Thursday, August 28, 2014

Attitudes about homeownership

 
Attitudes about homeownership
 
Ready to make the move?
Housing needs change as life goes on, you will need someone that can serve your home financing needs. So when you plan to buy a home, you should rely on someone you know can help you plan effectively, purchase confidently and own successfully.
 
Opportunity is knocking - LOUDLY!
While the Spring has been the best time to buy - the Fall historically has been a close second.
If your time has come for you to buy either your next home OR, your first home, your timing couldn't be better! Many areas of the country are experiencing lower home prices, or mortgage interest rates remain near historical low levels. You may be able to find an attractively priced property that is move in ready.
 
 
Attitudes about homeownership remain positive!*
  • National survey results confirm owners and renters agree owning a home is a smart decision over the long term.
  • 95% of owners surveyed believe that over a period of several years, it makes more sense to own a home.
  • 72% of renters surveyed agree.
  • 93% of owners surveyed would buy again.
  • 63% of renters surveyed said they are at least somewhat likely to purchase a home in the future. * National Association of Realtors
More then ever, in today’s market it is extremely important to have an informed, Savvy REALTOR who knows and understand this market.  
   - Contact me - (click below)                                                             
Theodore “Ted” Corbett when BUYING a Home or SELLING your Home! 
 
 
 


Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Top Home Buying Myths

 


 

Top Home Buying Myths

There are many misconceptions about the home-buying process.  To help set the record straight, here are some common myths; Many myths are created by "Haters", those that just hate your drive, your motivation and just your successful ways. THEN, it's those myths that have been around for years and are just plain false, not true, YET, often cause well intentioned, motivated and would-be HOMEOWNERS  enough caution to not move forward!

Myth #1:  You don’t need a Realtor.

Before you bravely take on one of the biggest purchases or sales of your life, remember this: it’s not as easy as it looks.  Realtors know all the ins and outs of the local area as well as the market in which you’re looking to buy or sell.  Picking up the phone and calling a Realtor may be one of the best decisions you’ll make.

Myth #2:  The bigger the down payment, the better off you’ll be.

Buyers’ immediate reflex is to put as much cash down as they can when buying a new home because they’ll borrow less, lower the monthly mortgage payments, and won’t need to buy mortgage insurance.  However, putting 20% down is not a requirement and it’s not for everyone.
Thanks to Federal Housing Administration Loans (FHA Loans), you can put as little as 3.5% down.  With this method, you’ll potentially have a lower interest rate, giving you more flexibility.  Your money is not all tied up in your house like in a traditional down payment that can leave you with little or no extra cash to spend on home care, improvements, or any other unforeseen circumstances.

Myth #3:  Appraisers set the value of a home.

The role of the appraiser is to produce a credible opinion of value that reflects the current market.  Appraisers are not responsible for setting the value of the home and they also do not confirm a home’s sale price.

Myth #4:  You need perfect credit.

Most people assume that you must have absolutely golden credit in order to get a loan, but that just simply isn’t the case.  If buyers have less than perfect credit, lenders are often willing to work with them to get the best possible loan.
Credit is not the only thing that lenders look at when deciding to approve a loan, but your score will have an effect on the interest rate on your mortgage.  Make sure you review your credit report and if any errors are found, they should be reported to the credit reporting bureaus before applying for a mortgage.

More then ever, in today’s market it is extremely important to have an informed, Savvy REALTOR who knows and understand this market.  
   - Contact me - (click below)                                                             
Theodore “Ted” Corbett when BUYING a Home or SELLING your Home! 
 

 

 


 

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Is Foreclosure in Your Future, and what can be done about IT!


Is Foreclosure in Your Future, and what can be done about IT!

 

 

If you’re behind on your mortgage, or having a hard time making payments, you need to get you in touch with a HUD-approved housing counselor — they’ve been sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Your counselor can develop a tailored plan of action for your situation and help you work with your mortgage company. They’re experienced in all of the available programs and a variety of financial situations. They can help you organize your finances, understand your mortgage options, and find a solution that works for you.

 

Please be advised, if anyone tries to charge you in advance for help or guarantees that they can stop your foreclosure, they’re not legitimate.

 

You can click on the link below to get a list of:


 

 

The above information was provided through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which is part of our Federal Government and can and will be a tremendous help to you in times of possible foreclosure. CFPB’s “mission is to make markets for consumer financial products and services work for Americans — whether they are applying for a mortgage, choosing among credit cards, or using any number of other consumer financial products.”

 

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act) established the CFPB.

 



 

Also Visit my website:


 

Is Foreclosure in Your Future, and what can be done about IT!


Is Foreclosure in Your Future, and what can be done about IT!

 

 

If you’re behind on your mortgage, or having a hard time making payments, you need to get you in touch with a HUD-approved housing counselor — they’ve been sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Your counselor can develop a tailored plan of action for your situation and help you work with your mortgage company. They’re experienced in all of the available programs and a variety of financial situations. They can help you organize your finances, understand your mortgage options, and find a solution that works for you.

 

Please be advised, if anyone tries to charge you in advance for help or guarantees that they can stop your foreclosure, they’re not legitimate.

 

You can click on the link below to get a list of:


 

 

The above information was provided through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which is part of our Federal Government and can and will be a tremendous help to you in times of possible foreclosure. CFPB’s “mission is to make markets for consumer financial products and services work for Americans — whether they are applying for a mortgage, choosing among credit cards, or using any number of other consumer financial products.”

 

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act) established the CFPB.

 

Contact me - (click below)                   

Theodore “Ted” Corbett when you want a full service REALTOR!!!

 

Also Visit my website @

 

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

SHORT SELLERS AND THOSE IN FORECLOSURE ARE NOT THE SAME!!


SHORT SELLERS AND THOSE IN FORECLOSURE ARE NOT THE SAME!!

For some time now, many short sellers were treated the same as homeowners that foreclosed when applying for a mortgage.  Due to a credit coding issue that lumped short sellers into the same category as a foreclosure, the waiting period for loan approval was extended substantially.  This forced millions to put their dream of participating in homeownership again off to the distant future.  With interest rates climbing, and the real estate market improving, the increased future cost for purchasing would seem more of an obstacle down the road. 
But new policy changes could bring more options starting in November.  After Sen. Bill Nelson focused on bringing this coding error to the FTC and the Consumer Financial Protection Board, things started to change. 
"This is the nature of the evolution of this business," says Fannie Mae spokeswoman Keosha Burns. The agency will input the new software into its computer system on Nov. 16. After that, if a short sale is marked as a foreclosure, the new code will allow the loan servicers to bypass it, correct it and move forward with the loan. Short sellers should speak with their bankers about the new options for homeownership, what the qualifications will be, and whether the state of their credit needs improvement. 
More then ever, in today’s market it is extremely important to have an informed, Savvy REALTOR who knows and understand this market.  
   - Contact me - (click below)                                                             
Theodore “Ted” Corbett when BUYING a Home or SELLING your Home!

Monday, November 11, 2013

What Successful Buyers are doing!


What Successful Buyers are doing!

For most home buyers, the purchase of real estate is one of the largest financial transactions they will make. Buyers purchase a home not only for the desire to own a home of their own, but also because of changes in jobs, family situations, and the need for a smaller or larger living area.
NAR’s (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®) annual survey of recent home buyers and sellers provides insight into detailed information about experiences with this important transaction. Here are highlights from the latest report.
 
In today’s Housing market, buyers still as always look for location.

Location, Location, Location

The survey showed that while neighborhoods are important to buyers, neighborhood choices varied according to family composition. Homes that are close to work are a growing priority for many home buyers today.

Highlights from the latest report shows:

·                Sixty-six percent of recent home buyers were married couples—the highest share since 2001.

·                For 42 percent of home buyers, the first step in the home-buying process was looking online for properties and 14 percent of home buyers first looked online for information about the home buying process.

·                The use of the Internet in the home search rose slightly to 92 percent.

·                The typical home buyer searched for 12 weeks and viewed 10 homes.

·                Eighty-eight percent of buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker—a share that has steadily increased from 69 percent in 2001.

·                Eighty-eight percent of sellers were assisted by a real estate agent when selling their home.

·                Two-thirds of home sellers only contacted one agent before selecting the one to assist with their home sale.

·                The share of home sellers who sold their home without the assistance of a real estate agent was nine percent. Forty percent knew the buyer prior to home purchase.
As you can see, in today’s housing market, the need to eliminate the competition
so you can find and get your “DREAM HOME” calls for you to have a qualified, savvy Realtor at your service:
 More then ever, in today’s market it is extremely important to have an informed, Savvy REALTOR who knows and understand this market.
   
                                - Contact me -                                                               
 

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

7 Reasons Your Home Isn’t Selling and What To Do About It.


7 Reasons Your Home Isn’t Selling and What To Do About It.

As a Realtor I often see listings that linger on the market for months or even years – while others sell in a matter of months or even days.

Price and local inventory play a big part in a home not selling in a timely manner, there are as many other reasons as there are homes that are sold daily and yes, homes are bought & sold everyday, and in all areas.

I will highlight 8 reasons a home don’t sell, as well as what you can do about it.


1 – Selling Price

The price of any home that is not getting showings or offers is usually the main factor. Whatever is wrong with the home, it can usually be overcomed by adjusting the price!

2 – Tacky or Dated Décor

Everyone’s taste is different, so less is more when it comes to décor at sale time. Loud patterns and bold colors can be big distractions. Do I need to say anymore?

3 – Poor Condition

If a home looks as if it’s going to cost half as much to repair or renovate as it does to purchase, it’s going to take a long time to move. Just think about it  - “why should I buy this house, when there are houses around that don’t need as much work”?

4 – Bad Location

A wonderful house can’t always overcome a bad location. Houses that are close to a power plant, waste-treatment facility or busy freeway will sit, unless the seller is willing to take a major hit on the price.

Also, when a neighborhood has disintegrated, pushing values down & crime up, it’s hard to find a buyer who wants to purchase there, and owners are forced to rent out the house.

5 – Bad Design

In some cases, it’s a matter of functional obsolescence, when a dated design no longer serves today’s population, such as older houses where you have to walk through one bedroom to get to a second bedroom.

6 – Over Improved House

While it certainly feels nice to have the largest most elegant home in the neighborhood, it won’t do you any favors when it comes time to sell. People are paying not only for the house, but also for everything around it. If the houses around yours don’t mirror yours in size or polish, you might have a hard time getting a luxury price.

7 – “Sloppy” House

If a seller don’t bother to spruce up the outside area, or cleanup, clutter, debris or simply make the house appealing to the eye – the house will be a challenge to sell – it will be hard to impossible to get the asking price, or sell, period.

4 Tips for Selling Your House Fast:

1 – Be realistic about the selling price. Experience shows that the main reason a property stay on the market without selling in a timely way is the price is too high.

As I mentioned earlier, “Price will overcome any objection”. Look at comparable sales, paying special attention to those in similar condition.

2 – Everybody’s taste is different, so don’t stage your home as a showcase of your own bold or traditional style. Buyers want a minimalist picture in which to see themselves in their “home”.
Hiring a Realtor to stage your home can achieve this!

3 – Post eye grabbing photos. Your Realtor can do this important task and more for you. Your Realtor can post photos on MLS and other Real Estate sources that promote and showcase your property’s features  that are true selling points.

4 – Your home should look as good as it can from the minute it hits the MLS.

More then ever, in today’s market it is extremely important to have an informed              
 REALTOR who knows and understand this market     
                                                                 - CALL -