Real Estate Broker NEW
CBS News | Be Your Own Real Estate Broker | May 21, 2004 22:03:39 CBSNews.com The Web Home | U.S. | World | Politics | SciTech | Health | Entertainment | Business | Opinion | NEW --Strange News | Sports | Public Eye | Interactives | FREE CBS News Video The Early Show | CBS Evening News | 48 Hours | 60 Minutes The Saturday Early Show -- | CBS Sunday Morning | Face The Nation | Up To The Minute | Build Your Own Newscast Main Page Living HealthWatch Leisure Series The Saturday Early Show Chef On A Shoestring Second Cup Caf Ask Mike Up Next Program Facts Bios Contact Info Inside Scoop Contributors Bios Special Report Money Matters Early Show financial adviser Ray Martin offers tips to keep your financial house in order. Interactive U.S. Markets History of trading and definitions of key terms RELATED STORIES & LINKS Let The House Hunting Begin Tips For Those Diving Into The Real Estate Market This Spring Taking A Home Equity Loan? Be Careful What You Use The Money For Home Mortgage Rates Up A Bit Both 30 and 15-Year Rates Up, Ending A Three Week Stretch Of Drops Inflation Isn't A Problem Consumer Prices Dip 0.2 Percent In November, After Flat October Be Your Own Real Estate Broker NEW YORK, May 22, 2004 (CBS) The housing market is hot. In fact, homes are in such high demand that many sellers are wondering if they even need to hire a real estate agent to broker the deal. Financial adviser Ray Martin gave some tips on The Saturday Early Show for owners who want to sell a home themselves. Home values are up, mortgage rates are low and properties in hot markets are selling in days. The only fly in the ointment for many sellers is the traditional six percent commission paid to real estate brokers who make the deal. As home values continue to skyrocket, the broker commission skyrockets as well. Meanwhile, it seems as though these brokers are doing nothing more than watching the home sell and then collecting a large commission. The thought of having to pay brokers $10,000 or more to sell a home that fetches a buyer in less than week is causing many sellers to stop and think: "Do I really need to spend that money?" FSBO (For Sale By Owner) can be a good option for some people, Martin says. If your home is in a hot location, at a price that is affordable to many potential buyers, and similar homes are in short supply, this can be a good strategy. But, Martins says, FSBO is not for everyone. The following are three potential pitfalls of being your own broker: Setting A Price: The housing market is constantly changing and you really need to have a good feel for the market in order to set a reasonable price. You don't want to lose money by naming a price that's too low, but your don't want to frighten buyers away by over-charging. Getting the Word Out: Putting a "For Sale" sign in your yard is probably not going to sell your house. Most buyers don't have time to cruise around neighborhoods, searching for signs. When you list your home with a broker, they place your information in the area's MLS (Multiple Listing Service). This alerts all real estate agents in the area that your home is for sale -- making it easy for them to pinpoint potential buyers and bring them by for a visit. You can't do this alone. Becoming Emotionally Involved: Selling a home is the second-most emotional transaction you'll ever make, Martin says, second only to buying a home. Mixing emotion and business is not a good thing. If a buyer comes through the door and immediately points out your home's flaws instead of the beautifully restored floors or lovingly painted walls, it's going to hurt. You may be tempted to turn down this buyer's offer, even if it's fair. This is where a realtor can help. It's not a home to them, it's a business deal -- one they want to close quickly and collect on. Despite these pitfalls, Martin says he is not trying to steer everyone away from selling their homes themselves. He says you need to be aware of the pitfalls and if you think you can tackle them, give it a try -- particularly if you're in a hot market. You can try FSBO for a set amount of time, and if you're not successful, you can turn to a broker. If nothing else, use the knowledge that you could be your own broker to negotiate a commission with your broker. That storied six percent is a result of tradition, not law; nowhere does it say that you have to pay brokers six percent. There are conflicting numbers on how many homeowners are selling their homes themselves. About 14 percent of sellers went solo in 2003, according to the National Association of Realtors. The Boston Globe newspaper reviewed sales in its area and found that closer to 25 percent of sales were FSBO. There's no question that there are a lot of services targeted to sellers looking to go FSBO. If you are looking for an alternative to a traditional real estate agent, here are some popular options: Flat Fee Brokers: There seem to be two major players here -- Help-U-Sell and Assist-2-Sell . Both companies are franchises that connect you with local licensed real estate agents. You show your home yourself, and these agents perform all other duties of a traditional broker. The best part, Martin says, is that you pay them one flat fee that varies based on home's value and location. If you pay them a little more, the realtors from these companies will show your house too. An example: a Help-U-Sell customer in Chicago was selling his home for $345,000. The six percent commission would have totaled $21,000. Instead, he paid Help-U-Sell $4,950 to sell his home. If the agent lists your home on the MLS, and another broker brings you a buyer, you will have to pay that broker their two or three percent commission. FSBO Marketing: Other companies such as FSBO.com and ForSaleByOwner.com offer you a variety of marketing options at different price points. You can choose to have your home listed on the companies' Web sites. You can pay more and have yard signs and color brochures designed for your home. Pay even more and have a virtual tour included in your home's listing. Each company is different and offers different packages. Martin says the ultimate packages, which costs $500 or more, allow you to list your home on the MLS -- the same place real estate agents list houses. Again, there's a catch here: if a buyer is brought to your home by an agent who saw the listing on MLS, you do have to pay that broker's two or three percent commission. Negotiated Broker Commission: Again, Martin says you don't have to pay a six percent commission. So don't! In fact, commissions now average a bit over five percent, according to a survey by Real Trends publishers. If your home is on the expensive side and in a hot market, have a serious conversation with your potential broker. Remind him or her that if you list with them, they will get paid. But if you strike out on your own, they get nothing. Isn't one or two percent better than nothing? MMIV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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Sell House with Business.com
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Read product reviews and compare prices with tax and shipping from thousands of online stores. site: http://www.shopping.com Free Home Valuation Thinking of selling your home? Wonder how much it might be worth? You can find out for FREE at HouseValues.com. Click here to get started. site: http://www.housevalues.com HouseValueFinder.com Provides a free house valuation report by real estate professionals. Find out what the market value of a home is. site: http://www.housevaluefinder.com/ HomeSalez.com - Sell Your Home Here No monthly fees. Your property is advertised until sold. You can upload a photo, get worldwide exposure and be listed online in minutes. site: http://www.homesalez.com House For Sell At Shopping.com! Find, compare and buy Home and Lifestyle Applications and other Computer Software products at Shopping.com. Read product reviews and compare prices with tax and shipping from thousands of online stores. site: http://www.shopping.com Free Home Valuation Thinking of selling your home? Wonder how much it might be worth? You can find out for FREE at HouseValues.com. Click here to get started. site: housevalues.com The Best Directory For Sell A House The largest Sell A House Directory on the web. Lists the best websites about Sell A House. Search also for more Sell A House related listings. Perform a search for Sell A House. All sites reviewed! site: http://www.giantexplorer.com HouseValueFinder.com Provides a free house valuation report by real estate professionals. Find out what the market value of a home is. site: housevaluefinder.com Not satisfied with your results? 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Colorado Real Estate -
Colorado HomeFinder | Arvada Real Estate, Search Arvada Homes for Sale in the MLS Call 800.231.9153 | Contact Us If you already have an account, sign in here Arvada Colorado Real Estate - find out first about the newest Arvada real estate listings! You learn about Arvada homes for sale the day they hit the market - before other buyers. Automated HomeAlert emails you new listings that fit your personal home search criteria and gives you access to all the Arvada Colorado real estate listings. It's easy - Just submit your email address and home search criteria. Your email is not shared or sold to anyone. You incur no obligation or cost for this free Arvada real estate service. Our Privacy Policy: We respect your privacy. All information provided is strictly confidential and you can unsubscribe at any time. Colorado HomeFinder will never sell or share your information with any outside parties. Click here to review our Privacy Policy . 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Arvada Aurora Berthoud Boulder Broomfield Castle Rock Denver Englewood Erie Estes Park Evans Evergreen Firestone Fort Collins Fort Lupton Fort Morgan Frederick Golden Highlands Ranch Johnstown Lakewood Lafayette Littleton Longmont Louisville Loveland Lyons Nederland Niwot Parker Severance Superior Thornton Wellington Westminster Windsor Please select if necessary Arvada Aurora Berthoud Boulder Broomfield Castle Rock Denver Englewood Erie Estes Park Evans Evergreen Firestone Fort Collins Fort Lupton Fort Morgan Frederick Golden Highlands Ranch Johnstown Lakewood Lafayette Littleton Longmont Louisville Loveland Lyons Nederland Niwot Parker Severance Superior Thornton Wellington Westminster Windsor Please select if necessary Arvada Aurora Berthoud Boulder Broomfield Castle Rock Denver Englewood Erie Estes Park Evans Evergreen Firestone Fort Collins Fort Lupton Fort Morgan Frederick Golden Highlands Ranch Johnstown Lakewood Lafayette Littleton Longmont Louisville Loveland Lyons Nederland Niwot Parker Severance Superior Thornton Wellington Westminster Windsor Contact Information Name: * First Name: Last Name: E-mail: * (Valid email address is required to receive listings) Re-enter E-mail: * Phone Contact: * Home Phone: Work Phone: Information that will help us serve you better Your level of Interest: * I have a HIGH interest in buying a home and am ready to start visiting homes now. 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California Department of Veterans Affairs - CalVet Loans California Home CDVA Home About us Frequently Asked Questions CalVet Home Loans Homes for Sale Veterans Homes Veterans Services Women Veterans Memorials & Cemeteries Vets License Plates California Veterans Board News, Events and Announcements Employment Opportunities HIPAA at CDVA Links to Other Sites Contact Us Site Map CalVet Loans Now is a Great Time to use a CalVet Loan! If you're ready to buy a home, CalVet is here to meet your home financing needs! You will find manyfeatures and benefits with a CalVet loan that will save you money and help protect your investmentfor your family. We offer below market interest rates with low or no down payment that increase your purchasing powerand keep your payment down. We have expanded eligibility so that nearly any veteran wanting to buya home in California is eligible. We currently have funds for all qualified wartime era veterans,regardless of when they served in the military. We also have funds available for peacetime veteranswho qualify as first-time home buyers or purchase homes in certain target areas. Your may receive free prequalification for a CalVet loan by clicking on the Apply Online button on thispage, or by downloading and completing our prequalification form and sending it to your local CalVet office . -- --Apply Online Check your eligibility for CalVet Home Loans, see what loan amount you may qualify for, orfill out and submit a loan application on the property you have selected. My CA This Site More information on CalVet Loans: CalVet Loans Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Current CalVet Interest Rates For Prospective Buyers For Current Contract Holders For Real Estate Professionals For Everyone: CalVet Homes for Sale Contact one of the CalVet Offices CalVet Home Loans Strategic Business Plan 2004-09 FY Help Preserve the CalVet Program. Information about HR 2952 Call or write us: California Department of Veterans Affairs Division of Farm and Home Purchases P.O.Box 942895 Sacramento, CA 94295-0001 (800) 952-LOAN Back to Top of Page © 2003 State of California. Conditions of Use Privacy Policy
Foreclosure Property Below Market
Buying a Foreclosure Property Below Market Value: Five Tips from the Pros Select USA State -- Alaska Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Dist Columbia Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Iowa Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Maine Michigan Minnesota Missouri Mississippi Montana North Carolina North Dakota Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico Nevada New York Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Vermont Washington Wisconsin West Virginia Wyoming Mortgage Broker Data -- Develop Loan Leads Loan Products Property Services Insurance Services International Lending Mortgage News News Miscellaneous Government Web Links Publications & Magazines Buying a Foreclosure Property Below Market Va Loans! | Advertise | FREE LINK! | Forum | Search | Help | EMail | News | Home Home Loans | Media | Brokers | Mortgage Bank | Employment | Real Estate | Legal | Finance | Banking | Technology Loan Officers MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER/BRO ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Loan Officer LOAN OFFICERS - INDEPENDE I am seeking for a mort Financial Services Dire I am looking for a comp Commercial Realty leasi I am looking for contra Liberty American Mortgage New Account Executive Boo CitiFirst Mortgage Servic US Bank Introduces ``Fees American Residential Fund INDYMAC BANK ANNOUNCES N What Does it Take to be a Commercial Capital Bancor Consortium Announces Laun Meritage Homes Corporatio Its All About PeopleAll ABN AMRO Mortgage Group O AMERIQUEST MORTGAGE LAUNC Visit the Veteran Loan Center to apply for a VA Mortgage or a VA Refinance Buying a Foreclosure Property Below Market Value: Five Tips from the Pros Buying a Foreclosure Property Below Market Value: Five Tips from the Pros House hunting can be a very daunting experience, especially in today s real estate market. Both investors and home buyers have been priced out of the market by escalating costs, and good real estate deals are increasingly difficult to find. But there are bargains out there, for people who know where to look. For people willing to do some homework, the foreclosure market offers some of the best opportunities in real estate today, explains James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer at RealtyTrac, the leading online foreclosure marketplace. Web-based services such as RealtyTrac give consumers access to foreclosure and pre-foreclosure information that was previously available only to professional real estate brokers and investors. Today, homebuyers can use these services to identify and research potential home purchases, as well as to find the tools and professional resources they need to help them close the deal. With interest rates ticking up and ARMs adjusting upward, experts predict an increase in the number of foreclosure properties on the market. RealtyTrac, which provides all the foreclosure data for both MSN House and Home and Yahoo! Real Estate, has already compiled a list of over 550,000 foreclosure properties across the country. Foreclosure properties can be a terrific investment, or give home buyers a much more affordable option than traditional properties, notes Saccacio. But they re not a way to get rich quick, and a foreclosure purchase needs to be approached in an educated, intelligent manner. Saccacio offers five tips to help you close a deal on a foreclosure property: 1. Learn about the different types of foreclosure properties, and the foreclosure process. There are three basic types of foreclosure properties, representing different stages in the foreclosure process: notice-of-default (NOD) and notice of trustee sale (NTS), which are both pre-foreclosure properties; and real-estate-owned (REO), a foreclosure property which has been re-purchased by the bank. For most consumers, buying a pre-foreclosure property from a private homeowner is the best option. It s important that both the buyer and the seller see the situation as a win-win situation, in order to ensure a smooth process. In this case, the seller is able to get out from under a mortgage without destroying their credit rating, the lender is saved the time and expense of foreclosing on the property, and the buyer gets a below-market price on a home. Foreclosure auction sales are typically the domain of the professional investor. These properties are formally in default, and sold to the highest bidder at an auction. Buyers are required to be physically present at the auction, and must pay 100% of the sale price in cash, on the spot. Though foreclosure auctions can offer significant savings, they are not for the feint of heart or the uninformed. Unless the buyer is already familiar with a particular property, there is usually little time to examine it. And the buyer will be competing against professional investors and sometimes even the lender at the auction. Once the lender officially reclaims a home, it becomes a real-estate-owned property (REO). While REO properties typically offer more time for evaluation and a more standard bank-managed transaction, their prices are usually very close to full retail market value. 2. Secure financing early It s important for a buyer to be pre-qualified before engaging in discussions with a seller. This ensures that the buyer is in a financial position to purchase the property, and is in the strongest possible position to negotiate. It s best to work with a lender who understands the foreclosure process, and can guide the buyer through certain steps, such as ensuring that a property is FHA-compliant. Another reason to consider pre-qualification is that not all lenders finance foreclosure properties. Having approved financing in-hand makes negotiations with both the seller and the lender easier, and may even make it possible for the buyer to simply cure the default and take over the existing loan to reduce loan processing fees. 3. Engage a real estate agent as a buyer s representative Most people hire a real estate agent to sell their home. These seller s representatives are charged with making the sale and negotiating the best deal for their clients. Buyer s representatives have the home buyer s interests at heart, and are charged with finding the right property and negotiating the best price for their clients. Picking the right real estate agent will make a buyer s life much easier. There are agents who specialize in the foreclosure market, with specific experience in REO properties. Look for an agent with foreclosure transaction experience, as well as knowledge of local, regional and state laws. But it s also important to consider the agent s knowledge of the area; their ability to close a deal; and their access to other professionals (attorneys, lenders, mortgage and title professionals) to ensure that the buyer is in good hands. 4. Do your homework Stocks offer higher potential returns for investors than traditional savings programs, but are also riskier. Similarly, purchasing foreclosure properties is somewhat more risky than buying traditional real estate properties, but offers much higher potential savings. With the right examination and due diligence, buyers can significantly reduce the risks. It makes sense to give any property under consideration a thorough examination. Here are eight steps for doing a professional-level exam. 5. Make a realistic offer Despite what you may see on late-night cable TV, investing in foreclosure properties isn t a sure fire get rich quick formula. Lenders aren t likely to give properties away, particularly in a real estate market where prices continue to rise. And homeowners in financial distress may be difficult to deal with, particularly early in the foreclosure process. The keys to a successful foreclosure property purchase are diligence and patience. As a rule of thumb, the best savings can be made at the pre-foreclosure stage, where home owners can avoid a foreclosure and lenders can save the time and cost involved in going through the process. Another critical point in the process is immediately prior to the auction date, when all parties might be most open to a last-minute solution. It s not unusual to save from 10-30% of the market value on a foreclosure property, and certain properties offer savings of 50% or even more. An educated buyer one who knows how much is owed on the property and what its market value is can usually come up with a realistic offer; one that offers significant savings, while meeting the requirements of the lender. Source: 10/06/2000 10/6/2000 410_024 Company: RealtyTrac Contact: jennifer white, jennifer@atomicpr.com Loans! | Advertise | FREE LINK! | Forum | Search | Help | EMail | News | Home Mortgage Mag San Antonio, Texas 78255 Webmaster Email WebSite Map & Help