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Buying a Foreclosed Home? Top Problem Areas to Look Out For

September 2, 2010 by Amy · Leave a Comment 

Today’s real estate landscape offers some great buys for savvy real estate consumers, especially when it comes to foreclosure properties. Unfortunately, even though there are already a large number of foreclosures on the market, analysts are predicting that yet another wave of distressed properties will crop up in the coming months. photo credit: BasicGov As [...]

Top 5 Mortgage Options for Home Buyers in South Orange County

August 31, 2010 by Amy · Leave a Comment 

While many great deals exist in today’s real estate market, securing the optimal mortgage is a critical part of your home purchase decision. photo credit: nikcname As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have worked with many home buyers over the years and am well versed on the factors in [...]

Top 5 Tips for Buying a Luxury Home in Laguna Beach

August 20, 2010 by Amy · Leave a Comment 

Top 5 Tips for Buying a Luxury Home in Laguna Beach Despite the doom and gloom the media portrays regarding today’s real estate market, several unique opportunities exist for home buyers, in particular, luxury home buyers. photo credit: PrimeImageMedia.com While home prices across the country have dropped or stabilized to varying degrees, according to my [...]

Expenses You Can Reduce to Help Afford a Loan Modification

August 10, 2010 by Amy · Leave a Comment 

With the help of certified housing counselors, many homeowners are reducing their living expenses and applying those savings to their monthly mortgage payments. Others are seeking a mortgage loan modification, which can be a lifeline for any homeowner faced with foreclosure. “It’s critical that homeowners understand exactly what they can afford because a loan modification [...]

11 Ways to Get Your Home Ready for Appraisal

August 6, 2010 by Amy · Leave a Comment 

If you’re looking to sell or refinance your home, you know that a home appraisal is a necessary step in the process. While the value of your home may not be what it once was, it is important for homeowners to be realistic when it comes to getting their home appraised. As a member of [...]

Top 5 Remodeling Headaches to Avoid

May 26, 2010 by Amy · Leave a Comment 

Whether you’re adding a room to accommodate an expanding family or remodeling to increase value, home renovations can be one of the best investments you make, especially in today’s economy. The key to a successful remodel, however, is knowing what mistakes to avoid. As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I [...]

Shopping for a Condo? Ask These 4 Questions before You Buy

May 15, 2010 by Amy · Leave a Comment 

Condominium homes have always been, and will likely always be, an efficient and economical route to becoming a first-time homeowner. They can offer the comfort, prestige, and even luxury appointments that apartment living may lack, often at a cost that is not much different than rent. With the current first-time home buyer tax credit and [...]

Top 5 Ways to Build a Green Home

May 1, 2010 by Amy · Leave a Comment 

Most of us know that adopting an environmentally conscious or “green” approach to life can benefit the planet and its future generations. But did you know that greening your home can also benefit your bottom line in terms of energy savings and tax credits? I’ve learned a lot of the latest green building strategies from [...]

Existing-Home Sales Rise on Home Buyer Tax Credit and Favorable Market Conditions

April 23, 2010 by Amy · Leave a Comment 

RISMEDIA, April 23, 2010—Buyers responding to the home buyer tax credit and favorable affordability conditions boosted existing-home sales in March 2010, marking the beginning of an expected spring surge, according to the National Association of Realtors. Existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, rose 6.8% to a seasonally adjusted [...]

How HAFA Can Help Financially Challenged Homeowners in Orange County

April 6, 2010 by Amy · Leave a Comment 

How HAFA Can Help Financially Challenged Homeowners This past November, the Treasury Department released guidelines for its new Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA), designed to help homeowners who are unable to retain their home under the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). Under HAFA, homeowners may be able to avoid foreclosure by completing a short [...]

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