The following Real Estate articles cover a variety of topics including short sales, loan modifications, deed in lieu of foreclosure, USDA Loans, tips on selling your home, tax deductions, internet and social marketing, plus many others.
I hope a few of them you may find useful for your particular circumstances. Hopefully some of the articles may teach you a good tip that you may not have thought about or even cause you to think differently.
Working as a Metrowest Massachusetts Realtor for the last twenty three years I have learned quite a bit. Real Estate is a field where you can learn something new almost every week! Real Estate is one of my passions...enjoy.
Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Massachusetts Home
There are a miriad of mistakes you can make when selling a home in Massachusetts. This article details some of the top mistakes and offers suggestions on how you can avoid them. Topics include pricing your home properly, selecting an excellent Realtor, and staging your home to sell among others.
Assessed Home Values Rarely Fair Market Value
This article details one of the top misconceptions in Real Estate. Assessed Home values rarely are the same as fair market value! In fact assessed values are nothing more than a yard stick for a municipality to collect an appropriate amount of taxes to sufficiently cover the state a local appropriations to the city and town.
Best Remodeling Projects Cost V.S Value For Your Home
There are many improvements that you can make to your home that have very little return. Other home improvements can have a real impact. This article details the average rate of return from around the country for various remodeling projects. The statistics are taken from the annual National Association of Realtors report.
Tax Deductions To Remember When Getting A Home Loan
When getting a mortgage to buy a home there are certain deductions that you are afforded by the Internal Revenue Service that you should be aware of come tax time in April. The article details some of the deductions you may forget about when buying a home.
Selling Your Home In A Buyers Market
There are quite a few people who have thought about selling their home but have not due to the steep decline in market values over the last few years. This is understandable UNLESS you are going to be buying another home under the same market conditions! Sure you will lose some of the equity that was in your home but you will make it up on the other end. Read further for an example as well as some tips on making your home sale go smoother.
Social Marketing, Blogging, Short Sales and the seller I Never Met
A run down of picking a Realtor with a social media marketing strategy combined with a strong internet presence, can be a tremendous assistance in getting a home sold in today's challenging Real Estate market. Covers an important tip on why your should "Google" the agents names you are interviewing to sell your home.
Energy Saving Tips For The Winter Months
In this article you will find a number of tips in order to make your home more energy efficient especially in the Winter months. Who doesn't want to save money on their home? Come and take a peak.
Foreclosure Avoiding It Through A Short Sale Or Loan Modification
The last thing anyone wants is to lose their home to foreclosure. There are other options available including a Short Sale and loan modification. Each of these concepts are explained in detail. There are advantages for both the home owner and the bank. Find out why short sales have become a common term in Real Estate.
Deed In Lieu Of Foreclosure And Short Sales
The terms deed in lieu of foreclosure and short sales are both explained as a means for a home owner to avoid the costly and embarrising foreclosure proceedings. Banks are not in the business of owning Real Estate and would prefer not to be a home owner.
Selling Your Home Does Not Have To Be A Mystery
Selling your home should not be a mystery when you have it priced properly and have selected a Realtor that knows how to create an online presence for you. A proper price according to comparable market data and a coordinated marketing effort are the two most important factors that will lead to a successful sale. Come in and take a look....let me read your mind.
USDA Loans Mortgage Option For Low To No Down Payment
With a USDA loan a borrower can do 100% financing! These loans are given to those that live in a rural area. The term "rural" has loose definitions but generally speaking areas with under a population of 20,000 qualify. USDA loans (US Department of Agriculture) aka Section 502 loans are an excellent mortgage vehicle for those who do not have money to put down but have decent credit ratings
Real Estate Capital Gains When Selling Your Home
There are many who do not realize the current capital gains laws when selling a home. The current capital gains tax law when selling your personal residence allows for an exclusion of up to $250,000 in profit if you are single and $500,000 if married. In order to be eligible you must have lived in your home for two of the last five years. The property must be your personal residence and can not be an investment property. As of January 1st 2009 there is a new modification that eliminates a tax loop hole for the rich. Read further to see how the law has changed.
When To Lock Your Mortgage Interest Rate
One of the considerations when applying for a home loan is when to actually lock the mortgage rate. Of course those that do not lock right away are gambling with their future loan payment. More often than not the best time to lock a rate is right away.
Massachusetts FHA Morgage Loans
An explanation of FHA mortgage loans and why they can be beneficial to those that do not have a large down payment. Currently you need a down payment as low as 3.5% with an FHA loan.
The opportunity to buy a bank owned home is one that many buyers often consider due to the fact that there is a prevailing belief that you can buy them for 50 cents on the dollar or less. While as a general rule many bank owned properties do represent a good Real Estate value, you are more likely to be able to purchase one for around 5-20% less than the going rate for a similar comparable property.
Buying a Foreclosed Home or Potential Foreclosure Property
Are you considering buying a foreclosed property? Why not after all there are plenty of them all around the country and they can typically be bought at a discount to the present market value.
Buying a foreclosed home however, is not for the timid at heart and there are many things that buyers need to consider.
Massachusetts Title V Septic Systems and Selling a Home
When selling a home in Massachusetts and your property is being serviced by a septic system, one of the most important considerations is getting your Title V certification done. The last thing you want is a problem with your septic system!
Massachusetts Short Sales Realtor
For those that have been hearing the term "short sale" and don't quite understand what it means, a short sale is a legal lender approved solution designed to assist those home owners who are financially strapped to get out from under their mortgage debt.
A short sale is negotiated through the mortgage holder of an owners home where by the mortgage holder agrees to take less than what home owner owes on the property.
***Comments are welcome and can be done within each individual post at the comment box on the bottom of each article.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
About the Author: The above Real Estate articles worth reading was provided by Bill Gassett, a Nationally
recognized leader in his field. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-435-5356.
Have a home to sell in Metrowest Mass? I have a passion for Real Estate and love to share my marketing expertise!
For Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate and homes see Metrowest Mass Real Estate. Want to have MLS access to beat other buyers to your dream home? Sign up with no obligation at my MLS Property Finder Site.
I service the following towns in Metrowest Massachusetts: Hopkinton, Milford, Upton, Southboro, Westboro, Ashland, Holliston, Mendon, Hopedale, Medway, Grafton, Northbridge, Uxbridge, Franklin, Douglas, and Framingham MA.
Click here to view Bill Gassett's Real Estate profile.
SUBSCRIBE TO MY METROWEST HOMES BLOG via email.
Building lasting relationships by helping people move in and out of Metrowest Massachusetts for the last 23 years.
Bill - That is a top list of great real estate articles. I believe I have read every one of them and learned something or was reminded of something from each read ! You can take each of those articles and create a book !
Bill--I think all your articles are worth reading...Especially if you live in the Metrowest area of Massachusetts!
Chris - Thanks! I have made this article as a reference point that I can use to send to others that may need my help. All the articles can be found at Massachusetts Real Estate Voice.
Teri - I appreciate the compliment - thanks!
Hi Bill-This is a great informative post and very well written. There is a lot of things I don't know about this end of the business so this post will help me to learn. Thank you for the time and effort you put in this blog. have a great week. Later :-)
BIll, this is a fantastic resource and sort of a wiki-pedia for Massachusetts real estate. I may have to do one for real estate here in Austin! Great work!
Sharon it is always great to help others learn. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Russ - Thanks. That was exactly my intention in creating it. These are all articles that can be found at my Massachusetts Real Estate Voice site.
... what a thorough, helpful post Bill !
Pleasing to the eye, and no additional unnecessary fluff paragraphs.
Great resource for consumers (and some of us who missed one or two of these posts !)
.... great job Bill ...
Cheers !
Sheldon
Bill, awesome! Of course you have the outstanding knowledge of the industry and your market area! Great idea to link them to your new outside blog! Have a great real estate week!
Sheldon - Thanks my friend. It will also be easier for me to find some of the better posts I have written.
Jo - I see you caught on to my idea of linking to the oustside blog. I am also trying to give my Massachusetts Real Estate Voice blog some exposure as well.
Hi Bill - Looks like I've got a lot of catching up to do on these great articles you've written. You are definitely the expert Metrowest Massachusetts Realtor in your market.
Donna - Having been in the business for 23 years I guess I should no a thing or two about Real Estate:) Thanks for commenting.
Kent - It will be helpful for me too as I will have them all in one spot for easy referencing:)
Bill, thanks for comiling this great collection of your posts and sharing it with us. You are the source for Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate Information.
Debbie - Thanks for commenting on my compilation of Real Estate articles!
Bill ~ You write excellent articles and provide great information for your consumers. I often return to your blog when searching for foreclosure help, tax info. I have been able to pass along some of your expertise to my clients. Thanks for working so hard for 23 years!
Terri I appreciate the compliments on my writing skills. Honestly I have gotten better at it only in the last six months when I really started to think about what kind of information consumers would really want to read about. With 23 years experience I do have quite a bit of knowledge to share.
Bill, I think this is a phenomial idea and I've read many of the articles and they helped me! I remember the one about the improvements you make as I was considering a new deck---All this information in one place is great for consumers as well.
Carole thanks! My intention with it was to have am all in one handy reference source.
Bill, I went and read your social bookmarking and blogging post. Really enjoyed that and I do have prospective clients Google my name but never thought about having them Google one of my listings. Thanks I'll add it to my presentation.
Brilliant recap, nicely packaged...just really, really great stuff! I like the opening graphic, too!
Missy - Thanks. Google the listing address works well as the consumer can see the effort you have put into your online marketing.
Mara - I like the little kid ready the newspaper as well:)
Some excellent articles Bill. Actually I usually love reading what ever you write about.
Thanks Monika...I guess the pressure is on to write some good Real Estate articles:)
Isn't it neat when you go back over the archives and see so much good content?
Bill-Thanks for all of the great articles, having them all in one place is really convenient not just to us rainers, but for all consumers.
Bill,
You have always provided such valuable real estate information for anyone in Metrowest, MA. You are the one person I've come across with such competence and knowlege in what you're doing.
Bill, those are all great compilations of some of your best articles. Bet that wasn't easy to pick.
Bill - We are all so happy you share your 23 years of experience in the business. I can say I have benefited from your posting and consumer do too. It is no wonder people eagerly call you after discovering your blog.
Jeff, Joe, Gena - Thanks for the positive comments about my Real Estate articles.
Lynda & Jennifer - When you have been in the business for as long as I have it probably can be a little easier to write about some of these topics. Some of the topics I have a real passion for and that certainly helps too:)
Bill-great post and a great way to recap some really great articles...I know your local market will appreciate it as much as I do!
Bill - What a nice collection of many of my favorite posts that you have written. Lots of good information all in one place. :)
Midori & Pam - Thanks for commenting on some of my Real Estate articles!
Bill, this is a great list for anyone invloved in real estate. I certainly hope that your efforts to educate buyers and sellers in the Metrowest area earns you a great return.
Erik - Thanks I do get quite a few people who are interested in my services after reading my blog. A knowledgable Realtor with a lot of experience who has worked in both good and challenging markets is a big help for those looking to sell their home.
Bill, It is nice to delve back into your archives and have this nice resource post at easy disposal for consumers. Well done.
Thanks Rebecca it has allowed me to find some of my better written Real Estate articles all in one place:)
Oh buddy, this is GREAT!! I've read many, many of these...but now I'm going to bookmark this one so I can find it anytime I need it. ~GBU~
Bill you never cease to amaze me! Having been out of the loop for a bit I'm catching up on your posts and WHAM! I've never seen one so detailed, so organized, and pleasing to read! You're clients are very lucky puppies. I hope I get a chance to refer you someday... it would be a joy!
Hi Bill! Now this is an awesome source for your clients--email them this link and they have everything at their fingertips! FABULOUS idea and your layout is very easy on the eyes too!
A lot of great articles all in one place. This will surely be an informational post for all to read and get educated!
Bill, I've read a lot of your posts, learned a lot from them,and have subscribed to your blog. For the life of me I don't know why I didn't do it sooner...my daughter says I have CRS--can't remember stuff!
Sally & Barb - Thanks I am glad you have learned a few things from reading my posts!
Bill, what a nice summary of your blog posts, and what a great idea for a future one for me. ;-) This way, I can check to see if I missed any. ;-)
I agree Debe....email your clients this link, or put it on your website. Knowing you, you probably already did that. ;-)
Teri - I am gald you thought my summary of Real Estate posts was a good idea. I would encourage you to do the same:)
stop it bill !! - too many Really damn good articles !! and too little time :) ..... thanks a lot for the helpful and educational and entertaining posts
Bill,
This is a great resource for all of your clients and demonstrates your expertise.
Hi Bill -- Wow, you have put a ton of knowledge, insight and great info out there. I hope your local buyers and sellers not only read this great blog of yours, but also heed the advice, and hire you as an exceptionally competent and experienced agent!
Bill, I like this one too!