Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Home Buying Tips That Can Help You Land the Best Purchase

Home Buying Tips That Can Help You Land the Best Purchase


Buying a house is one of those acquisitions that requires much thought and a lot of time making assessment since it's one decision that is extremely involving, particularly in monetary issues.


As much as that mortgage program seems attractive, you should ensure that you are on stable financial ground and that a house purchase will not leave too huge a dent in your financial account. Save up for your home and don't hurry in purchasing one when you are just a number of months doing your first good paying job. You will not be aware when a financial burden may happen and in these instances, it's always greater to be secure than to be sorry.


The second thing that you are required to further investigate is the house you are preparing to buy. As a general rule, never go for the first home you see since you feel it's what you are looking for. You must investigate a couple of them so that you can land the best possible buy. In the natural, only assortment is able to provide this kind of possibility.


Consider the surrounding that the home is in. Even the most perfect home that you discover, will be removed from the list if it is not located in the best neighborhood. You need to consider the place as one you would trust with your children, and not one that you have to stick to a certain curfew.


Check the amenities of the house and don't just consider one that has some imperfections. These are considered as the backbone of the house. A house with defective wiring should not even be considered. Finally a house investigation by an expert will give you the required go ahead to make an acquisition or to refrain from it.


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Colorado Springs real estate is the most sought after property these days. More and more people are looking for homes for sale in Colorado Springs. If you tooare looking for your dream home, you may hire the services of a reputed Colorado Springs REALTOR who will help you find one that suits you in every way. If you have any questions about Colorado Springs commercial real estate please contact Mike Stuard.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Why Sell and Rent Back Real Estate Scheme Was a Success

In real estate, many opportunities exist for making money but one in particular was devised in 2006, known as the sell and rent back scheme, as a means of helping out homeowners at risk of losing the property. The concept was to get away from repossession or foreclosure by selling and renting the home back.


For about a year, this scheme continued to evolve into a diverse type of plan for helping the homeowner. Citizens that had owned property for years generally had a momentous amount of equity and with homeowners not wanting to lose this money, the sell and rent back scheme headed in a new road.


Though this sounds great, homeowners concerned in this type of plan need to use caution. Below are more than a few problems that might take place from this type of arrangement so anyone taking into account a sell and rent scheme should be familiar with how to identify and avoid them.


The Fees


The associated fees would be the responsibility of the buyer in this particular real estate scheme which might include things such as inspection, solicitor expenses, and surveys.


Rent Increase


The buyer and now the one who occupies apparently would sign a contract but all of the information needs to be read carefully before anything is signed. Close attention should be on monthly rent payments for the rent contract.


The Home Sale


The new property holder would have right to sell the home if they want, which would once more put the occupant in a bad position of needing to move with little notice. If the sale of the home were enclosed in the sell and rent back contract, then certain limitations need to be outlined.


There are negative aspects that are present for the sell and rent back scheme, but there are also positive features of this circumstances too. The homeowner is significantly safe from the danger of home foreclosure. The obstacle there is with the current economy and real estate market; prices are low and property moves sluggishly while the proprietor could put the house on the market.


In addition, the homeowner is not at financial risk for this kind of scheme since the buyer has the responsibility for paying fees. This transaction is private, a situation that could save the homeowner embarrassment.


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Colorado Springs real estate has some of the best homes for sale. Hundreds of people come looking for homes for sale in Colorado Springs. If you too are looking for your dream home here, you may hire the services of a reputed Colorado Springs REALTOR who will help you find what you are looking for. And if you have any questions about Colorado Springs commercial real estate you may please contact Mike Stuard.


 

Friday, December 18, 2009

Is Real Estate Still About "Location Location Location"?

Is Real Estate Still About "Location Location Location"?


When buying a house, the conventional maxim asks you to focus only on location. There is no doubt that location is very important. But, there are many other issues to keep in mind so that your efforts to ensnare a dream home do not become a utopian mirage. This article talks about some of those issues:


Do Not Be So Sure That You Can Time the Market

There is a shipload of pundits out there who will swear that the market has reached its crest or its trough -- or both! But, it is your money in the game. So, do not let them all take you for one grand ride. Buy a house when you need it and can afford it.


It Does Not Cost What You Think it Does

Do not just look out for the basic cost of transacting. Depending on the specific property, you could expect to spend tons of money on getting stuff up to shape. For instance, if you are buying a house, you might have to take care of interiors, plumbing, fixtures, ceilings, walls, painting, carpets, flooring, windows, doors, well that is just the beginning of the list. There is a whole lot more. Make sure to factor it all in.


Do Not Fall For Common Tricks of the Trade

If you are a first time home buyer, there is always the chance that you might fall prey to some of the common tricks that a home seller might resort to. Here are a few for your reference, but it is up to you to use your creativity and imagination to avoid getting fooled.


Trick 1: Using excessive illumination to make the house look cheery.

Some sellers will switch on all lights when they are showing you their home -- even if it is daytime. This makes the home look different than it actually is. Politely request to turn off some lights to get a better idea.


Trick 2: Using fragrances to disguise the stink.

Surely that is something you would have caught, right? Make sure you do.


Trick 3: Being unavailable to answer questions.

It is ok for the seller to be missing when you visit the home. But they must answer all your questions unambiguously.


Those are just a few of the issues you need to keep in mind when buying a house.


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Buying a Colorado Springs real estate property can be one of the most important decisions of your life. many people come looking for homes for sale in Colorado Springs. To ensure that you get the best deal in the market, hire the services of a reputed and well established Colorado Springs REALTOR, one who will show you the properties that meet you standards and requirements and fits your budget and also help you with the process of buying that property. If you have any questions about Colorado Springs commercial real estate please contact Mike Stuard.


 

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Surviving a House Move

Yes, I'm still in the process of moving into our new home. We decided to downsize... really bad idea!


There have been times when I have been ready to pull my hair out, but I'm on my second week and here is what I have learned!




  • Take it slow. Unpack slowly. There is no big rush… even if you feel that there is. At this point in time, things can be very overwhelming.



  • Try to get back to some sort of routine as soon as possible. Your life has been turned upside down. You need a routine!



  • Control your temper. You are going to be irritable… trust me. If things are going to go wrong, this will be the time. There must be a law of some sort.



  • Sort out the kitchen and the family room first. Then you have a place to relax in. the other rooms can follow.



  • A new home needs a house warming from the new family… your family and that’s why I came up with the idea of buying a new puzzle every time we moved to a new address. Place a puzzle on the dining room table and the minute you find yourself at loose ends, head for the table and get to work. Don’t be surprised if the rest of the family suddenly join you.



  • Get to know your new neighbourhood and take in a little fresh air at the same time. You might even meet some friendly new faces.



  • No cable hook-up? As I write this, I’m still waiting and will be waiting for another... four days. Yes, somehow our request for hook-up got lost and we have been put back on the waiting list. So, this afternoon, I watched a movie and an old one at that. There is nothing like an old movie to start some new memories in your new home. Actually, I kind of enjoyed it! The hot chocolate that I made to go with it wasn't half bad either!!



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I am sure many people who are buying Colorado Springs real estate will find this article helpful. Each year hunderdsof people come looking for homes for sale in Colorado Springs. if you too are among them, you should consider hiring the services of a reputed Colorado Springs REALTOR who will guide you through the entire process of buying the real estate property. If you have any questions about Colorado Springs commercial real estate please contact Mike Stuard.


 

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Real Estate Property

When you are purchasing a real estate property, both you and the seller prepare a legal document called the purchase agreement. It can be also called ‘sales agreement’, ‘agreement of sale’ and ‘contract of purchase’.


The purchase agreement regulates relations between the seller and the buyer of a real estate property of commercial value. This legal document outlines the terms and conditions under which the real estate will be sold. It defines the conditions which are to be adhered to by both parties in order for the deal to be closed.


The price of a purchase, real estate property description, locality or the real estate, time the offer stays open, the earnest amount as well as other provisions are specified in the purchase agreement.


Generally, the protection of the buyer’s interest is the main task of the purchase agreement. For example, this legal document may contain paragraphs relating to what should be done about defects of the specified real estate property if there are any. These defects can be either repaired by the seller without any extra cost for the buyer or the buyer might opt to get them repaired at his own cost. This will provide grounds for negotiating essential discount for the purchase.


One of the most important provisions of the purchase agreement is the issue of backing out of the transaction. It should be clear if either party can do it or not and under which circumstances. Financing problems and legal issue are the most common reasons for the cancellation of the existing sales contract. Purchasers of real estate property should have all the necessary information about the legal grounds for the cancellation. The seller, on the other hand, can break the agreement. However, if the seller initiates the break of the deal the purchase agreement informs the buyer what the procedure for seeking claims for damages is.


Purchase agreement can be prepared by you. However, it would be very helpful to get it done by a real estate attorney or an agent. A lot of agents might recommend taking a generic purchase agreement. You can do it if you are sure that such standard form of agreement meets all your requirements and is sufficient to protect your interests. To be on the safe side, you should seek the advice of a lawyer. A lawyer will ensure that your contract is reliable and reflects all the provisions to make you feel secure about your investment.


You should also be able to determine if the purchase agreement is legally binding. However, this document can be confusing, thus it is better to seek legal counsel. This will ensure that you understand the complexities of the terms and conditions of your real estate purchase agreement. If you do not have contract law background and you do not use any professional legal counsel, this might cause various complications for you. Thus, it is vital to get professional consultation of a lawyer. And though legal counsel costs much more than cheap real estate forms available on the Internet it might save you quite a fortune in the long run.


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Colorado Springs is a great plece to call home. Owing to its popularity, there is a great demand for Colorado Springs real estate properties. Hundreds and thousand of people come looking for homes for sale in Colorado Springs. If you too are lookign for your dream home in Colorado Springs, be sure to hire the services of a reputed and well established Colorado Springs REALTOR who will help you in your pursuit. If you have any questions about Colorado Springs commercial real estate please contact Mike Stuard.


 

Monday, December 14, 2009

Basics of Real Estate Law

Real estate is such a broad topic. This topic covers almost the whole world and every individual has concerns regarding this.


Like any other things in this world, certain laws govern real estate, the so called real estate law. Nevertheless, to fully understand what real estate law is, it is necessary to define real estate.


What is real estate?


Real estate is a legal term that includes land along with anything permanently affixed to the land such as buildings, fences and things attached to the buildings, such as plumbing, heating, and light fixtures. The properties not affixed are regarded as personal property.


Just like real estate, the real estate law is such a broad topic as well. If you are going to discuss it in a very simple way, real estate law is only the law, rules, regulation and other legal matters that governed real estate.


Real estate law entails things like owning real property, the typical restrictions imposed on owning real property, the common forms of property ownership and many others. As said earlier, it is very broad.


In this article, real estate will be discussed through the basics of real estate law. The basics of real estate law include understanding real property, the ownership, the restrictions, and the forms of property ownership.


Understanding its basics, you will definitely have the right thought about real estate law.


One of the basics of real estate law is real property. What is real property? Real property is simply the real estate. The real property is used interchangeably with real estate.


However, for technical purposes, some people prefer to distinguish real estate, referring to the land and fixtures themselves, from thereal property, referring to ownership rights over real estate.


Real estate also entails about owning real property. What is owning real property about? Owning real property allows you the right to do with the land as you please aside from those subject to restrictions imposed by real estate law.


Owning a real property means you can do anything with it such as use it; give it away; sell or transfer it; use it as a collateral for loan; bequeath it to intended beneficiaries or let it sit where it is without doing anything to it. In other words, owning a real property is having total rights on a land and no one can ever question you for it is yours.


In owning a real estate, some typical restrictions are being imposed by law. There are a number of laws that restrict what you can do with thereal property. It may be federal, state, county and local laws. The enforcement of these laws resides with the various agencies.


The most common restrictions imposed by government are zoning. It is an environmental hazard, public easement, right of way.


If there are restrictions imposed, there are also forms of property ownership. These are joint tenancy; tenancy in the entirety; sole ownership; tenants in common and community property.


In joint tenancy, two or more people own the property at the same time in equal shares. In tenancy in the entirety, some estates have especial form of joint tenancy when the joints are husband and wife- with each owning one half.


In sole ownership, the property is owned entirely by one person. Two or more persons own common tenants' property at the same time. Meanwhile, community property is only recognized in the estates. It is a special form of joint tenancy between husband and wife, each owning one-half of their properties. Upon death, the decedent's interest passes in a manner similar to tenants in common.


The basics of real estate are the best information needed in order to understand real estate law. With this basics information, although real estate is very broad, you have the capabilities of understanding it into its deeper sense.


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It is important to understand the real estate laws when you are looking for Colorado Springs real estate properties. There are some great properties to choose from. Many people come looking for homes for sale in Colorado Springs. If you too are looking for a dream home here you may hire the services of a reputed Colorado Springs REALTOR who will guide you in all matters concerning the ownership of a property. For those of you looking for Colorado Springs commercial real estate properties, you may contact Mike Stuard for more details.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Rent to Own Pros & Cons

Rent to Own Pros & Cons


The rent-to-own transaction was developed in the 1960s to help customers obtain electronics, furniture and other household items without falling into debt or jeopardizing credit. Rent to own works through the renting out of products for specified rental periods. Once a consumer has rented (and made rental payments on) an item for a contractually specified length of time, he owns the item. Rent to own is also available for homes and is often referred to as a lease purchase or lease option agreement. With rent-to-own homes, tenants usually apply a portion of their monthly rent toward the eventual purchase of their apartment or house from the landlord.


Eligibility: One of the main advantages of rent-to-own transactions is that all consumers, regardless of credit standings and financial history, can benefit from them. Even if individuals have histories of foreclosure, bankruptcy and poor (or incredibly poor) credit, they can still rent to own products from retailers. When it comes to rent-to-own homes, there are no eligibility restrictions. Only the landlord or seller has the power to approve a potential tenant/buyer, eliminating the need for mortgage approvals.


Flexibility: When it comes to retail, rent-to-own agreements are specific to each rental period. Customers can change payment terms and conditions and can also stop payments and return products whenever they wish, for whatever reason. Rent-to-own homes, however, is not nearly as flexible. Once a contract has been finalized, tenants who violate it can be very quickly evicted (sometimes violations can be as little as one late payment). Any down payments or monthly premiums that were paid by the tenant are non-refundable in this instance.


Product Affordability: Renting to own allows consumers to make payments on products interest-rate free. Consumers who choose the option of making a few large payments on an item often end up paying a price close to retail value. However, consumers who make many small payments over a longer period of time often end up paying more than retail value.


Home Affordability: Renting to own a home is not necessarily cheaper in the end than standard purchasing, though it can be beneficial for individuals with poor financial backgrounds. However, while no mortgage approval is required to rent to own a house, according to iRentToOwn.com, tenants realistically thinking of owning should be able to qualify for a mortgage. Ideally, tenants will only have to make an initial down payment and pay one month of rent because they can then refinance the home and use its equity to cover costs.


Ownership: According to the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations, about 75 percent of customers renting to own return items within the first four months of renting. If the product is returned during a payment period, customers can reinstate their payment histories within a time specified by state law. One problem with rent-to-own homes is that landlords (who never intend to sell) sometimes scheme potential buyers out of down payments and rent.


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Colorado Springs real estate has some of the best homes for sale. Hundreds of people come looking for homes for sale in Colorado Springs. If you too are looking for your dream home here, you may hire the services of a reputed Colorado Springs REALTOR who will help you find what you are looking for. And if you have any questions about Colorado Springs commercial real estate you may please contact Mike Stuard.