I found this short video to be very interesting. What do you think?http://www.wellcomemat.com/video/6DF8FF1C76
ATTENTION FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS
$8,000 tax credit now available!
Recently passed legislation now allows many first time buyers to receive tax credit of up to $8,000 when they purchase a home.
Who is eligible?
First time home buyers who have not owned a home during the last 3 years.
Sale must close prior to December 1, 2009
Adjusted gross income of $95,000 or less for individuals or $170,000 or less for those
who file jointly qualifies you for a tax credit.
How it works
Receive a tax credit when you file your 2009 tax returns of 10% of the sales price of your home (maximum tax credit is $8,000)
Tax credit does not have to be repaid as long as you own the home for at least
3 years.
Earn your tax savings during your first year of home ownership.
HAS THER EVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO BE A FIRST TIME HOME BUYER?
CALL ME TODAY AND TAKE THE FIRST STEP............
I have transfered to another real estate company here in Norman-Metro Brokers of Oklahoma. I will still be giving the great service that my clients are use to. I am really excited about the move. I look forward to working with everyone.
Okay everyone…hold on to your hats while I give you a few staggering Federal Reserve Statistics about what is really going on with average Joe and Jane consumer:
Consumer debt in the United States is approximately $2.6 trillion or $8,500 for every man, woman and child that lives in the U.S.!! By the way, that does not even include mortgage debt!
37% of consumer debt is revolving/credit card debt, 63% is non revolving/car loans/boat loans/student loans!
The Federal Reserve’s financial obligations ratio, a measure of how much after tax disposable income goes to paying off mandatory financial obligations, as of June 2008, stood at 17.82% for homeowners and 25.98% for renters!
The number of credit card holders is projected to grow to 176 million by 2010!
Americans own approximately 1.4 billion credit cards or 9 cards per cardholder!
Credit Card debt is expected to grow to 1,091 billion by 2010!
All right enough! I can’t even take it as I’m writing this…it’s completely staggering and unnerving and I’ll tell you why! Our Gross Domestic Product is comprised primarily of consumer activity! But we have only scratched the surface! While talking to a local business owner the other day it hit me! What about the big one being perpetuated by our whole economy! We have fallen completely under the ether with all of our financial thinking! Our desire to consume leads us to clamor for more credit availability…how will we be able to start our businesses without a loan we cry?! How will the underprivileged and uneducated survive without a loan?! If we don’t bail out the financial institutions that helped us get out of control then all of this credit will be gone and we’ll stop consuming…then what? Or how about just printing a whole bunch of paper money and putting more of it on the street so we can keep on spending!
I was going really strong, blogging almost every other day and then...I got caught up in transactions. I love doing real estate deals. I am working out a system which will work for me and allow me time to blog every other day.
I do not want to become a writer....I do want to do between 50 and 75 transactions per year-and to do that, I need to lead generate.
Now, to be honest with you I have only been blogging for a few months and I hope to get better at it as I go along.
Remington Place Estates, We invite everyone to visit our open house at 3614 Remington Place Rd on January 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 pm.
Property information
Daily Real Estate News
| April 9, 2008
Mortgage Demand Up, Despite Higher Rates The number of mortgage applications increased 5.7 percent last week on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association weekly mortgage applications survey.On an unadjusted basis, the index rose 10.9 percent compared with the same week a year ago. The bulk of the increase came from purchase loans, which rose 8.1 percent, compared with the refinance index, which was up 3.4 percent. The refinance share of mortgage activity decreased slightly from 53.4 the previous week to 52.2 last week.Mortgage rates were up slightly: - 30-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 5.78 percent from 5.75 percent
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 5.39 percent from 5.27 percent
- 1-year ARMs increased to 7.06 percent from 7 percent
Source: Mortgage Bankers Association (04/09/2008)
The months of December and January have been slow in the Cleveland, McClain and Garvin Counties market area. But this past week has been incredibly busy. I have had several buyer calls this past 7 days.
Things are picking up. The rates have not been lowered this fast since 1984. So, the normal spring flurry will most likely be earlier, rather than later. Later this week, the Feds may reduce rates even further.
Fears of a recession have spurred these multiple rate reductions. Besides customers looking at home purchases, many are also looking at home refinancing options. Historically, lenders have said that if you can reduce your home interest rate by at least 2 percent, then refinancing makes financial sense. There is no better time than the next 60 days.
It is never easy to sell your home. Ask most home owners and they will tell you they top struggle during the process. Add to that the fact that you are selling in the middle of winter, you will raise the bar on their stress level.
The main reasons it is harder to sell in winter are the fact that landscaping is not as pretty as in the spring and summer; shorter days mean less showing time; and the weather keeps a lot of people inside and not looking at your home.
One reason for selling in winter is the fact that there is less competition. And if you stage your home successfully, you will be able to compete handily against your competition. You may not have to mow your yard, but you will have to keep driveways and sidewalks clear of snow.
Offer potential buyers a cozy, warm home with a fireplace going, if you have one. Let in as much light as you can for showings. Wash your windows, use the highest wattage bulbs allowed in all light fixtures, and make sure all of your blinds and ceiling fans are clean.
You might try to set a soft mood with the lighting of candles, or the playing of soft music. Some owners post a sign on the front door for prospective lookers to please remove their shows while in their home. Such a request shows buyers that you have taken great care of your home.
Selling during the winter season does not have to be a "frigid experience." Ask help from your local real estate professional for other ideas that might be applicable to your community.
This is a question that is being posed to me quite a bit lately. I think we all hear the talk on the news about the sub-prime market meltdown followed closely on the heels of the news of the over-inflation properties along with the harsh correction of the appreciation of homes on the East and West coastal states. These occurrences have serious ramifications, but I don't foresee a market crash coming on...particularly in our local market here in Central Oklahoma.
There are still buyers. There are still sellers. The only difference is that today's buyers are more market savvy, but they are still willing to pay a fair price for a home they love.
Does this mean that sellers need to work a little harder? Yes, they do. Internet presense in marketing is more important than ever. More of today's buyers are starting their searches on the Internet and most won't even look at houses that don't feature multiple pictures and/or have a virtual tour attached to the listing. Buyers are also more educated about the purchase process and about disclosure laws as well as financing. But this is a great thing! It means they are asking the right questions and the best properties on the market are selling faster and for higher dollar, because the buyer recognizes true value the property. I believe we haven't had the disproportionate increase in property values, therefore we aren't going to feel the crash as mush as other states will.
It is my opinion that the market is only as bad as you believe it is. And, for me, the market is good right now. It is the perfect time to buy or sell a property. So get that winter things done, get pre-qualified for your mortgage, and let's go property hunting or let’s discuss about your property being on the market.!
I wanted to set up this blog as a resource for visitors to my site to be able to ask questions and answers about real estate. Feel free to post questions, and if you see or know a topic you have some knowlege about, feel free to contribute. This is intended to be a consumer-led blog with information being provided by the Realtors on an as-requested basis!
I had a lady call me earlier today and ask me about HUD homes. I figured a few more people were interested in them so I hope this helps.
What is a HUD Home?
A HUD home is a 1 to 4 unit residential property acquired by HUD as a result of a foreclosure action on an FHA-insured mortgage. HUD becomes the property owner and offers it for sale to recover the loss on the foreclosure claim.
Who can buy a HUD Home?
Almost anyone! If you have the cash or can qualify for a loan (subject to certain restrictions) you may buy a HUD Home. HUD Homes are initially offered to owner-occupant purchasers (people who are buying the home as their primary residence). Following the priority period for owner occupants, unsold properties are available to all buyers, including investors.
If you are an evacuee displaced by Hurricane Katrina, Rita or Wilma, HUD could sell a HUD home at a discount to you!
For more information about HUD go to:http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/reo/reobuyfaq.cfm.
If I can be of any help with questions or the purchasing of a HUD property please call me at 405-850-6282
Wow, today is nice out for December! The sun is shining and it is not to windy. I had to run to Sulphur and then Ardmore to look at properties. I decided to take my time and take the back roads home. My husband got me a Garmin StreetPilot for Christmas. That thing is amazing. I drove all the back roads, some paved and some dirt, and it took me right home. I may not need my On-Star except for emergencies now. I saw several FSBO's (For Sale by Owner) while I was riding. And of course, I did stop and get the phone number to call them about it because, you never know...... I may have a customer looking for just that. I do a lot of rural properties and some are hard to find so this will come in handy.
I am always looking for property, so if anyone knows someone or if you are thinking about having your property marketed or if you just want a FREE Market Analysis of your Oklahoma property please give me a call at 405-850-6282 or e-mail me at jachandler@sbcglobal.net. I will be glad to help you or answer any questions that you may have. I got to get to work. So, have a great day!
Well, this year has past so fast. Christmas is over and I hope everyone had a great one. It is snowing out today. It looks so pretty but soooo cold. We all have the new year to look forward to in a few days. I know 2008 is going to hold some great and wonderful events for me. I am sure they will for all of you also. So from me to you, "HAVE A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR" and a safe one.
This is what makes my job so rewarding!
Knowing I've made a positive difference in someone's life is the one true gift I could ever receive.
"A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart."