In the link below are the instructions on how to set up your phone.
First text my code 7R1 to 8778 then follow the instructions per your phone.
http://www.smarteragent.com/resc/docs/DownloadInstructions.PDF
Have fun!
Susann
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Buying First Home Together?
You’ve completed that stroll down the aisle. Honeymoon? Done.
The next big step? Buying your first home together.
Buying a home with your spouse could either simplify or complicate an already tricky process. Consider these tips when buying your first home together:
1. Shop together. Shop often.
When buying your first home, it’s almost impossible to spend too much time window-shopping together. Go on lots of home tours. Pore over new listings. Clip pictures out of magazines. Figure out what you can and can’t live without in your next home.
It’s vital to discuss your preferences often. Try this exercise: Pick a room in your future home and separately make a list of your “must-haves” for that room. Compare your lists and talk about the similarities and differences. Figure out what compromises can be made so that you’ll both be satisfied homebuyers.
Most importantly: Be honest. Don’t hide your true feelings and preferences. If you’ve changed your mind about wanting a huge backyard, say so. Most homebuyers these days stay in their homes for nine years. You want those nine years to be comfortable and enjoyable, right?
2. Consider credit issues for BOTH of you
Your bills are always paid on time. Your credit score soars in the upper echelon. How did you fall in love with someone with bad credit?
All loan borrowers and co-borrowers will be under close credit scrutiny by a lender. Credit scores for both borrowers have to measure up to the 620 minimum. Income, employment and debts for all borrowers will be analyzed.
If your spouse lags far behind you in creditworthiness, you might consider obtaining a loan in your name alone. This action involves some legal consequences that vary from state to state, so make sure to get a real estate attorney’s advice before proceeding.
3. Don’t overspend
Buying your first home with your spouse can be the most thrilling time of your life. You picture dogs rambling in your first backyard and kids pedaling bikes down the driveway.
Somewhere along the line, budgeting tumbles to the bottom of the priority list.
Don’t let a home bankrupt your family. Determine the mortgage payment that you can comfortably make each month and stick to that figure. Keep in mind that as a homeowner, you’re responsible for repairs and maintenance, which can also be costly. Maintain a reserve fund for repairs and keep a few months of mortgage payments stashed away in case of emergency.
4. Have fun!
If you and your spouse are not shopaholics by nature, you may need a little motivation to get your house hunt started. Pack a picnic basket full of goodies to enjoy during a day of house tours. Splurge on a dark chocolate mocha for your next meeting with your agent. Post pictures of your home tours online and ask your friends and family for feedback. Enjoying your time together is key to both a successful relationship and a successful house hunt!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
News at LinkedIN about Housing Crisis End by Krista Franks 1/24/12
Housing Crisis to End in 2012 as Banks Loosen Credit Standards
01/24/2012reasons: loosening credit.
The analytics firm notes the average credit score required to attain a mortgage loan is 700. While this is higher than scores required prior to the crisis, it is constant with requirements one year ago.
Additionally, a Fed Senior Loan Officer Survey found credit requirements in the fourth quarter were consistent with the past three quarters.
However, other market indicators point not just to a stabilization of mortgage lending standards, but also a loosening of credit availability.
Banks are now lending amounts up to 3.5 times borrower earnings. This is up from a low during the crisis of 3.2 times borrower earnings.
Banks are also loosening loan-to-value ratios (LTV), which Capital Economics denotes “the clearest sign yet of an improvement in mortgage credit conditions.”
In contrast to a low of 74 percent reached in mid-2010, banks are now lending at 82 percent LTV.While credit conditions may have loosened slightly, some potential homebuyers are still struggling with credit requirements. In fact, Capital Economics points out that in November 8 percent of contract cancellations were the result of a potential buyer not qualifying for a loan.
Additionally, Capital Economics says “any improvement in credit conditions won’t be significant enough to generation actual house price gains,” and potential ramifications from the euro-zone pose a threat to future credit availability.
Monday, February 6, 2012
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