Blog

Because the builder’s agent’s job is to convince you to buy only their homes at the highest price. Your Buyer Agent’s job is to even the odds and negotiate for the lowest price and best terms for YOU! It is foolish for a home buyer to enter into a new construction contract without an Exclusive Buyer Agent. The advantages are many; aside from the obvious ones. The fact that having buyer agent representation is often FREE cannot be repeated often enough. So too, should the misconception that not using a buyer’s agent will save money be constantly repeated –…

The home mortgage industry can be confusing. Rates, points, caps—there’s a lot to take in. Take some time to educate yourself about the process—and be aware of the big missteps home buyers often make. Thinking Too Big Banks qualify their customers on their “debt-to-income ratios.” Simply, that’s the ratio of how much money you make vs. the money you owe to other institutions. Banks don’t take into account other expenses like your weekend entertainment and the tuition to your children’s school. Ask yourself, what goes into your budget every month? List it all out—restaurants, car payments, taxes, insurance, cable, cell phone, gym…

One of the first questions I get when reviewing an Offer to Purchase or Real Estate contract with a Buyer is “ What is Title Insurance” and “Why do I need it?” These are great questions and ones every savvy (or even bewildered) home buyer should be asking. Title insurance is normally purchased at the same time as you buy your home. Unlike other types of insurance, your title insurance policy, for a one-time premium paid at closing, provides protection to you and your heirs for as long as you own your house. Also unlike other types of insurance,…

AVONDALE, Ariz., Jun 13, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE via COMTEX) — Over the last several months, the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (NAEBA) has seen an increase in the number of real estate agents claiming to be Exclusive Buyer Agents in spite of working within a company that takes listings or even taking listings themselves. Per the industry definition, an Exclusive Buyer Agent never works with sellers and works within a company that does not take listings. Because an Exclusive Buyer Agent has no inventory to sell, they can work as a true advocate for the buyer regardless…

WASHINGTON – June 3, 2014 – An electronic mortgage process could cut 30 days off the average 52 days it takes to close a loan, according to a team developed by Fannie Mae to study e-mortgages. What’s more, going paperless could save the mortgage industry an average of about $1,100 per mortgage – about $1 billion a year. The industry has been slow adopting e-mortgage, however, and faces several hurdles in a transition to an all-electronic system. But the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s new mortgage disclosure forms process could boost the change since they’ll be disseminated electronically. “This (change) will allow stakeholders…

If you thought you were barred from buying a new house after a foreclosure or a short sale, the rules have changed. FHA has taken a big step toward acknowledging that the economy forced many responsible homeowners into default or bankruptcy. Boomerang buyers are able to buy again a little sooner after FHA’s recent announcement of the Back to Work – Extenuating Circumstances exception. Homeowners that lost their homes due to a loss in employment or income, now have the ability to buy as soon as 12 months after a bankruptcy, foreclosure, short sale or a deed…

Spring cleaning is a way to demonstrate pride in ownership (or rentership). A home and its contents are investments; money spent on something you really love or really need (ideally both). When you take the time to clean thoroughly and properly, you can maintain and prolong the life of the item or finish for years. Further, it means you live in a cleaner and healthier home; less dust, dust mites, allergens, odors, and dirt. Always start from the top and work your way down. Think about it like this: dust falls down (like rain or snow)…

When you initially set out to purchase a property, the real estate agent(s) and home seller will want to know you can actually afford to purchase the property. After all, if you can’t afford to buy it, you’ll be wasting everyone’s time. Aside from affordability concerns, you may find other issues that disqualify you from obtaining a mortgage. For these reasons, most real estate agents will require that you get pre-approved, at a minimum, before they even begin showing you prospective properties. Most agents have a mortgage contact they’ll likely refer to you to get the…

Below are the numbers for Luxury Properties priced above one million dollars for the past 30 days in the Boca Raton, Florida area. The single family home luxury market continues to move fast with multiple properties changing hands. Luxury Single Family Homes Total Properties Available 376 Price Range $1,025,000Â $25,000,000 Total Properties Pending 4 Total Properties Sold 17 Price Range $1,035,000Â – $4,831,450 Average Days on Market 145 Luxury Condominiums Total Properties Available 60 Price Range $1,025,000 $13,950,000 Total Properties Pending 4 Total Properties Sold 4 Price Range $1,075,000…