Buying Your First Home - A Guide for the Beginner by: Joe Hayden
Becoming a first-time home buyer is a tremendous step in life. The sense of personal accomplishment, pride, satisfaction, and joy is irreplaceable. It is not without it's challenges, though. Because of the huge number of options available to you as a potential buyer, you need to take the time to become familiar with an overview of the buying process, the terminology used, and how to best approach buying your first home. My strong suggestion to you as a first-time home buyer would be to seek competent, professional financial guidance. It is relatively inexpensive, and could save you from making a costly mistake. Buying a home is not right for everyone. Even if it is a good choice for your financial future, you may need to take the time to save money for a down payment, or to fix any issues with your credit. Be patient, and make your preparations carefully... Below is a list outlining the buying process. Review it to become familiar with the steps involved. Oh, and one last, very important bit of information before you get started...Everything, and I do mean everything, in real estate is negotiable. Repeat that over and over to yourself and never forget, everything is negotiable... Pre-Qualification After making the commitment to buy a home and getting your finances in order, it is time to speak with a professional in the mortgage business. Ask your friends and family for referrals. Take the time to ask questions and get familiar with the basic terminology used, plus to discover any pitfalls. The terms of your mortgage will have a lasting affect on your financial well-being, so make sure you fully understand what you are being offered. Ultimately, you want to become pre-qualified for a reasonable, affordable amount of money with which you can purchase a home. I personally recommend speaking to at least three mortgage brokers or banks to get your best deal. Also, I would avoid having your credit run during this process until you are ready for the next step. Most good mortgage brokers should be able to estimate your buying power from a short interview. Pre-Approval Prior to beginning an in-depth search for a home, I would suggest going beyond pre-qualification and getting fully pre-approved. In this step, the mortgage lender will take a detailed look at your credit, finances, income, and other factors to solidify the amount of money available to you for a home. The primary difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval is you are shopping for a mortgage lender and getting educated about the loan products available during pre-qualification, but you have decided to commit to a lender and submit to the complete application process during pre-approval. List of Needs & Wants Make 2 lists. The first should include items you must have (i.e., the number of bedrooms you need for the size of your family, a one-story house if accessibility is a factor, etc.). The second list is your wishes, things you would like to have (pool, den, etc.) but that are not absolutely necessary. Realistically for first-time buyers, you probably will not get everything on your wish list, but it will keep you on track for what you are looking for. Representation by a Professional It is very important that you can communicate clearly, honestly, and openly with any person who will directly affect your decision-making process. I know it is better to work with a real estate professional because of personal experience, plus feedback I constantly receive from clients and customers, so I highly recommend carefully choosing a representative to help you complete this important transaction. A quick word about buyer representation. In a great majority of situations (95%+), a buyer's agent is compensated out of the seller's equity. In plain English, this means unless your agent requires a small administration fee for services, you will not be responsible for compensating your agent at all for their services. It is very important you fully discuss this with your Realtor®, as there are simple contracts available that will put this information in writing and help protect your interests should a dispute arise. Also, just to anticipate and answer a question you may have on this topic, these costs are not passed back to the buyer through the sales price of the home. The reason for this is because the market, combined with a ready, willing, and able buyer sets the price for the home. The seller decides on an asking price, and may have a bottom line price, but you as the buyer ultimately decide what the home is worth. So, get a good Realtor®, study the market thoroughly, and make a fair offer based upon the comparable homes in the market. If the seller decides to accept your offer, you will have purchased the home at a fair price, and not one inflated to pay for the seller's costs or Realtor® fees. Meeting with your Real Estate Agent Come to the first meeting with your agent with an open mind and lots of questions. You should be doing a majority of the talking and your agent listening to gather all of the information necessary to help you find your ideal home. Make sure you share your list of wants and needs, plus the information you learned from the mortgage broker. Your agent should be taking notes and reiterating accurately whatever is discussed. I want to talk briefly about the importance of effective communication with your real estate agent. Buying a home should ultimately be a fun, rewarding, educational, exciting experience. It will not be free from challenge, though. You will at times find yourself frustrated, discouraged, and confused. This is completely normal, especially considering the magnitude of the transaction. Your Realtor® needs to know this information, both good and bad. Without knowledge of your feelings and concerns, the usefulness of your agent can be nullified. Make sure you are comfortable enough with your Realtor® to tell them 'no', or to be completely honest with your needs and wants. Make sure your communication is effective by listening to what your agent says and ensuring it is what you are expressing. Focus & Organization In a convenient location, keep handy the items that will assist you in maximizing your home search efforts. Such items may include: 1. One or more detailed maps with your areas of interest highlighted. 2. A file of the properties that your agent has shown to you, along with ads you have cut out from the newspaper. 3. Paper and pen, for taking notes as you search. 4. A camera to help refresh your memory on individual properties, especially if you are attending a series of showings. 5. Location: It can be beneficial to look at a potential property as if you are the seller. Would a prospective buyer find it attractive based on school district, crime rate, proximity to positive (shopping, parks, freeway access) and negative (abandoned properties, garbage dump, source of noise) features of the area? Visualize the House Empty & With Your Decor Are the rooms laid out to fit your needs? Is there enough light? Will the home require any updating? Are the mechanicals in good shape? What about the roof? Try to keep accurate notes on both your feelings regarding the home, plus objective features that may or may not be positive. Keep in mind that it is always an option to ask the seller to gives allowances for updates or changes as part of the negotiation process, or to make the changes yourself for the right home. Be Objective Instead of thinking with your heart when you find a home, think with your head. Does this home really meet your needs? There are many houses on the market, so don't make a hurried decision that you may regret later. It is important to know your personal strengths and weakness in the home buying process. Some people love the thrill of the hunt and seeing lots of homes looking for a positive feeling, while others are just interested in the facts and objective features the home offers. Some people are a combination of the two. Whatever your style or technique happens to be when searching for your new home, you must be honest with yourself and emphasize your strengths while seeking help with your weaknesses. I recommend in the initial phases of the home buying process that you try to keep your time in any home you view short and focused on finding positive first impressions. There really is a difference between finding a house and discovering your new home and I believe emotion and feeling plays a role in the process, but don't let emotions cloud your judgment. Be relaxed and aware of your emotions in this initial phase. Once you have narrowed your choices and become comfortable with the buying process, it is time to schedule second showings and to put on your objective hat. Now you are looking at the details from an investment standpoint, a functionality perspective, and determining whether or not there are any faults that would negate the viability of the home. It is here your Realtor® can be invaluable. Use your Realtor®'s experience and knowledge to help you step back and look at the home through the eyes of an investor. You may be surprised at what you find! Make an Offer Once all of the research is complete and you are certain you have found your new home, it is time to put together an offer. Again, the competent guidance of your Realtor® is critical at this point. Together, you must determine a fair amount of money to offer for the home, plus you must complete an accurate, comprehensive, legally-binding Sales and Purchase Agreement. Any mistake, error, or omission at this stage can become very costly in both dollars and emotions later. If you are at all uncertain or uncomfortable, seek professional legal advice before you sign any agreement. A word about market perceptions. Today, we hear constant talk about it being a "buyer's market". What does that mean to you on the buyer's side of the transaction? I wish it meant that you could offer 15-20% below the asking price of the home and the seller would gladly accept, but that is rarely the case. Very simply, we find ourselves in a buyer's market due to an over-supply of homes and a lack of qualified, motivated buyers. It will affect prices in most areas, but the adjustment will be more in the neighborhood of 1-3%, if anything. That being the case, what are the advantages of being in a buyer's market? Let me just name a few and you should be able to see many others. Besides the possibility of a reasonable savings on price, sellers are more willing to provide allowances for closing costs, updates, or other incentives to get you to purchase their home. In addition, you have a tremendous variety of homes from which to choose. Plus, fierce competition for the best homes is reduced, thus allowing you a greater chance of not paying an inflated price for the home of your dreams. When you hear talk that we are in a buyer's market, just imagine yourself in the seller's shoes...Most people are not going to give away their home for less than a fair market price, so look to negotiate other benefits from the deal. Be Thorough A few extra dollars well spent now may save you big expenses in the long run. Your real estate agent should competently guide you through this phase, but you should be aware that after you have an accepted offer, you still need to perform due diligence to ensure you are making a sound investment. Don't forget such essentials as: 1. Having the property inspected by a professional inspector. 2. Requesting a second walk-through to take place within 24 hours of closing to ensure the home has been left in the agreed upon condition. Congratulations on your decision to educate yourself thoroughly regarding one of the largest financial transactions you will ever undertake! While the process may seem daunting and a tad overwhelming at first, with the help of a competent Realtor®, plus other industry professionals, you should be well on your way to a satisfying, positive, purchase of your new home. Good luck, and remember... This is supposed to be fun!
Minggu, 02 Maret 2008
Selasa, 12 Februari 2008
Business & Finance
Building Credit Ideas
by: Jonathan Cheong
There are several ways that we can build credit. If you are tired of collectors hounding you, or if you are frustrated that no one will loan you money because you never had credit, it is time to learn how to build your credit. First, and foremost never purchase items you do not need. If you ‘want’, do not let your wants wear you down and get you deeper in debt. If you are searching to build credit and have no history at all, make sure you have your priorities in order.
Bad Credit Building Credit
If you have, bad credit get a DO-IT-YOURSELF-Kit and gets the balls rolling. You can go to your public library and get books that will guide you through the steps of repairing your credit. Most libraries allow you to copy and print forms that you must fill out and then send to your credits.
There are systematic guides at your local library that has the tools for instructor debtors how to write letters to creditors. Letters are probably better than phoning creditors, since some creditors could care less about your situation and may threaten you.
Another good reason for writing letters is that (copy in writing) is more valuable in a courtroom than a conversation on the phone. If something is said or an agreement is reached and the creditor later denies his or her claims then you can present this to any courtroom and they will listen to you first.
Any documents that pertain to your credit history should be stored in a safe area. If you send letters to your creditors keep a copy of each letter sent and store it in a safe area. If you notice any errors on your bills or credit, reports make sure that you contact the appropriate professionals and dispute the charges immediately.
If you have credit cards and used the card to purchase an item or use a service and this person sold you a defected item or else provided bad service, you DO NOT have to make payment toward the charges. You do however have to dispute the charges with the services or stores that sold you the product or service.
If the sources refuse to give you an item usable, or else reimburse you for a service or product you have the right to deny payment. Once you have disputed the charges with the sources you will then contact your card provider and let them know what occurred.
If you are lucky enough to have a credit card with bad credit, use the card to repay your debts and then meet the monthly installments on the credit card each month. Ironically, you are getting out of debt while going in debt deeper. It is a solution when all else false. In other words, if you use the card to pay your debts each month and then payoff your credit cards the following month and then turnaround and uses the card to pay that month bills….
Now you see where I am going. Credit cards have interest rates so the bills each month on the card will increase.
No, Credit…No Problem
I do not need a credit line or credit card; I pay all my bills each month with money. Is this you? Well then, you have the obvious answer, but what if…
In today’s world, we are moving into an era that requires us to have at least one major credit card. When you phone any business where you have debts, they will first ask you to pay with a credit card.
If you go apply for a job, apartment, mortgage, car loan, or any other credit line you most likely will get a rejection notice in the mail. Most lenders will not give credit to anyone that has no credit history.
The reason is that we are expected to establish a credit line when we are teens, and if we do not the lenders are often suspicious. The lenders do not have an idea and can only base their judgments of you on assumptions.
Can I assume this person will make monthly payments on time? Has this person taken for granted a loan from a friend or family member in the past and there are no records available for me to see if it is true? There are many reasons that lenders will refuse you a loan if you do not have a credit history.
The best solution is starting up a line of credit now, pay off your dues on time and avoid making purchases on items you do not really need. Staying out of debt means regulating your money each month and paying your bills on time.
(This blog will update every week with other articles about business and finance)
by: Jonathan Cheong
There are several ways that we can build credit. If you are tired of collectors hounding you, or if you are frustrated that no one will loan you money because you never had credit, it is time to learn how to build your credit. First, and foremost never purchase items you do not need. If you ‘want’, do not let your wants wear you down and get you deeper in debt. If you are searching to build credit and have no history at all, make sure you have your priorities in order.
Bad Credit Building Credit
If you have, bad credit get a DO-IT-YOURSELF-Kit and gets the balls rolling. You can go to your public library and get books that will guide you through the steps of repairing your credit. Most libraries allow you to copy and print forms that you must fill out and then send to your credits.
There are systematic guides at your local library that has the tools for instructor debtors how to write letters to creditors. Letters are probably better than phoning creditors, since some creditors could care less about your situation and may threaten you.
Another good reason for writing letters is that (copy in writing) is more valuable in a courtroom than a conversation on the phone. If something is said or an agreement is reached and the creditor later denies his or her claims then you can present this to any courtroom and they will listen to you first.
Any documents that pertain to your credit history should be stored in a safe area. If you send letters to your creditors keep a copy of each letter sent and store it in a safe area. If you notice any errors on your bills or credit, reports make sure that you contact the appropriate professionals and dispute the charges immediately.
If you have credit cards and used the card to purchase an item or use a service and this person sold you a defected item or else provided bad service, you DO NOT have to make payment toward the charges. You do however have to dispute the charges with the services or stores that sold you the product or service.
If the sources refuse to give you an item usable, or else reimburse you for a service or product you have the right to deny payment. Once you have disputed the charges with the sources you will then contact your card provider and let them know what occurred.
If you are lucky enough to have a credit card with bad credit, use the card to repay your debts and then meet the monthly installments on the credit card each month. Ironically, you are getting out of debt while going in debt deeper. It is a solution when all else false. In other words, if you use the card to pay your debts each month and then payoff your credit cards the following month and then turnaround and uses the card to pay that month bills….
Now you see where I am going. Credit cards have interest rates so the bills each month on the card will increase.
No, Credit…No Problem
I do not need a credit line or credit card; I pay all my bills each month with money. Is this you? Well then, you have the obvious answer, but what if…
In today’s world, we are moving into an era that requires us to have at least one major credit card. When you phone any business where you have debts, they will first ask you to pay with a credit card.
If you go apply for a job, apartment, mortgage, car loan, or any other credit line you most likely will get a rejection notice in the mail. Most lenders will not give credit to anyone that has no credit history.
The reason is that we are expected to establish a credit line when we are teens, and if we do not the lenders are often suspicious. The lenders do not have an idea and can only base their judgments of you on assumptions.
Can I assume this person will make monthly payments on time? Has this person taken for granted a loan from a friend or family member in the past and there are no records available for me to see if it is true? There are many reasons that lenders will refuse you a loan if you do not have a credit history.
The best solution is starting up a line of credit now, pay off your dues on time and avoid making purchases on items you do not really need. Staying out of debt means regulating your money each month and paying your bills on time.
(This blog will update every week with other articles about business and finance)
Business & Finance
Poor Credit Loan: Monetary Assistance Without Any Hurdles by: Carmen Cortez
You avail loans which in turns provide finances to fructify your needs. But repaying the loans availed is quite a different entity. If somehow you fail to repay the debts, they you are tagged with poor credit. This tag creates a lot of obstacles which makes your life a bit difficult. Now, with the introduction of poor credit loan, you can emerge unscathed in spite of the hurdles. A poor credit loans is a specialized financial help meant for those borrowers who cannot avail any financial help due to credit problems. Every major bank, financial institutions, lending companies is offering this loan. Along with it, lenders based in the online market are also offering these loans at competitive terms and conditions. With the assistance of these loans, you can easily fulfill the needs like home renovation, purchasing a car, education, wedding or business at relative ease. Just like other conventional loan, there are two ways of availing it, either in secured or unsecured form. Secured form of the loan can be availed by pledging any property such as home, real estate, etc against the borrowed amount. The amount approved is based on the equity value of collateral and is in the range of £5000-£75000 which can be repaid in a period of 5-25 years. Unsecured form of the loan is designed to get approved without any collateral. The amount approved under this loan is in the range of £1000-£2500 for repayment period that stretches for 6 months -10 years. Tenants, non homeowners, students are the major beneficiaries of this loan option. Interest rate for the loan is slightly higher compare to other loans available in the financial market. This is done to cover the risk factor involved. However a thorough research of the market may yield lenders offering competitive rates on the loan. Poor credit loan helps serves two purposes which is very much essential. It provides you ample finances which enable you to overcome financial hurdles. And secondly by repaying the loan amount you can improve the tattered credit score. However, before availing the loan it is necessary to understand your repayment capability. By doing so, it will help you to avail the required amount and repay it easily without any question of further debts.
(This blog will update everyweek with other interesting articel abou business and finance)
You avail loans which in turns provide finances to fructify your needs. But repaying the loans availed is quite a different entity. If somehow you fail to repay the debts, they you are tagged with poor credit. This tag creates a lot of obstacles which makes your life a bit difficult. Now, with the introduction of poor credit loan, you can emerge unscathed in spite of the hurdles. A poor credit loans is a specialized financial help meant for those borrowers who cannot avail any financial help due to credit problems. Every major bank, financial institutions, lending companies is offering this loan. Along with it, lenders based in the online market are also offering these loans at competitive terms and conditions. With the assistance of these loans, you can easily fulfill the needs like home renovation, purchasing a car, education, wedding or business at relative ease. Just like other conventional loan, there are two ways of availing it, either in secured or unsecured form. Secured form of the loan can be availed by pledging any property such as home, real estate, etc against the borrowed amount. The amount approved is based on the equity value of collateral and is in the range of £5000-£75000 which can be repaid in a period of 5-25 years. Unsecured form of the loan is designed to get approved without any collateral. The amount approved under this loan is in the range of £1000-£2500 for repayment period that stretches for 6 months -10 years. Tenants, non homeowners, students are the major beneficiaries of this loan option. Interest rate for the loan is slightly higher compare to other loans available in the financial market. This is done to cover the risk factor involved. However a thorough research of the market may yield lenders offering competitive rates on the loan. Poor credit loan helps serves two purposes which is very much essential. It provides you ample finances which enable you to overcome financial hurdles. And secondly by repaying the loan amount you can improve the tattered credit score. However, before availing the loan it is necessary to understand your repayment capability. By doing so, it will help you to avail the required amount and repay it easily without any question of further debts.
(This blog will update everyweek with other interesting articel abou business and finance)
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