CORDELIA REAL ESTATE-HOMES FOR SALE--SIX INEXPENSIVE RENOVATIONS THAT CAN INCREASE A HOME'S VALUE AND APPEAL TO BUYERS Home value is top of mind for many homeowners.  Renovations and remodeling can play a critical role in both increasing the value of a home and ensuring that it stands out to potential buyers.  At a time when most consumers are looking to do more with less, few homeowners may be ready to commit the thousands of dollars it can take to fully redo even a single room.  I suggest the following six affordable home improvements for potentially increasing the overall value of a home: Reface Kitchen Cabinets. Kitchen updates are among the smartest remodeling projects when it comes to "upping" the resale value of a home. But homeowners do not need to spring for an entire new cabin... 03/19/2011

GREEN VALLEY CA Real Estate-Homes For Sale--Determine how much you can afford This is an important first step on your road to home ownership. Three key costs to consider are: •·         Down payment - The part of the property purchase price paid in cash and not financed with a mortgage. One thing to consider is that the larger your down payment, the lower your monthly mortgage payments will be. •·         Closing costs - Cash due at closing for expenses you and the seller pay to complete the transfer of ownership. Closing costs are typically based on the home price and vary according to location. They might include an origination fee, attorney's fee, initial escrow payments, and charges for obtaining title insurance and a survey. •·         Monthly payments - When you are approved for a... 03/09/2011

HAFA Short Sales in Green Valley means 1/2 of what?!?  It is so easy to throw out these acronyms when talking about short sales.  However the bottom line is what does it mean to a distressed homeowner with a mortgage they cannot pay for and the value of their home has dropped below what they can sell it for? HAFA is Homes Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives, a government program that lenders opted into as of April of 2010.  And bear in mind, if your loan is a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, they have their own short sale HAFA guidelines as of August of 2010. These are programs designed to assist distressed homeowners with homes upside down.  There are several types of HAFA Short Sales. A homeowner can request approval prior to putting the home up for sale, when the home is listed but has no ... 03/03/2011

Eastridge CA Real Estate--The Value of a Pre-Approval If you're thinking about buying a home, a pre-approval is a fast and simple way to make your home buying experience easier from start to finish. Pre-approval means you get an approval for a mortgage loan before you make an offer on a home or even find a home you want. (This is in contrast to pre-qualification - a preliminary evaluation of your financial status that does not include a commitment to giving you a loan.) We even put our commitment to the loan in writing, in a pre-approval letter. That means you'll have the benefit of knowing how much home you can afford. In fact, many real estate agents will ask you to get pre-approved before you begin house hunting so they can show you homes that suit your budget. Get an edge over other... 02/28/2011

Green Valley CA Real Estate--The Value of a Pre-Approval If you're thinking about buying a home, a pre-approval is a fast and simple way to make your home buying experience easier from start to finish. Pre-approval means you get an approval for a mortgage loan before you make an offer on a home or even find a home you want. (This is in contrast to pre-qualification - a preliminary evaluation of your financial status that does not include a commitment to giving you a loan.) We even put our commitment to the loan in writing, in a pre-approval letter. That means you'll have the benefit of knowing how much home you can afford. In fact, many real estate agents will ask you to get pre-approved before you begin house hunting so they can show you homes that suit your budget. Get an edge over ot... 02/28/2011

Cordelia Real Estate--The Value of a Pre-Approval If you're thinking about buying a home, a pre-approval is a fast and simple way to make your home buying experience easier from start to finish. Pre-approval means you get an approval for a mortgage loan before you make an offer on a home or even find a home you want. (This is in contrast to pre-qualification - a preliminary evaluation of your financial status that does not include a commitment to giving you a loan.) We even put our commitment to the loan in writing, in a pre-approval letter. That means you'll have the benefit of knowing how much home you can afford. In fact, many real estate agents will ask you to get pre-approved before you begin house hunting so they can show you homes that suit your budget. Get an edge over other buy... 02/28/2011

GREEN VALLEY CA REAL ESTATE-WHAT ARE CLOSING COSTS? Closing on the purchase of your new home, also known as "settlement," involves a good deal of coordination. Costs and fees are paid at closing to cover many of the elements that accompany the purchase. All closing costs are outlined in the Good Faith Estimate (GFE) you receive - a written list of the approximate closing costs associated with your transaction, including charges from us, the local closing agent and other third parties. Closing costs may be added to the amount of your mortgage loan, and a seller may sometimes cover closing costs you would usually pay. Ask us for details. All closing costs can be divided into two basic groups: •·         State and local government charges and fees - These include city, county and state tra... 02/24/2011

EASTRIDGE CA REAL ESTATE-WHAT ARE CLOSING COSTS? Closing on the purchase of your new home, also known as "settlement," involves a good deal of coordination. Costs and fees are paid at closing to cover many of the elements that accompany the purchase. All closing costs are outlined in the Good Faith Estimate (GFE) you receive - a written list of the approximate closing costs associated with your transaction, including charges from us, the local closing agent and other third parties. Closing costs may be added to the amount of your mortgage loan, and a seller may sometimes cover closing costs you would usually pay. Ask us for details. All closing costs can be divided into two basic groups: •·         State and local government charges and fees - These include city, county and state transf... 02/24/2011

Cordelia Homes for Sale--I want to move up to a better home. What can I afford? Each buyer is unique - and we'll help you find out just what you can afford. You already know that monthly income and financial obligations are most important in determining your price range. It's simple to make an estimate: just run the numbers for yourself using our Affordability Calculator. I'm buying a second home. Is it a different process? No. Whether you need to be near the water or in the mountains, a vacation home offers an opportunity for fun and relaxation - and we make it just as easy to obtain a mortgage. But keep in mind you'll need to identify sources for your down payment, since you're not selling your current house and using the proceeds, and you'll need to expect a larger monthly obligation... 02/16/2011

Green Valley CA Homes for Sale--I want to move up to a better home. What can I afford? Each buyer is unique - and we'll help you find out just what you can afford. You already know that monthly income and financial obligations are most important in determining your price range. It's simple to make an estimate: just run the numbers for yourself using our Affordability Calculator. I'm buying a second home. Is it a different process? No. Whether you need to be near the water or in the mountains, a vacation home offers an opportunity for fun and relaxation - and we make it just as easy to obtain a mortgage. But keep in mind you'll need to identify sources for your down payment, since you're not selling your current house and using the proceeds, and you'll need to expect a larger monthly obl... 02/16/2011

Eastridge CA Homes for Sale--I want to move up to a better home. What can I afford? Each buyer is unique - and we'll help you find out just what you can afford. You already know that monthly income and financial obligations are most important in determining your price range. It's simple to make an estimate: just run the numbers for yourself using our Affordability Calculator. I'm buying a second home. Is it a different process? No. Whether you need to be near the water or in the mountains, a vacation home offers an opportunity for fun and relaxation - and we make it just as easy to obtain a mortgage. But keep in mind you'll need to identify sources for your down payment, since you're not selling your current house and using the proceeds, and you'll need to expect a larger monthly obliga... 02/14/2011

EASTRIDGE CA HOMES FOR SALE--DO I NEED MY OWN AGENT WHEN BUYING NEW CONSTRUCTION? A common misconception when purchasing new construction is that you don't need an agent. •·          That friendly and helpful salesperson works for and represents the builder's interest and the builder's interest only. Shouldn't you have independent representation?   •·          An agent can give you objective professional advice and insight during all phases of the process, such as contract, construction, walkthrough, and closing.   •·          An agent is your exclusive advocate and will help you understand your contract and obligations including when to schedule construction inspections.   •·          While the sale representative will always give the appearance that sales prices are non-negotiable, an... 02/13/2011

CORDELIA HOMES FOR SALE--DO I NEED MY OWN AGENT WHEN BUYING NEW CONSTRUCTION? A common misconception when purchasing new construction is that you don't need an agent. •·          That friendly and helpful salesperson works for and represents the builder's interest and the builder's interest only. Shouldn't you have independent representation?   •·          An agent can give you objective professional advice and insight during all phases of the process, such as contract, construction, walkthrough, and closing.   •·          An agent is your exclusive advocate and will help you understand your contract and obligations including when to schedule construction inspections.   •·          While the sale representative will always give the appearance that sales prices are non-negotiable, and ex... 02/11/2011

GREEN VALLEY CA HOMES FOR SALE--DO I NEED MY OWN AGENT WHEN BUYING NEW CONSTRUCTION? A common misconception when purchasing new construction is that you don't need an agent. •·          That friendly and helpful salesperson works for and represents the builder's interest and the builder's interest only. Shouldn't you have independent representation?   •·          An agent can give you objective professional advice and insight during all phases of the process, such as contract, construction, walkthrough, and closing.   •·          An agent is your exclusive advocate and will help you understand your contract and obligations including when to schedule construction inspections.   •·          While the sale representative will always give the appearance that sales prices are non-negotiable,... 02/11/2011

CORDELIA HOMES FOR SALE--10 Reasons why nurses make great Realtors®? Nurses are pretty amazing. Great nurses aren't just compassionate and kind - they have all the medical smarts of a doctor too!   But why should you hire a nurse to be your Realtor®? 1.       We care about you.  Nursing is all about caring.  We want to make you comfortable, take away your pain and make everything feel better.  Buying a home is a big deal.  It can be stressful.  Don't you want a Realtor® who is trained to make pain go away?  2.      We have great communication skills.  As nurses we have to deal with a lot of people and communicate a lot of critical information to ensure the best outcome for our patients.  A great nurse has excellent communication skills, especially when it comes to speaking and listening... 01/24/2011

EASTRIDGE CA HOMES FOR SALE--10 Reasons why nurses make great Realtors®? Nurses are pretty amazing. Great nurses aren't just compassionate and kind - they have all the medical smarts of a doctor too!   But why should you hire a nurse to be your Realtor®? 1.       We care about you.  Nursing is all about caring.  We want to make you comfortable, take away your pain and make everything feel better.  Buying a home is a big deal.  It can be stressful.  Don't you want a Realtor® who is trained to make pain go away?  2.      We have great communication skills.  As nurses we have to deal with a lot of people and communicate a lot of critical information to ensure the best outcome for our patients.  A great nurse has excellent communication skills, especially when it comes to speaking and liste... 01/24/2011

GREEN VALLEY CA HOMES FOR SALE--10 Reasons why nurses make great Realtors®? Nurses are pretty amazing. Great nurses aren't just compassionate and kind - they have all the medical smarts of a doctor too!   But why should you hire a nurse to be your Realtor®? 1.       We care about you.  Nursing is all about caring.  We want to make you comfortable, take away your pain and make everything feel better.  Buying a home is a big deal.  It can be stressful.  Don't you want a Realtor® who is trained to make pain go away? 2.      We have great communication skills.  As nurses we have to deal with a lot of people and communicate a lot of critical information to ensure the best outcome for our patients.  A great nurse has excellent communication skills, especially when it comes to speaking and lis... 01/24/2011

Many of you might recall our very first ActiveRain RainCamp in San Francisco, CA. where the Andersohn's were asked to debut the "Armored Flight" family band. This was our first public appearance ever.  We chose to open with a song specifically for Bob Stewart (one of his favorites) called Eye Of The Tiger.  Well a seed was planted in the "rain" that day which "camped" in the spirit of our youngest son Brandon, and ended up blossoming into an audition that almost landed him on America's Got Talent.  Little did we know, our youngest son Brandon had a dream... We passed all but the fourth and final round of auditions to make it on the show, but the experience and excitement of it all will live on forever in the Andersohn home. Fast forwarding to December of 2010, Brandon has since had his... 01/17/2011

RANCHO SOLANO CA REAL ESTATE-HOMES FOR SALE-BUY WITH A CREDIT SCORE OF 500 Has your credit suffered because of recent economic conditions?  Do you have some cash on hand or have someone willing to gift some money to you?  Then you may be able to purchase a home under the new FHA guidelines. Effective January 15, 2010 certain lenders can now do FHA loans with credit scores as low as 500!  Please see the new policy changes below: Credit Scores 500-579 allowed with a minimum down payment of 10% Credit Scores 580-599 allowed with a minimum down payment of 5% Credit Scores 600 and above remains the same at a 3.5% down payment Together we can get more people into homes!  Make it a great day and go buy a house.  For a list of lenders who can do this, please contact me. For more information on ... 01/17/2011

PARADISE VALLEY CA REAL ESTATE-HOMES FOR SALE-BUY WITH A CREDIT SCORE OF 500 Has your credit suffered because of recent economic conditions?  Do you have some cash on hand or have someone willing to gift some money to you?  Then you may be able to purchase a home under the new FHA guidelines. Effective January 15, 2010 certain lenders can now do FHA loans with credit scores as low as 500!  Please see the new policy changes below: Credit Scores 500-579 allowed with a minimum down payment of 10% Credit Scores 580-599 allowed with a minimum down payment of 5% Credit Scores 600 and above remains the same at a 3.5% down payment Together we can get more people into homes!  Make it a great day and go buy a house.  For a list of lenders who can do this, please contact me. For more information o... 01/17/2011