When First Time Home Buyers Feel Intimidated. .

There are very few instances in ones life that is as important as buying your first home. 

You don't have to do it alone, there are real estate professionals willing to help you achieve this dream. 

Just be sure that you are motivated to be a homeowner and hire an agent whom you feel comfortable with.

Remember, when you are buying a home, the seller has their own agent representing them....you need a buyer's agent to represent your best interests when buying a home

A first time home buyer is defined as an individual, who has not had an ownership interest in a home prior and has little or no experience in the home buying process

The National Board of Realtors advice to these buyers is to take your time and not rush. There are lots of steps and you need professional help.

One of the first steps to being a first time home buyer is to get their financial house in order, your Real Estate Agent will help you make sure your credit scores are compliant with all the new mortgage lending guidelines. You need a mortgage loan and that is the first focus in the home buying process. 

You need to be aware that the actual cost of buying home is usually much higher than the cost of the home itself, as it includes taxes, interest, and closing costs etc. 

But one thing you should not pay is your own Real Estate Agent, they are paid from the commissions offered by the seller. 

In general, the purchase of any real estate is contingent upon the contract price being at or below a fair market value determined by an appraisal. 

This will assure you that you will not overpay a penny over what the house is worth. 

Your lender send a third party appraiser to make sure the sales price in your contract is exactly what the house is worth or MORE.  

What happens if the house is valued less than the purchase price previously agreed with the seller? 

In this case the lender will not fund the loan to you. If the house's value is less than what your contract with the seller says..the lender will not give you a loan and subsequently  there will be no sale. 

The seller then will have to reconsider and they have the option to drop the price to the appraised value of dispute it by using another appraiser

This is when your real estate agent comes handy...to protect your best interests and advice you accordingly. 

Dowload Your Benefit Programs for First Time Home Buyers in Maryland and see how much you can save as a First Time Home Buyer

DOWNLOAD FULL LIST HERE

Please contact us for more details 

Help For First Time Home-Buyers in Maryland

301-246-0001

Originally published http://www.reallynicehomes.com/blog/when-first-time-home-buyers-feel-intimidated/

Five Weird Spooky Facts About Buying a Home

5 Weird Spooky Facts About Buying a Home 

 

Read original article here:http://www.reallynicehomes.com/blog/5-weird-spooky-facts-about-buying-home/

 

As you know, when you really think about it...the world is a big scary place with lots of danger and little spooky things crawling all around us at all times. To make matters even worse, you may have to also include real estate among all your fears.

With Halloween rapidly approaching, we are going to analyze the " Top Five Weird Spooky Facts About Buying a Home"

Sometimes what we fear is not real

Will Smith said it better...

“Fear is not real. The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of the future. It is a product of our imagination, causing us to fear things that do not at present and may not ever exist...danger is very real but fear is a choice.”

So what are the 5 things people fear the most when buying real estate? 

FEAR #1 : 

I need at least 20% Down Payment to buy a house.

Most loans are are under 10% down, with FHA loans going as low as 3.5% down..even less!

Some lenders are now even lending with as little as 2% down on some special cases.. 

FEAR #2 : 

I need at least 780 Credit Score to buy a house.

The average credit score on approved loans is 723.

I have a loan officer that helps my clients fix their credits and can get them started in the 600's credit score range. .

 

FEAR #3 : 

Getting Approved for a Mortgage is HARD and a lot of work!

Did you know that 71% of all loans applications get approved....all you have to do is try it by contacting your trustful professional..Too many people are disqualifying themselves by thinking erroneously...don't fall under this trap.. .you need someone else to disqualify you.

FEAR #4 : 

There is not enough money out there for banks to lend.

The mortgage credit availability to obtain a mortgage loan has increased SUBSTANTIALLY just in the last 7 months. More banks and lending institutions are relaxing their requirements because the money they have to lend is accumulating and sitting around waiting for more applicants.

FEAR #5 : 

I'm afraid I lose my job and not be able to pay for my mortgage

You have to live somewhere anyways... and besides, a landlord is LESS forgiving than a mortgage holder when you have a temporary setback like losing a job or getting sick. 

"A landlord will evict you 10 times faster than a bank foreclosing your house"

 

Buying a house is scary by itself, specially if you are a first time home buyer -- Make it easier for you by contacting a real estate professional.

Be clear on your fears by knowing the buying process inside out ...with the help of your Realtor.

 

If you are looking to buy a home in MD, DC or VA let us guide you.

We know the process and our agents are ready to help you.

Give us a call 301-246-0001

Happy Halloween!

 

301-246-0001

Maxus Realty Group

www.ReallyNiceHomes.com

 

 

 

Home Selling Tips: You Are Selling a Lifestyle, Not a House...

Home Selling Guide -

“How To Sell Your Home”

"The complete guide to sell your home for the most money and the timing that fits your plans”

100 - Point Plan To Sell Your Home For The Most Money.  

The sale of your home isn’t quite as simple as sticking up a ‘for sale’ sign and waiting for the buyers to come to you. Here is an overview of 100 things of the various steps involved in selling a property. You can use this list as a guide when selling a house or call a professional listing broker to take care of it for you.

I’ve included various marketing tips along the way that will be part of my new book on “Marketing Tips To Sell A Home” scheduled to be published sometime in 2016

#1  The First Impression Counts! –

From the moment the prospective buyers drive up to your property, they are judging your home. I've seen personally when buyers don't even bother to come inside because they have already made up their mind at a first glance. Your front yard, your entrance and every single room or space in a home should be a “wow” of some sort, providing something that is beyond what’s expected to the prospective buyer. First impressions apply to each and every single room or space in a home as well.

#2  Appeal to everyone –

Try to appeal to everyone who might come through your property by using neutral designs throughout your house.. from the colors of the walls to furniture, even statues and paintings on the wall. You must remain neutral and not force a strong conviction that would only appeal to a smaller percentage of your visitors.

#3  You are selling a lifestyle..not a house –

From all my years of experience and talking to perhaps thousands of people about homes and real estate. I ascertained this concept which I found it to be true and factual over and over again. Most buyers are shopping for a new lifestyle...not a house. All your marketing materials should refer to this fact.

#4  Don't Take it Personal –  

As soon as a house is in the market, it becomes a product and is all business from there. You can't avoid the emotional aspects of selling a home...but you better hide them well if you want to sell it for the most money at a timing that fit your plans.

#5  Be Committed To Getting Your Home Sold –  

Selling a home with a "just testing the water" attitude will not lead you to a positive outcome. Specially when it comes to the pricing of the property.  Every house has a reputation and you need to protect it. As you accumulate "Days On Market" your chances of getting your home sold for the highest amount it can bear is almost impossible. You will end up attracting only low-ball offers looking for a bargain as your home sits unsold  with the appearance that "there must be something wrong with that property being in the market so loooong!". Commit to sell or wait until you are…

#6  Hiring The Right Professional –

You need guidance, advice and direction from an experienced professional if you want to sell it for the most money. Know the difference when a commission is an EXPENSE versus when a commission is an INVESTMENT for you. Every single location, town or place in the USA is littered with discounted services that have only ONE VALUE TO OFFER : Their low commissions! A commission should never be an expenditure ...rather it should be an investment to help you get the most money for your house at a timing that fits your plans

#7  Pricing Your Home To Sell –

Know the facts and study it carefully . The pricing of your home should not be set on hope, automatic computerized CMA's and/or  false homeowner illusions. The price of your home should be set by square foot comparisons, current local market conditions, major improvements or lack of , pending sales, sold comps and the number of similar active listings in the area. You need guidance, advice and direction from an experienced professional to set the right price to sell, follow their advice and don't look back.

#8  When To Sell and When to Fold –  

If timing is unimportant to you, selling it on the "right season" could bring you better results. In general,  Spring marks the beginning of the busiest home-selling and home-buying season in most areas, followed by the Summer, Fall and Winter. If you are selling your home, finding the "optimal time to sell" should be considered, if you want to sell it for the most money. Beware that there are also other major factors involved on this. Competition numbers, local market conditions and local impact changes like a new plant or factory nearby...all or some may affect the timing when to put your home for sale. Your agent should advise you if you don't have any preferences, as they have their pulse in the local market and put your home for sale during the most optimal time.

POINTS #9 to #100 READ THE REST HERE

THE COMPLETE GUIDE "HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME"

Does Your Credit Score Drops If You Check Your Own Credit?

Does Your Credit Score Drops

If You Check Your Own Credit? 

A question that many new home buyers ask themselves when looking to buy a home.
The advice from your friends and family comes in different versions but has the same message: Don't check your credit scores  often...because it will drop for too many inquiries.
Over the years, I saw some lenders and loan officers use this excuse in order to keep their prospects from shopping around fro better rates with their competition..
Under normal circumstances, you are allowed to shop for a mortgage when you are buying a home.
Every credit inquiry you approved for someone to take is either
A Hard Inquiry
or a
Soft Inquiry
A Hard Inquiry will affect your credit scores
A Soft inquiry MAY NOT affect your credit scores f you are shopping around for a better rate
You are not going to be punished if you are shopping for the best rate..for a certain period of time.
CAUTION: This only applies when you are shopping for the same type of credit .
When you are shopping for a mortgage to buy a house
or
When you are shopping for a car and you want the best rates..
either or....but don't mix them!

Here's a handy chart with 6 Other Myths About Credit Scores

After making the decision to buy a home, 

The best advice I can give you is to find an advocate to your needs.

A person or a group that will supply you with the best advice and chart a detailed  direct road to home buying based on your particular needs without any generalizations..

We want to be that person for you, 

Please Start Here: Home Buying Assistance

Original Article : Does Your Credit Score Drop If You Check Your Own Credit?  

How Rita Outsmarted Her Neighbors Buying This Home

How Rita Outsmarted Her Neighbors Buying This Home

Homes Next To The Outlets in Clarksburg Maryland : Cabin Branch Homes

Homes Next To The Outlets in Clarksburg Maryland 

 

Cabin Branch in Clarksburg MD has grown immensely these last couple years. Located next to the future Clarskburg Premium Outlets. 

Winchester Homes is the builder and developer for 1500 planned homes and the construction has not stopped since the first dirt was displaced to make room for the birth of this wonderful community

Cabin Branch is  unique neighborhood surrounded by Parks and plenty of open space that will  get you off the couch and that is not counting the shopping you can do at a walking distance in the new Premium Outlets Center set to be in full operation in 2016.

SEARCH FOR THE LATEST CABIN BRANCH HOMES FOR SALE HERE

About Clarksburg: 

Clarksburg Maryland has already been accepted as one of Montgomery County "Best Places To Live" . The introduction of this  new home master planned community just outside the west side of I-270  has been designed to amplify that position.

Nature has been preserved for your enjoyment just around the corner from Cabin Branch. Surrounded by natural wooded rolling hills and a short walk away from Black Hill and Little Seneca Regional Park

 

The community center for Cabin Branch will be the axis of fun for all the lucky residents that will enjoy a variety of fun, shopping and entertainment within a stone's throw from their backyards. An Amphitherate, planned pools, a manicured soccer field and the list gos on and on..

Our Offer: 

Enjoy our knowledge and take advantage of the specials we can provide to you as major players selling  New Construction homes  in Clarksburg area.

Call us for guided weekend tour at no charge and no obligation whatsoever.

We can even arrange for you a comparison tour between this new community and the surrounding Clarksburg Village, Grapevine at Town Center and all major construction area of Clarksburg Maryland

How can we help you? 301-246-0001

Clarksburg's Cabin Branch is located West Side of Exit #18 I-270

SEARCH FOR THE LATEST CABIN BRANCH HOMES FOR SALE HERE

              

Why Isn't My House Selling? Home Selling Tips

Why Isn't My House Selling?

Home Selling Tips 

 [original post Why isn't My House Selling? ]

I received the following eMail after a video I posted on my page for "Home Not Selling Forum" 
This relates to Home Absorption Rates and how to use it and help you sell a home.. .
"Hi Fernando, just listen to your Youtube video...have ???
well as you said try to be in 1st position to sell your home quicker..
we feel that we are but what happens when buyer to comparing to other town that are
a little cheaper and get more home for the money....
as for my home in my town we look in great position 1st or 2nd..
had so many viewing but no offers in 3 months now.... its hard to lower any further unless its by owner
then we can lower it by 20k that commission eats into the small profit we get back..
what do you think,,
we live in Fort Lauderdale area in a very nice section....
Thanks R&B"

I decided to post my answer as to provide help  in case you have a
house that will not sell as well
My Response: 

Hi R & B thank you for watching my video. 

Just understand that the Absorption Rate of any house is for a particular market only. .at any given time

When buyers are first looking for homes, 

They are considering many areas at first.. (no absorption rates yet)

Then they decide particular areas because of school ...conveniences..walkability ...status......(no absorption rates yet) 

It is when they are committed to a neighborhood or small area where your agent must ask this question when your house is located inside...

• How many houses have sold in the last 6 months? 
• How many houses will sell in the next 30 days
• What is the position of your house vs the competition?

If I was your agent, I would come to pick you up and make appointments with the competition...and I would ask you to pretend you are buyers

This is how you can help yourself and let your agent do the work...

Ok, you had enough

drop your agent

and save on the commission .....to transfer those funds to the asking price?

Big mistake!

Buyers are savvy ..and if your house is in the "expensive" side...all the buyers are intelligent....this is why they are buying expensive homes in first place!

The first thing they ask...

• What is the history of the house? 
• How long has been in the market? 
• Why are the sellers ...selling it?

Assuming that these buyers have their own agent...very likely because most "serious prepared buyers" have already crossed path with dozens of agent while preparing to buy...

They will be represented by one of them ..I can assure you of that

Their agent will be answering those questions...

"They been trying to sell this house for a long time...for this amount and this amount...now they are asking this amount, they are desperate, let's offer them $$$$  and see what they say...they should be grateful we at least bringing them an offer.

The odds of you selling your house at top price and saving in commissions  is almost zero in this case.. .

You've inspired me doing another video

I researched and analyzed why these houses are not selling..

They are all active and they been in the market for OVER 365 DAYS!!!

This is what I found:

Thank you and good luck!

Fernando