Month: August 2010

Buying Is a Good Investment, If You Choose Right

Pessimists are implying that the housing market will never get any better and housing will always be a lousy investment.

Are they right? Of course not, say experts at the Motley Fool finance Web site.

In fact, the Fools predict that pretty soon housing will be a great investment because prices will have fallen to the point where homes are cheap.

Then as now, the Fools say the key to buying a home that is a good deal will be:

• Location
• Don’t overpay
• Buy what you can afford

If the price goes up, great, the Fools say. If not, buyers will be OK because they have picked a great place to live.

Source: The Motley Fool (08/23/2010)

10 States with Pricey Closing Costs

Closing costs have risen an average of 36.6 percent compared to 2009, according to Bankrate.com’s annual survey.

The big increased was caused by the U.S. government requiring lenders to provide accurate good faith estimates of closing costs. Previously, lenders weren’t penalized for a bad estimate.

On average, the origination and third party fees on a $200,000 purchase mortgage added up to $3,741.

Here are the 10 highest states:

1. New York, $5,623
2. Texas, $4,708
3. Utah, $4,605
4. California-San Francisco, $4,566; California-Los Angeles, $4,406
5. Alaska, $4,327
6. Oklahoma, $4,254
7. Pennsylvania, $4,236
8. New Jersey, $4,110
9. Idaho, $4,077
10. Massachusetts, $4,025

Source: Bankrate.com (08/16/2010)

626 Willard renovation off to a good start…

This house was recently renovated. I will have the listing details for you soon- in the mean time, look at the before pictures below. The house had good details to start- Spacious lot, great landscaping,  ceiling beams, built-ins, fireplace, hardwoods, french doors to a back deck, large master suite with a nursery or sitting room …just needed the finishing touch.