Archive for the 'Mortgage' Category
I’m The One Buying A Birmingham AL Home – Who Are All These Other People?
March 9th, 2010Categories: Birmingham Alabama, Mortgage
Birmingham, Alabama – Many people are involved in the home buying process. These professionals have based their careers on helping you find and purchase the Birmingham AL home of your dreams. But do you really know just what do they do for you?
Real Estate Consultant
The first person that you’ll probably become involved with when you begin your search for a home is the Real Estate Consultant. This term includes real estate agents, sales persons, brokers, Birmingham Realtors, Listing agents, and Buyer’s agents, all of whom must be licensed to serve you. The agents and sales persons work for a broker.
Those licensed to sell may represent either buyers or sellers. However, the listing agents typically represent only sellers and buyer’s agents represent only the buyers – so as to avoid potential conflicts of interest. Only those that are members of the National Association of Realtors may use the designation “Realtor”.
Also, if you are not sure where you want to live check out our Birmingham Alabama real estate communities reports, or go ahead and Search all the Birmingham AL Homes For Sale.
Lender
The person that you work with to get your loan is generically called a Lender. This person may also be a Birmingham mortgage loan officer, banker, or broker. The job of the lender is to take your application for a loan, and verify your income, employment and credit history.
Click here, if you would like someone to help to get your Birmingham Mortgage Approval.
Attorney
There may be several Attorneys involved in the purchase of a home, one for the seller, one for you the buyer, and one for the title insurance company. The role of YOUR attorney is to make sure that you avoid any pitfalls in your purchase contract.
Title Company
The Title Company can act as the escrow agent (and hold your deposit), examines the title, insures the title, and issues a title report – verifying that you can become the rightful owner of the property.
Appraiser
The Appraiser, who is usually state-certified, is frequently involved in the pricing of the home, before you even begin your search. They examine the appearance, condition, size, and quality of the home – then estimate your Birmingham AL home’s value based on other sales in the neighborhood or area.
Surveyor
The Surveyor checks the boundaries of the property to ensure that the home is ONLY on it’s property – and the ONLY home on it’s property.
Home Inspector
The Home Inspector checks the working condition of electrical, mechanical, structural, and plumbing systems in the home.
Pest Control Operator
Lenders require that you have the home checked for wood-destroying pests – termites and ants are the typical villains. These professionals poke around the attic, basement, walls, and grounds to ensure that these pests aren’t squatters in your dream home.
Looking to Buy Birmingham Alabama Real Estate?
If you want to buy a home in the Birmingham Alabama area- we’ve made it fast and easy for you to search all the Birmingham Alabama homes for sale . Search just like the best Birmingham AL Realtors and see all the properties being sold by all Birmingham Alabama Real Estate agents.
Enjoy our fully customizable property search of the complete Birmingham Alabama MLS (multiple listing service) of single family homes, condos, and town houses. We specialize in helping you buy a Birmingham Alabama real estate bargain. (foreclosures and bank owned homes)
Specializing in Selling Birmingham AL Homes
The first thing home sellers need to know is “What’s my Birmingham AL home worth right NOW?” and what are Birmingham home prices doing by neighborhood. Our experience shows it all depends on where YOU live. Please ask for a FREE Comparable Market Analysis Report – CMA on your home so you can see what is actually happening in your neighborhood! No obligation, of course.
Experience shows that to sell a home in Birmingham AL today requires more than just putting a sign in the yard or putting the property information in the MLS.
Successful home sellers have found they need the advice of skilled Real Estate consultants like us, who have:
- strong negotiating skills to get your home sold quickly for the most money even in this real estate market,
- a strong internet marketing plan like our Smart Home Selling Plan. In fact, we may already have a buyer for your property because we understand that over 84% of home buyers today are finding their next house on the internet which is why when you use our plan we make sure they are seeing your home first and we also have a
- deep understanding of what’s really happening with home values in your real estate market ( Birmingham Real Estate Market Reports by area).
We have helped many families sell their Birmingham homes, quickly and painlessly even in this difficult housing market. In fact, we may already have a buyer for your property because we understand that over 84% of home buyers today are finding their next house on the internet which is why when you use our Smart Home Selling Plan we make sure they are seeing your home first.
Call us to schedule your FREE private real estate consultation to fully understand your home selling options (no pressure no hassles – guaranteed).
Whether you are buying or selling Birmingham AL homes | Hoover homes | Vestavia homes | Mountain Brook Homes | Pelham Homes |Helena Homes | Trussville Homes |Homewood Homes – we can help!
Call me today at – 205-383-3358.
Jason Secor - Birmingham Alabama Realtor
Birmingham Mortgages- Four Important Questions To Ask Your Lender Before You Sign Any Of Their Documents
March 3rd, 2010Categories: Birmingham, Birmingham Alabama, Mortgage
Birmingham, Alabama – In order to get the best Birmingham Mortgage loan for your needs, you need to consider your own financial situation, pre-approval, your credit history, and closing rates. In this discussion, we give you a leg-up on the process, by giving you some pertinent questions to ask lenders before you commit to one.
Do you have a variety of loan programs to fit my cash flow and expected length of ownership needs?
If you are going to live in your new Birmingham AL home for less than five years, you may want to consider an adjustable rate mortgage or “ARM.”
With an ARM your payments will be lower, but they will go up according to the terms of the loan.
If you are going to live in your new home for over five years, a traditional fixed-rate Birmingham mortgage may be a better deal.
Do you offer written mortgage pre-approvals, not just pre-qualifications?
A “pre-qualification” is usually a lender’s opinion of your eligibility for a loan. If you ask to be pre-approved, the lender will actually submit your job and credit history to an underwriter and get a conditional approval for a loan and a loan commitment.
The advantage of having a pre-approval is that it will make your offer to buy Birmingham AL homes for sale stronger and it will usually allow you to close the deal faster.
Click here, if you would like some to get your Birmingham Mortgage Approval. Also, if you are not sure where you want to live check out our Birmingham Alabama real estate community reports or go ahead and search all the Birmingham AL Homes For Sale
Do you have the ability to handle difficult credit history?
Many lenders will only work with you if you have perfect credit, and if a problem comes up, they won’t help you.
Make sure your lender has reviewed and received approval for you and your specific credit history.
Is the rate that you quoted me the rate I will get at closing?
Many lenders advertise their Birmingham mortgage rates in the paper and in homes magazines. These are what are called “Teaser Rates” in the industry. The name says it all.
After they’ve got you committed to using them, many lenders then tell you what the “real” rate will be. By this time, it’s too late for you to do anything about it.
Looking to Buy Birmingham Alabama Real Estate?
If you want to buy a home in the Birmingham Alabama area- we’ve made it fast and easy for you to search all the Birmingham Alabama homes for sale . Search just like the best Birmingham AL Realtors and see all the properties being sold by all Birmingham Alabama Real Estate agents.
Enjoy our fully customizable property search of the complete Birmingham Alabama MLS (multiple listing service) of single family homes, condos, and town houses. We specialize in helping you buy a Birmingham Alabama real estate bargain.(foreclosures and bank owned homes)
Specializing in Selling Birmingham AL Homes
The first thing home sellers need to know is “What’s my Birmingham AL home worth right NOW?” and what are Birmingham home prices doing by neighborhood. Our experience shows it all depends on where YOU live. Please ask for a FREE Comparable Market Analysis Report – CMA on your home so you can see what is actually happening in your neighborhood! No obligation, of course.
Experience shows that to sell a home in Birmingham AL today requires more than just putting a sign in the yard or putting the property information in the MLS.
Successful home sellers have found they need the advice of skilled Real Estate counsultants like us, who have:
- strong negotiating skills to get your home sold quickly for the most money even in this real estate market,
- a strong internet marketing plan like our Smart Home Selling Plan. In fact, we may already have a buyer for your property because we understand that over 84% of home buyers today are finding their next house on the internet which is why when you use our plan we make sure they are seeing your home first and we also have a
- deep understanding of what’s really happening with home values in your real estate market ( Birmingham Real Estate Market Reports by area).
We have helped many families sell their Birmingham homes, quickly and painlessly even in this difficult housing market. In fact, we may already have a buyer for your property because we understand that over 84% of home buyers today are finding their next house on the internet which is why when you use our Smart Home Selling Plan we make sure they are seeing your home first.
Call us to schedule your FREE private real estate consultation to fully understand your home selling options (no pressure no hassles – guaranteed).
Whether you are buying or selling Birmingham AL homes | Hoover homes | Vestavia homes | Mountain Brook Homes | Pelham Homes |Helena Homes | Trussville Homes |Homewood Homes – we can help!
Call me today at – 205-383-3358.
Jason Secor - Birmingham Alabama Realtor
Tax Credit for Birmingham AL Home Buyers Extended
November 12th, 2009Categories: Birmingham Alabama, Mortgage
Birmingham, Alabama- First-Time Homebuyers as well as current Homeowners received some great news last Friday when President Obama signed into law the Worker, HomeOwnership, and Business Assistance Act 0f 2009. For individuals or families looking to buy or sell Birmingham AL homes this news cannot help but to excite you about the real estate market. The amazing thing about the tax credit is that for someone already looking to purchase a home between now and June, 30, 2010, is that they can take advantage of this great incentive from the federal government to stimulate the housing market and it reduces the overall out of pocket expense once you file your taxes and receive your refund. One thing that you need to understand clearly is that this money cannot be used for down payments or closing costs towards a Birmingham mortgage but 
is actually going to be a credit that you will get credit for when you file your taxes and will get back as a refund or a reduction on taxes owed if you owe taxes.
Read also: Hoover AL Homes and Community Guide
The LivingInBirmingham.com Team believes the extension of the tax credit will be a great encouraging factor for people on the fence about buying Birmingham AL homes to go ahead and take the plunge into home ownership. We do not however think people should look at it as the dangling carrot they have to get if they are not looking to buy a home. A couple of changes to the new bill is allowing individuals to make up to $125,000 which is higher than the previous $75,000 and married couples can now make $225,000 up from $150,000. Also, current homeowners may be eligible for up to a $6500 credit when they purchase their next primary residence. The only additional stipulation is that they must have lived in their current home for five consecutive years over the previous eight years. The previous tax credit was only for first time home buyers so this one includes those who already own a home too.
To read a complete article about the extension of the tax credit CLICK HERE.
If you are interested in looking at Birmingham AL Homes you can visit www.LIvinginBirmingham.com or for Birmingham mortgage information call Jason at 205-383-3358.
Looking to Buy Birmingham Alabama Real Estate?
If you want to buy a home in the Birmingham Alabama area- we’ve made it fast and easy for you to search all the Birmingham Alabama homes for sale . Search just like the best Birmingham AL Realtors and see all the properties being sold by allBirmingham Alabama Real Estate agents.
Enjoy our fully customizable property search of the complete Birmingham Alabama MLS (multiple listing service) of single family homes, condos, and town houses. We specialize in helping you buy a Birmingham Alabama real estate bargain.(foreclosures and bank owned homes)
Specializing in Selling Birmingham AL Homes
The first thing home sellers need to know is “What’s my Birmingham AL home worth right NOW?” and what are Birmingham home prices doing by neighborhood. Our experience shows it all depends on where YOU live. Please ask for a FREE Comparable Market Analysis Report – CMA on your home so you can see what is actually happening in your neighborhood! No obligation, of course.
Experience shows that to sell a home in Birmingham AL today requires more than just putting a sign in the yard or putting the property information in the MLS.
Successful home sellers have found they need the advice of skilled Real Estate counsultants like us, who have:
- strong negotiating skills to get your home sold quickly for the most money even in this real estate market,
- a strong internet marketing plan like our Smart Home Selling Plan. In fact, we may already have a buyer for your property because we understand that over 84% of home buyers today are finding their next house on the internet which is why when you use our plan we make sure they are seeing your home first and we also have a
- deep understanding of what’s really happening with home values in your real estate market ( Birmingham Real Estate Market Reports by area).
We have helped many families sell their Birmingham homes, quickly and painlessly even in this difficult housing market. In fact, we may already have a buyer for your property because we understand that over 84% of home buyers today are finding their next house on the internet which is why when you use our Smart Home Selling Plan we make sure they are seeing your home first.
Call us to schedule your FREE private real estate consultation to fully understand your home selling options (no pressure no hassles – guaranteed).
Whether you are buying or selling Birmingham AL homes | Hoover homes | Vestavia homes | Mountain Brook Homes | Pelham Homes |Helena Homes | Trussville Homes |Homewood Homes – we can help!
Call me today at – 205-383-3358.
Jason Secor - Birmingham Alabama Realtor
