Don't Let Your Neighbors Sell You Out - 03/31/12 07:33 AM
This is great advice for sellers in Crofton, Maryland as well. If you get along with your neighbors, ask them to not discuss anything with any buyers coming to look at your home when it is on the market.  Any input from them about the area, neighbors, your situation, the schools, ANYTHING can destroy your chances of getting an offer very quickly.
Everyone has an opinion about most things.  One neighbor may have had an argument with another and now they don't like each other but maybe everyone else gets along with them.  One neighbor may have had a bad experience … (6 comments)

I want to be a Realtor® what's involved? - 03/22/12 09:25 AM
This is awesome!  I get asked on a regular basis how someone can go about "getting a real estate license" and many are under the assumption that once you get that license, you're on the road to riches!  John's blog below goes into some of the things that you'll need to do and pay for and doesn't even go into the fact that that "big commission" that you see on the settlement statement does not all go to your Realtor because they also have to pay their broker, in some cases as much as 50% of that and out of that … (3 comments)

Do You ask your clients about their financing? - 03/15/12 09:46 AM
This is a vital part of the buying process, choosing a good lender.  A good lender can save you literally tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loan!  Did you know in many cases an FHA loan is not the best loan for a client but pays the lender more money?  Wonder why you are only being told about FHA loans and not being told about options that may be cheaper for you?  
 
Hook up with a good local Realtor who can introduce you to a GOOD LOCAL LENDER that you can talk to in person, … (0 comments)

Is the HIGHEST offer Always the BEST ? - 03/15/12 06:30 AM
This is a great reminder for buyers and buyers agents that the highest offer isn't necessarily the "best" one!  If you truly want a home that is reasonably priced, fresh on the market, in a price range that is in demand, you'll especially want to make sure your buyers agent goes over comparable sales to give you an idea of what market value is and what homes an appraiser may choose when they are doing their price evaluation. 
 
If you're dealing with a home that is just listed in the Crofton Maryland area or towns around there, a seller is … (1 comments)

FHA verses Conventional - Which is better for you? - 03/03/12 10:12 AM
 
We aren't lenders but I just got this example in an email from a local lender:

FHA Financing (3.5% down) the mortgage insurance is changing to 1.75% upfront (financed) and 1.25% annual (monthly).
On a $300,000 sales price – principal, interest and mortgage insurance - estimated payment per month is $1,713.00
 
Conventional Financing (5% down) with financed one-time mortgage insurance premium
On a $300,000 sales price – principal and interest (no monthly mortgage insurance) – estimated payment per month is $1,381.00

It will cost a buyer a couple thousand dollars more up front but wow, what a savings - they'll make that … (1 comments)

 

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