http://myagentsspace.com/rss/Blogs http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_182/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_182/ Hello every one.Short sale, Short sale, Short sale.  Any one needs short sale assistance? do you have short sale transaction that you can't handle? I charge $ 250.00 for assisting in completing a successfull shortsale transaction. contact me at 408- 509-2604 for direct assistant. I guarantee the success of your transactionDon't loose your transaction becsue you don't know it.Best wishesRashid kwww.myagentsspace.com/rushkd Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:07:08 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_181/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_181/ Worried about paying your mortgage?  FREE SEMINAR: Learn Your OptionsIf you are having trouble making your mortgage payments or are receiving default notices please plan to attend this free seminar  Learn what steps you can take to avoid foreclosure. Speakers will include representatives from the following industries:Mortgage Lending Title Company Credit Counseling Real EstateThe seminar will be held March 6 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at RE/MAX First Realty II, 2831 Eldorado Parkway, Suite 108, Frisco, TX.  Registration is required.  For more details or to register contact Linnea Lavell at linnealavell@remax.net or 214-280-5900. Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:02:11 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_180/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_180/ The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) is the organization of the U.S.  Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that insures certain mortgage loans for lenders.   If the lender forecloses on a  FHA loan, FHA will repay the balance of the loan to the lender and the title reverts to HUD.  HUD then resells the homes at market value through contractors in that area (i.e. in Texas they use Southwest Alliance).   Not all real estate agents have access to HUD houses.   In order to view,  make offers and sell HUD owned properties, a brokerage must be registered with HUD as well as have an identifier number.   HUD houses are sold on a "bid" system and there is a process that must be closely followed.  Your agent should be able to walk you through the entire process, answer questions and provide you with the required documents.  Finding an agent that is experienced in selling HUD homes can make the process go a lot smoother.   Purchasing a HUD home can be a very simple, rewarding process if you take the time necessary to make sure you are working with a real estate agent that is familiar with the system. Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:02:15 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_179/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_179/ Worried about paying your mortgage?  FREE SEMINAR: Learn Your OptionsIf you are having trouble making your mortgage payments or are receiving default notices please plan to attend this free seminar  Learn what steps you can take to avoid foreclosure. Speakers will include representatives from the following industries:Mortgage Lending Title Company Credit Counseling Real EstateThe seminar will be held March 6 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at RE/MAX First Realty II, 2831 Eldorado Parkway, Suite 108, Frisco, TX.  Registration is suggested.  For more details or to register contact Linnea Lavell at linnealavell@remax.net or 214-280-5900. Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:02:31 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_178/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_178/    Considering an Insurance Policy, that Offers: ROP ( Return of Premiums)  ?There are Several Factors that You Should Consider:1. Can You Afford the Additional Premium ?2. Does ROP Make Financial Sense for Your Specific Situation ?3. Would the Additional Premium, be better off invested somewhere else ?FOR ANSWERS: Please CONTACT US:Free Brochure: IS ROP FOR ME ?We will email you a Free copy. Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:01:06 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_177/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_177/ Should you Rent or Own?If you need somewhere to live, you have two options available. You can either rent or you can buy. Of course, there are other setups that you can look into, but all in all, these are your two best options. Although it may sound easy enough to choose, when it comes down to it, deciding to rent or own can be a very difficult decision. After all, there are some benefits and drawbacks of each one. You will want to make sure that you are sure of what you are getting into no matte which option you choose.First off, take a closer look at what renting has to offer. The main benefit of this is that you will not have to pay any large sums of money out of your pocket up front. In other words, you do not have to pay for a down payment or closing costs. At most, you may have to pay a security deposit in order to protect the landlord. On the other side of things, when you rent a home or apartment you are not building any equity. You are basically paying somebody else for a space based on your lease. When you leave you leave. You do not have to sell anything, and you do not own any stake in the property.On the other side of things, buying a home means that you are going to more than likely need money for a down payment and closing costs. There are some loan programs that may work with you as far as the down payment is concerned, but generally speaking, you are going to need some money in order to finalize the transaction. But of course, when you own you will be building equity in a piece of real estate. And if you are lucky enough to finally pay your home off, you will be in a position to live mortgage free. This is a day that a lot of people look forward to.As you can see, there is no way of saying if you should rent or own. You need to decide what benefits you the most, and then make your move. The decision should be yours, and after doing research into both options, you should be able to make up your mind. Fri, 23 Nov 2007 13:11:12 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_176/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_176/ 1. For some people, managing the mortgage is as simple as preparing and following a monthly budget. For others, the bills are behind and the pressure is unbearable.Solving debt problems can feel like finding your way in the dark, but it doesn't have to. The Web Site, http://www.holdontoyourhome.org/ is designed to give people all of the information one needs to deal with such a personal situation.  Thanks to the vision and commitment of the City of Lansing and The Ingham County Treasurers Office, this site and any resources referred to in this site are free.2. Lydia Burtraw from Countrywide Home Loans informs me that the Michigan State Housing Development Authority has announced a rate DECREASE for it's Single Family Program, effective 11-5-07.     Interest Rate DECREASE Effective Monday, November 05, 2007 Effective for all loan reservations received on or after Monday, November 05, 2007, the interest rates for the MSHDA Single Family Loan Program will be as follows:         Statewide Fixed NO DPA - (FHA, VA, Conventional & RD) - Fixed Rate - 30-year term             5.375%  - No Discount Points - One percent (1%) origination fee         Statewide Fixed WITH DPA - (FHA, RD & Conventional 97%) - Fixed Rate - 30-year term             5.750% - No Discount Points - One percent (1%) origination fee (FYI: DPA = Down Payment Assistance program, additional restrictions apply)3. Looking for another great place to learn about mortgages? Visit Don Grimes site for tons information on home buying and mortgages.4. Visit My site often and study the links available on home buying and selling in the greater Lansing area. Mon, 5 Nov 2007 14:11:56 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_175/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_175/ Well, the Fall Season is upon us and there is plenty to do in the Lansing areafor families and single people. I hope you enjoy the opportunity to visit some of these events. NAR recently came out with new economic reports and I also have attached the 3rd Quarter Report from Coldwell Banker Hubbell Real Estate Co. The market has shown additional activity over the past few weeks and NOW is still the best time to buy a home. In other good news, the House recently pass a Tax relief bill for homeowners in trouble with their mortgages. If you have questions, or want additional information on homeownership or selling in today's market, you'll find tons of information at my site: http://mikebowler.com/ Sat, 27 Oct 2007 13:10:55 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_174/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_174/ Mistake #1 -- Placing the Wrong Price on Your PropertyEvery seller obviously wants to get the most money for his or her product. Ironically, the best way to do this is NOT to list your product at an excessively high price! A high listing price will cause some prospective buyers to lose interest before even seeing your property. Also, it may lead other buyers to expect more than what you have to offer. As a result, overpriced properties tend to take an unusually long time to sell, and they end up being sold at a lower price. Mistake #2 -- Mistaking Re-finance Appraisals for the Market ValueUnfortunately, a re-finance appraisal may have been stated at an untruthfully high price. Often, lenders estimate the value of your property to be higher than it actually is in order to encourage re-financing. The market value of your home could actually be lower. Your best bet is to ask your realtor for the most recent information regarding property sales in your community. This will give you an up-to-date and factually accurate estimate of your property value. To download the full report simply Click Here  Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:10:44 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_173/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_173/ I recently got a pre-paid legal services membership. It has been so helpful, that I want to share it with others. It covers many legal issues we face everyday for only $35.95 a month. Please visit my website for more information.For Realtors working with clients in foreclosure or short sale, you can refer them to the service so, you don't have to give them legal advise since there's a specialized firm in the local area your clients can consult at no extra charge. This service is available in USA and Canada.www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/carmengabriel Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:10:57 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_172/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_172/ Home Buyer's Kit for Lansing Area Real Estate "To leave satisfied you must arrive prepared."Consider this your home buyer's toolkit. Open it up, take a look around, and if you like, start equipping yourself with the tools necessary to make your best purchase. In most businesses, knowledge equals power, and real estate is certainly no exception. I hope you enjoy the free reports I've provided, and I hope you learn a little more about what it takes to make your important purchase a great one. The real estate market in Lansing is certainly volatile, and all of the information about buying a home can be overwhelming. I can help. When you're ready to act, contact me.  I look forward to working with you. Visit Here for Additional Information. to assist your home buying experience.   Visit My Open House Sunday, September 9th 1:30 - 4:00 P.M. 4864 Sycamore, Holt. This wonderful 1600+ sq.ft Ranch features: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, first floor laundry, full basement, great room, wooded lot and much, much more. Priced to sell! Details: http://mikebowlersr.com Fri, 7 Sep 2007 14:09:21 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_171/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_171/ Work with Ready Real Estate in TEXAS!No Office or desk feesNo hidden broker feesProvided LeadsHigh Commission splits!Best company to work for! call me or shoot an e-mail Lhilliar@readyrealestate.com Thu, 6 Sep 2007 09:09:42 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_169/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_169/ Short Sales in Real Estate - How to Handle Real Estate Short Sales From Elizabeth Weintraub,Your Guide to Home Buying / Selling.FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! How To Do Short SalesThere are many ways to lose a home but signing away ownership in a manner that destroys credit, embarrasses the family and strips an owner of dignity is one of the hardest. For owners who can no longer afford to keep mortgage payments current, there are alternatives to bankruptcy or foreclosure proceedings. One of those options is called a "short sale." When lenders agree to do a short sale in real estate, it means the lender is accepting less than the total amount due. Not all lenders will accept short sales or discounted payoffs, especially if it would make more financial sense to foreclose. If you are considering buying a short sale, there could be drawbacks. For your protection, I suggest that all borrowers Obtain legal advice from a competent real estate lawyer Call an accountant to discuss short sale tax ramifications As a real estate agent, I am not licensed as a lawyer nor a CPA and cannot advise on those consequences. Be aware the I.R.S. will consider debt forgiveness as income, and there is no guarantee that a lender who accepts a short sale will not legally pursue a borrower for the difference between the amount owed and the amount paid. In some states, this amount is known as a deficiency. A lawyer can determine whether your loan qualifies for a deficiency judgment or claim. Although all lenders have varying requirements and may demand that a borrower submit a wide array of documentation, the following steps will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect. Call the Lender You may need to make a half dozen phone calls before you find the person responsible for handling short sales. You do not want to talk to the "real estate short sale" or "work out" department, you want the supervisor's name, the name of the individual capable of making a decision. Submit Letter of Authorization Lenders typically do not want to disclose any of your personal information without written authorization to do so. If you are working with a real estate agent, closing agent, title company or lawyer, you will receive better cooperation if you write a letter to the lender giving the lender permission to talk with those specific interested parties about your loan. The letter should include the following: Property Address Loan Reference Number Your Name The Date Your Agent's Name & Contact Information  Preliminary Net Sheet This is an estimated closing statement that shows the sales price you expect to receive and all the costs of sale, unpaid loan balances, outstanding payments due and late fees, including real estate commissions, if any. Your closing agent or lawyer should be able to prepare this for you if you do not know how to calculate any of these fees. If the bottom line shows cash to the seller, you will probably not need a short sale. Hardship Letter The sadder, the better. This statement of facts describes how you got into this financial bind and makes a plea to the lender to accept less than full payment. Lenders are not inhumane and can understand if you lost your job, were hospitalized or a truck ran over your entire family, but lenders are not particularly empathetic to situations involving dishonesty or criminal behavior. Proof of Income and Assets It is best to be truthful and honest about your financial situation and disclose assets. Lenders will want to know if you have savings accounts, money market accounts, stocks or bonds, negotiable instruments, cash or other real estate or anything of tangible value. Lender are not in the charity business and often require assurance that the debtor cannot pay back any of the debt that it is forgiving.  Copies of Bank Statements If your bank statements reflect unaccountable deposits, large cash withdrawals or an unusual number of checks, it's probably a good idea to explain each of those line items to the lender. In addition, the lender might want you to account for each and every deposit so it can determine whether deposits will continue. Comparative Market Analysis Sometimes markets decline and property values fall. If this is part of the reason that you cannot sell your home for enough to pay off the lender, this fact should be substantiated for the lender through a comparative market analysis (CMA). Your real estate agent can prepare a CMA for you, which will show prices of similar homes Active on the market Pending sales Solds from the past six months. Purchase Agreement & Listing Agreement When you reach an agreement to sell with a prospective purchaser, the lender will want a copy of the offer, along with a copy of your listing agreement. Be prepared for the lender to renegotiate commissions and to refuse to allow payment of certain items such as home protection plans or termite inspections. Now if everything goes well, the lender will approve your short sale. As part of the negotiation, you might ask that the lender not report adverse credit to the credit reporting agencies, but realize that the lender is under no obligation to accommodate this request. Read more about Before you Buy a Short Sale. Buyers pursue short sales to get a good deal. So when you see a price listed for a home that you think is too low for the neighborhood, before you jump on that price like hot fudge on a sundae, ask your agent to call the listing agent to find out if the home is a short sale. Because you might want to think twice about making an offer on a pre-foreclosure, short sale home. It's not as simple as you may believe, and very few can close in 30 days or less.What is a Short Sale?A short sale means the seller's lender is accepting a discounted payoff to release an existing mortgage. Just because a property is listed with short sale terms does not mean the lender will accept your offer, even if the seller accepts it. Be aware that the seller will need to be in default, to have stopped making mortgage payments, before a lender will consider a short sale. Also, the seller might have over-encumbered, owe more than the home is worth, so a discounted price might bring the price in line with market value, not below it.Basics of Short SalesWhat is a Foreclosure?Buying at a Trustee's SaleCheck the Public RecordsDo your research before making an offer to purchase. Your agent can find out who is in title, whether a foreclosure notice has been filed and how much is owed to the lender(s). This is important because it will help you to determine how much to offer. If there are two loans, you will probably deal with the second mortgage lender. The first mortgage lender's position is protected by the second lender unless the second lender does not want to foreclose. For example, if a seller owes $160,000 to the first lender and $40,000 to the second lender, you cannot offer $160,000 because it will wipe out the second lender. Sun, 26 Aug 2007 13:08:49 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_168/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_168/ And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place , or situation ----some fact of life----unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment . Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God's world by mistake. Until I could accept my life, I could not stay serene, unless I accept life completely on life's terms I can not be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitude. Tue, 21 Aug 2007 06:08:59 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_167/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_167/ Now that we've talked about de-cluttering, de-personalizing and the all-important exterior first impression as a buyer pulls up to the home, let's cover the interior room basics.  I don't know how many times I've heard from clients and colleagues how a buyer has been turned off because of too much furniture or "stuff" that sellers try to jam into one room.  It gives the house a feeling of being unbalanced and lacking space.It is so important to share with our sellers that buyers want to see SPACE!  They want to know that the floorplan will work for them.  First and foremost, too much furniture is NOT a good thing.  If you are planning on selling and moving anyway, remove some of that furniture and place it in a temporary storage area.  Maybe you could donate it to a local charity if it's looking tattered.  There might even be a college student or first-time home owner who would "love" to have it. There's also the possibility of selling it . . . make a few bucks and alleviate having to move it to your next home. Also, over-accessorizing can kill a sale!  It's hard for a buyer to look through all that "foo-foo" and picture the home as their own.  Find a storage bin to save those precious treasures in or a local thrift store that might resell those items.  Trust me, there's plenty more chatzkis where those came from!Once we've eliminated the excess furniture and decorative items, it's time to prepare each room.  This is where it's worth investing in a professional stager! The difference between a well-staged home and one that is sort of mish-mash could mean a better potential for selling more quickly and at a higher sale price versus sitting on the market. No matter how much a good real estate agent tries to get a buyer to look beyond the seller's belongings, most times they can't. In this market of extremely picky buyers (because they can be), every little detail is important! So, follow this formula:  Good furniture placement minus excess accessories equals an A+ for our sellers! Thu, 16 Aug 2007 07:08:00 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_166/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_166/ Welcome to our  referal group if you have any questions please feel free to contact me and welcome.  I've been out for a little bit because business is booming in El Paso Tx Some builders are paying up to $5k on some of there homes their Selling.  The Troops are coming in and if you want a piece of the pie send sombody my way because with the soldiers come all the people  and businesses that support them Hiram OrtizCell: 915-920-9373Homepage: http://myagentsspace.com/hortiz/ Website: http://www.elpasorealestate.professionalagent.com/ E-mail: hortiz3@elp.rr.com Thu, 16 Aug 2007 01:08:07 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_165/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_165/ Hello All - I thought I would start a Blog and see if we can get togather and start to market up again. I have been watching property prices in my area steadily decline. So now is the time for us to get our investors together and get them to start buying again. I know I have quite a few listings that are very negotaible. NOW is the time to buy, when prices are low. Anyone with clients looking to invest in Mohave County - give me a call. I will pay a 30% referral fee!!! What other Ideas can we come up with - Lets get back to selling!!!!!      Tue, 14 Aug 2007 13:08:00 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_164/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_164/ People ask me everyday, how’s the real estate market? The market is the market, it’s not good, it’s not bad, and it’s just a new market. Although we have over 7000 homes on the market in the greater Lansing area it’s just not the sellers market it was a few years back, it’s now a buyers market. Things change, so we have to adapt.  When you price your home competitively in today’s market it should sell. Keep in mind that if you’re moving up to a larger home and you sell your house 15% below what you thought you should get for it, you’re going to also pick up that much or more when you buy. Keeping it simple let’s say you sell for $170,000.00 vs. $200,000.00 (15% less), if you buy a $300,000.00 home at $255,000.00 (15%) less, you’re gaining $15,000.00. Now that is a good reason to make your move in today’s market.Now, if you’re selling and not buying, that is a different story. Maybe you should consider waiting out the inventory to sell down, price your house lower, or make some improvement to attract more buyers. As a Realtor, I can only suggest things to you that we have control over. That would include, price, condition and special incentives to attract buyers. What I think your home is worth and what you think it is worth means nothing in today’s market. It is what a buyer thinks it is worth that makes a sale. That may sound blunt, but it’s the truth. People sell their homes everyday for different reasons, some maybe upside down on expenses or behind in payments. This type of sale takes special consulting and care, on what we in the industry call short sale. Be careful, when it comes to this that you have the right information to protect your future credit and not get into deeper situations. Seek professional advice.  If you are being transferred to a new job or career, you may want to take special care into negotiating a relocation package that would include incentives to sell below market. Realtors are in a position to give you the facts about your market statistics and council you to a successful closing. If you have questions, please contact myself at mbowler@coldwellbanker.com I would be happy to offer you my advice that I have been giving for nearly 30 years. Happy selling! Sun, 12 Aug 2007 18:08:51 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_163/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_163/ (There’s a saying: The best way to predict the future is to create it.) With over 7000 homes on the market in the greater Lansing, Michigan area, it’s more important then ever to have your house ready to sell prior to putting it on the market. Not all homes show the same and buyers can tell as they enter whether or not any preparation has been put into differentiating it from the competition. Buyer Ready is a unique and innovative idea that can give you an edge in your marketplace. "Pre-packaging" the home for buyers gives you a way to stand out from comparable homes in the area. Clean, neat, roomy and fresh smelling homes sell faster. In today’s market sellers can do other things to promote a buyer ready home that were unheard of a few years back. Here's some ideas:Getting a home inspection to become aware of what a buyer likely will find in their home inspection.Offering a home warranty, to put the buyers mind at ease on repairs that made arise over the first year. Have a Competitive Market analysis available to show values in the neighborhoodPrepare a seller’s disclosure statement, lead base paint disclosure, and other required formsGet a pre-title search completed on the property.On rural properties have the well and septic inspections done in advance and septic tank pumpedProvide a one year to two year history of utility expenses Provide neighborhood or community amenities list for the buyers to reviewPut special focus on lawn trimming, watering and entrance way first impressionsOffer a finance sheet from 2-3 Mortgage Brokers or Bankers with four ways to buy the home. You maybe asking, what is all this going to cost me? It could cost you more if you don’t do it. Investing a few hundred dollars up front will come back to you in the sale price if done properly.  A Homebuyer Ready program, provides you with an industry-leading process that gives the sellers’ house a marketing advantage, helps the buyers select the very best properties and streamlines the entire transaction to help ensure a successful closing. What do you think?Note to real estate agents: This also determines how serious a seller really is about getting their home sold, by their willingness to invest up front, put the effort into these areas and become a partner in the marketing. Your feedback and ideas on this will help enhance it for those who want to build on the idea of a buyer ready home. Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:08:25 -0700 http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_162/ http://myagentsspace.com/rss/link_blogs/id_162/ Hello every one. I need buyers for our Southern California Market. Prices are falling and we are starting to see many Forclosures, Short sales and REOs.  some homes have fallen over $100K.  Need your help with referrals which I will gladly pay for. Sat, 4 Aug 2007 23:08:52 -0700