Archive for the ‘Real Estate Advice’ Category

Things to Consider as a First Time Homebuyer

Real Estate Advice | Posted by homesforsaleinminnesota
Mar 01 2010

Finding the perfect home may take several months, and a first time homebuyer will greatly be aided in the home buying process by making a plan to sort through all the financing details, conducting research about the prospective neighborhood, and to finding a reliable real estate agent to work with. With a step-by-step plan or drafting up a checklist, you will be able to keep everything related to your search for the right home to purchase become organized and on track.

“The Home Buyer’s Question and Answer Book”, authored by Bridget McCrea, explains that it’s very important to create a plan both for your financial side, and in terms of what you want and need in your home. This means that when your plan for your new home, you have to make a budget analysis, and list down the amenities, rooms, themes of the home and other features that you would like your new home to have.

If you are a first time homebuyer, here are some essential items that you can include in your checklist or plan that will help you have an easier time with your home buying process:

1. List down the different housing types of your prospective neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has at least 5 to 6 different types and styles of housing. It is to your advantage to know what the various styles and classifications are, unless you are building a new structure.

2. Start reviewing online listings. Working with a good real estate agent will give you a strong idea of available properties, but you can do a lot of homework on your own. Don’t be afraid to review FSBO listings in the local newspaper, or jump on the Internet to search for properties in your area.

3. Learn about the home inspection process. Home inspections can be lengthy and fairly complex, but they are well worth the effort when you narrow down your choices of properties. Learn about the different stages of the home inspection, and don’t forget to create your own DIY home inspection checklist when you’re visiting several properties.

4. Use a scorecard to compare different homes for sale in a neighborhood. Design your own scorecard to rate and keep track of all the prospective homes for sale that you find or visit. Items that you can include would be the asking price, key benefits, drawbacks, number of rooms, accessibility to highways, and any other top priority items that will suit your requirements.

5. Decide upon your ideal location. Knowing the ideal location of your new home will greatly aid you in eliminating homes for sale that will be able to suit your requirements. You can conduct your internet search by typing in the state you wish to live in, and then placing in buy homes for sale. A few of the factors that you would have to take into account when deciding where to buy is the neighborhood’s proximity to your work, to schools, to parks or it’s access to public transportation. It is a good thing to be aware of these things because even if you don’t get to buy your new home in your desired locations, you will still get to find one that will adequately suit your requirements on the purchase of your new home.

6. Map out your budget. You can meet with a personal financial advisor at your local bank or credit union for some budgeting advice, or you can draft up your own home budget to get a strong idea of what you can and can’t afford. Making a budget and then sticking with it regardless of how much you are preapproved for is a much more intelligent choice than waiting to ‘hear’ from your lender about your options from your lender.

Are you a new homebuyer looking for homes for sale in Minnesota? Searching online using the Minnesota MLS is an excellent way to find the kind of home you’re looking for.

Finding the Best First Time Homebuyer Programs

Real Estate Advice | Posted by homesforsaleinminnesota
Feb 04 2010

Buying your first home can be an exciting and very rewarding experience, but it does involve a significant amount of research time. Not only do you need to evaluate your financial situation and meet with different lenders to obtain financing, but you’re also responsible for meeting with real estate agents, and doing research about the neighborhood.

A lot of people do not know that there are first time home buyer programs being given by several community and government facilities that will help them in the financial aspect of their home buying. Almost all states have some type of community development department that helps match buyers with homes and financing programs, though this may vary per state and region. If you are looking for financial assistance so you can procure your first home, here are some of the first time home buyer programs that may be able to help you:

First Time Homebuyer Program from the Housing Finance Authority: several banks and community assistance programs offer this program to their clients, and eligibility is usually based on your income level and location of the home. The program provides financing for the purchase of new or existing homes for moderate, middle and lower-income families.

Low Interest Mortgage programs: some lending facilities will extend low-interest mortgage to moderate or low-income families, and this based on household income, family size, and credit history. Programs may differ based on state and region, but most established financing institutions offer it.

Down-Payment Assistance programs: many first time homebuyers simply don’t have enough funds to make a reasonable down payment. According to author Bridget McCrea of “The Home Buyer’s Question and Answer Book,” these programs provide financial assistance in the form of interest-free second mortgages to cover the cost of the down-payment. These are typically offered to low and moderate-income households, and in some cases, the loan can be deferred for up to five years.

First Time Home Buyer Counseling: many financial institutions and real estate agents offer free workshops and seminars to first time home buyers to educate them about the process. Attendees of these events are usually given a special rate for financing or other incentives, and will get a wealth of information about the home buying process, and even sometimes gain some financial rewards.

Seller Financing: many home buyers neglect to look into this option when they require a larger loan than what a lending facility has approved for them. Seller financing is a loan agreement between the property owner and the buyer. Loans are negotiated between the two parties, and the buyer will make the monthly payments as per the provisions of the loan to the seller. Getting the financing this way may be a better alternative from availing of bank and credit union loans.

Many people are not aware of the several financing options open to first time home buyers and will be unable to get the assistance they need. A qualified real estate professional can assist first time home buyers in finding the right program to match their need. It will be to your advantage to take the time to check with the local community assistance or the development board for specialized programs and other incentives given to moderate or low-income families.

Looking for MN Homes for sale? A great resource for searching properties online is the Minnesota MLS, which enables you to search by price, neighborhood and many other criteria.

How Home Buying Calculators Help You Plan a Home Purchase

Real Estate Advice | Posted by homesforsaleinminnesota
Jan 18 2010

Have you decided to stop renting and become a first time home buyer? That is great news! Purchasing a home is an important investment and there is need to do extensive research and planning in order to find the best match for you. One tool frequently used to organize the financial side of the process in a home buying calculator.

There are several websites that offer free, easy to use calculators and tools. Here’s what you need to know about using home buying calculators when mapping out your financial plans in the home buying process:

1. Get to estimate monthly payments. Based on the mortgage amount, term of the loan, and interest rate, you can use this tool to estimate how much you have to pay monthly. Getting to correctly estimate your monthly loan payments on your new home will serve you well, especially when it comes to your budget and figuring out which home you can actually afford to buy. You can see a full range of payments by placing in different mortgage amounts to see what could best fit your budget.

2. Forecast mortgage effects. Numerous people have fallen into a dilemma because they are not well versed enough to compute the accrued interest and charges over the repayment period applicable to mortgage loans. The home buying calculators can help you project monthly payments and the remaining balance of the loan for a period of many years, giving the clear and precise figures of the true value of your mortgage.

3. Study the possibility to get tax write-offs. A home buying calculator can be used to project mortgage interest rate tax to get a fairly accurate assessment on how much you can use for a tax-write off. This tool can also aid in projecting your long term budget, and any tax benefits that you can get that will allow you to afford a bigger loan than originally estimated.

4. See how you will build equity. One of the biggest benefits of making monthly payments towards a mortgage instead of a rental property is the equity you are building. Homes that appreciate in value provide a very high return on your investment, and you can project just how much value this is using a home buying calculator. Take the time to graph the equity chart for a clear visual on your investment.

5. Annual interest charges can be estimated. When selecting the right loan package for your budget, you need to be aware of the total amount of interest that you will be paying. Monthly payments towards home mortgage loan payments should make a reflection on the principal balance, not just on paying interest rate, so try to find different interest rates and with the aid of a home buying calculator and use this to compare the total amount of interest you will be paying per year. Use the home buying calculator to compute the projected monthly and annual interest balances.

Home buying calculators offer several benefits for both future and current homeowners. Many of these calculators are readily available from mortgage lenders and realtors, but you can also find a number of free calculators online. Use the calculator as a tool for planning our your finances during the home buying process, and experiment with different loan amounts and interest rates to make the best choice for your budget.

When looking for Minnesota homes for sale, the internet is an invaluable resource. New homebuyers can use the MN MLS to view active listings of homes and real estate throughout the state.

Ways to Find the Best Realtor as a First Time Home Buyer

Real Estate Advice | Posted by homesforsaleinminnesota
Jan 05 2010

One of the problems that many first time home buyers have is being intimidated by the overwhelming task of searching for the perfect home, so they usually seek the help of a real estate agent. To greatly increase your chances of finding a perfect home, you should take the time to do online research about the area you would like to live in before using the services of a real estate agent.

“100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask” author, Ilyce Glick, expertly stated that new home buyers should take the time to study the area by doing online research and interviewing several realtors to find themselves the best match. This strategy has proven highly effective in helping many new home owners find the right home.

When it’s time to find the best real estate agent to handle your project, there are some specific questions you can ask so that you end up working with someone who truly understands your needs. Key questions to ask a prospective real estate agent include:

1. How many years have you been selling houses in this neighborhood? A well-established real estate agent in your target area will be able to give you more details about what are the advantages and any disadvantage of living there.

2. What is the average price of the houses that you deal? It is to your advantage to find a real estate agent who will show houses that you can afford, rather than someone who will present you with expensive places that are not in your budget range, so you will not waste your time or get into large payments you may not yet be ready for.

3. How many clients do you have on the average? The answer that is given will be significant because this is the way to know how much time the real estate agent can devote to your needs.

4. Do you have an assistant? Since communication is a vital part of the buyer and realtor relationship, it is better for you to know if you will be dealing directly with the agent or coursing most matters through the assistant. Whatever the case maybe, make sure you will be comfortable with the arrangement so you can get all your inquires and concerns answered within a short period of time.

5. What percentage of your business is with first time home buyers? If you know how frequently the agent deals with people who have the similar requirements as you have, it will be an indicator as to their experience, and this can help you make up your mind.

6. How many years have you been working with the company? If the realtor or agent is well-established, you will see that they have a good track record, and you will be better dealing with an experienced one rather than those who have just started their career in the real estate business. You can even ask for references from a supervisor get to know the credentials of the person you are going to be dealing with.

It may take a little time before you find the right real estate agent to aid you in your home buying needs, and it is to your advantage to review several qualified agents before deciding. The help of a professional and reliable real estate agent will be invaluable and you can get to achieve your goal of purchasing the perfect home.

Using online is one of the most effective ways to find Homes for sale in Minnesota. Using the MN MLS Listings is one of the best resources for locating homes by price, neighborhood, and other criteria.

How to Make the Most of the 2nd Showing as a First Time Home Buyer

Real Estate Advice | Posted by homesforsaleinminnesota
Dec 10 2009

To be properly prepared for the challenge of buying your first home or another house, you will be able to get a better investment by first conducting intensive research without first seeking the aid real estate agent. One of the important steps involved in buying a house is the showing, and the ideal way to go about it is to have at least 3 showings per house to facilitate proper inspection and do detailed inquiry. Since you are already considering the house after the first showing, take notes while examining each area of the house for any physical defects during the second showing.

“100 Questions Every First Time Home Buyer Should Ask”, book author, Ilyce Glick recommends that first time home buyers should use the time of the second showing to reconfirm what they had found appealing during the first showing and to identify any problems that it may have to be able to save time and money. Here is a list of things to do a closer inspection of during the second showing:

Check the roof. Ask the property owner or the agent how old the roof is, and if there have been any renovations or repairs made to it. The cost of having to place a new roof or repair an old one is quite expensive, so knowing what condition the roof is in can prepare you for any future expenses that you may have if you decide to continue with the purchase.

Inspect the wear and tear of the interior. The things that you can look out for are wall cracks, creaky floorboards, shaky stairs, peeling paint and other similar defects that may not cost too much to fix, but need to be planned for.

Checking the mechanical systems. Are the water heaters and furnaces functioning? What type of insulation has been installed throughout the home? Ask the agent or home owner to provide details on the mechanicals so you’re not left with any surprises later in the home buying process.

Assess the area. Go to the front and back area of the house to look around. Are the views to your liking? What is the noise level? These significant details can only be assessed doing an on-site inspection, and give you an idea of the environment that you will be living in.

Look for signs of pests. Are there any rat holes or termite tracks? Do you see any cockroaches or other kinds of bugs? You have to know if there is any need for pest control or if there is a pest infestation that you cannot handle so you can avoid living in a unpleasant situation.

Visualize yourself in the house. Imagine yourself in the house doing your daily activities. Does the furniture you have go with the house? Try to see yourself living in this house and see if it will truly be fit to be your home.

Take full advantage of the second showing to conduct your preliminary inspections and to help you already decide if the house will suit you. Make a list of the positive and negative things about your investment so that when you sit down to make your final choice, it is ready for your review.

Are you a new homebuyer looking for homes for sale in Minnesota? Searching online using the Minnesota MLS is a great way to find the type of property you’re looking for.

First Time Homebuyer’s Guide to Calculating the Reservation Price

Real Estate Advice | Posted by homesforsaleinminnesota
Nov 20 2009

One of the most important elements of the home buying process involves making the right offer for your home. Experts encourage all homebuyers to take the time to research prices in the area and create their own reservation price, or the highest price they are willing to pay for the home. A reservation price helps you to bid more effectively and stay within your budget, making it easier to negotiate with the seller or seller’s agent when it comes to making the offer.

Barron’s ‘Smart Consumer Guide to Home Buying’ explains that it is customary for buyers to discount their offering price to create some negotiating room when making the offer; there is no rule on how much this discount needs to be, but it will depend largely on market conditions and how much you really like the home.

Here is a basic process for calculating your reservation price so you can negotiate the best price for your dream home:

1. Write down the amount you can afford to pay each month. This may be close to what you are paying now, or what you are comfortably willing to spend per month on housing costs.

2. Compute for tax and insurance costs. Barron’s ‘Smart Consumer Guide to Home Buying’ gives these suggestions for computing tax and insurance costs: Use a factor of .68 for regions with high tax and insurance rates; .85 for areas with inexpensive tax and insurance rates; or use the typical factor of .75 to get a rough estimate. Your loan P&I payment that you can afford can be computed by multiplying the factors above to the amount in Step 1.

3. Calculate your typical loan term and interest rate. Write down the loan term in years and the interest rate. You’ll need to locate the appropriate payment from the loan payment tables that are applicable to this loan term and interest rate.

4. Know your total loan amount. This information can also be found in the loan payment table, or you can simply ask your mortgage lender.

5. Add your cash available for the down payment. This will give you a final figure of the amount you can afford to pay for the home.

You then have to compare the calculations you made on Step 1 with the amount on Step 5. The difference between the two will give you your negotiating range when making an offer. If the amount in Step 1 is larger than the amount in Step 5, you can offer a higher price for a home to secure the bid. If the reverse is true then you need to negotiate to bring down the final price into the range that you can afford.

Calculating your reservation price is an important part of the homebuying process and can help you negotiate the best possible deal for your situation and get the home you want. Consider using the above calculations for each home you are considering so you have the confidence to overbid or negotiate for a lower price with your budget in mind.

When looking for MN homes for sale, searching online is one of the fastest ways to find the types of real estate your looking for. People use the Minnesota MLS to view most of the homes that are currently on the market.

How To Buy Your First Home During The Right Market Conditions

Real Estate Advice | Posted by homesforsaleinminnesota
Nov 05 2009

The economy works in a cycle and each cycle has an effect in the prices of goods. Each industry has a unique ‘market cycle’ generally follows the whole economic trend and real estate is no exception. Most people consider the home and property industry to have two phases: the buyer’s market and the seller’s market. Knowing which market the industry is in can benefit you as a homebuyer.

Houses are generally affordable in a buyer’s market and it’s easy to get a loan since interest rates are lower than average. You may even see numerous ‘For Sale’ signs in front of homes.

It is hard to find an attractive home deal in a seller’s market. Lotteries are setup that allow exclusive buyers to bid on certain homes. You might hear some people saying that the market is in ‘crisis mode’ during a seller’s market.

Buying a home in the right market cycle can give you more value for a home compared to its purchase price. The only problem is “cycle phases are much easier to pinpoint long after the fact”, according to Barron’s ‘Smart Consumer’s Guide to Home Buying’. They further explain that “if you know what to look for, it’s easier to figure out the state of the market.” Look for these market indicators to guide you in the timing of your home purchase:

As mentioned, ‘For Sale’ signs are everywhere in a buyer’s market. At this time, sellers are giving incentives, such as concessions and discounts, to sell their properties quickly. There would also be an increase in the number of foreclosures and high-priced, quality homes will be sold for lower-than-average prices.

When you hear news about how unaffordable homes are, that is an indication that the industry is in a seller’s market. There are very few ‘For Sale’ signs put up and prices of homes are relatively high. Old homes are ‘flipped’, or renovated, and sold for a quick profit. You may also see a lot of rental complexes converted into condominiums.

Obviously, the best time to be a home owner is during a buyer’s market when sellers are anxious to sell their properties at their published price or offer discounts for a quick sale. You can jump into the homebuying market with more confidence when homes are being advertised with drastic price cuts and offering you extra incentives to make an offer. However, it’s still important to work with a professional realtor to find the best home that suits your needs – especially if you will be a first time homeowner.

As with anything, you need to educate yourself about the home buying process for you to make an informed decision. Look for market indicators and work with an expert realtor to time your purchase and get the most out of your budget.

If you’re a new homebuyer looking for homes for sale in MN , the internet is one of the fastest ways to find what you are looking for. The Minnesota MLS Listings allow you to easily search by price and location.

Understanding Closing Costs as a First Time Homebuyer

Real Estate Advice | Posted by homesforsaleinminnesota
Sep 09 2009

An important part of the homebuying sales process and sales contract is the closing costs. Few first time homebuyers realize that closing costs can be as much as 15 percent of the sales price and many lenders require you to pay for the closing costs upfront. While some lenders can roll the closing costs into the loan package, knowing what these are ahead of time may help you plan your budget better and even negotiate down the final price so that you can afford the total closing costs as part of the deal.

It’s important to remember that the maximum loan amount offered by the lender is based on the sales price and not the net price (sales price minus closing costs) paid by the buyer. Closing costs are allocated in several different ways, and you can work with your Realtor and lender to arrange the best possible plan with your available funds and stay within your budget.

The first step in understanding closing costs is to learn what buyers are typically responsible for. Barron’s ‘Smart Consumer’s Guide to Home Buying’ explains that it’s important to understand that custom – and not law – dictate how closing costs are allocated and what the buyer and seller are required to pay as part of the contract.

The buyer is typically responsible for all fees and discount points of the loan. These are often added at the end of the contract by the lender, and vary significantly by financial institution. Some bankers will waive this fee for preferred customers or as part of your contract, but it’s important to get an accurate estimate of this as early as possible during your loan financing process.

Buyers are also responsible for paying the premium of the home owner’s title insurance policy; in most cases, they will need to pay for this before the home purchasing process can even begin. It’s generally a good idea to have extra cash available to pay for this premium so it doesn’t get rolled into the loan, and the premium cost varies by the insurance company you choose to work with. It helps to shop around, so do some research about homeowner’s insurance policy rates and options before signing any contract.

The following costs are usually the responsibility of the seller. Commissions on sales – commissions are given to agents of both the buyer and seller. Commission payouts are set depending on the buyer’s and seller’s agreements with their respective agents.

Home Inspection Costs – All home inspections and other property testing costs should be shouldered by the seller before the home is actually purchased.

Title’s insurance – Insurance on the title are traditionally shouldered by the seller as part of closing costs. Many first time homebuyers incorrectly assume that they need to take care of these costs.

Recognizing each component of the closing costs can give any homebuyer an accurate estimate of the final contract price. You can ask for an estimate from your lender way ahead of the signing date as most are willing to breakdown all these costs and explain how they fit in your loan package.

Searching the internet is one of the best ways to find Minnesota houses for sale. Searching the MN MLS is one of the best resources for locating homes by price, neighborhood, and other criteria.

Understanding Maintenance Costs of Various Home Styles

Real Estate Advice | Posted by homesforsaleinminnesota
Jul 28 2009

First time homebuyers should understand the fact that each kind of home has different maintenance costs associated with them. Knowing what these costs are can certainly help buyers make an informed decision.

Some homes are imposed with special fees such as neighborhood association fees and even additional taxes depending on the town or city government. These fees must be factored in when buying any home especially if you are working on a budget. I’ll enumerate the basic fees bundled with some common types of homes.

Condominiums: Condos or flats are increasingly becoming popular for first time house buyers. Condominiums are a form of real property wherein individual units in a multi-unit complex or building may be owned but each owner has access to common facilities such as hallways, main entrances, stairs and elevators. As such, you’ll need to pay fees depending on your stake in the building.

Ilyce Glink, who is the author of the book ‘100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask’ says that each owner must pay maintenance fee equal to his total share of ownership in the condominium. This is calculated by first getting the total expenses in operating the building and dividing this to an owner’s percentage of ownership. The total expenses of a building may include a reserve account used for emergencies and this may vary anytime.

Townhomes: Townhomes, also known as ‘row houses’, are independently owned homes that typically don’t incur fees beyond your regular expenses. However, some townhomes are part of a homeowner’s association, in which case you will need to pay a monthly fee for maintenance. This fee typically covers the cost of painting the exterior and landscaping common areas.

Mobile houses: These are pre-fabricated houses built on factories and are then taken to the build site. Normally, mobile home owners are solely responsible for their own maintenance expenses that include electricity, water service, and sewage and garbage disposal. Mobile houses can also be located in mobile parks. Some parks charge homeowners for a fee to lease the land they locate in.

Single-Family Home: Also known as detached houses, maintenance costs of these houses are solely the responsibility of the homeowners. Single-family homes may also be located inside a community or a village though homeowners will still be responsible for all costs such as maintenance and repairs, lawn upkeep, electricity, water and sewerage services and other utilities.

Ascertain the total maintenance costs from a Realtor first before approaching any loan company or officer. Lenders may at times include maintenance fees and other costs in your loan package. Give all the information you got from your Realtor to your loan officer and inform him/her of your budget to acquire a loan that will fit your needs.

Whether you’re interested in a town home or a single-family house, there will be several costs involved with home ownership and maintenance. When you’re searching for the right fit, consider making a checklist or worksheet that lists all of the different home options and related fees. Having a side-by-side comparison of the total costs involved can help you make the most informed decision for your new home purchase.

Homebuyers now have the convenience of searching for Minnesota homes for sale online. People can search the MN MLS to find properties all throughout the state, listed by price and/or by neighborhood.

Buying Your First Home & Understanding Different Home Types

Real Estate Advice | Posted by homesforsaleinminnesota
May 23 2009

No matter where you are in your life, buying a home may be in your very near future. National statistics indicate that most people move between five to seven times during their lifetimes, which means you’re likely to move at least once every 5-10 years.

There are different types of homes that can match the unique needs of buyers. There are condominiums suited for the budget and lifestyles of bachelors and newly weds. In contrast, single-family detached homes have the space that can accommodate a large family. Always consider what each type of homes offers and how can they fulfill your needs when looking to buy a new home.

Condominium: Condos are perfect for those who are looking for an affordable way to live in a city. Condos became popular during the 70s and buying one does not mean you actually own the unit in the strictest sense, explains Ilyce Glink, who wrote the book ‘100 Questions Every Home Buyer Should Ask’. Instead, you are investing in the shared properties of the complex such as the stairs, walls, flooring and ceilings.

Town Homes: Town homes are very similar to single-family detached homes but they are clustered together in rows and this is the reason they are sometimes referred to as ‘row homes’. Most town homes give the owner full ownership of their houses but some are part of homeowner’s associations. Homeowner’s associations oblige its members to pay monthly fees for the expenses of common amenities such as parking lots, laundry room and playgrounds.

Single-Family Houses: Single-family houses are very popular for first time homebuyers. There are a lot of styles and variations that you can choose from if you are considering to buy a single-family house. These houses can be built on one’s own lot or built within a small community. Owners of single-family houses have the sole responsibility for all expenses concerning maintenance and ownership of their house.

Mobile Homes: These homes are really portable or moveable houses. You do not need to buy land but most mobile parks charge for rent. Mobile homes have simple home amenities and are relatively more affordable than other types of homes.

Pre-fabricated Houses: Pre-fabricated houses are of higher quality and are made of more durable materials than mobile homes. Like mobile houses, pre-fabricated houses rent the land below it and can be moved from one site to another.

Being familiar with the varied advantages and disadvantages of each kind of homes will make searching for the right home easier.

Anticipating your future wants and needs will also aid you in your decision. Know what your medium to long-term goals are, or your plans for the next five years, and treat your home as an investment. If you’re single then maybe a condominium is the right home for you since it is affordable and will allow you to have an urban lifestyle. But if you have a family and want stability, you want to consider settling in a single-detached home or a town home as these have ample space to sustain your entire family.

If you are a new homebuyer searching for houses for sale in Minnesota, using the internet is one of the easiest ways to find what you are looking for. The MN MLS allows you to search by price and location, throughout the state.

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