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EVERYONE HAS A REALTOR THAT IS A FRIEND, OR A FRIEND OF A FRIEND. LIKE ANY INDUSTRY, THERE ARE THOSE THAT CARE ABOUT YOU AND THERE ARE THOSE THAT JUST CARE ABOUT THE DEAL. WE CAN RECOMMEND FOUR (4) REALTORS WITHOUT HESITATION THAT WE KNOW 100% CARE ABOUT YOU, AND NOTHING ELSE. WE DO NOT GET A REFERRAL FEE, OR ANY COMPENSATION FOR THESE RECOMMENDATIONS. FOR MOST PEOPLE, BUYING A HOME IT IS THE BIGGEST INVESTMENT THEY WILL EVER MAKE, YET THEY DO NOT TREAT IT THAT WAY. THEY DO NOT DO THEIR RESEARCH, THEY DO NOT DEAL WITH PROFESSIONALS, AND THEY DO NOT SPEND A FEW BUCKS HAVING AN ATTORNEY REVIEW EVERYTHING (JUST TO MAKE SURE). THEY ARE PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH. THEY ARE SO BUSY TRYING TO SAVE A BUCK ON THE REALTOR, INSPECTOR, OR NOT SEEKING LEGAL ADVISE FOR A FEW BUCKS, THAT THEY END UP MAKING A BAD DEAL, OR A DEAL THEY SHOULD HAVE NEVER MADE. THESE (4) REALTORS WILL NEVER LET THAT HAPPEN TO YOU!

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Home Buying and Refinancing Trends
With the economy in flux, it can be hard to get a read on today's housing market. But, whether you're in the market for a new home or would like to refinance, now's the time to take advantage of low housing prices and mortgage rates. The tax credit on new home purchases has even been extended through April 30, 2010 — just one more incentive to buy now.

Keep in mind that getting a loan in today's economy may be more difficult than in prior years. It's important to understand your credit score and know your buying power when trying to negotiate with lenders. Find out what you need to know before you buy or refinance.

If you're in the market for a new home, there's never been a better time to buy. Last year's tax credits of up to $8,000 for qualifying first-time homebuyers and up to $6,500 for repeat homebuyers have been extended to this year. Additionally, home prices have fallen again from their modest increase over the past few months. While economists attribute a large portion of this decline to seasonality rather than a sign of changes to come, it — along with current low mortgage rates — fosters favorable buying conditions.

30-year mortgage rates recently fell below the 5% mark for the first time in months. That's great news for new homebuyers and those who have decided to refinance. Last year saw mortgage rates drop during the federal buyback program and a subsequent refinancing boom. Now that rates are hovering around 5% at the time of publication, homeowners have another chance to take advantage of the savings. But is refinancing right for you?

There are several factors that make you eligible to refinance. The first of these is the ratio of your equity compared to the current value of your home. If your mortgage is less than 80% of your home's value, you may be eligible to refinance. Similarly, if the value of your home is exceptionally high according to limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, it may be difficult for you to refinance. Additionally, there are several government or lender-backed initiatives designed to help homeowners take advantage of today's low rates. These programs, however, may only be available for a limited time — and there are a number of qualifying factors — so contact your lender for more information and to find out if you're eligible.

Your credit score is another major component in your potential refinancing success. The window into which your score can fall to receive a favorable loan is shrinking and making it difficult to obtain loans with a score under 620.

To determine if refinancing is right for you, calculate how long it will take you to recover refinancing costs with your new rate. If you can recoup your losses in a few years and plan to stay in that home, then refinancing may be the perfect option to help you save in the long term. While lower monthly payments can seem appealing, avoid lengthening the term of your loan. It will most likely cost you in interest. Try to shorten the term of your loan if possible. Also, be realistic about how long you plan to live in your home. If you plan to be there for at least another three to five years, then it's smart to lock in a low rate now.

There are, however, a handful of things to be wary of during the refinancing process. Don't let hidden fees sneak up on you. From pre-payment penalties to private mortgage insurance, many factors can add to the cost of refinancing and must be taken into account. Also, be wary of lenders that claim there is no cost. Loans are not free. Most likely these costs are hidden within the loan agreement and may be higher than you would anticipate. Finally, avoid frequent refinancing. While locking in a low rate can help you save in interest over time, refinancing more than once or twice can ultimately harm your financial efforts.