Struggling Illinois homeowners now have real help available through the new FHA streamline refinance program.

Schaumburg, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/05/2012 -- Illinois mortgage lender, Dan Schwellenbach is now offering a newly revamped FHA streamline refinance program aimed at enabling even the deepest underwater or upside down homeowners to reduce their payments and enjoy current record low mortgage rates.

The newly released FHA streamline mortgage no longer requires a home appraisal and offers superior savings in addition to many benefits which Illinois homeowners may not even know exist.

Until the release of the FHA Streamline Refinance program, Illinois borrowers with FHA home loans have had limited opportunities to receive mortgage assistance.

In addition to incredibly low interest rates and massive savings over the life of your mortgage loan, streamlined refinances offer the following benefits:

- Lower Mortgage Insurance
- No appraisals required
- &aposNo-cost&apos refinancing possible
- Lower credit scores OK
- No loan balance increase to cover loan costs
- Can refinance even if &aposunderwater&apos or &aposupside down&apos
- Minimal paperwork

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) who insures these home loans actually has no minimum credit score requirement and requires no income verification, although each individual mortgage lender may have their own underwriting guidelines requiring a minimum credit score and additional income verification.

Still, what is really different about the new streamline program is the reduction of mortgage interest for those whose original loans were endorsed on or before May 31st, 2009. According to the FHA this equates to additional savings of over $3,000 at closing and over $100 a month for the average borrower compared to the previous program.

This is on top of the ongoing payment savings for a borrower, which could be thousands of dollars per year depending on the loan amount and interest rate change.

Clearly, no borrower could ask for an easier mortgage program to qualify for and the savings could be quite significant, even for those who already thought they had pretty attractive rates.

FHA Streamline Specialist, Dan Schwellenbach says "these FHA loans are an exciting way for people to enjoy double savings with lower monthly mortgage payments and faster equity building with the long term restructuring".

Illinois property owners who currently have FHA loans can discover more information on the program and check out the 60 second eligibility form for personalized quotes and savings calculations at http://fhastreamlineil.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/illinois/mortgage-expert/sbwire-162360.htm

Ivory Homes builds beautiful custom Utah homes in over 55 Utah Communities, many of which include rich amenities like pools, parks, and trails.

Salt Lake City, UT -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/05/2012 -- Ivory Homes, a leading provider of pre-built and custom-built homes for sale in Utah, offers a free credit repair service for all potential buyers of Ivory Homes’ properties.

Ivory Financial Fitness consists of several dedicated financial fitness consultants who work with homebuyers to repair their credit. Partnered with the top-ranked credit counseling company in the nation, AAA Fair Credit Foundation, Ivory Homes intends to help more people looking for homes in Salt Lake City, or homes for sale in Utah overall, have better success attaining the American dream of home ownership.

“We specialize in helping buyers who don’t think they have the credit to buy a home get on the right path to home ownership,” said Dustin Grimnes, president of Ivory Financial Fitness. “More then ever, the credit score is one of the most significant factors in qualifying to purchase a home, and our mission is to take that number and increase it as high as possible.”

Ivory Financial Fitness starts this process by providing customers with a free qualification consultation. This is followed by an educational session to better provide an understanding of the home buying process, and to build an action plan to achieve qualification for a loan. Other resources include budgeting and savings plans, debt management programs and aggressive credit repair tactics. All told, these complimentary services are valued at $2,200.

“It can be very expensive to repair your credit if using a professional group to help,” said Clark Ivory, CEO of Ivory Homes. “Most people in such a situation don’t need an extra expense, so we choose not to charge for it. As long as someone buys a home from us, it’s part of our service.”

When working with a new client, Ivory Financial Fitness looks at an individual’s unique situation, determines the credit score that’s needed and coaches them how to get there. “We never want that three digit number keeping people from owning and enjoying homes in Salt Lake City or anywhere else in Utah,” said Grimnes. “Our slogan is ‘We Fix Credit’ — and that’s exactly what we do every day.”

For more details on the Ivory Financial Fitness services, call 801-747-7042 or e-mail dusting@ivoryhomes.com.

Ivory Homes has been Utah’s largest homebuilder since 1990. For more information, Contact Ivory Homes’ corporate office, 978 Woodoak Lane, Salt Lake City, UT 84117, call 801-747-7000, visit the website at http://www.ivoryhomes.com or check out the YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/ivoryhomes.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/ivory-homes-offers-free-credit-repair-service-for-potential-homebuyers-162534.htm

House-Vancouver.com is providing fast housing service and fresh information in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Vancouver, British Columbia -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/05/2012 -- Vancouver is a lively and vibrant city that is situated in the stunning mainland of British Columbia. The city serves as the perfect destination for home buyers as well as the property investors. The reason may be attributed to its extremely stable economy, excellent weather throughout the year and the population that is growing at an exponential pace. This growth in population is the main reason for the recent surge in prices, which was the result of unprecedented demand for the residential properties. However, the prices are stable now but real estate experts are of the view that the prices are going to increase in the near future. This makes the proposition to buy home in Vancouver or invest in any Vancouver property, as one of the best investment decisions you can ever make.

Vancouver is among the top places in the world that are best for the property investment. If you are looking to buy property in Vancouver, then there should be nothing that can resist you from making this excellent investment. Vancouver offers a lot of options for you, no matter if you want to buy property in Vancouver for residential purposes or investment purposes.

First of all, let&aposs try to understand what makes Vancouver the perfect place to live. To start with, Vancouver boasts of amazingly warm climate with a temperature of around 22 degree Celsius throughout the year. This is the perfect weather for living or indulging in any type of activity such as sports or fitness. Though Vancouver is one of the most densely populated cities of the region, you can attribute it to its many excellent qualities that make people buy home in Vancouver rather than any other North American city.

If you want an assurance before you buy home in Vancouver or choose Vancouver buy house, you just need to look at the awards and recognition that Vancouver has been awarded for its high living standards. For more than a decade, Vancouver has been ranked as one of the most vibrant and livable cities of the world. The high quality of living that Vancouver offers to its residents is just unparalleled to any other part of the world. To honor this achievement, it has also been ranked at fourth position in the list of cities with the highest quality of living. What&aposs more, Vancouver is one of the cleanest cities of the world, and recently Forbes has placed it at the tenth spot in the list of world&aposs cleanest cities.

Apart from the favorable climate and ideal location, there is something else that you should consider when you buy condo in Vancouver or buy home in Vancouver. It&aposs the amazing people of Vancouver. A common trait that you will notice in everyone, in Vancouver is that they are extremely proud of their city, and they don&apost want to malign the image of Vancouver at any cost. That may be the reason why they go an extra mile to help foreigners and tourists. This friendliness of people in Vancouver is even more valuable than its stunning locations as there is nothing better than having a friendly and helpful neighbor. This is an important aspect of residential properties that you must consider before buy home in Vancouver or any other city of the world.

If you are looking to buy property in Vancouver from an investment point of view, then this wondrous city offers you a lot of profitable options. The real estate market in Vancouver remained surprising stable even during the onslaught of recession, and it is currently growing at some exceptionally high rates. Real estate market is souring to new heights especially due to the interest of foreign investors who are looking for investment opportunities in Vancouver real estate. For the real estate industry in Vancouver, the future seems eminently bright.

For more information on Housing in Vancouver, please visit http://www.squidoo.com/housing-in-vancouver or http://www.house-vancouver.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/top-reasons-to-buy-property-in-vancouver-162408.htm

Real help for struggling Arizona homeowners is now available through the new FHA streamline refinance program.

Phoenix, AZ -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/05/2012 -- Arizona mortgage lender, Patrick Obluck has finally announced the release of the FHA Streamline Refinance program which can really help struggling local homeowners since qualifying for this program is easier than ever.

Many homeowners have become weary after years of promises that real help was on the way which would make their mortgage payments more affordable and enable them to avoid falling into foreclosure. However, until now initiative after initiative seemed unable to provide real assistance to property owners with FHA home loans.

HARP 2.0 delivered relief for some homeowners, but only for those with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Thankfully, a real effort has been made to assist Arizona borrowers with FHA mortgages to reduce their monthly payments and take advantage of low interest rates.

This now means there are no appraisals being required to qualify so being underwater or upside down on their mortgage will not prevent homeowners from refinancing. The FHA has also announced that it is waiving the necessity for credit reports and income verification to enable more Arizona homeowners to qualify. However, it is important to note that individual mortgage lenders all have their own underwriting guidelines which may mean some income verification is needed as well as a credit check but most will still be far more lenient than trying to get approved for any conventional home loan today.

What is really different about the new FHA Streamline refinance program is the reduction in mortgage insurance for those who had their loans endorsed on or before May 31st, 2009. Until now, recent rate increases had eliminated much of the savings for those attempting to refinance or meant they had to bring cash to closing. Now &aposno-cost&apos refinancing is available and that coupled with lower mortgage insurance rates can equal thousands of dollars in savings.

When asked about the new FHA streamline program benefits Patrick Obluck of Pinnacle Capital Mortgage Corp said "This program finally delivers really substantial savings to underwater homeowners and anyone with an FHA loan who has not refinanced in the last six months should seriously consider this option, even if turned down before".

Those interested in finding out more about the FHA Streamline Program or would like to see if they qualify can discover more details on eligibility and receive a customized rate quote by visiting http://loanmanaz.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/arizona/mortgage-expert/sbwire-162603.htm

Those looking for homes, offices or more in the Northeast part of Italy can benefit from the latest listings recently activated.

Altivole, Italy -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/06/2012 -- Italian real estate website Cercacasa.it recently posted a number of new listing for the Altivole area. Customers doing searches for vendita case altivole, vendita casa altivole and case.it altivole are all finding a record amount of real estate currently for sale.

The Altivole area continues to grow at a steady pace. Companies and residents come and go quite frequently, which has led to a good amount of turnover. Out of all the sections on Cercacasa.it, Altivole seems to be one of the busiest despite being a smaller overall area than most.

Prices, sizes and even location vary quite a bit with the new listings. Customers can enjoy a ton of options to fit a certain lifestyle or price range. The website also always features a variety of specific details for shoppers to take a look at. The goal with these details is to provide as much information as possible before going to see the place in person.

To take a look at all of the current listing in the Altivole area, or any specific region of Italy, visit http://cercacasa.it/annunci/italia/veneto/treviso/altivole?contratto=Vendita.

About Cercacasa.it
Cercacas.it is a dynamic real estate website that provides up to date listings for people to go through online. Users can search through listings online in any section of Italy and get a ton of information on each piece of real estate before going to see it in person.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/cercacasait-updates-listings-in-altivole-162504.htm

Lawson Homes is a dependable home builder that delivers excellent building service in Christchurch New Zealand

Hornby, Christchurch -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/06/2012 -- A person’s home is an important part of his/her life. Shelter is part of the human being’s basic needs. It offers protection from the natural elements and danger from the outside world. It is where a person retires from the day and sleeps at night. It is where a person makes a living, goes about his/her daily life. It’s the person’s sanctuary for privacy. It’s where a person builds and raises a family, creating memories and turning the house into a home. Houses are also an extension of the person and his/her life. It reflects the person’s personality and character based on the design and type of house. Building a house also requires a lot of money, so people always want to get value and quality for what they pay for. Lawson Homes is well aware of all these and more and is committed to helping people in Christchurch New Zealand build the homes that they need and want.

Lawson Homes is one the most dependable and most sought-after Christchurch home builders. They are committed to building quality homes and never going below clients’ expectations. They have a hard-earned reputation from a track record of over 20 years of building excellent homes for the people of Christchurch. Lawson Homes also played a major role in rebuilding homes and architectural structures during the February 2011 Christchurch Earthquake that severely damaged the city. These builders in Christchurch are committed to helping and serving the people of Christchurch is unquestionable.

Lawson Homes also tailors their service to their clients with their different house plans. They offer the Essential Series for the budget-conscious clients. These homes are designed to be easy on the budget, so people can still have nice quality homes that meet all their needs while meeting their budget as well. For people who are willing to spend more to indulge in luxury, they can avail of the Premier Series. People can avail of homes with high functionality and high aesthetic appeal. The company also offers Architectural Builds, where people can have homes with a timeless design and fine details filled with tradition. People can check out these different house plans and get more information from their website http://www.lawsonhomes.co.nz/.

Lawson Homes is also more than aware that when it comes to building, time means money. Unlike other Christchurch home builders that occur building delays which mean clients having to pay more, Lawson Homes works as a single unit, ensuring that the building process is on time.

About Lawson Homes
Lawson Homes is one of the most sough-after home builders in Christchurch New Zealand. They are committed to building quality homes ensuring people get the best value for their money. For more information, contact Ngaire Lawson at Ngaire@lawsonhomes.co.nz or 03 349 5420.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/introducing-christchurch-home-builders-lawson-homes-162374.htm

Updated HARP 2.0 government program provides refinancing options to Florida homeowners who are living under negative equity by allowing them to refinance at lower interest rates.

Fort Lauderdale, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/06/2012 -- In October 2011, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac along with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced modifications to the Home Affordable Refinance Program to make it easier for lenders to refinance mortgages in Florida that are HARP Eligible.

The Home Affordable Refinance Program is a financial aid program announced by the US federal government in 2009 to help millions of homeowners who are either near-underwater or underwater (means you have zero - or even negative - equity in your home) to refinance into a fixed loan with lower monthly payments.

With the changes announced to the HARP eligibility guidelines (now called HARP 2.0), more and more homeowners are now eligible to refinance at lower interest rates.

The elimination of the 125% loan-to-value for fixed rate Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae mortgages and the exclusion of appraisals for new properties where there is already a reliable Automated Valuation Model or AVM are two such major changes that help make more people eligible.

The goal of the newly modified HARP 2.0 Program is to help stabilize the real estate market and encourage more people to buy homes on loans.

You May Be Eligible For A HARP Refinance If:

1) Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac owned or guaranteed your home loan.

2) Your loan was sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac before May 31, 2009.

3) Your mortgage has not already been refinanced through HARP in the past, unless it happens to be a Fannie Mae loan that underwent a HARP refinance between March and May 2009.

4) You owe more than your home is worth, or is there minimal equity in your home.

5) You have been current on your mortgage for the last six months.

6) You have no more than one late payment over the past 12 months.

7) Your loan is not a USDA, FHA or Jumbo Mortgage.

Call Jaime Charouf at 954-318-1100 or visit our HARP Refinance Center and fill out our Quick 1 Step Eligibility Form to see if you qualify for this new program.

For Answers to Your HARP Questions: http://floridaharp2refinance.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/florida/mortgage-expert/sbwire-162620.htm

Five Star Professional has picked Chris Reese, Senior Loan Officer & Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist, at Platinum Home Lenders, Inc of Sacramento to receive the 2012 Five Star Mortgage Professional Award. Recipients of this esteemed award were profiled in the February issue of Sacramento Magazine

Sacramento, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/06/2012 -- Five Star Professional has picked Chris Reese, Senior Loan Officer & Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist®, at Platinum Home Lenders, Inc of Sacramento to receive the 2012 Five Star Mortgage Professional Award. Recipients of this esteemed award were profiled in the February issue of Sacramento Magazine.

Chris was chosen as a Five Star Mortgage Professional based on an independent survey of more than 79,600 Sacramento homeowners as well as industry colleagues and experts. The survey asked respondents to offer the names of mortgage professionals that they worked with and to evaluate them based on overall satisfaction and whether they would highly recommend the mortgage professional to others. Recipients of the award were also required to have an active license through the California state regulating body and cannot have any record of disciplinary action.

“I am so excited to receive this honor! It makes the job that I already love even more rewarding.

To be recognized by not only my clients but also by other Mortgage & Title Professionals makes this award very special to me. My team and I work very hard every single day to exceed the expectations of our clients. In spite of the ever-changing Real Estate and Mortgage Industries, this award validates that we are exceeding not only the expectations of our clients but also those of our colleagues and competitors, “said Mr. Reese.

The elite Five Star Award is presented to less than 3% of mortgage professionals in the area and the Sacramento-based Platinum Home Lenders, Inc. couldn’t be more thrilled to have a mortgage professional of Chris’s caliber on their team.

Platinum Home Lenders, Inc. and the Reese Mortgage Team offers an incredible mortgage lending experience with the knowledge, experience, technology, and full range of loan programs and strategies to deliver the very best loan and experience to every client. Chris Reese’s award winning team ensures seamless and stress-free transactions by putting the client’s needs and goals first. As simple as it seems, this is Platinum’s recipe for success.

If you have any questions, or want more information, please contact us at (916) 244-7622 or find us at http://SacramentoHomeLoanSpecialist.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/california/mortgage-expert/sbwire-162382.htm

Credit specialists have concluded recently that it is possible to remove a short sale or a foreclosure from a credit report.

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/06/2012 -- Many homeowners who have gone through a short sale or foreclosure assume that it will be impossible to own another home again and extremely difficult to ever have a good credit score again.

It is true that as soon as any derogatory information is listed on a credit report your score can be affected anywhere between 60-160 points. A short sale or a foreclosure will be reported and definitely will have some impact on your credit report. So is it possible to have a short sale or foreclosure removed from a report?

According to the Federal Credit Reporting Act everything that is reported on your credit must be 100% accurate and the creditor must be able to verify the debt. There was a recent study that was completed by a Realtor Association that showed more than 90% of all consumers have inaccurate information on their credit report. What most people do not know is that you can challenge the information on your credit report if it is not accurate.

As a consumer you should be able to verify that the dates, amounts and settlement terms are correct on their credit report. Most importantly is does your account report as being open or closed.

If a person wishes to question whether their lender is reporting the information correctly they may do so by writing a Qualified Written Request to their lender for all the information about their loan. This is a borrowers right under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. This request will allow you a full detailed record of questionable fee’s and documentation on the entire loan history.

When you make a Qualified Written Request the lender will have 5 days to acknowledge the receipt and 21 days after that to provide all the requested information per the timelines set by federal guidelines.

If the lender does not respond within the timeline the borrower may take their case to small claims court and sue the lender. It is also possible to file a complaint with the three credit bureaus: Experian, Transunion and Equifax.

Homebuyers should beware of credit repair companies that advertise they can remove shorts sales and foreclosures from your credit in 30 days or less. There are many illicit companies that continue to prey on homeowners in distress.

This article was written by Bradford Damm, the CEO and owner of Short Sale San Diego Realty(http://shortsalesandiego.com) a San Diego real estate company that specializes in distressed property sales in all of San Diego County. The Short Sale San Diego office can be reached at 619-825-0000 or by emailing info@shortsalensandiego.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/is-removing-a-short-sale-or-foreclosure-from-your-credit-possible-162371.htm

replacing traditional bulbs with LEDs saves energy and money

Bedford, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/07/2012 -- According to a survey of Consumer Reports, which is a leading product testing organization in the world, light-emitted diode bulbs (LEDs) and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are getting more emphasis as compared to the traditional incandescent bulb.

Consumer Reports found that almost 75 percent of the total population of America is currently using CFLs and LEDs that can save them over $130 annually.

The LEDs of Philips, GE and EcoSmart have got a huge significance as people are switching from their incandescent bulb as these bulbs take 75 percent less energy in order to save money which is a healthy sign for the LEDs.

Same is the case with CFLs produced by EcoSmart, Sylvania, Feit, Utilitech and GE available at different prices. However, those people who are using CFLs are unlikely to switch to LEDs, unless prices drop significantly.

Nevertheless, people who are using incandescent bulbs have still shown a tendency to go for LEDs considering that these bulbs consume 75 percent less energy and have a longer life as turning on and off does not create any effect on the life of these bulbs. The Consumer Reports revealed that the top quality LEDs can save people up to $130 in a 23-year-life plan for the bulb.

But the most problematic aspect for people in getting CFLs and LEDs is their high prices. According to Consumer Reports findings, almost 23 percent ratio of people said that these bulbs are too costly.

There is another drawback, which is that CFLs take a little longer time to throw full light and LEDs were found that they do not throw equal light in all directions.

These few setbacks in LEDs and CFLs coupled with high pricing are major elements that are to be considered by those people who are still using the traditional incandescent bulbs.

However, the tendency of using LEDs and CFLs is growing with an incredible pace as Consumer Reports highlighted that a major chunk of the total population has stopped using traditional incandescent bulbs.

About BrightLEDSigns.com
BrightLEDSigns.com (http://www.brightledsigns.com) is an industry leader in manufacturing and delivering the highest quality LEDs that are cost effective and assure complete satisfaction to consumers from all over the United States.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/consumer-reports-rate-leds-higher-against-traditional-incandescent-bulbs-reports-brightledsignscom-162791.htm

Doylestown, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/07/2012 -- Short sales of homes and other real estate property occur when the mortgage lenders accept less than the full amount that is currently due on a mortgage when a home is sold. Plenty of homeowners in the United States are feeling the economic pinch right now, and many have been downsizing to smaller properties. Short sales help out homeowners who have fallen on rough times and owe more on their mortgage than what their home is truly worth.

Making a short sale can be an incredibly taxing effort. Keller Williams Short Sale Home Team located in Bucks County does their utmost to make the process as painless as possible on the homeowner. They are ranked as the #1 short sale team in the state of Pennsylvania, with marketing and real estate expert Lori McGoldrick leading them on the path to success.

The Bucks County short sale specialist with Keller Williams Realty can help homeowners make a short sale on their home if they are experiencing extreme financial hardship and are unable to pay off their mortgage. Making a short sale will ensure that the home does not fall into foreclosure. The borrower must prove to their mortgage lender that they are indeed experiencing a financial hardship such as mortgage payment increases, job loss, excessive debt, divorce, and unplanned relocation. Keller Williams is always ready and willing to negotiate with lenders on the borrower&aposs behalf, taking the stress off an already-burdened borrower&aposs shoulders.

Short sales are much more beneficial to homeowners in Bucks County because unlike foreclosures, short sales are not included on a credit report or in the public record.  Borrowers will be able to attain another mortgage within 24 months (rather than five years if their home is foreclosed on). The CDPE-certified Bucks County short sale specialists at Keller Williams will perform a free, no obligation consultation and counseling session with any homeowner so that the homeowner is well-informed about all of the options that are available to them.

About Lori McGoldrick and the Keller Williams Short Sale Home Team
Ms. McGoldrick has lived in Bucks County for her entire life and has been serving the Bucks County community as a licensed realtor since 2008. Some of her accomplishments including being a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) and a Certified Investor Agent Specialist (CIAS) who regularly receives industry awards, such as her awards for achievement and production in 2010, 2011, and 2012.

For more information:
Company Name: Keller Williams Short Sale Home Team
Address: 2003 S. Easton Rd, Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone Number: 215-804-9635
Email Address: BucksCountyPAShortSales@gmail.com
Website: http://www.buckscountypashortsales.com/

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/real-benefits-of-doing-short-sale-in-bucks-county-pennsylvania-162864.htm

House-Vancouver.com is providing fast housing service and fresh information in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Vancouver, BC -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/07/2012 -- If you are thinking of buying yourself a house in Vancouver, Canada, you&aposll have to make some very important calls. When you are to make tough decisions, you may feel the need of some good advice to help you. Here are some essential Vancouver buy house tips for you:

1. Sell your current home (If your are a first time home buyer, skip this part.)

It seems to be a very tough decision when it comes to selling your present home: should you sell first and buy later, or buy first and sell later? Even though it is a security to buy a house in Vancouver before you sell your present home, selling first has some great advantages:

a) You&aposll be aware of the selling cost of your house, so you can ascertain, beforehand, the amount available for buying a house in Vancouver
b) You might be lucky as you may not have to set the offer subject to financing
c) You may even manage a long closing time, giving you ample time to look for a good house in Vancouver.
d) Even though selling first could be distressing phase, you will find it equally tiring to own and maintain two houses!

If you feel this is not easy to decide, ask your realtor or real estate agent for some suggestions, they know the local market better.

2. Be financially ready and decide your budget

Make sure you have at least some of your down payment saved. Also, ensure that you are already capable of managing your debts, like those from loans or credit cards. You must realize that mortgage is a great responsibility. It is a financial aspect that will require you to maintain it continuously.

There are too many money lending institutions today from banks to lenders to credit unions. When you have to decide which one to go to, shed your inhibitions and ask all around the town, including your family and friends. Your agent/realtor will also know a lot about mortgages so you can ask him or her for some sound advice too. They might even get you in contact with a mortgage broker.

For deciding your budget, consider what you believe you will have remaining after the down payment. Here&aposs an equation to help you calculate: Cost of a home = one-time cost + monthly costs.

The one-time costs constitute the down payment, taxes, inspection fees and legal fees. The monthly costs are made up by the mortgage, maintenance, utilities, property taxes and insurance.

If your budget is really tight, consider "Shared Equity": a smart method to get an affordable house in Vancouver. You will have your own shared equity investment or co-ownership. There is a service named as: "Mixer Mortgage" or "co-borrower mortgages" in many banks. It allows family members, friends or partners to share all the expenses of purchasing a home, both one-time and monthly costs like deposit, mortgage, etc.

3. Decide your preference and research

Make decision according to your choice of rural, suburban or urban setting and select a suitable Vancouver neighborhood accordingly. Similarly, decide whether you want an apartment, or an attached or detached house. The availability as well as the age of the property, depending on whether it is new or being resold, will also affect the price of the house, and consequently, your budget.

An amazing search tool by the name of Multiple Listings Service, containing all information on properties, is routinely used by realtors and home buyers. You can search by yourself, it is free and easy. If you have an agent, get your agent send those listings to you in accordance with your requirements so that you can make a shortlist. Thereafter, you only need to visit a few houses in Vancouver and make a wise, aware decision.

4. Look for the right agent/realtor and hire some specialists

You will find that there are many approaches you can use to come across a real estate agent or realtor. You can find them by taking down names as you take a drive through the localities that interest you, visit an open house in Vancouver, check advertisements, and consult family and friends for reference to an agent they might know. Shortlist and interview a few before selecting one out of all the realtors. Frankly, we prefer hiring those agents who have long term local market experience, and referred by other home buyers recently.

You may get the best rates with the help of a mortgage broker. A lawyer or a notary public may help you be aware of all the documents that you may need when purchasing a home. Employing the services of a home inspector will help you know well the condition of the house before you shift in.

5. Prepare an offer and negotiate

Your agent/realtor can help you prepare an offer as they are very experienced in these aspects. If there are terms you don&apost understand, feel hesitant or have any concerns, do ask! You have all rights to be explained to by your realtor/agent.

Don&apost be scared by the home seller&aposs first price! The market is changing, you have power to bargain for a proper better price. And you do not need to talk to the seller face to face, your agent should do it and he/she should be a good negotiator and bargainer. This is why it is very important to hire a good realtor, since a seasoned agent can cut down the over high price and save thousands even hundreds of thousands of dollars for you!

6. Close the deal thoroughly

Once your offer gets accepted, your lawyer (or the notary public) and realtor will seal of the loose ends. However, you should ensure that you know everything about the agreement, and act upon any conditions that require you to take an action immediately. If you ascertain this, you&aposll have your Vancouver buy home dream come true really soon.

At this stage, the most important thing is: make sure your lawyer or notary public will hold the special levy or credit for you. Sometimes, the property could have occurred some kind of special levy before your buy it. For example, an apartment or condo had fixed the roof or replaced the pipes several months ago, this money was a special levy and should be paid by the home seller of course. You and your agent should ask the seller to credit back this special levy, and your lawyer or notary public should hold this money for your future use.

For more information on Housing in Vancouver, please visit http://www.squidoo.com/housing-in-vancouver or http://www.house-vancouver.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/6-crucial-tips-for-buying-house-in-vancouver-162962.htm

Urbana, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/10/2012 -- Today, most cities feature uninspired urban planning. Streets are laid out in a grid, and shops, schools, and other amenities may be hours away from where most people actually live. This inconvenient system creates headaches for those who live in big cities, and many people are ready to try something new.

Those seeking to escape from the problems of traditional urban planning are advised to visit VillagesOfUrbana.com. The website provides a detailed description of one of Maryland’s fastest growing villages. The village of Urbana, located just outside of Frederick and 50 miles northwest of Washington, D.C., seeks to provide convenience and comfort through intelligent urban planning.

At the VillagesOfUrbana.com website, visitors can learn everything they need to know about Urbana. The website includes detailed information about the history of Urbana. There are also detailed descriptions of each Urbana community and contact information for those who are ready to purchase homes for sale Urbana MD.

The village includes a collection of luxury neighborhoods as well as amenities like schools, a fire hall, and a library. There is even a market district which features a grocery store, restaurants, and other unique shops and stalls.

The website also lists a number of natural attractions that are located nearby. Sugarloaf Mountain can be seen throughout the neighborhood, and other highlights include Monacacy River and Battlefield Park. With a number of hiking and biking trails located throughout the neighborhood, the Villages of Urbana makes outdoor living a priority.

Many of the homes feature a neo-traditional design. The design is inspired by classic American homes, complete with white picket fences, brick exteriors, and large backyards. Homes come in a wide variety of styles, including luxury townhouses, family homes, and other options available at a number of different price ranges. Each home has been designed by award-winning local home construction companies like NVHomes, Ryan Homes, Mainstreet Homes, and Parkwood Homes.

The VillagesOfUrbana.com website wants to show visitors what it means to live in a neighborhood like Urbana. The website claims that those who move to the Urbana area will experience “small town charm” and well-designed homes that fit any lifestyle. A spokesperson for VillagesOfUrbana.com explained what makes Urbana such a special place to live:

“Natelli Communities spent hundreds of hours perfecting the design of each Urbana neighborhood. We’ve made sure that each and every home sold in Urbana is of the highest level of quality, and we strive to offer a more unique experience than people would find in the cookie-cutter suburbs in big cities.”

With schools, shops, and a number of burgeoning family neighborhoods, the VillagesOfUrbana.com wants to help sell the Urbana lifestyle to families across the United States. To learn more about the Villages of Urbana and other Frederick MD homes for sale, visit VillagesOfUrbana.com today.

About VillagesOfUrbana.com
VillagesOfUrbana.com provides detailed information about Urbana, Maryland, an urban development project that was first started in 1999. Urbana seeks to provide a convenient and wholesome living experience to Maryland families. For more information, please visit: http://www.villagesofurbana.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/villagesofurbanacom-releases-details-of-new-urban-development-project-in-urbana-maryland-162946.htm

Over the past 10 months, investors of the now bankrupt Costa Rica real estate project, Hacienda Matapalo, have received numerous promises with respect to building permits and other legalities only to watch these deadlines come and go without resolve.

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/10/2012 -- Hacienda Matapalo was once marketed as being the best-selling Costa Rica real estate with over $65 million in presales -- ten months later the tone has changed substantially.

Amongst the myriad of reports now surfacing on the recently foreclosed project, investors remain skeptical that they will ever seen their money again.

AG Abogados is a legal firm that specializes in intellectual property law, real estate law, corporate law and criminal high profile cases. Over the past few months this legal firm has organized a group of disgruntled investors in order to evaluate their legal options moving forward.

The team at AG Abogados -- spearheaded by affluent civil attorney Gonzalo Gutierrez -- has begun to review the case of Hacienda Matapalo including a recently released new set of agreements for investors by UTA Capital.

One investor who&aposd like to remain anonymous told us, "How can I trust anything coming from these people after they squander over $21 million of our (collectively as investors) money? For that I trust Mr.Gutierrez and his team to represent my best interests and make sure that I am protected in any further negotiations."

In late 2011 the recently foreclosed property became the focus of attention when investors of the project began to receive bizarre emails and web postings from former CEO of Pegasus Star Limited (holding company for Hacienda Matapalo) David Matluck.

“We are happy to have closed a financing exchange with UTA and other personal investors,” said Hacienda Matapalo CEO David Matluck. “We appreciate the confidence Udi Toledano and his associates have shown in our business. We have a professional and well qualified crew working full time on the framework and we are delighted with the progress they have made in such a relatively short period of time.”

In hindsight this was a very vague statement by Mr.Matluck given it is now clear that this "financing exchange" was more of a transfer of assets based on the fact that UTA were about to foreclose and ultimately repossess the property where Hacienda Matapalo was to be built.

This statement and many others would climatically reveal a grand scheme of smoke and mirrors statements and missed deadlines by the former directors of Hacienda Matapalo to disheartened investors.

CBS Miami would then bust the lid off the Hacienda Matapalo fiasco with their exposé on July 23, 2012 aptly named Costa Rica: Paradise Lost. Fore more details on this story visit:Costa Rica: Paradise Lost

It was during this TV spot that it would finally be revealed just how far down the rabbit hole this went when investors - one by one - came to the surface expressing their experiences with investment in the now bankrupt project.

New Jersey physician Joseph Cervone who&aposd invested more than $200,000 with Matluck, had this to say...

“Is this mismanagement or is there something fraudulent going on?” he asked.

While a handful of investors have moved ahead with organizing themselves with the assistance of AG Abogados and Gonzalo Gutierrez, there are many more out there that remain in the dark as to what their legal options are.

With recent events unfolding with regards to investor rights and newly issued contracts, it is highly advisable to seek the professional opinion of an attorney familiar with the case.

AG Abogados
http://www.ag-abogados.net
info@ag-abogados.net
Phone: +506 2257-0006 (Costa Rica)
Fax: +506 2258-1535
USA/Canada: (305) 671-3768

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/hacienda-matapalo-investors-begin-to-get-restless-with-another-missed-deadline-passing-163465.htm

The property, which has now been secretely sold, was bought for Baden-Clay and brother Ashley

Brisbane, Queensland -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/10/2012 -- An investment property bought for dead Brookfield mother Allison Baden-Clay and her brother Ashley has been sold by her husband, who is suspected felon Gerard Baden-Clay. The Gold Coast home closely held by the siblings and their partners was commanded within the name of the company closely held by the Baden-Clays.

From his cell at Arthur Gorrie Centre, Baden-Clay wrote to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission advising that his partner was no longer alive. This allowed him to become the sole owner and director of the business entity, in step with documents lodged within the Supreme Court.

Allison’s parents Geoffrey and Priscilla Dickie later learned the property had been publicized for auction on September 16th. However, despite Baden-Clay having valued the house at $400,000 to $450,000, documents showed it absolutely was oversubscribed before the auction.

Mr. Dickie was yesterday given an interim order to require management of her estate from Baden-Clay. Justice spaceman Martin yesterday ordered Dickie be appointed as administrator of her estate till the result of Baden-Clay’s trial.

Mr. Dickie had applied to require over administration of his late daughter’s estate, collect and defend her assets and pay the estate’s debts. The decision suggests that Mr. Dickie may need to reapply to the court for a permanent order within the event Baden-Clay is guilty of Allison’s murder.

Barrister Caite Brewer, acting for Mr. Dickie, told the court the parties, together with lawyers acting for Baden-Clay, had reached an agreement relating to the granting of the interim order.

However, Baden-Clay would be reinstated as the fiduciary of his late wife’s estate within the event he’s cleared of the charges. Baden-Clay, who was

About UltraProperty.com.au
UltraProperty.com.au (http://www.ultraproperty.com.au) is a company founded in Brisbane, which gives a good judgment in the context of progress of real estate to developers, land holders, investors and the like. To set themselves apart from the large array of project management firms that exist in the marketplace, they seek to strategically present to their consumers the reliability and excellence that are unavailable anywhere else. When buying investment property or looking for property development approvals, swing by UltraProperty.com.au first.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/allison-baden-clays-investment-property-sold-by-husband-accused-of-murder-reports-ultrapropertycomau-163427.htm

Mortgage rates continue to drop significantly in US

Bedford, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/11/2012 -- At a time when a global recession continues to show its drastic affect on the world economy, leaving the housing market and standard of living on the hitch, the mortgage rate in United States has declined significantly in the last week, with the aim to contribute towards housing recovery.

Last week, the mortgage rate on 30-year loan dropped to 3.59 percent from 3.66 percent. The average on the fixed mortgage loan for 15 years, which is commonly used for refinancing purposes, also slipped to 2.86 percent from 2.89 percent. While the mortgage rate on five year adjustable loan declined to 2.78 percent and one year rate for adjustable mortgage loan dropped to 2.63 percent.

After this decline, the average fixed rates of mortgage in U.S are slightly above the lowest rates reached earlier in this year. If the rates for the mortgage loan continue to drop with the same trend in the next three months, it will definitely reach to the lowest level this year.

Frank north, the chief economist and vice president from Freddie Mac believes that the mortgage rate may decline further if it is necessary for the ongoing recover process.

Treasury bond yields fell, allowing mortgage rates to follow, after the release of the July 31st and August 1st minutes of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy committee. Committee members agreed that economic activity had decelerated more in recent months than they had anticipated at their last meeting in June. Some members even saw room for additional stimulus fairly soon if needed. “Frank said, according to Detroinews.com

Five years after the bubble burst, the key reason for the housing market to rebound from the drastic situation is the lower mortgage rates. However, there is still a long time required in order for the housing market to recover back to its full health.

About Savingtools.com
Savingtools.com (http://savingtools.com) offers professional and detailed guidelines in maintaining your finances and how to use it in the best possible way. If you are looking to spend your one smartly, Saving Tools is the place for you.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/mortgage-rate-for-30-year-loans-drops-to-359-in-us-reports-savingtoolscom-163115.htm

Owning a home with ease

Irving, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/11/2012 -- Buying a home is a traditional form of investment for many. The increasing market prices definitely make the decision to buy a home slightly difficult. In order to get a desired home for a very less price, pre-foreclosure homes are the apt choice.

This is a company that helps in purchasing homes that have been gained through foreclosure deals. They also offer an e-book which is an excellent guide for would-be homeowners. There are currently some great deals waiting to be taken advantage of and this service helps in finding advice and guidance on how to proceed further.

Pre-foreclosure homes are homes that are sold by owners who cannot afford to pay for the house and want to sell it before their credit takes a hit. As they are would be keen on selling the property as soon as possible and with all the amenities in place, the buyer of a pre-foreclosure home is generally at an advantage.

It might be difficult for a buyer to go about searching for the right house to buy. The enabled service of selling these pre-foreclosure homes is done by an expert in the market who specializes in selling pre-foreclosure homes. The listings registered on the website would provide a firsthand view of the places where these houses are available.

As there is huge demand for these type of houses in the market, the service is provided for those who reach out to the service at the earliest. Buyers who are keen on owning a home can also register their details in order to get up-to-date information on the available pre-foreclosure homes. The listings would show the number of houses that are available to be bought and as the houses have to be sold as they are, buyers do not have to worry about the setting of the house.

In order to check out the listings visit http://www.preforeclosurelistings.info . Buyers can also register their personal email ids on the website to get the lists emailed along with the report on the homes available.

Media Contact:
Pre-foreclosure listings
http://www.preforeclosurelistings.info

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/choosing-a-home-from-pre-foreclosure-listings-is-practical-now-163692.htm

Casselberry, Florida based Mortgage Lender Al Norman reveals 3 things you should watch out for when shopping for home-finance products on the Internet.

Casselberry, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/11/2012 -- Casselberry, Florida Based Mortgage Lender Reveals 3 Things Lenders Don’t Want You to Know About Shopping for a Mortgage Online

Anyone who’s even remotely interested in shopping for a home loan has probably paid attention to all those commercials on TV touting the ease of using any of a variety of Internet services to compare mortgage offers from the comfort of your home. You may even have tried a couple of them yourself. But Al Norman, Branch Manager with Primary Residential Mortgage Inc., says Casselberry, Florida residents need to watch out when trying to use the Internet to do the heavy lifting for them.

“Sometimes, these Internet services might work fairly well for certain people.” “But the one-size-fits-all approach they offer is going to leave a lot of people with loans that aren’t the best for them, or even worse, they may be shut out of the process altogether.”

Al Norman says the problem with these services is that they never really get to know anything about your financial situation other than your credit history and income level. “So basically what winds up happening is that you’re reduced to a number to them. And if they don’t like whatever that number is, you’re out of luck.”

Here are three things you should watch out for when shopping for home-finance products on the Internet – things most online mortgage sites hope you ignore:

- Do they take the time to find out about your unique situation, or are you just a cyber-borrower in their eyes? Most of these sites simply don’t have the manpower to individually work with every borrower. So a lot of times you wind up with a bad loan simply because there was no one to check if they could have gotten you a better deal.

- What do they offer people in special financial circumstances – such as the self-employed or people with damaged credit? Most of these sites don’t even want to work with you unless you meet their stringent criteria.

- Do they provide advice to help when choosing between loan products? Most sites simply gather offers, throw them in your lap, and pressure you to choose between them. Unless you’re a pretty experienced mortgage pro, deciding on the best offer can be difficult, if not impossible.

So, what’s the solution? Use the Internet to educate yourself and then work with a real human being. You may not have thought about “old-fashioned” methods of finding the best deal, such as working with a mortgage lender. “But for anyone who values a real person sitting down with you and working through the process, there’s no better option,” says Norman.

Casselberry, Florida - based mortgage expert Al Norman specializes in providing information to Florida residents that allows them to make informed decisions about their mortgage financing options and learn the insider secrets that can save them thousands of dollars over the life of their loan.

Al Norman is available for interviews and will welcome all your mortgage related questions.

Call 407-622-2020 Ext. 100 for a Free No-Obligation Consultation or visit: http://bestorlandomortgage.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/casselberry-florida-based-mortgage-lendes-reveals-3-things-lenders-dont-want-you-to-know-about-shopping-for-a-mortgage-online-163866.htm

Maple Grove, Minnesota Based Mortgage Lender Mitch Kruger reveals mortgage secrets at a new web site that is full of free reports, a home buying guide and free mortgage calculators. The site is designed to give consumers all the facts so they can make an educated decision when obtaining a mortgage.

Maple Grove, MN -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/11/2012 -- Local Maple Grove Mortgage Lender Mitch Kruger reveals the shocking truth at a new website that is full of free reports and free mortgage calculators.

"The only way for consumers to make an educated decision is to have all of the facts. Let&aposs face it most consumers are simply uneducated when it comes to obtaining the best mortgage product to fit their financial needs and goals." says Mitch Kruger, a mortgage originator based in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

For most consumers a mortgage is the single largest financial transaction they will make during their lifetime. In fact, most mortgage payments account for approximately 32% of consumer&aposs monthly income.

Mitch Kruger has put together a new website to finally allow consumers the ability to obtain all of the information they need to make an informed decision.

Here is a listing of some of the Insider Tips available at http://mnmortgageinfo.com

- Little Known Secrets That Will Show You How To Improve Your Credit Score

- Important Terms You Must Know BEFORE Obtaining A Mortgage

- Tested and Proven Strategies For Building A Better Credit Record Faster and Easier

- The Top Mortgage Questions Borrowers Must Ask Before Applying For A Mortgage

- How To Finally Stop Renting And Own A Home Of Your Own

- How To Own A Home With Low Interest Rates And A Low Down Payment, Regardless Of Your Credit

- 7 Things You Should NOT Do When Applying For A Home Loan

- 12 Secrets To Lowering Your Homeowners Insurance Cost Your Agent Doesn&apost Want You To Know

Maple Grove, Minnesota - based mortgage expert Mitch Kruger specializes in providing information to consumers that allows them to make informed decisions about their mortgage financing options and learn the insider secrets that can save them thousands of dollars over the life of their loan.

Mitch Kruger is available for interviews and will welcome all your mortgage related questions.

Call 763-315-6248 for a Free No-Obligation Consultation or visit http://www.mnmortgageinfo.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/minnesota/mortgage-expert/sbwire-163867.htm

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma based Mortgage Broker Trey Rabon reveals mortgage refinancing secrets at a new web site that is full of free reports, a home buying guide and free mortgage calculators. The site is designed to give Oklahoma residents all the facts about mortgage refinancing so they can make an educated decision when obtaining a mortgage.

Oklahoma City, OK -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/11/2012 -- It seems like everyone in Oklahoma is jumping on the mortgage refinancing bandwagon. Maybe you&aposre thinking about it yourself? After all, with rates as low as they are, the promise of lowering your monthly payments, sometimes significantly, is a great attraction for many homeowners.

But before you sign on the dotted line, there are a few things you should know about the way refinancing works so you don’t make a mistake that could wind up costing you big time.

"With refinancing as popular as it is right now, Oklahoma residents have to be even more careful about shopping for the best loan," says Trey Rabon, a Oklahoma City, Oklahoma based mortgage consultant. "Even the most attractive offer can wind up being a disaster once you realize how much the loan is really costing you."

Rabon offers these tips when considering refinancing:

- You should get a significantly lower rate for refinancing to make sense. Don&apost rush to refinance unless it&aposs truly worth your while. If you&aposre working with a mortgage broker rather than going it alone, you can be assured that they&aposre bringing you the best offers out there. If you&aposre going it alone, you&aposll have to do the legwork for yourself.

- Consolidating unsecured debt with a refinance loan can be a dangerous idea. You may not be in financial trouble now, but if in a few years things change, instead of simply missing a credit card payment or two, you&aposll now be in danger of losing your home as well.

- Your credit score counts... big time. If you&aposve had credit problems in the past like a bankruptcy, it might make sense to wait a while for your credit score to recover before trying to refinance. Most lenders make it hard for people with less than perfect credit to get the best deals. But, again, if you choose to let an expert like a mortgage broker get involved in the process, they can often find loan options that most homeowners didn’t even know existed - which can save you thousands over the long haul.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - based mortgage expert Trey Rabon specializes in providing mortgage information to Oklahoma residents that allows them to make informed decisions about their mortgage financing options and learn the insider secrets that can save them thousands of dollars over the life of their loan.

Trey Rabon is available for interviews and will welcome all your mortgage related questions.

Call 405-314-5916 for a Free No-Obligation Consultation or visit http://treyrabon.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/the-truth-about-mortgage-refinancing-revealed-by-oklahoma-mortgage-expert-163868.htm