Foreclosure Inventory Brings Out Bargain Hunters Says Meridian Real Estate Agent John Espinosa

Meridian, ID – Meridian, Idaho real estate agent John Espinosa says that high foreclosure inventory has brought out bargain hunters looking for good deals on primary residences and investment properties in the Boise area.

According to Espinosa, as the mortgage crisis works its way through the system, and unemployment continues to plague the economy, more Meridian foreclosures end up as bank owned property. He says that means one thing: Lower prices for buyers.

"In this economy, everyone wants to tighten up on debt and reduce their monthly bills. For those who are able to take advantage of what the market is offering, it may actually be cheaper to buy than to rent."

"Meridian real estate buyers have been handed an amazing gift right now in that bank owned inventory has made prices very reasonable. The average buyer can afford twice the house or more compared to several years ago."

He says this is due to the double-impact of lower prices and lower rates. For those who have come out of the economy unscathed by negative credit, extremely low rates and prices combined mean a bigger and better house and more economic security.

Espinosa says many potential buyers might be surprised not only to know they qualify to buy a home, but to know how much home they can afford with today's prices.

"Yes, the economy has been tough in many respects, but I'm optimistic and look at the low prices as a blessing for those who have always thought home ownership was not attainable. They shouldn’t rule it out without talking to me first."

For more information, contact:

John Espinosa
RE/MAX Advantage
5680 E Franklin Rd, Suite 100
Nampa ID 83687
208-484-7837
http://www.meridianidhomes.com

Albuquerque Real Estate Agent Joe Maez Says End of QE2 May Mean End of Record Low Interest Rates

Albuquerque, NM – With the long-anticipated end of the Federal Reserve's so-called QE2 coming at the end of the month, Albuquerque real estate agent Joe Maez says the phasing out of this technique of government-induced low interest rates will likely mean rising mortgage costs for buyers in months ahead. According to Maez, that means buyers need to act now to lock in historically low rates.

While the Fed remains undecided what monetary policy to implement in coming months to nurse the economy along, Maez says they have made clear that they don't intend to pursue QE3, a third round of Quantitative Easing that would seek to artificially lower interest rates.

"If the Fed stands by its previous statements not to engage in QE3, it can only serve to raise interest rates for anyone buying Albuquerque homes. That means the cost of home ownership will go up regardless of what home prices do."

He says that even if home prices stay the same or go down, a rising interest rate environment means buyers get less house for the same monthly payment than they did before.

"If I had been thinking about buying a house but putting it off for whatever reason, rising interest rates would get me off the sidelines. Now is the time to lock in historically cheap money and get into a better home for it."

With the combination of very low rates and home prices for New Mexico real estate, Maez says it's hard to imagine a better buying opportunity for buyers.

"For those sitting on the sidelines, this chance of a lifetime may be going the way of QE2."

For more information, contact:

Joe Maez
New Mexico Real Estate Agent
8100 Wyoming Blvd NE
M4 #234
Albuquerque, NM 87113
505-401-5775

http://www.nmhomesplus.com

Real Estate Agents: Synthetic Lawns Attract Buyers Due to Lower Lifetime Maintenance Costs

San Diego, Calif. – Real estate agents looking for an edge to get their listings sold in arid Southern California might want to recommend synthetic lawns to their clients, according to one analysis.

Scot Wozniak, President of San Diego Lawns, Inc., a San Diego synthetic lawns installation company, says drought-friendly artificial turf is a unique selling point that can really save substantial amounts of money over the lifetime of the product.

"Many people just don't take the time to add up how much money they spend on maintaining their lawns each year. When you add up water costs to the costs of lawn care services, reseeding, and fertilizing, it's a lot of money."

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He says it's possible for an average homeowner to save over $2000 per year on water and lawn maintenance by installing beautiful-looking synthetic grass.

"A synthetic lawn can be all it takes to make one house stick out over another in the minds of buyers."

Wozniak says he provides free cost savings evaluations for customers.

For more information, please contact:

Scot Wozniak
President
San Diego Lawns, Inc.
1035 Surrey Dr
Bonita CA 91902
619-495-0722
http://www.sandiegolawns.com
scot@sdlawns.com

Praxius Launches Mortgage Lender-Agent Collaborative Marketing System For Home Loan Referrals

Amherst, NH - Praxius Technology, a real estate company specializing in mortgage marketing and online lead generation, is launching its Lender-Agent Collaborative Marketing System to help both agents and mortgage loan officers work together to develop new business.

According to Fred Doleac, President of Praxius, lenders have traditionally relied heavily on refinance business, with home purchases making up a smaller source of mortgage leads. Now, because of today's persistently low interest rate environment, he says that most homeowners who were able to refinance already have.

"Lenders have had to wake up to the new reality that in order to survive, they need to have strong relationships with real estate agents, who control more than 80% of home loan referrals. Praxius provides the tools to build those relationships by offering a collaborative marketing system that benefits both lender and agent."

Doleac says Praxius' marketing system is designed to get the loan officer in the door so they can receive home loan referrals of qualified real estate leads.

"The lender controls the marketing system and provides agents with the integration of technology, training, and support so they can effectively compete online for buyers."

He says the Praxius marketing platform is Google friendly and allows agents to post listings, articles and market reports so that they can achieve front page placement on Google. The key for an agent is to be found online and establish relevancy. With years of experience, hours of online videos in our training library, and weekly training webinars, Praxius is the only company that offers this level of expertise."

Schedule a Free Webinar:
http://praxiustech.com/

About Praxius

Praxius is a division of Virtual Homes Real Estate, a New England independent real estate company with agents in 4 states.

Contact Praxius

Fred Doleac
Broker/Owner
Praxius Technology
55 Ponemah Road
Amherst, NH 03031
603-732-1800 or 800-856-2479
603-732-1817 Direct
Fax toll free - 888-884-0543
http://www.praxiustechnology.com/
http://praxiustech.com/

Tight Inventory In Luxury Marco Island Real Estate Market Boosts Interest In High End Homes

As Marco Island home inventory tightens due to historically low prices and interest rates, more buyers are being quietly priced into, rather than out of, the luxury home market, according to local Realtor Mike McCarty of The McCarty Group.

He says steady pricing pressure in recent years due to the mortgage crisis and U.S. economic factors has made luxury Marco Island real estate far more accessible to the average home-buyer than it used to be. This is bringing a new generation of luxury home owners into the market.

"Where we used to see the market regularly pricing people out of the more exclusive properties, we're actually seeing the opposite right now. Buyers are being priced into the luxury market."

McCarty says that it is not difficult any more to qualify for financing on desirable beachfront Marco Island condos, with prices currently starting at $114,300 for a studio and $229,000 for two bedroom beach front condos.

He says that a common question he gets is "How much does $500,000 buy?"

"Detached single family homes on the beach are more limited in supply, with only five on the market at the moment. As a result, they always command a premium, but with the least expensive coming in at $4.1 million, the price is still millions of dollars cheaper than five years ago."

"For single family homes, $500,000 buys over 2400 s.f. with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths in the River neighborhood of Marco Island. For condos, it buys you a luxurious beachfront condo with about 1130 s.f. and 2 bedrooms and 2 baths."

For those considering buying a luxury property, McCarty says the already low interest rates reached new lows this week, falling to a national average of 4.59% according to Yahoo Finance.

"When I look at the market, I see amazing deals everywhere. There's never been a better time to buy Marco Island homes."

For more information:

Mike & Wendy McCarty
The McCarty Group
Keller Williams Realty
713 Bald Eagle Dr
Marco Island, FL 34145
239.970.3250 
877 804-0577 toll free

Naples and Marco Island Real Estate:
http://www.mccartyflorida.com

Mt Hood Real Estate Agent Launches Photo Rich Website With Real Estate Search Engine

Mt. Hood, OR – Blythe Creek, a longtime resident of Mt. Hood and local real estate agent, has launched a new website with photos of the mountain along with state of the art real estate search tools.

According to Creek, the website is the culmination of years of experience representing buyers and sellers in real estate transactions on Mount Hood.

"For buyers interested in Mt. Hood real estate, our website helps provide useful information about the different towns and neighborhoods that make up this wonderful community. We provide photos, history, and of course, real estate listings so they can find their dream home."

She says the community is made up of both year-round and seasonal residents. Some live and work in Portland, but have found the perfect Mt. Hood cabin for their family getaways in the summer, or ski trips in the winter.

"Many of our seasonal residents who were introduced to the area when they bought a Mt. Hood vacation home, eventually decided to live here full-time. It is a wonderful place to live."

Creek says her new website at http://www.mthoodrealestate.net provides photos and detailed real estate search tools to help prospective residents find the perfect property.

"Whether a buyer is looking for a creek-front cabin or acreage for their horses, MtHoodRealEstate.net will help them find it."

About Blythe Creek

As a long time resident of Mt. Hood, Blythe Creek knows not only the people, towns, and neighborhoods, but the hiking trails and many breathtaking views available to Mt. Hood residents. She will be your guide to finding your dream home on the mountain, whether you are looking for a seasonal vacation home or a year-round residence.

Blythe Creek
Merit Properties, Inc.
P.O. Box 380
Welches, OR 97067
503-706-7101
http://www.mthoodrealestate.net

Do It Yourself Property Management Costs Owners More Money Says Mountain View Real Estate Manager

Mountain View, Calif. - Doing it yourself may not pay off when it comes to investment property management, says long timeMountain View property manager Jerry Garrity of First Statewide Realty.

According to Garrity, whose experience in Mountain View property management spans over 21 years, statistics show that most owners who try to save money by handling management tasks themselves actually end up losing money. He says there is a lot more involved in managing rental property than most new investors realize.

"First and foremost, good property managers have a lot of experience screening renters to get the best ones. If this isn't done well, than nothing else matters."

After that, Garrity says there are many important things that a professional management company does on a monthly basis, such as collect rents, keep the home maintained properly, and keep costs at a minimum.

“Experienced real estate investors use experienced property managers for one reason: Because it makes financial sense.”

He says that since many property owners are new investors as a result of circumstances in the housing market or a job relocation, many make the mistake of underestimating the value of good property management techniques that come only by experience.

"Managing real estate involves coordinating people, money, time, and other resources. As a result, a property manager in Mountain View like First Statewide Realty, which has the benefit of 21 years of experience in the field, actually makes their clients money."

Garrity says that there is nothing wrong with the do-it-yourself attitude in life, but notes that there is a reason seasoned investors are not do-it-yourself-ers when it comes to property management.

"Experienced real estate investors use experienced property managers for one reason: Because it makes financial sense."

About First Statewide Realty

First Statewide Realty is a professional Mountain View property management company specializing in quality single family homes, condominiums, town houses and other investment property in the greater San Jose metropolitan area. The Cupertino property management firm has been in business for over 21 years, and is a member of the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors, Silicon Valley Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, California Association of Realtors, Tri-County Apartment Association and National Association of Residential Property Managers.

Contact:

Jerry Garrity
First Statewide Realty
20045 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Suite 2-D
Cupertino, CA 95014
Tel: 408-253-1000
Lic#: 01036982
Email: investments@firststatewiderealty.com
http://www.firststatewiderealty.com