Many a home buyer has decided on whether or not she likes a home just based on pulling into the driveway. In the real estate industry, this first look is called curb appeal and is a very important piece in the selling a house puzzle. A quality real estate agent will be able to assist [...]
Once a buyer has found the house of his or her dreams, it is time to make an offer and get down to buying a home instead of looking for one. If the buyer’s offer is accepted, then a contract will be signed by the buyer and seller of the home. This contract needs to [...]
Many people are now having trouble securing a mortgage to buy a new home due to the recent financial crisis and the new stricter rules for obtaining a loan. Banks and other lenders are now being a lot more strict on who they will give a mortgage to. However, with a bit of creativity, there [...]
The down turn in the housing market has resulted in a lot fewer people being able to qualify for mortgages. Five years ago nearly everybody that applied for a mortgage was granted one. Today, the banks and mortgage companies are being much more cautious, and as a result, many people are finding that renting homes [...]
Many people believe that they know what is best when it comes to selling their home. They have lived there for years and know what makes their home appealing. It is totally understandable to have these feelings as the owner and seller of a home. There is a pride in ownership, and most people have [...]
Whether buying a home or selling one, the housing market has definitely changed over the last several years. The meteoric rise in prices followed immediately by a titanic plunge has resulted in a turbulent market. Many home owners now find themselves at the verge of foreclosure, and even more find themselves under water on their [...]
The current economy is the result of a perfect storm, or probably better phrased, an imperfect storm. This storm was the result of a lot of banks and other financial institutions performing devious if not criminal acts. The biggest part of this storm was the bad mortgages that many banks gave to people that did [...]
Due to a rough couple of years in the housing market many people have become very fearful of real estate investing. In many cases, this makes a lot of sense; people obviously do not want to purchase something that might be worth less in a few years. But, on the other hand, the home prices [...]
One of the most difficult things a person will do in his or her life is to sell a home. Mentally, it can be tough due to the memories and sentiment we can feel toward a home, but it is also hard physically to sell a home in the housing market we are currently going [...]
“Am I being a pain?” “Am I asking too many questions?” “Should I bother her again?” These are questions that many home buyers ask themselves in regards to their real estate agent. In reality, this should never even be an issue. A real estate agent will be paid a handsome sum of money once the [...]
In tight times like we are currently going through, there is a definite urge for many to save money at every opportunity. In most cases, this is a good thing; we eat out a little less or walk instead of drive when we can. But, there are instances when we should spend a few extra [...]
The key to finding that house of your dreams or that perfect investment property is “do your homework!” Good solid research is essential in making informed decisions regarding real estate. This is especially true in today’s housing market. It seems like things are improving, but fear of the unknown can paralyze us from making a [...]
The past few years have been very tough on many families and many communities. Nearly every city and state was affected one way or another. For most places, the housing market took the biggest hit, and prices seem to continue to go down on a monthly basis. There are only a few places across the [...]
Where can you find real estate in Vancouver, Washington? Try JMA Properties. The city of Vancouver is located on the North bank of the Columbia River in the state of Washington. On the other side of the river is Portland, Oregon. This region of the Northwest is some of the most beautiful country in the [...]
The foreclosure rate continues to climb in the United States, despite all of the efforts of a stimulus project and other efforts by the federal government. Residential foreclosures have continued to climb steadily. It has gotten increasingly harder for homeowners to find a happy medium when trying to keep their home. One big problem is [...]
The spring and summer months are traditionally the busiest times of year for the residential real estate market. Weather is more cooperative and many families like to move while the kids are on their summer break. But in recent years spring, for many regions, has meant more homes on the market, but also more buyers, [...]
Many homeowners in America are worried about losing their house due to extreme financial hardship. Between the housing markets crashing, unemployment at record highs and sub prime mortgages that were given out for several years, homeowners are now looking for help. Unfortunately for these struggling homeowners they have more to worry about than just losing [...]
If you’re thinking it’s time to take that leap forward and buy a home, the first thing you’re going to need to know is what you can afford. You don’t want to waste you or your agent’s time by looking at homes that are out of your price range. You get attached to them and [...]
Bob Hope once said, “A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it.” Maybe that explains why more and more home buyers are turning to their loved ones, for help with financing. If done right, tapping the “Bank of Family and Friends” can be financially [...]
When it comes to selling your home, you will want it to be the most attractive house that potential buyers will see. After all, you do want it to sell quickly and not languish on the market for months on end. There are some things you can do to spruce it up a bit and [...]
Approximately half of all refinance applications are abandoned or rejected, including 30 percent of purchase mortgage applications, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. All in all well over 2 million mortgage applications were rejected last year. So how do you avoid the pitfalls? It’s very difficult when mortgage lenders are currently becoming more restrictive in [...]
Previous generations had a goal to own their own home completely, with no mortgage by the time they hit retirement age. That is still a valuable goal today, at least with the older generation. Younger generations, especially the Generation Y group, do not look at owning their own home in the same way. Gen Y [...]
Most investors manage their own properties. And if you ask them why they manage their own properties, they will tell you it’s because they want to save the money that would be paid to a property manager. While you may never get tired of owning rental property because of the added income, you will definitely [...]
As you search for a home to buy, or prepare your residence to sell, how much thought do you give to its energy efficiency? With fuel costs rising, and shortages already evident, it is time to take an active interest. Old houses are energy sieves except for the occasional (and expensive) newer home, almost all [...]
Many people are looking for ways to increase their retirement income. For most of these individuals, their homes are the greatest asset. A large portion of the aging population has failed to plan effectively in order to have sufficient savings at retirement. We always think we have time. They now are looking to real estate [...]
Enhancing the curb appeal look of your home from a street perspective is a great way to attract potential buyers. After all, the appearance of your home is like a major plus for people driving through your neighborhood or who see your house in a real estate magazine. By putting in a little extra effort, [...]
When it comes to renting, purchasing or selling property, a real estate agent may be your best bet in getting in really good deal. Most people have some sort of property dealings at one time or another. When you are young and just starting out, you usually just rent. When you have become more established [...]
Most of us have a vision in our minds of the dream home we really, really want to build. Unfortunately, we also think that it will never become a reality. Truthfully, it is not impossible. There are challenges but it can be done as long as you know how to finance the home and if [...]
You probably have heard the concept of making extra principal payments to reduce interest and payoff your mortgage early. The concept may be simple, but it is often overlooked and rarely practiced. A typical promissory note amounts to incredible interest over thirty years. For example, on a thirty year $100,000 loan at 9%, you will [...]
