Remax Unlimited

HUD Home Buying Seminar – March 22, 2011

Angela Barner — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:50:35 +0000

A HUD home buying seminar will be conducted on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the RE/MAX Unlimited office located at 5205 Stilesboro Road, Kennesaw, GA 30152. Contact Angela Barner at 678-388-1010 for further details.

FHA EXTENDS ” FLIPPING RULE”

Angela Barner — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:32:28 +0000

FHA Commissioner David Stevens says the temporary waiver will accelerate the resale of foreclosed homes in neighborhoods that are overrun with abandoned properties and blight. The move is intended to help stabilize home values and improve conditions in communities experiencing high foreclosure activity.
FHA regulations typically prohibit insuring a mortgage on a home owned by the seller for less than 90 days, but in February of last year, FHA temporarily waived this regulation through January 31, 2011, noting that in today’s foreclosure-ravaged marketplace, the agency’s research has shown that acquiring, rehabilitating, and reselling distressed properties often takes less than 90 days.
With the sunset date for that first extension just days away, FHA posted a notice on Friday extending the waiver through December 31, 2011. This action will permit buyers to continue to use FHA-insured financing to purchase HUD-owned properties, bank-owned properties, or properties resold through private sales.

Existing – Home Sales Soar to Seven Month High

Angela Barner — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:20:26 +0000

Sales of previously owned homes surged 12.3 percent in December, according to data released by the National Association of Realtors Thursday.Existing-home sales have increased five of the last six months and have now hit a seven-month high, at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.28 million units. That’s up from a rate of 4.70 million in November, but remains 2.9 percent below the 5.44 million pace in December 2009.

“December was a good finish to 2010, when sales fluctuate more than normal,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “The pattern over the past six months is clearly showing a recovery.”

Yun says the December sales pace is near the volume he and his organization are expecting for 2011, “so the market is getting much closer to an adequate, sustainable level,” he said. “The recovery will likely continue as job growth gains momentum and rising rents encourage more renters into ownership while exceptional affordability conditions remain.”

NAR says the national median price for existing homes sold in December was $168,800, which is 1.0 percent below December 2009.

Yun explained that a modest rise last month in distressed sales, which typically are discounted 10 to 15 percent relative to traditional homes, dampened the median price. In November, NAR reported the median price to be $170,600.

Distressed homes accounted for 36 percent of the market share in December, up from 33 percent in November.

A parallel NAR survey shows first-time buyers purchased 33 percent of homes in December, while investors accounted for 20 percent of the month’s transactions. All-cash sales were at 29 percent in December.

“All-cash sales have been consistently high at about 30 percent of the market over the past six months,” Yun said.

Total housing inventory at the end of last month fell 4.2 percent to 3.56 million existing homes available for sale, which represents an 8.1-month supply at the current sales pace, down from a 9.5-month supply in November.

Commenting on the latest existing-home sales numbers, Patrick Newport, U.S. economist for the research firm Newport continued, “At some point, the housing market will start to turn. We believe that it will start to improve this year (but that the recovery will be a long one). December’s unexpectedly strong existing home sales numbers may be an early sign that the recovery may have begun.”

11 Ways to Save on Your Energy Cost in 2011

Angela Barner — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 22:40:48 +0000

1. Turn down the dial.
Set your thermostat to 68 degrees. With each degree you lower, you can save 2-5% on heating costs. Layer warm weather clothing while at home and you won’t even notice the difference. At night or when leaving the home for an extended period of time, lower the thermostat to 55-60 degrees. An automatic thermostat will make this even easier! Just program the temperatures based on your daily schedule. Doing this will knock off 5-20% on your heating bill.

2. Don’t overreact to a cold home.
When you come home after a day of work to a frigid home, or are home in the middle of the day when your thermostat is programmed to 55, don’t overreact and crank the heat up to 75. You only need to heat to 68 degrees and setting the thermostat to 75 won’t heat the home any faster than if it’s set to 68. If you are home before the furnace has turned on, you can simply override your thermostat to 68. Be patient and throw on a sweater. You may not realize when the thermostat reaches 68, and before you know it you’ve been heating your house at 7 degrees higher than you need – or want – to pay for!

3. A clean furnace is an efficient furnace.
Replace or clean furnace filters once a month. Dirty filters restrict air flow and increase energy use.

4. Hot water can still be hot and save you money!
Set your water heater to the normal setting or 120 degrees. You can save up to 11% on heating costs!

5. Go green with ENERGY STAR®.
Consider replacing old gas appliances with ENERGY STAR® qualified products or add HWA’s GreenPlus to your plan. If your appliances are more than 12 years old, you should consider the upgrade. The Consumer Energy Center recommends replacing your old gas appliances with ENERGY STAR® qualified products. Gas water heaters are labeled with an EF number the higher the EF, the more energy efficient the appliance will be.

6. Beat the cold weather dryness.
Use a humidifier to add moisture to the dry winter air in your home. Moister air feels warmer, so by using a humidifier, you will be more comfortable in your home even when the thermostat is set to a lower temperature.

7. If you don’t use it, don’t heat it.
Close off unused rooms such as spare bedrooms. When the room is not in use, close the floor or wall registers and keep the doors closed. If you have guests coming to visit, you can re-open everything and the room will warm up in just a couple hours.

8. Let the sunshine in.
Open south or east facing window curtains and blinds in the morning and during the day to take advantage of sunny days. At night, close window coverings to keep the heat in.

9. Let your radiators and heating vents do their job.
Don’t block your radiators or vents with furniture or draperies. Keep them free of dirt and dust and position your furniture so the heat can fill the room.

10. Cold water can do it better.
Cold water does more for your disposal. Run cold water when you are using your garbage disposal and it will work even better. Hot water uses energy to warm the water. Cold water saves energy, plus it solidifies grease, moving it more easily through the garbage disposal and pipes.

11. Cook small.
Prepare meals with small appliances rather than firing up the range. A microwave, toaster oven, electric skillet and slow cooker use much less energy than the range. Plus, the smaller appliances heat up much quicker. You can reduce cooking energy by as much as 80% when using your microwave for small portions. So when you’re preparing smaller recipes or just need a quick warm-up, the smaller appliances are perfect!

Attorneys Fearnley Califf & Price will be at RE/MAX Unlimited

Angela Barner — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 18:47:28 +0000

Wednesday December 19, 2011 2:00 – 2:30

Attorneys Fearnley Califf & Price will be at RE/MAX Unlimited to discuss the new procedures regarding HUD foreclosures — and how to expedite closings (on behalf of and from the closing attorney side) since this is all they do. Our office is an official neighborhood listing broker for HomeTelos. These attorneys would like to share how to make closings easier for us.

How To Buy a HUD Home

Angela Barner — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:29:15 +0000

What is a HUD home?
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is a part of HUD–the part that provides federal mortgage insurance. If a foreclosed home was purchased with a loan insured by the FHA, the lender can file a claim for the balance due on the mortgage. FHA pays the lender’s claim, then transfers ownership of the property to HUD, which sells the home.

How much do HUD homes cost?
HUD homes are appraised, then priced at fair market value for their location. The price of a home in need of repairs is adjusted downwards to reflect the investment the new owner must make to improve the home.

Will HUD make the repairs?
HUD homes are sold as-is. The new owner is responsible for all repairs and improvements.

How do I find a HUD home?
You can view HUD listings by following Clicking the Search All HUD Homes Link above.

When you’ve located a home you would like to see, any HUD-approved real estate office can show you the property. So, give me a call and I will be happy to show you the home. HUD employees do not work with home buyers–you must use an agent.

Do I simply make an offer to purchase a home?
HUD foreclosures are sold using a bidding process. There’s an Offer Period, during which sealed bids are accepted from your agent. At the end of that period, all offers are opened. HUD will generally accept the highest bid, or the bid that brings them the highest net.

If the home remains unsold after the initial period, bids are opened as received.

If your bid is accepted, your agent will be notified within a day or two. You will be given a settlement date, usually 30-60 days from the date of your accepted contract.

HUD will pay real estate agencies a commission of up to 6% for the sale of the home. Be aware that to get paid, the selling agent must insert wording in the contract that verifies HUD will pay his or her commission.

Will HUD finance the home?
HUD does not finance homes. You’ll need to arrange for conventional or other financing. Be sure your financing is in order before you make an offer. If your bid is accepted, and you do not close on the house, you maylose the earnest money deposit you submitted with the offer.

Should I have a professional home inspection?
Home inspections are recommended for any home purchase. You should inspect a HUD foreclosure before you make the offer to purchase. It will help you determine a bidding price, especially if repairs are required.

Homes build prior to 1978 may contain lead paint, so learn more lead paint hazards before making an offer. Other items to consider are asbestos content, buried storage tanks, and other environmental hazards.

Can I buy a HUD foreclosure for investment purposes?
During the initial offering, HUD homes are usually available only to those who wish to live in the home. If an owner-occupant does not bid on the home, investors are allowed to enter the bidding process.

Does HUD offer other programs?
If foreclosures are not sold within six months, HUD will sell them for $1 each to approved nonprofit organizations and government agencies. Homes must then be used create housing for families in need or to benefit neighborhoods.

HUD offers special home purchase programs for teachers and full time law enforcement officers.

Gov. Nathan Deal names new Real Estate Commissioner

Angela Barner — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:18:41 +0000

ATLANTA – Gainesville attorney William “Bill” Rogers, Jr., Saturday was named by Gov. Nathan Deal to be the new commissioner of the Georgia Real Estate Commission.

Rogers became a partner of Whelchel & Dunlap, LLP, in 1976 and practices in real estate and banking law.

Rogers was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1971 and is a member of the Gainesville-Northeastern Bar Association, serving as president from 1988-1989. He has also served on the Executive Committee of the Real Property Section of the State Bar of Georgia.

Rogers is a past president of the United Way of Hall County as well as the Kiwanis Club of Gainesville and as past director of the Gainesville-Hall County Chamber of Commerce.

$100 Down Payment Incentive

Angela Barner — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:01:08 +0000

The $100 down payment incentive is only available to owner occupant buyers that choose to use FHA financing. The property must qualify for FHA financing as an insured property (203), non – insured with escrow repairs (203b) or uninsured – rehabilitation (203k). Investors and Nonprofit organizations do not qualify for this incentive. Properties advertised through HUD’s Good Neighbor Next Door program are NOT eligible for this incentive. Contact me for more details on this outstanding opportunity.

Hello world!

Angela Barner — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 05:49:28 +0000

Looking for a HUD owned home? PreviewGeorgiahomes.com offers up-to-date HUD homes. Our advanced search tool allows you to search for various HUD homes near your area by price, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and more.