SAVING TIME AND MONEY IN REAL ESTATE
by Kristine Glover
Finding the perfect home is a lot more costly when you have to spend a large chunk of cash on gas in order to search for potential homes. Visit with your real estate agent about very specific and important details regarding your next home it will save you a lot of time and in return save you money in the end.
Have your agent preview properties ahead of time, weeding out the properties that may have cost you time and money to drive and view. List the important facts about your new home to your agent .A location close to work, shopping, schools and more will save you time, and money when you consider the travel time from home to these destinations.
Ask your agent to include a public transportation directory to take advantage of public transportation saving you money and helping the environment.
Dispite the current condition of our economy It is still a wonderful idea to to invest in a new home or property. Be smart, Be choosy, Be happy!
Give me a call to help you find your perfect home. Kristine Glover 425-8282
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
First Time Home Buyers Programs available in Billings MT
By Jacque Lorang
If you are thinking about buying your first home or becoming a homeowner again after years of renting you may be eligible for assistance that can help you get into a home with less money down or a lower interest rate. The most important factor in finding the right programs is finding the right lender and a real estate agent who is willing to spend extra time and effort making sure you understand the process and are getting the best deal. It is very important to find a lender and an agent that have knowledge and experience in dealing with first time home buyers.
In this blog I will list and explain the basics of the 5 main programs available in the Billings area:
1. Home$tart- Provide $5000 to use for down payment and closing costs.
2. City of Billings- Provide assistance of $5,000 or $10,000 depending on the borrower’s income.
· http://ci.billings.mt.us/index.asp?nid=114
3. Neighborhood Housing Services- Provide $5,000 for down payment and closing costs.
4. Montana Board of Housing- This program provides loans at a lower interest rate.
· http://housing.mt.gov/Hous_BOH_SF.asp
5. $7,500 tax credit- Provide up to $7,500 on your next year’s tax refund.
a. http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/index.html
These are just a few of the programs available and just the tip of the iceberg as far as details on each program. If you are thinking about buying your first home give me a call(Jacque Lorang 690-5277) I would be more than happy to help you take the 1st steps and provide you with a packet full of useful information you can use to help on your journey.
For more details on each program mentioned above see the next post in our archives section
*always consult your accountant as to the best program for you.
By Jacque Lorang
If you are thinking about buying your first home or becoming a homeowner again after years of renting you may be eligible for assistance that can help you get into a home with less money down or a lower interest rate. The most important factor in finding the right programs is finding the right lender and a real estate agent who is willing to spend extra time and effort making sure you understand the process and are getting the best deal. It is very important to find a lender and an agent that have knowledge and experience in dealing with first time home buyers.
In this blog I will list and explain the basics of the 5 main programs available in the Billings area:
1. Home$tart- Provide $5000 to use for down payment and closing costs.
2. City of Billings- Provide assistance of $5,000 or $10,000 depending on the borrower’s income.
· http://ci.billings.mt.us/index.asp?nid=114
3. Neighborhood Housing Services- Provide $5,000 for down payment and closing costs.
4. Montana Board of Housing- This program provides loans at a lower interest rate.
· http://housing.mt.gov/Hous_BOH_SF.asp
5. $7,500 tax credit- Provide up to $7,500 on your next year’s tax refund.
a. http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/index.html
These are just a few of the programs available and just the tip of the iceberg as far as details on each program. If you are thinking about buying your first home give me a call(Jacque Lorang 690-5277) I would be more than happy to help you take the 1st steps and provide you with a packet full of useful information you can use to help on your journey.
For more details on each program mentioned above see the next post in our archives section
*always consult your accountant as to the best program for you.
First Time Home Buyers Programs available in Billings MT
By Jacque Lorang
If you are thinking about buying your first home or becoming a homeowner again after years of renting you may be eligible for assistance that can help you get into a home with less money down or a lower interest rate. The most important factor in finding the right programs is finding the right lender and a real estate agent who is willing to spend extra time and effort making sure you understand the process and are getting the best deal. It is very important to find a lender and an agent that have knowledge and experience in dealing with first time home buyers.
In this blog I will list and explain the basics of the 5 main programs available in the Billings area:
1. Home$tart- These kind folks will match you $3 for every $1 your family saves. The borrower can have up to $1667 to which Home$tart will provide $5000 to use for down payment and closing costs. A pro-rata share of the grant must be repaid if the home is sold within 5 years after the purchase, other than that there are no repayment obligations. The Home$tart program is open for first time home buyers and those who have not owned a home in the last 3 years that earn up to 80% of the area’s median income. In addition to being eligible by income, home buyers must complete a home buyer’s education class and qualify for financing with their lender. This program helps first time home buyers by keeping the initial expense of getting into a home down.
2. City of Billings- The City of Billings has a program where if the home buyer comes up with a minimum of $1000 they will provide assistance of $5,000 or $10,000 depending on the borrower’s income. There is an obligation to repay if the home is sold or refinanced prior to the 30 year term of the loan. Again, this program helps first time home buyers get into a home with less money down.
a. http://ci.billings.mt.us/index.asp?nid=114
3. Neighborhood Housing Services- A minimum investment of $500 to obtain the maximum loan amount of $5,000. Loans are paid back along with the borrower’s Montana Board of Housing mortgage payment over a 30 year term. This program is also in place to keep the initial costs of buying a home down.
4. Montana Board of Housing- This program provides loans at a lower interest rate. Currently they offer 30 year mortgages at 5.5%-6% interest rate. A lower interest rate means lower monthly payments. Again, the household must make less than 80% the area median income.
a. http://housing.mt.gov/Hous_BOH_SF.asp
5. $7,500 tax credit- If you buy a house between now and July 1, 2009 you are eligible to receive a tax credit up to $7,500 on your next year’s tax refund. This tax credit is actually more like an interest free loan. 2 years after you receive the credit you must start repaying it at a rate of $500 each year. The 1st year in a home can be very financially taxing, usually it takes most of your savings to come up with a down payment and closing costs, then there seems to be an endless list of things you need once you get into your new home. Hoses, lawnmowers, and a personal washing machine are something that most renters don’t think much about, but as a homeowner they become necessities and something the tax credit could help you acquire.
a. http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/index.html
These are just a few of the programs available and just the tip of the iceberg as far as details on each program. If you are thinking about buying your first home give me a call(Jacque Lorang 690-5277) I would be more than happy to help you take the 1st steps and provide you with a packet full of useful information you can use to help on your journey.
*always consult your accountant as to the best program for you.
By Jacque Lorang
If you are thinking about buying your first home or becoming a homeowner again after years of renting you may be eligible for assistance that can help you get into a home with less money down or a lower interest rate. The most important factor in finding the right programs is finding the right lender and a real estate agent who is willing to spend extra time and effort making sure you understand the process and are getting the best deal. It is very important to find a lender and an agent that have knowledge and experience in dealing with first time home buyers.
In this blog I will list and explain the basics of the 5 main programs available in the Billings area:
1. Home$tart- These kind folks will match you $3 for every $1 your family saves. The borrower can have up to $1667 to which Home$tart will provide $5000 to use for down payment and closing costs. A pro-rata share of the grant must be repaid if the home is sold within 5 years after the purchase, other than that there are no repayment obligations. The Home$tart program is open for first time home buyers and those who have not owned a home in the last 3 years that earn up to 80% of the area’s median income. In addition to being eligible by income, home buyers must complete a home buyer’s education class and qualify for financing with their lender. This program helps first time home buyers by keeping the initial expense of getting into a home down.
2. City of Billings- The City of Billings has a program where if the home buyer comes up with a minimum of $1000 they will provide assistance of $5,000 or $10,000 depending on the borrower’s income. There is an obligation to repay if the home is sold or refinanced prior to the 30 year term of the loan. Again, this program helps first time home buyers get into a home with less money down.
a. http://ci.billings.mt.us/index.asp?nid=114
3. Neighborhood Housing Services- A minimum investment of $500 to obtain the maximum loan amount of $5,000. Loans are paid back along with the borrower’s Montana Board of Housing mortgage payment over a 30 year term. This program is also in place to keep the initial costs of buying a home down.
4. Montana Board of Housing- This program provides loans at a lower interest rate. Currently they offer 30 year mortgages at 5.5%-6% interest rate. A lower interest rate means lower monthly payments. Again, the household must make less than 80% the area median income.
a. http://housing.mt.gov/Hous_BOH_SF.asp
5. $7,500 tax credit- If you buy a house between now and July 1, 2009 you are eligible to receive a tax credit up to $7,500 on your next year’s tax refund. This tax credit is actually more like an interest free loan. 2 years after you receive the credit you must start repaying it at a rate of $500 each year. The 1st year in a home can be very financially taxing, usually it takes most of your savings to come up with a down payment and closing costs, then there seems to be an endless list of things you need once you get into your new home. Hoses, lawnmowers, and a personal washing machine are something that most renters don’t think much about, but as a homeowner they become necessities and something the tax credit could help you acquire.
a. http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/index.html
These are just a few of the programs available and just the tip of the iceberg as far as details on each program. If you are thinking about buying your first home give me a call(Jacque Lorang 690-5277) I would be more than happy to help you take the 1st steps and provide you with a packet full of useful information you can use to help on your journey.
*always consult your accountant as to the best program for you.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Why buy now !!!
by Larry Thomas
All real estate is local and our real estate market here has little relation to markets elsewhere in the country. Our market in Montana and Yellowstone county is still very stable. Our local foreclosure rate is only a fraction of the rates in other parts of the country, primarily because sub-prime mortgages were not used very frequently in Montana. Mortgage rates are at an all time low and if you are thinking about a new home and qualify for a loan it would be wise to lock in a fixed rate now, because the rates may go up again at some time in the future.
Our economy in Yellowstone county is driven to a large extent by the new corporations and companies moving in to this area. Look at the big companies that have located here just recently, Cabela's, Kohl's and a new Wal-Mart in Laurel last year. In fact how many area's of the country can you name that have 3 Wal-Mart's within 25 miles of each other, probably few if any. And these big companies do their homework, they see the growth pattern and the potential for the future in Billings and Yellowstone county. The hospital district of Billings has expanded 3 times in the last 10 years and is still expanding. The last 10 years have brought tremendous growth to the heights and the west end of Billings and that growth although slowed somewhat now, will probably continue because our housing market here is still very reasonable compared to California, Florida or other large metropolitan areas.
Home owners motivated to sell are more apt to be realistic now because of the bad real estate news generated from other parts of the country. They don't realize that real estate is local and wrongly associate this market with those other markets.
So is now a good time to buy. You bet it is.
For more information contact Larry Thomas 628-2903 or e-mail larrythomasbrep@msn.com
by Larry Thomas
All real estate is local and our real estate market here has little relation to markets elsewhere in the country. Our market in Montana and Yellowstone county is still very stable. Our local foreclosure rate is only a fraction of the rates in other parts of the country, primarily because sub-prime mortgages were not used very frequently in Montana. Mortgage rates are at an all time low and if you are thinking about a new home and qualify for a loan it would be wise to lock in a fixed rate now, because the rates may go up again at some time in the future.
Our economy in Yellowstone county is driven to a large extent by the new corporations and companies moving in to this area. Look at the big companies that have located here just recently, Cabela's, Kohl's and a new Wal-Mart in Laurel last year. In fact how many area's of the country can you name that have 3 Wal-Mart's within 25 miles of each other, probably few if any. And these big companies do their homework, they see the growth pattern and the potential for the future in Billings and Yellowstone county. The hospital district of Billings has expanded 3 times in the last 10 years and is still expanding. The last 10 years have brought tremendous growth to the heights and the west end of Billings and that growth although slowed somewhat now, will probably continue because our housing market here is still very reasonable compared to California, Florida or other large metropolitan areas.
Home owners motivated to sell are more apt to be realistic now because of the bad real estate news generated from other parts of the country. They don't realize that real estate is local and wrongly associate this market with those other markets.
So is now a good time to buy. You bet it is.
For more information contact Larry Thomas 628-2903 or e-mail larrythomasbrep@msn.com
Monday, December 1, 2008
5 Reasons You Need a REALTOR
By Jacque Lorang
1. A real estate transaction is complicated.
2. Selling or buying a home is time consuming.
3. Real estate has its own language.
4. REALTORS have done it before.
5. REALTORS provide objectivity.
For more details on each of these reasons check out
For more information on buying and/or selling a home contact Jacque Lorang 690-5277 or ablahoo@yahoo.com
By Jacque Lorang
1. A real estate transaction is complicated.
2. Selling or buying a home is time consuming.
3. Real estate has its own language.
4. REALTORS have done it before.
5. REALTORS provide objectivity.
For more details on each of these reasons check out
For more information on buying and/or selling a home contact Jacque Lorang 690-5277 or ablahoo@yahoo.com
5 Reasons You Need a REALTOR®
By Jacque Lorang1. A real estate transaction is complicated. In most cases, buying or selling a home requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page government-mandated settlement statements. A knowledgeable guide through this complexity can help you avoid delays or costly mistakes.2. Selling or buying a home is time consuming. Even in a strong market, homes in our area stay on the market for an average of _45_ days. And it usually takes another 60 days or so for the transaction to close after an offer is accepted.3. Real estate has its own language. If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with someone who speaks that language.4. REALTORS® have done it before. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. And even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. That’s why having an expert on your side is critical.5. REALTORS® provide objectivity. Since a home often symbolizes family, rest, and security, not just four walls and roof, home selling or buying is often a very emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll every make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you keep focused on both the business and emotional issues most important to you.
For more information on buying and/or selling a home contact Jacque Lorang 690-5277 or ablahoo@yahoo.com
By Jacque Lorang1. A real estate transaction is complicated. In most cases, buying or selling a home requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page government-mandated settlement statements. A knowledgeable guide through this complexity can help you avoid delays or costly mistakes.2. Selling or buying a home is time consuming. Even in a strong market, homes in our area stay on the market for an average of _45_ days. And it usually takes another 60 days or so for the transaction to close after an offer is accepted.3. Real estate has its own language. If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with someone who speaks that language.4. REALTORS® have done it before. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. And even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. That’s why having an expert on your side is critical.5. REALTORS® provide objectivity. Since a home often symbolizes family, rest, and security, not just four walls and roof, home selling or buying is often a very emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll every make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you keep focused on both the business and emotional issues most important to you.
For more information on buying and/or selling a home contact Jacque Lorang 690-5277 or ablahoo@yahoo.com
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