First Blog Posts

Salt Lake City, Utah, 2023.  You have been watching late night television, you have seen the commercials - "take care of that tax debt", "pay pennies on the dollar."  "Enough of those sleepless nights" you tell yourself, it is time to pay those pennies and move on.  The late night commercial then shows a happy couple on a golf course after they have paid those pennies.  Is this to good to be true?  Yes!!!To pay those pennies on the dollar the taxpayer usually does this through what is called an offer-in-compromise.  There are two types of offers-in-compromise: Doubt-as-to-Collectability Offer: this is where the taxpayer does not disputes the amount owed in back taxes, but the taxpayer cannot pay the tax debt in full; or Doubt-as-to-Liability Offer: this is where the taxpayer offers to s... 01/04/2023

As part of the Professor Agent course to obtain a real estate license I am invited to write about one of the ways to loose a license. I have chosen to describe the importance of honesty in the real estate profession. During the mentioned course preparation, I visited the public services for the Utah Division of Real Estate. To my surprise, I was able to find a list of professional to various levels of ways to suspend, revoked, surrender and cancelled their real estate licenses.  In my view, one avenue to encounter issues with the real estate license is the increased awareness of exercising honesty. During the course it is mentioned that people are emotionally and financially attached to their homes.  As concur with this thought as I see the housing industry. at the heart of families and... 01/03/2023

Home inspections generally take 2 to 3 hours. There are several factors that can cause an inspection to go over that time, such as: Older home: older homes will generally have more delayed maintenance items and items that do not meet the current standards. These all require additional time to document in the report. Clutter: homes with a lot of clutter can take additional time to work around and access crucial components such as attic accesses, panel boxes, and mechanical equipment. Poorly maintained Home: homes that have not been well-maintained often will take longer as well because of the large amount of issues to document in the report. This is usually from elderly homeowners or homeowners that do not know how to maintain their home. Large Homes: larger homes can take more time to n... 01/03/2023

Rexburg Homeowners are Getting Frustrated with Higher Density Zoning Entering Low Residential NeighborhoodsA Growing Issue for RexburgRexburg, Idaho is a growing college town located in East Idaho. It is home to BYU-Idaho which has experienced continual growth for many years. As the college grows, inevitably the city must also grow. Many people in Rexburg, however, are starting to realize the plan for the growth of the city may not be what the residents want as higher-density projects continue to enter low-density residential neighborhoods. A Surprise to HomeownersSadly, many residents of Rexburg are not aware of this growing trend until the higher-density projects are being proposed in their backyard. This was recently the case for the Harvest Heights Subdivision and the Eaglewood Sub... 01/03/2023

 Enjoy our Arizona winter weather in this beautiful home. Here in Arizona we shovel sun!This Sun City West home features an updated kitchen with quartz countertops, new hardware, and fresh paint. What sets this duplex apart from the others is the added lanai overlooking out to the full-grown citrus trees. Work was done by licensed contractors according to tax records where the floor was leveled out and enclosed for more privacy. When you enter you will be pleasantly surprised by the open concept, new carpet, and shutters throughout. This home is ideal for a snowbird or year-round resident as the windows can be open during the cool winter days and closed for the hot summer nights.  The bedrooms are perfectly sized to fit king beds, with plush neutral-colored carpet and oversized closets ... 01/02/2023

Welcome to Libby, Montana, a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts! Located in the northwest corner of Montana, Libby offers a wide range of activities for all levels of experience. From hiking in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness to fishing in the Kootenai River, there is something for everyone in this beautiful area.At CENTURY 21 Summit Realty, we're dedicated to helping you make the most of your time in Libby and the surrounding areas. In this guide, we'll take a closer look at the best hiking and fishing spots in the area and provide tips for enjoying these activities. We'll also highlight some of the other outdoor opportunities in Libby, such as camping and birdwatching. So whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, you'll find plenty of ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Libby... 01/02/2023

    As a real estate agent, you are usually helping someone during a big time in their life. Sometimes they are buying a house and you are there to help them find something they like that fits their budget and their needs, both at the time and hopefully in the future. Other times, you are there when someone is selling their house. They might have lived there for years or recently bought it but in either case they want you to help them get a fair price for it and to let them know what to expect.    In both cases, they trust you to put their needs and well being first and to let them know if you believe they lack an understanding of the market. There might be a buyer who likes the first house you show them but you realize it has foundation damage or something else that makes it a bad idea... 01/01/2023

Sometimes, life can be very challenging. You can keep a positive spirit. However, there are times when it seems like something needs to be fixed professionally and/or personally, no matter how a person strategizes. And when this happens, there are things we can all do instead of throwing in the towel, getting angry to the point where it raises our blood pressure, and more. There are healthier alternatives, and the following includes those alternatives: Make a Great ListWhen everything fails, it can be hard to maintain self-confidence. Nevertheless, after going through frustration and other negative feelings, it is vital to get a hold of oneself and start to make great lists. One list is of all the things to be grateful for. The other list should be all the accomplishments one should be ... 12/30/2022

Metropolitan Districts, also known as metro districts or metro tax districts, have become an integral part of local new construction communities in recent years. Here in Northern Colorado, homes are being built in or reside in these districts and they have important implications for home buyers. I’ll share with you the purpose and definition of a metro district per the Colorado Revised Statute, some research completed on the implications for homeowners, pros and cons and finally some due diligence you can do to see if living in a Metro District is a good fit for you.   12/30/2022

  Are you prepping to buy your first home? If so, one of the steps you should take early on is making sure you’re financially ready for your purchase. Here are just a few of the financial fundamentals you’ll need to focus on as you set out to buy a home. Build Your Credit Your credit is one element that helps determine which home loan you’ll qualify for. It also impacts your mortgage interest rate. While there are many factors that go into your mortgage application, a higher credit score could lead to a lower monthly payment in the long run. So how do you make sure your credit is in the best shape possible when it’s time to buy? A recent article from NerdWallet lists a few tips you can use as you work to build and strengthen your credit. They include: Tracking your credit and disputing... 12/26/2022

2022 was a crazy year for all of us, Real Estate and Mortgage. We started with historically low rates and the Real Estate industry was still going fast and furious - and ended up with a massive rate increase that literally put the brakes on the industry. I felt it - being on both sides, Real Estate AND Mortgage. Buyers are shying away from home purchases because of rate. Others who were preapproved at the beginning of the year simply cannot fit into a home purchase or if so, a much smaller purchase. Yes, I understand that the new catch phrase is "Date the rate, marry the home" - but that is based on IF/WHEN interest rates go down you can always refinance, a very dangerous position. What IF rates don't go down and even scarier -- what if the home value depreciates because of a market cor... 12/25/2022

If you are in the market for a new home in Texas, you may be wondering where to start. One crucial factor to consider is the price of the house, and if you are looking for an affordable option, you may wonder what is available in your area. In this blog post, we will explore the topic of affordable houses for sale near me in Texas and provide some tips and resources to help you find a home that fits your budget. Know Your Budget:Before searching for an affordable house in Texas, knowing exactly how much you can afford to spend is essential. This will help you narrow your options and avoid looking at homes out of your price range. Consider your income, debts, and any savings or assets available for a down payment. It is also helpful to work with a mortgage lender or financial advisor to ... 12/25/2022

InstaLend is a nationwide lender providing investment property loans for residential 1-4, multi-family and mixed-use properties. Our company provides fast & reliable financing for fix and flip loans, rental property loans, new construction loans, and other hard money loans. Whether it's your first or fiftieth real estate investment, InstaLend meets all your short-term and long-term investment needs with its competitive rates and diverse loan programs. Our objective is to empower real estate operators to get access to capital at lower rates in far less time than they would with alternative lenders. Submit your loan application online and get a loan commitment the same day! 12/25/2022

Don't Move to MauiWe strive to be your go-to Maui Real Estate Team. We also strive to be honest, open, and straightforward with you as well.mes Network. As your Hawaii Real Estate Team, we are excited to be by your side during this amazing journey.  Whether you are someone looking to Move to Hawaii, Invest in Hawaii Real Estate, or a Homeowner wanting to sell a home or condo, please consider us as your partner.   Yes, we are real estate agents and yes, we would love to help you buy a home or sell a home on Maui. We also do not want you to become another Maui statistic who moves back to the mainland in a few months or a year or two.Its a big deal to move anywhere, let alone an island chain in the middle of the pacific ocean. Adam Miller R(S) 81648808-866-6606Jessica Miller R(S) 81811Jess... 12/23/2022

When you own a house, you are personally invested in maintaining that property in the best shape. Not only does it lead to a more pleasurable lifestyle for you, but it improves the property’s value should you decide to sell. Without that personal investment though, it can be difficult to find the inspiration to maintain a property.Real estate-owned properties, for example, lack that same individual investment. These properties have been seized after foreclosures and are usually owned by banks or other loan companies. luckily, there’s a simple way to keep these houses in shape. All you have to do is get the assistance of a property preservation company. get more info in our short overview and you’ll never have to inquire, “What is property preservation services?” again.The Fundamentals:I... 12/21/2022

Dual Agency is something that you probably heard about before. Dual Agency is not an illegal action in some states in the US but if you don't follow some rules, it can become a big trouble for a real estate agent. First, if you don't know what Dual Agency means - is when a real estate agent represents both parties in the same transaction. When this happens, you need to get consent from both parties in writing, but some states can be different.What is the law saying about Dual Agency in your state?    12/21/2022

Palm Springs Region Community GuideJoseph Melara is the Managing Broker at Residential Brokers, our mission is to organize local community information and make it universally accessible and useful to home buyers and sellers in the Palm Springs, CA Region.Native to the Greater Palm Springs Region, Joseph has been involved in real estate since 2007. Joseph's interest in real estate started at a young age, totally immersing himself in all things real estate, including real estate investment. Four years into his career, Joseph received his broker's license, and mortgage loan originator endorsement (NMLS), opened his first brokerage and sold hundreds of properties throughout Southern California (Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, and Los Angeles counties).Joseph passionately believes in pr... 12/20/2022

Discover the allure of a Tuscan farmhouse for sale A sprawling stone farmhouse surrounded by rolling hills and lined by olive trees, with an infinity pool overlooking the vineyards. Homes with pools for sale in Chianti, as well as land for sale in Tuscany, are among the most sought-after types of property worldwide. It goes without saying that Tuscanian vistas and distinctively rich cultural past play a significant role in their appeal. A farm with a view near Florence, Siena, or LuccaTravelers from all over the world come to Florence, Siena, and Lucca because of their culture, views, hills, and shore. Is this the explanation behind the numerous Hollywood celebrities and businesspeople from the USA and Northern Europe who decide to purchase a farmhouse for sale?Read more about your drea... 12/20/2022

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Are you an experienced landlord looking for new income streams? Rental arbitrage may be the answer. This creative real estate strategy involves buying properties to use as rentals, then turning around and renting them out at a higher rate than what you paid. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this type of business.  What is Rental Arbitrage? Rental arbitrage or “rental flipping” involves buying rental properties with the intention of quickly renting them out to tenants at higher rates than what you initially paid. This can be done through real estate wholesaling or by leveraging an existing property portfolio. You can also use rental arbitrage as a way to earn money while renovating your rental property – by leasing it out before completing all the work.     Benefits of Rental Ar... 12/19/2022