the past, that NOW is not the time to get cold feet...you must act like Nike...Just Do It!
We are in February. There is not much time to ponder the thought. If you wanna know if you can buy, contact me or any agent to get you the information you need … (0 comments)
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buying: When Buyers Are Confused... - 02/10/10 09:43 AM
Working with 1st Time Buyers allow me to really know what's on the minds of the very people that are trying to decide if they should take part of the "American Dream" or not. And I can tell you, its very interesting.
What I do know about 1st Timers is they are probably the most courageous. Whether or not they know it, they have placed themselves in the "I think I can" mentally, and mustered up the heart to actively pursue something as scary as homeownership.
When they decide to own a home, the first thing they do is go to the web to … (0 comments)
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buying: What's the difference between a Realtor and a real estate agent? - 02/09/10 09:42 AM
Possibly, Ethics! See a real estate "agent" is someone who took the state license test after studying the material. They did not have to have been in real estate prior to the state test. They can simply find any real estate company that will allow them to "hang their license" and they're off and practicing real estate with buyers and sellers.
On the other hand, Realtors go a step further. We pay into an association that has operations on the national, state, and local levels. And these associations do alot more than allow agents to hang their license. They are filled … (4 comments)
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buying: Fair Housing...What Does That Mean To Buyers? - 02/04/10 08:49 PM
When buying, you may think going to a Realtor and telling her, candidly, what you want in a house is what you are suppose to do, and that she is to oblige without hesitation..."I want a house in a 'good' school district, where there is low crime, and the neighborhood is 'mixed' or 'multicultural' " I would venture to say to many, this may sound about right. That this is what a buyer is suppose to tell a Realtor, and the Realtor is to deliver!
Well, guess what? If your Realtor followed your every word, and showed you homes with all of … (4 comments)
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buying: When Buyers Are Excited!!! - 02/03/10 10:43 PM
When I come in contact with a Buyer that got my information through a friend, usually its a relaxed transaction. The trust is already there. I don't have to worry too much about loyalty. They are pretty solid. It doesn't give me any reason to be anything less than professional. So it ends up a pleasant transaction for all.
However, whenever I get a buyer that found me either through my advertisements, its safe to say on average they are a bit nervous about buying their first home, and meeting with an Realtor they have no idea about.
In some cases these … (4 comments)
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buying: Builders...are they on the up and up with customers? - 02/01/10 07:58 PM
I had an agent once tell me the agent at the builder's office told his clients that they "didn't need an agent". That is crazy, and might I add, very unprofessional!
I come across buyers all the time that wish to buy a brand new home. Nine times out of ten, they already visited with the builder's rep, and are still unsure as to what was said, what will be done, and who they can trust.
My advice to Buyers is, get representation for you! The builder's agent may be a nice person that greets you with smiles and a bottle … (1 comments)
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Raine Spivey, REALTOR
Charlotte,
NC
More about me…
REIGN REALTY
Address: 15720 John J. Delaney Drive, Charlotte, NC, 28277
Office Phone: (704) 935-5292
Cell Phone: (704) 931-8133
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