buy: Is Buying a Home in 2012 within Your Means?
- 01/19/12 08:29 AM
Homebuyer Representation, Inc. offers a free consultation to home buyers. What does it mean to consult an Exclusive Buyer's Agent? A consultation is a one-time meeting to get any of your real estate questions answered and to find out what it would take to buy a home. The meeting can be in person or over the phone. It doesn't mean that you have to hire the agent to represent you, or even hire an agent at all. You should come away from the consultation with enough information to answer these questions: Does it make sense to buy vs. rent? Is what … (1 comments)
buy: First Time Buyers - Should You Buy a Home in 2012?
- 11/09/11 06:32 AM
Low interest rates and still falling home prices make it tempting to buy a house now, but before purchasing, wise buyers are looking at their big picture.Most of those who will buy homes in 2012 will buy because it makes sense for them to do so. Security (at their current employer and in their current field) has a strong impact on the decision to purchase or not, even more than low interest rates.Interest Rates and Mortgage Insurance Low interest rates sound good, and are good, but what isn't talked about much is that the cost of mortgage insurance has almost doubled … (0 comments)
buy: Rent or Buy?
- 02/24/11 08:07 AM
If you are trying to decide whether or not you should rent or buy in today's economy, I ran across this great little tool that can HELP you analyze what might be best for you. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/business/buy-rent-calculator.html I say "HELP" you analyze what is best because in order for it to be anywhere near accurate, you will have to do some research on each of the variables that are required for it to make a calculation. You will also need to have at least some idea about how long you want to "settle" down in the area you are considering renting or … (2 comments)
buy: Owning Becomes More Attractive as Rent's Rise, Home Prices and Interest Rates Fall
- 04/09/09 06:48 PM
Demand for rental homes and units in many parts of the country is on the rise as many homeowners who are unable to refinance their mortgages to today's lower rates because their property values have declined have sold their homes "short" or left them altogether after foreclosure. Increased restrictions for obtaining mortgage financing (high credit scores and larger down payments) have also reduced the pool of renters who "qualify" for homeownership. As demand rises for rental units, the cost of renting should rise. As inventory of homes available for purchase grows, and demand shrinks (or is reduced due to a smaller … (1 comments)
buy: Think the Seller Pays the Real Estate Fees? Think Again!
- 02/25/09 10:27 AM
Most Buyers are told that the Seller pays all the real estate fees. This is not exactly true. That the Seller pays the fees is semantics. Your cash (or loan) to buy the home is what gives the Seller the proceeds with which to pay their agent and other settlement fees. YOU not only pay for your agent, but one could argue that you also pay for the Seller's agent. You have the right to choose your own agent. Make sure you don't shortchange yourself by hiring a mediocre agent to represent your side of the transaction. Certainly, don't make the … (3 comments)
buy: Real Estate Negotiation Skills a Must for All Salt Lake Area Home Buyers, Especially in the Current Market
- 10/13/08 06:33 AM
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - Benjamin D. Clark has been awarded the Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) designation, achieved by real estate professionals who have successfully completed formal training in the art of negotiation. Agents who receive this certification are in the top 1% of all agents nationally. Buyer's agents with professional negotiation skills are much more likely to obtain better results for their clients. Agents with the Certified Negotiation Expert designation have a powerful competitive edge because of their ability to uncover information effectively, get more and give less during negotiations, and retain control over desired outcomes. The Bottom Line: CNE … (6 comments)
buy: Are Home Buyers Being Tricked Into Agency Relationships?
- 06/03/08 05:14 AM
CASE: Buyer does not have an agent. Buyer sees a home for sale on the internet. Buyer calls Listing Agent to see the home. Listing Agent sends an "Associate" to show the home to the Buyer. Associate asks Buyer if they have an agent. Buyer says "No." Associate shows Buyer the home. Buyer says they may be interested but still need to find an agent to represent their best interests. Associate says, "If you want to buy this home, I will be the one to write up the offer because I'm the one who will get paid. You are free to get … (2 comments)
The story makes a few interesting statements about Salt Lake's ecoonomy that I thought should be considered by anyone considering a move to the area, as well as by those of us who live, work, and own homes here. Here they are, paraphrased by me: 1."Salt Lake's growing economy was not housing reliant" 2. "Salt Lake has a 3% annual job growth rate" 3. "Salt Lake has declining home inventory" 4. "Salt Lake has one of … (10 comments)
buy: Salt Lake - 2nd Least Stressful Metropolitan Area in US
- 03/10/08 06:25 PM
Back on February 11th, I somehow missed this study, but another agent's post brought it to my attention today. BizJournals.com ran a story that proclaimed Salt Lake City "the runner-up in the low-stress derby. It enjoys America's smallest unemployment rate, 2.6 percent, as well as light traffic, healthy citizens and low crime rates." Living here, I have to say that I enjoy it. They left out all the cool things you can do here like skiing, mountain biking, hiking, etc. etc. It's also pretty easy to relax when you can get to most of the things you want and need to do … (2 comments)
buy: Which Are GOOD Reasons to Buy Now?
- 03/08/08 01:03 PM
Which of the following are GOOD reasons to buy a home now? Tax AdvantagesMore InventoryLower PricesLower AppreciationLow Rates (Historically Speaking)Lower payments now, even if prices drop (assuming interest rates continue to rise)Sellers/Builders offering more incentives/more willing to negotiateMore loan programs (Did I just say that?) - Will more and more products be taken from the marketplace over the next few years? Rising RentsYou plan on settling down for many years Get the 30 year (or 15 year) clock running...More foreclosures = More opportunity for a bargain (Is this true?)Waiting until you "know" the market has improved means you have waited too longAre … (9 comments)
buy: Utah Leads Nation in Price Appreciation (STILL!)
- 02/26/08 10:42 AM
The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight has issued the report we have all been waiting for... Utah still leads the nation in home-price appreciation! Of course, these reports are a little behind the times and I wouldn't expect anyone to believe that homes appreciated at 9.7% for January or February. I'm still sticking to a more modest 2-2.5% (Well below what was predicted!) (Images from OFHEO's report) I would suggest that part of the most recent drop in the appreciation rate in Utah is due to the fewer homes selling in the $600,000 + price range due to the increased difficulty and or … (4 comments)
buy: Rents are Rising - But so are Rates!
- 02/23/08 03:53 PM
Apartment Rents in Salt Lake are on the rise, making a home purchase more attractive for those who will be staying in the area for a few years. Homes available for purchase are at extremely high levels and that makes it a Buyer's market. But, as the common phrase goes, Buyer Beware! Interest Rates are also fluctuating which plays a big part in determining whether or not you can buy a place for cheaper than rent. The best advice is still not to purchase a home if you will only be staying in the area for a year or two. Only during a … (4 comments)
buy: To Buy Or Not To Buy? This is the Answer (Salt Lake City, Utah)
- 02/17/08 01:49 PM
Salt Lake Market in a Nutshell (February 15, 2008):Number of Homes Listed: UPNumber of Homes Sold: DOWNList Prices: DOWNSOLD Prices: UP To Buy or Not to Buy: BUY It's a Buyer's Market. What are you waiting for? If you are thinking about buying a home in the Salt Lake area, make sure you get an agent on YOUR side. Homebuyer Representation, Inc. is the only Real Estate Brokerage representing Buyers ONLY in Salt Lake City and the Surrounding Areas. We do not list any homes. We never represent Sellers. We work for BUYERS ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. We work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when … (3 comments)
buy: Does the "Right" way to buy a home change?
- 02/13/08 05:37 AM
Last year, CNN Money posted a Spring Home-Buying Guide. The link is: CNN Money - Spring Home-Buying Guide: 6 ways to do it right They say to get pre-approved first, shop at least 4 or 5 lenders, work with an agent who will represent you only, etc. etc. etc. The most important factor is making sure you have someone on YOUR side of the transaction, protecting YOUR interest and working to get YOU the best price and terms. If you have an Exclusive Buyer's Agent on your side, they should help ensure that you are doing the rest of the important things. Do it Right! Homebuyer Representation, … (2 comments)
buy: Buying a Home (Smarter, not Harder)
- 05/07/07 05:27 PM
Utah's smartest homebuyers have found that the best way to buy a home is to make sure the agent working for them, works ONLY for them! Think about it:In Utah, the Seller's Agent is bound to get the Seller the best price and terms. Can the Seller's agent prepare a market analysis for you and recommend that you make an offer well below the list price? NO. Will the Seller's Agent recommend that you ask the Seller to make repairs, or ask the Seller to pay your closing costs? And then do thier best to negotiate with the Seller on your behalf and get them to … (0 comments)
Homebuyer Representation, Inc. offers a free consultation to home buyers.
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