There are a number of things to consider when choosing the right home and everyone's priority is different.  Where should it be located; neighborhood preference; single or multi-level, number of bedrooms and baths; square footage: yard size; features: quality of school; age of home; interior or exterior appeal; and most of all, price, because if it's out of your budget, it can't be considered. Make a List Make a priority list of things important to you.  Start with the most important, things you have to have.  Then work down the list, putting them in order of most important.  After you are done, go up to the top and move down until you get to a place where you can draw a line.  Above the line should be all of the items you have to have, and below the line should be all of the things tha... 06/18/2009

We need Positive Price Action to confirm market bottom.  One month of price improve isn't sufficient to confirm the market bottom.  We need to see appreciation month over month for three months. PRICE ACTION   Other good signs in addition to positive price action is lower DOM (days of the market), lower new listings and higher percent of new listings being SOLD.    SUMMARY Currently we are not seeing the needed positive price action (along with other indicators) to confirm a market bottom.  This is NOT a good time for those with low and/or no risk tolerance to purchase.  High and medium risk tolerant investors are making buying decisions and are doing some bottom fishing.  Some are trying to time the market and market timing is risky.  Trying to time the bottom is not for the inexperien... 05/28/2009

When is the proper time for the Seller to vacate their property after closing?  This question comes up quite often during the process of the Real Estate transaction.  Just when the proper time is, depends solely on the wording within the Real Estate Purchase Contract.  Unless the property is vacant, generally speaking the seller has until after recording with the county.  Most important is how much was indicated within the REPC.  Usually it takes about a month to close a smooth transaction on a purchase.  If the transaction turns out to be a nightmare, then the closing could go on for an extended period of time.  Another method that can be used is an occupancy agreement between the parties.  If the seller needs more time to move, the Realtor can execute the Occupancy Agreement, the sell... 05/21/2009

When it becomes time to sell many times real estate agents will refer to your home as real estate, they will refer to your purchase as a "home".  Yet, if you are selling property, they will refer to it as a "house".  There is a reason for this.  Buying real estate is often an emotional decision, but when selling real estate you need to remove emotion from the equation.  You need to think to think of your house as a marketable commodity, Property, Real Estate.  The goal of your Realtor is to get buyers to view your property as their potential home, not yours.  If you do not consciously make this decision, you can inadvertently create a situation where it takes longer to sell your property. Another important thing you must do to your property is to remove all of your family's personal ite... 05/18/2009

The final step in the purchase process prior to closing is the Final Walk through Inspection.  Every home buyer should revisit the property to ensure it is in the condition you required in your offer, and to inspect that any required repairs have been performed.  Final inspection should be no sooner than five days before you intend to close.  Make sure this right to do a final inspection is included in your offer to purchase. Search Utah MLS Utah County Homes AMP Mortgage Xpress Orem Real Estate Provo Orem Homes Provo Real Estate Utah Realtor Utah Homes Utah Homes For Sale Provo Real Estate WS Orem Real Estate WS Utah Homes 4 Sale Alpine Real Estate American Fork Real Estate Cedar Hills Real Estate Highland Real Estate Lehi Real Estate Pleasant Grove Real Estate Utah County Home Values ... 05/10/2009

There are a number of factors that a Home Seller needs to consider when pricing their home for sale.  Factors Which Do Not Influence Value •·         You need more equity than you have •·         You may have invested in Repairs and Improvements •·         Prices of homes where you are moving •·         Refinance Appraisal Dangers of Overpricing •·         Miss the Window of Opportunity •·         Perception of being stale •·         Takes longer to sell •·         Ultimately sells for less •·         House never sells Any or all of these factors may come up during the evaluation of pricing your home for sale.  Just make sure you discuss these items with your Realtor, and don't make a mistake that could affect the outcome of your Home Selling Experience. Search Utah MLS Utah County Hom... 04/29/2009

With the present Real Estate market in turmoil and many home owners are having a hard time trying to sell their home, because they owe more than it is worth.  I keep getting the question from my buyers about what is a Short Sale and how does it work?  Well I will try and address that question here.  I hope I am accurate, I am sure I will hear about it if I am not. What is a Short Sale? A Short Sale occurs when a property sells for a price that is insufficient to pay back the loans secured by the property (or any other liens against the property, such as delinquent property taxes, Homeowners/Condominium Association fees, etc.), as well as standard sales closing costs.  In order to complete such a sale, the Seller must either: Come to the closing with sufficient cash from other sources to... 04/22/2009

Before you make any big financial life changes, it is a good idea to have your credit report in order.  Your credit score can affect everything from the interest rate you get on a home loan or an auto loan to whether or not you are hired for a job.  If find your current credit score lacking in points, now is the time to put the following five credit tips into action to improve your financial success.  Plus consistently living by these tips will help you develop better credit responsibility and habits. 1. Know Your Credit Report First things first do you even know what your credit report looks like?  Do you know what your credit score is right now?  A majority of Americans don't.  You can get a free copy of your credit report once a year from each of the three major credit reporting bure... 03/31/2009

Going through a bankruptcy can be a very traumatic event, both emotionally and financially. Your confidence in your ability to function financially may have been shaken and you may be wondering if there is any hope for your credit after this bankruptcy. The good news is that you can establish good credit again and there will even be lenders willing to loan money to you in the future. First, you need to realize that bankruptcy does not affect your credit forever. While it can appear on your credit report for as long as ten years, if you immediately start managing your finances better and paying your bills on time, the bankruptcy will have less and less bearing on your credit score as the time passes. Remember though, that your bankruptcy effort on your credit will only lessen as you make... 03/24/2009

Origination points are a fee paid to the originating lender which is part of the profit margin for the services that they provide.  Both are measured as a percentage of the loan amount and both are factored into the loans APR.  Generally, points are deductible as long as the seller didn't pay for them and origination fees are tax deductible provided they are expressed as a percentage. Discount points enable you to lower your loans interest rate.  They are basically prepaid interest, with each point equaling 1 % of the total loan amount.  When you pay a point on a 30 year mortgage, you can lower your interest rate by .125 of a percentage point.  When comparing loan rates, ask lenders for an interest rate with 0 points and then see how much the rate decreases with each point paid.  Discou... 03/15/2009

By: Robert A. Hulme - Realtor - Loan Officer -Utah County, Including Provo, Orem, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Lehi, Highland, Alpine and Cedar Hills, Eagle Mountain, Payson, Saratoga Springs, Spanish Fork, , Springville, Mortgage Xpress, Agent When it becomes time to sell many times real estate agents will refer to your home as real estate, they will refer to your purchase as a "home".  Yet, if you are selling property, they will refer to it as a "house".  There is a reason for this.  Buying real estate is often an emotional decision, but when selling real estate you need to remove emotion from the equation.  You need to think to think of your house as a marketable commodity, Property, Real Estate.  The goal of your Realtor is to get buyers to view your property as their potential ho... 02/26/2009

By: Robert A. Hulme - Realtor - Loan Officer -Utah County, Including Provo, Orem, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Lehi, Highland, Alpine and Cedar Hills, Eagle Mountain, Payson, Saratoga Springs, Spanish Fork, Springville, Mortgage Xpress, Agent There are many factors to consider when you are trying to determine what price to offer for a new home.  Gathering and analyzing information form comparable sales helps to establish the range of prices you should consider.  More weight should be given to the most recent sales of like properties in the local area.  Other factors to consider include condition of the property, improvements, the current market, and the circumstances behind the seller's decision to sell. Search Utah MLS 02/22/2009

By: Robert A. Hulme - Realtor - Loan Officer -Utah County, Including Provo, Orem, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Lehi, Highland, Alpine and Cedar Hills, Eagle Mountain, Payson, Saratoga Springs, Spanish Fork, Springville, Mortgage Xpress, Agent One of the really nice things about Homeownership is that it helps you by creating an automatic savings account.  Many people are not very good at saving money.  By owning a home you can accumulate savings in two ways.  Every month a portion of your payment goes directly toward principal.  Early in the mortgage very little goes to principal but over time it accelerates. Second, your home appreciates.  The average appreciation on a home is approximately 5%.  Your appreciation will vary from year to year, and in some years it may even depreciate.  ... 02/15/2009

We need Positive Price Action to confirm market bottom.  One month of price improve isn't sufficient to confirm the market bottom.  We need to see appreciation month over month for three months. PRICE ACTION                    Other good signs in addition to positive price action is lower DOM (days of the market), lower new listings and higher percent of new listings being SOLD.     This is NOT a good time for those with low and/or no risk tolerance to purchase.  A strong case can be made that those who are looking for a home for their family with plans to stay long term.  Why not buy now?  Especially if the numbers make sense, i.e. Owning vs. Renting.  Even, if the market retracts more (which is extremely likely) in the future.  Between the coming market bounce and future normal cycle ... 02/08/2009

By: Robert A. Hulme - Realtor - Loan Officer -Utah County, Including Provo, Orem, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Lehi, Highland, Alpine and Cedar Hills, Eagle Mountain, Payson, Saratoga Springs, Spanish Fork, Springville, Mortgage Xpress, Agent Do I really need Homeowners Insurance? Yes.  Proof of a paid homeowner's insurance policy is required at closing, so arrangements will have to be made before then.  It is important to get an insurance agent involved early in the home buying process he can help you save money.  Insurance agents are a great resource for tips on how to keep insurance premiums low and on information about home safety. 02/04/2009

We need Positive Price Action to confirm market bottom.  One month of price improve isn't sufficient to confirm the market bottom.  We need to see appreciation month over month for three months. PRICE ACTION     Other good signs in addition to positive price action is lower DOM (days of the market), lower new listings and higher percent of new listings being SOLD.  On a year over year, YTD comparison currently (21.89)% of new listings are being sold.        SUMMARY Currently we are not seeing the needed positive price action (along with other indictors) to confirm a market bottom.  This is NOT a good time for conservative buyers to purchase.  High risk tolerant investors and speculators are doing some bottom fishing. For more details or just to chat about market conditions please feel f... 01/11/2009

We still are having a low percent of new listings being SOLD.  Currently (25.35)% on a year over year, YTD comparison and we need positive % of listings sold, with positive price action to confirm market bottom. Please see data below.                                                                                  PRICE ACTION   Other good signs in addition to positive price action is lower DOM (days of the market) and lower new listings.             SUMMARY  Currently we are not seeing the needed positive price action to confirm a market bottom.  This is NOT a good time for conservative buyers to purchase.  High risk tolerant investors and speculators are doing some bottom fishing. For more details or just to chat about market conditions please feel free to contact me. Thank you       ... 12/19/2008

By: Robert A. Hulme - Realtor - Loan Officer -Utah County, Including Provo, Orem, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Lehi, Highland, Alpine and Cedar Hills, Eagle Mountain, Payson, Saratoga Springs, Spanish Fork, Springville, Mortgage Xpress, Agent The Good Faith Estimate, or GFE is a document that, in compliance with the Real Estimate Settlement Procedures Act, discloses to the borrower all the costs associated with the loan transaction.  The GFE discloses the interest rate, and settlement charges in effect on the date of application.  The GFE is not required to be issued until an application is actually made.  Once the application has been made the GFE must be issued to the borrower within three days following the date of the application.  However, if the application is withdrawn during t... 12/09/2008

By: Robert A. Hulme - Loan Officer - Realtor As a Loan Officer and Realtor I have noticed an area of Home Loans and Mortgages that goes unnoticed by the consumer,  that of Yield Spread Premium.  Most borrowers believe that their Loan Officer makes his profit with the Loan Origination Fee.  But most don't understand that the Loan Officer can make up to 4 percent more, on most loans, with the Yield Spread Premium. What is Yield Spread Premium? Yield Spread Premium, or YSP, is the fee paid by the Lender to the broker in exchange for a higher interest rate, or an above wholesale rate.  The borrower may qualify for a certain rate, but the broker can charge this fee and give the borrower a slightly higher rate to make more commission.  YSP was originally intended as a way for the borrowers to... 12/08/2008

We still are having a low percent of new listings being SOLD.  Currently (25.35) % on a year over year, YTD comparison and we need positive % of listings sold, with positive price action to confirm market bottom. Please see data below.                                                                                  PRICE ACTION   Other good signs in addition to positive price action is lower DOM (days of the market) and lower new listings.             SUMMARY  Currently we are not seeing the needed positive price action to confirm a market bottom. This is NOT a good time for conservative buyers to purchase.  High risk tolerant investors and speculators are doing some bottom fishing. For more details or just to chat about market conditions please feel free to contact me.   12/05/2008