Save Thousands of Dollars When Buying a Home
 

This FREE no obligation easy to understand report provides simple steps that will amaze you how easy it is to save thousands of dollars when buying a home. 


BEWARE!
13 Extra Buyer Costs You Need to Know About

 

This FREE no obligation report let's you know about 13 extra buyer expenses you need to know about before you start your home search.


9-Buyer Traps to Avoid
 

This FREE no obligation easy to understand report and DVD provides simple ways to avoid 9 buyer traps that most buyers fail to navigate before they happen. 


FREE Special Report
"6 Things You Must Know Before You Buy"

 

Discover how to avoid these costly mistakes. 


FREE Special Report - "The 9 Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar"
 

This report clearly identifies potential trouble-spots, and lays out an easy-to-follow step-by-step system to help you get the most money for your home
Your Realtor:
Virtual Real Estate Store
August 2001 Virtual Realestate Store
Real
America's Real Estate Superstore
Copyright © 2001 Realty Times
All Rights Reserved.



To Lock Or Not?
How To Do It Right


     To lock an interest rate or not lock, that -- with apologies to Shakespeare -- is the question.
      Borrowers always wonder if they should lock-in interest rates when they first apply for a loan -- or should they wait and see where the market goes? There is no sure answer because either choice involves some risk. If you lock now and rates fall, you lose. If you don't lock now and rates rise, you also lose.
      Alternatively -- and here's the good news -- you win by locking before rates rise and you also win by not locking in a market where rates are falling.


Mortgage Rates

U.S. daily averages as of July 31, 2001:

30 yr. fixed:   6.62%
15 yr. fixed:   6.20%
1 yr. adj:        5.71%
30 yr. jumbo:  6.98%

Source: Bank Rate Monitor


Get today's rates





What to do?
      The first step is to understand how the locking process works. In essence, there is no single lock-in "standard"



Wondering What Your Home Is Worth?

Let us show you.





Ten Tips For First-Time Buyers

     Each year more than 40 percent of all homes are purchased by first-time buyers according to the National Association of Realtors, a percentage which should offer some comfort if you're about to buy a first home. Others have done it, others are doing it, and you can too.
      But like most things, there are ways to make the process easier. Here in capsule form are 10 baseline strategies to make that first purchase a good experience.
      1. Think credit. Poor credit will make you a bigger risk in lender eyes -- and more risk means higher rates and steeper monthly mortgage costs. Make a point of paying credit car bills, auto loans, rent, and other payments on time, all the time, and in full.
      2. Consider taxes. When you buy a home mortgage interest and property taxes are generally deductible from income taxes. This means while monthly housing costs may be larger when you own than when you rent, what you save




Homeowner's Insurance:
The Last Paperwork


     Closing is the moment when all parts of a real estate transaction come together. But what may surprise buyers is that even at closing you may need still-more paperwork.
      Huh? Between sale agreements, disclosures, and mortgage applications wasn't there enough paperwork? What more could anyone possibly want?
      As it turns out, there is one item closing agents are likely to demand: evidence that you have homeowner's insurance.
      Virtually all of what it takes to finalize a real estate transaction will be handled at closing. The settlement agent will take in money from the buyer and the lender and pay out money to the seller, tax collectors, and others. But in many cases, homeowner's insurance will be shown as "POC" on the settlement form or "paid out of closing."
      In effect, you need to obtain homeowner's insurance on your own. This is good news because it means you have the opportunity to shop for rates, terms, and coverage. Once you've made your choices, you must then provide evidence at closing to show that you have adequate coverage.
      Lenders are interested in homeowner policies because they will be named as the "mortgagee." At closing this may



Don't Let Energy Costs Freeze Homeownership Chances

     Tick. Tick. Tick. It's the sound of your power and light bill noisily rising each month. While increasing energy costs are problematic for us all, they're especially tough for those with fixed incomes and few discretionary dollars.
      The good news is that energy costs need not sink ownership dreams. There are steps you can take to hold down fuel bills, including three big ones:
     Purchase an energy-efficient home. Many first-time buyers gravitate to new construction since buyers assume such homes more readily meet energy-efficient guidelines. But don't overlook resale homes that have been upgraded and/or remodeled. Ask for copies of utility bills for the past year to gauge how existing homes compare with other properties of similar age, size and construction.




Daily News and Advice


Read about the events shaping the Real Estate market today, find current interest rates, or browse the extensive library of advice and how-to articles written by some of the top experts in Real Estate. Updated each weekday.



More Articles


June Roundup: Mortgages Rates Trend Down

Spotlight on Mold: Tips to Protect Your Home

How To Handle Lender Questions

How To Save Money With Energy-Efficient Windows
How to Find a Qualified Home Inspector
How to Get the Best Mortgage Interest Rate and Terms
Save on Homeowners Insurance
Should you List Your Home For Sale with a Friend?

Free Online Home Valuation
 

Receive a free no obligation home valuation.


Your Home Didn't Sell. Do You Know Why?
 

Your home didn't sell or your listing expired. It likely wasn't your home. We can show you why with a FREE DVD and report, How to Sell a Home That Did Not Sell. 


How to Get Your Asking Price in a Buyer's Market
 

Receive a FREE no obligation report and DVD showing you how to get your asking price in a buyer's real estate market.


27-Keys to Selling Your Home
 Quickly and for Top Dollar
 

Receive a FREE no obligation report and DVD explaining the 27-keys to selling your home quickly and for top dollar.


11 High Cost Inspection Traps You Should Know Weeks Before Listing Your Home For Sale
 

To help home sellers deal with this issue before their home is listed, a free report entitled "11 Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Inspection" has been compiled which explains the issues involved.

 

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. All rights reserved. 

Serving the northside of metro Atlanta, Georgia area

The information provided is by Alpha Team Realty, Inc. is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice. Alpha Team Realty, Inc. and business partners are not responsible for misinformation, misprints, typographical errors, etc. herein contained. There is no implied or expressed fiduciary, agency or agent relation between Alpha Team Realty, Inc. and any user of Alpha Team Realty's.  services or any services provided through the use of this web site, unless specifically contracted in writing. Alpha Team Realty, Inc. is a Georgia licensed real estate broker license number H-37835, Qualifying Broker David Gibbard.

Privacy Statement                              Terms of Use Agreement

Equal Housing Opportunity

Member of the Metro Atlanta Better Business Bureau

Equal Housing Opportunity