The key to success in purchasing a home is buying what you can afford

If there is one thing we can take away from the real estate meltdown it is a realization of the importance of purchasing something you can afford to purchase, as opposed to purchasing something you would like to purchase regardless of the cost.  The days of no-doc loans and leveraging your assets to the hilt are gone.  In today’s real estate market it is more important than ever to borrow what you can afford, no more.

According to an article at Yahoo Real Estate, “Mortgage lenders generally use a ratio of 36 percent as the guideline for how high your debt-to-income ratio should be. A ratio above 36 percent is seen as risky, and the lender will likely either deny the loan or charge a higher interest rate. Another good guideline is that no more than 28 percent of your gross monthly income goes to housing expenses.”

Keeping the percentage at 28% or lower can only improve your financial situation.  Take a good hard look at your finances, look at your income and look at your expenses, both fixed and other spending habits.  The most important thing is to be honest with yourself, avoid the adage of the “eyes being bigger than the stomach” and accept what you can afford in the current real estate market.  In the long run you and your bank account will be better off for being realistic.

Click here and find helpful information on calculating an affordable mortgage at Yahoo Real Estate.

Low mortgage rates are doing the job to make real estate more affordable

Keeping mortgage rates low is helping to stimulate real estate across the Country.  For the past few months the public and private sectors have been putting their heads together to get our Country out of the mess we are in and real estate and lending have been the primary focus.  The lowering of mortgage rates and keeping the interest rates low has been playing a major role in turning real estate around and getting potential home buyers off of the sidelines and into property.  Low mortgage rates are helping keep the cost of buying real estate low, enticing people to buy property.

Mortgage rates have been holding at historically low rates.  The current average rate for a 30 year fixed mortgage is 5.12%.  The average rate for a 15 year fixed mortgage is 4.69%.  A recent article at Realty Times points out “Low rates contributed to existing home sales rising for the fourth consecutive month to an annual pace of 5.24 million in July, the most since August 2007, according to the National Association of Realtors.”

There is a drive to continue to keep mortgage rates low as the low rates appear to be doing the trick as the real estate sales volume continues to increase across the Nation.

For more information about mortgage rates visit Realty Times by clicking here.

If you decide to purchase a home by December 1, 2009, you will be entitled to an $8,000 tax credit. This amendment to the economic stimulus bill will be available to if you purchase your first home between 1/1/2009 and 12/1/2009. Home buyers will be entitled to claim a total tax credit of $8,000 or 10% of the purchase price, whichever is less.  To avoid possible abuse of this credit, it is only allowed for your primary residence and will only have to be re-paid if said house is sold within two years of purchase. Keep in mind that you must close on or before December 1, 2009 to be eligible for the credit. Most closings take about sixty days, so with that in mind you must go under contract by October 2nd, 2009 – this gives you seventy-three days from today to find your first home. If you manage to meet these deadlines, all you have to do to claim your credit is fill out I.R.S. Form 5405.

For more information about this credit go to the IRS website.

I want to tell you about a great new way you can search for homes – right from your mobile phone.  I have partnered with Smarter Agent, the nation’s leader in mobile real estate technology, to provide this mobile search capability to ALL of my clients!

My tool will allow you to search homes for sale anytime, anywhere – right from your cell phone!

Wherever you are, driving, or walking around looking at properties, you’ll have access to all of the MLS information on the homes for sale around you, with just one touch of a button on your cell phone.   Hit “Call to See” and you will be put right in touch with ME, ready and waiting to serve all of your real estate needs.

It’s so easy to do!  Just go to this website, http://www.smarteragent.com/hfs/melcheragency/romeroteam , enter your cell phone number, wireless carrier name and phone type, and the application will be sent to your phone by text message.  Just click on it and the application downloads right away.

I know you will love this great new way to look for homes.  So don’t delay – start searching for your dream home TODAY!

Always at your service

There is no doubt that the first time home buyer tax credit is a great thing but there are a few things to know before you assume that you qualify for the full $8,000.  The tax credit breaks down as follows:
Who qualifies? First time home buyers and people (or spouses) who have not owned a home for the previous 3 years.  You must purchase your home between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009.

• What qualifies for the first time home buyer’s tax credit? Only a primary house qualifies.  It does not matter if it is a single family home, duplex, townhome, condo, apartment or co-op, if it is a primary residence it will apply.

• What is the amount of the first time home buyer’s tax credit? $8,000 is the maximum amount of the credit.  There are 2 factors at play when it comes to getting the credit: The cost of the home and the income of the person or married couple purchasing the home.  The credit can be 10% of the closing price up to $8,000 or a person making $75,000 or less or a married couple making $150,000 or less are eligible for the full $8,000.

• Do you qualify for the first time home buyer’s tax credit if your income is higher? Yes and no.  If you make more than the $75,000/$150,000 limit you get less of a credit.  The maximum income is $95,000 for singles or $170,000 for couples.  If you make more than the maximum income you are not eligible for the tax credit.

The tax credit is a real boon for first time home buyers and does not have to be repaid.  If you qualify for the tax credit and have been considering purchasing a new home there could not be a better time.  Low interest rates, low home values and the first time home buyer tax credit all add up to the right time to call an experienced local Realtor.

Resource and for more information: Realtor.org