SOLDbyNat.com Real Estate Services

The Veterans Administration guarantees home loans for eligible veterans.  It is considered an attractive loan because the veteran can purchase the home with no down payment up to specific loan limits and no mortgage insurance. This makes the monthly payment considerably lower. Let’s assume a buyer wants to purchase a $200,000 home and can get a 4.5% interest mortgage for 30 years. A FHA loan would require a $7,000 down payment plus $3,377.50 in up-front MIP which can be rolled into the mortgage. The monthly mortgage insurance premium would be $221 per month for a total payment of $1,215.94. The VA loan doesn’t require a down payment. There is a 2.15% VA funding fee that can be rolled into the mortgage which would make the principal and interest payment on $204,300 much less at $1,035.16. The revised loan limits for 2014 are published by VA and can change each year especially based on high-cost areas. However, a lender can allow a home purchase in excess ...

More money has been lost to indecision than was ever lost to making the wrong decision.  The economy and the housing market have caused some people to take a “wait and see” position that could cost them in lost opportunities as well as almost certain higher costs in the future. To illustrate what the opportunity cost might be, let’s compare what the value of the down payment two years from now would be if it was invested in a certificate of deposit, the stock market or used to purchase a home today. A 3.5% down payment on a $175,000 home is $6,125.00.  If it was invested in a CD that would earn 2%, a person would have $6,372 in two years.  The earnings would be taxed as ordinary income tax rates.  It wouldn't earn much but it would be safe and secure. The same amount would grow to $7,013 in the stock market if you picked the right stock or fund and it yielded 7%. The earnings would be taxed at the long term capital gains rate.  ...

NAMAR (NE Atlanta Metro Association-Realtors) is hosting a housing forum for Gwinnett County Residents to explore the various homeownership programs in Gwinnett County. Join them and find out about the following programs available to citizens of Gwinnett County.  Homestretch Down Payment Assistance  Gwinnett County Housing Homeowner Rehabilitation Program  Gwinnett County Neighborhood Stabilization Program which provides affordable housing to eligible homebuyers The Housing Forum will be held Monday, August 4, 2014 from 6:00-9:00 pm in the auditorium breezeway of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. A panel of experts will be on hand to discuss the programs and options available to eligible low, moderate, and middle income homebuyers. The forum is open to all residents and REALTOR members. If you are interested in owning your own home, give me a call at (404) 857-2508. -------------------------...

The first home purchase can be the culmination of years of planning and consideration. Buyers typically look for 12 weeks and use a variety of information sources for research before purchasing. However, many renters are not near as thorough in their study. Like any other commitment a person makes, careful consideration and understanding is required. There are things that every renter should know before they rent a home or apartment. A lease is a binding, legal document. Understand the lease before signing and ask questions. Get the complete agreement in writing instead of verbal statements. Tenants have rights too and they vary depending on the state and city. Tenants need renter’s insurance for their personal belongings and liability. The landlord is responsible for a habitable and safe environment and should typically pay for repairs due to normal wear and tear. Do a walk-through of the property before signing a lease. Don’t withhold ...

Interview Tips for a Career in Real Estate   How do you decide which company to work for? Here's some areas to consider... Regardless of where you are in the process, (contemplating which real estate school to attend, already passed your real estate exam, or looking to move to a different company) once you have made the commitment to pursue a career in real estate, you can begin interviewing companies. Interview Preparation You never get a second chance to make a good first impression! ·         Dress professionally. ·         Bring real estate career interview checklist.  ·         Bring your resume. ·         Bring a list of questions you would like to ask. ·         Arrive approximately 10 minutes early to your appointment. ·   ...

Real Estate Agent FAQs 1. What are the fees I encounter as a real estate agent? The base fees required of all real estate agents are the fees to the real estate commission.170 to get the license and --- every 4 years for renewal.  91 to take the state test.the rest is up to the individual brokerage. in bob wood realty's case.  the fees are 254.50 to NAMAR, the local board of realtors. and $22 per month for MLS and internet access.  Things to look out for are E&O insurance, monthly fees, franchise fees, desk fees, phone fees, sign fees, lockbox fees, computer fees, broker call fees, yearly contracts, transaction fees, copy fees.   2. How hard is selling real estate? The comparison of Atlanta real estate and Atlanta rush hour traffic. They both have hundreds of thousands of people trying to get to the same goal . . .the gold.  Fortunately, in the midst of people cutting you off, taking shortcuts (and ill...