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Biloxi, MS

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USAA MOVERS ADVANTAGE

08-25-09
Alice Broadway
Alice Broadway: Real Estate Brokerage in Hurley, MS
  • view my blog
  • Office: (251) 272-1355
  • Mobile: (228) 623-5495

USAA Movers Advantage

I spent weeks trying to become a REALTOR for USAA movers advantage. Well, I was in for a rude awaking, and yes I said RUDE! The program is geared to put money back into the buyers pocket which is great for the home buyer. Only not so good for the REALTOR involved, it is a referral program from USAA MOVERS ADVANTAGE to get money to have for a refund for their clients. The REALTOR involved in the referral process cannot disclose to anyone how the program works. Why, because USAA movers advantage do not wont their clients or anyone else to know the facts. Now that just dont sound Right!

USAA movers advantage gives their clients money back, if they use USAA movers advantage. The Realtor that is referred to them has agreed to give 20-35% of their commission back to USAA, who in return gives "PART" of it back to their client. Yes I said PART of it.

As a Realtor I strive very hard to make the buying and selling process as stress free as possible for my clients. It upsets me to know that USAA movers advantage is the one claiming to be putting the money back into the buyers pocket. When in all actuality it the REALTOR who is giving the BONUS. USAA movers advantage gives only a portion to the buyers and keep the rest.. Now that doesn't sound Fair.

In Alabama and Mississippi , as a Realtor, we are not allowed to give away cash as a gift or bonus to an unlicensed person. So is USAA movers advantage a real estate company licensed.

I urge buyers to find a REALTOR they like, trust and have confidence in. One that will work for their best interest, you will end up better off if your REALTOR works for you and does not have to give up most of their commission.

Buyers say they are working with USAA movers adavantage, but the advantage appears to be more for USAA Movers Advantage than the buyer.

I have helped several Military families find and sell homes in the Mississipi, Alabama Gulf Coast area. I would love to help you too. Call or email me at alice@unitedpros.com

USAA movers advantage

Thank you for visiting my blog, if I can assisit you with your real estate needs please do not hesitate to call.

Contact Alice at: 228.623.5495

www.alicelewis.net

www.unitedpros.com

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Learn More About a REally Different Rent To Own Concept|Biloxi MS Photos from the Hard Rock Casino

05-03-09
Suzi Gravenstuk, REALTOR®, Broker
Suzi Gravenstuk, REALTOR®, Broker: Real Estate Agent in Diberville, MS
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  • Office: (228) 447-4470

If you start a real estate rent to own conversation--you will likely get a variety of reactions. Some people have already been burned by a rent to own company, some people assume that the buyer/renter still have to come up with a big down payment.

All I can say is--for this one time in your life; don't make assumptions. Visit yourself. Get the truth first hand regarding the CAL Group's portable and non-portable rent to own concepts. Learn how you could end up paying an effective rent of 0 while re-building your credit, or while you are staying in a CAL Group Rental while your new single family home is being built.

The CAL Group regularly holds Rent To Own/Build Wealth seminars at the Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi. Usually, this is on a Tuesday evening at 7PM.

The actual meeting spot is in a quiet room you find by walking through the Vibe. The restaurant is closed at this time. You will find the Vibe on the 2nd Floor. Ask any casino employee for directions to the Vibe; and/or for the location of the CAL Group's meeting. Call the office or visit the website for specific meeting times.

Original Photo by Suzi Gravenstuk

I find it hard to resist a photo opportunity. This shot is from the Second Floor of the parking garage at the Hard Rock Casino.

Original Photo by Suzi Gravenstuk

Original Photo by Suzi Gravenstuk

Original Photo by Suzi Gravenstuk

We usually haved a table at the door and will be there to greet you. The meeting room is straight through to the left.

5 Comments
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Q: How do you choose between condos and single family homes?

01-03-09
Jim Wheeler
Jim Wheeler: Real Estate Agent in Biloxi, MS
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  • Office: (228) 435-4255
  • Mobile: (228) 209-3765
  • Secondary: (228) 392-0422
A: Using appreciation as a measure, condominiums in some areas have been as profitable an investment as single family homes in the last five years. And in some markets, condos appreciated even more, according to some experts.

While single family homes have been the preferred investment by home buyers, changing demographics are helping make condos more popular, especially among single home buyers, empty nesters and first-time buyers in high-priced markets.

Also, the condominium community has worked hard in the last few years to overcome image problems brought on by homeowners association and developer disputes as well as all too frequent construction-defect litigation.
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Q: Are there gov't programs for rehab?

12-25-08
Jim Wheeler
Jim Wheeler: Real Estate Agent in Biloxi, MS
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  • Office: (228) 435-4255
  • Mobile: (228) 209-3765
  • Secondary: (228) 392-0422
A: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 203 (K) rehabilitation loan program is designed to facilitate major structural rehabilitation of houses with one to four units that are more than one year old. Condominiums are not eligible.

The 203(K) loan is usually done as a combination loan to purchase a fixer-upper property "as is" and rehabilitate it, or to refinance a temporary loan to buy the property and do the rehabilitation. It can also be done as a rehabilitation-only loan.

Plans and specifications for the proposed work must be submitted for architectural review and cost estimation. Mortgage proceeds are advanced periodically during the rehabilitation period to finance the construction costs.

For a list of participating lenders, call HUD at (202) 708-2720.

If you are a veteran, loans from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also can be used to buy a home, build a home, improve a home or to refinance an existing loan. VA loans frequently offer lower interest rates than ordinarily available with other kinds of loans. To qualify for a loan, the first step is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility.

Another program is the Fedeal Housing Administration's Title 1 FHA loan program.

Resources:
* "Rehab a Home With HUD's 203(K)" brochure, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 7th and D streets S.W., Washington, DC 20410.
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Finding the right home Q&A

11-28-08
Jim Wheeler
Jim Wheeler: Real Estate Agent in Biloxi, MS
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  • Office: (228) 435-4255
  • Mobile: (228) 209-3765
  • Secondary: (228) 392-0422
Q: How do you choose between buying and renting?
A: Home ownership offers tax benefits as well as the freedom to make decisions about your home. An advantage of renting is not worrying about maintenance and other financial obligations associated with owning property.

There also are a number of economic considerations. Unlike renters, home owners who secure a fixed-rate loan can lock in their monthly housing costs and make prudent investment plans knowing these expenses will not increase substantially.

Home ownership is a highly leveraged investment that can yield substantial profit on a nominal front-end investment. However, such returns depend on home-price appreciation.

"For some people, owning a home is a great feeling," writes Mitchell A. Levy in his book, "Home Ownership: The American Myth," Myth Breakers Press, Cupertino, Calif.; 1993.

"It does, however, have a price. Besides the maintenance headache, the amount of after-tax money paid to the lender is usually greater than the amount of money otherwise paid in rent," Levy concludes.

As for evaluating the risk associated with home ownership, David T. Schumacher and Erik Page Bucy write in their book "The Buy & Hold Real Estate Strategy," John Wiley & Sons, New York; 1992, that "good property located in growth areas should be regarded as an investment as opposed to a speculation or gamble."

The authors recommend that prospective buyers spend a few months investigating a community. Many people make the mistake of buying in the wrong area.

"Just because certain properties are high-priced doesn't necessarily mean they have some inherent advantage," the authors write. "One property may cost more than another today, but will it still be worth more down the line?"
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