home loan, a debt

Mortgages, VA Loans, Home Loans, Debt Consolidation, Refinancing contact us home MORTGAGE LOAN AND RESEARCH The categories below will help lead you to a great list of sites that will provide you with all of the information you will need if you are looking to get a mortgage or home loan, a debt consolidation loan, or if you would like to refinance you current loan. We have searched the internet and have compiled a list of all of the best financial sources for you. MORTGAGES This is a list of great sites that will give you a variety of information about Mortgages . You will be able to find sites with loan calculator and others that can give you Interest Rate information. VA LOANS These sites will help answer any questions you may have regarding a VA Loan as well as help you find the best rates on a VA Loan. You may also get prequalified online. Find out what benefits the VA Administration is providing Veterans. Get sources for Lenders who specialize in VA Mortgages. HOME LOANS These sites will help you get the best value on your home loan and new home purchase. Find out how much money you can afford to spend on a house based on your monthly payments as well as how much you can qualify for. DEBT CONSOLIDATION These sites will show you how much money you could save by getting a debt consolidation loan. There are many advantages to this type of loan and the savings to you could be substantial as they have been to thousands of other Americans who have taken advantage a debt consolidation loan to help with credit card bills and other financial issues. REFINANCING Interest rates fluctuate on a monthly basis and it is a good idea to determine if current rates could save you money on the life of your loan. Even if rates on not better than what you current have, you could refinance your current loan to get cash-out. Mortgages VA Loans Home Loans Debt Consolidation Refinancing Apply Now!

Real Estate Agent: It's

Amazon.com: Millionaire Real Estate Agent: It's Not About the Money: Books Your Store Books See All 32 Product Categories Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help | Advanced Search | Browse Subjects | Bestsellers | The New York Times® Best Sellers | Magazines | Corporate Accounts | Amazon Shorts | Bargain Books | Used Books | Textbooks Search Amazon.com Books Web Search Join Amazon Prime and ship Two-Day for free and Overnight for $3.99. Already a member? Sign in . or Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering. A9.com users save 1.57% on Amazon. Learn how . More Buying Choices 20 used & new from $9.15 Have one to sell? Share your own customer images Look inside this book Millionaire Real Estate Agent: It's Not About the Money (Paperback) by Gary Keller , Dave Jenks , Jay Papasan (57 customer reviews) List Price: $20.00 Price: $20.00 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. See details Availability: This title usually ships within 4 to 6 weeks. Please note that special order titles occasionally go out of print, or publishers run out of stock. These hard-to-find titles are not discounted and are subject to an additional charge of $1.99 per book due to the extra cost of ordering them. We will notify you within 2-3 weeks if we have trouble obtaining this title. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. 20 used & new available from $9.15 Other Editions: List Price: Our Price: Other Offers: Paperback (1) $21.95 $14.93 65 used & new from $11.00 Audio CD $75.00 $75.00 2 used & new from $75.00 Better Together Buy this book with 21 Things I Wish My Broker Had Told Me... byFrank Cook today! Buy Together Today: $37.29 Customers who bought this book also bought 21 Things I Wish My Broker Had Told Me : Practical Advice for New Real Estate Professionals. by Frank Cook The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller How To Become a Power Agent in Real Estate : A Top Industry Trainer Explains How to Double Your Income in 12 Months by Darryl Davis Your First Year in Real Estate: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional by Dirk Zeller How to Develop a Six Figure Income in Real Estate: Superstar Selling the Mike Ferry Way by Mike Ferry Explore Similar Items : in Books , in Magazine Subscriptions , and in Tools & Hardware Editorial Reviews Chris Leporni, Realtor Magazine "Keller presents the million-dollar benchmark as a symbol of excellence, rather than a monument to materialism." Mark Victor Hansen, Co-creator #1 New York Times best-selling series Chicken Soup for the Soul(R) and Co-author, The One Minute Millionaire "The Millionaire Real Estate Agent is the step-by-step handbook for seeking excellence in your profession and your life." See all Editorial Reviews Product Details Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Rellek Publishing Partners (February 15, 2003) Language: English ISBN: 0970294107 Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies Average Customer Review: based on 57 reviews. ( Write a review. ) Amazon.com Sales Rank: Today: #97,259 in Books Yesterday: #44,792 in Books (Publishers and authors: improve your sales ) In-Print Editions: Paperback (1) | Audio CD | All Editions Look Inside This Book Browse Sample Pages: Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover Customers who viewed this book also viewed Real Estate Agent's Business Planning Guide by Carla Cross Real Estate Rainmaker: Guide to Online Marketing by Dan Gooder Richard Complete Idiot's Guide to Success as a Real Estate Agent (The Complete Idiot's Guide) by Marilyn Sullivan Mastering the Art of Selling Real Estate by Tom Hopkins Your Successful Real Estate Career by Kenneth W. Edwards Explore Similar Items : in Books , in Magazine Subscriptions , and in Apparel Spotlight Reviews Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 183 of 190 people found the following review helpful: Made My First Year In Real Estate a Huge Success! , July 15, 2004 Reviewer: Cheryl Sellers Johnson "www.SellersTeam.com" (Rockville, MD United States) - See all my reviews I found this book on Amazon when I was just starting out in Real Estate. I read many of the how-to books because I wanted and needed to hit the ground running in my new career. This book, by far, was the most information-packed and practical guide to starting a real estate business. (By the way, another excellent book is "How to Become a Power Agent in Real Estate" by Darryl Davis). I am an attorney and before starting my real estate career, I had my own law practice; and before that, I had my own computer consulting company-both successful ventures. I approached real estate from a businessperson's perspective and this book difinitely speaks to the serious businessperson. There are so many books and articles telling new agents where to spend their time and money that by the time the agent figures out what works and what doesn't, they have spent their entire budget and an entire year, and have not made enough money to move on. That's why 70% of new agents drop out of the field by the end of their second year. This book helps agents, new and seasoned, stay focused on the bottom line. Moreover, it answered the most important question for me--If I need to generate $80,000 in income per year (salary, not gross commissions), what activities do I need to do and how much will it cost me? So many of the other books and articles claimed to have the winning formula by telling you that you must knock on 50 doors per week and make 50 cold calls per week to generate business. Their theory is that it must be painful if you are to be successful. This book, however, gives you lists of ideas and says if you do "x" number of activities from this list, you can expect to receive "x" number of transactions per year. YOU get to pick which activities you perform (if you don't like knocking on doors, pick another activity--it does not have to be painful for you to be successful). The other books tell you that you must know a lot of people--friends and family--and that you MUST call and hound them in order to get business. This book, alternatively, says that if you do not know a lot of people (if you are new to an area) or if you don't want to call your friends and family and beg for business, you don't have to. It gives you the formulas so that you can determine how much marketing you have to do with the "people I haven't met yet" group to generate the same results as you would have with your "friends and family" group. Using this book as a business modeling guide, I closed just under $3 million in volume in my first year; and just over $7 million my second year. I already broke through the $6 million volume cap that many seasoned agents hit as a glass ceiling and cannot move beyond. My broker with my first real estate company (Long & Foster) was hostile to my business model because she didn't understand it and because I was taking control of my own career. She wanted me to follow her formula and she wanted me completely dependent on her for my success (even though she never provided me with leads). Then Keller Williams came to Maryland! (Gary Keller, the author, founded Keller Williams to empower real estate agents to run their own successful businesses). I joined Keller Williams and now I am surrounded by agents and brokers who realize that the business is mine and that the broker's role is to support my success. They do not believe, like so many other companies, that the agent's role is to make the broker rich. This is obvious by the fact that they offer one of the highest commission splits in the industry, without charging a monthly "desk fee," and they share the profits with their agents! And their entire culture is based on the "Millionaire Real Estate Agent" business models. If you are serious about approaching real estate as a business, you must read this book. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 95 of 104 people found the following review helpful: The Real Deal, Can't Recommend Highly Enough , July 16, 2003 Reviewer: Jeff Hansen (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews After reading this book three times through I'm struck with one overriding sense, "OK, this guy gets it". Can one book successfully sum up what's needed for a successful real estate career.....yes. I've been a real estate broker for 11 years and I've been to and heard just about every major "real estate trainer" out there: Wickman, Buffini, Stumpf, Kennedy, Ferry, Knox, Droz, DeLuca, etc. What they all offer are specifics of how they were successful realtors in their time. Which is really helpful, but what sets this book apart is that Keller looks at the challenge of treating your real estate sales career like a business. There is real wisdom here, not just about having a "successful" real estate career, but life balance, and personal fulfillment through our real estate business. I know a number of other agents who have read this book and one thing I've heard a few times is "I wish something like this was around when I got into the business", which are exactly my thoughts. Keller has kind of a tough love approach to spelling out exactly what is involved in true mastery as a realtor producing at a very high level. Another thing I find interesting is that this book could be about any industry, any career. The disciplines and business concepts he describes are universal. Keller starts with the open questions of essentially "what would it take for an agent to succeed at a really high level, and let's use a million dollars as a kind of random goal." He then builds with 1) finding the motivation within to climb this mountain, 2) How to earn a million, 3) how to net a million, 4) how to receive a million in passive income (a true business owner), and finally 5) how to put it all together with the key of focus driving your business. Keller has a direct common sense outlook and writing style which I found refreshing. This book applies to the new agent as well as a realtor who is already producing at a high level. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 3 of 4 people found the following review helpful: This is the worst and most boring book I ever read in my life! , December 14, 2005 Reviewer: Willie Shi "bill stone" (bay area) - See all my reviews what this book all about? sell himself and his company! there are total 5 chapter. want to know what chapter 1 tell you? do it! do it!!! you could do it!!! chapter 2 think big! the more money you could imagine, the more money you will be received. chapter 3. earn it as long as you do it, you will earn it. there is no HOW you will be able to find in this book??? chapter 4. net it or deposit it to the bank. even fools know how to walk to the bank. chapter 5. receive it and spend it. absolutably nonsenses!!! bottom line don't waste your money and time. It's worthless! Why did i buy this book? I was cheated! I doubt that all the positive review are from the insiders. Don't fall on a trick! don't take my word for it, walk to the Barnes & Noble and find out yourself! Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: The best book on how to succeed in real estate , November 29, 2005 Reviewer: R. J Sharpe "Texkabob" (The Republic of Texas) - See all my reviews This book is an excellent tool for a beginning agent or an experienced agent who wants to take his or her business to the next level. It is especially valuable in the following areas: 1. Lead Generation - the book is crystal clear about the fact that real estate is a lead generation business. The authors provide quantifiable models to generate leads that work, provided that the agent is disciplined enough to follow and stick with the program. 2. Budgeting and Marketing - Too many agents make the mistake of spending money they don't have. The authors stress the need to spend out of profits (red light, green light) and stick to your budget. The top line is important if you want to feed your ego and be agent of the month. The bottom line is important if you want to live a really good life. 3. If you list, you last - The authors stress that agents should prospect for listings. This is extremely important. Listings are inventory, and as with any business, the person who controls the inventory is the person who will profit the most. The beauty of inventory in real estate is that you don't own it, so you don't pay the carrying costs, run the risk of loss or theft etc as you would in most other businesses that carry inventory. Without a listing inventory, you are vulnerable to the market. With a listing inventory, you are the market. One area where caution is warranted is in the hiring of staff. The authors are decidedly pro-team, and that's fine, but too many agents add staff too quickly and kill their bottom line as a result. It's helpful to look at the profiles in the back of the book and determine how many transactions per year per person these top teams do. Unless you leverage your staff to do more transactions per person than you can do alone, you might be better off growing staff more slowly than quickly. That's a minor gripe, though, and the authors do an adequate job of explaining the risk. Overall, this book is the best source of knowledge on how to structure a winning residential agency business that I've come across, and it is well worth the price of admission. Bob Sharpe www.canyonlakemls.com Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 8 of 8 people found the following review helpful: Developing a Real Estate Business: This is the Best! , November 12, 2005 Reviewer: Ernest Buckley (Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews I have to laugh at the people who complain about this book, they are not reading the same book I am. I turn to Kellers book almost weekly. I went from no sales and no listings to 3 listings in 3 weeks since reading his book. Just his 8x8 touch technique alone was worth the price. This book is not for everyone. If you are satisfied with your career as is then you will not go the extra effort Keller suggests. For the serious Realtor looking to go out on their own, this book is the roadmap on how to do it. My ten year plan is to develop the skills and relationships needed to go out on my own. This book will take me there with some hard and smart work. Just the fact that Keller has such details in one book is amazing. Everyone from Michael Gerbers to Tony Robbins systems are in this book. What makes it a classic is the fact that the book can combine such a wide range of information in a clear and simple format. Thanks to Keller for writing such an inspiring book. Much Success! Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 1 of 4 people found the following review helpful: Must read! , October 26, 2005 Reviewer: Laura - See all my reviews For everyone who's new, newer or older in the real estate arena, this book will change your way of doing business. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) See all 57 customer reviews... Listmania! Real Estate Career : A list by Barry Bullard Be a Realtor : A list by Orange Peel List for Real Estate Agents : A list by "boevans2" Create a Listmania! list So You'd Like to... Work Less and Earn More : A guide by carlamarie , Business Guru Be a Sales Champ? : A guide by Steve Green , Sales Enthusiast take another look-see IV : A guide by Melody Davis , mostly do-it-yourself style books Create a So You'd Like to... guide Look for similar items by category Subjects > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Real Estate > General Subjects > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Real Estate > Sales Subjects > Business & Investing > Marketing & Sales > Sales & Selling > General Look for similar items by subject Business & Economics / Real Estate Business & Economics / Sales & Selling Business / Economics / Finance Finance, Personal Personal Finance Real Estate - Sales Real estate agents Real estate business Business & Economics Career development Guidebooks Real Estate Sales & Selling Success in business Vocational guidance i.e., each book must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ... This Book and You Sign in to rate this item Write a Review | Write a So You'd Like To... Guide | Tell a Friend About This Item | Rate This Item Favorite Magazines! Explore our Magazine Subscriptions store. Visit the Tools & Hardware Store Calculated Industries 3405 Real Estate Master IIIX Calculated Industries Spec tacular Readers Never misplace your reading glasses again with the hip and stylish magnetic readers from CliC . Suggestion Box Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. If you've found something incorrect, broken, or frustrating on this page, let us know so that we can improve it. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to suggestions made via this form. If you need help with an order, please contact Customer Service . Please mark as many of the following boxes that apply: Product information is missing important details. Product information is incorrect. Propose corrections using our Online Catalog Update Form . The page contains typographical errors. The page takes too long to load. The page has a software bug in it. Content violates Amazon.com's policy on offensive language . Product offered violates Amazon.com's policy on items that can be listed for sale. Comments or Examples: Examples: Missing information such as dimensions and model number, typos, inaccuracies, etc. Where's My Stuff? • Track your recent orders . • View or change your orders in Your Account . Shipping & Returns • See our shipping rates & policies . • Return an item (here's our Returns Policy ). Need Help? • Forgot your password? Click here . • Redeem or buy a gift certificate. • Visit our Help department . Search Amazon.com Books Popular Music Music Downloads Classical Music DVD VHS Apparel Yellow Pages Movie Showtimes Toys Baby Computers Video Games Electronics Camera & Photo Software Tools & Hardware Office Products Magazines Sports & Outdoors Outdoor Living Kitchen Jewelry & Watches Beauty Gourmet Food Musical Instruments Health/Personal Care Pet Supplies Travel Cell Phones & Service Outlet Auctions zShops Everything Else Automotive for Amazon.com Home | Directory of All Stores Our International Sites: Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | Japan | France | China Help | Shopping Cart | Your Account | Sell Items | 1-Click Settings Investor Relations | Press Room | Careers Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2005, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

Florida Real Estate

Real Property for Auction JANUARY 2006 AUCTIONS CORNER LOT - ONLINE AUCTION 124 Sterling Street, Brooklyn, New York 11225 On-line Auction Starts: Monday, January 9, 2006 at 8:00 a.m. EST On-line Auction Ends: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. EST Total Site Area: 2,575 ± sq. ft. Description: 25 feet x 103 feet corner lot at the intersection of Sterling St. and Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE SINGLE FAMILY HOME 708 Kuhlman Road, Houston, Texas 77024 Auction: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 Auction Starts: 12:00 noon Total Living Space: 6,291 ± sq. ft. Description: Two level home with 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, 3 fireplaces, and a 3-car garage. Separate unfinished guest house with kitchen, family room, 3 bedrooms, and 2 baths. For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE VACANT LAND - ONLINE AUCTION Ambrosia Street, Padre Island, No 3, Lot 4, Blk 71, Corpus Christi, Teaxas 78418 On-line Auction Starts: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 8:00 a.m. EST On-line Auction Ends: Thursday, January 19, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. EST Total Site Area: 12,379 ± sq. ft. Description: Located on Padre Island near the Gulf of Mexico. For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE CONDOMINIUM 14514 Cabana East, Unit 306, Padre Island, Corpus Christi, Texas 78418 Auction: Friday, January 20, 2006 Auction Starts: 12:00 noon Total Living Space: 1,303 ± sq. ft. Description: Two level condominium with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and rooftop deck. For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE SINGLE FAMILY HOME ON 11.6 ACRES AND 7.158 ACRES OF LAND 105 L Anderson Road, Auburn, Kentucky 42206 Auction: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 Auction Starts: 12:00 noon Total Living Space: (Revised 12/20/05) 2,141 ± sq. ft. Description: Log home with 3 bedrooms, 1.25 baths, 2 fireplaces, and a one-car garage on 11.6 arces. Adjoining tract of 7.158 acres of land. Properties will be sold separately, then combined for Buyers Option. For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE SINGLE FAMILY HOME 1311 S. Monte Cristo Way, Las Vegas, Nevada 89117 Auction: Friday, January 27, 2006 Auction Starts: 12:00 noon Total Living Space: 3,583 ± sq. ft. Description: Two level home with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and 3-car garage For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE SINGLE FAMILY HOME 736 South 153rd Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 Auction: Tuesday, January 31, 2006 Auction Starts: 12:00 noon Total Living Space: 2,359 ± sq. ft. Description: Two level home with 5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, fireplace, and a 2-car garage. For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE FEBRUARY 2006 AUCTIONS SINGLE FAMILY HOME 6408 Jersey Lane, Arlington, Texas 76018 Auction: Wednesday, February 1, 2006 Auction Starts: 12:00 noon Total Living Space: 4,047 ± sq. ft. Description: Two level home with 6 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a 2-car garage. For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE SINGLE FAMILY HOME 6611 Wagner Way, San Antonio, Texas 78256 Auction: Thursday, February 2, 2006 Auction Starts: 12:00 noon Total Living Space: 4,851 ± sq. ft. Description: Three level home with 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 2 fireplaces, inground pool, and a 2-car garage. For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE COMING SOON SINGLE FAMILY HOME 477 Lee Street, Strasburg, Virginia Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 2,016 ± sq. ft. Description: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths Further details on this property coming soon... 0.31 ACRE OF LAND 65 Circle Road, Staten Island, New York 10304 Auction: Coming soon Total Site Area: 0.31 ± Acre (13,361 ± sq. ft.) Description: Located in Todt Hill area of Staten Island. Adjacent to property being auctioned on Benedict Road. Further details on this property coming soon... 1.15 ACRES OF LAND 51 Benedict Road, Staten Island, New York 10304 Auction: Coming soon Total Site Area: 1.15 ± Acres (45,348 ± sq. ft.) Description: Located in Todt Hill area of Staten Island. Adjacent to property being auctioned on Circle Road. Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME 2670 Moores Mill Road, Spencer, Virginia Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 1,571 ± sq. ft. Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths. Located on 9 ± acres on the North Mayo River with scenic views. Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in La Habra Heights, California Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 2,253 ± sq. ft. Description: One level home with 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2-car garage and swimming pool Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in Rio Rico, Arizona Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 1,425 ± sq. ft. Description: One level home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 2-car garage Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in Longwood, Florida Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 2,721 ± sq. ft. Description: Two level home with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, fireplace, 2-car garage, and inground pool in screened enclosure. Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in Hollywood, Florida Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 4,912 ± sq. ft. Description: Two level home with 6 bedrooms, 5 baths, 2-car garage, inground pool and spa, seawall and wood dock on ocean access canal. Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in Heathrow, Florida Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 3,157 ± sq. ft. Description: 1.5 level home with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, bonus room, 3-car garage, and inground pool in screened enclosure. Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in Miami, Florida Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 4,185 ± sq. ft. Description: One level home with 6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 2-car garage, guest house, and inground pool. Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in Homestead, Florida Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 2,312 ± sq. ft. Description: One level home with 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, and guest house on 2 ± acres. Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in Homestead, Florida Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 1,930 ± sq. ft. Description: Two level home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen and living area on both levels, one-car garage and carport, and 2 horse barns on 2.5 ± acres. Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 1,338 ± sq. ft. Description: One level home with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, carport, unfinished basement, and small barn on 2.9 ± acres. Further details on this property coming soon... COMMERCIAL VACANT LAND 3514 Boudinot Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45211 Auction: Coming soon Total Site Area: 7,012 ± sq. ft. Description: 55 ft. x 127.50 ft. commercial lot zoned B-4 General Business. The site is located along the east side of Boudinot Avenue just south of the Harrison Avenue intersection, and sits between a commercial building and a multi-family dwelling. Further details on this property coming soon... AUCTIONS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. YOU DO NOT NEED A REAL ESTATE BROKER TO BID. If you would like to receive an e-mail notification when the auction date has been scheduled for these coming soon properties, please click here to register online for the free e-mail notification service .

Buy House

Buy my house, please! - Sep. 11, 2003 CNN/Money Web Autos Real Estate Money's Best Home Markets & Stocks News Jobs & Economy World Biz Technology Commentary Personal Finance College Credit and Debt Insurance Interest Rates Retirement Tax Center Ask the Expert Five Tips The Good Life Millionaire in the Making Money 101 Moneyville Retirement Planner Savings Calculator Asset Allocator Mutual Funds Money Magazine Video CNN TV Fortune 500 Best Employers Money 101 Portfolio Calculators Real-time Quotes Last 5 Quotes SPONSORED BY include virtual="/fn_adspaces/markets-stocks/last_five_quotes/sponsor.88x31.ad" -- CNN/Money Email newsletters RSS Mobile news Money archives Buy story reprints Find a Mortgage SPECIAL OFFER Your Money Your Home Buy my house, please! As the market cools, it will take more work to get that 'For Sale' sign out of your front yard. September 11, 2003: 5:10 PM EDT By Sarah Max, CNN/Money Staff Writer BEND, Ore. (CNN/Money) To say that it's been a seller's housing market is the understatement of the year. Homeowners looking to sell in most parts of the country haven't had to wait around very long for a suitable offer, and those in the best markets have seen their homes swooped up in a matter of days, even hours. In early 2003, in fact, 21 percent of all houses went into contract less than one week after going on the market, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). On average, houses sold in just five weeks nearly half the time it took throughout the 1990s. "I believe this may be our best year ever," said David Hemenway, a realtor in Cottage Grove, Ore., who's been in the business since 1968. On the other side of the country in Sebring, Fla., realtor Chip Boring is enjoying a record year. Yet, both are aware that great times can't last forever. "Up until the last 2 1/2 years the average time on the market was anywhere from 180 days to 210 days," Boring said. And Hemenway recalls the early 1980s when his listings lingered on the market, sometimes for years. As interest rates creep up, buyers' budgets creep down and markets return to more normal levels, sellers will discover that it takes a little more work (and patience) to unload their homes. Many already have. While there is little you can do to change the laws of supply and demand, you have some control over whether your house sits or sells. Here are the most common reasons houses don't sell, in order of importance. The price is not right Even in the best of markets, setting your price too high is a mistake -- unless you really don't want to sell your house. "Starting too high is the worst thing you can do," said Hemenway. More on Your Home • Mortgage Application Center • Beating higher rates • Mortgage demand hits 14-month low • Choosing the best mortgage now Why? Because your greatest opportunity for selling your house is immediately after it goes on the market. That's when the majority of serious buyers will see the house. "Even if you lower the price to reflect the market, you'll have fewer people coming through than if you'd just priced it right to begin with," said Hemenway. In fact, it's not until after you bring the price down below the market something few sellers want to do that interest will pick up again. To make matters worse, say real estate agents, the longer a house sits the harder it is to sell. "Everyone thinks there must be something wrong with the house if it hasn't sold," said Boring, adding that for this reason he won't take on a listing if the seller insists on asking more than the house is worth. To drum up new interest among buyers, sellers sometimes pay for extra advertising or offer to, for example, pay for closing costs as a way to get buyers' attention. "In markets where people don't have a lot of cash, paying for closing costs or buying down interest rates with points up front can put you at a huge advantage," said Ron Phipps, a realtor in Warwick, R.I. The house is in the wrong place When markets are good, buyers are more willing to buy on the outskirts of an area or turn a blind eye to busy streets, bad views and other problems. But when markets cool down, it's these spots that suffer the most, said Hemenway. Short of moving the house, there is not much you can do if it is in the wrong location. But while in the house you can take care to make sure you don't over-improve your property relative to the ones around it. "If you have a $300,000 house in a neighborhood of $100,000, be prepared to lower the price or let it sit," said Boring. Buyers can't get past the front door Realtors say that getting buyers to take a look inside a house is the biggest challenge of selling a house. Once they've stepped through the door buyers are more likely to consider a place. "I recently sold a house that from the front was not very inspired," said Phipps. "The buyers came to the open house only because they needed to kill time, but once inside they were interested." For this reason, a little time and money spent on curb appeal will go a long way. Trimming the grass, washing the windows and planting a few flowers may be all it takes. In the case of houses whose best features are inside or out back, Phipps recommends taking good interior pictures and putting 360-degree tours online. Sellers sometimes get buyers to look past their homes' imperfections with creative extras. "I've seen sellers offer decorating allowances, and pay for cleaning service and landscaping," said Phipps. "Several years ago a seller in the bakery business offered to bring the buyer a different cake every month." Too much chintz and tchotchkes Less is more when it comes to attracting buyers. "Put all of those pictures of your family and other personal treasures away," said Sheryl Gregory, a broker in Wynthrop, Maine. "It distracts buyers and makes it harder for them to picture themselves in the house." She also recommends taking down distracting curtains and putting on a fresh coat of paint. "Buyers sometimes get scared if they wander through a house and think they're going to have to do a lot of painting," she added. --* Disclaimer Selling? Buying? Click to compare top local real estate agents More on YOUR HOME • Your Home: Bracing for higher rates • Refinancing demand lags again • A rose is (not) a rose TODAY'S TOP STORIES • Most overvalued housing markets • Risks to the economy in 2006 • Which was the worst ad of all in 2005? CNN Money contact us | subscribe to Money magazine advertising -- | site map | glossary | RSS | press room OTHER NEWS: CNN | SI | Fortune | Business 2.0 | Time © 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.

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.