Monday, July 25, 2011

There are plenty of misconceptions in our world today. Things that we believe are true, but in actuality are totally false. I’m talking about more than Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Things like the signing of the Declaration of Independence happened on July 4, 1776 or you get warts from kissing a toad.

A mistake that we at Coldwell Banker see from time to time is that some misguided souls think that we’re a bank. We’re battling with the English language on this one. Banker is the last name of one of our founders, Arthur Banker (Colbert Coldwell is the other one in case you were wondering). But when you see “banker” on a sign, the common man may think, “hey, that’s a bank.”

So we thought it was time to deal with this in a humorous way. We approached the very funny team at FunnyorDie.com and came up with a series called, The Truth! Inspired by the eerie gravitas of Unsolved Mysteries and the fact-gathering 20/20 reporting style, The Truth! is infused with a dose of Daily Show attitude, resulting in a unique blend of entertainment and information. These short videos reveal a common misconception in today’s society and show you truth behind it while subtly including the fact that Coldwell Banker is not a bank. The Truth! is hosted by none other than Canadian comedic actor, Alan Thicke, who is widely known for his role as Jason Seaver in the beloved series, Growing Pains.

Today marks the launch of the first episode of The Truth! and we start with an episode dealing with a common mistake made about bulls. There are three episodes in total and one will be released every Monday for the next two weeks. Enjoy and be educated by The Truth!

5 Reasons to Buy A Home Now!

COLDWELL BANKER LAkeside Realtors OFFERS Five reasons to purchase a home now

For most people, deciding to purchase a home is the largest financial decision of their lifetime. Rather than sitting on the fence, why not own it, asks Coldwell Banker Real Estate. Mortgage rates are near historic lows and with home prices more affordable, right now is the perfect time to speak with a professional real estate agent and seize the opportunity to achieve the American Dream of homeownership.

According to a recent survey from the National Association of Realtors, nearly eight out of 10 respondents believe buying a home today is a good financial decision. Based on this, the professionals at Coldwell Banker Lakeside Realtors have provided the following five reasons why now is an optimal time to get off the fence and consider owning the fence instead (and the home within it)!

1. Homes are More Affordable – Home prices remain more affordable than ever before in markets across the country. According to the Freddie Mac House Price Index, current housing prices are down 27 percent on average across the nation from peak values five years ago. Coldwell Banker Real Estate showcased affordability levels in its 2011 Home Listing Report, which ranked more than 2,300 markets.

2. Rates are Low – Mortgage interest rates remain near historical lows, which can mean lower monthly payments and/or shorter lending terms. Coldwell Banker Real Estate recently launched an online First-Time Home Buyer Resource Center that features content and tools to help educate potential first-time home buyers.

3. Homeownership is Still the American Dream – Lifestyle changes such as marriage, having children and starting a new job are some of the most common reasons that people decide to purchase a new home. But the American Dream of homeownership is much more than just a piece of property, it’s a home. According to a recent Coldwell Banker survey of more than 300 consumers who purchased their home in the last year, 67 percent said the market afforded them the opportunity to buy a home sooner than expected and half said they found a home in a more desirable neighborhood than expected.

4. Financing is Available – Though many people decide they want to purchase a new home based on lifestyle factors, the financial aspect of purchasing a home needs to be top-of-mind. A potential homebuyer should conduct the necessary research to prepare for the home buying process. Today’s borrower needs to have stable employment of at lease two years; sufficient income to cover the monthly mortgage payment and living expenses; adequate savings to make at least a 3.5 percent down payment; and, in general, a credit score of at least 620.

Timing is Everything – “Timing is everything,” a saying used to describe just about anything, is incredibly true when it comes to home buying. When preparing to purchase a home, take the time to research other factors that could affect the home buying process. For example, according to new loan limits published by FHFA and HUD, conforming loan limits will be reduced on October 1, 2011, which will decrease the availability and affordability of mortgage credit for many home buyers in 42 states.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

5 Tips for Buying a Home with a Family

For many people, finding a new home is more than a matter of personal taste and individual finance – it’s a family affair. I’ve bought a house as a newlywed couple and then again with a child, but buying one now with my three boys would certainly be a different experience. For those buying a new home to accommodate a growing family, it is an exciting step in one’s life, but it can also be a balancing act.
A recent survey released by Coldwell Banker Real Estate found that 65 percent of homeowners who are also parents purchased their first home before becoming pregnant or within one year of their child’s birth. Wow, that’s a lot going on in a person’s life at one time, but it makes sense. It isn’t until you have a child that you realize just how much space this tiny, little person takes up so that apartment or condo you bought won’t cut it with a munchkin crawling around.
For those consumers who are in a position like this, Coldwell Banker has put together five tips for buying a home with a family in mind:

Proximity to family. Nearly half of the homeowner respondents in a recent survey from Coldwell Banker reported that they live less than 10 minutes from extended family members, with 72 percent choosing to live within 30 minutes. Buying a home that is close to family members can provide support, help and guidance that can be a great benefit both emotionally and financially. With extended family nearby, families have the opportunity to spend more time together and even save money on occasion. The cost of babysitters and long distance travel to visit relatives can really add up!
Existing floor plan. Each family has its own unique dynamic and should take its distinctive needs into consideration when exploring different floor plans. While having a master bedroom upstairs and the other rooms downstairs may work for some families, others may prefer to have all of the bedrooms on the same level.
Surrounding neighborhood. The neighborhood looks different from the eyes of a parent. It’s wise to get an idea of what the neighborhood offers for children, such as local recreational centers, parks or playgrounds as well as the school system, before deciding on an area to live. Coldwell Banker recommends home buyers utilize online tools such as Coldwell Banker On Location or local neighborhood sites that can offer consumers a wealth of local market information.
Future lifestyle needs. They say children grow up in the blink of an eye, and while you don’t believe at first, it’s absolutely true. Make sure the home you purchase leaves growing room and will still fit your family’s needs a few years down the road, especially if there are plans for more children.
Budget. One of the most important things for all potential homeowners to consider is their personal budget. Growing a family and having children usually means a growing list of expenses as well. Estimate monthly expenses along with a mortgage payment to ensure all financial commitments can be reasonably met.

These are just 5 simple steps for buying a home with a family, but there’s so many details involved that it certainly helps to have a trusted agent by your side to guide you through the process. Don’t just take my word for it though. Check out this testimonial video from a family in Rockwall, Texas that used trusted Coldwell Banker agent, Evan Matteson, to help make their move into a bigger place a smooth and enjoyable experience.

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