Those who missed taking advantage of the first-time buyer tax credit but who are still planning the purchase of their first home, continue to have a wealth of opportunities in today’s marketplace. A few smart steps can save first-time buyers thousands of dollars. Here is a look at some of the ways how:

1. Don’t buy if you don’t plan to stay
If you can’t commit to remaining in one place for at least a few years, then owning is probably not for you, at least not yet. With the transaction costs of buying and selling a home, you may end up losing money if you sell any sooner – even in a rising market. When prices are falling, it’s an even worse proposition.

2. Start by shoring up your credit
Since you probably will need to get a mortgage to buy a house, you must make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. A few months before you start house hunting, get copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you discover.

3. Choose carefully between points and rate
When picking a mortgage, you usually have the option of paying additional points- a portion of the interest that you pay at closing- in exchange for a lower interest rate. If you stay in the house for a long time- say three to five years or more- it’s usually a better deal to take the points. The lower interest rate will save you more in the long run.

4. Hire a home inspector
A home inspector can let you know if you’re about to buy a lemon of a house or warn you about potential problems. At best, you can move into the house confident that it’s in good shape; at worst, the inspector’s report can let you back out of the deal if the house has major, unexpected problems. Most typically, the home inspection can allow you to negotiate the home price to account for necessary repairs.

5. Get professional help
Even though the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings, most new buyers (and many more experienced ones) are better off using a professional agent. Look for an exclusive buyer agent, if possible, who will have your interests at heart and can help you with strategies during the bidding process.

6. Bonus Tip: Be patient
Buying a home is one of the largest purchases most people will make in their lifetime. The key to avoiding buyer’s remorse is to be completely comfortable before signing on the dotted line.

Dan Steward is president, Pillar To Post. For more information, visit www.pillartopost.com.

Home prices will begin to stabilize in 2010. “We’ve seen a steady downtrend in housing inventory for well over a year, and home prices appear to be in the early stages of stabilizing,” says NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun. “With expansion of the tax credit to additional buyers through the middle of next year, and no major unforeseen events impacting the economy, home prices should rise between 3 percent and 5 percent in 2010, but with wide geographic differences,” Yun says.

“Mortgage rates fell back this week pulling interest rates on 30-year fixed mortgages under 5 percent,” said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist. “Lower mortgage rates should help homeowners lower their monthly payments and feed the ongoing recovery in the housing market.” For instance, the Federal Housing Finance Agency reported that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have financed more than 3.5 million refinance loans during the first nine months of 2009. Freddie Mac estimates that borrowers who refinanced their conventional loan during the third quarter reduced their interest rate by a median of 1.1 percentage points, which will save these borrowers an aggregate of $3 billion in mortgage payments over the next 12 months.

California Housing Finance Agencies acting executive director,  Steve Spears, said the initiative will “help revive CalHFA lending programs and give California first-time home buyers a chance to take advantage of the highest affordability levels that have been seen in almost two decades.” 

So is this an indication the current $8,000. credit for first-time home buyers is not going to be extended? Why is the “Housing and Economic Recovery Act” passed last year seemingly only going to first-time buyers?

The Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA) is pleased to announce that Realty World has been selected for the 2009 Best of Business Award in the Real Estate category.

The SBCA 2009 Award Program recognizes the top 5% of small businesses throughout the country. Using consumer feedback, the SBCA identifies companies that we believe have demonstrated what makes small businesses a vital part of the American economy. The selection committee chooses the award winners from nominees based off information taken from monthly surveys administered by the SBCA, a review of consumer rankings, and other consumer reports. Award winners are a valuable asset to their community and exemplify what makes small businesses great.

Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA) is a San Francisco based organization. The SBCA is a private sector entity that aims to provide tactical guidance with many day to day issues that small business owners face. In addition to our main goal of providing a central repository of small business operational advice; we use consumer feedback to identify companies that exemplify what makes small business a vital part of the American economy.

SOURCE: Small Business Commerce Association

The “next round” of foreclosures, now beginning? 

Are delinquent loans being helped by congressional actions? 

JOB losses are the primary causes for foreclosures. A huge number of adjustable-rate loans of “prime” (not subprime) borrowers is now beginning to “reset to higher loan payments”. Many of these are job holders of “White Collar Workers” facing or already unemployed. Therefore, future monthly record delinquency rates are likely, until the right answers are discovered by Congress. 

Government “Fix” programs are not making a dent in resolving the real problems. “Loan modifications”, one of the pipe dreams, is one of the classic examples. Home owners who want to pursue affordable payments and conditions believed available seek this choice. Months later, they are waiting for approval but find out the lender foreclosed. 

Other options considered also typically encounter chaos, frustration endless delays or no responses! Foreclosures add thousands of dollars to the lenders losses. Typically, when they get the home back, it may be worth half the original loan amount. Plus, the borrower often remains in the home for over a year, not making payments. (Good for them!) 

Obviously, jobs must be retained and created! Additionally, let’s face reality. Unemployment nationwide for many months has not been under 10%. True unemployment is at least 20% when including the “self employed and independent contractors” who are not entitled to unemployment benefits!

What information and options are available?

How could your “credit scores” be impacted?

The “Homeownership Preservation Foundation” is an excellent FREE resource. Their website www.995hope.org offers a diversified amount information and solutions for your alternatives. Whether you’re in your in Placerville or any part of the USA, this will help. Online counseling, videos and other educational resources cover about any scenario.

Contact your lender to see what kind of advise or assistance they may offer. Many are beginning to have customer service or mediation departments. This will not be a quick or easy process so, be patient. Keep notes, names and phone numbers.

Professional counselors can be helpful but check their experience and expertise. Be cautious, there are a lot of scammers out their, so do not pay up front fees.

Here’s the likely options you may consider and how will your “credit scores” be affected:

“Loan Modifications” depending on the exact conditions of changes may not have much impact. This is an excellent choice if you want to keep your home.

“Short sales” according to research, can reduce your credit scores by as much as 130 points.

“Foreclosure” can cause a fall of 200 points or more. Negative marks on credit bureau files may last 5 to 7 years.

“Bankruptcy filings” on the average drop you scores around 300 points and reflect on credit bureau files for 10 years.

Mandated compliance of these new energy efficiency standards would make selling more expensive and difficult. Older homes and fixer uppers could represent cost prohibitive situations for sellers. Buyers would lose an opportunity to remodel, repair or upgrade with their options and desires. 

Obvious other ramifications from this will only further delay economic recovery. Other government regulations forced on home sales and the loan industry  this year,  have already had  negative impacts. The “American Dream of Home Ownership” is only being contradicted by much of this legislation.