Wednesday, January 21, 2009

So, Why Are you Waiting? Jump into Utah County Real Estate!

So, Why Are You Waiting? Jump Into Utah County Real Estate!

By Marisa C Bentley, Realtor

Interest rates are at record lows! (Yes, we all know they’ve come up a little in the last week or so, but wouldn’t we have still been salivating over these rates a year ago?!?) Lending isn’t as tight as many people think. There are still loan programs out there for people with even just decent credit. You can afford much more than you could even a few months ago. So, why are you waiting?

It is a great buyers market! Sellers are being much more reasonable. Banks and credit unions are being much more reasonable. It is lamentable that we do have so many short sales and foreclosures out there; but the fact is, we DO (yet, still only at a fraction of the rest of the nation, mind you). You could be the one profiting from it. So, why are you waiting?

Sellers, there are buyers looking! Don’t think that just because your home isn’t one of those short sales or foreclosures that you home can’t get sold in this market. Yes, you might need to be a little more reasonable about what you are expecting out of your home, or you may need to take a little time getting your home ready to sell; but buyers are still looking for good homes. So, why are you waiting?

Still don’t think your home will sell, or owe more than it will sell for? Consider renting it out or offering a lease option or seller finance. Because there are people out there without decent credit who need a place to live, help them out while helping yourself. You can take advantage of the great deals out there, too! So, why are you waiting?

First time home buyer? The $7500 tax credit is available until the end of June. (Remember that is a credit, not a deduction and you should talk to your tax preparer about all the in’s and out’s.) So, why are you waiting?

Call your Realtor today. Let them help you. So really, why are you waiting?

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Create Your Real Estate Team

By Marisa C Bentley, Realtor

Want to buy a home? Don’t quite know where to start? Create your real estate team to make the purchase easy!

I was impressed the other day by a savvy real estate investor. We were working together for the first time, because of a referral from a great loan officer. Because we were submitting an offer on a short sale, we needed to have a preliminary settlement statement done up. I, of course, have several title companies I could recommend. Nope! This investor didn’t even need to hear my recommendations. He’d used one particular title company several times and was staunchly loyal to them. Even though I’ve never used that particular title company before, I know we’ll have a great experience because he has such confidence in them.

What does this have to do with you? Real estate is a big investment and can be a little overwhelming if you don’t have a qualified team to make the process as smooth as possible. If you don’t have a mortgage officer you trust, before you go searching on your own, ask your Realtor, or vice versa. They’ve been in the industry long enough they will know who to recommend you to.

Get into real estate with someone you trust; but if you don’t have someone, go with someone they trust!