domingo, 30 de septiembre de 2012
Where can I Volunteer – Katy TX
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Where can I Volunteer – Katy TX
If you are asking yourself the question “Where can I Volunteer” and live in Katy TX there is an excellent set of potential alternatives available right now.
Katy Christian Ministries (KCM) is right now looking for numerous volunteers to work in their organization with a wide variety of programs and duties needing attention.
The programs include actively seeking volunteers for: food drives, clothing drives, furniture & clothing drives, and making cards for clients and soliciting/collecting money for gas cards.
Volunteers have to be at least 13 years old or older and all individuals less than 16 years of age have to be accompanied by an adult.
Volunteers have to prepare an up-to-date Volunteer Information Worksheet ( see KCM). KCM has a minimum dress code which also has to be followed.
Volunteer shifts start at 10 AM and 1 PM and all first timers have to attend.
If this sounds interesting to you contact michelle.john@ktcm.org. If you are not going to work this summer and plan to just hang out at home watching the tube or texting or playing video games seriously think about volunteering. You could make a difference in another person’s life.Now you know the answer to the question "Where can I Volunteer".
Additional information about KCM can be found on their web site or by clicking here.
KCM Administrative office is located at 5011 E. 5 th. Street, Katy TX 77493 and phone is 281-391-5261.
I understand KCM is an outstanding group who provides many needed services to the whole community.
If you have any questions about houses for sale or rent in the Katy TX or
Sugarland TX, Cypress TX or surrounding areas, contact me at:
bobgilbert2003@msn.com or bob@bobgilbert.com
or visit me on my web site at
PRUDENTIAL ANDERSON PROPERTIES
Katy Texas Real Estate Expert
Read my blog at http://bobgilbertblog.com
Habitat for Humanity of WV Recognizes Volunteer Rebecca Gaujot
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Habitat for Humanity of West Virginia is indeed a great organization and if you have been following my blog, you know that I am a big supporter of Habitat. In their quarterly publication, The Habitat Connection, I was selected for the Volunteer Spotlight.
The Habitat Connection is a quarterly publication offering news and information from the 17 local Habitat affiliates in West Virginia. The newsletter is distributed with an effort to bring awareness to the great need for safe, decent, affordable homes and to illustrate the work being done by Habitat affiliates in communities throughout West Virginia.
Volunteer Spotlight: Rebecca Gaujot
Habitat for Humanity of West Virginia is so very pleased to spotlight Rebecca Gaujot as our inaugural spotlight volunteer. Rebecca is a realtor in Lewisburg and is a current and very active volunteer and supporter for Habitat. She is always ready to jump in and help out with anything we have going on around the State. She has given her time and talents to such events as helping to build 2 Women Build homes in White Sulphur Springs, working at HFHWV’s training conference in Morgantown, manning the display booth at the WV State Fair, participating in the 2011 Slam Dunk-Women’s Edition, collecting donations of silent auction and raffle items, and Rebecca continually gives time to promote the work and activity of Habitat through her West Virginia Blog.
Rebecca says, “Being a part of Habitat is such a good feeling and a wonderful way for women and everyone to give back and help someone who really needs it. The perfect way to give back to your community is through volunteering!”
Rebecca’s blog is on events, real estate, and localism for WV, and is listed on Active Rain at activerain.com/blogs/gaujot or at West Virginia Blog.
I was indeed honored to be in The Habitat Connection, and I will continue to support and pay it forward by volunteering for this great organization…… Habitat for Humanity of WV.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry
View all the posts for the Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity’s First Women Build House, 2011
Originally posted at: http://lewisburgwvrealestate4you.com/habitat-for-humanity-volunteer/
Your Real Estate Connection for Lewisburg, WV and the Greenbrier County
 |   If I can assist you in any way with your real estate needs in Lewisburg, WV Greenbrier County or the surrounding areas, please feel free to contact me by phone at (304) 520-2133, email or visit my website at www.lewisburgwvrealestate4you.com
Connect to my social networks.......
All pictures and content are my own unless otherwise noted. Please No Copying without my permission. |
A day of volunteering is a great way to end the year!
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December 30: Today Jon and I volunteered with the Sacramento Salvation Army for the distribution of coats to needy families. There were thousands of coats from infant size to XXX adult – coats for the entire family.
Many of the coats were donated as a result of the Coats for Kids drive promoted by our local abc-tv affiliate, channel 10 news, and the distribution took place from around 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Jon and I were on the noon-4pm shift.
It was wonderful seeing so many families come in for coats. I had to talk some of the adults into looking for coats for themselves – they were concerned only with their children. There wer
e over 25,000 coats donated for this year’s distribution, and there were great styles in all sizes.
All coats were clean and in good condition – not like shopping in a thrift shop where you have to watch out for stains or tears.
Interestingly, I was there just to help people with their coats, but in discussions with other volunteers during lulls in the crowds, I discussed real estate and exchanged business cards with several people. I also met Sharon Ito, one of the reporters from Channel 10 News, who was doing live shots from the event. She and I had several nice conversations during the day.
I guess it turned out to be a networking event as well as an opportunity to volunteer. One gal I met has an interesting business that we might be able to recommend to our clients, and I will be calling her to learn more and perhaps have her give a short presentation to one of our office meetings.
Tomorrow I’ll post some video I took today, after I’ve had an opportunity to edit it.
******************
Susan Neal "Happy clients make me happy."
Broker / Realtor
Century 21 Noel David Realty
Fair Oaks, California
Full time real estate services in Fair Oaks CA, with friendly professionalism, 30+ years experience.
I work hard to give my buyer or seller a low-stress transaction.
For all your real estate needs or questions, call me at (916)705-8951 or visit my website at www.SusanNealFineProperties.com.
HUD homes resource Search HUD Homes
Volunteering Resources For Kids
Volunteering Resources For Kids
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Volunteering in Westchester County is a great way for kids to learn responsibility and the importance of helping others. Here are a few websites to help you and your child get started.
1) VolunteerMatch.org - This site features thousands of searchable volunteer opportunities for kids. They have onsite schedule and management tools as well!2) KidsCare.org - I love the step-by-step guide to various service projects for kids and the abundance of additional resources. 3) TheVolunteerFamily.org - These folks specialize in matching your family with a volunteering opportunity or helps you create a custom, individual opportunity. This site covers the U.S.4) FirstGiving.com - Here you can create an online fundraising page to raise money for any U.S. non-profit.5) PajamaProgram.org - Offers kids ideas on how to help collect new pajamas and books for kids in need. there are also tools available to teachers and parents to help organize fundraisers, etc.Volunteer in Westchester County NYChristopher Pagli
Licensed Associate Broker
Accredited Buyer Representative
GREEN Designated Agent
Legends Realty Group
914.406.9023
914.332.6300 x107
Volunteering Requires ENERGY
Volunteering Requires ENERGY
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Within real estate occupations a nice part of a flexible with your hours position such as this is you can plan in some volunteering to help out in society. But
Volunteering Requires ENERGY.
Pretty much giving energy to a cause, a group, a family, or an individual where they don't have the energy themselves to get something done. I have heard that feed someone you feed them for a day but teach them to fish and you feed them for a lifetime. There is some truth to that, but not always. Sometimes people need your energy NOW. For cleaning, for taking them to the doctor, for cleaning their house, cleaning roadways, taking meals to them, building housing, dog dips, adopt a pet, the list goes on and on. I do not like volunteering for lazy people which I see that too unless I can get them to the participation like cleaning their house. I don't like to judge people but some do take advantage of volunteers that show up.
Beyond whatever you do,
REMEMBER it is your ENERGY you are bringing to the task.
You may not accomplish everything you want to do, or even complete the major project in time or all on your own, but just know WHATEVER ENERGY you bring to what you are volunteering to do
IT ALL MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
Besides frowning on the lazy people recipients out there I don't like the lip service volunteers either. Some can be fund raisers and money donations as well, but I think with like LOVE IN ACTION, people need to get their hands dirty and get INTO a task to help people, not just throw ONLY money at it. In the celebrity world like with Haiti, actor Sean Penn was on the island helping people after the earthquake. I really thought that was great, not just talking about money there for medical supplies and tents but DOING something.
DOING SOMETHING rates high in my book. Whatever it is, at whatever level, give your ENERGY to those in need. It will circle back and really make you feel like you are doing something in the world and ...
when you turn around and look at what you did that day, THAT was one day of your life VERY WELL LIVED!!!
Volunteer Challenge on Facebook
Volunteer Challenge on Facebook
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Over summer a friend of a friend posted a volunteer challenge on Facebook. It took me a while, but I finally matched it. Here is my current status on Facebook
"I will volunteer one hour to charity this year for every "like" I receive on this post. Put me to work with just a click of your mouse. Join me with your own status if you have what it takes to help others. I'll click the first 'like' to get it started."
Head over to my facebook page, www.facebook.com/aaronsilverman2, and create some more volunteer hours. If we are not currently friends on facebook, add me as one and then like my status. Simple as that to help volunteer.
Thanks for your support.
Aaron
Aaron Silverman
S&S Invesments, LLC 
| www.sandspropertyinvestments.com | www.aaronsilverman.com
Pay It Forward Through Volunteering
Pay It Forward Through Volunteering
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I believe that most people are good and generous with a desire to help others in some way. I also believe that a lot of people just don’t know where to find opportunities to direct their energies.
Our local paper, the Sandusky Register, posts a section on ways to volunteer every Sunday's newspaper.
Some of the opportunities include:
*Drivers are needed to transport people to their medical appointments on an as needed basis
*Serve lunch and bus tables in a senior facility
*Help with an afterschool program for children doing homework, playing in the gym or participating in other supervised activities
*Working outside to help many of our non-profit agencies batten down the hatches by cleaning flower beds, raking leaves, winterizing.
* Helping at the local Humane Society
Most churches or museums or theaters also have longs list of things to do as well as your local hospital or nursing home.
The easiest way to get started is to lift your index finger and dial the phone. Come on, you can do it.
Mary M. Kandell
ABR, SFR
Russell Real Estate
6203 Milan Rd. Sandusky, OH 44870
419-239-4140 Cell
sábado, 29 de septiembre de 2012
No One Tells Me What to Do!!! I Only Do It If I Want To.....
No One Tells Me What to Do!!! I Only Do It If I Want To.....
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When we started taking RainCamp around the country in late 2009, I quickly came to realize that no matter how long you stand in front of an audience thirsty for knowledge, there was no way to impart everything we knew about a certain subject. Add that to the fact there were two of us sharing the stage (and sometimes more than two) and it was inevitable that after our 8 hour sessions about online real estate marketing, the folks in the audience always had a ton of questions.
It would usually end up being an hour before Ben and I were able to leave the room because our 8 hours of teaching had brought up as many questions as it had answered. I like to think of that as being indicative of the sheer volume of knowledge available on any of the many subjects we discussed at RainCamp, and not an indictment that Ben and I falied at delivering valuable content. (But maybe I'm just naive, haha)
As RainCamp would progress, and we would traverse the country hitting over 25 cities in the course of the next 18 months, it became very apparent that there was a need in the industry for nuts and bolts training about online marketing in the real estate space. Out of this realization IMSD was born.
What is IMSD you ask? While many of you are probably familar with it, it's the Internet Marketing Specialist Designation. If youa are not familar, it's essentially Ben Kinney's business in a box. Why would you want Ben's business in a box? Because IMSD is the same strategies, scripts, techniques and systems that Ben has used over the last few years to push his business to the point where his team did over 530 transactions in 2011. That was enough to land him on the Wall Street Journal's top 100 agents list for that year. (The list shows his team at 278 deals....but that's just his team in his one Bellingham office. His team actually covers multiple offices but apparently they won't count them all together)
But for anyone paying attention, we all know that online marketing in the real estate space moves pretty fast. What worked yesterday may not be what's working today. And so in the last few months we've been going back and revamping the original IMSD class and we're excited to announce Geeky 2.0.
The new IMSD Geeky 2.0 curriculum is broken up into three parts, social, search and system. In each section there are a series of live and on-demand webinars, homework assignments, and downloadable resources, that will show you how to implement your own online marketing systems on a tiny budget. This isn't theory! It's proven systems that agents around the country are implementing with great success. Of course Ben is using this stuff in his business currently and his team will probably close over 500 deals again in 2012 (if they don't, I know Ben will be pretty disappointed and I will be making him the butt of all my recession jokes in 2013.....yes, I have jokes on file for different subjects)
It's not very often that I write a commercial like this in my blog. Normally I'm sharing some random thoughts with you or talking about some upcoming webinar we are hosting or even giving a tutorial on some cool new feature on ActiveRain. But with the launch of IMSD Geeky 2.0 taking place on October 2nd, the guys at IMSD asked if I would consider writing something in my blog about Geeky 2.0. The only reason I agreed is because if you look at the post on their fan page or you take a look at their testimonials you will see that real people are having real success implementing IMSD's plan in their business.
And for me, the crux of ActiveRain has always been sharing what's working with each other. Sure, we get to rank well in the serach engines, we make some awesome friends, we get to have a place to vent with people that understand where we are coming from........but the real power of ActiveRain in my opinion is having thousands of your peers willing to share what's working for them. To that end, I'm just passing along the message.
If you sign up before the launch on October 2nd you can get started for only $99. (The full price is $399 but you don't have to pay the rest until later.) I have no question you'll recover your entire investment ten times over if you just put a little effort into it. There are folks out there that will swear this has transformed their entire business. If you put a lot of effort into implementing this plan......it could transform your business as well in 2013.
(in the spirit of full disclosure, ActiveRain and IMSD are both owned by Market Leader. But, as the title suggests, no one tells me what to do around here. I only post something in this blog if I want to.........yep, that's right!)
Friends, followers, and connections are the way of the future.
How does NAR define what constitutes member benefits?
How does NAR define what constitutes member benefits?
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Every REALTOR pays dues to NAR as well as their state and local associations. These dues pay for a long list of services, the most important of which are the marketing and political affairs efforts. Along with those are a bunch of "member benefits". Several of these, particularly digital signature software and forms software, are duplicated by redundant similar benefits offered by the state and local associations. Are we spending money duplicating efforts?
If I pay dues to an organization, I'd like that money used for something that's actually useful. Even more important, I'd like my state and local associations NOT to duplicate the effort of the national organization. Find the best solution and work with it. Of course, what constitutes the best solution varies. What I think is the best software may not be to someone else. Regardless, I'd like to see my dues used more efficiently.
Do we need to look at what NAR and our associations spend money on to get deliver real "member benefits"?
How does NAR define what becomes a member benefit? Are the ones they offer worth it?
What I'm getting at is that it would be nice to see our dues used more effectively with better coordination between state and local boards. If you're working with your local and/or state association, perhaps you can try to work out benefits with less overlap.
If you have enjoyed reading my blog, please subscribe HERE!
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Bryan Robertson, Broker Associate | T: 650.799.9951 | Email: bryan@serenogroup.com | Website: http://www.BryanRobertsonHomes.com |CA License: 01191946 | Sereno Group - Los Altos branch | 369 S. San Antonio Road | Los Altos, CA 94022
Find Me Online!
Wait, you gave me $150,000 too much!
Wait, you gave me $150,000 too much!
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What do you do when the cashier hands you back too much change? Do you hand it back as soon as you realize the mistake? When the cashier doesn't scan the most expensive item, or what should have been $50 rang up as $5, do you do the happy dance or do you go to the customer service desk and fork over $45?
- Did I pay off the mortgage? I really don't remember...
- Did my dear friend Andrea win the lottery and pay off my mortgage for me?
- Did my kids get together and reward me for being the best mother in the world?
- Did my boss decided this was the best way to reward me for all the crap I go through at work?
No, no, no and no.
So she did the right thing, she called Citi. And I might add, if you have paid off your mortgage and want to speak with a representative at Citi, they pick the phone up right away. You don't get shipped off to some outsourced customer service rep in some far away land. You don't listen to advertising and bad elevator music while you wait and wait and wait. Nope, you get right through, you are on some call center A list. Just thought you might like to know that. The customer service rep had a hard time with the call. "Are you sure you didn't sell your house?" I personally thought that was a great question, and my friend was very sure she hadn't sold her house. After realizing that she hadn't paid off her mortgage after all, the CS rep hit the hold button and it was a long, long time before the rep came back on the phone.
Their solution was an easy one, and one without any accountability. OK, all set, we reactivated your mortgage and initiated an investigation, thank you for calling Citi. My friend asked if she would be getting a phone call back after the investigation was finished, and the answer was a short, curt "NO". She was told she would get a letter.... later.... I know her, that phone will be ringing to Citi on a daily basis until they explain what happened. I did warn her to also make sure that the balance they reactivated was the correct amount. Just to be on the safe side.It does make one wonder how it happened. Sure, a wire transfer with the wrong account number on it might have had something to do with it. Some poor slob who did sell their home didn't get their mortgage paid off after the sale. But the odds of someone putting the wrong account number for a wire transfer and matching the exact same payoff amount as her mortgage... now what are the odds of that? It is a bit mind boggling. Or do you think the mistake goes deeper than that. Do you think the attorney or settlement company gave her information (erroneously of course) for a payoff request, and there will be hell to pay when this unravels later on for the person who really sold their house? So, when the cashier undercharges you or hands you back too much change.... what do you do?
Prudential Connecticut Realty, New Milford & Litchfield, CT
© Swiedler, Pomerantz & Adams, 2009 - 2012
Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain
Professionally Designing Your Own Mortgage/Realtor Flyers
Professionally Designing Your Own Mortgage/Realtor Flyers
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The realtor flyer below “clumps” all of the information into one long paragraph. To avoid reader confusion, information should only be in close proximity to other related information. This flyer does not communicate effectively the unique value propositions of this property.
Lets look at a flyer that organizes information with better proximity and alignment. This professionally designed flyer groups related items together so that the elements could be viewed together as cohesive units.
Design Observations
The first flyer used 12 point font on everything. You don’t have to stick to a 12 point font. The professionally designed flyer has a variety of font sizes.
Realtors tend to make flyers with graphics and text arbitrarily placed everywhere. Every element should have a visual connection with other elements on the page. In professionally designed flyers, you will be normally able to draw lines to the aligned objects. In addition, whitespace can be a beautiful thing.
In the first flyer, the realtor mostly used center-alignment. Professionally designed flyers will use left- and right-alignment. No more center-alignment!
The professionally designed repeat certain design elements throughout the flyer, including the size and weight of the headline titles, the bullet points, the format of the pictures and their descriptions, and spatial relationships. Unify your marketing piece through repetition. The repetition does not have to repeat exactly the same thing, and it should never be annoying or overwhelming.
Finally, the professional designed flyer contains strong contrasts such as the color contrasts. If you’re going to create contrasts, make sure you make them distinctively different. This flyer effectively contrasts oldstyle fonts with bold sans serif fonts, cool colors with warm color, large type with small type, big pictures with small pictures, and vertical lines with horizontal lines.
The purpose of Mazemob is to empower real estate professionals with marketing tools that actually produce more closed transactions. We will focus on social media and video marketing as the means for doing this. For more information, email info@mazemob.com.
viernes, 28 de septiembre de 2012
What is the right price? The price has to be sold several times
What is the right price? The price has to be sold several times
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The right for a house is hard to come by these days. The price has to be sold a few different times:
-To the homesller. The home seller has to determine what they think they can realistically get from their property within a timely manner. The seller has to feel they are getting enough money for them to move on to intise them to even put their home on the market. If they don't feel they can, they will either postpone their move or try to rent out their home.
-The listing agent: When I list a house, I want to make sure the house can sell, not only so I can help my clients move on with their life. A home will not sell if the house if the home is marketed at a value above market value. I invest considerable time and money making my listings, and if the price the homeowner wants to set the price to high, I have to make a decision whether it is worth it for me to even take the listing. I have turned away listing opportunities when the seller just wants or needs considerbly more than what the market will dictate.
-Buyer's Agents: When the house hits the market, buyer's agents will see the house the mls. They will look at the pictures and information, and they will form their own opinion quickly if the house is priced right or not. If it is priced right, they will contact their clients to inform them on the new listing. Also, if the buyer's are interested, they will search for comparable sales to see if the home is priced right.
-Buyer's: They are owns that determine how much the house is worth. They look at comparable sales and maybe adjust for things, if there are no similiar sales. If they feel the house is too high, they might not even look at the house or after looking at the house, keep an eye on it to see if the price would come down. They often deduct any repairs or upgrades they feel the house needs from the asking price if they make an offer. If you don't offer enough money, the sellers might not even counter office.
-Appraiser: If we come to any agreement on the purchase price, terms and conditions, the house passes building, then the appraiser is sent out to determine what the house is worth for bank, for buyers requiring a mortgage. Sometimes cash buyers put a contigency of having the house appraise as part of their offer. The appraiser measures the home, takes pictures, observes any updates and special features and notes any obvious safety issues. They go down to town hall to see what is in the file. They then pull their own sales, note any market conditions or any issues that could have an effect on the market value of the subject property and make adjustments. They then take all of this information and come with a dollar value. If the price is lower than the sales price that is agreed upon, often times buyers will try to renegoiate the price down to the apprasied value.
Think long and hard about pricing your home. If you go to high, you will miss the market. I have never seen sellers price their home too low for the market, unless their home needs substainally renovation and the sellers are extermly motivated.
| Jonathan Hall, Realtor Serving Greater Danbury
|
& Candlewood LakeThis information is provided by Jonathan Hall,Realtor with William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty in the Greater Danbury & Candlewood Region of CT. For additional information, please call him at 203-417-0523,203-796-7700X305 or email me at Jonathan.Hall@SothebysRealty.Com . Unless indicated, all content is the property of Jonathan Hall. If you would like to use any of this information, please contact me for permission. He is a licensed CT Salesperson License #RES.0783448 with William Pitt Real Estate LLC License # REB.0751698
Show Interest In Others Before Expecting Them To Show Interest In You. A Lesson Learned.
Show Interest In Others Before Expecting Them To Show Interest In You. A Lesson Learned.
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I'm taking a six week course about the power of connection. Ruoff Home Mortgage here in Fort Wayne is putting on the class for about 12 Realtors and 6 of their own loan officers.
I am normally not a big fan of these types of things, but I got the invite and said "What the heck!" I'm glad I did.
The first class was yesterday and I already got schooled on something.
I talk too much.
By doing a few exercises about initial engagement, I realized that I am quick to dominate a conversation. I'm friendly, have a firm handshake, I look people the eye when I first meet them... and then away I go!!
It was a humbling and eye opening meeting for me.
Guess what my intention is this week? It's showing interest in others before expecting them to show interest in me. :)
The Christiansen Team. Real People. Real solutions.
They didn't help us a find a house. They helped us find the RIGHT house. Kerry & Alice
They assured us that they could sell our home quickly. Then they did. Chris & Audrey
They listened to ME. They made it about ME. I love them! LaToya
I was scared that I wouldn't find the right home. With their help, I did! Patti
They didn't EVER try to upsell us or push us into anything. They were patient. Meg & Robert
They treated us like millon dollar clients, even though we weren't! Shawn & Kevin
What Closing Costs Can I Expect When Buying or Selling a Home?
What Closing Costs Can I Expect When Buying or Selling a Home?
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The stakes in real estate transactions are high – and often fraught with emotion for people who may well be engaging in the biggest purchase or sale of their lives. Furthermore, it takes a lot of different people working together to make a home purchase or other real estate transaction happen. The buyer and seller are just the beneficiaries of a tremendous amount of effort that takes place on the part of lenders, real estate agents, escrow representatives, property and title insurance agents, county registrars and local property tax officials – and no one in these agencies can work for free.
The good news is that if you are a buyer, you shouldn’t be blindsided by any significant unexpected costs: Federal laws require lenders to provide their customers with a good faith estimate, or GFE, of your closing costs, within three days of your loan application. All your expected closing costs are delineated in this document, though some of them can vary by as much as 10 percent when you get to the closing table.
It is important to compare the GFE with any HUD-1 forms you receive in the mail during the escrow process. You may receive more than one as the loan progresses. It’s important to read each one and compare the figures to those on the GFE. The information on page 3 of the HUD-1, located at the bottom of the second chart, will show you the difference between the figures on the two documents and outline which costs can’t increase and which ones can’t increase by more than 10 percent. You may be entitled to a refund if the lender miscalculated or failed to disclose certain items. Point out any discrepancies to your lender or your real estate agent.
Closing Costs When Buying a Home
As a buyer, using a conventional loan, you can expect to pay the following fees at closing:
- Origination Fees – This is a fee you pay to your lender for securing the capital for you. However, in some cases, the origination fee can be wrapped into the balance of the loan.
- Points – These are essentially fees you pay to “buy down” to a lower interest rate. For example, your lender may give you an option of a loan at 5 percent with no points, or a loan at 4 percent with a payment of 1 percent of the mortgage value at closing. Each “point” is 1 percent of the loan amount.
- Credit Check Fee – Self-explanatory. The lender has to pay a fee to run your credit report. They pass this fee on to you.
- Appraisal Fees – These are fees for an independent appraisal of the property’s value to the lender.
- Lender’s Attorney’s Fee – Yeah, this is kind of the lender’s problem, not yours. Consider objecting.
- Title Services and Lender’s Title Insurance – Title insurance provides coverage in case the seller does not own the title free and clear, and someone else comes to claim an interest in the property at some later date. This fee pays for a title search as well as a premium to compensate the lender in the event the title is in question.
- Owner’s Title Insurance – This insurance protects you, as opposed to the lender. If the seller does not have clear title to sell, and another claimant emerges with a legitimate interest in the property, title insurance ensures that you will be financially made whole.
- Property Inspection Fees – At a minimum, you should have a home inspection and a wood-destroying pest inspection done. Additionally, you may want to get a water inspection, a septic inspection, or a radon inspection, depending on the property.
- Transfer Taxes – These are fees your municipal or state government may tack on for the effort required to update property records, search for outstanding liens on the property, and issue a new title. This tax is based on the sale price of the home.
- Escrow Deposit – You will need to come up with money to give to the escrow company to pay for recurring charges on your property, including property tax and insurance.
- Homeowners Insurance – You will need to obtain homeowners insurance coverage on the property prior to closing. Consider getting it in place about two weeks prior to closing.
As a buyer, you shouldn’t normally be required to pay any real estate agent or broker fees. For residential transactions, unless the buyer specifically requests a buyer’s agent rather than a traditional real estate agent, the agent is always paid by the seller.
Shared Closing Costs
The buyer and seller each share the prorated property taxes, as well as prorated property insurance costs, which are calculated based on the date the change of title is stamped and recorded. The date of recordation is not necessarily the same as the closing date. The seller will pay property taxes up through the date of recordation, and the escrow company will pay the remainder out of your escrow deposit.
Closing Costs When Selling a Home
For sellers, the transaction is simpler, but no less expensive: The seller typically pays real estate commissions for both the listing agent and the buyer-side agent. Some sellers bypass the real estate agent, however, offering their homes for sale directly – “For Sale Buy Owner,” or FSBO - and potentially save tens of thousands of dollars in closing costs. The downside: It could take awhile to sell the house, unless you have a buyer in mind already.
As a seller, you can also expect to pay your last prorated utility, water and trash pickup bills.
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may also get tagged for transfer or stamp taxes at the municipal, county or state level. Your real estate agent should be able to give you a full breakdown on fees and taxes required of you for your particular locale.
In sum, no matter which side of the transaction you’re on, expect to bring some additional cash to the closing table. The total amount that buyers and sellers pay can vary widely depending on origination fees, commissions, local taxes, and other factors. For more detailed information, you can read the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Guide to Settlement Costs.
The Answer is Always No Unless You Ask, Richmond VA Real Estate
The Answer is Always No Unless You Ask, Richmond VA Real Estate
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The Answer is Always No Unless You Ask
Want a discount on that cute sweater at the mall? Want a free accessory with your new phone? Want substantial savings on your Richmond VA new construction home? Well, then let me share an amazing tip for you to have a 50/50 chance of getting what you want: ASK!
So many people are afraid to ask for what they want in life. It took me a long time to learn this, but once I did, it changed my life...and those of my clients.
In the past two days I saved one Richmond VA home buyer $12,000 on a new construction house even though the incentive wasn't being offered. I saved another client an additional $3,500 on top of their $9,000 incentive with their selected home builder. I saved these two clients a total of $24,500 in under 48 hours all by simply asking.
The key to asking for something is believing that you deserve it. That you are worthy of it. Once you truly accept this, it becomes natural to ask for what you want.
Let me propose a question. What is the worst thing that can happen if you ask for something and you don't get it? They say no? OK, they said no. But, what is the BEST thing that can happen? That's right, you get exactly what you want or at the very least maybe a variation of it. No matter what, the truth remains: The answer is ALWAYS no unless you ask!
Searching for a Richmond VA Realtor who isn't afraid to be an advocate for you and ASK on your behalf? Contact me, Shannon Milligan at Keller Williams Realty Richmond West, today!
Shannon Milligan
Keller Williams Realty Richmond West
6600 West Broad Street, SUite 150, Richmond, VA 23230
804-248-8207 (cell), 804-282-5901 (office)
Don't Fall Prey To Artificial Time Lines
Don't Fall Prey To Artificial Time Lines
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Have you ever been affected by an artificial time line? Yes...let me answer this question for you. Of course you have, we all have. In our personal lives, it is often occasioned by the fear of being judged...or actually being judged.
I was reminded of this when I was "caught" talking to a MAN (imagine that) I didn't know. A friend took me out to listen to some music. Merry Widow? Too soon? Disrespectful? I think not! I didn't take him home...sheesh!
In business, it can actually harm your client, and your pocketbook. I had a closing today which brought this point home to me in a very big way. I know this is NOT typical...and is almost miracle, but it happened. I learned a lesson.
Last Monday I got an email from a prospect in my database about a home. We ran out to see it and she wanted to write an offer. It was a bank-owned property and vacant. She wanted to close in 2 weeks.
Ok...maybe! Will this be all cash?
Then she handed me a prequal letter. Ok...slow down. "There is no way you can close with financing in 2 weeks." I very confidently assured her that she had no shot. Since we closed today....I was wrong. In fact, we not only closed (yes, the lender was Batman) but we closed a day before we had thought and the REO bank gave her some extra concessions because she was closing before the end of the month.
Her lender was a small boutique bank. They handled everything quickly and efficiently and we closed. Saturday, she is heading out of town and out of touch. Headed to the outback to work with natives for 1 month. Had we not had loan documents before she left....we would not have closed at all, or at least not until she resurfaced. I wrote the offer to have a 45 day close, because there was no way we could get it done.
I was wrong!
I learned not to rely just on the "set in stone" rules. Certainly this is not normal. We all know this. But in my own personal journey, I've learned not to judge based on timetables. In this case? It paid off for my client.
Karen Fiddler
Broker/Associate
The Fiddler Realty Team/eVantage Real Estate
Lic # 01494165
www.SearchForOrangeCountyHomes.com
Serving all of Orange County, California Real Estate!
Buyer's Agents, Listing Agents, Short Sales, REOs, Equity Sales, Investors
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