Sell House

Tips on Buying and Selling Your House Remarked out per Bob Gent 4/11/02 -- TIPS TO HELP YOU SELL YOUR HOME MORE QUICKLY Owners can help expedite the sale of their home by following a few guidelines to make the house more attractive to potential buyers. A thorough self-inspection and a walk-through with your real estate agent can reveal imperfections that might hinder a sale. (Please note: in Washington state, as in many other states, the seller must complete a "Real Property Transfer Disclosure Statement" form about the condition of property being offered for sale. Material defects must be disclosed.) House-hunters typically begin their inspection of a property bypreviewing its "curb appeal." A surprising number ofhomes are eliminated from consideration before potential buyersget out of their car because they find the exterior appearanceunsightly or uninviting. Following are some basic suggestions for improving the marketabilityof your home. Examine the lawn and flower gardens, making sure the lawnis mowed and free of drainage problems. Colorful flowers andshrubs can enhance the home's attractiveness. Check the sidewalks and driveway to make sure they're freeof weeds and clutter. Inspect the home's exterior, looking for loose, missing ordamaged siding and brickwork, a cracked and uneven foundation,and gutters, downspouts or fences that are in disrepair. Paintor repair any problem areas. Clear the decks! Clean decks, patios and steps, removingunnecessary furniture, toys and debris. Tidy up any pet areas. Inspect the front door. A fresh coat of paint or stain anda clean doormat can help create an inviting "first impression." Check lighting, making sure pathways and entry have adequateillumination. Inside the home, you should conduct an equally thorough inspection,since potential buyers are likely to open doors and cupboards,look into, look behind and operate everything to make sure thehome offers the space, layout and features they need. Extensiveredecorating isn't usually recommended, but all rooms should beclean and clutter-free. Think "light," "bright,""open" and "airy." Clear rooms (including closets and storage areas) of everythingbut the basics. Arrange furniture so rooms look spacious. Remove clutter from the basement and garage. Sweep floors,degrease spots and dust. Have carpets and drapes professionally cleaned. Patch walls and ceiling cracks, then repaint or wallpaper,using neutral shades. Check the basement for musty smells and signs of mildew orleaks, correcting any defects. Inspect bathroom and kitchen fixtures to make sure they sparkle,are leak-free and are otherwise functioning well. Remove stainsfrom countertops, sinks, tubs and showers. Test major mechanical components, including the furnace, waterheater and electrical system. Make sure windows and doors open and close easily. Replacecracked or scratched glass. Be aware of the amount and type of insulation. DETERMINING HOW MUCH HOUSE YOU CAN AFFORD Low mortgage rates and special incentives for first-time buyersare making the dream of home ownership a reality for more individualsand families. As you begin your search, you'll want to determinehow much house you can afford and what type of mortgage is bestfor your budget. In general, four factors will influence your ability to buy thatdream home. They are: how much of a down payment you will make. The more cash youput down, the less you'll have to borrow. the amount you need to borrow (your mortgage) to cover a monthlypayment for the loan principal (amount borrowed), interest ("price"charged for your use of the lender's money), taxes ( a portionof property taxes), and insurance. the mortgage interest rate. the repayment terms of your loan. When applying for a mortgage, your current earnings and expectedincome during the next few years may influence your borrowingpower. Outstanding long-term debt and how long you expect tostay in the home you're buying may also be considered. Most realty agents recommend getting preliminary approval fora loan, usually by getting "pre-qualified" or "pre-approved"for a certain monthly payment. Getting approved for a loan requireshaving a lender verify your financial situation, including yourcurrent assets (income, savings, investments and other sourcesof revenue) and your liabilities (existing loans, credit cardbalances and other obligations). Using this information, thelender will evaluate whether there are sufficient funds for thedown payment, whether you have adequate income to make monthlypayments, and your overall credit-worthiness, which is based ona review of your borrowing history. According to many real estate professionals and lenders, the biggestreason people get turned down for a loan is poor credit. Reviewingyour credit status and correcting any mistakes before applyingfor a loan can help you avoid surprises or disappointments. Consumersmay request a copy of their credit report from one of three majorreporting services: Equifax: 1-800-685-1111 Trans Union: 1-800-851-2674 Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (1-888-397-3742) A small fee may apply, although if you've been denied credit recently,federal law mandates that the lender tell you which company suppliedthe information. You have a right to a free copy of your reportfrom that company so long as you request it within 30 days ofthe credit denial. Pre-qualification, based on numbers you supply to a lender, isan indication of the range of what you can afford. Getting pre-qualifiedis neither a commitment to loan you money, nor is it an obligationby you to borrow from a particular lender. Lenders typically use one of two guidelines when evaluating aloan request. Most lenders will limit the loan amount to a percentageof your gross monthly income or to a multiple of your annualhousehold income. As a general rule, individuals or families can usually handlea housing payment that amounts to 25- to-28 percent of their grossmonthly income. Following this guideline, if gross monthly incomeis $3,500, monthly payments (inclusive of taxes and insurance)in the range of $875 to $980 are considered reasonable. Somelenders use an alternate ratio that allows 36 percent of totalmonthly income for housing expenses and other long-term debts,such as car loans, credit card payments and obligations for childsupport. (Monthly living expenses for utilities, groceries, entertainment,medical and auto insurance are not calculated in this formula.) Another guideline, based on gross annual household income, assumesmost borrowers can afford up to 2.5 times their gross annual income. This means a borrower with total income of $40,000 may qualifyfor a loan of up to $100,000. Whether using a "multiplier method" or a "percentagemethod," prospective home buyers should allow for closingcosts and moving expenses. (Closing costs are the fees and taxesthat are paid when the deed is transferred. These usually amountto 5-to-10 percent of the mortgage amount. Moving expenses includecosts for movers, as well as "move-in" deposits forutilities and other "necessities"). Many lenders provide work sheets and charts to help you calculateyour borrowing power, along tables so you can compare paymentsat different rates and for different loan periods. (Some realestate brokers and financial institutions even have "mortgagecalculators" on their Internet site to help you determinewhat you can afford.) Your borrowing power can be increased with favorable interestrates and terms. With lower rates, you can borrow more money. Different types of loans and the duration of the payback periodwill influence the interest rate that will be applied to yourmortgage. In general, the shorter the term of the loan, the lowerthe interest rate. There are dozens of different types of mortgage programs froma wide variety of financial institutions, including mortgage companies,saving and loan associations, commercial banks and credit unions. Prudent consumers will find it pays to compare options to findthe right loan for their particular situation. THE MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE (MLS) A multiple listing service is a system for collecting and organizinginformation on available properties in a given area. Such informationis shared by members who agree to cooperate with each other andto abide by certain operating procedures. This service enablesbuyers to have a vast selection of homes to consider, while sellersbenefit from having their property exposed to a large networkof real estate professionals and their clients. Most brokers in the Seattle-Everett-Tacoma area are members of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS), formerly called Puget Sound Multiple Listing Association (PSMLA). More than 1,300 companies with approximately 15,000 licensed sales professionals currently belong to this independent association. In addition to its primary function of maintaining a comprehensive database on thousands of properties, NWMLS produces various legal forms, publications and reports for its members. The "multiple" also maintains an electronic keybox system, which allows access to listings by authorized agents. Other benefits include an array of computerized services to assist with property searches, financial analysis, communications between offices, and access to data on property taxes, local schools and other information. Ongoing training and technical support are also available to NWMLS brokers and agents.

Real Estate Prices

Why the world's best real estate investor is cashing out. - Oct. 24, 2005 Web CNN/Money Home News Markets Technology Commentary Personal Finance Autos Real Estate News Newsmakers SAVE | EMAIL | PRINT | SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY | The king of real estate's cashing out Tom Barrack is selling most of his U.S. portfolio. Maybe you should be nervous too. October 24, 2005: 7:56 AM EDT By Shawn Tully , Fortune Senior Writer NEW YORK (Fortune) - Tom Barrack, arguably the world's greatest real estate investor, is methodically selling off his U.S. real estate holdings as prices drive the market to nosebleed levels. He likens the current real estate market to a game of polo. "I feel totally safe playing polo on a field full of pros," says the bronzed 58-year old. "But when amateurs are all over the field, someone can get killed. They have more guts than brains. They charge after every ball and don't know when to hold back." It's the same with U.S. real estate right now. "There's too much money chasing too few good deals, with too much debt and too few brains." The amateurs are going to get trampled, he explains, taking seasoned horsemen, who should get off the turf, down with them. Says Barrack: "That's why I'm getting out." Investors take heed. Barrack may be an amateur at polo, but when it comes to judging markets, he's the ultimate pro. Arguably the best real estate investor on the planet, he runs a $25 billion portfolio of trophy assets, from the Raffles hotel chain in Asia to the Aga Khan's former resort in Sardinia to Resorts International, the largest private gaming company in the U.S. Barrack's Colony Capital, one of the largest private equity firms devoted solely to real estate, has racked up returns of 21 percent annually since 1990, handing investors, chiefly pension funds and college endowments, 17 percent after all fees. Barrack bought the Fukuoka Dome, Japan's Yankee Stadium, in part because he calculated that the titanium in the retractable roof was worth as much as the purchase price. His strategy is to buy classy but neglected properties anywhere in the world where prices are low. Then, he'll pour in capital to fix them up, and resell in them in five years of so with their pedigrees fully restored. Says his friend Donald Trump: "Tom has an amazing vision of the future, an ability to see what's going to happen that no one else can match." Right now, Barrack's view of the U.S. market couldn't be clearer: It's a great time to sell, and a terrible time to buy. In fact, he sees signs of the tech bubble mentality in real estate. Too much capital is chasing real estate, he explains, with hedge funds, private equity groups, and rich investors all bidding on the same properties. "They've driven prices to the point where the yields on high-quality properties are like the returns on bonds, around 5 percent or 6 percent," says Barrack. "That's too low." And he sees the bubble deflating soon. Barrack thinks the catalyst will be a trend few others are talking about, a steep rise in the price of building materials and labor. "Construction costs have spiked 20 percent in the past nine months," he says. The reasons: Shortages of labor and materials like lumber because of the building boom, and increases in the price of oil, needed to produce everything from plastic piping to insulation to shingles. The slump will show up first in speculative hot spots like Miami and Las Vegas, he says, where condo developers are preselling their projects for what looks like big profits. When they actually build the units over the next year or two, he predicts, they will end up spending more then the units are now selling for. At that point, says Barrack, the developers will try to raise prices. "But most of these buyers are speculators," he says. "They will either sue the developers to get the original price or take their deposits back and walk away." The developers will then put the units back on the market, and the glut of vacant condos will drive prices down. "It's the busted deals caused by construction costs that will cause the turn in the market," he says. So Barrack is buying just one type of property in the U.S.: Casinos. And in contrast to most gaming titans, he's doing it on the cheap. Extraordinary homes, on the cheap ... click here Colony paid just $280 million for the 3000 room Las Vegas Hilton in 2003, one-tenth of what Steve Wynn paid to build his new casino, which has roughly the same number of rooms. The reason Barrack likes casinos is that he's licensed to operate casinos in all the major markets, while most other private equity firms and other financial players don't have licenses. Hence, they're locked out of the market, and can't bid against Barrack. For Barrack, casinos are a safe, exclusive preserve, far from the frenzied melee that's makes every other part of U.S. real estate such a dangerous place to play. For now, Barrack is getting off the field. But when the din subsides, and the amateurs depart, look for Barrack to ride back in, mallet cocked, ready to play again. ---------------------- To read the full-length article from Fortune, click here . The Hot List Most profitable renovations How risky is your 401(k)? Big new tax credits for hybrid cars More Newsmakers Google, Oprah looking hot in '06 Ex-Enron exec pleads guilty NYC transit deal gets OK contact us | magazine customer service | site map | glossary | RSS | press room OTHER NEWS: CNN | SI | Fortune | Business2.0 = Money subscribers = Premium content -- * - Time reflects local markets trading time. † - Intraday data is at least 15-minutes delayed. Disclaimer © 2005 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Terms under which this service is provided to you. privacy policy Reprints of site stories are available. Top Stories Most overvalued housing markets Risks to the economy in 2006 Which was the worst ad of all in 2005? After the ride, a rest Hilton brands reunite after 40 years YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS Follow the news that matters to you. Create your own alert to be notified on topics you're interested in. Or, visit Popular Alerts for suggestions. Manage alerts | What is this?

home equity loan, ask

Shopping for a Home Equity Loan? -- Search: FTC Consumer Alert PDF Version Shopping for a Home Equity Loan? If you decide that the timing’s right for a home equity loan, ask your friends or family for recommendations of lenders. Then, comparison shop . Comparing loan plans will help you get a better deal. Contact several lenders, not just the ones that send you mail, call you, or knock on your door. Talk with banks, savings and loans, credit unions, mortgage companies, and mortgage brokers. Remember, brokers don’t lend money: they help arrange loans. Ask all the lenders you interview to explain the loan plans they have for you. If you don’t understand any loan terms and conditions, ask questions . They could mean higher costs. Knowing just the amount of the monthly payment or the interest rate is not enough. Pay close attention to fees , including: the application or loan processing fee, origination or underwriting fee, lender or funding fee, appraisal fee, document preparation and recording fees, and broker fees which may be quoted as points, origination fees, or interest rate add-on. If points and other fees are added to your loan amount, you’ll pay more to finance them. Also ask for your credit score . Credit scoring is a system creditors use to help determine whether to give you credit. Information about you and your credit experiences – like your bill-paying history, the number and type of accounts you have, late payments, collection actions, outstanding debt, and the age of your accounts — is collected from your credit application and your credit report . Creditors compare this information to the credit performance of consumers with similar profiles. A credit scoring system awards points for each factor that helps predict who is most likely to repay a debt. A total number of points — your credit score — helps predict how creditworthy you are, that is, how likely it is that you will repay a loan and make the payments when they’re due. Negotiate with more than one lender. Don’t be afraid to make lenders and brokers compete for your business by letting them know that you’re shopping for the best deal. Ask each lender to lower the points, fees or the interest rate. And ask each to meet — or beat — the terms of the other lenders. Before you sign, read the loan closing papers carefully . If the loan isn’t what you expected or wanted, don’t sign the loan. Either negotiate changes or walk away. You also generally have the right to cancel the deal for any reason — and without penalty — within three days after signing the loan papers. The lender must return any money you’ve paid to date. Your Credit Report Because your credit report is an important part of many credit scoring systems, it’s very important to make sure it’s accurate before you submit a credit application. To get copies of your report, contact the three major credit reporting agencies: Equifax: (800) 685-1111 Experian (formerly TRW): (888) EXPERIAN (397-3742) Trans Union: (800) 916-8800 These agencies may charge you up to $9.00 for your credit report. To Learn More For more information about shopping for a home equity loan and a glossary of home loan terms, call the FTC’s Consumer Response Center toll-free at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Ask for a free copy of Looking for the Best Mortgage: Shop, Compare, Negotiate ; and Home Equity Loans: The Three-Day Cancellation Rule . Or visit us online at ftc.gov . Lender A Lender B Lender C What are the monthly payments? What is the Annual Percentage Rate (APR)? (the cost of credit expressed as a yearly rate; includes the interest rate, points, broker fees, and other credit charges) What is the interest rate? (the cost of borrowing money expressed as a percentage rate) Will the interest rate change? When? How often? By how much? What will you have to pay in points? What will you have to pay in fees? Application or loan processing fee Origination or underwriting fee Lender or funding fee Appraisal fee Document preparation and recording fees Broker fees Other fees Are any of the application fees refundable if you don't get the loan? How many years will you have to repay the loan? Is this an installment loan or a line of credit? Is there a balloon payment? What are the total closing costs? If you use a broker, how will he or she be paid? Does the loan include optional credit insurance? (You don't have to accept optional credit insurance to get your loan.) If you want optional credit insurance, can you pay for it monthly instead of financing the premiums as part of your loan? Did you get a copy of your credit score? Can you afford this loan? 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. January 2001

Investment Property for Sale

New Zealand Investment Property : Investment Properties For Sale in New Zealand New Zealand's investment property for sale. View our selection of investment properties for sale in New Zealand. New Zealand Tourism Online Visitor Info Transport Tours Attractions Accommodation New Zealand Time: 09:43 AM, Fri 30 Dec, 2005 -- Home Home » Tourism Businesses for Sale » Tourism Investment Property for Sale Tourism Investment Property for Sale New Zealand investment property for sale. Select Web site listings for investment properties for sale in New Zealand from the list below or search by region. Search this Category by Region ALPINE REALTY - Hanmer Springs For a highly competent, professional Real Estate team see us. We offer a wide range of property services in the North Canterbury region. Hanmer Springs offers exceptional opportunities which we can assist in identifying. Residential, rental, investment or commercial - whatever your requirements see us first. We do it right - first time! Click on our name for more details. DUSKY LODGE AND SPA - Te Anau, Fiordland Opportunities like this come once in a lifetime! A chance to secure your own luxurious villa in what will become one the most exclusive Lodge Spas in New Zealand. A singular lifestyle choice and investment set against the awe-inspiring grandeur of the Fiordland wilderness. ID#1r21b0. Click on our name for more details. FIRST NATIONAL REAL ESTATE NEW ZEALAND - Nationwide We completely cover New Zealand with more than 105 First National Real Estate offices. Each is independently owned and operated by dedicated sales staff who offer a wealth of experience and local knowledge. Established in New Zealand since 1985, we have served tens of thousands of property buyers and sellers. Click on our name for more details. GLOBE DEVELOPMENTS - New Zealand Formed in the early 90's. Globe's 'can-do' attitude means they take a solutions-based approach to property development. Globe Holdings is synonymous with high-profile developments in key locations, including residential, commercial and industrial properties, rest homes, apartments, and subdivisions. See us first for property investment! Click on our name for more details. LAKE RUATANIWHA FARMSTAY - Canterbury Lakes Great opportunity to buy semi alpine building sites in the great Canterbury heartland. Level, easy build sections close to Lake Ruataniwha. Excellent fishing, shooting, rowing, gliding, tramping and climbing nearby. Feed the soul - build your dream home here! Click on our name for more details. OCEANS HOTEL - Tutukaka Opening Soon! A luxurious, intimate hotel with a distinctly nautical flavour. 28 stylish rooms and 12 spacious one, two and three bedroom suites. Oceans also features a restaurant and a variety of meeting and wedding reception areas overlooking the water. Perched on the edge of the Tutukaka Marina, Oceans is part of a truly European-inspired resort. Click on our name for more details. RUSSELL COTTAGES - Bay of Islands Set against a background of the irradiant blue waters of the bay, Russell Cottages echo the charm and history that is, Russell. Just 3 hours drive from Auckland, these thoroughly modern three and four bedroom dwellings are nestled in established trees in the village. The perfect retreat and base for game fishing, golf and great sights. Click on our name for more details. TERRACE DOWNS HIGH COUNTRY RESORT - Rakaia Gorge Terrace Downs presents a lifestyle option like no other, at the intersection of civilisation and the fabulous New Zealand high country, where you will delight in being able to replenish your spirit, invigorate your body, and ease your mind. Superb investment opportunity with potential for strong returns and considerable capital gains tax-free. Click on our name for more details. THE QUAY APARTMENTS - Nelson One of the most exciting apartment developments in New Zealand's sunshine capital, Nelson. Situated on Wakefield Quay, one of the most stunning and desirable new waterfront locations in New Zealand. With indoor/outdoor living that flows flawlessly into the harbour vista, The Quay offers the perfect blend of urban and resort lifestyles. Click on our name for more details. THE RIDGE - Christchurch The Ridge is a luxury coastal property development set high on the Port Hills of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is not just an investment in real estate but also a lifestyle. The Ridge is only a short distance from Christchurch and just minutes from the beaches, bays and caf lifestyle of the Estuary, Moncks Bay and Sumner. Enjoy the full benefits of this unique location. Click on our name for more details. Back to top of page Click here to view more listings for this category. Locations Select a Region New Zealand Maps New Zealand Wide North Island Wide - Northland - Bay Of Islands - Auckland - Coromandel - Bay Of Plenty - Waikato - Rotorua - Eastland - Taupo - Ruapehu - Taranaki - Hawke's Bay - Wanganui - Manawatu - Wairarapa - Wellington South Island Wide - Nelson - Marlborough - West Coast - Kaikoura - Christchurch - Canterbury - Mt Cook - Wanaka - Queenstown - Otago - Dunedin - Fiordland - Southland Search Advanced Search Useful Links NZ Travel NZ Maps NZ on CD NZ on Video NZ Products NZ Hotels Holiday Deals Discount Card Tourism Jobs Travel Prizes Travel Enquiries Travel Insurance Māori Tourism NZ Books Postcards Air New Zealand -- World Links Site Map Travel Trade Advertise Add a Site About Us Newsletter Link to Us Site Awards Business Centre Advertise Staff -- Highlights NZ Lions Tour -- NZ Ski Areas -- NZ Highlights NZ Middle Earth NZ Wine & Dine Featured Sites Travel Trade Advertise Add a Site About Us Business for Sale Newsletter Link to Us Site Awards Business Centre Advertise Staff Contact Us New Zealand Tourism Online Ltd 208 Cashel Street / PO Box 13300, Christchurch, New Zealand Advertising & Travel Enquiries. ©2003. 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Buy House

Homes for Sale, Foreclosures, Real Estate Listings :: Buy a House, Sell Your Home at House.com -- "Thank you for all you did to help us get into our new home" -The Meyer Family House.com Sections Find an Agent Foreclosure search -- Check House Value Tips for Buying a House Apply for Mortgage -- Agents Sign Up Here -- Current Rates 30-year fixed: 5.78 % 15-year fixed: 5.18 % 1-year ARM: 4.06 % -- House.com is the 2nd Most Visited Real Estate Site* We are the Nationwide Leader in Connecting You to Top Real Estate Agents. Getting Started 1. Select below a state you want to buy or sell a house in. 2. Fill out our simple form to find top real estate agents. This service is absolutely free with no obligations . Click here to find an Agent » Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming We are a Licensed New York State Real Estate Broker. Home | About Us | Contact Us affiliate program --| Privacy Statement | Terms And Conditions | Jobs | Agents Glossary | Site Map | Press Releases | Exclusive Leads | Census Utah Real Estate | Salt Lake City Real Estate Utah Real Estate Agent | Salt Lake City Real Estate Agent *ComScore Media Metrix Report, week ending September 26, 2004