Contact MargaretArchive for the 'Real Estate Information' Category
How to Find a Home Online
February 2nd, 2012 Categories: Real Estate, Real Estate Information
Crofton MD Real Estate Q&A
Q. I’d like to begin my home search online, but there are so many real estate websites. Where should I start?
A. You’re right, there are probably thousands of websites offering home listings. The good news is this: the data for most of them is gleaned from the local MLS listing so the information is essentially the same, no matter where you find it. But why not go straight to the source…
MRIS is the regional multiple listing service used by REALTORS in the greater Crofton area and much of the Middle Atlantic Region. Homesdatabase.com is the public version of MRIS, and you can count on it to be up-to-date and consistent with the information available to agents using MRIS.
BUT…
If you click on the agent’s contact information for more information about the property, you will be reaching out to the listing agent WHO REPRESENTS THE SELLER’S BEST INTEREST, not yours.
My suggestion: Look to Homesdatabase.com for up-to-date listing information, but contact YOUR BUYER AGENT for more information. It is your buyer-agent’s job to represent your best interests in your home search and purchase.
Real Estate Company Websites: Long and Foster and most other large real estate firms have their own websites and a home search feature. One special feature you’ll find on Long & Foster’s website is a Foreclosure Search, if that interests you.
Non-traditional real estate websites such as Zillow.com have some of the best mobile apps available, but the listing information is not always up-date.
One feature of Zillow that I do like is real estate agent reviews posted by consumers. Perhaps that’s because my reviews are pretty good, but really… where else are you going to find unedited testimonials directly from other home buyers and sellers? Simply click on the link at the top of the page for “Professionals” and then type in the name of an agent you’re considering. If you don’t have an agent in mind, type in the zipcode where you’re looking and check out the agents who have at least 3 or 4 reviews.
Agent websites are another option you may want to consider for your online home search, such as this one at MargaretWoda.com. If you’re already working with an agent, check their website for a home search; if you’re not working with an agent yet, please feel free to use the home search on my website at your own pace and convenience. There’s no registration required unless you request email updates for new listings. Again, you can count on up-to-date information on most agent websites – and for sure on mine.
While you may find a home online, the Internet cannot represent your best interests in a real estate transaction. That’s your agent’s job. Choosing the right real estate agent has never been more important than it is in today’s market… but that’s a subject for another day.
For answers to your real estate questions, please click on the contact tab at the top of this page and give me a call or send an email.
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Common Sense Home-Selling Secret #1 for your Crofton Home
January 30th, 2012 Categories: Real Estate, Real Estate Information
The Common Sense Home-Selling Secrets I’ve shared with home sellers in the greater Crofton area for more than 30 years are more “common sense” than they are “secret.”
Here’s #1:
my “Common Sense Home-Selling Secrets” and other important information
that will give you a competitive edge when you sell your home.
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Do You Know a Military Family in the Crofton Area?
January 13th, 2012 Categories: Real Estate Information
If you know any Crofton area military families, please share this with them. The information may apply to them or someone they know.
Many military families have avoided severe financial hardship and loss by using the DoD HAP Program when military orders forced them to relocate at a time their home value was less than the outstanding home loan balance In fact, the program had paid 4,825 applicants a total of $725.5 million, as of February 23, 2011, to help fill the gap between the housing debt and home value of military home sellers at the time of sale. Unfortunately, HAP had a backlog of 4,897 eligible applicants at that time.
Holly Petraeus said, in the Stars and Stripes, that “the extra $550 million Congress appropriated to expand HAP has been used and no more military families are getting that special help.“ As head of the Office of Service Member Affairs in the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), she probably knows what she’s talking about – but I sure hope she’s wrong, and so do the many military families with applications currently pending (not to mention all the “eligible” military families who haven’t yet applied for HAP benefits).
Worrying about financial devastation is the last thing military personnel and their families should be worrying about, and HAP has helped to resolve this concern for many families. I think we all owe it to them to help get out the word that they have an opportunity until January 23, 2012 to comment on the IG report on DoD HAP. Let’s help make the response overwhelming, so the Feds know how many people are impacted by the DoD HAP Program.
If you or someone you know has PCS orders, I’ll help you find out if you’re eligible to use DoD HAP benefits for selling your home in the greater Crofton area. Military personnel who are NOT eligible for HAP can contact me to find out if Fannie Mae’s six month military forbearance program, the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative (HAFA), or the VA Compromise Sale may be good options.
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8 Ideas for Down Payment and Closing Costs
January 6th, 2012 Categories: Real Estate Information
CROFTON MD REAL ESTATE Q & A
Q. How can I take advantage of today’s great interest rates and home prices to buy a home in the Crofton area, when I can’t sell my current home in Northern Virginia?
A. If your housing needs have changed, welcome to the club. That’s a perfectly normal situation that has motivated home sellers and buyers for decades.
In today’s market, it’s not always easy (or even possible) to sell one residence and use the equity to purchase another. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re trapped forever in a home that no longer fits your shrinking or growing household… not if you can rent that home for enough to cover your monthly mortgage payment.
Have you considered these other options for your down payment and closing costs?
- VA Financing – Little or no money down for qualified veterans, as well as active duty military. Even if you’ve already used your VA eligibility in the past, you may be able to use it now. My husband and I have used VA several times for refinancing and purchasing.
- FHA Financing – Only 3.5% down for qualified buyers, within the local loan limit. This is very popular in today’s market.
- Closing Help – FHA and VA allow sellers to pay up to six percent towards “actual costs” of the loan. Some Conventional loans allow sellers to pay up to three percent of the borrower’s closing costs. With so many homes on the market, many sellers are willing to do this.
- Retirement Plan – In some cases, you may be able to borrow your own money previously contributed to a retirement plan. Check with your plan administrator to find out if this is possible and to determine any penalties or tax obligations that accompany this action. One of my clients is using this resource to close on his first home in January, and the seller is paying most of his closing costs.
- Life Insurance – You may be able to liquidate the cash value of your life insurance. Check with your insurer to find out if this is an option for you.
- Refinance your current home – Even if you can’t sell your current home in today’s market, you may be able to liquidate some of your equity for down payment and closing on another home by refinancing. For some homeowners, refinancing will lower the payment to improve cash flow, even if you don’t take cash out.
- Relatives – Even if you can’t refinance your current home or use your retirement plan or life insurance for down payment and closing, your parents or another relative may be in a position to do so. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
- Owner Financing – The sellers of some homes on the market may be willing to hold a second trust for all or part of your down payment/closing costs. My mother recently reminded me that she and my dad sold their home with owner financing during a previous real estate meltdown.
Don’t assume you can’t get a Conventional loan with minimal down payment. 95% loans are making a comeback in the marketplace, and some well-qualified buyers are taking advantage of them to avoid the high FHA insurance.
If your housing needs have changed, you aren’t necessarily trapped in your current home by today’s struggling real estate market. This may be perfect timing for you to make a move.
Not certain this is the right time to buy or sell a home? I’ve helped thousands of Maryland home buyers and sellers, and I’d be glad to share my experience with you. Contact me today or click on the computer icon to search for homes at your own pace and convenience. No cost or obligation to you.
Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
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Lower Closing Costs for Teachers
December 2nd, 2011 Categories: Real Estate Information
Are you a public school teacher in Bowie or anywhere in Prince George’s County, Maryland? If so, your closing costs for the purchase a home in the County will be lower than your neighbors.
Prince George’s County offers a reduction in the County Transfer Tax from 1.4% to 1% when a teacher purchases improved residential property to use as a principal residence. If there are two or more buyers, only one of them must be a Prince George’s County classroom teacher and occupy the property to be eligible.
If you happen to also be a first-time buyer in Maryland, your share of the .5% state transfer tax will also be waived.
Your savings could add up to $1000 or more in reduced closing costs for the purchase of a home in Prince George’s County, depending on the terms of your sales contract.
There are many nice neighborhoods in Bowie, College Park, Laurel and other nearby areas of Prince George’s County that fit the budget of county teachers.
Let me help you find them!
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