Selling Home

FCIC: Selling a Home Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page -- Life Advice About... Selling A Home This Life Advice section about Home Improvement was produced by the MetLife Consumer Education Center reviewed by the Real Estate Educators Association and the U.S.D.A. Cooperative Research, Education and Extension Service. If you've decided to sell your home, chances are you're caught up in a host of emotions. You may be looking forward to moving up to a new dream house or facing the uncertainty of a major move across country. You may be reluctant to leave your memories behind or eager to start new adventures. Whatever turbulent feelings you're experiencing right now, there are plenty of practical matters that need your attention. Keep in mind the following considerations to help the whole process go more smoothly. Time Becomes Money It's a good idea to place your home on the market as far in advance as possible of purchasing a new one. If you find a new home first and then try to sell your present home, you may wind up with two mortgages. If this does happen, ask your real estate agent or banker about a bridge loan to help you make the double payments. Lenders use the same criteria for offering bridge loans as they use for mortgages. Should you qualify for a bridge loan, beware of the expense; during the term of the loan you must continue to pay both mortgages. Shop around for the best terms. Keep in mind that when people move, sell and buy, there usually is a domino effect. Closing and moving dates have to be coordinated, and the more firmly everyone commits to a window of dates and sticks to them, the better for all involved. Put all agreements about dates in writing, and protect yourself by negotiating financial penalties for failure to comply. Check Your Curb Appeal A home that's visually appealing and in good condition will attract potential buyers driving down the street. Use this checklist to view your property through an outsider's eyes. Are the lawn and shrubs well maintained? Are there cracks in the foundation or walkways? Does the driveway need resurfacing? Are the gutters, chimney and walls in good condition? Do the window casings, shutters, siding or doors need painting? Are garbage and debris stored out of sight? Are lawn mowers and hoses preperly stored? Is the garage door closed? On the Inside Strong curb appeal will lure potential buyers inside, where you have to live up to their expectations. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy improvements you can make to your home's interior without spending a lot of money. Cleaning is No. 1. Your windows, floors and bathroom tiles should sparkle. Make sure you have clean heating and air conditioning filters. Shampoo dirty carpets, clean tubs and showers, repair dripping faucets and oil squeaky doors. Keep your home neat, clean and picked-up at all times. It may not seem fair, but a peek in the oven may be the hallmark by which a buyer judges how well you have kept up your home. Remove unnecessary clutter from the garage, basement, attic, closets and straighten stored items. Also remove any items that might make a statement that would be offensive to others who may not share your same views, beliefs or sense of humor. If your home is crowded with too much furniture, consider putting some things into storage. If a room needs a fresh coat of paint, use a neutral off-white. Think, too, about how your home smells. You may be used to the smell of a pet or cigarettes, but such odors can be a strong turn-off to others. Be certain to remove valuables such as jewelry and other items from view. It might be wise to put these items in a safe deposit box before showing your home. Finally, set a mood for the buyer. Make your house homey with live flowers and fresh guest towels in the bathroom. Place scented potpourri around the house or, on the day you're expecting a potential buyer, pop a batch of frozen cinnamon rolls into the oven for a welcoming aroma. Remember, cosmetic changes do not have to be expensive. In fact, costly home improvements do not necessarily offer a good return on your investment when you sell. It's attention to the basics—anything that says “this home has been carefully maintained”—that will help you get the price you want. Go It Alone Some homeowners decide to sell their homes themselves in order to save the commission charged by a real estate agent. The commission rate may vary, depending on where you live or what agency you choose, but it is generally upwards of 5%. However, handling your own sale means you will be responsible for placing ads, answering phones and showing your home to strangers. What's more, buyers who know you are saving on an agent's commission may offer less for your home, wiping out the financial incentive to do it all yourself. You may decide an agent's commission is a bargain the first time that a would-be buyer shows up unannounced at dinnertime. Also, be aware that a real estate agent probably knows a lot more about the business of selling a home than you do. Here are some of the advantages professional agents offer: They will help you establish a fair asking price for your home. They will promote your home to other agents and list your property in multiple listing services. A multiple listing service is a book or computer database that all real estate agents who subscribe to the service can access. Your home will get exposure to all those agents, one of whom may have the perfect buyer. They will create, pay for and place advertising for you. They will schedule appointments to show your home to prospective buyers even when you are not there. They can weed out buyers who will not qualify for a mortgage. They can refer you to sources for insurance, inspections, legal counsel and financing. They will help you negotiate with the buyer. They can make suggestions to help make your home more attractive to a potential buyer. If you decide to sell through an agent, ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. Talk to several agents before picking the one you want to work with. Taking a walk through your home with an agent should give you a feel for how that person will handle prospective buyers. Ask prospective agents how they plan to market your home. Don't sign with an agent just because he or she suggests the highest asking price. Negotiate the broker's commission prior to listing your home, and sign for a limited period of time—usually three to six months. Setting a Fair Price Naturally, you want to get top dollar for your home. But, at the same time, you don't want to scare off potential buyers with a price tag that's too high. Setting an artificially high price may cause your property to languish on the market for months. Reducing your asking price later on may lead buyers to wonder if there is something wrong with your home. Here are some of the factors to consider in pricing your home. Your location Economic conditions Supply and demand in the local housing market Seasonal influences Local schools Average home prices in the neighborhood Your home's extras -- pool, fireplace, central air, etc. To determine the value of your home, you probably will want the advice of a real estate agent or appraiser. Ask an agent to prepare a market analysis for you, showing the recent selling prices of three neighborhood properties comparable to your own. The agent can help you adjust for the unique features of your own property. Qualifying a Buyer Either you or your agent will want to quickly weed out potential buyers who cannot really afford to purchase your home. A number of factors will help determine whether or not you are wasting your time negotiating a sale. The buyer's debt and credit history The buyer's current income and employment The buyer's cash position and availability of a down payment The length of time the buyer needs before closing on your home How interested the buyer appears to be in your home versus others Seek Legal Representation When selling your home—particularly if you are selling on your own—it's a good idea to be represented by an attorney. Look for an attorney with expertise in real estate transactions. When a potential buyer puts an offer in writing and you accept it, the signed acceptance becomes the sales contract. Your attorney will be present at the actual closing to protect your interests and can assist you with the following elements of a sales contract: The sale price What is included in the sale price -- draperies, carpeting, light fixtures, heating oil, etc. The amount of the down payment The date of closing and possession date Contingencies to the sale--inspections (e.g. structural, lead-based paint, radon), required improvements, legal review of the contract by the buyer's or seller's attorney, etc. The amount and length of the mortgage loan, interest rate and time limits to secure the loan Determining which closing costs are to be paid by the buyer and which by the seller Tax Implications Selling a home can have a major impact on your federal and state tax returns. Check with your tax consultant on the factors that may affect taxes resulting from the sale of your home. For example: Whether you purchased the home or acquired it by gift or inheritance Whether you used your home partly for business or rental Costs associated with selling your home Home improvements or additions, which may help to offset capital gains The sale of your home. In certain cases you can exclude up to $250,000 in gain ($500,000 for married couples filing a joint return) on the sale of property that was your principle residence for at least two years. Generally, you can use this exclusion every two years. Congratulations! You've successfully weathered the logistics of selling your current home, and you're ready to move on to a new and exciting chapter in your life.As you prepare for the coming changes, check out the Life Advice sections Moving and Buying a Home to aid you in this transition. For More Information 100 Questions Every Home Seller Should Ask Ilyce R. Glink, Times Books $14 Life Advice price $11.20 Call 1-800-793-2665 to order and mention reference number 032-02. Price and availability subject to change without notice. The American Bar Association Family Legal Guide Times Books$34.50 Life Advice price $28 Call 1-800-793-2665 to order and mention reference number 032-04. Price andavailability subject to change without notice. How to Sell Your Home in 5 Days William G. Effros, Workman Publishing $14.95 Life Advice price $8.97 The Consumer Bible, 1001 Ways to Shop Smart Mark Green, Workman Publishing $14.95 Life Advice price $8.97 Tips and Traps When Selling a Home Robert Irwin, McGraw-Hill $12.95 PAMPHLETS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT The quarterly Consumer Information Center Catalog lists more than 200 helpful federal publications. For your free copy write Consumer Information Catalog, Pueblo, CO 81009, call 1-888/8-PUEBLO, or find the catalog on the Net at www.pueblo.gsa.gov . A Home for You and Your Family Publication Series, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, Housing & House Furnishings, Box 7605, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7605 (single copies free). Also contact the Extension Service office listed in the white pages of your phone book. Related Life Advice pamphlets See the following related Life Advice pamphlets: Buying a Home, Moving, Home Improvement, Homeowners Insurance, Renting an Apartment, Enjoying Retirement and When Your Children Leave the Nest. Helpful Links HomeWEB You'll find consumer information on selling a home from this comprehensive real estate and relocation source. Topics include info on real estate agents, marketing your home, financing & mortgages, sales contracts, pricing your home and more. Basically, this is a great place to start, if you're thinking about selling your home. Audrie's Advice Audrie provides a complete check-list for selling your home without an agent and thereby retaining all the profit for yourself. SellYourHomeYourself.com SellYourHomeYourself.Com is a unique site that helps the For Sale By Owner seller save money. On this FSBO web site you'll find all the resources you need to sell a home yourself. * Because the content of newsgroups and Websites changes constantly, it is impossible for us to review it all. We are not responsible for the content of any of the above links. Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page --

selling home game console

Xbox 360 is the U.K.'s Fastest-Selling Home Console News for Xbox 360 on GamePro.com Microsoft's Xbox 360 is one step closer to world domination. UK data firm Chart-Track has announced that the Xbox 360 is the fastest-selling home game console released in the United Kingdom, beating out Nintendo's GameCube system. Actual figures aren't yet available. But it's likely that the overall shortage of Xbox 360 units in retail stores actually cramped this figure; had Microsoft been able to meet demand, who knows what the final U.K. launch figures might have been? Overall, though, this is a telling sign that Microsoft's global launch strategy is paying off. Now, all eyes are turning to the Japanese sales figures. Can Microsoft break into the notoriously insular Japanese gaming market? " PS2 / Xbox / GameCube / PC / Handheld / Wireless / Entertainment / -- Newsletters / Holiday Gift Guide PSP Guide -- News / Screenshots / Downloads / Cheats / User Reviews / Forums / Free Stuff / Shop Title Keyword Advanced Search --- Xbox 360 Game Finder Reviews Previews Cheats Strategies Features News RPG Sports Action Adventure Direct Feed Win a FREE iPod 2GB Nano! Be a part of the GamePro Team for a day Lucas Arts SWG New Player Experience 2K Sports Xbox 360 Sweepstakes Download and Play Peter Jackson's King Kong! Games.net Presents the 2005 Holiday Gift Guide Win A FREE Xbox 360! Free Newsletters! GamePro Weekly ProNews (daily) Cheats (weekly) Xbox 360 (weekly) PS3 (weekly) GameCube (weekly) Handheld (weekly) PC/Online (weekly) Xbox (weekly) PS2 (weekly) Sports Entertainment Hot Links Newsletters Action Replay Shop 5.0 list Release Calendar Retro PlaySmart The Hub Forums User Reviews Contests Letters Inside GP GP FAQ Register Update Info Magazine Subscribe and Save Subscribe to GamePro EX Inside Current Issue Gift Subscriptions Subscriber Services Past Issue Archive Latest Code Vault Xbox 360 / News / Xbox 360 is the U.K.'s Fastest-Selling Home Console Xbox 360 is the U.K.'s Fastest-Selling Home Console Info News Previews Review Cheats Strategies Features Downloads Prices Publisher : Micrososft Developer : Microsoft Release Date : Available Now ESRB Rating : Everyone 1 of 9 screens Advertisement Recent News Similar Games Final Fantasy Creator Goe... Xbox 360 May Not Be Avail... EA Casts Doubt on Xbox 36... LA Xbox Modders Charged f... Hackers: Xbox 360 Mod-Chi... Xbox 360 Games Already Be... Metal Gear Acid 2 Darwinia Lost In Blue Xbox 360 1503 A.D. Left Behind: Eternal Forc... Community Average 3.9 User Review • Go to User Reviews • Write your own User Review • Go to GamePro Forums • Go to the Official Forum Topic --- News by: Vicious Sid Posted: 12/06/05 [ view screens ] Microsoft's Xbox 360 is one step closer to world domination. UK data firm Chart-Track has announced that the Xbox 360 is the fastest-selling home game console released in the United Kingdom, beating out Nintendo's GameCube system. Actual figures aren't yet available. But it's likely that the overall shortage of Xbox 360 units in retail stores actually cramped this figure; had Microsoft been able to meet demand, who knows what the final U.K. launch figures might have been? Overall, though, this is a telling sign that Microsoft's global launch strategy is paying off. Now, all eyes are turning to the Japanese sales figures. Can Microsoft break into the notoriously insular Japanese gaming market? track this game / --- email this article / print this article / view screens Name Address City State ZIP Email Sponsored Links ©2005 IDG Entertainment. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement Terms Of Service Agreement Advertising Information IDG Entertainment Online Network: GamePro.com Games.net GamerHelp.com GameStar.com BlogFaction.com IDG.net: PCWorld Macworld Playlist CIO Computerworld CSO Infoworld JavaWorld Network World Networking for Small Business PC Advisor PC World Latin America Techworld ITWorld Canada PC World Canada IDG International GamePro.com Customer Service Subscribe Submit a Code Site Comments Contact Print Advertising Online Advertising Staff Jobs About Us Media Kit The 2005 Industry White Paper RSS Feeds Site Map

property listing DUBAI REAL

Real Estate Listing :: Gowealthy.com HAPPY NEW YEAR 2006 HOME | REAL ESTATE | TRAVEL | ENTERTAINMENT | PREMIUM CLUB MEMBER LOGIN User ID: Password: Not a member? Register now! Forgot password? WORLD PROPERTIES » Property home » List your property » View property listing DUBAI REAL ESTATE NEWS » Read News » Submit Press Release FREEHOLD GUIDE » General FAQ » Construction Updates » Currency Converter HOME | REAL ESTATE | LISTING property listing Filter Properties by Type All Apartment Duplex Villa Townhouse Beach House Farmhouse Island Retreat Retail Outlet Site Shop For All Sale Rent Re-Sale Bedroom All Studio 1 2 3 4 5 6 6+ Nill Country All Argentina Australia Belize Brazil Bulgaria China Dominican Republic Egypt France Greece India Lebanon Malaysia Mexico Morocco Pakistan Panama Portugal Singapore South Africa Spain Switzerland Turkey United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Yugoslavia First Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next Last Name Herdade Monte - a house with 11 bed-rooms Type Farmhouse Property for Sale Bedrooms 6+ Area 8,000,000 Sq.M. Price AED 7,500,000 City Arraiolos Country Portugal » More details » Property enquiry Name Small hotel/loft new refurbished with nine rooms in the Swiss mountains Type Villa Property for Sale Bedrooms 6+ Area 1,000 Sq.M. Price USD 1,350,000 City Matt Country Switzerland » More details » Property enquiry Name Freehold Hotel and Beach Club Type Site Property for Sale Bedrooms 6+ Area 4,500 Sq.M. Price EUR 9,500,000 City Tangier Country Morocco » More details » Property enquiry Name Hotel and Beach Club Type Site Property for Sale Bedrooms 6+ Area 4,500 Sq.M. Price EUR 9,500,000 City Tangier Country Morocco » More details » Property enquiry Name Beautiful villa on the med sea in tangier Type Villa Property for Sale Bedrooms 4 Area 953 Sq.M. Price EUR 500,000 City Tangier Country Morocco » More details » Property enquiry » List of active properties | LINK | ADVERTISE | SITEMAP | FAQ | FEEDBACK | CONTACT US | ASSOCIATES GOWEALTHY.COM © 2005. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED DISCLAIMER PRIVACY POLICY

Home Equity

Avoiding Home Equity Scams Avoiding Home Equity Scams Y ou could lose your home and your money if you borrow from unscrupulous lenders who offer you a high-cost loan based on the equity you have in your home. Certain lenders target homeowners who are elderly or who have low incomes or credit problems—and then try to take advantage of them by using deceptive practices. The Federal Trade Commission cautions all homeowners to be on the lookout for: Equity Stripping: The lender gives you a loan, based on the equity in your home, not on your ability to repay based on your income. If you can’t make the payments, you could end up losing your home. Loan Flipping: The lender encourages you to repeatedly refinance the loan and often, to borrow more money. Each time you refinance, you pay additional fees and interest points. That only serves to increase your debt. Credit Insurance Packing: The lender adds credit insurance to your loan, which you may not need. Bait and Switch: The lender offers one set of loan terms when you apply, then pressures you to accept higher charges when you sign to complete the transaction. Deceptive Loan Servicing: The lender doesn’t provide you with accurate or complete account statements and payoff figures. That makes it almost impossible for you to determine how much you have paid or how much you owe. You may pay more than you owe. Some of these practices violate federal credit laws dealing with disclosures about loan terms, discrimination based on age, gender, marital status, race, or national origin; and debt collection. You also may have additional rights under state law that would allow you to bring a law suit. The FTC suggests if you’re thinking about using your home as collateral for a loan, be careful. Unless you can make the loan payments out of current income, you could lose your home as well as the equity you’ve already built up. Some additional tips to remember: The lure of extra money or the chance to reduce monthly credit payments can be very costly in the long run. High interest rates and other credit costs could get you in over your head. Credit insurance may not be a good deal from a lender. If you want the added security of credit insurance, shop around. Don’t sign a loan agreement if the terms are not what you were given when you applied. Ask for an explanation of any dollar amount, term, or condition that you don’t understand. Federal law is very clear about what credit and loan term information must be provided in writing when you apply for a loan and before you sign any agreement. In addition, shop around for the best loan terms and interest rates. Contact lending institutions, such as banks and credit unions, and consult a legal or financial advisor, or someone you can trust before you make any loan decisions. Or contact your local Fair Housing Office, legal aid, or senior services organization for information and help. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues , visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel , a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION FOR THE CONSUMER 1-877-FTC-HELP www.ftc.gov Jan. 1998

Home Mortgage Home Equity

State Farm Bank® - Home Mortgage Loans -- Search statefarm.com® Powered by Google™ Banking Bank accounts Credit cards Loans Home Mortgage Home Equity Vehicle Security Safeguards Find an agent by zip/postal code Advanced Search 24-hour Customer Service Limited Service 12am-5am CT 1-877-SF4-BANK 1-877-734-2265 HOME MORTGAGE LOANS > Learn about mortgages Select a Product ==================== CENTERS - Purchase - Refinance - Affordable Housing ==================== PRODUCTS - Fixed Rate - Adjustable Rate - Affordable Housing ==================== LENDING PROCESS - How to apply - Pre-approval ==================== MORTGAGE TOOLS - Calculators - FAQ - Mortgage glossary - Application checklist - House hunting tips - Home comparison chart ==================== CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE - Access my account - Contact us - Mortgage Inquiry - Locate an Agent > How to apply > Access my account > View on-line mortgage application status > Contact us Information Minimum loan amount is $25,001 Maximum loan amount is $650,000* * Larger loan amounts available by request on an individual case basis. · Variety of products: - Fixed rates - Adjustable rates - Affordable housing · Pre-approvals available · Can be used for purchasing or refinancing: - Primary residence - Second home - Investment property (availability varies by mortgage product). Properties may be a single family home (1-4) unit, condominium or Planned Unit Development (PUD) · Loans to finance the construction of a property are not available. However, any of the mortgage products may be used for a mortgage upon completion of the construction · Rates may change daily based on market conditions · Fees and closing costs vary by geographic area and the type of loan · Maximum loan-to-value varies by product and situation but can be as high as 97 percent · Property that is for sale or has been sold (i.e. "bridge loans") is not eligible · FHA and VA loans are not available at this time Centers · Purchase center · Refinance center · Affordable housing center More About Mortgage Loans · Rates · Products · Mortgage Calculators · Frequently asked questions · Home mortgage glossary · Application checklist · House hunting tips · House hunting checklist · Home comparison chart · How to apply for home mortgage loans · 24-Hour account access via phone and Internet · Learn how to stop mortgage fraud Related Links · Home Equity Loans/Line of Credit · Mortgage Disability Income Pricing and APR Assumptions Location: Pricing could vary based on the state where the property is located. Contact a Mortgage Consultant for a price quote based on your property location. Loan amount: $200,000 for conforming products; $500,000 for JUMBO products Loan-to-value ratio: 80% or lower Property type: Single Family Primary Residence Loan purpose: Purchase only Escrow: Customer escrows for taxes, insurance, etc. as part of monthly payment Closing Costs/Prepaids: Estimated at 1% of the purchase price/value of the home Lock period: 30 days Income Documentation: All income used to qualify for a loan is documented Additional Notes · Mortgage rates change on a daily basis and have the ability to change within the day depending on market conditions. · Your rate at loan approval may be different based on underwriting considerations and your individual financing request. · Fees and closing costs vary by geographic area and the type of loan. · All loans are considered as either a conforming loan or a JUMBO loan (also known as a non-conforming loan). A conforming loan is a loan with a mortgage amount that does not exceed eligibility limits for purchase by the secondary mortgage market (i.e. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, etc.). A JUMBO loan is a loan with mortgage amount that exceeds the eligibility limits for purchase by the secondary mortgage market. · The APR and payments on Adjustable Rate Mortgage ( ARM ) Loan Products are subject to change after the loan is closed due to the product's variable-rate feature. For good neighbor service in your mortgage loan process, call your local State Farm agent, call State Farm Bank toll-free at 1-877-SF4-BANK (1-877-734-2265) or submit your mortgage inquiry online. *Some products and services may not be available in all areas. [ home | sitemap | my account | login | register | contact us | privacy | terms of use ] [ insurance | banking | mutual funds | planning & learning | agents | about us ] Search statefarm.com® Powered by Google™ Equal Housing Lender | Member FDIC