Chance Gates' Blog

1.)  Commissions:  I’m sure it does not surprise anyone that commissions are apart of the sellers closing cost.

2.)  Settlement Escrow/Attorney Fees:  Attorney fees can be negotiated as apart of the sellers closing cost.

3.)  Seller’s Title and Escrow Fees:  This is the title insurance and escrow fees which will always vary base on price and which title company that the seller is using.

4.)  Subordinate Lien Payoff:  This is a set amount the first is willing to pay the second to get them to release their position on the home.

5.)  Transfer taxes/stamps/recording fees:  In Nevada the transfer tax will vary depending on which county the home resides in.

6.)  Termite Inspection/repair:  Where most short sale in the Reno/Sparks real estate are “As-IS Where Is” pest inspections and repairs can be negotiated as part of the seller closing cost.

7.)  Borrower Relocation Assistance:  http://chancegates.com/2010/03/14/home-owners-to-be-paid-to-short-sale/

8.) Other: Any negotiated lender payoffs that doesn’t fall into one of the top categories

The source of this information is http://www.makinghomeaffordable.com/.   I always advice anyone who is thinking of short selling their home to consult with an attorney and a CPA to make sure they understand all the options available to them.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional, I encourage all questions or comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted on this blog.  I can be reached by email chance@ballard-company.com or at http://www.myspace.com/chancegates

There are two new programs to get eligible  families $20,000 to assist with their down payment, closing cost, or even to buy down points to help make home ownership available. Under both programs the applicant must be a first-time homebuyer that can be income qualified.

2009 Income Limits

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional I encourage all questions and comment on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any article posted.  I can be reached by email at chance@ballard-company.com or http://www.myspace.com/chancegates

When buying a home it is important to remember the cost.  The days of 103% financing with nothing down are behind us for the most part.   So what will a buyer need to pay at closing?

The easiest place to start is the down payment; most FHA loans require 3.5% minimum. Every lender will require an appraisal, to determine the market value of a house. To get a complete cost of what a lender is going to charge ask for a good faith estimate.   Lender title insurance policy is another lender requirement.

A buyer should always know the condition of the home he/she is purchasing.  This can be accomplished by getting everything inspected by a licensed professional.   A home, pest, septic, and well are the common inspections, however there are more.   I do not recommend cutting costs by skipping the inspections.

Escrow fees and transfer tax are usually (not always) split.  Escrow fees are based on the purchase price and will change.  The Washoe County transfer tax is $4.10 per every thousand of the purchase price.   For example:

$100,000 house would be 100 x 4.10 = $410.00

There can be other costs such as a home warranty, property taxes, garbage fees, etc…

There can be many tax benefits, to homeownership. In today’s lending climate, it would be difficult to get into the predicament that many current homeowners find themselves in. However, homeownership is a big and costly responsibility and not one to be taken lightly. You should consult with your accountant, financial advisor, and lender to be sure that you are aware and able to meet the necessary monthly, yearly, and future financial commitments required in homeownership

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional I encourage all questions and comment on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any article posted.  I can be reached by email at chance@ballard-company.com or http://www.myspace.com/chancegates

The asking price is just that, what they are asking for the property. The buyer should know and understand they want this property sold quickly. The buyer makes an offer asking for everything: seller to credit buyer 3% for closing cost and home warranty are just a few. The longer the house has been on the market the more the seller wants to get rid of the property. The seller will likely counter any reasonable offer trying to get the highest amount possible. The buyer needs to understand the just part of the process in buying a foreclosure property. The trick is to negotiate a price that will meet the seller’s bottom line. A buyer needs to get a Licensed Nevada Real Estate Agent, who has done a number of foreclosures, to assist them in reaching the best purchase price.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional I encourage all questions and comment on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any article posted.  I can be reached by email at chance@ballard-company.com or http://www.myspace.com/chancegates

Qualification Guidelines

• A first-time homebuyer is someone who has not owned or co-owned their own residence within the past three years. If purchasing in a Targeted Area there are no restrictions on former home ownership.

• Total gross household income must fall within the Maximum Income Limits set by NHD.

• The purchase price of the residence you wish to buy may not exceed the Maximum Purchase Price Limits for the area in which it’s located.

• Assets, including without limitation, may not exceed 50 percent of the purchase price of the residence being purchased, unless disabled or elderly and such assets are the primary source of income. There is a lower asset test for down-payment loans — maximum $5,000.

• Income must support the repayment of the loan pursuant to the underwriting criteria applied by FHA, VA, RHS, or Fannie Mae, as applicable.

• Credit must meet the underwriting criteria applied by FHA, VA, RHS, or Fannie Mae, as applicable.
  
• Successfully completes a HUD approved in-person 6 to 8 hour Homebuyer Counseling Course.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate consultant I always welcome any comments or questions on the Reno/Sparks real estate or any of the articles I posted.  You can email me directly at  chance at ballard-company.com