Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
5 Tips to Save Money for First-Time Home Buyers
RISMEDIA, May 25, 2010—Those who missed taking advantage of the first-time buyer tax credit but who are still planning the purchase of their first home, continue to have a wealth of opportunities in today’s marketplace. A few smart steps can save first-time buyers thousands of dollars. Here is a look at some of the ways how:
1. Don’t buy if you don’t plan to stay
If you can’t commit to remaining in one place for at least a few years, then owning is probably not for you, at least not yet. With the transaction costs of buying and selling a home, you may end up losing money if you sell any sooner – even in a rising market. When prices are falling, it’s an even worse proposition.
2. Start by shoring up your credit
Since you probably will need to get a mortgage to buy a house, you must make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. A few months before you start house hunting, get copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you discover.
3. Choose carefully between points and rate
When picking a mortgage, you usually have the option of paying additional points- a portion of the interest that you pay at closing- in exchange for a lower interest rate. If you stay in the house for a long time- say three to five years or more- it’s usually a better deal to take the points. The lower interest rate will save you more in the long run.
4. Hire a home inspector
A home inspector can let you know if you’re about to buy a lemon of a house or warn you about potential problems. At best, you can move into the house confident that it’s in good shape; at worst, the inspector’s report can let you back out of the deal if the house has major, unexpected problems. Most typically, the home inspection can allow you to negotiate the home price to account for necessary repairs.
5. Get professional help
Even though the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings, most new buyers (and many more experienced ones) are better off using a professional agent. Look for an exclusive buyer agent, if possible, who will have your interests at heart and can help you with strategies during the bidding process.
6. Bonus Tip: Be patient
Buying a home is one of the largest purchases most people will make in their lifetime. The key to avoiding buyer’s remorse is to be completely comfortable before signing on the dotted line.
Know somebody that could benefit from even more professional advice when it comes to buying and selling Real Estate? Please, don't keep us a secret!
1. Don’t buy if you don’t plan to stay
If you can’t commit to remaining in one place for at least a few years, then owning is probably not for you, at least not yet. With the transaction costs of buying and selling a home, you may end up losing money if you sell any sooner – even in a rising market. When prices are falling, it’s an even worse proposition.
2. Start by shoring up your credit
Since you probably will need to get a mortgage to buy a house, you must make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. A few months before you start house hunting, get copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you discover.
3. Choose carefully between points and rate
When picking a mortgage, you usually have the option of paying additional points- a portion of the interest that you pay at closing- in exchange for a lower interest rate. If you stay in the house for a long time- say three to five years or more- it’s usually a better deal to take the points. The lower interest rate will save you more in the long run.
4. Hire a home inspector
A home inspector can let you know if you’re about to buy a lemon of a house or warn you about potential problems. At best, you can move into the house confident that it’s in good shape; at worst, the inspector’s report can let you back out of the deal if the house has major, unexpected problems. Most typically, the home inspection can allow you to negotiate the home price to account for necessary repairs.
5. Get professional help
Even though the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings, most new buyers (and many more experienced ones) are better off using a professional agent. Look for an exclusive buyer agent, if possible, who will have your interests at heart and can help you with strategies during the bidding process.
6. Bonus Tip: Be patient
Buying a home is one of the largest purchases most people will make in their lifetime. The key to avoiding buyer’s remorse is to be completely comfortable before signing on the dotted line.
Know somebody that could benefit from even more professional advice when it comes to buying and selling Real Estate? Please, don't keep us a secret!
Kiplinger: Best Cities 2010: Austin, Texas
This just in from Kiplinger:
Everything may be bigger in Texas, but Austin’s genius is nurturing the power of small. Just ask Rob Neville, who wants to develop his biotech firm, Savara Pharmaceuticals, into a major player in the field of inhaled-drug therapy. The firm started in Kansas, but Neville transplanted it to Austin because the city is arguably the country’s best crucible for small business.
Read the full article here.
Who do you know that needs our help buying and selling real estate in the Best City?? Please, don't keep us a secret!
Everything may be bigger in Texas, but Austin’s genius is nurturing the power of small. Just ask Rob Neville, who wants to develop his biotech firm, Savara Pharmaceuticals, into a major player in the field of inhaled-drug therapy. The firm started in Kansas, but Neville transplanted it to Austin because the city is arguably the country’s best crucible for small business.
Read the full article here.
Who do you know that needs our help buying and selling real estate in the Best City?? Please, don't keep us a secret!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Interested in the State of the Markets?
Then check out the latest edition of our Housing Trends Newsletter.
Each month, our Housing Trends Newsletter is full of market information along with tips and tricks to help you benefit from the market as it is today.
Questions about what you see and hear? Be sure to give us a call, and remember, we can help the people you care about buy and sell real estate in Austin and the surrounding areas, so please, don't keep us a secret!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Austin is on the lists again....
And it's more than one list this time!
RISMEDIA, May 5, 2010—The three most important things to remember when moving and buying a new home are: location, location, location. As potential home buyers start looking for new homes, RelocateAmerica.com, a leading website in providing relocating consumers access to resources for their upcoming relocation, has released its 13th annual list of “America’s Top Places to Live for 2010.”
The “Top Places to Live” list features several breakout categories such as the Top 10 Recovery Cities, Retirement Cities, ‘Earth Friendly’ Cities, Recreation Cities and Small Towns.
New for this year, the Top 10 Recovery Cities focused on areas poised for swift economic recovery. Many of these communities did not see the massive real estate bubble that formed in other areas and have a more diverse economy.
To be considered for the list, a community is nominated at RelocateAmerica.com. From the thousands of submissions, RelocateAmerica.com’s editorial team reviews the nominations and selects the top places to live, as well as the Top 10 for each smaller category, based on interviews with local leaders; feedback from residents; and economic, environmental, education, crime, employment and housing data for the past year.
“Given the tough economic times our nation is facing, home buyers have re-evaluated their priorities and are looking to relocate to communities that offer plenty of perks, but minimal hassle and cost,” said Peter Meyers, Vice President, Research and Content Development, at RelocateAmerica.com. “While some cities are facing a road to recovery that could take years, others are poised for a quick rebound – and already have seen growth. We wanted to highlight those cities that are on the road back to economic health.”
Top 10 Overall Cities:
1. Huntsville, AL
2. Washington, DC
3. Austin, TX
4. San Diego, CA
5. San Antonio, TX
6. Tulsa, OK
7. Charlotte, NC
8. Raleigh, NC
9. Boulder, CO
10. Minneapolis, MN
Top 10 Recovery Cities:
1. Huntsville, AL
2. Austin, TX
3. Las Cruces, NM
4. Washington, DC
5. San Antonio, TX
6. McAllen, TX
7. Billings, MT
8. Albuquerque, NM
9. Everett, WA
10. Boulder, CO
Top 10 Retirement Cities:
1. Ashville, NC
2. Bella Vista, AR
3. Green Valley, AZ
4. Sarasota, FL
5. Prescott, AZ
6. Tampa, FL
7. Greenville, SC
8. San Antonio, TX
9. Hot Springs Village, AR
10. Colorado Springs, CO
Top 10 ‘Earth Friendly’ Cities:
1. Portland, OR
2. Boston, MA
3. Madison, WI
4. Boulder, CO
5. Austin, TX
6. Chicago, IL
7. Minneapolis, MN
8. Fort Worth, TX
9. Ann Arbor, MI
10. Huntsville, AL
Top 10 Recreation Cities:
1. Boulder, CO
2. Santa Cruz, CA
3. Flagstaff, AZ
4. St. George, UT
5. Ithaca, NY
6. Corvallis, OR
7. Salt Lake City, UT
8. Stevens Point, WI
9. Wilmington, NC
10. Portland, OR
Top 10 Small Towns (<40K pop.):
1. Grinnell, IA
2. St. Augustine, FL
3. Fairhope, AL
4. Stillwater, MN
5. Summit, NJ
6. Ashland, OR
7. Batavia, IL
8. Ithaca, NY
9. Peachtree City, GA
10. Trumbull, CT
For more information, visit www.RelocateAmerica.com.
RISMEDIA, May 5, 2010—The three most important things to remember when moving and buying a new home are: location, location, location. As potential home buyers start looking for new homes, RelocateAmerica.com, a leading website in providing relocating consumers access to resources for their upcoming relocation, has released its 13th annual list of “America’s Top Places to Live for 2010.”
The “Top Places to Live” list features several breakout categories such as the Top 10 Recovery Cities, Retirement Cities, ‘Earth Friendly’ Cities, Recreation Cities and Small Towns.
New for this year, the Top 10 Recovery Cities focused on areas poised for swift economic recovery. Many of these communities did not see the massive real estate bubble that formed in other areas and have a more diverse economy.
To be considered for the list, a community is nominated at RelocateAmerica.com. From the thousands of submissions, RelocateAmerica.com’s editorial team reviews the nominations and selects the top places to live, as well as the Top 10 for each smaller category, based on interviews with local leaders; feedback from residents; and economic, environmental, education, crime, employment and housing data for the past year.
“Given the tough economic times our nation is facing, home buyers have re-evaluated their priorities and are looking to relocate to communities that offer plenty of perks, but minimal hassle and cost,” said Peter Meyers, Vice President, Research and Content Development, at RelocateAmerica.com. “While some cities are facing a road to recovery that could take years, others are poised for a quick rebound – and already have seen growth. We wanted to highlight those cities that are on the road back to economic health.”
Top 10 Overall Cities:
1. Huntsville, AL
2. Washington, DC
3. Austin, TX
4. San Diego, CA
5. San Antonio, TX
6. Tulsa, OK
7. Charlotte, NC
8. Raleigh, NC
9. Boulder, CO
10. Minneapolis, MN
Top 10 Recovery Cities:
1. Huntsville, AL
2. Austin, TX
3. Las Cruces, NM
4. Washington, DC
5. San Antonio, TX
6. McAllen, TX
7. Billings, MT
8. Albuquerque, NM
9. Everett, WA
10. Boulder, CO
Top 10 Retirement Cities:
1. Ashville, NC
2. Bella Vista, AR
3. Green Valley, AZ
4. Sarasota, FL
5. Prescott, AZ
6. Tampa, FL
7. Greenville, SC
8. San Antonio, TX
9. Hot Springs Village, AR
10. Colorado Springs, CO
Top 10 ‘Earth Friendly’ Cities:
1. Portland, OR
2. Boston, MA
3. Madison, WI
4. Boulder, CO
5. Austin, TX
6. Chicago, IL
7. Minneapolis, MN
8. Fort Worth, TX
9. Ann Arbor, MI
10. Huntsville, AL
Top 10 Recreation Cities:
1. Boulder, CO
2. Santa Cruz, CA
3. Flagstaff, AZ
4. St. George, UT
5. Ithaca, NY
6. Corvallis, OR
7. Salt Lake City, UT
8. Stevens Point, WI
9. Wilmington, NC
10. Portland, OR
Top 10 Small Towns (<40K pop.):
1. Grinnell, IA
2. St. Augustine, FL
3. Fairhope, AL
4. Stillwater, MN
5. Summit, NJ
6. Ashland, OR
7. Batavia, IL
8. Ithaca, NY
9. Peachtree City, GA
10. Trumbull, CT
For more information, visit www.RelocateAmerica.com.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
My birthday is on July 21.....
And this is on my list...
In one of the recent issues of MacWorld there was a story about the Book Book from Twelve South (www.twelvesouth.com). This is a super cool case for a macbook - they have models for the 13 inch macbook and the 15 inch macbook pro (if you're taking notes, please note I need the one for the 15 inch macbook pro - classic black or red is fine, you can choose!).
The cover makes your laptop look like a fancy old book. This makes me think about the other product I'd really like - maybe it exists and I just haven't found it? I would love to be able to purchase simlar covers for actual books....so when you look at the book shelf it is lined with beautiful leather bound books (I don't even care if it is leather, just want it to look like it). Seems like it would be easy to have a few basic sizes available that you could just stick your ugly paperback book in and presto, a really pretty book.
ANYWAY, check out the Twelve South website and let me know what you think. And again - my birthday is July 21... ;)
Monday, May 3, 2010
10 worst ice cream treats in America
I've been really trying to better my diet over the past several weeks. Occasionally I have a huge craving for ice cream. Often it has something to do with peanut butter or peanut butter cup.
This story was in my inbox today from Men's Health, so I thought I'd share with you. The link at the very bottom of the page will take you to the full article.
Ice cream is as American as apple pie (it's no wonder the two so often go hand-in-hand). Unfortunately, so is obesity—a 2009 report found that overweight and obesity rates remained steady or increased in every single state of the nation. The good news is that you can help fight this epidemic without sacrificing life's small indulgent pleasures. Learn how to indulge more often but with less damage—read The 10 Worst Ice Cream Treats in America. Avoid them, and choose their equally delicious—but much healthier—counterparts, and you'll be able to indulge AND lose weight!
See the entire Men's Health article here.
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