National Open House Weekend Tips!

ATTENTION BUYERS!! The time has come to get your comfortable shoes on, grab a water bottle and get the car keys, it's National Association of Realtor's Open House Weekend and in Monmouth County the balloons will be everywhere!!! Here are some handy tips that you may want to keep you from getting overwhelmed by it all. First, make it an occasion to spend some quality time with your significant other by getting a babysitter so you can see as many as possible and look forward to lunch or dinner after 4pm when most of them end. Second, have a plan! Know which areas you are most interested in based on school systems, access to work or family members, Hazlet, Middletown and Holmdel are among the most popular. Try to determine the exact style of house that you like such as a Colonial, Ranch, Split, Bi-Level or Cape. Research these different styles so you have an idea of what they look like from the street and try to resist the temptation to look at any that you know will not be your dream house so will have time to preview the right one.  Establish if you definitely want a garage, this will cut down on the amount of homes you would be tempted to preview on your drive by. Bring a pen and make notes on the print outs offered by the Realtors so you will be able to refresh your memory at the end of the day. And finally, remember to have fun and get excited about the prospect of buying your next home! Joanne Schiffres, http://joannes.betterhomesus.com Better Homes Realty, Hazlet 732-757-5013    

Your Realtor Is A Valuable Resource

Realtors are more than just "door openers".  An experienced full time agent has established and maintained great industry relationships over the years in order to serve his or her clients when it comes to the largest purchase they will ever make. Your Realtor's sole purpose should be to make your transaction as seemless as possible. That is why they should be the first person you go to when you need an important referral such as an attorney, home inspector or most importantly, a mortgage representative. Real Estate transactions are only as good as the people involved in order to move things along in a timely fashion and open communication between those related industries are most important when difficulties arise. Why wouldn't you, the buyer or seller, want all parties involved in your transaction to have your best interests in mind and make this experience one of excitement and joy rather than something else entirely! Joanne Schiffres  http://joannes.betterhomesus.com Better Homes Realty 732-757-5013

Waterfront Condos Point Pleasant NJ

2201 River Rd, Point Pleasant NJ Water's Edge  Point Pleasant's Premier Condominium Community Three units remain at Water's Edge, each with 2 bedrooms and 2.5  baths. Select condos offer furniture included in the sale, fireplace, butler's pantry, full kitchen with granite island, and state-of-the-art appliances. These beautiful mid-rise condominiums include units between 2,200 and 2,400 square feet. Balcony views with the Manasquan River or Point Pleasant Canal within eyeshot complete the beach-accessible dream this complex provides. For those just starting out, or those whose children are grown and are looking for a smaller home to retire to, or even those looking for a second home to enjoy, Water's Edge is a perfect location for all walks and stages of life. Come see why Money Magazine named Point Pleasant Borough one of the best places to live on the Jersey Shore, why not enjoy it with waterway views and ocean breezes? Three units remain and are available for a quick closing. Water/sewer fees are included in the association fee. Contact Anita Kazmierczak to schedule an appointment:  Email Anita@BetterHomesUS.com or call (732) 547-2710.

Updates from Atlantic Highlands Better Homes!

Homes In Atlantic Highlands Three New Homes For Sale in Atlantic Highlands Today!  To View or Discuss these or Any Available Homes in Atlantic Highlands call Better Homes Realty in Atlantic Highlands at 732-291-0070 . Two Homes Sold in Atlantic Highlands Today!  Contact Better Homes Realty in Atlantic Highlands at  732-291-0070 today to find out what Homes are selling for in Your Area. Five New Homes For Sale in Highlands Today!  To View or Discuss these or Any Available Homes in Highlands call Better Homes Realty at  732-291-0070 One Home Sold in Highlands Today!  Contact Better Homes Realty  at 732-291-0070 today to find out what Homes are selling for in Your Area. HomesinSeaBright.com Three New Homes For Sale in Sea Bright Today!  To View or Discuss these or Any Available Homes in Sea Bright call Better Homes Realty at  732-291-0070 . One Home Sold in Sea Bright Today!  Contact Better Homes Realty  at 732-291-0070 today to find out what Homes are selling for in Your Area. HomesinNavesink.com Five New Homes For Sale in Navesink Today!  To View or Discuss these or Any Available Homes in Navesink call Better Homes Realty at  732-291-0070 . One Home Sold in Navesink Today!  Contact Better Homes Realty  at 732-291-0070 today to find out what Homes are selling for in Your Area. HomesinLeonardo.com Two Homes Sold in the Leonardo Area of Middletown Today!  Contact Better Homes Realty  at  732-291-0070 today to find out what Homes are selling for in Your Area. HomesinLocust.com One Home Sold in the Locust Area of Middletown Today!  Contact Better Homes Realty  at 732-291-0070 today to find out what Homes are selling for in Your Area.

Help for Seniors

Click here for more info from my colleague Sandra RostekFebruary 29, 2012 by Wendy Trager Email: wendytrager@optonline.net.   It comes as no surprise that some of the hardest hit in this economy are seniors.  Homes seniors have been living in their whole adult life may now burdensome to pay for and upkeep.  Many seniors feel they have nowhere else to go.  Reverse Mortgages can be the solution for a variety of problems:

• To help seniors looking to downsize and finance the purchase of a smaller home.
• To help seniors facing foreclosure
• To help seniors suffering from job loss and unable to pay their mortgage
• To help with home repairs
• To help with sale of home
• To help a senior stay in their current home and pay for home healthcare

• The homeowners must 62 years old
• The home must be their principal residence (must live in the home more than half a year)
• The home must be a single family home, a 2-4 unit building or a federally approved condominium or planned unit development
• If there are debts against the home, then the homeowner must use the reverse mortgage to pay it off
• There are NO credit/income requirements

• Traditional mortgage or home equity loans require proof of sufficient income and credit history to qualify, and you will have to repay beginning within 30 days of closing.  With a reverse mortgage, there are no monthly payments to be made at any time during the loan for as long as you continue to occupy the home as a primary residence.  Since there is no monthly payment, the FHA does not require verification of your income and does not require a good credit rating. 

Let's Buy Something Together...

Buying A Home With Past Credit Problems Buying a home can be both exciting and stressful but, for those with past credit problems, the process may also seem intimidating.  The good news is that many lenders have adapted to the idea that many hopeful homeowners simply need a second chance, which means that past credit problems no longer have to define your future. Credit Blemishes When life unexpectedly takes a turn for the worst, it’s not always possible to come out without a few bumps and bruises. Every day, people are faced with late or missed credit card payments, mortgage foreclosures, bankruptcy proceedings, auto repossessions and even civil judgments that will affect their credit reports for years to come.  Whether it’s from a job loss, injury or just a simple case of temporary hardship, credit blemishes are often a part of life.  The good news is that they no longer have to prevent you from becoming a homeowner. Give Yourself A Little Credit After experiencing a credit problem, most lenders will want to see an attempt to rebuild your credit through a steady payment history with a new account.  This can be accomplished by applying for a credit card and maintaining a responsible use of the account.  If you aren’t approved for an unsecured card, you can always apply for a secured credit card. Either will rebuild your credit over time and will help to show lenders that your past credit problems are just that - in the past. Clean Up Your Credit Report Before applying for a home loan, make sure that you check your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies. Every 12 months, consumers can request a free copy of their credit report from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. If anything is incorrect or found to be inaccurate, filing a dispute with the credit reporting agency can help to get the information corrected before speaking with a lender. When you apply for a home loan, the lender will access your credit report for the purpose of determining your creditworthiness. In an effort to ensure that you have the best possible chance at being approved for the loan at the best possible interest rates, making sure that your credit report is accurate is a must. Save Up For A Down Payment Some homebuyers often qualify for a mortgage with down payments as low as five percent (three and one half percent for FHA loans), but those with past credit problems may be required to shell out up to 35 percent or more for a down payment on their new home.  A buyer who pays a larger down payment obviously has more vested interest in the home and may, thereby, be less likely to default on a loan.  If you have past credit problems, check with your lender about specific down payment requirements and start saving! Creative Financing Options If you’ve exhausted all of your conventional efforts and are still turning up empty, don’t give up just yet. Alternative financing is an option that many homebuyers use to purchase a home.  Your REALTOR® can provide you with details regarding any lease purchase and/or owner financing properties, which may require no credit check, no bank qualifying, a low down payment and competitive interest rate options.

Mark the Date!!! Your Residential Real Estate Questions Answered.

Live Chat on Ustream.tv  by Lisa Alaimo of Better Homes Realty.  Present will be Michael J. Weber of Weber Law Offices in Howell, NJ.  Chat live and ask you real estate questions.  All Residential real estate questions and RE Legal Quesions. Re-sale, short sales, bank owned, foreclosure, condo's, town homes & rentals. Mark the date... March 1, 2012 at 7:PM You can email your request prior, we will respond on live chat and email you back with answers. Email to : LAlaimo@BetterHomesUS.com See you there... Channel Name:  BHRLisaalaimo or search on ustream.tv  NJrealestateagent   or just click the link below and save to your favorites. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/njrealestateagent Lisa Alaimo.. . .www.SearchHomesinNJ.com     for Michael Weber of Weber Law offices...  www.WeberLawOffices.com

Avoiding Foreclosure (Government information)

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/avoiding_foreclosure Call me with any questions. 800-531-2885 x 451 or email me at:  LAlaimo@BetterHomesUS.com  Better Homes Realty   Lisa Alaimo