Special offer

Questions Callers Had This Week....

By
Real Estate Agent with SAMSON PROPERTIES 0225018862

This week I am starting a blog series called This Weeks Caller. Everyday, I get calls from home buyers and sellers who have questions about the market. Over the past month, I have featured one call a week on the front of our website in the yellow box called This Weeks Caller.question

These are some of the calls, questions I answered this week:

#1.-I would like to see a Foreclosure Home. It is Vacant. Can't you just give me the code?

My answer to this one is absolutely NO.The caller said but my other REALTOR® ( friend of the family who I hate...just gave us the code to get in) I said well not this REALTOR®.  If you would like to see a home for sale, I will be more than happy to show it to you. Please forward your pre-approval letter to me, and then we can set up a time.

#2- Is there a way to buy a home with a low down payment and avoid PMI?

You might be surprised to know the answer is yes! ACACIA Federal Savingsis offering a five percent down loan with no PMI read more here

#3.  Will the landlord of 11166 Alendale Ctwait until my lease ends  at the end of August ?

11166 Alendale Ct  off Davis Ford Rd, in Manassas is now Vacant and Ready for new tenants. The home was listed at $2400 a month and has just been reduced to $2200. I will check with the landlord however what you are asking them to do is SUCK up two months of mortgage payments waiting for your lease to end. I will let you know what they say.

#4. Peggy, your name was given to me by the owners of 3388 Vineland Place. Can you help me?

My answer was of course we can. Thank you for calling. Can you do me a favor, just fill out this formso I can better serve you. In less than a few days, that caller has now talked with a loan officer, and has received information on the  value of their current home and is looking forward to purchasing a move up home.question

#5. Peggy, why do you use those Ugly Yellow Signs on the weekends?

This call was from the homeowners who's home I have just listed. I mistakenly forgot to share with her why I use the Ugly Yellow corrugated directional signs on weekends to bring attention to her home. She called all upset saying she pulled them all up. Read what my answer was

#6. Hi, Can You Give Me The Number For the HOA in Princeton Woods.

It was from another local REALTOR®who was frustrated trying to find the management company for a community. The good news is I had the answer. I directed here to the PWAR HOA Database

     question      Have a question? Let's talk contact me by email  or call 703-851-3085.

Contact Peggy James or Erick Blackwelder  of Erick and Company  of Exit 1st Choice Realty, 14029 Crossing Place,Woodbridge VA. Realtors®, call 703-851-3085 (Peggy) or 703-590-2252(Office).Give us a call and we can "GET YOUR HOME SOLD FAST"to list your property for sale we service  Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, River Falls, Middle County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Haymarket,Montclair, Dumfries, Quantico, Fort Belvior, Occoquan, Dale City, Gainesville, Garrisonville and Triangle area's

 

Peggy James
SAMSON PROPERTIES - Woodbridge, VA
Woodbridge Virginia Area Real Estate Specialist

Pat & Wayne, the links work. Chances are since both were AR Links to the outside blog it was just a hiccup. Try it again.

Ruthmarie-Thank you, I try. There were so many more. These were the one's off the top of my head.

Debra- Selling a home is a very emotional thing. Sellers work hard to make sure the home looks perfect. I understood her concern. However she hired me to get it sold. So I do what it takes.

Kieno-when we go to the Internet to find a new place to eat, a place to repair our car, we find local companies that can provide the service we need. When a potential seller or buyer lands on my local Lake Ridge VA real estate blog I want them to know they can call me to ask any real estate question. I'm sure folks looking is Ashburn would love to know you can answer their real estate questions.

Frank and Sharon-so true! Two weeks ago, someone wanted to know how they could join the Westridge Waves Swim Team.

Patricia- Thank you. I'm glad this is featured as well. Now only for active rain members but for readers as well.  I want the shy reader or the person sitting at home wondering if they can buy or sell to call me. You never know until you ask.

Lanre- I think that # is from the Military By Owner website. Check..

Joan- Isn't is amazing?

Mike- Bingo!

Adam- exactly

Steve and Carol- we sell how this works. I also link one of the questions to our website as a Feature of the Week and that leads people directly to my local real estate blog as well.

Sonja- The Cheesy Yellow Signs are cheap and can be also be given out to clients and customers for their garage sales, block parties, welcome home directionals. I just keep a big box of them in my garage for when people need them.

Evelyn- these can work like a charm depending on where your property is. I just use step in wire frames and a blank yellow corrugated plastic sign.

 

Sandi- We do field alot of calls. And homeowners and home buyers call about renting, selling, buying, refinancing and how to do short sales. People find us and call to ask lots of questions.

Ron- Thanks same to you!

Jul 02, 2011 12:42 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Congratulations on the featured post. These are good questions and answers for consumers.

Jul 02, 2011 12:48 AM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566
Peggy, what a great idea for a blog series. I bet this will be duplicated in the network.
Jul 02, 2011 12:57 AM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Peggy - Featuring these questions on the homepage of your website is a great idea... and I like you're linking to the extended answers.  I've been doing a weekly Q&A on my outside blog, and it's usually an extended answer to one questions.  Maybe I'll give your strategy a try!

Jul 02, 2011 01:25 AM
Phil Leng
Retired - Kirkland, WA
Phil Leng - Retired

Hi Peggy,

Fun post!

Another answer to question #2 is HomePath. In our area we now have a lot of FNMA foreclosures, and they allow 3% down payments on their approved properties with no PMI at all, and no appraisal.

And, until the end of October, they are giving 3.5% for buyer closing costs, and a $1200 bonus to the buyers agent.

Phil

Jul 02, 2011 01:36 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Good stuff, Peggy.  Thanks for adding the links to your answers.  And, thanks for including the "ugly yellow signs" from the previous post.  8-)  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, isn't it!

Jul 02, 2011 01:38 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Peggy, these questions and answers will help other who may have the same questions. Good answers.

Jul 02, 2011 01:59 AM
Peggy James
SAMSON PROPERTIES - Woodbridge, VA
Woodbridge Virginia Area Real Estate Specialist

Anna- Thanks. People tell me that all the time. When they read my blog post they feel as if I am talking to them and they respond. Erick Blackwelder my partner says I have a folksy blog style. I let my customers and clients inspire my next blog posts. I'm sure people find you when they are looking for homes in the Boston Metro West area as well. My neice is moving that way soon. I may need your help.

Gita-I think it is important for consumers to know that the REALTOR® who write blogs are plugged in with today's real estate market conditions and are accessible. In fact every REALTOR®, who has commented on this post is one you should consider calling to interview if you are getting ready to sell or buy. Tip From Peg for consumers (TIP): always Google the REALTOR® you are thinking of hiring.

Cheryl-I think every blogger should do a series like this.

Margaret-Adding the Q & A to the website and linking it to Active Rain, just helps the website be less canned. I also post my latest blog post on my Facebook Page

Phil-Have you had any luck with the HOMEPATH Financing? I know the lenders here are having a tough time with it. Share how it is working in for you in Kirkland Washington area. I'm so curious.

Mike-So true. I shared with my customer. Those ugly yellow signs are a pattern interrupt. When someone has been pre-approved for a home loan. Their Reticular Activator kicks into high gear. What is that you say?  That is the part of your brain that heightens your awareness. ( I feel another blog post coming on!)

Jul 02, 2011 02:06 AM
Pat & Wayne Harriman
Harriman Real Estate, LLC (203) 672-4499 - Wallingford, CT
Broker/Owners, Wallingford CT Real Estate

Sorry, I wasn't logged in!

 

Nope, the links still don't work. I keep getting this message:

 

Oops! Google Chrome could not find lakeridgevarealestatenews.com

Even after clearing cache and cookies. Must be a Chrome issue, no worries.

 

Jul 02, 2011 02:14 AM
Cindy Marchant
Keller Williams Indy NE 317-290-7775 www.marchantteam.com - Carmel, IN
"Cindy in Indy" , Realtor, Fishers Real Estate
Love this...a series is definitely in order. I have had people ask me the first one for sure!
Jul 02, 2011 02:34 AM
Peggy James
SAMSON PROPERTIES - Woodbridge, VA
Woodbridge Virginia Area Real Estate Specialist

Pat and Wayne- I gave up on Google Chrome. The reason it has so many issues especially with Zip Forms. Maybe the AR Gods can look into this issue. Sorry you are having issue with the links.

Cindy- I'm sure the readers in the Carmel Indiana area would love to know their is a REALTOR®, who is ready and willing to answer their questions and take their calls. I look forward to ready what questions folks have in Indiana.

Jul 02, 2011 02:40 AM
Margie Kopp Sorrell
Coldwell Banker Lake Oconee Realty and Lake Country - Greensboro, GA
Lake Oconee Real Estate

Peggy- what a great idea to set up a blog section talking about the questions you get on a daily basis. You know if you're getting them, most of us are as well so it's entertaining to read yet somewhat comforting to know we're not alone!

Jul 02, 2011 03:20 AM
Lori Cain
Own Tulsa - Tulsa, OK
Midtown Tulsa Real Estate Top Producer

I think I'm off to make some ugly yellow signs right now! Great idea for a series!

Jul 02, 2011 03:57 AM
Marnie Matarese
DWELL REAL ESTATE - Sarasota, FL
Showing you the best of Sarasota!

Selling in the Sarasota area of Florida which is beginning to recover a bit quicker than the rest of the state, the phone calls that we get from the media soaked buyers up North still revolve around their belief that no matter what the listing is priced at, they should be able to pick it up for about 50%. There could be volumes written on the time wasted researching properties for buyers who just do not understand that the prices in many cases are actually very close to the selling price that does eventually happen! Thanks for an affirmation that I am not the only one getting some of the questions you have so well addressed.

Jul 02, 2011 05:56 AM
Sherri Berry
Reliant Realty, Murfreesboro - Murfreesboro, TN
Murfreesboro TN Homes & Real Estate

Interesting week of questions.  It seems like question number one comes up a lot!  Why people think they can go into vacant homes without a realtor is always a surprise to me.  

Jul 02, 2011 06:40 AM
Ray Waisler
Finance of America - Atlanta, GA
NMLS #6621 - Specializing in Jumbo FHA & VA

Peggy, just as an FYI to #2, there are many programs that will allow for a buyer to avoid PMI with as little as 3% down not including USDA and VA that will go 0% down. I will be happy to discuss them with you.  

Jul 02, 2011 08:38 AM
Virginia (Ginger) Schott
Cabins & Canoes - Port Jervis, NY
Assoc. Broker, CBR, CHMS

Peggy Loved your Q&A blog, we sure do get a varried group of questions thrown at us each week.

 

Jul 02, 2011 08:40 AM
Ann Nguyen
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Truckee, CA
Lake Tahoe Truckee Homes For Sale

Peggy,

What a great idea for a blog series!!! We get questions from Buyers & Sellers all the time and I am sure many more out there have similar questions. Thank you for sharing this!

Jul 02, 2011 09:23 AM
Donald Reich
Madison Specs - New Rochelle, NY
Cost Segregation Specialist

We get all sorts of questions in this business. Some good, some completely off the wall. Looks like your doing a good job handling them all!

Jul 02, 2011 04:17 PM
Lisa Dunham
Alexandria, VA
Associate Broker, Alexandria Virginia Real Estate

Peggy, this is a great idea for a blog series!  I read your conversation with the homeowner about the "ugly yellow signs" ... another great idea and the way you gradually allowed the seller to come to the same conclusion was priceless!  I only wish you had included a picture of the signs. :-)

Jul 04, 2011 08:41 AM