Over and over I receive calls from my clients and they start out with I talked to my bank and 1. They won’t return my calls or 2. They say they can’t close for 60 days or 3. They don’t do the kind of loan I want and so on and so on. I guess people call their bank because they think they will give them a better deal.
I can safely say that in most cases we can close much quicker, with a better rate and we do return our calls. In fact when you call us, a human answers and you don’t go into voice mail Hades.
I’m just saying. Call us first and save yourself some aggravation. You can reach us at 615-777-4663 or via email at George.Margrave@migonline.com
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Housing News: 11 Trends from 2011
The National Association of Realtors® surveys homebuyers and sellers each year to uncover housing trends and monitor changes taking place in the industry. This year's report highlights a number of trends that haven't been seen in years. Here are just 11 highlights from the 2011 report.
1. In 2011, 37% of homebuyers were first-time buyers - which was down from 50% in 2010.
2. Last year, 88% of homebuyers used the Internet to search for a home. That number was down slightly from a high of 90% in 2009.
3. The typical homebuyer searched for 12 weeks and viewed 12 homes.
4. The number of buyers who purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker climbed to 89% - a share that has steadily increased from 69% in 2001.
5. Nearly 1 out of 4 buyers said the application and approval process was "somewhat more difficult" than expected…and 16% reported it was "much more difficult" than expected.
6. About half of home sellers traded up to a larger and more expensive home…and 60% traded up to a new home.
7. The top 3 factors influencing neighborhood choice were: the quality of the neighborhood, the convenience to job, and the overall affordability of homes.
8. The typical seller lived in their home for 9 years. That number has increased from 6 years in 2007.
9. Although 61% of sellers said they reduced their asking price at least once, the average home sold for 95% of the listing price.
10. Only 10% of sellers sold their homes without the assistance of a real estate agent. Of those people, 40% knew the buyer prior to the sale.
11. The typical "for sale by owner" home sold for $150,000 compared to $215,000 for the average agent-assisted home sale.
All Contents ©2012 The National Association of Realtors®.
Mortgage Market Guide
If you would like to talk and find out what we can offer you, please give me a call at 615-777-4663 or send me an email at George.Margrave@migonline.com.
1. In 2011, 37% of homebuyers were first-time buyers - which was down from 50% in 2010.
2. Last year, 88% of homebuyers used the Internet to search for a home. That number was down slightly from a high of 90% in 2009.
3. The typical homebuyer searched for 12 weeks and viewed 12 homes.
4. The number of buyers who purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker climbed to 89% - a share that has steadily increased from 69% in 2001.
5. Nearly 1 out of 4 buyers said the application and approval process was "somewhat more difficult" than expected…and 16% reported it was "much more difficult" than expected.
6. About half of home sellers traded up to a larger and more expensive home…and 60% traded up to a new home.
7. The top 3 factors influencing neighborhood choice were: the quality of the neighborhood, the convenience to job, and the overall affordability of homes.
8. The typical seller lived in their home for 9 years. That number has increased from 6 years in 2007.
9. Although 61% of sellers said they reduced their asking price at least once, the average home sold for 95% of the listing price.
10. Only 10% of sellers sold their homes without the assistance of a real estate agent. Of those people, 40% knew the buyer prior to the sale.
11. The typical "for sale by owner" home sold for $150,000 compared to $215,000 for the average agent-assisted home sale.
All Contents ©2012 The National Association of Realtors®.
Mortgage Market Guide
If you would like to talk and find out what we can offer you, please give me a call at 615-777-4663 or send me an email at George.Margrave@migonline.com.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Home Sales Show Increase
Sales in Middle Tennessee grew by more than 20 per cent over 2010. There were 1502 single-family homes sold which is a gain of 21.4%. It was the 6th consecutive month that home sales topped their year-ago levels. People who haven't had confidence are now starting to move forward.
According to the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors single-family homes purchases for the entire year grew 1.5% over 2010 to reach 17,192 properties. It was the first time since 2006 that annual home sales rose for the year.
Williamson County saw an 8.4% increase. Median prices in both counties were slightly lower. The median price for the year was around $167,000 down about 1 per cent. Pending sales were up 23% which is a great sign of future growth
If you have been waiting on the economy, it may be time to get moving. Call George at 615-777-4663.
According to the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors single-family homes purchases for the entire year grew 1.5% over 2010 to reach 17,192 properties. It was the first time since 2006 that annual home sales rose for the year.
Williamson County saw an 8.4% increase. Median prices in both counties were slightly lower. The median price for the year was around $167,000 down about 1 per cent. Pending sales were up 23% which is a great sign of future growth
If you have been waiting on the economy, it may be time to get moving. Call George at 615-777-4663.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
What's the real cost of the payroll tax cut?
When you heard that our Federal Government had extended the tax cut and long term unemployment benefits for two months, you were probably glad. If you read on, you discovered that the two months were financed on the back of the Real Estate industry. (For 10 years!) Details are still sketchy, but from what I understand every FHA, Fannie Mae or Freddy Mac loan closed for 10 years will have a 10 basis point surcharge. (That is almost the equivalent of .125% increase in the rate of probably about 90 percent of the loans that will close in that period.) Now I ask you which industry does our country desperately need to turn around? That is right, the real estate industry! So why not raise their cost?
I am honestly wondering if anyone in either party has a clue what they are doing up there.
I'm just saying----.
You can reach me at 615-777-4663 (HOME) or email me at George.Margrave@migonline.com .
I am honestly wondering if anyone in either party has a clue what they are doing up there.
I'm just saying----.
You can reach me at 615-777-4663 (HOME) or email me at George.Margrave@migonline.com .
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Protecting Your Identity
We take all the necessary steps to guard your personal information... and so should you. If your holiday plans include purchasing a new home, be sure to include protecting your identity as an item on your "making a list and checking it twice" agenda. The effects of identity theft can damage your credit rating and impair your ability to obtain financing.
While you're trekking through the malls or cruising websites looking for great holiday bargains, it may be difficult to remember that not everyone around you is as caught up in the holiday spirit as you are. Some of your fellow shoppers may actually be identity thieves looking to parlay the season's hustle and bustle into an opportunity to steal your personal information and, ultimately, your money.
According to the FTC.gov website, it is estimated that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. On average, it takes a victim an estimated $500 and 30 hours to resolve each incidence of identity theft. No one wants to lose that kind of money at any time of year, but those time and monetary costs can be even more stressful during the holidays.
"The holidays present a wealth of opportunity for identity thieves," says Heather Battison, TransUnion's senior director responsible for consumer education. "The hectic holiday season can potentially expose our personal information to theft in both high-tech ways like phishing scams, and in traditional ones, such as a stolen wallet or mail theft."
Proactive steps from TransUnion that may help minimize your exposure to identity theft during the holidays:
'Tis the Season...to Protect Your Identity
*Only carry essential documents with you; take your driver's license and the credit card or cards you intend to use that day. Do not carry your Social Security card, birth certificate or passport.
*Keep a close eye on your credit card bills. This is especially important during the holidays, when close attention can help you catch any charges you don't recognize on your statement.
*The holidays mean plenty of extra trash. Shred everything that contains personal, identifying information before throwing it out.
*When shopping online, look for businesses with websites that have some level of security measures in place to protect you. For example: before you provide any personal or payment information, look for a URL that begins with https (not http) and a lock emblem on the page, typically next to the address bar.
*Before you surf the net, consider changing your account passwords and keep a list of them in a secure place. Passwords and PIN numbers should be a random mix of letters, numbers and special characters, which makes it harder for identity thieves to guess.
Preventing identity theft is important year round and especially during the holidays. By taking steps to protect yourself, you can help ensure your holidays remain bright - and secure.
~From Foundation Title
Remember you can always reach me via email at george.margrave@migonline.com or on the phone at 615-777-4663. Happy New Year!
While you're trekking through the malls or cruising websites looking for great holiday bargains, it may be difficult to remember that not everyone around you is as caught up in the holiday spirit as you are. Some of your fellow shoppers may actually be identity thieves looking to parlay the season's hustle and bustle into an opportunity to steal your personal information and, ultimately, your money.
According to the FTC.gov website, it is estimated that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. On average, it takes a victim an estimated $500 and 30 hours to resolve each incidence of identity theft. No one wants to lose that kind of money at any time of year, but those time and monetary costs can be even more stressful during the holidays.
"The holidays present a wealth of opportunity for identity thieves," says Heather Battison, TransUnion's senior director responsible for consumer education. "The hectic holiday season can potentially expose our personal information to theft in both high-tech ways like phishing scams, and in traditional ones, such as a stolen wallet or mail theft."
Proactive steps from TransUnion that may help minimize your exposure to identity theft during the holidays:
'Tis the Season...to Protect Your Identity
*Only carry essential documents with you; take your driver's license and the credit card or cards you intend to use that day. Do not carry your Social Security card, birth certificate or passport.
*Keep a close eye on your credit card bills. This is especially important during the holidays, when close attention can help you catch any charges you don't recognize on your statement.
*The holidays mean plenty of extra trash. Shred everything that contains personal, identifying information before throwing it out.
*When shopping online, look for businesses with websites that have some level of security measures in place to protect you. For example: before you provide any personal or payment information, look for a URL that begins with https (not http) and a lock emblem on the page, typically next to the address bar.
*Before you surf the net, consider changing your account passwords and keep a list of them in a secure place. Passwords and PIN numbers should be a random mix of letters, numbers and special characters, which makes it harder for identity thieves to guess.
Preventing identity theft is important year round and especially during the holidays. By taking steps to protect yourself, you can help ensure your holidays remain bright - and secure.
~From Foundation Title
Remember you can always reach me via email at george.margrave@migonline.com or on the phone at 615-777-4663. Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Give the Gift of Charity this Holiday Season!
It's a Snap with THE GOOD CARD® - a Gift Card for Charity
Network for Good has a fresh angle on gifting this holiday season: The Good Card® - a gift card for charity - is perfect for everyone on your list. Good Cards have a stored value that can be redeemed as a donation to any of more than 1.2 million charities based in the US. Good Cards can be distributed via email or physical mail, or can be private labeled to meet your brand needs. Learn more at Network for Good.
A gift card for charity is an ideal reward for employees or thank you gift for customers and vendors that links their passion for a cause to your company's brand. A new study by researchers from Harvard Business School, the University of British Columbia and the University of Liege that was recently highlighted in the Washington Post confirms that a bonus employees get to spend on others is more motivating than a bonus they get to spend on themselves. A Good Card recipient can redeem their gift card as a donation to any of more than a million nonprofits, an easy way for employees to share their personal rewards with others.
Good Card purchases, including fees, are tax-deductible to your company and are a creative way to spend funds earmarked for philanthropy. In addition, because Good Card purchases are charitable donations, they do not fall under the IRS gift limit or policies around corporate gifts with cash value. Network for Good's charity gift card program is turn-key, customizable and easy to implement - even at the last minute. The program is recommended for any company looking to put a special spin on their gift-giving this year. What's more, the person GIVING the gift (i.e., the card purchaser) gets the benefit of a tax advantage for charitable donations as well.
The Good Card is a creative and constructive way to honor partners and prospects, friends and neighbors during the holiday season and throughout the year. Visit Network for Good for more details.
Remember you can always reach me at 615-777-4663 or via email at george.margrave@migonline.com
Thanks for reading and Happy Holidays!
Network for Good has a fresh angle on gifting this holiday season: The Good Card® - a gift card for charity - is perfect for everyone on your list. Good Cards have a stored value that can be redeemed as a donation to any of more than 1.2 million charities based in the US. Good Cards can be distributed via email or physical mail, or can be private labeled to meet your brand needs. Learn more at Network for Good.
A gift card for charity is an ideal reward for employees or thank you gift for customers and vendors that links their passion for a cause to your company's brand. A new study by researchers from Harvard Business School, the University of British Columbia and the University of Liege that was recently highlighted in the Washington Post confirms that a bonus employees get to spend on others is more motivating than a bonus they get to spend on themselves. A Good Card recipient can redeem their gift card as a donation to any of more than a million nonprofits, an easy way for employees to share their personal rewards with others.
Good Card purchases, including fees, are tax-deductible to your company and are a creative way to spend funds earmarked for philanthropy. In addition, because Good Card purchases are charitable donations, they do not fall under the IRS gift limit or policies around corporate gifts with cash value. Network for Good's charity gift card program is turn-key, customizable and easy to implement - even at the last minute. The program is recommended for any company looking to put a special spin on their gift-giving this year. What's more, the person GIVING the gift (i.e., the card purchaser) gets the benefit of a tax advantage for charitable donations as well.
The Good Card is a creative and constructive way to honor partners and prospects, friends and neighbors during the holiday season and throughout the year. Visit Network for Good for more details.
Remember you can always reach me at 615-777-4663 or via email at george.margrave@migonline.com
Thanks for reading and Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
HUD $100 Down Homes
HUD is offering their foreclosed homes for $100 down until October 2012:
- Here is the deal
- It is only for HUD foreclosed properties
- You must use a HUD registered real estate broker or agent (If you need a referral we can help)
- You must qualify for and use FHA financing
- You must be an “owner occupant”
- The $100 down payment program must be on the executed contract (specifically requested)
- HUD will pay up to 3% for closing costs
- 203K loans are eligible
- The homes are sold in “as is” condition
Please contact us if you have more questions George or Stephanie at 777-4663 (HOME) or email at George.Margrave@migonline.com or Stephanie.Holland@migonline.com .
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