Monday, June 29, 2015

Beautiful Newer Large Home in Chino Hills. Offered at $838,000

ENTHRALLING MASTERPIECE OF LUXURY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP! Elevate your living experience with what this home offers! Situated in the rolling hills, enjoy the unobstructed, panoramic city lights, valley & hills view as you entertain in the amenity packed backyard w/ heated gunite pool & bubbling spa, blt-in bbq station, TV & gazebo. Spacious 4 bedrooms accommodate a growing family. The gourmet kitchen is finished in granite slab counters w/ full backsplash, GE dbl oven, heating drawer, 5-burner stovetop, microwave, Bosch dishwasher, 2 beverage coolers, wood cabinets & abundant storage. Formal living, dining & butler's pantry. Maximize your pleasure in the family room w/ surround sound speakers, wall mount TV capability, stone stacked gas fireplace & audio equipment cabinets. The Master's suite w/ blt-in speakers, & bath w/ dual walk-in closets set the stage for comfort & relaxation. Fine appointments throughout: lead glass entry door, window shutters, crown moulding, distressed-look flooring in the main level & tiles in the bathrooms, designer carpet, upgraded baseboards & door casings, custom wall color, stained stair system, ceiling fans, central vac & security systems. The 3-car tandem garage has epoxy flooring & blt-in cabinets. MAKE THIS YOUR DREAM HOUSE!




Down Payment Info

Credit is a little tighter than it used to be, but if you believe that you have to have 20% down and perfect credit to buy a home, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Bank loans are available with as little as zero down and a funding fee that can be rolled into the loan that are guaranteed through the Veterans Administration, for veterans and active-duty military. According to Bankrate.com, the funding fee varies from 2.15 percent to 3.3 percent, according to whether or not a veteran served in the National Guard or the regular military.

The Navy Federal Credit Union offers 100 percent financing to qualified members who buy homes they intend to occupy. Navy Federal eligibility is restricted to members of the military, some civilian employees of the military and U.S. Department of Defense, and family members, explains Bankrate, which makes it the largest credit union in the nation. And the funding fee is a low 1.75 percent.

The no-down-payment USDA Rural Development mortgage guarantee program is a well-kept secret. Loans aren't just for farmland, but for homes in areas with small populations, many of which are near major metros.

For most bank loans, you'll have to make some kind of a down payment, perhaps as little as three percent with good credit. A down payment is simply your way of showing the lender that you are willing to risk your money to buy the home you want.

The larger the down payment, the more likely the lender is to make the loan which is why most lenders will give better interest rates to borrowers with 20 percent down or more and good credit. Less money down requires a higher credit score and private mortgage insurance, which can add more to your monthly payment.

One advantage to PMI is that it can be canceled. Let's say you put 10 percent down, and have a PMI payment. When your equity equals 20 percent or more, either through paying your mortgage or through home price appreciation, you can apply to the lender to have the PMI canceled.

The only loan that doesn't allow cancellation is the FHA-guaranteed loan. The only way to cancel PMI is to refinance to a conventional loan.

Borrowers with less than perfect credit can get loans, as well. The credit score will tell the lender how much money you have to put down; it's a factor in your interest rate. If you put 20 percent down, you can get a loan even if you have a low credit score of 580 or 620. If you have a 740 or 760, the lender will go with less money down.

It also matters where the downpayment money is coming from. Lenders expect first-time buyers to get help from family to buy a home, so there may be limits to the size or percentage of the downpayment gift that the lender will allow.

Down payment assistance can also come from grants. The FHA no longer allows seller-assisted down payments, but does provide a link to national organizations that may be of help. Also, check your local housing authority to see if there are grants available in your area

Monday, June 22, 2015

Wonderful Upgraded Fontana Home!! Offered at $379,000

SPOTLESS SINGLE STORY IN ETIWANDA SCHOOL DISTRICT. 3 CAR GARAGE. CULDESAC. TILE FLOORS EXCEPT FOR BEDROOMS. BREAKFAST BAR. LATTICE COVERED PATIO. BBQ STAYS. WASHER-DRYER STAY. BRAND NEW 50 GALLON WATER HEATER. RETAINING WALL PLANTER IN BACK. COZY FRONT PORCH BENCH STAYS. TONS OF GARAGE SHELVING, CABINETS AND LIGHTING STAYS. CEILING FANS THROUGHOUT. FIREPLACE IN LIVING ROOM AND BUILT IN SHELVING.ARTIFICIAL TURF IN BACKYARD. INDOOR FIRE SPRINKLERS. WALK-IN MASTER CLOSET. ALL CLOSET SHELVING STAYS. INDOOR LAUNDRY.



Eight No Skip Steps when Purchasing a Home

There are eight major steps you will take when you buy a home and each one is as important in its own way as the last.

Make your wish list -- Decide where you want to live and how many bedrooms and baths you'll need. Consider lifestyle -- condominiums offer shared amenities, with little responsibility. Single-family homes offer more space and privacy, but they also require more exterior and yard maintenance. Consider buying a fixer-upper for a reduced cost so you can remodel it to suit your needs.

Get preapproved -- You can prequalify yourself on the internet, but it takes a lender looking at your personal financial information to get prequalified. Your income, credit scores, revolving debts, obligations such as child support as well as the type of loan you choose will influence how much home you can buy. Other factors such as the down payment, interest rate and terms (30-year fixed or an adjustable rate) will determine what you can afford in monthly payments.

Hire a real estate professional -- Armed with a sensible price range, you're ready to hire a real estate expert to help you find the right home. Your real estate professional should be expert in the area where you want to live and familiar with the type of home you want to buy. Your agent should have house-by-house experience in the neighborhood you want so she or he can advise you.

Select your home -- No home is perfect, so don't let minor flaws influence you. Think long-term. Which available home best suits the needs of your household now and in the years ahead? Consider the amount of space, the floorplan, privacy, entertaining options and potential upkeep. Don't buy more than you need or can comfortably afford.

Make an offer -- Your offer should reflect current market conditions. If a home has been on the market a long time, you can ask the seller for a price reduction, but if it's new on the market, the seller is unlikely to comply. Sellers are more likely to respond to how much you love the home, than all the reasons why you don't think it's worth the asking price. Ask your real estate professional for advice on how to negotiate.

Get an inspection -- A home inspection is a professional third-party opinion of the home's condition. The inspector will point out the age of systems, and large and small repairs that are needed, so you'll know what you're facing as the next owner. Don't sweat small cosmetic flaws. Concentrate instead of high-cost items to replace such as air conditioners and roofing.

Get an appraisal - The bank appraisal determines market value to the lender. The appraiser will use comparables of similar homes that have recently sold. If the home doesn't appraise for the purchase price, the bank will refuse to make the loan unless you renegotiate with the seller. If it appraises for the asking price, the lender will move toward closing.

Go to closing -- Once final negotiations are complete, the parties to the transaction meet at the escrow office. This could be a title company, real estate attorney, or other closing agent customary in your area. All paperwork is signed by both parties. The lender pays the seller, minus any liens against the home such as the seller's mortgage. Once all the disbursements have been made, you get the keys to your new home, according to your agreement.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Beautiful Carriage Hills Home in Chino Hills. Offered at $949,000

VIEW! VIEW! VIEW! Located in exclusive Carriage Hills, this Chino Hills pool home comes with a spectacular mountain and city lights view. Features include high volume ceilings, formal living room, formal dining room and center island kitchen. Large bedrooms, with one bedroom and one bath downstairs. Separate laundry room, wet bar, three car garage. The backyard with pool and spa is perfect for entertaining, and still plenty of room for you to build your own paradise on this 17,043 square foot lot.



What are your Home Purchasing Goals??

With the dramatic fluctuations in housing prices over the last decade, consumers have new respect for homes as investments. But the flip side is that your investment is still a home, one you're likely to occupy for many years.

According to the annual Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, compiled by the National Association of REALTORS®, the primary reason buyers cite for purchasing a home is simply the desire to own, followed closely by the desire for more space, and a change in the family situation.

For most people, buying a home is about giving household members more comfortable living arrangements and putting them closer to jobs, favorite activities, family and friends.

What are your goals for buying a home? You might want a better home and neighborhood. You might want a different kind of living experience, such as moving from an apartment to a single-family home with a private garage and yard. Your family may be growing, so you have to think about school districts and proximity to parks and other recreation.

Affordability may also be an important factor for you. The combination of low interest rates and still-low prices allows you to buy more home for the money. Rents are rising, making ownership more affordable than renting in many areas, especially when you factor in tax incentives such as mortgage interest deductions and property taxes allowable as deductions against your income.

When you buy, make your goals long-term. Buy within your means, but choose the best home you think will serve your household's needs for the longest period of time. The longer you own a home, the more equity you'll build. Today's market conditions and affordability make it more likely that you will reach your homebuying goals, no matter what they are.

If you're not certain, you might think about what would change about your situation if you became a homeowner.

You'll definitely be more established. If you're like most homebuyers, you expect to stay in your new home about 10 years.

You'll also build equity for yourself, instead of for someone else. Every payment you make, plus the rules of inflation will eventually allow you to recoup most if not all of your investment, or make a profit when you sell.

Monday, June 8, 2015

You've just purchased another home. What should you be doing?

You're finally in escrow, packing up your stuff to move it into the home of your dreams, and the excitement is palpable. But before you step foot in your new house, there are a few important things you should take care of.

1. Change your address

You'll have to stop into your local post office or visit the United States Postal Service's website to change your address at some point. Doing it early ensures that your mail will make as smooth a transition as you do. A side benefit to changing your address is the coupon package that comes with the form. That 10% off Lowe's discount will surely come in handy in a new home.

2. Update your contact info

Change your address online with creditors, financial institutions, schools, publications, and anyone else that is important. Your change of address form from the post office will forward your mail but going right to the source will ensure your new address is on file.

3. Tell your mailman and say "Thank you"

A little consideration goes a long way when it comes to forwarding mail.

4. Change the locks

How many of us have moved into a new place and used the same locks and keys that were provided to us?

"You really don't know who else has keys to your home," said HouseLogic. "That ensures you're the only person who has access. Install new deadbolts yourself for as little as $10 per lock, or call a locksmith — if you supply the new locks, they typically charge about $20-$30 per lock for labor.

5. Get the house deep cleaned

The previous occupants probably cleaned the house or had it cleaned when they left. But is it up to your standards? Get a crew in there before you move in. It'll be money well spent.

Make sure the crew also gets inside the closets, cabinets, and drawers. You don't want to start your new life with someone else's crumbs and dust bunnies.

6. Clean the carpets too

This is another area where you will probably want to focus a little energy—unless you're a fan of "germ hotspots," said Huffington Post. The blog reported that carpets are "botanical and zoological parks…that can be 4,000 times dirtier than your toilet seat," said microbiologist Dr. Philip Tierno, according to Men's Health. Let that set in for a moment.

7. Call an exterminator

Nothing ruins your first night in a new house like critters scurrying across the floor.

8. Research utilities

The current providers might be the best (or only) options...but they may not be. Deregulation in some areas means competitive rates for utilities that can pay off for you. Be sure to ask about any new user discounts for cable or satellite, and, also for bundling packages that might be available.

9. Shut off the utilities on the house you're moving from

Sounds like a given, but it's one of the most common errors people make when moving—an error that can turn out to be costly when you're paying double utilities.

10. Alert your service providers

Let your gardener and anyone else that services your home regularly know you are moving early on. Details like this can be easily overlooked during a move, and giving ample notice will allow them time to try to replace the business if you're moving out of their service area.

11. Pare down your stuff

The only thing worse that having boxes of stuff you don't use and don't need crowding your space is carting them from house to house. Days disappear quickly when you're packing and preparing to move. If you are at all concerned you won't have time for a garage sale or even to drive to the local donation spot, take advantage of charities that will come to your house and do a pick up. Then all you have to do is haul the stuff to the front porch and bring in your tax receipt once they're done.

Monday, June 1, 2015

5 Unexpected Side Benefits of Home Ownership

You already know about the tax benefits of buying a home and the long-term financial advantages created by rising home values and bankable equity. But some of the associated benefits of homeownership might surprise you.

1. Pride of ownership

You understand the idea of pride of ownership, but maybe you've never actually felt it. You will once you put those keys in the door for the first time. And this doesn't just apply to first-time homebuyers. If you've worked hard, saved well, spent smart, and are able to now move up to the home of your dreams, you'll undoubtedly feel it, too.

"America has a long tradition of homeownership," said the New Jersey Association of REALTORS®. "This country was founded by settlers who braved the wilds, faced the unknown, and claimed a bit of the American countryside for their own. Having a stake in the land upon which we live is rooted in the fabric of the American psyche."

2. It's a do-over

So your old house deteriorated into an outdated mess. Or maybe you earned a reputation for being the grumpy neighbor because you threw one too many fits over dog poop on your lawn. Now you've got a clean slate. Your house can be anything you want it to be, and you can be anyone you want to be—even the friendly, helpful neighbor who sets out poop bags, just in case.

3. Social benefits

Any move brings new opportunities to make new friends and increase your social interaction. But homeownership can also provoke deeper social benefits.

A report from the National Association of REALTORS® found that homeownership positively impacts educational achievement, with homeowners having "a significant effect on their children's success. The decision to stay in school by teenage students is higher for those raised by home-owning parents compared to those in renter households," they said. "Furthermore, daughters of homeowners have a much lower incidence of teenage pregnancy."

Potential reasons for this: "Certain behavioral characteristics required of homeowners that get passed onto their children," such as the financial commitment that leads homeowners "to minimize bad behavior by their children and those of their neighbors that can negatively impact the value of homes in their neighborhood;" homeowners assuming "a greater responsibility such as home maintenance and acquiring the financial skills to handle mortgage payments;" and "neighborhood stability."

An additional study shows that "homeownership has positive effects on the academic achievement of children (with) significant effects of home environment, neighborhood quality, and residential stability on the reading and math performance of children between the ages of three and twelve."

4. Coupons galore

Chances are you've got a laundry list of things you want to do to your new pad. Buying a new house will unleash a cavalcade of junk mail, but in that mess of unwanted refinance offers and insurance information and other nonsense will be all kinds of coupons you can use from big box companies, home décor outlets, window treatment businesses and the like. Go through them carefully and you can fix up your place without spending the equivalent of your down payment.

There are also hundreds of dollars worth of coupons from companies like Best Buy, Lowes, and Bed Bath & Beyond available in the change of address form you fill out at the post office or online.

5. Credit offers

Once you close escrow, your credit score will get a bump and the credit offers will start rolling in. This is great if you're looking to get a new car, do some home improvement projects on credit, or buy some new furniture. By taking advantage of special offers from Home Depot, Best Buy, or furniture stores like Rooms To Go, you can do some updates and spread out your payments over time without accruing interest—if you qualify. Just make sure to keep track of how much you need to pay monthly to take full advantage of the program