HUD Homebuyer's Seminar in Hixson, TN

Here are the Ws:

When: Thursday, June 30th, 2011.
Where: Northgate Title Escrow - Conveniently located behind the Post Office beside Northgate Mall.
What: HUD Homebuyer's Seminar Who: Anyone interested in buying a home as a residence or an investment. Hopefully YOU!
What Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM or until all your questions are answered.
Why: Because buying a home in the current economy should be an informed decision - Arm yourself for success.


The focus of this session will be "How to Buy a HUD Home in Tennessee." HUD homes are listed properties that are owned by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, a Federal agency. These homes can be purchased by either Owner Occupants or by Investors. You will learn all about HUD Homes and why they can be such a great value to you as your next home or as an investment property.

This Seminar is completely FREE

At the Seminar:

...You can talk with representatives of Northgate Title Escrow to answer any questions you have about Title Insurance, closing costs, the closing process, etc.
...You can talk with representatives of Community Mortgage about your financing questions, loan applications, underwriting process, and what is currently happening in the mortgage world.
...You can talk with representatives of Old Republic Home Protection about any home warranty questions you have.
...And you can talk with me about the current real estate market, agency questions, and the home search and buying process.

This is your opportunity to get a lot of valuable information quickly from the real estate industry professionals that are in the market everyday. We will also have some fun with light refreshments and some door prizes from our sponsors.

You can register on-line at my company website: www.UpwardRealty.com, or you can register by email at Info@UpwardRealty.com, or you can call my office at 423-847-8001 and ask to be registered.

Again, there is no charge or obligation created by attending this seminar.

HUD Homebuyer's Seminar in Chattanooga, TN

If you are considering buying a home and would like to learn more about the process, you have a great opportunity coming up shortly. You are invited to attend a HUD Homebuyer's Seminar on March 3, 2011 right here in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The seminar will begin at 6:00 PM (EST) and end around 8:30 PM.

This seminar will be sponsored by Peoples Home Equity and Upward Realty.com. The location is the Peoples Home Equity office at 6650 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421. Reserve your seat now by calling Shannon Lunn @ 423-591-9801 or by email to SLunn@ChattMortgage.com.

This is a great chance for you to get all your questions answered by local mortgage and real estate professionals who work in the current market everyday. There are lots of myths circulating in the marketplace and in the news. You need the facts and that is the purpose of this seminar. Before you venture into the current real estate market, arm yourself with the facts so you can be a knowledgeable consumer. Mistakes in the current market can be very expensive.

Raymond Warren of UpwardRealty.com is a Local Listing Broker for PEMCO, Ltd. and markets HUD Acquired Properties in the Greater Chattanooga Area and 12 counties in Southeast Tennessee. The real estate industry has been an ever changing environment for the last 4 years, this is your chance to get your questions answered by an experienced Broker who is in the local marketplace full-time everyday.

Lori Dodd of Peoples Home Equity will be discussing the current mortgage market and answering your home loan questions. You will also be able to talk with Peoples Home Equity about your personal mortgage needs and get pre-qualified. Being pre-qualified is a requirement for HUD and banks selling distressed properties. Property owners like to know that a buyer is able to complete the deal.

Sponsors:
Peoples Home Equity, 6650 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421, 423-591-9801.
UpwardRealty.com, 6726 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343, 423-847-8001.

For Sale By Owner...Really?

A few years ago, a fellow Realtor® bought a new car and instead of trading in her old car, she decided she would sell it herself. After all, she was a professional salesperson, how hard could it be? And, she could make more money that way...

Well, she went to the hardware store and bought the little "red and black" signs that would tell the world that her car is "for sale". She called the newspaper and placed the ads - of course she paid extra for the heavy borders, "New Listing" headings, and bold type. She put her phone number on the signs and taped them to her car windows. In 2010, she would have surely put an ad on Craig's List.

She was ready to pocket her pending financial windfall. After all, why should the dealer make all that extra money anyway. Anyone can sell a car and she knew that car better than anyone. Right?

If you have ever tried to sell a used car, you know what followed. Her life became selling that car. She soon was talking to everyone who ever thought they might want a car like hers (and many who just needed to be entertained). Most of the calls were from nice folks. But, those little signs and those bold ads do produce, they are like magnets in the world of crazy. There really are "tire kickers" out there, people who will look at and test drive lots of cars but seldom buy.

Some of the "not so nice" folks felt it was their obligation to see the car, drive the car, point out every flaw, educate her on the "current market", and basically tell her that she was crazy (a point she soon began to agree was right.) For some reason a few felt that they needed to point out to her that they had CASH! Somehow they felt that their cash was better than the dollars another person could bring from their bank or credit union. Therefore, she should take less because they had CASH.

Soon, she began to hate that car and wished she had left it with the dealer when she had the chance. Then in reflection one day the Realtor® in her came out, and she asked, "Why would anyone ever try to sell their own home?"

Selling your own home is much like selling a car, but with a lot more at stake. You do open your life to the world. The process can consume your life, because your are emotionally invested in your home. And, you have basically taken on a new full-time job. The longer the process takes, the more desperation sets in and the less firm you become in your resolve. And you begin to wonder about the safety of your family and yourself as you continue to allow strangers into your home and your life. You also realize some of these "buyers" are almost professional at negotiating. Also, everyone wants a good deal for themselves - not you.

Good Realtors® know how to deal with the different aspects of society, that is what we do everyday. We work to know the people we bring into your home. If we are smart, we only bring you qualified buyers, we don't introduce "tire kickers" into your home and your life. We recognize these characters and we don't waste your time or ours.

Our goal should always be to serve you, allow you to continue to live your life, and help you achieve a happy sale of your home. We are the buffer between you and them. We negotiate for a living and we do it on your behalf. We know what your home is really worth and we tell you, plus we tell the buyer when he wants to "steal" your equity.

If you are considering selling your home as a do-it-yourself project, all I can say is "For Sale by Owner...Really?"

I am in the market full-time, everyday, if you want to talk further then just contact me. Or, just give me a call at (423) 847-8001, just ask for Raymond.

Buy a House for $100 down...

With the recent changes in the mortgage market, 100% loans have dried up. If you are a military veteran, you can still get 100% financing under the VA program, but everyone else needs a down payment.

If you have good credit but limited funds or you want to use the funds you have for decorating your new house, there may be some good news for you. Take a look at my post from May 28, 2008 titled "Buying HUD Homes with FHA Financing" (you can scroll down to it).

You should find this program interesting. If so, you can call me at 423-847-8001 for more information or to start your search. Or click on my website at www.UpwardRealty.com. Remember, HUD can take this program away at any time, so the sooner you get started, the sooner you get to move in!

© 2008 UpwardRealty.com

FREE Homebuyer's Seminar

What: FREE Homebuyer's Seminar
When: Thursday - May 22nd
Where: UpwardRealty.com, 6726 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343
What time: 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. EDT
Who is invited: Everyone planning to buy a first home, a move-up home, or a downsize home.
Why: Because the real estate world has changed!
Register at: 423-847-8001 or on-line at: www.upwardrealty.com/

You are invited to join us for a special seminar for buyers in a changing market. Over the last year, and especially the last 2-3 months, the real estate market has changed drastically. Most of the changes have taken place in the mortgage part of the business. However, those changes have also made other areas adapt to new ways of operating.

If you are planning to buy a home anytime soon, you need to be up to date on the current market. We will cover the homebuying process from when you start to look upto the closing table and beyond!

We have gathered a number of industry professionals and we will be meeting to share with you. Check out this list of local sponsors for this event!

Agap'e Home Inspection
Community Mortgage Corporation
Covington Consulting & Appraising
UpwardRealty.com
Northgate Title Escrow, Inc.

Register at: www.upwardrealty.com/

© 2008 UpwardRealty.com

Tax Refunds & Rebate Checks!

Congratulations, if you are one of the fortunate Americans that will be receiving an Income Tax Refund. Hopefully, it is a nice BIG check and you can do something special for you and your family.

If you have been considering the purchase of a home, then perhaps your tax refund would be best invested into a new family homeplace. If you have been "sitting on the fence" while waiting for the current buyer's market to bottom out, you might want to hop down real quick.

Most Realtors® I am talking with (and I talk with lots of Realtors®...) are saying their activity has picked up and they are showing property more than over the last few months. NOW is the time to get ahead of the Spring buying crowd. As people start to buy again, the competition will start to drive prices back up.

You could wait for your Tax Rebates that are coming, but it could be May or even early Summer before you see that money. Since interest rates have been climbing over the last couple of weeks, you could be paying a lot more interest if you wait for that Rebate check. Even a small rate change could mean thousands of dollar$ in interest over the life of the loan.

Of course, a home will still be a great investment this Summer, but it would be an even better investment at current interest rates!

When you are ready to start looking, check out my website and let my team get started wowing you with great service. We can make it happen for you! http://www.upwardrealty.com/.


Copyright 2008

ALERT...Mortgage rates at 3 year low!

Interest rates over the last week have been L-O-W! We are talking the lowest in about 3 years.

One client building a new home locked in his interest rate at 4.5% for a 30 year fixed rate. This happened on January 22, 2008, the morning after the 3/4% cut by the Federal Reserve. Rates did rise later that day, but 5.5% or less has continued to be available.

It is time to buy a house! What are you waiting for, a rate increase?

Enough With the Gloom and Doom!

Do news reporters truly enjoy delivering only bad news? If you have listened to either the local or national news outlets recently, you probably think buying or owning a home is the worst thing you can consider. Regardless of the facts, the press is continuously telling us how the bottom is just falling out of our economy and buying a home now is just stupid.

Well, that ain't so! Most of the so called "experts" are not real estate experts. I have watched investment shows while four experts discuss which stocks they think are right to buy. All four have their favorites and each gives good reasons why the other three experts are really idiots. Then after 10 minutes of this, the moderator will ask them about real estate. All four will give the same response - it is a bad time to buy, prices will continue to drop, it is just bad-bad-bad! This is the only thing these "experts" have agreed on the whole time they have been on the program. However, when they were introduced, there was nothing said about them having any real estate experience - they all work for business magazines, websites, or stock brokerages. They all have an agenda - get your money out of real estate and into the stock they sell.

However, everyone keeps telling us it is a "buyer's market". Doesn't that mean it is a GOOD time to buy? Actually it does! Right now, because of the relentless bad press on real estate, prices have dropped. They have not dropped by double-digit amounts as the press whould lead to you think, but in most markets prices today are 3-5% below the level of a year ago. However, prices have actually gone up in some areas this year. Also, most home owners are not in a "have to" sell situation, so they will not make drastic price cuts, even with the "I'm going to steal a house" mentality many buyers now have.

If you are buying, expect to get a fair price, but not to steal a house. Sellers will just wait you out. Right now, you can buy a house at a reasonable price, but if you wait another year, you may be paying 8-10% or more to buy that same house. That's OK, the sellers are willing to wait.

How about interest rates on mortgages. The press has not been telling you that rates are really low. You can find 30 year fixed rate mortgages at around 6%, give or take a quarter. For 15 year terms, fixed rates are below 6%. Folks, those are LOW rates! Does anyone remember the early 80's - back then 15-18% was common and people went nuts when the rates dropped to the 11-13% range.

Regardless of what the press says, the economy is good right now. Interest rates are low, unemployment figures are low, the economic reports show the economy growing, and if not for rising gas prices we would say the economy is booming.

It is a good time to buy real estate, before the prices and interest rates begin to go back up. And you know they will.

http://www.upwardrealty.com/

Copyright 2007

It's a buyer's market. So why are you NOT buying?

Real estate news has been mostly negative for months now, but every story mentions that we are in a "buyer's market". So why are buyers sitting on the sidelines?

Let me speak to the buyer in you and lets think this through. Confusion and fear seem to be the key reasons you are not buying.

You are being told by the news that this is your market, but then you hear horror stories about the subprime mortgage market disappearing. But, is that you? Chances are very good that you have not abused your credit, at least not beyond repair, so you are probably not a candidate for a subprime mortgage anyway. IF this is true, then all the subprime news is NOT your news - it belongs to the other guy. You are not a subprime buyer!

Your news is very good, because you have maintained your credit. Interest rates on most mortgages are still low. Here at the end of August, most lenders are offering 30 year loans between 6% and 6.5% for your good credit. And good credit can actually have a couple of small blemishes, but not serious or numerous blemishes. So, you should be in a great position to get a very reasonable mortgage, at a fixed rate (not those scary adjustable rates).

Here is some perspective on interest rates. If you wait for a "better" market, you likely will be paying 7% or more for the same money. On a $100,000 mortgage, a 1/2% rate increase raises a 30 year mortgage payment by $34 each month. That means the 1/2% more would cost you an additional $12,240 over the life of the loan. That alone is a good reason not to wait.

You may then say, "but the TV news says home prices are going to continue to drop, so I should wait." That may be right, home prices are in a downward correction pattern at present. But, how far down are they going to go? Many markets have already made their major adjustments, so you may only be looking at a 2-3% additional drop. if so, then on a $150,000 house, a 3% drop is $4500 more it MIGHT go down. Unless you have cash, interest rates will need to stay at present level while you wait or you will pay a lot more in interest than you saved by waiting. At some point in time home prices will start to go up again.

Your decision to buy now or wait is very personal, but don't let the "gloom and doom" news stories make that decision for you. There are so many advantages to being a homeowner such as deducting your mortgage interest at tax time, or being able to paint a room the color you want, or making your own rules instead of following a landlord's rules. But the one that always seems to come out when talking with a new homeowner is that their dream has come true. Most people still have a deep desire to own their dream home.

A wise, very rich investor has been quoted as saying "when other people get scared, I get excited and when others get excited I get scared." If this is good advice, then now is the time to buy when others are afraid of the market. I'm sure you have heard the investment advice that "the time to buy is when everyone else is selling." For most of you, a home will be the biggest investment you make. Right now sellers want to sell but there are very few buyers, so sellers are negotiating. However, sellers are not giving their homes away, so don't expect to "steal" a house, but there are really good deals in the market.

So why are you NOT buying?


Copyright 2007