Burlington, MA

Although the number of homeowners on the brink of losing their homes dipped in October, homeowners still sit in a state of fear that may prevent them from seeking help, or even looking for alternate solutions that will allow them to stay in their homes. Below are some answers to common fears:

Fear: If I alert the mortgage company there is a problem, my home will foreclose faster.

Reality: When you contact your lender, it gives you an opportunity to explain why you haven’t kept up with your payments and what steps you are taking to get back on track. Lenders want you in your home, and may be willing to change the terms of your loan or even devise a repayment plan.

Fear: My mortgage company has already turned me down for a loan modification, so there is no point in contacting a counseling agency.

Reality: There may have been a mistake in provided documentation about your loan, or the lender may have made a processing error. Get a housing counselor who can suggest alternatives to your current financial status so that you become a better candidate for a loan modification with your lender. Fear: I’ll be judged.

Reality: More friends and neighbors than you realize are finding it hard to make ends meet. Seeking help will not only increase your chances of saving your home, but it may be inadvertently inspirational to someone else.

Here is some good news on the home front…

After three years of housing declines, home prices have rallied some in June and have been slowly climbing month-to-month.

This will hopefully rebuild home equity in many homes and reduce the number of borrowers that owe more than their homes are worth, thus having less foreclousre on the market in the upcominy years.

Also,Congress last week extended and even expanded the federal tax credit for homebuyers that has been credited for boosting home sales over the last few months.

Home owners who have owned and resided in their current homes for for at least five consecutive years of the eight years prior to the purchase date are eligible for tax credits of up to $6,500, while first-time homebuyers - or anyone who hasn’t owned a home in the last three years - would still get up to $8,000. For more information about the tax credit available,

For additional information on the Tax Credit,

go to the National Association of REALTORS website: http://www.realtor.org/home_buyers_and_sellers/2009_first_time_home_buyer_tax_credit.

Burlington MA Foreclosures, Bank Owned and Short Sale Property for Sale

Register to receive Burlington MA real estate foreclosure (bank-owned) listings and short sale opportunities. One of our Burlington real estate professionals will contact you and provide:

• A list of existing real estate foreclosure (bank-owned) and short sale listings in Burlington.
• Email alerts on NEW foreclosure (bank-owned) and short sale listings in the Massachusetts MLS.
• Address and mapping information.

For Burlington community information including school reports, demographic, relocation, home buying and selling information go to Burlington MA real estate.

To search the MA MLS listings visit Burlington MA MLS listings. Go to Burlington MA Foreclosures for a map based search result of bank owned properties.

Go to Virtual Homes MLS for a map based search of all MLS listings of NH and Massachusetts real estate. Vist NH Homes for Sale and MA Homes for Sale for direct MLS access to all listings. To obtain school, demographic, commuting, relocation, home buying and selling information go to New Hampshire real estate, Massachusetts real estate, Connecticut real estate, Maine real estate and Rhode Island real estate. For information regarding foreclosures visit Massachusetts foreclosures, New Hampshire foreclosures and Connecticut foreclosures.

Virtual Homes real estate agents provide home buying and selling services. Please call 800-856-2479 for information

During this economy, it’s imperative that you know what to do as a homebuyer.

The tips below can help you to save money and time, as well as give you a piece of mind!

1. Make sure you get pre-approved for a mortgage before making an offer. Showing up with a pre-approval letter gives you a firm standing that you’re a serious buyer and have the backing to purchase the property.

2. Know when to quit. Keep your head. Reacting with emotion can damage your chances of getting the home you desire. Don’t get caught up in a bidding war for the sake of being the winning bidder or have yourself set living in a home in a certain area before you get a signed offer.

3. Put aside enough money to cover closing costs Find out a Good Faith Estimate of the loan-related fees are from your lender. Don’t go into the closing blind to what other costs you may have to pay for or else you may end up foregoing a new carpet for a month’s mortgage!

4. Try to have coordinating move in/move out dates Try avoiding moving all your things into storage while you live with relatives for two weeks. No one likes to move twice!

5. Home inspection? Definitely! No home inspection could mean finding a leak months later that could have been fixed before you moved in!

Buying a home is an important investment however your primary focus should be to solve a housing need. The process can be very complicated if you do not work with industry professionals that can provide accurate information and advise you. The professionals include mortgage lenders, Realtors, attorneys, home inspectors and accountants. If you are a first-time home buyer, you may qualify for a tax credit ($8000 in 2009) and could be eligible for special financing programs.

For a map based search of all properties listed in the MA MLS go to

BURLINGTON MA MLS

Let Burlington MA real estate assist you in finding the right property to meet your needs from local area homes for sale, foreclosure listings (bank-owned), country properties, land, condominiums and equine facilities -- all through the MA Multiple Listing Service (MLS). request relocation, school and demographic information.

The Massachusetts home search is easy with "quick search" options to search for MA real estate. Let us assist you in finding the property that meets your needs. The Virtual Homes MLS Map Search provides all MLS listings plotted in each town on a map. RE/MAX Innovations real estate agents can assist you in your search for the perfect home (877) 266-9747.

Massachusetts Multiple Listing Service- Search the MLS for all NH property listings. Go to MA MLS.

Massachusetts Foreclosures and Bank Owned Homes - Register to receive New Hampshire foreclosure (bank-owned) listings and short sale opportunities. Go To MA Bank Owned

Home Search Service- Home search is a web-based real estate software tool (MLSpulse) that keeps you continually informed of your local real estate market. Virtual Homes real estate provides access to real estate, relocation and town information in New England states. Massachusetts Home Buyers Guide is a great resource for all consumers interested in purchasing MA real estate.