Christine Manisco's (chrismanisco) Blog

The Buyers Market has been great in the fact that there's lots of inventory out there to choose from a.k.a. Sellers/Foreclosures/Short Sales.  But when Buyers are making an offer on a particular property, the problem (dare I say "problem"?) has come up that there are many other Buyers making offe...

Buyers, with interest rates inching up towards 6% again, there has been a dip in the Buying Market.  But don't be afraid.  First-time homebuyers still have their $8,000 tax credit, and in some cases with a FHA insured loan, you can apply the credit towards your downpayment and/or loan costs to ge...

First-Time Homebuyers Rejoice!  The Urban Development Secretary, Shaun Donovan, announced in May, 2009 that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will allow homebuyers to apply the Obama Administration's new $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit toward the purchase costs of a FHA-insured home...

On March 4, 2009, guidelines were released under President Barack Obama's Making Home Affordable initiative, which is designed to help up to 9 million homeowners stay in their homes through refinanced mortgages or loan modifications. To qualify, you must: Owe between 80-105% of your mortgage. Hav...

Is that hail I see falling from the sky outside my window?  It may be snowing today, but this April seems to be bringing more Buyers to the market.  Is the housing crisis over?  Is there an end in sight?  I have had at least ten phone calls this week from Buyers wanting to look at properties.  Wi...

In his speech Wednesday, February 18, 2009, in Mesa, Arizona, President Obama threw a lifeline to millions of homeowners who are in jeopardy of losing their homes to foreclosure. Millions of families have seen their property values fall and are now unable to refinance at a lower rate mortgage.  ...

President Obama will sign the Economic Stimulus Bill into law this afternoon.  It contains an $8000 tax credit for all new homebuyers that runs through 11/30/09 - a credit that does not have to be re-paid.  This differs from the previous tax credit to first time homebuyers - one that had to be re...

It seems that February is always the month when Sellers and Buyers alike are contemplating.  Contemplating when to look for a home or when to put their home on the market.  When is a good time? The time is NOW!  Don't wait until March - the official opening of the "Spring Market"!  This is the ti...

We want to stimulate the economy and have our voices heard in Washington!!!  There's new legislation that has been introduced to Congress that would stimulate the housing marketing in our country.  Please go to www.fixhousingfirst.com to see how you can help and contact your Senators and urge the...

Free First-Time Homebuyers Seminar Get out of the "Rent Trap!"  Register today for our First-Time Homebuyers Seminar on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at the Wheaton Community Center, 1777 S. Blanchard Rd., Wheaton, IL (corner of Blanchard and Naperville) from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.   This seminar is a j...