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Linda Risden and The Five Star
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 Buying a Home Requires Many Difficult Decisions. Make Sure Your Realtors are Top Local Experts.
Your home is probably the biggest purchase your family will ever make, and it involves many decisions that go beyond simply choosing one you like.
As top Fort Lauderdale area Realtors, here is how we will guide you through the entire process, from viewing homes and financing, to making sure the final contract is in your best interest:
- You will have full access to ALL homes available on the Fort Lauderdale market, even listings not yet on the MLS, through our professional Florida real estate affiliations.
- Our expert local knowledge of the Fort Lauderdale area should be invaluable to you, not just in terms of real estate, but also schools, neighborhoods, the local economy, and more.
- Every local real estate market absolutely has its own trends and opportunities. This can vary greatly, even one neighborhood to the next. Fort Lauderdale is no different! It's our job to steer you into opportunities and out of traps.
- What is the true market value of the home you are interested in? Is it priced too high? Is it a bargain that you should jump on? We help home buyers make decisions like this every day, and we'll make sure that YOU get the best value for your money.
- Negotiating with sellers can be stressful. We will help you negotiate, so that the final contract includes your best possible terms and conditions.
- You should know absolutely everything about the property you are buying! You and a member or my team or I will view every home that you are interested in, together. And prior to closing we will make you fully aware of any and all inspections available to you.
- Have confidence when signing documents. Contracts are full of complicated terms and clauses that can greatly affect your future life in your new home. We will give you the full benefit of our real estate knowledge and experience.
Let us represent your best interests in your search for a new home in the Fort Lauderdale area. While you can see a million homes on the web, actually buying your home is another matter entirely. Buyers beware!
Call or email us for help, or to have your questions answered. There are no dumb questions! Fill out the form below the Buyers Tips, and we'll get right back to you.  Buyer Tips
Buyers definitely have the upper hand in a cool market. You can press your advantage to negotiate the best price possible. However, bear in mind that today's credit crunch has lenders tightening their belts, so you'll need to make the right moves to get a good deal on a mortgage. Also, dust off those negotiating skills that went unused during the seller's market of the past few years.
• Have a down payment. A 100% financing deal is much harder to get. So be prepared to put at least 5% down. Lenders also want you to have at least two months' worth of PITI (principal, interest, taxes and insurance) in reserve.
• Boost your credit score. Based on current interest rates, the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is about 1.3 percentage points lower for someone with a credit score of 760 to 850 than for someone with a score of 620 to 659. On a $200,000 loan, a borrower with a top-tier score would pay $173 less per month -- a saving of $2,076 per year -- than a borrower near the bottom.
• Do your homework. Learn as much as you can about the local housing market and the seller's motivations. Ask questions about the sellers, such as why they're selling, how long the home has been on the market, when they bought the home and how much they paid. Once you zero in on a property, hire a home inspector to find any defects in the home.
• Sharpen your negotiating skills. Just about everything is negotiable when buying a house, especially in a buyer's market. When making an offer, it can include contingencies that protect you, such as requiring that the home pass an inspection, appraises for at least as much as you're paying for it and that the seller accept your offer by a certain time. You also can ask that the seller pay part of your closing costs, include a redecorating allowance or remove an above-ground pool you don't want. The trick, though, is to prove to the seller you're a serious buyer without looking too eager. And you've got to be willing to walk away from a home if the seller refuses to negotiate in price or make concessions to your satisfaction.
Copyrighted, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc.
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First Time Buyers >Affording A Home
Are you getting ready to buy your first home? It is important to know how much you can afford before you begin looking at properties. Talking with a lender and getting pre-approved for a loan puts you in a stronger negotiating position with sellers.
As a rule, your monthly housing costs should not exceed 28% of your monthly pre-tax income. These costs include the mortgage payment, real estate taxes, and insurance. If you have long-term debts, such as student loans or car payments, your monthly payments, including your housing costs, should be less than 36% of your pre-tax monthly income. Some loans, such as VA and FHA loans, are more flexible with these basic guidelines.
Depending on which type of mortgage you select, you can consider houses in various price ranges. An adjustable-rate mortgage will usually enable you to qualify for a higher loan amount. Your real estate agent can help you make the basic calculations. Remember that buying at the top end of your price range gives you more time to outgrow your home, and can save you money over the long term.
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Where will you find the world's most unusual golf course?
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The only golf course on the island of Tonga has 15 holes, and no penalty against the golfer whose golf ball is stolen by a monkey. |
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Linda Risden and The Five Star Team
Florida Five Star Realty, Inc.
9900 W. Sample Road, Suite #300
Coral Springs, FL. 33065
Contact Me With Confidence!
Office: 954-345-5530
Fax: 954-345-5590
Cell Phone: 954-270-3463
Email: sofloridahomes@NUMBER1EXPERT.com
Email: risden@bellsouth.net
Linda specializes in Ft. Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Parkland, and Margate. She is well known for producing consistent results, selling homes in an average of under twenty days. With over twenty three years of real estate experience, sellers and buyers are benefited with the vast knowledge and negotiation skills of a true professional. A recipient of one of the most prestigious awards, Linda was honored as being named in the top 100 Agents in Florida. As a member of an elite group of top real estate professionals throughout the Country, Linda can assist in referring customers to the best Realtor in the area. Call Linda today at: 954-345-5530 or 888-320-FIND. 
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