I knew we were awfully busy lately. I told my husband the day after Christmas the phone started ringing and I went a couple of months with hardly a day off. The average sale price also rose last month in several counties around Tampa Bay.
Hillsborough county sales were up 32% in March. The housing “affordability index” is the best it’s ever been. That figure is a mix of interest rates and home prices. If you know of a first time home buyer, please have them contact me. It’s a great time to buy! Janet Montano, Keller Williams Realty, 813-956-3563
www.tampahomesbestbuys.com
If you are considering a loan modification or short sale, make sure your agent gives you the new required disclosures for M.A.R.S. These are new requirements from the Feds to make sure you do not get “taken” by any company charging up front fees to help you get a loan modification. Many times my clients have told me they gave $1500 to $3,000 to a company up front, and then had nothing to show for it. The only people allowed to charge up front for this service are attorneys. Real estate agents are paid by your mortgage company for doing the short sale. I’ve never asked for any money up front from my clients.
If you’d like copies of these forms, just send me an email or give me a call. JMontano@JanetMontano.com or 813-956-3563. www.tampa-foreclosure-solutions.com
Thinking about short selling your home? Check out our new informational website. www.tampa-foreclosure-solutions.com
If you have a loan with Bank of America and are thinking of doing a short sale, get ready to close quickly! My team has been amazed at how quickly we are getting our short sale listings with them approved.
But prices are still falling. The tax incentive once again pushed real estate sales in our area. Some homes saw multiple bids on them as first time home buyers competed for the best deals at the end of the tax time frame. Overall prices are still falling a little, about 1%. Other areas of the country are actually showing increases in value. To get the latest value of your home, go to www.tampahomesvalues.com
You now have time to finish up a short sale purchase. I have dozens available for you to choose from. Pres. Obama extended it until April 30th.
