Homebuyer Credit - Time Running Out?

Homebuyer Credit - Time Running Out?

Posted on 18. May, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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In 2008, Congress enacted a $7500 tax credit designed to be an incentive for first-time homebuyers to purchase a home. The credit was designed as a mechanism to decrease the over-supply of homes for sale. For 2009, Congress has increased the credit to $8000 and made several additional improvements. This revised $8000 tax credit applies to purchases on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

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The Short Sale Decision

The Short Sale Decision

Posted on 12. May, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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If you are going to lose your house to foreclosure, you may want to consider a short sale. It is not an easy decision, and the process is also challenging. But if you look at it as a business decision it may make more sense.

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Shocking Inventory Levels

Shocking Inventory Levels

Posted on 29. Apr, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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Where did all the houses go?? There are many different ways to determine what is going on in the real estate market. One of which is determining the “absorption rate”. This number shows the rate at which the inventory of homes for sale are being sold. A declining figure indicates…

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ATTENTION RENTERS: Stop Wasting Your Money!

Posted on 29. Apr, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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Falling housing prices, historically low interest rates, and tax credits are creating an enticing environment for renters to convert to homeowners.

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6 Landscaping Tips To Wow Buyers

6 Landscaping Tips To Wow Buyers

Posted on 07. Apr, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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Selling your home? How do you get a buyers attention? Curb appeal is very important. Nearly every potential buyer has made an impression about your home from the outside. You can count on that they have seen your home driving by or by pictures on the internet. And from that first impression, they have determined whether they want to see inside or not. So how do you get buyers to want to come inside?

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Closing Costs:  Who Pays For What?

Closing Costs: Who Pays For What?

Posted on 01. Apr, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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Who Pays For What? Closing costs can add up when buying a home. Termite inspections, home warranty, title insurance, etc…The fees included in a transaction are negotiated at the time of the offer. But here is a list of how expenses are traditionally distributed:

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Property Tax Scam…Beware!

Property Tax Scam…Beware!

Posted on 26. Mar, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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Tough times are bringing out the worst in some people. With people scrambling to save money, scams are on the rise. One of the most common scams is coming from companies that offer to help reduce your property taxes. The truth is you can reduce your property taxes without going through a company, for FREE! I have detailed…

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Is It Time To Invest In Real Estate?

Posted on 08. Jan, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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Prices for real estate are very attractive and interest rates are great. So, “yes” it is a very good time to invest in real estate. But, in reality, the answer is not that simple. Investing in real estate is all about the numbers. At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself…”Do the numbers make sense for you and your family?”

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Mortgage Modification Failing?

Posted on 23. Jan, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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A California law that requires mortgage lenders to give customers 30 days notice before filing a default, appears to have only postponed the problems of financially troubled homeowners rather than resolved them.

Between November and December, California saw a 122 percent surge in default notices that begin the foreclosure process, following a three-month decline, RealtyTrac reported Wednesday.

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Tenant Evictions Suspended?

Posted on 23. Jan, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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Freddie Mac continues to pursue legal action to evict tenants living in foreclosed properties, drawing fire from legal aid groups who say the moves violate the spirit of a moratorium the company agreed to in November.
While Freddie and Fannie Mae have suspended sales of foreclosed properties and aren’t locking people out of their homes

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Realtors, Bankers, And Homebuilders Head To Washington

Posted on 02. Feb, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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The government needs to lend a helping hand to the real estate market. With the stimulus package ready to be revealed, it is important to make sure the real estate woes are addressed. The housing turmoil led us into our current recession and will…

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Foreclose! Foreclose! Foreclose!

Posted on 05. Feb, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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Should we just let the inevitable occur? The governments plan to help homeowners avoid foreclosure is turning into a complete failure. Over 50% of homeowners that have had their mortgages modified by the government missed a payment within the first 6 months!

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Get Your $8,000 From Uncle Sam!

Posted on 18. Feb, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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First time home buyers can receive a tax credit if they buy a home in 2009. Although this is a good incentive to try to get people “off the fence”, it is just not enough. Interest rates are the key to the rebound of the real estate market. A 30 yr. fixed mortgage in the low 4’s would…

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It Pays To Be A Delinquent Homeowner

It Pays To Be A Delinquent Homeowner

Posted on 19. Feb, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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The newest housing rescue plan is devised to help homeowners facing potential foreclosure keep their homes. Incentives are being given to lenders to modify loans and to delinquent homeowners to pay their mortgage. Huh? Apparently…

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Will A Decline In Market Value Reduce My Property Taxes??

Posted on 24. Feb, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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With our current economic crises, homeowners are looking for anyway they can to save some money. In the State of California the Assessor will review the value of property in the County between January 1 and June 2009, and will implement a temporary value reduction for all eligible properties.

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Realtors 100% Opposed To Obama’s Plan

Posted on 27. Feb, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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Here We Go Again! I believe it is universally agreed upon amongst those in the real estate business that President Obama’s plan to bailout delinquent homeowners is unfair and will actually slow down the recovery process. Now The President plans on cutting back the mortgage interest deduction. The National Association of Realtors President believes this plan will be a “major impediment to a recovery in real estate markets across the nation”. Read the letter sent to all NAR members…

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Housing Affordability At Record High

Housing Affordability At Record High

Posted on 06. Mar, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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Buyers are still uncertain what to do, or what to expect. Even with great interest rates and very affordable pricing, buyers are still in “wait and see” mode. When we look back at this time in history, it will be interesting to see where was the “bottom” of the market. Is it years away? Have we been there already? Maybe this Spring?

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The Truth About Short Sales

Posted on 11. Mar, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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The phone rings and the realtor runs to the phone. It’s his client and he is excited about a new listing he just saw on the internet. It is a home that is underpriced by about 20%. Is it too good to be true? Yep! The home is a short sale and the listing agent has priced it well below market value. This is a…

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It’s About Time!

Posted on 18. Mar, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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It’s been a rare event lately to get good news for real estate investors out of Fannie Mae, but we’ve got some for you. Starting March first, Fannie Mae will abandon its controversial policy of refusing to finance investor mortgages where the borrower already owns more than three other income properties that have mortgages on them.

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Where Are All The Bargains?

Posted on 17. Mar, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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Despite all the negative news about the real estate market, there are buyers out there! Just ask some of my clients that have missed out on good homes because of multiple offers. Short sales and foreclosures currently make up to 75% of the market in some areas. These homes are often priced low to entice buyers, but

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Donald G. Peterson

Donald G. Peterson

Posted on 17. Mar, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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In his honor and as a tribute to my Dad, who died one year ago today, I’m posting the eulogy I read at his funeral. The one year has felt like 10 at times, but also like it went by in a day. The sorrow never goes away, but somehow you learn to live with it. Today is a reminder to appreciate and love those around you and to really live your life to the fullest! “None of us are getting out of this alive.” - D.G.P

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HOUSE BARGAINS

Posted on 01. May, 2009 by Rob Peterson.

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Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

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