For Buyers

Market conditions have never been better for buyers, but finding the right property, negotiating the best deal, and managing all the details are as complicated as ever. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a current homeowner, or a real estate investor, you need a trustworthy, knowledgable real estate professional to help you through the home buying process. You need an Executive.

Executives Versus Agents

A real estate Executive is more than an agent. An Executive is a trusted source of local information, familiar with every block of every neighborhood, and able to help you understand how and where you’d fit best. An Executive understands local market conditions, so you can make a conservative but fair offer that will get you in the right home at the right price. Above all, an Executive is a professional, with years of experience negotiating deals and managing legal and regulatory red tape. When you’re dealing with an Executive, you can relax and focus on finding the perfect home, knowing you’re in good hands.

The Perfect Home

A home is more than a number of bathrooms and bedrooms. While amenities set baselines and standards for your search, an ideal home is one that meets your needs for things that can’t be measured in bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage. Style, safety, history, neighborhood character, local schools, cultural resources, and how much you can reasonably afford are just a few of the factors your Executive will consider during your home search. A perfect home should stir your emotions, and an Executive will help you find the home that does just that–without letting emotions get in the way of your negotiations.

Negotiations and Financing

An Executive is an expert negotiator who knows where to start an offer, how far to push, and when to walk away. Executives can also help you understand the “hidden” costs and fees associated with the home buying process to ensure that you don’t get in over your head. Once your offer is accepted, an Executive will walk you through inspections and other contingencies, closing, underwriting, and escrow, so you can move into your new home without any worries.

I’ve included some relevant blog posts and links for your review. If you would like more information on how an Executive can help you find you dream home, please contact me.

Other Links:

Comments are closed.

How Your Credit Score is Derived

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Joe Varuso

Developed in 1956, a Fair Isaac Score is a three digit number ranging from 300-850, according to the following risk factors:

1) Payment History (35% of score)

a) Payment information on many types of accounts

b) Public record and collection items

c) Details on late or missed payments

d) Specifically, how late they were, how much was owed, how recently they occurred and how many there are

2) Amounts Owed (30% of score)

a) Amount owed on all accounts

b) Amount owed on different types of accounts

c) Whether you are showing a balance on certain types of accounts

d) How much of the total credit line is being used

e) How much of installment loan accounts is still owed

3) Length of Credit History (15% of score)

a) How long your credit accounts have been established, in general

b) How long specific credit accounts have been established

c) How long it has been since you used certain accounts

4) New Credit & Inquiries (10% of score)

a) What kinds of credit accounts you have and how many of each

b) Total number of accounts you have

5) Types of Credit (10% of score)

a) How many new accounts you have

b) How long it has been since you opened a new account

c) How many recent requests for credit you have made

Fair Isaac Resolution Resources Helpline (800) 777-2066. Need more help? Please give me a call!

Posted in For Buyers, For Renter and/or Lessee, For Sellers, Home Finance | Tagged buyers, credit, credit score, financeing, loans, prequalifying, renters, sellers | 2 Comments

Top Reasons to Own a Home

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Joe Varuso

by Carla Hill Published: August 30, 2011

There’s good reason that over half of all Americans are homeowners. Social and financial benefits are key factors when it comes to deciding to buy. Homeownership allows people to grow wealth slowly over time, to hold assets that build equity, and to bring stability into chaotic lives.

Despite these facts, homeownership rates have taken a hit since the recession in 2009. Falling home prices along with reduced access to credit has kept many would-be buyers from entering the market. According to Morgan Stanley, the current homeownership rate is around 59.2%. This is lowest rate since the Census Bureau began tracking in 1965. Has this reduction been a fear-based one?

The top benefits of homeownership haven’t changed, even in the face of a down economy. Here are the top five:

1. Savings: Be sure to check out this calculator http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/business/buy-rent-calculator.html to crunch the numbers. You’ll find that long-term homeownership is still a way to get big savings.

2. Tax Breaks: They’re not on the chopping block just yet. Many homeowners are still able to take the mortgage interest deduction (MID) each year, along with great rebates and credits associated with upgrades made to your home.

3. Equity: When you pay a landlord, it’s money down the drain. When you pay on a mortgage, you are paying towards owning a piece of something. You may still owe $100,000, but perhaps the home is worth $200,000. This means you have $100,000 worth of equity you’ve built up over time.

4. Budgeting: Unless you live in a rent-controlled apartment (and not many do), then each lease renewal could mean a jump in prices. A fixed-rate mortgage, however, means your monthly payment is the same amount for the life of the loan. A $1,000 a month payment on a 30-year mortgage is the same now as it will be in 30 years!

5. Security: When you own, it’s yours. You can paint, improve, and decorate. The trees and flowers are yours to enjoy — for a lifetime if you wish. Most homeowners are in neighborhoods with other homeowners, meaning more time to build relationships and friendships. Recent studies have also shown that homeowners rank themselves as healthier than their renter counterparts.

Experts have recommended for years that if you’re planning on staying put for 5+ years, buying becomes an increasingly better deal. You have time to recoup any extra expenses found in closing costs and are now making an investment in your future through home price appreciation. Once your mortgage is paid off, you’ll have a real asset. That brings real stability.

Home affordability is at near record highs. Now is a good time to run the numbers and see if buying makes good financial sense. If it does, then you’re in store for a wealth of benefits that only homeowners can experience.

Posted in For Buyers, For Renter and/or Lessee, Home Finance | Tagged buyers, first time buyer, for renter and lessee | 2 Comments

Home Inspections 101

Posted on October 7, 2010 by Realty Executives

According to a study conducted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) in 2001, 97 percent of home buyers who received home inspections believe they received a good value for their money. A home’s history gives it character and charm, but also takes a toll.

Over time, roofs sag, mortar cracks, and furnaces lose efficiency. Beyond this normal wear and tear, older homes can harbor mold, water damage, termites, or other structural threats that can cost tens of thousands of dollars to fix.
Continue reading – Home Inspections 101

Posted in For Buyers | Tagged assessment, home inspectiom, representation, wa;kthrough | Leave a comment

Homeowners Insurance Checklist

Posted on October 7, 2010 by Realty Executives

A home is the single biggest investment most Americans will ever make. Protecting that investment is not just a legal responsibility, but the smartest move you can make. Here are 7 tips for getting the most out of your homeowners insurance for the smallest premium.