Questions I Am Often Asked

Tips for buying a home when you’re single. As a single homebuyer, what should you do to position yourself?
For starters, you’ll want to:
* Do your homework – Determine what you want – how many bedrooms, approximate square footage, which neighborhoods you prefer.
* Spend time comparing mortgages – To get the most advantages plan for your requirements and financial situation.
* Get pre-qualified for a mortgage – This will give you an exact price range for your purchase, but pre-qualification will add a great deal of strength to your offer.
* Stay in close contact with your agent and clearly express your needs - This is especially important if you’re in a market where inventory is low. You’ll want to be notified as soon as a home that fits your criteria goes on the market.
* No such thing as the “perfect home” – Set priorities. Determine what you’re willing to sacrifice, especially if you’re in a tight market.
* Bid competitively – Keep in mind you’ll likely be competing against other offers. If you’re in a tight market, it’s not the time to see how low the seller will go.
* Protect yourself – Invest in the $200 - $500 for a professional inspection before you buy the home and sign the final mortgage loan papers, otherwise you run the risk of not exposing potentially expensive – or even hazardous – defects in the property.
* If you’re determined that now is the time to buy – Don’t be timid. You’ll need to be ready to pounce and make an offer as soon as you see that close-to-perfect home that hits the market.

Click OrlandoHomeStore For my current listings, then call me at 407-699-4901 for more information on your favorite properties.

Happy New Year!
It’s January, a time of good intentions and new beginnings. We’ve made our resolutions and, with any luck, have recovered from our seasonal indulgences.
I would like to take this time to say, “THANK YOU” to all my friends and customers. I look forward to working with you to ensure your success in 2004.

GOING DIGITAL IN 2004:

This months joke:

Question: What does a caterpillar do on New Years Day?

Answer: Turns over a new leaf!

Click here for Instant Recognition

Question: How to Cut Your Tax Bill When Selling Your Home.

If you have owned and occupied your home as your principal residence for two out of the past five years, you’re eligible for the exclusion of capital gain on its sale (up to $250,000 on an individual return and $500,000 on a joint return). The savings are substantial: At the top 20 percent tax rate on long-term capital gains, the exclusion lets an individual seller keep up to $50,000 more of the proceeds, and for a married couple filing a joint return, the cash benefit can amount to $100,000.
Have questions? email Risa at questions@risa.net or call her at 1-800-699-4901

January favorite links:

History of New Years

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