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It's a Buyer's Market!
Now is the best time to buy a home! When property prices decline, opportunities to capitalize present themselves. Today is a buyer's market. I have the expertise required as a REALTOR® to help you locate your ideal property. Not only do I have a tremendous amount of industry experience, but I also have a firm grasp on the opportunities currently presented within this suppressed real estate market. I will walk you through the entire buying process, taking time to carefully listen to your real estate wish list. I will present you with options, working in a proactive manner, to enable you to find the property that exactly matches your list of criteria. Now is the time to buy! Real estate prices will not stay suppressed over the long term. Don't let this opportunity pass you by! I am available to work with you during the entire real estate buying process and look forward to the opportunity to work with you. For more information, you can visit my Web site at www.paradisecountryhomes.com or you can feel free to call me directly at 530-872-5428. Please call or email me for a FREE consultation. |
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First-Time HomeBuyers
As a first time home buyer, there is no better time than the present to make your move into the real estate market. A slow real estate market is the best time for new home buyers. With reduced home prices and a large amount of inventory to select from, you are sure to find exactly what you are looking for! Before you select a REALTOR® to assist you during this exciting phase of your life, make sure that you are working with someone that you can trust with this important decision. I consistently work with first-time home buyers, not only by assisting them in locating their ideal home, but with determining fair market value for the property before placing an offer. I will also work with you through any contract negotiations, making sure that you get your dream home at the most competitive price available. I look forward to the opportunity of helping you buy your very first home! I am always available to answer any questions that you may have about any portion of the process. For more information, you can visit my Web site at www.paradisecountryhomes.com or you can feel free to call me directly at 530-872-5428. Please call or email me for a FREE consultation. |
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Home Buying Checklist: The Process of Buying Your New Home
Once you've made the decision to buy a home, it's time to start thinking about what comes next. Every buyer needs a checklist that will guide them through the process of searching for the perfect home, evaluating their choices and making a purchase. Learn the Lingo When you set out to buy a new home, you will need to familiarize yourself with various real estate terms, conduct research on the market value of homes in the area in which you intend to shop and learn the art of negotiation. This information will help as you browse homes, talk with REALTORS® and get further into the buying process. Get a Free Credit Report Every 12 months, you are entitled to request a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies - Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. You should make this request before you begin looking at homes in order to allow yourself enough time to identify and dispute any inaccuracies in your credit file(s). When you approach a lender, you will need to make sure that everything is correct and up-to-date. Get Pre-qualified Pre-qualification is different than pre-approval in that it gives you a possible price range that you can afford, but does not guarantee you the loan. Pre-qualification is important because it will help you narrow your search to include only homes that you can afford. Knowing what you can pay beforehand will save you both time and disappointment in looking at homes that do not fit your budget. Speak With a REALTOR® Nobody knows the real estate business like a REALTOR®, so let them help you to find your new home. Based on your specific requirements, a REALTOR® can locate a home that will suit you at a price that's within your budget. When he/she finds one or more possible candidates, you will be invited to tour the home. At this point, you should take a camera for the purpose of later reviewing each house with visuals instead of relying solely on memory. Make An Offer Once you find the perfect home, make an offer that you are actually willing to pay. This way, the seller can make a counteroffer that would hopefully still be within your budget. It's important to familiarize yourself with the art of negotiation so that you can learn how to get the best deal without insulting the seller. If you have not yet been pre-approved, make sure that your offer is contingent upon your being able to obtain the necessary financing. Obtain a Loan Once you and the seller agree on a purchase price, you may be required to provide an earnest money deposit that will secure the home as you obtain a loan (if applicable). A lender will require a home inspection and appraisal for the property in connection with your loan application. In most cases, you will know within 24 hours whether or not your application is approved, but the actual closing will not occur until the inspection and appraisal are complete. Get Moving Now that the papers are signed and you have the keys to your new home, it's time to get moving - literally. Remember to decorate your new home and add all of those special touches that reflect your personality. After all, a house is only a house until you make it a home. Please call or email me if you need a FREE consultation. |
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Home Buying Checklist: The Process of Buying Your New Home
Once you've made the decision to buy a home, it's time to start thinking about what comes next. Every buyer needs a checklist that will guide them through the process of searching for the perfect home, evaluating their choices and making a purchase. Learn the Lingo When you set out to buy a new home, you will need to familiarize yourself with various real estate terms, conduct research on the market value of homes in the area in which you intend to shop and learn the art of negotiation. This information will help as you browse homes, talk with REALTORS® and get further into the buying process. Get a Free Credit Report Every 12 months, you are entitled to request a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies - Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. You should make this request before you begin looking at homes in order to allow yourself enough time to identify and dispute any inaccuracies in your credit file(s). When you approach a lender, you will need to make sure that everything is correct and up-to-date. Get Pre-qualified Pre-qualification is different than pre-approval in that it gives you a possible price range that you can afford, but does not guarantee you the loan. Pre-qualification is important because it will help you narrow your search to include only homes that you can afford. Knowing what you can pay beforehand will save you both time and disappointment in looking at homes that do not fit your budget. Speak With a REALTOR® Nobody knows the real estate business like a REALTOR®, so let them help you to find your new home. Based on your specific requirements, a REALTOR® can locate a home that will suit you at a price that's within your budget. When he/she finds one or more possible candidates, you will be invited to tour the home. At this point, you should take a camera for the purpose of later reviewing each house with visuals instead of relying solely on memory. Make An Offer Once you find the perfect home, make an offer that's less than you are actually willing to pay. This way, the seller can make a counteroffer that would hopefully still be within your budget. It's important to familiarize yourself with the art of negotiation so that you can learn how to get the best deal without insulting the seller. If you have not yet been pre-approved, make sure that your offer is contingent upon your being able to obtain the necessary financing. Obtain a Loan Once you and the seller agree on a purchase price, you may be required to provide an earnest money deposit that will secure the home as you obtain a loan (if applicable). A lender will require a home inspection and appraisal for the property in connection with your loan application. In most cases, you will know within 24 hours whether or not your application is approved, but the actual closing will not occur until the inspection and appraisal are complete. Get Moving Now that the papers are signed and you have the keys to your new home, it's time to get moving - literally. Remember to decorate your new home and add all of those special touches that reflect your personality. After all, a house is only a house until you make it a home. Please call or email me if you need a FREE consultation. |
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Buying vs. Renting a Home
When it comes to a home, you have two options: buy or rent. What is right for one person may not be right for another, which is why it's important to know which is the best option for your individual situation. Why People Rent There are a number of reasons why someone may either choose or be forced to rent, including sporadic or unpredictable income, a high debt-to-income ratio, a bankruptcy or foreclosure within the last six months, unpaid collection accounts or judgments, frequent relocating for employment or the inability to save enough money for a required down payment on the purchase of a home. Maintenance Matters As a homeowner, you will be responsible for any maintenance or repair issues that arise. This is a big consideration when choosing whether to rent or buy. When you rent, the property owner is responsible for repairs and it may not always be obvious that these issues can be very costly. How to Know When It's Time to Buy If you have steady income with a good employment history, can provide a down payment of at least 3.5-10 percent of the purchase price and are current with all debts, it may be time to consider buying a home instead of renting. In some cases, the cost of rent may even exceed that of a typical mortgage payment. When deciding to buy, job stability is a big factor. If your job does not require frequent relocation and you plan to live in the home for at least 5-10 years, you may want to consider making the purchase. If you need to relocate after that, you may have enough equity from the sale to use as a down payment on another home. Home Buyer's Checklist If you can answer yes to the following questions, you may be ready for home ownership. Your REALTOR® can help you to find the perfect home based on your individual needs. • Have you been steadily employed for at least one year, but preferably two years? • Do you plan to live in the home long enough to build equity? • Can you provide a down payment and still have enough money left to pay for closing costs, utilities and home furnishings? • Are you current on all debts, including auto loans, credit cards, etc.? • In addition to any current debts that you may have, can you afford a monthly mortgage payment which will likely include property taxes and insurance? • Do you have the time to devote to shopping for a home and comparing interest rates from various lenders? • Have you checked your credit reports for inaccuracies and disputed anything that needs correction with each of the three major credit reporting agencies? The decision to buy or rent is a very personal one that can only be determined after a careful evaluation of your situation. A REALTOR® can show you the perfect home and a lender can tell you whether or not you can afford it, but it's up to you to make the choice as to whether or not you are ready to make the move. Please call or email me if you need a FREE consultation. |
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