Anytime that you are purchasing a home or refinancing your mortgage you will need an appraisal. The appraisal is also referred to as a URAR (Uniform Residential Appraisal Report) the cost ranges anywhere from 350.00 for a single family home or condominium to 500.00 for a multifamily property.

 The purpose of the appraisal and the reason it is required is to ensure that the value of the home is there for both the borrower and the lender.  The appraisal is a comparative look at the home that you are buying or refinancing compared to other similar homes in the neighborhood. The range that is typically used is a mile radius surrounding your home. Homes with similar square footage, bedroom and bathroom counts, amenities etc. are used as comparables against your home’s value.

 Actually the appraisal is the most important part of getting your financing. Other than needing to qualify income wise to be able to secure financing ultimately the bank or lender is basing your financing around your home. Your home is used as collateral for the bank or lender so the appraisal is very important in that aspect.  This is why some lenders will not lend on what we will refer to as “unique” properties. For example log cabin homes or contemporary homes. Ultimately the home itself is all the bank has to fall back on if the loan defaults and if it is a log cabin style home for example and that is not common to your area some lenders will have a hard time lending on these properties. Mainly because if the loan defaults the lender then needs to proceed to sell or liquidate that home and if it is “unique” it would be much harder for the lender to do that.

The worst thing you should do is nothing! Some people really have no idea what their credit is like or what their score is and then their are people that do know.

If you fall into the category of people who know their credit is “not so hot” you need to be pro active. Do not assume that there is no hope in finding a loan. Do not get me wrong if you know your credit is not good it is certainly going to be harder than someone who’s credit is excellent but you are not completely out of options.

My advice is even if you know your credit has some dings sit down with your mortgage broker and see what is available, you would be surprised at what options you have. You may just have to put more of a down payment down but still will qualify for that loan. Maybe both you and your wife or fiance need to apply jointly for a loan. And if by chance your credit is in need of dire repair ask what advice your mortgage person can give you. I can speak from experience that a lot of the time some people’s credit has erroneous reports on it and helping write a letter or two to the credit bureaus to get it corrected has brought their score up substantially and improved their credit, allowing them to get a better mortgage option. If your mortgage person is not willing to do this with you he or she may be able to recommend a credit repair company to help.

Even if your credit is at a point where getting a loan today is not an option you should still sit down with your mortgage broker and see what steps you can take to improve the situation in the future. And work on cleaning up your credit to be able to purchase a home in the future.

I am always happy to direct and help someone improve their credit. If it benefits you, hopefully in the end it will benefit me and allow me to get a loan for that person. It is the old give and take adage. I am willing to help that person out to be able to have the possibility of their business in the future.

Applying for and shopping mortgage rates in Connecticut is a click away www.EversleyCapital.com

If you have never owned a home before and are looking to buy you are going to be at the right place and the right time! Now is a great time to buy. If you are willing to be in your new home for the next 5-10 years you will have your pick of the litter.

Home prices have fallen, substantially more in other parts of the country then here in CT. Florida, Nevada, Arizona, California for example and honestly even though some states have seen less of a decline in housing prices than other states it is still a great time to buy. I am not saying this is bottom, if I knew that I would not be here typing this blog, what I do know is even if prices do fall some more from here in the long run you will make out. You will never  find the bottom to buy and the same goes for selling, you will never find the top.

With interest rates as low right now as they are under 6% it is definitely the time to buy. That house that was once 400k and a bit out of your reach is probably now 300k and may be well within your reach. If you are a seller that is going to in turn be looking to buy you certainly are going to sell your home for far less than it would have a year or so ago but look at the pros and cons your new home that you will be buying will also be far less in price then it was a year or so ago so it is a trade off

Applying for and shopping mortgage rates is a click away www.EversleyCapital.com or call us today for Connecticut’s lowest rates 203-838-6760

There is something to be said about a neat and tidy house when you are sorting through house after house looking for the perfect home for you and your family. This is something that should be kept in mind when selling either a personal home or an investment property. There are a few other things you should keep in mind when it comes to selling real estate. One of those things is that staging sells homes.

Seriously, there is something cold about an empty house. It could be painted impeccably and meet every possible standard a family has and yet feel cold and anything but homey when walking through the home for a real estate tour or inspection. This can be easily overcome by contacting a local furniture rental store and picking out furniture that will match at least the primary rooms of the home in order to make the home appear leaved in and homelike.

The primary rooms that you will want to appear ‘lived in’ are the living room, dining room, master bedroom, and all bathrooms. These are the rooms that essentially sell homes and it is important to make them appear neat, orderly, and well cared for. If you have the funds for every room in the home then by all means do so. It is a huge selling point, particularly for those who are trying to sell homes quickly. If the home doesn’t sell after the first two weeks or month (you decide the time limit) then you may want to remove the ’staging’ furniture in order to eliminate the expense. I would strongly encourage you to keep this furniture as long as the home is being shown fairly regularly though.

You will want to do so much more than simply putting furniture in the property you are trying to sell. You want to create an atmosphere or warmth and comfort. This means you want to have prints on the walls, mirrors, plants, and pillows. You do not have to purchase items particularly for this process. You can use things from your own home in order to establish this atmosphere of homelike comfort. Be sure not to use sentimental favorites or very valuable pieces, as not all people who will view the property being sold are honest. It’s a sad reality but something to consider all the same.

 
Other things that may help an empty home sell are scents. There is nothing quite like the smell of cookies in the oven or flowers in bloom to make a home feel ‘homey’. These scents can be easily accomplished with well placed scented candles, potpourri warmers, dry potpourri, fresh-cut flowers, and electric room air fresheners. There are few things that will turn off potential buyers more quickly than an overpowering fragrance however so keep this in mind when selecting the method of fragrance. Having some fragrance in the home also eliminates the problem of an empty house taking on the ‘empty house’ scent that so many do over time. In other words, this is yet another part of the staging process that works for many trying to sell homes.

The short answer to the question of whether or not staging sells real estate is “yes”. Staging a home can absolutely lead to a higher offer and a quicker sell, even in today’s sluggish market.

Applying for and shopping mortgage rates is a click away www.EversleyCapital.com

When it comes to real estate, it’s really hard to beat a cheap home.  Cheap homes are very affordable, and ideal for those on a budget.  For real estate agents, these types of homes represent a way to buy a home at a low price, build it up some more, then sale it for a large price.  Making money with real estate is easy to do - no matter how you look at it.

Although you can find cheap homes throughout the United States, some will obviously be better than others.  Some are in great neighborhoods, giving you plenty to see and plenty to do all around you.  On the other hand, most towns that offer the cheapest homes normally have a bad situation when it comes to the job market.  They can be great to retire to or settle down in if you own a business, although they aren’t great if you need a job.  Internet marketers and writers are finding these areas, are flocking to them at a very fast pace.

You can also save quite a bit of money by buying a home that is less expensive, but still fits your needs.  What this means, is buying a home in the inexpensive areas of your town, or buying a home that is cheap in price.  You shouldn’t be focused on one type of home or neighborhood, but instead look at your available options and compare prices.

Keep in mind that buying cheap homes doesn’t necessarily mean buying a run down place or buying your home in a bad part of town.  You can get a cheap home in a great neighborhood, if you weight your options accordingly.  If you shop around and look at different areas, you might find yourself very surprised at just how many homes are available at cheap prices.

Before you purchase a home, you can save a lot of money if you know how to negotiate with the real estate agent.  Although a home may have a higher price than you are willing to pay, you can shave quite a bit of the price off through negotiating.  If you learn just a few of the simple techniques of negotiating, you can save a lot of money.  Each and every day, hundreds of people get cheap homes by negotiating with real estate agents.

In some cases, you can end up paying the full price of a home and still end up spending less than someone else might spend.  Although price has an impact, financing is also an area that can help to make a home more affordable.  If you get a low interest rate, you’ll save a lot of money when you buy the home.  There are several ways that you can save money through your finance options, which is why you should always research what’s available to you before you buy.

Before you decide to buy a home, you should always think things through and be sure to look around different areas and neighborhoods.  Even though there are many cheap homes out there, you can get just as good of a deal through negotiating.  Most cheap homes sell very quick, which is why you should always be on the lookout for one.  When you find a cheap home that fits your needs, you should act on it.  Contact the agent, take a tour of the home, then decide if the price and the features are indeed what you’ve been looking for.  If it isn’t - simply forget about the house and start looking for another one.

Applying and shopping mortgage rates is a click away www.EversleyCapital.com

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If you are a first time homebuyer and want to make sure somebody is going to spend the time with you to help you undertsand the process Eversley Capital Mortgage LLC Norwalk CT is dedicated to helping homeowners every step of the way. Call or click today www.EversleyCapital.com

Even though it’s not easy for everyone to buy a home, it is in fact easier than ever to get a home these days with most lending agencies and banks being more liberal than ever with providing home loans and mortgages.  Even if you don’t have a lot of capital or a lot of money to put down, you can still get the home of your dreams at a very affordable price.

A lot of us think that buying a home is a tough process, needing a large down payment, although this isn’t always the case.  Buying a home largely depends on your budget.  If you put a down payment on your home purchase, it will go towards your overall purchase.  The more money you put down on a home when you purchase, the lower your monthly payments will be.

Those of us who don’t own a home live in rental houses and apartments.  This can be a worthwhile solution, although your still paying money towards your housing that you could instead be putting towards a home of your own.  Owning a home is a dream for many of us, especially when it comes to that dream home that we all hope to own one day.  Apartments and homes are great to rent - although most these days will cost you just as much as a mortgage payment - which doesn’t make any sense at all.

Instead, you can easily convert your rental payments into monthly installments towards your own home.  All across the United States, you can find of lot of banks and lenders that offer easy to get loans for purchasing your own home or real estate property at low interest rates.  With a lot interest rate, you can get the home of your dreams and enjoy low monthly payments.

Keep in mind, you need to choose a loan plan that’s best for you.  You can go through bank, through a lender, or use a service online. There are many different ways that you can go, although real estate agents seem to be the most common now days.  Good real estate agents will be more than willing to help you get a great deal on the home, at prices that are right for you.  Anytime you buy a house, you should always plan ahead, get yourself a real estate agent, and then pursue your dream home.

If you plan your budget and take things one step at a time, you’ll be closer than you think to the home of your dreams.  If you choose to keep renting and pay money toward something you don’t own - the home of your dreams will continue to slip away.  Take action now and stop renting - find the home of your dreams and put your money towards owning it instead.

Applying and shopping mortgage rates in CT is a click away www.EversleyCapital.com

When you sell your home, the process is almost like going to a job interview.  Selling a home involves presentation, which is one of the key factors that determine the outcome.  Although this may sound a bit weird, presentation is a way of life in the world of real estate.  Buyers in today’s market look for good presentation – many basing their final decisions on it.

If the property you are selling comes with a garage, you’ll need to go through your garage before you sell your home.  Chances are that you store things in your garage, which can easily pile up over time before you realize it.  If your garage is in a messy condition, you’ll obviously want to clean it up.  Buyers look for homes that are in perfect condition, and anything less than perfect will look bad in the eyes of the buyer.

Most homes have some truly outstanding features inside of them.  You should always do your best to highlight the best features of your home, instead of just hoping that the buyer understands what they are.  The ideal way to bring out the best features of your home is to use the proper lighting.  If your home is clean, you can use lighting to bring out the best features in your home, and ensure that they stand out to the buyer.

When a potential buyer first pulls up to your home; the first thing he will see is your lawn.  If your lawn is trimmed and well taken care of, he will get a good impression right off the bat. If your lawn is a wreck, he may immediately pull away.  To give the best impression to the buyer, you should put some thought into how things look.  You can always plant flowers around the walkway and throughout the yard, which will look great to a potential buyer.

You should also make sure that the entrance into your home is a positive as well.  The front door should be in great shape, as well as the entry area into the home.  You can add some plants, paintings, and rugs to ensure that your buyer gets a good impression.  When the buyer walks through the entry way into your home, you should make sure that the view he or she takes in is a good on.  Your biggest goal when showing your home is to ensure that the buyer is pleased.

Keep in mind that it may take some time to sell your home.  These days, homes can sit on the market for months at a time before they actually sell.  If you are having trouble selling your home, you can always reduce the price or simply go back to the basics.  Eventually you will sell your home – although it may take more time than you think.

Need help finding great mortgage rates call or click (203) 838-6760 or www.EversleyCapital.com

Pre foreclosures are known as properties that have reached the final stages before they get repossessed or taken back by the lender or bank.  The owner is still in complete control of the property or home, although the bank or lender will repossess the home if the owner doesn’t attempt to rectify the situation.  Normally, if the owner makes things right with payment, the pre foreclosure will settle and things will go back to normal.

When buying real estate, there are several benefits to pre foreclosures.  Although there are several ways that you can buy a home, pre foreclosure is one of the best.  Even though it is one of the best ways to buy property, many people miss out simply because they aren’t familiar with pre foreclosures and all of the benefits that come with them.

The best thing about pre foreclosures is the prices that are associated with them.  In most cases, the owner has no choice but the sell the house, and therefore will listen to just about any offer that he receives.  Due to this very reason, you can find pre foreclosures for sale at nearly 50% off market value.  This is an ideal time to purchase, especially if you are looking to save a lot of money.

Along with the great prices you can get with pre foreclosures, you’ll also have the luxury of dealing directly with the owner - no third parties involved.  This is a great advantage, with buyers being in total control of pre foreclosure sales.  In the event that the home owner decides to turn down your offer and cannot find another buyer, he will lose everything.  Even if you offer the owner a small price, he will be able to make a little bit of money selling the home.

You can find pre foreclosures that up for sale pretty much the same way that you can find homes in which the bank already has control of.  You can look in the local newspaper, on the Internet, or by calling the lender directly.  There are several options that you have in terms of finding pre foreclosures, giving you plenty of options. Once you have found a pre foreclosure for sale, it’s up to you to seal the deal and get the home of your dreams at a very affordable price.

When you compare foreclosed properties with pre foreclosed properties, you’ll find that there is less competition involved with pre foreclosures.  Pre foreclosed homes are a great purchase, as they will normally come at a very affordable price.  Those of you who have been looking for a new home shouldn’t hesitate to check out pre foreclosed properties.  They are a great investment - and can indeed be very profitable in the long run.

Shopping for the best mortgage rates is a call or click away. Eversley Capital Mortgage LLC Norwalk CT (203 838-6760 or www.EversleyCapital.com

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The obvious benefit and sought after benefit of flipping real estate is the profit. This is one incredibly tangible benefit, particularly when the profits are large and quick to come your way. Of course there are risks. Most ventures that offer high profit also come with a high degree of risk. Money, however, is not the only benefit that can be associated with flipping real estate though it is certainly the one on most investors’ minds when they get into this line of work.

Let’s talk profit first. Profit is the one reason that most people get into this business. The days are long and the work is hard. This is definitely not the type of work one would ordinarily undertake for the simple love of getting one’s hands dirty. This is real work that leaves you bone weary at the end of the day. However, when all the work is done and you get around to making the sell, you will find that the profit involved in a successful flip is well worth the effort you’ve put into the process.

The good news is that the savvy investor can still manage to make money even when the situation may not work out quite as planned. This is yet another benefit to flipping real estate. If the flip doesn’t work out, there is always the option of leasing to own the property or renting the property out. The profits in these situations are considerable less than a straight out flip but it can prevent financial ruin that is often the risk of a flip gone wrong. The fact that there are options and that you aren’t necessarily left ruined at the end of a bad flip is definitely a benefit. There aren’t many types of investments that allow you the option to save yourself the way real estate does.

One of the intangible benefits of flipping houses is that you are in essence working for yourself. In other words you do not have to punch a time clock or worry about overtime (at least not on your part). This can be a bad thing too if you lack the discipline required to get the job done. However, most of us will view this is a huge check in the pros column when deciding whether or not to take the plunge into the wonderful and frightening world of real estate investing.

Even though this is a business that requires a lot of work in order to turn an attractive profit there is some satisfaction at the end of the day involved in knowing that you are working for yourself and not to make someone else wealthy or in order to punch a time clock. That feeling of satisfaction is one that you should hang onto when the brand new toilet you’ve just installed becomes a geyser. Of course there are mistakes along the way, what other job keeps you on your toes quite like this one?

Real estate investing, house flipping in particular, can be one of the most frustrating types of investments a soul can pursue. At the same time it can also be one of the most rewarding mentally, spiritually, and financially. This is something you should keep in mind when deciding whether or not this is the right path for you.

When you are first starting out with investing in houses, you should always look for ugly or bad houses that need a lot of work.  These homes are much cheaper to purchase, although they will take some work to improve.  You should start out by looking for houses that need some work, such as clean up, painting, and in some cases new carpet.  You don’t want to buy something too run down, as it could cost a fortune to repair.

If you think of yourself as a handyman and feel that you can do the repairs yourself, you can save a lot of money.  On the other hand, if you need to hire someone, you should always make sure that the individual or company that you hire is qualified to do the repairs. If you aren’t comfortable with doing any of the repairs, you should inquire about a subcontractor or company that will do it for a reasonable price, or perhaps a share of the money once you have resold the house.

If the house you are thinking to purchase and resell has any type of structural problems, you should always get an estimate from a reliable contractor before you make the purchase.  If you decide to stay in the business, you’ll learn a lot more over the years, although you should always hire a contractor when you first start out.  Once you get all of the estimates together, you can make that final decision on how much of an offer you want to put down on the property.

After you have a team together and successfully renovated and resold several homes, you’ll begin to feel quite a bit more confident with buying homes that need repairs.  All it takes is time and practice - and you’ll be buying homes that the average investor wouldn’t think twice about.  This can be a huge advantage when you are looking for homes to buy and resell, as there will be less competition to worry about.  You’ll also be able to get a lower price when buying the home, simply because you can use the cost of the repairs to your advantage.

Once you are able to do repairs on homes, including structural problems, you’ll have a huge advantage in the market.  You’ll be able to buy virtually any home, including those that other investors choose to ignore.  Doing so can be very profitable for you, especially if the house is in a well known and well desired neighborhood.  After you have done the repairs, you can resell the home for a much higher price than you paid to acquire the home.

When you start looking for houses that you can repair and resale, you should always take your time and buy the right homes.  You won’t have the money, time, experience, or support to buy the bigger houses at first, which means you won’t have any room for mistakes.  Once you have purchased and resold a few smaller homes, you’ll eventually be able to work your way up to the bigger homes - which is where the big profits will come into play.

Always keep in mind that when you first start out, you’ll need to take things slow.  You can expect profits to come overnight, as it will take you some time to learn.  Once you have been at it a few years and have several houses to your credit, you’ll be ready to tackle anything.  At that point - you’ll make a lot of money in a career that is truly exciting.