The Right Real Estate Agent

People don't talk about it a lot, but finding the right real estate agent can be the difference between a happy, stress-free home buying or selling experience, and an unhappy, stressful experience. I got into this business originally to help friends and family who I feel had not always had their best interest at hand when buying, selling or refinancing. It gives me great pleasure to be able to help people with their Real Estate needs and know that they received the best overall protection available.

Through the years I have found great pleasure in helping seniors and first time home buyers. I have set up a program to help seniors understand their options and to ensure they can live life in the fashion they deserve! (THE CHAPMAN SENIOR ADVANTAGE) You can find out more about this by CLICKING ON SELLING YOUR HOME. If you are interested in knowing a ballpark figure for WHAT YOUR HOME IS REALLY WORTH you can click on this link http://valuemap.facorelogic.com/ValueMap.aspx?licenseCode=301c50c763294671be168a6e49f14381 and this will help you get an idea of value. Since every home and it's condition will vary, this is  only a ballpark figure and I can fine tune this with a visual inspection of your home.

WHO NEEDS AN $8,000.00 INCENTIVE TO BUY A HOME?

THE CURRENT INCENTIVE BLOWS THE OLD OUT OF THE WATER!

Tens of thousands of buyers got off the fence and bought a home due to the $8,000.00 first time buyers credit or the $6,500.00 credit for selling and buying another home offered by the Government! Now that this offer has expired, many people think now is not the time to buy a home as they have no incentive. The truth to that thinking is flawed!

The fact is many people who were buying homes and receiving this credit bought when prices were rising due to multiple offers (caused by so many trying to get their tax credit) and higher interest rates then today's market offers. Many people who buy a home today are receiving an incentive that could be as much as 15 to 20 times or more then the $8,000.00 offered in the past!

Here are some examples of savings based on interest rates of 5.750% versus rates offered today at 4.50% on a 30 year loan:

$400,000.00 loan $109,436.40 savings!
$500,000.00 loan $136,797.40 savings!
$600,000.00 loan $164,156.40 savings!
$700,000.00 loan $191,512.80 savings!

Who can honestly say they would not consider this incentive a windfall compared to the $6,500.00 to $8,000.00 of the past? Considering that prices have leveled out and interest rates are at an all time low, now may be the best time in years to purchase a home!

Interest rates vary by lender and based on qualifications, but as you can see the savings by buying today will far exceed the old incentive that created a buying frenzy! Nobody knows how long these incredible rates will last, but we all know they cannot last forever!

GREAT NEWS for many buyer's are the new FHA and VA programs available for  FIRST TIME BUYERS. A first time buyer is defined as someone who has not had an ownership interest in their primary residence during the previous THREE YEARS. This means you really might qualify even if you have owned a home before! These loans can safely provide up to 100% financing and are government backed to protect the consumer (CLICK ON FIRST TIME BUYER FOR MORE DETAILS). All of these programs are safe and unlike the 100% financing that caused so many problems over the last few years!

  HOW MUCH HOUSE CAN I BUY? WHY RENT?

Here are some examples of home payments based on current FHA rates! 

Sales Price $300,000.00 down payment $10,500.00 loan amount $296,013.75 payment: $2,023.90.

Sales price $325,000.00 down payment $11,375.00 loan amount $320,681.56 payment: $2,185.46.

Sales Price $350,000.00 down payment $12,250.00 loan amount $345,349.38 payment: $2,349.72.

Sales price $400,000.00 down payment $14,000.00 loan amount $394,685.00 payment: $2,678.26.

All of these examples are based on a 4.750% 30 year fixed rate FHA loan. The approximate payments include property taxes, mortgage insurance, homeowners insurance, loan principle and interest! These payments, rates and fees vary by lender and applicants qualifications. Rates are subject to change and are current as of 3/21/2011.

                                WHY BUY FHA?

Lower down payment options with 30 year fixed rate loans at competitive rates!

You can qualify with a less than perfect credit report!

The seller can contribute up to 6 percent in closing cost!

The down payment can be a gift from family, employer or other source!

No prepayment penalties!

Much easier to qualify!

A major benefit overlooked by many when considering buying over renting is the major tax benefits. Many clients have saved from $200.00 up to $1,500.00 monthly with these tax benefits. You can usually write off your mortgage interest, property taxes and mortgage insurance on your tax returns. To find out how much you will actually save each month you should contact your tax professional. I would be glad to give them figures from my end to help them determine your actual savings.

Rent: $1,750.00 per month X 30 years = $630,000.00 with nothing to show! If you purchased a $325,000.00 home in 360 months it would be paid off and the homes value in 30 years would be your savings over renting. If you had a $500.00 monthly tax savings, by purchasing over renting your payment would be virtually the same renting vs. owning!

Read on to see why it is so important to find the right Agent!

First, you'll want an agent ready and able to make a full-time commitment to you. I can and will do that. If I am working with you to buy or sell a home this becomes my JOB! I take my job very seriously and will give you the same commitment that I would expect for myself, my parent or my best friend buying or selling a home.

Second, an agent with the experience needed to know the local neighborhoods, schools, market conditions, ordinances, etc. With my 30 plus years in this area, I have the expertise and track record of success you need.

Third, you'll want an agent who embraces the convenience of technology without losing the personal touch. You'll love the resources available on my web site and the email alerts that I send, but these will never replace the time I spend with you, serving as your personal guide through this exciting process.

Let's get together and talk about your home buying, refinancing and/or selling plans. Call me anytime at (714-356-2369) or send me an email CRuss4Homes@aol.com  we'll setup a time that is easy and convenient for you to meet.

P.S. If you're not ready to meet in person, please tour through my web site. I'm sure you'll find the resources here useful and helpful. Enjoy!

Looking for insurance ?

Your home is one of your largest investments. You want comprehensive coverage tailored to your individual home and possessions. Mikel’s Insurance Services represents some the most trusted national insurance carriers to assure your needs are meet… Some of our trusted companies are Travelers – Safeco – Hartford – Mercury – Foremost

Check it out www.Mikels-Ins.com

Based in Downey, CA serving greater Los Angeles &  Orange County with LOW COST INSURANCE for your  Car, Home, Boat or Business for more than 25 years We offer trusted "A" rated national insurance companies

FOR MORE UP TO THE MINUTE INFORMATION, YOU CAN CLICK BELOW ON THE LINK TO MY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER. THERE YOU WILL FIND LOTS OF INFORMATION AND A MORTGAGE CALCULATOR THAT WILL HELP YOU FIGURE YOUR MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON A PATICULAR HOME PURCHASE! (monthly newsletter) http://www.clientdirect.net/news/pub=25258                                                                                                                                       

 To view a couple of my current listings you can go to   http://7801westralane.epropertysites.com/ or http://13211standrewsdr155g.epropertysites.com/ The first is a large pool home in La Palma and the second is in a retirement community in Seal Beach.