Comments for tcurranmortgage: Trevor Curran: Mortgages, Real Estate and First Time Buyers http://www.tcurranmortgage.com Thoughts and information on mortgages, home buying and real estate Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:30:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 Comment on FHA Is Good For New York by tcurranmortgage: Trevor Curran: Mortgages, Real Estate and First Time Buyers » FHA: Me and my Pal, Phil Faranda, are True Believers http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/2009/03/25/fha-is-good-for-new-york/comment-page-1/#comment-4803 tcurranmortgage: Trevor Curran: Mortgages, Real Estate and First Time Buyers » FHA: Me and my Pal, Phil Faranda, are True Believers Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:30:45 +0000 http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/?p=278#comment-4803 [...] loan programs, they modeled them on the FHA). And those rules were Oh SO MUCH easier to follow for first time buyers. The only mortgage alternatives at the time were small savings banks lending depositors’ [...] [...] loan programs, they modeled them on the FHA). And those rules were Oh SO MUCH easier to follow for first time buyers. The only mortgage alternatives at the time were small savings banks lending depositors’ [...]

]]> Comment on Prepare for Tax Time by tcurranmortgage: Trevor Curran: Mortgages, Real Estate and First Time Buyers » Speak to your Tax Professional NOW http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/2009/01/07/prepare-for-tax-time/comment-page-1/#comment-4795 tcurranmortgage: Trevor Curran: Mortgages, Real Estate and First Time Buyers » Speak to your Tax Professional NOW Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:09:52 +0000 http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/?p=265#comment-4795 [...] The next TWO times you speak with your tax professional should be in June (around mid-way through the year) and again in September-October.  These chats don’t need to be lengthy—fifteen to twenty minutes probably covers your current financial status.  You’ll want to review your Year-To-Date income and income tax withholdings on your paystubs, especially if you have modified your withholding numbers to maximize your take home pay.  More about that HERE and HERE. [...] [...] The next TWO times you speak with your tax professional should be in June (around mid-way through the year) and again in September-October.  These chats don’t need to be lengthy—fifteen to twenty minutes probably covers your current financial status.  You’ll want to review your Year-To-Date income and income tax withholdings on your paystubs, especially if you have modified your withholding numbers to maximize your take home pay.  More about that HERE and HERE. [...]

]]> Comment on Tax time advice for Homeowners by tcurranmortgage: Trevor Curran: Mortgages, Real Estate and First Time Buyers » Speak to your Tax Professional NOW http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/2008/02/24/tax-time-advice-for-homeowners/comment-page-1/#comment-4794 tcurranmortgage: Trevor Curran: Mortgages, Real Estate and First Time Buyers » Speak to your Tax Professional NOW Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:06:30 +0000 http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/2008/02/24/tax-time-advice-for-homeowners/#comment-4794 [...] if you have modified your withholding numbers to maximize your take home pay.  More about that HERE and [...] [...] if you have modified your withholding numbers to maximize your take home pay.  More about that HERE and [...]

]]> Comment on Everything That Was OLD is NEW again. by tcurranmortgage: Trevor Curran: Mortgages, Real Estate and First Time Buyers » The New “New” isn’t just OLD anymore http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/2007/09/27/everything-that-was-old-is-new-again/comment-page-1/#comment-4790 tcurranmortgage: Trevor Curran: Mortgages, Real Estate and First Time Buyers » The New “New” isn’t just OLD anymore Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:30:02 +0000 http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/2007/09/27/everything-that-was-old-is-new-again/#comment-4790 [...] was thankful some years back when the OLD paradigms for approving mortgage loans resurfaced.  Back then it looked like we were [...] [...] was thankful some years back when the OLD paradigms for approving mortgage loans resurfaced.  Back then it looked like we were [...]

]]> Comment on HOW TO BUY A HOME: NEGOTIATE!!! by Trevor http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/2011/02/04/how-to-buy-a-home-negotiate/comment-page-1/#comment-4783 Trevor Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:22:02 +0000 http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/?p=397#comment-4783 <a href="http://thewestchesterview.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Ruthmarie</strong></a> you hit the nail on the head. Too many people think negotiating means getting the house at the lowest price. That's not negotiating, and that's not demonstrating how serious you are as a Buyer. That seriousness, btw, starts with yourself. The Buyer must ask 2 questions before heading out into the homebuying marketplace. <strong>Question 1: Do I really want to own my own home? </strong> The answer to this question comes only from yourself. <strong> Question 2: What is the maximum price I am willing to pay for a home?</strong> The answer to the second question come from yourself, but with assistance from your Mortgage Professional once you've <a href="http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/2006/01/07/how-to-buy-a-home-preparing-to-go-out-there/" rel="nofollow"><strong>been prequalified</strong></a> and you realize your tolerance for a <a href="http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/2008/08/20/its-all-about-monthly-payment/" rel="nofollow"><strong>specific monthly payment.</strong></a> I mean that sincerely because you might find you are qualified based on your income for a mortgage payment of $4500 a month, but, who the heck wants to write a check for that much money?!?! If your tolerance is for a monthly payment of $2600 monthly, then your Mortgage Professional should guide you accordingly. Answer those two questions then you go out and buy a home and negotiate. When Ruthmarie says, "...differentiate between trying to get a deal vs. trying to get a steal," she means that for the Buyers who have asked and answered Questions 1 and 2. She's on the mark, too, when she says, "Deals are available --- steals are not." But those deals are available for realistic, serious Buyers. Do your homework, because <a href="http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/2011/06/29/buying-a-home-is-work/" rel="nofollow"><strong>buying a home is WORK</strong></a>, then Go For IT!!! <strong><em>Thank you Ruthmarie for your most excellent comment!</em></strong> Ruthmarie you hit the nail on the head. Too many people think negotiating means getting the house at the lowest price. That’s not negotiating, and that’s not demonstrating how serious you are as a Buyer.

That seriousness, btw, starts with yourself. The Buyer must ask 2 questions before heading out into the homebuying marketplace.

Question 1: Do I really want to own my own home? The answer to this question comes only from yourself.

Question 2: What is the maximum price I am willing to pay for a home? The answer to the second question come from yourself, but with assistance from your Mortgage Professional once you’ve been prequalified and you realize your tolerance for a specific monthly payment. I mean that sincerely because you might find you are qualified based on your income for a mortgage payment of $4500 a month, but, who the heck wants to write a check for that much money?!?! If your tolerance is for a monthly payment of $2600 monthly, then your Mortgage Professional should guide you accordingly.

Answer those two questions then you go out and buy a home and negotiate. When Ruthmarie says, “…differentiate between trying to get a deal vs. trying to get a steal,” she means that for the Buyers who have asked and answered Questions 1 and 2. She’s on the mark, too, when she says, “Deals are available — steals are not.” But those deals are available for realistic, serious Buyers. Do your homework, because buying a home is WORK, then Go For IT!!!

Thank you Ruthmarie for your most excellent comment!

]]> Comment on HOW TO BUY A HOME: NEGOTIATE!!! by Ruthmarie Hicks http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/2011/02/04/how-to-buy-a-home-negotiate/comment-page-1/#comment-4782 Ruthmarie Hicks Wed, 29 Jun 2011 16:03:56 +0000 http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/?p=397#comment-4782 One thing buyers need to do is differentiate between trying to get a deal vs. trying to get a steal. Too many are not-so-serious and looking for a steal. In Westchester - you ignore the comps at your peril. I have had a couple of buyers who really didn't "get it" and refused to look at the comps. They wanted what they wanted and thought they could name the price. The result in one case was the listing agent doing the exact same thing I would have done were I in their shoes. "We are through with this buyer." When my buyers had a mea culpa over the initial offer - they came back ...but the increase was too small and the bad blood created by the first offer caused them to be rejected out of hand. Deals are available - steals are not. One thing buyers need to do is differentiate between trying to get a deal vs. trying to get a steal. Too many are not-so-serious and looking for a steal. In Westchester – you ignore the comps at your peril. I have had a couple of buyers who really didn’t “get it” and refused to look at the comps. They wanted what they wanted and thought they could name the price. The result in one case was the listing agent doing the exact same thing I would have done were I in their shoes. “We are through with this buyer.” When my buyers had a mea culpa over the initial offer – they came back …but the increase was too small and the bad blood created by the first offer caused them to be rejected out of hand.

Deals are available – steals are not.

]]> Comment on Useful Links (click on the links in gray) by tcurranmortgage: Trevor Curran » Buying a Home is WORK http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/useful-links/comment-page-1/#comment-4781 tcurranmortgage: Trevor Curran » Buying a Home is WORK Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:16:55 +0000 http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/blog/useful-links/#comment-4781 [...] I picked up a great re-blog today on Phil Faranda’s blog.  The original entry is written by a Westchester County Realtor, Ruthmarie Hicks, and contains a wealth of excellent resources for Homebuyers.   Resources are where it’s at here at tcurranmortgage.com as witness my Useful Links page. [...] [...] I picked up a great re-blog today on Phil Faranda’s blog.  The original entry is written by a Westchester County Realtor, Ruthmarie Hicks, and contains a wealth of excellent resources for Homebuyers.   Resources are where it’s at here at tcurranmortgage.com as witness my Useful Links page. [...]

]]> Comment on TRUTH for Sellers from my pal Phil Faranda by J Philip Faranda http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/2011/06/23/truth-for-sellers-from-my-pal-phil-faranda/comment-page-1/#comment-4780 J Philip Faranda Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:37:14 +0000 http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/?p=411#comment-4780 Thanks Trevor. I try to be informative. Thanks Trevor. I try to be informative.

]]> Comment on Rainy Sundays: What Buyers Want by tcurranmortgage: Trevor Curran » TRUTH for Sellers from my pal Phil Faranda http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/2011/05/22/rainy-sundays-what-buyers-want/comment-page-1/#comment-4779 tcurranmortgage: Trevor Curran » TRUTH for Sellers from my pal Phil Faranda Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:14:08 +0000 http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/?p=405#comment-4779 [...] can I say, we both like to TELL IT LIKE IT IS regardless of the consequences (I guess we both like to believe that consumers for our respective [...] [...] can I say, we both like to TELL IT LIKE IT IS regardless of the consequences (I guess we both like to believe that consumers for our respective [...]

]]> Comment on FIVE Steps To Making An Offer To Buy A Home by tcurranmortgage: Trevor Curran » Rainy Sundays: What Buyers Want http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/2010/04/09/five-steps-to-making-an-offer-to-buy-a-home/comment-page-1/#comment-4776 tcurranmortgage: Trevor Curran » Rainy Sundays: What Buyers Want Sun, 22 May 2011 22:25:16 +0000 http://www.tcurranmortgage.com/?p=382#comment-4776 [...] offers. Lots of offers. Shopping frequently isn’t enough; you have to make offers. If a Seller accepts your offer you are NOT locked in to the deal. That doesn’t happen until [...] [...] offers. Lots of offers. Shopping frequently isn’t enough; you have to make offers. If a Seller accepts your offer you are NOT locked in to the deal. That doesn’t happen until [...]

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