Tag Archives: Relocating

You Really Save Buying A Foreclosed Home? By Bold Real Estate Group

20 May

Everyone has heard how good of a deal you can get when you purchase a foreclosed home but just how good is “good” and how do you negotiate a good deal?

Finding the Deals

Remember that negotiation dealings will vary depending on the current stage of the foreclosure process.

• First, to get a great deal you should consider fixer-upper foreclosed homes for a higher profit margin. Fix the property up and instantly you’ll increase the value in the home. This type of distressed property can be purchased under market value with a renovation loan to take care of needed repairs.

• Check prices in the neighborhood. Your realtor will do comparisons of the most recent six-month period. You’ll want to stay at least 20 percent below the median price of recent sales in that neighborhood.

• Search bank websites since many list their foreclosed properties for sale online.

• Look up government-owned listings. HUD and Fannie Mae, just to name a few, both list their foreclosed properties online. Once you find a home you’re interested in, your agent will make an offer through the representing agent of that property. But the departments warn that the homes are sold “as is” and after the sale is made, the government is not responsible for any repairs or problems.

Negotiating with the seller (banks)

Find important clues to cleverly negotiate with the banks;

• Days on the market: How long has the property been in the market?

• Offers received: How many offers have been received so far? You may not necessarily get an exact figure, but it does not hurt to ask. Is the foreclosed house under contract or are there any pending offers? Was any contract canceled? Was it due to a financing contingency or inspection?

• Condition of the foreclosed property: Age of the house, roof, appliances, air-conditioning unit, water heater, etc.
While a foreclosure seems like a good deal, foreclosures can come with some downsides including homes that have liens against them. It can also be difficult or downright impossible to inspect foreclosed homes in advance of their sale, which means there’s no time to check if the basement is flooded or if there are any appliances left.

So while its harsh, it’s still true that you can benefit from others misfortunes by seeking homes reclaimed by lenders. While foreclosed properties do involve risk the bargains are way-to-good to pass up.

About the Author: Millie Gil has been a successful Licensed Real Estate agent for over 25 years in Florida.  Millie is Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group, a boutique agency committed to concierge personalized service for discerning buyers, sellers and renters of residential and commercial properties.  For more information please forward your request to communityinfo@comcast.net

Servicing:  Port St. Lucie, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Vero Beach,  Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce,  Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Palm Coast, Neptune Beach, Amelia Island, Atlantic Beach, Fernandina Beach, Saint Johns, Saint Augustine, Daytona Beach, Fleming Island and New York real estate.

View thousands of listings  www.Northeast-Florida-Relocation.comwww.BoldRealEstateGroup.com,  www.NewYork-Florida-RealEstate.com, www.PGAVillage-Homes.com, www.TheCascadesAtStLucieWest.com, www.HealthcareRelocationServices.com

Does Your Home Have Potential Trouble-Spots in Safety and Security? By Bold Real Estate Group

20 May

Single family homes are twice as likely to be burglarized as apartments, hotels or businesses. The most likely things to be stolen in a burglary are cash, small electronic equipment, home computers, cameras, jewelry, furs, tools and hand guns.

Few people really bother about security until something happens to them or a neighbor. There are many things homeowners can do to make their home less of a target. Remember, the two things a burglar fears most are being seen and having to take too much time to complete the crime.

While burglars typically “target” a home when no one is home, if you surprise one in the act, your chances of being injured are too high to attempt to intervene. A sobering statistic shows many homeowners attempting to defend their home with a weapon end up having it turned on them.

Did You Know?

Many local law enforcement agencies will provide a free “walk through” of your property. The purpose is to identify all potential trouble spots and determine what steps can be implemented to improve the overall security of your property.

A few words of caution though; if you have a third party security company do a survey for you, this is their opportunity to get their foot in your door and try and sell you their security devices, which may not be a bad idea.

Dead Giveaways that say “No One is Home”

• Always closing the drapes ONLY when you’re not home.
• Newspapers piling up outside the front door
• Turning on front outside light that remains on for days

Top Tips and Deterrents

• Alarm sensors for windows and doors; many burglars will break a window before entering to see if you  have an alarm; noise that neighbors could hear turns most burglars away.

• Exterior door should be at least 1¾ inches thick and any glass paneling should preferably be laminated

• The best deterrent you can get is a menacing dog; close to 90 percent of convicted burglars say that a dog is not worth the time spent trying to break in.

When thinking of what you can do to deter a burglar don’t consider the after effect, such as the burglar getting caught.

We all want the burglar to get caught; consider what you can do to stop them before they break into your home.

About the Author: Millie Gil has been a successful Licensed Real Estate agent for over 25 years in Florida.  Millie is Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group, a boutique agency committed to concierge personalized service for discerning buyers, sellers and renters of residential and commercial properties.  For more information please forward your request to communityinfo@comcast.net

Servicing:  Port St. Lucie, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Vero Beach,  Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce,  Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Palm Coast, Neptune Beach, Amelia Island, Atlantic Beach, Fernandina Beach, Saint Johns, Saint Augustine, Daytona Beach, Fleming Island and New York real estate.

View thousands of listings  www.Northeast-Florida-Relocation.comwww.BoldRealEstateGroup.com,  www.NewYork-Florida-RealEstate.com, www.PGAVillage-Homes.com, www.TheCascadesAtStLucieWest.com, www.HealthcareRelocationServices.com

Just Listed PGA Village Custom Home

5 May

Custom Home Features 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms plus Den/Office

Offered At $499,899

This is an absolute gorgeous custom designed concrete based, well constructed home in an exclusive private reserve lot in Plantation Lakes. Located in the prestigious lifestyle community of PGA Village.  Shows like a model! This impeccable beauty is surrounded by preserve and sweeping curb appeal all around, large circular driveway.  This home is top of the line quality at its best with state of the art equipment and upgrades throughout.  Entertainers delight featuring, gourmet kitchen, granite countertops, loads of wood cabinets with pull-out drawers and updated gas cook top just for the ideal chef.  Magnificent wet bar with ice maker, refrigerator and wine cooler facing a double sided fireplace that overlooks spacious living room and family room area.  Well designed den or office loaded with the finest built-in wood cabinets. Oversized covered patio with slate flooring surrounded by a tastefully designed landscaping.  Well kept wood flooring throughout, with upgraded carpeting in bedrooms, 9” crown molding, French doors. Truly incredible custom home filled with nothing but the best, including accordion hurricane shutters, ceiling fans, lighting fixtures, gas generator, surround and intercom system throughout. This incredible and rare find is situated in one of the best reserved area of PGA Village and is without a doubt priced to sell to a ready, willing and able family accustomed to great living.

PGA Village is a private manned gated community with 2,511 homes and approximate 3,000 acres.  PGA Village features thirty-four distinctive upscale neighborhoods situated for privacy with scenic panoramic water and golf course views. The community offers a mix of new and pre-owned one or two-story Single Family Homes, Townhouses, Villas and Condominiums.  The Legacy Golf & Tennis Club a non-equity private club offering 27 holes of fantastic golf for all skill levels. The home to a 7,023 yard championship courses that speak for themselves. Designed by legends Tom and Jim Fazio and Pete Dye, the community’s championship golf courses were designed to surround golfers and protected species in the serenity of a 430-acre wildlife sanctuary. The PGA Golf Club also includes a 6-hole short course, plus the new PGA Learning Center with over 35 acres of golf fun for players of every age and skill level. PGA memberships range from affordable single and family to a premier golf membership for extremely active golfers. Home owners are not required to join the club. The Tennis facility boasts six har-tru lighted courts, with a fully stocked shop for apparel or repair needs, as well as individual or group instruction. Sun yourself on a large pool deck and enjoy the Olympic-size heated swimming pool, which overlooks the driving range, practice course and tennis courts. This is a delightful way to spend your day at PGA Village. The clubhouse offers abundance of social activities with a casually elegant dining experience, a popular place to meet with friends and neighbors of the community. PGA memberships range from affordable single and family to a premier golf membership for extremely active golfers.  Residents will find an enticing selection of restaurants in the area, ranging from light meals and fast food to gourmet dining. Nearby shopping venues include mainstream consumer retail outlets, shopping mall and specialty boutiques.  Three nearby hospitals, Lawnwood Regional Medical Center, St. Lucie Medical Center and Martin Memorial Health Systems provide complete modern medical care including 24-hour emergency services. Martin Memorial’s St. Lucie West Walk-In Clinic is located in the St. Lucie West area.  PGA Village is 40 minutes north of West Palm Beach and 90 minutes south of Orlando. Near shopping, beaches, spring training camps of the NY Mets, Montreal Expos, Florida Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals.

About the Author: Millie Gil has been a successful Licensed Real Estate agent for over 25 years in Florida.  Millie is Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group, a boutique agency committed to concierge personalized service for discerning buyers, sellers and renters of residential and commercial properties.  For more information please forward your request to communityinfo@comcast.net

Servicing Florida Cities:  Port St. Lucie, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Vero Beach,  Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce,  Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Palm Coast, Neptune Beach, Amelia Island, Atlantic Beach, Fernandina Beach, Saint Johns, Saint Augustine, Daytona Beach, Fleming Island.

7 Mortgage Interest Deduction Myths

21 Apr

By: Dona DeZube

Published: February 16, 2011

Think losing the mortgage interest deduction would be no big deal? We bust seven myths to show why the cost is bigger than you think.

Myth #1: The mortgage deduction is just for rich people.

  • The mortgage interest deduction helps mostly middle- and lower-income families.
  • 65% of families who use it earn less than $100,000 per year.
  • 91% earn less than $200,000 per year (that’s where most economists draw the line between rich and middle-class).
  • Only 9% earn more than $200,000 per year.

This myth may have arisen because of a related fact: If you buy a house, you’re much more likely to accumulate wealth by the end of your life. Home owners have an average net worth of $200,000, while the average renter’s net worth is $5,000, according to the Federal Reserve‘s Survey of Consumer Finances.

Myth #2: I’m not affected by the mortgage deduction because I don’t own a home.

If the mortgage interest deduction goes away, home values would fall by 15%, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® estimates. When home values fall, tax revenues follow suit, giving your local government two choices:

  • Raise property taxes. Not only will home owners pay more in taxes, renters won’t escape unscathed either as landlords raise rents to cover their costs.
  • Cut services that everyone—renters and owners—enjoys.

Myth #3: Switching to a 12% mortgage interest credit would be a wash for most.

One proposal floating around Congress is to replace the mortgage interest deduction with a 12% nonrefundable mortgage interest tax credit. (Deductions reduce your taxable income; credits reduce your tax liability.) This plan would increase taxes for many home owners.

Example: If you paid $10,000 in mortgage interest, and you’re in the 25% bracket, you’d pay $1,300 in extra taxes.

  • The $10,000 deduction you have now saves you $2,500 on your taxes (25% x 10,000).
  • The 12% credit would save you only $1,200 (12% x 10,000) on your taxes.
  • In this scenario, if the mortgage interest deduction is changed to a 12% credit, you’d lose $1,300 (the current $2,500 savings minus the $1,200 you’ll save under the 12% plan).

Myth #4: Not that many people take the mortgage interest deduction.

There are 75 million American home owners, and 38.5 million of them take the mortgage interest deduction. The average mortgage interest tax deduction is $12,200, and a typical benefit for home owners is $3,050 a year.

The mortgage deduction is a key benefit to first-time home owners and trade-up buyers because you pay the most mortgage interest when you first take out a mortgage. (You won’t pay equal amounts of principal and interest until year 13 or later, depending on your interest rate.)

People with large families also get a lot of bang from mortgage interest deductibility—they buy relatively big houses for their big families.

Myth #5: Getting rid of the deduction won’t affect me or my housing market.

It will mean lower property values for all American home owners, including the one-third who own their homes outright and the 12 million who take the standard deduction.

Even if you don’t have a mortgage, getting rid of the MID will affect how much home you can afford to buy—and how much a buyer will pay for your home.

Myth #6: People will still buy my house without the mortgage interest deduction.

Yes, people will still value home ownership, but it will be harder for them to buy your house. The mortgage interest deduction makes it cheaper to buy a home because it saves real money at tax time.

If you bought a home last year with a $200,000, 30-year, 5% fixed-rate mortgage and you’re in a 25% tax bracket, you’d save about $2,500 from the mortgage interest deduction alone in the first year you own your home. That’s money you can use to pay down other debts, save for your children’s college education, or put away to buy a move-up house.

Myth #7: Solving the U.S. budget problems requires everyone to sacrifice.

Home owners already pay 80% to 90% of the federal income tax collected. If mortgage interest deductibility disappears, you and your fellow home owners could foot 95% of federal income tax.

If you’re at the beginning of your mortgage, losing the mortgage deduction will cost you a bundle:

  • $26,685—a 15% drop in value for the median home valued at $177,900.
  • A proportionally smaller gain in overall home equity over your lifetime, because your home now starts from a lower value.

Dona DeZube has been writing about real estate for more than two decades. She lives a suburban Baltimore 1970s rancher on a 3-acre lot shared with possums, raccoons, foxes, a herd of deer, and her blue-tick hound.

“Visit Houselogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®”

Home in Cascades Reduced For Quick Sale!

19 Apr

CASCADES PORT ST. LUCIE HOME REDUCED FOR QUICK SALE!

2 Bedrooms & 2 Baths, Den/Office, 2 Car Garage, Lakeview

Call For Community Tour of Cascades at St. Lucie West (772) 224-1634 or (772) 224-9011

Rent or Buy and experience the lifestyle you deserve.  The Cascades at St Lucie West is a premier resort lifestyle active 55+ community featuring Mediterranean-style architecture and beautifully manicured grounds.

The Cascades offers it’s own 9-hole golf course, 10 lighted Har-Tru Tennis Courts, a  26,000 sq.ft. Clubhouse, outdoor pool & spa, fitness center, sauna, multi-purpose ballroom, media room, library, and card and billiards rooms available to enjoy year round, yoga classes, tai-chi classes, water aerobics, bridge class, bocce, scrabble, games, computer class, music & performing arts club, art and crafts, ballroom dancing, theater, travel clubs, mah jongg, Canasta,  book club, poker club, weekly events and much more! Gated entry with 24-hour controlled access for privacy. St Lucie West is the location of the New York Mets spring training program. The community is conveniently located, minutes away from theaters, houses of worship, great restaurants, movie theaters, post offices and hospitals.  Contact Bold Real Estate Group for a complimentary tour and let us welcome you to your dream home.  Your best investment opportunity is at The Cascades! Short Sales, Foreclosures and Rentals available. Single family homes priced as low as $134,900

Having the right real estate agent means having an agent who is committed to helping you buy, sell or rent  your home with the highest level of expertise in your local market. This commitment level has helped me build a remarkable track record of delivering results.

Nothing is more exciting to me than the gratifying feeling I get from helping people meet their real estate needs. You can count on me to always do what’s in your best interest. I pride myself on being honest, trustworthy, and knowledgeable in the real estate market. I know how important it is to find your dream home. Therefore I will make it my responsibility to help you achieve those goals.

Whether you are an experienced investor or a first time buyer, I can help you in finding the property of your dreams. Please feel free to browse my website or let me guide you every step of the way by calling or e-mailing me to set up an appointment today.

Concierge: Bold Real Estate Group will provide concierge services including set up of excursions and area information.
Dining and Shopping: Residents will find an enticing selection of restaurants in the area, ranging from light meals and fast food to gourmet dining. Nearby shopping venues include mainstream consumer retail outlets, shopping mall and specialty boutiques.
Health Care: Three nearby hospitals, Lawnwood Regional Medical Center, St. Lucie Medical Center and Martin Memorial Health Systems provide complete modern medical care including 24-hour emergency services. Martin Memorial’s St. Lucie West Walk-In Clinic is located in the St. Lucie West area.

About the Author: Millie Gil has been a successful Licensed Real Estate agent for over 25 years in Florida.  Millie is Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group, a boutique agency committed to concierge personalized service for discerning buyers, sellers and renters of residential and commercial properties.  For more information please forward your request to communityinfo@comcast.net

Servicing Florida Cities:  Port St. Lucie, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Vero Beach,  Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce,  Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Palm Coast, Neptune Beach, Amelia Island, Atlantic Beach, Fernandina Beach, Saint Johns, Saint Augustine, Daytona Beach, Fleming Island.  View thousands of listings  www.TheCascadesAtStLucieWest.com or www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com

Moving To Northeast Florida?

13 Apr

The City of Jacksonville Beach is where you will find 20-miles of shoreline with three magnificent beaches; Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach and Jacksonville Beach featuring the quarter mile long Jacksonville Fishing Pier and the best surfing waves in the region.  Jacksonville Beach is a business, resort, and residential community offering oceanfront hotels, great dining, shopping from antiques to art galleries, an eighteen hole municipal golf course, family entertainment, festivals, concerts and much more.  Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach provide the ideal place for seaside biking and wonderful strolling.  The two beaches meet at Beaches Town Center, surrounded by historic upscale galleries, shops, outdoor restaurants sandy beaches, and popular pubs.  Enjoy many city parks recreational activities, nature trails, canoe, kayak, late night skates, art walks, outdoor concerts, and great campout under the stars.

St. Augustine is located approximate 45 minutes south of Jacksonville, the nations oldest city with narrow brick streets, historic sites, antique shops along San Marco avenue,  museums, restaurants and pubs, walking tours and much more.

Ponte Vedra is a golfer’s paradise home to the PGA Tour and The Players Championship, the region offers some of the most prestigious and scenic golf courses in the world.

About the Author: Millie Gil has been a successful Licensed Real Estate agent for over 25 years in Florida.  Millie is Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group, a boutique agency committed to concierge personalized service for discerning buyers, sellers and renters of residential and commercial properties.  For more information please forward your request to communityinfo@comcast.net

Servicing: Port St. Lucie, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Vero Beach,  Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce,  Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Palm Coast, Neptune Beach, Amelia Island, Atlantic Beach, Fernandina Beach, Saint Johns, Saint Augustine, Daytona Beach, Fleming Island and New York real estate.

View thousands of listings  www.Northeast-Florida-Relocation.com or www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com or www.NewYork-Florida-RealEstate.com

This Florida Retirement Haven Has It All…

10 Apr

CASCADES PORT ST. LUCIE OPEN HOUSE

2 Bedrooms & 2 Baths, Den/Office, 2 Car Garage, Lakeview

Call For Open House Visit  & Community Tour of Cascades at St. Lucie West (772) 224-1634 or (772) 224-9011

Rent or Buy and experience the lifestyle you deserve.  The Cascades at St Lucie West is a premier resort lifestyle active 55+ community featuring Mediterranean-style architecture and beautifully manicured grounds.

The Cascades offers it’s own 9-hole golf course, 10 lighted Har-Tru Tennis Courts, a  26,000 sq.ft. Clubhouse, outdoor pool & spa, fitness center, sauna, multi-purpose ballroom, media room, library, and card and billiards rooms available to enjoy year round, yoga classes, tai-chi classes, water aerobics, bridge class, bocce, scrabble, games, computer class, music & performing arts club, art and crafts, ballroom dancing, theater, travel clubs, mah jongg, Canasta,  book club, poker club, weekly events and much more! Gated entry with 24-hour controlled access for privacy. St Lucie West is the location of the New York Mets spring training program. The community is conveniently located, minutes away from theaters, houses of worship, great restaurants, movie theaters, post offices and hospitals.  Contact Bold Real Estate Group for a complimentary tour and let us welcome you to your dream home.  Your best investment opportunity is at The Cascades! Short Sales, Foreclosures and Rentals available. Single family homes priced as low as $134,900

Having the right real estate agent means having an agent who is committed to helping you buy, sell or rent  your home with the highest level of expertise in your local market. This commitment level has helped me build a remarkable track record of delivering results.

Nothing is more exciting to me than the gratifying feeling I get from helping people meet their real estate needs. You can count on me to always do what’s in your best interest. I pride myself on being honest, trustworthy, and knowledgeable in the real estate market. I know how important it is to find your dream home. Therefore I will make it my responsibility to help you achieve those goals.

Whether you are an experienced investor or a first time buyer, I can help you in finding the property of your dreams. Please feel free to browse my website or let me guide you every step of the way by calling or e-mailing me to set up an appointment today.

Concierge: Bold Real Estate Group will provide concierge services including set up of excursions and area information.
Dining and Shopping: Residents will find an enticing selection of restaurants in the area, ranging from light meals and fast food to gourmet dining. Nearby shopping venues include mainstream consumer retail outlets, shopping mall and specialty boutiques.
Health Care: Three nearby hospitals, Lawnwood Regional Medical Center, St. Lucie Medical Center and Martin Memorial Health Systems provide complete modern medical care including 24-hour emergency services. Martin Memorial’s St. Lucie West Walk-In Clinic is located in the St. Lucie West area.

About the Author: Millie Gil has been a successful Licensed Real Estate agent for over 25 years in Florida.  Millie is Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group, a boutique agency committed to concierge personalized service for discerning buyers, sellers and renters of residential and commercial properties.  For more information please forward your request to communityinfo@comcast.net

Servicing Florida Cities:  Port St. Lucie, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Vero Beach,  Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce,  Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Palm Coast, Neptune Beach, Amelia Island, Atlantic Beach, Fernandina Beach, Saint Johns, Saint Augustine, Daytona Beach, Fleming Island.  View thousands of listings  www.TheCascadesAtStLucieWest.com or www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com

What If You Could Buy A Home 50K Under Market

10 Apr

With the unfortunate circumstances of foreclosures, home prices took a nosedive and left lenders with a huge inventory of homes. Some in pristine condition and many that became an eyesore, just waiting for anyone to take it off their hands. Those eyesores are available for sale at bottom dollar pricing.

You’re probably familiar with many of the acronyms including REO’s that banks are holding title to. These are homes that were foreclosed and were not sold at auction. These REOs are sitting there on the banks books waiting for the right owner at an unbelievable price.

Many of us have been looking at homes without real vision and seeing the potential the home may have. You can walk through a home where the appliances have been removed and copper pipes pulled out or perhaps even the walls have holes; but don’t turn and run just yet because a 203K Rehab loan could repair and upgrade all of that.

First of all, don’t let all the guidelines and paperwork scare you because there are some steps to take in order to secure a 203K Rehab loan; but they’re simple steps;

• Identify the property you’re interested in

• List specifically what must be done to the property and what you “want” to be done

• Give the items on your list an approximate estimate for the work to be done (get a contractor to provide some estimates and other general help)

• Submit the offer with your list

• After the offer is accepted contact a licensed contractor for an itemized estimate

• An FHA appraisal will be done and it will outline what absolutely must be done

• Revise and fine tune what will be done and we’ll make a final FHA worksheet

• One closing and we are done!

The 203K Rehab loan is designed to allow homebuyers to purchase and rehab a home with a small down payment on a house and use their leverage to roll costs into the loan and still personalize with repairs and upgrades right from the start. It’s like starting off with a shell and customizing it. This rehab loan is definitely not for the homebuyer looking to move-in quickly, since any construction takes time to plan and complete. This is for the homebuyer that has a long-range plan.

Think of how much money is saved when you can get a deal on a home and then customize it to your liking.

And just because a home is labeled as a foreclosure doesn’t mean it’s gutted from the inside out. Many of these homes are in perfectly good shape with minor needs for repair. Here is a solution for finding your dream home and improving upon what you have.

Everyone assumes bankruptcy automatically means you bid farewell to credit and that’s not necessarily true; you can get approved for a mortgage after going through a bankruptcy but there will be conditions you need to meet.

First of all, anyone that files for bankruptcy needs to have a plan to restore their credit. This is a tool for you to restart your financial future yet many people let this opportunity slip away.

Yes, bankruptcy is damaging to your credit however, lenders look at this as a clean slate and you are really in a better position than most individuals because you can build up a new reputation. Keep in mind, there are many reasons people file for bankruptcy and creditors take this into consideration.

Bankruptcy often reduces credit scores by 100 to 150 points and if you have filed a Chapter 7, it will normally takes2 or 3 years to attain scores required to qualify for a new mortgage.
If you have filed a Chapter 13, you will not qualify for a mortgage until you fulfill all your scheduled payments; the newest bankruptcy laws prohibit debtors from obtaining credit during the payment phase, unless you can get court approval.
Individuals who file mortgage bankruptcy to stop foreclosure and later lose their property might not qualify for another home loan for at least 5 years. Foreclosed homeowners should consider investigating alternative finance options such as if a seller will carry or lease purchase option agreements.

There are government lending programs such as FHA that have more lenient credit guidelines to help you qualify for a mortgage, even with a prior bankruptcy. If you have a steady job with solid income and have been working to pay off debts lenders will definitely look at the “new you” as a reliable potential homeowner.

You can also use your current home, as well as other assets to use as equity to convince a lender that you should qualify; and always remember, the less money you want to borrow, the less risk you are to a lender so choose a moderately priced home to start with.

The real lesson here is that bankruptcy should not be taken lightly; you must be absolutely sure that it is the best option for you because your credit will take a few dings and you will have to work to show that you are once again credit worthy.

The success rates for the HAMP modifications have been extremely low and the program was best labeled a failure. While there are a few reasons for this disappointment Many servicers have improperly denied homeowners HAMP eligible loan modifications due to improper evaluation procedures, poorly trained employees or due to faulty data; but homeowners who’ve been rejected will now be able to question the validity of these denials.

A new HAMP appeals process will help borrowers understand why they were rejected for the program. This new test falls under the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Here are some highlights to this new process;

• The HAMP appeals process gives you an opportunity to see what information was used to determine that you were ineligible for the HAMP program.

• Servicers must reveal up to 33 test factors on some mortgages.

• Borrowers have 30 days to dispute the accuracy of the disclosed data

As of Feb 1st, if you are not approved for a trial HAMP modification plan or a permanent HAMP loan modification, your servicer (this does not include Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae backed mortgages) is required to send you a Non-Approval Notice which explains the reason you were not approved and provide you with an opportunity to submit evidence that the information used in the evaluation was inaccurate.

These notices are required to disclose up to 33 key data factors as to why a homeowner has been rejected for the HAMP program. And once the appeal process has been started, the lender is required to provide reasons and justifications within very specific time frames.

Under the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, servicers are also required to supply guidance to you such as how to communicate with the servicer if you wish to dispute the reasons for the non-approval determination and where you can send your evidence.

But is the transparency just more hype because it looks more like a blessing in disguise. Won’t this add a heavy load to servicers who are already under water with mounds of paperwork?  Borrowers cannot test the HAMP model’s accuracy, and they will never be able to test their servicers’ assumptions.  Although borrowers now have an appeals process, the last word still lies with the servicer; there is no third party to settle any dispute.

Soon homeowners’ will be able to evaluate whether their situation might pass the HAMP test; the US Treasury is setting up a website for consumers to run their own practice HAMP tests.

This should give you a better outlook as to where you stand and how the servicer might view your paperwork.

About the Author: Millie Gil has been a successful Licensed Real Estate agent for over 25 years in Florida.  Millie is Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group, a boutique agency committed to concierge personalized service for discerning buyers, sellers and renters of residential and commercial properties.  For more information please forward your request to communityinfo@comcast.net

Servicing: Port St. Lucie, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Vero Beach,  Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce,  Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Palm Coast, Neptune Beach, Amelia Island, Atlantic Beach, Fernandina Beach, Saint Johns, Saint Augustine, Daytona Beach, Fleming Island and New York real estate.

View thousands of listings  www.Northeast-Florida-Relocation.com or www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com or www.NewYork-Florida-RealEstate.com

Mortgage Approval After Bankruptcy

10 Apr

Everyone assumes bankruptcy automatically means you bid farewell to credit and that’s not necessarily true; you can get approved for a mortgage after going through a bankruptcy but there will be conditions you need to meet.

First of all, anyone that files for bankruptcy needs to have a plan to restore their credit. This is a tool for you to restart your financial future yet many people let this opportunity slip away.

Yes, bankruptcy is damaging to your credit however, lenders look at this as a clean slate and you are really in a better position than most individuals because you can build up a new reputation. Keep in mind, there are many reasons people file for bankruptcy and creditors take this into consideration.

Bankruptcy often reduces credit scores by 100 to 150 points and if you have filed a Chapter 7, it will normally takes2 or 3 years to attain scores required to qualify for a new mortgage.
If you have filed a Chapter 13, you will not qualify for a mortgage until you fulfill all your scheduled payments; the newest bankruptcy laws prohibit debtors from obtaining credit during the payment phase, unless you can get court approval.
Individuals who file mortgage bankruptcy to stop foreclosure and later lose their property might not qualify for another home loan for at least 5 years. Foreclosed homeowners should consider investigating alternative finance options such as if a seller will carry or lease purchase option agreements.

There are government lending programs such as FHA that have more lenient credit guidelines to help you qualify for a mortgage, even with a prior bankruptcy. If you have a steady job with solid income and have been working to pay off debts lenders will definitely look at the “new you” as a reliable potential homeowner.

You can also use your current home, as well as other assets to use as equity to convince a lender that you should qualify; and always remember, the less money you want to borrow, the less risk you are to a lender so choose a moderately priced home to start with.

The real lesson here is that bankruptcy should not be taken lightly; you must be absolutely sure that it is the best option for you because your credit will take a few dings and you will have to work to show that you are once again credit worthy.

The success rates for the HAMP modifications have been extremely low and the program was best labeled a failure. While there are a few reasons for this disappointment Many servicers have improperly denied homeowners HAMP eligible loan modifications due to improper evaluation procedures, poorly trained employees or due to faulty data; but homeowners who’ve been rejected will now be able to question the validity of these denials.

A new HAMP appeals process will help borrowers understand why they were rejected for the program. This new test falls under the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Here are some highlights to this new process;

• The HAMP appeals process gives you an opportunity to see what information was used to determine that you were ineligible for the HAMP program.

• Servicers must reveal up to 33 test factors on some mortgages.

• Borrowers have 30 days to dispute the accuracy of the disclosed data

As of Feb 1st, if you are not approved for a trial HAMP modification plan or a permanent HAMP loan modification, your servicer (this does not include Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae backed mortgages) is required to send you a Non-Approval Notice which explains the reason you were not approved and provide you with an opportunity to submit evidence that the information used in the evaluation was inaccurate.

These notices are required to disclose up to 33 key data factors as to why a homeowner has been rejected for the HAMP program. And once the appeal process has been started, the lender is required to provide reasons and justifications within very specific time frames.

Under the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, servicers are also required to supply guidance to you such as how to communicate with the servicer if you wish to dispute the reasons for the non-approval determination and where you can send your evidence.

But is the transparency just more hype because it looks more like a blessing in disguise. Won’t this add a heavy load to servicers who are already under water with mounds of paperwork?  Borrowers cannot test the HAMP model’s accuracy, and they will never be able to test their servicers’ assumptions.  Although borrowers now have an appeals process, the last word still lies with the servicer; there is no third party to settle any dispute.

Soon homeowners’ will be able to evaluate whether their situation might pass the HAMP test; the US Treasury is setting up a website for consumers to run their own practice HAMP tests.

This should give you a better outlook as to where you stand and how the servicer might view your paperwork.

About the Author: Millie Gil has been a successful Licensed Real Estate agent for over 25 years in Florida.  Millie is Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group, a boutique agency committed to concierge personalized service for discerning buyers, sellers and renters of residential and commercial properties.  For more information please forward your request to communityinfo@comcast.net

Servicing: Port St. Lucie, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Vero Beach,  Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce,  Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Palm Coast, Neptune Beach, Amelia Island, Atlantic Beach, Fernandina Beach, Saint Johns, Saint Augustine, Daytona Beach, Fleming Island and New York real estate.

View thousands of listings  www.Northeast-Florida-Relocation.com or www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com or www.NewYork-Florida-RealEstate.com

Sellers Focus On The Listing Price

10 Apr

When it comes to buying a home, most potential buyers will use the listing price when determining which homes to look at.  Even though the price may be too high and most buyers probably won’t give it a second thought, keep in mind, there are always negotiations. No price is set in stone so if you find your dream home you should certainly try to bargain for a better price.

Sellers

If you set the correct price, you’ll notice a much faster sale.  Many homeowners will argue this point with their realtor; you placed so much time and effort in your home and you have a set number in mind. However, setting the right listing price will attract more potential buyers to your property and you’ll also notice an increase in response from realtors, and receive more calls from prospects.  The listing price is very important – and it can ultimately determine whether or not you sell your property or it remains on the market.

When you put your home up for sale, most activity will happen within the first few weeks.  If you price your home right, you’ll notice immediate interest.  There are always buyers looking for homes in a specific price range and waiting for new homes to be listed or homes to be reduced in price.  Potential buyers could miss seeing your home completely if the price is too high.

Buyers

The list price greatly determines the search criteria for finding your home. Anticipating that many homes in today’s market are overpriced with respect to their Fair Market Value, some real estate agents may extend the upper limit of the search by $10,000 or so to provide a better selection of homes for the buyer.

To determine the listing price of your home, you may consider having it appraised before you put it on the market.  This way, you’ll know the full value of your home.  You can sell it for market value or go a little under, although you should never attempt to go way over the value.  In doing so, you’ll miss out on a lot of potential buyers.

The home market is very competitive these days, which is why you want your home to draw as much interest as possible. Keep in mind that realtors really have no control at all over the real estate market, only the plan behind marketing.

Realtors don’t determine the asking price – the market does.

If you follow your realtors’ advice you’ll set the listing price in the right area and have no problems selling your property.

About the Author: Millie Gil has been a successful Licensed Real Estate agent for over 25 years in Florida.  Millie is Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group, a boutique agency committed to concierge personalized service for discerning buyers, sellers and renters of residential and commercial properties.  For more information please forward your request to communityinfo@comcast.net

Servicing: Port St. Lucie, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Vero Beach,  Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce,  Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Palm Coast, Neptune Beach, Amelia Island, Atlantic Beach, Fernandina Beach, Saint Johns, Saint Augustine, Daytona Beach, Fleming Island and New York real estate.

View thousands of listings  www.Northeast-Florida-Relocation.com or www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com or www.NewYork-Florida-RealEstate.com

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