tom-beaty.com views on real estate

January 31, 2010

What Does Seller Assist Mean When Buying a Home

Filed under: Buying — lillykannon @ 12:00 am

When buying a home, you may have encountered the phrase seller assist when you start discussing about your approved bank loan. It is important to understand what this means as this will help you in meeting some closing costs. The closing costs are those that were not included in the pricing of the property but you still have to pay as these cover the important requirements like insurance, taxes and the like. When you are not ready for the closing costs, it is good to consider seller assist as an option.

Seller assist is determined at the time when a buyer applies for a loan. The type of loan is determined at the end of the approval process and the conditions and requirements are specified. The pre-qualified loan notes when a seller assist can be applied and how much can be allocated for such.

Basically, a seller assist helps the buyer shoulder other recurring or non-recurring costs that may be associated with the sale. This money is borrowed from the bank or financial institution to be given to the seller once the funds are released. The process ends with the seller giving back the corresponding amount to the buyer to pay for the costs mentioned. This is an assistance that most buyers will appreciate as they can also be allocated for repair or preparation or setting up of other amenities for the home, or just simple save it in the bank for emergencies. When a buyer avails of seller assist, it does not always follow that he is short of cash. A buyer can just take advantage of the assistance since it is available.

What the seller actually gets when the sale is consummated is the total amount approved minus the seller assist amount since this will be returned to the buyer. With regard to agent’s commission, the basis of payment will be less the seller assist amount since it is understood that this goes back to the buyer. The approval of a seller assist is sometimes influenced by the Realtor or the agent responsible for processing the loan or the sale as a whole. It is very important to note that in the process, the bank or the financial institution will assess the value of the property and your capability to pay. These are the factors that determine the chances of the approval rate and the inclusion of seller assist option. With a qualified Realtor, you can ask for their assistance to write the offer and get the option included in the approval. You will be surprised as how agents can expedite the process with favorable results. You can always show some sense of gratitude with token or additional payment that an agent will appreciate.

You always have to note that a seller assist is not always available for all types of loans. It is important to know this beforehand so you can prepare on the necessary costs when this option is excluded in the approved loan. However, if it is included as an option, you can make full use of this assistance for the improvement of the house or for payment of the closing costs. However way you want to use the amount, it is always upon your discretion.

Need to buy or sell a home in the Bothell, WA area? Check out Bothell Homes.

100% Mortgages: A Curse Disguised as a Blessing

Filed under: Mortgage — julianlenox @ 12:00 am

100% mortgages were very much sought after, especially by first time buyers, who did not have a deposit. The reason for this is that this type of mortgage lends the borrower 100% of the property value. Definitely, this does sound quite tempting for anybody looking to get their very first home. However, not everything that glitters is gold.

As you probably imagined, there are not many banks or financial entities offering 100% mortgages. The reason for this is that lending a borrower 100% of the value of a property is extremely risky in these hard financial times. What this means basically is that you are stuck with only a few lenders, that provide you with no options at all.

The interest rates for 100% mortgages are sky high and almost impossible to afford. However, this is not all. As well as paying your interest rate, you will have to pay a higher lending charge premium. Even though some entities include the higher lending charge in the mortgage, it adds up to what you are already paying.

In addition to being high, interest rates are also variable. That is right, if you go for one of these mortgages, you will not be able to get a flat or fixed rate. You do not need to be an expert on finance to know how risky a variable interest rate is, especially nowadays with the financial crisis.

Obviously with this type of rate, you end up paying a lot more than just double of the actual property value and it doesn’t stop there. There are a lot of additional fees associated to this type of mortgage, which is kind of ironic if you consider that the people who take up these loans are those who do not have much money.

In addition, the borrower of a 100% mortgage runs the risk of having the property he purchased decrease in value. Something like this would result in what it is known as negative equity. The lending bank may find it appropriate to ask the borrower for more money to make up for the deficit.

In addition, if the borrower fails in making his payments towards the 100% mortgage he got, the bank may not only sell off the property but also the securities that were entrusted by the borrower. These securities may also be sold off in different case scenarios, but in all of them the result would be the same: A bad credit score.

As with all mortgages it is highly advisable to carry out a thorough research before you go ahead and get it. However, for everything that was explained above, it should be noted that 100% mortgages are for first time buyers like a wolf in a lamb’s clothing.

Working for Advertizia, Julian J. Lenox appraises websites for Finance Top 100, a dedicated Finance websites judgments pool. Read more about Offset Mortgage Calculator.

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How to Choose the Best House for Sale in Puerto Vallarta

Filed under: Buying — Site-Booster @ 12:00 am

If you are nearing your retirement age, then it is quite normal for you to try and search for a vacation home. On the other hand, if you belong to the younger generation and would like to make a good investment in an area where there is a great scope for real estate development, then Puerto Vallarta is just the right place to go.

You can choose the best condo for sale in Puerto Vallarta depending on your requirements. But you can be assured that you will get the best of health, security and entertainment in this beautiful place.

Find out Your Requirements

The real estate market in PV is abounding with great developers who have a very good range of offerings for the visitors. When you make a choice for the best house for sale in Puerto Vallarta, make sure it satisfies your other goals other than a place for spending your vacation. You can buy a house near the bay where you will have plenty of opportunities for fishing, beach sports and all kinds of activities in the water. PV will give you unlimited attractions in whichever area you plan to invest and you will always find something new every time that you come here.

Make A Good Investment Option

The real estate scenario offers you residential alternatives which can satisfy your personal goals. At the same time, it is a very good investment for you. The choice of buying a condo for sale in Puerto Vallarta should be based on the fact that the house has to be strategically placed to attract the maximum number of tenants. In fact, this is a criterion which has to be given more importance than the style of the house. You should be able to leverage maximum gains from the place that you invest such a lot of money in.

Take Advantage of the Flexible Rules

While thinking about purchasing a house for sale in Puerto Vallarta, one thing surely comes to the mind. What about the laws of the land? Are they flexible enough to allow a foreigner to purchase land and property in PV? In fact, Mexico is well known throughout the world for providing the best facilities for any visitor to purchase property here.

The purchase can be brought about through a bank which will act on behalf of the visitor. When you choose a property, the thought foremost on your mind will be whether you can dispose of the property in an equally convenient way too. Property can safely be disposed in PV without any unnecessary hassles.

Employ A Real Estate Agency

A real estate agent from a well known company should be consulted before you buy a condo for sale in Puerto Vallarta. He is the best person to introduce you to the various condos and houses which suit your requirement. He will see to it that you have a fair deal and help you to go through all the routine arrangements necessary for purchasing the house. He will charge about 6-8% commission on the value of the property. But you will be in safe hands.

Make sure that the abbreviation AMPI is among the credentials of the real estate company that you hire. This will be helpful while completing the legal formalities.

Size Of The House

Now that you have set your priorities right and thought about all the criteria before choosing the condo for sale in Puerto Vallarta, you can pay some attention to the design aspect too. Choose a condo which will be big enough to house the number of people you want to bring along with you.

If you are only coming here with your spouse, then a small house will do. But if you are coming with your entire family, then you will need rooms for everybody. And once you buy your dream home, it will be a beautiful life in Paradise. So get ready to enjoy the best time of your life here.

Neptune Realtors offers extraordinary Condo for Sale in Puerto Vallarta. Also you can choose to invest in a House for Sale in Puerto Vallarta. Check out for more at: http://www.neptunemx.com.

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5 Points to Remember If You Have a House for Sale in Puerto Vallarta

Filed under: Selling — Site-Booster @ 12:00 am

One of the most popular tourist destinations on the Pacific Ocean is the Mexican city Puerto Vallarta. This tropical paradise has been drawing a lot of attention off late. The reason is simple, with the Sierra Madre mountains standing in an imposing manner and the white sands making a picturesque contrast to the green lush forests and the deep blue sea, it appears to be ideal for everyone. The old world charm and the natural bounties make it an attraction for many.

Not only tourists but also the real estate biggies are showing much interest to make some optimal profit out of buying and selling property in this prime location. There are many investors who look at house for sale in Puerto Vallarta as a money-spinning investment opportunity.

These buyers usually go for putting the houses up for sale when they find the right opportunity to encash their investment. However it always pays to make sure you place yourself at a enviable position so that you get maximum out of your deal

1) Make Your House Speak for Itself

Remember that you are not the only person who is looking at making a profit out of putting up a house for sale in Puerto Vallarta. There are many who would be there in the competition like you, so all you can do is try to stand out. While you do the paper work to get customers, let the house speak for itself.

Additionally, as the customers who look for buying houses in this Mexican town are usually, celebrities, retirees, artists and young couples, you must make a good presentation of your house. If there are any repairing or renovations are required you can do it to make it more attractive.

2)Do a Few Changes

Small details like a trimmed hedge, a clean floor, a shining roof and a few touch ups here and there can help you get you more returns than expected. And remember a neat house is always preferred to one decorated with artifacts. So get the rooms clean, well lighted, place as less furniture as required and let it look spacious.

Remove old family photos and make the house more welcoming. You can also add in a dash of bright vibrant colors and place some designer lights to make the house look gay and have a greater visual appeal.

3) Time it Well

To be more specific, the basic laws also apply to the houses available in Puerto Vallarta. Properties for sale in Puerto Vallarta are usually sought after through out the year but if you aim at going for sale during the peak tourist seasons, then you are likely to get a higher rate of profit.

Usually, the real estate agents make their hunt for good houses through out the year. However, you can choose the right time to sell the house to pay you more than you invested.

4) Get a Responsible Real Estate Agent

There are various real estate agents that you can contact to guide you to go though the deal. Opt for a professional firm that has lots of experience in dealing with house for sale in Puerto Vallarta. Make sure the firm you appoint is a trustworthy and reliable one with a larger satisfied buyers and sellers list. Also enquire about their client list in detail and find out about the ways they handle the deals.

It is essential that you talk about the financial part precisely with your real estate agent to avoid any further complications. Also invite them to make an inspection on your house to speak about the positive and negative traits so that you can amend them before showing it to the customers. They are the ones that can help you understand the perceptive of the buyers.

5) Check Legal Aspect Well

While talking about properties for sale in Puerto Vallarta, it is extremely important that you get your papers done properly. It is always better to check everything twice in financial deeds. If you are doubtful, speak to an attorney to learn more about the legal aspects.

As an ordinary buyer, you may not understand the complications involved in the property deals but your attorney would know and can help you out. Put everything in pen and paper. Before making the final deal it always helps to take a second opinion from a reputed financial attorney.

Neptune Realtors offers unique properties for sale in Puerto Vallarta. If you ever look for exceptional investment opportunities, you will definitely like house for sale in Puerto Vallarta. Check out for more at: http://www.neptunemx.com.

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How to Offer Properties for Sale in Puerto Vallarta

Filed under: Selling — Site-Booster @ 12:00 am

Puerto Vallarta real estate is once again hitting the right spots. Properties are for sale throughout the town of PV. There are condos and villas near the beach, near golf courses and even in secluded places for every kind of visitor to PV. You can get condo for sale in Puerto Vallarta in just the area that you want.

Properties for sale are offered by two methods: the first one is through the realty agents and the other is through the original owner of the property. There are pros and cons for both the methods.

Property For Sale Through Realty Agents:

Once you land in the heavenly abode of PV, it is entirely the responsibility of the real estate agents to get you a house for sale in Puerto Vallarta. They may take the trouble of receiving you at the airport and escorting you to the grand township of PV. You don’t have to worry about not finding your way around when you land.

The agents will take you around the town and introduce you to all the places which you may find useful. You will get a chance to select your house after taking a tour of all the available properties. And if you have already purchased the property on the Internet, the agents will hand you over the keys and ensure that you have everything you need.

Since you are new in PV, you will not have an idea about how to manage your household after purchasing a condo for sale in Puerto Vallarta. A maid is the first person you will need to help you in the house. The real estate agents will provide you with a hardworking and trustworthy maid to do your work.

And if you need a plumber or an electrician, you just have to contact your agent and the job will be done. When you pack up your bags and leave PV after a delightful vacation, you can hand over the keys of your condo to your agent who will take care of it in your absence. Renting it out through the agent is also a good idea.

Property For Sale Through Owners

If price plays a big role while purchasing house for sale in Puerto Vallarta, you should try to buy them directly from the owner of the house. The true owners of the property offer a better price, because it does not have the added cost of employing a realty agent. If you plan to settle down in PV, especially in your retired life, then a property owner can give you the best deal. Once you settle down in your house, then you can slowly get to know the town and learn about where you can get all the facilities. Besides, the locals are a helpful lot. They can help in getting over any problem.

The owner of the property will furnish all details before you buy the condo for sale in Puerto Vallarta. You can go through the deed and transfer it in your name in consultation with a legal practitioner. There will be fewer papers to sign and the legal paraphernalia will be less. You can be assured of a good deal which will be completely aboveboard. You will also have the privilege of furnishing your home according to your taste. Adding features will depend on your budget and wish.

Therefore, whether properties are offered through real estate agents or through the owners, you can buy either depending on your requirements. Certain advantages given by the agents make it ideal for visitors from different countries to buy condo for sale in Puerto Vallarta. But whatever maybe your decision, make the best of the opportunity to spend quality time in PV.

Neptune Realtors offers extraordinary Condo for Sale in Puerto Vallarta. Also you can choose to invest in a House for Sale in Puerto Vallarta. Check out for more at: http://www.neptunemx.com.

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Did You Know You Can Get A Rent To Own Home with, No Credit or Bad Credit & No Down Payment?

Filed under: Buying — homesforrent2 @ 12:00 am

You want your own home but you’ve been told that you can’t because you have bad credit. What you need to know is… Your credit does not determine whether or not you will get a home. It does however determine how long you’ll need live in a rent to own home before you can take over ownership.

So the first step whether you want to or not… Get your free online credit report w/scores.

Your credit may be horrible, but that’s ok! In this article you soon see that there are easy but proven ways to overcome a bad credit score and still show owners that:

* YOU are the best candidate for a home;
* YOU are the one they should pick for the Rent-to-Own home; And
* YOU are the one that has the greatest desire and motivation to become a home-owner.

Once you have updated your credit report, you are almost ready to start speaking with home-owners and scheduling showings. But, before you begin seeing homes, you need to be ready to ACT on them as soon as you find the perfect one or whenever you see something you like! Remember, there are a lot more people who want rent-to-own than there are houses, and if you aren’t prepared you will lose the home quickly.

The credit report tells the seller what your current credit situation is. Maybe it’s bad, but then how do you overcome that to let them know that you are dedicated and motivated to becoming a home owner?

You do it by having a free official rent-to-own pre-approval certificate and a free application ready before you go to the showing! By having both the application and the certificate they will allow you to aggressively “sell yourself” without saying a word, and it also let’s owner’s see that you are serious and prepared.

And that’s how a good free rent to own home program will assist you. They should have some very experienced staff to walk you through and great free online systems designed to do give you every opportunity to be successful. The application process may be simple or involved but definitely free. The more involved the screening process the more it allows them to ensure that they are only working with people who are committed to the getting a home and improving their financial futures as well.

Here’s what rent to own sellers (such as myself who has my own portfolio of rent to own homes) will typically evaluate potential tenant-buyers on:

1. Your ability to afford the property. Typically homes will initially be available for market rental prices and will usually reduce to 1/2 that amount when you become the 100% owner!

2. Your ability to take care of the property. As much as Rent-to-Own helps you prepare financially, it also helps you get prepared for the other responsibilities and freedoms that come with home ownership!

3. Your need for the property!

If, after looking at your information, the landlord decides they are comfortable with those three categories, they will usually have a great deal of flexibility with your credit.

A good rent to own program will be a big to help you here, because they should have their own homes to offer to you as well as the ability to connect you to other motivated rent to own landlords nation-wide. This helps ensure your success in becoming a homeowner, whether you have previous issues such as late payments, collections and even bankruptcies.

Don’t let anyone else tell you that you can’t have your own home because your credit is bad.

Find a great free rent to own homes program, follow the steps above and watch your dreams and your families dreams of homeownership come true.

Jim Good began his quest to be successful in real estate in 1988, when he purchased his first investment property. With over 21 years of experience in personal investing & helping others purchase properties, he has completed $10’s of millions in transactions.

To get more secretive insight, priceless tips & useful resources he gives freely, to help you & your family realize your dream of home ownership… reach him @ www.GoodTenant.com

The Wrong Vacation Rental Can Ruin Your Holidays

Filed under: Real Estate — julianlenox @ 12:00 am

For most people, vacations are the best part of life. They are the one time when you can get to relax and forget about the world. However, all that can be easily ruined if you go for the wrong vacation rentals, which may include illegal, disappointing, or non existent rentals.

Many people have complained about illegal vacation rentals in Hawaii. You can recognize these illegal rentals just by seeing their price: They are unbelievably cheap. Of course, if you go for an illegal rental you will not be able to claim a refund if the rental is not what they have promised.

You are practically entitled to nothing if you choose to go for illegal rentals. If someone breaks into the house and steals your stuff, you will not be able to claim for that either. Illegal rentals may seem like a bargain, but in the end, they cost you a lot more that legal vacation rentals.

In addition, when searching for a vacation rental you could be victim of a scam. Some real state companies make you sign a contract, which you should read carefully. If the contract does not count with a clause, the company can rent you a house that looks nothing like its description, and you will not be able to do anything about it.

A lot of people who were scam victims tell us stories about how they paid thousands of dollars for a beautiful oceanfront vacation rental, and ended up with a filthy house right next to a construction site. Most rental companies do not offer a refund, so be sure to read the fine print before signing the dotted line.

Some other tourists complained of finding roaches on the vacation rental house they chose. Many vacation rentals are also scams to get you to assist to a time share presentation, and to try to get you to buy one of their properties. Of course, if you don’t, things can get really nasty.

Whenever you go for a vacation rental overseas, you have to be extra careful. Location is everything, and since you are going to a country you do not know, you should do some research. Many people end up at places that overview slams.

Some experts believe that a great way of avoiding disappointment when it comes to vacation rentals is staying away from rental companies whose websites are poorly developed. Also, if you are required too much information upfront, that could be a sign that you are in for a scam.

Do not sign your contract on a hurry; take the time to read it carefully. Try to find online reviews on the house rental you have chosen, and also be suspicious if the company does not want to disclose important information on the rental until you have paid. Keep your eyes open to avoid a scam.

A manager at Advertizia, Julian J. Lenox appraises websites for Real Estate Top 100, a complete Real Estate websites views stockpile. Additional resources at Best Vacation Rentals.

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January 30, 2010

Important Things to Consider When Shopping Danvile Homes For Sale

Filed under: Real Estate — jhohman @ 12:00 am

If you are interested in a quaint area to move to, I recommend you check out Danville, CA. You will find that Danville CA homes for sale might be to your liking. Whether you are drawn to its top notch business district or superb public school system, you won’t be disappointed.

This fantastic city owns more untouched land than any other city in all of California. So as one can imagine there is plenty of natural beauty. Being only sixteen miles east of the city of Oakland, one can imagine that there is much to do here. This city is home to the California Symphony, Lesher Center for the arts, and the clay arts Guild. There are many other organizations which are dedicated to the arts as well.

Buyers looking at present should consider foreclosures as a possibility. Foreclosures are typically much lower in price than regular house sales and are often below market value by between 20 - 40 per cent. At the present time there are several foreclosure properties on sale around homes in Danville.

It is also a good idea to have your budget set before you start looking at Danville homes for sale. That way you will be ready to pounce when you find the right house.

There are many schools to choose from in the area as well. This can be useful and convenient to families with children or for people that are looking to attend a school nearby their house. However, it should be noted that there are more primary and high schools available in the area than other educational institutions in the area.

Consider doing more research on the area if you are interested in the homes in Danville. The internet can be a good way to find out what houses are open for rental or purchase. An internet search can be one of the first options to make use of when you are curious about houses for sale.

The best way to find out if Danville homes are a good choice for you is to visit the neighborhood. By doing this, you can see if it is a place you would be interested in living at. You can also see what houses are available and if their size will suit your needs. If you find something nice, you should consider talking with a realtor about what homes are available in the area.

Learn more about Danville homes for sale today. Whether you are buying or selling Danville homes, you will find a plethora of helpful resources.

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Homes In Walnut Creek Have Never Been More Affordable

Filed under: Real Estate — jhohman @ 12:00 am

If you are looking for a quaint area within the San Francisco Bay Area, then you should consider Walnut Creek homes for sale. There are great offers and bargains to be had in this area so take advantage of them while you can.

At the present time the real estate market is leaning to the advantage of those that are buying homes in Walnut Creek. The market is filled with both houses and apartments of many different styles and budgets. Regardless of what type of residence suits your needs, you will find a home to match at a great price.

Many of the residents in the area are families, in fact. Around fifty-three percent of the inhabitants are families, however only twenty one percent of that demographic are families with children. The rest of the demographic is held with forty six percent of the neighborhood being single individuals of various ages, making it a neighborhood that fits well for any age.

Get your budget clear before you start searching in earnest for your new house. By having some of the financing arrangements in place prior to looking you can save time when you find the right house and reduce the risk of losing it to another buyer.

As well as buying normally listed homes that are for sale or up for auction, you may also find that there are some foreclosure Walnut Creek homes for sale. The advantage to these types of sales is that you can often find them for less than their market value: sometimes up to 40 per cent less. To snap up one of these you generally have to be ready to buy fast.

Walnut Creek homes for sale are in the same boat as the rest of the US housing market. Prices have dropped, which makes it the ideal time to pick up a bargain. Median housing prices are roughly at the same level they were in 2004, which makes this a real buyer’s market.

If you are planning to purchase a home in Walnut Creek, then you should start looking now as prices are not going to stay so competitive forever. Currently it is a buyer’s market and there are many Walnut Creek homes for sales that fall into all different budget categories. So start making your lists and doing some research on what is available as soon as possible.

Learn more about Walnut Creek homes for sale today. Whether you are buying or selling homes in Walnut Creek, you will find a plethora of helpful resources, including detailed lists of homes for sale in Walnut Creek and the surrounding areas of the San Francisco Bay Area.

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January 29, 2010

What Do I Need to Know about Buying a Home for Sale by Owner

Filed under: Buying — lillykannon @ 12:00 am

If you are interested in owning a home that is sold by the owner, it will not be a good move to talk to the owner and negotiate without considering some important factors that will affect your decision. Although there are listed properties marketed by agents, there are also properties that are for sale by the owner. Since an agent is not needed in the process, you can cut on costs only if you follow some guidelines that you can use as a basis for your negotiation and for you to get the best deal.

There are around 20% of properties listed as for sale by owner and if you happen to be interested in a property that falls under this category, you should consider the following criteria.

1. Budget

You have to be sure about how much you can afford. You should not commit the mistake of overextending yourself just because you really like the property. In this period of technology, you can easily determine the amount that your income can accommodate with online mortgage calculator. You can use this as a basis and work within that budget.

2. Valuation Report

Determine the value of the property in comparison to the other properties in the neighborhood. Banks and agents call this as comparative market values or comparative market analysis. This compares the property with those within 1 to mile radius and those that have been sold recently. With this information, you will know the range of values of the property in the neighborhood and you can easily determine if the owner sets an unreasonable price for the property.

3. How long is the property offered in the market?

You have to know how recent is this property sold. If the property is offered for more than 90 days, this means that there is not much interest which can be a factor of the location, community or some other things. With a long period being in the market, you can easily get a discount or lower deals that may have a high chance of being considered.

4. Need for a real estate attorney

You will need the advice of an expert in the area. It will be good to have the guidance of a lawyer from the offering stage up to the closing level. There may be some local ordinances that can affect the pricing or some other circumstances and laws that need to be considered before the purchase. Only a real estate attorney can help you with this and it will be worth doing especially that you are not knowledgeable about the many transaction details of buying a house.

When you already have the above information and the help of a real estate attorney, you are sure to be guided in making that major and important decision of buying your next or first home. You have to be sure in your steps. You have to make sure that you are making the right decision before jumping into signing the check for a home for sale by owner type of property.

Need to buy or sell a home in the Bothell, WA area? Check out Bothell Homes.

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