Buying Real Estate in a Recession

May 10th, 2008

Recessions are typically times of financial uncertainty. Big purchases, like buying a home, have the potential to put you in a tough spot if you’re not careful. Prices of homes can decline as much as five percent in depressed markets. If you are considering a purchase in one of these markets make sure you purchase the property at least 5% below market value to ensure you break even in the event of a further decrease Find out how you can set up your finances to handle tough times before you buy by contacting a lender and financial advisor like Colorado-Loans.net.

 It is definitely possible to get a home below market value, in fact it is actually more ideal to buy your home during a recession. This allows you, in most cases to afford “more” house. Just make sure not let the market dictate what you do. As long as you find a property that suits your needs, you will be happy in the end; recession or not! Lenders are not allowing any 100% financing in depressed areas so make sure you have at least 5% down.  

 Homes that are fresh on the market are sometimes listed a lot higher than they should be by either an inexperienced or greedy real estate agent.  To ensure your  getting a balanced or good deal make sure to have your realtor look at the historical price of the property and neighboring properties.  When making an offer You can offer less, but chances are that they are going to want to wait for other offers.Getting a better price on your home opens a lot of financial doors. Aside from having a lower monthly payment, you’ll start off with more equity. This can mean potential emergency funds from a home equity line of credit. It also gives you the flexibility to sell your home quickly if the need arises, since you could accommodate a lower asking price.Set aside 10% of your monthly income for emergencies and major purchases. Place it directly into your savings account for those rainy days. Creating a financial cushion can keep an expensive month from turning into a financially disastrous one.Consider all home expenses when factoring your budget. HOA fess, energy bills and basic upkeep and maintenance are often overlooked when you’re calculating monthly expenses for all seasons.Work with your mortgage broker to ensure you are getting the best rate and the right loan program for your situation.  Your Mortgage Broker that you choose should have knowledge beyond just how to close a loan.  They should be able to work in coordination with your financial advisor.Credit can be a life saver if times get tough. Unfortunately, missing a few payments will seriously affect your credit score and take a long time to recover from. Here’s a tip: Use online banking with automatic payment plans, but be sure to double check your expenses every month. Pay your bills on time and ensure that credit is there when you really need it.Purchasing a home can have a big impact on your finances. Protect your financial future with smart planning and good buying choices and you’ll be set for smoother sailing in troubled times.  Contact Colorado-loans.net to find out more how we can help you thru the rough recession times. 

Why Boulder Financial Mortgage thinks it’s a good time to buy.

April 14th, 2008

A new legislation has been introduced to provide a $15,000 tax credit spread out over three tax years for anyone purchasing a new home, a foreclosed home or a home where foreclosure is pending.

In the mid-1970s, America faced a similar housing crisis when a period of easy credit and loose underwriting flooded the market with new construction. Interest rates rose, the economy slowed and America was left with a three-year supply of vacant homes. Congress responded by passing a $6,000 tax credit spread out over three tax years for anyone purchasing a new home for their principal residence. It is believed that the results will be similar by providing clear and swift home valuation stabilization, housing inventory dropping and the market recovered.

Specifically, it would provide a direct tax credit for the purchase of a single-family home in the amount of $5,000 a year for three years on homes purchased between March 1, 2008, and February 28, 2009. Buyers must occupy the homes as their principal residences to be eligible, and purchases of homes from investors or by investors are ineligible. Homes eligible for the tax credit include:

  • New homes where the building permit was issued and construction began on or before September 1, 2007
  • Owner-occupied homes whose first mortgage loan is in default
  • A single-family home that has been foreclosed on and is owned by the mortgagor or its agent.

This does not include any points that are paid at closing during a refinance or purchase. Boulder Financial Mortgage has wants to keep you informed and updates to date with news that’s effects your financial future. Visit us online at Colorado Loans.

Colorado Home Loans: Simple but Practical Guides for Home Investments

March 30th, 2008

Colorado is one place that has tons of real estate properties. Since the options are far too many, finding the most suitable one may seem to get too confusing. Below are some simple but practical guides to consider before considering a home loan in Colorado.

Investigate. If you have a real estate property that you think serves you right, take time to investigate it and check from all the angles, making sure that it falls according to your preferences. There may be some properties that you might think promising enough so be sure to investigate the property.

Be Responsible. Next to your friends and your family, no one really seems to care at all about your considering a home loan or a real estate property. Take ample time to understand the laws. Avoid getting too dependent to the sellers because chances are, they might have no strong background on the legal system, or worse, they might not tell you about it. Although records show that property investments are notable minus the hitches, it’s still safe to be sure.

Read the Contract. Make sure to properly read the home loan contract. Be aware that contracts should give you enough time, say a week or more, to give you enough time to fully understand the deal. There are a lot of issues and concerns discussed on the contract and if you think you have no time to grasp the whole idea, a real estate professional is a great help. You can also contact a lawyer with enough experience in commercial real estate. If you notice the seller getting too pushy to the point of shortening the whole of your time-frame, keep in mind that this might be a warning of a not-so-good deal.

Inspect. Before considering any Colorado home loan, or any real estate investment, see to it that you hire a certified real estate inspector. Also, it is imperative to obtain an environmental inspection so that all concerns of the important areas on a property are properly dealt with. Find an inspector whom you can trust. Although he might not know everything there is to know about a particular property, he can still give you ideas that might help.

There are really a lot of things to consider especially when buying a real estate property or considering a home loan. Take time to know more about particular concerns before you finally decide on which property to consider. That way, your hard-earned money will not end up losing in the long run.

Boulder Real Estate: Tips and Advice when Buying a Home in Boulder

March 19th, 2008

Finding the right real estate property can be quite tricky because of the numerous options available for you. Because Boulder is a place excellent to work and to live, or even to retire, it is normal to hear people talking about investing on a Boulder Colorado Real Estate.

Hunting for that perfect house in Boulder takes a lot of time. The competition among sellers is surprisingly as fierce as those among buyers. That’s simply because thousand of people can afford to invest in Boulder. So how do you find the perfect one that is just for you? Here are some practical steps.

Search thru the Real Estate Market in Boulder. Make use of the information superhighway! Identify the size of your preferred home. It is useful as well to know where particularly in Boulder do you wish to live in. When you search online, you can possibly take virtual tours on most real estate properties. You can also check out photos and read about the features of a home. Additionally, checking the neighbourhood on your preferred property is also possible. Price ranges are available also when you check thru the Internet.

Check out Hospitals and other Facilities. Not unless you do not have kids, it is important to check out locations in Boulder where reputable schools, hospitals, as well as other important facilities are available nearby. Discuss this with your real estate agent for better options.

Consider your Budget. Real estate properties in Boulder have varied price ranges, depending on the location and the size. You have to determine the overall costs and the monthly payments along with other fees, upon considering a Boulder real estate property. This can easily be done because today, most websites of real estate agents provides mortgage calculators to determine particular charges. Be sure to check out all the necessary information like the closing costs, the tax deductions, the interest rates, and a whole lot more. However, if you have a hard time understanding the number and figures, your real estate agent is just a phone call away. Ask your agent to clarify those things that tend to get too confusing.

Those are but some of the important things you need to consider upon deciding to purchase a Boulder real estate property. When you are about to move to your new home in Boulder, there are U-haul trailers available for rent that gives you the luxury to do the moving yourself.

To have the best and most relaxing home, consider a property at Boulder, Colorado.

Why Investing in Boulder Colorado is a Great Idea

March 8th, 2008

Who doesn’t want to live in a place where you can find solace and serenity right at your very own doorstep? Have you ever thought of living in a place where mountain ranges are just stone’s throws away?

If you are the type who loves anything and everything about nature, why not try to invest in Boulder, Colorado?

So why consider living in Boulder, Colorado? The state is generally surrounded by an open space. Lying on the foothills of the infamous Rocky Mountains, Boulder is basically deemed as the city that is nestled in between scenic mountain ranges and reality. Boulder is also considered as America’s premiere sport’s town and is popular for its diverse culture with friendly and nature-loving residents.

Aside from being the premiere in sports destinations and stunning mountain ranges and views, Boulder is also the main location of the University of Colorado, the home for the entrepreneurial and intellectual spirits. And because there are hundreds and thousands of locals already living in this place, finding the perfect spot for your home investment tend to be a bit hard to achieve. But below are some practical ways on how you can find the perfect Boulder, Colorado home for you and for your loved ones.

Choose the Location. Boulder has varied options when it comes to home locations. If you are that someone who loves the outdoors and play sport, or you have kids that go to school, you can find a lot of real estate properties right in the heart of the city. The price range varies from the smaller and more affordable types of property, down to the highly expensive and stunningly posh abodes. On the other hand, if you are the type who loves driving around and prefers to stay in a more secluded and a bit far-flung location, there are also urban locations that might suit your taste. The options are really far too many and you can never go wrong!

Check the Neighbourhood. Although this concern is mostly shrugged by some home buyers, it is practical to check around the neighbourhood and see what the environment is. Do you like to have a more peaceful and laid-back environment with less neighbours? Or do you prefer to stay in an environment with lots of friendly residents whom you can talk to anytime of the day? Your options are practically a lot. All it matters is finding the one that could meet your expectations.

The Size. The size and the floor plan of your home should fall according to what you perceive it to be. Yes, everybody has his dream home; with numerous bedrooms or spacious backyards, and the likes. But do you really think that is practical? Not unless you can afford it, go for a house that is fair enough on your budget and your taste. Especially in a more crowded neighbourhood in Boulder, the size of your house matters a lot. Be sure to discuss this area of concern to your local real estate agent and carefully share your expectations.

Boulder is indeed one great place for a more laid-back and relaxing environment. Have your own home at Boulder now!

Why Your Home is a Great Investment

March 4th, 2008

It’s high time you know the truth about whether a home is a good investment. 

Despite what Wall Street wants you to believe, owning a home isn’t the same kind of investment as stocks and bonds.  What you get is a USED asset that depreciates over time, while it grows in market value.  All you have to do is keep the home in good repair to max out your take.

Here are five reasons why you get more for your money for a little piece of a company.  With a house, you put in a little money to get the entire house.

1. Leverage: with stocks, you put in all your money with a house.

2. Tax benefits: Uncle Sam knows that owning a home is a pain in the neck, that’s why you get subsidies.  These are basically government bribes to get you to buy.  What other investment can you put in 5 percent of the cost of the asset, reap all the appreciation and pay no capital gains?  That’s right: live in your home two years, rent it for three, sell it and pay no tax on capital gains up to $250,000 for singles, $500,000 for married couples.  And you’re worried about paying too much?

And that’s not all - think about the benefits of fixed-rate mortgages, property tax write-offs, interest rate deductions and depreciation.  Is this a great country or what?

3. Control:  When you buy stocks, you’re paying some CEO 500 times the average worker’s salary for results you’d lose your job for.  With a home, you have control - what you buy, how much you pay and where you live.  You can improve the value with repairs and updates.  Compare that to getting heard at the next shareholder’s meeting.

4. Lifestyle: Do you want to look at a dumpsite or your children playing in their own backyard?  With a home, you’re purchasing a vantage point for yourself and your family.  The neighborhood you want to be in, the size and style home that fits your needs.  And the more wisely you choose, the better off you are.

5. Value: Your house will seldom become worthless.  Barring a catastrophe, your home will retain a major portion of its value, even in the worst of times.  So don’t freak out about losing a few percent this year.  You’ll make it up.  Housing has lost value only one year out of the last 35.  It’s more normal to beat inflation by one to two percent.

Let’s get a little perspective here.  You lost a greater percentage on the stock market this year than if you owned a house.  You lost more on your SUV.  And you sure lost more on your iPhone.

And keep this in mind - when it rains, which would you rather have over your head; a roof or a stock certificate?

Welcome to Our Blog

February 22nd, 2008

Greetings Everyone:

We just want to officially welcome to our blog!  We will keep this fresh and up to date with information about morgages, real estate, investing and other related topics.