Articles by Karen B on ArticleSnatch.com

Home Staging Is Now Crucial to Selling Your Home

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Ask a home staging expert where they spend most of their time and you'll quickly learn there are a few important areas. Before selling your home, tackle these projects and you are far more likely to get top dollar for your home. Get Rid of Clutter - Less is Better If you have too much décor, belongings and furniture in your house, it will make each room look smaller than it actually is. For example, simply removing one piece of furniture, like a bookcase in the living room, will make the room appear less cluttered and larger. It's important to remember that "less is better." Home buyers are looking for ever larger homes. Making your home appear bigger will increase the overall appeal of your home. In the kitchen, clear off all the countertops -- at the most, you might only leave the coffeemaker sitting out. This way you show that there are plenty of cupboards for everything and that there is sufficient counter space. Cleaning is Important Consider walking into a home where you are assailed by the smell of a dirty cat box upon entry. **End Summary** Topics: home staging]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Explore Euless Homes for Sale in Dallas, Texas

Learn about Closing Fees

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

First-time home buyers are sometimes surprised by the many fees at closing. A good realtor will inform their client that they will pay about 2.5 percent of the price of the home for closing costs. This amount may be as high as 3 percent or more in some situations. One thing that you can do to be prepared for closing is ask for a good faith estimate (GFE) once your application is in. By law, lenders have to tell you what they estimate closing costs will be, as well as your annual percentage rate (APR) within three days of your applications submission. Subsequent negotiations and adjustments will probably change the cost somewhat after the first application, but you still have a right to know how much it will cost. First Time Home Buyers May Have Fewer Options Most lenders have at least a couple of different options for fee payment. Some institutions offer a "no cost" loan that allows you to purchase a home with little or no out-of-pocket cost, which is attractive to first-time buyers. Be warned that you will have a higher interest rate than the average mortgage borrower. **End Summary** Topics: closing fees]]> closing costs]]> escrow]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Look at our Affordable Peoria Houses for Sale in Phoenix, AZ.

Rental Property is a Great Investment

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

With interest rates so low, investors are looking for new places to place their money. Housing prices at an all time low, consider investing in rental property. Let the low interest rates work to your advantage as you purchase homes to rent with only 20% down. Here are Some Things to Keep in Mind Location is important. If you are not familiar with the neighborhood, you need to learn about it. Is the area convenient for shopping and schools as well as the highways so people can get to work? If you buy in bedroom communities, the houses are cheaper but less attractive to c, with gas prices so high. Relying on a good realtor who is experienced in investment properties is a good idea. Be sure to get recommendations. With foreclosures at an all time high, you can find many good deals. The best ones get snapped up right away. Be cautious about homes that have been on the market too long, it is either overpriced or something else could be wrong with it. The downside of all the foreclosures is that banks are more cautious about giving out loans with no money down. **End Summary** Topics: rental property]]> investment property]]> tax deductions]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Check out our Otay Ranch Affordable Homes for Sale in Chula Vista, CA.

FSBO May Take an Extended Time

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

FSBO may look like an easy way to keep more money in your pocket when you put your house up for sale, but there's a lot work involved. You will need to promote your house, plan and prepare open houses so prospective buyers can view the property. You must be willing to receive calls day and night in order to acquire a buyer for your home. Real Estate Agents Attract More Buyers When selling your house yourself, you are entirely responsible for everything, cleaning, marketing, showing and negotiating. With FSBO It may be difficult for potential buyers to find your property as most use MLS to find listings. MLS is the service used by realtors so that all agents can see all properties. There are many websites that show MLS homes for sale and many buyers look first there. When they see something they like, they contact the website's agent. Realtors go through specialized training and are experts in presenting home in a way that's appealing and specific to each buyer that comes through the door of your house. **End Summary** Topics: for sale by owner]]> FSBO]]> realtor]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Look at our La Jolla CA BirdRock Condos for Sale .

Many Veterans Qualify for VA Loans

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Guaranteed by the Veterans Administration (VA) to veterans of the US Armed Services these mortgages are obtained through banks and other private mortgage companies. This guarantee preserves the lender's assets should the borrower default thereby provides stimulus for lenders to qualify veterans. Contact the VA to Weigh Your Eligibility for a Loan There are various qualifications to be deemed eligible for this benefit by the VA. Wartime veterans who served at least 90 days and were not dishonorably discharged qualify. Peacetime service veterans need to have served at least 181 days if they served prior to Sept 7, 1980 or at least two years after that date and were honorably discharged. Those serving in the Reserves and National Guard for at least six years and are still serving or have been honorably discharged may also be eligible. Surviving spouses of eligible persons who died as the result of service or service-related injuries who have not remarried may also be eligible. (Contact your local VA office for other questions regarding eligibility. **End Summary** Topics: va loan]]> mortgage]]> eligibility]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Have a look at Rancho Penasquitos Real Estate in San Diego CA

Credit Problems? Try Rent-to-Own

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

A rising trend in the current real estate market is lease purchase home contracts. Is this a smart choice for prospective home buyers? There are several causes behind this trend, especially in today's real estate market. To some buyers, renting your home before buying it may seem ill-advised. However, there are many compelling reasons why lease purchase homes may turn out to be a good option. To determine if a lease purchase arrangement may be in your best interests, you must first understand what it means to enter into such an agreement. Here is a brief overview of why you might consider lease purchase home buying. Rent-to-Own Increases Your Credit Rating One of the reasons why you may choose a rent-to-own home is to build up credit scores before attempting to apply for a home loan. You should always improve your credit rating before applying for a home mortgage loan. Lenders look closely at credit ratings when qualifying people for loans. Your rent payment is actually building up your credit score. At the same time, you can reduce your other debts, such as credit card debt, car loans and student loans. What is Involved in Lease Purchase Agreements? **End Summary** Topics: rent-to-own]]> credit rating]]> lease purchase]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Consider East County Real Estate San Diego CA