Tuesday, March 26, 2013

5 Reasons to Go With Rent to Own Homes in MN


The conventional way of buying a home is to simply save up enough money for the down payment, apply for a home loan to purchase the home and buy the home. Even though there are a lot of people using this method to purchase their dream homes, the number of people employing other techniques is consistently rising.

For instance, since the recent global economic downturn, a lot of people are looking for rent to own homes in MN. The reason for this is simply the wide variety of benefits that buying homes in this manner affords to the buyers. If you are also planning to buy a home and are assessing various ways of doing so then here are five reasons why you should go for rent to own homes in MN.

A Balanced and Fair Price


It is important to deal with the market first. Minnesota’s real estate industry, unlike many other regions in the country, has already achieved parity between sellers and buyers.

What this means is that property rates in Minnesota are very balanced and fair for everyone involved. In effect, when you choose the rent to own home option in Minnesota, you will benefit from the stability and solidity of the market itself.

Fixed Purchase Price


The biggest benefit of choosing to go for rent to own homes in MN is that you would get to buy the property at a price that is predetermined. This precludes the effects that market dynamics can have on your efforts to get a home for yourself.

Effectively, when the prices of real estate properties do rise, as they always have a tendency to after a recessionary period, you would be able to buy your property at affordable rates.

Financial Freedom


Knowing how much you would have to pay in the future can give you a certain sense of financial freedom. You can set aside a logically chosen amount of money every month to be able to buy your property when the rental period is complete.

Financial freedom is also a consequence of the fact that the majority of rent to own home contracts tend to treat the monthly rentals as a form of down payment when the purchase is made. With no down payment to worry about, you can even choose to finance the home freely later on.

Maintenance Costs


As you would be staying in the house that you plan to purchase at a later date, you would get to practically evaluate the home in terms of its condition. If you have a rent to own home contract where the responsibility of repairs and maintenance is the current owner’s then you can have any flaws you find repaired without your pocket getting affected.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Mistakes to Avoid In Choosing Rent to Own Homes in GA


You and your finances could benefit greatly by choosing to buy a home in Georgia. The reason for this is simply that the current real estate pricing trends in Georgia show that property rates are on the up. This means that you can buy a property at its current price and sell it off at a higher price later.

However, it is possible that you are unable to do this because your finances limit you. Fortunately, even if you are battling with poor liquidity or even bad credit scores, you can still acquire a home in Georgia by choosing to buy rent to own homes in GA.

Rent to own homes in Atlanta or any other part of Georgia are easy to get because they would allow you to live in the home, pay rent which will combine to be your down payment later and get discounts when your renting period is complete. However, while there are many benefits of buying rent to own homes in GA, there are some dangerous pitfalls as well.

Here are some common mistakes that people make while buying rent to own homes in GA that you can read to prevent yourself from making them as well.

1. Try to manage the whole deal independently:

The biggest mistake you can make while buying rent to own homes in GA is to not seek out expert help for closing the deal. There are various legal concerns pertaining to a rent to own contract, which a layman cannot know about. This is why you should always have a specialist on your side while sorting out such deals.

2. Not ensure the presence of transferable options:

It is possible for you to have the chance to transfer your buyer’s options at the end of your rental period, provided you have it in the contract. Having this clause in the contract would give you the freedom of not choosing to buy the property but still recouping some of the rent you paid the landlord.

3. Take on the responsibility of maintaining the property:

While you are a tenant, it is the responsibility of the landlord to maintain the home. However, some landlords get away with it by simply including a clause in the contract stating that maintenance is the responsibility of the tenant. You should avoid this as maintaining a home can be quite expensive.

4. Assume that the contract is nonnegotiable:

A rent to own contract is not really nonnegotiable, even though many people think like this. When you sit down with the landlord to talk about the contract, make sure you bargain for various things such as grace periods, penalties, transfer clauses and even the final price.

Monday, March 18, 2013

NECAC Program Receives HUD Award


According to a study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard, nearly 26 percent of Americans who rent are spending over 50 percent of their gross income on rental dues and utilities. Predictably, low income families feel the squeeze more than any other group of people, and are therefore more likely to face housing challenges, among other difficulties. But, thanks to initiatives such as those run by the North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC), many low income families in the Missouri areas where NECAC operates can now meet their rental obligations and other housing needs promptly.

NECAC is a HUD-selected community action agency that runs a number of housing projects targeting low-income families in Missouri, such as assisting families with rental payment and providing cheap houses for sale under the Section 8 Homeownership Program. Through these programs, NECAC has achieved commendable accomplishments and has been duly recognized through several rewards from HUD.

Recently, NECAC’s rental assistance program received a top rating from HUD for the laudable way it administers the rent assistance program under the Section 8 Housing Program. The rating was awarded under HUD’s Section Eight Management Assessment Program monitoring and evaluation system that is run annually.

NECAC’s rent assistance program runs in various towns and counties in Missouri, including Lincoln, Macon, Marion, Montgomery, Randolph, Shelby, St. Charles, and Warren, among others. In addition to helping HUD meet its community housing objectives, NECAC was recognized for its commitment to help low-income families acquire decent housing and manage their rental dues under HUD homes community programs. The NECAC rental assistance program is a win-win for both tenants and landlords as it ensures both parties are getting value for their money.

For more on this news, read the following article.
To learn more about HUD homes, see this guide to buying HUD homes.

Things to Consider with Rent to Own Properties


Have you heard any horror stories about the condition of rent to own homes lately? This concept has been very limited until the last few years. Some of those potential buyers than entered into this type of agreement are just now coming to the end of its terms. From the location of the house to the asking price, there are quite a few questions that make weighing the options important before taking that step.

Knowing that a landlord-seller might reconsider selling at the end of the agreement period is a risk. Rental-buyers may not qualify for a mortgage after the initial rental period expires. Those are the two most frightening risks of the deal.

You should take a look at the positive feelings of 26-year old Michael DaSilva, who decided to rent to own in NJ. He was uncertain whether to buy a condo or rent an apartment. He found out he could actually pay towards a purchase on a new one-bedroom condo that displays luxury features he enjoys. Each month, half of his rent goes into an escrow account to be used as a down payment. The best part right now is that the price is locked in at a time when housing values are on the rise.

The idea is also available for single family homes. Imagine getting the mansion of your dreams and having time to be certain it is what you want. If the renter decides not to buy, the escrow is forfeited to the owner. Rather than commit to hundreds of thousands of dollars, or even millions, for a home you think you like, rent to own is an opportunity to try it for real.

You can read the full news article here.

Avoiding Potential Problems with Rent to Own Homes in MD


Avoid problems when doing rent to own homes
Entering into any financial agreement brings about an inherent amount of risk and, as a result, should be carefully researched beforehand. If you are looking into rent to own homes in MD, you have probably heard about a few problems regarding these types of agreements. While issues do arise with these deals, it is usually because the buyer is careless before entering the agreement, rather than a fatal flaw with the rent to own process. As long as you are aware of what could happen, you can avoid any of these issues in the future.

No Guarantees


A major issue involved with the rent to own process is that you might end up without a home at the end of it. If you do not like the home and choose to walk away at the end of your contract, you do not receive any sort of credit towards another of the rent to own homes in MD. In this situation, it means that you will have ended up paying rent on the home, rather than putting money towards a purchase. As a result, this is not really a risk at all, but is like a trial run in the home. This can save you from purchasing a home that you do not like, which is sure to save you money.

Mortgage


Another potential problem is that if you are unable to secure a mortgage to purchase the home once the rent to own contract has expired, you will lose the home. As a result, make sure that you can come up with this money before looking for rent to own homes in MD. You could also ask the seller if he or she is interested in financing the sale. Either way, you can begin making plans beforehand if you wish to purchase the home. If you cannot come up with the money, you are not losing out on anything because you would have been renting a property anyway.

Contractual Issues


Once you sign the contract with the seller, he or she gives you the option of purchasing the house at the end of the contract, as long as you fulfill your obligations. If you miss a payment, however, the seller might have the right to evict you from the property and keep the money that you have put towards the purchase of the home. Read the contract carefully or have a lawyer look it over before signing it. In doing so, you can save yourself from the having unexpected clauses dropped on you during your contract.

Protect Yourself


As you can see, the major issues that people run into can easily be avoided by taking the necessary precautions. Rent to own homes in MD are a great way to get the property that you have always wanted, even if your current credit rating will not let you receive a mortgage loan.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Is a Short Sale in NJ Right for You?

For homebuyers interested in a short sale NJ has many options available and the state itself has many advantages to offer those relocating to the area. While short sales aren’t for everyone, they do offer unique benefits that many homebuyers appreciate. Before deciding if a short sale in New Jersey is the right choice for your homebuyer needs, here are a few helpful considerations to keep in mind.

What is a Short Sale?


When it comes to a short sale NJ follows the same procedures as other states do for this transaction. Short sales take place when a property owner sells a piece of property for less than the amount of the property’s loan balance. For this transaction to go forward, the lender has to agree to it as well. Although the process has been long and frustrating for many homebuyers in the past, banks are becoming more agreeable to this option, since it is less expensive and more efficient than going through foreclosure proceedings.

Certain banks have even streamlined the process, making them more attractive to homebuyers. With many homebuyers beginning to look for a short sale NJ is no exception and according to RealtyStore.com, a variety of short sale opportunities are available within the state.

The Pros and Cons


short sale NJ
For homebuyers interested in a short sale NJ offers options across the state. However, before deciding on a short sale, it’s important to consider both the pros and cons of this home buying method. The biggest pro that buyers can enjoy is the low prices that can be enjoyed when choosing this route. Prices are often significantly lower than the home value, allowing buyers to purchase a much nicer home than their budget may have otherwise allowed. In some cases, short sale NJ lenders may step in and offer good financing options to help secure the deal and get the home off their hands, which benefits the lender and the buyer.

Yes, when choosing a short sale NJ can offer buyers some excellent prices, but the cons of short sales must also be considered. One con to consider is the time it often takes to come to an acceptable deal for all parties. Even though a property owner may accept the deal, the lender must approve offers made by prospective buyers as well. This can lead to a lengthy buying process in some cases. In some cases, deals can fall through in the end, which can be disappointing to buyers.

Relocating to New Jersey


If you’re considering a short sale NJ and its economic climate should be considered before deciding this is the best place to relocate. Currently, the state boasts a higher than average per capita income, with more than 75% of per capita incomes rating above the national average. Unemployment is a big concern for families relocating today, and while New Jersey is still at a 9% unemployment rate, that rate has been falling and new jobs have been created within the past couple of years. While New Jersey has seen a higher than average jobless rate in the country, the fall in unemployment rates is encouraging.

When considering NJ, more than the economic climate should be considered. When homebuyers decide to purchase a short sale, NJ offers a diverse climate that many appreciate. The climate is warm during the summer but offers winters often see snow. Families considering relocating to the area will find that excellent school systems are available and public schools spend more per student than most schools across the country. Beyond quality public schools, one of the most prestigious national universities is located in the state, Princeton University.

Buying a Short Sale


With all the benefits of a short sale and the excellent advantages found in the state of New Jersey, it’s easy to see why RealtyStore.com reports that “short sale NJ” has become such a hot search term today. Of course, those going down the short sale road should keep several things in mind. First, patience is necessary. These deals often take some patience, but a bit of patience can yield some exciting benefits. It’s also important to double check the home before buying, since these sales are generally “as is” and come with no extra money to take care of any problems.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Protect Yourself From This Rent To Own Scam


Renting to own sounds like the perfect solution to many people who might not be able to purchase a home otherwise. Rather than having to come up with a down payment which is far more than a lot of us are able to scrape together, especially during a recession where banks are less willing than ever to extend home loans, renting to own allows consumers to buy their home at a price comparable to what they’re already paying in rent.

Unfortunately, one of the unforeseen consequences of the recession is a growing number of rent to own scam operators looking to fleece unsuspecting would-be home buyers. There are a lot of different types of rent to own scams out there and it’s important to know what to look for in order to avoid being taken in by one of these criminals: the following is one of the most common to watch for.

avoid rent to own scams
Given the nearly record high number of foreclosure listings nationwide (and definitely record high in some states), there are a lot of unoccupied homes on the market and a shortage of willing buyers – the ideal conditions for an ambitious criminal to run a rent to own scam. These scam artists will gain entry to a foreclosed home and begin showing it to prospective buyers while representing themselves as the owner of the property. At least for a while, it may seem that everything’s fine, at least until the owner of the property finds a buyer to show it to or lists it with a realtor and the would-be rent to owners are out on the street again.

There are a few signs of this scam to be aware of; the property is usually listed at a price which is substantially (some may say suspiciously) below market price. There may also be some obvious signs of forced entry, with the scam artist mentioning the locks needing to be changed, etc.

There are two things that prospective home buyers can do to protect themselves from this scam. One is to use a reputable source like RealtyStore.com, where rent to own scams are already filtered out by the website's staff. The other is to consult your county clerk’s office of property records in order to make sure that the “owner” trying to rent you their property is who they say they are or if they’re running another rent to own scam.