Archive for November, 2005



The Closing

Published on November 15, 2005

When the home buying process draws to a close, the escrow company will guide you through the closing, or settlement.
At the closing, you may meet with the seller, your lender, a representative of the title company, your real estate agent, and others to sign the papers and pay the costs that legally complete the deal.
The [...]


Hot Property of the Week

Published on November 14, 2005

This installment of Hot Property of the Week will focus on a beautifully maintained home situated on over half an acre of land in the growing city of Yucaipa. At approximately 1,900 square feet (tax rolls show 1,413), this home features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a bonus room, 2 fireplaces, fruit and almond trees and [...]


Credit Pre-Approval

Published on

Many homebuyers are finding credit pre-approval programs are an important step in the home buying process. A credit pre-approval decision provides potential buyers an opportunity to be pre-approved for a mortgage, even before they find a home.
Applying for a credit pre-approval decision is easy. If approved, you’ll receive a certificate showing the maximum loan [...]


How Much Can I Afford?

Published on November 12, 2005

The amount you may be able to borrow for a mortgage will depend on your income, current debts, the value of the home you’re purchasing, the amount of your down payment, and current mortgage rates. Generally, your monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 28 percent of your monthly pre-tax income. Monthly payments on other debts, [...]


Rent vs. Own, Which is Best for You?

Published on November 11, 2005

Buying a home may be one of the best investments you’ll ever make. But how do I convince more of today’s renters? These are some of the arguments I hear for not buying a home:
-It’s too complicated
-I might want to move in a few years
-I don’t have enough saved up
-I missed out on the lowest [...]


Avoiding the Money Pit

Published on November 10, 2005

When buying a home, you should always enlist the services of a Home Inspector. This is a professional who conducts an inspection of the home you’ve decided to buy. He or she can identify actual or potential problems in the home and assist you in making an informed decision. Your Buyer’s agent can then address [...]


The MLS

Published on November 9, 2005

For those not familiar with the MLS (or Multiple Listing Service), it’s the database used by Realtors and Brokers to display properties listed for sale and to search properties listed by other Realtors or brokerages. The MRMLS (Multi Regional Multiple Listing Service) is one of the largest and most advanced MLS databases in the country. [...]


Benefits of Using a Buyer’s Agent

Published on November 8, 2005

When you’re buying a home, would you know what to do if your financing fell through the day before closing, your home inspector found a termite infestation, or your future neighbors had just built a wall on your property? The homebuying process can be simultaneously intimidating and exhilarating. From the first steps of qualifying for [...]


Hot Property of the Week

Published on November 7, 2005

Each week I’ll scour the properties for sale in the Inland Empire in search of one home that may be of great interest to a potential buyer. The Hot Property of the Week will be selected based on a multitude of criteria including price, value, features, amenities, condition, location, and profitability.
   
This week’s Hot Property is [...]


Housing Prices Continue to Rise

Published on November 5, 2005

The California Association of Realtors reports that the median priced home in California rose to $545,910 recently. This leaves California households, with a median income of $54,140, $73,810 short of the $127,950 qualifying income needed to purchase a median-priced home. The income gap has increased nearly 34% from this time last year. But, with values [...]