Real Estate Information

Hello and Happy Friday,

There is lots of new information this week, so here goes:

1.  FHA is changing their upfront and annual mortgage insurance premiums. 

This is good news.  Make sure you speak with your lender and get an updated estimate of your numbers.  Also, make sure you are working with an agent that is aware of the changes.  As I always tell my team, our clients don't like surprises.  We like to know our numbers and have a smooth settlement with no surprises at the table.  For more information on buying a home, go to http://www.baltimorehomeinfo.com/. 

2.  Question of the week:  Why use a property manager for your Rental property?   

We had several situations this week where we were consulted on leases where we were not the property manager.  All of the tenants were dissatisfied with their landlord's response time to repairs and other needs.  When we are the property manager, we get repairs done quickly.  We have the authority via our property management agreement to make some financial decisions on behalf of the landlord.  We are also local and able to quickly address tenant's needs.  Tenants do not like dealing with unresponsive out of state  landlords.  So, Landlords and Tenants, use a local property manager for your investment property.  Everyone will be happier.  For more information on our property management services, go to http://www.yaffeteampropertymanagement.com/.

3.  Second question of the week:  From Sellers, "Why is my home not selling? I keep lowering my price and I am very frustrated."

Yes, we know.  Chasing this market is very frustrating.  The best thing to do is to not "chase the market."  You want to price ahead of the market.  Speak to your agent about pricing your home aggressively from day one.  This is not the time to test the market and then reduce in a few weeks.  Be aggressive right now.  The buyers are out there but they are educated and they know where a home should be priced based on the competition.  Make your home the best priced home among its competitors.  We would rather you price lower now and negotiate less, than chase the market and be frustrated.  For more information on pricing your home in today’s market, go to http://www.baltimorehomevalues.com/.

Contact us for all of your real estate needs – Buying, Selling, Renting, Property Management, Relocation & more.  We take a holistic approach to your real estate needs and will help you strategize how real estate fits in to your personal and financial plans.  Go to http://www.yaffeteam.com/, email me at LYaffe@yaffeteam.com or call us at 410-902-1100.  We are here to help.

Have a great week.  Enjoy every minute of it!

Sincerely,
Linda

P.S.  If you hear of anyone looking to buy or sell real estate, please pass our  name on.  We promise to service all of your referrals with the utmost care and professionalism.  Thank you, in advance, for your support.

P.S.S. Interested in mortgage information?  Go to www.MarylandLoanOptions.com.

We hope you all are enjoying the gorgeous weather and relaxing a bit over these summer months.  

Here is my real estate thought for the week:  As good as technology is, having a direct conversation is better.  Social media is fun, it’s fast and exciting.  But having a real conversation with one person at a time is better…more productive…more helpful…more personal.  We love that you are using our different websites (see below), but when you are really ready to make a real estate move, call me.  Let’s talk about it.  No fluff, just honest straight talk with no pressure.  I promise.

To start your search on the internet, go to www.YaffeTeam.com/Map-Search.

To receive Daily Email Updates, go to http://www.baltimorehomeinfo.com/.

To find out your home’s value, go to http://www.baltimorehomevalues.com/.

To find out more about our Property Management Services, go to http://www.yaffeteampropertymanagement.com/.

For all of your real estate Needs, go to http://www.yaffeteam.com/.

And to talk to a real live experienced person, call me directly at 410-902-1100 x 107.  I have been in business over 17 years.  I will listen, ask questions and give you some options so that you can move on with your life.  Or, if you prefer, email me at Lyaffe@yaffeteam.com.

Have a great week.  Enjoy every minute of it. 

Sincerely,
Linda

P.S.  If you hear of anyone looking to buy or sell real estate, please pass our  name on.  We promise to service all of your referrals with the utmost care and professionalism.  Thank you, in advance, for your support.

P.S.S. Interested in mortgage information?  Go to www.MarylandLoanOptions.com.

Have a Happy & Safe Holiday Weekend!

Though our retail location will be closed for the holiday weekend, our online “store” is open and we will respond to your inquiries as quickly as possible.

 To Search for Your New home by map – go to

www.YaffeTeam.com/Map-Search

 To receive Daily Email Updates – go to

www.BaltimoreHomeInfo.com

To receive a market analysis of your home’s value in today’s market – go to www.BaltimoreHomeValues.com

And to find out more about our Property Management services – go to www.YaffeTeamPropertyManagement.com

 and/or email me at LYaffe@yaffeteam.com.

 Remember, for ALL of your real estate needs, go to

www.YaffeTeam.com

Buying, Selling, Investing, Property Management & More. 

No fluff, just honest straight talk.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,
Linda

P.S.  If you hear of anyone looking to buy or sell real estate, please pass our  name on.  We promise to service all of your referrals with the utmost care and professionalism.  Thank you, in advance, for your support.

P.S.S. Interested in mortgage information?  Go to www.MarylandLoanOptions.com.

Hello Everyone and Happy Friday,

The market is definitely heating up.  I believe we have hit bottom and that we are slowly starting to gain some traction in the market.  If you are considering purchasing a home, now may be the time to get qualified for a mortgage.  The toughest part of the real estate transaction these days is financing.  Guidelines are VERY tight and we strongly recommend that you meet with a lender and get your paperwork in order before you start house hunting.

We are old fashioned when it comes to recommending a lender.  We believe you should meet with your lender in person, choose someone who works for a real live bank (not an online company) and find someone with considerable experience, one who puts everything in writing and takes the time to explain everything thoroughly.  As I have said before, now is not the time to choose a novice real estate agent.  And now is certainly not the time to choose a novice mortgage lender.  Call us for recommendations.  Depending on your financial situation, different lenders service different needs.

For Buyers:

To surf our mortgage site – go to www.MarylandLoanOptions.com.

To receive daily email updates – go to www.BaltimoreHomeInfo.com.

To search by map – go to www.YaffeTeam.com/Map-Search.

To receive Bank Owned properties only – go to www.MarylandBankOwned.net.

To compare rent vs. buy – go to www.RentVersusBuy.net.

For Homeowners:

Not sure whether you should sell or rent out your home?  No worries – we can handle both.

For your home’s value in today’s market – go to www.BaltimoreHomeValues.com.

To discuss property management – go to www.YaffeTeamPropertyManagement.com.

Remember, we are here for you and we will guide you in the right direction so  that you can make an educated/intelligent decision for you and your family.

Enjoy the week.

Sincerely,
Linda

P.S.  If you hear of anyone looking to buy or sell real estate, please pass our  name on.  We promise to service all of your referrals with the utmost care and professionalism.  Thank you, in advance, for your support.

P.S.S. Interested in mortgage information?  Go to www.MarylandLoanOptions.com.

Hello Everyone and Happy Summer!

The weather is gorgeous and it is time to kick off your shoes and enjoy the beach/pool/park, etc.  Have fun!

Buyers:

The good news – banks are finally getting their act together and moving the short  sales and foreclosures a bit quicker through the process.  What does that mean to you?  There are some excellent deals to be had.  Whether you are a buyer looking to owner- occupy or an investor looking for an excellent investment property, go to http://www.marylandbankowned.net/ to see what fits your criteria or go to http://www.yaffeteam.com/Map-Search and click on the FORECLOSURE tap at the top of the map.  The map will only show you those homes categorized as foreclosures.

But don’t limit yourself to just foreclosures, homeowners are motivated and some homes are priced very competitively AND in great shape (often in the foreclosure market, the homes require some $$$ and some sweat equity).  Go to http://www.yaffeteam.com/Map-Search to search our map or go to http://www.baltimorehomeinfo.com/.  You can receive daily email updates and some great information to help you make an educated decision.

Driving around and want to search from your cell phone?  Text MDHOME to 87778 or go to http://mobile.smarteragent.com/yaffe and enter in your phone number.  Try it, have fun with it, it is a great way to search while on the road and it works on ALL smart phones!

Homeowners:

Are you moving out of state?  Or are you just ready to move to your new home and don’t know what to do with your current home?  Not sure if you should sell now or rent out your home?  We offer both sales and property management services all under one roof.  To do some homework on your own, go to http://www.baltimorehomevalues.com/ to get your home’s value in today’s market and/or go to http://www.yaffeteampropertymanagement.com/ to find out more about our property management services.  I personally oversee both departments – sales and property management – and will make sure you get the best service possible for your individual needs.  Just straight talk, no fluff and no surprises.  Feel free to contact me directly at lyaffe@yaffeteam.com and 410-902-1100 x 107.  I will keep our conversation confidential, I promise.

Stay tuned for some exciting updates to our website- we are working hard to bring some great information to you.

Have a great week!  Enjoy every minute of it!

Sincerely,
Linda

P.S.  If you hear of anyone looking to buy or sell real estate, please pass our  name on.  We promise to service all of your referrals with the utmost care and professionalism.  Thank you, in advance, for your support.

P.S.S. Interested in mortgage information?  Go to www.MarylandLoanOptions.com.

You may be ready to put your home on the market, but is your home ready?  Before you try to sell your house, you should make sure that it's in the best possible shape.  This article has some great tips!

http://www.yaffeteam.com/Seller-Resources/Seller-Suggested-Reading/Is-Your-home-in-Tip-Top-Shape-for-Sale

Have you wondered where real estate is headed?  A lot of people are wondering the same thing.  This article has some great insights!

http://www.yaffeteam.com/Seller-Resources/Seller-Suggested-Reading/Where-is-Real-Estate-Headed

Has your home Value changed greatly over the last few years?  Chances are it has.  Now would be a good time to take a look at your property tax assessment and determine if it's a fair representation of your home.

http://www.yaffeteam.com/Seller-Resources/Seller-Suggested-Reading/Appealing-Your-Property-Tax-Bill