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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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Pricing Your South Orange County Home to Sell

March 18, 2010 by Amy · Leave a Comment 

Most homeowners have an emotional connection to their home and, understandably, feel it deserves top dollar when sold. But even though everyone wants to get the most money for their home, especially in today’s challenging economic times, decisions made regarding the listing price cannot be made in haste. All too often, listing your home at [...]

Lower Your 2009 Tax Debt

March 1, 2010 by Amy · Leave a Comment 

  Lower Your 2009 Tax Debt As a Top 5 in Real Estate Member, I counsel many clients on a wide range of financial concerns, not just their real estate investments. As we move closer to tax day, I wanted to alert you to some important information that could save you money come tax time. [...]

Is Buying a Foreclosure in South Orange County Really a Bargain?

February 26, 2010 by Amy · Leave a Comment 

  In today’s tumultuous economy, it’s no surprise that there are foreclosure properties to be found in just about every community across America—even in South Orange County. While a terrible hardship for homeowners to endure, foreclosures can present a unique opportunity for first-time home buyers and investors looking to purchase a “bargain-priced home” with the [...]