BofA to Reduce Principals by up to $100K
March 14, 2012 by Markus & Heidi Brown · Leave a Comment
Photo: 401K Calculator If you’re a homeowner struggling with an underwater home, Bank of America’s settlement with government regulators may be very welcome news. As part of the settlement, Bank of America will be giving approximately 200,000 homeowners principal reductions of up to $100,000. If you’re one of the homeowners affected, this could very well [...]
Warren Buffet’s 2012 Advice: Buy, Baby, Buy!
March 1, 2012 by Markus & Heidi Brown · Leave a Comment
A very interesting article in the International Business Times today highlights legendary investor Warren Buffet’s advice for real estate investors: Buy, Baby, Buy (especially single-family homes)!
Six Must-Haves for Mortgage Approval
February 9, 2012 by Markus & Heidi Brown · Leave a Comment
If you’re thinking of buying a home, getting approved for a loan is one of the first steps. It’s getting more complicated to get approved for a loan these days, so make sure you have your paperwork in order. It’s also important to find a loan agent who is competent and effective at navigating possible [...]
Brass Fixtures Send CHEAP Message
February 6, 2012 by Markus & Heidi Brown · Leave a Comment
An article encouraging sellers to get rid of cheap brass fixtures appeared on Inman News today, and I couldn’t agree more. In the article, Chicago real estate agent Steve Somogyi emphatically states that he thinks dated, cheap, yellow brass fixtures send the wrong messages to buyers: C-H-E-A-P! Changing out dated brass fixtures can dramatically improve [...]
Mello-Roos NOT Tax-Deductible – Enforced 2012
February 1, 2012 by Markus & Heidi Brown · Leave a Comment
California tax-payers will have to be extra-careful when filing their 2012 state income taxes in 2013, as the State Franchise Tax Board cracks down on homeowners who have been illegally writing off their Mello-Roos fees or taxes paid via the 1915 Bond Act. Although Mello-Roos and 1915 Bond Act taxes have not been legal deductions [...]
How to Choose a Real Estate Agent
January 26, 2012 by Markus & Heidi Brown · Leave a Comment
Whether you’re a buyer or seller, your real estate agent’s skills can make or break a sale. That’s why it’s so important to find a trustworthy, professional Realtor who has your best interests at heart. Especially in this market, easy transactions are few and far in-between. Lenders are tightening up their policies, new laws that [...]
Big Banks Are Opposing A Bill to Protect Borrowers
May 19, 2010 by Markus & Heidi Brown · Leave a Comment
Brought to you by the California Association of Realtors Background California has protected borrowers from so-called “deficiency” liability on their home mortgages since the 1930s, but the evolution of mortgage finance requires that the statute be updated. Current law says that if a homeowner defaults on a mortgage used to purchase his or her home, [...]
First-Time Buyer Tax Credit is a Whopping $18,000 for a Limited Time
March 31, 2010 by Markus & Heidi Brown · Leave a Comment
Did you know that for a small window of time you can get up to $18,000 in first-time buyer tax credits? This is a combination of both the federal and state tax credits. Up until now, you could only get the federal tax credit of up to $8000 when you entered into a purchase contract [...]
How to Choose a Realtor
March 2, 2010 by Markus & Heidi Brown · Leave a Comment
I meet a lot of buyers at open houses and one thing I can’t understand is why most buyers out there don’t interview their agents before hiring them. I guess it’s because they don’t think of themselves as employers. But really, that’s what they are. They’ll be making the single largest purchase of their lives [...]
