Buying | The Rich Group Real Estate Team | California State Real Estate | Buying A Home

Are You Prepared to Own A Home?

October 19, 2010 By Anita Rich Leave a Comment

Are You Prepared to Own A Home? Owning a home can be a rewarding experience. There are tax advantages, investment benefits, plus private ownership and... … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying, Real Estate Matters Tagged With: anita rich, first home buyers, first time home buyer, first time home owner, first time home ownership, home ownership, the rich group

Mortgage Loan Shopping Doesn’t Have to Be Scary!

October 18, 2010 By Anita Rich Leave a Comment

Mortgage Loan Shopping Doesn’t Have to Be Scary! RISMEDIA, October 4, 2010 – In today’s market shopping for a mortgage can be time-consuming and difficult for homebuyers. Many buyers don’t even know where to begin. Here are some tips the Federal Reserve Board wants us to share with our friends and clients, in the hopes of shedding some light on what could be a dark scary concept—finding and affording the mortgage that is right for you. 1. What can you really afford? Review your monthly budget to estimate what you can really afford to pay for a home. This includes the mortgage, property taxes, insurance, and monthly maintenance and utilities. A worksheet for developing your monthly spending plan can be helpful so that you can plan ahead and save for emergencies as well as be sure you will be able to afford your monthly payments for several years. It is also wise to pull your credit report and make sure all the information therein is correct. 2. Be a smart shopper. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying, Real Estate Matters Tagged With: credit report, emergencies, federal reserve, federal reserve board, interest rates, lend money, loan brokers, loan holder, monthly budget, mortgage brokers, mortgage lenders, mortgage loan, mortgage loans, property taxes, s market, salesperson, scary concept, smart shopper, thousands of dollars, two ways

Location, location, location

October 8, 2010 By Anita Rich Leave a Comment

Location, location, location Where you buy not only affects the home's current and future value, but it also affects your lifestyle. Your agent will be able to conduct a more targeted home search if you outline your preferences in neighborhoods and nearby amenities. Here's a checklist of items you should consider and communicate to your chosen real estate agent. * Urban, suburban or rural * Commute time * School districts * Desirable neighborhoods * Proximity to the airport * Proximity to restaurants and retail * Access to major highways and thoroughfares * Access to public transportation * Health care facilities * Parks and recreation * Length of time you plan to live in the home (Your agent should be knowledgeable about growth trends and projections that could affect your investment.) Contact us about buying your home … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying Tagged With: airport proximity, commute time, desirable neighborhoods, future value, growth trends, health care facilities, highways, home buyers, home search, length of time, lifestyle, location location location, nearby amenities, parks and recreation, public transportation, real estate agent, school districts, thoroughfares, time school, transportation health

Creating your home wish list

October 8, 2010 By Anita Rich Leave a Comment

Creating your home wish list Before the home search begins, your real estate agent will want to know as much as possible about the features and amenities you desire. To help your agent better serve you, analyze what you want and what you need in a home’s features and amenities. Features: Age: Do you prefer historic properties, or newer ones? Style: Do you have a special preference for ranches, bungalows, or another style of construction? Bedrooms: How many? Bathrooms: How many? Are they updated? Living and Dining Areas: A traditional, formal layout, or a more open, contemporary plan? Stories: How many? Square feet: How much space? Ceilings: How high? Kitchen: How big? Recently updated? Open to other living areas? Storage: Big closets, a shed, an extra-large garage? Parking: A garage or carport? Room for how many cars? Extras: Attic or basement? Amenities: Office Play/exercise room Security system Sprinkler system Workshop/Studio In-law … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying Tagged With: bungalows, carport, ceilings, closets, exercise room, fireplace, home buyers, hot tub, laundry room, many cars, patio deck, porch, real estate agent, room security, security system, sidewalk, sprinkler system, square feet, system workshop, workshop studio

Eight steps to buying your home

October 8, 2010 By Anita Rich 1 Comment

Eight steps to buying your home 1. Decide to buy. Although there are many good reasons for you to buy a home, wealth building ranks among the top of the list. We call home ownership the best “accidental investment” most people ever make. But, we believe when it is done right, home ownership becomes an “intentional investment” that lays the foundation for a life of financial security and personal choice. There are solid financial reasons to support your decision to buy a home, and, among these, equity buildup, value appreciation, and tax benefits stand out. Base your decision to buy on facts, not fears. If you are paying rent, you very likely can afford to buy There is never a wrong time to buy the right home. All you need to do in the short run is find a good buy and make sure you have the financial ability to hold it for the long run The lack of a substantial down payment doesn’t prevent you from making your first home purchase A less-than-perfect credit score … [Read more...]