Articles by John Harris on ArticleSnatch.com

How To Know When To Refinance

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Refinancing can be a great money saving tool for homeowners, or it can be the wrong thing at the wrong time. Last year, according the Mortgage Bankers Association, Americans refinanced to the tune of $1.17 trillion dollars. The rising cost of fixed rate mortgages drove that to a mere $938 million this year. That's still a huge number of people who choose to refinance their homes or commercial mortgages. Here are some guidelines to help you decide if this is the right time for you to refinance. What to Know Before You Refinance You need to be able to answer some basic questions about your home or real estate investment before you can make a wise decision about the best time to refinance. For instance, what is your current interest rate? Is it fixed or variable? Is your home's value increasing? Can you afford the closing costs associated with refinancing? What are your plans for your home or real estate? This background knowledge will help in several ways. If you plan to move within the next three years, or if the difference in interest rates in less that 1.5%, then refinancing might not pay off right now. **End Summary** Topics: Escondido Realtors]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Harris is a researcher and writer on applicable real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more information please visit San Diego Realtors

Buying A Home With Confidence

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Home ownership is touted as the greatest investment, and one of the biggest responsibilities, of a lifetime. So it's no surprise that the buying a home can seem overwhelming and confusing, especially for first time homebuyers. As you wade through the real estate lingo and legal paperwork, just keep a few key points in mind. By knowing what to focus on, you'll have more control over the entire process of buying a home. Financial Concerns When Buying a Home The loan amount you qualify for, and what you can really afford, may be two different things. Take the time to figure out what you can comfortably afford to payout monthly. Make sure you include lawn maintenance, household repairs, tools, and association fees in that number. You will be much better off getting less of a house, and still being able to maintain it, than buying a brand new home and letting it go to pot because you weren't aware of the true expenses of home ownership. The next step is to clean up your credit and get pre-approved, so that when you do find your dreamhouse you can move ahead. **End Summary** Topics: Escondido Realtors]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Harris is a researcher and writer on applicable real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more information please visit Escondido Realtors

Maintaining Your Home

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Whether you have recently purchased your new home, or have been there for years, that real estate investment is probably your most important asset. Protecting and maintaining your home serves a number or purposes. Maintaining your home will save you money, allow your house to sell more quickly and at a higher price, and contribute to the overall comfort, health and safety of your family. Some of the most expensive and damaging home repairs can be averted with routine maintenance. Water Damage to Real Estate Water damage causes thousands of dollars a year to real estate owners. While you can't prevent a major flood, most of the causes of real estate water damage can be prevented. When thinking about maintaining your home, take a close look at pipes, appliances, and potential leakages. In colder areas of the country pipes have a tendency to freeze and often burst. Insulating and running them regularly can save carpets, furniture, and wood fixtures. Moisture from leaks is a cause of warped wood and mildewed walls. Maintaining your home should involve managing the moisture with a humidifier or other regulating device. **End Summary** Topics: Encinitas Realtors]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Harris is a researcher and writer on applicable real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more information please visit Encinitas Realtors

Real Estate Mortgage Basics

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

First time homeowners are often shell shocked as they confront terms like PMI and piggyback loans in their quest for home ownership. That's why having a good understanding of the mortgage industry is a good place to start. Interest rates and first time buyer programs may seem like industry jargon right now, but they will dramatically affect your bank statement and life style after you make your first real estate transaction. Credit Matters You probably know that your credit score is going to affect the amount of money you pay for your home, but do you really understand why? Mortgage lenders look at your credit score to tell them how good the odds are that you will be able to follow through on your commitment to pay them back. Things like the amount of money you own, how prompt you are in making payments, and how often you play the balance transfer game (from a high interest credit card to a lower one) help them determine your credit score, and hence, your risk factor. That credit score will impact the down payment you are required to shell out for your new home. **End Summary** Topics: Carlsbad Realtors]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Harris is a researcher and writer on applicable real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more information please visit Carlsbad Realtors

Real Estate Mortgage Terms

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Whether your are obtaining a mortgage for your first home, or your tenth in a series of real estate investments, the type of mortgage you choose will have a lasting impact. The consistency of your payments, the amount of interest you pay, and the amount of money you put down will all affect your decision. Here's a quick glossary of the terms you need to know. Fixed vs. Variable Mortgage Loans The standard 30 year fixed real estate mortgage isn't so standard anymore. It's still extremely popular because you can lock in a one-time interest rate that will stay consistent over the life of your mortgage. But this doesn't work for everyone, which is why the other real estate mortgage options have evolved. The variable mortgage, also called an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), or floating mortgage, is often attractive because the payments and interest rates can be significantly lower. The problem is that the interest rate will fluctuate along with the prime lending rate. This means your mortgage payment could increase at any time. This is a good option only if you know you can handle the jump in payment without consequence. **End Summary** Topics: Del Mar Realtors]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Harris is a researcher and writer on applicable real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more information please visit Del Mar Realtors

A Little Beforehand Preparation Makes For A Better Homes For Sale Selling Experience

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0400

With the current housing market, homes have gotten harder to sell. As a seller of a homes for sale, you will need to do more preparation for the sale before you list to ensure your home stands out amongst the competition. Sellers of homes for sale must adjust their expectations. No longer does a home sell within a month of listing it on the market. Prices have dropped drastically, since the housing bubble has deflated, making it even more important than ever to present your homes for sale to its best advantage. Professional Staging. Consider having your homes for sale professionally staged. I watched a show a few months ago, where a professional decorator not only restaged the interior of the home but also the second floor deck. Where the deck was once an uninviting, Spartan area with a couple of folding chairs, it became a warm, cozy and inviting retreat. It had wooden benches with soft cushions lining the deck rails, a copper fire pit (kept lit during showings for ambience), wooden end tables, large floor plants in every corner, plants hanging from the new lattice deck overhang. **End Summary** Topics: San Diego Realtor]]> San Diego Homes for Sale]]> San Diego Real Estate]]> San Diego Homes]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Harris is an expert researcher and writer on real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more information please visit San Diego Homes for Sale

For A Better Homes For Sale Buying Experience, Prepare Before You Look

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0400

The current housing market is definitely a buyer's market, but that does not ensure that you will get the home you want ” or any home, for that matter. To ensure that your homes for sale deal does not fall through at the last moment, do a little beforehand preparation. Check Your Credit Rating. The very first thing you should do is to check your credit score. During the housing bubble, mortgage lenders had loosened the financing strings a bit for buyers, meaning that a couple years ago you could have found some type of financing with a not-to-stellar credit rating. Today, lenders have tightened the belts for buyers of homes for sale. There have been so many foreclosures on homes purchased during the bubble that mortgage lenders must ensure they do not add more to the steadily growing list. Order free copies of your credit reports from the top three reporting agencies at: http://www.annualcreditreport.com. Also, get your credit score (you will probably have to pay a nominal fee). If you are not sure on your standing for buying a homes for sale, ask your realtor for advice. **End Summary** Topics: San Diego Homes for Sale]]> San Diego Real Estate]]> San Diego Realtor]]> San Diego Homes]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Harris is an expert researcher and writer on real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more information please visit San Diego Homes for Sale

Warning To Homebuyers Ã¢â¬â Some Realtors Are Relisting Homes To Make Them Appear As A New Listin

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0400

With the current housing market making it much more difficult for owners to sell their property, some realtors have been creatively resetting the days on market meter for their clients on their local multiple listing service (MLS). Though many have done so out of good intentions, perhaps not realizing that this is a violation of many multiple listing services, buyers should beware and ask their realtor to take steps to ensure the home they are interested in is not a relisted property. The targeted homes usually have sat on the market for several months, no longer attracting potential buyers. There are many reasons a home may sit on the market too long. Generally, the reason has nothing to do with the value of the home to a potential buyer. Here are just a few reasons: ¢ There are currently so many homes on the market across the nation. The competition and falling home prices are making it difficult to sell homes, regardless of price and value offered; ¢ Most realtors show clients the new listings first. **End Summary** Topics: San Diego Realtor]]> San Diego Homes for Sale]]> San Diego Homes]]> San diego Real Estate]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Harris is an expert researcher and writer on real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more information please visit San Diego Realtor

Articles by John Harris on ArticleSnatch.com

How To Know When To Refinance

Buying A Home With Confidence

Maintaining Your Home

Real Estate Mortgage Basics

Real Estate Mortgage Terms

A Little Beforehand Preparation Makes For A Better Homes For Sale Selling Experience

For A Better Homes For Sale Buying Experience, Prepare Before You Look

Warning To Homebuyers Ã¢â¬â Some Realtors Are Relisting Homes To Make Them Appear As A New Listin

Warning To Homebuyers Ã¢â¬â Some Realtors Are Relisting Homes To Make Them Appear As A New Listin