Super Smart Real Estate

We recently closed out a Bank Owned property. There were quite a few surprises that we don’t want to catch you off guard. Luckily we have a manager that has done hundreds of these so he guided us through the process. Here’s what we learned:

• What is bank owned property?
• What role does investor play?
• What is mortgage insurance?
• How are bank properties negotiated?
• Why should I pay extra for title insurance?
• Do I pay the escrow fee?
• Can I flip the property (remodel & sell)?
• and more...

Quick Tips from Matthew:

There are some fantastic deals to be had buying repossessed homes aka Bank Owned Property. There is more work on your part to purchase them however, this leaves most buyers running for the hills. You really need to do more diligence up front. Specifically on their purchase contracts. You need to know exactly what terms they are communicating in ALL the fine print. Who pays escrow, TX fees, title fees, and any further restrictions they have. Most buyers are not willing to do this diligence so it leaves you with more leverage to negotiate on the property.

More about Matthew:

Matthew is a licensed Real Estate Agent in Arizona. He works with a team cooperative team of agents to assemble the best real estate solutions possible. These are based off client needs and marketplace conditions. Make sure to give him a call if you are in Southern Arizona. You can reach him at (520) 344-3481 and or checkout his work at KeysToArizona.com

Everybody knows, appliance garages, wooden roosters, and dust bunnies are out. But did you know what’s hip in kitchen design isn’t here to stay either. Learn more about timeless kitchen design with Mia Silverman.

• Looking to upgrade your kitchen and or get more money out of the sale of your home? So many people try to take on kitchen design with no experience and end up working against their goals.
• Discover how to make your kitchen beautiful, efficient and functional.
• What design features does your community call for.
• Learn which design features are here to stay and will make your life easier.
• Tips to dress up your kitchen on a shoestring budget.
• and more.

Avoid popular trends now as likely they will be unpopular in the future. Stick to time tested styles that have stood the ages. You’re kitchen needs to be not only beautiful but efficient and highly functional. A good kitchen has lots of light, and feels open. It’s a place family and friends can work together without tripping over each other.

Checkout Mia’s work on houzz.com/pro/moltenchic/mia-silverman

If you’re around Tucson, contact Mia for kitchen design information Mia Silverman (520) 906-3952 / [email protected]

My cousin called me and asked the question every agent dreds, “How do I sell my home without an Agent.” I continued with a breakdown of how it works...

• Conducting market research to value your home
• What upgrades do you need to sell
• How many days will you be on the market
• Taking professional pictures on a budget
• Creating a tour video
• Drawing your own floor plan
• Where to host your ad
• What is a real estate search engine
• Where to have title work done
• And more...

Quick Tips from Matthew:

It only takes a few weeks of study and a test (at least in Arizona) to become an agent. Really anybody can do it. There are a lot of agents out there that do a minimal service. These agents are typically the ones who also brag about having the most sales as they have little time to do much more. We don’t call them top agents, we call them “minimum service” agents as a result. It’s quite easy to replicate at least the marketing side of the services. This along with a good title company can get you a long ways in the way of selling your own home. A good agent is a different story. They may thousands of hours of experience which you’re not going to be able to replicate selling your home on your own. And hiring a good agent is an investment that pays for itself.

Referenced Materials:

• For Sale by Owner Checklist: what you need to do to get your home listed and on the market without a Real Estate Agent.
• Residential Seller Disclosure Advisory: this is where selling on your own gets VERY tricky. This is only one of MANY disclosures you are REQUIRED by state and or fedral law to use. You have no way to know of which disclosures are needed without proper training. For instance you may also need a lead based paint disclosure, polypipe, airport, affidavit of dislosure recorded, well, septic, HOA, and more.
• Minimum Camera Equipment: if using your cell phone you’ll need this clip HERE. No matter what you need a tripod to take the pictures. This is a lightweight tripod with 3 way head and bubble level HERE that allows you to capture straight lines.
• Advertising: put your ad up on Zillow, Craigslist, and FSBO websites. FSBO offers syndication to other Real Estate Websites and upgraded services. They’re not necessary but can save you some time. Zillow is the most visited website by buyers.

More about Matthew:

Matthew is a licensed Real Estate Agent in Arizona. He works with a team cooperative team of agents to assemble the best real estate solutions possible. These are based off client needs and marketplace conditions. Make sure to give him a call if you are in Southern Arizona. You can reach him at (520) 344-3481 and or checkout his work at KeysToArizona.com

When I was an engineer, I’d interview with people who didn’t know how to do my job. They had no idea how to qualify me for that which they did not know how to do themselves. Interviewing a Realtor has the same challenges. Learn a few questions to get off in the right direction...

• Identify buyer myths
• Be careful of agents who buy homes
• Spot the wolves in sheep’s cloths
• Top agent isn’t what you think it is
• Don’t be dazzled by market place numbers
• How to qualify agents using photos
• Spot a true “Internet Marketing Plan”
• Understand extraneous marketing
• Marketing that sells your home versus sells your agent
• How to spot the narcissist
• Choosing an agent your comfortable with
• What is their feedback system
• Do they ask questions about you?
• and more

Quick Tips from Matthew:

The biggest mistake sellers make is thinking their agent can control the market. Their agent can bring them a cash buyer in the first week, or pull a magic carrot out of their hat and sell home themselves. These are really bait and switch tactics to get you under listing contract with them. When interviewing an agent it’s important to understand that the agent cannot control the marketplace in any way shape or form. They are your LIAISON to the market place. There they guide you to make sure you do the right things and have the best chance to do well selling your home. This takes a solid marketing plan and lots of strategist. So a good agent will be asking you LOTS Of questions and developing a custom plan to get your home sold based off your needs. His tool kit should be well polished. Today most all the tools are on the internet as that is where virtually all the buyers go to find their home.

Referenced Materials:

• Interview check-list: list of questions to interview listing agents with.
• Matthew’s Portfolio: a link to Matthew’s Portfolio at KeysToArizona.com. Compare the pictures and marketing from the agents you interview to what you find on this website.
• Matthew’s Client Questionnaire: a good agent is going to be asking you a lot of questions. This is our minimum list of questions for each listing appointment. It also includes our checklist and prescribed homework we assign each client.

More about Matthew:

Matthew is a licensed Real Estate Agent in Arizona. He works with a team cooperative team of agents to assemble the best real estate solutions possible. These are based off client needs and marketplace conditions. Make sure to give him a call if you are in Southern Arizona. You can reach him at (520) 344-3481 and or checkout his work at KeysToArizona.com

As you sit here quietly reading this article you will realize improving your credit score is easier than you thought...

Improving your credit score may sound like an impossible task especially when you just want to take advantage of the excellent housing market.

You may feel discouraged, even give up prematurely especially if a lender has turned you down for a home loan.

Even if you do qualify for a home loan, a better credit score may help you qualify for a lower monthly payment!

So you ask, “How do I improve my credit and get the home I desire?”

That my friend is an excellent question!

Give me 5 minutes and I will show you how to improve your credit score saving thousands on a home loan in the process – Let me prove it – for FREE

Polishing your credit score is actually quite easy. The hardest part is time. Some of the factors evaluated in your credit score take time to clean themselves up. Here are a few things you can do right now to improve you credit score,

Tip 1: Pay off your credit cards This is probably the biggest immediate impact you can have on your credit score. Carrying a balance on your credit cards reflects very negatively on your credit score. The closer the balance is to the credit card’s maximum the more it tarnishes your credit score. Pick your credit card which is closest to it’s maximum balance. Pay it off then work your way through your cards paying each one off.

Tip 2: Build a clean payment history Choose one of your credit cards, preferably the one with the highest limit, to use for personal expenses. Diligently pay off the entire balance at the end of each month. This creates a record of on-time payments which reflects well on your credit score.

Tip 3: Close extra credit cards Take your credit cards with the most recently missed payments. Call the credit card companies and close them out. This pushes those missed payments further down on your credit report reducing the impact on your credit score. Note: If possible keep 3 credit cards open to avoid completely erasing your payment history. The higher the credit limit the better.

Tip 4: Check your credit report You may be surprised to find unknown creditors; other people’s credit history; identity fraud; blatant typos; and other surprises on your credit report. Such mistakes are quite common so make sure to take advantage of your free anual credit report at, www.annualcreditreport.com

Tip 5: Consult an expert Credit repair services are offered everywhere. The best services are typically offered, for FREE, by lenders. Many of them will sit down with you one on one and explain how to repair your credit. I highly recommend doing this as everybody’s situation is different.

Introducing Ian Brannon, Senior Loan Officer & Home Finance Expert

In the below discussion, Ian Brannon spills all of his best tips about improving credit scores. These tips apply to any credit agency, and any credit score. They work equally well for home loans, car loans, anything that requires a credit check. Plus there are tips that even you can complete with ease. You are going to love it!

Also, leave a comment on this article to let me know your favorite piece of advice from Ian Brannon. Additionally, if you have any interesting stores to share about your difficulties with home loans, tell those too.

Listen to this audio now and learn:

• A foolproof method to improve your credit score in 15 minutes
• What keeps most individuals from having good credit (not time)
• How credit score influences the loan amount you qualify for
• Smart ways to avoid over extending yourself
• The perfect time to apply for a home loan
• How to take control of your credit score for good
• And more

Click here for a printable credit repair checklist

Want to know more about Ian Brannon?

Ian Brannon obtained a degree from Cal Poly in 2002. He went to work for a major bank as one of the top producers in Northern California. After a few years he moved back to Tucson Arizona to continue his career in home finance. He has prided himself in helping thousands of individuals good credit, bad credit and all circumstances to qualify for their dream home. You can reach him at ian.brannon(at)novahomeloans.com or by phone at (520) 618-5636

Note: I highly encourage you to request licensing info for any loan officer you work with. Here are Ian’s Credentials – NMLS 205989 / BK 0902429 / Nova NMLS 3087