Are you looking for some good reasons to take the plunge into homeownership? Certainly, there are many, but here are a few to chew on before you call an agent and begin your search.
If you haven't owned a home in the last three years, then you qualify as a "first time buyer," and you are eligible for up to an $8,000 tax credit if you purchase a home before December 1, 2009. Combined with low interest rates, now is an excellent time to seek financing and make your move. If you get a fixed rate mortgage, your monthly payment will always remain the same, while rent and everything else keeps going up.
The investment potential of buying a home is very attractive right now, because values that were driven down by foreclosures will climb back upward. That means the value of the home you buy now will rise, and soon, resulting in instant equity!
And think about the return on that investment. If you put $10,000 into the stock market and earned 10%, your profit would be $1,000. Put that same $10,000 into a home purchase that appreciates 10%, and you've made $10,000.
Finally, there is simply the security of owning your own home and having absolute control over making it as comfortable as possible for your lifestyle. Need more reasons? Give us a call today!
Michael Sinton, CRB, CRS, e-Pro
Broker/Salesperson
For more information, contact Michael Sinton, CRB, CRS, e-Pro, Broker/Salesperson, Assist-2-Sell, America's leading discount real estate company, directly at 732-364-7434, via email at msinton@assist2sell.com or on the web at www.WeSellCentralNJ.com.
Home staging has become a popular industry and topic, particularly as it relates to improving the appeal of your listing during challenging times in the real estate market. But what about “staging” your yard?
Sure, any steps that you take to improve your interior's appeal will go a long way towards wooing buyers, but it's the outside of your home that they will see first, and you know that first impressions count! Review some of these helpful tips to make your offering an inviting one.
Go green by seeding and fertilizing your lawn for a lush look. Also, bring your home out from hiding by trimming overgrown branches and shrubbery around the house. Give the impression of easy living by hanging a hammock in the front yard. Seriously, little suggestions like that really sink into a buyer's mind.
Give your flowerbeds and borders more striking visual appeal by applying mulch, and edge the beds and driveway, walkways and sidewalk. Planting annuals such as geraniums and petunias will also add to the impact and brighten up empty areas.
The final step in your outdoor "staging" is to powerwash your home's siding and the sidewalk and patio or deck. When you show pride of ownership and that you care about your home's presentation, it will resonate with buyers looking for value and a home in ready-to-move-in condition.
Michael Sinton, CRB, CRS, e-Pro
Broker/Salesperson
For more information, contact Michael Sinton, CRB, CRS, e-Pro, Broker/Salesperson, Assist-2-Sell, America's leading discount real estate company, directly at 732-364-7434, via email at msinton@assist2sell.com or on the web at www.WeSellCentralNJ.com.
Most first-time buyers (who haven’t owned a home in three years) will qualify. If you're married, you and your spouse must both satisfy this description.
There are income limits for claiming the credit of up to 10% of the home's purchase price, which maxes out at $8,000. If your modified adjusted gross income (on IRS Form 1040, line 37) is less than $75,000 for individuals or $150,000 for married filing jointly, you can claim the maximum credit. For incomes up to $95,000 or $170,000 respectively, the credit is reduced.
This is not a tax "deduction," but a tax "credit," meaning that the amount you claim is reduced from your total tax bill! If you will owe less than $8,000 on your 2009 return, you'll get a REFUND from the IRS for the difference!
The biggest news is that in response to pressure from the National Association of REALTORS®, FHA lenders will allow buyers to use the credit to cover closing costs, buy down the rate or as additional down payment! I urge you to take this money from the government and make your move before December!
Michael Sinton, CRB, CRS, e-Pro
Broker/Salesperson
For more information, contact Michael Sinton, CRB, CRS, e-Pro, Broker/Salesperson, Assist-2-Sell, America's leading discount real estate company, directly at 732-364-7434, via email at msinton@assist2sell.com or on the web at www.WeSellCentralNJ.com.
When facing a mortgage default, most homeowners try to sell their home - fast. The technique that works in these stressful situations also works for the rest of sellers - namely, aggressive pricing.
As a seller, you control the three factors that determine how quickly your home will sell: marketing, condition, and price. Let's focus on that last element.
First, be clear about your goals. Can you hold out for the highest price you can get, or do you want to move on quickly? Unfortunately, the fact that you paid more than what homes in your neighborhood are selling for is irrelevant in today's market.
Forget about salvaging equity, and price your home aggressively against the competition. Overpricing keeps many buyers from even seeing your listing in their affordability zone. They'll see lower priced homes as a better value, while you'll wait until the lowballers come out of the woodwork.
Start your pricing decision with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) performed by your real estate representative. If you're truly motivated to sell quickly, price your home 10% lower than the selling (not asking) prices of other homes in your area.
Now your home becomes a bargain, and it will attract the attention of other agents and their qualified buyers. An attractive price, good condition and savvy marketing will result in offers and ultimately, a sale.
Michael Sinton, CRB, CRS, e-Pro
Broker/Salesperson
For more information, contact Michael Sinton, CRB, CRS, e-Pro, Broker/Salesperson, Assist-2-Sell, America's leading discount real estate company, directly at 732-364-7434, via email at msinton@assist2sell.com or on the web at www.WeSellCentralNJ.com.
While falling values are not good indicators for sellers, they’re great news for buyers, lifting affordability to historically high levels. For example, to purchase a median priced home of $164,600 with 20% down and an interest rate of 5.1%, a buyer would need an annual income of just under $35,000.
With the lowest interest rates we've seen in forty years, now is an opportune time to lock in a rate on a fixed loan. Rates are already showing signs of rising, and waiting too long could negatively affect your ability to secure such a mortgage.
In addition to rising interest rates, the fees on loan applications may also start increasing. This is because lenders have reassessed their risk to reward ratios in light of all the recent loan defaults. Around the corner, we might expect higher mortgage insurance premiums and closing costs, not to mention tougher and tougher terms for qualification.
With interest rates and loan fees still at very affordable levels, now is the time to make your move and secure your financial stability through home ownership. If you buy a $150,000 home today and it appreciates at a very conservative 3% annually, that home would be worth nearly $164,000 in three years.
Don't let all the negative stories about real estate blind you to the many positive factors for buyers in today's market.
Michael Sinton, CRB, CRS, e-Pro
Broker/Salesperson
For more information, contact Michael Sinton, CRB, CRS, e-Pro, Broker/Salesperson, Assist-2-Sell, America's leading discount real estate company, directly at 732-364-7434, via email at msinton@assist2sell.com or on the web at www.WeSellCentralNJ.com.
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