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22Nov/100

Condominium Insurance

When looking for condominium insurance there are crucial questions to ask to help guide you to the coverage you need.  To state the obvious, a condominium is not the same thing as a house.  Usually, there is no backyard or basement, and you don’t have to worry about cutting the grass or shoveling the front walk.  Insurance is another area where homes and condos differ.  Condo owners are typically responsible for insuring just a portion of their property on their own.  However, rules differ from complex to complex, and it is important to ask the right questions to ensure you have proper insurance coverage. 

What are your ownership and insurance responsibilities in the condo association’s Master Deed?  In other words, what does the association expect from you regarding your condominium insurance requirements?  Individual owners have a collective responsibility for insuring areas of the complex owned in common - building exteriors, hallways, pool area, etc.  Individual unit owners typically are responsible for separately insuring everything within the four walls of their unit.  The condo association’s master policy , as well as association rules, should spell out clearly which parts of the complex are insured through association dues and which parts are not.

How much is the association deductible?  This is an area many condo owners don’t think about.  Condo association insurance typically includes commercial insurance coverage for the commonly shared building and common areas which usually includes an association deductible.  In the event of a natural disaster or hurricane or whatever and the condo association needs major work the association will tender the claim to their commercial insurer.  But would be a deductible and that deductible would be assessed against all unit owners so if there were 10 unit owners, it would be divided 10 ways.  You could really be hit with bill you weren’t expecting or did not know about if you didn’t do your homework.

It is also important to know how to lower you condominium insurance.  Several questions need to be asked that can factor in to reducing your costs.

  1. Have your agent properly estimate the value of what is being insured by you for your condo.
  2. Apply modification credits.  For condos that can mean sprinkler systems and central monitoring burglar and/or fire alarm.
  3. Shop around.  It is often inconvenient and may require some effort but finding the right policy and coverage can save you money in the long run.  Finally, keep in mind that there may be discounts.  Many companies offer discounts such as non-smoker or retired.
2Sep/100

1963 Mortgage Interest Rates

You've probably heard it countless times in the last year or so: "Mortgage Interest Rates at Historic Lows!"

What does that even mean?

How about this perspective instead: "Buy a home with 1963 mortgage interest rates."

If you weren't around in 1963, or just don't remember it, well, we certainly know an awful lot of things were far cheaper back then, and mortgage interest rates were, too.

How about a 1963 Chevy Impala with a 327 V-8 engine and automatic transmission? Manufacturer's retail price new was $3,725.75.

Or  two dozen oranges for just 89 cents? Gasoline for just over 25 cents per gallon? The price of real estate? The list goes on.

It's incredible to think that in 2010, mortgage interest rates are about what they were in 1963....the year President John F. Kennedy was in office and the year Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

In fact, at 4.42 percent, average, for a 30-year mortgage, as reported by Fannie Mae, rates are actually slightly below  what they were in 1963.  That's pretty amazing. There's not much available at the same rate as almost 40 years ago, but 1963 mortgage interest rates certainly apply. 

Should you buy a condo or house and take advantage of what could be once-in-a-lifetime low rates?  It warrants careful consideration. In fact, one of our fellow bloggers just explored the topic in his post entitled  "Why Should I Buy Now?"

Personal circumstances vary, of course. Generally speaking, if you don't have a property to sell first, you're in an excellent position to  purchase a house, townhome  or condo in the current economy because many sellers have lowered prices and/or provided incentives.

If you have a property to sell first, however, it's important to price it correctly and realistically to reflect the current market. Our condo specialist Realtors can assist with this.  Be sure the property is up to date, clean, well-staged and with great curb appeal. Real estate sales may be down in the current economy but there are still plenty of properties bought and sold every day. It takes careful strategy to get it done, with the help of one of our professionals.

And if you're wondering where to find these great mortgage rates, we're more than happy to suggest a great resource, Bank of America. Whether you are looking for condo financing or financing for a house, investment property  or other real estate, the people we've worked with at Bank of America are ready to talk with you about your needs. Click the link in the previous sentence to get started.

As you shop for the best mortgage plan for your needs, please know that mortgage interest rates available through lenders fluctuate weekly, sometimes daily, but the overall trend for many months now has been for these rates to be historically low.  Interested in a 1963 mortage interest rate? Here's your chance!

28Aug/100

Rethink Real Estate

By Anthony Caciopo

Earlier this week, Janice Zeman,  one of OwnACondo.com's leading condo specialists, was working on some personal marketing and said she was suggesting that people rethink real estate in our current economy.

We very much liked the idea and asked her to explain.

“If you’ve got real estate to sell, it’s important to rethink how to get it done by using the services of a company that does far more than only stick a sign in the ground, put the property on the Multiple Listing Service and hope for the best,” she said.

Janice is a Realtor® of long experience and many, many satisfied clients to her credit. Neither she, nor OwnACondo.com, ever rely on just the minimum effort, yet that's what so many consumers receive from the Realtor® they partner with, even in these challenging times.

“My main objective is to assess the best plan for every individual need,” says Janice. “That can include a customized, traditional sale; a short sale or an auction, depending on the property and the needs of the client."

"A lot of consumers might be surprised to learn that auctions will soon account for one-third of all real estate sold in the U.S.,” Janice explains. “Real estate auctions are becoming hugely popular for buyers and sellers alike.  I can help people with that.  That's one example of what I mean when I urge people to rethink real estate. ” 

Short sales are another way to rethink real estate. A short sale is a transaction in which a bank agrees to accept less for a property than what is currently owed. Banks may do this to avoid having to take the property back as a foreclosure, which can be a very costly process. Short sales allow the current owner to get out of a difficult situation and can provide a buyer with the opportunity to obtain a property at a reduced price.

But auctions and short sales aside, Janice takes particular pride in servicing her clients with traditional listings by using custom photography, virtual tours and general high level of attention to marketing and servicing.

“I’m a counselor for my clients,” she says. “I’ll make sure one of our many services is the perfect fit. There’s really no other company that offers so much at such a high level.”

Janice is an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), a designation earned by Realtors® who meet specific educational and practical experience criteria. She covers most of the Chicagoland area but specializes in Riverside, LaGrange and other communities nearby. She likes to rethink real estate and we like that about her!

17Jan/100

The Advantages of Los Angeles Real Estate Auctions

The real estate market in California is very well-known around the world, and there is a good reason this is a fact. It's also a well-known fact that each time the market declines and market values drop, it is only a temporary recession, and they rebound in a short amount of time.

Despite the resiliency of the market, however, Los Angeles real estate auctions are an excellent arena for both buyers and sellers.

It helps them negotiate prices that are close to the market value, and most importantly, it expedites the sales process. No lengthy negotiations are required, and no stacks of paperwork face buyers as they're trying to close a deal. In fact, the majority of real estate auctions take less than three months from start to finish.

One of the reasons the Los Angeles real estate market is so resilient is that so much economic commerce going on in that area. People are constantly moving to California for jobs and business opportunities, and naturally, they're going to need a place to live. Often, rather than paying high prices in rent, they would rather invest their money in real estate.

This is why Los Angeles real estate auctions are in such a high demand. The population of southern California is one of the fastest growing populations in the country, and this puts demand pressure on prices and causes prices to go up. The competition auctions foster also tends to drive the prices up.

Therefore, sellers can benefit from auctions in Los Angeles just as much as the buyers. One of the things that is most fortuitous to sellers engaging in transactions that take place at auctions is that the auction house provides advertising for the event.

They pay for advertisements on the radio and television, and they also put ads in various print publications that are tailored toward the real estate industry. This is particularly beneficial because advertisements are quite expensive, and sellers might not have the capital to invest in them while trying to move a certain piece of property.

Because of the growth of the real estate market in California, use of Los Angeles real estate auctions are a growing trend. Federal aid has been directed to California to help it get out of its financial crisis, and thousands of immigrants stream over the border each day that will need to find housing.

They will most likely be looking to purchase real estate at the lower end of the market, so this will create a price floor for the rest of the market, and people at all income levels will benefit.

Auctions offer a quick and easy way for buyers and sellers to complete transactions, but it's important for both of them to be well-informed about the market so that they don't get ripped off or end up losing money by becoming caught up in a bidding frenzy.

14Jan/100

Profitable Miami Real Estate Auctions

In reality, the real estate market across the country is facing a difficult time due to the national economic crisis, and the market in Miami is no different. This is why Miami real estate auctions are an excellent way to go about making real estate transactions since they expedite the process, and also offer both sellers and buyers the opportunity to make an excellent deal on property.

Since people have less money to spend on homes, there has been a lack of new developments in Miami as well as throughout the nation.

Therefore, prices have fallen, and the ones up for sale are typically below market value. This fact makes auctions all the more appealing since the competitive arena may benefit sellers by helping keep the prices closer to market value than they might be if the real estate was being sold in a conventional method.

Miami real estate auctions are perfect for people who are well-versed in this particular aspect of business. Both sellers and buyers need to be aware of market trends so they know what price point is reasonable for a certain piece of real estate.

If sellers set a minimum bid that is too high, they'll miss out on the efficient aspect of selling real estate at an auction because no one might bid on it. Conversely, sellers need to know how much they need to be willing to spend on real estate given its location and level of maintenance.

Luckily for buyers, all properties that are up for auction have been previously inspected and are held to high standards of maintenance so they can be assured that it will be possible to move in immediately after they complete the sale.

For the past few months, the Miami real estate market has been recovering in spite of the dire economic times.

Therefore, it's the ideal time for buyers to start searching for homes that might need a few extra repairs that someone might be looking to sell in order to avoid paying high property taxes or other expenses associated with owning property.

There is a growing number of sellers with a higher motivation to sell, which is why auctions are the ideal place for them to make a quick transaction. Although prices are continuing to drop, sellers still want to move properties.

An advantage of Miami real estate auctions is that they provide sellers with extensive advertising that they might not be able to afford on their own. All auction agencies list the properties that will be up for sale on websites that buyers can peruse before they show up to the actual auction.

They also advertise the auction through advertisements in radio shows, television broadcasts and print publications. This kind of publicity is key in getting the attention of the public, and most importantly, potential buyers, who might want to own a piece of real estate.

Even though buyers might be reluctant to complete a sale due to financial hardships, they will inevitably pay attention to advertising that suggests that they could possibly make an excellent investment and capitalize on the low market prices currently available.

11Jan/100

In Chicago, Real Estate Auctions can be Helpful

Auctions have many benefits to potential buyers. They can access a large selection of properties up for sale, and can obtain prices that are often lower than the market value.

They also get the opportunity to close a sale in less than one month, which is quite appealing since buying real estate in a conventional method can be a very drawn out procedure that includes lengthy negotiations and lots of paperwork.

In Chicago, real estate auctions also offer many benefits to sellers as well. This is why for all parties involved in the auction process, they are gaining popularity as a method of making real estate transactions in the evolving real estate and economic climate.

Chicago real estate auctions allow sellers to sell a property with maximum efficiency. While this is important, it's also vital to note that they will get a fair price for what they're trying to sell.

Due to the competitive nature of auctions, bidders often try to win the property that they most desire, and get caught up in the excitement at the auction house. This is excellent for sellers since they will want to get the most money possible for their real estate.

Especially in Chicago, it's important to sellers that they're able to move their property without a large time delay. Owners want the best return they can get, but they don't want to waste time with buyers who might be inclined to back out of a deal at the last minute.

The fact that auctions close deals in a short amount of time is perfect for property owners that need to move quickly to take on a new job position, if they've inherited property they don't wish to put to personal use, or if they simply need the extra cash due to the current economic crisis.

It's also expensive to maintain property and pay property tax on it, so if sellers are able to get rid of it quickly, this will save them money overall. They might even be willing to accept a bid that's lower than what they wanted to receive it it means it will save them a few extra months of having to deal with being a property owner.

Although auctions present numerous benefits to sellers, Chicago real estate auctions also are a great marketplace for buyers.

They benefit from quick sales just as much as the sellers; no one wants to deal with the hassle of stacks of paperwork or tedious negotiations. Buyers can also feel confident that the properties have been thoroughly inspected and are ready for them to move into as soon as the sale is closed.

Even if buyers go into the auction with a certain price in mind for a property, however, they cannot bid under a minimum bid rate if it's been assigned by a seller. Therefore, in any case, a fair market value for a piece of property is arranged so that both parties involved in the real estate transaction can benefit from an expedited sale.

8Jan/100

Possibilities with Online Real Estate Auctions

Online real estate auctions are excellent ways to find deals on real estate that you might not be able to find in traditional markets.

They make it easy for potential buyers to peruse a list of properties and find out what features they offer, and it's also easy to do comparative analysis online in order to find out more about the market in the area that has piqued your interest.

Although they are simple and efficient, however, it's still important for buyers to stay informed about their decisions and, if possible, for them to go to the auction in person to finalize the transaction that they would like to make.

In the real estate market, online real estate auctions do not function exactly like other online auction sites such as eBay.

It's difficult to make a purchase with confidence if you haven't had time to go see the property in person. Because sales at auctions are final, it's imperative for buyers to feel confident about their decisions.

They'll want to make sure the property has been properly inspected, for instance, and that it has been well-maintained and kept up so that they can move in immediately after the sale is completed. They'll also want to fully investigate the neighborhood if they aren't familiar with the area. It's a good idea to visit the area at different times a day, and to go through it from all different directions in order to find out what it's like and what kind of people live in it.

The advantage of looking into real estate online is that all the listings available are posted on a site that is easy to navigate. Therefore, hours of driving around to locations only to find that they're disappointing or in a less desirable part of time are no longer necessary.

Potential buyers can determine which properties pique their interest from home, and then go out to the actual locations to make sure they still would like to own that property.

All real estate auctions have corresponding websites which include all the properties that will be for sale at a particular auction. By carefully going over these websites, buyers can start the process of making a purchase before they even go to the auction to place a bid.

Online real estate auctions also offer excellent deals that might not be available when trading real estate in a conventional manner. The online market is very popular and a lot of people by real estate in this manner. As a result, competition is quite high. Competition tends to drive prices up, but buyers have the advantage of not paying any more than what they intend to bid when they walk in an auction house.

They also have the advantage of quick sales; real estate transactions can often be very drawn out procedures, but if a real estate websites can expedite some of the preliminary research, then buyers will feel more confident with a fast decision made when they bid and a deal is closed. If buyers are well-informed about the real estate market, online opportunities for research can be quite helpful as they search for the right property to own.

7Jan/100

Chicago Condos

Where can you find the best Chicago condos Chicago is such a mix of cultures and nationalities with over 77 different neighborhoods that condo buyers have a variety of choices from the more upscale Gold Coast to the excitement of River North.  There is no place like the city of Chicago and all it has to offer from the dozens of museums to professional sports for those who want to live in one of the most exciting cities in the world.  Chicago condos have become one of the fastest growing segments in the residential real estate market for first time homebuyers or those looking to experience the excitement of downtown living.

There are literally hundreds of condos to choose from at almost any price.  There are several major developments currently going on downtown and many developers are rolling out new incentives for pre-construction Chicago condos.  Some developers are offering credits as high as $30,000 toward furniture as well as the services of a professional interior designer who sign up before a deadline.  Others developers are offering a wide range of incentives from free parking spaces to options on floor plans at no cost and price guarantees.

Some of the best Chicago condos are scattered throughout the city and below are just a few.

•             6 North Michigan Ave

•             Century Station

•             Ecologic Lofts

•             Joffrey Tower

•             Market Street West

•             Medinah on the Lake

•             One Museum Park

•             Walton on the  Park

There is no better time to start looking for the best Chicago condos than now.  Interest rates are low and pricing is the most reasonable in years with developers and sellers offering incentives to make their units stand out.  That is why choosing the right Real Estate Agent to represent and market your property is a smart move.  Your agent will review with you the different kinds of listing agreements or sales contracts and recommend the structure that would work best for your marketplace and property.  But no matter who you choose, always look for these four parts in the agreement.

1.            Timing – duration of the agreement should be clearly stated

2.            Compensation – fee structure and payout

3.            Cancellation – What happens if you wish to cancel the contract

4.            Disputes – How will disputes be handled.

 

The agreement is an important document.  Read and understand all sections and if you don’t ask a real estate professional or attorney.

2Jan/100

Advantages of Real Estate Auctions

Do you want to find out how to sell a piece of property at a real estate auction? If so, you're in luck; there are numerous ways that real estate auctions can help sellers get the best offer on their piece of property. This is particularly important because auctions can actually help sellers get better prices than conventional methods of real estate transactions.

They are also more efficient, and this helps sellers if they need to move a piece of land due to financial hardships such as property taxes they don't want to pay, or other expenses associated with owning land.

When selling property at real estate auctions, tons of people will be checking out your piece of real estate. They're all at least somewhat interested in it, and they definitely are ready to complete a sale immediately. The process is quite easy, and is over in as little as three months.

In the first month, your property is placed on a list of all properties that are going to be for sale at an auction. The auction house will list the piece of real estate on a website, and then will advertise it to potential buyers in the surrounding area for you, making everyone aware of when the auction is going to take place and where it's going to be held.

During the last month, your piece of real estate will be inspected so that the buyers can move in immediately, and a few open houses will follow the inspection so that buyers can see it in person.

This last month is especially critical, because buyers usually decide whether or not they want to buy a piece of property after they see it for themselves. They will meticulously go through the real estate, so it's important to have all the repairs and maintenance completed before they walk through.

They're aware of the fact that when they purchase your property, they are buying it in the exact same condition it will be in when they see it. This is an advantage to the seller, however, because after the sale takes place, there is no room for complaints from the buyer if they aren't happy with a specific feature of the property.

If the advertising campaign done by a real estate company is effective, a minimum of a couple hundred people will come to make offers on all the properties up for sale at real estate auctions. This marketing isn't possible when someone is trying to sell a piece of property themselves; it would cost too much time or money.

A room full of buyers eager to walk away with a great deal will start making bids, and due to competition, you might receive a higher price for your property than you expected. The excitement involved in the process is also an advantage, but ultimately, auctions are an excellent way to streamline the process of completing a real estate transaction.

30Dec/090

The Benefits of Condo Auctions

Purchasing a condo can often be a very long process. It can sometimes seem like there is an endless stack of paperwork that keeps taking up all your time. Or, you can dedicate months to tedious negotiations with someone selling the property, and then at the last minute have them back out of the deal. If you have to search for condos by yourself, this can also consume a great deal of time.

If you happen to be tired of these things and want to expedite the process, using condo auctions might be an excellent solution. The procedure is much more simple, and you can complete a transaction by just following a few easy steps.

At condo auctions, sellers and buyers are all at the same place, and they mutually benefit from this fact. The buyers have been qualified prior to the auction, and properties have been inspected to make sure that the buyers can move in as soon as they wish.

Therefore, you are able to bypass most of the negotiations. Usually, sellers opt to utilize auctions because they want the process over with so they can use their time for other things. Maybe the property is costing them money in property taxes or various expenses, and they would like to sell it in order to save some money. They're ready to get rid of it. Sometimes, that can happen in as little as a few seconds.

If you make a mistake and accidentally make a purchase that you didn't intend on making, you don't need to spend time fretting about that since it can easily be fixed. Auction aides are always there to help you, and retracting a bid is a common occurrence.

It's not as though a mistake that anyone could make will ruin your future or your financial stability. Another benefit to the auction process is that you don't need to have any connections or know anyone in order to get an excellent deal. You are on the exact same page as everyone else bidding in the room with you.

An additional advantage to condo auctions is that you can pay exactly what you want for a particular piece of property, even though this might mean you have to engage in very competitive bidding.

Just make sure you don't get so caught up in the process that you bid an amount that's more than you can afford. Decide before you go to the auction what amount is reasonable given your financial situation, and then don't allow yourself to make a bid that's beyond that price.

Auctions are a great way to simplify the process of buying real estate if you don't allow yourself to get so excited while you're there that you pay too much in the end. If you buy a condo, you are making an excellent investment for your future and can benefit from the low prices offered at auctions around the country.