Tips For First Time Home Buyers

Tips For First Time Home Buyers

By Veronica Cabrera

April, 23 2012

           Buying your first home is a difficult decision to make. Here are some questions that may concern you;

• What if I can't afford it?
• What if I don't qualify?
• What if I lose my  job?
• How much money do I have to make?
• How much credit do I need to have?
• How much for a down payment?
• What will my payment be?

Having a professional realtor to walk you through the process makes it a much easier and exciting experience.

You don't have to worry so much! The lender will verify your income and expenses and will run your credit to find out whether you qualify or not. As long as you have verifiable income and a decent credit, most likely you will be able to qualify for something. The lender will also take in consideration your expenses.

After you are pre-approved, I will help you find a property within the price range the lender approved for you. Buyers can visit my website www.veronicasreohomes.com to pre-view any properties that are for sale on the market.

You can learn everything you need to know in the following link from Realtors.com

http://www.realtor.com/home-finance/buyers-basics/home-buyers-basics.aspx

Take advantage of the the excellent opportunity of purchasing a piece of real estate

especially now that prices and interest rates are historically low.

Veronica Cabrera, Realtor

Realty ONE Group

Huntington Beach, Riverside, San Bernardino, CA

veronicasreohomes.com

veronicacabrerarealtor@gmail.com

(714) 809-6521

R.E. Lic. #0143140

ABC NEWS, Crimes Committed Against Realtors / Some Safety Tips

Safety Tips for Realtors

by Veronica Cabrera

April, 22 2012

Video shows some self-defense techniques

"Thank you instructor Luis for the lesson"

          We ,as realtors, have to be exposed out there for different reasons. Sometimes, we are doing open houses; other times, we are showing houses, or simply prospecting for more business. We have to be aware of danger and take some precautions.

           ABC NEWS Announced several crimes committed to Realtors during their job routine.

Please click the link below to view the article and video.

Some safety tips for realtors from  Stewart Title Guaranty Company online article are:

Know with whom you are dealing.

Live by the three Ws: Tell someone Whom you are with, Where you are going, and When you will return.

Always keep your cell phone with you.

Trust your instincts.

Have a pre-arranged distress signal.

Always let the client lead the way.

             ** For more tips visit their website by clicking the link below

http://www.stewart.com/real-estate-professional/real-estate-agent-safety-tips

6 Crimes Committed Against Real Estate Agents and How to Stay Safe

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/dangers-real-estate-criminals-witnesses-safety-expert-keeping/story?id=13375723

 

Veronica Cabrera, Realtor

Realty ONE Group

Huntington Beach, Riverside, San Bernardino, CA

veronicasreohomes.com

veronicacabrerarealtor@gmail.com

(714) 809-6521

R.E. Lic. #0143140

Am I Still Alive or Am I a Ghost Trying To Sell Real Estate?

What If I Haven't Realized That I am NOT Real Anymore?

By, Veronica Cabrera

April, 21 2012

          Today, while I was driving to Victorville, I felt the pain of my body as consequence of the symptoms of a sore throat, excessive work out and as consequence of the very few hours of rest. I took a photo, because I had to analyze that moment.

            Once the photo was taken, I saw that no back-ground was captured then I started to think.

 What if I am dead now and I haven't realized it? What if I am a ghost thinking that I am alive and I have to do my job?

          Have you had that feeling before? It happened to Patrick Swayze in the movie "Ghost" that he performed in(1990) with Demi Moore. Same thing happened to Bruce Willis in the movie "sixth sense." (1999)

     If you are interested on reading more about ghosts, click the link below

http://www.theinsidegeek.com/2011/09/are-ghosts-real-a-quantum-science-explanation/

 

           

Honestly, after preparing this blog,  I don't think that I am dead because a ghost would not have been able to write this! And proof of it is that you are reading it!

Veronica Cabrera, Realtor

Realty ONE Group

Huntington Beach, Riverside, San Bernardino, CA

veronicasreohomes.com

veronicacabrerarealtor@gmail.com

(714) 809-6521

R.E. Lic. #0143140

Thinking Like a Real Realtor

Once We Became Real Realtors, We Can't Stop Acting as Such!

By Veronica Cabrera

April, 20 2012

          We, realtors, have to be thinking about real estate all the time to be able to succed in the business.
The cartoon is funny but very true!
I have to show houses to four different buyers tomorrow, plus qualify a new potential buyer.

    - My first appointments (Martin) is at 9:00 A. M. I have two condominiums to show to this specific buyer.

     -My second appointment ( Sr Jesus) is at 12:00 P.M. I will show one town home in Fullerton t

     -My third one (Sra Maria) I will be showing, At 1:00 P.M., in Anaheim  a Town-home,

     -My fourth buyer, ( Priciliano) who is in Victor ville; We are meeting at 3:00 P.M.
       ( We are inspecting the property he is buying

      - And last but not least, I will pick up the paperwork of my  fifth buyer at 4:00 P.M there in Victor Ville.
       ( He needs to be pre-qualified)

I don't even want to mention that I will be meeting one of my sellers at 5:30 to put a lock box on his property!

In conclusion, with a schedule like that, it is easy to understand the cartoon!

Veronica Cabrera, Realtor

Realty ONE Group

Huntington Beach, Riverside, San Bernardino, CA

veronicasreohomes.com

veronicacabrerarealtor@gmail.com

(714) 809-6521

R.E. Lic. #0143140

Pricing Our Short Sales Correctly

Important Tip to Consider when Listing a Short Sale

by Veronica Cabrera

April, 19 2012

           Short-sales are complicated, yet the majority of the transactions on the current market are Short-sales.

Buyers are expecting to get a better deal when they consider a property that is in Short-sale, and it make senses!

In a Short-sale purchase, neither the lender nor the homeowner will make any repairs or maintenance on the property for the buyer.

The Buyer will have to waive any termite repairs and home warranties.

In many cases the property is abandoned, or in very poor condition due to the lack of the owner's motivation to sell.

Yet we, as Realtors, are asked to sell it at the highest value possible. Although, selling a property on Short-sale is more of a challenge. As an expert agent you have the responsibility to manage the situation and proceed in a way that everybody is satified at the transactions conclusion. Owners have to sell it and buyers need a good deal.

Lenders try to liquidate the investment and realtors have to do the job right to make it happen.

Veronica Cabrera, Realtor

Realty ONE Group

Huntington Beach, Riverside, San Bernardino, CA

veronicasreohomes.com

veronicacabrerarealtor@gmail.com

(714) 809-6521

R.E. Lic. #0143140

A Presentable Property Will Sell Faster

A Presentable Property Will Sell Faster

By Veronica Cabrera

April, 18 2012

          Standard Sales' owners would like to sell their properties for the maximum amount; therefore it is important to have the house in the best condition possible before showing it to potential buyers. Now in days, with the amount of short sales and foreclosures, it is not easy to find good properties available for our buyers. As consequence, we have hard time finding the dream property for them. I am providing some tips  (taken from my CMA report) for homeowners to consider at the time of listing the house for sale.

Preparing Your Home

Exterior

 -House number should be easy to read

 -Lights on timers to ensure house is lit up after sunset

 -Eaves, troughs, and down spouts in good repair

 -Garage/car-port clean and tidy

 -Litter picked up

 -Cracked or broken window panes replaced

 -Doorbell and door hardware in good repair

 -Touch up trim paint on doors, window frames, fascia, etc

 -Mow, edge and weed the lawn frequently until the home is sold

 -Overgrown shrubbery should be cut back to show as much of the exterior as possible

 -A low-cost investment in seasonal flowers or ground cover will add a personal touch

 -Inspect the roof for necessary repairs and any visible broken shingles or tiles

 -Stucco water stains can be repaired using a mild bleaching agent

 -Fences should be mended and painted

 -Wash all windows inside and outside

Interior

 -Lights should be on and drapes should be left open during daylight

 -Heat set at a comfortable temperature

 -Fresh flowers/plants in various rooms

 -Chipped plaster and paint touched up and repaired

 -Doors and cupboards properly closed

- Leaky taps and toilets repaired

 -Burned out light bulbs replaced

 -Squeaky doors oiled

 -Mirrors, fixtures, and taps cleaned and polished

 -Seals around tubs and basins in good repair

 -Floors cleaned, garbage containers emptied

 -Inside of closets and cupboards neat and tidy

 -Valuable property, out of reach, out of sight, or locked away

 -Pets absent, where possible, or contained during showings.

 -All torn screens should be repaired or replaced

 -Avoid repainting the entire house unless current colors are very loud or offbeat

 -White or light pastels are the easiest to work with and they make your rooms look   larger

-Fireplace lit in cooler weather

 -Air conditioner turned on in warm weather

 -Countertops neat and polished

 -Appliances cleaned

 -Inside of closets and cupboards neat and tidy

Sellers, You take care of the property .. and .. I will take care of the sale!

Veronica Cabrera, Realtor

Realty ONE Group

Huntington Beach, Riverside, San Bernardino, CA

veronicasreohomes.com

veronicacabrerarealtor@gmail.com

(714) 809-6521

R.E. Lic. #0143140

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Short Sale is a Good Option

Short Sale is a Good Option

By, Veronica Cabrera

April, 17 2012

          A lot of homeowners are still having difficulties with the payments on their home.

Some people lost their jobs while others, had their mortgage payments changed and they just can not afford the payment anymore. Whatever the reasons are, something has to be done about it.

People in distress have a few different options:

1. Continue to pay (Usually, They can't afford it anymore)
2. Sell it (A short sale is the only way to sell it when upside down)
3. Return it to the bank (not always advisable, banks don't like the deed in lieus much)
4. Walk away (not the best option, banks try everything possible to avoid foreclosure)

It is obvious that keeping the house is not an option when homeowners are having problems with the mortgage payments.

Selling the property is possible with the help of a professional realtor 

who knows how to handle it. It is never guaranteed, but it can be done.

Now a days, it is much easier to do a short sale than it was in 2007, 2008 and 2009, when the market crashed.

The banks want people to do a short sale instead of letting the property go into foreclosure!

Homeowners should consider a short sale for the following reasons:

• The lender will forgive the difference between the sale's pay off and mortgage balance.
• Homeowners will not pay any money out their pocket to do the short sale.
• Property will sell "as is" condition. Seller will not have to worry about repairs.
• If the homeowner is on time with the mortgage payment, bank will still allow a short sale.

               (In these cases, sellers conserve their good credit.)

•  If the homeowner qualifies, the bank will help the homeowner with moving expenses (HAFA program).
• The homeowner will be able to stay in the property until the close of escrow.
• If the homeowner is behind on the payments, bank will still help with the short sale,
  and will forgive the past due payments, charges and any other expenses.
• Homeowner can start fresh again. (released of that debt)
• Homeowner will walk with pride. No foreclosure or eviction will be executed.

**In the attached link, you will be able to find more information about short sales.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-17/short-sales-surpass-foreclosures-as-banks-agree-to-deals.html

Veronica Cabrera, Realtor

Realty ONE Group

Huntington Beach, Riverside, San Bernardino, CA

veronicasreohomes.com

veronicacabrerarealtor@gmail.com

(714) 809-6521

R.E. Lic. #0143140