Questions I Am Often Asked

Fall brings with it cooler temperatures, leaf piles and the first day of school. Back-to-school time often means changes for families: the first day of pre-school or kindergarten for younger children and new classes, classmates and teachers for older kids.

To make the first day easier, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests parents remind children that they’re not alone. Find other children in the neighborhood your youngster can walk or ride to school with. The night before school, pick out clothes and make plans for lunch. Discuss what will happen after school is over. Will your child come straight home or go to a babysitter? Will he be taking the bus, walking or getting picked up?

Talk about your child’s feelings, both excitement and apprehension. Visit the new school with your child before the first day. Don’t build up unrealistic expectations about how wonderful school will be, but do convey a general sense of optimism about your child’s future there

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So You Want To Buy A House?

In the United States, we take the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage — with down payments as low as 3 percent to 5 percent — for granted. Home buyers in Europe don’t have that luxury.

In the United Kingdom, reviewable-rate mortgages reign as the dominant residential finance instrument. In this version of an adjustable-rate mortgage, whenever market rates change, the mortgage company reviews the borrower’s interest rate and decides whether to impose a new one. In France, the 15-year, fixed-rate loan is most common. Lack of an appraisal system results in borrowers having to put down 30 percent to 40 percent of a home’s value. And in Germany, the homeownership rate is only 40 percent, reflecting high housing costs. Fixed-rate terms are available for periods from one to 10 years, and down payments are typically 35 percent to 40 percent

This months joke:

Question: How did the telephones get married ?

Answer: In a double ring ceremony !

Question:Why use a CRS?

All real estate agents are not the same. Only real estate agents who earn the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Designation have completed the most rigorous residential real estate training and have proven selling experience. Here are five ways CRSs can meet all your real estate needs:
Pare down paper files. Keep essential business and personal records, but recycle duplicate copies and nonessential matter. These chores can easily take up a weekend, so it’s best to do them well in advance
1. Your CRS agent can help you determine your buying power.
2. A CRS Designee can help you understand the different financing options and identify qualified lenders.
3. When selling your home, your CRS agent can provide up-to-date information on current pricing, financing, terms and condition of competing properties, key factors in getting your property sold at the best price — all quickly and with minimum hassle.
4. A CRS Designee will know when, where and how to market your property. A study by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® shows that 82 percent of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, families and personal contacts.
5. Your CRS agent can help you objectively evaluate every buyer’s proposal without compromising your marketing position">
Have questions? email Risa CRS at questions@risa.net or call her at 1-800-699-4901

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