blog

Build Your Savings with Real Estate Investing

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:26:28 +0100

    Build Your Savings with Real Estate Investing - Buying a home doesn’t always mean just finding a place for you to live. Investing in real estate can be a great way to build your savings.

    The most obvious way is to improve and maintain the home you own now. The more improvements you put into your home, the more it is worth when it does come time to sell your home.

    For more ambitious real estate investing, a real estate agent can be a valuable asset. Owning multiple properties can get tiring, but an agent can help you broker sales and keep track of what the market is doing.

    There are plenty of great investment properties in Logan, Utah. I can help you find real estate that will build worth over time and that worth can equate to thousands of dollars for you! Call me today at (435) 757-5533 or visit my interactive website www.LoganHomeFinder.com.

Mike Whitesides, Realtor, Market Edge Real Estate, Logan, Utah (435) 757-5533.

Utah Housing Loans Programs - Help for Homebuyers

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:34:51 +0100

Utah Housing Loans Programs and Helps for Homebuyers - The Utah Housing Corporation offers loan options to help low- to moderate-income homebuyers. All loan programs offer reasonable interest rates and lower down payments, which means that homebuyers with little savings can buy a home.

There are a number of loans that Utah Housing offers. Some of them are:

FirstHome - These loans are for first-time homebuyers who have personal or family financial resources for the down payment.
Equity Now - Helps first-time homebuyers who do NOT have personal or family financial resources.
Both FirstHome and Equity Now have versions that help Veterans and single parents.

There are plenty of resources to help homebuyers buying a home in Logan, Utah. I can point you in the right direction for your situation. Check out my interactive Web site www.LoganHomeFinder.com or e-mail me at mike@loganhomefinder.com.

Mike Whitesides, Realtor, Market Edge Real Estate, Logan, Utah (435) 757-5533.

Help for Single Parents Looking to Buy a Home

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:00:22 +0100

Being a single parent is a challenge, but there is help in finding a stable home for you and your kids. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers a loan program tailored to the needs of a single parent. There are many benefits to this program that cater to single parents and this is another way to find a great home for sale in Logan, Utah.

Compensating factors can allow FHA underwriters to forgive credit imperfections.
Ease of qualifying with flexible debt ratios
Using the 2/1 Buy-Down Program can facilitate lowering your front end housing cost ratio for more opportunities to get approved
Single parent home buyers can utilize gifts from family members, friends, and distant relatives to meet down payment requirements
Borrowers could be eligible for local grants that can help not only pay your down payment, but your Closing Costs as well!
Sellers can assist single parents by paying up to 6% of your closing costs
The FHA loan program has government regulated closing costs which control what you can be charged for when purchasing or refinancing a home.
When using the FHA Streamline program, existing FHA loans can be quickly and affordably modified without having to qualify for a new loan.
The FHA mortgage program offers single parents unmatched security for home retention. Ask us about the Foreclosure intervention opportunities the FHA loan affords during unexpected financial crises.

If you are a single parent, you can use this method to buy any home for sale in Logan, Utah or Cache County. Call me if you’d like more information at (435) 757-5533. You can also check out Logan, Utah homes for sale on my Web site at www.LoganHomeFinder.com. This Web site has maps of homes for sale in Logan, Utah and you can search for home for sale in Cache Valley based on your criteria.

Mike Whitesides, Realtor, Market Edge Real Estate, Logan, Utah (435) 757-5533.

First Time Homebuyers Eligible for Live in Logan Grant!

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:51:13 +0100

First time homebuyers are eligible for the Live in Logan Grant. The Live in Logan Grant is sponsored by Logan City and the $7,500 grant is available to first-time homebuyers looking to move to Logan that qualify. The money can go toward a down payment or closing costs.

A “first time homebuyer” is defined as someone who has not owned a home in the past three years, those who currently own a trailer that is not on a permanent foundation, those who lease or own a condominium, and/or are a displaced spouse.

The requirements for this grant are:

Be a first time home buyer
Earn no more than 80% of the HUD median for Cache County
Have certain debt to income ratios
Attend a First Time Home Buyer Workshop (the one in Cache County is provided by the Utah State University Family Life Center
Apply at least $500 of your own funds to the purchase of the home
Buy a single family residence within Logan city limits

On top of an $8,000 government tax credit for first time homebuyers, this is a great opportunity!

If you would like more information about this unique program please give me a call at (435) 757-5533. If you’re looking for a home visit my Web site to search Logan Utah homes for sale. There is a map with all the homes for sale in Logan, Utah. You can also send me an e-mail at mike@LoganHomeFinder.com.

Mike Whitesides, Realtor, Market Edge Real Estate, Logan, Utah (435) 757-5533.

Ideas for Selling Your Home

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:36:15 +0100

Getting ready to sell your home can be a daunting task, but the most important thing you can do prior to listing your home with a real estate agent. The proper preparations can make your house stand out against the competition and can help you get more for your home. Making sure you make the right preparations inside and out can make the difference! Here are some ideas to help you prepare to selling your home:

Touch up paint or replace carpet or flooring if needed.
Curb appeal is important! Keep the front yard neat and tidy (flowers are always a plus). Keep the lawn mowed, leaves raked or snow shoveled.
Consider having a contractor or professional home inspector tour the house to look for any potential problems.
You want to create an environment where the homebuyers can picture themselves living in the home. Depersonalize your home putting away family photos and other personal items. Let buyers see the potential for them and their family.
Buyers like to snoop so keep the closets organized and cupboards organized.
De-clutter your home, garage and yard. You want to create a favorable impression so and get rid of extras and consider having a yard sale or getting a storage unit.
Consider having your home professionally staged by someone who is familiar with interior design and who can see the potential for the space in your home.

For more tips please feel free to contact me at (435) 757-5533 and we can discuss what will be the best option for your home. I enjoy working with sellers as get ready to sell. For ideas check out my Web site at www.LoganHomeFinder.com or e-mail me at mike@loganhomefinder.com.

Mike Whitesides, Realtor, Market Edge Real Estate, Logan, Utah (435) 757-5533.

Buying or Renting?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:50:38 +0100

Buying or renting is a common question among first time buyers. Buying a home is part of the American Dream. In a struggling economy it can be difficult to get to the point where you can buy a home. Some people own a home as an investment, but most want to own a home to have a place they can call their own. One of the benefits of buying a home is the interest the government allows homeowners to deduct part of their mortgage. If you own a home, your equity will build over time and the mortgages balances shrink.

Now the renting part of buying or renting. As a renter, you have less liability when it comes to the property you are renting. If something breaks the landlord is responsible to fix it, whereas for a homeowner repairs come out of pocket.

It pays to consider your credit score when deciding whether to rent or buy. If your credit score isn't the greatest, build it by renting and paying rent on time. A good credit score is a key part of getting a great rate on a loan. Also, consider how long you will be in a particular area.

If you have questions about whether buying or renting is best for you please give me a call at (435) 757-5533 or e-mail me at mike@loganhomefinder.com and we can go over all your options. If you’re looking for homes visit my interactive Web site www.LoganHomeFinder.com to search for homes in the Logan, Utah area. Now is a great time to buy a home for sale in Logan, Utah. I specialize in working with buyers looking for a good deal on real estate in the Logan area.

Mike Whitesides, Realtor, Market Edge Real Estate, Logan, Utah (435) 757-5533.

What is an Agent's Role?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:20:26 +0100

Choosing the right real estate agent to represent you as a buyer or a seller is best decision you’ll make when buying or selling a home. It is a very important part of the process. As a seller, a real estate agent will help you assess the value of your home and advertise the listing to other agents and the general public. A real estate agent will also arrange for showings and oversee most of the transaction.

As a buyer having a real estate agent working for you is a must. A buyer's agent can provide a variety of information about a home including sales history, assessed value, as well as what to look for in buying a home. Also, a big part of a buyer’s agent is to negotiate the best price for the property you are considering.

As a real estate agent in Logan, Utah I specialize in helping people find the right home at the right prices. Homes for sale in Logan, Utah are reasonability priced and there are so many reasons to buy right now. I help people from all over the country relocate and buy homes in Logan, Utah. Check out my interactive Web site www.LoganHomeFinder.com or e-mail me at mike@loganhomefinder.com.

Mike Whitesides, Realtor, Market Edge Real Estate, Logan, Utah (435) 757-5533.

Recession is Inviting to Buyers

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:19:39 +0100

Why is a recession inviting to buyers? Not very many people are excited about the current economic downturn, but homebuyers have reason to smile. We all know there are plenty of foreclosures and short sales in the market right now. This isn’t good for sellers, but buyers and especially first time homebuyers can find great home deals.

Finding deals on homes for sale in Logan, Utah is a reality. The real estate market in Logan, Utah has been relatively conservative which also makes this recession inviting to buyers. Sometimes making offers on short sales and pre-foreclosure properties in Logan, Utah can be frustrating since you are the mercy of the banks and lending institutions. However, if you are patient it can save you thousands of dollars and you can move into a Logan, Utah home with instant equity.

On my Web site at www.LoganHomeFinder.com you can search specifically for short sale and pre-foreclosure properties in Logan, Utah. Please give me a call at (435) 757-5533 or send me an e-mail at mike@loganhomefinder.com if you have questions about Logan, Utah homes for sale.

Mike Whitesides, Realtor, Market Edge Real Estate, Logan, Utah (435) 757-5533.

Is a Home Inspection Worth It?

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:50:09 +0100

A common questions for homebuyers is ‘Is a home inspection worth it? My answer is always ‘yes.’ The reason I think a home inspection is worth it is because a home is a considerable financial investment. You want to make sure the home you are buying is in good condition for not only your own enjoyment, but so that the property is resalable.

In general, a home inspector checks for things that could be potentially dangerous or hazardous, such as a faulty furnace or AC, drainage issues, foundation deficiencies, problems with the roof and other health and safety issues. Home inspectors don’t usually disclose repair costs, so if the inspection finds something amiss, hire your own contractor to determine the cost and make repairs. Some repairs may be so minor that you could fix them yourself. After a home inspection the home inspector usually provides a report with all of the conditions of the areas of the home that were inspected.

Remember, no home is perfect. Every home will have some issue on an inspection, even new homes. A home inspection is simply a chance to make sure you will be buying a quality product and getting the most for your money.
For more information about if a home inspection is worth it please give me call at (435) 757-5533. Also if you’d like to buy a home for sale in Logan, Utah please visit my custom search Logan real estate Web site at www.LoganHomeFinder.com or please e-mail me at mike@LoganHomeFinder.com.

Mike Whitesides, Realtor, Market Edge Real Estate, Logan, Utah (435) 757-5533.

Buying a Home for the First Time in Logan, Utah

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:18:14 +0100

The first time you buy a home can be a daunting and stressful task, but there are ways to make it more painless.

First, gather all your financial documents and review your finances, especially your credit score. This will help when it comes time to get a loan.

Next, learn more about mortgages and find out which mortgage is best for you. There are many kinds of mortgages and a lender can help you find out what you need.

Third, decide on what kind of house you want and can afford. Make sure you include the size, location, and features. Based on what kind of home your looking for and your finances I can help you find the best match possible.

I work with first time buyers, return buyers, out of state buyers and all types of people. I will listen to you and give you the best information and work with you throughout the process. Cache Valley, Utah is a great place to live and there is no better time to buy a home in Logan, Utah. Contact me at 435-757-5533 or visit my interactive Web site at www.loganhomefinder.com.