Realtor.com/blogs

Have a question concerning real estate but want to remain anonymous when you ask? Then go to http://www.realtor.com/blogs/ask/ and submit your question. You can choose to be notified when your question is answered, and you can assist with the education of other home buyer and sellers. Tweet

Real Estate Headlines for the Last Week in September

Posted by david_marine in Headlines

My neighborhood has already started taking out the ghosts and pumpkins of Halloween. September is on it’s last leg and my favorite month is almost here. (Full disclosure: my birthday is in October) So as autumn arrives in all its color, here are some real estate headlines to start off this last week in September.

KCM Blog wants to remind those that declare the real estate market dead that 13,780 homes sold yesterday and another 13,780 will sell today and tomorrow.

Realty Times thinks that jobs are the key to a true housing recovery.

Looking for the most expensive city for billionaire homes? It’s Hong Kong.

EcoHome Magazine hands out awards for green homes that are also beautifully designed.

And finally, just in time for the Halloween seasons, HGTV Frontdoor has some tips for those looking to sell a haunted house. Tweet

First Time Buyer Resource Center

Coldwell Banker First Time Buyer Resource Center

by jim_gillespie

When I look back on buying my first home, I distinctly remember how complex, rewarding and emotional the entire experience was from start to finish. I’ve been traveling a lot over the summer and everywhere I go, I speak with many first time home buyers and they are filled to the brim with many questions. Are prices going to fall lower? Will I get qualified for a loan? And the added fear and scrutiny of the country’s current economic conditions are rightfully making first- time home buyers more nervous than ever.

We surveyed our network earlier this year and found that 29 percent of our agents and brokers said first-time home buyers’ number one concern is whether they are buying at the right time. And although low prices and high inventory are making it one of the best times to purchase a home in much of the country, another 24 percent said they are most concerned about finding a home they can afford.

We wanted to simplify the process for all of these first-time homebuyers and essentially create a “one-stop-shop” with tools and advice to help them make the move into homeownership. That’s why we’ve launched the First-Time Home Buyers Resource Center. The new section features numerous resources including a mortgage calculator, affordability radar that breaks down monthly payments, videos about selecting a home, moving and even redecorating, as well as articles outlining everything you should know from home inspections to closing costs.

At Coldwell Banker, we pride ourselves on innovation. Sometimes that means developing the first and fastest iPhone app, and other times it is simply offering basic information and resources in one convenient location to help people take that first step to homeownership. However complex buying a home may be, it is sometimes the simplest idea that meets an unmet need. For our first-time home buyers today, we’re proud to do just that.

For those of you currently in the home buying process, or are planning to jump into it in the near or distant future, we wish you the very best. Let us know what you think about the new Resource Center. We hope it helps! Tweet

Information for Families PCSing to Fort Campbell

       This is just a short post to provide you with some websites which may help you coming into Ft. Campbell.
Clarksville/Montgomery County School System
Fort Campbell web site
Fort Campbell Phone Directory
City of Clarksville
Clarksville's News Paper (The Leaf Chronicle)
Clarksville Current Events
Home Search
Rental Search

       I will add more links to this post as they are requested or thought of. Tweet

Military Intelligence is an Oxymoron, Not Military Homeowner

       Many military members today don't think about buying a home because they are never certain exactly how long they will be stationed at that post. But they will give all of their BAH on a house that shares a wall with their neighbor and completely overpay for what the military offers. (Note: this may not apply to the Air Force) A married E-6 at Fort Campbell brings in $1113/month. With current mortgage rates hovering around 4%, that same money will buy a $145,000 house including $200/mo for utilities, which is a little more than average. Crunch the numbers for an E-4 and you are still looking at a $120,000 home, which can still get a lot of home around here. (These assume a VA loan with 0% down)

       With the vast majority of assignments to Ft. Campbell being 4 year assignments, buying a home will be a wise investment and possibly the beginning of a real estate investment career. Holding and renting out homes can serve multiple purposes for the military. First, it can be another way to save for retirement. Even with a 30-year loan, most people can rent easily cover their mortgage when renting. Second, it can serve as a place to live if you ever PCS back to Ft. Campbell. By the way, this will work around any post.

       If you have any questions or comments about any of my posts, please post them here, e-mail me at dhubbard@realtracs.com, or call me at (931)802-0222. Tweet