Hassan B Halak

1. Make sure to review the condo docs! This might be one of the most basic, but most important of them all. And any lawyer worth what they are charging will make this mandatory anyway. This will ensure you understand the rules and regulations of the condo complex.

2. Ask for a copy of the association minutes... for the last two years! This will enable you as the consumer to really understand what is happening in the complex you are interested in.

3. Tour the property, and spend some time. Ask the neighbors what they think of the association and those who live there. This can provide invaluable information that you will never get from any document.

4. Find out how many of the condos in the complex are "rentals only", and how many possibly will be in the future. Condominium complex managers will often "fill" the unsold condos with rentals. Something to consider as the consumer.

5. What about pets? Most condominium documents will list whether pets are allowed or not; but find out if there are any restrictions regarding both the type and the number of pets occupants may have. This could save you a whole lot of trouble later on if you know going in that if you do purchase the condo, Fido has to live elsewhere.

6. Can you sublet or rent if necessary? Again, the documents you receive should cover this, but they may not. Ask, and you should be given an answer.

I hope this list helps some of you out there if you are thinking about purchasing your first condominium. As with any property purchase, excitment is a big part of the process. However, some really small details taken care of in the beginning can save a whole host of problems later.

Happy hunting!

The Short Sale Agent, could have all the I's dotted, and all the T's crossed, but the Short Sale will not be approved! Unless, you as the Professional that you are, strive to educated the Short Sale Negotiator.

Some Negotiator needs some coaching, and guideance. Short Sales are not the same, from Borrower to Borrower, and the negotiator has to understand this. Have you ever had a Short Sale being declined, and then being Approved, but the information given on the Property stayed the same?

Example: Property being Sold; 3bed/2bath Single Family Home, Non-Owner Occupied Completed Short Sales Package, Offer $5K more than the Listed Price, All Cash, No contingenies. Offer Submitted, Investors or Senior Management Declined based on Buyer's closing cost.

2nd Submittal: Snap-Shot Letter of Offer, No Closing Cost, All Cash $5,000 over Listed Price Market analysis of the community shows a $10,000 decline in Price of the Most recent solds. Vandalism is a problem for this area due to vacant properties, Contractor rehabbing home next door states that the property being rehab has $30k property damage due to vandals, and the city imposed a $100/day fine for rubbish in the Front, and back yard, with unkept landscaping. Buyer's are wanting to close immediately, and a 5day approval of offer is needed, or Buyer's has 48hours to cancel the offer in writing. (Submitted 24 hours later offer accepted.)

This could happen to you, and find out all the avenues before giving up. Short Sales are not difficult, They will be approved, or Not. Don't let the Negotiator or anyone make the process difficult for you.

Are you sure? Are you sure that the home you want will still be available at the price you want, with the interest rate you want, if you wait? Buyers -- Don't look yourself right out of your dream home!

I completely understand wanting to make an intelligent, informed decision regarding the purchase of your home. I wouldn't have it any other way. And with so much inventory to choose from it's tempting to think that another, better deal is just waiting around the corner. But, and I've seen it happen, you could look yourself right out of theperfect for you home.

I worked with a couple who looked themselves right out of their dream home. The 2nd home we looked at was THE ONE! It was all they could talk about and they compared EVERY home they saw to THE ONE. But they kept telling themselves they could find a better deal, that the rates would go down, that THE ONE would have a price reduction. I encouraged them in every way I could, to make an offer on THE ONE. But they knew better than anyone (and a family member was giving them "expert" advice), so they decided to continue looking. As they kept saying, "We're not in a hurry to buy."

You know what happened next, right? THE ONE sold while they were waiting and looking for that better deal (listening to that family member who knew best). When I called to let them know it had gone under contract, they were so disappointed. And though we did keep looking, eventually finding a home they loved, they were still talking about THE ONE . And kicking themselves for not writing on it when it was available.

You need to look carefully and make the most informed decision you can. But if you find a home that fits your needs, your wants and your budget -- why would you keep looking? Why would you risk losing THE ONE?

When you're ready to find that "Perfect for you" , give me a call. I'm ready to help you find it!

But they aren't the most important ones. These are: because you want one, because you need one, because you can afford one, and because you can get the home you want right now.

These reasons for buying trump all others, no question about it. But aside from want, need, and can get, a few other situations make the timing right.

• The greatest benefits of home ownership include the fact that the place is your own. You can enjoy it any way you want for as long as you want. It will reflect your personal style and interests.
• Consider the long-term view. Rent money is gone forever, but a home is an investment. Part of what you pay each month is yours to keep.
  You can deduct property taxes you pay as a home owner. And over time, the value of your home will increase.
• Low down payments of 3.5 percent are available through FHA.

If you haven't saved much toward a down payment, or if you are a single parent or have other qualifying circumstances, you could be eligible for a state of federal grant that would cover the down payment.

Your real estate agent is familiar with these grants and can guide you through the application process.

Now is the time. Look around, make an offer on the home of your choice, and start on the way to becoming a homeowner.

SELLERS, ARE YOU ABOUT TO MAKE A MEGA MISTAKE? CHOOSE YOUR LISTING AGENT CAREFULLY!

The choice of a listing agent who can get the job done and sell your home can be one of the most important decisions you'll make. If someone has misled you to believe that all real estate agents are alike or equally skilled, you may get the chance to discover what bad advice that truly can be.

Most experienced agents can tell you that they've witnessed unwise sellers who didn't put nearly as much effort into the process of choosing someone to sell their home as they would in buying a used car. Yet the stakes are much higher when you're listing a home and when things go wrong, the consequences can be painful.

Consider a few things you need to know before you hire the wrong agent to list your home:

- Ask a prospective listing agent the question"sold anything lately?"

There's an old saying that goes"nothing succeeds like success". An agent who hasn't sold anything in a long time may be a risky choice. You might want to know when is the last time that agent wrote an offer or did a property showing. Some agents consider themselves "full time" because they sit in their office waiting for walk-in buyers. But that's no way to choose someone to sell your home. You want to list your home with a busy agent who isin the business, not someone who dabbles in it.

- Does your agent of choice think technology is for sissies?

Does the agent you're inclined to choose know anything about using the Internet to market a home? Do they know how to use a digital camera? Are they marketing homes on social networks or merely relying on lawn signs and free local newspapers to advertise their listings? The world is changing. If your favorite agent isn't staying current with technology and marketing, you may be about to make a costly choice.

- Why "le minimum" can be a mistake

Some agents will go to the least possible effort to market your home. That kind of lazy behavior is a throwback to the good old days when buyers were plentiful, interest rates low and mortgages easy to obtain. Now roll the calendar forward to today's date. Today, selling your home requires more than a lawn sign, a cheap black & white flyer and a newspaper ad. Take time to compare how much marketing effort various agents are willing to do to get their listings seen by the public. More marketing is always better.

- "If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got"

I've encountered sellers who told me "We bought our place from this agent twenty years ago and we want to give him a chance to sell it first". Loyalty is a wonderful thing and agents love loyal clients, but has that agent kept up with changes in the real estate industry since you last dealty with him or her? The automatic assumption that you will list with a former agent, no matter what, can sometimes lead that agent to work less diligently to get your home properly marketed and sold.

All real estate agents are not created equal. Do your homework before you select a listing agent and save yourself from making a mega mistake.