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John Riggins
Displaying blog entries 181-190 of 260
Risk Determines Rate
Regardless of what a lender quotes on mortgage rates, the actual rate paid by a borrower is based on a number of variables. Lenders determine whether to loan money and at what rate based on the risk involved with the transaction.
Factors that increase the risk that the loan will be repaid will proportionately increase the interest rate charged to the borrower. If the risk becomes too high, the loan will not be approved.
Any combination of these factors could limit a borrower's ability to secure a mortgage at the rate initially quoted. Being pre-approved by a trusted mortgage professional is the best way to know what rate you can expect to pay. Please call for a recommendation.
Waianae single family home for sale. 5 Bedroom Single Family Home, Walk to Beach!
Sites and Sounds of Beach in Waianae, west side of Oahu. Enjoy!
Similar to Diogenes’ search for an honest man, homeowners want someone to do quality repairs at a fair price. The task appears reasonably easy but if you’ve ever tried to locate someone to fix something, you know just how difficult it is.
Finding a list of companies from a phone book doesn’t mean they’ll be reasonable and reliable, it just means they have a phone and are willing to pay for an ad. Searching on the Internet may direct you to a website that appears to be a local company but really is a marketing company who will sell the lead to a repairman or company who will pay a referral fee.
There are consumer organizations like Angie’s list who rate repairmen and contractors but they usually require an annual membership fee to be able to access the information. There are also services like Renovation Experts or Service Magic that are registries for contractors but they may not be the most competitively priced.
Your best recommendations are going to come from friends, family and neighbors you trust who have actually used the repairmen before and would use them again. The problem here is that you might have to make multiple calls before you can find a friend who can recommend the type contractor you need.
Repairs are a normal part of selling homes and we certainly come in contact with lots of contractors. This experience leads us to understand who is reputable and reasonable as well as who to avoid. As part of our commitment to helping you be a better homeowner from the time you buy your home until you sell it, we’re more than happy to make a recommendation of good repairmen or other professionals you might need. Give us a call…we want to help.
Another happy Seller!
Testimonial:
Live in the Fabulous resort of KoOlina with its 4 lagoons, walking paths, marina, and golf. Gated community on the Leeward side of O'ahu. Single level townhouse, ground floor end unit. It has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1 car garage and 1 open car space. It is 1144 square feet with 114 square feet of Lanai. The unit has all appliances including washing and dryer. The rooms have ceiling fans with berber carpet or tile floors. Ready to move into on March 1, 2012. No pets or smoking. Rent is $2500 a month which includes water and sewer. Security deposit of $2500. See additional photos at www.JohnRiggins.com
Choose Your Deduction
One third of all U.S. households, 75% of households with more than $75,000 income and most homeowners itemize their deduction on their federal income tax returns. It makes sense because the interest paid on their mortgage and their property taxes probably exceeds the allowable standard deduction.
However, with interest rates as low as they have been in the last two years and the price of homes having come down considerably, it is possible that the standard deduction may be the better choice.
Each year, the taxpayer can compare the total of the itemized deductions to the standard deduction to select which method will result in the most benefits. The 2011 standard deduction is $11,600 for married couple filing jointly and $5,800 for single filers.
The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 allows homeowners to take the standard deduction and the lesser of their actual property taxes of $1,000 if filing their return married jointly. For more information, see Schedule L found on www.IRS.gov and consult your tax advisor.
Millions of homeowners fell behind on their mortgage payments last year, and then proceeded to fall further behind every month.
These are tough times and there are no easy answers.
The fact is, major lenders, the federal government, and local agencies across the country have stepped up their efforts to stem the tide of foreclosures. More help is available than ever before.
As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, I am knowledgeable and adept at navigating among the full range of solutions for helping financially distressed homeowners to make a fresh start.
Looking to learn more? Check out my free report: "Tipping the Scales Toward Foreclosure? Resolve to Shed the Weight of an Unmanageable Mortgage in 2012."
And if you, or someone you care about is looking to tip the scales back into financial solvency, contact me today for a confidential consultation!
