My New Blog

Strong and consistent evidence indicates that homeowners are more likely to: a) be satisfied with their homes and neighborhoods; b) participate in voluntary and political activities; and c) stay in their homes longer, contributing to neighborhood stability.

Homeownership is often thought to be an essential ingredient of the "American Dream." Living in a single-family, owner-occupied dwelling unit is central to the American conception of a secure and successful life. Study after study has found that a large proportion of Americans would rather own than rent a home.

In a recent national survey, for example, 86 percent of all respondents felt that people are better off owning than renting a home, and 74 percent believe that people should purchase a home as soon as they can afford it, regardless of their marital status or whether they had children in the household. Of the renters surveyed, 67 percent said they rent because they are unable to afford to own, while 26 percent said it was a matter of choice.

Moreover, a full 68 percent of renters said that buying a home is a very important priority in their lives.

In my experience I've seen how homeownership is key to strengthening families and good citizenship.

Homeownership also enables people to have greater control and exercise more responsibility over their living environment.

Homeownership helps stabilize neighborhoods and strengthen communities. It creates important local and individual incentives for maintaining and improving private property and public spaces.

Start the process today to securing your future for tomorrow!

2007 has been a roller coaster ride for the Real Estate industry but there is still hope for home ownership in 2008. It is very important for homebuyers to educate themselves on the market and take advantage of what experts are calling..... a buyers market.

Understanding that regardless of the mortgage meltdown...at the end of the day, homeownership will still be one of the smartest investments you will ever make.

Some of the reasons why is because interest in homeownership among Americans has always been justified by claims that it confers benefits both to individuals and to the society as a whole, including good citizens, stable neighborhoods and strong communities.

Strong and consistent evidence indicates that homeowners are more likely to: a) be satisfied with their homes and neighborhoods; b) participate in voluntary and political activities; and c) stay in their homes longer, contributing to neighborhood stability.

Homeownership is often thought to be an essential ingredient of the "American Dream." Living in a single-family, owner-occupied dwelling unit is central to the American conception of a secure and successful life. Study after study has found that a large proportion of Americans would rather own than rent a home.

In a recent national survey, for example, 86 percent of all respondents felt that people are better off owning than renting a home, and 74 percent believe that people should purchase a home as soon as they can afford it, regardless of their marital status or whether they had children in the household. Of the renters surveyed, 67 percent said they rent because they are unable to afford to own, while 26 percent said it was a matter of choice.

Moreover, a full 68 percent of renters said that buying a home is a very important priority in their lives.

In my experience I've seen how homeownership is key to strengthening families and good citizenship.

Homeownership also enables people to have greater control and exercise more responsibility over their living environment.

Homeownership helps stabilize neighborhoods and strengthen communities. It creates important local and individual incentives for maintaining and improving private property and public spaces.

Start the process today to securing your future for 2008 & beyond!

Just a few short years ago, many people were amazed by the prospect of a 40 year mortgage. While 30 year mortgages have dominated the market for decades, the idea of being able to spread out your mortgage payments over forty years was just too much to comprehend. Now, there is the new 50 year mortgage and if the 40 year mortgage took the finance world by storm the 50 year mortgage is leaving many people speechless.

Now, I'll be the devils advocate and ask, is a fifty year mortgage really a good idea? Well, there are certain advantages to a 50 year mortgage. The most obvious advantage is that it allows a homeowner to spread out the cost of a home purchase and lower monthly mortgage payments. In housing markets where prices have skyrocketed this can be a major pro because it may make it available for individuals to purchase homes who might not have been able to do so otherwise. Of course, there are also major disadvantages to consider as well.

When considering a 50 year mortgage it is extremely important to consider your age at the time of the purchase. For example, lets say you're 30 at the time you purchase the home. With a 50 year mortgage, your home would not be paid off until youre 80. If you think you'll still be able to meet those monthly mortgage payments long after the age by which most people have retired, this might not be a bad option. On the other hand, if you are looking to be debt free by the time you retire, its best to consider another option.

It is also important to remember that the longer you draw out the payments on your home purchase, the more you're paying in interest. This is why many skeptics of the 50 year mortgage are referring to them as interest-only loans. When you stop and actually look at the numbers, you'll see that with this type of mortgage you're paying a lot more in interest for your home than you would with any other type of home loan, even a 40 year mortgage. That's money you might be able to put toward something else, especially if youre looking ahead toward retirement.

On a $350,000 home purchase at the going interest rate the monthly payments would be in the neighborhood of $2,100 per month with a 30 year mortgage. With a 50 year mortgage at the same interest rate you could drive down the price of the monthly mortgage payment by about $300 per month. Since you'll be paying for the home 20 years longer with the 50 year mortgage than you would with the 30 year mortgage. You will actually end up paying more than $350,000 for the home over the course of the 50 year mortgage than with the 30 year mortgage. If you went with the 30 year mortgage and the monthly payment that is $300 a month more, youll spend $72,000 over the course of the next 30 years but then your home will be paid for in full. With the 50 year mortgage youll still be responsible for that $1,900 a month house payment for the next 20 years.

Best Realty wants to help you Realize Your Dream of Homeownership!

Contact us Today!

Are you looking to Buy or Sell?

Maybe you're looking for an investment property or a Lease to Purchase....

We even offer Property Management!

Remember....

When Good Isn't Good Enough, Contact The Best!

Art Best of Best Realty

2183 Northlake Parkway Suite 105

Tucker, Ga 30084

Direct (404)597.4098

Office (678)225.5977

Fax (678)225.5977

http://www.bestrealtyatl.com

The only question now is which home will you fall in love with?

You have decided to move, so why not move into one of these beautiful homes? You could be in by next week!

Homes Available

We add new homes to our list all the time, so keep this website marked in your favorites! Allow us to be your new friend in the Real Estate business!

1. Why should I buy, instead of rent?

• Answer: A home is an investment. When you rent, you write your monthly check and that money is gone forever. But when you own your home, you can deduct the cost of your mortgage loan interest from your federal income taxes, and usually from your state taxes. This will save you a lot each year, because the interest you pay will make up most of your monthly payment for most of the years of your mortgage. You can also deduct the property taxes you pay as a homeowner. In addition, the value of your home may go up over the years. Finally, you'll enjoy having something that's all yours - a home where your own personal style will tell the world who you are.
  
  

2. Can I become a homebuyer even if I have I've had bad credit, and don't have much for a down-payment?

   • Answer: You may be a good candidate for a FHA loan. Contact your mortgage professional regarding these types of loans.
     

3. Are there special homeownership grants or programs for single parents?

   • Answer: There is help available. Start by becoming familiar with the homebuying process and pick a good real estate broker. Although as a single parent, you won't have the benefit of two incomes on which to qualify for a loan, consider getting pre-qualified, so that when you find a house you like in your price range you won't have the delay of trying to get qualified. Contact one of the HUD-funded housing counseling agencies in your area to talk through other options for help that might be available to you. Research buying a HUD home, as they can be very good deals. Also, contact your local government to see if there are any local homebuying programs that could help you. Look in the blue pages of your phone directory for your local office of housing and community development or, if you can't find it, contact your mayor's office or your county executive's office.
     

4. Should I use a real estate broker? How do I find one?

   • Answer: Using a real estate broker is a very good idea. All the details involved in home buying, particularly the financial ones, can be mind-boggling. A good real estate professional can guide you through the entire process and make the experience much easier. A real estate broker will be well-acquainted with all the important things you'll want to know about a neighborhood you may be considering...the quality of schools, the number of children in the area, the safety of the neighborhood, traffic volume, and more. He or she will help you figure the price range you can afford and search the classified ads and multiple listing services for homes you'll want to see. With immediate access to homes as soon as they're put on the market, the broker can save you hours of wasted driving-around time. When it's time to make an offer on a home, the broker can point out ways to structure your deal to save you money. He or she will explain the advantages and disadvantages of different types of mortgages, guide you through the paperwork, and be there to hold your hand and answer last-minute questions when you sign the final papers at closing. And you don't have to pay the broker anything! The payment comes from the home seller - not from the buyer.