Don’t miss your $8000 1st time home buyers tax credit!!!

What happened to our $15,000 tax credit for 1st time home buyers tax credit? It went the way of Pontiac. Unfortunately, the $15,000 tax creidt didn’t make it pass Congress in the economic stimulus plan. Any way, let’s talk about what the 1st time home buyers did get from Congress-$8,000K, not bad for buying a home. What Donald Trump said about the real estate market….”Well, real estate is always good, as far as I’m concerned.” Sound like the Donald?  So how does the 1st time buyers take advantage of this gift from our government?  There two great articles that I recently read that helps clarify who is eligible to receive the new tax credit. In the first article by Dan Rafter at suite 101.com wrote about, “A New Tax Credit for First-Time Buyers,  he clears the confusion as Congress finalized the Stimulus Act. I think it gives the reader an excellent overview of the Stimulus Act.

The second article deals with how and who qualifies for the $8,000 tax credit. I believe that Eric Darby in his article titled, “$8000 Tax Credit – Criteria to Qualify For Tax Credit Worth $ 8000 on First Time Home Purchase”
By Eric Darby  http://ezinearticles.com/?$8000-Tax-Credit—Criteria-to-Qualify-For-Tax-Credit-Worth-$-8000-on-First-Time-Home-Purchase&id=2136717 does a fantastic job of putting it in terms that the lay person will understand. I sugges the 1st time home buyer read both articles and educate yourself-the 1st time home buyer.  Good Luck

Show your pride for veterans and soldiers

(ARA) – The conflicts overseas are ongoing, which means much of the American military are continuing to serve far from home. While support for the men and women in uniform has proven strong for the past several years, the forces who protect our country and their families waiting at home continuously deserve recognition of and support for their efforts now and in the years to come.

Here are several ideas on how you and your family can show your pride for the military, both locally and directly to our heroes in uniform overseas:

* Organize a letter campaign:
If you have children in school, ask the classroom to create homemade cards and letters for the military. Creativity is appreciated, as are the messages and stories children can share about their school, what they’re studying and the activities they enjoy. If you don’t have children, ask some of your family members, friends and coworkers to join you in creating cards. Even if you don’t personally know anyone who is currently serving, you can contact your local Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion or Red Cross chapters, or the person leading a Family Readiness Group in your community to find out where to mail the letters.

* Show your pride:
Demonstrate your loyalty to our men and women in uniform and their families. Tie yellow ribbons on the trees in your yard, hang the American flag in front of your house and use products displaying military emblems and logos to remind people of those serving overseas. For example, Bank of America offers military-themed banking products such as check cards, credit cards and checks so customers can show their pride for the military and demonstrate their appreciation of the sacrifices veterans and active duty military personnel have made. Find out more at www.BankofAmerica.com/MilitaryBanking.

For over 85 years, Bank of America has supported the military community, most recently with the Intrepid Foundation. The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund assists wounded warriors with traumatic brain injury, and the Fisher House Foundation provides family members with homes on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. Bank of America provides specialized financial services to military personnel as well, including special rates, products and services for all active duty, retired or former military members and their dependents. Through a contract with the Department of Defense, Bank of America manages about 100 banking centers in 11 foreign countries to help provide members of the military and their families with banking services while they’re serving abroad.

* Plan a package packing party:
Men and women serving overseas really appreciate care packages containing everything from food to games to items that remind them of home. Invite all your friends over for a care package packing party. Ask each person to contribute an item for 20 packages. Some suggested items to include are magazines and books; toiletries like deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, unscented baby wipes, hair brushes and packaged food items that are not pressurized and not susceptible to heat or cold.

* Care for those at home:
If a local unit has been deployed from your area, find out if any of the families need meals delivered or if you can meet with them for a social visit. You can invite families over for dinner at your house, take them out for a social activity, or simply prepare a meal and drop it off.

These are just a few of the ways you can show your pride and appreciation here at home for our men and women in uniform.

Courtesy of ARAcontent and Rob Dandrea

The ABC’s of baby boomer retirement planning

(ARA) – If you are one of America’s 78.2 million baby boomers, you are likely considering what ideal retirement will look like, and the steps required to achieve it. With the current economic downturn, many boomers are finding it necessary to revisit their initial retirement goals.

According to the Social Security Administration, today’s retirees count on corporate pensions and Social Security for 56 percent of their retirement income. With a few minor adjustments, some careful planning and a positive attitude, the other 44 percent is attainable.

“It’s never too late to start planning for retirement and it’s crucial that life insurance is considered as the foundation of your plan.” says Vikki Pryor, president and CEO at SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. “Determine your needs by deciding how much money surviving family or loved ones will need to maintain their standard of living if you are no longer around to protect them. Women need to pay particular attention to their retirement planning options.” To learn more about the educational tools and insurance products designed with baby boomers in mind visit www.sbliusa.com.

Consider the following ABC’s of retirement planning:

A: assess your financial plan and budget.

* Begin to assess your basic retirement income sources such as a 401(k) plan, IRA, and life insurance plans.

* How much will you need to retire? Determine this by creating a budget that will enable you to pay your monthly expenses such as food, heat, rent and transportation. Consider expenses that may increase such as health insurance and prescription medicines. At the same time, consider those that may decrease, such as work-related and educational spending.

* Health care coverage is necessary in supplementing your financial foundation and these costs can add up fast. It’s important to have an adequate plan both before and after retirement. After age 65 you are eligible for Medicare coverage. But what if you want to retire before then? Your employer may offer a plan for retiring employees, or you may have to look into private coverage, so be sure to consider this.

* Take into account variable expenses such as tax liabilities on your home, illness or the care of elderly parents. Other, often underestimated, variables include gifts, clothing, recreational expenses, and increases in costs of living. For valuable retirement planning resources and projected trends in costs of living visit www.usa.gov.

B: begin to explore other retirement income options.

* Determine the amount of guaranteed retirement income you already have. Examples of these are cash savings, corporate pension plans, home equity, or annuity-type investments.

* Are you married? If so, how will that affect your retirement budget?

* Pay attention to how your retirement funds are earning money. Are they structured for maximum returns? It’s crucial that you continually assess these funds.

* Decide when to begin Social Security benefits. According to AARP, for each year you put off collecting your benefits between ages 62 and 70, you increase your payments by 8 percent.

* Calculate your potential monthly retirement budget based on your estimated income weighed against your expenses. At minimum, you need enough retirement income to cover basic living expenses for your lifetime.

* If your initial assessment requires additional income, consider part-time work during retirement, or perhaps selling your larger home for a more comfortable, carefree condo.

C: consider life insurance – the foundation of a solid retirement plan.

* If you don’t have a life insurance policy, get one. Life insurance not only helps to leave a legacy for generations to come, it will protect your loved ones and help provide them with financial security once you’re gone.

* Consult an expert in order to find the right life insurance for you. For example, BoomerLife by SBLI USA lets you apply for up to $25,000 of whole life insurance with no hassle. Acceptance is guaranteed for anyone ages 50 to 75. Selected benefits remain fixed for life and the premium you pay will not go up. Additionally, the policy builds cash value that grows each year tax-deferred. For a free, no-obligation quote call (866) 331-3078, or visit www.sbliusa.com.

Start planning your retirement today. With a little strategy and the right attitude, you can build the financial security you need to live a successful, happy retirement.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

If you haven’t started working with a Real Estate Agent and are thinking of buying or selling a home in Tampa Bay, please contact  Rob Dandrea, Real Estate Professional with Charles Rutenberg Realty.    

 727-510-2100  

 www.robertdandrea.com                   robdandrea.realtyoffice@gmail.com

Updating home pays off whether selling or staying put!

(ARA) – Whether you are thinking about selling your home or planning to stay put a few more years, some simple updates with an eye on detail can make a big impact both visually and financially.

As a seller, you want to get the most money for your home as quickly as possible. You only get one chance to make a first impression, so be sure it’s a good one both inside and out. For those staying put, small changes can be the difference between a home you like and one you love.

Designing with doors

Some of the details homeowners should pay attention to include repainting a room, adding a chair rail and updating door and cabinet hardware. Another commonly overlooked and cost-effective way to spruce up a home is to install new interior doors.

Unlike standard, plain flush doors, raised- and flat-panel molded interior doors add charm, style and personality to any home. They come in many styles, finishes and sizes.

“Interior doors play an important role in home decor,” says Bob Merrill, president and CEO for Chicago-based CMI, which makes CraftMaster Interior Doors. “With advanced molded door technology, we can make doors with a range of panel configurations from clean, straight lines for contemporary styles to arched or curved tops for more elegant tastes. And, the finish can be flat and smooth, textured wood grain.”

Beyond their functional role, doors also convey an initial impression of your home. The average home usually has around 20 interior doors. You also can replace standard, hollow doors with solid core doors to add weight and help keep noises in – or out.

Merrill adds, “Molded interior doors are engineered to resist swelling, shrinking, cracking and splitting, which is an inexpensive way to add value to your home. Plus, CraftMaster doors are green – they are made with sustainable materials, recycled content and low VOC primers.”

Trim that lasts

Your home’s curb appeal is important, whether you are putting out the “For Sale” sign or intend to retire in a neighborhood you love. A house that is nicely landscaped and has a welcoming driveway is always appealing. However, replacing any damaged or outdated exterior trim with new freshly painted trim is a great way to quickly spruce up your home from the outside.

Take a close look at your home’s exterior trim. There is a good chance parts may be warped, split or cracked, particularly around windows and doors, at the corners and along the roofline. Termite damage is also a problem in many parts of the country.

An engineered wood trim, such as MiraTEC trim, lasts long and provides excellent resistance to moisture, rot, termites and temperature extremes. Plus, it has many green benefits.

“In today’s tough economy, many homeowners are trying to add both value and personal style to their homes,” says Merrill. “MiraTEC trim is as durable as PVC trim, yet costs about half as much and holds paint better. And, most fiber cement trim costs about one-third more than MiraTEC, is harder to cut and nail, and it absorbs much more water.”

MiraTEC trim also is recognized in the building industry as a very eco-friendly product. It has a low impact on the environment, because it is made from sustainable materials and leftover wood that would simply rot or be sent to landfills, if left unused.

Whatever plans you have for your home, now is a good time to think about installing new interior doors or replacing exterior trim. You’ll enjoy your house more and help add performance and value as well. To learn more about updating your home from the inside and out, visit www.craftmasterdoors.com or www.miratectrim.com.

If you haven’t started working with a Real Estate Agent and are thinking of buying or selling a home in Tampa Bay, please contact  Rob Dandrea, Real Estate Professional with Charles Rutenberg Realty.   

 727-510-2100

       RobDandrea.RealtyOffice@gmail.com          robertdandrea.com

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Now is the time to buy…don’t delay

Yes, the Housing Market Has Rarely Looked Better. http://tinyurl.com/mga3pf

Home Foreclosure Market Trends Report

August 2009-Home Foreclosure Market Trends Report.

If you are an investor, first time home-buyer, or just looking to get additional information on the foreclosure market please click the link.     http://tinyurl.com/n3mxzp

Please sign up for my NO OBLIGATION Bankowned Weekly Hudson @ http://callme2buyforeclosures.com/

Want $8,000 in Free Money?

Expires on 11/30/2009.

If you know a first time home-buyer…Make sure that they Get up to $8,000 in Free Money from the Federal Government to Buy a Home in 2009 take advantage of this government opportunity for 1st time home-buyers.  Click the link for more NO OBLIGATION information.  http://www.taxcreditguide.com/hudson

 

New mom home makeover. Create a safe haven well before the baby arrives

     

Put cursor over picture for caption

(ARA) – As people begin thinking about starting a family, most parents-to-be ponder how their lives will change when their new bundle of joy arrives. However there are many changes that should come much earlier. During pregnancy, there are many hidden dangers in your home. Luckily, you only have to alter your habits slightly to ensure a safe haven for you and your new arrival.

Nursery No-no
For most expectant mothers, decorating the nursery is an exciting project to complete in anticipation of the new addition. However, when choosing the perfect shade to splash the walls, recruit dad, grandparents or friends to help with this part. Nearly all paints — even environmentally friendly versions — emit fumes and it is unknown what their effects are on the baby. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that pregnant women avoid newly painted rooms (and their harmful odors) for at least two days after the job is done.

Bath Safety
As the “baby bump” continues to grow, the excess weight around the mid-section will shift a mother-to-be’s center of gravity, making her very unstable and increasing the risk of slips and falls. And, according to the Home Safety Council, falls are the leading cause (66 percent) of all nonfatal home injuries — with the bathroom being a main culprit due to water and slick surfaces. Luckily, there are many updates to the bath that can provide added comfort and security.

For help getting in and out of the tub or shower, the Home Safety Council recommends installing grab bars. SecureMount Grab Bars from Home Care by Moen are an ideal choice since they feature a unique anchor installation system that allows homeowners to install grab bars quickly and easily anywhere on the wall — without the need for a stud — for the ultimate in safety and peace of mind. Plus, they are available in a variety of styles and finishes to beautifully coordinate with the rest of the bathroom. In addition to grab bars, a shower chair may be an additional consideration. Products such as Home Care’s new Premium Shower Chair offer comfort, convenience and safety while performing showering tasks, such as washing hair or shaving legs.

Feline Frets
While Fluffy may be a best buddy, her litter box is a “must avoid” for pregnant woman due to the risk of toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by a microscopic parasite that often resides in cat feces. Don’t fret, however, this doesn’t mean you need to get rid of your cuddly kitten. Be sure to keep litter in rooms where moms won’t be exposed and let someone else in the household take over the chore of cleaning the litter boxes.

Call a Maid . . . or Not
Unfortunately, most cleaning products are safe during pregnancy, so expectant status isn’t necessarily a green light to hire a maid. However, there are many things to consider that will keep mom and baby-to-be safe from harm. First, always ensure there is good ventilation and avoid using any products that say “toxic” since they have solvents that could harm the baby. Sites such as www.greenhome.com list the latest lines of environmentally friendly cleaning products. Or, for added peace of mind, just use a combination of baking soda and vinegar as a cleaning solution for just about anything in your home.

Begin to Baby-proof
Once the baby arrives, he will be mobile before you know it. So, take time now to baby-proof your home. Take an inventory of sharp corners, cabinets with dangerous objects and electrical outlets; then purchase and install the necessary safety items, such as corner pads, outlet inserts and cabinet locks to keep baby safe. Next, look for any breakable items that are low enough to be reached or heavy objects up high that could topple over. Inviting friends’ babies and toddlers over is a great way to “test” the baby-proofing efforts.

Pregnancy should be a joyous time in the lives of parents-to-be, so ensure nine months of health and happiness with these few tips. For more information on bath safety products, visit www.homecare.moen.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent 

If you haven’t started working with a Real Estate Agent and are thinking of buying or selling a home in Tampa Bay, please contact  Rob Dandrea, Real Estate Professional with Charles Rutenberg Realty.   

 727-510-2100

       RobDandrea.RealtyOffice@gmail.com          robertdandrea.com

Knowledge Is Important When Buying A Home

When you are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for a home, you need to make sure that what you are getting is well worth it.

No home is absolutely perfect. You can always expect to have to spend something on your new home. The average is $6,000 within the first six months, according to industry experts. In a time when you should be looking at paint samples and new furniture, why would you want to spend your time on repairing what you just bought?

A professional home inspection is key to truly understanding the home you are purchasing. You want to turn to a reliable inspector that is a member of an association that establishes strict requirements for membership, such as the American Society of Home Inspectors and the National Association of Home Inspectors.

The inspector should provide you with a list of what the inspection will result in. For example, some inspectors will not inspect for termites or termite damage, indoor air quality or the potential of mold to cause illness. The inspector should remind you that the inspection report is not a guarantee. The inspector is not liable for any repairs as a result of his or her performance.

But even though you hire an inspector, you are still responsible for doing a little investigating yourself. For example, even if your lender doesn’t require it, hire a termite inspector. But have the inspector look for all pests. Termites aren’t the only pests that cause damage. So do carpenter bees, rats, squirrels and scorpions.

You may have received a disclosure form with the signed contract for purchase. Many states require that the seller fill out this disclosure. But don’t let yourself rely only on this report. Many issues are forgotten about or not considered major by the owner. Yes, the basement got wet twice in the last ten years, but they could forget about it or not consider it a problem.

Disclosure issues usually arise because buyers expect the disclosure to hold more power than it really does. Make sure that your inspector has a copy of the disclosure and will look at any issues brought up by the seller.

When it comes to buying a home, you need to know everything you can about the home, neighborhood, market conditions and mortgage options. Your knowledge will give you an added negotiating tool when dealing with agents, lenders and sellers. Make sure that you have a full understanding of each step.

If you haven’t started working with a Real Estate Agent and are thinking of buying or selling a home in Tampa Bay, please contact  Rob Dandrea, Real Estate Professional with Charles Rutenberg Realty.   

 727-510-2100            RobDandrea.RealtyOffice@gmail.com          www.robertdandrea.com

The golden rule of painting: plan ahead

 

(ARA) – From Memorial Day to October is the busiest painting time of the year. Homeowners, apartment dwellers and condo renters get the itch to renovate and repaint while the weather is still pleasant. Especially popular are those rooms where people tend to spend the most time: the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

Often times, however, that itch causes renovators and weekend warriors to hastily begin projects and thus make a colossal painting mistake: not planning out the project.

Consumers who plan their painting projects from start to finish will generally save time and money. With a plan in place, there are fewer opportunities for blunders and mishaps. Consider these basic preparation skills before your next painting project to help ensure everything comes together without a hitch.

Timeline
Yes, painting is relatively quick and painless, but it is not instantaneous. If you start painting at 4 p.m., you’ll be up all night. Before beginning your project, make sure you determine how long each step will take. Allow for appropriate drying time for both primer and actual paint application. If you begin applying paint over wet primer — or a second coat over a wet first coat — you’ll have a big mess on your hands. Best practices call for at least an hour to two hours of drying time for most interior latex paints.

Start from a clean canvas
Many people simply want to slap the paint up on the walls and they don’t take the time to think about surface preparation. If you paint a new color on top of walls that are already cracked and full of nail holes, the new paint is not going to adhere correctly.

Instead, plan on washing the walls thoroughly and spackling any holes in the drywall before you apply the first coat of primer. A clean surface allows for a more even application and better quality finish. And don’t forget to use primer. Primer allows the paint to better grip the wall surface and thus helps to avoid cracking and peeling.

End with a clean canvas
If you start clean, you’ll end clean. That means you have to prepare for the final cleanup. Always be sure to secure drop cloths and painter’s tape to any area you don’t want covered with tiny little paint flecks. If you make sure to cover any exposed furniture, electronics, appliances and keep small children out of the room, you’ll spend far less time cleaning up after you’ve finished painting.

Up a creek without a brush
Consumers sometimes forget that the tools they use to paint are just as important as choosing the right paint. A good rule of thumb is to have a multi-use painter’s tool, a sturdy roller frame with multiple roller covers and a few different sized brushes.

Some of the best products on the market are made by Purdy. Purdy tools have been mainstays among professional painters for years, but the company also offers the same quality products for consumers. The new Premium Prep Tool line provides multi-sized painter’s tools and putty knives, all ergonomically designed for comfort and efficiency. For the earth conscious consumer, Purdy recently released the EcoPro line that offers professional grade durability, and roller covers made from recycled plastic soda bottles.

Cheap price means cheap quality
Although the color of your paint is the most visible aspect, the quality of the paint is much more important. If you choose the cheapest paint available, and then it starts to fall off the wall, it won’t matter what color it is. Some of the best quality paints are those manufactured specifically for durability. RedSeal Porcelain paint from Pratt & Lambert Paints, for example, is designed with actual porcelain beads that bond together to form a film that is basically impenetrable to stains. So, a glass of wine spilled on a kitchen wall, or muddy shoes kicked off in the bathroom won’t leave stains.

Make sure to research your paint selection. If you don’t plan on purchasing good quality paint, plan on a lackluster result and constant touchups.

Color conscious
There are a multitude of tools available to help you choose the right color for your space — everything from handheld color chips to poster sized adhesive sheets to actual sample size containers of paint. More importantly, don’t forget to choose colors that will flow from room to room.

Color flow refers to how the colors in each room of your home mesh and blend with each other. Having a deep red dining room buttressed directly against a soft green kitchen with white trim may eventually feel like you’re living in a Christmas tree. Make sure to stay in the same color family. If you really love browns and reds, then stay in the warm and neutral color family. Don’t paint one room blue (a cool color) and have the very next room a shade or orange (a warm color). It won’t look right.

Courtesy of ARA Content

If you haven’t started working with a Real Estate Agent and are thinking of buying or selling a home in Tampa Bay, please contact  Rob Dandrea, Real Estate Professional with Charles Rutenberg Realty.    

  727-510-2100  

 RobDandrea.RealtyOffice@gmail.com                   www.RobertDandrea.com

Is It Time To Buy A House?

At some point as you’re writing out your rent check, you get to the point where you look at the amount and think to yourself – at this rate, I could BUY a house. If you’re fed up with paying rent every month that’s high enough to finance a mortgage, it may be time to take a serious look at what it would take for you to get a mortgage loan and buy a home of your own. How do you know if it’s time to stop renting and time to start investing your monthly payment in a house of your own?

1. Are you planning to stay put in the area?

The first question to ask yourself is how long you are planning to stay in your new home. If the answer is ‘less than two years’, then it may be to your advantage to continue renting for a while longer – and use the time to build up your credit more strongly.

If, on the other hand, you’re planning to stay in one residence for more than a few years, buying makes more sense. Owning a home puts down roots, and makes you a more stable member of the community. It also makes more financial sense to buy if you’re going to hold onto the property for more than two years. Unless you ‘flip’ properties – buy cheap, make repairs and sell high – it’s nearly impossible to recover your investment if you own a house for less than two years.

2. How’s your credit?

If you’ve never checked your credit score or read your credit report, this is the time to do it. The higher your credit score, the easier it will be for you to qualify for a mortgage, and the better the terms of the mortgage for which you’ll qualify.

If you find problems in your credit score, you can take steps to fix them before you apply for a mortgage. This includes erroneous information on your credit report or extenuating circumstances that may have led to a missed payment or two. In many cases, minor credit problems can be repaired with no more than a few months of on-time payments.

3. How much house can you afford?

Figuring out how much of a mortgage you can take on can seem almost like some sort of voodoo. You know how much you can afford to pay per month for a mortgage payment – but how does that translate into how much you can afford to pay for a house? The easiest way to work it out is to use an online mortgage calculator. Many web sites that offer credit and loan information have mortgage calculators available that will work in either direction – plug in the asking price of a house and your expected interest rate and the amount of your down payment, and the calculator will tell you an estimated monthly payment. Or plug in your income and expenses, the amount of the monthly payment you can make and the length of time you want to repay it – and the calculator will tell you the most expensive house you can comfortably buy.

If you haven’t started working with a Real Estate Agent and are thinking of buying or selling a home in Tampa Bay, please contact  Rob Dandrea, Real Estate Professional with Charles Rutenberg Realty.   

727-510-2100            RobDandrea.RealtyOffice@gmail.com          www.robertdandrea.com

Unrepresented Home Buyers Should Take Care

If you plan on buying a home and you plan on representing yourself, think again.  Many buyers these days are very internet savvy and do a great deal of research online before contacting anyone about buying a house.  However, this may not get you the deal you expect.

A number of people have discovered Zillow, which estimates value of homes.  People have also discovered county tax appraisal district sites.  County Assessor sites may show the assessed value that the taxing authority puts on a home to assess property taxes.  Armed with this information, some buyers think they are pretty prepared to negotiate with a selling agent.  What they don’t realize is that these sites are frequently not very accurate compared to the actual market value of a home.

Many unrepresented buyers also assume that a home may have a 5% to 7% selling commission built into the list price, assuming that the buyer’s agent will be paid around half of that to bring a buyer.  So unrepresented sellers go to the listing agent and state that they know there may be around a 3% reduction right off the top because they do not have a Buyer’s Agent.  This also happens when some unrepresented sellers to straight to a builder’s rep rather than being represented by a Buyer’s Agent. 

What the unrepresented sellers don’t realize is that many builders don’t negotiate much, if any, regardless of how much they planned on paying out as commission. This is also true of many Listing Agents and sellers.  A Listing Agent negotiates a commission with a seller, not a buyer.  There is no way an unrepresented buyer can tell whether or not the Listing Agent chooses to discount his or her commission to the seller. 

Some Listing Agents will accept a variable rate commission.  What this means is that if the house sells to an unrepresented seller, the Listing Agent will actually be paid a rate less than the full commission that was initially to be paid.  So the unrepresented seller doesn’t have any benefit at all of a price reduction.  The seller simply pays less commission.

With this in mind, the buyer should get representation.  A good Buyer’s Agent will have access to real information about the market value of a property.  The Buyer’s Agent does this by comparing the house the buyer is interested to recently sold properties that compare favorably to it.  The only accurate way to do this is to search the MLS.  A buyer can not do this.  A Buyer’s Rep who is a member of that area’s Board of REALTORS® can. 

A good Buyer’s Rep will also guide the buyers through the process.  They will assist in the inspection process, help find a lender and a variety of other things in addition to negotiating the contract. 

So buyers should beware.  If you choose to go it alone, you may not be as prepared as you think.

If you haven’t started working with a Real Estate Agent and are thinking of buying or selling a home in Tampa Bay, please contact  Rob Dandrea, Real Estate Professional with Charles Rutenberg Realty.   

727-510-2100           

RobDandrea.RealtyOffice@gmail.com           www.robertdandrea.com