Sunday, September 20, 2009

ONLY 48 Business Days Until Thanksgiving!


Did you know that there are only 48 Business days left until Thanksgiving?? In order to get the First Time Homebuyer Tax credit you must be closed by November 30th! It may seem far away but I promise that if you are wanting to take advantage of that....it is imperative to put an offer on a home, in order to close in time, in the next couple of weeks at the latest! ....especially if it is a short sale or foreclosure!

Friday, September 4, 2009

REALTOR vs. Real Estate Agent
















There is a difference! Did you know that?

Both are licensed to sell real estate....BUT......A REALTOR is a member of the National Association of REALTORS and that means that REALTORS must follow the REALTOR Code of Ethics.

Here is What REALTORS follow that agents do not have to:


#1) Pledge to put the interests of buyers and sellers ahead of their own and to treat all parties honestly.

#2) Shall refrain from exaggerating, misrepresenting or concealing material facts; and is obligated to investigate and disclose when situations reasonably warrant.

#3) Shall cooperate with other brokers / agents when it is in the best interests of the client to do so.

#4) Have a duty to disclose if they represent family members who own or are about to buy real estate, or if they themselves are a principal in a real estate transaction, that they are licensed to sell real estate.

#5) Shall not provide professional services in a transction where the agent has a present or contemplated interest without disclosing that interest.

#6) Shall not collect any commissions without the seller's knowledge nor accept fees from a third-party without the seller's express consent.

#7) Shall refuse fees from more than one party without all parties' informed consent.

#8) Shall not co-mingle client funds with their own.

#9) Shall attempt to ensure that all written documents are easy to understand and will give everybody a copy of what they sign.

#10) Shall not discriminate in any fashion for any reason on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

#11) Expects agents to be competent, to conform to standards of practice and to refuse to provide services for which they are unqualified.

#12) Must engage in truth in advertising.

#13) Shall not practice law unless they are a lawyer.

#14) Shall cooperate if charges are brought against them and present all evidence requested.

#15) Agree not to bad mouth competition and agree not to file unfounded ethics complaints.

#16) Shall not solicit another REALTOR'S client nor interfere in a contractual relationship.

#17) Shall submit to arbitration to settle matters and not seek legal remedies in the judicial system.

I would love to be YOUR REALTOR of Choice!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Ways to avoid FORECLOSURE!

WAYS THAT HOMEOWNERS
CAN AVOID FORECLOSURE

REINSTATEMENT:
o THE OWNER CAN PAY BACK ALL MISSED PAYMENTS, LATE FEES AND LEGAL FEES THAT ARE DUE UP TO THE DAY THE LOAN IS REINSTATED.

REPAYMENT PLAN:
o THE LENDER WILL ALLOW THE OWNER TO REPAY THE AMOUNT MISSED OR ADD THE MISSED PAYMENTS ON TO THE END OF THE AMORTIZATION OF THE LOAN.

RENT THE PROPERTY:
o MANY OWNERS CHOOSE TO RENT OUT THEIR HOME IN ORDER TO “COVER” THE MORTGAGE EACH MONTH. THIS IS A GREAT OPTION!

SELL THE PROPERTY:
o IF THE OWNER HAS ENOUGH EQUITY IN THE HOME, THEY CAN SELL IT AND PREVENT THE FORECLOSURE.

REFINANCE:
o MANY OWNERS HAVE SUFFICIENT EQUITY IN THEIR HOMES AND DECENT CREDIT IN ORDER TO REFINANCE.

MORTGAGE MODIFICATION:
o THIS PROCESS WILL LOWER THE INTEREST RATE ON THE EXISTING LOAN TO LOWER THE PAYMENTS.

DEED-IN-LIEU OF FORECLOSURE:
o THE HOMEOWNER ESSENTIALLY GIVES THE DEED BACK TO THE BANK.

SHORT SALE:
o THIS IS WHEN THE HOMEOWNER OWES MORE THAN WHAT THE HOME IS CURRENTLY WORTH AND ONE OF THE OTHER OPTIONS DOES NOT WORK.