Articles by J Harris on ArticleSnatch.com

Real Estate Mortgage Options

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

As Congress and professional real estate organizations debate the best ways to keep homeownership available to most Americans, many first-time homebuyers find themselves confused by their mortgage loan options. The government's attempt to protect borrowers from unscrupulous lenders also hinders the ease of first-time real estate buyers in obtaining these loans. One of the best ways to find a loan that will work is to know the options that exist, the benefits, and the risks. Conventional Real Estate Mortgage Loans Traditional 30-year and 15-year fixed loans are widely available, and the most popular options. But adjustable rate loans, where the interest rate fluctuates with prime lending rates, are also very popular. In fact, interest rates on 5/1 ARMs dropped at the end of June to an average 6.04%. In a 5/1 ARM the rate of interest on your real estate mortgage is set for the first five years, then fluctuates yearly after that. Low/No Down Payment Real Estate Mortgage Loans In 2006 USA today reported that 43% of real estate mortgage borrowers didn't put any money down on their home loans. **End Summary** Topics: Scripps Ranch Homes for Sale]]> J Harris]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Harris is a 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 Scripps Ranch Homes for Sale

Realtors' Testimony May Effect Real Estate Market

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Pat Combs, President of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), testified before the Senate Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. The purpose of her testimony was to address irresponsible and abusive lending practices in the real estate industry. Foreclosed homes and the greater difficulty in obtaining subprime loans are concerns of both the nation and the real estate industry during the current market slump. The impact of the real estate market on the national economy is huge. Real estate transactions accounted for $20.7 trillion and 16% of the nation's economic activity in 2005. Currently 2007 continues to see slower home sales. Real estate analysts report that median home prices from May of 2006 to May of 2007 dropped from $228,500 to $223,700. The combination of predatory lenders offering loans to people who end up in foreclosure, combined with the need to keep loans for lower income families and people with marred credit available is what prompted the NAR's testimony. The NAR and Congress are currently working to create real estate standards and responsible lending practices. **End Summary** Topics: San Diego Homes for Sale]]> J Harris]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Harris is a 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

Renting To Buying: How First-time Homeowners Can Maintain A Real Estate Investment

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Taking the leap from renting real estate to buying a home is a lot like making the move from dating to getting married. The time, quality, and financial commitment increase ten-fold. First-time homebuyers are often shocked at the amount of time, energy, and money that goes into maintaining their first real estate investment. So if you are making your first real estate purchase, you need to know this; buying and renting real estate are completely different experiences. You need to know what sort of routine home maintenance you will need to do, and how it will affect the value and condition of your home. Renting is a little like living at home with your parents. Tasks are taken care of for you. You might not even know that they exist. But a real estate home investment demands your attention. Or you will end up spending a lot of time and money on damage and repairs. Structural Integrity of Your Real Estate Home Investment Some basic maintenance tasks you will inherit as a homeowner include; cleaning out gutters, keeping the roof in good shape, yard care, and preventing mildew, mold, and rot. **End Summary** Topics: Poway Realtors]]> Poway Homes for Sale]]> John Harris]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Harris is a 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 Poway Homes for Sale

Flood Insurance For Your Home Or Real Estate Investment

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Given the recent hurricane and flooding disasters in the country, homeowners, real estate lenders, and insurers are giving flood insurance a lot of attention. There are some basic questions you should ask, and facts you should know about flood insurance, before making any real estate purchase. A great resource for any related questions is the government sponsored flood insurance website at http://www.floodsmart.gov . First off- if you have a federally backed mortgage, you are required to have flood insurance in high-risk areas. Also, lenders may require flood insurance on real estate properties in high-risk areas. If it's not required, but the responsible thing to do in your area, here are the basics. What Do You Get From Real Estate Flood Insurance? Basic homeowner's insurance won't cover flood damage for real estate structural loss, furnaces, water heaters, air conditioning units, carpeting and flooring. Flood insurance does that. You can purchase additional flood insurance for furniture and personal items. The coverage is fairly inexpensive- visit the government website for an estimate based on your real estate holdings. Don't think you're at risk? **End Summary** Topics: Oceanside Realtors]]> Oceanside Homes for Sale]]> J Harris]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Harris is a 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 Oceanside Homes for Sale

What First-Time Real Estate Buyers Should Know To Avoid Foreclosure

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

The last thing a new homeowner thinks about when making that first real estate transaction is foreclosure. Typically, they focus on those facts that everybody knows: real estate is a great investment, it makes more sense to own than rent, and the mortgage company approved the loan so it must be OK. While the first two statements are true in many circumstances; real estate can be a great investment and it often makes more sense to own than rent- the last one about mortgage approval is a myth. In fact, the assumption that being approved for a mortgage loan means you can afford a home has landed so many homeowners in foreclosure, that the real estate industry and the United States Senate are tackling the subject. US Senate Tackles Real Estate Lending At the end of June, the president of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), Pat Combs, testified before the United States Senate on the subject of imposing more reasonable lending guidelines for both the real estate lenders and the borrowers. Here's the tricky part. Countrywide Financial reported in April that foreclosures were double from last year. That rate of foreclosure increased from .44 to .83 percent. **End Summary** Topics: Carlsbad Realtors]]> Carlsbad Homes for Sale]]> John Harris]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Harris is a 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 Carlsbad Homes for Sale .

How To Locate And Assess Homes For Sale

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

When you're looking for a new home, it's almost like you've picked up a second job. And that's the way it should be. The time it takes to really evaluate the homes for sale in your desired area is a good precursor for the financial investment you are about to make. There are two main steps in your process of finding appropriate homes for sale. The obvious first one is to locate them- not as simple as it sounds. The second step is to evaluate those homes for sale with a good set of criteria. Locating Ideal Homes for Sale The biggest problem isn't locating homes for sale, it's locating the right homes for sale. You know the methods- drive through neighborhoods, online MLS listings, work with a realtor, scan the classifieds, and stock up on real estate homes for sale magazines. The issue can be one of there being too many homes for sale to even know where to start. Hiring a realtor can give you another set of legs to eliminate stale and out of date listings and other inappropriate properties. But don't think that hiring a realtor lets you off the hook completely. **End Summary** Topics: Carmel Valley Homes]]> Carmel Valley Realtors]]> J Harris]]>]]> 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 Carmel Valley Realtors

Knowing Which Homes For Sale You Can Afford

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Driving by homes for sale in your area, or leafing through those glossy magazines, can be really exciting. Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make, and usually marks a major life transition as well. That's the problem. Too many first time homebuyers are so swayed by the excitement and opportunity that homes for sale represent, that they forget to look at the most basic factor: what can I afford? Finding Homes for Sale in Your Price Range It sounds simple. Take what you're paying in rent and apply it to a mortgage calculator to determine which homes for sale are in your price range. Please- wait. This is a rookie mistake that accounts for a huge number of homes for sale on the market each year. Because the buyers didn't understand the true costs of home ownership the home went into foreclosure or they sold it and moved into a cheaper one. Owning is not renting. It's that simple. The most basic rule of thumb is that you should add 40-45% to the base prices of the homes for sale you look at when calculating true monthly cost. Why? **End Summary** Topics: Rancho Bernardo Realtors]]> Rancho Bernardo Homes for Sale]]> J Harris]]>]]> 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 Rancho Bernardo Realtors

Refinancing Your Homes Mortgage

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Refinancing your homes mortgage can be a smart tool for making the most of your money. However, that doesn't means that refinancing is always a good idea. Depending on your homes current and past value, your personal goals and situation, and the specifics of your current loan, refinancing may or may not make sense. Know Your Homes Value In addition to knowing your homes assessed value, you need to know whether it is currently increasing or decreasing. While almost all real estate investments increase with time, there are specific situations when a homes value actually decreases. This can make refinancing a bad choice. Simply by calling a local realtor or mortgage lender you will be able to get an idea on the value of homes in your area. Your Homes Place in Your Future How long do you intend to stay in your home? In order for a refinancing of your homes mortgage to make sense, you need to stay in it long enough to pay off the points and closing costs associated with the refinancing. If you know you will be looking at other homes next year, this may not be the ideal time to refinance. **End Summary** Topics: San Marcos Realtors]]> San Marcos Homes for Sale]]> J Harris]]>]]> 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 Marcos Homes for Sale

Loan Programs Put First Time Buyers Into Homes

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

As homes across the nation fight for attention in a buyer's market, first time buyers try to figure out the best ways to access funds. The variety of mortgage options has grown so much in the past decade that the 30-year conventional loan isn't the standard it once was. While the market cooled with a decrease of sales in the first half of 2007, analysts predict a gradual increase, as the need for homes never disappears. The biggest challenge for anyone looking at homes on the market for the first time may be coming up with a big enough down payment, or obtaining a good interest rate. Fortunately, both federal and state governments offer programs designed to make homes more accessible to these first time buyers. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers numerous programs to make homes in revitalization and low-income areas more attractive and accessible. There are programs for hurricane evacuees, public housing residents and Native American Indians. One of the most popular programs at both a state and national level is what HUD calls the Good Neighbor Next Door Program. **End Summary** Topics: Rancho Penasquitos Realtors]]> Rancho Penasquitos Homes for Sale]]> J Harris]]>]]> 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 Rancho Penasquitos Homes for Sale

Improve Your Credit Score And Consider More Homes

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Want to make more homes available in your price range? Then increase your price range. First time homebuyers are often thrown into a state of fear when they encounter terms like FICO score, credit history and PMI for the first time. For many, obtaining loans for homes is the first time they have needed to pay attention to their credit score, and it may be the wake up call that introduces them to the impact that credit history can have on monthly expenses. The truth is that more attractive homes will be in your price range if you have a higher credit score. If you find your self on the path to home ownership for the first time, here are the terms you need to know, and the actions you can take, to put yourself in a good position for looking at the homes you really want. Know Your FICO Score Knowledge is power right? Well, the first thing to know is that a FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation) score is a report card of your credit history. **End Summary** Topics: Rancho Bernardo Realtors]]> Rancho Bernardo Homes for Sale]]> J Harris]]>]]> 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 Rancho Bernardo Homes for Sale

How Are Interest Rates On Loans For Homes Calculated?

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

One of the most pressing concerns for first time buyers of homes is understanding how interest rates are determined. While most new buyers of homes understand that the mortgage interest rate will directly affect their monthly payments, there's still a lot of confusion about how the rate is determined to begin with. Here are the basics, and how to can use this information when looking at homes to buy. How Does the Federal Reserve Impact Mortgages on Homes? Basically, the Federal Reserve is the entity that determines the interest rates that banks charge each other when they borrow and loan money. How does this affect the amount of interest your mortgage lender charges you? Well, it's the basis for the prime lending rate, or the interest that banks charge their most reliable customers. Prime is usually about 3% above the bank rate. The interest rates mortgage lenders then pass onto you, and their other customers, will be higher to help cover their lending risk and offset those loans for homes that end up defaulted. Loans for Homes What this means for buyers of homes is that your individual rate is determined by the spread of rates in your area. **End Summary** Topics: Oceanside Realtors]]> Oceanside Homes for Sale]]> J Harris]]>]]> 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 Oceanside Homes for Sale

A Buyers Guide To Evaluating Homes On The Market

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

While the National Association of Realtors expects new home sales to start a gradual climb in the second half of 2007, it's still a buyers market. And for those of you wading through the MLS lists of new homes in your desired area that can be a daunting task. Of course, you have the excitement of finding that perfect abode, and the belief that this one will solve all your: storage problems, counter space issues, or yard work complaints. Whatever your goal, you need a system to keep track of your options, and to balance the pros and cons. Otherwise, all the homes you visit will start to merge into one big foggy picture in your mind. Know What You Want Seasoned realtors will tell you that many people shopping for homes don't really know what their biggest priorities are. If you're moving because of a relocation, that's your incentive, but what do you really want to get out of the homes you're viewing? For some buyers, the answer is obvious: more room for a growing family, a great investment property, or less yard to mow. **End Summary** Topics: La Jolla Realtors]]> La Jolla Homes for Sale]]> J Harris]]>]]> 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 La Jolla Homes for Sale

Finding The Best Realtors

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Real estate transactions are usually emotional. People are buying or selling homes, making investments for the future, or looking for a quick turn-around on their money. Whatever your situation, one key to your success is to keep your emotions in check, and make decisions from knowledge rather than excitement, fear, or want. Good realtors can make any of these processes smoother and more pleasant. The key question is how do you find the best realtors? People decide to work realtors for several reasons: to tap into the experience of a professional, to save time, leg work, or money, or simply to have help getting through the multiple processes involved in real estate transactions. Choosing the appropriate realtor can really make or break your experience. Realtors Who Meet Your Needs Hiring only licensed realtors is the most basic safeguard. This ensures that the professional has taken courses and understands the workings of real estate transactions in that state and has passed some sort of test to receive this certification. There are also additional certifications realtors obtain that indicate experience and knowledge pertaining to specific buyers, sellers, and investors, such as seniors or first time homebuyers. **End Summary** Topics: Encinitas homes for Sale]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Harris is a 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 Encinitas Homes for Sale

The Right Time For Buying A Home

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

The American dream of buying a home is a multi-step process. But the first, and most pivotal decision involved, is when to buy your first home. For first time buyers hearing about the ups and downs of the housing market can put them into a state of fear and inaction. The often ask- is this a bad time to buy? Can I qualify? Will my interest rates soar? But realtors and mortgage brokers will all tell you that the right time to buy is contingent on more factors than the national, or even local housing economy. A Solid Investment One of the reasons that realtors tout home ownership as the investment of a lifetime is because your home will appreciate over the time you live there. While an investment property seeks a different type of return, the outcome is the same. Most people will eventually sell their home for far more than they paid for it. Keep in mind personal factors like the livelihood of future moves, income, and growing families. A good realtor will take all these factors into account when helping scope out your ideal home. **End Summary** Topics: San DIego Real Estate]]>]]> 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 Homes for Sale

Do First Time Home Buyers Need Realtors?

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

First time homebuyers are in the exciting position of both choosing a home and making one the biggest investments in life. But are realtors necessary? I hear this question a lot from first time homebuyers. They wonder why they can't just peruse open houses and visit new developments where realtors are just sitting there waiting. Well, that opens the first can of worms for first time homebuyers. Realtors usually work as either buyer's agents or seller's agents. That friendly realtor at the open house only represents the interests of her clients (the sellers.) That's why I tell any first time homebuyer to team up with a professional realtor who knows the things that you don't. Tap Into Their Knowledge Anybody can buy a house. But all the unknowns typically overwhelm a first time homebuyer. The great thing about working with a realtor is that you get an instant guru for all you questions from finding good schools, to how much less a seller might take, to what is PMI again? You will find that the mountains of paperwork go more smoothly if a realtor guides you through the purchase agreement. **End Summary** Topics: Escondido homes for Sale]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Harris is a 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 Escondido Homes for Sale

Budgeting To Buy Your First Home

Sun, 20 May 2007 00:00:00 -0400

When it comes to buying a home, many prospective first time buyers know what they want, but feel they can't afford it. Buying your first home takes some creative planning and a workable budget and tremendous discipline but with those in place, even the prospective first-time homebuyers on restrictive budgets can realize their dream of home ownership. First of all, a typical budget should include all monthly loan payments, all other monthly expenses like child care, expenses like utilities, food, car repairs for the past year, records of the taxes an estimate of what the new mortgage payments will be, any medical payments, and personal expenses like entertainment and travel. Make the budget flexible for events such as births, taxes, insurance, medical emergencies, tuition, among others. Free credit reports can be obtained at http://www.experian.com or http://www.TransUnion.com A little goes a long way. This saying is never truer than when it comes to a budget. When buying something, particularly if it is a big ticket item research the best buying alternatives. Look for good condition used items as an alternative to new. Another rule of thumb is to distinguish what is needed and what is wanted. **End Summary** Topics: Solana Beach Homes or Sale]]>]]> 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 Solana Homes for Sale

Finding The Right Mortgage

Sun, 20 May 2007 00:00:00 -0400

If a home buyer is looking for a home loan, otherwise known as a mortgage, there are a few things they should know. The rates differ depending on where they reside. The rates in San Diego may be different than the rate is Boston. A good way to find mortgage is to determine what type of loan is desired and let multiple lenders compete to give the lowest mortgage rate. It is always a good idea for the prospective buyer to estimate how much mortgage he or she can afford prior to going in. Be sure to shop for the best deals and check the interest rates and fees. Get lots of bids from banks and brokers before settling on one company. Prospective buyers should always have their credit histories checked and can do this for free at sites such as http://www.annualcreditreport.com, http://www.experian.com, or http://www.TransUnion.com Never spend too much money on a home. Figure out what expenses are and calculate a reasonable mortgage payment from there. Do not buy a home bigger than calculated budget. **End Summary** Topics: San Diego Homes for Sale]]> San Diego Real Estate]]> San Diego Realtors]]>]]> 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

Moving To A New Place

Fri, 18 May 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Moving can be scary, but it can also be an adventure. New people, new surroundings, new favorite haunts. A great way to get to know the new community is to get out in it. Go pick up the community newspaper. Almost every town or city has one. Rather than focusing on the city as a whole, it just focuses on what's going on in your area of town, such as events, restaurant openings, ads for shops and anything that might pertain to you. Research your new community online. There's always a wealth of information on anything you want to find on the internet. The Newspaper Association of America has a website on how to find local papers with a map and search engine that will find events and information going in the are that you reside in. Head to the library. They usually have community bulletin boards and all kinds of local information on how to get plugged into the new area. Get a library card so you can get all you need to be prepared in the new area. Be sure to get a map of the area's transportation system. **End Summary** Topics: Del Mar Homes for Sale]]> Del Mar Real Estate]]> Del Mar Realtors]]>]]> 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 Del Mar Homes for Sale

Choosing A Realtor Tips

Fri, 18 May 2007 00:00:00 -0400

For those looking for a good realtor in the San Diego area, they should know that it is a competitive market. www.Realtor.com is a website that offers information about homes, neighborhoods, an realtors in the area. They claim to give the best and most current directory of properties in the San Diego area. Some of the information that can be found on the website includes a wide listing of properties both nationwide and in the area. It comes with photos, descriptions, maps, and information about the community. There is also a link to the National Association of Realtors. They are the headquarters for the San Diego Association of Realtors and have a strict code of ethics. The site also gives information that one needs to find properties in the area from everything from real estate information to how to sell a home and finding a mortgage lender. There is a saying that 20 percent of the agents do 80 percent of the business and that is true. When looking for a realtor, it's important to find the one that's right for you. **End Summary** Topics: Escondido Homes for Sale]]> Escondido Real Estate]]> Escondido Realtors]]>]]> 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 Escondido Homes for Sale

Choosing A Mover Tips

Fri, 18 May 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Moving can be stressful with the packing, relocating, and adjusting to new surroundings. One thing that can make it easier is to find a good mover. Moving companies provide their services on a range of fees and it's always a good idea to compare several movers before settling on one. Talk to friends to find out which ones they have used. Check with the Better Business Bureau on the company's record. Another great idea is to find out if the company is a member of the AMSA Certified Mover Program. The members agree to abide by the terms of their agreements and participate in the program. They also have a code of conduct that requires compete disclosure of information to the customer that includes estimates of charges, timely service and responses to claims and complaints. In addition, they will arbitrate disputes up to $5,000 that come from loss or damage to one's belongings in the move. Once the list has been completed, the potential movers must be given their destinations and the time of the move. **End Summary** Topics: Oceanside Homes for Sale]]> Oceanside Real Estate]]> Oceanside Realtors]]>]]> 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 Oceanside Homes for Sale

Lease-Option Agreements Or Renting To Own In San Diego

Fri, 18 May 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Even though this arrangement is often tailored for a buyer-seller type, the lease with option to buy or renting to own all work about the same. How it works is the renter agrees to lease the home for a pre-determined time usually from one to three years. There may be an up-front consideration fee. The seller allows the buyer to lock in a monthly price for the property till it is paid off. The buyer needs to decide if they are going to say in the area since leasing does cost more than just renting. It's a good idea to know that this property is the one desired before entering the lease-option agreement. Buyers will need to pay an option fee which is the upfront consideration fee that makes the contract binding. Once they understand all they need to, they will need to pay it and sign the contract. At the end of the lease, buyers can choose to buy the property. This is called closing. Timing is everything when it comes to home financing. **End Summary** Topics: Poway Homes for Sale]]> Poway Real Estate]]> Poway Realtors]]>]]> 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 Poway Homes for Sale

Moving With Children

Fri, 18 May 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Those who are planning to move and have children have special concerns. They have to make sure the children are placed in a school that makes them feel safe and secure and makes the move seamless for them. There are some ways to find a great school in a new area for children. Research it on the internet and find out all information needed about it. Go visit it if necessary. Meet with the teachers and staff. Do they seem friendly or do they act uncaring? Check with others to see how the principal communicates with the families. Does he or she send home a weekly news bulletin or commicate via e-mail? Have any of the professors received classroom grants? Does the school work to get parents on a teacher-selection committee or parent council? In addition, how is academic system set up? Find out if the principals and professors will discuss the curriculum, if the teachers will use outside literature besides their lesson plans? Are the teachers computer literate and how is that integrated into the classwork? Have there been cutbacks in funding and if so, which ones? Also, how are children's progress measured? **End Summary** Topics: Carlsbad Homes for Sale]]> Carlsbad Real Estate]]> Carlsbad Realtors]]>]]> 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 Carlsbad Homes for Sale

Five Factors To Consider Before Investing In Residential Real Estate

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0400

During the past decade, many people have jumped into residential real estate investing. This was never so true as during the recent real estate boom. People read all the get rich quick schemes that litter the book shelves of libraries and book stores ” use other people's money, use no money of your own, and make millions! A lot of people did make great sums of money during the most recent boom; but now those, who did not get out before the market cooled, are seeing those investments in foreclosure due to their inability to make the mortgage payments. Just because the real estate market isn't over the top, as in the past few years, does not mean you no longer can make money in residential real estate. The difference between now (post-boom) and during the market boom is that the get rich quick schemes will not work. Do You Have What It Takes? Investing in real estate is not for the faint hearted, the non-risk takers. It is for investors who are in it for the long haul, who can easily sit on their investment (if need be) until the market shifts in their favor. **End Summary** Topics: real estate]]> san diego]]> 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 Real Estate

The Real Estate Market May Soon Take An Upturn With Homes For Sale Inventories Back To Normal Levels

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0400

According to the February 19, 2007, issue of BusinessWeek, the homes for sale market has not crashed and is forecasting normal inventory levels for homes for sale by midyear. We have gone through quite a lot of up and down forecasts over the past few years. For several years, forecasters were predicting the burst of the real estate market bubble, as it continued to grow by leaps and bounds. They said it would burst and insinuated that every real estate investor, as well as buyers and sellers of homes for sale would lose their shirts. While prices have deflated in most areas in the past couple of years, thee was never the doom and gloom burst. There are many investors of residential homes for sale, who now find themselves in foreclosure, will probably lose a lot of money, and will suffer a less-than-favorable credit rating because of it. Many of these investors of homes for sale used the no money down and/or get rich quick financing schemes. For these unfortunate investors, that is the risk they took by investing in residential real estate. **End Summary** Topics: real estate]]> san diego]]> 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 Homes for Sale

How Important Is An Attorney To Your Real Estate Transaction?

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Would you sign your name to a multi-million-dollar contract for the company for which you work without an attorney first looking it over? Probably not, because it is your fiduciary responsibility to ensure there is no adverse language in the contract. Yet, we do it for ourselves all the time. Years ago when I enlisted into the U.S. Navy, several of us were in the same room to sign our enlistment contracts with the government of the United States. Afterwards, we would together go on to the next phase of the enlistment process. Everyone had signed their contracts without reading it and they were grumbling, because I would not sign my contract until I had read every word. The contract was many pages in length and lots of small print. After one guy was a bit too aggressive in his complaints of me making them wait, I quietly looked him straight in the eyes and said, You signed your contract without reading it. Did you know that you have agreed to jump off the end of a naval ship into the ocean amidst a ring of fire? The guy laughed and said the contract did not say that. **End Summary** Topics: real estate]]> san diego]]> attorney]]> 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 Homes for Sale