Planning on Renting?

Don't Be Left Out In The Rain !

Great News if you own a home in the Crestview area and are planning on renting it out in the near future.....When I checked the MLS (Realtor's Source for Listing Homes) today there were less than 115 Rentals....Not such good news if you are one of the 7 th Special Forces Group and were planning on renting for a while as your leisurely looked for a home to buy.

There were just 50 single family residences listed...less apartments...1 mobile home....and only 22 Town Homes. ...Going...Going....Gone ! Not everyone who has a home or an apartment to rent list it with the MLS but this is an indicator of how things are going on the rental front......

The Message is do not procrastinate. Now is the time to be looking for your home in Crestview. Homes are available, interest rates are uncharacteristically low, and there are plenty of builders out there just waiting for you to say YES ! Do not neglect the resale market either. ...great values abound.

I am not a fan of short sales or foreclosures for someone who has limited time to look. VA also has certain standards that homes must be met and often homes in the distressed category have been abused. Homes inspections are absolutely essential in this type of sale.

New homes are particularly advantageous because most builders will pay a large portion of the closing cost. Florida with no state income tax uses Real Estate to make up for that revenue. The newer state building codes mean lower insurance rates and a host of other factors that make this a very good path to take.....

There are many great sources out there to go on line and start checking this out one of my favorites is http://www.greaterpensacolahomes.com/?IDXSESS=vjf8ec9g0n93op26n77jjuoh70

Planning on Renting?

RULE #1 : GET PRE-APPROVED

After looking at $175,000 homes this is what $150,000 home looks like..............

The most wonderful thing in Real Estate is to get a referral from a previous client. Your credibility has already been established...all you have to do is get to work and find them the perfect home.

Wait a minute what if they went around RULE #1? What if they already talked with a loan originator and were directed to find a Realtor,find a house, and call back at that point? SERIOUSLY? Yes there are still some mortgage folks that still do that. Are they just lazy? Do they have too much business? I am going with option one.

....I was absolutely stunned when I heard my prospective client tell me that her contact at the bank had advised her to do exactly that. Even this first time home buyer was skeptical. Regardless, how much the client is raring to get out and look for a home this is when a good Realtor say OK we need to have a heart to heart talk.

It is all about establishing buying power. Or in real people speak "How much can I afford?" Speaking of the heart how sad is it to see someone who has fallen in love with a $175,000 home only to be told we will only finance you up to $150,000.

It is absolutely cruel to do this to someone. ...And what a waste of their time and emotions.......Each incremental jump seems to have a certain amount of amenities attached to them ....The difference of $25,000 could mean a better school zone...a better neighborhood....extra square feet.....

So repeat after me Please: " I will get pre-approved, I will get pre-approved, I will........."