The government’s first-time and repeat-buyer tax credits gave homeowners with World Golf Village homes for sale a lot of hope. The potential for getting their homes sold seemed infinitely higher. The credit has expired though, and many homes are still on the market. If yours is one of them, what should you do?
Don’t Panic!
The first inclination for many homeowners with World Golf Village homes for sale is to panic. Often, it’s during the hard periods of life that something miraculous happens. You find the job of your dreams after searching for two years for any kind of job at all. Your life has been plagued by bad relationships so often that you’ve quit looking and then – out of nowhere – your soul mate walks up. You need to sell your house, money is tight, you might have to walk away… and a buyer appears, ready to close immediately.
Don’t scoff; it happens. In fact, life is so full of “sudden happenings” that the miraculous becomes common. By allowing panic to get in the way, you may be locking the door that opportunity knocks on.
Look At Your Options
Sometimes, we’re so full of worry that we miss obvious possibilities. Now is a perfect time to take a deep breath, clear your mind of worry (as much as possible) and look at what you’ve done to sell your home. Once you’ve outlined what you’ve done, you’re then free to look at what you can still do. Here are a few things you might not have considered:
• Research owner financing – Owner financing opens the door to many potential buyers, but it also provides benefits to you. For instance, if you have a lot of bills that need to be paid, the down payment from the buyer may be enough to take care of the important ones. Additionally, monthly payments from the buyer may be enough to keep you afloat while you’re looking for a job, trying to pay rent or feed your family.
• Create a “honey do” list – If you’ve lived in a home for several years, you’ve probably become used to cracks in the walls, peeling paint or squeaky doors. Invite an honest friend or your real estate agent to look around for you and help you create a “honey do” list. If you’re handy, a lot can be fixed with very low cost. If you’re not, hiring a handyman may be something to consider.
• Reassess your marketing – If your home hasn’t had a single view and has been on the market for quite a while, you may not have the marketing reach you think you do. If pictures of your home are on the Internet, make sure they show the home’s best features. Talk with your real estate agent about marketing techniques they recommend using.
It’s hard to blow off worry during times of high stress. However, if you can step away for just a minute to clear your head and think, you just might find your miraculous answer for taking your home off the list of World Golf Village homes for sale.
If you’re ready to sell your home, I’m here to help… “Suzy’s Selling Solutions”: – Turn the marketing of your home and worrying about it over to me. Call me today at 904.347.5447 or email me at Sevans@davidsonrealtyinc.com for more information.
During a slow market, buyers have the biggest advantages of all. That’s why now is a great time to buy a World Golf Village homes. You can haggle without feeling guilty because you have the upper hand. Then, as the market bounces back, you get the extra bonus of rising prices making your home worth more than it was when you bought it.
Even in this buyers’ market, you need to be a strong buyer. Otherwise, you could crumble when faced with negotiating prices or needed repairs.
Three ways to be a strong buyer of World Golf Village homes:
• Walk in to any home for sale with a set idea of the value of property in the area. This means taking a little time to do your homework. When you know the prices of the area, you can’t be run over by a forceful seller who is determined to convince you his price is firm. This knowledge also helps you deal with sellers who are emotionally attached to their homes and can’t price them according to true market value.
• Walk into a home for sale with an experienced REALTOR®. When you have a professional REALTOR® by your side, you are not alone. You do not have to be self-conscious or even be the ‘strong one.’ Your agent will do all your negotiating for you. You will also benefit from their intimate knowledge of the area and what to look for in a World Golf Village home.
• Walk into any home for sale knowing your needs and price range. Going home shopping without a clear concept of what you want and can afford can lead to emotional decisions. That can be hazardous for your pocketbook too.
If you would like more tips on how to be a strong buyer of World Golf Village homes, give me a call today at 904.347.5447 or email me at Sevans@davidsonrealtyinc.com.
Buying or selling a home has a major impact on many people’s lives. So it’s important not to leave the task to just anyone.
Take advantage of all the benefits that come with working with a full-time World Golf Village real estate agent. Since selling or buying a home can be a full-time job, it just makes sense to work with an agent that has a full-time commitment.
Suzy Evans – a full-time real estate agent can offer:
Lots of experience – If your agent lives and breathes real estate around the clock, then he or she is better equipped to handle the many surprises that come with buying or selling a home. Licensed Florida Realtor since 1992, Suzy has the experience to assist you in buying or selling real estate in North Florida.
Peace of mind – You could be a first-time home buyer or seller. A full-time World Golf Village real estate agent has the knowledge to lead you through every step, saving you time, money and stress.
Availability – Since your agent works full time, she is available to you when you have questions, concerns or need her for any reason.
In-depth market knowledge – The real estate market is changing faster than ever. In order to be a successful buyer or seller, you need to be kept up to date. A full-time real estate agent stays current with what’s happening each and every day. As a St. Johns County resident since 1982, Suzy has the local market knowledge and combined with her advanced technology skills – she gives her buyers and sellers an advantage!
Whatever your home-buying or home-selling goals, it’s smart to have an experienced, full-time World Golf Village real estate agent working for you. You’ll save yourself headaches, heartache and from making home buying mistakes.
Are you ready to work with a full-time real estate agent? Give me a call today at 904.347.5447 or email me at sevans@davidsonrealtyinc.com
Owning a World Golf Village home can be a sign of independence and success. It allows you to build up equity and the mortgage interest and property taxes are tax-deductible. Can you afford it, though?
Reputable lenders look at a list of criteria to decide how much they’ll loan you. This list includes:
• Credit score
• Existing assets including cash
• Car leases or loans
• Credit card balances
• Debt consolidation loans
• Home equity loans
• Installment loans
• Student loans
• Other monthly debts
• Size/source of your down payment
If you’d like to get an idea of what you can afford before talking to a lender, here are a few tools you can use to decide whether a World Golf Village area home is within your budget:
• As a rule of thumb, your house hunting budget shouldn’t be more than 2.5 times your pre-tax annual income. If you earn $50,000 a year, your budget for house hunting should be around $125,000.
• Your Housing Expense Ratio, which is principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI) shouldn’t be more than 25% to 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.
• You’re Debt-to-Income Ratio should be no more than 36% of your pre-tax monthly income. This is the ratio between how much you owe and how much you earn.
“Qualifying for” and “can afford” are two different things. Shopping for a World Golf Village home within your budget will save you a lot of heartache now and in the future.
If you’d like help determining how much mortgage you can really afford, I can help. Call me at 904.347.5447 or email me at sevans@davidsonrealtyinc.com for more information.
Tags: mort, mortgage prequalification
Many facing the possibility of being added to the number of foreclosures in the World Golf Village area are frightened, often frustrated and feel helpless. It’s understandable; nobody wants to lose their home. However, those feelings often lead to being victimized by loan modification con artists who promise freedom from foreclosure for a little bit of money and leave victims in their wake.
Here are a few tips to protect yourself from scams that could take you one step closer to becoming one of the foreclosures in the World Golf Village:
1. Never believe a guarantee. No one, company or individual, can guarantee loan modification or that your lender won’t foreclose. If the loan modification company starts spouting guarantees, walk away.
2. Never sign over power of attorney. Sometimes, con artists will tell you that if you sign over your house to them, their good credit can help save your home. This is never a legitimate proposal and no legitimate company will ask you to do this.
3. Never spend thousands of dollars. Fees higher than $6,000 should be dismissed. Often, scam companies will charge absurdly high upfront fees to help. While some counselors will charge you a fee, those costs are added up after the loan closes, NOT before they even do anything. As well, any company charging over $4,000 needs to have a proven high quality of service and level of success.
4. Always talk to your lender first. Many loan modification scam artists will tell you to stop communicating with your lender. Communication is key, however, since your lender owns the note and will, ultimately, approve or deny the modification. Talk to your lender to find out how to refinance or restructure your payment.
5. Always check with the Better Business Bureau before hiring a “rescue” company. You can check with the Attorney General or Real Estate Commission as well.
6. Always look for free services first. Many foreclosure specialists can help, and will do so free of charge if you can’t afford them. As well, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved housing counseling that will provide foreclosure prevention services, also free of charge.
When you’re already faced with the possibility of being one of the foreclosures in World Golf Village or surrounding communities, you need help – not someone who will push you further across the line. Be careful when looking for loan modification help. There are options to foreclosure!
If your loan modification has been denied and you need to do a short sale instead, I can help. As a Certified Distressed Property Expert, I have the education and experience to help. Call me at 904.347.5447 or email me at sevans@davidsonrealtyinc.com for more information.
Tags: cdpe, foreclosure, short sale
Finding a home may seem like a simple ordeal. There are ads all over the internet, and your local newspaper probably has pages of listings. So why bother working with a World Golf Village real estate agent?
Your real agent isn’t going to help you just find homes for sale; they’re going to help you find the perfect home. So what does a World Golf Village real estate agent know that you don’t know, and how can they find the best homes for sale?
Intimate Knowledge
Finding a World Golf Village real estate agent who specializes in the area where you want to buy is especially helpful because they have intimate knowledge of the homes for sale. The agent also knows the locale and can give you tips about schools, shopping and other necessities.
MLS Searches
While you can view many listings online, your real estate agent will know exactly how to manipulate the MLS to find the most desired features you want in a home.
Negotiation Skills
One of the most important things a good World Golf Village real estate agent can do for you is negotiating your offer. There is a lot more to finding (and getting) a home than just looking through listings. Your agent will make sure all of the proper procedures are being followed, home inspections and title searches are getting done and time schedules are being met.
Legal Know How
Florida Realtors go through hours of special training to ensure they know all the real estate laws. Going it alone makes for ample room to slip up and either negate the deal or end up in hot legal water.
Don’t take any chances on letting that prized home get away by missing a legal loophole, or just plain not finding it. If you’re looking for a real estate agent who can find your perfect home and negotiate to get the best price and terms for you in North Florida call me today at 904.347.5447 or email me at sevans@davidsonrealtyinc.com
Click Here for a FREE Market Report!
My last blog sparked a few calls regarding home inspections. I would like to share a few things can derail your plans to sell your World Golf Village home like failing a home inspection.
To prepare for your World Golf Village home inspection, you’ll want to thoroughly clean your home. It’s also a good idea to examine all the appliances to make sure they’re in good working condition.
What Will the Inspector Do?
You may be surprised to learn that the inspector will turn on the stove and test the dishwasher and garbage disposal. They’ll make sure the furnace and air conditioning systems work. You’ll want to clear out the area around the furnace and hot water heater because the inspector will need a few feet of space towork in.
If you plan to leave the World Golf Village home before selling it, be sure to leave the pilot lights lit for the inspection. Most of the inspectors will not re-light pilot lights because of insurance regulations. This can delay the completion of the inspection and cause the loan process to take longer.
The inspector will test the water pressure by flushing the toilets and turning on all the faucets. This process can reveal leaks or clogs in the system.
It will be easier for the inspector if you aren’t in the house at the time. Try to arrange to be out of the house for the inspection, and take your pets with you. Pets can be an unnecessary distraction to the inspector.
What’s Next?
Hopefully your home passed inspection with no problem. If you get a repair request from the inspector, don’t worry. You aren’t obligated to make the repairs unless it’s stated in the contract. However, you run the risk of the contract being canceled if you refuse to make reasonable repairs.
If you’d like more ideas on preparing your World Golf Village home for sale, you can find free tips on my website. Or call me at 904.347.5447 for a list of recommended home inspectors!
Purchasing a World Golf Village home for sale, especially as a first-time buyer, is incredibly exciting. However, just because your offer is accepted doesn’t mean the deal is done. Lots of things can still cause the deal to fall through. Here are just a few things that might slow or stop your purchase:
1. Termites – Most lenders will insist on having a pest inspection to make sure termites or carpenter ants haven’t seriously damaged the home. Even if your particular lender doesn’t require an inspection, it’s best that you get one done anyway. If the pest inspection shows there is a severe problem, you can either ask the seller to pay to have the problem fixed or walk away if your purchase agreement allows it. At less than $100, a pest inspection is definitely worth the cost.
2. Bad Title – During the escrow process, have a title search done by a title company and purchase title insurance. The search makes sure that there isn’t a lien or claim against the property, while the title insurance guarantees that there aren’t any issues with the title. If there are issues, they have to be taken care of before you can receive the keys to the World Golf Village home for sale.
3. House Defects – Make sure that your purchase offer has a home inspection contingency. If the inspection reveals big issues, you can back out without any penalties. Otherwise, you might lose your earnest money. If you don’t want to back out, you’ll have to negotiate the cost of the repairs with the seller. This can delay closing.
4. Uninsurable Home – Sometimes previous homeowners will have made a major insurance claim, which shows up on insurance records. In this case, insurance companies may claim the house to be uninsurable, which means you won’t be able to get a loan for the home.
Before looking at a World Golf Village home for sale, make sure you’re acquainted with the closing and escrow processes, and be prepared for any problems that may arise. Click here for other Helpful Buyers Tips. The more equipped you are for any eventuality, the better your chances of moving into the home you want.
If you’re in the market to buy a home, let me help you negotiate a contract that protects you from potential problems. Call me at 904.347.5447 or email me at SEVANS@DAVIDSONREALTYINC.COM for more information.
The Tax Credit Explained for World Golf Village and surrounding communities:
An $8,000 tax credit up to 10% of the value of the home is available to first time home buyers. Neither the purchaser nor the purchaser’s spouse may have owned a principal residence in the 3 years prior to purchase in order to meet the definition of first time home buyer.
A $6,500 credit up to 10% of the value of the home is available to home buyers who have owned and lived in a home for 5 consecutive years of the last 8 years. It does not have to be the most recent 5 consecutive years but must be 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 years.
Any type of single family residence including condos, co-ops and townhouses that will be used as a primary residence qualify.
The tax credit will reduce or eliminate income tax liability for the year of the purchase. Any unused amount of tax credit will be refunded to the home buyer.
Full amount of the tax credit is available for individuals with an adjusted gross income of no more than $125,000 or couples with a joint adjusted gross income of no more than $225,000. The credit will phase out to lower amounts for individuals and couples with higher incomes.
The credit is only available for the purchase of principal residences with a purchase price of $800,000 or less.
It the home is sold within 3 years from the original purchase, the entire amount of the tax credit is recaptured upon sale. The recapture provision is waived for military personnel relocating due to orders.
The tax credit is extended for one year after expiration date for any military personnel that are serving outside of the United States for at least 90 days in either 2009 or 2010.
The purchaser must be at least 18 years of age or married to a person 18 years or older and the settlement statement must be attached to the tax return.
The effective date is immediately upon enactment (signing by President Obama) and the contract must be ratified on or before April 30, 2010 and the sale must close by June 30, 2010.
Some additional good news:
If you are either a St. Johns County first time home buyer who could not close by the previous deadline or whose income was higher than the previously allowed limit, you are now eligible for the tax credit based on the terms of the extended tax credit. If you are a qualifying existing home owner and you are already under contract to buy a home that closes after enactment, you will also qualify for the tax credit.
Disclaimer: I am not an attorney or accountant so please consult with your trusted financial advisers including your attorney and accountant for questions specific to your personal situation.
I can however happily help you with all of your World Golf Village area real estate needs, whether you are considering buying or selling.
If you’re ready to buy a home in the World Golf Village area, I can help. Call me at 904.347.5447 or email me at sevans@davidsonrealtyinc.com for more information.
Tags: Tax credit
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