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.

Home Loans The Commonwealth

Commonwealth Bank Group - Personal - Home Loans - Home Seeker Loan This will adjust the viewing area of your Internet Explorer browser based on your screen resolution. Home Loans The Commonwealth Bank offers a complete range of loan options designed to meet different needs and goals. Apply online and pay $0 Establishment Fee. For a limited time only. Use our Home Loan Options at a Glance table to compare our products or read more information in our Home & Investment Home Loans brochure . You can also read about the home buying process here . The Complete Home Loan/ Investment Home Loan is a suite of loans with a full range of interest rate options, offset options, and other flexible features. 1 Year Guaranteed Rate Home Loan : ensures that your repayments will remain the same month to month for the first important year. 1-5 and 7, 10 and 15 Year Fixed Rate Home Loans : allows you to have the security of predictable loan repayments for an agreed period of time. Standard Variable Rate Home Loan : a full feature loan that allows you to benefit from market rates when they're lower. 6 or 12 Month Discounted Variable Rate Home Loan : low introductory rates that give you the benefits of lower repayments in the first 6 or 12 months or your property purchase. Economiser Home/ Investment Home Loan offers a low variable interest rate, with a range of flexible options. It caters for those who don't need all the features of the Complete/Investment Home Loan. Home Seeker Loan offers 'in principle' approval which is valid for 12 months. It allows you to search for a home knowing your finance is in place. Other finance options Viridian Line of Credit lets you free up the equity you have in your home for other purposes. It provides you with a revolving line of credit through a convenient single account that you can use daily. Viridian Addvantage is an 'all-in-one' portfolio style facility that allows you to include up to ten separate loan accounts under the one 'umbrella' limit, and provides the flexibility of designing and modifying your account structure to suit your changing needs. Family Equity Family Equity is a home buying solution unlike any other. It's a range of financing options that can help you secure a home loan, repay a home loan or a combination of both. The central idea is that both you and your family help secure and fund the loan and/or repayments, together. Equity Unlock is a flexible financing solution for seniors who are retired and aged 65 and over. It allows you to access the equity in your home without limiting your lifestyle. The Equity Unlock Loan for Seniors enables you to access the equity in your home for such things as home improvements, the purchase of a new car, payment of medical expenses, taking a holiday or simply to supplement your income. Wealth Package is a program that recognises that the more business you have with the Commonwealth Bank Group, the more benefits you should enjoy. This can include special savings on selected Commonwealth Bank home loans, as well as credit cards and insurance. Bridging Loans - help you with finance to buy your new property before you have sold your existing property. Low Documentation Home Loans - are a flexible financing solution for self-employed people who have an income and assets, but may not have the usual paperwork at the time of application. Deposit Guarantee - is a quick and easy alternative to a cash deposit that is payable when signing a contract to purchase residential property. A Deposit Guarantee represents the cash deposit until settlement. At settlement, the purchaser is required to pay the full purchase price including the deposit. Find the loan option that's right for you with our Home Loan Selector or you can view all the options at a glance .Furthermore, to make sure you select the home loan that meets your needs, you can view and print the terms and conditions on our full range of home loans ( Usual Terms and Conditions for Consumer Mortgage Lending (UTC) ) - download pdf (135KB). Note: These terms and conditions do not apply to HomePath loans and do not represent a formal offer of finance. The UTC is made available for your information only. You can also obtain a copy of the UTC by calling us on 13 2224 between 8am and 10pm, 365 days a year. The Your Home section of our site gives you information on what's involved in buying a home or an investment property, or financing renovations. Selling your home? Park your surplus funds from the sale of your property by depositing them in an AwardSaver account or any other Commonwealth Bank deposit account and you could qualify for one of our home loan discounts with our Park & Hold facility. Don't forget the insurance! Home Insurance with Loan Repayment Great benefits for Home/Investment Home Loan customers From 29 March 2004, existing and new home/investment home loan customers can elect to pay their CommInsure # Home and/or Contents premium through their loan repayment. This payment option is only available for customers paying their insurance premium monthly. Combining your insurance premium with your loan repayment will make life easier when calculating household expenses. # CommInsure is a registered business name of Commonwealth Insurance Limited ABN 96 067 524 216, a wholly owned, but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia. CommInsure can assist you with all your property and personal insurance needs. Get more information Apply online . Ask one of our home loan consultants to contact you: Contact Me . Request an appointment with a Mobile Banker . Call us on 13 2224 between 8am and 10pm, 365 days a year. Have a Home Loan Kit sent to you - just complete the request form . Please note: The above information is subject to change without notice. Applications for finance are subject to the Bank's (where applicable) credit approval criteria. Full terms and conditions will be included in the loan offer. Other fees and charges are payable. apply now Apply online Contact Me Meet with Mobile Banker Request Home Loan Kit Call 13 2224 8am to 10pm useful tools Home Loan Calculators Home Loan Selector Home & Contents Insurance Calculator Guide to Buying a Home Commonwealth Bank Property Value Guide rates and fees Home Loan rates Important Information about advice: This advice has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation and needs. Find out more about what this means for you on http://www.commbank.com.au/fsra/advice.asp Home Loan Options Complete Home Loan Economiser Home Loan Home Seeker Loan Viridian Line of Credit Viridian Addvantage Wealth Package Low Doc Home Loan Home & Investment Home Loans Quick Links Home Loans at a Glance Finding a Home Financing Your Home Servicing Your Home Loan CommInsure You are here: Home > Personal > Home Loans -- Security & Privacy | Site Information |  Commonwealth Bank of Australia 2005 ABN 48 123 123 124 home | site index | help | glossary | locate us | contact us Financial Needs: day to day banking > youth and students > your home > building wealth > your retirement > Products: transaction and savings > credit cards > personal lending > home loans > investment and super > insurance > Online Services: NetBank > CommSec > personal centre business centre institutional banking shareholder centre about us All Day to Day Banking - Easy Ways to Bank - Minimising Fees - Budgeting and Saving - Going on Holidays - Moving to Australia All Youth and students - Banking at School - Under 18s - Young Adults 18 to 20 years old - Tertiary Students - Overseas Students All Your Home - Finding a Home - Financing Your Home - Financing Your Renovations - Investing in Property All Building Wealth - Achieving Financial Goals - Investment Basics - Why invest in Managed Funds? - Why invest in Super? - Borrowing to Invest All Your Retirement - Retirement Basics - Sobering Retirement Facts - Retirement Income Streams - Social Security & Taxation All Transaction and Savings Transaction Accounts - Streamline Account - Woolworths Ezy Action Account - Pensioner Security Account Savings Accounts - NetBank Saver - AwardSaver Account - Youthsaver Account - Cash Investment Account - Education Savings Plan - Commonwealth Direct Investment Account - Commonwealth Cash Management Trust - Term Deposits - Mortgage Interest Saver Account All Credit Cards - Features and Benefits of Our Credit Cards - Important information about your credit card - Standard Card With Interest Free Period - Standard Card With No Interest Free Period - Gold Card - Platinum Credit Card - Golf Card - Woolworths Ezy MasterCard - Commonwealth Awards - Commonwealth Awards Gold - Commonwealth Awards Platinum All Personal Lending Personal Loans - Fixed Rate - Variable Rate - Fixed Rate Secured Streamline Overdraft Student Loans All Home Loans - The Complete Home Loan - Economiser Home Loan - Home Seeker Loan - Servicing your Home Loan - Viridian Line of Credit - Viridian Addvantage - Family Equity - Investment Home Loans - Bridging Loans - Wealth Packages - Equity Unlock Loan for Seniors - Deposit Guarantee All Investment and Super - Short-Term Investment Options - Managed Funds - Superannuation - Retirement Income Streams - Need Advice - Education Savings Plan - Colonial Service Information - Commonwealth Financial Services Information All Insurance - Life Insurance - Income Protection Insurance - Home and Contents Cover - Investment Home Insurance - Motor Insurance Information Test Drive Register Now Log On Information Log On NetBank CommSec Managed Funds Balances Super Balances Unit Prices Commonwealth Research Commodities Centre

Real Estate Agents This

Real-Estate-Agents.com: Directory of Agents in US / Canada Real-Estate-Agents.com Find Real Estate Agents in the US and Canada HOME || Contact Us Directory of Real Estate Agents This site is a "no bells, no whistles" directory of links to real estate agents in the US and Canada. Somewhere in here is the house or property of your dreams! It's our goal to list more agents than any other directory, both residential or commercial. If you know an agent who would like to be added, please navigate to the regional listings and look for the "Add your Agency" link near the bottom of the page. We hope our listings help your real estate search, but please note that local real estate agents we list are responsible for their own websites and their own business practices. REAL ESTATE AGENTS: UNITED STATES Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware D.C. 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 Tips and Articles REAL ESTATE AGENTS: CANADA Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland Nunavut NWT Yukon Nova Scotia Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan REAL ESTATE AGENTS: OTHER Europe Other Areas BACK to TOP Shopping | Privacy | Contact Us

real estate investing courses.

Investment Services Real Estate Instruments in the Yahoo! Directory Search: the Web | the Directory | this category Investment Services > Real Estate Instruments Email this page Suggest a Site Advanced Search Directory > Business and Economy > Shopping and Services > Financial Services > Investment Services > Real Estate Instruments CATEGORIES Real Estate Investment Trusts (110) SPONSOR LISTINGS ( What's this? ) Matrix Capital Partners - private equity firm focused on multi-family real estate investments and the preservation of affordable housing communities. SITE LISTINGS By Popularity | Alphabetical ( What's This? ) Sites 1 - 31 of 31 RealEstateCourseReviews.com - read and write reviews of the most popular real estate investing courses. Also offers products, articles, and links related to real estate investment. Oarlock Investment Services, Inc. - specializes in investment real estate for self-directed retirement accounts. Lend Lease Corporation Limited Lend Lease Real Estate Investments - diversified investment manager offering real estate and mortgage products. George Smith Partners, Inc. - commercial mortgage brokerage firm specializing in financing acquisition, construction, and mezzanine loans in addition to joint venture equity and highly leveraged participating debt. Cashflow Property Network - offers members insight on where to invest, what types of real estate to invest in, and what to expect as a real estate investor. Intercontinental - features investment, development, and asset management. Legacy Partners - management and investment company with properties in the western states. The J.E. Robert Company - commercial mortgage investment and asset management firm with offices in the U.S. and France. Charter Municipal Mortgage Acceptance Company (AMEX: CHC ) - invests in tax-exempt bonds, the proceeds of which are used by borrowers to finance and refinance the development and ownership of multifamily housing nationwide. Bancroft Capital - real estate investment and consulting company specializing in the western United States. L & B Group - provides real estate investment advisory and management services to institutional investors. LNR Property Corporation - invests primarily in real estate properties, loans, and securities. New Boston Fund, Inc. - offers information on activities and investment team. Capital Commercial Investments (CCI) - real estate investment company. Maverick Consulting Group - consulting for residential, office and retail property investment internationally. RealtiCorp - real estate trading company that does research based land investing to identify, acquire, and sell land. Krupp Funds Group American Spectrum (AMEX: AQQ ) - diversified real estate investment and management company. Sagam - specializing in investments and trading in Mortgage Backed Obligations an the Dynamic Currency Unit (DCU). RealNet USA - provides a wholesale method of acquiring, financing, insuring, and managing real estate investments. Phoenix Capital - specializing in acquiring income-generating real estate assets by purchasing property units from individuals involved in limited partnerships or syndications Infinity Commercial Real Estate Group - specializing in 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges, and focusing on income producing properties such as apartment complexes, office buildings, and retail centers. Asia Pacific Capital - acquisitions include office, hotel, retail and residential properties. Institutional Real Estate Advisors - investment options for ERISA multi-employer plans, corporate plans, and related investment managers. TDM Properties - properties in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. Buy A House.com - offering real estate investment services assisting people in creating real estate wealth. Gravitas Holdings - financial structuring engine at the heart of a group of companies that focuses on property acquisitions, procurement, sales, and consultancy services. Asset Marketing, Inc. - real estate holding offers investment, marketing, development, and management services. Property-Invesmtent.com - provides clients with professional advice regarding foreign property investments. Matrix Capital Partners [SPONSOR] - private equity firm focused on multi-family real estate investments and the preservation of affordable housing communities. Investment Services > Real Estate Instruments Email this page Suggest a Site Advanced Search Directory > Business and Economy > Shopping and Services > Financial Services > Investment Services > Real Estate Instruments Search: the Web | the Directory | this category

New Home

Buying a Home - HUD HUD News Newsroom Priorities About HUD Homes Buying Owning Selling Renting Homeless Home improvements HUD homes Fair housing FHA refunds Foreclosure Consumer info Communities About communities Volunteering Organizing Economic development Working with HUD Grants Programs Contracts Work online HUD jobs Complaints Resources Library Handbooks/ forms Common questions Tools Webcasts Mailing lists Contact us Help Buying a Home Information by State Esta página en español Print version Email this to a friend Counseling and Education Housing counseling agencies can give you advice about buying a home. Find a housing counselor near you. Common questions Homeownership videos More from HUD Mortgage glossary FHA mortgage limits HUD approved lenders HUD approved condos Healthy homes Environmental maps Energy info About appraisals Links Rural housing loan programs Loan programs for veterans Freddie Mac Fannie Mae US Postal Service Mover's Guide The homebuying process can seem complicated, but if you take things step-by-step, you will soon be holding the keys to your own home! Nine steps to buying a home Figure out how much you can afford Know your rights Shop for a loan Learn about homebuying programs Shop for a home Make an offer Get a home inspection Shop for homeowners insurance Sign papers Step 1: Figure out how much you can afford What you can afford depends on your income, credit rating, current monthly expenses, downpayment and the interest rate. The calculators below can help, but it is best to visit a lender to find out for sure. How much home can you afford? Buying vs. Renting Need help with your downpayment and/or closing costs? Homebuying programs in your state A housing counselor can help you figure out how to manage and pay off your debt, and start saving for that downpayment! Find a housing counselor near you Step 2: Know your rights Fair Housing: Equal Opportunity for All - brochure Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) Borrower's rights Predatory lending Back to Top Step 3: Shop for a loan Save money by doing your homework. Talk to several lenders, compare costs and interest rates, negotiate to get a better deal. Consider getting pre-approved for a loan. Looking for the best mortgage: shop, compare, negotiate - brochure Let FHA help you Step 4: Learn about homebuying programs Homebuying programs in your state FHA loan programs offer lower downpayments and are a good option for first-time homebuyers. Let FHA help you HUD's special homebuying programs Good Neighbor Next Door Program - for police officers, teachers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians Homeownership for public housing residents Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program (Section 184) Step 5: Shop for a home Choose a real estate agent Wish list - what features do you want? Home-shopping checklist take this list with you when comparing homes Homes for sale (including HUD homes) " Fixer-uppers " - home purchase and repair programs Manufactured (mobile) homes Build a home If you choose a home in a neighborhood with a Home Owners Association (HOA), be sure to request a copy of the HOA packet, so you can review before closing. Back to Top Step 6: Make an offer Discuss the process with your real estate agent. If the seller counters your offer, you may need to negotiate until you both agree to the terms of the sale. Making an offer Step 7: Get a home inspection Make your offer contingent on a home inspection. An inspection will tell you about the condition of the home, and can help you avoid buying a home that needs major repairs. For Your Protection Get a Home Inspection Step 8: Shop for homeowners insurance Lenders require that you have homeowners insurance. Be sure to shop around. Homeowners insurance 12 ways to lower your homeowners insurance costs Step 9: Sign papers You're finally ready to go to "settlement" or "closing." Be sure to read everything before you sign! Settlement Costs and Helpful Information Content updated December 1, 2005 Back to Top FOIA Privacy Web Policies and Important Links Home U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410 Telephone: (202) 708-1112 TTY: (202) 708-1455 Find the address of a HUD office near you