Spokane, WA

Home buyers and Americans receiving unemployment benefits both got the word that a bit more money and time is coming their way. On Friday, President Obama signed into law a bill that extends unemployment benefits and the First Time Home Buyers tax credit, which is also being expanded to include benefits for home buyers who aren't on the first time around buying a home.

If purchasing a home is in the future for you or anyone you know, you can get all the details of the home buyer's tax credit in the upcoming week's Blog series. But first, here are a few additional details from last week...including important job market news. The official Jobs Report from last week showed that there were 190,000 jobs lost last month, higher than the 175,000 job losses that were predicted. It is really heartbreaking to imagine what 15,000 families now without at least one source of income looks like. That is overwhelming on a human level. i think it is easier to talk numbers rather than lives. Talking about lives puts a qhole new dynamic. (sniff) I guess that is why I prefer residential real estate over commercial. Real people, real lives.

There is no place like Spokane. Wa !

If you are considering selling a home in Spokane, or buying a home in Spokane it has proved over time to be a far more stable market than many.

Are you a first time home buyer in Spokane Wa? Considering an investment property in Spokane?Wondering about the real estate market statistics in Spokane? I would be very happy to consult with you and provide you with monthly market updates for Spokane Wa and the area either by e-mail or snail mail.

Visit my website! www.BethAnnHomes.com

e-mail: bethann@tb.com

Affordable Loan Modification, Washington

President Obama’s home loan modification program, created to help you save your home and avoid foreclosure, is a government program that was designed to allow every American home owner to access an affordable loan modification, and the current low mortgage interest rates. With mortgage interest rates now below 5%, it could make a huge difference in thousands of Washington homeowners' monthly mortgage payment.

By lowering your interest rate just one percent, distressed homeowners could save hundreds of dollars on your monthly mortgage payment. For this reason, many Washington homeowners are now hoping to take advantage of President Obama’s “Making Home Affordable Plan” and get a mortgage refinance or Loan Modification into a lowered fixed rate and monthly payments.

Nearly all Washington homeowners now qualify for an affordable home loan modification under the Obama Plan, which now demands that your payments cannot be higher than 31% of your gross income. Most borrowers now find themselves above this number and now qualify for mortgage assistance.

For those who now owe more on their home than it is worth, eligible loans include those where the first lien mortgage does not exceed 125 percent of the current market value of the property. According to the Making Home Affordable website, if your property is worth $200,000 but you owe $250,000 or less on your first lien mortgage you may qualify. The current market value of your property will be determined after you apply to refinance.

If you are at risk of foreclosure, participating servicers may not proceed with a foreclosure sale until you have been evaluated for a modification under HAMP, and, if eligible, offer you a trial modification. Every troubled Washington homeowner should immediately see if you qualify for an affordable loan modification under Obama's HAMP Program.

If your servicer is not participating in the HAMP Program, you should ask your servicer or a housing counselor about other workout options that may be available. Borrowers whose loans have been scheduled for foreclosure and all borrowers who have missed one or more mortgage payments should contact a mortgage mitigation service immediately.

Homeowners should never pay for information on or an evaluation for the Making Home Affordable Program. Beware of any person or organization that asks you to pay an upfront fee in exchange for mortgage mitigation information or a loan modification evaluation.

I recently hire a dynamic duo- Spokane Wa. first "HOME DETAILERS!"

The do just that. You know- when you get your car detailed, and you get it back and wonder whose it is?!

WOW I mean this is the real deal.

PSK Renovations is the name of their company, and they are worth their weight in GOLD!

They recently perfected one of my listings, and made it look amazing. They walk through the home with the seller and Realtor, room by room, and give a bid per room. This way the seller can decide which rooms they want done, keeping their budget in mind. They will paint, remove wallpaper, clean, minimize, tweek, STAGE, and turn any home into it's best presentation.

With the overage of inventory, and 2 out of 3 homes NOT SELLING- Home Detailing is a very wise investment for the serious seller.

PSK RENOVATIONS: 509-869-1378 or 509-850-2610

amazing work girls, and THANK YOU!

Spokane Real Estate Expert - Ross Quintana

This question is poping in the minds of many people right now with the economy the way it is and fears of unemployment. Sometimes people think of owning a home as a big commitment that is hard to get out of. Here are the two things to consider when comparing renting versus buying.

1. Commitment - You may think renting is like dating and buying is like marriage, but the fact is that renting comes with the commitment of a lease which you can not break. Home ownership comes with the option to sell at any time. Find the right agent and you will move it even in a slow market. Buy right and a great agent can sell high in low markets (OK insert TQ plug here).

2. Cost - Home owning with these low rates can't get any cheaper. Homes are priced low with flexibility because of all the choices. Now is a great time to buy. You'll thank yourself when the market goes back up. Or you could rent in a down market with low prices and then wait until things look better and prices are higher.

Cost and commitment of buying are both better than renting. Buy low sell high. This is a great market for buyers.

Call us for personal advice on your situation. 509-362-1966