PRICED TO SELL: Builder Foreclosures at Sandy Springs’ High Point Manor

Once priced in the mid-$1,000,000s, the elegant executive homes of High Point Manor, to the builder’s chagrin, have become victim of a builder foreclosure.  Despite the unfortunate circumstances, buyers now have an opportunity to purchase one of these stately Sandy Springs’ homes at deeply discounted prices.

Savvy Real Estate Investments for 2010

Vacant residential lots are looking better and better to real estate investors.  Why? The cost of a finished, ready to build lot, can cost a developer about 25 percent of the finished home price. There are a number of these ready-to-go lots on the market at about half what they actually cost to prepare. Investor groups are snapping them up, figuring that the time will come soon when they will be in demand.

Help for REAL ESTATE INVESTORS Looking to Flip Homes

Federal Housing Administration is changing what is known as the “anti-flipping rule” to speed up sales of renovated homes in communities with too many bank-owned and foreclosed homes, says FHA Commissioner David H. Stevens.  Beginning Feb. 1, 2010, the Federal Housing Administration will provide mortgage insurance for some purchases in which the seller bought the property and held it for fewer than 90 days.  This is great news for investors that want to rehab a home and sell it to a buyer that wants to receive the Homebuyer Tax Credit before it expires on April 30, 2010 (view this link, http://www.marealtor.com/content/Homebuyer_Tax_Credit.htm, for more details on the tax credit).

Seller Announces,”NO CLOSING COSTS”

Fannie Mae, the largest provider of residential home funding in the United States, announced Friday that it would pay the closing costs on purchases of foreclosed homes in its inventory.  The government-controlled company said buyers of qualified properties will get up to 3.5 percent in closing costs, or an equivalent amount for the purchase of new appliances.

What You Didn’t Know About the Homebuyer Tax Credit

So you have either purchased or are getting ready to purchase real estate before the tax credit deadline in April 2010 but the homebuyer tax credit is not as simple or straightforward as you might think.  Here are some nuances that will affect homebuyers who plan to use it.

 

Savings for Teachers, Police Officers, Firefighters, & EMTs

Law enforcement officers, pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers and firefighters/emergency medical technicians can contribute to community revitalization while becoming homeowners through HUD’s Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program. HUD offers a substantial incentive in the form of a discount of 50% from the list price of the home for homebuyers. In return you must commit to live in the  real estate property for 36 months as your sole residence. 

Has This Home Been Damaged? Website to Check

Now, more than ever, before buying a home, you may wonder, “Has this home been flooded or incurred some other form of damage?”.   Caveat emptor or “buyer beware” is paramount in this real estate market.  You can ask the Seller but what if they don’t know the full history or have “selective memory”, this is especially true if you are buying a home that has been foreclosed on from a bank.  There is another option - before you buy real estate, you should also check the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report. 

Pay Only $100 Down and Receive $1000 Back on Your Next Home Purchase

So you are ready to purchase a home but hate how much you have to come up with for the downpayment.  At minimum you may have to pay 3.5% of the purchase price of the home down and at maximum you have to pay 20% down depending on the lender.   You wish there was an alternative that worked for you since your income will not allow you to qualify for the various low income-restricted down-payment assistance programs (if you think you income will qualify you for the down-payment assistance programs, email places2love@gmail.com and we will send a list of programs that offer down-payment assistance).  Well, there is hope!  There is an option where you only pay $100 down on your loan and you also may receive $1000 back at closing - this is a great option that more and more buyers are taking advantage of and it maybe worth you examining. 

Need New Appliances? Get Money Back in 2010

The 2010 plan to encourage energy efficiency is the government rebate for appliance buyers. The plan lets people swap their old appliances for new energy-efficient models at very low prices.
 
Here are some things to keep in mind:
·      State plans vary.  Whether you live in Sandy Springs, Atlanta, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Augusta or Macon, check her for the program for Georgia residents: http://energysavers.gov/financial/rebates/state_GA.cfm.

DID YOU KNOW? - Flood Relief for Georgia Homeowners & Renters

If you, or someone you know, lost or suffered major damage to your home due to the floods experienced in Georgia this past autumn, keep reading!

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