Some Content for your site!

[Writing4you]

Hello below is some handwritten content that you can add to your site! If you like what I have then please feel free to e-mail me so I can help you with your site! Please use this content anyway that you like!

here is just some content.. I will gladly set up your whole website.. a sample of my work can be found here ..

aboutthishouse.com
Please feel free to use any material.. I will however ask you refrain from using my graphics. Please email me today and i will personalize your website!!


:D:D:D E-mail me today if you want to use my services!

Main page
Welcome To My Website.
My name is _________ I'm a real estate agent for __________ I hope you enjoy your time on my website.
To get an idea of the buying and selling process click the links to the left. If you would like to view my specific plan to find you your dream home or sell your current house fast and for a fair price click on the links below. Please email me if I can be any help to you or call me direct at __________
Happy House Hunting!

get mortage tools at mortgage101.com



Tips For Buyers
Are You Ready to Buy?

Now it is time for you to look deep into your heart (and bank account) and decide if you are ready to buy a home. Finding your motivation and specifying your wants and needs is a good beginning, but there are other things to consider before taking the leap into home ownership.

What's your financial situation?

What's your debt load? Credit cards, utilities, car payments, childcare and groceries are factors to consider. Don't forget the money for a broken air conditioning unit will be coming out of your pocket. Will you be able to handle unforeseen emergencies, monthly bills and a mortgage payment? As a rule of thumb, no more than 28 percent of your gross monthly income should be used for housing payments.


How's your credit history?

Delinquent credit card and bank payments, past bankruptcies or a student loan that's unpaid can severely affect your ability to get a mortgage loan. For a small fee you can obtain a credit report on yourself and clear up any misunderstandings before applying for a loan.

Credit Reporting:

Experian 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)

Equifax 1-800-997-2493

Trans Union 1-216-779-2378

What's your employment history?

If you have been working continuously for the past two years, a lender should consider this to be steady employment. This does not mean that to be approved for a mortgage loan you need to have worked at the same place for two years; in fact, job changes can be favorable, especially for an increase in pay. However, if your work history has not been continuous for the last two years, as long as you have a reasonable explanation for any breaks in employment, you still may qualify for a loan.


Have you saved money for a down payment and closing costs?

In addition to the amount of money you will have to borrow for your home, the lender will require you to invest a portion of your saving into your new home purchase. If you ar a Veteran you may be able to purchase a home for zero down. In some circumstances you may be able to obtain a gift to be used for a down payment. Although there are a number of programs available with a zero down option (you must have excellent credit) The typical down payments range from 3% to 20% or more.

Closing costs and those costs associated with insuring, inspecting and appraising you new home aare additional expenses incurred throughout the buying process that must be paid for in cash. There are also pre paid items such as real estate taxes and pre paid interest. In total the closing costs including the cost your lender charges in up front fees range from 3%-6%. our lender will provide you with a good faith estimate as required by law when you apply for your morgtage. Your good faith estimate is just that, an estimate made in good faith that indicates the amount of money you will need to purchase your new home and where that money will go.

How Much Home Can You Afford?

How much you can borrow will depend on your income, down payment, job stability, existing debts, credit references and payment history. Lenders usually use the following two qualifying guidelines to decide how much of a loan you can manage:

Your monthly housing expenses - mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance, etc. These expenses should be no more than 28 percent of your monthly gross income.

Your monthly living expenses and any long-term debts - utilities, car and school loan, child support, health and car insurance, etc. These expenses should be no more than 36 percent of your monthly gross income. There are some programs that will allow you to exceed these percentages. Check with you lender.

Getting Pre-Qualified

Once your financial matters are in order its time to begin the pre qualification process. You should meet with a lender (for a list of excellent lenders please call me).The lender can translate your results into an amount you can manage and determine the types of mortgages suitable to your needs. Bring tax returns, salary stubs and other financial data to the meeting, along with your calculated net worth and monthly cash flow assessments.

Selecting a Real Estate Professional, What to look for in a Real Estate Professional?

Since you will be spending a lot of time with an agent, it's important you choose one you feel comfortable with, who is responsive to your needs and who compliments your personality. Here are some guidelines:

Get referrals from family and friends that you trust.

Seek out an experienced agent with a known reputation - look at credentials, track records and awards received.

Interview at least three agents - you will go to great lengths to find a doctor, dentist or even a hair stylist, so don't pick the first agent that you come in contact with.

Seek out someone who is a member of the Board of Realtors® .

Find someone who is continuing their education - a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Certified Residential Broker (CRB), a Graduate of the Realtors Institute (GRI) or an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) - this shows that the Realtor is interested in the business long-term and is willing to invest in their career.

Ask for references from any Realtor that you interview (including me). Ask the Realtor to provide you with the names of the past five buyers they have worked with. That way you will know your getting recent customers and not just the five over the past 3 years that will say good things about the agent.

[Writing4you]

Questions to ask when checking references

What were they like to deal with?

How hard did they work for you?

Did they get you a good price?

Were there any complications?

Did they always tell you the truth?

Were they always looking out for you or just interested in getting paid?

Would you use their services again?

Questions to ask when interviewing a Realtor

How many buyers have you successfully represented in the last six months? Can I have the names and phone numbers of the last 5?

What professional designations do you have?

Are you fully automated with your own personal computer, FAX machine, copier, pager, voice mail, etc?

What is your commission and who pays it?

Do you have a list of home inspectors, insurance agents and reputable lenders for me to consider?

What clauses will be included in our offer to protect us as buyers?

Will you try to sell me one of your listed properties before you show me listings from other real estate companies?

Will you provide me with information about For Sale By Owner properties?

How will you help me save money?

How will you protect my interests, and why should I hire you rather than another agent?

Now that you've chosen a few agents and interviewed them, ask yourself the following questions to narrow your choice down:

Did they return your phone calls?

Did they ask you questions to determine what you want/need in a home?

Did they perform a financial analysis to help you determine how much you can afford?

Did they suggest financing methods?

Did they seem knowledgeable about the community?

Did they explain things clearly?

Did you feel comfortable with them?

Whoever received the most "yes's" should be the one you choose - especially if the last question was a definite yes!

How Can a I Help?

The selection of an agent will be one of the most important decisions you will make when looking to buy a home. Think about it...You are on the verge of spending an astronomical amount of money on something that you will have to look at and live in everyday. Wouldn't it make sense to seek advice and wisdom from someone who "buys" houses for a living?

Working with me as your real estate agent is beneficial for several reasons:

I will examine your financial situation and determine exactly how much you can afford.

I can easily obtain information on all properties listed for sale I am a member of threee boards of Realtors covering all of South Eastern Michigan.

I am a full time agent. I can set appointments for you to see homes that interest you when you want not when it my day off from another job.

I can help you complete the necessary paperwork when you make an offer.

I will help you arrange for financing.

I am an experienced negotiator.

When it comes time to make the offer I can assist you in the terms and price to offer based on my experience and by pulling up all of the comparable properties that have recently sold. We can compare those homes to the home you've selcted to come to a price that is fair and will ensure you won't spend more than you need to!

What to Expect from me:

I will treat you as a respectable client, not transaction #37.

I will have your best interests at heart.

To be served selflessly - I wont be eyeing your wallet.

I will work as hard for you as I would if I was buying the home for myself.

I will return your call promptly and you will be kept up to date.

I will go above and beyond what's expected when dealing with problems that may arise.


What is a Mortgage Broker?

A mortgage broker is an independent real estate financing professional who arranges residential mortgages. Mortgage brokers don't lend and can't approve loans or make loan commitments to borrowers. Their role is to bring borrowers and lenders together. A broker keeps tabs on the mortgage market through ties to local, regional, and national lenders, and can refer a future borrower to a mortgage banker, savings institution or commercial bank.


What Can a Mortgage Broker do for Me?

Brokers provide consumers with choice, convenience and expertise. The consumer receives an expert mentor through the complex mortgage lending process.

A mortgage broker can place a loan with the lender that has the best rate at the time of agreement. Mortgage companies offer the consumer the means to obtain manageable and affordable home loans while balancing the consumer's financial resources and objectives.

A huge benefit is the extensive network of private and institutional lenders that mortgage brokers represent. Since each lender has specific loan guidelines, the mortgage broker can help you find the type of loan that will suit your specific needs.


What to Look for in a Home

With the multitude of houses on the market today, narrowing down your search by specifying your wants and needs is beneficial. So before you start looking, ask yourself these two questions:

What kind of home do I want?

You should make three lists: A dream list, a need list and a do-not-want list. Factor in your current housing needs, likes and dislikes and what you may foresee in the future, i.e. children, schooling, aging parents.

For the dream list, jot down all of the features that you would love to have in your home - let your imagination run wild. It might include the following:

Fireplace

Swimming pool with Jacuzzi

Greenhouse

Breakfast nook

Two stories

Skylights


The need list should be the features that you know you must have. This list might include:

Location

Certain number of bedrooms

Certain number of bathrooms

Bath in the master bedroom

Separate dining room

Garage

Basement

The do-not-want list should include everything that you won't be able to live with in your home. This list might include:

Small bathrooms

No counter space

No windows in kitchen/bathroom

Tiny yard

Insufficient closet space

No garage


Where do I want to live?

No single factor influences the desirability of a home as much as location. If you can't manage to buy what you want where you want it, it's better to sacrifice a feature on the inside of the house than sacrificing the location. You can add a dishwasher or install hardwood floors, but you can't improve the neighborhood.

Look at the surrounding houses. Do the homes and yards seem to be well kept? The condition of these houses will affect the value of the house you buy. If the houses are in poor repair, what does that say about the neighborhood?

What kind of area is it in? How close are the shopping facilities, banks, churches, hospitals, schools, parks, movie theatre, and so on?

Explore the lot thoroughly. Does it offer adequate privacy? Will you be able to maintain the ground, or will you hire someone? Do you like the landscaping? If not, are you the type of person who wants to design your own landscaping?

Before you make a decision on a particular home, reject locations where negative conditions outweigh the positives. Consider:

Crime: You have the right to go to the police station and ask for records of robberies, break-ins, vandalism, assaults and drug-related problems in the neighborhood. Is crime increasing or decreasing?

Traffic: Heavy traffic produces a lot of noise and pollution, and it can become quite a nuisance. Make sure you pay attention to the amount of cars and the level of noise.

Visually unappealing: When you look into the back yard are you greeted with the sight of a transformer, radio broadcasting tower, gas station, bus stop or ball field where night games are played?

Flooding: Slope and the soil's ability to absorb water determine where and how fast water drains away from the house. You can check out local flood information through Stewart's Flood Information Division to find out if the house is in a flood plain.


Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Home

[Writing4you]

What happens at closing

The closing is where ownership of the home is officially transferred from the seller to you. Your closing officer works for the title company and coordinates the document signing and the collection and disbursement of funds. Your main role at the closing is to review and sign the documents related to the mortgage loan and to pay the closing costs.

Most parties involved with the purchase of your new home will attend your closing. The closing is a formal meeting typically attended by the buyer(s) and the seller(s) (and their attorneys if they have one), both real estate sales professionals, and, of course, the closing officer. The meeting is held at the title company's office.

What to bring to closing

For things to go smoothly, each party should bring certain documents and be prepared to pay the necessary fees. Many closing costs can be paid by personal check, but ask the closing attorney or closing officer. A certified or cashier's check may be required; find out to whom checks should be made payable.

The seller and his attorney are responsible for preparing and bringing the deed and the most recent property-tax bill. They also will bring other documents required by the contract. This can include the property insurance policy, termite inspection, documents showing the removal of liens, and a bill of sale for personal property.



Role of the Title Company

Now that you've decided to buy a home, what happens between now and the time you legally own it? The next step is to obtain title for the property from the title company. A title gives the owner the right to possess and use the property. But before receiving title, the title company will need to complete the following:

Earnest money: To show the seller and his agent you are a serious buyer, you will be asked to give the title company a deposit called earnest money. If the sale goes through, the earnest money is applied toward the down payment. If the sale falls through, the earnest money will not be given back unless it is stated in the offer to purchase that it is refundable.

Title search: A title search is a thorough check of the records concerning the property. It is performed to verify the seller's right to change ownership. A title search will uncover any demands, faults and other privileges or restrictions on the property.

Document preparation: Appropriate forms are prepared for settlement.

Settlement: Many events happen during settlement; the seller signs the deed, the buyer signs the new mortgage, the old loan is paid off and the new loan is established. The seller, real estate professionals, attorneys, surveyors and others performing services for the parties are paid. Title insurance policies are then delivered to the buyer and their lender.


Why do I need title insurance?

Owning real estate is one of the most precious values of freedom in this country. You want the assurance that the property you are buying will be yours. Other than your mortgage holder, no one else should have any claims or restrictions against your home.

Title insurance eliminates any risks and losses caused by faults in title from an event that occurred before you owned the property.

How does title insurance differ from other types of insurance?

Title insurance is different from other types of insurance in that it protects you, the insured, from a loss that may occur from matters or faults from the past. Other types of insurance such as auto, life or health cover you against losses that may occur in the future. Title insurance does not protect against any future faults.

Another difference is that you pay a one-time premium. A title insurance policy will protect you from risks" or undiscovered interests.


There are two principal forms of title insurance:

1. The lender's policy
2. The homeowner's policy

What is a lender's policy?

A lender's policy protects the mortgage holder. If there is a fault in title that results in a loss, the mortgage holder will be paid back.

What is a homeowner's policy?

A homeowner's policy protects you, the purchaser, against a loss that may occur from a fault in your ownership or interest you have in the property. You should protect the equity in your new home with a title policy.

What does a homeowner's policy provide?

Protection from financial loss due to demands that may be charged against the title to your home, up to the cost of the title policy.

Payment of legal costs if the title insurer has to defend your title against a covered claim.

Payment of successful claims against the title to your home covered by the policy, up to the cost of the policy.

What "hidden risks" are protected under a title policy?

False impersonation of the true owner of the property by the seller or other persons previously in title

Forged deeds, releases and other documents

Deeds by persons of unsound mind

Deeds by minors

Invalid documents completed by an expired attorney

Invalid deeds delivered after the death of the grantor

Deeds by supposedly single persons but actually married

Fraud

Claims for unpaid estate inheritance and gift taxes against prior owners of your home

Unrecorded easements - giving one party the right to enter another party's property

Undisclosed descendents of former owners of your home or the land on which it is situated


How long does my coverage last?

Once purchased, title insurance remains in effect for as long as you own your property. Title insurance adds security and peace of mind to home ownership.

How do I obtain title insurance and what does it cost?

Let the title company, attorney or agent handling the closing of your property know that you want to purchase an Owner's Title Insurance Policy. When choosing a title insurer, you should look for a company with experience, as well as the financial strength to protect you.

In most states, the insurance commission or some other governmental body controls the premiums for title insurance policies. You only pay the premium once. The cost depends upon the purchase price of the property, and your policy amount must be equal to the purchase price.


What is an Escrow?

An escrow is a deposit of funds, a deed, or other instrument by one party for the delivery to another party upon completion of a specific condition or event. It is an independent neutral account by which the interests of all parties to the transaction are protected.

When opening an escrow, the buyer and seller of a piece of property establish terms and conditions for the transfer of ownership of that property. These terms and conditions are given to a third, impartial party known as the escrow holder. The escrow holder has the responsibility of seeing that the terms are carried out.

The escrow is a "storehouse" for all monies, instructions and documents necessary for the sale of your home. This includes the buyer providing funds for a down payment, and the seller depositing the Deed and any other necessary papers.


Why Do I Need an Escrow?

An escrow will provide you with a guarantee that no funds or property will change hands until ALL of the terms and conditions have been followed. The escrow holder has the responsibility to watch over the funds and/or documents and then pay out the funds and/or transfer the title only when all requirements of the escrow have been completed.

How Does the Escrow Process Work?

The buyer, seller, lender and/or borrower cause escrow instructions to be created, signed and delivered to the escrow officer. The escrow officer will then process the escrow, in accordance with the escrow instructions. When all conditions required in the escrow are met, the escrow is "closed."

Prior to close of escrow, the buyer deposits the funds required with the escrow holder. The buyer instructs the escrow holder to release the money to the seller when:

The Deed records

A policy of title insurance is prepared and mailed to the buyer

The escrow holder acts for both parties and protects the interests of each within the power of the escrow instructions. Escrow cannot be completed until the instructions have been fully satisfied and all parties have signed escrow documents. The escrow holder takes instructions based on the terms of the purchase agreement and the lender's requirements.

The duties of the escrow holder include:

Managing the funds and/or documents in accordance with instructions

Paying all bills as authorized

Responding to requests from the principals

Closing the escrow only when all terms and conditions have been met

Distributing the funds accordingly


How Do I Open an Escrow?

Generally, the seller's real estate agent will open the escrow. As soon as you complete the purchase agreement, the selling agent will place the buyer's initial deposit, if any, into the escrow account at a title company or into the real estate broker's account.

What Do I Need to Do Before My Appointment to Sign Escrow Papers?

All parties signing the documents must bring proper identification. Bring either a valid driver's license, state identification card or current passport with you to the title company. This item is needed to verify your identity by a notary public. This is a routine, but necessary step for your protection.

What's the Next Step After I've Signed the Closing Escrow Papers?

After both parties have signed all the necessary instructions and documents, the escrow officer will return the buyer's loan documents to the lender for final review. After the review is completed, the lender is ready to fund the buyer's loan and informs the escrow officer.

How Long is an Escrow?

The length of an escrow is determined by the terms of the purchase agreement and can range from a few days to several months.

[Buyhomesinny]

WOW thanks! yesterday I deleted my website by mistake! this is sure going to come in handy!! thanks so much! I will email you now!!

[bramlettmedia]

Yeah there's a lot of helpful content here. Way to go.