5 Reasons Homeownership Trumps Renting

5 Reasons Homeownership Trumps Renting
The seemingly endless run of bad housing news is discouraging some potential home buyers from considering a purchase. But the truth is that the advantages of homeownership have very little to do with investment gains. The best things about owning a home have a lot more to do with personal comfort and satisfaction.

Here are five of them:

· Be your own landlord. The bank can only kick you out if you don’t pay; a landlord can be much less dependable – deciding to sell the property or choosing to live there themselves.
· Paying the principal is forced savings. Yes, it’s possible that home prices will fall further. It is also possible that your 401(k) will lose value. But over the long haul, both are likely to enjoy modest gains in value.
· Fixed-rate mortgages never rise – and eventually you pay them off. With mortgage rates at record lows, people who buy now are locking in real bargains.
· Good schools. Family-sized rentals are harder to come by in areas with excellent public schools.
· Spacious properties in pleasant neighborhoods. Sizable homes in attractive communities are almost always owned – not rented.

Source: The New York Times, Ron Lieber (08/27/2010)

Could the media just back off please!!!

Wow! Just read an article from Time magazine that discourages people to buy homes. It then says that the government should not allow the interest on a mortgage to be deducted from taxes!
Ok - first of all...Time magazine...WTH??? The economy is not bad enough already so you feel you need to go and plant more negativity in the minds of consumers?
If ever there was a good time to buy a home it is now. Interest rates are at historic low rates and you are fooling yourself if you think they are going to stay this low. Also, the bubble has burst folks...the housing market has corrected itself and now you can buy WAY more house than you could just a few years ago. What part of this makes buying a home a bad decision?
It's basic supply and demand...we have a surplus of homes available right now therefore the prices are down and buyers can snatch some major deals!
Consider owning your home as a forced Retirement plan. Sadly, many Americans do not save. However, if you own a home and have it pretty much paid for by the time you retire then you have created lots of options for yourself. You can sell the home and sail around the world if that's what you want. You can take a reverse mortgage on the house and have the bank make payments to you based on the equity you have built into your home.
And thank goodness Time magazine doesn't control whether the government allows us to deduct the interest paid on our mortgage! Don't get me started on that one - maybe I'll cover taxes later when I have ALOT more time!

A day in the life...

A day in the life of a busy realtor:
Up at 4 so I can have some quiet time before the phone and email starts beeping all day, kids to school by 7:45, listing appointment at 8am, back to the office to start entering the new listing, returning new calls, etc. Another listing appointment at 3. May make it home by 5:30 or 6. I love busy days!
Have you ever considered a career in real estate? If not, you should!!! Set your own hours, work from home or the office, own your own business, help families in need of buying or selling, and make lots of money doing something you love!
It's easy - call me and I can help you get started! 228-223-6560

What a bunch of BS...

I am not believing the stories I am hearing about some of the claims being made against BP. How hard is it - if you were not making any money as a realtor BEFORE the oil spill then guess what...that's probably not going to change. So, what part of that entitles you to a big fat check from BP?
I just don't get it.
But hey, if you want to start making money as a realtor now...I just happen to know a great place to work! Call me :->

Oil spill...compensation to Realtors...really???

Today I saw that there has been money set aside to compensate realtors for losses due to the oil spill. I really hope that folks will be honest. If you did not make any money as a realtor this time last year do you really think that it's BP's fault that you didn't make any money this year? I have very little tolerance for people who want to get something for nothing! Yes, BP sucks and we all had to look at those guys on the beach in their ufo suits but really guys...realtors have a bad enough reputation already...let's not add to it by claiming to have lost something that you would not have had regardless of the oil spill, economy, color of the shirt you were wearing, etc. The bottom line is - houses are selling every day. If you want some of the action then get up off the couch, put the coffee cup down, and start making prospecting calls. It's really not that hard. Hell, I guess you could even stay on the couch....and keep that cup of coffee....just include picking up the phone and calling folks and asking them for business!

We're back...Dick & Jane - Chapter 4

A few weeks ago Dick & Jane received an offer on their house. It was $20,000 less than they owe on it. Dick & Jane promptly signed the offer and provided all of the documentation Eakes Realty Group needed in order to submit the offer to the bank.
Eakes Realty Group sent all 50 pages of the short sale package to the bank. Every 3 days Eakes Realty Group called the bank to ask if a negotiator had been assigned to the short sale request. Finally - after 2 weeks a negotiator was assigned.
The negotiator now will send a different realtor to the property to do a "broker price opinion or BPO". Basically - the agent is doing comps on the neighborhood and telling the bank what they think it is worth. This is the number the bank will use in determining if they will accept the short sale offer.
In this situation the BPO came back right in line with the offer and the bank accepted the short sale offer. This was a very easy case. They can and do get much more complicated.
Dick and Jane will walk away from this home with the deficiency balance on their loan waived. This is not always the case. If you don't know your options and don't have experience negotiating with the bank don't do it on your own! You could end up owing thousands and not even realize it!
If you or someone you know is in trouble with your mortgage please let us help you - AT NO COST TO YOU!
If you or someone you know has miliatary orders to move we can help you too!
Call us. 228-223-0665