Now is the time when people really start to talk about these things in earnest, so here is the thing: if you’re thinking about buying a house, it’s a great time to buy! … But if you’re thinking about buying in the Spring: – now is the time to start researching. – Drive through neighborhoods, see how they’re decorated if that interests you or if it disinterests you. It’s good to know what you might be getting yourself into. – Start scouting things out, ask questions, search for homes and find a realtor (I am one) and start looking for vacant houses so you have a feel for what you’re going to see come Spring when houses come on the market. – Prices now are starting to moderate even more. … Start interviewing buyers agents , ask questions, because when you’re talking about interviewing buyers agents , you’re really talking about spending a lot of time with somebody who is hopefully going to be someone you like, trust, and is a professional who is experienced.
Date Archives December 2009
Changes coming to FHA loans
“We want to ensure that we are able to continue to support the housing market in the short term and provide access to homeownership over the long-term, while minimizing the risk to the American taxpayer,” Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan told a congressional committee in written testimony.
…The FHA charges an upfront insurance premium of 1.75% of the total cost of the mortgage which most borrowers can roll into their loan, and then they pay additional annual premiums of either 0.5% or 0.55%, depending on their down payment. … The FHA says that it will limit the amount of money that sellers can provide for closing costs on home sales to 3% of the home price, from the current level of 6%.
…One close observer of the mortgage channel, who we hope to interview soon in The IRA, says that given the recent deterioration of mortgage credit, it is impossible that BAC has not gotten its pari passu portion of the losses which are hitting the FHA.
Twitter Week in Review
0930 appointment to show houses in Charlottesville means this doesn't quite feel like Sunday morning # RT @Scobleizer: Tremendous rant by Fake Steve Jobs on the ATT's whining and what's wrong with the USA http://bit.ly/8UGBlX…
Please Buy my Client’s Car – They Don’t Need it Anymore
Which is awesome, and very green. 🙂 is living and working downtown, so no need for a second car – someone buy it! http://bit.ly/8DhpH6 That they’re living in the City and are able (and willing – that’s part of it, too!) … Incidentally, the current issue of National Association of Realtors’ On Common Ground (not yet online) is all about walkability, transit, smart ( read: intelligent, not the bastardized/politicized “smart” ) growth featuring Walkscore and a few quotes from yours truly.
…Search for homes in Crozet with high Walkscores . (coincidentally, I house I’m marketing comes up first … and the Walkscore is in reality much higher due to some missing restaurants and coffee shops in Crozet)
Christmas Lights in Charlottesville
If you’re looking for Christmas lights in the Charlottesville area, start here … I’m hoping the ones in Crozet/White Hall are back this year after they took last year off due to illness. If you have a google login, you can edit the map, add new light installations … View Charlottesville Christmas Lights in a larger map Thanks to @DailyProgress
Stuff A Truck – Help the Blue Ridge Food Bank in Charlottesville Albemarle
(December 9, 2009) – Giant Food is hosting the inaugural Charlottesville Stuff-A-Truck food drive on Friday, December 11 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. to help alleviate hunger in the Blue Ridge region this holiday season. … Giant Food Store Giant Food Store Rivanna Ridge Seminole Square 1900 Abbey Road 220 Zan Road Charlottesville, VA 22911 Charlottesville, VA 22901 Founded in 1981, the Food Bank’s mission is to reduce hunger through programs and partnerships which efficiently obtain and distribute nutritious food to people in need in 25 counties and nine cities in northern and central Virginia. … We are excited to partner with the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to host the first annual Charlottesville Stuff-A-Truck and encourage every member of the community to participate,†said Robin Michel, president of Giant Food of Landover, Md. … The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank serves more than 25,000 people per month and this inaugural Stuff-A-Truck will provide even more to those in need this holiday season.
Prepping to Sell a House in Charlottesville
It’s Winter, the first week of December here in Charlottesville and I’m starting to get the e-mails and the queries from people who are thinking about putting their houses on the market in Spring. Now, in my mind, the Spring real estate market really starts now and ramps up late January, early February and March is high time in the Charlottesville area match day when the medical residents find out where they’re going to be. It is a huge component of our market. Now is the time to start thinking about it. – Start looking at what your mortgage payoff may be. – Start looking at the projects that you’ve meant to do for the last few years that if you’re going to be selling your house in the Spring really need to be done. – Houses need to be in the closest state of perfection as possible in this market because it’s going to become super competitive come Spring. So if you’re thinking about putting your house on the market in the Spring, start looking at how realtors are marketing homes. … But really it’s a time when you need good, sound, professional advice to help you develop a pricing strategy and a project strategy of things that will bring you the best return on your investment if you’re getting your house ready for the market.