CHARLOTTE AND LAKE NORMAN NEW CONSTRUCTION HOMEBUYERS: NEW GAME EDUCATIONAL TOOL

NEW HOMEBUILDING GAME HOT DOWNLOAD IN COMPUTER WORLD

“Build-a-Lot” takes a player through a series of homebuilding challenges.  The game was created for Windows by HipSoft and came out last year with a possible upcoming sequel.

If you’re not a real estate tycoon in real life, you can give it a shot with “play” money, building supplies, a work crew and real estate to get started – plus development and cash flow goals to reach in a set time.  No engineering degree required.   Home repairs and taxes are added, but no market problems or foreclosures to worry about.

See The Charlotte Observer, dated July 6, 2008, Pg. 3F, Special Advertising Section, Real Estate Today at www.charlotte.com/realestate for more information about “Build-a-Lot.”

Some of the above information provided by Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register.

Please feel free to contact your Charlotte/Lake Norman agent at 704-617-0873 for more information or assistance.

 

CHARLOTTE AND LAKE NORMAN BUYERS – HAVE YOU DONE YOUR HOMEWORK? LENDER SHOPPING 101

THE MORTGAGE MAZE

Some people would rather walk on glass than face the prospect of applying for a mortgage.  “Scary” is how they would describe mountains of complicated, intimidating paperwork and navigating through the “mortgage maze.”

Their need and desire for a home for their children and their future hinges on obtaining a mortgage.  To that end, they are sometimes hasty in their mortgage choices - just to “get it over with.”

Authors, Julie Garton-Good, “All About Mortgages: Insider Tips to Finance Your Home”, and David Reed, “Mortgages 101: Quick Answers to Over 250 Critical Questions About Your Home Loan”, both agree that consumers must understand what they are signing up for considering the amount of money at stake.  They offer the following six common questions a first-time homebuyer should consider:

1. WHERE DO I START?
2. HOW DO I FIND A LENDER?
3. FOR WHAT KIND OF LOAN SHOULD I APPLY?
4. SHOULD I TAKE THE LOWEST INTEREST OR NOT?
5. WHAT’S A POINT?
6. WHAT IS PMI?

Please see The Charlotte Observer, dated July 6, 2008, Pgs. 1F and 2F, Special Advertising Section, Real Estate Today at www.charlotte.com/realestate for answers to the above questions and more.

Some of the above information provided by Mary Umberger, Chicago Tribune.

Please feel free to contact your Charlotte/Lake Norman agent at 704-617-0873 for more information or assistance. 

 

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR, CHARLOTTE AND LAKE NORMAN REALTOR, LAURA TULLO, ABR

ACCREDITED BUYER REPRESENTATIVE (ABR) DESIGNATION

“The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded by the Real Estate BUYER’S AGENT Council (REBAC), an affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS®, to real estate practitioners who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria.”

Some of the above information provided by Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Councel see www.rebac.net.

Please feel free to contact your Charlotte/Lake Norman Accredited Buyer Agent at 704-617-0873 for more information or assistance.

 

ATTENTION FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS IN CHARLOTTE AND LAKE NORMAN AREAS

FIRST TIME  HOMEBUYERS

NEW HOUSING LAW PASSED.  THE TIME TO BUY IS NOW IF YOU NEED DOWN-PAYMENT ASSISTANCE.  DEADLINE – MUST HAVE LOAN APPROVAL BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2008.

For information on down-payment assistance see: www.ameridream.org

 

FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS TAX CREDIT

On July 30, 2008, President Bush signed a major housing bill (Housing and Economic Recovery Act into law.  Included in this bill was a temporary tax credit for first-time homebuyers.  The $7500 credit will be available for the purchase of a principal residence on or after April 8, 2008 and before July 1, 2009. 

 See www.realtor.org/gapubic.nsf/pages/hr_3221_key_provisions?OpenDocuments for a chart, frequently asked questions, and answers.

Some of the above information provided by North Carolina Association of Realtors. 

Please feel free to contact your Charlotte/Lake Norman agent at 704-617-0873 for more information or assistance.