Students Of Success

Are you excited about purchasing your first home? Or maybe this isn’t the first, but you should be excited anyway! It’s a big step and a big decision. Finding the right mortgage loan is key. The key to saving yourself money and probably a few headaches down the line.

Here are some helpful hints on finding a good mortgage loan.

First, consider the home you are planning to purchase. Know what you are looking for and want, but also realize what your limits are. How much home can you afford? Any mortgage company can tell you what they think you can afford, but know what that all breaks down for you per month.

Finding quality mortgage lenders is easy. Most companies are well known. There are several different places to look as well. Start with your own bank. Will they loan you the money? At what interest rate?

Another place to look for a mortgage lender is real estate offices. They often have their own lending companies set up to help their customers. Mortgage lending is big business. Fear not, there are places out there that will loan to you.

You can also find mortgage loans available to you online through mortgage companies. While they lose the personal touch of being near to your home, they often have the best rates available. It can’t be any easier to look from site to site to find the best rates out there.

When talking to the mortgage lenders, there are things you should know. You will need to know your income and expenses. You will need to know your basic credit rating. Good, Poor, or Excellent.

Then, there are things you need to find out about the lender as well. What are the rates? What are the terms? What additional charges are there? What length of loan can they give you? All of these things are things you can compare from one lender to the next. Easily.

Compile all this information. And then choose. Choose based on how you felt about that lender, about how they helped you, and the bottom line. Who has the best deal? Who can you trust? Getting all this down, will give you the understanding of what to expect from a lender down the road.

Enh Wah is the owner of Home
Buying Tips and Home Mortgage Loan Tips that offers tips in home buying tips and home
mortgage loan guide help you to find the best available home mortgage loans and
buying your dream home.

Copyright 2006 Geff Long

The problem most people make (including real estate agents), is
trying to do too much in the ad. They try to sell the home in
that one ad and it just can’t be done. It will cause the ad
response to drop dramatically.

As backwards as it seems, the more information you provide in
the ad, the lower the response rate. Now, I’m not saying don’t
give any information… I’m saying pick and choose the
information you will include carefully. There is only ONE job
the ad should have… and that is to get the reader to take ONE
action.

That’s it. Nothing more.

You see, people are reading those house ads to try and
ELIMINATE homes to call on or look at. That changes your
perspective a little bit, doesn’t it? Common sense would tell
you that they are searching for houses to look at, but that
isn’t the case.

There is no way they can visit all those homes listed in the
newspaper, so they have to eliminate some of them. If you give
them a big ad with all the information and show them a picture,
they are quickly able to eliminate it and cross it off their
list. Don’t give them that option.

There are 4 important and essential parts to your ad. You must
grab the reader’s attention, capture their interest, create a
desire, and get them to take action. And believe me, it is not
rocket science and if you stick to that plan, the response will
surprise you.

Let’s look at each part individually.

1. Grab Attention

To grab the reader’s attention, you need to show them that the
ad pertains to them. The easiest way to do this is by starting
your ad with the name of the city or neighborhood your home is
in. It’s that simple. Anyone looking for a home in your area
will start reading your ad.

2. Capture their Interest

The easiest, fastest way to capture interest is to give the
reader some financial information. People are starved for this
information, but the real estate industry rarely gives it to
them. Simply get in touch with a Bank or Loan Officer and ask
for a Good Faith Estimate for your home. They will be able to
show you some exact financial numbers that you can use. You will
use Down Payment, Monthly Payment, Loan Amount and the APR
(Annual Percentage Rate) information in your ad.

3. Create Desire

Part of this is already done by the low down payment and
financial information. It creates a big interest and starts
creating a big desire. You can continue on and push some “hot
button” issues to really create desire in the reader. Use terms
that give a positive emotion. Quiet Street, Fenced Back Yard,
Fireplace… these types of terms are “feel good” terms.

4. Getting the Reader to Take Action

What is it you want the reader to do? Only give them ONE
option. You can have them call a phone number, go to a website,
or attend and open house. Choose ONE option and make that the
focus. Having them call a phone number will generally get the
biggest response.

There you have it. Four ridiculously simple steps that will
skyrocket the response from your “For Sale” ad.

This article is authored by Geff Long, author of the book
“Open House Secrets”. His book can help you get a massive
response to your advertising and sell your home FAST. You can
find more information at: http://www.openhousesecrets.com

If aluminum general circuit single strand wiring exists keep in mind it has been linked to an increased risk of house fires. The house fires are caused by overheating at connection points.

Further inspection and evaluation by an electrical contractor familiar with aluminum wiring must be conducted prior to expiration of your inspection contingency to determine what upgrades are necessary or desirable. All connections must be checked for signs of damage or overheating. Expect it to be diffcult job that few electrical contractors around “want to do”.

The connection points can experience overheating or become loose due to the properties of aluminum wiring. Upon fitting the wiring with special connectors and outlets, the wiring is considered to be safer. Contact the home owners insurance company you intend to use to determine if coverage will be impacted. Please point your browser to http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/516.pdf for more detailed information!

Even if you as a buyer do not care about the aluminum wiring you can rest assured that the person who buys the home from you when you sell it may very well ask you to pay to cure the hazard.

Aluminum single strand wiring is all Romex type (non-metalic) I have never heard or seen any single BX type wiring.

Used-house buying raises an argument on practical vs. impractical investment. The phrase “used homes,” of course, does not always mean historic houses that date decades back; a “used home” could also be a structure that’s just a few years or even just a few months old.

There may be practical factors or factors that are beyond economics behind buying older, more ancient houses. Sometimes, buying used homes is not an issue of affordability but of aesthetics; this puts preferential taste over practical lifestyle. Those who buy used homes fancy older houses, knowing that there is more value in their antiquity and style unique to their age that could fetch more through time. When properly preserved and attractively packaged, these antiquities attract richer people who have no practical use for their surplus funds.

Even more in the market, though, are those buyers of used homes who don’t have excess money to “waste” on something without any practical use to them, but only would want to own a place that they can call their very own. This sort is more in number compared to the first kind of investor. The factors considered by such a group of buyers of used homes would be more realistic and down-to-earth, preferring their home to be conveniently accessible to their more mundane concerns like place of work, market, church, school for their kids, etc.

Whichever type of a used-home buyer you may be, you may avail of the convenience of surfing the Internet to do some research on what kind of used houses are up for sale in the market, if only to save you from much legwork. Printed advertisements are also a source of information for properties up for sale. When you find the one you like, you have to really go out there and have an ocular inspection of the property before entering into a headstrong pursuit of buying it.

Used-house buying entails costs for repairs and remodeling. Keeping this in mind, unless you find something that has everything you love in a place your own all-in, you have to save up something for this also on top of the initial cash outlay for the down payment. More likely, though, there is no such thing as a used home that is perfect to your taste; you have to spend money for necessary repairs and remodeling. You may use this line to woo the seller to enter into an owner-financed arrangement with you, in the end. Be wise and note that the owner-financed deal is the best deal there is when you want to go into an earnest used-house buying.

Brian Shelton makes home
buying in the Dallas easy! Visit http://www.StopRentingDFW.com/

Forget your lingering doubts from Bulgaria´s Communist past and
you will be surprised and excited by the modern holiday
attractions Bulgaria now has to offer.

Nestling on the banks of the Black Sea, with Romania to the
north and Greece and Turkey to the south, and with its ancient
historical connections with Russia, Bulgaria comprises an
eclectic mix of all these nations, making it a rich and diverse
cosmopolitan country with a strong cultural heritage.

Although not yet as visited as its Greek and Turkish neighbours,
Bulgaria boasts stunningly untouched landscapes, beautiful, safe
sandy beaches and a multitude of tourist attractions ranging
from sports to history and culture. This, combined with great
value for money and welcoming people, completes the most
peoples’ formula for a perfect holiday destination.

Bulgaria has received heavy investment from the World Bank to
modernize its entire infrastructure, which has vastly improved
tourist facilities here - it is small wonder that tourism in
Bulgaria have increased by some 50% in the past four years.

Getting There

Bulgaria is only a short flight from the UK, (2 ½ to 3 hours -
great for you and the kids) and has connections from many UK
airports.

Flights arrive at one of four international airports: Sofia
(SOF), the largest of the airports, Varna (VAR), Ploudiv (PDV)
for charter flights to the ski resort of Pomparovo, and Burgas
(BOJ) for domestic flights and for summer charter flights to the
Black Sea resorts.

Visas

If you plan to limit your stay to 30 days within a 6-month
period and you are a citizen of the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland,
New Zealand, or Austrialia EU countries visas are unnecessary.

Vaccinations

There are no vaccinations required to enter Bulgaria.

Tapwater is safe everywhere in the country.

However, a vaccination for tick born encephalitis is advisable,
especially if you will be hiking, biking, or camping. This
vaccine is not given in the US, so US citizens should take other
precautions against ticks.

Where In Bulgaria?

Beach Resorts

Bulgaria is best known for its budget holiday resorts on the
Black Sea.

The major resorts are located at: Albena, Golden Sands (the
largest seaside resort where 22 brand new hotels are currently
under construction), St. Konstantin, Varna (known as the sea
capital and Bulgaria’s third largest city), Elenite, Sunny Beach
(the third largest resort) and Bourgas. These offer all you need
for a relaxing and enjoyable holiday: comfortable hotels,
sunshine with pleasant temperatures around 26°C in summer,
white, non-tidal beaches, water sports and plenty of
entertainment as well as historic sites. For extra
entertainment, modern aqua parks can be found in Golden Sands
and Sunny Beach.

There are several nudist beaches in Bulgaria. They are located:

- between Albena and Kranevo - after Gergana Hotel in Albena -
Golden Sands resort - past the yacht port, in front of Glarus
Hotel - Kamchia - the widest nudist beach on the Bulgarian Black
sea coast and a famous nudist - Destination. - Bourgass - north
of the town after the Burgas Hotel, direction Nessebur (new
town) near the saltpans of Bourgas. - Sozopol - south of
Harmanite beach Ski Resorts

Did you know Bulgaria is a now a highly desirable ski location,
with some of the best value skiing and après-ski available in
Europe?

The rugged heights of the Rila and Pirin mountains form a
spectacular setting for the ski resorts. The highest peak is
Rila with its Musala peak(2925m).

The season begins in mid-December, extending through to April in
many locations. The main ski centres are: at Bansko (the most
developed of all the resorts but also retaining a rich history
and culture), Borovets (the largest, with 40 km of piste),
Pomparovo (highest point is 1,926 m), Chepelare (picturesque and
near to the longest Bulgarian ski run, “Mechi Chal (5,200 m) and
Vitosha (set in a National Park and overlooking the capital city
of Sofia).

Trekking and Local Culture

If you wish to fully experience the true character of the
country, you will need to venture away from the resorts to where
the locals live.

Crossing the entire country is the Balkan Range, a 435-mile
(700km) chain that offers some of the best hiking in Europe. A
popular location for easy trekking is Rodopi where you can hike
amid beautiful forests. For more strenuous walking, base
yourself in the mountain villages of Jeravna or Kotel in the
centre of the Eastern Balkan mountains or go to one of the three
National Parks at Pirin, Rila or Central Balkan.

The six very different mountain ranges vary from high,
snow-covered peaks to gentle green slopes and forests,
harbouring thermal springs and mineral spas, and valleys, rich
with Balkan flora and fauna.

The mountain dwellers have their own distinctive customs,
crafts, colourful folklore, religious beliefs and speech. They
welcome guests with typical Bulgarian warm-hearted hospitality,
sharing age-old traditions and cooking.

Despite its numerous tourist attractions Bulgaria is a poor
country and many, many people live under the poverty line. The
villagers mainly live off self-sufficiency and preserve almost
everything they produce, even meat.

Festivals and Customs

14 February - Vine Growers’ Day. This ritual originates from the
ancient Thracians and is called “Triffon Zarezan”. It is
connected with the return to work in the vineyards and is
officially celebrated by vine-growers, wine makers and vintners
alike.

March 1 - Martenitsi. On this day the Bulgarians give to their
relatives martenitsi - tasseled red and white thread. White is a
symbol of health and strength, red is for longevity with wishes
for health and happiness. The festival is connected with the
coming of spring. Late March Mummer’s Celebrations. This is an
ancient and popular custom. Dressed in colourful costume, men
wearing masks perform ritual dances with which they protect the
stockmen and farmers from evil spirits.

Mineral Spa Resorts

Yet another tourist attraction in Bulgaria, and one that people
travel to from far and wide to reap their health benefits:

The Black Sea resorts at Sveti Constantine, Pomorie and Albena
are famous for their healing mud. The best known Black-Sea spa
centers are: Dobroudja Hotel at Albena resort, Ambassador Hotel
at Golden Sand resort, Riviera Holiday Club, Sunny Day and Grand
Hotel Varna at St.Constantine resort and Pomorie Hotel in the
coastal town of Pomorie. Other treatment spas are located at:

- Hissarya - 22 mineral springs for the treatment of urological
and liver diseases - Sandanski - for bronchial asthma -
Velingrad - for conditions of the respiratory tract and
disturbances of the locomotory system, neurological disorders,
gynaecological complaints, mild forms of diabetes and obesity -
Kystendil - for conditions of the bones, joints and tendons,
disorders of the nervous system, cardiovascular diseases,
disturbances of the reproductive system and sterility

Monuments and Museums

The abundance of cultural and historical monuments, including
ancient Thracian, Greek, and Roman sites, makes Bulgaria the
perfect destination for history lovers. Many of the cultural
monuments in Bulgaria are listed under the protection of
UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Here are some of the many sites to choose from:

Archaeology sites: Nikopolis ad Istrum (early Byzantian town),
Tsarevets Fortress (ancient capital of Bulgaria), The Deaf
Stones (megalithic stones), The Bukelon Fortress (on the Turkish
border), The Thracian tomb (made before Roman times), Sboryanovo
reserve and Perperikon (the Sacred City)

Architectural Monuments: Veliko Turnovo (ancient capital), Baba
Vida Castle (medieval, with views over the Danube), Pleven
Panorama (one of the biggest in the world), Arbanassi (15th
century settlement), Tryavna (Renaissance cultural city),
Mustafa Pasha bridge (built 1529 and still intact), Guiness Book
of Records statue (in Haskoyo), Bojentsi (typical 19th century
dwellings) and Staro STefanovo architectural reserve (100
cultural monuments from beginning and mid 19th century)

Churches and Monastries: Aladja Rock Monastry (early middle
ages), , Bachkovo Monastry (founded 1083), Cherepishki Monastry
(14th century), Saint Dimitar (2 churches in Godech), Balsha
Church (semi circular church), Sokolovo Monastery (founded 1832)

Museums: National History Museum (Sofia), National Museum of
Military History (est. 1916), Museums in Bourgas, Sliven and
Yambol region, Steamship “Radetzky” (floating museum to
commemorate the life of revolutionary and poet, Hristo Botey)
and the Mausoleum - Tomb of Prince Alexander 1 Battenberg (first
prince of Bulgaria)

Getting Around

Road travel has been greatly modernized in anticipation of EU
membership in 2007 and in line with development of the country’s
infrastructure.

One-way bus passes cost between € 0.80 (£0.57) and € 1.60
(£1.15) depending on the distance travelled. However, the
conventions for bus travel vary from city to city. In Sofia, you
can purchase intercity tickets in advance which will be punched
at the time of boarding. But in other cities, you pay per ride.

If you plan to travel between cities by bus, look for private
bus companies, whose buses are newer, cleaner, and faster.

Taxis cost around €.0.20 (15p) for a pickup and roughly € 0.30
(20p) per mile after that. There are no extra charges for
additional passengers.

Trains around Bulgaria can be slow. Timetables are difficult to
come by, so you may have to go to the train station to plan you
trip. Should you need a sleeper car, for example between Varna
and Sofia, book in advance to ensure you get one.

Food

Bulgaria’s cuisine is influenced by its neighbouring Balkan
countries of Yugoslavia, Greece and northern Turkey.

Traditional food includes Bulgarian bread, pickled vegetables,
salads, soups, stews, casseroles, stuffed vegetables, kebabs,
spicy sausages and cheese dishes. Yoghurt is very popular and
eaten most days. In fact, Bulgaria is said to be the home of
yoghurt and Bulgarian yoghurt is thought to have curative
properties.

Meat, fish and vegetarian dishes are served with rice or bulgar
wheat. Vegetables include aubergines, beans, cabbage, carrots,
corn, courgettes, cucumbers, lettuce, mushrooms, onions,
peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and olives.

Favourite desserts are pancakes, baklava, baked apples and
fruit: apricots, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, grapes,
melons, raspberries, strawberries, peaches, pears, plums and
quinces.

Traditional alcoholic drinks are “rakiya” (a fruit brandy, often
made of plum), wine and “boza” (a type of beer made with
millet). Non-alcoholic drinks include coffee, tea, juices,
buttermilk and mineral water.

As with most activities in Bulgaria, going out to a restaurant
is great value for money. A breakfast may set you back € 2.50
(£1.75) and a typical 3 course lunch a mere €5.00 (£3.50)!

Conclusion

If you are looking for a holiday destination where modern
attitudes and amenities are still perfectly balanced by quaint
traditional values, look no further in your quest for the ideal
holiday home than Bulgaria!

Holiday homes in Bulgaria still represent great value. Many
investors are jumping onto the band wagon so as not to miss out
on an opportunity to enjoy repeated holidays skiing in the
winter and sunbathing in the summer, meanwhile watching the
value of their investment grow before their very eyes!

What is more, many off-plan purchases are accompanied by
guaranteed rental agreements which ensure you make extra money
from your investment for the time that you are not using the
property. With year-round tourism on the up, your chances of
maximum occupancy are high, provided you choose in the right
location.

When applying for your first mortgage, you are going to hear many terms tossed around that are specific to the real estate and financial industry. These terms are not hard, so don’t be concerned. If you are not dealing with financial information and real estate on a daily basis, you may not have learned what all the terms mean. Sure you may have heard them before but were never explained the specifics.

Loan to value ratio- This is a ratio that the lender who is financing your mortgage uses to determine how much he or she can loan you. It is determined by dividing the loan amount by the market value of the home in consideration. The market value is often determined by appraisals that evaluate the property and comparable homes that have sold in the immediate area.

Most lenders will loan up to 80% of the market value of a home. If the lender were to loan more than that, the lender would be risking not being able to recover the loaned funds if the property were to go into foreclosure. However, there are lenders who will loan more than 80% of the market value in exchange for a higher interest rate. You will be paying more in interest in exchange for their increased risk of loaning more money than what would normally be acceptable.

Points - This term refers to interest costs paid to the lender in exchange for a lower interest rate. Points are paid one time and are usually equal to one percent of the loan principal. It is not always a good idea to pay one-time points for a lower interest rate. This is where lenders can make a lot of money, and many times points are not even needed in a deal, and are just a bonus for the lender. Be sure to always do the math for each mortgage option to see what will cost you the least amount of money. Also shop around to see what a comparable contract is so you do not overpay.

Interest rate- The interest rate is a yearly rate that is charged on the principal of the loan amount provided by the lender. The principal accrues interest and you must pay it as an exchange for borrowing the money. Interest rates can be very different depending on the type and terms of a mortgage.

The interest rate charged in exchange for borrowing the money has a base percentage dictated by a national index and then percentages are added to this according to the amount of risk the lender is taking by giving you the money to finance the house. The lender should show you the breakdown of the final interest rate charged so you know why the number is what it is. If the lender does not do that, there could be some shady dealing going on and you should consider going somewhere else. Have all the parts of the interest rate disclosed so you know where your money is going and how you are being charged.

Loan term- This is how long you have to pay back the money borrowed from the lender. Common mortgage terms are 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years. The loan term is always negotiable depending on how much you need to borrow, what monthly payments you can make, and the amount of interest you will have to pay.

Debt service coverage- This is a ratio that a lender uses to see the borrower’s (you) ability to pay back the loan in monthly installments. The ratio is found by dividing your net income by debt. Lenders generally look for debt service coverage ratios of 1.2. This ratio compares the amount of debt to your income. The more income you have to cover your total debt, the better. This ratio shows the lender you are capable of paying the mortgage in addition to your other current debt.

Use this information to get educated and make your first time home buying experience a good one! These terms are specific to mortgage characteristics. For more information on other topics regarding first time home buying, check out the resource box where you can find more information that will help you with buying your first home!

John R Blakefield is a mortgage and real estate specialist. For more information, articles, news, tools and valuable resources on home mortgages or investment loans, refinancing, debt solutions, visit this site: http://ww.scourtheweb.com/mortgage/.

How to make the Real Estate market work for you and get the most money.

Dad always said that Real estate is a good investment because they don’t make it anymore. Because they are so busy these days anyone selling your home may be thinking more of listing more homes than your welfare. If you plan on selling and moving you will need to take some simple steps to get the most money you can.

Most Real Estate companies do a good job but in a sellers market you can probably sell your home yourself. Anyway if you have the time it won’t hurt to try. If it doesn’t sell then you can always call the pros in latter. The internet has been a blessing to the average person. Not only can you sell many things you don’t need anymore, you can even sell your home on the net at sites like PropertytraderUSA.com. Thousands of people visit sites like this looking for a new home. Even if your home is with a Broker you can still speed things along by putting low cost ads on the internet.

First you need to get your home ready to show. Buyers like homes that are clean with as few of your things as possible lying around so it’s time to do a spring-cleaning. Some big furniture may cost more to move than its worth so sell these things locally. You may want to buy new things later anyway. Then look around for small stuff you don’t want and sell it on eBay. What’s left is stuff you can’t live without or it’s just junk. If you aren’t sure then ask your wife guys, she’ll point out the junk to you.

If you like most people have collected too much stuff then consider renting storage for a month or two. Clean out the garage and hose it down to get rid of dust and spider webs. Men like garages and want to picture their tools and things there. One of the best home improvements that don’t cost a lot of money is pant, especially if you don’t mind doing the labor.

Ever notice how guests always end up in the kitchen? Most people like kitchens and this is the first room to remodel or just clean and paint. The next most important room is the bathroom. Repair leaks, rust spots, and replace the little things that seem to get ugly over time. If you have pets make sure you don’t have a cat litter box sitting around smelling up the place. Homeowners get used to their own smells and can’t smell a thing but your visitors’ sure can!

Big dogs scare some people (not me) and maybe it would be best to let Bruno visit Uncle Pete for a few weeks. After you finish with everything invite some friends over for a party and get some feedback on how everything looks. When everything looks good it’s time to take some pictures. You need good clear pictures to post on the net and mail to interested buyers. If you’re not experienced at photography find someone that is. Good photography takes years to learn and that’s what you need now. I’ve tested photos of my products on eBay and believe me it makes a big difference. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words.

If you use a Real Estate broker select one with lots of experience. I like the larger companies because they give you lots more exposure through their advertising and intercity referrals. Buyers trust them more also. The small cut-rate company’s may be slower to find a buyer and fix problems. When you are ready to move be careful to pick an honest moving company. Many of them have been holding truckloads of belongings and demanding more money. Pick one with a good reputation.

When I was selling Real Estate there was no such thing as the internet. What a wonderful thing it is. More and more people are selling everything you can think of on the net. There are plenty of Real Estate listing websites including my own PropertyTraderUSA.com that will advertise your Home for a small fee. PropertytraderUSA.com is free for the first 200 ads. After that its only $25 for six months and includes a photo. Wow, can you imagine selling for $25 and saving all that money! Do it Now!

To your success! Dean Minton

© 2004 by Dean Minton
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, in your Newsletter, on your website, or in your E-Book, as long as the author’s Resource Box is included with the article.

——————————————————–
Dean Minton is the author of the Science Fiction Screenplays,
“The Quantum Child” and “Backseat”.
List your property for sale at Dean’s new Nation Wide Real Estate Website for only $25 dollars! (first 200 are free) Go to Http://www.PropertytraderUSA.com
Contact him at: mailto: Deanspictures@netzero.net
——————————————————–

The 10 most livable and most affordable real estate metro areas in the United States have a number of other favorable characteristics in common, according to a new HouseHunt “Current Real Estate Market Conditions” survey conducted by HouseHunt, Inc., a consumer-oriented Internet firm that provides free information to thousands of homeowners, home buyers and home sellers across the nation. The survey shows median home prices range from $130,100 to $194,400 for existing homes for sale and also found:
• The majority of the 10 metro areas report balanced, good-to-active housing markets with sellers usually getting 95% or more of their asking prices. Inventories of unsold homes are mostly limited.

• The majority of the 10 metro areas are experiencing strong job and population growth and good economic news. They offer quality lifestyles, good schools and solid family recreation along with other amenities. Sales data shows that many recent home buyers are relocating from other, often more costly areas.

• All 10 metro markets are attracting both first-time and move-up buyers because of affordable prices, low mortgage interest rates and multiple financing options.

• Median real estate prices for existing single-family homes in the 10 metro areas range between $130,100 and $194,400, compared to the national median real estate price of $188,800. Four of the 10 areas reported double-digit price appreciation in the past 12 months.

• All 10 metro areas have major universities located there.

• Five of the 10 metro areas are popular tourism destinations. Nine of the 10 metro areas are located in warm to moderate climates.

The 10 most livable and most affordable metro areas as determined by criteria developed by “Places Rated Almanac” (David Savageau) and the latest quarterly median sales prices compiled by the National Association of Realtors are:

1. Salt Lake City-Ogden, UT $157,000

2. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $172,800

3. Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $175,600

4. Houston, TX $138,100

5. Phoenix, AZ $193,800

6. Cincinnati OH, $139,600

7. Louisville, KY $130,100

8. Austin-San Marcos, TX $154,100

9. Orlando, FL $194,400

10.Nashville,TN $152,100.

Four of the 10 metro areas – Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, Nashville and Austin-San Marcos – are also listed in the latest edition of Lee and Saralee Rosenberg’s “50 Fabulous Places To Raise Your Family” (Melissa Giovagnoli). Like Savageau, the authors give high marks for schools, jobs and business opportunities, family fun, housing affordability, living costs, climate, health care, transportation and quality of life.

“With all the negative news about spiking home prices and the widening affordability gap, it’s refreshing to find highly desirable metro areas where most buyers can find affordable homes,” said Michael Bearden, president and CEO of HouseHunt, Inc. “Our quarterly ‘Current Market Conditions’ reports are accessible on many of our HouseHunt.com agent websites across the country. For recent home sales in their neighborhoods, homeowners and home sellers can also find this information easily and immediately on HouseHunt’s new moveUp.com website.”

Mark Jenkins of Realty Executives, exclusive HouseHunt member agent for Salt Lake City, described housing activity in his metro area as “improving” from a depressed buyers market.” He said many buyers are relocating from out-of-state to take advantage of the lifestyle and lower home prices. A median price of $157,000 would probably buy a 2,000 square foot home with three bedrooms, two baths and a two-car garage on a one-third or one-four acre lot in a good location. Highest home price appreciation is occurring near the University of Utah. Another hot spot is Park City, a popular ski resort in the nearby mountains where Lee Merryweather of World Class Realty is the exclusive HouseHunt member agent.

An active housing market is reported in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area by Linda Ippolito of Keller Williams Realty, exclusive HouseHunt member agent for Bayshore, Westshore-South Tampa, and Davis Island-South Tampa. She said the whole area is exploding with growth and new industries. Available housing is in limited supply. Although the median price home is $172,800 for the entire metro area, median home prices are closer to $400,000 in South Tampa. Waterfront properties are also priced higher. Average price appreciation is 15.7% in the past year. A slower-paced but high quality lifestyle is reported in the Raleigh - Durham - Chapel Hill metro area by Ray Lenahan of Robert Gray Realtors, exclusive HouseHunt member agent with Robert Gray for Wake Forest, Rolesville and Youngsville.

“The big attraction is our Research Triangle, three major universities, excellent quality of life, and moderate weather,” Lenahan said - He said the median home price of $175,600 in the metro area is probably closer to $190,000 in his market area. “That will buy a new home with 2,000 square feet with three bedrooms, two baths on a half-acre lot. Either that, or, it would buy an older home in a more established neighborhood,” he added.

Houston, with its “can do” entrepreneurial spirit and liberal-to-zero zoning restrictions, is attracting people from both the East and West Coasts to relocate and to invest in rental properties, according to Kathi Frank of RE/MAX The Woodlands, exclusive HouseHunt member agent for The Woodlands and Woodland Springs. The Woodlands is a 27,000-acre planned community located 27 miles north of downtown Houston. “Median price home for the entire metro area is $138,100,” she said. “That will buy a new, 1,400 square foot home from a production builder in North Houston or Woodland Springs.” She added: “Estate properties are priced from the low $200,000s to more than $3 million.”

Reva Schafer of West USA Realty, exclusive HouseHunt member agent for Scottsdale and Northeast Phoenix, reported a limited inventory and a very active seller’s market, with sellers usually getting 100% or more of their asking prices. The median price for the metro area is $193,800 “but hard to find anything under $300,000 in my area,” Schafer said. “It’s more like $350,000 to $400,000 as a median price in Scottsdale.. Lots are jumping in price. So are houses.” Year-to-year appreciation is 24.4%! She cited tremendous growth in the suburbs of Peoria and Chandler. “A year ago, investors were buying from builders and flipping (re-selling) the properties. No more. Now, a buyer must live in the property for at least one year to qualify.”

Good job growth, corporate relocations and an improving local economy is fueling the housing market in the Cincinnati metro market, according to Saralou Durham of RE/MAX Preferred Group and exclusive HouseHunt member agent for suburban Montgomery and Hyde Park in Hamilton County, OH. “We have fabulous cultural and recreational facilities and a good quality lifestyle,” she said..”A median home price of $139,600 seems a bit low, depending on the area. That amount of money will probably buy a small two bedroom, one bath home needing some repair or remodeling in one of our small suburban communities.”

In Louisville, Charlotte Wright and Michael McConnell of Evergreen Realty are exclusive HouseHunt member agents for suburban Jeffersontown. “Louisville is now the 16th largest metro area in the nation,” Wright said. “We’re a hub for UPS and have two Ford plants located here. Military personnel stationed as nearby Ft. Knox and their families are also relocating here, she said. “The median price of $130,100 is probably low – $150,000 would be more accurate. The latter will buy a three bedroom, two bath 1,200 square foot house with a garage in a good area.”

Ann Parr of RE/MAX Austin Advantage and exclusive HouseHunt member agent for Westlake & Lake Travis said well-priced listings are attracting multiple, full-price offers in a very active seller’s market. Average time on the market is 60-90 days. “We have younger professionals who want to live close to downtown but the primary place to live is by the lakes,” she said. Prices range from $150,000 to $6 million. “Nice homes can be purchased for $250,000 to $350,000. The median price home is $154,100 in Austin. That would probably buy a starter home in the Round Rock area or a home needing remodeling in Central Austin. Patio homes for retired people near Lake Austin sell for $200,000.”

One of the hottest of the 10 metro markets on the list is Orlando, according to Steve Farah of the Royal Realty Group. Farah is exclusive HouseHunt member agent for Alafaya & Waterford Lakes and Kissimmee: “We’re experiencing unbelievable growth and home appreciation,” he said. “Our seller’s market is so active that listings sometimes last only hours, not days. Buyers frequently must act immediately or the property will be gone!” He feels that the median price of $194,400 is probably low because of high demand and the low inventory. “A median price of $250,000 would be more realistic and would buy a three –bedroom, two bath home with 1,700 to 2,000 square feet.” Since the first quarter of 2004, the median price home has appreciated 28.7%.

Nashville, the 10th ranked metro area on the list, offers a relaxed, friendly lifestyle and affordable home prices to newcomers, according to Mary Barbee of Coldwell Banker Andrews and Associates. Plus, there is no state income tax. Barbee is the exclusive HouseHunt member agent for South East Nashville. “The median price of $152,100 seems low – it’s more like $170,000, depending on location. That amount of money would probably buy a three-bedroom, two-bath new home with 1,200-1,500 square feet in the suburban communities of Madison and Smyrna,” she said. The median home price is up 11.3% in the past year in the Nashville metro area.

Monte Helme is a national public relations consultant with HouseHunt, Inc. Visit HouseHunt.com’s real estate page to search homes for sale or find out what is your home worth at moveUp.com.

“For Sale by Owners” AKA FSBO (pronounced “Fizz-boes”) are taking control of the sale of their own homes!

Statistics show that its probably one of the best ways to go. So-called “Internet buyers.” who comprised only 28 percent of the market in 2000, accounted for 45% of the market in 2002 and may now be in the majority. The National Association of Realtors recently reported that for the first time, more home buyers nationwide used the internet instead of newspaper ads as a key information.

• 66 percent of the buyers surveyed reported using the internet, compared to 49 percent of buyers who say they used newspaper ads.

Nation wide real estate has increased 20—30% since 2000 but the cost of listing with a real estate agent has either increased or has been unchanged.

The fact is that web-surfing home buyers are changing how Canadians are buying real estate, and changing the real estate industry. With a flood of information Canadians are becoming much more studious in their real estate buying techniques and starting to chip away at the 6% commission that real estate brokers collect on each home sold.

Canadians have come to realize that they cannot continue to throw their equity out the window by giving thousands of their hard earned dollars to agents. For a majority of Canadian citizens their homes are their families largest assets. Being a “For Sale By Owners” AKA “FSBO” is simply good money managing, It puts you in control of one of your largest assets, and Its where the real estate market is going with today’s technology.

Colleen Alderliesten is the Webmaster of http://www.canadianhomes4sale.com and has bought and sold real estate in British Columbia, Canada, as a “FSBO” for over 20 years. She can be reached for comments or questions at info@canadianhomes4sale.com

Selling a Home: Remove Clutter! By Julie Jalone

Most sellers understand keeping a house clean and picked-up but
have difficulty understanding how to really remove clutter. It
is more than keeping the house neat. Try some of the following
and impress your agent and, more importantly, potential buyers.

The first task I suggest it to pretend you are not the owner or
even that you have ever seen the house before. Tour your
property both inside and outside and make a list of anything you
see that catches your eye and takes away from the homes appeal.
These will be offensive to your eye such as toys in the front
yard, hoses that are not put away, busy shelves and too many
items on the mantel. It could also be stacks of magazines or
newspapers. Make the tour several times and keep adding to your
list. The more you notice the less the potential buyers will.

Most home owners, including myself, are attached to our home,
how we have decorated it and our possessions we proudly display.
Sellers must accept the fact they will not be in the house much
longer and be willing to repaint rooms with neutral colors,
remove pictures and put away those souvenirs from last years
vacation. A good idea is to start by removing most of your
personal items from each room. Get boxes or storage containers
to store your items. Approach the removing clutter as if you are
staging or preparing a model home for viewing by buyers.
Remember you want the buyers to be able to imagine their
belongings in the house.

You will know if you have successfully removed clutter in your
home by the number of boxes or storage containers you have when
you are done. Your first thought may be to put all these boxes
neatly in a closet. Resist the temptation and consider closet
space can be a selling feature. They too should look as good as
possible. Not overly packed closets will help create a spacious
feeling in your home. If your closets are packed full or messy,
the potential buyer may get the feeling the house is not big
enough.

Don’t overlook your garage as this is the place most of us
consider as a storage area. Find a friend, neighbor or family
member willing to store your boxes and containers. If this is
not possible consider renting a storage facility on a short term
basis. Selling your home quickly and at a higher price will more
than cover the cost.

After making your tours, list and removing your personal item I
suspect your real estate agent will still think you have too
much in the house. Don’t be timid about asking your agent to
help point out these final few items. We spend a fair amount of
time in homes and have a good feel for which ones show best and
why. If you ask, be prepared to accept their suggestions. We are
here to help you sell your house, not be critical of your
possessions.

If all of this seems more than you want to cope with, consider
using a professional stager. They can remove clutter and even
help you bring in items that will make your house look like a
model home. Again selling quickly and for the best price
possible can more than pay for this service. Like above, consult
your agent, they can help you make this decision.

If you like this article or have comments please let me know.
You can contact me via my web siet at http://www.jalone.com.