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.

Qualify for a Mortgage:

Please Call Lynn Goss (616) 437-6297  lynn.goss@flagstar.com

Other Links:

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Hey Buyers… It Pays to Work with a REALTOR®!

Posted on May 23, 2012 by shannonbenton

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions regularly exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 tax problem, would you handle it without the assistance of a CPA? If you were involved in $100,000 lawsuit, would you go to court without an attorney? The same rule applies to your real estate transaction.

A REALTOR® will help you navigate the complex legal and financial world of real estate. A REALTOR® will represent your best interests and help you negotiate a winning deal. From the day you enter the market until the date of closing, a REALTOR® is on your side! A REALTOR® will do all of this while adhering to the superior standards set forth in the REALTOR® Code of Ethics (pdf).

Still not convinced? Here are just a few more reasons why IT PAYS TO WORK WITH A REALTOR®:

  • Your REALTOR® can help you determine your buying power — i.e. your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity — through his/her network of lenders best qualified to assist you. Your REALTOR® can also help you understand the various financing options.
  • Your REALTOR® has MANY resources to assist you in your home search. Your REALTOR® may even be aware of property that has not yet hit the market, but is coming soon.
  • Your REALTOR® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property.
  • Your REALTOR® can assist you in locating community information (utilities, zoning, schools, etc.) that will provide the most ideal environment for your home or investment.
  • Your REALTOR® can help you negotiate a myriad of factors, including, but not limited to: price, financing, terms, possession, repairs, title, etc.
  • Your REALTOR® can advise you as to which investigations or inspections are recommended or required, and will then help you identify a qualified, responsible professional to perform those inspections/investigations.
  • Your REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process.

Not All Real Estate Agents Are The Same:

Only real estate licensees who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® may use the term REALTOR®. REALTORS® proudly display the ® logo on their business cards and other marketing materials.

WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT? REALTORS® are committed to treating all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS®subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics (pdf). The Code of Ethics establishes obligations that, in many cases, are higher than those mandated by state license law.

Article provided by GRAR.com

Posted in Area Info, For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Finance, Lifestyle and Community, News | Leave a comment

5 Real Estate Trends to Look For in 2012

Posted on February 13, 2012 by shannonbenton

Predicting trends during the most volatile housing market in American real estate history is no easy task. We strongly believe these are the five real estate items we should keep an eye on in 2012:

1. Buyers Will Return  

In 2011, a lack of consumer confidence in the overall economy dramatically impacted the housing market. Buyers were afraid to make a purchasing decision on any big ticket item. By the end of 2011, consumer confidence began to return and sales increased. Economic conditions will continue to improve throughout 2012 and consumer sentiment will solidify. Once that happens, home buyers will realize that now is the time to buy.

 

2. Foreclosures Will Increase

The ‘shadow inventory’ of foreclosures which has been growing since the robo-signing challenges of late 2010 will finally be introduced to the market. Distressed properties sell at discounted prices. They will impact the housing values of the non-distressed homes in the area.

3. Prices Will Soften

As more and more foreclosures come to market, there will be greater downward pressure on the values of houses in the region. Foreclosures impact values of non-distressed properties in two ways:

  • They will eat up some of the buyer demand in the market.
  • They will impact the appraisal on ALL transactions in the area.

An increase in foreclosures will have a negative impact on values. This will cause more homes to be underwater.

4. Short Sales Will Increase

As mentioned above, we strongly believe that home prices will soften through at least the first half of 2012. Falling prices will force more homeowners into a position of negative equity. Negative equity is one of the triggers that cause people to strategically default on their mortgage obligations. If this happens, there could be an increase in the number of foreclosures. However, we predict that banks will take preventative measures which will help many of these homes avoid foreclosure by easing the requirements in the short sale process for both homeowners and real estate professionals.

5. Great Agents Will Be VERY Successful

Real Estate professionals who have invested the money, time and energy to truly understand what is happening and why it is happening will separate themselves from their competition and do very well this year.

Those who take that next step of learning how to simply and effectively communicate the market to their clients will be seen as industry leaders. These experts will dominate their markets.

Article provided by KCM

 

Posted in Area Info, For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Finance, Home Improvement, Lifestyle and Community, News | Leave a comment

Home Inspections 101

Posted on August 18, 2011 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 , , , | Leave a comment

Homeowners Insurance Checklist

Posted on July 20, 2011 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.

1. Research Early and Often
Continue reading – Homeowners Insurance Checklist

Posted in For Buyers | Tagged , , | Leave a comment
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