Why should you use a buyers agent?

Some people trip over dollars to pick up pennies… Just wanted to address a misconception that some buyers have.  Calling a listing agent will save you money-in other words maybe you can make a better deal and get the agent to cut their commission. The opposite is true actually. This is like representing yourself in court-having a fool for a client! A buyers agent is simply any agent that looks for property for you and represents you.  A good agent knows the local values and neighborhoods, knows a good deal and a bad deal, and as an agent has access to a lot of other important information such as what the seller owes, and if they are motivated, etc. All of this knowledge can be useful in negotiating a great price. Also, when a great deal comes along you need to be ready, willing, and able to move quickly before somebody else snaps it up. This is true of any real estate market whether it is up or down, because the smart money is always fast!!!  A Realtor/Lender Team is a great way to pull this off. The great news is that a buyers agent does not cost you a penny, yet can save you thousands and also keep you from buying a ‘lemon’, or getting the wrong financing. In other words you get an expert (or two)  for nothing. With a team you are leveraging talents and brainpower, like successful people do!

Why you should buy a fixer-upper bank-owned home now!

As everyone knows, there are alot of foreclosures on the market now! The smart (and big) money is snapping up the deals in large quantities often paying 55 cents on the dollar. I always think that it is good to study successful people who are doing what you would like to do, and learn from them instead of trying to reinvent the wheel! Although individuals by themselves can usually not duplicate these results on the same scale, they still may be able to gain great returns on their money, whether it is an investment property or their own home. For many reasons it is easier and cheaper to get into the real estate market right now by buying your own home this way, and also start creating a retirement at the same time (not the social security type which may or may not exist when you retire, and which may or may not be enough to live on!).  The reason for buying this type of  home now  is that it is a buyer’s market for one,  prices have come down (blue-light special, buy it when it goes on sale, buy low), and buy at a discount from the bank who does not want to be in the business of owning real estate. Banks are penalized for having properties on their books, and savvy investors know that they may sell for a 25% discount on an already discounted listing price. Now for the fixer-upper part, which is like turbo-charging the whole idea! Fixer-uppers are also another way of acquiring  a property at a discount and putting varying degrees of sweat equity in. For a first time home buyer who can get 100% financing, one of these properties can double as a home and an investment account with rewards far greater than any other investment vehicle available.  Starting with nothing, sweat equity (free), a few well-placed and frugal dollars, and some time, you can reap exponential returns!  This is not for the lazy or fearful. It requires hard work, faith, and determination, and almost always a willing partner! I know of no other way that you can start with nothing and end up in the millions of dollars, way ahead of where you would end up with a traditional financial planners recommendation. To retire these days just about everyone needs to turbo-charge their retirement plans,  unless you don’t mind the idea that you probably will outlive your money even on a just ‘getting by’ retirement plan! I don’t know anyone who wants to lower their standard of living when they retire!!! Nancy and I have personally followed this turbo-charged plan (minus the bank-owned part) for 9 years. As a Realtor and Lender, we can help turbo-charge your plans!  Shouldn’t your Realtor and Lender live their career? Do they do what they advise you to do?  We are here to help and guide (if needed or wanted). Fear is what stops most people (and our great media outlets who encourage us to think like ‘chicken little’). The unknown is what creates fear in people. For me personally the idea of a mediocre retirement is way scarier than the idea of thinking outside the box now and doing something about it. It’ never too late!!!