The#PerfectLender

Finding a lender is one of the most important steps when purchasing a home. And more times than not, most purchasers will go through the loan process with the first lender they speak to. It is important to shop around when looking for financing. It's almost like buying a car. If you are in the market for a Honda, you don't purchase from the first Honda dealer you go to, or do you? A smart shopper, and wise money manager, goes to all the Honda dealerships to see which one will give him the best deal. The same is true with mortgage loans.


If you are a home buyer, and you have a Realtor representing you, ask them for a list of lenders they would recommend, or have done business with in the past. I was recently told in a REO certification class, that you can have 4 mortgage inquiries in a 30 day period before it drops you credit score, which is the false preconception most consumers have. Mortgage Credit IS different than you basic consumer credit, such as car loans, credit cards, etc.



For more information on choosing a lender, go to:



http://rismedia.com/2009-12-23/hud-issues-booklet-to-help-consumers-shop-for-home-loans/



Not in South Carolina?? I can help anyone, anywhere, buy, or sell, real estate.


Want more info on the Home Buying Process?? Go to: http://www.greenvillerealestategirl.com/



Best wishes for a Happy and Prosporus 2010!!!

Lindsay Saunders, Realtor

864-607-0479

Saunders@kw.com

http://www.greenvillerealestategirl.com/

5 Questions To Consider When #Buying a #Home.....

There a so many things to consider when purchasing a home.  Whether you are buying your first home, or your fifth home, you should always have someone working for you and representing your best interests.  So many times I come in contact with buyers, and sellers, who don't think they need representation.  Not having representation in a real estate transaction is like not having legal representation when going to court.  I don't know about you, but I'm no attorney, however, I AM a Realtor.  And the best part?  A buyer's agent is compensated by the seller's agent, so there is no out-of-pocket expense to the buyer for having representation.

Also, as a buyer, when you call an agent off of a yard sign, remember you are calling the agent that represents the seller, and in some states, that allow "Dual Agency", if the seller's agent signs the buyer, they represent both parties, buyer and seller.  My state allows Dual Agency, and in this situation, the agent has to basically remove themselves from representing either party, and they facilitate the transaction, and become the middle man.  Now, let's be realistic, who does the agent really represent?  Their own Pockets!!  Whole is better than half.

For more questions to consider when purchasing a home, go to:
http://rismedia.com/2009-12-14/5-questions-to-consider-before-purchasing-a-home/

Not in Greenville, SC?? I can help anyone, anywhere, buy, or sell real estate!

"Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid"
-John Wayne

Happy Holidays!!!

Lindsay Saunders, Realtor

Keller Williams Greenville Central Partners

864-607-0479

Saunders@kw.com

http://www.greenvillerealestategirl.com/

Give your family the gift of owning a home:

30 YR FIXED: 4.750 %
15 YR FIXED: 4.250 %
FHA 30 YR: 4.750 %
RURAL HOUSING: 5.250 %

30 YR FIXED: 4.875 %
15 YR FIXED:4.375 %
#FHA 30 YR:4.875 %
#RURAL HOUSING:5.250 %
GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF HOMEOWNERSHIP

#Making #Home #Affordable #Program

I have recently been contacted by a friend, and distressed homeowner, who has lost her job, and is having a hard time finding steady work.  She has blown through her savings, and is a couple of months behind on her mortgage payments.  As a friend, and compassinate Realtor, I want to help her.  I have met with her and discussed her options: 1. Short Sale, 2. Foreclsoure, 3. Loan Modification Program ( Which in her case, I'm not sure is feasible)  Her bank has told her that she may qulaify for a loan modification if she compeletes the paper work and sends in $400, which she doesn't have.

In my professional opinion, a Short Sale would be her best option.  However, she has shared with me that she is going to proceed with the loan modification program.  I'm afraid that the $400 was to start the process and not for the completion of the modification process.  Being unemployed, or without steady income, it is my understanding that homeowners will more than likely not qualify for a modification program.  It is also my understanding that the homeowner cannot be more than 30 days late in a 12 month period on their payment.

For more information regarding the 'Making Home Affordable' program, go to: http://rismedia.com/2009-12-15/help-for-homeowners-understanding-the-making-home-affordable-program/ 
Also, confide in a Realtor you trust regarding you options, and for help.

Not in Greenville, SC area?  I can help anyone, anywhere, buy, or sell, property.

"Wisdom becomes knowledge when it is personal experience."
-Unknown

Happy Holidays!!!

Lindsay Saunders, Realtor
864-607-0479
Saunders@kw.com
http://www.greenvillerealestategirl.com/

When Choosing a Realtor.....

Just because a Real Estate Agent has 10, 15, 20 or even 30 years experience, does not always make them the 'Best' Real Estate Agent.  The old school days of selling real estate have changed.  Like many industries, the real estate industry is rapidly moving towards being more, if not all, technologically based.  Many 'seasoned agents', who have aquired all of these years of experience, are having a difficult time changing with the times.  It is often hard to teach an old dog new tricks.  According to NAR (National Association or Realtors) 86 percent of all home buyers start their search on the interet.

So, as a seller, if your Realtor is not marketing your home on multiple websites, no matter how many years of experience they have selling real estate, your home may have a very hard time competeing with other properties in the area that have a strong web presence.  For example, I market all of my listings on over 40 websites to give my sellers the best possible web presence and try to create interest in their home.

On the buyer's side, if your agent doesn't have a strong web presence, how well can your agent obtain information for you when searching for property if they do not have a strong sense of technology.  You could miss the opportuinity for that perfect property because your agent is 'behind the times'.

As a younger agent, this has been something I have be challenged with.  I have been judged because of my age.  However, I teach a lot of the 'seasoned agents' in my office how to increase their web presence, get more web exposure for their listings, and capture more potential buyers.

Don't judge a book by it's cover!

For more information on 'Chosing a Realtor' go to: http://www.greenvillerealestategirl.com/

Not in Greenville, SC?  I can help anyone, anywhere buy, or sell, property.

Happy Monday!

Lindsay Saunders, Realtor
864-607-0479
Saunders@kw.com
http://www.greenvillerealestategirl.com/
http://www.lindsaymsaunders.com/

Creative Marketing-FHA 203(k) Loan Program

There are now more ways than ever to obtain creative financing when purchasing a home, as well as incentives. For example, the FHA 203(k) Streamline Loan. With this loan program, a purchaser can finance up to $35,000 on top of the contract price for repairs, improvements, and upgrades. So buyers, don't over-look the cosmetically distressed properties because you think it will be 'too much work'. Talk to your lender to see if the offer the 203(k) Streamline loan, and if you qualify. The loans are both rolled into one payment, and there are several qualifications for both the purchaser, and the property, so make sure it is something that is feasible before approaching.

For more information on the FHA 203 (k) Streamline Loan Program go to: www.GreenvilleRealEstateGirl.com

'Love what is ahead by loving what came before'.

Not in Greenville, SC area? I can help anyone, anywhere buy, and sell, property!

Lindsay Saunders, Realtor
Keller Williams Greenville Central
Saunders@kw.com
www.GreenvilleRealEstateGirl.com
www.LindsayMSaunders.com

Tip #1 For Today's Home Seller

When selling your home, or any property, make sure your Realtor knows your local Housing Market. It is also important to educate, and focus on, what is happening at your local level, and not national level. Every seller wants top dollar for their property, and every Realtor wants then to receive top dollar for their property. However, in order to do that, you must price your house according to what's happening with the properties around you. Don't view your Realtor as the enemy when they present the statistics, and they are not what you wanted to see. They, we, are only the bearer of bad news. Realtors don't like showing sharing the stats any more than the seller wants to hear it.

It's important to remember that EVERY market is different. The national media predicts, and shares, the housing stats on a national level, and it's just not logical to believe everything that is reported. It's like predicting the forecast for the entire nation; "It's going to be Sunny and 70 everywhere!" Not likely!

For more information on pricing, and selling, your home, go to www.GreenvilleRealEstateGirl.com.

Not in Greenville, SC? I can help anyone, anywhere, buy and sell property!

Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it.

Lindsay Saunders, Realtor
Keller Williams Greenville Central Partners
Saunders@kw.com
www.GreenvilleRealEstateGirl.com
www.LindsayMSaunders.com

Buying Your First Home

There are so many details that go into purchasing a home. It is so important to have someone who will educate you through the process, and actually cares about your best interests, and investment. With everything that has happened with our economy, and housing industry, Realtors and sellers have become desperate, and in many cases, only looking out for their own best interests. Did you know that there is no out-of-pocket expense to a purchaser, to retain, a professional Realtor to protect your best interests? The seller's agent has already negotiated the commission with the seller when they obtained the listing, and pays a cooperating broker (agent) for bringing a buyer to the closing table. For more buyer resources, visit my website at www.GreenvilleRealEstateGirl.com .

Not in Greenville, SC? I can help anyone, anywhere, buy or sell property! I have a network of over 75,000 agents across the country that I work with.

Have a great Monday!!

Lindsay Saunders, Realtor
Keller Williams Greenville Central Partners
Saunders@kw.com
www.GreenvilleRealEstateGirl.com

Great mortgage rates are still available!
30 YR FIXED:4.625 %
15 YR FIXED: 4.250 %
FHA 30 YR:4.750 %
RURAL HOUSING:5.000 %

30 YR FIXED: 4.750 %
15 YR FIXED: 4.250 %
FHA 30 YR: 4.750 %
RURAL HOUSING: 5.000 %

Great website to answer all questions about the tax credit extensionhttp://ping.fm/xvH74

It's Crab Claw Season!! Just had lunch with my friends, David and Masi. D brought back 10 lbs of crab claws from Miami. My first expeience, and it was sooo good! Did you know they tear off one of the claws, and (they're supposed) to through the crab back in for the claw to rejuvinate for next year. Interesting.....

30 YR FIXED: 4.750 %
15 YR FIXED: 4.250 %
FHA 30 YR: 4.750 %
RURAL HOUSING: 5.250 %

30 YR FIXED: 4.875 %
15 YR FIXED: 4.375 %
FHA 30 YR: 4.875 %
RURAL HOUSING: 5.250 %

LOCK YOUR RATES NOW FOR 1ST TIME BUYER CREDIT
30 YR FIXED: 4.875 %
15 YR FIXED: 4.375 %
FHA 30 YR: 5.000 %
RURAL HOUSING:5.250 %

30 YR FIXED: 4.875 %
15 YR FIXED: 4.375 %
FHA 30 YR: 4.875 %
RURAL HOUSING: 5.250 %

30 YR FIXED: 4.750 %
15 YR FIXED: 4.375 %
FHA 30 YR: 4.875 %
RURAL HOUSING: 5.250 %

Self reliance conquers any difficulty.

Chk out why Greenville is a great place to buy/sell real estate: http://ping.fm/GsmsW

Rates are STILL below 5%. What are you wating for???30 YR FIXED:4.750 %15 YR FIXED:4.250 %FHA 30 YR: 4.750 %RURAL HOUSING:5.000 %

Check out these incredible rates!
30 YR FIXED: 4.750 %
15 YR FIXED: 4.250 %
FHA 30 YR: 4.875 %
RURAL HOUSING: 5.250 %

30 YR FIXED: 4.875 %
15 YR FIXED: 4.375 %
FHA 30 YR: 4.875 %
RURAL HOUSING: 5.250 %

Great love and great achievements involve great risk....

Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully!