Real Estate Investing - Investment Articles Forum Tips Clubs

Jennifer Griner's Blog – May 2010 Archive (16)

Hump Wednesday Funnies

Click the comic to enlarge.

Smile more...Smile big! Visit our Backyard Wealth Funnies collection.

Share the wealth:… Continue

Added by Jennifer Griner on May 26, 2010 at 9:19am — No Comments

Plenty of Reasons to Buy a House even after the Tax Credit

Even though the home buyer tax credit expired on April 30, 2010 and won’t be renewed, there may never be a better time to buy a home than today, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Many outstanding opportunities still exist for home buyers, but they may not be around forever.

“The home buyer tax credit was just one of many factors motivating Americans to buy homes,” said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a builder and developer… Continue

Added by Jennifer Griner on May 26, 2010 at 9:19am — No Comments

Buying vs. Renting in this Market - Calculate which makes sense for you

The buy-versus-rent question is particularly relevant right now. To qualify for an expiring federal tax credit of up to $8,000, home buyers must sign a contract by April 30 and close on the house by June 30. Many economists also expect mortgage rates to rise in coming months.

Camela Witters, a 38-year-old trophy engraver in Las Vegas, plans to close on her first home purchase — a four-bedroom, $164,000 house nearly… Continue

Added by Jennifer Griner on May 24, 2010 at 9:57am — No Comments

Now is Still a Good Time to Buy?

More than 80% of first-time home buyers and sellers feel the current housing market is more affordable today than this time last year, despite the fact that 40% of all respondents are more worried about the economy compared to this time last year, according to Century 21 Real Estate LLC's First-Time Home Buyers and Sellers Survey.

While the attractive combination of home prices, mortgage rates and tax credits appeal to both buyers and sellers,… Continue

Added by Jennifer Griner on May 20, 2010 at 1:40pm — No Comments

Hump Wednesday Funnies

Click the cartoon above to enlarge.

Laugh a little more! Visit the… Continue

Added by Jennifer Griner on May 19, 2010 at 9:11am — No Comments

Home Buyers Tax Credit Extended for Armed Service Members

The expiration date of the $8,000 first-time home buyer may have already passed for most, but there are some potential homebuyers who can still take advantage of this great opportunity.

For those who are qualified service members, you have an extra year to cash in on the credit. Your new deadline is April 30, 2011. The government defines "qualified service member" as a member of the uniformed services of the U.S military, a member of the Foreign… Continue

Added by Jennifer Griner on May 18, 2010 at 9:35am — No Comments

10 Important Tips After Bankruptcy

One common problem people emerging from bankruptcy often face is the negative, long-term impact it has on their ability to be approved for new credit at a reasonable cost. Many creditors will not lend to you for one to two years. When you finally begin to qualify again, you will typically be categorized as “extra high risk,” which often is accompanied by lower credit limits and very high… Continue

Added by Jennifer Griner on May 17, 2010 at 9:43am — No Comments

A Cup of Inspiration (May 14, 2010)

Thomas Edison dreamed of a lamp that could be operated by electricity, began where he stood to put his dream into action, and despite more than ten thousand failures, he stood by that dream until he made it a physical reality.

Practical dreamers do not…

Continue

Added by Jennifer Griner on May 14, 2010 at 11:36am — No Comments

How to Partner with Sellers to Make More Money

One of the most exciting advantage of real estate investing is the number of creative ways to make a transaction or a "real estate deal" lucrative for you and, better yet, for all parties involved.

The important questions to ask yourself before jumping in:

1. How creative are you?

2. How bad do you need the deal?

3. How motivated are your Sellers to sell?

Your goal here is to partner with the seller, assume… Continue

Added by Jennifer Griner on May 13, 2010 at 9:26am — No Comments

Hump Wednesday Funnies

Click the comic above to enlarge.

Smile more! Visit the Backyard Wealth Funnies… Continue

Added by Jennifer Griner on May 12, 2010 at 9:12am — No Comments

10 Big Mistakes to Avoid When Investing in Real Estate

Once the real-estate market starts to rebound, investing in property will become a more appealing idea -- either as a career or a great side job. Like any other endeavor, though, there's a right way and a wrong way to go about it.

Bankrate spoke with established, full-time real-estate investors and with professionals, such as bankers, to identify the 10 types of traps into which… Continue

Added by Jennifer Griner on May 11, 2010 at 10:38am — No Comments

The New Alternative to Foreclosures

In an effort to stem the growing tide of mortgage loan defaults across the country, the federal government has come up with yet another alternative: a deed in lieu of foreclosure agreement (DIL).

The DIL offers another option to homeowners who are unable to complete a short sale or who don't qualify for… Continue

Added by Jennifer Griner on May 10, 2010 at 11:33am — No Comments

When It's Smart to Do It Yourself

DIY (Do It Yourself) projects can be a smart way to save money, but choose the right project or you’ll end up paying dearly.

In a recent Time magazine poll, nearly a quarter of people said they were taking on more home-improvement projects themselves—understandably so, when you consider that it usually means a 50% to 75% discount, since all you pay for is materials. But sometimes doing it yourself costs more than it saves, like when you decide… Continue

Added by Jennifer Griner on May 6, 2010 at 10:41am — No Comments

Hump Wednesday Funnies

Smile more! Visit our Backyard Wealth Funnies collection.

Share the wealth:…

Continue

Added by Jennifer Griner on May 5, 2010 at 1:21pm — No Comments

Pending Home Sales on an Upswing

Pending home sales increased again in March, affirming that a surge of home sales is unfolding for the spring home buying season, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said favorable affordability conditions have been working with the tax credit. “Clearly the home buyer tax credit has helped stabilize the market. In the months immediately following the expiration of the tax… Continue

Added by Jennifer Griner on May 4, 2010 at 9:07am — No Comments

Fannie Mae Changes to Protect Borrowers

Fannie Mae announced new standards for the purchase and securitization of adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) products. The company is changing eligibility criteria to protect consumers from potentially dramatic payment increases and to help ensure that borrowers who hold these types of mortgages can sustain them beyond the initial interest rate period.

"Our goal is to make sure consumers can sustain their mortgages and remain in… Continue

Added by Jennifer Griner on May 3, 2010 at 9:34am — No Comments