Passing a Home Inspection   Home inspections have become very popular in today’s real estate world. Most buyers hire a professional home inspector to take a closer look at a home prior to closing, or even prior to writing a purchase contract. The inspections cover a multitude of systems within your house. It is wise to take care of some of the more important ones before placing your home on the market. Such as:    »  Mold & Mildew – Mildew stains and odors will drive a buyer away.    »  Roofing – Deteriorated shingles or other roof coverings are hot-spots for buyers and inspectors. Repairs will be requested.    »  Cracks in walls or ceilings - These are red flags. Mortar and brick should be in good condition. And flashing should be watertight.    »  Structure and foundation – This coul... 08/08/2011

What is Rent-To-Own?"Rent to Own", otherwise known as "renting with the option to buy", is a technique where the tenant, in addition to a lease, is given the right or "option" to purchase the property at some point in the future.Here at Dennis J. Zisa & Associates, we utilize this technique in order to accommodate those who wish to own a particular home on a seller financed installment sale, but do not have the required down payment ($3,000-$6,000) which is needed for an installment sale purchase.With Rent-To-Own, you move into the home like you would any other rental, with just the 1st months rent and security deposit. Then over the course of the first 12 months of your lease, you have the opportunity to accumulate rent credits and "good tenant rebate" credits which, when put together ... 08/08/2011

  What is an Installment Sale Purchase? An installment sale, otherwise known as a "contract-for-deed", is a creative financing technique utilized in the purchase and sale of real estate. Because it involves "seller-financing", it effectively eliminates the need for the buyer to apply with a bank or mortgage company in order to get qualified for a mortgage loan. Here at Dennis J. Zisa & Associates, we specialize in this type of transaction. Because we deal with numerous investors and developers, we are in a position to list and maintain a constant inventory of homes where the sellers are willing to hold the financing, and accept the balance of their proceeds in monthly installments. This presents an invaluable opportunity (and in some cases the only chance) for home-ownership, when a pro... 08/08/2011

What is Rent-To-Own?"Rent to Own", otherwise known as "renting with the option to buy", is a technique where the tenant, in addition to a lease, is given the right or "option" to purchase the property at some point in the future.Here at Dennis J. Zisa & Associates, we utilize this technique in order to accommodate those who wish to own a particular home on a seller financed installment sale, but do not have the required down payment ($3,000-$6,000) which is needed for an installment sale purchase.With Rent-To-Own, you move into the home like you would any other rental, with just the 1st months rent and security deposit. Then over the course of the first 12 months of your lease, you have the opportunity to accumulate rent credits and "good tenant rebate" credits which, when put together ... 08/04/2011

Determining the Right Home for You   There are a number of things to consider when choosing the right home and everyone’s priority is different. Where should it be located; neighborhood preference; single or multi-level, number of bedrooms and baths; square footage; yard size; features; quality of schools; age of home; interior or exterior appeal; and most of all, price, because if it’s out of your budget, it can’t be considered. Make a List Make a priority list of things important to you. Start with the most important, things you have to have. Then work down the list, putting them in order of most important. After you are done, go up to the top and move down until you get to a place where you can draw a line. Above the line should be all of the items you have to have, and below the li... 08/03/2011

What is Rent-To-Own?"Rent to Own", otherwise known as "renting with the option to buy", is a technique where the tenant, in addition to a lease, is given the right or "option" to purchase the property at some point in the future.Here at Dennis J. Zisa & Associates, we utilize this technique in order to accommodate those who wish to own a particular home on a seller financed installment sale, but do not have the required down payment ($3,000-$6,000) which is needed for an installment sale purchase.With Rent-To-Own, you move into the home like you would any other rental, with just the 1st months rent and security deposit. Then over the course of the first 12 months of your lease, you have the opportunity to accumulate rent credits and "good tenant rebate" credits which, when put together ... 08/03/2011

  What is an Installment Sale Purchase? An installment sale, otherwise known as a "contract-for-deed", is a creative financing technique utilized in the purchase and sale of real estate. Because it involves "seller-financing", it effectively eliminates the need for the buyer to apply with a bank or mortgage company in order to get qualified for a mortgage loan. Here at Dennis J. Zisa & Associates, we specialize in this type of transaction. Because we deal with numerous investors and developers, we are in a position to list and maintain a constant inventory of homes where the sellers are willing to hold the financing, and accept the balance of their proceeds in monthly installments. This presents an invaluable opportunity (and in some cases the only chance) for home-ownership, when a pro... 08/03/2011

What is Rent-To-Own?"Rent to Own", otherwise known as "renting with the option to buy", is a technique where the tenant, in addition to a lease, is given the right or "option" to purchase the property at some point in the future.Here at Dennis J. Zisa & Associates, we utilize this technique in order to accommodate those who wish to own a particular home on a seller financed installment sale, but do not have the required down payment ($3,000-$6,000) which is needed for an installment sale purchase.With Rent-To-Own, you move into the home like you would any other rental, with just the 1st months rent and security deposit. Then over the course of the first 12 months of your lease, you have the opportunity to accumulate rent credits and "good tenant rebate" credits which, when put together ... 08/01/2011

Advantages of Owning a Home   While some people choose the flexibility of renting and being somewhat free of maintenance while having the ability to move often, many choose ownership for other reasons. It would be nice to say that the main reason for owning a home is the pride of home ownership, but that’s not quite true for most people. Their reasons are purely economical and there are clear financial advantages. Building Equity The difference between what you owe on your home and its value is called equity. In the early years of a home mortgage, most of each payment will go toward the loan interest, but later it will gradually go more and more toward your principal balance (what you owe). Through the years your payments will reduce this balance, thus raising your equity. Plus, if you... 07/26/2011

 What is an Installment Sale Purchase?An installment sale, otherwise known as a "contract-for-deed", is a creative financing technique utilized in the purchase and sale of real estate. Because it involves "seller-financing", it effectively eliminates the need for the buyer to apply with a bank or mortgage company in order to get qualified for a mortgage loan. Here at Dennis J. Zisa & Associates, we specialize in this type of transaction. Because we deal with numerous investors and developers, we are in a position to list and maintain a constant inventory of homes where the sellers are willing to hold the financing, and accept the balance of their proceeds in monthly installments. This presents an invaluable opportunity (and in some cases the only chance) for home-ownership, when a prosp... 07/26/2011

Really guys, I've been wearing long pants for quite some time now...I can take it! And, believe it or not, most of my buyers can, too! So if you can't see your way clear to qualifying them for a mortgage loan, just say so! But, on the outside chance that you do actually issue a pre-approval, please don't jerk us around for another five months, while you pull out more and more hoops to jump through!   I can remember when a bank or mortgage company would run a buyer's credit, verify their income and the source of the down payment, and then give them a conditional approval. Generally that approval would hold, barring any problem with the appraisal, or some other unforeseen development. Well, those days are gone...long gone! Now, fast frame to the present! The buyer's credit is approved, th... 07/25/2011

By Owner or Use an Agent   Some people are very successful at selling their home “by owner”. They have knowledge of key marketing strategies, how to best show their home, and they possess a good understanding of contracts. They are versed in negotiation tactics, but most of all, they are aware of the current market in their area and have priced their home appropriately. They realize the majority of homes on the market today are sold through an agency and they are aware that potential buyers might expect them to sell for less than market value because they will not be paying an agency commission. On the other hand, listing your home with an agent means that upon the sale, you pay a commission to the agencies involved out of your proceeds. This commission is negotiable. The advantages, h... 07/22/2011

What to Know About Credit   There is nothing more important than your credit when it comes to buying a home. The first thing a lender will do is review your credit report. This is a history of money you have borrowed in the past and how you have repaid those debts. It contains a list of debts such as credit cards, car loans, and other loans. It shows any bills that have been referred to a collection agency. It lists other public record information such as liens or bankruptcies. And, it documents inquiries about your creditworthiness and whether you were extended credit or not. Your credit report is constantly updated and most information is deleted after 7 years (10 years for bankruptcies). This credit information then helps generate a computer-derived number that indicates your risk a... 07/22/2011

SYour friend in the Real Estate Business Leander McClain, Burlington /Camden County, NJ Realtor & Real Estate Consultant, Keller Williams Realty, 1814 Route 70 E Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 856-685-1677 Direct Search NJ & PA Home Listings @ www.NJSouthRealEstate.com Leander McClain's Profile Recent Posts Top 3 Things Home Sellers Should Do Before Calling A Realtor How To Buy A Home Part 1 Economic Stimulus $8,000 Tax Credit Top Reason To Price Your Home Below Your Neighbors Always Have A Dream Books I Am Currently Reading Search Houses For Sale Follow Me on Twitter @leemack912 03/21/2010

   During today's Get More Business Show, we were talking about Volunteerism and how it can fit into an overall marketing strategy for your business and how it is a great way to draw a positive spotlight to your business or cause.  As a coincidence, my sister in law, Angela Guerrera who is a fourth year resident at Cooper University Hospital recently got back from a medical relief mission to Haiti.  The experience was really incredible for her and our family is really proud of her and the work that she accomplished there.  Because time didn't really allow for me to get into the details of the experience on the show, I want to share an interview that I did with her and some pictures that she shared from the trip. [...Click Here To Read The Interview And View The Pictures On TVPG Radio] J... 03/03/2010

Increased Rental Property Profit Allows You to Take Yourself on Vacation. Camden, NJ Take yourself on vacation using your increased rental property income. I was driving home in 11-degree temperatures from a meeting with one of our rental property owners. He was telling me about his upcoming vacation to warm and sunny Mexico. While some of you reading this are in warmer climes, most of us have been hit by an bizarrely cold winter and our minds go on holiday more often than our bodies! We all could use a holiday to break up the winter months. Our student pointed out that he skimmed a little off his rental income every month to add to his vacation fund. Not a terrible idea I thought as I watched the snow blowing along the side of the road. In most rental situations, the property owner doe... 02/18/2010

Here is a great article from the courier post, Click here to read more 01/21/2010

LAEDA (The Latin American Economic Development Associaation Inc.) This worthwhile organization is located in Camden, NJ.   The organization's goal is to assist  people in starting small businesses, expand existing businesses and to turn blighted properties into thriving commercial spaces LAEDA's mission is to promote economic development to include the economically disadvantaged, primarily minorities, in the Delaware Valley, primarily the City of Camden, New Jersey. On Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. until midnight, the Latin American Economic Development Association, Inc. is celebrating its 22nd Annual Casino Night & Silent Auction at the Savoy Caterers located at 1444 Route 73 in Pennsauken, New Jersey.  Cocktail Hour begins at 6:30- 7:30pm Dinner, Dancing, Open Bar, Awards, S... 04/13/2009

Last night, I attended a networking reception held by the Camden County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Verizon.  The event was held at the Victor Lofts in Camden, NJ.  The Victor is in a building where Victrolas used to be manufactured.  It's an interesting building.  During the reception, I met some great people who have small business and services that are worth mentioning.  So I will used this space to mention some of those great small business owners. Melissa Ware is the Property Manager at The Victor, One Market Street, Camden, NJ 08102 856-635-9076 Stephanie Bittner work with a non profit Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware Valley Inc, One Cherry Hill, Suite 215 Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 800-989-CCCS ext 3317 (voicemail only) sbittner@cccsdv.org, www.cccsdv.o... 03/25/2009

    WARNING…WARNING…                               information overload... In the last few days, I have seen several blogs talking about the 4.5% rate.  Fred Chamberlin  wrote this post. Could Mortgage Interest Rates Drop to 4.5% with Treasury Intervention?   He put some good information out there which ended up with some thought provoking comments. But are lower rates just a quick fix???       I have read all the comments and I am a little disturbed at the lack of knowledge and or the lack of common sense that some of us show. I feel that there is something lacking in these comments, lacking in today's society, and in our profession of lending & real estate. Yes, this is my opinion... but I want to share a little thought.   Just for the record, before I move forward. Some have said tha... 12/07/2008