Your Bridge To The Future

Recent surveys of home sales and remodeling trends show that while home sales have slowed, the number of people who choose to fix up their homes has increased.  However, the size of the remodeling jobs has decreased - people are being cautious and sticking on the most needed repairs - roof repairs, updating kitchens and baths, new decks, windows and siding, and spending fewer dollars per job.

Spring is not far ahead so if you are planning to put a home on the market or just want to spruce up the homestead, now is the time to get your plans in order.  If you are wondering what repairs would be more effective in helping get your home sold, we can help you.  We know which features today's buyers are asking for and what repairs are most important to the marketplace.  Give us a call!

Freddie Mac is giving mortgage servicers an expanded authority to provide up to six months of forbearance to unemployed borrowers without Freddie Mac approval and up to a year of forbearance with prior approval.  These options will take effect on Feb. 1, 2012.  Translation:  if your mortgage loan is owned or backed by Freddie Mac, your lender may be able to let you make no payments without penalty if you are unemployed and financially unable to do so.  According to the latest statistics, nearly 10 percent of delinquencies on Freddie Mac mortgages were tied to unemployment by the borrowers.  Former forbearance plans were generally restricted to natural disasters, disability or long-term medical emergencies.

Good news for home owners, now you can plan to get back on your feet and not lose your home!

In an interesting article in the Sunday Chicago Tribune, "Taking Out The Trash, Cut Your Closing Costs By Getting Rid Of Junk Fees", Lew Sichelman outlined some fees that seem to get tacked on to closing expenses that may not be appropriate in all cases and how you can avoid unnecessary charges.

• Application fee - if you are approved for a loan, you shouldn't have to pay if you have already paid an origination fee
• Document review fee - unless lenders expect fraud, they rarely look over documents when they get a file back, if they do look, the expense is rarely justified by the cost
• Underwriting fee - lenders are in the business of making money from lending money, this charge should be covered by the origination fee
• Processing fee - costs here should also be already covered by the origination fee
• Inspection fee - covers inspections by the lender, was the inspection necessary and was it actually conducted?
• Courier fees - sometimes couriers or overnight delivery services are engaged to move documents to where they need to go, but was it necessary and was the courier actually employed?
• Tax Service fee - supposedly the cost of paying the property taxes on the borrowers behalf.  Since taxes are usually paid by wire transfer, the fee is usually excessive
• Mortgage Guarantee fee - if the mortgage is sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac lenders are charged for the government guaranteeing the principle and interest but if lenders hold the mortgage themselves or sell to a non-governmental entitiy, this fee should not be charged.

Some charges are legitimate and usual expenses in extending a mortgage loan.

• Origination fee - the fee, as a percentage of the loan, to cover the lender's work in evaluating and preparing your loan.
• Transfer taxes - taxes charged by local and state gov't. for selling real estate
• Appraisal fee - an appraiser will be hired to make sure the property is worth the mortgage amount, the buyer should get a copy of the appraiser's report

Check the balance statement prior to closing and make sure you ask your lender what and why they are charging what they do to grant you the mortgage!

Buying real estate is like learning how to swim.  There are some steps that are necessary for the process to go smoothly.  First you have to find some water (right depth, size, temp.) and then you've got to have the will to get in the water.  Having someone who knows how to swim giving you instructions is a big plus.  Then you need to be diligent and practice your stroke until you are proficient.

Buying real estate is the same.  First you have to know what you want, where it is and how much you can afford to spend.

• Pre-approval is a must anymore, your first stop should be your lender for a pre-approval letter.

Then you need to hook up with a reliable real estate professional who can guide your search.

• Not all Realtors are Buyer Specialists - find a person who puts your interests first.  DO NOT only call listing agents (name on the sign) and switch from Realtor to Realtor, you won't get the best assistance from anyone unless you find that professional that wants to work with you.

Educate yourself on the market, what is available and how it matches your desires.

• Everyone wants a "deal" and everyone wants that perfect property but if your dream does not exist, time to adjust the search.  Have your agent give you a list of all available properties that may fit your needs.

Tour, tour tour

• Sitting at your desk looking at a computer won't get you the information you need to make a purchase - the photos aren't revealing enough, the details will be lacking.  You need to take a firsthand look at properties to really understand what is available.  Your Realtor can be your guide and will refine the search as you collaborate on the most desirable details.

Maintain your credit

• Pre-approval is nice but don't let your credit history or financial well-being get dinged, save major purchases until after your real estate purchase.

Be serious about your offers

• Realistic offers will smooth negotiations, low-balling can anger a seller and end negotiations before they can start.

Follow through and buy!

• Loan applications, property inspections, providing financial information, contract changes - there is a lot of paperwork and information transfer that needs to happen before closing, be available and help keep the "flow" going.

Success!  Buying real estate can be an easy process and fun, but you have to know the ropes.

We at Century 21 are here to assist you.  Your expert Buyer Agents!

Times have been tough for a large number of Americans - job loss, loss of a home, transfers, money difficulties - it affects us all in some way.  We at Century 21 Covered Bridge Realty wish for all of our clients and customers to have a successful and prosperous 2012.  May all your wishes, hopes and dreams come true in the New Year!  And if we can help you realize any of your real estate dreams, let us know - we are committed to using our expertise to smooth your path in buying or selling real estate.

In Illinois, veterans will now be able to qualify for $10,000 grants to help with down payments and closing costs.  Qualified applicants will be able to lock in loans for 4% interest for a 30 yr. mortgage and also receive a tax credit of up to $20,000.  The grants are funded by a combination of state and federal sources and are offered on a first come-first served basis.  The program is call "Welcome Home Heroes".  Applicants must meet certain income and purchase price requirements - see the website   ihda.org   for more information.

Lender pre-approval is almost a requirement in the current market environment.  Sellers expect buyers to be financially capable of purchasing property and real estate agents, lenders, inspectors, attorneys and other service people, don't want to waste time or effort without knowing a transaction has a chance of coming to a close.  Buyers can also expect to have a better bargaining position if they are pre-approved and ready to go.

So, if you are anticipating purchasing real estate in the near future, take time to visit with your lender of choice and go through the pre-approval process.  It’s easy, usually free or low cost and an important first step in the purchase process.

Give us a call for more advice and help - we will be happy to share our experience with you.

The federal govt. has a revamped program to help "underwater" home owners who want to refinance and take advantage of low interest rates.

1. Homeowners are eligible if the loan is owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and they have less than 20% equity in the home.
2. The program starts Dec. 1, 2011 and goes until Dec. 21, 2013.
3. Participation is voluntary for lenders.
4. Homeowners must not be delinquent except that the borrower may be 30 days late on one (1) payment in months 7 to 12 of the past year.
5. Fees are capped at 0.75% of the loan amt.
6. A borrower may refinance from a 30 yr. to a shorter term loan.  There is no maximum LTV ratio for 30 yr. fixed rate loans.

For more information see your lender!

Have questions about a listing, or want to schedule a showing?  Call us on our cell phones!

Some people are reluctant to call cell phones because they say they "don't want to bother" us if we are not in the office.  However, being a real estate agent IS NOT an office job!  We are often out of the office for a number of reasons and carry our cell phones to keep in contact with clients.  Please don't be concerned - we want you to call!

We at Century 21 Covered Bridge Realty know that buying real estate can be a challenging process.  Our PREFERRED BUYER PROGRAM is designed to reduce your concerns and make buying as easy as it can be.  You can also earn CASH BACK at closing for your participation meaning you can have extra $$ to put towards your closing costs, repairs or upgrades or just extra cash to enjoy.  There are a number of conditions that Buyers must meet - give us a call or stop in our office and we can explain the program.

Every seller wants to know - "how do I get my property to sell quickly".  The answer is simple:

1. Price it right
2. Clean it up
3. Fix it up
4. Make it available to show
5. Work with your Realtor

It's that simple!  Ignore the basics and you can expect to own your property for years to come and get very frustrated at trying to sell.  Do it right and you will be able to move on to other things having sold your property.

It's your choice.

There are about 4.2 million homeowners in the U.S. that are late on their mortgage payments or are in some stage of the foreclosure process.  And although banks and mortgage servicers are trying to keep up with the demand for loan modifications to help home owners, they are still falling behind.  Nationally, from Dec 2009 until June 2011, 1.6 million government-backed mortgage modifications had been started but only 791,000 were completed.  But, mortgage modifications granted are now outpacing foreclosures so there is some optimism.  There's also been an increase in Short Sales where the home is sold to a new owner at less than the amount remaining on the original mortgage.  Locally, there are more homes offered for sale than normal for this time of year but foreclosures are not dominating the market as they are in some places.  All good news that the housing market may be stabilizing.

A quote from Chicago Tribune,10-9-11 from an article by Mary Umberger - the person quoted was Linda Feinstein, president of ERA Team Feinstein, a Hinsdale brokerage.

"One of the things that's unfortunate about the housing boom is how the media started to cover housing from an investment perspective.  Americans lost sight of the fact that it's a home first and foremost.  It used to be people bought and sold for lifestyle needs; They got married, had a job, had a child, got divorced, retired.  That's what moved the market.  But then people started looking at the home in a different way.  Now, you get people saying,"I'm not sure, because I think prices or interest rates are still going to go down."  But you can't time the market.  You live in a home; a home isn't a Wall Street asset."

So true!  Although people may think that renting is a no-risk option, many folks cannot find decent housing to rent.  Do you really want to spend years in a home that is not right for you?  Uncomfortable and unhappy in your surroundings?  There are ways to make a home cost less and still get what you need and a place to be proud of - a true HOME.  Call us and let Century 21 Covered Bridge Realty be your bridge to the future!

Real Estate advertising has been undergoing a major change in the past few years.  People have been increasingly depending on internet sources of information - surveys have said 93%+ of home shoppers used on-line sources sometime during their home search.  This also means fewer people are looking at newspaper or other paper ads.  While paper ads are still a popular way for Realtors to advertise listed properties, we have gotten fewer and fewer direct responses to such ads.  The internet, with community information, aerial views and maps, multiple color photos, support services, mortgage services and more available within a few clicks of the mouse, IS the way to shop for property.  A Realtor is still the best source of direct information about a home, but ads - no so much.  That is why you will start to see fewer and fewer paper ads for real estate.

Information for buyers and sellers:

1.  Buyers are still buying but at lower price levels.  Nationally sales in Aug. '11 were 7.7% higher than a year ago and inventories dropped 3%.  But in Bureau County, homes priced over $160,000 are staying on the market increasingly longer, currently there is a 2+ year supply of homes in that price bracket while there is only about a one year supply of homes below about $70,000.

2.  Interest rates are projected to stay below 4.5% for the next 2 years.

3.  Investors and first time home buyers make up 54% of the market.

4.  The average sales price continues to decrease, in Bureau County it fell below $100,000 in April '11 and on Aug 11 it was $93,371 reflecting the downward pressure on prices overall and the increasing sales of lower priced homes.  Nationally, the median price was $168,300, down 5% from a year ago.

6.  Distressed sales make up 31% of the market.

7.  The market for rental and vacation properties is very attractive to investors right now.

8.  Homes are selling for about 82.2% of their original market price as of Aug 11,'11.

If you have more questions about local market trends - Call Us!

Green lending??  Not referring to the color of money but the energy efficiency of a home!  There are dollars available to retrofit a home with more insulation, better windows and doors, high efficiency furnaces, etc.  This type of financing is not used much but with energy prices rising, perhaps it’s time more people considered it.  How does it work??  If you are buying a home that needs some improvements, you will need to have the home rated by a trained professional called an "energy rater".  Once the rater has made recommendations for improvements, a buyer can apply for the mortgage plus the cost of the improvements.  The extra money will go into an escrow account and when the improvements have been completed and inspected, the contractor(s) will be paid.  And you get a home that potentially will be less expensive to heat and cool!  That is cool.  One resource is:  www.greenresourcecouncil.org

Buyers want to know as much as they can about a property before making an offer.  But sometimes the questions asked don't have an answer or at the minimum, a "good" answer.

• Q. How old is the home?  A.  That may be unknown especially if the home is a very old home and court records are not complete.  If a home has been extensively modified or added onto, the answer may depend on where you are standing in the house - there may have been several additions over the years.
• Q. How old is the roof, or furnace, or wiring, or plumbing?  A.  If the current owners did not do the upgrades, they may not know when they were accomplished, especially true if the home is bank owned.
• Q.  What are the utility bills?  A.  If the property is bank or govt. owned, those records may be lost or unavailable.  Even with homes that are lived in, utility costs may vary greatly with the preferences of individual owners.
• Q.  Why are they selling?  A.  That would be considered confidential information and couldn't be revealed by the listing agent, if known.  A Buyer's Agent may be able to find that information for their client.
• Q.  What's the seller's bottom dollar?  A.  That figure is best determined by open negotiations, otherwise it is confidential information.
• Q.  Property in good condition?  A.  Buyers should have a property inspected by experts to determine condition.

Let your Buyer's Agent help gather information but also realize that some things can't be easily defined.  

Have you seen ugly listing photos?  Unflattering exterior shots of garbage cans, unkempt yards, peeling paint and interior photos showing unmade beds, dirty clothes and dishes, junk?  Why, why does a Realtor use such photos when advertising homes??  One company I know of has a camera that they use to take photos of most of their listings - it has a smudge or scratched lens because there is a big spot on EVERY PHOTO they take, going on for years!  There is a simple explanation - lazy and unknowing Realtors.  These "professionals" don't realize the importance of presenting a property in its best light, that the photos they use to advertise a property on-line will be seen by everyone and that people use the internet to pre-screen potential homes to see in person.  Homeowners also must bear some of the blame here - why not clean up, straighten up the home prior to listing it?  Although every home will find a buyer and every buyer will eventually find a home to purchase, we want to make that happen sooner rather than later.  Let's be aware that appearance is important and first impressions, even on-line can mean everything.  We know how to make your home sparkle – give us a call if you would like to list with people who know the importance of putting the best foot forward!

Interest rates have continued to settle and are in the 4.00% range for a 30 year fixed. Home ownership remains very affordable and home prices are starting to stabilize. Experts contend that although there is still a large number of homes on the market, especially above $100,000, sales volume has improved this summer.

Stock market worries?  Your investments going nowhere?  Uncertain future?  Think about income property!  Demand for apartments and homes is very high and if you buy right, you can earn a solid return on your dollar.  We have a selection of income properties listed and there are more we can show you.  Interest rates are low, now is the time to shop for your future!  Give us a call and we can explain the opportunity.

Overheard from some sellers on their pricing strategy - "we're just going to hold out for the best price".  My advice to anyone attempting to sell real estate is to be aware that market forces are largely responsible for setting prices, not sellers.  Listen to the news and realize that downward pressure on home prices continues and will continue for some time.  "Holding out" is like jumping off a ship mid ocean and saying that you'll just tread water until another comes by to pick you up.  Could be a long wait!  There are still reasons to buy real estate - people still need good homes, places to live but there is a lot of stock on the market.  Now is the time to negotiate and make the deal!  Don't wait!

Time is running out for listing a property in the "heat" of the selling season.  August is "Back to School" month and families will be looking for a home to nest in before school starts.  Anyone contemplating commercial property will also be wanting to get started as soon as possible on renovations or setting up new operations before the end of the year.  Now is the time!  If you are looking for a particular type of property or want to sell a home or other real estate - give us a call and see how the Professionals at Century 21 Covered Bridge Realty can be your BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE!

Lots of interest in finding rentals to live in these days.  We get several calls every week from people looking to find a nice place, usually a home.  But, at any one time there are not many "nice" rentals available.  However, there are some fairly good duplexes on the market.  One possibility is to buy, live in one side, and rent the other side to get a little income.  One has to weigh all the factors including repairs and maintenance, taxes, insurance and the fact that the home will not be a private space.  But with careful evaluation of the prospects, a person can buy their way into a good home and at a smaller investment than a single family home.  Come in and let us show you how to save on your living expenses!

One of the most important inspections a buyer can have performed prior to a real estate purchase is a “Termite” Inspection, or more properly termed, a Wood Destroying Insect Inspection.  Usually, if the buyer is financing the purchase, the lender will require an inspection.  Termites are not the only bugs to watch out for – among those an inspector will scout for are termites, powder post beetles and carpenter ants.  Each has telltale signs of feeding or activity and a trained inspector should be able to detect their presence.  Some areas of a home may not be accessible or visible to an inspector – areas under insulation or behind personal items stored in a home, tight areas the inspector can’t crawl to or see around – so there may be some unknowns.  It’s a good idea to have a property re-inspected periodically just to make sure there are no active infestations and to treat any insects that are found.  No need to let bugs feed on your new home!

Why is it that when people see a real estate sign, they think it's ok to enter a property to get a closer look?  Some even go up to windows of a house and look in!!  What is that?!  Or try to talk to the owner!  Remember that when a property is listed for sale with a real estate broker, the listing agent becomes that property owners AGENT.  That means all inquiries about the property should go through a real estate agent, either an agent working with the buyer or the listing agent.  If a person enters a property, even walks across a yard, without permission, that is TRESPASSING.  With owners guarding properties against those who would steal or ransack or do other mischief, don't be surprised if you are challenged.  Simply put, if you are interested in a property, call a real estate agent if it is listed.  If is a For Sale By Owner, even then, you should call first before entering.  Show a little respect for the property owner.

No, I'm not talking about your great uncle, Norbert!  I'm mentioning the midsummer dip in real estate activity that we usually see about this time of year.  Things are a little slower, people are not rushing to buy or sell, and summer activities fill the schedule.  But savvy buyers know that when a good deal presents itself, the time to buy is Now!  Sellers should also be aware that even though there may not be many lookers right now, those people that are out there are serious buyers and sellers should not miss showing appointments or ignore valid offers.  The real estate market is a year 'round activity but there are times of more activity, the present time is not one of them.  Give us a call and let us help you navigate the highs and lows, ins and outs of today’s marketplace - it can be confusing.

For many people owning a home is the goal, the dream the most desired wish.  Having a home means you are not at the whim of a landlord, you can maintain and change the home to suit your needs and have private space to call your own.  Heaven on earth!  But for others who need to move to follow job prospects or don’t have a job or have found their incomes have become less than what they were a few years ago, home ownership is a pain.  Complicating the issue is the lack of good rental housing in some areas – there are a lot of folks who must rent and spaces are limited.  Those in the middle question the financial obligations and wonder if it makes good money sense to buy.  In some cases it does and factoring in the additional advantages makes the case for buying.

Here is a calculator (click on the link below) that can help you define your financial goals.  Gather some rental information for your community and give us a call if you need some average numbers on the real estate side.   Once you make your decision we can help you find the home of your dreams that meets your needs and yet doesn’t break the bank!

 http://realestate.yahoo.com/calculators/rent_vs_own.html

Often clients will call me and let me know they “found” a property they would like to see.  I’m more than happy to accommodate such requests but as a part of my job, I follow all new listings in a large swath of territory and usually don’t miss new properties on the market that might work for one of my clients.  Usually the client in question has discovered a property that is already under contract (or sold – some websites are not updated regularly), or more often, much different than what they said they were looking for.  Help me help you and let me know your core desires but also what you would be willing to accept.  That way I can do a more complete search.

Then we can go see the properties in question.  The only way to really see a property is to put your feet on the ground and see it with your own eyes.  A “drive by look” seldom helps settle questions.

In other words help me help you!

Nothing and nobody is perfect, unless you are willing to see past imperfections.  When showing a home Realtors often hear about a buyer's likes and dislikes and it's important to share that information so your agent can more closely search for compatible homes for you.  But sometimes buyers want everything to be just right - like the tale of Goldilocks and the porridge.  One of the advantages of home ownership is that you can change a place to suit your needs and likes.  It's one of the fun things about ownership.  A little imagination, planning and perhaps a little cost and you can have the home of your dreams.  There are lots of selp-help books, TV shows and resources to guide a person.  Sometimes it’s better to adapt rather than search endlessly for perfection.  Look past minor flaws and see the potential!

You can dramatically improve the appearance of your property with a few flowers and plantings.  Perennials usually cost a little more but you can do a lot with annual flowers.  Decorative grasses can add height to a planting and are low maintenance plants.  A little color can brighten up a yard and serves to direct attention away from flaws in the home or yard.  However, keep plantings away from the foundation, space them out far enough so air can flow around the plants and foundation.  You don't want to create a favorable environment for insects or mold.  Fill in around plants with landscape fiber and top with bark mulch.  That will keep the weeds down and conserve moisture.  Step back and enjoy! 

What a good time to shop for homes!  With all the rain we've been having, any drainage or water infiltration problems a property may have become obvious.  As we look at homes, sometimes the causes of wet basements are simple to correct.  Clean out the gutters and downspouts and make sure your downspouts have extensions to direct the water away from the foundation.  Sunken areas next to the foundation should be filled in or drainage channels prepared to keep water from ponding.  Fill foundation cracks with hydraulic cement and paint with waterproofing paint.  Older brick foundations, especially on century-old homes, may be hard to waterproof; professional help may be needed in those cases.  Damp basements will benefit from dehumidifiers.

We had a successful weekend of Open House events - many interested buyers toured several of our listings.  The beauty of Open House events is that a potential buyer can view several homes in a short period of time and on their own schedule.  You don't have to contact an agent before, just walk in the door.  The disadvantage is that you usually don't get a chance to see ALL of the homes on the market that are similar, don't get all of the information about the home that may be of importance (unless you have a long discussion with the agent - hard to do if there are other people there) and you probably don't get a real understanding about the local real estate market if you are not in contact with an agent.  Open House events can be fun and informative to attend, but if you are serious about buying real estate, you need to become a CLIENT of an agent and partner with that agent to the fullest extent possible to really understand the process.  Buying real estate is not like buying peanut butter at the grocery store, walking the aisles won't give you the complete story!

Market activity seems to be up and down a lot this spring.  From almost hectic listing and buying to almost dead.  Certainly, the economy has something to do with the variation and the weather seems to speed up or slow activity but this year real estate transactions in the Illinois Valley area seem to be marching to their own drummer.  Buyers may not be in a hurry to commit with the number of homes on the market and sellers seem to be waiting for the right price and buyer.  My advice to both is to keep in touch with market dynamics and be prepared to make and negotiate offers.  Keep in the game!  Although spring is here, fall and winter are coming all too soon.

What's good about rain, other than making the grass and flowers grow?  Wet weather is also a good time to check the condition of a home you are planning on buying or your own home if you are selling.  Drainage issues can be a real problem for many homes, especially older homes with brick or block basements that may have been built without the aid of modern waterproofing materials.  When touring a home, take the sniff test - wet spaces usually smell musty and that is hard to cover up.  Look for stains on walls and floors in corners and signs that there may have been standing water.  If you do find some wetness, often dramatic improvements can be made by attending to cleaning out gutters and downspouts and directing water away from the home.  Check with waterproofing contractors for more ideas to make your home a bastion against spring floods. 

Sometimes technology can speed communication - or prove to be a block.  Consider the following:

Cell phones - set up your voice mail system!  Don't just rely on catching incoming calls when they occur.  And when returning a call to someone, leave a complete message on their voice mail, not just a "call me" message.  It helps communication along if you provide details such as what you called about, when you will be available and how the person should reach you.

E-mail - Answer your e-mails!  Yes, we all get a ton of unwanted e-mails but when someone takes the time to send you a personal message, get back to them.  As a Real Estate Broker I'm constantly sending information to clients that have requested updates on new listings, etc. - but they don't often respond??  Let me know your thoughts.

Social media - Love it or hate it, it’s here to stay but just because you have a thought, doesn't mean you have to share it.  That's not communication, that’s background noise.

Documents - We often send docs via e-mail, fax or the old snail mail.  Scanning and e-mailing is easiest but often people don't have the right hardware and software.  It can PAY to buy the right hardware to ease electronic communications especially when speed counts!

Spring has arrived and real estate activity - buyers looking, sellers listing, people calling for information and sales happening - has increased dramatically the last couple of weeks.  This is the same trend as what happened last year.  Lots of activity in short bursts.  If you are interested in buying or selling, now is the time to jump or the properties you might be interested in (or the buyers you may want to attract to your property) may be gone!  Give us a call!

When selling Residential Real Estate owners are required to disclose known defects in a home.  Some sellers such as estates, banks or the government may be exempt from filling out disclosure forms (they may know nothing about the home) but owners who have lived in a home should be knowledgeable enough to make proper disclosure.  There are penalties for non-disclosure and sellers should strive to be honest and forthcoming.  Buyers are encouraged to use professional licensed home inspectors to make sure they are comfortable with the condition of the home.  Better safe than sorry!

The federal government, to save tax dollars, is floating an idea to eliminate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  Even after a government supported bailout in 2008, by 2010 90% of all home loans in the U.S. still ran through Fannie or Freddie.  Even though these privately owned but government supported has had profitable years, much of the risk is still with the taxpayer.  Can the home mortgage industry survive without them?  If you are planning on buying or owning real estate, consider your options and realize that interest rates are still low, the market is flush with very nice homes and loans are available.  The time to buy is now!  No doubt interest rates will start to rise as the economy (and the weather) heats up.  Come to our Open Houses this next Sunday and check out a few homes, we can show you more!

Did you know that 80% of new real estate agents quit within 2 years?  While being a Realtor looks easy, it is a very competitive and difficult business to stay in and to be productive.  Professional full-time agents are in the minority and when you are choosing an agent to work with, either as a buyer or seller of real estate, who do you want on your team?  The part-timer that has other daily activities or another job or the full-time agent who is dedicated and works the business EVERY DAY.  It's the same as choosing a doctor - would you want a part-time doctor??

You wouldn't think of going to a nice restaurant and getting great service from a waiter and then not leaving a tip would you?  We all realize that tips are an important source of wait staff’s compensation.  In the same way, Realtors depend on commission income (by law) and are not compensated in any other way.  If you contact a Realtor, try to be upfront with them and let them know what type of property you are searching for and give them the information they need to serve you.  Don't run them around the area on fruitless property showings if you are not a serious buyer.  Or switch from Realtor to Realtor without telling them what you are doing.  Get your goals in mind, then contact a real estate professional for help.  They will thank you!