Is Cash Always King?
February 15, 2017
In financial circles, there's a saying, a summation of a long held belief: "Cash is King."But what does it mean?When investing, the best companies to invest in are the companies with the largest cash reserves. It's commonly known when an individual is dealing with a vendor (Chimney Sweep, HVAC Company, a painter, the ...
Benefits of Homeownership
January 18, 2017
When I meet a new client: I tell them, "This is my spill. It does not matter if you younger or older, if you are richer or poor, bigger or little. With the interest rates so low, you can buy your very own home and your monthly mortgage payment will be cheaper than paying rent; and you will ...
FHA Takes Action to Make the American Dream Come True for Many Homebuyers!
January 13, 2017
FHA loans open doors of opportunity for buyers who might not qualify for other conventional loan products. FHA allows creditworthy borrowers to pay an insurance premium, referred to as (MIP) for a mortgage that requires as little as 3.5 percent down payment.The best news of all is The Federal Housing and Urban Development, referred to as (FHA) ...
FHA to Cut Mortgage Insurance Premium Amount
January 12, 2017
On Monday, January 9, 2017, the Federal Housing Administration/Department of Housing and Urban Development announced it will reduce the Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) on all FHA loans closing after January 27, 2017. After this date, borrowers will pay 25 basis points less for their MIP.FHA doesn't issue loans, but similar to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, they ...
What is a HUD Home?
December 16, 2016
What is a "HUD Home" or a HUD Foreclosure?HUD homes or HUD foreclosures are homes that were purchased with a FHA loan. When a buyer obtains a FHA loan, the federal government insures the loan. If the buyer defaults on the loan (stops making mortgage payments) the department of Housing and Urban Development pays off the loan ...
Housing, The Fed and Interest Rates, Oh My!
December 16, 2016
On Wednesday December 14, 2016, for only the second time in eight years, the Federal Reserve raised its interest rate.Okay.What does that mean?Well, obviously we all know what an interest rate is and we know that all other interest rates are based off the Federal Reserve's rate, so we can extrapolate from there that when ...
Open House, Open Connections...
November 16, 2016
It's nice to make connections.Sometimes, in the real estate industry, we tend to forget that. We get so focused on getting the sale or getting the listing, on moving from contract to close. We think about deals and contracts and inspections.Sometimes, sadly, we forget to think in terms of people. Buyers are people. The name or ...
The Dangers of Turkey Fryers
November 16, 2016
A longtime food favorite in the southern United States, the delicious deep-fried turkey has quickly grown in popularity thanks to celebrity chefs. While some people rave about this tasty creation, there’s concern among fire safety experts that home cooks may be sacrificing safety for good taste.Why is it so potentially dangerous to use a deep-fryer for a ...
Insured With Escrow
October 19, 2016
Great News for home buyers looking for affordable homes in Spartanburg, South Carolina.Many Home Buyers searching for affordable homes, become discouraged in the buying process, as they find homes that appeal to them, only to find out that the condition of the home must meet certain standards to qualify for the loan. For example, the first time home ...
NC Down Payment Assistance Program
October 18, 2016
Are you purchasing a home in Cabarrus, Cumberland, Guilford, Johnston or Mecklenburg counties? You may be eligible for $15,000 in Special Down Payment Assistance.NC Housing is relaunching their $15,000 Down Payment Assistance Program on October 17, 2016. Three thousand loans will be available. This is for Primary Residence properties only (conventional, VA or FHA financing). Only ...
The Joys of Living in Steele Creek
October 07, 2016
The Steele Creek Area is a great place to live! The neighborhoods are very welcoming and close knit. What I like best about Steele Creek is that not all the homes look exactly alike and everything you need is here, from Great Dining, Shopping, Hotels, and Salon & Spas, to Dental Practices, Carolinas Healthcare Urgent Care, Doggie Daycare ...
Is Buying a HUD-owned Home Different From Any Other Home Purchase?
October 07, 2016
We often receive calls from homebuyers wondering exactly how to purchase a HUD home (property owned by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development). They want to know the difference between buying a HUD home vs. purchasing a “regular” home. But here’s the thing---HUD homes are regular homes!Here’s a quick overview of how similar ...
50% off sale of HUD-owned Properties! Ask us how!
September 27, 2016
If you are a full time law enforcement officer, teacher, fire fighter and emergency medical technician (EMT) this is the program for you! You have the opportunity to contribute to community revitalization through HUD’s Good Neighbor Next Door Sales program.The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has created a generous incentive for home buyers ...
Neighborhood Spotlight - Shandon, South Carolina
September 27, 2016
Located between Harden and Kilbourne / Devine and Rosewood, Shandon is one of the top neighborhoods in Columbia. With Prairie style foursquare homes, cottages, and bungalows dating back to the early 1900s, Shandon is also one of the oldest neighborhoods in Columbia.Being so close to shopping, restaurants, and entertainment districts yet having the benefit of large trees, wide ...
Broker Spotlight - Scott Realty Professionals
September 21, 2016
The Pro’s at Scott Realty Professionals are ready to make a full-time commitment to you rather you’d like to buy or sell a home. We are experts in our local market areas to include the neighborhoods, market conditions, property values and local ordinances.Scott Realty Professionals embraces the convenience of social media without losing our personal touch ...
Broker Spotlight
September 21, 2016
According to several credible sources, the Charleston, SC Real Estate market is experiencing a shortage of homes that are available for purchase. This, combined with the local economic upturn and the fact that people from all over the United States are choosing to call Charleston home, has created the necessity to have your home buying strategy finely tuned.Preparation ...
Lender Spotlight - Cunningham and Company Mortgage
September 16, 2016
Our minds must believe things are looking pretty good, as last month saw the housing market achieve a very nice reading.The National Association of Realtors (NAR) Pending Home Sales index for July was up 1.3% over June, 1.4% higher than a year ago, registering its second highest reading this year. This is a measure of contracts ...
6 Savvy Ways to Save! On your Real Estate Closing Costs.
September 15, 2016
As a first time homebuyer you are likely to be surprised or even blind-sided by costs of closing a real estate deal. So it is a good idea to understand upfront exactly what your mortgage lender is going to expect and be prepared to negotiate. First of all, know you local market. In some markets closing costs can be ...
Broker Spotlight - Gibbs Realty & Auction
September 15, 2016
Gibbs Realty and Auction Co., has been marketing and selling REO properties in North and South Carolina since 2001.Darrell and Wendy Gibbs, owner and operators, began operating the business from their home in Easley (upstate SC) completing broker price opinions and listing foreclosures from banks and asset companies.Within months, they moved into an office building in ...
Broker Spotlight - Triad Home Realty
September 14, 2016
Triad Homes Realty, Inc. offers exceptional listing and selling services to institutional clients as well as individuals in twelve counties around the central Triad of North Carolina.Triad Homes Realty has an extraordinary team of local people who take pride in outstanding customer service and contributing to successful home buying experiences for individuals.Vee Ann Nielsen and Josh Marshall ...
HUD FHA REO Rule Changes - EFFECTIVE 09/12
September 14, 2016
HUD Issues Final Rule Adjusting Standards for Sales of FHA REOs, Aiming to Obtain Higher Sale PricesThe Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a final rule on Thursday regarding sales of real estate owned single-family properties that had FHA insurance. HUD said the final rule will create efficiencies in property disposition and help HUD obtain the greatest value ...
Broker Spotlight - I’m not your neighborhood Realtor®.
September 14, 2016
There are plenty of agents out there willing to be your neighborhood Realtor®, but I’m not one of them.What I am is a consummate professional with experience and knowledge of the entire Metrolina area. To be effective, to make a difference, I am continually updating my education and broadening my knowledge base. That means learning about market ...
Broker Spotlight - Carolina Pines Realty
September 14, 2016
Beth Ross, BICWell, here I sit, trying to justify my time on the computer instead of reading more recruiting material for gaining new agents or more marketing material on the newest and best ways to market HUD Properties.Then it hit me, blogging is going to be the best way for anyone to get their words of wisdom out ...
KMM's Real Estate Broker Spotlight
September 08, 2016
Our website receives hundreds of unique visitors every day looking for all things related to our HUD-owned inventory. Primarily our website is designed to be a resource for real estate brokers and agents transacting a purchase however a great deal of our traffic comes from potential purchasers interested in learning about a particular HUD-owned property.Sometimes there's ...
Meet Our Team! - Mona Knight - K.M. Minemier's Front End Customer Service Administrator
September 02, 2016
Our office fields hundreds of phone calls every week and there is definitely no shortage of interesting when it comes to our day-to-day happenings. Front end office duty requires extraordinary talent to individually focus on each changing situation as it arises and in order to offer the best customer service in our industry we got one of our ...
