Archive for October, 2009

New construction in Virginia is in such high demand, builders can barely keep up with it. This is why it’s almost impossible to find a newly built home for sale?they’re all sold before construction has even begun. So while you don’t get the chance to walk through the home and decide if you want to make it your own, getting a brand-new home built for you offers all sorts of other rewards.

For starters, you have a unique opportunity to create your dream home. You get complete creative control to decide on the floor plan and all the finishing details. That means you get the flooring you want, and the counters and back splash material is all up to you. You dictate the colors, and every other detail you could imagine. And with advanced computer technology that some companies have, you can look at digital samples of what some of your color and material choices will look like in your finished home.

When you design a home with the builder, you know exactly what you are getting. You know the home is new, and won’t have hidden water damage in the walls or attic. You will have been able to see it at all stages of its building, and know exactly what quality of materials it is made of. Modern homes are designed to be far more energy efficient than older homes, so buy building new you may eventually save money on heating and cooling costs. Further, your new home comes with a warranty from the builder, guaranteeing you the quality of their product. It is always a good idea to take advantage of this by having a thorough look through of the warranty, so you know exactly what’s covered and for how long.

Another advantage of a new construction home is that it is likely in a new, planned community. There is a trend towards reviving the front porch, and having that be the face of a home instead of the garage like it was in the past decade. This trend is inspired by an overall desire to reconnect neighbors, and create more old-fashioned neighborhoods. Many modern planned communities have extensive parks with winding trails and bike-paths, playgrounds, and extensive green space for families to picnic or just hang out. In some communities, this compensates for smaller yards. However, in many upscale communities you get both?a nice large yard of your own, plus some quality public space. Some of these communities also have created little towns where you can get everything you need without having to drive into the city. This is great for those that want the quiet of suburbia but don’t want to sacrifice convenience.

So if you are considering buying a new home, check out the developers in your area. Ask them about the materials they use and their warrantees, as well as floor plans. Will they build a design you provide them with or do they have a good selection of their own floor plans? Find one that will be able to give you just what you want. Then, sit back and enjoy watching your dream home come to life.

Carolyn Capalbo is an expert military relocation specialist and real estate agent serving Northern Virginia real estate. Visit Just4Real.com to find updated market information about areas in Prince William, including Arlington VA real estate.

You may want to take a realtor to register you with the sales office when buying a new home. Your realtor will advice you about the comps in the area and what the homes sold for in the last few phases with this builder. The commission is paid by the builder so it costs you nothing to get your own representation.Please call Meena Gujral if you need more information Fremont new homes or new homes in theAlameda County at 510-279-9580 or go to my website at http://www.helpusellachievers.com

Foreclosures are something that is faced in current economic times. Thousands of homes are being listed as foreclosures and banks are willing to sell foreclosed houses at a cheaper price. If you are a first time buyer or an experienced investor, then this is the perfect time to buy bank owned foreclosure homes as an attractive investment opportunity.

So why does foreclosures occur? Well, the main reason behind foreclosures is the default on mortgages or taxes. Default means the homeowner failed to make principal and interest payments constantly. It also means that the owner is making partial payments as most lenders consider such payments to be void. Once the owner has reached a certain number of default payments, a legal notice is sent by the lending institution/ bank and then the foreclosure will proceed.

Before you plan to buy foreclosures property, it is very important to understand the process behind foreclosures. You need to learn many things involved in the foreclosure process to make sure it runs smoothly for the bank/ lender institution and you.

A foreclosure sale instigated by the banks generally takes place on the local county courthouse where the properties preside. The courts will set a date of sale. The homeowner will be given a notice in advance prior to the sale of bank owned foreclosure homes.

During a foreclosure sale, several properties are being auctioned. If you want to buy foreclosures property, you better conduct a good research about any bank owned foreclosure homes. You will not get any information about problems and repairs from the auctioneer.

Most bank owned foreclosure homes for sale are auctioned through a closed bidding system. Sealed bids are placed before the auctioneer highest bid will win the property. If you are the highest bidder then you will have to make a 10 percent down payment and rest in the form of cash or bank account check to buy foreclosures property.

There are some formalities required after winning the bid. You will have to sign and fill certain important documents and will have a month or 30 days to secure a loan for purchasing the property.

Myself webmaster of http://www.redcrownrealty.com/ – A source for bank foreclosed properties, buy foreclosure homes find foreclosed homes listing, A smart way to buy foreclosed properties , bank owned foreclosed properties and Bank foreclosed homes.

Please call Meena Gujral if you need more information for Fremont Foreclosure homes at 510-279-9580 or go to my website at http://www.helpusellachievers.com

Front

Since I have already covered the First impressions, curb appeal, paint and landscaping in my other blog called Staging – First Impressions, I will cover the next step or series in this blog.

The doorway is the first point of entry.

Does the door need to be repainted? Does it need new Hardware? Do the house numbers need to be replaced? How about the light or lamp posts?

When considering a home for purchase, the buyer visualizes how he would feel if he lived there.

Keep the wall colors neutral. Shades of white, off-white and light pastels are good choices for the interior.

Make sure there are no odors from pets, cooking or cigarettes. Lemon oil, a dish of vanilla, baking soda in the refrigerator can make a difference in minimizing odors.

Furniture should not be bulky so the rooms look bigger. Adding a mirror on the wall can help in creating a bigger and brighter look. Take down all personal pictures and do not have too much unusual artwork on the walls.

The kitchen is the most important room in the house.

The appliances should be clean and in good working order. The cabinets should be polished. The sink should not be chipped or stained and the tile grout should be clean.

Small details make a big statement about the condition of your property. A house that shows poorly as a result of peeling paint, smell of mildew, may create the overall impression with the buyer that the property has not been cared for. Losing a qualified buyer because of this could cost you valuable time and money.

I will continue with more staging tips in my next blog titled Staging – Bedrooms and Bath.

If you are looking to sell your home for a LOW SET FEE or how you can save thousands of dollars when buying a home or selling your home, call Meena at 510-279-9580 or go to http://www.helpusellachievers.com

To see all the homes I have sold and listed in Mission San Jose and other areas of Fremont go to:

Homes Sold by Meena in Fremont 

Homes sold by Meena in Castro Valley, California

To see all my virtual tours click:

Meena’s Virtual Tours

If you are thinking about buying a new home, don’t miss an opportunity to save money. Everyone likes to compare the best value on products or services, and will take advantage of specials or discounts in order to save money. What about buying a new home from a builder?

How do you save money when buying a new home? Home builders may offer what is called a broker co-op, which is a sales commission offered to a real estate agent as an incentive to show clients their new homes. The sales commission may range from 3% to 4% of the sales price.

Many real estate agents are now offering to share their commission with their home buyer clients. Before making an offer to buy a new home, a buyer can make an agreement with an agent to represent them, in exchange for a share of the commission paid by the home builder.

The amount of money a buyer can save depends on the share of the commission, which is negotiable with the agent, and the sales price of the home. For example, buying a new home with a sales price of $300,000, with a 2% share, would save the buyer $6,000.

The buyer can receive a check at the close of escrow, or the money may be applied to the down payment or closing costs, providing there are no restrictions from the mortgage lender, or state laws that regulate real estate transactions.

 Most new home builders don?t usually advertise a broker co-op offering, so the buyer, or the buyer?s agent would have to ask. The home builder may have a requirement for the buyer’s agent to be with them when visiting the office, or signing paperwork for buying a new home, so be sure to clarify the rules. A little time spent could mean a lot saved.

For a list of Fremont Homes for sale, Real Estate listings, California Real Estate go to http://www.helpusellachievers.com or contact Meena Gujral at 510-279-9580.

Homes Sold by Meena in Fremont 

Homes sold by Meena in Castro Valley, California

To see all my virtual tours click:

Meena’s Virtual Tours

 

 

For any homebuyer or real estate investor, buying a new home is an undertaking. It involves a lot of careful planning and research in order to make sure you get the homes you want for prices you can afford. Unfortunately, these days it seems that is becoming tougher and tougher. High property values, competitive markets and other factors are all contributing to making it tough for buyers to find any kind of deal that will significantly benefit them, and that is why more buyers are turning to buying foreclosure homes.

Foreclosed homes are great opportunities for anyone interested in getting into the real estate market, whether you?re buying for the first time or you’re an experienced investor looking for a new way to turn a profit. They are extremely unique, and you will rarely find them available through any sort of real estate agent or broker. This leads many people to prematurely decide that they must be too much work to find, but the truth is to the contrary. You can find foreclosure homes for sale in great abundance these days, all over the country. And best of all, they can be purchased for up to 50% their actual value on the open market.

Buying a home in foreclosure means buying a property from a mortgage lender. Usually the lender is selling the property as a means of collecting the remaining about owed by a homeowner who has defaulted on their home mortgage loan. As a result, the lender is usually only looking to claim enough to settle the remaining debt from the sale of homes in foreclosure, regardless of their market value. This is why buying homes for sale through these sorts of public auctions can be so beneficial.

But truly benefiting from the opportunity presented by these homes for sale means more than just attending auctions and bidding like crazy. You have to be able to know hot to buy homes through these methods, and a big part of that is being able to find the foreclosure for sale with the most potential for profits.

Once you find foreclosure properties that interest you, you have to be sure to fully investigate them. Call everyone associated with the home you can find, including sale trustees, the country records office, and anyone else you think can provide you with information on the home. Try also to learn about the surrounding environment on the property as well, including the local economy and school systems, as these will all have profound effects on the property’s potential for appreciation value.

Next, make sure you have an independent appraisal of the property performed. This will serve as the amount the property is worth on the open market, and you can use this figure to determine your savings during a sale and when calculating your maximum bid. Be sure to weigh in any costs associated with the home, such as those for repairs. These will all have a bearing on the actual value of the property, and can affect whether or not you’re getting a good deal.

In general, proceed with caution, and make sure you won?t be in for any surprises when buying homes foreclosure. And be sure to weigh your options, both in terms of the type of property you buy and your patience in choosing the right one. Don?t think you have to buy the first thing that looks like a good deal. In the long run, you’re much more likely to save the most when you wait for the right deal to come along, whether you’re buying bank foreclosure homes or any of the other myriad kinds of foreclosure homes available on the market today.

Learning to buy foreclosure homes will enable you to never pay full price on a home again! Click here and visit BankForeclosuresSale.com to find all kinds of listings and learn more about this valuable opportunity.

Please call Meena Gujral if you need more information on Fremont Homes at 510-279-9580 or go to my website at http://www.helpusellachievers.com

When considering to purchase homes for sale, we generally think first of single-family homes. There are many advantages, however, to condominiums that single-family homes for sale cannot give you.

According to the National Association of Realtors, condominiums are most popular for first-time homes for sale buyers, especially single women. Next, come retirees and empty nesters, who do not wish to have all the physical upkeep required by single-family homes for sale. Thus, condominiums make up an increasing share of the output of the top homebuilders across the nation, even with the decrease in homes for sale since the bubble deflated.

In addition to new condominiums being built, many apartment buildings, hotels office buildings, and even warehouses that have been vacant or partially filled are being converted into condominiums. These condominium homes for sale take less than a year to convert, with upgrades to the exterior and common areas. They add amenities to the interior; and in some, they add a pool, spa, gym and/or clubhouse to attract the upscale homes for sale buyers.

The best deals in condominium homes for sale are those in the process of being converted or built. You usually can purchase during construction/renovation at a 10-15 percent discount. Look carefully at the purchase contract, however, if the condominium is being converted from an apartment building. Ensure you will not be required to allow current renters to stay for a specified length of time.

A condominium homes for sale has many benefits. Like a single-family home, they appreciate in value and have the same tax advantages. Unlike a single-family homes for sale, your homeowner association and maintenance fees covers all major upkeep costs of common areas, landscaping and so on. Sometimes, several other amenities and benefits are covered, as well.

Converted Condominiums

Before buying a homes for sale in a converted building, find out how old the building is and what updates they made during the conversion. Older buildings generally have more frequent and higher cost repairs. Ask if the homeowners association has enough money in reserve to cover major costs, such as roof replacement. If not, will the owners have to meet the costs. How old are the appliances, especially the furnace, hot water heater, and air conditioning? If the appliances are not new, consider purchasing maintenance and repair contracts to save large expenses later.

Established Condominiums

Before buying a homes for sale in an established condominium complex, ask to see all available documents, including minutes of the association for the past few years. Ensure your potential homes for sale will not see a major increase in maintenance or association fees, taxes, and so on. Also, look for any noticeable disputes that residents have had with the association. You do not want to purchase a condo that will give you a lot of headaches. As with converted buildings, consider purchasing maintenance and repair contracts If the appliances are not new.

Buying Any Condominium

Always check the contract and association rules for the following:

? What is the consequence of late payment of association or maintenance fees? Possible actions are lien against your condominium, foreclosure, and court action.

? What are the restrictions? Do they restrict age of residents; pets; who and how many people may live in your homes for sale; no renting or subleasing; number of guests at one time in your unit, home business; and so on?

? Make sure you understand the definitions of the restrictions (such as, what constitutes excessive noise).

? What are the consequences of the different restrictions?

? How and when can you access the pool, spa, gym or clubhouse?

? Does the association have to approve all buyers? Do they conduct a criminal background check before approval? A condominium can offer you more safety than a single-family homes for sale in that the association can ensure its residents do not have criminal backgrounds.

Once you purchase your condominium homes for sale, insure the inside against liability and damage. Consider the extra cost for flood (if even a remote possibility exists ? think Hurricane Katrina) and wind insurance (especially for units above ground level).

John Harris is an expert researcher and writer on real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more information please visit San Diego Homes for Sale

For help with finding Fremont Homes, please call Meena Gujral if you need more information at 510-279-9580 or go to my website at http://www.helpusellachievers.com

Home sweet home

Here is my quick answer:

At Help U Sell we have all listings that are in the MLS and other listings that the sellers are selling for a flat fee where they do not want to pay the buyer’s agent’s fees, therefore they elect not to put it in the MLS. So if you want to have access to the most listings, you can go to my website at: http://www.helpusellachievers.com

If you would like to see all my virtual tours on my listings in the East Bay, California please go to Meena’s Virtual Tours.

You can also go to my website at http://www.helpusellachievers.com and sign up there to receive automatic e-mails when a new listing comes on the market matching your criteria.

Meena Gujral             

meena.gujral@comcast.net

Help-U-Sell Achievers Realty

40083 Mission Blvd, Fremont Ca 94539

510-279-9580

Bank Foreclosure Homes for Sale – Invest Today to Earn Tomorrow

As we all know, foreclosure is a process through which a bank or a lender gains possession of the house whose mortgage the borrower fails to pay. Foreclosure is a legal process and despite being despised by many, it is necessary to protect the banking system. The sub-prime crisis in the United States and the consequent economic slowdown has led to significant increase in the rate of foreclosures in the country. This might be bad for some. However, for others, these bank foreclosure homes for sale provide an opportunity to buy new homes or invest in property market. This is because the homes which the banks gain possession of are not used by them for personal use. Instead, the banks put these homes for sale in the open market for anyone to buy. And, since the very purpose of selling these homes is to make up for the losses on account of bad debt or home loan, the houses are competitively prices so as to attract more and more people to buy them.

After witnessing real estate boom for several years, the property market in the US received a shock in 2007-08 when the property prices started falling. Later the revelations about bad state of sub-prime market further deteriorated things. In a matter of few months, the property and real estate prices dropped sharply leading to lender foreclosures. The domino effect of the sub-prime crisis was that it led to loss of jobs, thus further affecting the economic condition of the borrowers.

Whether it is the stock market or real estate sector, the prudence always lies in buying low and selling high. The economic crisis has forced the governments all over the world to cut interest rates. This, coupled with the current low prices of houses makes it an ideal time for those with sound economic background to invest in real estate and property. And contrary to the popular notion, the buyers of the houses attained through lender foreclosures do not need to have the cash ready in hand. Several banks and financing institutions are currently offering loans at competitive interest rates to borrowers to purchase such homes.

This is the best time for anyone who is either looking for a house of his or her dreams or looking to invest in property, to go ahead and buy these homes.

Myself webmaster of http://www.redcrownrealty.com/ – A source for bank foreclosed properties, bank foreclosure home for sale, find foreclosed homes listing, lender foreclosures , bank owned foreclosed properties and Bank foreclosed homes.

Please call Meena Gujral if you need more information at 510-279-9580 or go to my website at http://www.helpusellachievers.com

One of the biggest reasons that homes for sale by the owner often do not sell very quickly is due to the vendor not knowing how to advertise the property effectively. FSBO does not have to be intimidating and the following tips will prevent you having to fork out costly real estate agent fees when selling your home yourself.
The key to selling your house quickly is by using effective advertising such as that offered by several real estate web sites in the U.S. Some sites allow FSBO home listings to be posted free, so check what is available in your area. When placing your ad, include several flattering pictures of your home and keep your advertising copy short and simple. Make sure that you stress attractive characteristics, employing words and phrases that are appealing to prospective purchasers. Terms like Newly Remodelled, Close to All Amenities or Priced below Market are good for starters.
Another important tool in your marketing arsenal are lawn signs. If you also attach some form of container with information sheets to the sign, any prospective purchasers will have instant access to your contact info.
Before you put your house on the market, it must be immaculate inside and out. Homebuyers are attracted to clean, spacious and appealing homes. Remove all clutter and clean your home thoroughly, including the carpeting and windows. Do not underestimate the power of curb appeal. Trim the trees, plant colorful flowers and make sure your lawn is neat. Another instant turn off for potential buyers is to be overpowered by a not so sweet smelling house odor as soon as they set foot inside your front door. If you have pets, you need to make sure that the air is not permeated with that all too familiar doggy smell. Although it is better to get rid of the smell at source instead of attempting to disguise it, some essential oils put in discrete locations around the house can make the world of difference. Since you probably do not notice the odor yourself, invite a friend or neighbor over to give you an honest second opinion.
The actual asking price is another key factor in the ability to sell your home rapidly. Over pricing when selling a house is the biggest reason why many homes for sale by the owner do not move. A good guide to being able to price your home properly is to check local realty listings to work out the average going rate for similar properties in your area. As a general guideline, if you pitch your selling price at about ten percent higher than the actual going rate, you will likely receive offers, and hopefully a sale, very close to the true market value of the house.
One service that you should not do without is that of an attorney who is knowledgeable in the intricacies of home dealing. A survey by a professional home inspector should also be carried out, to find any problems that you may not be aware of.
Selling a home yourself can be time consuming, but the financial rewards are tremendous. Presentation together with proper pricing and effective advertising should see your property being sold in no time at all. Educating yourself about the nuances of the real estate market in your area will make you as effective as any realtor but without the costly fees.

To learn much more about Selling Your House For Sale By Owner, visit http://www.homelivinganswers.com/fsbo/ where you will find this and much more, including How to Choose the Best Types of Homeowners Insurance

At Help-U-Sell Achievers Realty we can sell your home for a flat fee therefore saving you thousands of dollars in commission. We take care of all internet marketing (too many websites to name here), virtual tours, negotiating for best price and terms, taking care of all paperwork, helping with disclosures, coordinating escrow, inspections and closing. meena is a licensed Real Estate Agents and Realtor selling homes in the Bay Area for 23 years.

To see all my virtual tours click:

Meena’s Virtual Tours

Homes Sold by Meena in Fremont 

Please call Meena Gujral if you need more information at 510-279-9580 or go to my website at http://www.helpusellachievers.com

How To Buy Foreclosure Homes For Sale?

Foreclosure homes for sale are homes that are being foreclosed upon by a financial lender, usually a bank. This is a legal process through which the bank takes over the property of the owner due to his failure to make mortgage payments. Usually, the bank will try to sell the house as soon as possible, even sometimes putting it up for auction. To make the property attractive, the bank will sell it at a low starting price. The low price is what makes investors hungry for foreclosure houses.

To buy foreclosure property, you have to find one that is being sold. You can get this information from websites that offer foreclosure-tracking services. Then, have to sign up with them and enter the geographical information of the areas you want to be notified of new foreclosures. Before you make a bid on a foreclosed property, ensure you know your state laws regarding foreclosures. Search on the internet for the laws to ensure you will not get caught up unawares.

Then it is time to choose a foreclosed home. Investing in foreclosed home, just like other investment, is risky. Buying too high will reduce your profit margin, and buying a property that will later be hard to sell will get you stuck with paying the mortgage longer. You have to take different factors into consideration, one of them being the condition of the house. An experienced realtor may be of help when it comes to choosing a house to purchase.

After you have identified the house, it?s time to make a bid. Bidding is usually done at an auction or by submitting a sealed bid to the home owner after the house has been put on foreclosure. Avoid bidding too high as this will eat up into your profits. The closer you bid to the assessed value of the foreclosure homes for sale, the lower your profit.

Joseph Smith has been educating buyers on the finer points of Foreclosure Homes For Sale at ForeclosureHomesOnSale.com for over five years.

Please call Meena Gujral if you need more information at 510-279-9580 or go to my website at http://www.helpusellachievers.com