Homebuyers

This is copied verbatim from an email I received because all of the information about the Loudoun County Financing Programs is important. Contacting me or the County if you have any other questions. Loudoun County offers first trust and down...

Source: Bangkok Post Residential units near workplaces, prebuilt and second-hand homes in the city are in demand among residents of Bang Sue, Rama IX, Chaeng Watthana and Bang Buathong, according to research on purchasing behaviour by the Real Estate Information Centre (REIC). Witawat Rungruangphon of Thammasat University said most respondents in Bang Sue and Rama IX moved [...]

Programs such as Nehemiah and Ameridream have been instrumental in helping many first time buyers get an FHA loan with no money down for many years.  Last year HUD moved to discontinue such programs by adopting a rule that prohibits the down payment money from coming, directly or indirectly, from the seller or "any other person or entity that financially benefits from the transaction." H

By Hank BaileyPrudential Blanton PropertiesHome-price adjustments in markets around the country have opened doors of opportunity for many renters. If you are transitioning from renter to homeowner, the prospect of making such a large investment may be exciting, while at the same time overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are six common mistakes to avoid. 1. Not understanding the homebuyi

Source: The Nation Listed developers see lower profits - and some a net loss - as buyers put off property transfers With construction and management costs rising and homebuyers putting off transferring their property to avail of the government’s tax package, 19 of the 30 property developers listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) reported lower [...]

Now is the time to buy and I’ll give you 5 reasons why. Reason #1) The big difference between renting and owning: After you’ve been making your payments for a few decades, buyers will own a house. While renters will just have another monthly bill coming their way.

In October 1929, the economic prosperity Americans enjoyed for most of the century came to a screeching halt. During this period, many people had put their savings and earnings in risky investments, particularly buying of stocks on margin in the so-c...

Las Vegas, NV – Homebuyers that have been turned down for a home loan now have an alternative.  If you are a renter, first time homebuyer, relocating, homebuyer re-establishing credit, or been turned down by traditional banks or mortgage lenders, now you can obtain home ownership with the Guaranteed Approval Program.  This program is a revolutionary program that provides a means for consume

Just passing this along…I showed a house in the North Portland neighborhood, University Park, the other day. It was a craftsman home, subject to “third party approval.”It was priced pretty low so I thought the house would need a lot of work, but I was quite surprised to see it was in great condition. The buyer was also surprised- enough to generate strong interest.So I called the listing agent to see if the house was still available. It showed up as active in the RMLS, but based on the price and condition I had a feeling there was more interest. I was right. The listing agent said the house was under contract with “13 back-up offers.” And with that, on to the next house.Also recently, some different homebuyers asked about a fixer in SE Portland. Big house, small price, mus

Lawrence Yun, the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) chief economist, is pushing hard for a tax credit for homebuyers. In a recent NAR press release he said, “Monetary stimulus is plentiful – what is needed more at this point is a home buyer tax credit to get buyers off the sidelines and prevent the market from overshooting on the downside.”Is more buying stimulation what is really needed for the long term health of our economy? It would certainly provide a nice benefit for the dwindling number of Realtors helping pay Yun’s salary. Yet it would add one more artificial stimulus that will cost taxpayers money, specifically the people who can’t afford to move because of negative equity.A bill was proposed in the House of Representatives April 2 that would make just such a tax

An idea floated by homebuilders last month to encourage home buying through the use of tax credits to offset the perceived risk has gained some support in the Senate recently. Although the Bush Administration appears publicly wedded to its "no government bailout, let the markets work" stance, some experts think they're running out of time. From the Wall Street Journal:Efforts to create new tax breaks to encourage home purchases are gaining attention on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers gird for a major debate this spring on how best to shore up the nation's troubled mortgage markets. The Bush administration has looked at the pros and cons of a tax credit but remains opposed to the idea, saying it prefers lawmakers act quickly on administration proposals that are languishing in Congress. However,

If you're thinking about buying real estate in the Portsmouth NH and Maine Seacoast areas, here are some important things to know about credit scores and how that impacts your ability to obtain a home mortgage. Your credit score is more important today than ever before, and if you've got a good credit score, you want to do everything you can to protect that good score. Your credit score is a good indicator of how likely you are to pay off your debts on time. The more likely your credit history shows this to be, the better the mortgage program will be that you qualify for. The higher your credit score, the better you look to mortgage companies and banks. Credit scores range from 350 to 850, and the higher your score, the lower the risk you pose. This is how credit scores are categori

HomeBuyers have their real estate needs, desires and abilities. When homebuyers are interested in looking to buy a home, it is  lifestyle they are wanting to buy. Homebuyers want a lifestyle with a certain amount of space, in a certain geographic area, and with certain lifestyle home features. I like to speak with buyers, first, about their needs, both lifestyle [...]

If you have 5% or higher FHA loans going into foreclosure is it prudent to throw the baby out with the bath water or would it be better to coach up and counsel the buyers to slow down the default rates. Many feel this was a knee jerk reaction to a program that had worked for many years to provide first time homebuyers ready access to the American dream, owing their very own home.Many of the original players are positioning and fighting against the directive from the bureaucrats to outlaw all homebuyer assistance programs, which are NOT government entities. A funny thing happened on the way to eliminating these homebuyer assistance programs. By definition, Indian Tribes ARE government entities. So…if an Indian Nation within the United States decides to set up a Homebuyer Assistance Program…then who is to say now that a government entity cannot conduct business as such. All have witness the power of the Indian Nations to conduct business in the U.S. unabated with regard to fishing, g

With the numerous stories about house prices at the moment, it’s hard to know what to believe. Whether house prices are going up, down or sideways, it makes sense to put in the hours to get the best home for you at the best price possible. Less2sell Estate Agents eluded in a previous post titled ‘Pre-Christmas Slow Down comes Early’, that we feel that a series of interest rate cuts are needed in 2008 to re-stimulate the market. Since then rumours are emerging that the Bank of England have declared the need to reduce interest rates next year. Anyway, if you’re looking to buy, Less2sell Online Estate Agency would like to share some top homebuying tips with you. 1. Do Your Own Research One top reason many parents choose to move home is due to the fact they have a child about to start school, and unsurprisingly, properties in excellent state school catchment areas tend to have a hefty premium slapped on. The trouble is, catchment areas usually vary from year to year, th

With Oil approaching $100 per barrel, gasoline prices near $4 per gallon, and with Bay Area commutes among the longest in the nation…is it any wonder that new homebuyers are seeking shelter in the latest new housing trend…living in a transit friendly community? D.R. Horton, America’s Builder, is leading the way in responding to new Bay Area homeowners wishes to get off the road and into an amenity rich lifestyle in an urban setting, transit friendly community.  Elan at Dublin Station is located at the Dublin BART Station; a commute friendly thirty five minutes from San Francisco’s Financial District and within walking distance of shopping, dining and entertainment at Hacienda Crossings. Fifteen floor plans ranging from 1-3 bedrooms and up to 1,384 sq. ft. allow buyers to select the condominium that best fits their needs. But that is just the beginning. Elan homeowners have the most requested amenities at their beck and call: community room, game room, fitness center, and two o

 Buying a home is a serious life task. Most of us will go through this event multiple times in our lifetime.We buy, but we want to buy right. Below are some considerations for homebuyers. 1. Know your financial situation. Speak with three  mortgate professionals starting with  your bank, or mortgage company and see what the options are for purchasing [...]

Today, we have a guest on Sacramento Real Estate Voice… Wendy Cutrufelli  is a Certified Mortgage Planner who has her clients best interest in mind. Not only does Wendy accomplish your goal of home ownership with the best possible loan for your circumstances but she actually takes the time to talk to you about your future [...]

I recently started working with a first time homebuyer who moved to the Portland area from California a few years ago. And the loan this homebuyer is using may be beneficial to many first timers in this real estate market.This homebuyer is receiving a loan via the Oregon State Bond program or a.k.a the “Oregon Bond Loan.”The State of Oregon helps first time homebuyers in Oregon by proving them with two options: 1. A below-market interest rate…. or 2. A low fixed-interest rate along with cash for closing costs.1. The Below Market Interest Rate – Latest figures show this “RateAdvantage” loan has having a 5.99% fixed interest rate for 30 years.2. The Cash Loan – Latest figures show the “CashAdvantage” loan has having a 6.49% fixed interest rate for 30 years, plus cash equal to 3% of the loan amount. This cash would pay for closing costs associated with getting a loan.To be eligible, a homebuyer must be a first-time homebuyer or must not have owned and lived in a primar

My daughter was sitting with me at the computer one night, looking at homes on the MLS. She and her husband are thinking about buying a new home, maybe getting something a little bigger. When we came to a home with no pictures, I would stop to read the info - does it have a basement, square foot, bedrooms, etc. She said, “forget it, why don’t people post pictures with these homes“? Her question was valid! I had to tell her I honestly have no idea. She knows I tote my camera everywhere and am perplexed at the absence of pictures in the MLS. Now I know there may be a few homes on the market, where, there is no way around it, you just can’t get a good interior shot. I think at least one good shot of the front, some idea about the home should be given. I’m not even sure they have to be the best photos and you don’t have to be a professional photographer (I’m not). But good photos with a digital camera are fairly easy. Gone are the days of waiting f

If you want to be on national TV show House Hunters for ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, you can be featured on HGTV if you buy a home in the next couple of weeks with Kathy Toth & Team, Ann Arbor, Michigan.Investors who time any market hope to buy at the nadir and sell at the zenith, but homebuyers have a trickier time knowing when to sit on the sidelines and when to jump in. The reason? There are several.Buying a home is one of the largest financial investments a homebuyer will make. Transaction costs are expensive enough that homeowners remain in their homes approximately six years before trading up or down. As the recent buyer's market shows, homes aren't liquid, and may not find buyers at the price and in the time frame that sellers prefer.On the other hand, homeownership provides significant benefits including property rights, tax benefits and other government subsidies including support for a mortgage lending market, quality of life, appreciation, and equity.Since two factors mo

By: http://library.hsh.com What Do Homebuyers Need Most? My experience and research suggests that in the complex and confusing task of homebuying, only a small percentage of homebuyers succeed in buying at the lowest price and on the best terms. Many don't even come close to getting the best deal possible. However, this goal is attainable when you possess specific know-how and stay in control of the task. Even a basic understanding of the homebuying process helps you protect your many interests (most importantly your money) and brings other rewards, not least of which is peace of mind and a home you can enjoy for many years into the future. Here are what I consider some of the homebuyer's most critical needs. 1. Information: To be clear about what actually happens in buying and selling a home. 2. Task Seriousness: The willingness to take the steps necessary to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes. 3. Negotiation Skills: Basic negotiation know-how and the wi

Score one for Portland Homebuyers.Just when it seemed that the annual trend towards low housing inventory in the spring was taking place, inventory actually increased.Right now, housing inventory stands at 4.4 months meaning that if no other homes were listed for sale in Portland, the supply would dry up in 4.4 months. This is an increase from the previous month’s supply of 3.8 months. It also momentarily stops the trend of seeing inventory drop since January.What’s this mean?There’s fairly good balance in Portland’s housing market because, according to the National Association of Realtors, a balanced market between sellers and buyers has 5.0 months of inventory.To get an idea of how 2007 is shaping up, let’s compare housing inventory from previous years. At this time in 2006, housing inventory was only 2.4 months- a clear seller’s market. And in 2005, inventory in Portland was 1.8 months- a very strong seller’s market.Since there is more balance, the rush to buy home

10 Simple Rules of Thumb for First-Time HomebuyersHandy tips and tidbits to help you make the big decision Know what you can afford to spend. You'll find Qualifying Calculators on sites such as Bankrate.com and E-Loan.com. What they don't add into the equation is home owner's insurance, taxes and any association fees. Get a lender who is local and can provide you with a "good faith estimate" which will outline in greater detail what your monthly payments will be once you factor in these additional costs.Find out if you qualify for homebuying help. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has programs to help teachers, firefighters and others buy affordable homes. Federal Housing Administration loan programs offer lower down payments to help first-time buyers. Go to HUD's website (www.hud.gov) for details. Get a Realtor who understands the Real Estate Market, what you are looking for, and can guide you in the right direction. A buyer's agent is compensated through the s

Now seems like the perfect time for the first-time buyer to step up to the plate and take advantage of the cooling market. A cooling market does not mean a bad market, just a return to a more normal market. Houses will continue to be sold …. sellers will sell, buyers will buy, and homes will appreciate over time. All of this will just happen at a more normal pace as compared to the 2000 – 2005 time periods. A normal market means that home buyers have more time to look around, compare homes, and make informed decisions. This was a non-existent phenomenon during the boom years. Many first-time buyers could not react quick enough to secure the house of their dreams. The quickened pace of home sales did not allow inexperienced first-time buyers to comfortably evaluate potential homes and make a decision in their best interest. Now sellers are giving more incentives and concessions to potential buyers. In addition, many first-time buyer and income-based programs are available