Some sunny news about the market!
I just received this article from Rod Shuster, a Mortgage Broker at Clarion Mortgage Capital, and I think it bears repeating – some sunny news about the market! MARKET RECAPA funny thing happened on the way to the depression: A recovery occurred. ...
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Posted by Allison Simson on March 30, 2009 in Archived
We want to buy a home here in Summit County but don’t know where to begin!
Question: We want to buy a home here in Summit County but don’t know where to begin. My wife and I don’t seem to agree on what this house should be like. How do we get started? Answer: Most homebuyers base their decision mainly on price and ...
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Posted by Allison Simson on March 30, 2009 in Archived
Can't afford remodeling our kitchen! Do you have any suggestions?
Question: Wow, we just got a bid back from a contractor for remodeling our kitchen. There’s no way that we can afford the whole project right now. How should we get started? Answer: Rather than completely renovating their kitchen, some homeowners, ...
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Posted by Allison Simson on March 30, 2009 in Archived
Tips for Negotiating seller to pay mortgage points on buyers behalf
Question: We’re negotiating the sale of our home and are going back and forth with the buyer about paying mortgage points on behalf of the buyer. What do we need to know about paying this fee for the buyer? Answer: When negotiating a real estate ...
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Posted by Allison Simson on March 30, 2009 in Archived
We want to challenge the tax assessment on our home. How can we get some assistance in this?
Question: We want to challenge the tax assessment on our home. How can we get some assistance in this? Answer: Although some real estate industry members attest that local home assessors have become more accurate over the years, homeowners who wish ...
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Posted by Allison Simson on March 30, 2009 in Archived
Older home that seems to have a lot of surges in power
Question: We have an older home and seem to have a lot of surges in power. We have purchased a surge protector for our computer but wonder if we need them for our other more expensive appliances. Answer: Homeowners possessing numerous expensive ...
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Posted by Allison Simson on March 30, 2009 in Archived
Bridge Loans Offer Flexibility
Question: We want to purchase a new home and get ours onto the market. What happens if we find something we want to buy before we get our existing place sold? Answer: That’s a good question and it is a situation that many people find themselves in ...
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Posted by Allison Simson on March 30, 2009 in Archived
We have an older rental property that we want to sell. We want to sell it “as is”. What do you advise?
Question: We have an older rental property that we want to sell. We haven’t lived in it for years. It needs some work and want to sell it “as is”. What do you advise? Answer: Think about the last time that you went to buy a used car. Were you more ...
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Posted by Allison Simson on March 30, 2009 in Archived
I see that you have the designations of CRS, RSPS and GRI behind your name. What do those initials mean?
Question: Allison, I see that you have the designations of CRS, RSPS and GRI behind your name. What do those initials mean? Don’t all Realtors have the same basic education? Answer: The basic education for all Realtors is indeed the same. The ...
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Posted by Allison Simson on March 30, 2009 in Archived
Stimulus bill offer housing incentives ~ $15,000 homebuyer tax credit, higher loan limits, lower rates in play
$15,000 homebuyer tax credit, higher loan limits, lower rates in playQuestion: Allison, what is the deal with the new stimulus package and how will it affect the average Summit County home buyer? Answer: According to Inman News reports, a $15,000 ...
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Posted by Allison Simson on March 30, 2009 in Archived
First time home buyer credit
Question: Allison – We’re confused! Every time we turn around we see something different about the first time home buyer credit. Has anything been resolved? Answer: You aren’t the only one! The tax credit has been a moving target and hard to pin ...
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Posted by Allison Simson on March 23, 2009 in Archived
Understanding housing tax credits
Understanding housing tax creditsThere's upside to going green, doing short saleQuestion: Allison, we’ve heard so much about the $8,000 tax credit for buyers, but much of the information is confusing and contradictory. Would you please let us know ...
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Posted by Allison Simson on March 23, 2009 in Archived
What are some tips on negotiation?
Question: What are some tips on negotiation?Answer: The more you know about a seller's motivation, the stronger a negotiating position you are in. Don’t be afraid to ask! You may not get the full story, but it never hurts to ask why a seller is ...
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Posted by Allison Simson on March 23, 2009 in Archived
Should I buy a bigger home?
Q: Should I add on or buy a bigger home?A: Consider these questions before making a choice between adding on to an existing home or moving up in the market to a bigger house:* How much money is available, either from cash reserves or through a home ...
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Posted by Allison Simson on March 23, 2009 in Archived
How do I prepare the house for sale?
Q: How do I prepare the house for sale?A: First and foremost, put it in the best condition possible, especially if you are in a market with few buyers and lots of homes for sale. That means taking care of any major repairs that could deter a buyer ...
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Posted by Allison Simson on March 23, 2009 in Archived