Selling Home

Selling Your Home, Sell home, selling a house, selling house, sell your home - Home Services Mortgages Research Moving Zero Down Appraisals -- -- A Simple Guide for Selling a Home on Your Own Preface: Why sell yourself? Selling a home yourself, without an expensive real estate broker is easier than most people think. However, it will take some work on your part. You will be doing a lot of things that a real estate agent might normally do. Just follow the For Sale By Owner.com step-by-step selling guide below, and you'll not only save lots of money, but we'll make the house selling process as effortless as possible It's the money! Sellers save thousands of dollars not paying a 6% or 7% commission. For example, if your home can sell for $250,000, youd save $15,000 to $17,500 in commissions. Sell Your Home Fast. Because you are not paying an outrageous selling commission, you can afford to price your home more aggressively. The lower the price, the more likely it sells fast. You will still walk away with thousands in savings, but you'll just be doing it faster. It's so easy. Despite what a real estate broker may say, selling a house is not rocket science. They know that, and soon you will too. Just follow the simple selling steps below. And, if you have any questions, call us and one of our representatives will try to answer any questions you may have. You are not alone - For Sale By Owner.com will help you every step of the way. We are one of the largest and fastest growing real estate service companies in America. In fact, our web site is one of the top-five most visited real estate sites in America. Thousands of eager home buyers visit us everyday. Perhaps one of them is looking for a home just like yours. Over the past five years, we've helped sell thousands of homes, saving home owners millions of dollars. So let's get started. 8 Easy Steps to Selling a Home Yourself Step 1. Preparing your home to sell - make it look great Presentation is everything! Home buyers are attracted to clean, spacious and attractive houses. Your goal is to dazzle buyers. Brighten-up the house and remove all clutter from counter tops, tables and rooms. Scrub-down your house from top to bottom. Make it sparkle. Simple aesthetic improvements such as trimming trees, planting flowers, fixing squeaking steps, broken tiles, shampooing rugs and even re-painting a faded bedroom will greatly enhance the appeal of your house. Also, make sure your house smells good. That's right, clean out the cat box and light mildly scented candles. Invite a neighbor over to walk through your house like a buyer would. Get their opinion on how it "shows." The stuffed donkey in the family room may have to go to your in-laws for a while. Step 2. Pricing your home effectively Do not over price your home. Over-pricing when you sell a home reduces buyer interest, makes competing homes look like better values, and can lead to mortgage rejections once the appraisal is in. Over-pricing when selling a home is the single biggest reason why many "for sale by owner" home sellers don't sell their homes successfully. Remember: the home selling market dictates the price (not what you think it should be worth). One of the best ways to correctly price your house when selling is to find out how much other homes, similar to your own, recently sold for in your neighborhood. Talk to home sellers, buyers and check out the real estate listings in your local newspaper. Typically, if you set the price of your home at 5 to 10 percent above the market price, you are likely to end up with an offer close to your home's true value. Also, you may try calculating the cost per square foot of your home compared to the house selling prices in your area (divide list price by square footage of livable space). If your house has more features or other desirable qualities, you may want to set a slightly higher house selling price. The easiest way to accurately price your home is to contact your local home appraiser . Finally, set your house selling price just under a whole number, such as $169,900 rather than $170,000. Step 3. Get a real estate lawyer Even though it's an additional expense, it may be wise to hire a lawyer who will protect your interests throughout the entire transaction. An experienced real estate lawyer can help you evaluate complicated offers (those with a variety of conditions), act as an escrow agent to hold the down payment, evaluate complex mortgages and/or leases with options to buy, review contracts and handle your home's closing process. They can also tell you what things, by law, you must disclose to buyers prior to a sale and can also help you avoid inadvertently discriminating against any potential buyers. In some areas, title companies will handle all aspects of the transaction and have in-house legal departments that can assist you with legal issues that may arise. To locate a title company in your area, click here . Unless you're significantly experienced in the home selling process, having a real estate lawyer at your side provides peace-of-mind. You know you've got someone looking out for your interests, not just the buyers. To locate a lawyer in your area, click here Step 4. Marketing your home Exposure, exposure, exposure. That's how sellers sell their home fast. For Sale By Owner.com provides extensive home exposure because over 700,000 unique visitors come to the web site each month (that's Internet-speak for new people). In fact, For Sale By Owner.com is one of the top-five most visited real estate web sites in the U.S. getting literally millions of visitors looking to buy or sell a home. We spend tens of thousands of dollars a month to assure that For Sale By Owner.com is prominently placed on Internet search engines so buyers can easily find our site throughout process of selling your home. If your home is in a market where For Sale By Owner.com has a mass-distributed magazine, your home's exposure will be even greater because they can be found at thousands of locations frequented by buyers that include grocery stores, shopping centers, convenience stores and restaurants (the magazine is in over 40 markets nationwide). Writing your sell ad While For Sale By Owner.com allows you a 3,000 word description of your house (try to afford that in a newspaper ad), your advertising copy should be thorough yet short, simple and to-the-point. Long, flowery prose will not make your house sound more appealing. It will simply make it harder for the home buyer to read. Make sure to provide the critical facts buyers are looking for such as the house's number of bathrooms, a re-modeled kitchen, etc. Most home buyers quickly scan ads, so it is important that your house stands out. For example, you may want to add a theme-line such as "Priced below market" or "Great schools." Stay away from industry jargon and use language that makes home buyers comfortable. Survey our web site and see how others have written their ads. You will quickly see which are "buyer friendly." Copy their approach for your ad. Home Photos: Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words If you are taking a photo of your home, be sure that the home's yard/driveway is uncluttered. Remove bikes, garbage cans and parked cars. The same applies for interior shots. People are looking to buy your house, not your possessions. Think of furniture as props and the room a stage. Move things around if you have to. Also, take lots of house photos. Film is cheap...your home deserves quality. The more you shoot, the better the odds are that you'll get a few really good shots. Lawn signs Lawn signs are one the most important marketing tools for home sellers. They attract attention to your home. Professionally-produced signs (like the ones we can send to you) telegraph to home buyers a "quality" image of your house. Directional signs also help drive buyers to your property, especially if you do not live on a busy street. Open houses Open houses are sometimes a good way to attract buyers to your home. Typically, real estate agents conduct open houses for two reasons; 1. Clients expect them 2. They are a good way to attract buyers, not just for the open house but for all houses for sale in the Real Estate Agent's area (yes, your competition). The fact is that very few houses sell due to a open house itself. Home Brochures/Information sheets It is a good idea to create an information sheet (with a photo) about your home to give potential buyers. Consider printing copies of your ad from For Sale By Owner.com to give to people who visit your home. The MLS The MLS or Multiple Listing Service can also help market your home, particularly to real estate agents who may know of buyers seeking a property like yours. The MLS is a directory used by real estate agents to announce to other agents that they have a home for sale. In many selling markets, For Sale By Owner.com can put your house on the MLS (for an additional fee). However, if a real estate agent finds you a buyer after seeing your home on the MLS, you must usually pay that agent a 2.5% to 3% commission (the law states that all commissions are negotiable, however). You are your home's best salesman As every salesman knows, to be effective you have to really know your product. And who knows your home better than you? Certainly not a real estate agent, who, in all likelihood, has spent only a few moments in your house before showing it to prospective buyers. Sell your neighborhood as well as your house. Show enthusiasm, but don't get caught-up talking too much about how "your daughter spent the best years of her life in this very room." Step 5. Negotiating an offer on your home When a home buyer makes an offer (this is often presented to you directly from the buyer or through their lawyer), you should consult with your attorney. Buyers and sellers have an Attorney Review Period, which is usually three days, to cancel or amend the offer. The offer becomes a contract at the end of the Attorney Review Period, and is binding. Many of your home's offers can be complicated and contain special clauses that favor the buyer. Purchase price isn't everything. Carefully consider the purchase contract's other terms and conditions. Too many contingencies can leave loopholes and cause a deal to collapse. Especially avoid contingencies that favor the house's buyer, such as linking the escrow closing date to the buyer's sale of their current home. If the buyer insists on such terms, include a so-called kick-out clause in the contract that will allow you to consider other offers if the buyer isn't able to sell within a certain period of time. Assess your buyer's financial qualifications Is the buyer pre-approved? How much of a loan is the buyer seeking? Unless you are in an active market, lenders tend to shy away from underwriting a deal in which the purchase price is higher than the nearest comparable sale and the buyer is putting less than 10% down. If this is the case, your buyer may not be able to obtain financing. Know the home selling market How you judge an offer also can depend on market conditions. If the selling market is slow, you may feel vulnerable, especially if circumstances are pressing you to sell. Make sure any offer you accept does not keep you in escrow longer than 30 days. In a hot market where multiple offers are likely, be wary of countering more than one offer at a time (you could end up in legal trouble if two buyers both accept your counter offer). Also be wary of offers that promise more money but contain poor contract terms (long escrow, multiple contingencies, etc.). If you feel the home's offer is insufficient, make a counter offer. Rarely is a first offer the buyer's absolute highest price they are willing to pay. Negotiating is part of the home selling process. Again, your lawyer should review the details of all offers. Step 6. Home inspections All standard real estate contracts are going to give the prospective home buyer the right to inspect your property - so be prepared. Under a general inspection you are obligated to make major repairs to appliances, plumbing, septic, electrical and heating systems - or the buyer may cancel the offer. The inspection will also include your property's roof, as well as a termite inspection (in some states, house sellers must provide proof that the home is termite free). If you are concerned about how your home will fair when inspected, you may want to visit your local inspector . They can conduct an inspection for you before a potential buyer has one done. This way, you can address the problems before a buyer stumbles upon them. Once the inspections are complete, the buyer makes an application to a mortgage lender. Step 7. Buyer appraisals and other details The mortgage lender will order an appraisal of your home to make sure they are not paying more than the house is worth. They may also order a surveyor to make sure that the property boundaries are properly laid out. They will also order a title search to determine if there are any liens against your property. These tasks are all the responsibility of the buyer and/or their attorney. At this point too, the mortgage company will issue a commitment . Again, the buyer (and their attorney) must complete all conditions listed on the mortgage commitment. Prior to closing, you should notify your lender that you will be paying off your mortgage. After a closing date has been agreed to, you should contact your utility providers and advise them of your final billing date. Step 8. Closing The day of the closing , the home's buyer will do a "walk through" of the property to make sure all agreed repairs are completed and that the home is in the same condition as when the buyer made their offer. If problems arise that this point, the closing can still take place with funds held in escrow to remedy the problem. Closings usually occur 30 - 45 days after you have signed the sales contract. Depending on what state you reside in, you may close with an attorney, or with a title company. At the closing, all monies will be collected, any existing loans or liens will be paid, the deed will be transferred, and insurance will be issued insuring a free and clear title. The home seller will receive the proceeds of their home in one to two business days after the closing. Conclusion This step-by-step home selling guide is a general overview of the process when selling a home. Each state has slightly different laws and customs as they relate to the transaction process. Selling a home yourself can be time consuming, but the financial rewards can be tremendous. With help from For Sale By Owner.com , we try to make the process of home selling on your own as easy as possible. For Sale By Owner.com Your experts in selling a home on your own. -- Privacy & Disclaimer Partner With Us Career Opportunities Press Room Contact Us Buying A Home Your Credit Report Terms and Conditions Home Selling Tips Selling Your Home © 1997-2005 For Sale By Owner.com Your source for selling a home on your own. We make the home selling process a cinch. Sell real estate, sell a home, and sell your house, fsbo. Real estate selling, home selling, house selling. Site Map Home

New Home

NASA - Home The nasa.gov site requires that JavaScripts be enabled in your browser. For instructions, click here + Text Only Site + en Español + Contact NASA 12.22.05 NASA Satellites Pinpoint 'White Christmas' Areas + Read More 12.13.05 Seeing Into the Past + NASA Spinoffs 12.13.05 CloudSat Scientist Paints Picture of the Sky + Read More + CloudSat Site 12.29.05 NASA to Honor Katrina Heroes With Bravery Medal + Read More 12.28.05 2005 Year in Review + Read More + Flash Feature 12.23.05 Cargo Ship Docks With Station + Read more + Space Station Section 12.23.05 Lucky Lunar Strike + Read More + View Animation 12.22.05 Hubble Finds More Moons, Rings at Uranus + Read More + Hubble Page 12.22.05 Titan: Then and Now + Cassini Section World Book @ NASA Discover and Learn with content brought to you by World Book Encyclopedia + View Articles World Book @ NASA Feature Topic Relativity: One of two theories of physics developed by Albert Einstein. + View Article Michael Griffin + Dec. 17 Georgia Tech. Commencement Speech + Dec. 6 Speech to the American Geophysical Union + Biography + Speeches Image Feature Chimborazo and Tungurahua + View Image + More images... Video Feature Stardust: How Do We Bring a Comet Home? + View Video + More videos... Interactive Feature 2005: Realizing the Vision + View feature + More features... NASA TV NASA TV is streamed 24/7 over the Internet. + Watch NASA TV Now + Find out more + Register now Login to MyNASA Username: Password: Daily 11 a.m. EST: Live ISS mission coverage + Watch NASA TV + NASA TV Schedule + NASA's New Spaceship + Vision Main Page + Vision Videos + The Vision (1.9 MB PDF) + Why We Explore + Current Missions + Want to Work at NASA? + Hurricane Resource Page + NASA Spinoffs + NASA Family Assistance Fund + NASA Missions in History + nasa.gov RSS Feeds Ciencia@NASA Earth Observatory Greatest Images of NASA Human Spaceflight Web Mars Exploration NASA Education Program NASA History NASA Image Exchange NASA Technology Planetary Photojournal Science@NASA Aeronautics Education Exploration Systems Science Missions Space Operations Headquarters Ames Research Center Dryden Flight Research Center Glenn Research Center Goddard Space Flight Center Jet Propulsion Laboratory Johnson Space Center Kennedy Space Center Langley Research Center Marshall Space Flight Center Stennis Space Center NASA IV&V Facility Goddard Inst. for Space Studies Wallops Flight Facility White Sands Test Facility + Freedom of Information Act + Budgets, Strategic Plans and Accountability Reports + The President's Management Agenda + NASA Privacy Statement, Disclaimer, and Accessibility Certification + Inspector General Hotline + Equal Employment Opportunity Data Posted Pursuant to the No Fear Act + Information-Dissemination Priorities and Inventories Editor: Jim Wilson NASA Official: Brian Dunbar Last Updated: December 29, 2005 + Contact NASA

Selling Home Theater Systems

Home Theater Systems - Reviews, Best Price Comparison and BizRate Store Ratings Log in to your account Bookmark this page! Home Home & Garden Computers Clothes Toys Electronics Kids Jewelry All Departments I'm shopping for in All Departments Electronics Home Theater Systems ---------------------- Special Offers Store Ratings Welcome to BizRate.com's free comparison shopping site! We help you find the best deals on the biggest selection of products from all of the top-rated stores. Compare products, read reviews, and compare prices to make sure you quickly find the right product at the right price every time! Shop smarter at BizRate. Home > Electronics > Home Theater Systems Email This Page Search took 0.012 of a second. Home Theater Systems Home Theater Systems Buying Guides Home Theater Systems Price Range Under $310 $310 - $500 Over $500 More Brand Sony Panasonic Bose Onkyo Samsung JVC Yamaha More Player Tuner A/V Receiver DVD CD DVD Changer MP3 CD Changer More Playback MP3 CD CD-RW CD-R DVD-R DVD DVD-RW More Built-In Decoders DTS Dolby Digital Dolby Pro Logic II Dolby Pro Logic DTS Neo:6 Dolby Digital EX DTS 96/24 More Watts Per Center Channel 110 Watts 100 Watts 120 Watts 133 Watts 130 Watts 86 Watts 45 Watts More Watts Per Subwoofer Channel 100 Watts 285 Watts 150 Watts 135 Watts 120 Watts 140 Watts 155 Watts More or Browse by: Speaker System Speaker Type Surround Channels Ohms Equal Power To Rear Video Inputs Rear Video Outputs More Products per page: 10 20 40 80 Sort by: Best Match Price Low-High Price High-Low Product Rating 1 2 3 4 5 … Next << Choose at least two products to compare. Check to Compare Panasonic SC-HT17 5.1 Channel Home Theater System Tuner, A/V Receiver - 170 Watts Main , 70 Watts Surround - DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic - 5.1 Surround… $100 to $500 Found at 12 stores Check to Compare Onkyo HTS780B 7.1 Channel Home Theater System Tuner, A/V Receiver - 110 Watts Main , 110 Watts Center , 110 Watts Surround - DTS, Dolby Digital EX, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Pro Logic...… 2 reviews: $430 to $500 Found at 9 stores Check to Compare Sony HT-DDW670 Home Theater System Tuner, A/V Receiver - 100 Watts Main , 100 Watts Center , 100 Watts Surround , 100 Watts Subwoofer - DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby...… $178 to $260 Found at 14 stores Check to Compare Sony DAV-FX100W 5.1 Channel Home Theater System DVD, CD, Tuner, A/V Receiver - Playback: CD-R, DVD-R, JPEG, CD-RW, DVD, CD, MP3, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, VCD, DVD+R DL - 5 Discs...… $635 to $830 Found at 17 stores Check to Compare Bose 321 Series II Home Theater System DVD, CD - Playback: DVD, MP3 - 1 Discs - 25 AM , 25 FM Presets - With Multi-Room Capability - 2-Piece Speakers… 65 reviews: $899 to $1,000 Found at 10 stores Check to Compare Bose Lifestyle 38 5.1 Channel Home Theater System DVD, CD - Playback: CD-R, MPEG-2, CD-RW, CD, MP3, VCD, PCM, DVD Video - DTS, Dolby Digital - 5.1 Surround - 20 AM , 20 FM Presets...… $500 to $3,000 Found at 8 stores Check to Compare Samsung HT-WP38 5.1 Channel Home Theater System DVD, Tuner, MP3 - 5 Discs - Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II - 5.1 Surround , 30 FM Presets - 6-Piece Speakers… $300 to $350 Found at 7 stores Check to Compare Sony DAV-X1 2.1 Channel Home Theater System DVD, CD, Tuner - Playback: CD-R, DVD-R, CD-RW, DVD, CD, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, VCD, DVD+R DL - 1 Discs - DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby...… 1 review: $570 to $1,000 Found at 15 stores Check to Compare Panasonic SC-HT930 5.1 Channel Home Theater System Tuner, DVD Changer, A/V Receiver - Playback: CD-R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, JPEG, CD-RW, DVD, CD, MP3, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD Audio, HDCD, WMA...… 1 review: $319 to $599 Found at 26 stores Check to Compare Sony HT-6900DP 6.1 Channel Home Theater System Tuner, DVD Changer, A/V Receiver - Playback: JPEG, MP3, DVD+R, DVD-R/RW, CD-R/RW - 5 Discs - 140 Watts Main - DTS, Dolby Digital...… $370 to $500 Found at 14 stores Check to Compare Pioneer HTP-2500 Home Theater System 1000 Watt… $159 to $199 Found at 3 stores Check to Compare Sony DAV-DX150 5.1 Channel Home Theater System DVD, CD, Tuner, MP3, A/V Receiver - Playback: CD-R, DVD-R, JPEG, CD-RW, MP3, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, VCD, DVD+R DL - 5 Discs , 133...… 1 review: $244 to $320 Found at 16 stores Check to Compare Onkyo HTS580 5.1 Channel Home Theater System Tuner, A/V Receiver - 100 Watts Main , 100 Watts Center , 100 Watts Surround , 100 Watts Subwoofer - DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby...… $249 to $300 Found at 6 stores Check to Compare Bose Lifestyle 48 5.1 Channel Home Theater System DVD, CD, Tuner, MP3, A/V Receiver - Playback: CD-R, MPEG-2, CD, MP3, CD-R/RW, VCD, PCM, DVD Video - 1 Discs - DTS, Dolby Digital...… $2,999 to $4,000 Found at 10 stores Check to Compare Sony DAV-FX80 5.1 Channel Home Theater System CD, Tuner, DVD Changer, A/V Receiver - Playback: CD-R, DVD-R, JPEG, CD-RW, DVD, CD, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, VCD, DVD+R DL - 5 Discs...… $474 to $664 Found at 19 stores Check to Compare Panasonic SC-HT830V 5.1 Channel Home Theater System VHS, CD, Tuner, MP3, DVD Changer, VCR, A/V Receiver - Playback: DVD-R, DVD-RAM, JPEG, CD, MP3, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD Audio, HDCD...… $249 to $400 Found at 22 stores Check to Compare JVC TH-C5 5.1 Channel Home Theater System DVD Changer - Playback: CD-R, DVD-R, JPEG, CD-RW, CD, MP3, DVD-RW, MPEG, DVD Audio, WMA, VCD, SVCD, DVD Video - 5 Discs , 167 Watts...… 1 review: $315 to $394 Found at 18 stores Check to Compare Panasonic SC-HT680 5.1 Channel Home Theater System Tuner, DVD Changer, A/V Receiver - Playback: CD-R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, JPEG, CD-RW, DVD, CD, MP3, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD Audio, HDCD, WMA...… $190 to $273 Found at 11 stores Check to Compare JVC TH-C6 5.1 Channel Home Theater System DVD Changer - Playback: CD-R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, JPEG, CD-RW, DVD, CD, MP3, DVD-RW, DVD Audio, WMA, VCD, SVCD, DVD Video - 5 Discs...… 1 review: $420 to $500 Found at 10 stores Check to Compare Bose 321 GS Series II 5.1 Channel Home Theater System DVD, CD - Playback: CD-R, CD-RW, CD, MP3, DVD Video - 5.1 Surround , 20 FM Presets - 2-Piece Speakers… 2 reviews: $1,199 to $1,300 Found at 10 stores << Choose at least two products to compare. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | … Next Related Searches in Home Theater Systems Surround Sound System , Bose , Home Theater System , Speakers , Home Theatre Systems , Home Theater , Subwoofer , Home Theater Wireless , Wireless Speakers , Dav-Fx100w , Surround Sound , Home Theatre , Denon , Jvc Th-C6 , Wireless Home Theater , Sony Home Theater , Onkyo , Surround Sound Speakers , Klipsch , Home Theaters , Bose 321 Home Theater System , More Stores Selling Home Theater Systems (Sponsored Links) SONY HD Home Audio Learn More about Sony High Definition Audio . Experience HD! sony.com/hdtv Overall Rating: Not Yet Rated Home Entertainment PCs Replace Every Audio /Video Device with the All-in-One Alienware DHS. www.alienware.com Overall Rating: Not Yet Rated Home Packages Save Money Design & Build Your New Home Owner Builders Save Thousands www.lhlc.com Overall Rating: Not Yet Rated Discount Projectors name brand projectors at discount prices. Free shipping. 888-525-6696 www.projectorsuperstore.com Overall Rating: Not Yet Rated Designing a home theater? Read HDLifestyle to learn more about building a home theater. www.corning.com/lcdtv Overall Rating: Not Yet Rated Home Theater Acoustics Soft Sound™ Home Theater Acoustic Improving Products. Order Online www.soundprooffoam.com Overall Rating: Not Yet Rated Small Speakers, Big Sound Blow Your Mind Not Your Budget 2005 "Editor's Choice" Winner www.orbaudio.com Overall Rating: Not Yet Rated I'm shopping for in All Departments Electronics Home Theater Systems ---------------------- Special Offers Store Ratings See the 2005 Circle of Excellence Winners! Home | Your Account | Help | About BizRate.com | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Jobs Merchant Login | Merchant Listings and Advertising | Ratings and Research | Affiliates BizRate International - BizRate UK | BizRate France | BizRate Germany Check out our new site, Shopzilla.com - Take a Tour | Online Shopping Shopzilla International - United Kingdom , France , Germany Thank you for shopping online at BizRate © 2005 Shopzilla, Inc.

Real Estate Agent

Pittsburgh Real Estate Agent Thinking About Buying or Selling Greater Pittsburgh Real Estate? Our Mission: Yes Team Kane is Able to Help make your Pittsburgh real estate experience the very BEST! Remax Pittsburgh's Team Kane: Dave Kane , Jenn Kane and Mario Venneri We will find you the perfect home in Pittsburgh, PA. We focus on combining our energy, enthusiasm and honesty with the technology of RE/MAX Select to individualize every real estate transaction. We have helped countless homeowners looking to buy or sell Pittsburgh Real Estate. A closer look at Team Kane: Call Team Kane: 412-287-1173 Dave has always had a strong interest in the real estate industry; entering the business with high expectations in 1997. Education is a top priority for Dave. Therefore he immediately earned his Associate Broker license. As Dave continued his career in Pittsburgh real estate it was not long and he was recognized as a multi-million dollar producer and motivational asset to his company. It is Dave's personal goal to put his enthusiasm and energy into each Pittsburgh real estate transaction. for site scrapers -- Jenn is an extremely active native of Pittsburgh. She holds an undergraduate and graduate degree and spends a lot of time teaching group fitness classes. Recently she joined her husband Dave in the Pittsburgh real estate industry. Jenn's high energy and enthusiasm is sure to put a smile on her clients' faces! Along with Dave her goal is to provide ultimate service to each of their Pittsburgh clients - exceeding all expectations Together, Dave and Jenn Kane guarantee a positive Pittsburgh real estate experience. Pittsburgh Homes For Sale If your shopping for a new Pittsburgh home please check out our Pittsburgh homes for sale . We'll also email you every new home listed on the Pittsburgh MLS search for free! If you're planning selling Pittsburgh real estate contact us and find the advantange of Remax Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Relocation Relocating to Pittsbugh can be an easy with Remax Pittsburgh by your side. See all that greater Pittsburgh has to offer relocating families here. And conctact us for all of your Pittsburgh relocation needs. Remax Pittsburgh Agent Mario Venneri Call Mario Venneri: 412-716-3922 View Mario's Current Listings Mario Venneri has been a licensed Realtor for over nine years and works with Remax's Pittsburgh Select Realty . Mario comes from a family of Pittsburgh real estate professionals who have done reputable business and strived to meet and create the housing needs in our suburbs for the past 50 years. The knowledge and experience that Mario has been able to gather as a result has been greatly beneficial in his ability to succeed in the Pittsburgh real estate business. Mario specializes in all facets of real estate including Pittsburgh new construction development and sales, first time home buyers, and existing buyer and seller transactions. Currently Mario is acting as site coordinator at a plan of townhouses in Imperial called Mystic Hills, and will be taking on the same responsibilities as site coordinator on a new patio home development in Chippewa coming soon. Mario's goal is to make every transaction a stress free and enjoyable experience from start to finish. You can contact Mario directly on his cellular phone at: 412-716-3922 Resources Add URL Real Estate & Mortgage Directory Texas Mortgage Georgia Mortgage Orlando Real Estate Pittsburgh Homes For Sale ~ Buying Vs. Renting ~ Pittsburgh Relocation ~ Pittsburgh New Construction ~ Pittsburgh Home Search ~ Pittsburgh Sell Your Home ~ Pittsburgh For Sale By Owner ~ Home Buying Basics ~ Our Community ~ Testimonials ~ Local Utilities ~ Consumer Notice ~ Mortgage Calculators ~ Mortgage Information ~ Home Buying Terms A-Z ~ Pittsburgh Weather ~ Pittsburgh Home Value Analysis ~ Pittsburgh MLS Search ~ Pittsburgh Schools Information ~ Remax Pittsburgh ~ Home Allegheny County Real Estate ~ Butler County Real Estate ~ Cheswick PA Real Estate ~ Cranberry Township Real Estate ~ Fawn Township PA Real Estate ~ Fox Chapel Township PA Real Estate ~ Frazer Township PA Real Estate ~ Glenshaw Township PA Real Estate ~ Hampton Township PA Real Estate ~ Indiana Township PA Real Estate ~ McCandless PA Real Estate ~ Natrona Heights PA Real Estate ~ Oakmont PA Real Estate ~ O'hara Township PA Real Estate ~ Pine Township PA Real Estate ~ Shaler Township PA Real Estate ~ Springdale Township PA Real Estate ~ Verona PA Real Estate ~ Wexford PA Real Estate Resources Real Estate Website Design - Mortgage Website Design © website design 2004

home equity loan or

FRB: Putting Your Home on the Loan Line Is Risky Business ESPAÑOL Are you in need of cash? Do you want to consolidate your debts? Are you receiving home equity loan or refinancing offers that seem too good to be true? Does your home need repairs that contractors tell you can be easily financed? If you are a homeowner who needs money to pay bills or for home repairs, you may think a home equity loan is the answer. But not all loans and lenders are the same--you should shop around. The cost of doing business with high-cost lenders can be excessive and, sometimes, downright abusive. For example, certain lenders--often called "predatory lenders"--target homeowners who have low incomes or credit problems or who are elderly by deceiving them about loan terms or giving them loans they cannot afford to repay. Borrowing from an unscrupulous lender, especially one who offers you a high-cost loan using your home as security, is risky business. You could lose your home and your money. Before you sign on the line, Think about your options Do your homework Think twice before you sign Know that you have rights under the law Think about Your Options If you’re having money problems, consider these options before you put your home on the loan line. Talk with your creditors or with representatives of non-profit or other reputable credit or budget counseling organizations to work out a plan that reduces your bill payments to a more manageable level. Contact your local social service agency, community or religious groups, and local or state housing agencies. They may have programs that help consumers, including the elderly and those with disabilities, with energy bills, home repairs, or other emergency needs. Contact a local housing counseling agency to discuss your needs. Call the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development toll-free at 800-569-4287 or visit www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof14.cfm to find a center near you. Talk with someone other than the lender or broker offering the loan who is knowledgeable and you trust before making any decisions. Remember, if you decide to get a home equity loan and can’t make the payments, the lender could foreclose and you would lose your home. If you decide a loan is right for you, talk with several lenders, including at least one bank, savings and loan, or credit union in your community. Their loans may cost less than loans from finance companies. And don’t assume that if you’re on a fixed income or have credit problems, you won’t qualify for a loan from a bank, savings and loan, or credit union--they may have the loan you want! Do Your Homework Contact several lenders--and be very careful about dealing with a lender who just appears at your door, calls you, or sends you mail. Ask friends and family for recommendations of lenders. Talk with banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and other lenders. If you choose to use a mortgage broker, remember they arrange loans but most do not lend directly. Compare their offers with those of other direct lenders. Be wary of home repair contractors that offer to arrange financing. You should still talk with other lenders to make sure you get the best deal. You may want to have the loan proceeds sent directly to you, not the contractor. Comparison shop. Comparing loan plans can help you get a better deal. Whether you begin your shopping by reading ads in your local newspapers, searching on the Internet, or looking in the phone book, ask lenders to explain the best loan plans they have for you. Beware of loan terms and conditions that may mean higher costs for you. Get answers to these questions and use the worksheet to compare loan plans: Interest Rate and Payments What are the monthly payments? Ask yourself if you can afford them. What is the annual percentage rate (APR) on the loan? The APR is the cost of credit, expressed as a yearly rate. You can use the APR to compare one loan with another. Will the interest rate change during the life of the loan? If so, when, how often, and by how much? Term of Loan How many years will you have to repay the loan? Is this a loan or a line of credit? A loan is for a fixed amount of money for a specific period of time; a line of credit is an amount of money you can draw as you need it. Is there a balloon payment--a large single payment at the end of the loan term after a series of low monthly payments? When the balloon payment is due, you must pay the entire amount. Points and Fees What will you have to pay in points and fees? One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount (1 point on a $10,000 loan is $100). Generally, the higher the points, the lower the interest rate. If points and fees are more than 5 percent of the loan amount, ask why. Traditional financial institutions normally charge between 1 and 3 percent of the loan amount in points and fees. Are any of the application fees refundable if you don’t get the loan? How and how much will the the lender or broker be paid? Lenders and brokers may charge points or fees that you must pay at closing or add on to the cost of your loan, or both. Penalties What is the penalty for late or missed payments? What is the penalty if you pay off or refinance the loan early (that is, is there a pre-payment penalty)? Credit Insurance Does the loan package include optional credit insurance, such as credit life, disability, or unemployment insurance? Depending on the type of policy, credit insurance can cover some or all of your payments if you can't make them. Understand that you don’t have to buy optional credit insurance--that’s why it’s called “optional.” Don’t buy insurance you don’t need. Credit insurance may be a bad deal for you, especially if the premiums are collected up-front at the closing and financed as part of the loan. If you want optional credit insurance, ask if you can pay for it on a monthly basis after the loan is approved and closed. With monthly insurance premiums, you don't pay interest and you can decide to cancel if the premiums are too high or if you believe you no longer want the insurance. After you have answers to these questions, start negotiating with more than one lender. Don’t be afraid to make lenders and brokers compete for your business by letting them know you are shopping for the best deal. Ask each lender to lower the points, fees, or interest rate. And ask each to meet--or beat--the terms of the other lenders. Once You’ve Selected a Lender, Get the Following A “Good Faith Estimate” of all loan charges. The estimate must be sent within 3 days of applying. Blank copies of the forms you’ll sign at closing, when the loan is final. Study them. If you don’t understand something, ask for an explanation. Advance copies of the forms you’ll sign at closing with the terms filled in. A week or two before closing, contact the lender to find out if there have been any changes in the Good Faith Estimate. By law, you can inspect the final settlement statement (also called the HUD-1 or HUD-1A form) one day prior to closing. Study these forms. Write down any questions you want to ask. Think Twice before You Sign Have a knowledgeable friend, relative, attorney, or housing counselor review the Good Faith Estimate and other loan papers before you sign the loan contract. Be sure the terms are the same ones you agreed to. For example, a lender should not promise one APR and then--without good reason--increase it at closing. Refer to the list of questions you’ve written down. Ask where these terms are covered in the loan contract. And ask for an explanation of any dollar amount or term you don’t understand. Don’t let anyone rush you into signing the loan contract. Make sure all promises, oral and otherwise, are put in writing. It’s only what’s in writing that counts. Get a copy of the documents you signed before you leave the closing. Don’t Sign on the Dotted Line if the Lender … Tells you to falsify information on the loan application (for example, suggests that you write down more income than you really have). Pressures you into applying for a loan for more money than you need, or one that has monthly payments larger than you can afford. Promises one set of terms but gives you another with no good reason for the change. Tells you to sign blank forms or forms that aren't completely filled in. If an item is supposed to be blank, draw a line through the space and initial it. Pressures you to sign today. A good deal today should be available tomorrow. Know that You Have Rights under the Law You Have 3 Business Days to Cancel the Loan If you're using your home as security for a home equity loan (or for a second mortgage loan or a line of credit), federal law gives you 3 business days after signing the loan papers to cancel the deal--for any reason--without penalty. You must cancel in writing. The lender must return any money you have paid to date. Do You Think You've Made a Mistake? Has the 3-day period during which you may cancel passed and you're worried that you've gotten in over your head? Do you think your loan fees were too high? Do you believe you were steered into monthly payments you can't afford? Has your lender repeatedly pressured you to refinance? Is your loan covered by insurance you don't need or want? If you think you've been taken advantage of, state and federal laws may protect you. Also, the following organizations may be able to help: Your local or state bar association--sometimes listed under "Lawyers Referral Service" in the Yellow Pages of your phone book. The association may be able to refer you to low-cost or no-cost lawyers who can help. Your local consumer protection agency, state attorney general’s office, or state office on aging, listed in the Blue Pages of your phone book. Your local fair housing group or affordable housing agency, housing counseling agency, or state housing agency. You can learn more about credit and home equity loans by visiting the federal government’s web site for consumers, www.consumer.gov (see the Home and Community section). If you don’t have access to the Internet, ask a friend or relative to get the information for you. Or visit your local library or senior center, which may offer you free access to the Internet on their computers. For More Information State Banks that Are Members of the Federal Reserve System Division of Consumer and Community Affairs Mail Stop 801 Federal Reserve Board Washington, DC 20551 (202) 452-3693 www.federalreserve.gov Federally Insured State Non-Member Banks and Savings Banks Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Consumer Response Center 2345 Grand Boulevard, Suite 100 Kansas City, Missouri 64108 (877) 275-3342 www.fdic.gov National Banks and National Bank-Owned Mortgage Companies Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Customer Assistance Group 1301 McKinney Street Suite 3450 Houston, TX 77010 (800) 613-6743 www.occ.treas.gov Federally Insured Savings and Loan Institutions and Federally Chartered Savings Banks Office of Thrift Supervision Consumer Programs 1700 G Street, N.W., 6th Floor Washington, DC 20552 (800) 842-6929 www.ots.treas.gov Federal Credit Unions National Credit Union Administration Office of Public and Congressional Affairs 1775 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 518-6330 www.ncua.gov For state-chartered credit unions, contact your state's regulatory agency. Mortgage Companies and Other Lenders Federal Trade Commission Consumer Response Center 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20580 (877) FTC-HELP (877-382-4357, toll free) www.ftc.gov Other Information Sources U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Housing and Civil Enforcement Section, NWB Washington, DC 20580 (202) 514-4713 www.usdoj.gov/crt/housing/index.html Federal Housing Finance Board 1777 F Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20006 (202) 408-2500 www.fhfb.gov Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20410 800-669-9777 (voice) 800-927-9275 (TTY) www.hud.gov Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) 1700 G Street, N.W. 4th Floor Washington, DC 20552 (202) 414-6922 www.ofheo.gov Adobe acrobat version of text for printing (119 KB PDF) is formatted for printing on two sides of a 11 x 17" sheet of paper. Fold the paper in half. The PDF contains a fillable area on the back panel for you to provide your own contact information. Worksheet for printing (58 KB PDF) Obtaining the Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Web Site This information was prepared by the following federal agencies: Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Justice, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Housing Finance Board, Federal Reserve Board, Federal Trade Commission, National Credit Union Administration, Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Office of Thrift Supervision. Home | Brochures Accessibility | Contact us Last update: March 24, 2004