Selling your home? Call your REALTOR®

1. Your REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.
2. When selling your home, your REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.
3. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. Often, your REALTOR® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property. Your REALTOR®markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your REALTOR® acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.
4. Your REALTOR® will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The National Association of REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a property is marketed with the help of your REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
5. Your REALTOR® can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your REALTOR® can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.
6. Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of your home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).

I am honored to be your Realtor®,
Kris!

Realty Executives Seminole | 3899 W. Lake Mary Blvd. Suite 123 | Lake Mary, FL 32746 |
407-421-6187 | http://www.kris-julian.com

Dedicated Central Florida Realtor®

2014 Orlando housing market ends with price up, sales steady - Orlando Regional Realtor Association

2014 Orlando housing market ends with price up, sales steady - Orlando Regional Realtor Association

The return of the 3% downpayment

A growing number of lenders are reducing downpayment requirements so that borrowers can contribute 3% or less of a home's purchase price and still qualify for financing. In addition, some lenders have waived mortgage-related fees, and others are allowing downpayments from outside sources, such as the buyer's family. Most lenders target the new deals at buyers with stellar credit scores and steady income who have not been able to save enough for a substantial downpayment. Some types of low-downpayment mortgages have been around for a long while. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insures home loans with down payments as low as 3.5%, and it's lowering the annual mortgage-insurance premiums charged on new mortgages starting today. The lower-downpayment trend accelerated after Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently lowered the minimum down payments they will accept from 3-5%, driven by a White House campaign to make homeownership more affordable to a wider group of Americans.

Source: MarketWatch (01/26/15) Andriotis, AnnaMaria © Copyright 2015 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688 

Please reach out for more info and assistance, I'm always happy to help. Thank you & have a beautiful day! Kris

Kris Julian | Realty Executives Seminole | 3899 W. Lake Mary Blvd. Suite 123 | Lake Mary, FL 32746 | 407-421-6187 | http://www.kris-julian.com | 

"I am honored to be your Real Estate Professional and appreciate your confidence in me to always help you and your family!"

Dedicated Central Florida Realtor® 

Lower gas prices = Lower mortgage rates

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that the price of regular gasoline was $2.13 per gallon – its lowest point since a peak of $4 per gallon in May 2011. EIA estimates that the savings could amount to $550 per household in 2015. The drastic drop in oil prices could put downward pressure on mortgage rates. 

"Lower oil prices mean a lower inflation rate, which pushes down mortgage rates," economists note at the National Association of Realtors®' (NAR) Economists' Outlook blog. Indeed, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.66 percent last week – the lowest average in 20 months – according to Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage market survey. Taking into account the median home price of $205,300, a 0.75 percentage point drop in mortgage rates could yield a savings of about $1,000 annually, according to NAR researchers.

Source: "Recent Oil Trends and What They Mean for the Housing Recovery," National Association of REALTORS® Economists' Outlook Blog (Jan. 12, 2015)

© Copyright 2015 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688

FHA cut takes affect Jan. 26!

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) on Friday spelled out details of its plan to lower mortgage insurance premiums, a day after President Barack Obama unveiled the effort to jump-start first-time home purchases.

For 30-year mortgages with less than a 5 percent downpayment, the mandatory annual mortgage insurance rate of 1.35 percent of the loan balance will be cut to 0.85 percent. For FHA-insured loans with more than a 5 percent downpayment, the previous 1.30 percent rate will be reduced to 0.80 percent.

But the reduced rates will not apply to borrowers with 15-year mortgages, according to a letter issued to mortgage lenders by the federal government. The insurance rates on that loan product, which range from 0.45 percent to 0.95 percent of the loan balance, remain the same.

The lower insurance rates on 30-year mortgages will take effect Jan. 26. The agency said it will temporarily allow FHA purchase loan and refinancing applications now in process and that have a case number but have not closed to be canceled. Then, borrowers can restart the process and get new case numbers assigned on or after Jan. 26.

Borrowers are encouraged to contact their lenders and explore their options!

Copyright © 2015 the Chicago Tribune, Mary Ellen Podmolik. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.