Alaska

Short Sale Approval can take a long time. There are certain situations that a home seller has to be in, in order to even qualify for a short sale. And it's been said that Banks Do Not Want to Foreclose because the process is timely and Expensive. So Short Sales are a viable option for anyone seeking a solution other than foreclosure.

Short sales are usually priced below market value because the properties need to sell, FAST. Short sales are usually in better condition than foreclosed properties since they are usually still occupied at the time of sale so the appliances and utilities are still in use.

I have a short sale listing that instantly had multiple interested parties. After going through the offers, the seller chose the highest and best offer, which was way above list price. Sounds great so far, yes?

Up to that point, short sales are easy. It's the part in dealing with the banks and mitigators that can be tough. The bank mitigators duties are totally out of Real Estate Agents' hands. Sometimes they say it'll take two weeks for a reply and they do not get back for 4 weeks. When buyers are dealing with short sales, it's crucial that they are prepared for this type of wait. If they are prepped for this, the wait won't seem so bad. Short sales are not your typical real estate transaction, that's for sure!

The lesson here is for short sale buyers to be prepared to wait because most times, the wait is worth it!

If you are having a tough time paying your mortgage, it's important to seek help right away, whether it be through a loan modification or short sale, don't hesitate to call Vanna with your questions.... 907-720-4663

Obama signed the Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension and Expansion on November 6, 2009. The original First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit that was introduced in February was a $8000 tax credit for any one who had not owned a home in the past three years. The $8000 was based on the sale amount of a property. The refund is 10% of the purchase price, up to $8000. Any first time home buyer qualified for this if they found, bought, and closed on a home by November 30, 2009.

Now that Obama has signed the new and revised version of the Home Buyer Tax Credit, consumers are given an additional five months to complete their home purchase. Home buyers now have until April 30, 2010 to close and record on a home to qualify for the tax credit.

In addition to the extension, congress has also moved to expand the tax credit so that move-up buyers or second home buyers would qualify for a tax credit up to $6500, as long as they owned their previous residence for at least 5 years.

For more information regarding the tax credit, refer to the IRS website

For more Anchorage Real Estate, call Vanna 907-720-4663

The month of November is the start of the holiday season for many families in our great nation. By the time Halloween hits, a nostalgic feeling seems to settle in our hearts for the thoughts of many holdiays that have passed and the one yet to come. The holidays bring a sense of joy, and certainly some stress. During this holiday season, let us not forget the reason for the season.

First off, the reason we have Thanksgiving is because of a fellowship that occurred long ago between two different nations coming together in a time of need. It symbolized the giving of one's people to another. The simple act of breaking bread and sharing one's food started a holdiay tradition in which we remember the things that we are most thankful for.

As Realtors, we are thankful for the many clients that we are able to serve each year. My clients are the reason I am in this business. Being part of such a big decision in a person's life and being able to be a positive influence to a family is more than one can really ask for. Getting paid for it and seeing the gratitude on my clients' faces is just icing on the cake. Finding a job that one really enjoys is a blessing from the Lord.

I am thankful for the loan officers that make our clients' lives as easy as possible during one of the biggest decision-making times of their life. Loan officers have to deal with the prequalification, all the paperwork, and with their underwriters. Sometimes, they are the bearers of bad news. But most loan officers willl show you how to get on track to buying a home, if you don't qualify right away.

I am thankful for the closing officers that are behind the scene. They are crucial during the process, pulling together information from a few different sources in order to make Real Estate closings in a timely manner. At the signing, these escrow officers make their job seem so easy, but behind the scene they are pulling things together in just a few hours because all the information does not get to them until the very end and by that time, most people have to close within the day.

And lastly but certainly not least, I am thankful for my family. They put up with my crazy schedule and love me unconditionally. Family is such an important aspect of any carreer. All too often, Realtors get lost in the frenzy and busy-ness of our business and we forget the reason we are doing this. Our clients want to see a Happy, Joyful and Well Rounded Realtor. So let's give thanks and remember why we do what we do!

Okay now this is innovative... Fannie Mae is offering folks who are in trouble with their loans and don't qualify to modify them... a lease in return for a deed in lieu of foreclosure... they get to stay in their homes... lease it back at fair market rent value... this way people get to stay in their home... most likely with lower monthly payments, no property tax and just renter's insurance... the neighborhoods stay intact, children stay in their beds and schools... seems reasonable to me... almost like someone with common sense was in charge for a moment... I am sure there are kinks to work out like who manages the property and all that.... and when the government becomes property managers then we will see what they are made out of hey?

Go to the Fannie Mae site for more info.... www.efanniemae.com

Noah Thinks this is one Sweet Idea!

I just came out of the Theater after viewing "The Fourth Kind" and I am very disturbed!

Here is a post I wrote several days ago about the new movie "The Fourth Kind" and after viewing this film I became very disturbed and creeped out.

New movie premiering Friday 11-6-2009 - (The Fourth Kind)

My friend Travis Walton has experienced something very similar to what happened to some people in Nome Alaska and after viewing this film I feel very sorry for anyone that has experienced this type of Paranormal Activity.

Robert Swetz (Vegas Bob)

www.UFOsAliens.org