…thatgirl\’s Real Estate Blog

Are you disgruntled with your bank? …the high fees, how you are treated. Here is some insite and helpful tips and ideas on where to find your next bank…or maybe a credit union. Read more at…

http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/9150

Mortgage Interest Rates Fall to Another All-Time Low

Freddie Mac announced this morning that the average 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate fell to a record low of 4.58%. In the prior week, the average was 4.69%. The year-ago average was 5.32%. Rates on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages also reached a new record low, averaging 4.04%, down from 4.13% in the prior week.

Breaking News!Homebuyer Tax Credit Closing Deadline Extended to September 30

After a close brush with the deadline, Congress has passed an extension of the Homebuyer Tax Credit closing deadline, the Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act (H.R. 5623). The extension applies only to transactions that have ratified contracts in place as of April 30, 2010 that have not yet closed. The legislation is designed to create a seamless extension. The new closing deadline for eligible transactions is now September 30, 2010, pending the President™s signing the bill into law.

NAR worked closely with Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle to enact this important legislation. Extending the Tax Credit Closing deadline will help provide additional stability to real estate markets across the nation.

iPhone’s “How To”:

¢How to change your email signature-
Change œSent from my iPhone to a more personalized signature in Settings

1. Open Settings
2. Open Mail, Contacts, Calendars
3. Scroll down to Signature, tap > arrow
4. Tap œClear in upper right screen
5. Enter new signature, end by returning to previous screen

Below outlines  five steps  buyers should take before buying a home.

Step 1. Find a Local Lender You Can Talk To in Person
Local lenders understand your market and know of loan programs that might be beneficial to you. Check with your lender on any local programs that might help with closing costs or in other ways. Even though the media have pronounced the 100-percent-financing option dead, this is not always the case. Check it out for yourself and then get preapproved for a loan so you know how much house you’re able to buy.

One of the best resourses is to ask your Realtor for a couple of names they would recommend.

Step 2. Be Specific in the Area You Want To Live
Educate yourself. Familiarize yourself with the neighborhoods you’re interested in, the taxes and school districts. This not only helps you narrow down your search when you need to move fast, but also helps you figure out potential mortgage payments.

Drive around the neighborhood you are interested in  first… look at it during different times of the day and on the weekend. Stop and talk to neighbors and ask them about their neighborhood. Take a break at the neighborhood playground, again an excellent source is to talk to the folks already living there. It’s important to “buy the neighborhood” before buying the house.

Step 3. Find an Agent Specializing in the Area You Want to Live
This will save you time and effort. Once you’ve identified an agent, trust him or her to do the job. Agents who are thriving in this challenging market have proven their worth. They have the resources and skills to help you find your next home.

Step 4. Don’t Shy Away From Houses That Need Some Work
Just because a house needs some paint or cosmetic fixes doesn’t mean it’s not a good buy. Most real estate agents have an address book full of trusted businesses they work with to help you fix up your new home.

Step 5. Be Prepared To Act
Sometimes the first home you see is the right one for you. Don’t discount it. Remember, good deals still go fast. Take advantage of the electronic tools your real estate agent has to offer. In many instances, real estate agents have access to better information than what you can find in a standard Internet search.

For more information on buying a home-call Ann Marie Gargano-Parks

Looking for ways to keep your energy bill low during the summer but keep your house cool? Here are some options:

1. Ceiling Fans
2. Shades, drapes or blinds
3. Internal Heat
4. Plants
5. Plus more

For more detailed information go to:Tricks to Keep Your House Cool this Summer

Here is the link to  Housing Trends eNewsletter
http://annmariegarganoparks.housingtrendsenewsletter.com

Housing Trends eNewsletter offers reports for over one hundred fifty Local Markets in 46 states that contain local prices and number of sales by state prepared by the National Association of REALTORS ®.

Housing Trends eNewsletter is also filled with local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by MLSs and the National Association of Realtors, U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, housing market video reports, blogs, real estate glossary, maps, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, and information on 50,000 neighborhoods.

Should I Rent or Buy a Home? This can be a big decision considering interest rates are so low, housing stock is plentiful and prices are at their lowest in years.

What is right for you? Ask your  self these key questions      http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/8820  -

Should I Rent or Buy a Home? This can be a big decision considering interest rates are so low, housing stock is plentiful and prices are at their lowest in years.

What is right for you? Ask your  self these key questions      http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/8820  -