ComeBuyAHouse.com

10 things buyers want in a home

What is it that new home buyers are looking for in their homes?  Here’s a list of 10 things from an annual survey about what buyers want in a home:

1. Large kitchens with islands
2. Energy efficiency, including energy-efficient appliances, super insulation, and high-efficiency windows.
3. Home offices
4. Main-floor master suite
5. Outdoor living space
6. Ceiling fans
7. Soaking tub in the master suite and/or an oversize shower with a seating area
8. Stone and brick exteriors rather than stucco or vinyl
9. Community walking paths and playgrounds
10. Two-car garages, but three-car garages are even more desirable

From a survey by Avid Ratings via Realtor Magazine

Lynette Hensley
Associate Broker

Tags: homebuyer, preferences

Other Tax Exemptions I Should Know About?

Question:
I’m about to buy my first house and all I hear about is what a good time it is to buy… I know that you can get the 8k credit or do the 0% down FHA loan, but are there any tax exemptions or any grants that I should be trying to apply for?

Just wondering if anyone has stumbled across anything? Are there any other Government handouts for first time home buyers besides FHA?

(We answered on Zillow)

Answer:
Hi, As a first time home buyer you will qualify for the $8000 credit, and could get an FHA loan. Most loans will require the borrower to have a small down payment, FHA is now 3.5%. There are programs available, state by state, that are supported by state bonds or non-profit groups that offer down payment assistance or low rates or special financing programs. Your best bet would be to look for a loan officer that specializes in first time home buyers and knows about such programs. I’m in Washington State where there is a program called the “House Key”. You attend a class for home buyers, which will fill you in on all the requirements of receiving the assistance. Often the loan program will also require you to stay in the home for a specific length of time, presumably so that you will have built some equity. Also the lender doesn’t make money as fast with the lower rate or the longer term that is offered. I put this search statement into Leapfish.com search engine, “[your state] first time home buyer programs” and came up with some good results. That will give you some programs to ask loan officers about.

Good luck!
Lynette Hensley — Associate Broker

Tags: homebuyer, Tax credit

Financing Closing Costs?

Question:
I have a situation where my father was going to gift me $8000 for closing costs. We are done with attorney review and now my dad is saying he can’t help me out.

Without the 8k I don’t have the money for closing. I have two solutions. First is my state has a prefund tax credit program where they will lend 5k in an interest free loan. The last 3k I can get from my father-in-law.

The second option, and this is where I need your guidance, is to go back to the sellers to see if they will increase the price by 8k and give me a 8k seller credit. Is this even possible? Is it something that happens often? Thanks. (Asked and Answered on Zillow)

Answer:
Yes, it happens quite often. There are a few challenges to understand as you choose this path.

1. You need to get the seller to agree. Adding $8000 to the price will not increase the seller’s proceeds, as you will be asking for that back towards your closing costs. However, it will increase the seller’s costs slightly, commissions, excise tax etc, (any applicable in NJ). (I’m in WA)

2. The house must appraise for the higher amount. If your appraisal is already done and isn’t high enough to accommodate the $8000, you might be best going your other route for the $8000 in this transaction. If you haven’t yet had your appraisal, get the negotiating done first with the seller then get your appraisal with the new price.

Keep your loan officer in the loop as your loan program may or may not allow seller contributions. Most do allow that.

Best of luck!
Lynette Hensley, from the ComeBuyAHouse.com team with Larry Baumgartner.

Tags: closing costs, Escrow, first time, homebuyer