My Offer is Accepted Yeah!!!

So here I am, very excited that I found the house of my dreams. Contract executed and submitted to the bank (short sale of course) I waited and waited and waited, it's now 4 months later, I got the call from my Realtor, "your offer has been accepted."

Now after waiting for so long I was hoping to hear closing will be in 30-45 days, but not so. The offer was made with a closing date of 3 months down the road.

What is going on? Are the banks really trying to get these homes off their books?

You might want to read this Article.

The Market is down but can I afford this House?

It’s the New Year and everyone’s pumped up and ready to fulfill their resolutions. The housing market is down and the words “tax credit” looms foremost in the minds of hopeful buyers; yet the most important question remains to be answered. Can I afford to make such a purchase?

Well, effective January 1, 2010, the new Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) rule goes into effect and should help to clarify some of the questions buyers may have regarding affordability. The Good Faith Estimate or the GFE as it’s commonly called, allows the lender to outline the fees and settlement charges associated with obtaining a mortgage, so that a buyer shopping for a loan can decide which is best, as well as the affordability. The form will be standardized so no matter which lender provides it, the form should look exactly the same thereby allowing for easier cost comparisons.

The GFE should give loan terms and settlement charges, showing what charges can change and those that will remain unchanged. This is important because often first time borrowers in particular, tend not to think of or be aware of other associated expenses other than the purchase price.

It is hoped the new rule will have the desired effect of helping home buyers make more informed decisions.

My First Home

This is a great time to buy a home if you are in the market. The Housing market is down, interest rates are at an all time low, and you might just be able to afford that dream house you’ve been wanting for so long; but before you jump in, there are resources that are available to you that you might want to seek out.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website at www.hud.gov have a wide array of topics pertinent to buying a home and will answer many of the common questions new home buyers have.

They go through the steps to be taken on making such a large commitment.

Here are some of the points they cover:

a) How much can you afford
b) House shopping
c) Home buying programs
d) Your rights
e) Shopping for a loan
f) Home inspection
g) Making an offer
h) Homeowners insurance
i) Signing papers

Remember you can't have too much information to assist you in making an informed decision. Happy shopping.

New Year's Resolution

So here we are at the end of 2009, staring into the eyes of 2010 and wondering yet again what happened, how did time go by so quickly….. still so many plans yet undone. If you are one of the many that fell short on your resolution to purchase a home in 2009, there’s still a chance to make up and take advantage of the Homebuyer’s Credit which was extended and expanded in November 2009 to April 2010.

What is a Homebuyer’s Credit? Well, it is a tax incentive given by the government to individuals or families purchasing their principal home, provided the purchase occurred in 2008, 2009 and now into 2010.

In order to be eligible, Buyers must enter into a binding contract to purchase a principal residence, not a rental or a vacation home, no later than April 2010 and must close on the purchase before July 1, 2010. The credit is in the amount of up to $8,000.00. As always there are additional eligibility requirements which are available from your Real Estate professional or visit: www.irs.gov for further details.

Christmas Traditions

Oh it is Christmas! I can hear the Christmas carols and the old familiar tunes ringing in my ears. The malls of America are packed with shoppers, shopping; the smell of cinnamon buns, favorite holiday scents and spices in the air; the Salvation Army bells are ringing (with a credit card machine hanging from the kettle)...oh yes, it is Christmas alright....

This has been a tough year for many and with unemployment at an all time high Christmas traditions as we know it will not be the same for many, but thanks to the extension of the unemployment benefits, there will be turkey on the table for some.

What can we do:
Check on our neighbors and take them some shopping;
Donate a Turkey;
Volunteer at a pantry or a soup kitchen;
Donate to Toys for Tots or your favorite charity; and
Give someone a hug.

So let's try and do all we can this holiday season to help the less fortunate. Have a safe and happy holidays.

Are we There Yet?

In one of my previous blogs I mentioned that this is "cherry picking season" for employers and time has proven me right. With unemployment on the rise, job seekers many with years of experience in their specialized fields, are daily facing uphill challenges to obtain lucrative work. Often the biggest challenge facing these job seekers is not their suitability or qualifications to fill the offered positions, but rather the paltry compensation offered.

Employers are now taking advantage of the vast reservoir of available skilled workers by offering only entry level salaries. You might ask, "can they?" The answer is yes, and they are. Employers are looking for the best but at bargain basement pricing and they are loving every minute of it, they know there is plenty to choose from - many are at a point of desperation that will not allow them say NO.

Are You Getting Your Money's Worth?

I have been thinking; with the unemployment rate at an all time high are employers really getting their money's worth?

Looking through the classifieds and speaking to professionals one is left to wonder are employers choosing wisely? I can understand that some employers might see this as a great time for filling positions due to the economic downturn and the sea of choices available, but are they filling those positions with quality professionals or are they being filled by those with less to offer an employer as they are too distracted looking for a bargain?

I was speaking to a former colleague with tons of experience in her field, she was expressing how frustrating it was going to interviews only to be low-balled and told, "we have a lot to choose from."

When I started Bee Bolder I was asked the question... "How can you compete with those offering their services for dirt cheap?" My answer to that was, "I do not see them as my competition because sooner rather than later they'll get what they pay for." So this is where we are today with the economy in the tank, employers are thinking that "Yes, I can get away with filling vacant positions by paying well below market" but experience shows there is no credible substitute for experience and quality.

Do not get caught in this trap of substituting what you know is right. Let me share an experience with you. I was told there was a great new grocery store that just opened and the prices were just unbelievable so I went to check it out.

I picked up some everyday items that I thought would be okay to try for quality (yes, I am always thinking about quality) granola bars, yogurt, and dried prunes were just some of the items I picked out. I got home unpacked my bags and was ready to relax so I grabbed one of the granola bars from the packet of 6 only to bite into a stale and awful tasting granola; the yogurt was no better, it tasted like glue, I thought this could not possibly be happening so I went to grab my box of prunes; oh those prunes, what could go wrong....I reached for them and my son yelled "hold up mom! the sell by date has passed." What! is this for real.

I can tell you that in this case a penny saved was not a penny earned. That was my last visit.

So for employers out there thinking that they are getting those positions filled at a bargain, think clearly and wisely. You cannot substitute quality.

Give us a call today and let us help you. Remember, no overheads, no payroll taxes, no long term contracts and you get quality professionals with experience.

Why substitute?