There is much give and take involved in negotiating a property purchase. That's why it's important to have a checklist of what you want to get out of the deal as a buyer. Bear in mind, the home must be appraised and the lender will be looking at the fair market value on a given property. Since property values fluctuate, your Real Estate Agent should do a comparative market analysis so you are aware of what the trends are for the area in which you are shopping. This will give you an idea as to whether the seller's asking price is realistic. You will also want to know how long the property has been on the market, and if any price reductions have occurred during that time.Make sure your Real Estate Agent is on the same page with you so he/she is able to represent you properly. You als... 04/09/2009

Here's how you can stay in their good graces and avoid sky-high rates. Debra Tanner was thrilled when, in early 2008, her longtime credit-card issuer cut her interest rate nearly in half, from 16% to 9%. But a few months later, the thrill was gone. In August, Tanner discovered that the card issuer, HSBC Bank, had jacked up her rate to 30%. In fact, the rate hike had gone into effect several billing cycles earlier without Tanner noticing. When she called to protest, a customer-service representative told Tanner that her rate was being raised because she had been two days late with a payment. The bank refused even to consider restoring her lower rate until at least November. Tanner, who owns a gift-basket business in Clearwater, Florida, considers herself a responsible borrower. The issu... 04/07/2009

Using Toxics and Pesticides Safely What is a Pesticide? - This document explains what is and what is not a pesticide. What are Biopesticides? - Different from conventional pesticides, biopesticides are a group of pesticides that are sometimes controversial and make their way into the media. This web page helps to educate the public on this class of pesticides. National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) - This site provides a wide variety of pesticide-related information as well as a toll-free number for further information. Ten Tips to Protect Children from Pesticide and Lead Poisonings around the Home - These simple steps can help you save children from environmental hazards around the home. * Spanish Version Protecting Pets - Learn how to protect your pets from pests and potential p... 04/06/2009

"Be greedy when people are fearful and fearful when people are greedy," says Warren Buffet, one of the richest men on the planet. And with so much fear in the real estate market right now, you may be wondering now that spring is officially here, "Is now the right time to buy a home?" Let us turn to Barry Habib for an answer to this important question. An expert in the mortgage-backed securities market, Barry Habib is Chairman of Mortgage Success Source and founder of Mortgage Market Guide. Mr. Habib has managed a hedge fund, authored a stock advisory newsletter, owned an insurance agency, and has been an avid real estate investor for many years. Habib says that one way to determine whether the time may be right for you to consider buying a home is to start looking at the rents in your ... 04/06/2009

Chances are you know someone who is facing the challenges of divorce. Going through this process can be emotionally and financially difficult. Failing to address important credit issues, however, will only make things worse. Remember, a divorce decree does not absolve credit contracts or relieve responsibility for any and all debt incurred during the marriage. The following is a proactive plan to maintain healthy credit both during and after a divorce.Know Your Credit - Obtain copies of credit reports from all three bureaus right away (Experian®, Equifax, and TransUnion®). Organize The Facts - Make a list of ALL open accounts and create a spreadsheet with creditors' contact info, account number, type of account, balance, monthly payment, and the name of the vested spouse. Take Action -... 04/03/2009

  Copy this flyer, and as you are hunting for a new home,you can evaluate everything on paper before you make a decision.           Call me directly for a free consultation. Superior Home Mortgage Corp. licensed in DE, FL, GA: Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee #14511, MD, MI, NY: Licensed Mortgage Banker - NY State Banking Department, NC, PA, SC, VA: Virginia State Corporation Commission License # MLB-566, & DC. Superior Mortgage Corp. licensed in CT, MA: Mortgage Lender License # MC3208, NJ: Licensed Mortgage Banker - NJ Department of Banking, RI: Rhode Island Licensed Lender & Broker, & TN. SHM Mortgage Licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department 04/02/2009

Deciding whether to move is no easy task. There are many financial and emotional factors to consider prior to taking that next step. However, once the decision has been made, the benefits soon become apparent.According to the best-selling author of Remodel or Move*, Dan Fritschen, there are several reasons why people choose to move. Perhaps the size of their family has grown and their existing home has become a little too cozy. As children mature, being close to good schools becomes much more important. Job changes can also lead to a desire to move, especially when a commute increases dramatically.In addition, there are idiosyncrasies that are unique to a particular home and its neighborhood. Is the floor plan in the existing home desirable? While remodeling can help to correct certain... 03/27/2009

  Once your loan package has been sent to the lender, there are a number of things you should avoid doing that will change your financial picture. Remember, the lender is looking for stability and consistency. If you want the best interest rate, keep that in mind. Here are a few things to consider:The lender is looking to see what your source of down payment is.Your lender will most likely ask you to provide proof of your liquid assets. This includes bank statements for checking and savings accounts, verification of investments, and any other liquid assets. Some of the things they ask for may seem trivial, but keep in mind, if you are planning a move to a new home, it's important to have all documentation readily available. If the lender asks for cancelled checks or deposit receipts to... 03/26/2009

    With identity theft on the rise, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of reviewing their credit reports. However, their thoughts about credit and its long-term impact upon their financial future typically end there until it's time to apply for a home loan. A credit score is used to evaluate how likely a borrower is to repay their loan. There are several actions a person can take to impact their score. Here are a few to keep in mind.If someone has a credit card which has a high balance, while their remaining credit cards have low or zero balances, it's best to distribute the debt across the cards in order to change the ratio of debt to available credit.Many consumers believe that they should close an existing credit card account if the card is inactive. It's b... 03/20/2009

    Licensed Mortgage Banker, NJ Department of Banking and Insurance. Licensed Mortgage Banker NYS Banking Department. Licensed by the PA Department of Banking and pursuant to the Secondary Mortgage Loan Act. Not an offer to enter an interest rate lock-in agreement under MN law. MA Licensed Lender #MC3208. GA Residential Mortgage License #14511. Corporation also operates as Superior Home Mortgage Corp. and services CO, CT, DE, FL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NC, SC, TN, VA, WI.   03/20/2009

Achieving Nirvana in the Workplace   It's three o'clock in the afternoon, and you find yourself nodding off at your desk. You muster up what little energy you have left and make your way to the break room in search of an antidote. Your mind and body on auto pilot, you grab a cup of coffee and "something sweet".Or perhaps you've been working at the computer for hours when suddenly your vision begins to blur. Realizing you're on the verge of a tension headache, you down three Tylenol® (the recommended dose stopped working a few months ago) and get back to work.Don't feel too bad if either of these scenarios seems familiar; it probably means you've been working very hard. The real issue lies in your choice of solutions. Next time you find yourself without energy, or on the verge of a head... 03/19/2009

  Once your loan application is filled out and sent to the lender for review, the first thing they will look for is your ability to payback the loan you are requesting. My team and I have a streamlined loan process to help you get your ducks in a row prior to this review. A grand slam loan package is in perfect order and answers all the important questions up front. We know what the lenders are looking for, based on long-term relationships with them and extensive knowledge of guidelines for a multitude of loan programs that are available today.What is the lender looking for when they review the loan application?The lender wants to know about your personal financial picture, including savings and credit history and your employment stability. The co-borrower's history is also taken into ... 03/19/2009

  Here we go again, with the talking heads on financial news misinterpreting the impact of the Fed's actions on home loan rates. Here's the scoop. What the Fed just announced is huge - they have committed to buy another $750B in Mortgage Backed Securities, and $300B in Treasuries. But what does this mean and why do you care? Their actions provide a demand for Mortgage Backed Securities, which should help keep a ceiling on home loan rates moving much higher in the foreseeable future. That's good news, for homebuyers who are seeing the bargains out there and understanding that now is the time to act. Good news for those who are ready to refinance too. But an important distinction - this does not mean rates may move significantly lower. Depending on exactly which coupons the Fed purchases ... 03/19/2009

According to a letter that went out to lenders this week, The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) plans to make it tougher for borrowers to secure a cash-out refinance mortgage. Until now, the FHA has approved cash-out refinances for homeowners who have at least 5% equity in their properties and a record of on-time payments for at least one year. However, beginning April 1, this type of refinancing will be restricted to borrowers with at least 15% equity in their homes. This is a "temporary change" said current FHA Commissioner Brian D. Montgomery, while the FHA determines whether "permanent measures" should be taken. In other words, give us a call today. We only have until the end of the month to make an application before the new rules are implemented. Who knows what new restrictions... 03/18/2009

This update from FHA Letter 2009-08 establishes temporary cash-out refi guidelines. Here are the 9 things you need to know about these changes: 1. This is a temporary change, and effective as of April 1st, 2009 (No, it's not a joke). 2. When adding a simultaneous 2nd lien, there will be a max CLTV of 85%. 3. Existing 2nd liens can be re-subordinated with no max CLTV. 4. When existing 2nd liens are modified to accommodate the new 1st, there is no max CLTV. 5. Must have 12 months seasoning as primary residence to get max cash-out of 85%. 6. Less than 12 months seasoning as primary residence, loan amount will be capped at 85% of the appraised value or sales price, whichever is lower. 7. Existing loan must be current and not delinquent or in arrears. 8. A second appraisal is required for al... 03/17/2009

When will the housing market bottom out?  That has been one of the most popular questions of the past year+.  I say we may have seen it this past week. On Monday March 9th the Wall Street Journal asked the question Dow 5000? wondering if the stock marketwould continue to fall that far.  The next day began a four day rally that was boosted by news that Citi earned profits in January and February.  Throughout the week other banks such as Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America reported similar positive news.  Looking back to the stock market collapse of 2000-2002, we can see a similarity.  The market bottomed out on October 9th 2002.  That day the front page of USA Today read "No End In Sight". The following day the stock marketbegan a rally and everything turned around.  Interestingly, b... 03/14/2009

  The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) program first began in 1934 in an effort to encourage home ownership despite the difficult economic times of the era. The program enables consumers who may not qualify for a standard loan to obtain the financing they need to purchase a home without income limitations.FHA loans differ from typical loans in that they are insured by the Federal Housing Administration, which is a part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Because this insurance reduces the lender's risk on the loan, lenders have greater flexibility with regard to approving loans. For example, FHA loans are less credit-score driven, so a client may be able to obtain a loan despite having had credit problems or even a bankruptcy in the past. FHA loans also provid... 03/13/2009

  Choosing the right person to represent you in negotiating your home purchase is a major decision. Whenever you see the designation of REALTOR® (with a registered trademark) you can rest assured that person is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR), and has a commitment to meeting the standards of the organization. My team and I have a network of professionals that have done a great job for our clients in the past, and we can provide you with a referral to a qualified representative, and pre-approval to shop as a cash buyer.How will you know which REALTOR® is right for you?Seek to work with an experienced Real Estate professional that works with buyers on a regular basis. A real pro will go the extra mile to show you that they will look out for your best interest and ... 03/12/2009

    It's a strange time to be a homeowner. You've managed to hold on to your house during these tough economic times, but figuring out what to do next may be the trickiest part of all. If selling isn't part of the plan, could this be the right time to make some improvements to your home? Yes, but with one condition. The improvements will have to make sense. The Nuts and Bolts of It AllMaking improvements to your home is never a quick and easy decision. Given today's economic climate, the decision becomes even more difficult. With so many aspects to consider, let's simplify things and concentrate on two - cost and the potential for adding value to your home. Affordability is always relative to the individual. What one person can comfortably pay for may break the budget of another. For th... 03/07/2009

Take this 10-question quiz to assess your knowledge of job searching, interviewing and salary negotiating. 1. Searching the Internet is the most effective way to look for a job. True False 2. You can negotiate an entry-level salary. True False 3. Your résumé should always fit onto one page. True False 4. What are acceptable ways to reach out and network? Use your college alumni association Join a professional organization Join online discussion groups All of the above None of the above 5. When applying via e-mail, type a brief cover letter into the body of your e-mail, attach your résumé as a Word document and click "send." Yes, it's that easy Wait, you're forgetting something 6. Should you tell your current employer you're job-hunting outside the company? Yes No 7. How long does the a... 03/07/2009