Plenty of Reasons to Buy a Home Even After the Tax Credit

Real Estate for Today’s Magalia and Paradise California Home Sellers and Home Buyers

Plenty of Reasons to Buy a Home Even After the Tax Credit

  Even though the home buyer tax credit expired on April 30 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 in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. "But buyers can still take advantage of today's low interest rates and competitive prices to get a home they may not have been able to purchase just a few years ago."  

Besides mortgage interest rates that have been hovering at near-record lows, homes in many markets have become more affordable. Prices have moderated from the highs of the housing boom that occurred in most of the country, especially in major markets where they had increased significantly.  

Today's new homes are also built to be much more energy efficient than homes constructed a generation ago, making them more affordable to operate. New homes are designed to support modern lifestyles with open floor plans, flexible spaces, improved safety features, and low-maintenance materials.  

Consumers who are thinking about buying a home should not count on interest rates or prices staying at current levels, however. Mortgage rates are sensitive to market conditions, and even a slight increase can push monthly payments beyond a family's budget. As the country recovers from the recession and people stabilize their financial situations, NAHB economists expect that home prices will begin to increase by 2011.  

NAHB's home buyer brochure "Opportunity Knocks for Home Buyers" describes many of the opportunities in today's market, as well as the long-term financial benefits of homeownership. It provides examples of how interest rates affect monthly mortgage payments and the typical federal tax savings over the first five years of homeownership. The brochure can be downloaded from NAHB's web site at: www.nahb.org/homebuyerbrochure.   

The home buyer tax credit is still available for eligible home buyers who had a signed sales contract by the April 30 deadline and who close by June 30, 2010, as well as for qualified members of the military, foreign service and intelligence communities, who have until April 30, 2011, to sign a contract.

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For more information, you can visit my Web site or feel free to give me a call.

Tammy Vertrees, Paradise California Realtor

530-413-8383 Direct
530-872-5428 Office

www.TammyVertrees.com

Follow me on TWITTER

I specialize in representing sellers and buyers of residential real estate in Paradise, Magalia, Chico, Oroville, Gridley, Biggs, Durham and the surrounding areas.  I provide my clients with a strong level of comfort, powerful negotiation skills and use of the latest technologies.

Visit Tammy Vertrees on the web at www.TammyVertrees.com for real estate information and to view all available Butte County homes for sale.

© Tammy Vertrees 2010. All Rights Reserved.

How foreclosure impacts your credit score

How foreclosure impacts your credit score By Les Christie, staff writer    April 22, 2010: 4:44 PM ET NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- If you're delinquent on your mortgage, your credit score will suffer. Everyone knows that. The question is, by how much? Until recently, those answers were hard to come by. Credit bureaus were uncommunicative about expressing, in points, just how much impact different foreclosure types of mortgage delinquencies have on scores. Recently, Fair Isaac, which developed FICO scores, pulled back the curtain a bit, revealing some estimates of point-score declines following mortgage delinquency problems. Here are the average hit your credit will take: 30 days late: 40 - 110 points 90 days late: 70 - 135 points Foreclosure, short sale or deed-in-lieu: 85 - 160 Bankruptcy: 130 - 240 To come to these figures, Fair Isaac created two hypothetical consumers, one who starts out with a fair-to-middling score of 680 and the other with a very good one of 780. (FICO scores range from 300 to 850.) The hypothetical person with the 780 FICO has 10 credit accounts versus six for the 580, plus a longer credit history, lower utilization of total credit limit and no missed payments on any account. The other consumer has two slightly damaged accounts. Neither have any accounts in collection or adverse public records. See the chart above to see how each scenario affected each borrower. Notice that for both borrowers a single one-time black mark results in steep drops, but it is when they fall further behind that things get really harsh, according to Craig Watts, a spokesman for Fair Isaac. "The lending industry tends to regard an account differently when it has become 90 or more days late," he said, "The likelihood that consumers will resume paying their overdue obligations drops off significantly after the delinquencies have reached 90 days." One reason credit companies were so closed-mouthed is that they often can't definitively state how much each delinquencies will affect scores because there are too many variables. Some borrowers will fall much more steeply than others for the same payment problem, according to Maxine Sweet, vice president for public education at Experian, one of the nation's main credit bureaus. "If you picture someone who has just one mortgage and one other credit account versus a mature credit user like me with 15 accounts, if they miss one payment that would impact their scores a lot more," she said. "For me, one missed payment would just be a blip." The point loss also depends on the borrower's starting point: People with very high credit scores have more to lose than low-score borrowers; the impact of a single blemish on an 800 score is more than on a 500. Of course, it just gets worse when you face foreclosure. Mortgage borrowers can lose their homes three basic ways: a foreclosure; a short sale, where the home is sold for less than than is owed and the bank (generally) forgives the difference; or a deed-in-lieu, in which the borrower gives back the property and the bank again forgives any unpaid balance. Sweet said credit bureaus generally slash scores equally for those three resolutions to someone losing their home. The important factor, she said, is that "it's reported that you paid less on a settled account." Some borrowers may think that because they never missed a payment, they can "walk away" from their homes with relatively little impact on scores. Not true. "When a deed-in-lieu or short sale is reported as a partial payment, it's treated as a serious delinquency," Watts said, "just like a foreclosure." Even if borrowers made payments faithfully for years before short selling or doing a deed-in-lieu, their credit score will still take a hit. The total decline will run about 85 points for the 680 score borrower to as much as 160 for the 780 score. Mortgage debt, combined with other financial problems, can send borrowers into bankruptcy, the worst thing that can happen to your credit score. The effects are long-lasting, according to Sweet. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which involves partial repayment over several years, the stain will take seven years to remove. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which involves liquidation, takes 10 years to get over. It's gonna cost you Absorbing a big credit-score hit can make many transactions more costly. It's not just paying more for credit card debt and auto loans, insurance can cost more as well. The average savings for someone with a good versus mediocre credit score is about $115 a year for auto insurance and $60 for home, according to Loretta Sorters, of the Insurance Information Institute. A low credit score can even make it harder to rent a home because landlords often use credit scores to weed out prospective renters. Despite the problems a poor credit score can cause, Experian's Sweet recommends that people who are in financial dead ends, like totally unaffordable mortgages, it's better to recognize that and cut your losses quickly; don't prolong the problem. "You need to do what you need to do to get your finances back in order," she said. "Don't worry about your credit score."

Childproofing Your Home

Childproofing Your Home When it comes to decorating your home, there's a lot more to consider than simply coordinating your window treatments with your carpet. This is especially true if you have children in the home, which presents a whole new concern for keeping them safe and sound. Take A Look Around When you take a quick glance throughout your home, what do you see? Is the home decorated for an adult or a child? If your little one is like most, he/she has a lot of energy and isn't afraid to use it. To prevent a hard spill, many families replace hardwood or tile flooring with plush carpet or rugs for a little extra padding. If your child stumbles and falls, the extra cushioning will come in handy. Do you have any furniture with glass inserts or sharp corners, or do you see a lot of breakables throughout the home? If so, it's time to remove them. You should get rid of any furniture that could be hazardous to your youngster and this includes glass top tables and anything with protruding edges. Lots Of Locks When you have children in the home, it's important that you keep all cleaning products locked away in a cabinet and/or out of reach of your little ones. If possible, consider adding an alarm that will alert you if the cabinet is opened. Most families have a medicine cabinet, which contains either over-the-counter or prescription medication. This area is a serious concern for children and should be locked and out of their reach. It's also important that all medications feature a childproof lid for added protection. If there is an area of your home or a specific room that your child is not permitted in, place a child gate in the doorway to prevent them from sneaking in while you're not looking. Children are fast, but this is one way to make sure that they are also safe. Do Not Touch Children are curious by nature, but there are some common household items that they simply must refrain from touching. These include a fan, paper shredder, space heater, scissors and other sharp objects that could pose a serious risk for your little one. Make sure that these items, along with anything similar, are kept out of reach. All electrical appliances, including hairdryers, styling products and appliances must be stored away from water and out of your child's reach to prevent injury. Speaking of which, all electrical outlets should be covered with outlet covers and any small items, including marbles and coins, must be picked up and kept out of your child's reach. Because children love to see what they can fit into their mouths, it's important that they not be left alone near these items. Safety At Play When your child is outside, make sure that the environment is a safe one. This means that your yard should be completely fenced with a locked gate to prevent him/her from wandering out into the street. It's always a good idea to keep an eye on your child, but it's even better to make sure that he/she is safe if you happen to glance away for a second.

Don't foreclose! Do a short sale

Don't foreclose! Do a short sale on your Paradise home Short sales are the hottest thing going in the distressed-property market, and the trend is expected to get even hotter in coming weeks, when the government starts handing out cash to encourage lenders to close these deals. Banks have ramped up short sale approvals.  These transactions, where lenders allow homeowners to sell their houses for less than they owe, accounted for 17% of all residential real estate sales in February, up from nearly 13% in November, according to a monthly real estate market survey by Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance. And Bank of America (BAC, Fortune 500), the country's largest mortgage servicer, has more than doubled the number of short sales it processed in recent months. Contact me to Short Sale your home!  530-413-8383

May 19 - Willy Wonka, Jr. – playing in Chico CA

Willy Wonka, Jr.

Wednesday, May 19 7:30p

at California State University - Chico: Laxson Auditorium, Chico, CA

The young performers of The Playhouse bring to life the timeless story of the world famous candy man and his quest to find an heir in this stage adaptation of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. In this performance by kids for kids, you'll hear "The Candy Man," "Pure Imagination," "Oompa Loompa," and "I Want it Now. read more

Price: $12 Adult $10 Senior $8 Student/Child

Phone: (530) 898-6333

The young performers of The Playhouse bring to life the timeless story of the world famous candy man and his quest to find an heir in this stage adaptation of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. In this performance by kids for kids, you'll hear "The Candy Man," "Pure Imagination," "Oompa Loompa," and "I Want it Now." Sure to be a hit with the whole family!
If you enjoy Willy Wonka, Jr. you may also enjoy: Alice in Wonderland, Jr. | Igudesman & Joo: A Little Nightmare Music | Yamato Taiko | The Hobbit | Sleeping Beauty | Peking Acrobats | The Edlos: A Cappella Broadway | A Year With Frog and Toad | The Handsome Little Devils - Squirm Burpee Circus | Comedy Pet Theater | Moscow Circus

Technorati Tags: Performing Arts,Chico Events

Paradise Home Buying Negotiating Tips

Real Estate for Today’s Magalia and Paradise California Home Sellers and Home Buyers

Paradise Home Buying Negotiating Tips

When it comes to buying a Paradise home, the ability and willingness to negotiate is a must for both the buyer and seller. In general, sellers ask for more than they are actually willing to accept and buyers offer less than they are willing to pay. The trick is to find the perfect balance so that you, as a buyer, feel good about the purchase price without leaving the seller feeling insulted.

Know Your Paradise Market

Real estate is a business that either favors the buyer or seller, hence the terms buyer's market and seller's market. When negotiating a purchase price, it's important to know which of the two you are in. As the buyer, you will have the best chance at a successful negotiation if you research the price of other comparable homes in the Paradise area before making an offer.

Make It Personal

When you make an offer, the seller will see nothing more than a piece of paper with some numbers on it that represent the price you are willing to pay. If you really want the seller to take your offer to heart, let them know why you want to buy the home. You can do this by preparing a handwritten letter expressing your interest and the reasons you fell in love with their house. If you have a family, tell them about everyone who will be living in the home. Let them get to know you and allow them to picture the happiness that you can bring to their house. Believe it or not, some sellers actually look at the process like finding a good home for a lost puppy. They want quality people to buy their home, so do your best to show them that you are sincere.

Nobody Likes Rejection

Not every offer is accepted, so don't be disheartened if your first offer isn't a winner. In some cases, the seller will make a counteroffer for your consideration. Have you ever heard the old saying, “never take the first offer?” The same is true in real estate and almost every seller thinks it. Your first offer is likely to be less than you are actually willing to pay, which leaves you some bargaining room.

Why Your Offer May Not Be Accepted

There are a number of reasons why a seller may choose to reject an offer, including a feeling that the offer was just too low, the house is newly listed on the market or another offer may be higher than the one you created. In some cases, sellers may also reject an offer that includes owner financing or other requests that are impossible to meet. One example may be an offer that requires the house be available within a certain amount of time. Most contracts require that the seller move out within 30 days, but anything less would require negotiation.

For more information, you can visit my Web site or feel free to give me a call.

Tammy Vertrees, Paradise California Realtor

530-413-8383 Direct
530-872-5428 Office

www.TammyVertrees.com

Follow me on TWITTER

© Tammy Vertrees 2010. All Rights Reserved.

About the Author: Tammy Vertrees is a full service real estate agent serving the discerning needs of clientele throughout Butte County, California. Ms. Vertrees specializes in representing sellers and buyers of residential real estate in Paradise, Magalia, Chico, Oroville, Gridley, Biggs, Durham and the surrounding areas. Ms. Vertrees provides clients with a strong level of comfort, powerful negotiation skills and use of the latest technologies.

Visit Tammy Vertrees on the web at www.TammyVertrees.com for real estate information and to view all available Butte County homes for sale.

Technorati Tags: Real Estate Negotiating Tips,Home negotiating tips Home,buying tips

Should you buy or rent a Paradise CA home? Cost gap narrows

Real Estate for Today’s Magalia and Paradise California Home Sellers and Home Buyers 

Should you buy or rent a Paradise CA home? Cost gap narrows Affordable home prices and low interest rates have created an ideal time for many buyers to purchase homes, and now a new week-long look at homeownership confirms it. The national study, conducted for The Associated Press, shows that the difference between monthly rents and mortgage payments is at its lowest level in nearly 20 years. The analysis of 45 metro areas found the difference between the monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home and the median rent has declined to $256. In some areas, the difference is as low as $100, according to the study. The last time the price gap was that close was in 1993, when it decreased to $264. The study, conducted by Marcus & Milichap Real Estate Investment Services, used median prices for the last three months of 2009 and calculated mortgage payments by assuming a 10-percent down payment and a 30-year fixed loan at 5.07 percent. It also assumed borrowers paid for private mortgage insurance and didn’t include repair costs and tax benefits. Although the difference between monthly rent and monthly mortgage payments is at its lowest level in nearly 20 years, more stringent lending standards have made the home-buying process more challenging. Home buyers can prepare by ensuring their credit reports are up to date and saving for a down payment of at least 20 percent. Borrowers putting down less than 20 percent likely will have to purchase private mortgage insurance. Owning a home has significant tax benefits, including deductions for property taxes and loan interest. Homeowners also can enjoy building equity and creating a means of forced savings as they pay down the principal on the home. Although home buyers should not focus solely on future home price appreciation, according to data collected by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) over the last 40 years, homeowners who purchase a median-priced house, live in it for at least five years, and sell it at the then-current median price, have averaged an annual rate of return of more than 11 percent.