My realtor wants to see a pre-approval letter before we start looking for a house. Is this standard?

Why Getting Pre-Approved in Writing is Important When Searching for a House

When you begin the search for a new home and contact your realtor, he or she is likely to ask if you have been pre-approved by a bank or lending institution.  Many people get annoyed with this request, but it’s important to understand why the realtor is asking this question and how a pre-approval will […]

Why You Should Take Advantage of Historically Low Mortgage Rates NOW

While rates for mortgages have been edging upwards, they are still at some of the lowest in history.  And according to Greg McBride, a senior financial analyst for Bankrate.com, the trend of edging upwards is one that is likely not here to stay.  “The U.S. economy is not out of the woods,” he states. “The […]

I want to refinance but I also want to get the lowest rate possible. Should I hold off for a little while to see if rates dip even lower than they are now?

FHA Streamline Refinances: Too Good To Be True?

With mortgage rates at very attractive lows, many homeowners are seeking to refinance their existing mortgages to take advantage of the savings that lower rates bring.  While low rates are good news, if your current mortgage is an FHA mortgage, there’s great news for you: FHA offers Streamline Refinances, which are the fastest, easiest way […]

Have You Served Our Country in the Military? If So, You Likely Qualify for a Zero Down Mortgage for Veterans

It takes a special kind of person to be willing to give his or her life for the freedoms our country enjoys, and without a doubt, members of the military should receive special benefits not given to the rest of the population.  That’s why if you are a veteran and in the market for a […]

I want to refinance to take advantage of the current low interest rates but my home is underwater. Am I stuck with my high interest rate for good?

HARP 2.0 and What it Means for Homeowners Who are Underwater

If you are sitting in a home for which you owe more than it is currently worth, you are one of millions of homeowners in the exact same predicament.  The good news is that you no longer have to sit underwater with a mortgage that is sub-prime or at interest rates that far exceed what […]

Tips for Successful Real Estate Investing

Real estate investing is not for just anyone—it takes  a certain kind of person to enter into a volatile market and not only make sense of it, but also make cents ($$) of it.  Additionally, everyone who invests has different reasons for doing so, which means there’s really no one ‘right’ way of doing it. […]

What is the Difference in Short Sales and Foreclosures?

A short sale is a process in which you sell your home for an amount that is less than what is owed on the mortgage.  The lienholder of your mortgage must agree to this type of sale and in many cases, the borrowers are still not released from their obligations to repay the deficiencies on […]

“Big Player” Tactics for Closing a Sale

How many times have you found yourself in this position: you put together a brilliant presentation, your sales pitch was flawless, the potential client seems really interested, then…..nothing.  Suddenly, when it’s time to close the deal, you lose confidence and things start happening wrong. This is not only common in real estate, it’s common in […]

Prospecting Mistakes in Real Estate and How to Avoid Them

Prospecting for clients is one of the most fundamental ways you will grow your business as a real estate agent.  Simply put—do it the right way, and you’re setting yourself up for success; do it the wrong way, and you’re going to have trouble staying afloat as a business owner and entrepreneur.  There’s just no […]