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Is Your Family dealing with a financial crisis?

New TV show for SPIKE TV may be able to help.

Looking for families who are living above their means , downsizing , maxed out, or facing foreclosure of home or business . 

Corporate strategist and fortune 500 Business Strategist, Victor Antonio, will meet and help families who are facing a fiscal calamity.

With a mix of expert guidance and tough love, Antonio will work to help the family out of their monetary pit.

If this describes your family, please email mrwelch23.gsd@gmail.com or give us a call.
Include your name, location, contact information and a photo. Also please describe your current situation.

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Signs That You are Ready to Be a Home Seller

Most people easily recognize when the time is right to buy their very first home. They are tired of their current situation and the appeal of getting their own place is too enticing to resist. However, the signs are not quite so easy to notice when it is time to sell the home. Some home owners have a long, drawn out inner debate before coming to the conclusion that they need to sell and move to another place. Here are some ways that you can know the time has come for you to sell your current home.

The Attachment to the Home is Gone

Many people hang on to a home for far too long because they are emotionally connected to the home. The nursery where they brought home their first born, the hallway where a baby took its first steps and other sentimental memories make it tough to part ways with a home. However, if the idea of selling the home brings about a feeling more of relief and not sadness then you are emotionally ready to move on.

A New Plan Has Developed

If you have already picked out another home, or decided what the next home should look like and what features are necessary, then you are ready to move on. Knowing where you wish to live and what the house should look like is a huge step in getting ready to sell your current home and move to a new place. This type of preparation is typically very motivating for most people and helps them to get everything in order for the move.

Your Finances are In Order

Getting ready to purchase that first home is quite an experience for most people. Monitoring credit scores, reducing debt and keeping all payments up to date while saving up a nest egg takes time and discipline. However, once those habits are in place it is easier to maintain a solid credit score. Also, if you have been in the home for any length of time it is likely that there is built up equity which can be used as a down payment on the next home. All of these factors make it simpler to sell a home and be in the right financial position to purchase another home.

It is Time to Move On

Lots of people have come to the realization that they need to change jobs, end a personal relationship or sell some of their long held items. When the thought occurs to you that you would be OK with the idea of getting rid of your house, then the time has come to move on to a new place.

Sell your home for top dollar, by putting it in front of the largest online pool of buyers! Check out the Rock Realty Marketing Plan.

What Kind of Mortgage Fits Your Needs?

No matter the state of the economy, each year the number of new mortgages underwritten reaches millions of homeowners.  Some are buying for the first time while others are downsizing or upsizing.  When rates drop, like they did over the past 2 years, many people seize the opportunity to refinance their home loan.  However, how do people decide on which mortgage to use for their specific need?  An online survey conducted by HSH.com points to some of the factors that influence consumer decisions.

Most Important Factor

It should come as no shock that the most important factor is the interest rate.  Regardless of the type of loan, the size of the loan or the customers home state, everybody is trying to get the best rate for their home loan.  In the survey mentioned above over 45% stated that the rate was the top factor for choosing a loan.

Other items, such as the length of the term and the fees also ranked high in the survey, but none was as vital as the rate.

Deciding How Much to Use for Down Payment

The ability to make a down payment equal to 10%-20% of the home’s price will give the borrower a range of products to choose from.  A large down payment and a solid credit score will usually allow a borrower to qualify for a conventional loan which has the best interest rates.

For borrowers that have a smaller down payment, their options will be limited to FHA, USDA or VA for qualifying veterans.

Choosing the Right Term

With rates at an all-time low many borrowers are actually paying more attention to the term of the mortgage loan as part of the decision process.  While the traditional fixed rate of a 30 year loan remains quite dominant more and more people are looking at different adjustable rate products.  Those borrowers that have refinanced in the past 2 years have often chosen to go down to a 15 or 10 year term in order to drastically cut down on their total interest pay back while also paying off the home sooner.

Brokers Still the Top Choice

When looking for the right mortgage loan a number of people still prefer to use the services of a mortgage broker over a local bank or credit union.  In the survey mentioned earlier over 30% of respondents claimed that they sought the services of a broker rather than another type of lender.  Since brokers typically have access to multiple lenders they can offer any type of mortgage loan and get the best rate too.

Obviously, none of these factors discussed the two biggest items facing a borrower; are they happy with the home and can they afford the mortgage payment?  Beyond those two items, the guidelines mentioned above should help any new borrower pick a loan that is right for their situation.

Additional Mortgage Info:
Home Mortgage Loans

Related Articles:

1. Things You Should Ask a Mortgage Broker Things You Should Ask a Mortgage Broker Since buying a...
2. Thousands of homes Foreclosed; Can you afford a Risky Loan? Thousands of homes Foreclosed; Can you afford a Risky Loan?...
3. What is better for you: The FHA mortgage or the Conforming mortgage? What is better for you: The FHA mortgage or the...
4. WHEDA Home Loan Mortgage Rates at Historic Low I receive daily updates on current mortgage rates in the...
5. No Money Down USDA Mortgage Understanding the No Money down USDA Mortgage Buying a home...

Rookie mistakes when flipping a home.

With mortgage rates still at all-time lows and lots of homes available at prices below market, many people are turning to real estate investment for the first time.  In order to be safe, new investors often start out with flipping homes instead of holding a property for its rental value.  Here are some of the top mistakes rookies make in home flipping and how to avoid them.

Not Allowing Enough for Repair Work

This is usually the biggest mistake made by new investors.  People who have never renovated a home often underprice the repairs needed to make the home attractive enough to sell.  This is why seasoned investors recommend that new investors talk to a contractor BEFORE placing a bid on a home.  Getting a good price upfront will help determine if the house is worth the purchase. It is also wise to add a bit of cushion for Murphy's Law for things that just go wrong for no reason.

Allowing Emotion to Let You Pay Too Much

Some investors find the “perfect” home and go full steam ahead with the purchase.  They find a home with a discount in a hot area and they just KNOW that they can sell it for a quick profit.  This is where cold, hard facts should take the lead, not emotion.

An investor should never, ever buy a home for anything more than 70% of the home's repaired value.  This is a rule of thumb that has been used by many investors for years and it has served them well.  Paying more than the 70% will lead to smaller profits or even a loss.

Trying to Do Too Much

Many new investors envision themselves remodeling the bathroom, adding new paint and then finishing up the front lawn in a few weeks and then, voila, the home will sell.  However, it is best to let the pro's handle the tough work.  Repairing or remodeling a home can require some or all of the basic contracting skills such as carpentry, plumbing, masonry, painting and electrical.  It is simply too much of a daunting task to try and do all of this on your own unless you have considerable experience in these areas.  Even if you can do it all, wouldn't it be better to hire someone to do this type of hourly work while you search for the next deal?

Taking Too Long for the Repairs

Each month that you own a property is another month of expenses for items like utility bills, insurance and property taxes.  This can eat in to your future profits and may even cause yourself a loss.  Before buying the property sit down with your contractor and discuss the estimated time needed to repair the home.  If necessary, ask the contractor to break the job down into rooms and develop a timeline.  This will help you and the contractor stay on pace to finish the work and get it back on the market.

Your goal as a home flipper is to find a home at the right price that you can turn around and sell for a profit.  Don't fall in to the trap of these mistakes and don't get too attached to any home.  Always be ready to simply walk away from a potential deal and look for a new one.

Simple Ways to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

For those homeowners that have waited to sell their home, heed the advice of Nike: “Just Do It.”  Interest rates are still really low and the upcoming changes in mortgage lending may disqualify some buyers.  Now is the time to sell your home.  In order to help your home sell quickly follow the timely advice offered below.

Spend a Little Now to Get More Later

With so many homes available many buyers are seeking out a property that is move-in ready.  This means that small repairs and maintenance items will possibly turn off some buyers.  Take a walk through the home and pick out the small things that need to be fixed.  Leaking faucets, a chipped tile, a flaky bit of paint and other similar items can negatively impact the appearance of your home.

You should also consider spending a little money to get the carpets thoroughly cleaned and ask a local heating/air conditioning company to service your unit.

Put Yourself in the Shoes of the Buyer

If you are looking for a new home, what items are important to you?  The majority of people want to live in a clean home that smells nice with lots of room in the closets, cabinets and other storage areas.  Therefore, you should put a lot of time in to making your home look clean, neat and organized. Start with the cabinets and closets.  Remove as much clutter as possible and even add some shelves if it helps improve the look.  Go through all the rooms and put everything away in a nice, orderly fashion.  Finally, get a few aroma dispensers and put them throughout the house.

Make People Interested in Coming Inside

So many homeowners spend time, money and a lot of effort improving the inside of the home that they ignore the outside appearance.  It is important to have an inviting appearance.  Homeowners should trim all the bushes, clean out the gutters, make sure the driveway and walkway are clear and clean the windows.  For people that have siding, consider power washing the siding as well.  It is really important that the front door and the surrounding entrance area look clean and homey.

Two Important Rooms: Bathrooms and Kitchens

The bathroom and kitchen will usually have more influence over selling a home than any other part of the house.  It is a good idea to go through these rooms and spend extra time, and even money, to make sure they look attractive and modern.

Many types of cabinets can be painted with a little bit of planning and work.  All bathroom plumbing should be in good working order.  Make sure there is plenty of light with good looking fixtures and that the ventilation to both the kitchen and bathroom is more than adequate.  Also, make sure the counters are clean and devoid of clutter.

It may seem like a crazy idea to spend money on a home that you are planning to sell.  However, spending money in the right areas can greatly improve your chances of selling the home faster and may yield a good return on the investment.

Why list your home with Rock Realty?? Rock Realty Marketing Outline

Recent Testimonials: Rock Realty Client Testimonials

Estimating house repairs accurately for an investment/flip.

Very few people ever buy a car and then find out the amount of the monthly payments and insurance.  Most people sit down with pen and paper, or a computer, and crunch some numbers to make sure they can handle the purchase.   The same thing should be done before buying an investment property.  However, buying a home with the purpose of flipping takes a bit more knowledge and calculation in order to earn a profit when it comes time to sell.

Understand the Difference between Structural Problems and Cosmetic Needs

Even a brand new novice can recognize the need for some paint or fresh carpet.  People that have purchased a home before could possibly spot an older front door or some outdated windows.  However, being able to see and recognize a problem with the structure of a home takes a bit more knowledge and practice.  Pay close attention to these areas and possible problems:

• Areas damaged by water; evidence could be water stains, rippled paint, musty odors or flaking of paint
• Problems with water lines; water supplies that drip or don't run, leaks around toilets, pipes, and water valves
• Presence of pests, especially termites
• Dry and rotten wood

Beyond these trouble spots, it is also important to understand that a home 20+ years old will most likely need some kind of other normal repair such as an updated HVAC system, new roof, or new water heater.

The Right Compromise Makes Everyone Happy

Keep in mind that your goal is to FLIP the home.  That means that you can purchase the home well enough below the market value that you can quickly sell it to someone else for a profit.  If you try to repair too many things, then the price will need to be increased and you could scare off a few investors.

Here is a simple formula that will help you when looking at potential properties.

1. Determine the value of the home after repairs have been made
2. Deduct the money needed to make said repairs.
3. Take this new amount and multiply it by 70%.  This figure is top dollar offer.

Here is a simple example.  You are looking at a home that should be worth $180,000 once it has been repaired.  The money needed to fix it up is $15,000.

In this particular example, if you could purchase the home for $109,000 and sell it for $114,000 you would make a quick $5,000 without lifting a finger.  To make this better, the investor that buys the home from you has enough room to buy the home, make the repairs and sell for a profit.

How to Get Better at Estimating Repair Costs

• Habit of looking at homes – You will need to inspect quite a few homes in order to learn how to recognize particular problems. Seeing the same kind of problem multiple times will teach you what to search for in a home.
• Get acquainted with a contractor – If you are not a contractor yourself then it is a good idea to strike up a friendship with a contractor.  They will be able to give you estimates on your potential properties.  You can also refer work to him to keep him busy.
• Take good notes – When you are looking at a home with a contractor take notes about the problems that he points out and the price for the repair.
• Study material prices – Get accustomed to visiting the local hardware stores to get prices on materials. Knowing when prices are going up, or going down, or certain items will help you make more accurate estimates.

• Top Mistakes Rookies Make in Home Flipping (13.1) Rookie mistakes when flipping a home. With mortgage rates still...
• Tips for Selling a Home during a Slow Market (7.3) Successful Real Estate Agents Reveal Tips for Selling a Home...
• Understanding Requirements of Appraisal for FHA Loans in WI (7.2) Understanding Specific Requirements of Appraisal for FHA Loans in Wisconsin...
• Tips for your first Home Inspection (6.6) Considering the cost of purchasing a home it would make...
• Preparing to Purchase that First Rental Home (6.5) Advice About Purchasing Your First Rental Home/Property (Investment Properties: Part...

Rock Realty Client Testimonials

"Mike & Matt,

Thank you so much for helping us find our dream home! We love it! Thank you for the many hours spent in research, travel, phone calls, and emails. Thank you for being open & honest with us every step of the way! We felt we could trust you 100%. We really enjoyed working with you and highly recommend you to others.

Thanks!"

Kevin & Abby G. (Madison, WI)
Rock Realty Home Buyer Client

Thanks for the compliments, and Congratulations on your new home Kevin & Abby!

Looking to purchase a home in Wisconsin?? Contact Rock Realty! We would love to help!!

How to Purchase a Home in 2013

As this new year begins many people are setting goals, making resolutions and generally planning for a better year. If you are one of the people considering a home purchase in the upcoming year there is some sound advice to follow in order to make the process smoother and ensure that you get in to a home that truly makes you happy.

Be Realistic About Your Finances

If you are currently renting a nice place for $650 a month then it would seem unreasonable to think that you could afford a home with a loan payment of $1,000. WHY, you may ask? Because the expense of owning a home goes well beyond the monthly payment. There are other things like mowing the lawn, keeping the furnace and air conditioner maintained, repainting every few years, updating the bathroom, replacing an appliance or two, and the list goes on. Understanding the expense for these items will help you set your budget accordingly and hopefully prevent you from getting in to a home that you cannot afford.

Talk to an Experienced Mortgage Broker

After determining how much you can comfortably afford for a home, it is time to chat with a mortgage broker. The broker can look over your finances, your credit history, employment history and the length of time you have lived at your current address and determine the best loan for your needs. A broker can also get offer from multiple lenders in order to get the best rate for your mortgage.

It is wise to let the broker know how much you are comfortable paying each month so that they can use this information to establish a price range for your home. Most people can financially afford more than they are willing to pay. Having the right budget amount will help when you begin looking at homes.

Talk to an Experienced Real Estate Agent

Now that you are firm in the amount you can afford monthly for a payment and you have an approval from a mortgage lender it is time to talk to an experienced real estate agent. A good agent will sit down with you and listen to your wishes in order to decide which homes could meet your needs. Using the price range provided by the mortgage lender, the agent can focus on homes that fall in your budget and prevent wasting time on homes that are too expensive. An agent can also focus on other parameters such as a specific school zone, homes with particular features, size of the home and other things that are important to you.

Don’t put it off any longer. Sit down with a calculator and decide how much you can afford. Then make the decision to make 2013 the year that you become a homeowner!

Related posts:

1. Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Before Looking for a WI Home 
   
   
2. Using FHA 203K Loan to Purchase a Fixer-Upper
   
   
3. 4 Tips to Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford
   
   
4. Keep Your Home Purchase on Track
   
   
5. Tips on Buying Your First Wisconsin Home

UPLAND SHORT SALE AGENTS HELP AVOID FORECLOSURE

Don't make the biggest mistake ever... Do not let the bank foreclose on your Upland home!

Loan modification is a temporary fix and can still leave you with negative equity.

FIND CA REAL ESTATE AGENTS

A BETTER SOLUTION IS TO SHORT SALE YOUR UPLAND HOUSE

• A short sale can let your deficiency be forgiven
• In most cases a short sale can leave you with no tax liability
• Our short sale real estate services are at no cost to you
• And we can help you get out of your bad situation

Don't be fooled! The bank will come after you and foreclose your Upland house. They may even be able to get a judgment against you AFTER the foreclosure for the negative deficiency, which could be tens of thousands of dollars! But what is the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale? Here are your options of foreclosure vs. short sale:

CREDIT SCORE:

• A foreclosure will slash your credit score as much as 250 points or more, and can affect your credit for a minimum of 5 years or more!!!
• But a short sale only affects your credit score with the late or missed mortgage payments. The credit bureaus will report PAID or NEGOTIATED if you short sale.Your credit score will not be lowered as much with a short sale.

CREDIT HISTORY:

• A foreclosure will remain as public recorded on your credit report for 10 years or more.
• A short sale is not reported on a person's credit history. There is no specific SHORT SALE term and is most cases is reported as PAID, SETTLED or NEGOTIATED.

FUTURE MORTGAGE LOANS:

• If your credit report contains a foreclosure, most home mortgage lending institutions will consider you ineligible to purchase for 5 years or more.
• If you successfully negotiate a short sale of your Upland property you may be eligible for a mortgage loan and purchase a new home in as little as 2 years.

DEFICIENCY JUDGMENTS:

• Banks have the right to pursue a deficiency balance if your foreclosed loan was not a purchase money loan (If you received any money for anything other than the purchase of your house, also called a hard money loan).
• In a successful short sale it may be possible to negotiate with the bank to release you of any deficiency balance and avoid any future judgments against you.

Need more information?

CALL US NOW TO LIST AND SELL YOUR HOUSE IN UPLAND:

1 (888) 9 LIST-IT

or (951) 490-3683

or click here: Listing Agents in Upland CA

Bad Choices People Make When They Buy a Home

SHORT SALE HOUSE POMONA CA

If you are facing foreclosure and you can no longer afford your home, you may qualify for a Pomona CA Short Sale, even if you don't think you can or don't think your home can be sold in today's market.

What is a Pomona CA Short Sale?

A Pomona CA Short Sale, also known as a pre-foreclosure sale, is when you sell your Pomona home for less than the balance remaining on your mortgage. If your mortgage company agrees to a short sale, you can sell your Pomona CA home and pay off all (or a portion of) your mortgage balance with the proceeds. You may also be eligible for the government's Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA) which offers incentives for sellers to complete a short sale.

A Pomona CA Short Sale is an alternative to foreclosure and may be an option if:

• You are ineligible to refinance or modify your mortgage
• You are facing a financial hardship, including loss of job, death, divorce or medical expenses
  
• You are behind on your mortgage payments
• You owe more on your Pomona home than it’s worth
• You have not been able to sell your home at a price that covers what you still owe on your mortgage
• You can no longer afford your Pomona CA home and are ready or need to leave

What are the benefits of a Pomona CA Short Sale?

So Call us Now: (888) 9-List-It.

That's (888) 954-7848.

Or click here to access our Real Estate Short Sale Formula to evaluate your particular situation.

SHORT SALE HOUSE FONTANA CA

If you are facing foreclosure and you can no longer afford your home, you may qualify for a Fontana CA Short Sale, even if you don't think you can or don't think your home can be sold in today's market.

What is a Fontana CA Short Sale?

A Fontana CA Short Sale, also known as a pre-foreclosure sale, is when you sell your Fontana home for less than the balance remaining on your mortgage. If your mortgage company agrees to a short sale, you can sell your Fontana CA home and pay off all (or a portion of) your mortgage balance with the proceeds. You may also be eligible for the government's Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA) which offers incentives for sellers to complete a short sale.

A Fontana CA Short Sale is an alternative to foreclosure and may be an option if:

• You are ineligible to refinance or modify your mortgage
• You are facing a financial hardship, including loss of job, death, divorce or medical expenses
  
• You are behind on your mortgage payments
• You owe more on your Fontana home than it’s worth
• You have not been able to sell your home at a price that covers what you still owe on your mortgage
• You can no longer afford your Fontana CA home and are ready or need to leave

What are the benefits of a Fontana CA Short Sale?

So Call us Now: (888) 9-List-It.

That's (888) 954-7848.

Or click here to access our Real Estate Short Sale Formula to evaluate your particular situation.

SHORT SALE HOUSE UPLAND CA

If you are facing foreclosure and you can no longer afford your home, you may qualify for a Upland CA Short Sale, even if you don't think you can or don't think your home can be sold in today's market.

What is a Upland CA Short Sale?

A Upland CA Short Sale, also known as a pre-foreclosure sale, is when you sell your Upland home for less than the balance remaining on your mortgage. If your mortgage company agrees to a short sale, you can sell your Upland CA home and pay off all (or a portion of) your mortgage balance with the proceeds. You may also be eligible for the government's Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA) which offers incentives for sellers to complete a short sale.

A Upland CA Short Sale is an alternative to foreclosure and may be an option if:

• You are ineligible to refinance or modify your mortgage
• You are facing a financial hardship, including loss of job, death, divorce or medical expenses
  
• You are behind on your mortgage payments
• You owe more on your Upland home than it’s worth
• You have not been able to sell your home at a price that covers what you still owe on your mortgage
• You can no longer afford your Upland CA home and are ready or need to leave

What are the benefits of a Upland CA Short Sale?

So Call us Now: (888) 9-List-It.

That's (888) 954-7848.

Or click here to access our Real Estate Short Sale Formula to evaluate your particular situation.

Understanding your Home Owners Insurance Policy

There is no doubt that an insurance policy on a home can be tough to understand. However, going over the policy and making sure you are comfortable with the important parts can payoff down the road. Here is an overview to make sure you have the basics covered.

The Home

It is important to know that in the event you lose your home to some sort of accident or force of nature that the insurance plan will provide enough funds to rebuild the home. This goes beyond the selling price of the home when you bought it. You need to know that the home can be replaced at today's costs. Construction costs and materials tend to rise over time. It is important to have replacement cost as part of your insurance policy.

Replacement of Belongings

Besides the actual structure of the home you should also consider your belongings. This can really mean anything such as furniture, dishes, picture frames, electronics, clothes, jewelry and a host of other items.

Try to stay away from the “current market” clause. This means that your 5 year old couch would be replaced at a price that assumed 5 years of use. The same concept would apply to any item that you have owned for a considerable amount of time. Also, ask the insurance company about their process for allowing you to replace items. For instance, if your home burned down and you are staying in a small apartment, do you really want to replace your giant screen TV right now? If the insurance company only gives you 60 days to replace an item, where will you store the products? Does the company demand that you buy an item, provide a receipt and then get reimbursed? All of these items should be covered prior to getting a policy.

Deductible

The deductible for a home insurance policy works in the same manner as an automobile insurance plan. Higher deductibles will result in a lower monthly premium. However, a high deductible assumes that you have the funds to pay the amount in the event of an emergency. A smart financial move would be to save up a good amount, such as $2000, and then change your plan to a deductible of $2,000.

Liability

It is always a good idea to have a strong liability plan in place. For instance, if you have guests for a backyard barbecue and someone falls at the party, your liability policy should cover the expenses for the fall. This could be the cost for the ambulance, any stay at the hospital and possible rehabilitative therapy that is necessary after the injury.

Day to Day Expenses

Some insurance companies will reimburse you for your expenses while you are awaiting for your home to be rebuilt. Make sure you understand the circumstances surrounding this type of expense and how the insurance company will reimburse you.

A lot of the terminology used in the insurance plan is unique to the insurance world and may take a conversation with an agent to understand it properly. Understanding the policy before purchase will help you to feel confident that you are covered in the event of a major crisis.

Understanding Home Owners Insurance 

Rent rates are continuously increasing in our country while home prices and mortgage interest rates have hit unprecedented lows making home buying more feasible. Home buying now would be a great investment if your specific financial situation permits but let’s explore the time frame of this window of opportunity.

Am I losing my chance to snatch me a discounted home?

To be blunt, NO ONE can say for sure where the direction of the market will go. However, you may infer predictions based off a few key factors:

• Overall health of the economy – i.e. employment (or lack thereof –un and -under)
• Interest Rates
• Supply & Demand of the Housing Market

Keep in mind there are a number of other factors that affect the housing market such as demographics, government policies, consumer confidence, and etc.

Mortgage rates have consecutively hit lower percentages for some time now. Based off data from bankrate.com (last checked 8/8/12), 30 yr fixed rate had a slight increase to 3.81% and a 15 yr fixed at 3.00%. These are premium low rates and it is unlikely that it will move further down than the current rates.

Meanwhile, based off information from dsnews.com, unemployment rates stands at 8.3%. There are also issues with underemployment. For more information, please read the article Economy Surprises with 163k New Jobs in July, Unemployment Rate Up from dsnews.com.

Supply and Demand is also big factor for the fluctuation of home prices. Supply has decreased especially in this 2012 year as properties flew off the market by investors. However, there is a worry about the ominous shadow inventory that experts are afraid will drag prices even lower (supply increase, demand & prices decrease). The influx of distressed properties is largely due to the robo-signing scandal which occurred earlier this year. This incident caused many lenders to lag behind in listing their foreclosure properties and ultimately pushing them through. Still, Freddie Mac gives assurance by saying the “shadow” over the housing market is not as long as some may think.

Bottom Line: Again there is no way to give a 100% accurate prediction of where the housing market will go. Based off a few factors such as interest rates being low, -un and –underemployment rates remaining constant, and supply & demand showing positive signs exempting the shadow inventory fear, one can be optimistic about the housing market now.

In my personal opinion, I believe that although the housing market is rebounding, we will not, as Robert Shiller stated in the video above, be expecting a U shaped recovery. Although history doesn’t repeat itself exactly, based off the historical housing cycle, we have time with this window of opportunity.

The worst thing an individual can do is purchase a home without being financially prepared. We will be regressing into the subprime mortgage crisis era if we are purchasing homes we are not able to afford. Just because someone is able to afford the mortgage payments, does not mean you are able to afford a home. In fact, the monthly mortgage payment amount should be a third of a homeowner’s monthly income. We should also take into consideration taxes, insurance, HOA dues (for condominiums), maintenance costs, upkeep, and more. Lastly it is wise to have accrued 3-6 months’ worth of emergency prior to purchasing. These are all factors to consider prior to looking into homes. A great place to start would be www.daveramsey.com.

Do not rush into a home just to seize the opportunity. Make sure you are able to afford the opportunity first and then move forward.

If you believe you are able to afford purchasing a home, contact our distressed properties experts in Washington State for more information on these cream of the crop properties! Submit your information here and our experts will get in contact with you within 24-48 hours.

Peter

Full article at:www.seattleshortsaleblog.com

Next Article: Is A Short Sale or A Foreclosure/REO property a better deal?

For the past few years, any time someone asks me what I "do" and I respond that I'm a Real Estate Broker...I get that same look and tone of voice preceeding the question "Is the market getting any better" with sympathy written all across their face.  While I certainly appreciate compassion, the truth is, as I respond..."It's been steady all along".  "The only thing constant is change"   François de la Rochefoucauld.  That's true in all aspects of life.  In a once booming and over inflated market where "business was easy", agents grew lazy, sellers expected their property to be an easy sale, and buyers expected to get the loan they wanted regardless of conditions...because it was EASY.  Times have changed, loan regulations are tighter, homes have to be priced right to sell (or possibly the necessary short sale), and agents have to be creative in their sales process and work harder.  All this being true, the market isn't bad!

For those who have decent credit and employment, loans are available!  If you don't have what the lenders need, then a lease purchase, seller financing or rent-to-own are alternate options (in which there are many available). With both rates and property prices LOW (however starting to rise in some areas), buyers can get a great deal and many times buy into instant equity!  That's like a bank account without depositing more money!   Additionally, if you have extra CASH, why waste it with a very minimal interest rate in the bank???  Buy a piece of rental or investment property and reap the benefits!

SELLERS...don't get discouraged. I know you see houses and condos siting on the market.  If you bought prior to 2004, bought in at the right price, or purchased after 2008, you probably have room to sell your home at a price THAT WILL SELL.  If you purchased at the peak, have negative equity, "can't" sell because you can't afford to, BUT can't afford to keep the property either...don't foreclose. You have other options.  Shortsale, deed in lieu of foreclosure, modification, etc.  If you're in that situation and want to discuss your options with a seasoned professional regarding a shortsale, feel free to call me at 843-321-9841 or email redhotproperties@gmail.com.  Your information is confidential and I'd be glad to give you information regarding "what happens next".  Houses and condos are selling and I see more and more properties selling faster and faster.  When you list your property with an agent, ask questions like "Where will my property be advertised both in print and online?", "Where does your website syndicate to?", "Will my property be posed on social media?", "How are you different from anyone else I call?".  Make sure you choose a Realtor who's ready to not only LIST, but also SELL your property.

Buyers, sellers, investors....THE MARKET IS GOOD.  MAKE IT A GREAT DAY.

As Realtors, we talk about overpricing a lot.  An overpriced house is a lonely house.  It soon becomes stigmatized and ignored by more Realtors.  If it receives low offers that are countered by an insulted seller it will also acquire a reputation as a house that is not worth the trouble.

I had a seller in 2010 that wanted to list his house just slightly too high.  It was about 10% over market, and we had discussed a system of moving it down over a designated time.  That never happened, of course.  It was the last house I ever overpriced.

It was at the time when the market was just starting to experience a new wave of price weakness.  If I had run comps 45 days after list, the list price would have been lower.  Anyway, I received an offer within the first two weeks at 94% of list.  He countered twice and lost the sale.  It was over $500.

Nearly a year later I still had the listing, and it was still overpriced.  The market had fallen even further.  I negotiated with the seller to lower the price, and I committed to drop my commission 1%.  At that point, I just wanted to get rid of it. 

Again, he received an offer within days of the new price, and again he countered with an unrealistic counter.  The buyer walked without a counter.  When the listing came up for renewal, I declined.  It was re-listed 3 months later at $100 less than my previous list. 

It finally received a contract that was below my second lower contract.  The point of this blog is this,if you insist on overpricing your property when good comp information shows that properties are not selling at that price you will ultimately get less.

This seller lost $32,000 by continuing to believe that a buyer was willing to pay 30% more for his house than the current market comps.  An overpriced house that lingers on the market will ultimately cost the seller more than if he had priced it right to begin with. 

It happens everyday in this industry, and yet, good agents still have a hard time convincing a seller that an overpriced house is a lonely house.  The best way to help them, is to not help them.  Walk away and save yourself the frustration of seeing the next agent sell the house for the price you recommended.  An overpriced house often brings less than a well priced house.

I have read several news and Blog pieces about 2012 being the bottom of the market and how the best time to purchase a home is now. In good conscious I cannot sit idly by without voicing my opinion.

The news and columnists have based their analysis on the low number of inventory currently on the market for sale and the fact that it is 22% less than this time last year. They further site a 30% increase in property searches on Realtor.com which is one of the top search websites where consumers make purchase decisions. The reporters further substantiate their point by stating that interest rates are the lowest they have been since the great depression. Well folks, I am here to let you in on a few things. I am a distressed property real estate broker and live in the numbers and happenings on the ground. Last year alone I personally closed $17 Million in real estate. More than three quarters of my sales were short sales and bank owned property sales. My job revolves around tracking properties that have defaulted on their mortgage payments and listing the property for sale before it ends up in foreclosure. When properties do end up going to foreclosure the banks also contacts me to sell the properties back into the marketplace as a bank owned property. This is also known as a REO (Real Estate Owned) property.

In dealing with the lenders on a daily basis I have the ability to see how many mortgages are current or behind in any part of California. The numbers are staggering! One in three properties in San Diego County is currently underwater (owe more than what the property is worth).
Many of you may have heard of the “Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007” which is set to expire at the end of 2012. This means that anyone wanting to do a short sale has until the end of this year to get it done to avoid the enormous tax and deficiency implications. As homeowners scramble to do short sales, the banks are absolutely inundated with files. Banks have increased their loss mitigation departments to handle the amount of short sale requests as the deadline draws near.

So to shed further light on the subject of a “recovery,” I would have to say that the reason there is a 22% decrease in inventory on the market for sale is due to the “Robo-signing” debacle which simply held up the foreclosure process for a few months. Furthermore, the lenders have started issuing three month extensions to foreclosure sale dates rather than the standard 30 day extensions. The numbers are artificially adjusted to modify the supply and demand ratio. Also, the news columnists have stated that the average nationwide sales price has started increasing and the market is recovering. This is not quite correct because the number of higher end distressed sales has dramatically increased. In other words, if 100 homes sell at $200K and 900 homes sell at $500K, the average home price may have increased.  However, what they are not saying is that the home that is currently selling at $500K was purchased in 2005 for $900K.  See how they are messing with the numbers. Just because the average nationwide sales price has increased, does not mean we are recovering.

So I would maybe agree that the lower end has reached the bottom whereas the middle and higher end have room to fall.  Far be it from me to state that 2012 is the “Big Housing Recovery.” New young families or recent college graduates will also add to the lower end recovery as they will need to purchase in this range.

The number of Baby Boomers now wanting to downsize will further hamper the prices of the middle and higher end as they add to the supply. There are currently 30 million Americans in this segment of the market.

The FED made an error in judgment a month ago when they stated interest rates would remain low through the end of 2014, which took away the immediate driving force to purchase now. If interest rates would remain low for an extended period of time, why would anyone be in a hurry to purchase when they know how much shadow inventory the lenders are sitting on?

As the world has become a global economy, few have shed light on the fact that China has begun their housing crisis with more than half the cities reporting huge decreases in home prices. This may have an influence on our economy further down the road as this may affect the cost of consumer goods locally.

Gas prices are at an all-time high and could further contribute to inflation and gyrations in the consumer price index.

Unemployment is still stubbornly above 8% and steam rises from the printing presses at the Fed.

I don’t know folks. Recovery 2012?  I am not so sure. And over the years I have learned that in the long run it pays to be honest rather than bending a situation for personal gain. There is a reason I am renting right now. Though the rents are higher, cash will soon be back on the thrown to be crowned King. Don’t be in any hurry to purchase unless you find a great deal.

This is my honest humble opinion.

FHA has specific rules when it comes to purchasing a home that is in Pre-Foreclosure with a FHA mortgage on it.  FHA doesn’t make mortgage loans, they Insure them – and so as the Insuring Agency (kinda’ like a PMI company) they get to set the rules!  In those Pre-Foreclosure, Short Sale transactions, they set out what fees CAN be included from the Seller, and which fees can not.

 Pre Foreclosure Seller Fees per FHA

The process for purchasing a FHA Short Sale is similar to other short sale situations in that the HUD-1 must have prior approval.

The item people need to realize, though, is that if the buyer is obtaining a FHA mortgage,  the Seller can only pay up to 1% of the Buyer’s First Mortgage Amount.

We don’t have that many of these cases in the Raleigh, Holly Springs, Cary, Apex area – but when we do, the buyer needs to remember that they will probably need a little more cash upfront for the purchase.

If you are considering a mortgage loan in North Carolina, and you want more details on FHA  Mortgage Loan Guidelines – please call Steve and Eleanor Thorne, 919-649-5058 Raleigh FHA Mortgage Loan Specialists!  We have over 20 years of experience providing homebuyers with the BEST mortgage rates available!

From January to February prices fell 1.6 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the monthly House Price Index published by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.  The previously reported 0.3 percent decrease in January was revised to a 1.0 percent decrease.  For the 12 months ending in February, U.S. prices fell 5.7 percent.  The U.S. index is  18.6 percent below its April 2007 peak and roughly the same as the February 2004 index level.

The FHFA monthly index is calculated using purchase prices of houses backing mortgages that have been sold to or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.  For the nine Census Divisions, seasonally adjusted monthly price changes from  January  to February  ranged from  -3.7 percent in the Mountain  Division  to  -0.6 percent in the  East  South Central Division.

 FHFA Press Release

Craig Roberts, President of Pennsylvania First Settlement Services LP, is a Certified Land Title Professional (CLTP), past-President of the Pennsylvania Land Title Association, and is a licensed title agent and real estate broker in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania First Settlement Services is a full-service title insurance agency serving the greater Pocono area of northeastern Pennsylvania.  Its services include title searches, title insurance, real estate settlements, foreclosure research, documents services and short sale assistance.  www.pafirstsettlement.com