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Helpful Tips To Guide You In Buying Your First Home

Buying a home can be very exciting! It’s part of the "dream" we all have for ourselves, the marriage, the family, the pet, the white picket fence – all of these things are dependent on having a home. Having means owning, not renting; to those of us wishing to make the most of our hard-earned money. But making the most of your money is not always easy – it takes a little bit of savvy and a lot of consideration.

Consideration means research, research and some more research. You need to know the facts. Not just about the home you are buying, but also the city, community, history and future projections, to help you determine whether this investment is right for you. While buying a home is not permanent – it is long term and you need to make sure the home you select matches your long-term lifestyle choices.

Budgeting – this is key! You do not want to get yourself into a home you cannot comfortably afford, or you will end up working and never being home to enjoy it; or unfortunately even potentially risking losing it or other valuable items in your life.

•Get familiar with home buying terminology. Know the difference between the types of loans, insurance, interest rates and programs available to you.

•Figure out your budget. Work with your loan consultant to determine what you can actually afford to pay on a monthly basis. Remember, a mortgage payment is not just principal and interest, there are taxes and insurance that will need to be paid. Also, the community you select a home in may have a homeowner’s association that charges a monthly fee. These are all in addition to the increased utilities, maintenance and potentially security costs that go along with owning a home. Remember, there no "super" to call when that toilet gets clogged!

•Get rid of your old bills! You’ll have lots of new bills to replace those! Try to pay off all your existing credit card bills. The less debt you have, the better loan you will qualify for.

• Read your paper work. HUD has a handy booklet on its site called "Buying Your Home: Settlement Costs and Helpful Information." It describes the home buying and settlement process and explains most of the expenses you will encounter. Although your lender will give you a copy, it’s a good idea to read it before you even consider applying for a loan.

• Ask questions. Make sure your loan and real estate consultants are the kind of people who take the time to explain every single step of the process and answer each of your questions. They are there to serve YOU! Buying a home is a serious decision and the people helping you should appreciate the opportunity to serve you. The service you receive should be attentive, respectful and consistent!

For more information, please visit www.crestico.com.

Real Estate Agent Interview Checklist – How to Interview & Choose the Best Real Estate Agent For You

Many people contact me to ask me how to choose the best Real Estate Agent. Choosing the correct Agent can be a daunting task, especially in this economy. With so many foreclosures, short sales, REOs and distressed properties in the market, it makes a potential home buyer's head spin! I have compiled a "checklist" of sorts and put it here for you, Mr. or Ms. Future Homeowner, to use when trying to decide on a Real Estate Agent.

Here is a list of questions and topics you should definitely discuss with an agent you are considering using:
As my Agent, what are the services you will provide me?

This question is meant to be open ended. That Agent sitting across from you is going to make a commission of the sale/purchase of your next home. You will want to know exactly what he or she has to offer. From a sales plan, if you are a seller to a detailed report of the area you are looking to buy in, if you are a Buyer; your Agent should be able to anticipate and address each and every one of your needs and concerns.

What is your plan of action with regard to locating a home for me to purchase?

As a Buyer, you know basically what you want.. but you do not what you do not know. That means your Agent should fill in those blanks. Your Agent should be ready and capable of doing research for you. Do you have children? Your Agent should be prepared with information on the appropriate schools in the area. Are you a jogger? Your Agent should be prepared to show you points of interest that will be in your neighborhood.

How much time will you give me?

We, as Real Estate Agents, LOVE TO TALK. More than talking, we love to talk about ourselves and what we can do. Make sure that when you are having this conversation with your prospective Agent, he/she can talk about what he/she can do FOR YOU and not what he/she has done in the PAST. You do not need to know how he/she did last year, you want to know what he/she is doing this month and how much time he/she has to devote to your needs. An Agent with 20 listings and 10 prospective buyers may not be able to give you the same level of service that an Agent with 2 listings and 2 buyers will be able to give you. Remember, you are looking for a HOME not a pair of shoes…you don't need to scrape the bottom of the bargain bin on this one!

What is the price range you propose for me?

Now this may sound odd to you. Why would you ask your Agent about price ranges when he/she has no idea about your financials. This is where the benefit of working with an Agent that is affiliated with a Broker who has a standing relationship, and in some cases even a dedicated representative, at a Direct Lender comes in handy. When you work with Agents that have outstanding working relationships with Lenders, you get the best of everything in one shot. Your Agent will be able to work with his/her representative at the Lender to make sure your pre-approval letter is ready to go when making offers. When you know how much loan you can get, you know how much home you can buy!

As a Buyer, you will not be paying your Agent, because Buyer's Agents' commissions come from the Seller's proceeds. Even so, you will still need an Agent who will be able to represent your needs accurately and efficiently, while providing you with EXCELLENT customer service. If you encounter an Agent that is not treating you well, GET RID OF HIM/HER – there are too many Agents out there who will be MORE than happy to serve you to the best of their abilities.

Mitra Karimi, President
Crestico Realty
http://www.crestico.com

Listing Your Home in Today’s Market Requires the Help of the Best Agent to Get You THE BEST PRICE

To sell your home, you'll need more than yard signs and advertisements. You need a Crestico Agent who will work as your full-service advisor and negotiator to get you exactly what you need to sell your home more quickly and easily by:

Helping you set the right price on your home to attract the right buyers and the sales professionals who work with these buyers.
Gathering data that will present your house and neighborhood in the best light.
Targeting the market where the most likely buyers will be.
Qualifying calls from people who may be more curious than serious about buying
Showing your home to the best prospects
Skillfully representing you during the offer process
Doing the necessary paperwork and legwork in a timely manner.
Guiding you through settlement.

To sell your home, you'll need more than ads and signs. When you work with a Crestico Agent, you'll receive top-notch, priority service, in addition to ads and signs. When working with you to sell your home, the goals of our Real Estate Agents are:

To obtain the best possible price for your home
Negotiate the most favorable terms
Secure a buyer in the shortest period of time
Relieve you of the stress and inconvenience that can occur when selling a home

If you are thinking of selling a home, or want to talk with an expert Real Estate Agent, please work with a Crestico Agent. An agent at one of our local offices will be glad to talk with you, and help you in all of your Real Estate needs.

Questions To Ask When You Are Interviewing And Choosing a Real Estate Agent

Many people contact me to ask me how to choose the best Real Estate Agent. Choosing the correct Agent can be a daunting task, especially in this economy. With so many foreclosures, short sales, REOs and distressed properties in the market, it makes a potential home buyer’s head spin! I have compiled a "checklist" of sorts and put it here for you, Mr. or Ms. Future Homeowner, to use when trying to decide on a Real Estate Agent.

Here is a list of questions and topics you should definitely discuss with an agent you are considering using:

As my Agent, what are the services you will provide me?

This question is meant to be open ended. That Agent sitting across from you is going to make a commission of the sale/purchase of your next home. You will want to know exactly what he or she has to offer. From a sales plan, if you are a seller to a detailed report of the area you are looking to buy in, if you are a Buyer; your Agent should be able to anticipate and address each and every one of your needs and concerns.

What is your plan of action with regard to locating a home for me to purchase?

As a Buyer, you know basically what you want.. but you do not what you do not know. That means your Agent should fill in those blanks. Your Agent should be ready and capable of doing research for you. Do you have children? Your Agent should be prepared with information on the appropriate schools in the area. Are you a jogger? Your Agent should be prepared to show you points of interest that will be in your neighborhood.

How much time will you give me?

We, as Real Estate Agents, LOVE TO TALK. More than talking, we love to talk about ourselves and what we can do. Make sure that when you are having this conversation with your prospective Agent, he/she can talk about what he/she can do FOR YOU and not what he/she has done in the PAST. You do not need to know how he/she did last year, you want to know what he/she is doing this month and how much time he/she has to devote to your needs. An Agent with 20 listings and 10 prospective buyers may not be able to give you the same level of service that an Agent with 2 listings and 2 buyers will be able to give you. Remember, you are looking for a HOME not a pair of shoes…you don’t need to scrape the bottom of the bargain bin on this one!

What is the price range you propose for me?

Now this may sound odd to you. Why would you ask your Agent about price ranges when he/she has no idea about your financials. This is where the benefit of working with an Agent that is affiliated with a Broker who has a standing relationship, and in some cases even a dedicated representative, at a Direct Lender comes in handy. When you work with Agents that have outstanding working relationships with Lenders, you get the best of everything in one shot. Your Agent will be able to work with his/her representative at the Lender to make sure your pre-approval letter is ready to go when making offers. When you know how much loan you can get, you know how much home you can buy!

As a Buyer, you will not be paying your Agent, because Buyer’s Agents’ commissions come from the Seller’s proceeds. Even so, you will still need an Agent who will be able to represent your needs accurately and efficiently, while providing you with EXCELLENT customer service. If you encounter an Agent that is not treating you well, GET RID OF HIM/HER – there are too many Agents out there who will be MORE than happy to serve you to the best of their abilities.

Career Advice for Real Estate Agents

Being a Real Estate Agent is exhilarating. The rush you feel when a deal finally closes and you are waiting for that wire transfer is unparalleled by any other paycheck you will receive. But this rush does not come easy, nor does it come quick. Being a good agent requires a certain level of patience and stamina. Closing a deal is akin to running a marathon, you have to be in it for the long haul; because it’s rarely a sprint. Here is some advice for Real Estate Agents that will help you endure the marathon and finish with flying colors.

Invest in yourself. The investment you make into your career is one that you make into yourself. From time and effort to clothing and personal hygiene, the more you tend to your own needs, the more your clients will feel that you are capable of tending to their needs. As a Real Estate Agent, you will probably work evenings and weekends. While your schedule will remain flexible, remember to address and exceed your customer’s expectations with regard to your time and availability. It will often become necessary to show a home or take a listing appointment in the evening, or a weekend may be the only time you can write up an offer. Regardless of whether you plan to be a full-time or part-time agent, in order to be successful, you will need to make yourself available when your customers are available. If you are committed to success, and are willing compromise your time, to best serve your customers; there is no limit to the benefits you will enjoy as a result of this career choice.

The amount of time you invest in your career will directly impact what you reap. You’ve heard the saying "you reap what you sow" and real estate is no exception. A great way to maximize the benefits you receive as a result of the time you invest, is to educate yourself. Bu "educate" we mean that you should spend time reading, researching and talking to folks. Get a feel for the wants and needs of buyers and sellers; demonstrate your clear understanding of their concerns early on in conversations and you’re sure to grab their attention. Also, stay on top of industry news and market conditions. Doing this will make you seem like an "expert" and generate a sense of trust and reliance between you and your potential clients. Finally, think about new ways to reach potential customers. You can do this by attending events, networking or even joining social networking sites.

Much of the help and training you will receive will come from your employing broker. This is why it’s so important to choose the RIGHT one. Your real estate broker will help you in many ways, matching your efforts and investments by making some of his/her own and supporting your work and providing direction.