Vanessa V. Simmons~Realtor

With so much information and incentives to I thought this would be a great time to explore the top 3 reasons why someone might be thinking they should wait and not try to .

•1. No Money - There are many down payment programs that can help you with purchasing a home including bond money . HUD has a $100 Down Payment Program that can be used by any buyer. Call your real estate professional and lender so that they can help you identify down payment options that can help you to

•2. Worried about the Economy - There are real reasons to worry about the economy but you need a place to live. You can continue to Rent and help build the wealth of other or you can build your own. Bad economic times for others has created a perfect time for you to

•3. Poor Credit - Ask any lender and or real estate pro and they are likely to tell you that obtaining a loan today is more difficult than it was a few years ago. Many will also agree that this is not necessarily a bad thing. If you believe you have credit challenges contact your real estate agent they can help you find a lender that can work with you to develop a plan to help you improve your ability to

Still have doubts or questions about buying in today's market give me a call at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com

Beware that fake websites are popping up with the intent of gathering your contact information. An example of such a web site is bailout.hud-gov.us/ . Please note that this is not a HUD site, even though it has official looking photos and an official 'government looking' seal.

Paging through this site even shows that they include a consumer alert tab that warns of fraudulent websites. There is absolutely no connection to HUD. Their disclosure page reveals that they are, "....a for profit business....." Consumers beware.

If you are looking for assistance with Central Ohio Real Estate including HUD properties, please give me a call at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com

For More Information on HUD Properties Please See:

How To Purchase A HUD Home...

How Does HUD's $100 Down Program Work?

Hey Good Neighbor...

I Won the HUD Bid But....(I don't want the house)

We are all short on time these days, and never does that become more apparent than when trying to buy or sell Central Ohio real estate. Deciphering the ins and outs of real estate can seem like a full-time job itself. That's why many people decide to hire a real estate agent to guide them.

•· A good real estate agent must have a working knowledge of local property values to make sure you get the most for your money. Having an agent working for you full-time to find the Central Ohio home that you've been dreaming of can cut out a lot of hours of research and headaches. A qualified real estate agent will simplify the search for the right property and can direct you to financing as well.

•· If you're looking to sell your property, your agent will help you determine best price to put on your home. They'll be able to help you get the most for your property in the shortest amount of time. Your agent will set up showings for your property and help sort through which offer to accept.

•· When it comes time to make an offer to buy Central Ohio real estate, your agent will handle the contract negotiations and the paperwork. Your real estate agent will be right there with you all the way through the loan closing. They will assist in the title paperwork that is required for each real estate transaction.

A real estate agent can also be a REALTOR®; this means they are a member of the National Association of REALTORS®. Each member is required to follow a strictly enforced code of ethics. The REALTOR® promises to put the well-being of the person they're hired by ahead of his or her own. They must tell you if they or any family members will benefit from any part of the transaction.

Ready to work with a professional REALTOR®? Learn more about my services and how I can help you achieve your real estate goals by calling 614-273-6406 or going to my website at realliving.com/Vanessa.simmons.

For More Home Buying/Selling Tips See:

Should I Stay or Should I GO?

How To Purchase A HUD Home...

A few months ago my I had a client that was 3 days away from closing his HUD property when we realized that all the copper was stripped from the property. HUD made the decision to issue a credit to my client versus replacing the plumbing. My client decided to walk from the deal. After filling out the appropriate form and waiting 3 weeks, I was notified by HUD that I could return my clients earnest money.

This was an example of successfully getting Earnest money back from HUD. .

HUD does offer some great deals and opportunities but like any other government entity it can be slow and cumbersome. It is important to work with an experienced Agent who knows the process and can assist you in getting your bid and paperwork correctly submitted to better insure a smooth closing. Changes can be made.......At a cost!

If you change your mind on the purchase without an acceptable reason you could forfeit all or a portion of your earnest money.

HUD Cancellations/Extensions

HUD automatically cancels contracts that do not close on the date indicated on the original contract. Extensions are granted on a case by case basis but must be requested I writing, on the correct form, at least 5 days prior to closing. The fees for a one time extensions are as follows:

$150 .00 for properties $25,000 or less

$225.00 for properties $25,001 -$50,000

$375.00 for properties $50,001+

For more information on HUD homes see: How To Purchase A HUD Home... OR How Does HUD's $100 Down Program Work? OR Hey Good Neighbor...

If you are looking to purchase a HUD property or have other real estate questions please call me at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com

Are you a teacher, firefighter, law enforcement officer or emergency medical technician if so than HUD may have the deal of a lifetime for you?

Research shows that professionals who work in the above mentioned areas tend to have a stabilizing effect on neighborhoods. HUD rewards these tireless individuals with the opportunity to acquire specific properties for up to 50% of the appraised value.

Program Highlights:

•· Homes can be purchased with FHA, VA, Conventional and Cash.

•· Down Payment is only $100.00

•· Closing costs can be financed

•· Owner/Occupant

•· Owner must reside in property for a min of 36 months

•· Regular HUD earnest money requirements still apply

More good news is that this program is available in several states. If you know a teacher, firefighter, law enforcement officer or emergency medical technicians outside of Ohio, let them know about this program. For more details on this exciting opportunity CLICK HERE

Need More Information on HUD Properties... check out:

How To Purchase A HUD Home... AND How Does HUD's $100 Down Program Work?

If you are ready to purchase a Central Ohio HUD property or have other real estate concerns please give me a call at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com