Real Deal

NEW FHA PROGRAM DISCLOSURE: I am not a loan officer but I can recommend ones that I’ve worked all through the years !!  Well, just saying because my article is all about the new FHA Program.  This is currently the latest buzz in the housing market after issues of increasing interest rates, strict mortgage loan guidelines and government shut down which created cold feet again among potential buyers.  Some people wants to buy but they somewhat had foreclosures, short sales, bankruptcy, judgments, collections or other negative impact on their credit even just plain collections.  THIS IS GOOD NEWS!!! This is called “THE NEW FHA BACK TO WORK PROGRAM.”  It basically allow borrowers to purchase a home through FHA financing who had a foreclosure, short sale, bankruptcy, judgments and collections within 12 months or later shortening the waiting period.  Here are the key factors for eligibility:  Twelve months have passed since the borrower’s hardship that resulted to delinquency and d

LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION!   While looking for a home, have you ever stepped in a house where it looked like the seller hired an interior decorator and staged it like a model house?   You were so impressed and asked your Realtor® to immediately prepare an offer although the house next door is exactly the same as this one and even priced lower.   Sounds and feels familiar?   I just attended an intensive training on staging last week so I can offer more value to my clients especially the sellers.   I always believe as long as the property is clean and well arranged, it should do the job and sell.   Well, not really; Staging is using your timeframe and budget to prepare a house for sale so it will sell faster and get the best price.   In staging, the seller is the star, Realtor® is the director and potential buyers are the audience.   The star and the director should work as a team so they can portray their roles, execute their best and get audience impact based on their performa

There is still confusion as to what real estate agents can do for you and where do you start. I found a very good article about Realtor® role especially on today’s market and make sure you are working with one and not just a real estate agent.   What’s the difference? Not everyone with a real estate license is a Realtor®. They have to be a member of the National Association of Realtors® and bound by stricter education requirements than the law requires and not only by that law but by the higher standards of the Realtor® Code of ethics. Your Realtor® is committed to protecting your interests throughout the entire transaction with integrity, honor, professionalism and expertise that meets the high standard set by the Realtor® name whether you are a seller or a buyer.   They have access to more and more sophisticated tools to help sellers market their properties to the right target market, help buyers find just the right home and make the entire process run smoothly.   They are n