In spite of problems in the housing market, experts agree this is a great time to buy Naples real estate. First-time home buyers can take advantage of the many tax breaks allowed by the stimulus plan, and everyone can benefit from the fact that the stimulus package includes help for banks so that they can provide mortgages. There are other reasons the current market is good for new home buyers, too.

Mortgage Rates

Because so few mortgages were being issued, the rates are very low. This gives home buyers, especially those with good credit, a big advantage. Just a two point difference in mortgage rates can mean saving several hundred dollars a month on payments.

Low Prices

If you’re considering buying Naples real estate, act now so you can take advantage of the amazingly low prices.  When you buy a home at today’s exceptional prices, you’re very likely to quickly add equity to your home when prices bounce back. 

Less Construction

Having less construction happening may not seem like a great thing, and for many areas of the economy it is not, but a lack of new construction is a real plus for new home owners. The fact that there are fewer new homes on the market will help real estate prices bounce back over the next few years by creating more of a supply and demand situation for existing homes. Rising home values will provide that equity bump back to more modern levels.

If you’re thinking about buying Naples real estate and want more advice on the pros and cons, please give me a call today at 239-596-1181 or email me at dave@bartleyrealty.com.

KEYWORDS: Naples real estate

LINKS:

stimulus plan: http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/gapublic/american_recovery_reinvestment_act_home#taxcredit

good credit:  http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/MoneyInYour20s/9waysToBuildAKillerCreditScore.aspx

fewer new homes on the market: http://www.wallstreetgreek.blogspot.com/2008/12/fewer-new-homes-looming-buying-storm.html

Although the housing market has had its fair share of ups and down, many home buyers, particularly first-time home buyers, are reaping the benefits. If you’re thinking about purchasing a Naples home, there are many good reasons to make your move today.  Here are six of them:

1.      Low interest rates – Right now, interest rates are lower than ever before. This means you can get an extremely affordable loan and save big on interest payments.

2.      Cheaper home prices – Not only are interest rates low, but homes all around are cheaper. Since the market is packed with homes for sale, selling has become harder. As a result, prices have fallen significantly, allowing you to get a more expensive home for less money.

3.      Potential tax credits – As a first-time buyer, you could be eligible for thousands of dollars in tax credits. Best of all, you do not have to pay it back, as opposed to previous years.

4.      Less competition – Many people no longer have the money to purchase homes, so fewer people are visiting model homes and open houses. This is great news for you.  If you’re ready to buy a Naples home, you don’t have to worry about floods of people bidding up the price on the property.

5.      Huge inventory – With new homes constantly being built, not to mention an array of existing homes, you can take your pick from a wide variety of available properties.

6.      Big bargaining power – Because so many people are trying to sell their homes, they’re more willing to be flexible. As a buyer, you could greatly benefit and may be able to save on closing costs, upgrades, repairs and more.  Work with a skilled real estate agent who can negotiate a great contract for you.

If you have the funds to step out and purchase one of the many Naples homes for sale, now is the best time to take advantage of all the possibilities.  I’m ready, willing and able to negotiate the best price and terms for you. Call me today at 239-596-1181 or email me at dave@bartleyrealty.com.

The new stimulus plan has given many people new hope for their housing futures. At first, many worried that the stimulus package would merely help the banks and other financial institutions and not the actual homeowner looking to buy a Naples home.  But, it has become clear that the people who really win with the new plan are those who count—prospective home buyers.

Stimulus for Banks and Buyers

The stimulus package provides huge tax rebates in 2009, and while that is a limited provision, the savings are enormous for those who get out there and buy a new Naples home. The fact that the stimulus plan includes relief for the struggling financial industry also helps buyers by making it more likely they will be able to obtain loans. 

Stimulus for Luxury Properties

The stimulus package gives the two major government mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac more power and allows for larger loans for higher priced properties. That is a big incentive if you’re looking to buy in a major metropolitan area because you will now be able to get a loan secured by Fannie or Freddie.

The economic boost from the stimulus package will require a little time to really become apparent, but it is working, even now.  Slowly the market is rebounding and new home buyers are able to take advantage of loans and tax incentives while getting houses at prices that are extraordinarily low.

If you would like more information on how the stimulus package can help you buy a new Naples home, give me a call at 239-596-1181 or email me at dave@bartleyrealty.com.

Are you considering buying your first home?  I’m sure you already know that now’s an amazing time to buy your first home.  You have the perfect combination of low interest rates, low Naples home prices and President Obama’s stimulus plan which gives you additional incentive to buy now.

To help make your first time Naples home buying experience the best it can be, here are some tips:

1)      Know What You Can Afford

It is easy to get carried away with what you want versus what you can actually afford. Start with reasonable expectations.

2)      Decide Exactly What You Need

Consider your current family status and what your immediate future might hold, then decide on the number of bedrooms you require and the amenities you feel you can’t do without. If you love to cook, a well-equipped and spacious kitchen will be important. If you eat out 90% of the time, it is wasted space.

3)      Make Good Use of the Internet

If you’re like millions of other Americans, you spend a lot of time online.  Make use of the many available free programs and calculators to give you a better idea of what you can afford and what your mortgage payments will be. There are mortgage calculators that give you an instant idea of what each home you find will cost you monthly.

4)      Don’t Hesitate to Ask Questions

Call around to get insurance quotes so that you have a reasonable estimation of what to add to the total cost of your monthly mortgage. Check the information on the Naples home properties you are interested in to find out what the taxes are.  Add that amount to your total monthly mortgage cost too.

Buying your first Naples home should be the thrill of a lifetime and with proper planning it can be.

If you’d like to work with a real estate agent who specializes in helping first time home buyers get their dream home at the best price, call me today at 239-596-1181 or email me at dave@bartleyrealty.com

If you own a home, you need homeowners insurance. This important insurance policy protects your home and personal belongings if they are damaged or destroyed in a natural disaster or theft. However, you don’t have to pay a fortune for adequate insurance coverage. Here are 5 ways to save on homeowner’s insurance for your Naples home.

1. Raise your deductible. Your deductible is the amount of money you pay before your insurance company pays for a claim on your Naples home. The higher your deductible, the lower your insurance premium. If you can afford to raise your deductible from $500 to $1000, you can save as much as 25%.
2. Buy your auto and homeowners policies from the same company. Many insurers will give you a discount for purchasing more than one policy. You can save as much as 15% with these combinations, but make sure it really is less than purchasing separate policies from difference companies.
3. Make sure you are insuring your home, not your property. When you bought your home you paid for both the house and the property where it is built. Your property won’t be destroyed in a disaster, so you don’t need to insure it. When buying insurance, consider what it would cost to rebuild your home, not what you paid for it.
4. Reassess the value of your personal property every year. You need insurance to protect you from loss, but you don’t want to pay for more insurance than you need. There’s no reason to insure your 65-inch television for $2,000 if it is now worth only $500.
5. Secure your home. Your insurer will usually give you discounts for security features like deadbolts, smoke detectors, burglar alarms, and monitored security systems. Some companies also give discounts for storm shutters and reinforced roofs to protect your home from natural disasters. Ask your insurer about steps you can take to improve your home’s security and lower your insurance costs.

It doesn’t take much to save a lot of money on your homeowners insurance. If you’re ready to buy or sell your Naples home, give me a call.  I’d love to help.  Call me today at 239-596-1181 or email me at dave@bartleyrealty.com.

KEYWORD: Naples home

Falling behind on your mortgage payments puts you in a frustrating situation. No one wants to face the possibility of losing their home to foreclosure and damaging their credit. Yet, you may think you have no other alternatives. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to save your [city] home from foreclosure.

·        Buy a home you know you can afford. If you struggle each month to make your mortgage payment, you are more likely to find yourself facing a foreclosure. Do yourself a favor and determine how much money you can afford to spend on a [city] home before you start looking for one.

·        Whenever possible, plan ahead. A solid financial plan can be a lifesaver during difficult financial times. If you know you’re going to lose your job, set aside money to cover your mortgage payment while you’re looking for new work.

·        Talk to your bank. Your bank doesn’t want to deal with a foreclosure any more than you do. Explain your financial situation and ask them for an extended grace period or temporary delay in payments. This can give you a chance to get your finances back in order.

·        Pay your mortgage first. If you don’t pay your credit card, you will be slapped with late fees and possible account closure. Skipping several mortgage payments can cause you to lose your home. When you pay your mortgage on time each month, you also have more leverage to negotiate with your bank.

·        Refinance your home. Refinancing your home at a lower interest rate can significantly lower your monthly payment. If you’re struggling to pay your payment because your adjustable rate mortgage went up, try switching to a safer fixed rate mortgage.

·        Sell your home. It is difficult to sell your home and move, but it is certainly a better alternative than foreclosure. Once your home is in foreclosure you have to move anyway. Selling your home helps you avoid damaging your credit in the process.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to stop foreclosure. I can help you sell your Naples home. Call me today at 239-596-1181 or email me at Dave@Bartleyrealty.com.

KEYWORD: Naples home