I’m on a plane heading to New York for a meeting with some of the best and the brightest in the Real Estate world (at least in New York)

It’s a red eye flight and everyone around me is resting, some even snoring, and here I sit posting a blog. What can I say…sometimes the most random things inspire me!

I don’t have my headset on and currently playing is “The Time Travelers Wife”. It’s a movie that I had planned on seeing, but somehow never made it to the theatre to catch.

I’m looking up at the screen periodically and get the gist of the movie but what I don’t have are the details. For example, why does he always disappear? Does he have control of it and how long he’ll be gone? Why does he do it? Does his wife finally get tired of? Why did she sign up for it to begin with?

That is the relevant information that I should have before making a decision on whether I like it or not. Seems logical.

But let’s say that I don’t bother to watch it with the headset and decide to jump to conclusions and create my own storyline. While there is an art to creating something from almost nothing, this is also the way that many rumors get started.

You arrive home from the market and you see a “For Sale” sign on your neighbors yard….what do you do next? Do you call one of your neighbors and ask if they know what’s going on…or do you call and give them an explanation on what YOU think happened?

This is something you should consider if you are looking to buy or sell a home. Allowing people that are not in Real Estate to advise you on:
When is the perfect time to buy/sell, what to offer, how much to ask for, asking the agent to kick in their commission check, looking for the best buy, work with many agents to see who gets you the best deal. In the end, this will do you more harm than good.

I bring this up because I know a lot of Monday morning quarterbacks. You know what I’m talking about. The ones that would have won the game if….

Without a professional Real Estate agent to represent YOU, you can expect to waste your time, writing low ball offers not aware of what the current local market is doing. If you’re looking to sell your home, looking on Zillow is a good start, BUT it’s still not an accurate portrayal as to what is REALLY going on in the neighborhood. For example, a home on a cul de sac will generally sell for more than a home that is on the corner of a freeway on ramp.

You’ll probably be told that REO’s (bank owned properties), short sales and foreclosures are the way to go…when in truth, that may not be the way for YOU to go. Time constraints (these can take anywhere from 3-9 months to actually materialize) condition of the home and price are all factors to consider. If it takes too long, what happens to your loan? The interest rate? Your payment?

I’m not saying to hire the first Agent you speak with. Interview several. Get a sense of who they are (Google them if you need to) and then move forward.

I wouldn’t represent myself in court or perform open heart surgery on myself…I also would not represent myself in a Real Estate transaction…

Why would you?

The Web, November 18, 2009 - According to the most recent MRIS Weekly Market Activity Report dates November 16, 2009, there has been continued improvement in the Washington D.C. housing market.

The report highlights that “With the home-buyer tax credit now expanded and extended, sales activity in the MRIS region slowed down as expected for the week ending November 7. And by “slowed down” we mean it only posted a 40 percent year-over-year increase as opposed to a 53 percent increase. That’s our roundabout way of saying that market activity is still extremely robust.”

As noted in the report, both the Housing Affordability Index and the Pending Sales inventory have seen increases, specifically:

• When compared to last year’s numbers, the Housing Affordability Index has increased 19.1%, making purchasing a home an option for more potential homebuyers.
• Weekly Pending Sales have also increased 37.5% from last year.

The continued forward-motion of the housing market, even if slow, is a good sign of a much more positive 2010.

About EXIT Realty Talbot and Company Broker/Owner, Helena Talbot

Helena Talbot has been a licensed member of the Virginia real estate community since she earned her realtor license in 1979. By 1985 she had obtained her brokerage license. She is a current member of the National Association & Virginia Association of Realtors, the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors and the Dulles Area Association of Realtors. She has served as President, Director and Committee member of the Dulles Area Association of Realtors. She has been honored as Dulles Area Assoc of Realtors – Salesperson of the Year 2000 and Realtor of the Year 2003.

There is an agency in NY called the ‘Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City.  This organization provides loan assistance to individuals who are purchasing property in NY.    Some of the services are: Down Payment and Closing Costs Assistance, HomeFirst Downpayment Assistance Program, and grants are available to those who qualify.

The Grants are up to $25,000.00 and are available for first-time homebuyers.  The purchase can be of Cooperatives, condominiums, single-or two-family homes.

Go to the website for additional information http://www.nhsnyc.org/.

This organization provides other services as well.  If your interested in purchasing investment property take a look to see what they can do for you.

This service is available in other cities. Search under your particular city.

There are still many people across the country who are considering buying a home for the first time.  And, with the $8,000 federal tax credit getting ready to expire on November 30^th, many of them are on a time crunch. At the same time, every consumer still wants to successfully buy their first home.  Therefore, if you are considering taking the plunge to buy your first home, I have some advice on what you need to know to help it be a successful purchase.

Although home prices have declined, purchasing a new home can still be more challenging than it was a year or two ago.  Because of one of the biggest housing market crashes in history, lenders are now tighter than ever with their lending standards, which makes it more difficult for buyers to get the financing they need.

For those who are still ready to make that big step, here are some helpful tips on what you can do to be a successful homeowner:

Do a careful inspection of your credit report to learn what your credit score currently is and to find out if there are any bad marks you need to know about.  Lenders will check your credit report to see if you have the means to pay the mortgage on the home you want to purchase.  The higher your credit score, the more favorable an interest rate and terms you will receive on your mortgage loan.  You can check your credit report and score through many online companies for free.

Become familiar with mortgage conditions and terms.  A mortgage is a legal and binding agreement between the buyer and lender of a property.  Being familiar with all the conditions and terms before you sign any legal documents, even a mortgage, will help you know that you are not being pressured into signing something you don’t completely understand.  If you need assistance understanding the legalities of mortgage terms and conditions, you can seek assistance from an attorney or a real estate professional.

Hire a real estate professional to help you through the entire process.  Buying a home will most likely be the biggest financial transaction you will ever make in your lifetime.  Finding a trusted real estate professional to help you through the process will help you feel less overwhelmed.  A realtor will help you understand everything from beginning to end and help you feel more confident in your purchase.  They will also be most useful in dealing with the complexities of purchasing a home.

Following these tips can help your home buying process go more smoothly.  Just be sure to seek any advice needed when having difficulty understanding anything about the home buying process.

Just Call Realtor® Liz Miller for All Your Lake Havasu Real Estate Needs

Search Lake Havasu City Real Estate

Owning a home is like any major commitment. You need to be mentally and financially ready for it. What stage of life are you in? Are you financially stable? Do you move around a lot?

Before you even look at homes, take a good look at your situation and crunch the numbers to see if this is the right time for you to buy. Just because it’s a buyer’s market doesn’t mean you should buy now. These steps will help you figure out whether you’re ready to own a home.

1. Compare the pros and cons of renting.

2. Create a wish list.

3. Calculate a monthly mortgage payment you can afford.

4. Create a budget for monthly homeowner expenses.

5. Check your credit report and repair your credit.

6. Research the market where you want to buy.

7. Figure out how you will pay the down payment and closing costs.

8. Start out small.

9. Consider sharing ownership of a home.

10. Know your rights as a homeowner and borrower.

Read more at HGTV’s Front Door by clicking here.

It is assumed by many that borrowers who default on their mortgages are low-income and purchased their home without being able to afford it by taking advantage of low interest rates and lax lending practices. Or that those borrowers signed mortgages without fully understanding the fine print. Or that they qualified for a loan based on no-documents or stated-income loan programs.

It is not necessarily true. Many stated-income borrowers happily meet their mortgage obligations.

At the same time, it is also true that many sub-prime loan borrowers defaulted on their mortgages.

However, a study of 24 million credit files by national credit bureau Experian and consulting company Oliver Wyman has shown that home owners with high credit scores are 50 percent more likely to deliberately walk away from a mortgage than lower-scoring borrowers.

The industry calls these “strategic defaults” and their numbers grew to 588,000 in 2008, double the total in 2007, and well beyond most earlier estimates.

The study determined:

• Strategic defaulters tend to go straight from paying their mortgages dependably to not paying at all.
• Strategic defaulters are heavily concentrated in negative-equity markets like California and Florida.
• Two-thirds of strategic defaulters have only one mortgage.
• Most likely to default are home owners with large balances and the highest credit ratings.

Clearly, strategic defaulters are sophisticated and look on the decision to default as a business strategy. They may find themselves $200K-$300K in the hole on their house, and choose to damage their credit rather than continue making payments to the lender.

Clearly it seems that most “strategic defaulters” look at a house purchase as an investment first and as a HOME a distant second – while most traditional home buyers purchase a house as a HOME first and foremost.

.

This study certainly explains the relatively low rate of short sales being approved by the lenders – in order to qualify for a short sale, the sellers must prove hardship. Merely not being happy with the current housing market and the fact that the seller’s house lost value, or that the seller owes more than the house is worth, is NOT enough for the lender to agree to a short sale.  A hardship letter proving inability to meet mortgage obligations due to circumstances beyond borrower’s control is the only way to qualify for a short sale.

.

NOTE: I am a REALTOR who is also CDPE, Certified Distressed Property Expert. If you or someone you know owes more on their house than it is worth in the current market, and must sell due to relocation, job transfer, loss of income or other factors, you may qualify for a short sale and thus save your credit. Contact me personally for a no obligation consultation before you decide to foreclose on your home and damage your credit – short sale is not reported on your credit report.

I practice real estate in Northern Virginia area: Arlington County, Fairfax County, Fauquier County, Loudoun County, Prince William County.

SOURCE: Washington Post Writers Group

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“When It’s SOLD In River Creek, The Butler Did It!”

Tired of paying rent and enticed by a first-time home buyer tax credit, 25-year-old Garrett Rebel began his search for a home in August, scouring the suburbs of Dallas for a house to meet his current and future needs. And he’s already running out of time.

The federal tax credit for first-time buyers is “a huge motivator” for Rebel, and he may end his search if the Nov. 30 deadline arrives and he still hasn’t closed on a deal. He unsuccessfully submitted an offer on one house; after going back and forth with the seller couldn’t come to a price agreeable to both parties. “I haven’t found anything that I’ve fallen in love with,” Rebel said.

Timing is everything for many first-time buyers today. For those who purchase a home this year, the tax credit is for 10% of the purchase price, up to $8,000. Those who have owned a home in the past three years aren’t eligible. Buyers also have to meet eligibility requirements regarding income; the current credit begins to phase out for singles who make more than $75,000 and couples who make more than $150,000.

Unless it is extended, this credit will expire on Nov. 30. “We are seeing an increase in buyers wanting to get closed prior to the tax credit closing deadline,” said real-estate agent Amy Downs, who represents Rebel. “We are seeing an increase in sellers wanting to get their homes on the market and closed by this deadline. I feel that if we can get the homes priced accordingly and a strong offer by mid-October, we can beat this deadline with a reputable lender working the buy side.”

Some real-estate agents and mortgage brokers are recommending that first-time buyers close no later than the week before Thanksgiving to ensure that no holiday-related office closings or abbreviated schedules interfere with the process. That means finalizing a purchase on or before Nov. 20. In fact, to make sure you can take advantage of the credit, it’s probably best to go under contract no later than the first or second week of October, said Jim Sahnger, mortgage planner with Palm Beach Financial Network in Florida.

The National Association of Realtors reports that it’s taking about two months to complete a home sale in the current market, as lenders scrutinize borrower paperwork and issues with appraisals pop up. In short, first-time buyers probably need to select a property and make an offer by the end of this month. But rushing to meet the deadline is a double-edged sword. The purchase of a home—let alone your first one—isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly.

“For anyone, the decision to buy a house has to be a right one,” Sahnger said. “While the $8,000 can be great to have, I wouldn’t let that force you into a decision. But there is something that works and you want to take advantage of the credit, you can’t afford to delay the decision.”

For buyers who don’t make the deadline, there is a chance the credit will be extended. There are at least 20 bills drafted regarding the credit; one-third of them have been introduced recently, said Lucien Salvant, managing director of public affairs for NAR. Some proposals would not only extend the first-time buyer credit into next year, but would also expand it to include all home buyers, remove income restrictions and raise the maximum amount of the credit, up to $15,000.

By including all buyers, there could be more of a ripple effect as more Americans spend money on moving vans, lawn equipment — any items or services associated with making a move, said Jerry Howard, president and CEO of the National Association of Home Builders. NAHB and NAR have been lobbying heavily for the extension. “The first priority is going to be to renew the $8,000 credit, but we have some good arguments for expanding it,” said Jerry Giovaniello, senior vice president and chief lobbyist for NAR. He argues that the credit doesn’t cost much but has a huge impact.

If you’re a first-time buyer, however, waiting is a gamble. “What you have in front of you now is a tax credit. After that, you don’t know what you have,” Salvant said. “This thing can go all different kinds of ways.”

NAR estimates that about 1.8 million to 2 million first-time buyers will take advantage of the tax credit this year, and says that roughly 350,000 sales wouldn’t have taken place without the credit.

But the effectiveness of the credit will eventually peter out because there are only so many potential first-time buyers, said Richard Green, director of the Lusk Center for Real Estate at the University of Southern California. He said that the credit is likely getting many first-time buyers to make their purchases six months to a year earlier than they would have anyway. “In terms of how effective it is, I don’t think it does any harm at this point. It’s pushing sales forward that would have happened anyway,” he said. “You’re giving money to people who were going to buy anyway.” Increasing the credit amount to $15,000 and expanding it to everyone, however, could end up translating to higher home prices, he added.

Still, there is growing Capitol Hill support for the extension of the credit. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said it needs to be extended by the end of the year, according to a spokesman from his office. And Washington Research Group, a unit of securities firm Concept Capital, recently put the chance of extension at 60 percent.

Yet with Congress currently focusing on other issues, and concerns about the country’s rising deficit, some wonder how difficult it will be for housing to garner attention anytime soon. “All eyes are on health care,” said Bruce Hahn, president of the American Homeowners Grassroots Alliance.

According to Realtor.com, first-time buyers on average search 12 weeks to find a home. But there are ways for buyers to expedite their journey to closing: Sign up for automatic alerts for properties that fit your criteria. Many buyers start their search online, and it’s possible to sign up for e-mail alerts when properties that meet your criteria are added, Realtor.com points out. If you’re working with a real estate agent, he or she also may be able to register you for automatic alerts when homes are listed. But make sure the information you receive is fresh — you don’t have time to look at unavailable homes.

Do all you can to ensure a smooth mortgage process. Collect pay stubs, bank statements and tax returns to prove income. Get prequalified. And while your loan is in process, don’t make major purchases on credit cards — that could delay closing, said Julie Reynolds, a spokeswoman for Realtor.com.

Prepare for closing costs early. Get your insurance company and, if applicable, your homeowner association, to forward a cost estimate to the escrow company early, Realtor.com recommended in a news release. In many states, closing costs must be paid — in cash — at closing.

(c) 2009, MarketWatch.com Inc.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

“When It’s SOLD In Virginia Oaks, The Butler Did It!”

Tired of paying rent and enticed by a first-time home buyer tax credit, 25-year-old Garrett Rebel began his search for a home in August, scouring the suburbs of Dallas for a house to meet his current and future needs. And he’s already running out of time.

The federal tax credit for first-time buyers is “a huge motivator” for Rebel, and he may end his search if the Nov. 30 deadline arrives and he still hasn’t closed on a deal. He unsuccessfully submitted an offer on one house; after going back and forth with the seller couldn’t come to a price agreeable to both parties. “I haven’t found anything that I’ve fallen in love with,” Rebel said.

Timing is everything for many first-time buyers today. For those who purchase a home this year, the tax credit is for 10% of the purchase price, up to $8,000. Those who have owned a home in the past three years aren’t eligible. Buyers also have to meet eligibility requirements regarding income; the current credit begins to phase out for singles who make more than $75,000 and couples who make more than $150,000.

Unless it is extended, this credit will expire on Nov. 30. “We are seeing an increase in buyers wanting to get closed prior to the tax credit closing deadline,” said real-estate agent Amy Downs, who represents Rebel. “We are seeing an increase in sellers wanting to get their homes on the market and closed by this deadline. I feel that if we can get the homes priced accordingly and a strong offer by mid-October, we can beat this deadline with a reputable lender working the buy side.”

Some real-estate agents and mortgage brokers are recommending that first-time buyers close no later than the week before Thanksgiving to ensure that no holiday-related office closings or abbreviated schedules interfere with the process. That means finalizing a purchase on or before Nov. 20. In fact, to make sure you can take advantage of the credit, it’s probably best to go under contract no later than the first or second week of October, said Jim Sahnger, mortgage planner with Palm Beach Financial Network in Florida.

The National Association of Realtors reports that it’s taking about two months to complete a home sale in the current market, as lenders scrutinize borrower paperwork and issues with appraisals pop up. In short, first-time buyers probably need to select a property and make an offer by the end of this month. But rushing to meet the deadline is a double-edged sword. The purchase of a home—let alone your first one—isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly.

“For anyone, the decision to buy a house has to be a right one,” Sahnger said. “While the $8,000 can be great to have, I wouldn’t let that force you into a decision. But there is something that works and you want to take advantage of the credit, you can’t afford to delay the decision.”

For buyers who don’t make the deadline, there is a chance the credit will be extended. There are at least 20 bills drafted regarding the credit; one-third of them have been introduced recently, said Lucien Salvant, managing director of public affairs for NAR. Some proposals would not only extend the first-time buyer credit into next year, but would also expand it to include all home buyers, remove income restrictions and raise the maximum amount of the credit, up to $15,000.

By including all buyers, there could be more of a ripple effect as more Americans spend money on moving vans, lawn equipment — any items or services associated with making a move, said Jerry Howard, president and CEO of the National Association of Home Builders. NAHB and NAR have been lobbying heavily for the extension. “The first priority is going to be to renew the $8,000 credit, but we have some good arguments for expanding it,” said Jerry Giovaniello, senior vice president and chief lobbyist for NAR. He argues that the credit doesn’t cost much but has a huge impact.

If you’re a first-time buyer, however, waiting is a gamble. “What you have in front of you now is a tax credit. After that, you don’t know what you have,” Salvant said. “This thing can go all different kinds of ways.”

NAR estimates that about 1.8 million to 2 million first-time buyers will take advantage of the tax credit this year, and says that roughly 350,000 sales wouldn’t have taken place without the credit.

But the effectiveness of the credit will eventually peter out because there are only so many potential first-time buyers, said Richard Green, director of the Lusk Center for Real Estate at the University of Southern California. He said that the credit is likely getting many first-time buyers to make their purchases six months to a year earlier than they would have anyway. “In terms of how effective it is, I don’t think it does any harm at this point. It’s pushing sales forward that would have happened anyway,” he said. “You’re giving money to people who were going to buy anyway.” Increasing the credit amount to $15,000 and expanding it to everyone, however, could end up translating to higher home prices, he added.

Still, there is growing Capitol Hill support for the extension of the credit. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said it needs to be extended by the end of the year, according to a spokesman from his office. And Washington Research Group, a unit of securities firm Concept Capital, recently put the chance of extension at 60 percent.

Yet with Congress currently focusing on other issues, and concerns about the country’s rising deficit, some wonder how difficult it will be for housing to garner attention anytime soon. “All eyes are on health care,” said Bruce Hahn, president of the American Homeowners Grassroots Alliance.

According to Realtor.com, first-time buyers on average search 12 weeks to find a home. But there are ways for buyers to expedite their journey to closing: Sign up for automatic alerts for properties that fit your criteria. Many buyers start their search online, and it’s possible to sign up for e-mail alerts when properties that meet your criteria are added, Realtor.com points out. If you’re working with a real estate agent, he or she also may be able to register you for automatic alerts when homes are listed. But make sure the information you receive is fresh — you don’t have time to look at unavailable homes.

Do all you can to ensure a smooth mortgage process. Collect pay stubs, bank statements and tax returns to prove income. Get prequalified. And while your loan is in process, don’t make major purchases on credit cards — that could delay closing, said Julie Reynolds, a spokeswoman for Realtor.com.

Prepare for closing costs early. Get your insurance company and, if applicable, your homeowner association, to forward a cost estimate to the escrow company early, Realtor.com recommended in a news release. In many states, closing costs must be paid — in cash — at closing.

(c) 2009, MarketWatch.com Inc.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

“When It’s SOLD In Lake Manassas, The Butler Did It!”

In preparation for purchasing a home, first time home buyers should determine how much they are able to afford to pay monthly for a mortgage. Why? Well, what if you purchase the Chicago Park California real estate of your dreams, and then you lose it because the payments take up all of the money you need to live every month. That would be bad.

A general rule of thumb is that a first time home buyer’s total debt load, including the mortgage, should not be more than 40% of your monthly gross income. Now, today that’s hard to do. But a lower debt load will make it easier for you to afford your monthly payments. Plus, you will have some money left over at the end of the month to put into savings, play with, and generally live off of.

With all the foreclosures, bank owned homes, short sales, and other distressed properties available at this time, bargains are certainly to be had. But don’t rush into anything. When you find Lake Wildwood homes that you like, hire a realtor that you can trust and look them over first. And when you find a home that is right for you, snatch it up. That’s the way to go.

Skyah Jamsen

A recent industry study found the following about women homebuyers:

Women may be inclined to make up their mind quickly.
—When asked how long it took before they knew their home was “right” for them, almost 70% of women had made up their mind the day they walked into the house. Only 23% of women felt the need to visit the home a second time to make a purchasing decision.

Women would rather live closer to their extended family than to their job.
—55 percent of women find it more important to be closer to their extended family (those that do not live in their household) than to their job.

A home’s security is a deal-breaker for women.
—64 percent of women said that if they found the home of their dreams but had concerns about its security, they would no longer be interested.

Couples say that no one “wears the pants in the relationship” in terms of major financial decisions.
—When asked who wears the pants in the relationship (when it comes to major financial decisions, such as purchasing a home), almost 70% of respondents living with their significant other said it’s actually mutual.

If you want a Realtor® that understand a women’s needs and concerns, contact Carol VanAusdal or Micah Fox today.

Rates for 30-year home loans dropped for the third-straight week, inching toward a record low reached earlier this year, Freddie Mac said Thursday.

Buyers continue to have a great opportunity to “BUY LOW” and “LOCK IN” an all time low 30 year mortgage rate.

Click Here   To Read This Informative Article

How to Finance a House with Bad Credit

By Trinise L. Castro

Okay, you know your credit sucks. Your credit score is low. There were some bills that ran past due. And your credit history seems to be haunting you. It’s been a rocky road. With the gap widening between good credit borrowers and subprime borrowers, you’re definitely not alone.

Buying with Bad Credit

The real question is what are you ready to do about your credit situation? Are you willing to change your past thinking about finances? Can you demonstrate your ability to handle all of your current bills—along with the new ones that come with homeownership? You need to know, to the exact dollar, how much money you make and spend each month. To state the obvious, your income has to be higher than your expenses in order to finance a house.

Typically your mortgage payment should be no more than 30 percent of your monthly income. So if you make $3,000 a month, your mortgage payment shouldn’t be any higher than $900. This is why it makes sense to pay off as many debts as possible before buying a home. If you need more income to qualify, consider getting a roommate to help you cover the mortgage payment.

In purchasing a home you’ll have more to consider than just your mortgage payment. For starters, you’ll have to pay taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Additionally it’s advisable to have a “miscellaneous fund” set aside for those unknown expenses that will pop up. You don’t necessarily know what they all are. But you do know that other expenses will come along soon after purchasing a house; usually sooner than you think too.

Most people tend to spend more money than they make. Do some research and find out how much the utility bills will amount to each month. Do you plan to eat out and enjoy entertainment? A latte here and a candy bar there add up pretty quickly. Make sure you have enough money to do the things you really want to do while covering all your financial obligations.

To recap, you’re ready to buy if:

• You know how much money you make and spend month,
• Your expenses are lower than your income,
• You’ve added up the new expenses that come with a home, and
• The mortgage payment is no higher than 30 percent of your monthly income.

Finding the Financing

Caution:  Anyone willing to lend money to a person who cannot afford the loan, is doing a disservice to the borrower. Ultimately it’s the borrower’s financial status that takes a blow. But the lender feels the effects by losing the money loaned out.

So who’s going to finance you? Your best chance is to steer clear of traditional banks and lenders. Find a local private lender or private investor who will certainly be more lenient in evaluating your financial situation. Smart investors purchase homes well below market value, fix them up as a nice place to live, and then sell them to borrowers who may not otherwise be qualified through a bank.

In the meantime, work on improving your credit score so that you can obtain even more favorable financing terms in the future. Don’t use credit cards for impulse purchases. Only buy on credit if you know for sure you can pay off the charges by the end of the month. Get on a free bill pay system to help you remember when things are due.

Save at least ten percent of every dollar you make—no matter what. Spending 100 percent of your income will leave zero left over by the end of the month. If you focus on developing this saving habit for a few months, you’ll be able to consistently maintain a growing savings account. You’re not ready to buy a house until you’re willing to make spending less money, than you earn, a priority.

Ignore any offers to wipe out your credit history. I wouldn’t even waste time reading messages like those. Your credit history didn’t get built overnight. It won’t get cleaned up overnight either. Work on rebuilding your credit, not clearing it. Think baby steps. Be patient.

What To Do Now? Sign Up for the Dream Home Registry

Our exclusive homebuyer list is for individuals who dream of being a homeowner soon. It’s not about your credit score. We qualify our homebuyers by income and financial stability, not by credit score. As you can imagine, our homes are never on the market for long. With flexible financing like ours, you’ve got to be on our exclusive list to even be considered. It’s free to sign up. Hop on over there now to get into our Dream Home Registry.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Trinise L. Castro is an entrepreneur and published writer. She is CEO of her company Achieve Real Estate Solutions. As an investor, she buys and sells properties, notes, contracts, and mortgages. She is known for making connections and dealing in large commercial projects. Additionally, Trinise manages her active real estate investor’s group the DealMaker Network. Immerse yourself in Trinise’s positivity by reading her personal blog. For more information you can reach her at 888.789.FSBO. Or visit her website at: AchieveRealEstateSolutions.com.

Florida’s $8K program effective today but not available yet

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – July 1, 2009 – Florida created a program to help first-time homebuyers get their federal tax credit early, allowing them to use up to $8,000 toward a downpayment. The effective date for the program is July 1; however, it will probably be another few weeks before the funds are available. As a result, some Realtors struggling to help homebuyers find the system confusing.

Click Here    To read this very informative ARTICLE

Click Here    To view the 1st time home buyer VIDEO

     Todd Powell       (video – 1:27 mins)

     Home Warranty Executive

                                 Old Republic Home Protection

Direct Line          (800) 282-7131    Ext. 1203

Service Line       (800) 972-5985

Email                    toddp@orhp.com

Web Site              www.orhp.com

1. Old Republic has been in business since 1974
2. Known for their Great Customer Service & Local Support
3. Coverage is for one year beginning on home closing date
4. The cost of home repairs can range from $200 to $8,000
5. You should protect major systems and appliances with a plan

            Major items to consider protecting are :

            Heat & Air Conditioning,  Water Heater

            Plumbing,  Kitchen Appliances, Septic Systems

            Washer & Dryer,  Pool & Spa Equipment

           Click Here     TO VIEW WARRANTY PLANS

           Jeff Mioduszewski      

           Home Mortgage Consultant

           Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

                                            138 Island Way

                                  Clearwater Beach, FL  33767

Cell Phone         (813) 300-7610

Direct Line         (727) 298-5571

Office Phone      (727) 441-7869

EFax Line           (866) 619-7421

Email                  jeffm@wellsfargo.com

Web Site            www.wfhm.com/jeffrey-mioduszewski1

1. Online Preapproval Process
2. 24 Hour Turnaround on Preapprovals
3. Conventional Loans  ( in 50 States)
4. Government  Loans  ( FHA, VA, 203K, USDA )
5. Loan Refinancing
6. OBama HARP Refinancing
7. $8,000 1st Time Home Buyer Credit                                         

The absolute first step to purchasing a home is to meet with a Mortgage Lender and get preapproved for your loan. This is a simple process that will supply you with all of the information you will need to purchase your next home.

After the Preapproval is granted you will receive a preapproval letter. We will use this letter when viewing and making offers on properties. This preapproval letter shows the seller that we are qualified to purchase their home.

There are several other benefits to being preapproved for your loan…

Save Time by Looking at the Right Homes

We will be concentrating on homes you can afford and are able to purchase. Our MLS home search will be much more effective and productive. We will locate the perfect home quickly and be in position to jump on great deals.

Spend More Time Examining the Right Homes

We will be able to devote our energy to viewing homes that are properly targeted to your wants and needs. This will allow you to pay attention to the little details and not be rushed to view more homes than are necessary. Remember, the great listings don’t stay on the market for a long time.

Gain Confidence & Avoid Disillusionment

You will minimize anxiety and remove last minute loan surprises that could disqualify you. When we find your perfect home you will have peace of mind knowing that when our offer is accepted, nobody can take it away from you and the loan will definitely close.

Increase Bargaining & Negotiating Power

Sellers will take our offer seriously because they know that they are dealing with a qualified buyer and if they accept our offer their home is sold. They can then confidently place their listing under contract and take the home off the market.

 Enjoy a Faster Closing Period

Since you are preapproved, the lender can speed up the entire loan approval process. The home appraisal and survey can be ordered immediately. It’s possible to shorten a 30 day closing to 2 or 3 weeks. This can come in handy if the seller needs a quick closing and they are trying to decide which offer to accept. Our offer will move to the front.

 I work with several quality Mortgage Lenders that I can refer to you. Contact me today and let’s get started.

It is extremely important that your home gets maximum advertising and Realtor exposure when you list it for sale.

I wanted to take a moment to show you the outstanding exposure that I supply to my clients when they list their home for sale with me.

Recent surveys have shown that 91% of all home buyers search for their next home using the Internet.

I represent Charles Rutenberg Realty. We currently have 1,500 Licensed Agents and approximately 1,700 Listed Homes.

I also provide my home buying clients a Free LISTINGBOOK Account to search for their next home on-line using the MLS. They receive daily email updates concerning their Property Inquiries, New Listings, Open Houses and much more.

This allows them to search for properties using the Pinellas, Pasco & Hillsborough County MLS  (Multiple Listing Service). This is the same system that over 19,000 Licensed Real Estate Agents use on a daily basis.

 All of my home selling clients get a Free LISTINGBOOK Account that allows them to communicate with me on-line. They also get up to the minute updates on New Listings in their area, Price Changes in their area and how many Viewing Hits their home is receiving.

Click here   to view the Advertising Coverage my clients receive.

1. MLS Advantage    ( 104,000 participants )
2. MLS Pinellas & Pasco Agents    ( 11,500  participants )
3. MLS Hillsborough Agents    ( 9,000 participants )
4. 100 TV & Radio Stations
5. 25 ListHub Websites
6. 20 Network Gateways
7. Realtor.com   ( The #1 Nationwide Home Search Web Site )

ORLANDO, Fla. – May 27, 2009 – Florida’s existing home sales rose in April – the eighth consecutive month that sales activity increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). April’s statewide sales showed gains over the previous month’s sales level in both the existing home and existing condominium markets.

Click here  to read the entire article