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REAL ESTATE ARTICLES 9 Steps to Owning Step - 1 Make the Decision to Buy. It seems obvious, but it's good to note that the first step to buying a house is making the decision to buy. Consider the reasons you want a new house and write them down. Determine how long you want to live in the new house - does buying still make good financial sense? ... more Applying for a Loan Make a list of any questions you have about the loan program. Be sure you understand the advantages and disadvantages of the various mortgage programs for which you may qualify, including the advantages and disadvantages of Fixed Rate Mortgages versus Adjustable Rate Mortgages. ... more Buying Foreclosures or REOs REO stands for "Real Estate Owned". These are properties that have gone through foreclosure and are now owned by the bank or mortgage company. This is not the same as a property up for foreclosure auction. When buying a property during a foreclosure sale, you must pay at least the loan balance plus any interest and other fees accumulated during the foreclosure process. ... more Closing Costs There are certain standard costs associated with closing the sale of a house. These fees are split between the Buyers and the Sellers, as spelled out in the Residential Purchase Agreement. As NCaHome negotiates for you, NCaHome will not only work to get the price and terms that you want, but will also work to limit the number of closing costs for which you will be responsible. ... more Contingencies in Contracts In real estate contracts the contingency is a common element. Contingencies are clauses that give either the buyer or seller a way to get out of the contract if certain conditions or timelines aren't met. A commonly used example is that of a buyer making an offer on a new home before selling his existing home. The buyer needs to sell his present home before being able to get financing on the new one. So he makes his offer contingent upon the sale of his existing home. ... more Creative Financing Seller Financing As the seller, you have the option of financing the buyer's purchase with the equity you have in the property. You can finance part or the entire mortgage for the buyer. Before setting-up a private mortgage, it is wise to consult with your attorney. ... more Document Your Assets A critical step in the mortgage loan application process is to verify the sources for your down payment, closing costs and assets, as well as documenting income and debts. The lender uses this step to determine your qualifications as a borrower. ... more Environmental Issues It seems that we hear a lot about environmental concerns these days. Much of it is simply the result of a greater awareness than in the past. And even though there isn't anything to be concerned with in most homes, there are still a number of potential home environmental issues that buyers should be aware of. ... more Escrow To finalize the sale of the home a neutral, third party (the escrow holder, a.k.a. escrow agent) is engaged to assure the transaction will close properly and on time. The escrow holder insures that all terms and conditions of the seller's and buyer's agreement are met prior to the sale being finalized, including receiving funds and documents, completing required forms, and obtaining the release documents for any loans or liens that have been paid off with the transaction, assuring you clear title to your property before the purchase price is fully paid. ... more Fixer Uppers The oft heard phrase "Buyer Beware" is never more appropriate than when considering the purchase of a fixer-upper.You really need to know exactly what you're getting into before buying. It's commonly believed that fixer-upper properties represent easy money that is ripe for the taking - that you can buy it, do a little work on it in your spare time, and then resell quickly for a large profit. Usually, this simply isn't the case. ... more Flowers Add Curb Appeal The experts all agree that curb appeal is one of the most important aspects to consider when selling your home.When selling, it's the appearance from the street that will very often determine whether potential buyers come in to see the inside, or never get out of their cars. Flowers are one of the easiest and least expensive ways to make the front of your house look inviting and instantly increase the curb appeal of your home. ... more Gated Communities The popularity of living in gated, or private communities has been rising in recent years. It used to be that gated communities were thought of as being only for the rich. But today they are becoming more and more popular with middle and upper middle class families. Security is usually given as the biggest reason for choosing to live in a gated community. ... more Getting the Highest Price Over 90% of all homes are sold through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Getting on the MLS, and effective marketing through the MLS and other internet sites (such as Realtor.com and Homes.com) is the key to selling your home quickly and getting the highest price. ... more Heart of the Matter Buying a home is both a matter of the heart and the pocketbook. One really does not outweigh the other. As your real estate agent, I'll help you find a happy balance between the two. ... more Home Appreciation Homeowner Warranties Housing Finance Agencies Improvements That Pay Inspection Tips Insurance Closing Costs Lead in the Home Lease Analysis Lender Types Leveraging Your Money Living Trusts Loan Application Checklist Loan Programs Loan-Related Closing Costs Locking In Interest Rates Mello Roos Mold in the Home More About Closing Costs Mortgage Basics Mortgage Saving Tips Mortgage Shopping Mortgage Term Choices Paying Pointon a Loan Plumbing and Fixtures Property Management Radon Gas Information Real vs. Personal Property Refinancing Role of the MLS Saving the Down Payment Seller Paid Closing Selling One, Buying Another Setting the Sales Price Should You Paint? Site Selection Services Staying Approved Tax Closing Costs Tenant Representation Tenant Space Construction The Back Yard The Bi-Weekly Mortgage The Kitchen Title Information What Is Earnest Money? Why Get An Inspection? Why Title Insurance? Your Buying Power Your Down Payment top of page   top of section REAL ESTATE VIDEOS 9 Steps to Ownership How to Sell Your Home NCaHome Golden Gate Bridge Commercial Staging Your Home Your Dream Home top of page   top of section REAL ESTATE RADIO Radio Program/Business Talk Radio - Program Guest: Joe DiPaola of NCaHome top of page   top of section MORTGAGE CALCULATORS Please be patient while calculators load... 15 vs. 30 Year Calculator APR Calculator ARM Calculator ARM vs. Fixed Rate Calculator Balloon Mortgage Calculator Bi-Weekly Payment Calculator Fixed Rate Mortgage Calculator Interest Only Calculator Maximum Mortgage Calculator Mortgage Payoff Calculator Mortgage Points Calculator Mortgage Qualifier Calculator Mortgage Tax Savings Calculator Refinance Break-Even Calculator Refinance Interest Savings Calculator Rent vs. Buy Calculator Required Income Calculator top of page   top of section