As I enter the world of android on my new HTC EVO, I find myself searching for the best applications. During my search I came across more than a few real estate applications. I knew they were out there, but I started thinking about consumers and how they might really use these apps. Hmm....this has got me spinning! So...my question today is:

Would you search for a new home on your phone? Better yet...have you already?

Des Moines Local Tweeps jumped right in: @kateschneider: absolutely... I search for everything on my phone. :) @mipo777: all the time. Love the location feature on realtor app. Makes it fun to look at lake properties :) @ksteinkamp: definitely would on my phone @ketelson: I would search on my phone @edmoran77: if you can search for a love interest... Why not a home?! LOL

So...what apps are out there?

Here's a test drive of a few that I went through...

SMARTER AGENT REAL ESTATE BROWSER

• This app is very user friendly and easy to look at.
• It shows homes for sale, for rent, and even homes that have recently sold (Sold homes are a bit behind...maybe a year out?)
• You can use GPS to search for homes close to your location (might work well for that lake search!)
• You can email the homes to yourself or a friend
• You can limit search to a city, neighborhood, or even school
• You can SAVE your favorites!

REAL ESTATE DROID

• Font is a bit small, but functions very well
• Acts like an internet search, plug in your criteria...and you're off
• You can add a home manually
• Includes a loan calculator
• Includes live neighborhood info with nearest property for sale, and comparable homes in the area

This is a start...there are so many more apps out there. Here is a great blog post about the Top 10 Real Estate Apps for Droid Phones. Most of these apps, if not all, are available for the iPhone as well!

Do you have another favorite? I'd love to hear about it!

Have more questions about Des Moines? There are definitely more answers. Feel free to connect with me via Facebook, Twitter, Text, Email, or by cell. I’m happy to help.

Visit us online at http://liveindesmoines.com

*Photo Credit: wenzday01

Are you looking for a Des Moines area Realtor who puts your needs on top? We’d love the opportunity to earn your business! Give us a call, shoot us an email, use our contact page, or comment below! We’d love to help you with your real estate needs. Amber Salmon and Jan Page, Realtors 515-453-7635

Thanks to Jake Stanton for this post today! Jake is GM/COO for Prudential First Realty located in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Tax Credits Are Over, But Rates Are Lower!

Earlier this year, there were a couple of fairly widespread predictions regarding what would happen to the housing market right around April of 2010. First, it was predicted that the Federal Tax Credit would expire on April 30th, and not be extended. This, of course, turned out to be true. Second, it was predicted that when the US Government stopped buying mortgage backed securities in March, interest rates would begin to tick upwards, with some predicting rates in the 6% range. This has turned out to be untrue. In fact, rates have actually moved the opposite direction and have dropped into the upper 4% to 5% range. And, if we do some simple math, we can see that in many cases our buyers have a better purchasing opportunity than when we had the tax credit!

Let's look at a couple of scenarios:

- In April, a homebuyer purchased a $180,000 home with 20% down on a 30-year mortgage at 5.21%, which is about what rates were in April. So, they financed $144,000 and the monthly principal and interest payment was $791.61. Let's assume they qualified for the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit. - Today, a homebuyer purchases that same $180,000 home with 20% down on a 30-year mortgage, but at a rate of 4.84%. Financing the same $144,000 at this new rate will save the buyer $32/month, or $11,738 over the life of the loan. Sure, it's not money in their pocket at tax time, but it's a much greater dollar amount than the tax credit was able to provide!

Let's look at it another way....

- Today, a homebuyer purchases a house with 20% down on a 30-year mortgage, but at a rate of 4.84%. Keeping the monthly payment at the same $791.61 as the April tax credit buyer used, today's buyer with today's rate will have another $7,732 in purchasing power with no payment increase. And just like the tax credit, improved purchasing power provides an immediate benefit. And of course, mortgage rate reductions benefit ALL HOME BUYERS, not just first time home buyers. Plus, unlike the Federal Tax Credit, there's no deadline forcing you to make a decision right away. As long as rates stay favorable, your buyers can take the necessary time to find the home they want. It's a simple, but powerful concept. The opportunity for buyers didn't end when the tax credit expired. In fact, in most cases it has improved. You can follow Jake Stanton on Twitter @JakeStanton. photo credit: Dano

As we near the end of the tax credit deadline buyers are scrambling to get their contracts written by the April 30, 2010. Buyers are pre-approved and are ready to roll. Don't waste time by looking for a home that you can't purchase because you are limited by your loan.  Be sure to take the extra time to research and be ready!

Looking for an FHA approved condo or townhome?

Many buyers are choosing a loan with FHA terms and therefore need a condo or townhome that is FHA approved.  You can find what you need by going to the US Department of Housing and Urban Developments website and doing a search. Enter the zip code and name of the development and you should have your answer! The site is up and running between 8am and 9pm

Good luck!

The clock is ticking...remember that if you want to take advantage of the first time homebuyer tax credit you MUST have your offer finalized by April 30, 2010 and close before June 30, 2010. Wondering what questions to ask when buying a condo or townhome?

Have more questions about Des Moines? There are definitely more answers.

Feel free to connect with me via Facebook, Twitter, Text, Email, or by cell. I’m happy to help.

Want to see more of Des Moines, Iowa? Visit us at http://liveindesmoines.com

Congratulations Des Moines, Iowa!

Great News! Yet another reason to celebrate....Des Moines has been honored many times this year as a great place to live, and here's the latest:

According to MSN Real Estate, Des Moines, Iowa was just named the #1

"2009 MSN Real Estate Most-Livable Bargain Markets"

Highlights from the article:

• The economy is SOLID!
• Median housing costs just $150,000
• Well-paying jobs in the insurance, bioscience and agribusiness fields
• Residents report low stress levels
• Great outdoor recreation, culture and fine art

Read the article for yourself HERE.

Looking for your next Des Moines Home? Start HERE!

Thanks to Jake Boyd for his great photo of the Des Moines skyline!

Visit Jake's work at http://jakeboydphoto.com

Visit Amber Salmon online at LiveInDesMoines.com

Have more questions about Des Moines? There are definitely more answers. Feel free to connect with me via Facebook, Twitter, Text, Email, or by cell. I’m happy to help.

It's not until you move away from Iowa that you realize what we have here is special....
Beggar's Night is coming...and for those of you not in Des Moines, Beggar's Night is the night that the kids take to the streets and go trick or treating. Though the 31st is Halloween, each town in the Des Moines area picks what night will be "Beggar's Night". Around the country kids are saying "Trick or Treat!" and claiming their candy prize, but we do things a bit differently here. We do things right....

New to Des Moines? Be prepared:
1) Kids in costume ring the doorbell
2) Homeowner answers...
3) Kids say "trick or treat!"
4) Kids then tell their BEST joke, usually something simple, and then wait to see if the homeowner is amused.
5) If the homeowner likes the joke, then...
6) The kids earn their candy!

Have a Joke to Share?

I can only think of one right now...if you know a good one, leave a comment with your joke!

Why did the boy bring the string to the game?

To tie the score

Des Moines Area Beggar's Night Times

Clive: 6-8 p.m. -- October 30

Des Moines 6-8 p.m. -- October 30

Grimes: 6-8 p.m. -- October 31

Granger: 6-8 p.m. -- October 31

Johnston: 6-8 p.m. -- October 30

Urbandale: 6-8 p.m. -- October 30

Waukee: 6-8 p.m. -- October 30

West Des Moines: 6-8 p.m. -- October 30

Windsor Heights: 6-8 p.m. -- October 30

For more areas around Des Moines, check here

Have more questions? There are definitely more answers. Feel free to connect with me via Facebook, Twitter, Text, Email, or by cell. I’m happy to help.

Thanks to kcci.com for the Beggar's Night Times

Photo Credit: ctk