If you are considering buying a home here in the Lehigh Valley – NOW IS THE TIME. Contrary to what you may see or hear on the news, yes you can get a mortgage. If you have a job, a decent credit rating, and at least 3% down payment, there is a very good chance you can get a mortgage right now.

Interest rates continue to be at at all time low, home prices are down, the economy is in the tank, it is 100% a buyers market out there – for now. There is absolutely no better time to buy a house in the Lehigh Valley than today. The longer you wait, you risk prices and interest rates going up, especially if you wait until spring or summer. As it is, real estate is a seasonal business. It is always better to buy in the fall and winter, than to buy in spring or summer.

If you are a potential home buyer, almost everything is on YOUR side right now. But all than can change very quickly. Experts are predicting we are at, or near the bottom of the market. This means that at any moment things will start turning around. When that happens, it will cost you more money to buy a house.

If you would like more information about getting a mortgage or buying a house in the Lehigh Valley, I invite you to call me today to discuss your home buying options.

Chris Hoffman, Realtor
Keller Williams Real Estate
http://govalleyhomefinder.com
Cell: 610-533-4549

Is the stress of buying a home overwhelming you? I would enjoy helping you handle all of the details in order to relieve some of the tension. Here are some tips that might aide in relieving your home-buying stress.

1. Envision where you want to be once the purchase of the house is completed. Write down the details and use it as a tool to get you motivated when the buying process seems to slow you down. The end result should make you feel that your time and energy spent was worth it.

2. Expect the unexpected. Anticipate the hidden costs by researching the real estate and mortgage markets. Hidden extras will vary; some are legitimate while many others, also known as garbage fees, simply are not. If you don’t understand, or you disagree with any fees that arise, you need to find out what they are and if you need to pay them. Remember that you need to perform research in advance. It is usually too late to back out on contracts when the deal is ready to be signed.

3. Find an agent you can trust. The agent will facilitate your buying process. He or she will help you create your buying plan, locate the right home, offer strategies for the current market, deal with offers, and assist you in completing the paperwork. In addition, your agent will guide you through the buying process; and help you with any emotional stress that comes along the way.

4. Know your limits, but at the same time, be flexible. Write down and revert back to your buying plan. When obstacles arise or setbacks occur, pull out your buying plan and get back on track. Make modifications to your buying plan if necessary, but don’t lose sight of your objective. If you are well prepared, you will always have options. There are plenty of agents, mortgage brokers, lenders, etc. who are willing to assist you.

5. Don’t alter your lifestyle. Whether it is during the home-buying phase or after the purchase has been completed, don’t forget or eliminate your daily routine. When purchasing a home, continue doing the things that you normally would be doing. Your main focus may be buying a home, but don’t be completely absorbed by the process or you may lose sight of your objective. A new home should enhance your lifestyle not take away from it.

If you would like help finding the home of your dreams, call me at (610) 533-4549 or visit my website at http://www.govalleyhomefinder.com/

When you search for a home here in the Lehigh Valley, you may start out searching online, but eventually you will hire a buyer agent to work for you who will send you MLS listings. When you are reading the MLS listing information you need to be aware that this is considered “just an advertisement” and the information contained in the listing is not always reliable or accurate. Whether its details about the home, or a list of appliances that are included, before you write an offer, have your agent verify the information.

Recently a young first time home buyer, with a baby on the way, purchased a small townhome in Emmaus. The MLS listing clearly states, that all appliances were included, including the refrigerator. However, after settlement, when the buyer took possession of the home, the fridge was not there! To some this may not be a big deal, but to this young couple, who were short on cash, this was a big surprise, and not a pleasant one.

Apparently, if you go by the letter of the law, if it is not written into the actual contract, the agreement of sale, the refrigerator does not have to stay. It doesn’t matter what the MLS listing says. The buyer and the buyer agent assumed since the MLS listing clearly stated that it WAS included, that it would be there. When the listing agent lists the property, he or she will ask the seller what appliances, if any are to be included with the sale. Then the listing agent will enter the information into the MLS. But some agents, have “assistants” who enter the information for them, and others are just careless and sloppy when entering the data, partly because they know cannot be held accountable for what is says.

This is a great system isn’t it? what ever happened to truth in advertising? The buyer in this case actually called the listing agent to question him about this, the listing agent said tough luck, your agent should have wrote it in the contract. Great reply isn’t it? Obviously this was a mistake, not done on purpose, but you would think the listing agent would have the integrity and the moral, ethic desire to make some kind of effort to make things right. But no. His response is simply “tough luck” you agent should have wrote it in the contract. Legally, this is partly true, but all Realtors have an ethic, moral obligation to deal in good faith and do all they can to make things right.

The moral of the story is that when you are buying a house, you CANNOT count on the information in the MLS listing, you CANNOT count on the seller OR the sellers agent to deal in good faith. you cannot count on the association of Realtors, or the MLS, to stand by the inofrmation that is published, you must, therefore, count on your own good judgement, and YOUR buyers agent to do everything they can to look out for you and your best interests, because nobody else will. You CAN include the MLS listing, and the Sellers disclosure, and pretty much anything you want, in the agreement of sale, and your agent can write in specific appliances and or fixtures to be sure everything is as you expect.

Good Luck in your next home purchase!

If you are a first time buyer looking to buy a home here in the Lehigh Valley, the first thing you should do is contact an agent

A good agent will never pressure you to move to quickly or buy a home that you really don’t like. Instead he or she will ask you some basic questions over the phone, put you in contact with a mortgage lender, and set up an appointment to meet with you to discuss the home buying process in more detail.

The role of the agent is to help and advise you about buying a home, give you information, and work with you to find the right home for you and your family.