Do I qualify for a Short Sale?

Do I qualify for a short sale? Okay, let's see. These are the general situations that your lender will look at to consider if you qualify for a short sale.

1. Job loss
2. Illness - loss of income and/or medical costs
3. Death
4. Divorce
5. Business failure (some investors may be considered here)
6. Natural disasters

If you are upside down with your mortgage and these qualifiers above do not apply, you may not be a candidate for a short sale. Being upside down is when you owe more than the current value of your home.

If you or someone that you know has a question or concern about foreclosure, please contact me. You do not want to go into foreclosure. This is financially and emotionally devastating. There are alternatives. Please call me!

Great Time to Buy Investment Property!

The prices are adjusting downward. There are more foreclosures and short sales available than last year. The rates are below 5%. The sellers are more negotiable. Go for it! When the prices start going up and the rates go up, you will think, "I should have bought back when...." That when is NOW.

If you have any questions about investments -- start asking! Real Estate has always been stable over the years. You need to diversify your portfolio to include it.

Tax Credits - Need to Purchase before April 30, 2010

Howdy! I'm back. Hey, the Tax Credits are a real bonus for buyers-first time and current owners. The first time buyer is defined as someone who has not owned in the last three years. We have had a lot of activity in the last two years with the $7500 and $8000 tax credits. Now the $8000 tax credit was extended for the first time buyers and that is great! The government also created the $6500 tax credit for current owners. This is new and fantastic! These two tax credits are available through April 30, 2010 (the purchase date). The closing has to occur by June 30, 2010. Please consider using this --it is free money! You need to check to see if you qualify and go for it! Try looking at http://www.irs.gov/ for more info! You can also google it or call your CPA!

Remember to contact me for any and all real estate needs! 850.545.9390 or Joan@JoanRaley.com. Hope to be helping you soon!

Your Referrals~~~I love them! Thank you so very much!



Sometimes your folks do not call so they miss out on my platinum service for them. (:>(



If you know someone who is buying and/or selling in town or moving between other cities somewhere else, please call me to let me know. Then...I will call them to connect so that they will get that EXCELLENT and EXPERIENCED SERVICE that they deserve. (:>)



You can call me at 850.545.9390 or joan@joanraley.com



Have a great weekend!

For all you First Time Home Buyers!

Listen up!

If you bought or are going to buy your home between April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009, you may be eligible for the government's $7500.00 Tax Credit. This is from the Economic Recovery Act of 2008. There are certain qualifications to be eligible and, of course, certain terms and conditions with this Tax Credit. Please contact me to get your free brochure about this from the National Association of REALTORS. Joan@JoanRaley.com today!

Are you having trouble paying your mortgage?

If you are having trouble making your mortgage payments, please contact me as soon as possible. I can send you a pamphlet from the National Association of REALTORS in regards to this situation with possible alternatives for you. You do not want to go through a foreclosure. This will be devastating to you emotionally and financially. We can set up a meeting to go over these alternatives to help you save your house and your credit.

If the only option is to sell your house, don't wait. It is better to sell than to go through a foreclosure because:

1. You can hopefully profit from any equity that remains in the home.

2. It will be easier to qualify for credit in the future and to buy another home.

Low Ball Offers - Will you hit a home run?

Sometimes you can make those low ball offers but you need to be careful if you "want" the house. The seller can get insulted with your low ball offer or just be ticked off for the principal of it all.

To make a low ball offer that might go through or at least have the price end up more in your ball park, you need to do your homework. You need to know how long the property has been on the market and how many price reductions it has had. You also need to know when the seller bought the house; last year, five years ago or ten years ago. This would help you assume perhaps that there is some equity so the seller will negotiate down. You need to know if there is a first mortgage on it. Is there a second mortgage (home equity line) on it that can eat up the equity? Is the property vacant and is the seller paying for the loan, utilities and lawn care?

You need to have a REALTOR help you with your strategy and research so that you can successfully hit that home run! Call me today for a counseling session in "Low Ball Offers"!