10 Easy but Essential Steps for Home Selling Success
They say that the whole process of selling up, buying new and moving on is one of the most stressful series of events any of us goes through in a lifetime: and yet with careful planning, attention to detail and a clear focus, the whole process can be relatively stress free.While there will always ... more...

Basic Home Loan Terms Explained
The wonderful world of home buying can sometimes overwhelm the first time homebuyer. They are inundated with information riddled with terms of art. ARMS, points, interest rates, good faith estimates, pay-downs, lock-in dates, so on and so forth. Though some or all of these terms may seem ... more...

How to Prequalify a Buyer When You Sell Your Home "By Owner"
One questions many "for sale by owner" sellers ask is "how can I determine if a potential buyer can afford to buy my house?" In the real estate industry this is referred to as "pre-qualifying" a buyer. You might think this is a complex process but in reality it is actually quite simple and only ... more...

WARNING: Many Home Owners May Be Living Above Their Means!
San Ramon, CA -- Federal Reserve Board Chairman, Alan Greenspan, commented best when he stated "Homeowners might have saved tens of thousands of dollars had they held Adjustable-Rate mortgages rather than Fixed rate mortgages during the past decade". If you own a 30year fixed mortgage, the first ... more...

Expense List for Buying a Home
There are many expenses that come with buying a home. The following list is a good example of what to expect:Down payment - A minimum of 20% of the homes purchase price is usually required for the best loan terms and to avoid paying private mortgage insurance (see below), but its entirely possible ... more...

What to Look for in a Home
Searching for just the right home can be very exciting. You may plan ahead for the number of bedrooms and bathrooms that you want. Or imagine preparing for dinner parties in a sun-filled kitchen. Although these things are important, there is more to a good home purchase than the rooms it contains. ... more...

VA Home Loan Information - Buying A House With A VA Loan
Buying a home with a VA guaranteed loan grants veterans and service persons better terms than that of a conventional mortgage loan. VA loans are handled through private mortgage lenders, so there is limited bureaucratic red tape.Understanding VA LoansVA mortgage loans are guaranteed by the ... more...

How to Utilize Your Cash Investment in Your Home
Have you ever noticed how hard it can be to get to the equity in your home?Recently I had a client come to my office who had quite a bit of equity in their home. Im not talking about $50,000 or even $200k, Im talking about over $250k. I was asked to get 80% out of their home so that they could ... more...

Why Buy Property Overseas - A Case History
This is a true case history detailing the purchase of a holiday home overseas. By describing a real-life experience of buying a home in Spain we explain why people buy property overseas and show how to buy an overseas property with minimum outlay.Mr and Mrs Jones bought an apartment in Spain in ... more...

Reverse Mortgages: When Is One Right For You?
How do you know if a reverse mortgage is right for you? The answer depends on your current financial situation of course.But other factors such as your medical condition and lifestyle are important in determining whether or not a reverse mortgage is your best choice compared to a home equity loan, ... more...

5 Home Buying Essentials
Purchasing a home involves certain important, even essential, steps that every buyer should take before closing on a purchase. Lets examine these essentials which, if properly implemented, can help you save valuable time and aggravation.1. Determine What You Can Borrow. Sure, if you know your ... more...

Home Buyer 10 Extra Costs Above the Sales Price
1)Mortgage Application, Brokers Fees, and Points These costs can amount to thousands of dollars some like the application fee are poc (paid outside of closing) $200 to $500 depending on the lender. Broker fees a percentage of the loan are sometimes waived or rolled into the mortgage. Points .5% to ... more...

Types of Financing for Your Mortgage
When financing a home purchase, the kind of mortgage you choose determines your monthly payment and the interest rate you get on your loan. There are four main ways of financing the mortgage for your home: 30-year fixed rate, 15-year fixed rate, adjustable rate, and interest only. Each of these ... more...

Mortgage Terminology for the First Time Home Buyer
Buying a Home for the first time can be a little nerve racking. Mortgage terminology that brokers use everyday can leave you scratching your head or shaking your head pretending that you know what theyre talking about. Here are some mortgage terms and definitions that youll be hearing when shopping ... more...

Hawaii Mortgage and Home Loan Trends
One of the latest trends in the mortgage industry in the Hawaiian islands involves pre-approving borrower loans. Prospective buyers will know what they can afford before shopping for a home. When you pre-approve, home sellers and real estate agents will know you are a serious buyer. Being approved ... more...