Stark County Real Estate Resource

Did You Take Advantage of the Real Estate Tax Credit?

2010-06-28T20:36:00.001-04:00

During a conversation at my office today, we were talking about how many buyers in our area were actually able to take advantage of the Real Estate Tax Credit. Personally, I feel it was a boost to our local real estate economy, whereas it might not be in other higher priced areas of the country. I would appreciate your input and answers to the following questions:

Have you received your tax credit already?
Do you plan on receiving your tax credit with you file your taxes next year?
Would you have purchased your home even without the tax credit?
What do you plan on using the tax credit for? i.e. savings, improvements, furniture, vacation, or big screen TV.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Barb Beckwith
Keller Williams Legacy Group Realty
330.268.4782
Homes@BarbBeckwith.com

Start your home search at http://www.barbbeckwith.com/

You Don't Need 20% Down to Purchase a New Home!

2010-06-28T20:09:00.001-04:00

You don't need 20% down to purchase a new home.

If you listen to the news these days, you would probably think you need at lease a 20% downpayment to purchase a new home and you missed your opportunity. But this is just not necessarily the case! So let's clarify some of these misperceptions.

Borrowers with good credit and 20% down will get the best interest rates and will not have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI).

Borrowers can still qualify for a mortgage with 10% and even 5% down provided they have good credit.

FHA loans are on the rise and available not just to first-time homebuyers provided you have good credit and a 3.5% downpayment, which can even be a gift from a relative.

Reasons not to wait to buy a new home:
Interest rates are at record lows that we may not see again.
Home prices are low.
Inventory of available homes is great.
Sellers are motivated.

If you think you would like to own your first home, move up to a larger home or downsize, visit my website for great information about reaching your goal in 2009. And remember you can also call or email me anytime. I'm here to help you with all your real estate needs

Barb Beckwith
Keller Williams Legacy Group Realty
330.268.4782
Homes@BarbBeckwith.com

Start your home search at http://www.barbbeckwith.com/

The Real Foreclosure Numbers

2010-02-02T14:55:00.001-05:00

After attending a webinar the other day by John Tuccillo, one of the foremost real estate economists in the United States, I started asking people around me what they understood the foreclosure rate to be. Most folks said based on everything they heard in the news 10 -20%. That is just another example of the media sensationalizing information. Fifteen percent is a correct number but it is 15% of the homes that have sold have been bank owned foreclosures. NOT 15% of all homes are in foreclosure. That number is actually 2-3%. Still not good but better.

Here is an example of how important it is to get the whole story. In this day and age of viral information, sound bites go out to millions and are believed to be completely true. And this affects consumer confidence and that affects something else and so on and so on….

So my advise to you is get your facts from a professional in that particular field. Knowledge is empowering.

Barb Beckwith
Cutler Real Estate
330.491.2813
Homes@BarbBeckwith.com

Start your home search at http://www.barbbeckwith.com/

First Time Homebuyers - Get The Real Scoop!

2009-03-20T14:54:00.004-04:00

No matter where you go, people are talking about the real estate market. One says it’s great and you can practically steal homes at these prices. Another says it’s horrible and even if you could find a house, it is impossible to get financing. And then there’s the national news that is nothing but doom and gloom! Just who do you believe???

Well, I’m here to try to set the record straight for you.

1. Since I started in the real estate business in 1978, there has never been a better time for First-Time buyers to purchase a new home. This is especially true in Northeast Ohio.

2. GET YOUR REAL ESTATE INFO AND ADVICE FROM A LOCAL REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL! I’m out there in the trenches every day and know what is going on right now. And believe me, it is changing all the time. What was true last year or even last week may not be true today.

3. Prices have dropped and there are a lot of homes on the market. Sellers are competing for buyers. Even though sellers understand they will probably have to sell for considerably less than they would have a couple years ago, keep in mind most sellers are not so desperate they will accept a ridiculously low offer. So – fantastic deals –just no steals.

4. You can get financing. If you have a secure job, 3.5% of the purchase price for a down payment (can be a gift from a relative) and have a decent credit score, you may be eligible for an FHA loan. And I can show you how to have the seller pay for your share of the closing costs!

5. Foreclosures. Now here is where some real opportunity exists. Even though these homes are dirt cheap, they may not be up to your comfort of living. Some have been abused and stripped of thing like light fixtures, appliances, bathroom fixtures and yes, even the kitchen sink. These homes would not be eligible to be financed under traditional standards. BUT, I can show you how to finance the home plus repairs and/or improvements you need with an FHA 203K Streamline loan. Click for more info on the 203K loan. Then call me so we can get started.

6. And the best for last – as part of the economic stimulus plan, the Tax Credit for First-Time Homebuyers has been increased to $8,000 and you now have until December 1, 2009 to close on your new home. Click here for the latest info on the tax credit.

Feel free to contact me either by email or phone to discuss your options. Don’t forget, as a buyer you pay no commission for professional representation.

Barb Beckwith
Cutler Real Estate
330-491-2813
Barb@BarbBeckwith.com

Start your home search at http://www.barbarabeckwith.com/

North Canton Real Estate Market Conditions

2009-01-06T15:16:00.004-05:00

North Canton Twp. Real Estate

Whether you are thinking about selling your home, buying a new home or just curious, folks like to know about homes currently on the market or what has recently sold in your area. As a real estate professional, I continuously monitor these statistics and want to keep you informed. Below you will find Jackson Twp. real estate stats for the 3rd quarter of 2008, October 1 through December 31.

Number of homes on the market-------------------120
Number of homes currently pending----------------18
Number of closed sales--------------------------------50

To find the value of your home online, go to http://barbbeckwith.com/ and click Virtual Market Analysis. IT'S FREE!

If you would like a free list of homes for sale in North Canton or would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give me a call or email me.

Barb Beckwith
Cutler Real Estate
330-491-2813
Barb@BarbBeckwith.com
http://barbbeckwith.com

Perry Township Real Estate Market Conditions

2009-01-06T15:08:00.005-05:00

Perry Twp. Real Estate

Whether you are thinking about selling your home, buying a new home or just curious, folks like to know about homes currently on the market or what has recently sold in your area. As a real estate professional, I continuously monitor these statistics and want to keep you informed. Below you will find Jackson Twp. real estate stats for the 3rd quarter of 2008, October 1 through December 31.

Number of homes on the market ------------------132
Number of homes currently pending---------------19
Number of closed sales -------------------------------57

To find the value of your home online, go to http://barbbeckwith.com/ and click Virtual Market Analysis. IT'S FREE!

If you would like a free list of homes for sale in Perry Township or would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give me a call or email me.

Barb Beckwith
Cutler Real Estate
330-491-2813
Barb@BarbBeckwith.com
http://barbbeckwith.com/

Jackson Township, OH Real Estate Market Conditions

2009-01-03T14:28:00.006-05:00

Jackson Twp. Real Estate

Whether you are thinking about selling your home, buying a new home or just curious, folks like to know about homes currently on the market or what has recently sold in your area. As a real estate professional, I continuously monitor these statistics and want to keep you informed. Below you will find Jackson Twp. real estate stats for the 3rd quarter of 2008, October 1 through December 31.

221 homes currently on the market
34 homes currently pending
68 closed sales

To find the value of your home online, go to http://BarbaraBeckwith.com and click Virtual Market Analysis. IT'S FREE!

If you would like a free list of homes for sale in Jackson Township or would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give me a call or email me.

Barb Beckwith
Cutler Real Estate
330-491-2813
Barb@BarbBeckwith.com
http://BarbBeckwith.com