HouseSource

Time is running out!

2009-09-09T12:31:00.002-04:00

Only 24 days left to take advantage of the $8000 tax credit. If you live in Georgia, there are other tax incentives for purchasing, totaling up to $14,000! It's almost like getting free money!!

We have plenty of opportunities now for first time home buyers, with more coming. LOTS of foreclosures and short sales available, and it is DEFINITELY a buyer's market! In fact, buyers won't buy now unless they think they are 'getting a deal'...so, if you've been waiting on the sidelines, now is the time to JUMP IN!

Keeping up with Technology

2009-07-09T16:18:00.002-04:00

Got the new iPhone and am learning (slowly! and with the help of some teenage neighbors) all the applications that this phone can do besides telephoning--it's like having a computer, a gps system, a video camera, a palm pilot--a virtual assistant in one device!!

I'm not selling these phones, am just amazed at what technology is available in a small, compact design!

Dawn of a New Day!

2009-07-06T14:09:00.002-04:00

We celebrated July 4th this past weekend, 10 days or so after the passing of several celebrities--Michael Jackon's passing has received most of the media attention, due to his talent as a performer, his international audience, and his personal life and tribulations. While I don't want to diminish Jackson's talent, it seems to me that the accolades and tributes, which are
STILL ongoing , surpass his actual legacy, as he was NOT a leader of a country, nor a spiritual icon....and, ...yet, the tributes continue, and projections are that his estate will make more money than he did while he was alive.....so, what does that say about our society and our need to idolize celebrities?...and what does any of this have to do with real estate?

Michael Jackson's Neverland estate had gone into foreclosure proceedings a year or so before our current economic collapse! It's my understanding that it was saved from being foreclosed on, but that someone of his great wealth could become a foreclosed homeowner was an 'eerie' prediction of what we're living through right now. Ed McMahon at age 86 was about to lose his home to foreclosure--this after a lifetime of TV promotional work and at wages that must've been 'above average' earnings.

So, the lesson here? Save more? Spend less?...or, is the lesson that maybe there's a basic flaw in our system?... that these two very wealthy people could almost lose their homes, where does that leave the average American homeowner? Current predictions are that up to 4 million Americans will lose their homes (or will have lost their homes) before the economy turns around--those numbers are staggering, to say the least, and the next wave of foreclosures is going to be in the 'high end' of the market, the luxury homes.

So, the dawn of a new day, is us taking responsibility for our actions;prosecuting and jailing those wall street crooks(other than Madoff, is anyone else even targeted?!) that encouraged the mortgage brokerages to make loans, knowing the loans would go bad. With this 4th of July celebration, let's all set our intentions for appreciation of true independence and true justice, and true FREEDOM!

Best Buy Opportunities!

2009-04-26T12:15:00.002-04:00

Now, with TARP funds actually being sent out and received, many communities have a unique opportunity to revitalize neighborhoods that have been decimated by this wave of foreclosures.

We currently have 'best buy' opportunities in zip 30315 for owner occupants only. If you are a first time homeowner, now is an exceptionally good time to purchase, as there are down payment assistence programs available, and tax credits for up to $14,000!...and, don't forget historically low interest rates!

Call for more details! 404-252-4895.

Is the world coming to an end?

2009-02-02T10:27:00.002-05:00

With all the gloom and doom out there, it might seem so! But, the reality is, there are home buyers out looking to buy right now, in your area! Interest rates are low, prices have come down, and the buyers understand that NOW is a GREAT time to buy!

As I write this, 30 fixed rates are at 4.75%! Unbelievable, isn't it? With the bailout looming, politicians are having to include some tax credits, and, as I write this, one of those tax credits is $15000! tax credit for buying your first home--that's amazing also!

So, tell all your friends, family members, work acquaintences that NOW is the time to act--with the government printing $ to fund the bailout, for certain, we will be looking at inflation soon, and that translates to higher equity in your homes or investment properties. Real Estate has been the basis for most people's wealth in the world, and, despite this current downturn, that statement is true.--the downturn just makes it easier to purchase at lower prices.

Market update

2008-08-13T09:05:00.003-04:00

Hello,

I've been too long in posting, but got sidetracked with illness of my brother, who is a stroke victim--he fell and broke his foot, and his recovery has been very difficult for him and us!

But, am glad to say that now, finally, he has been given the go ahead to use that foot to walk on again, and so he's back in physical therapy, learning to use that paralyzed side. Not easy!

The market still is flooded with foreclosed properties, and yet more to come. I'm member of a real estate investor group,-- the leader of the forum is out of Dallas, Tx, and she subscribes to a publication that goes to all REO managers for banks. The word in the latest publication is that REOs are not going to peak until 2009,-- late in that year,... so that means, we still have at least a year to go!! So, if you are looking for bargains, be aware that the market still may have some way to fall yet, and those calculations should be included in your offering price.
Call me if you want more details on this information!
Have a great week!

I'm being interviewed on radio!

2008-04-21T16:59:00.002-04:00

This is exciting news for me! I recently met with the" Creativity Doctor" who has his home up for sale, and he and I were discussing all manner of things from the current real estate market to his story of how he 'visualized' himself already occupying his current home, before he actually owned it!--well, that story opened up a different line of discussion on how we attract what we want (and what we don't want) into our lives, the role of attitude in living our lives, etc....anyway, long story short, I'm going to be an interviewee on his radio show.

Will be sure to post the link here when I actually have it up on line. Could be a lively discussion! In fact, this might be turned into part of a book he's writing--it's not on line yet, but should be soon--"Open your i's:10 Steps to Unleashing Your Inner Creative Power"--when available, should be able to get it at www.neiltepper.com.

I'll post when this interview is supposed to air!

There's definitely an uptick in real estate activity, since tax due date has come and gone. It's a GREAT time to buy!

Today's News

2008-03-24T09:05:00.004-04:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter Holiday weekend. The weather here in ATL was BEAUTY-FUL! Today, Wall Street will get housing numbers, so watch to see the impact of those numbers on the stock market and the bond market...we're still waiting to feel the impact of the Federal Reserve's slashing rates and injecting more $$ into the credit markets.

Regardless of what the figures are today, for most folks, buying a home will be determined by down payment and monthly payment.

Lenders are still tightening credit standards, as the foreclosures haven't hit bottom. So, if you're in the market for a home, please get pre-approved ASAP! so you don't have to deal with disappoint news down the road.

I've added an rss feed from Bankrate.com to this blog, to help figure out current rates.
Would love to get your feedback.
Have a magnificent week!

Market UpDate

2008-03-02T14:01:00.002-05:00

Wow, this has been a volatile week, with oil pricing getting over $103 a barrel and home sales falling across the country. Atlanta hasn't had the huge price run ups that other parts of the country had, so, hopefully, pricing won't fall as much as those part of the USA.
Here's a link to current market conditions:http://realtytimes.com/112/RuthSprinkle.
Spring is finally bursting out here, with today's temps in the high 60's! Very Welcome!

Motivated sellers!

2008-02-23T08:25:00.002-05:00

We have several new listings, most are pre foreclosures, all over metro Atlanta area. All are single family homes. Some are vacant. All want offers, so, if you have any interest, or need more information, please contact me! 404-252-4895

New Opportunities

2008-02-22T13:36:00.002-05:00

With every crisis, there is opportunity, wise eastern minds would say. So, where is the opportunity in this current subprime /real estate crisis? An obvious one is to buy foreclosures, but how do you know what is really below- market pricing, when the prices are falling?Have you thought of finding rental homes for those folks who no longer can afford the home they'd purchased?...Or, what about lending money for folks who want to purchase, but can't jump through all the current lending hoops? Most of the media attention is on residential real estate, but there is plenty of opportunity in raw land or in acquiring building lots from builders who no longer can carry vacant lots on their books while they wait for the economy to improve.
Where do you see the opportunity? I'd love to hear what folks are doing out there., and where you see the current opportunity.
We currently have some short sales and pre- foreclosures that might work either for first time buyers or investors. Check out the web site: www.soldbyruth.com. for more details.

Mortgage rates are lowest in three years!

2008-02-08T15:59:00.000-05:00

Now is a Great time to buy a home! Rates are low, and I think, going lower, and there's lots of inventory!...and, with the stock market up one day and down the next, real estate is starting to look better and better. As a buyer of real estate, this is your year!

House Revenue

2008-02-07T09:55:00.000-05:00

Hey, investors,

This is to those real estate investors who still BELIEVE in the value of owning real estate (because a lot of folks have gotten out of the business!). This is the Most Opportune time to invest, yes, right now, while everyone is saying how terrible the market is!...But, I'm not saying that you can go out and buy just anything right now;you do have to be smart.
There is a seminar coming up in April, www.RealEstateDays.com, that I know of, am not a sponsor of, but would be a good place to start and educate yourself.
Check it out!