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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5 Real Estate Trends to Look For in 2012

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

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

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Homeowners Insurance Checklist

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

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First Time Home Buyer’s Checklist

Your first home purchase is exciting, but it can also be stressful. Here are some tips to limit the trauma and help you find the home of your dreams the first time around.

The most important step in selecting a home is knowing how much you can spend. If you already use an electronic budgeting system, you’re ahead of the game. If not, track your expenses for the past several months to a year. Try to quantify the “gray areas” of cash withdrawals that disappear on small purchases. Now add up your current rent and other related expenses. If you’ve been saving money toward your down payment, note that, as well. Finally, ask yourself where you can tighten your belt with your existing discretionary purchases. This is the maximum amount you could pay per month. Now ask yourself if this is reasonable, given your current savings and possible expenses. Only you know the answer to that. When you’ve arrived at a comfortable number, write it down, and save your calculations. You’ll take this to the bank when you apply for loan preapproval. For now, you have an estimated payment you can use while shopping online.
Continue reading – First Time Home Buyer’s Checklist

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