Andre's Blog

By Dwan Bent-Twyford,

The Investors Edge University

Many times we find distressed homeowners who are willing to deed their property to us and walk away. Typically there are back payments that need to be paid as well as attorney fees, taxes, and such. Although we are always happy to accept a deed, we have a few steps we follow before we actually file it and come out of pocket with any cash.  full story

Homeownership has long been regarded as one of the basic elements of the American dream. Buying a home, however, is anything but basic. It is important to understand the process as well as how your specific needs fit into your search for a new home.

This tutorial was designed to help you get the most out of buying a home whether you're a first-time buyer, moving up or downsizing, we'll walk you through the steps and strategies you'll need.

• Getting Started
  Your reasons for buying a home determine the steps and strategies you should follow.
  • First-time buyer
  • Moving up
  • Downsizing

• How Much House can You Afford?
  Take the time to examine your finances and determine how much you can afford for down and monthly payments.
  • Clean up Your Credit
  • Low-Down Options

• Choose a Broker

Home sellers enlist the help of professionals to represent their interests, so why shouldn't home buyers do the same?

• Begin Your Search
  The search for a new home should not start with the price. More important are the location and quality of the property and its ability to meet, or be tailored to meet, your needs.

• Make the Offer
  Once you've found the home you want, it's time to negotiate the price. Find out about various factors to consider when preparing to make an offer.
  • The smart buyer's purchase contract

• Select a Mortgage
  Finding the right mortgage involves some digging. Interest rates, points, processing costs, and adjustment features all affect how well a mortgage suits your needs.

• The Application Process
  Here's what you can expect when you're ready to apply for your loan.

• Close the Deal
  An accepted contract doesn't mean the deal is done yet, but there are things you can do to help avoid any snags.

Click here for your Free Real Estate Buyer's Guide

Your home is likely your most valuable asset, so naturally, you want to protect it.

But homeowners insurance can be complicated. You want to avoid paying too much for coverage you don't need, but you shouldn't leave yourself vulnerable to loss either. Here are some secrets of the home insurance business that may help you save without risking your home.

Know the value of your home. To account for inflation, your policy's rate may rise periodically. When this happens, be sure to read the numbers carefully; your rates may be higher than the actual inflated value of your home. If this is the case, you can get a truer idea of your home's value by speaking with a builder and asking what it would cost to rebuild your home. Or, you could request that your insurance agent performs a reassessment to come up with a more reasonable number.

Adjust your policy for home improvements. Such major home renovations as adding a new room or expanding a kitchen, should be properly insured. You'll want your hard work reflected - and covered - in your homeowners insurance.

Some possessions may not be covered. Your homeowner's policy may provide only limited coverage for expensive items like electronics, antiques or jewelry. If you own items like these, you may want to supplement your policy with a floater that provides additional insurance for valuables. Just be sure to get the items professionally appraised so you know what they're worth.

Some claims may be excluded as well. Many people fail to read their insurance policies until it's too late. The best insurance that you are properly covered is to be informed. Read your policy and make sure that you are covered for incidents like mold and water damage, floods and other natural disasters, even trampolines and dogs, if needed.

When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs...Experience is Priceless!  Andre'Shambley & Miami's Best REALTOR® Team, 305-396-9106. MiamiBestTeam@AOL.com. www.OnePlaceOpenHouse.com

Ready to refinance or looking for a better rate?  For your complimentary rate quote visit Jacinta Shambley, APEX Lending, Inc. JShambley@ApexLending.com.  www.JShambley.ApexLending.com      

Introducing the FHA & HUD-Owned Home Sales Incentives. Increasing the Affordability of Homeownership.


INCENTIVES

Up to 110% LTV,* varies by county.**

$100 down payment with FHA financing.

$5,000 sales allowance paid to
borrower for closing costs, prepaids
and/or repairs at closing when using
FHA financing.

HUD 3% allowable closing cost
funds still apply.


WHAT PROPERTIES ARE ELIGIBLE?

All HUD-owned homes for sale in
eligible states/territories.***

Only properties purchased by an
owner-occupant are eligible.

For list of eligible homes in Miami-Dade and Broward counties CALL or EMAIL TODAY

*The LTV may exceed 100%, up to 110%, as the result of fi nancing closing costs and prepaid expenses, and/or to fund a repair escrow included in the sales contract. The cost of repairs
may not exceed $5,000. **Refer to maximum loan amounts section in product description.

***The new products are available in all states/ territories where HUD is currently off ering its
$100 down payment program. See product description for state restrictions. Programs available only to qualifi ed borrowers. Programs subject to change without notice. Underwriting terms and conditions apply. Some restrictions may apply. 0309

When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs...Experience is Priceless!  Andre'Shambley & Miami's Best Real Estate Team, 305-396-9106. MiamiBestTeam@AOL.com. www.OnePlaceOpenHouse.com

Ready to refinance or looking for a better rate?  For your complimentary rate quote visit Jacinta Shambley, APEX Lending, Inc. JShambley@ApexLending.com.  www.JShambley.ApexLending.com      

Live in the heart of Aventura facing a relaxing courtyard with infinity pools, jacuzzi and cabanas. You'll enjoy an elite lifestyle to spoil even the most pampared individual. Amenities include a theatre, business center, club room, library, gym, cyber cafe and so much more. This two bedroom, two bath condo comes complete with an italian kitchen design and roman style bathroom. What's not to love? Call today to schedule an appointment. SHORT SALE SUBJECT TO LENDERS APPROVAL AND CONDITIONS.

18800 NE 29 Ave, #722
Aventura, FL  33180

MLS - D1359688 (SE FL MLS)
List Price: $170000
Status: Active

Property Features:

• Only moments away from Founder Park, Aventura Mall and Turnberry Golf course.
• The Venture features amenities designed to over indulge its residents.
• 18,000 square feet of ground-level retail space and adjoining Loehman's shopping plaza
• high-quality stores and restaurants are never more than a short walk away.
• Amenities include a theatre, business center, club room, library, gym, cyber cafe and so much more.
• Call today to schedule an appointment.
• SHORT SALE SUBJECT TO LENDERS APPROVAL AND CONDITIONS.
• Homebuyers visit www.OnePlaceOpenHouse.com to learn more about our rebate specials.

 Click here for property tour: OnePlaceOpenHouse.com

by Monica Hatcher, The Miami Herald

MIAMI - Sept. 3, 2009 - At 83 years old, Alget Campbell isn't as nimble as he used to be. His joints are a little rusty and he has some trouble getting around. On Monday, though, after he closed on his very first home, Campbell was doing cartwheels inside, his daughter said.

To read more click the following link:

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=222764.

When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs...Experience is Priceless!  Andre'Shambley, REALTOR® & Miami's Best Real Estate  Team, 305-396-9106. MiamiBestTeam@AOL.com. www.OnePlaceOpenHouse.com

Ready to refinance or looking for a better rate?  For your complimentary rate quote visit Jacinta Shambley, APEX Lending, Inc. JShambley@ApexLending.com.  www.JShambley.ApexLending.com      

by Mary Wozniak

Florida homes tainted by defective Chinese drywall are popping up on Realtor.com at bargain-basement prices. Although it is not required by law, many brokers have readily adopted a new drywall disclosure form developed by the Florida Association of Realtors® to use in sales transactions.

There currently are nine drywall properties listed for sale on the site - all of them fairly new and for under $50,000 - but there also are questions about whether the low prices are worth the hassle the real estate could bring in the future.

It reportedly costs about $100,000 to clean up a property contaminated by bad drywall, which leaves an offensive smell, corrodes metal components in the home, and causes respiratory problems and other health troubles for occupants. Remediation typically involves gutting the home and replacing the affected materials, but it is not yet known if that is the final solution.

"What if they say every porous material in the home, including concrete slab, absorbed enough stuff to consider it a health risk," poses Jeff Tumbarello, president of the Southwest Florida Real Estate Investors Association. "Then what? Then you're done. (Investing in a Chinese drywall home is) just a big wild card. Somebody is going to look brilliant, somebody is going to look stupid. We just don't know who they are yet."

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=221337

Call now to ask about our home buying and rental rebate rewards program.

When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs...Experience is Priceless!  Andre'Shambley & Miami's Best REALTOR® Team, 786-704-8482. MiamiBestTeam@AOL.com. www.OnePlaceOpenHouse.com

Ready to refinance or looking for a better rate?  For your complimentary rate quote visit Jacinta Shambley, APEX Lending, Inc. JShambley@ApexLending.com.  www.JShambley.ApexLending.com      

The demographics of the typical first-time homebuyer are changing these days. More and more women today can afford to purchase a property on their own to build up valuable equity and are no longer waiting to find a life partner before they pursue the financial and lifestyle benefits of home ownership. One in four buyers these days is a single female, and new home marketing is actually starting to reflect that. We may be ready to jump into the commitment of home ownership but not all of us are willing to give up our valuable free time to outdoor chores. Single girls tend to look for homes that require little or no maintenance with an option to plant container gardens. Sound familiar girls?

The easiest and most popular way to hold on to our maintenance free lifestyle is to purchase a condominium. Its problem-free upkeep and unencumbered lifestyle is an obvious benefit to people who don't want to be tied up every weekend with chores-there are no lawns to water and mow, and no leaves to rake. No yard means there's no fence or deck to repair, and no driveway to shovel in winter. Choose a condo and you'll never have to worry about this stuff. Condominium members are charged a flat monthly fee to cover maintenance of the common areas as well as provide prompt service by reliable tradespersons if there are maintenance problems in your individual unit. Heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical problems are handled by maintenance staff or service agreements set up by the condo association, so good help is available at a moment's notice.

Security is also an important consideration for single women living alone, and the condo lifestyle can offer such measures as restricted access, a concierge on duty screening visitors, closed circuit TV monitors, patrolling security guards and panic buttons in garages to add to peace of mind.

Some single women still prefer a more traditional home as their first property. The appeal of having an outdoor space of your own to entertain, putter about in a garden and relax in can be inviting. A single family home sometimes offers more privacy and is also better suited to larger pets. Make sure to check if your pet will be warmly received by the condo board-they uphold the rules that the condo owners have set in place.

Call now to ask about our home buying and rental rebate rewards program.

When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs...Experience is Priceless!  Andre'Shambley & Miami's Best REALTOR® Team, 786-704-8482. MiamiBestTeam@AOL.com. www.OnePlaceOpenHouse.com

Ready to refinance or looking for a better rate?  For your complimentary rate quote visit Jacinta Shambley, APEX Lending, Inc. JShambley@ApexLending.com.  www.JShambley.ApexLending.com      

Although the $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit program ends in just four short months. South Floridian home buyers can still take advantage of the Cash Back Rebate program offered by Miami Best Realtor Team.

What is the home buyer Cash Back Rebate program? It is a cash refund for 1% of the property being sold purchase price.

Who is eligible to receive the credit? Home buyers who close escrow/proceed to finak settlement in the purchase of real estate in South Florida.

Do income limits apply? No.  The cash rebate is given to the party or parties named as the "buyer(s)" or "borrower(s)" on the HUD-1 closing statement and fully disclosed in writing to seller and buyer(s) lender.

If you want to take advantage of the Cash Back Rebate program , contact Miami Best Realtor Team today to learn more.

Herman Group Real Estate

2875 NE 191 St, PH4

Aventura, FL 33180 

When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs...Experience is Priceless!  Miami's Best REALTOR® Team, Office: 305-396-9106, Direct: 786-704-8482. MiamiBestTeam@AOL.com. www.OnePlaceOpenHouse.com

Ready to refinance or looking for a better rate?  For your complimentary rate quote visit Jacinta Shambley, APEX Lending, Inc. JShambley@ApexLending.com.  www.JShambley.ApexLending.com      

There's been a lot of talk recently about the condition of the housing market. With our economy struggling and the mortgage industry adjusting, it's only normal that home sales and purchases may have slowed.

With home values down about 25 percent from their 2006 peaks, home sellers may be discouraged, but experts agree that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Homebuying incentives, mortgage reform and tax credits are making it an ideal time to purchase a home.

At its height, the good health of the housing market promoted overinvesting, quick flipping, overbuilding and credit overextension.

These indulgences led to the bubble bursting. There are important lessons, however, that can be learned by looking back at the housing bust. Here are some rules that can help us avoid repeating the same mistakes:

Save for a down payment. Although you may still be able to qualify for a no-money down mortgage, having 15 to 20 percent can increase your home equity, lower your payments and help you obtain better interest rates.

Set a realistic budget. Just because you are approved for a higher amount doesn't necessarily mean you can afford it. Borrow within your means. A safe formula is to purchase a home that is no more than three times your family's annual income.

Work with a knowledgeable professional. An experienced real estate professional, like me, can help you find a home that meets your needs and your means. I understand our market and would be happy to help you.

 -Viva Miami

When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs...Experience is Priceless!  Andre'Shambley & Miami's Best REALTOR® Team, 786-704-VIVA (8482). MiamiBestTeam@AOL.com. www.OnePlaceOpenHouse.com

Ready to refinance looking for a better rate?  For your complimentary rate quote visit Jacinta Shambley, APEX Lending, Inc. JShambley@ApexLending.com.  www.JShambley.ApexLending.com