first time home buyers: 3 Bedroom Colonial ...296 Main Street Cromwell CT - 05/12/11 12:51 AM
This well maintained home is all the reason you need to stop renting and to take advantage of owning a home. When have you seen a home under $150,000 in Cromwell CT? 3 Bedroom home... 2 bedroom with a den/family room... It is all there waiting for you. … (14 comments)

first time home buyers: LOOKING OUT FOR YOUR CLIENT, THE BUYER... BUT NOT FORGETTING ABOUT THE SELLER - 02/05/11 07:51 AM
Looking out for your client, the buyer, but not forgetting about the seller either. 
My client, the buyer is looking to purchase his first home.  He has a work schedule that  is not always conducive to a normal showing schedule.  For the most part we have been able to get into all listings at one time or another.
There was one that we saw on a Saturday afternoon that he wanted to see again.  However, neither his schedule or the sellers schedule would allow it for about a week.  My client did not want to miss out on seeing this unit.  He … (25 comments)

first time home buyers: SHOULD YOU RELEASE A BUYER FROM AN AGENCY AGREEMENT? IF SO WHEN? - 01/14/11 06:28 AM


My question is when do you release a buyer from a buyer agency agreement... or do you?  We've all at one point or another declined a listing due to one reason or another.  How about declining or releasing a buyer?
I love working with first time home buyers, and have focused my energy in this direction... to even include getting my designation of ABR (Accredited Buyer's Representative).  These buyers are like children at Christmas, eyes all a glow and for me it is like looking at homes in a new light.  They look for your knowledge and I work with … (10 comments)

first time home buyers: 2% CASH BACK AT CLOSING FOR BUYING A HOME... BUYERS BEWARE!!! - 12/10/10 04:51 AM
2% Cash back at closing for buying a home... buyers beware!
The other day I received a call from a person, that was more mechanical on the phone than personal, requesting that I show *HER* buyer a property I have listed.  I asked her why she isn't showing her client the property, and she informed me that they don't do this.  That she (or should I say her company) will be giving us the listing agency $500.00 if the sale goes through for doing this.
I'm not sure about you, but I don't like wasting my time.. so I asked this … (15 comments)

first time home buyers: INTEREST RATES ARE GOING UP.... HOORAY!!!! - 12/09/10 08:26 AM
INTEREST RATES ARE GOING UP... HOORAY!!!

Interest rates are going up.... and I'm jumping up and down for joy.  For a long time we have been fortunate to have prices of homes low and the interest rates there too.  Now that the interest rates are slowly going up, my phone is ringing off the hook. 
People are looking to buy, most likely realizing that we have reached the bottom of the market here in Connecticut.  One of my buyers who I informed along the way *most recently* in the last 2 months, stating that if they are looking to buy they … (13 comments)

first time home buyers: Is it wrong for a seller to reject a LOWBALL offer? - 12/03/10 01:00 AM
As we all know this market is not like it was 3 years ago, or for that matter 6 months ago.  It hasn't been a buyers market for years, and at this point the banks are the determining factor in most cases. So the property should be listed ahead of the market. When a buyer puts in an offer on a property, most sellers are thrilled and try to work with the prospective buyer.  But should they if an offer is WAY low? In my local area, there are many condos for sale and I have a few listed. One I have in particular is … (20 comments)

first time home buyers: MISCONCEPTION... SELLERS DON'T * GIVE* BUYERS CLOSING COSTS - 08/14/10 09:35 AM
There seems to be a misconception, where sellers give back closing costs to the buyers without it affecting the buyers...or sellers.  How wrong can this notion be?
I've been working with a few first time home buyers this year, that feel the sellers will gladly hand over thousands of dollars for them to purchase their home.  When in actuality they are doing NO SUCH THING.
For all buyers out there thinking that sellers have extra money to *donate* to the purchase of their home, please take off your rose colored glasses.
The sellers are not giving you a dime...ever.  When it comes … (73 comments)

first time home buyers: UPDATE ON HOMES/CONDOS AVAILABLE IN CROMWELL CT - 03/15/10 12:23 PM
Hello, my name is Valerie Osterhoudt and I am a Realtor for Johnson Real Estate, Inc. in the Middlesex and Hartford counties of Connecticut. 
Today is Monday, March 15th, and this is a reminder, that if you are a buyer looking to purchase your first property or a seller looking to move into a new home, you only have 44 more days to have a signed contract in hand, in order to accomplish this main step to receive the tax credit of either $6,500 or $8,000.  This signed contract needs to be in your hand for your new home by the deadline  of … (2 comments)

first time home buyers: HOW TO PICK A LENDER IN TODAY'S MARKET - 01/07/10 09:55 PM
When looking to see how much you qualify for when it comes to buying a home, I'm sure buyers get over whelmed by this thought.  Also, agents when it comes to referring a mortgage officer to your buyers, what factors and qualifications are you taking into account when you decide whom to refer? 
Does the loan officer you refer meet the following qualifications that will give your buyer the best and smoothest transaction?  Here are some guidelines to think about when it comes to this process.
 1)   SERVICE   - Must be available not only 9 - 5 but after hours and weekends to … (20 comments)

first time home buyers: NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION WORKING...!!!!! - 01/03/10 11:10 PM
I wrote a blog about New Year's Resolutions and wanted to let the members here that at this point, this resolution is working.
When it comes to moving forward one needs to be positive.. and I know at times this is hard.  I'm sure we all feel that we are working against the tide when it comes to people saying "How is the real estate market", "I hear real estate isn't moving".. etc.  I'm sure you've all heard this.. however, PMA (positive mental attitude) can change this.
Right before New Year's Eve, I received and email from a couple looking to rent … (18 comments)

first time home buyers: ATTENTION RENTERS... CAN YOU SAVE AT LEAST $20,000 IN ONE YEAR IN ORDER TO BUY A HOME? - 12/26/09 03:17 AM
My name is Valerie Osterhoudt, and I am a realtor for Johnson Real Estate, in Cromwell, CT.  It came to my attention in the last week that many renters that wish to buy a home next year, 2011 are looking to save their money in order to do so.  This makes sense, if you can save *at least* $20,000 over and above what you are currently paying for rent.
If you are paying, modestly $1,000 for rent each month.. this would mean you would have to save an additional $1,000 to match your rent and save it for a down payment. That is … (10 comments)

first time home buyers: NEVER KNOW WHERE A *NEW* CLIENT WILL COME FROM - 12/23/09 09:42 AM
Like all of us this time of year, we are so busy, and going in so many different directions.  For me with two boys, and their schedules thrown into the mix.. it is down right CRAZY!!
This month was my annual physical exam, and I also needed to get some blood work done.  Hey, when you reach a certain age, everything starts to fail... LOL.
While I was giving blood, my cell phone rang.  I thoroughly apologized.  The hospital states all over that cell phones are not permitted.  I explained to the nurse that my job is that of a real … (12 comments)

first time home buyers: MISS LEADING INFORMATION ON THE $8,000 TAX CREDIT - 10/13/09 01:22 AM
I'm driving along this morning and almost got into an accident when I heard a commerical on the radio.  I was listening so carefully that I wasn't paying as much attention to the road as I should have.
The radio commerical was promoting a condo complex here in Connecticut, I believe around the Westbrook area.   Explaining the benefits about the $8,000 tax credit.  They mentioned that it was for first time home buyers, that it is tax free, that it expires at the end of November... but overlooked that you must be moved into your new home at this time, not just have a … (12 comments)

first time home buyers: FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS LOOKING TO PURCHASE A CONDO.... - 06/15/09 07:00 AM
For all the prospective buyers out there looking to buy their first home this year due to the $8,000 tax incentive, let me give you a heads up. 
With being a first time home buyer, usually you are looking to purchase a condo...for good reason. You might not be quiet ready to take on all the responsiblity of a single family home, or your work/life schedule is just too busy to do so.
I am working with two buyers at the moment that are both looking to purchase a condo and have qualified going CHFA/FHA.  This also makes sense since you … (8 comments)

first time home buyers: BUYERS NOT BEING PRE-QUALIFIED.. IS THIS PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE? - 04/08/09 07:03 AM
I have a few clients that are buyers and they all feel they are in the driver's seat.  One actual mentioned to me that they know more about real estate then I do.  I just smiled to myself... for they are a first time home buyer.  Yes, you heard me right on that one.
Two of these clients (that are buyers) do not feel they should be pre-qualified first before I show them homes.  They feel that once they find a house, they will get that letter.  When I inquire what they can afford, and how they can substantiate this, by … (28 comments)