Linda Bass Yaffe

Buyer Tips Category

2 Reasons NOT to Utilize an Out of Juristiction Title Company in Baltimore Real Estate

Why would anyone choose to utilize an out of jurisdiction Title Company?

In the buyer – seller relationship, the buyer is responsible for selecting the Title Company for closing.  The buyer has the option to select any Title Company that they see fit.  Not often, but on occasion, a buyer selects a Title Company that it in a different jurisdiction or county than the property they are purchasing.

There are really just 2 reasons that a buyer would select an out of county Title Company, either the Title Company is a friend or family member or the Title Company was recommended by a friend or family member.  Either way, there can be serious repercussions to utilizing an out of jurisdiction Title Company.

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3 Reasons Buying Baltimore Real Estate can be Better than Renting

When You Should Buy Baltimore Real Estate

Sarah, a client of mine, just landed her dream job as an elementary school teacher in Baltimore County.  She contacted me as a renter looking for potential privately owned rental properties.

I spoke with Sarah at great length and learned that her new job was stable, steady employment that would allow her to stay in the same community indefinitely.   After evaluating Sarah’s situation, we determined that she was in a great position to buy a property versus rent a property.

There are many reasons that, when in a stable situation, buying is a better option than renting in Baltimore Real Estate… Especially right now!

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5 Ways to Avoid Lender Incompetence When Purchasing Baltimore Real Estate

The Irresponsible Lender

The other day I was having a discussion with a colleague regarding the lender that her client selected.  My colleague did not feel that this particular lender was being “responsible” with her client in explaining the process, nor was the lender educated enough to assist her client effectively.

Ironically, my recent blog discussed important questions to ask when choosing a lender when purchasing Baltimore Real Estate.  After having this conversation with my colleague, I think I should take this topic one step further and discuss specific criteria that you should look for once you have narrowed down your Baltimore lender candidates.

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Is Your Baltimore Lender a Fiduciary or Functionary? 5 Ways to Know the Difference

Is your lender a true fiduciary, or just a functionary – someone who pushes paper and that is it?

In today’s complex Baltimore Real Estate and lending environment, we really must be careful who we associate with.  In other words, all Baltimore lenders are not created equal.

Here are some important questions to ask before choosing a lender in Baltimore:

1.  Did you meet face to face with your potential lender so you could establish a good relationship and they could really “hear” you (fiduciary) or did your lender just send you information via email (functionary)?

2.  Did your potential lender provide you with some different loan choices and go over the pros and cons with you (fiduciary) or just tell you that you had to go with one specific program (functionary)?

3.  Did your potential lender anticipate your questions/needs ahead of time (fiduciary) or just expect that you would call/email when you had a question (functionary)?

4.  Did your potential lender help you interpret the information and take a big picture view (fiduciary)?

5.  Did your potential lender really “partner” with you and help you from start to finish (fiduciary)? Or did he/she leave you hanging at some point during the process (functionary)?

You get the picture.

We continue to be amazed at the lack of professionalism in the Baltimore lending business and really work hard to find excellent lenders to partner with our clients.

Should you want a professional Baltimore lender recommendation, call us.  Once we know your specific situation, we can assist you with options.  Of course, the decision is always yours so we will never pressure you.  We promise.  We just want you to have all of the facts before you make your lender selection.

4 Ways to Determine the Right Time to Buy Baltimore Real Estate

Don’t Be A Pessimist

People stop me all the time and ask me about the Baltimore Real Estate market.  Most have a pessimistic look on their face as they tell me that they really want to move but they know “this is a bad time.”

My answer …it may not be a bad time for YOU.

In fact, depending on your circumstances it may be the perfect time for you to make a move.

4 Questions To Determine If Now Is The Time To Move In Batimore

1.  What do you want?

Where do you want to move in Baltimore?  Why?  What amenities are a “must”?  Go to www.yaffeteam.com/Map-Search to search Baltimore Real Estate by map.  Start getting educated about WHERE you want to be in Baltimore.  Be specific and have a strong “why”.  Now is not the time to test the market.

2.  What can you afford?

Start getting educated about housing costs in your selected Baltimore area.  Again, the map is the best place to start – www.yaffeteam.com/Map-Search.  Is this price realistic for you?  Go to http://www.marylandloanoptions.com/ to get started.  Once again, we will need to speak to you directly to truly be accurate.

3.  Do you currently own or rent?

Calculate how much you will net from your current home sale.  Go to http://www.baltimorehomevalues.com/ to get started.  We will call you as we need to know mortgage payoff, etc.

4.  Should you consider renting out your current Baltimore home?

Go to http://www.yaffeteampropertymanagement.com/ to look at this option.  The good news is that we handle sales and rentals all under one roof.  No need for you to go elsewhere.

Once we determine that this is a possibility, start to get excited.  You are beginning an exciting new journey in life!

Sign up to receive daily email updates of all Baltimore Real Estate that match your criteria – www.BaltimoreHomeInfo.com.  Remember to stay in touch with your Yaffe Team agent. She/he will advise you with straight talk, no fluff, no pressure.

Contact us at LYaffe@yaffeteam.com or 410-902-1100 or leave a comment below if you have questions.

Have a great day! You are on the move and will be in the best hands!  We will not start down this path until we review all of the numbers with you.