Richard Ives

Dear First Time Buyer,

If you are currently in the market for your first home, you probably have lots of questions. You are about to be making an important decision for your future, a great investment of both money and time. I have a wealth of experience helping first time buyers like you make sound, informed decisions. Here are some tips that can help make your home buying process successful:

• Tip #1: Do Your Homework
  The perfect home won't find you by itself. The key step in buying a home is doing the proper research. Educate yourself on local schools, neighborhoods, and the kinds of homes available. By visiting my website and reviewing properties, you can start to put together your idea of the perfect home.
  
• Tip #2: Start Planning
  Most decisions benefit greatly from proper planning, and home buying is certainly no exception. By marking your favorites, you'll start a file that we can review together. My website is a great resource for property information.
  
• Tip #3: Get PreQualified
  Getting prequalified for a loan normally only requires a short phone conversation with a lender, and can greatly help your home search. Prequalification does not guarantee you a loan, but it does provide you with an estimated monthly payment and a price range to use as a guide when shopping for homes. Being prequalified can also often indicate to sellers that you are a serious, prepared buyer.
  
• Tip #4: Look for Value
  When shopping for homes, it's important to consider potential value. Even if you're not planning to sell the home some time down the line, it's a good idea to consider the future value of the home. You may not think of a new home as a means to make money, but it's an important investment that requires careful consideration.
  
• Tip #5: Decide What You're Looking For
  Settle on the home features that are important to you (covered parking, hardwood floors, architectural style, etc.) and make a prioritized list. Having well established guidelines will help narrow down your search and will prevent you from being shown properties that lack your key amenities. It can help you make the decision not to buy an attractive property that doesn't really fit your needs. My website has a search feature that allows you to filter thousands of listings based on attributes that you select. If you know you want a brick house with gas heat and a garage, you can get the results you're looking for.
  
• Tip #6: Relax
  You don't have to make an offer on the first home you see. Make sure to look at other listings in the area to get a feel for the marketplace. When you decide to make an offer on a house, consult with your real estate professional so that all of your questions are answered.
  
• Tip #7: Shop Around for Your Mortgage
  Deciding on the financing for your home can be as important as choosing a home itself. The first step is deciding what kind of loan best fits you: a fixed rate mortgage, or an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). There are benefits to each form of loan, and your real estate professional can provide you with more information.
  
• Tip #8: Protect Yourself
  B Paying for a quality home inspection is absolutely critical! You can save yourself thousands in repair costs by having a professional evaluate the soundness of the home you are considering.

More information for first time buyers can be found on my website, or by giving me a call. I'm confident that I can provide the kind of exceptional service that will make this process a rewarding one. Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have, I would love to be of assistance to you.

Your Friend in Real Estate,

Richard Ives, ABR, e-PRO, RECS, AHWD, SRES, AIREE, REEA

Broker/Instructor

www.richardives.remax-ni.com/

Richard Ives, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, AHWD Broker/Instructor

Make An Intelligent Move with Richard Ives

www.richardives.remax-ni.com/ Outstanding Agents. Outstanding Results.

In my blog today I would like to ask you all for your help with Sending a Care Package to our Illinois Troops in Iraq

Helping Our Heroes is currently sending care packages to soldiers overseas. They have shipped over 75 boxes to our heroes since Thanksgiving week. They are currently looking for additional items to send abroad.

The items the soldiers can use:

• personal hygiene items

• movies (DVD)

• music CD's

• dried fruit

• hard candy

• nuts

• playing cards

• games

• books

• even Twinkies, Nutty Buddy and Hostess cupcakes! (we all know Twinkies last forever)

They will try and tailor a package to a specific soldier. For example:

They are supporting a Staff Sergeant who is working with local families and children in Iraq. They have been sending school supplies to her.

They are also working with a chaplain who is with a troop of 5500 soldiers. He has been giving candy to soldiers as he ministers to them.

So as you can see, the sky is the limit. PLEASE NOTE: Flammable items cannot be sent. But they were able to send some manicure/pedicure kits and hydrating lotion to a troop that is stationed high in the mountains.

Every thank you note that they have received had stated that the soldiers are sharing the goodies with their tent or room mates! Everything is appreciated.

Please deliver these items to Richard Ives at RE/MAX At Home 3215 Algonquin Rd. Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 and he will be delivering them to the REALTOR Associtaion of Northwest Chicagoland/Helping Our Heroes who will be sending the items to the troops in Iraq. Thank you in advance for your help. Together we can make a difference.

www.richardives.remax-ni.com/

Richard Ives, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, AHWD Broker/Instructor

Make An Intelligent Move with Richard Ives

www.richardives.remax-ni.com/

It is easy, just follow these simple steps:

Choose one of the following methods listed below: online, by mail or over the telephone.

1.) To order online, visit http://www.annualcreditreport.com/ and fill in the information online.

2.) To order by mail, you can complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form by going to www.ftc.gov/credit then print it out and mail it to

Annual Credit Report Request Service

P.O. Box 105281

Atlanta,GA 30348-5281

3.) To order by phone call 1-877-322-8228

Richard Ives, ABR, e-PRO, RECS, AHWD, SRES

Broker/Instructor

www.richardives.remax-ni.com/

Richard Ives, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, AHWD Broker/Instructor

Make An Intelligent Move with Richard Ives

www.richardives.remax-ni.com/

Veteran's Day 2009

We wold like to recognize and honor those who have served our country and those who are currently serving our country.

Thank You.

The Richard Ives Team

www.richardives.remax-ni.com/

Richard Ives, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, AHWD Broker/Instructor

Make An Intelligent Move with Richard Ives

www.richardives.remax-ni.com/

When visiting your home one of the very first things a potential buyer will see is your front entry door. So to help your home smile welcome to a potential buyer you will want to make sure that your front door is in the best possible condition. If it needs to be painted us a contemporary color. If it is stained but weathered re-stain it. If the door or door frames are not in good condition you may want to consider replacing them.

www.richardives.remax-ni.com/

Richard Ives, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, AHWD Broker/Instructor

Make An Intelligent Move with Richard Ives

www.richardives.remax-ni.com/