Appleton, WI

Now is the perfect time to buy a home; there's a huge inventory of properties priced at levels not seen since 2004. Not to mention the extension of the first time home buyers tax credit (of up to $8,000), and the NEW repeat Buyers credit (up to $6,500).

For detailed information and answers to frequently asked questions check out this story: Hot Off The Press - Answers to Questions on the New and Expanded Tax Credit

It is important NOT to shoot from the hip and fire before you aim at your target..... get all the facts prior to entering into the market. Consult your local Real Estate Professional for specifics in your area. The burning question for many in the market for a great deal is - Can you ever really be confident you're getting a bargain?

Most homes sold within 3% of asking prices, but a good many sold for more than 10% below asking prices. How can you get a bargain on your dream home?

Here are five tips for getting a sweet deal:

1 - Find listings on the market for 90 days or more: Smart buyers have long known that if a home doesn't sell in three months, the listing becomes stale. The more deeply discounted homes were 83% more likely to have been listed 90 days or more.

2 - Bid low on a fixer-upper: Bargain sales were 73% more likely to have used "fixer-upper" or similar terms in listings and ads. People who sell homes before fixing them up are usually more concerned about an easy sale than the best price. That jives with a 2003 study by the National Association of Realtors, which found that, on average, fixer-uppers sell for 24% less than other homes.

Many discounted homes have sustained not just one or two but several price reductions: Heavily discounted homes are 28% more likely to have already been price-reduced. 56% of the biggest bargain homes, prices had been dropped at least twice before buyers made a bid. Once a seller lowers his asking price, he sends a signal to buyers that he is willing to accept further discounts in negotiations.

3 - Look for desperate flippers - Money for investors is becoming more difficult to come by, and many investors have purchased properties to flip on high interest rate and short term loans. Look for homes where the seller has been a resident for less than 5 years. Many of these people are willing to sell at a lower price.

4 - Skip remodeled properties - Newly remodeled homes still expect top dollar.

One more crucial tip!

5 - An expensive mortgage can easily wipe out any savings you achieve in price negotiations, so research scrupulously here, too. Make sure you consult and explore your options with a local mortgage professional that will provide you with a mortgage plan specific to your needs. There are different products available to you, so be sure to ask your expert about the various options available to you.

Happy House Hunting! We are Certified Mortgage Planning Specialists and are happy to assist you with your questions and provide you with options. We are connected to the local Real Estate Market and would love to provide you a referral to a local Real Estate Professional.

Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these 10 Tips for making the process as peaceful and stress free as possible.

1. Find a Real Estate Agent who you can connect with. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It's critical that the Realtor you choose is both highly skilled and a good fit with your personality.
2. Remember, there's no "right" time to buy, just as there's no perfect time to sell. If you find a home now, don't try to second-guess interest rates or the housing market by waiting longer- you risk losing out on the home of your dreams. The housing market usually doesn't change fast enough to make much difference in price, and a good home won't stay on the market long.
3. Don't ask for too many opinions. It's natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas from too many people will make it much harder when it's time to make a decision. Focus on the wants and needs of your immediate family- the people who will be living in the home.
4. Accept that no house is ever perfect. If it's in the right location, the yard may be a bit smaller than you had hoped. The kitchen may be perfect, but the bathroom is dated. Make a list of your top priorities and focus in on the things that are most important to you. Let the minor ones go.
5. Don't try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to "win" by getting an extra-low price or by refusing to budge on your offer may cost you the home you love. Negotiation is give and take.
6. Remember your home doesn't exist in a vacuum. Don't get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself- room size, kitchen, etc, -that you forget about important issues such as noise level, location to amenities, and other aspects that also have a big impact on your life.
7. Plan ahead. Don't wait until you've found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate home insurance, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.
8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post home buying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be costs. Don't leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.
9. Accept that a little buyer's remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big financial commitment and it also yields big benefits. Don't lose sight of why you wanted to buy a home and what made you fall in love with the property you purchased.
10. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated a historically stable average of 5.4 percent annually (National Association of Realtors), a home's most important role is to serve as a comfortable, safe place to live.

An important thing to remember is that you don't have to go through the home buying process alone. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to have the right Realtor by your side. For a smooth, easy and stress-free as possible home buying experience in the Fox Cities Valley and Appleton, WI; call Bob Edwards from Coldwell Banker- The Real Estate Group today! 920-202-2431 is my cell phone or email me at bedwards@coldwellhomes.com to schedule a no cost, no obligation consultation.

The Holidays are upon us... here's 7 tips you should keep in mind.

1) Maintain the Curb Appeal

It's easy to neglect the outside of your home when the weather frightful, but curb appeal is just as important in the fall and winter as it is in the summer. Keep the leaves raked and the sidewalks and driveway clear of snow.

2) Add a Wreath

Adding a seasonal wreath to the front door is a great way to make a positive first impression. A fall inspired wreath will carry you through Thanksgiving and then it's a good time to switch to an evergreen wreath with a bow. A wreath made from live branches can be messy so artificial is the way to go.

3) Keep It Cozy

It's cold outside, you want your Buyers to be comfortable so crank up the heat. Soft music in the background and a plate of fresh baked cookies will make your Buyer feel right at home.

4) Decorate for the Holidays

Feel free to decorate, but keep it simple. It is very important to not cover up features that may help sell your home.n In place of the traditional floor to ceiling tree, use a table-top tree with just a few gifts around it.

5) Holiday Scents

Cinnamon, Spice and everything nice... a hint of holiday in the air stirs emotion and gives the feeling of Home.

6) Be Safety Conscious

Keep ice-melt on hand to ensure safe walks and driveway. Never leave candles burning unattended.

7) Choose the Right Real Estate Agent

The right agent will be available when you need them and help ease the stress so you can enjoy this wonderful time of year.

Remember too, Buyers looking during the Holidays tend to be serious about making a purchase ina short time frame. Also, many Sellers withdraw their homes from the market during the Holidays so your competition is reduced.

I hope you found these 7 Tips helpful and better yet; change that For Sale sign into SOLD. I'm always available to answer questions or share more Tips, so just give me a call or send me an email: Bob Edwards/Coldwell Banker - the Real Estate Group (920) 202-2431 or bedwards@coldwellhomes.com

Is a Government Insured Mortgage Right for You?
series of articles - part 1

Risky mortgages backed up by small down payments are a thing of the past. In today's world, most lenders aren't underwriting mortgages unless you have a significant down payment, and a high credit score. Did you know that there is a decades-old loophole can still put home buyers in a house with little money down and in some cases . . . just $100... In fact here in Wisconsin every county in the state has areas that qualify for zero down financing. The programs I am referring to are an FHA Insured Mortgage and USDA Insured Mortgages. They have been in existence for many years; and in the case of FHA, it is likely that your parents or grandparents had an FHA Insured Loan when they purchased their first home.

Mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) allow borrowers to get approved with a down payment as small as 3.5% of the agreed selling price of the house and don't require a high credit score. If you happen to run across a home for sale that is owned by HUD, FHA offers a special $100 down payment program as an incentive to purchase a HUD owned home.

The looser terms of FHA-insured mortgages have helped make them more popular. Did you know that FHA-insured mortgages make up about 25% of the mortgage market? This figure is up from 3% in 2006, In a speech earlier this month, FHA commissioner David Stevens said "In June, the FHA insured 194,000 loans - the highest monthly total in the agency's history". For fiscal year 2009, the dollar amount of FHA-insured mortgages is likely to reach 30% of mortgage origination's, up from around 4% in 2005 and 2006, says Stu Feldstein, the president of SMR Research, a mortgage-data tracking firm.

The bottom line is that FHA, USDA, and other government insured loans are a viable option in today's market. They are a specialty product that requires in-depth knowledge of the rules and guidelines. It is imperative that you work with a qualified mortgage loan person who specializes in Government Insured Mortgages. In doing so, you will place youself in a position for success in obtaining a great home financing plan that is sure to provide you and family with tremendous benefit for years to come.

In today's ever-changing lending environment, it is absolutely essential that anyone looking to take advantage of these great loan programs and great interest rates, work with a LOCAL person who specializes in Government Insured programs.

I hope this has been of benefit to you - Please come back for the series on Government Insured Mortgage Opportunities -

How to determine if an FHA-insured mortgage is right for you; Do you meet the qualifications?

If you are looking to purchase or re-finance in the state of Wisconsin and would like to discuss your options, please feel free to contact me via email, or simply pick up the phone and give me a call. I am happy to help..... Make it a great one....:)

Don't forget about the $8,000 credit for first time home buyers for people who have NOT owned a home in the last 3 years. Time is running out - For details and answers go to the Top 21 Questions Answered on the $8,000 Tax Credit for 1st Time Home Buyers article.

Gwenn Tanvas is a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialists who specializes in Credit Restoration and Government Programs such as FHA, State and Federal VA and USDA Rural Housing Loans. Visit her website for more information, on-line calculators and a secure on-line application. She is able to assist with transaction throughout the state of Wisconsin. Her offices are located in Appleton, Oshkosh and Green Bay and offers the convenience of one-stop shopping. http://www.WisconsinLoanTips.com or http://www.MortgageProsOfWisconsin.com she can also be reached for comment or to answer questions via email at gwennt@centurytel.net

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