City and Real Estate Guide: Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles has a nickname and that nickname is "The City of Angels." It is commonly referred to as "LA" and is the largest city in California and in the United States it is the second largest city. The residents are often called "Angelenos" In Forbes Magazine named Los Angels as "The world's eighth most economical powerful city."

Los Angeles airport is the area where many foreign travels arrive for the first time to America and a place where new beginnings start. Los Angeles is a great place to start your beginning also in one of its many beautiful communities. As a former Real Estate Broker from the greater Los Angeles area, I can tell you a great deal about Los Angeles. Los Angels is a huge city with many good areas and many bad. Los Angeles has its slums like all cities and it has its beauty such as Rodeo Drive in Hollywood.

There are many beautiful malls and many very delicious restaurants. To understand Los Angeles the best, you need to see the map of the city. Here is the google map for Los Angeles:

http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&om=1&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=104511996100170886231.00000111d6ec170ebb74e

As you drive into Los Angels on on I-5 you will come in to many lovely areas. You will pass through Glendale and Pasadena, which are extremely beautiful communities just right outside of the city.
Pasadena is extremely expensive, but if you can afford it, a sleepy setting with many Victorian Homes. The lots are huge and yes there are many foreclosures available there. A good short sale seeker's dream.

As you come into downtown Los Angeles, it is full of shops and main districts. There are many cheap areas and Los Angeles has its shares of low price range homes. So the best areas in Los Angeles are in the outlying areas. If your desire is to live in downtown Los Angeles then they have many condos available.

As a local Realtor, I sold many homes in Downey, Tarzana, and areas close to Van Nuys are real nice. All the areas close to the Santa Monica pier and town are very beautiful and lets not leave out Venice. Many want to live in Los Angeles but they have choices of being within a few minutes away and living in beautiful areas.

West Los Angeles is a very nice community and is medium priced. It has a lot of older homes and very quaint. West Los Angeles is a multi-neighborhood with many Asian and Middle Eastern type restaurants. Many people drive to West Los Angeles just for the shopping. It is easily accessible and a nice trip.

All of Los Angeles is extremely busy, as one of the largest cities in California and many travelers from around the world using the air port as a port of entry. The airport is huge and has many terminals. It is easily accessible and is close to many Denny's Restaurants. While at Denny's restaurants, try their famous waffles and ice cream brunch.

Of course Los Angeles is most famous for its neighbors, Hollywood, Brentwood and Beverly Hills. The absolute famous Rodeo Drive with all the million dollar stores for the rich and famous. There are some great misconceptions about Hollywood and Beverly HIlls. There are portions of the cities that are extremely beautiful and there are parts that are slums. So yes, there are streets of the celebrities, but you can also have a zip code in a reasonably priced neighborhood.
Living in Los Angeles is both a privilege and an honor and a place where we hope you come real soon. The money, job opportunity , weather and scenery are all beckoning you to visit us right now.

Home Staging for Better Presentation: The Garage

When anyone decides to place their home for sale, the Broker should guide them in how to stage their garage. Garage staging is just as important as home staging and maybe more. There is nothing worse than a prospective buyer walking into a garage and seeing boxes everywhere and huge oil slicks in the middle of the floor. 

The seller spends lots of money on staging the home but when it comes to the garage he says, "Who cares about an old garage." One of the biggest mistakes a seller can make is to forget about the garage. Just as you would pay special attention to the yard and curb appeal, you must care about the looks of the garage.

As a listing agent, I want the entire home in tip top shape. Home staging is not stacking boxes on the ceiling and carpets over oil slicks. It is making the garage look as good as the home and very spacious. When a prospective client walks into the garage from a door off the home, he must feel as happy with the garage as he does the home.

1. Clean and Tidy:

All boxes should be transferred to a storage shed or a rental storage somewhere. Ladders should be folded and hung on the walls along with major tools such as chain saws and shears to cut the shrubs with. There should be some sort of incense hanging in the garage, to give it a wonderful smell and all bad odors eliminated, before anyone shows the home. The garage must be freshly painted as it is a possible room of the house. All holes need to be patched and any cracks sealed.

Nothing worse than walking into a home and seeing many cracks everywhere. The first thing a prospective buyer thinks, is that this is not earthquake safe. A garage should be open and clean but organized. Making a home feel tidy and welcoming.

2. Make it look Spacious and Open:

There should be hanging peg boards for all tools. The tool bench must be painted red as that is the color all buyers expect. There should be a few tricycles on the floor next to the door, as to make the garage and the home look like someone lives there.

3. Make it homey looking and welcoming:

Curtains must be hung on the windows and the curtains should be real home looking and not formal looking.

4. Make it look as though someone lives here:

A empty garage is not garage staging. Giving the impression that no one has ever lived in the home is not a selling point. Try to imagine if you are walking into the garage before seeing the home, how would you feel? Would you be interested in seeing the rest of the home? As anything, this should be a showplace and something that draws the buyer in.

5. Arrange the garage for the garage lover:

How can you make a garage welcoming? A work bench with peg boards and a large step stool next to the work bench. A tall tool box, red of course and some pictures hanging of the Grand Canyon and places that people might long to see. Huge metal shelving with all cans of nuts and screws divided and all winter items, such as sleds on shelves.

Many do not spend enough money on the total presentation, such as having a working garage door opener. If the garage door is old and squeaky, try to replace the opener. The cost is only a few hundred dollars and can make the difference in a low ball figure.

Things for garage staging:

1. Fresh coat of paint and all cracks and holes fixed.

2. Peg hole shelving

3. All boxes removed

4. All ladders and large items hung out of the way

5. Home looking curtains on the window

6. Pictures of pleasant looking areas

7. Tidy and clean and all oil spots removed

8. Fresh smelling room deodorizer or incense

9. A few personal items to make the home lived in

10. All the above applies.

Selling your home for the top price is the goal of any agent and only with the cooperation of the sellers and tenants can this be accomplished. Help your agent, help you.

How Your Credit Score can Affect Apartment Renting

You have worked your whole life maintaining your perfect credit, then all of a sudden you lose your job.  No matter how you try and what things you sell, you just could not save your credit.  Before long they are repossessing your home and your car and you have absolutely no where to call home.  The only choice that remains is to rent an apartment, but even there you have nothing but shut doors and no one wants to help you due to your credit rating or FICO score.

It never dawned on you that you would ever lose your job much less your credit,  so now what can be done?  Is there a way to rent a home with bad credit and if so do you have to live in the "dumps?"

Looking for a new home:

Before you even go out the door to look for a new home, get all your ducks in a row.  It is absolutely fruitless to begin a home search until you have a few things done and prepared.  First it is imperative that you get a credit report and have it ready.  There are many places on the Internet that offer a free credit report once a year.  Here is a link for Trans Union:

Free Credit Report

Now that you have your credit report you can search and see where the main points of discrepancy lie.  Try to alleviate as much as you can before house searching.  Many collection agencies will agree to negotiate the amount owed and in exchange will wipe the debt off your credit report.  If they will not agree to that then have them make an immediate report that the account has been rectified.  You can also put letters on file with the credit bureau explaining exactly what happen.

Once you have corrected your credit report as much as possible, take the credit report with you when you begin house hunting.  It is important to be honest and upfront with the people who are considering renting to you.  Stay away from the big complexes and look for a smaller unit or home that is owned by an individual.  Many management companies have set policies on credit and ratios.
Some apartment and home managers will also go by the LTV (loan to debt  ratio).  This is the debt to rental ratio.  So they will consider your monthly rental compared to your income.  The normal ratios will be 30-36% of your income after debts are deducted.  So when considering a home for rent keep these ratios in mind. 

Credit Report and 7 Years of Misery:
Keep in mind that the bad marks will be on your credit for seven years and ten years if you file bankruptcy.  During this period you will not be able to buy a home or a car.  What you can do is try to reestablish some good credit to show potential landlords that you are a good risk such as taking out a fully secured loan through a savings and loan.  This is a normal procedures to begin establishing credit.  Look for a secured credit card also as a second choice or a account with a small department store, such as Mervyns.

Do not give up as there are many places that will work with you if you are honest, sociable and are dressed well.  Funny how people judge you by your appearance.  A manager would much rather you be upfront with them, then to find out you lied after the new credit report comes in.  Sometimes they will not pull a new credit report if your report is recent.

Property Managers: How to Avoid Being Stuck with Bad Renters

There are some basic rules when it comes to leasing or renting out your property. All landlords are looking for the magic key to avoid getting bad tenants and sometimes even the best of you get fooled. When looking for good tenants follow these simple guidelines and hopefully you will never have to worry again:

1. Hire a Realtor or Broker to rent your apartments out. The Broker will place a sign in your yard, indicating the home is being managed by business class people not "Mom and Pop" owners. You would be surprised how this one sign can turn many potential bad renters away. It seems like bad renters avoid any type of rigorous checking. They can con the best of you and so by spending a little money, you save yourself some problems.

The Broker's job is to run a credit report, take a full application on the prospective tenants, notarize the lease agreements and check the job and references out. The Broker is being paid to protect you and in most cases the Broker will bring you the best tenants. A Normal fee to hire a Broker to rent out your unit is 50 percent of the rent, but this is negotiable. 

2. Look at the person and the references very closely. Many people are able to con even the best person, so look at them very closely. Notice the clothes they wear, their shoes, their jewelry especially and also the references. A person who uses a doctor or lawyer for a reference is better qualified than a man who uses a man who works at a burger joint.

3. Look at the rent to debt ratios. The bank looks at a ratio of 28-33%. If the prospective tenant has problems with his credit report and has high rent to debt ratio, this is a red flag. Of course there are always reasons why a person is in default or has collections, but listen to the explanations thoroughly and question why they have not bothered to correct their credit report.

Correcting your credit report is not that difficult. There are many agencies that correct credit reports for a fairly reasonable fee. The tenant themself can dispute credit defaults. If the tenant shows no intention of trying to correct his collections or defaults, refuse the tenant. Feeling sorry for someone can lead you right to the "Poor House."

4. A really simple thing to do is to run an Internet check on the person's names. If his name is Tom Jones, google Tom Jones and see if you see anything suspicious on him. The Internet has more information than most people can imagine.

5. Make sure if you hire a Realtor, that the Realtor checks prior residences. Talking to the prior landlord is a good thing to do. Sometimes the prior landlord will cover for the person, but many times they do give hints and warnings to watch out for.

In the end, talk to the tenant one on one and look at their eye contact. Look for well kept clothing, polished shoes, children being kept very tidy, etc. These things can appear to be minor, but in the end it is all you have to go on. Gut feeling sometimes will give you more insight into a person's character than a three page application.

Buying houses in California

As a former broker of a independent office in Downey, California, I can give you my best advice. Buying homes in California is very easy, if your have good credit. Now with the new foreclosure problems in California, the banks are extremely careful about who they loan money to. Years ago, we use to help less than perfect buyers obtain homes through creative financing. But, now that is a thing of the past. If you know what you can qualify for ahead of time, it will save you a great deal of hardship.

The amount that you can qualify for is 33 percent of your income after taxes, in most cases. But wait, you must deduct all your debts. So if you make $5000 per month and you have $1200 in monthly debts, that leaves you with a monthly income of $3800. You take 33 percent of that figure or $1254 per month. That figure includes the cost of PMI (private mortgage insurance), taxes and insurance. If you are putting more than 20 percent down on the purchase of a home, then there is no PMI. Some loans with hard pressed areas, are offering basically no money down loans and no PMI.

Wells Fargo Bank is one such bank offering a loan without no PMI. You can look at their offers through this website:

https://www.wellsfargo.com/mortgage/

If you are looking for a bank that offers no down payment, here is a link for a article listing the major banks. Wells Fargo also does no down payment along with Bank of America. Bank of America is much easier to get a loan through.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24580917/

As the article discusses, the down payment is disguised through gifts. Normally a down payment must be in your account for over 2 months. Some banks are offering no down payments, where a 3rd party holds interest on the property, such as a lien holder. All of these loans have catches.

California is still the most expensive place to live out west. Home prices generally run in excess of $200,000 unless you live out in the country. California is the land of the rich and the famous, but even Los Angeles has its slums. Some of the nicest areas to live in Southern California is Downey and Lakewood. They are very affordable communities. San Bernardino and Riverside communities are more affordable, but with the drive to commute, many prefer the locality of being close to Los Angeles. 

If you want to find a reputable Realtor, contact the California Board of Realtors at:

http://www.car.org/

A local Realtor will be able to guide you to the best deals and many companies have on line services. One such service would be Century 21Jervis offices located in Downey. If you want any other area, they can direct you. They are the best office there:

http://century21jervis.com/index.htm

Financing can be set up through the home loan departments at Bank of America:

http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=bank+of+america+in+home+loans+at+downey+california&fb=1&split=1&view=text&latlng=2450088227044241933&ei=S_KFSvX9B9nTjAeC3dSiCw&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=result&resnum=1

These are merely examples of places I have dealt with in the past and know that they are reputable. In no way can I guarantee them today. Buying a home is a simple matter with prequalifying for a loan, finding a Realtor, who will in turn find you the home of your dreams.

How to naturally get rid of ants in the home

Living with ants is as much as a problem as living with killer bees. They are annoying and bothersome and just plain outright nasty. To see their long trail of nonsensical travel is so "Yuk." As the environment goes green and everyone is trying to cut down on electric consumption, plastic water bottles and buying electric cars, does it not make sense to kills ants the "green way."

Sometimes you feel as you just want to leave those little critters alone as they do look helpless, until one of those real nasty red ones comes your way and bites you right on the bottom of your foot. As you limp around for days on end trying to balance, you have an evil thought come into your head about how you can possibly annihilate the whole tribe.

We all can tell you of stories of ants and how they have played an important part in history. The story of King Solomon is unique as he died standing up supported by a wooden cane. He was never known to have died until the ants gnawed away at his cane and he fell. Even ants have a purpose in this life.
As to keep everything sensible and clean, here are some of the best natural remedies.

1. One of the best ways to get rid of ants is to lay talcum powder wherever you see the ants and any place you expect them to show up. It is best to use scented talcum powder. As long as they see the powder, they will disappear. But surely as there will be a sun tomorrow, they will return when they sense there is no talcum powder. So be armed with extra bottles.

2. The second best thing to use is straight vinegar. You can use raw which is better for everything, but I think that ants are not on a health diet. So being raw is more expensive, you may want to go with a generic one. You can use either apple or plain. Just place the vinegar in a squirt bottle and squirt the vinegar everywhere. On the sidewalks, doors and even the kitchen counters.

3. The third way is plain ole cinnamon. Just sprinkle it everywhere. I suggest you put some cinnamon oil in the vinegar bottle. Why not have two shots for the same squirt?

4. The fourth way is black pepper and you can sprinkle it just like the cinnamon, but if you really want to make those pesky creatures angry, mix it with some turmeric powder. Ouch, that burns!

5. There are many suggested sprays from some liquid soap and water to hydrogen peroxide and lemon. They all work, just pick the one that works best for you.

There are more that don't work as well, but why should they be listed here? These are some of the best and they work. As with all pest that invade your home and your lives, doing what is necessary for the safety of your children should be your top priority.

Tips for Buying a House

You are in the market to buy a house and really you are a bit confused about which way to go. Do you hire a Broker or do you try looking for a for sale by owner in the newspaper? Many questions about which is the proper way to spend those precious dollars you have so earnestly saved over the past few years. Tips for buying a home must start with loans.

Do I Qualify for a Loan:

Before getting into looking for a home, it is important to find out if you even qualify for the loan in the first place. Looking at what a lender wants and then looking at ratios they require. There are many things involved in buying your first time or second home for investment. 

What does the Bank Require:

1. Down payment must be in the bank for 2 months or more. If you are doing a 80/20 loan which requires no down payment, then this rules does not apply or a zero down loan with gift money. 

2. Debt to loan ratio must be between 28-36%. This means that you take your income minus debts and then times that amount times 28%. That figure is what you will qualify for in a monthly house payment (the lower end of qualifying rate). That figure must include taxes, insurance and PMI (private mortgage insurance). PMI is an insurance policy for the bank, guaranteeing them that if you default, the loan would be paid in full, so it is very expensive. Most lenders estimate .5% of your payment.

PMI can be avoided by placing 20% down or more on the loan. When placing 20% or more down on a loan, you also get lower discount points from the lender. So with 20% down, there are bank perks not available to a first time home buyers program.

3. Proof of income. The bank will want to see that you have steady income for six months or more. If you are self-employed you will need to supply tax returns for two y ears.

4. Two months of checking account statements.

When you sit down in front of a lender check on all the programs they are offering. They will tell you about fixed rate programs (the interest rate never changes) and variable programs ( the rate varies sometimes every month). A fixed rate is better for anyone in these foreclosure times, especially first time buyers. Many home owners are losing their homes due to rising rates on their variable loans.

Title One FHA Loans:

If you are getting an FHA loan, then the lender can apply for at the same time for a home equity loan also for an amount up to $25,000. FHA does not require any equity in the home. There are closing cost involved in this type of loan, but for a higher interest rate, some lenders offer a zero point loan.
FHA is one that requires no equity in your home. Typically on a regular refinance, lenders require a minimum of 20% equity which technically could take years and years, so this program is an advantage.

Shopping for a Realtor or For Sale By Owner:

If you are a first time home buyer do not even consider buying on your own. There are millions of things that could literally "take you to the cleaners." Without experience in contracts, laws and contingencies, you would not be able to protect yourself. After you have purchased several homes and have more knowledge, then consider the "for sale by owner" but until then stick with a seasoned Realtor.

There are about as many Realtors available as homes, so when choosing a Realtor, look for the same qualities you look for in your home. Location, years of reliability and beauty. Yes beauty is an aspect to look for. Not beauty of the face, but beauty of the heart. An agent who is kind and gracious to you at the worst of times and even when you don't qualify for the loan, is an agent to hire.
Location, Location and Location:

When shopping for a home, especially a first home always look for a home in the best location. Never ever buy in a bad location for price. Some will think about buying a beautiful home in the low end of the city or slums. These beautiful homes never will appreciate in value like a home in the better areas and they are not safe. If you want the best value, look for a place that you could sell easily in 6 months.

Writing a Contract:

When you finally find the perfect home and you want to write a contract look at many things. It is a buyer's market and in a buyer's market no one is offering full price for a home unless your Realtor recommends you to. In some cases, the home has been greatly reduced to allow for a quick sale, due to an impending foreclosure. In that case follow what your Realtor tells you and what you actually qualify for. 

Do not accept a home in "as is" condition. Demand the seller give you a disclosure on everything that is wrong with the home and do a home inspection before placing money in escrow or signing escrow papers. This can be done one to two days after having an agreed upon offer. Insist on a home warranty plan and never agree to sign an arbitration agreement. In many states this takes away your right to litigation in case you are wronged or even lied to.

In the end, buying your first home can be a very enjoyable time. It is exciting seeing all the beautiful homes and it is wonderful thinking of raising your children in a home all their own. Get pre-qualified and know exactly what you can buy and then shop carefully and wisely. First time home buyers, don't be ashamed to take your mom and dad to see the home you plan of buying.

Tips to getting into your dream house

The dream of home ownership is within reach and you want to have the perfect home, not just any home. Deciding which way to go and how can you have that dream home that you have worked so hard for. Look at these tips in these very true stories and then you too can have what you are seeking, a home that has turned out to be more than you could imagine.

I was a Real Estate Broker in Downey, California and I had dreams too. I opened a small independent Real Estate Company next to the Albertson's grocery store. It was quaint and it was homey and it was very welcoming. People could come and talk to me about their problems or their dreams. I tried to help each one of them find the exact home that would fill their dreams.

A mansion proves to be the right dream home:

There are many different scenarios really. I had a client who was a new dentist. She had lived in a dark and dreary condo for over ten years and she so wanted to live in a mansion. Something that all her friends would envy. I found her a house on Downey Avenue. It was huge and it was brand new. It had over 3000 square feet with two floors. This was her dream home and she was able to purchase this home by me reducing my commission. She repaired all my teeth after that sale, not a bad deal.
Nancy gets her dream home in downtown Long Beach:

Then there was Nancy, my best friend. She had longed all her life to own a home. Nancy was married to a man who worked very hard and he was really good. She had come out of an abused relationship and her mom was dying in the hospital. Her husband had VA benefits, so he could buy a home with almost nothing down. She just needed her dream home. Me and Nancy would go look at homes all the time and each time her husband would say no.

We started looking at a price of around $150,000, but her husband said no again, then finally Nancy saw this wonderful building in downtown Long Beach. It was within minutes of her mom's convalescent home and her job too. It had a huge courtyard with tons and tons of trees and flowers. It was beautiful as could be. The price was only $109,000 and guess what? Her husband said yes. So Nancy moved into her beautiful dream home and Nancy was happy at last.

Downey provides dream homes for residents of Los Angeles:

I had a couple who were referred to me who lived in downtown Los Angeles. They lived in a very crowded area in a very ugly apartment and they wanted to buy a home in Los Angeles for around $179,000. I told them impossible. They explained to me what they wanted and how many rooms they wanted. They wanted a play room for their children and they wanted to live on a country street where they could walk at night.

I convinced them to come to the serene area of Downey and look at the excellent schools and the many places to eat. I convinced them to just try. The very first house I showed them, they bought. It cost them $159,000 and they had a huge enclosed patio in the back for the children that had a fireplace and completely carpeted. It was on a quiet street with many trees and it was close to the expressway for the both of them to get to work. They could not believe they had their dream home for so little.

My dream home is in El Paso:

I have owned many homes, but my favorite one is in the eastern side of El Paso, up in the mountains. My home was simple, but very beautiful. I could walk out my back door and sit on my patio and the only neighbors I had was this huge mountain. My husband and son could go run up the mountain and feel free. It was a huge 3 bedroom and 2 bath home with a beautiful bay window that looked out onto the mountains.

It was peaceful and it was serene and it was a steal. I assumed a man's loan for $5000 and I paid $666 each month in mortgage payments. My kitchen looked out over the front lawn and it was in the rich area of El Paso. It was my dream home and I so do miss that home. It was a piece of paradise next to heaven.

Tips to consider:

Look at all these scenarios and think about what each one did.

1. VA loans require zero down payment.

2. Move from a big city to a suburb to save money.

3. Ask your Realtor to help with expenses by cutting commissions and negotiating closing cost.

4. Look at assuming someone's loan and save tons of money on loan fees.

Buying your dream home is not that difficult. It may not be practical to move to a different state or another country, but you can find your dream home in your locality. Decide what would make you the happiest and then see what you can buy. Never give up, just like Nancy did and hopefully like Nancy, you too will be moving into your dream home very soon.

Ways to make a military relocation easier

As a former wife of a military Sargent, I can tell you how to make your moving easy. It is something that you do get use to, but it takes organization, patience and rank. Yes, that is right, the higher the rank is, the better the treatment is. I remember when my husband was a private and the kind of treatment we received compared to complete satisfaction when he was a Sargent. I will give you some of the easiest ways to move.

Tips From an Expert Mover:

1. Preparation is the key. Visiting the office to request movers is the first step. You must complete all the paperwork and then you are assigned a date that they are suppose to pack you. The packers will come and pack one day and then the next day, they will remove all the boxes and furniture.

2. Kindness is the second key. If you want the best and the easiest, move then make sure you are "sweeter than pie." Keep in mind, their main concern is the military man, so the wife needs to be cooperative. Needless to say, many times they will break the appointment, not show up at all and yes, not do what they promised.

When anyone is moving overseas, they have a limit on the amount of pounds the government will pay for, depending on rank. So the furniture and boxes must be packed in huge crates.

3. Clean before they come. When the packers come, they will bring many packers and they will pack literally everything in sight. So if you have dirty paper towels in the kitchen, they will be packed. Dirty glasses, trash, broken glasses and yes, even dirty underwear. As a bit of warning, be prepared with what you want them to take.

4. Have someone there to help you. It is literally impossible for one person to watch all the movers. So have several friends come and help you. You need someone in the kitchen, one in the bedroom and another friend or relative in the living room. Talk nicely to the packers and make sure they are taking care with your valuables and that each box is marked carefully and placed on the inventory.

5. The day they arrive to pick up the boxes and furniture, make sure furniture pads are placed properly around the furniture and that books are packed at the bottom of the pile and dished on top. Make sure pictures and mirrors are in boxes and sealed and not just wrapped. Note that everything is included on the inventory and count each box.

Transitioning to Your New Home:

No matter how you try, it is impossible for the both of you to travel on the same day. It was a lot easier for us to plan to travel separate. I would leave around a month early to go and look for a new home. By the time my husband arrived, I had a home and all the furniture was placed in the new home.

It worked out much better this way. I also had time to find a job and get settled with the children and all. The husband very rarely wants to be involved in such chores anyway. So he is delighted when the wife takes care of everything.

Military Housing:

If you choose to live in military housing, then going early will not work. The husband must check into the base and be a member of his unit before they will assign housing. So there is no need for the two to arrive separately.

When the packers arrive at the new location with your boxes, they will give you an inventory list. This list needs to be checked thoroughly by you as they unload each box. It is great with Military movers as they will unpack everything for you. They will also lay the rugs and carpets and place the furniture.

Make sure you follow the rules of Military Housing, no furniture of curtains too close to the heaters. The inspectors will come later to see if you comply with the placement of everything.
If anything is broken or missing, you need to note it on the inventory sheet. You may make a claim for any damage, but things are not so easily replaced, such as pictures and mementos. In the end, moving is made very simple, by being careful and examining all steps of the process.

Property search tips on-line

To learn all about property search tactics, a buyer needs to be computer savvy. Not only can he act individually, but also he can act smart. By learning as much as possible about the real estate world and its current condition, the buyer becomes an investor more than just a buyer looking for property.  Tips to search on the internet start with research, referrals and gut feelings.

More and more buyers are turning to the Internet as their guide for property searches. The Internet has more information than can ever be imaginable. There is so much good information there and sad to say there are just as many scam artist also. Learning the correct way to search the Internet is important and learning what to search for is important also.  Always stick to the most reliable information and you will find those sites are the best.

Websites that offer the best property search tips:

If you search for the top websites that will give you the most information at the click of the button, one website dominates them all. It is Realtors.com.They are the largest web searching site on the Internet and have more than double the information of their nearest competitor. 

Realtytrac.com is the second largest site according to Business Week and Homegain.com is the third largest site for searching. Another popular site is Remax.com. Funny Century 21, Prudential or Coldwell Bankers did not make the top sites to search.  

What to look for in your searching on-line:

 As stated above it is imperative to search for name recognition, quality and years in service. All sites offer current MLS (multiple listing service) listings. So you can go to Realty.com and find the same listings as Realtytrac.com.  So what makes one site more popular than the next. Is it advertising or is it outright service?

 Many times it is purely the way the site is set up. Is it easy to use?  Does the site contain up-to-date information or is it color of the site? Many times it is just preference, not that one site is better than the next. When you go to one site and it is nothing but trying to sell you something you may get turned off. It is better to go to one site to search for answers, listings, Realtors and up-to-date articles listings. Many of these sites have mortgage companies also.

When shopping for a mortgage it is better to go to a site that specializes in up to date comparison shopping. The number one site on the Internet is Bankrate.com. You can put in the city and state and get a full listing of all lenders in  your area. There is no pressure and tons of information on current topics of information.

 "Twitter and Facebook"

 Needless to say one of the fastest growing outlets at the moment is Twitter. Twitter offers thousands of sites with nothing but pure information on real estate, stocks and bonds, appraisals, investing and short sales. It is very easy to use Twitter with no pressure at all. Just go to Twitter.com and in the search box put in "real estate" as an example and you will get thousands and thousands of sites on real estate.  

Shopping on-line for property search is never easier and even if you are searching for property in Turkey which now offers mortgages to non residents, you can find everything very easily. Years ago when your  Mom was growing up, she never realized that the world of computers would offer so much. You have to wonder if Bill Gates still understands what he has done for the typical person.  Our lives are easier because of the Internet and so are our backs.  No more walking from agency to agency to get a list of properties for sale, just one click of a button and you are home free.

Things to watch out for when buying a foreclosed home

To many people want to run and buy foreclosures before they know what they are doing. Buying foreclosures can be a way to make money and it could be a way to lose your life savings, so be careful before buying foreclosed homes. This article will give you some legitimate ways to find foreclosed homes and what to watch out for.

First consider many things here and please understand the differences. Short Sales are usually homes in foreclosure, but not foreclosed homes. You can buy a short sale, but at slightly less than market price. There is no way for an investor to make money buying short sales, as they must appraise. The banks will not sell the home for less than what they could get elsewhere. They will choose to let the home foreclose and place it back on the market theirself.

A foreclosed home is one where the owner has already lost the home and it is being auctioned on the court steps or available through many sources. A foreclosed home may still have the owner inside the home and you may have to evict the owner. A foreclosed home is not open for inspection, so the most you get to see if by a drive-by. Now, if you are buying a bank foreclosed home, they have already evicted the tenant and have raised the price to accommodate cost involved in the transaction.

The best buy is on the steps of the courthouse, but you must take the responsibility for the repairs, evicting the tenants and even paying off the 2nd and 3rd mortgage. So it is necessary to hire an attorney to protect yourself. When purchasing a foreclosure on the steps of the courthouse, you need to have a fairly large down payment ready to give them on the spot and your financing already set up.
The funds must be in the form of a cashier's check. If the second is owed money, they will be on the steps also and you must agree to pay them, so purchasing a foreclosure is not all that easy. You need to have searched the title prior to the sale to look for all liens to protect yourself.

Where can you purchase foreclosures:

1. Contact a reputable Broker. Especially in todays market, there are tons of Brokers or Realtors working foreclosed properties. They will have a list of all available foreclosures and can help you protect your savings and yourself.

2. HUD homes for sale. You must go through a Broker to buy a HUD home, but you can search the listings yourself. You cannot bid yourself. You must be represented. HUD homes generally go on the high end, but have low down payments and quick financing.

http://www.hud.gov/homes/homesforsale.cfm

3. You can contact any Bank and ask to speak to the REO department. This is also called the loss mitigation department in some banks. Ask for a list of properties for sale and they will help you. They may want the loan with their bank, but that is no problem if you are qualified.

4. You can contact the US Marshall's Office. These homes were taken because of drugs, firearms or alcohol and they have a list available for sale. 

http://www.usdoj.gov/marshals/assets/nsl.htm

5. You can contact the VA. They have many homes for sale and some homes for as little as $1 down if you qualify.

http://www.homesales.gov/homesales/mainAction.do

6. The IRS has foreclosures also. These homes have been repossessed due to tax liens. You can get a list of properties from them also.

http://www.treas.gov/auctions/irs/cat_Real7.htm

As you can see, there are many safe places to buy foreclosures. If you are a learned investor and know how to do the foreclosed property route on the court steps, then those are your best buys, but if not, try some of these links to protect yourself.

How to get a tenant to leave

Tenant eviction problems are just that. A problem that nobody wants to face, but if you own investment property, at one time or another this will come up. This can be an easy process with a few simple steps or it can be a very long drawn out process. Either way it must be done.

From day number one when the tenant moves in be nice and very friendly with them. Do not be aggressive and dictator-like. Offer to help them with whatever you can. Be their friend and their neighbor. The old saying goes, that a pound of honey buys more than a jar of lemons. When it comes to evicting tenants, you do not want to run into a long drawn out legal battle.

Why are you evicting the tenant:

First rule of thumb must be for you to document, why the tenant must go. If you have sold the house and merely want the room vacated, it is different from the tenant not paying the rent. Many foreclosure sales have a huge problem with evicting tenants. The tenant realizes the owner is not making payments, so sometimes the tenant refuses to pay also.

The new owner buys the property and the tenant refuses to move. What can be done? Does the new owner go to the legal process or does he simply pay the tenant to move. In many foreclosure cases, the owner will pay the tenant some "pocket money" to vacate the property quietly and without damaging the property.

If a tenant is forcibly evicted, he will leave the property in bad shape many times. If the tenant is being evicted for lack of payment and breaking his lease, then your options are easier.

1. Give the tenant notice in writing to leave the property in thirty days.

2. If he refuses to leave you can get a company or attorney to send him to court and face a judge.
Most companies for a percent of the rent will evict the tenant in 60 days.

3. At the court hearing you must show proof of lack of payment. This is accomplished by showing the lease and bringing records of payments.

4. Record any damage the tenant has done to the property, so you can be compensated for that figure.
Most tenants when served with an eviction notice by a policeman will evict the property right away, but if they do not then it is pretty simple in most states. It is easier to evict tenants who are on a month to month lease. Any tenant with a long term lease, can have a better chance in court to win.
Expect the worse of people. The tenant will cry, scream and yell at the court about everything you ever did wrong and at times even say they do not understand English. Make sure you document everything before going to court. If you have any witnesses to what problems have occurred at the property, then those would be good also.

In the end, the property will be vacated and you will be leery the next time you rent to someone. As a measure of warning on rentals.

1. Always take a credit report on new tenant applications.

2. Always take a full application on all parties occupying the property.

3. Hire a Real Estate company to rent the property and give them a percentage of the first month's rent.

4. Require to see proof of income.

5. Recommendations of previous place of residence.

6. Personal references of friends and neighbors. Look to see the employment of the references.

In the end you have come away from this experience with more knowledge, a better plan for next time and a clean apartment now for renting to the next tenant.

How to find the right real estate agent

As a former Broker-owner I can tell you I was chosen many times strictly on referrals.  When anyone is looking to find the right real estate agent I would agree this would be an excellent beginning.  Look to whom your friends and neighbors recommend.  I remember once I went to an open house and met a woman who hated her agent.  She referred me to her friend strictly on a chance meeting.

Funny that referral brought me many other clients. Sometimes you can get a lot of business strictly by being in the right place at the right time. This happen to me more than once.  Did you ever notice how people just plain don't like their agent.  Why do you think that is?  It is because the personal touch has gone out of real estate.  When looking for the right real estate agent, look for someone who has time for you.

Your best friend is your agent:

I had some clients in Downey, California and they were so good.  Their daughter had cancer and she lost her hair and then her feet.  She was only ten years old, but she never gave up.  She just loved her new home and it had a swimming pool. She went swimming every single day and she was a survivor.  She use to go to the men's bathroom because she wore a baseball cap and she did not want to not fit in.

Real estate is a lot like that like girl with cancer, you have to be a survivor and she you have to keep swimming around till you succeed.  Many times a Realtor is chosen because they are different. I went around in gym shoes and a sweatshirt when I door knocked and I use to really drawl out my accent like, "How ya'll doing today, I am a Realtor."  They would look at me and just smile.  Their first question to me was, "Where are you from?"  I just smiled and then would laugh and I'd say, "Why ma'am I am from Kentucky."  Back then I was not Muslim of course.

I got more doors opened and yes my very first listing with being different.  So rule number two in choosing an agent, look for someone who could be your best friend and confidant.

More agents lose sellers because they just don't care.  I would go back all the time after the sale is over and visit and "chew the fat" so to speak and of course when I was there they would tell me they were thinking of refinancing their home or buying a second home and of course they thought of me.  I remember once my clients of the girl who had cancer told their friends, our Realtor is our friend and she comes to our home all the time.  I was reliable.

Look for a reliable agent:

When choosing an agent, look for someone who keeps their word.  If the agent says to you that they will call you at 6pm and they do not call you back, fire her.  If she promises to show you home on Tuesday and then when you go for the appointment, she is not there, fire her.  A Realtor is as good as her word.  She needs to be a seasoned agent with many sales under her belt and she must work at a reputable company.

An agent is as good as her backing Broker.  If you want to have a good agent go with one that you can find five years from now.  If you work with a agent from Dog pile Rentals instead of C-21 Jervis you may regret this decision.  Few real estate transactions close without some type of problem.  Look for a reliable agent.

Never choose an agent based on commission:

Commission should be your last consideration.  That referral I got from the woman who hated her Broker wanted me to lower my commission and to sell their home for a higher price than I suggested.  I told them no thanks and proceeded for the door.  The man told me, "Wait, we want you to sell our home."  I told him very nicely that I would be doing you a disservice by lying to you about the price and I do not cut commissions.  I left that home thinking that was the last I would see from him.

The next day I signed the listing on the property and yes it sold in three days.  Go with an agent you can trust, who is reliable and who will stand their ground.  Never sign a contract with a desperate agent.  Desperate agents have no money for advertising, will cut corners on flyers and promoting your property also.  They don't have to drive a Mercedes, but they do have to have ethics.

Friends never die:

As I look back at my many friends I had in real estate I am amazed.  My husband told me once, "I wished you treated me as good as you do your clients."  I did treat my clients like gold and they remembered me.  I remembered when they were getting a divorce or when some died.  I was always their friend and when the little girl died I went to the home to see the memorial and to pay tribute to one of God's fallen soldiers.  As sad as that day was, it proved one more thing, that helping those people get that beautiful home to make the little girl's life happy before she died was more important than commission.

Look for a friend, but most of all look for a Realtor (member of the board of Realtors) not an agent.  Look for a seasoned Realtor and one who has ethics not someone int he bars every night.  There are millions of Realtors available and your choices are many but there are very many bad Realtors, hopefully these tips will help you chose the correct Realtor for your very next transaction.

Foreclosed Houses: How to Get Your Dream Home for Less

This is a buyer's market and there are hundreds of foreclosures available. Now that President Obama is putting forth a new plan to aide the short sale market, more and  more homeowners will be looking to sell their homes quickly.  So buying your dream home just maybe easier than you thought.

Oh if life was just that simple to get my dream home for less and much less through a foreclosure sale.  Does it not make sense if you are going to buy a home that it would be a foreclosed home?  Yet, better buying a home from a seller who is in foreclosure to save him from going through the process.  Well, I sure wish it was that easy.  Read on about how to do this:

All the Internet is a buzz about foreclosures.  I am sorry, but foreclosures have been popular since I first started in Real Estate back in the 80's.  People or investors have been buying them up like crazy, renovating and then place them back on the market and becoming rich.  Those investors are now writing books on how to become a millionaire with no money down.  Things have changed since the 80's on how to buy foreclosures, but the deals are still there.

Buyer Beware Should be Stamped on Every Foreclosure Sale:

A first time home buyer cannot and I mean cannot show up on the courthouse steps and purchase a home without legal representation.  First you must be willing to pay cash for the home in many states such as California and second you have to be willing to satisfy all the liens against the property.  Most lien holders will show up on the steps also to get their money.

A smart way is to have a title report before going to the auction and see exactly what is showing against the property.  Then you need to evict the owner of the property, which is not that easy to do.  After you evict the tenant, you need to make the repairs done by the angry tenant.  The costs are mounting here and your once very good deal for your dream home, just may end up costing you more than one that is currently on the market.

Where to Look for Foreclosures:

There are a number of ways to buy foreclosures.  As I have discussed above, the best deals are on the court house steps, but this is also the most dangerous way to buy.  Understand that if you purchase through a bank or other government owned place the price will be more.  The good part about most foreclosures on the market is that the tenant will be evicted at this point and some repairs will be made except for HUD homes.  They do allow you to finance the repairs necessary on the home.

The places that have foreclosures are:

1.  HUD homes through sealed bids.
2.  FHA homes
3.  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac homes
4.  VA homes
5.  Bank REO's (also known as the loss and mitigation department)
6.  IRS and the Marshall's Office
7.  Local real estate office

Websites That Have Foreclosures for Sale:

One of the main websites to search for all listed foreclosures is Realtor.com.  They are the largest researched site on the web.  Every home that is listed on the MLS (multiple listing service) will be available to them and no other place will have more.  There are many sites that advertise foreclosures and they charge for their service.  This is not necessary and most of the time a rip-off.

When searching for your dream home it is best to contact several real estate agents and ask them to search for the best deals and to call you when they have what you are looking for. It is not necessary to commit to one Realtor, but commit to the one who brings you the best deal.  Contact your local title company and ask for a list of all foreclosed homes.  Once you get this list start sending out letters to the homeowners offering to buy their homes.

Many foreclosed homes can be bought with little money if you are dealing directly with the homeowner.  Many times you can agree to assume the loan or do a lease on the property. With more and more foreclosures everyday, creative financing is ever popular.  Sad to see a family lose their home, but if you can help them out of a bad situation it is better.  Remember to always check with an Attorney before agreeing to any deal if you are going through a private owner.

The Pros And Cons of Selling Your House Online

For sale by owners have now been given luxury online sites to sell their homes for no money or small fees. It is a new concept that has been developed lately and it is a very smart concept. But, still the problem is, what do you do once you have a buyer who wants to buy your property? With no knowledge of how to write a contract or how to finance a loan, maybe there should be an air of caution here.

Advertise your home here for "FREE" with no fees and no Realtor's commissions. Does this type of advertising grab your attention? It should, as it is an unheard of ideal until recently. Many sellers are actually thinking of advertising at these websites, as evidence by the great numbers of listings that are there. What are the pros and the cons of this kind of transaction?

Pros for selling your home on the web:

1. There is no Realtor's commissions, so that may help you in getting more for your home or reducing the price by the amount you would of paid a Realtor.

2. Independence. You can advertise as you like and hold open house when you like. No more late night showings and no more last minute open homes.

3. First hand knowledge of everything happening in the transaction.

4. Now you must do all the work, but that is okay, cause you are getting all the money, right?
These sites are making their money somehow. Nothing is for free. The majority of the people calling you from this listing will be Realtors and Mortgage Brokers. Both of them looking for business. The odds of you selling your home on-line is small and then after you do get someone to whom you think wants to purchase the home, how do you write up the contract?

Cons against this type of selling without a Realtor:

1. Without a Realtor, no contracts and no help. Realtors are worth their weight in gold. One mistake on a contract can cost you thousands of dollars. Most of the time, the Realtor can get a buyer to pay more for the home and costing you no more in money than if you sold the home yourself and received less money.

2. Who will finance the home? You have no experience in banking and have no clout or knowledge on how to close a deal. Which bank will you use and how will you pressure any bank to help you with the appraisal. Many times the deal will fall through strictly because the loan needs help in closing.

Now the banks are refusing class A buyers. 1 out of 6 qualified buyers are being refuses and especially buyers with income under $50,000, In a recent article, they stated that 25% of all buyers who made less than $50,000 are being turned down for loans. What about the appraisal and how can you fight a low-ball appraisal?

3. Which escrow and title do you choose? A smooth investor could and may take advantage of your inexperience. A ethical escrow company will protect your interest. An unethical company will charge you huge fees and look after the buyer only.

4. One of the major concerns should be, is who is coming to see your home. Realtors will screen buyers and be present with them when they visit you. A person calling up over the Internet could be the "Boston Strangler."

There are many dangers involved in dealing with the internet, sometimes a person will get lucky and find someone who will pay cash and buy your home, but the odds are around 1 percent. In the end 80% of all "For Sale by Owners" end up with a Realtor after he has spent a few thousand dollars on advertising and signs. They are extremely frustrated and usually are thrilled to have anyone help them.

Your alternative could be to hire a Real Estate Attorney that charges $400 an hour. If you really want to do this yourself, then go to the local Board of Realtors and ask for a reputable escrow and title company. Ask them for help in getting some forms. They will be more than glad to sell you some contracts.

You can go to some sites that teach you how to fill out the forms, but you do not know anything about contingencies or necessary clauses that belong in the contract. What about arbitration? Do you agree to arbitrate? Do you want to give a home warranty plan and how much is the net sheet? So many questions, that will make you think long and hard about trying a "For Sale by Owner" sale.

How Realtors Can Take Advantage of the Current Housing Market

A Realtor's job is to build a client list and through that client list, work referrals and do what is necessary to survive. Looking for potential clients such as open house, floor duty and cold calling. There is a large amount of ways to work in a foreclosure market, you just have to look. How a Realtor can take advantage of a declining foreclosure market by being aware of the new situations and adapting towards change.

I became a Realtor 22 years ago and during that time the market was in crisis. Home prices were dropping like crazy and Realtors were resigning their positions and choosing to go work for a salary. Not me, I started in a bad year, but I survived. How can a Realtor take advantage of the current housing market? By leaps and bounds and lots of hard work. Any good Realtor can survive any type situation and at any time of the year.

Ethics are the keys:

Ethics and good old know how will get you through this crisis. No matter how poor I ever was, I never ever took advantage of anyone. I had many couples come to me after they just had a bad fight and want to sell their home, I refused. I would send them home to cool off and tell them to come back in a week to talk. Not one of them returned. I cut cost and commissions to help people during these times and they remembered me big time.

I remember one woman who flat out lied to me about her situation and I cut my commission to help her buy a huge home. She was a dentist and she repaired every single tooth I ever needed having fixed. She referred three clients to me and she was my new best friend. How can you take advantage of the housing situation, never act poor. Never beg, borrow or steal and never loose your ethics.

Invest where needed:

As many people are desperate to sell their homes, they will come to you and ask you to find a buyer. If you see a fabulous deal and you have the funds invest. BUT, first disclose to the seller what your position is and tell them that you are buying the property under market value. Many sellers will want to sell quickly and will agree. Note on the sales agreement that you have disclosed your fiduciary duty to the seller.

This is a time to become a millionaire investor. It is a time, not to take advantage of anyone, but to help those who need helping. There is nothing wrong in investing in foreclosed properties for yourself. What do you mean, you want to stay home and read up on the magazines. Get up and work and work hard and you will succeed.

Hard work, due diligence and ethics will help any agent to succeed. I know, I went from a Southern girl to a owner of the largest independent office in my town. I did it in the worse of conditions and I did it honestly and truthfully. One of the main requirements to get a license is "Honesty and Truthfulness." When you become a Realtor, you testify to this. A Realtor is a member of a board of Realtors not a sales agent.

If you are a member of the Board of Realtors, you can be brought up on charges for acting against ethics and honesty. Realtors have to pay fees every year to belong and they are the cream of the crop, hopefully anyway.

Short Sales and Foreclosures:

It is a time to specialize in short sales and foreclosures. You can send letters out to all families in foreclosure and offer to help them. You can get a list from the title company and they will let you know how to contact them. I went to a seminar once and this guy told me to say simply, "I have someone interested in your home," and sign my name in ink. I received tons of replies and I specialized in short sales. I did take a reduced commission, but a 5% commission of 5 million dollars is a lot better than 6% commission of nothing.

Now is not a time to retire and sit back, it is a time to work longer hours, contact your past clients for referrals, send out letters to foreclosures, cold call on the phone and "walk the walk." Don't sit back and drink coffee, work and work harder. It is possible, I know for sure.