The Sol Group Arizona Real Estate's (monica) Blog

Buying bank owned propertiesThere is a lot of interest in buying bank owned properties these days. A lot of information, some good and some bad, is floating around about the subject.   Often the information offered is for sale, with the promise that you can make a lot of money with little effort ...

With the growing popularity of the FHA loan over the last 3 years FHA's financial strength has weakened. An actuary study concludes that for the first time since 1994, the capital ratio has fallen below the required two percent level and over the next year you will see FHA taking steps to increas...

In this update, we are going to focus on major changes to the FHA program that we expect will be implemented in 2010, starting later this month.  FHA Commissioner Dave Stevens and his team have been reviewing FHA's performance data and operations for several months and we believe there will be d...

How can a real estate agent help me? Whether you're in the market for a primary residence, an investment property or a second home, purchasing real estate involves many important considerations and decisions. A real estate agent can provide the focus, due diligence and expertise needed to help y...

Eight steps to selling your home   Define your needs. Write down all the reasons for selling your home. Ask yourself, "Why do I want to sell and what do I expect to accomplish with the sale?" For example, a growing family may prompt your need for a larger home, or a job opportunity in another ci...

10 things you should ask a real estate agentHaving the right real estate professional by your side can greatly improve your home-buying experience. A good rule of thumb is to interview a minimum of three candidates.Here are 10 questions to ask during an interview: 1. Are you a full-time professi...

  Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended... Plus, New Tax Credit for Existing Home Owners! It's official! President Obama has signed a bill that extends the tax credit for first-time homebuyers (FTHBs) into the first half of 2010. In addition, the extension also opens up opportunities for others who are n...

Opting for new home construction Whether to buy an existing home or have one built is yet another decision to make during the home-buying process. If you decide to go with new construction, a real estate agent can be a powerful advocate in your corner as you negotiate upgrades, a move-in date an...

October 2009 Market Update There are a few significant stats I would like to emphasis for the month of October. The first is the decline in Closed REO transactions, which is down from the high of 4,612 in May to 2,975 for the month of October. The second, is the consistency in Standard (home own...

  Making your home wish list Before the home search begins, your real estate agent will want to know as much as possible about the features and amenities you desire. To help your agent better serve you, divide your preferences into "negotiable" and "non-negotiable." Here are some details to consi...