In today's real estate market, you need to not only know what you are doing, but be able to be very creative and to think outside the box. So, as a seller or a realtor, how do you market a home?  How about a home that is in a college town? Yesterday, I wrote this post, "Kiddie Condo" FHA loans aka Non-Occupant Co-Borrower Loans - What are they?

Because of the mortgage meltdown that started taking place about 2 years ago, there aren't as many mortgage programs available. The media hasn't helped as much, with spreading negative news also. But what about getting back to the basics?  What about certain programs that can be used in some markets that aren't talked about much. With recent news that HUD might not allow down payment assistance programs, which won't be known until August 15th, things will be tighter than ever out there.  For more info on the DPA's, please read : Nehemiah & Down Payment Assistance programs done? Is this true? - Urgent Urgent -

Overall, you need to find the true value of your home, and market it well.

My main concern, are you tying up your home by not thinking outside the box?

• Is your home over-priced?  Just priced accordingly? 
• Ever think about keeping your price the same, but offering lots of seller help? Nehemiah/AmeriDream Down Payment Assistance Programs (DPA's) - Are they that bad?.....
• Do you listen to your realtor who might be against FHA loans / financing? This could be a huge mistake because the average buyer might only have 10% to put down and might have credit scores less than 680.
  
• Is your house in average shape?  Does your landscaping need to be spruced up some?
  
• Do you pick a realtor, just because they have discounted there services? In my honest opinion, this is usually not a great idea. Do you go to a cheap doctor, who might not be as experienced or good at what they do? Food for thought.

My main point to this post was that we aren't in standard / conventional times. With stated loans almost gone and possibly soon to be down payment assistance programs, you will more than ever need the help of real, knowledgeable professionals.  And not those that make promises or reduce their commissions to get your business. Remember that old saying, "you get what you pay for"? 

I have preached this over and over, but FHA loans will be the best kind of financing for more than half the consumers out there. I still have one or two that will tell me, hey, we made it this far, we can do with FHA. Okay, maybe you can, but are you giving your buyer the best loan?  Is your seller suffering, because you think that FHA loans are a bad loan product, just because you are old school. Or because of your lender who told you this, because they aren't FHA approved or FHA knowledgeable?

People.... I can say this, no matter how good or bad the market, people will always need to buy. But you need to review your goals, the people that you are working with, and the information that they are supplying you. Do your research, the internet is full of it.  But please read this post by Fran Gaspari, Discerning Truth On The Internet...!!!, because I don't want you believing everything that you read online.

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For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For more information on how you can obtain your dream home, please click here : Mortgage Financing Options

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags !!!!!

Copyright © 2008 by Jeff Belonger