Thursday, August 5, 2010

Open House this weekend!

2101 Vancouver.  Amazing, totally remodeled home. Gorgeous!! New flooring; new AC/furnace. Cherry hardwood, outstanding master/new walk-in tile shower. $149,900.  

OPEN THIS SUNDAY 8/8 
2-4pm

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Buying a home? Don't stress!

Take the Stress Out of Homebuying

Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible.

1. Find a real estate agent who you connect with. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the REALTOR® you chose is both highly skilled and a good fit with your personality.

2. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, just as there’s no perfect time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess interest rates or the housing market by waiting longer — you risk losing out on the home of your dreams. The housing market usually doesn’t change fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the market long.

3. Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas from too many people will make it much harder to make a decision. Focus on the wants and needs of your immediate family — the people who will be living in the home.

4. Accept that no house is ever perfect. If it’s in the right location, the yard may be a bit smaller than you had hoped. The kitchen may be perfect, but the roof needs repair. Make a list of your top priorities and focus in on things that are most important to you. Let the minor ones go.

5. Don’t try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price or by refusing to budge on your offer may cost you the home you love. Negotiation is give and take.

6. Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself — room size, kitchen, etc. — that you forget about important issues as noise level, location to amenities, and other aspects that also have a big impact on your quality of life.

7. Plan ahead. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate home insurance, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.

8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.

9. Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big financial commitment. But it also yields big benefits. Don’t lose sight of why you wanted to buy a home and what made you fall in love with the property you purchased.

10. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually over from 1998 to 2002, a home’s most important role is to serve as a comfortable, safe place to live.



Enhanced by Zemanta

Friday, July 30, 2010

Kristy Sporre Davis Team Flys HIGH in July!

During the month of July:
Fireworks on the Fourth of JulyImage via Wikipedia

154 showings on our listings alone!

17 new listings!!

11 accepted offers!!

We are leading the way....call KRISTY today!!  765.426.5556
Enhanced by Zemanta

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Reasons to purchase a home in 2010

TEN GREAT REASONS TO BUY A HOME IN 2010


1. Quality of life – a home provides stability and security for you and your loved ones, and membership within a community of neighbors.


2. Pride of home ownership – a home is a personal haven, a place that you can decorate, shape, and share over time because it’s yours.


3. Excellent affordability – lower home prices combined with low interest rates means there are tremendous opportunities for buyers.


4. Historically low interest rates – around 5 percent in the U.S. gives better purchasing power to those who qualify.


5. Appreciation potential – your home investment can grow in value.


6. Equity buildup and debt pay down – homeowners enjoy an average net worth of approximately $184,000 vs. $4,000 for renters.


7. Leverage – where else can you buy an investment of this magnitude with 5-10 percent down?


8. Tax deduction advantages – property tax and mortgage interest write-offs (in Canada, home owners gain a tax benefit upon selling).


9. Tax exemption – up to $500,000 per married couple or $250,000 per person on sale of a primary residence in the United States (no tax upon sale in Canada).


10. The real cost of renting – at $800 per month, with the average 6 percent rental increase per year, you will pay $126,536 over a 10-year period but have zero ownership of the property.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Why you need a REALTOR®

WHY YOU NEED A REALTOR®


A licensed real estate professional provides much more than the service of helping you find your ideal home.

Realtors® are expert negotiators with other agents, seasoned financial advisors with customers, and superb navigators

around the local neighborhood. They are members of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and must abide by

a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice enforced by the NAR. A professional Realtor is your best resource when

buying your home.

LET A REALTOR BE YOUR GUIDE

• A knowledgeable Realtor can save you endless amounts of time, money, and frustration.

• A knowledgeable Realtor knows the housing market inside and out and can help you avoid the “wild goose

chase.”

• A knowledgeable Realtor can help you with any home, even if it is listed elsewhere or if it is being sold

directly by the owner.

• A knowledgeable Realtor knows the best lenders in the area and can help you understand the importance of

being preapproved for a mortgage. He or she can also discuss down payments, closing costs, and monthly

payment options that suit you.

• A knowledgeable Realtor is an excellent source for both general and specific information about the community

such as schools, churches, shopping, and transportation—plus tips on home inspections and pricing.

• A knowledgeable Realtor is experienced at presenting your offer to the seller and can help you through the

process of negotiating the best price. By bring objectivity to the buying transaction, he or she can point out the

advantages and the disadvantages of a particular property.

And the best thing about your Realtor is that all this help normally won’t cost you a cent. Generally speaking, the

seller pays the commission to the Realtor (but this may vary from province to province and state to state).