What Your Remodeling Contract Should Say Review your remodeling contract carefully and adjust it to make sure it protects you in terms of payments, work schedules, and project specifications. Read 5 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor You’re ready to remodel but you want to make sure you get the best contractor for the job. Here’s what to ask the candidates before you decide. Read When It Pays to Do It Yourself Doing home-improvement jobs yourself can be a smart way to save money, but choose the right DIY projects or you’ll end up paying dearly. Read Budgeting for a Remodel To calculate how much remodel you can afford, follow these four steps: Ballpark the cost, establish a spending limit, make a wish list, and set your priorities. Read Should You Move or Improve? Whether to move or improve is a harder question to answer than it was a few years ago, but a few cost-benefit calculations can help you make the right deci

If you’re in the market for a home, the world is your oyster. Interest rates are at record lows. Housing prices in many parts of the country are still depressed. And you may be eligible for a generous tax break, even if the home you buy isn’t your first. On Nov. 6, President Obama signed legislation that provides a $6,500 tax credit for some current homeowners who buy another home. The law also extends the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, scheduled to expire Nov. 30, until next spring. A lot of people are interested in taking advantage of this tax break, but the expanded credit also has whipped up a lot of confusion. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions: Q: How do I qualify for the $6,500 credit? A: This credit is available for homebuyers who sign a binding contract on a new or existing home by April 30, 2010, and settle by July 1 (deadlines that also apply to the first-time homebuyer credit). You must have lived in your existing home for five consecutive yea

Welcome to Borgo Syrah Nowhere else in Italy could you discover one location possessing all the allure, splendor and distinction of the high-end custom residences found at Borgo Syrah. This exclusive estate is situated on property of historical significance – land of medieval Italian notability – in Tuscany , a region celebrated for its striking beauty and remarkable art and architecture. Each well-appointed residence bridges traditional Tuscan styling with contemporary elements to produce a setting that is dually magnificent and timeless. Boasting picturesque views of cascading hills, fertile vineyards, lush olive groves, and pristine Italian gardens, this vacation retreat is one supremely alluring destination. Most significant is the fact that the acquisition of a Tuscan villa or private apartment secures all property owners shared ownership of one of the most renowned vineyards in all of Italy – Tenimenti d’Alessandro, a winery producing the renowned Il Bosco and Magliara Syr

Strong property sales in the Sarasota market in October 2009 continued to provide ample evidence of a market in recovery, with overall sales nearly 36 percent higher than October 2008. Total sales stood at 574 in October, compared to 364 total sales in October 2008. The breakdown was 419 single family homes and 155 condos sold last month. The upward trend during the traditionally slower season could be a prelude to a busy fall and winter for local Realtors®. The overall economic recovery from a two-year recession appears to be the primary reason behind the sales spurt, along with the national $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers. That tax credit was extended, and expanded to include many other homebuyers on Nov. 6, so the home buying sales rush could easily continue through the season and into the first quarter of 2010. The median sale price for condominiums also surged during October to $220,000, up 35 percent from last month, but down 36 percent from a year ago. The median

House hunting usually slows down this time of year, as people put their searches on hold during the holidays. This winter could be different, however, thanks to the extension -- and expansion -- of the first-time home-buyer tax credit. "We're going to see far more interest in the fourth quarter than we generally do because of the tax credit," says Heather Fernandez, vice president of Trulia.com, a real-estate search engine. Traffic surged on the site on Nov. 5, the day Congress approved the credit extension, she says. The new law extends the tax credit for first-time home buyers and opens it up to some existing homeowners as well: The credit is now up to $8,000 for first-time buyers and up to $6,500 for repeat buyers. All buyers must have a binding contract on a house in place on or before April 30. The purchase must be for a principal residence and must close on or before June 30. To be considered a first-time home buyer, an individual must not have owned a home in t

To the great relief of many people, both inside and outside the real estate industry, it seems like the worst part of the sagging real estate market could be behind us. It’s dangerous business attempting to foretell market movements (see below) but at least in some areas of the country it does look as if buyers are beginning to come out of their lengthy hibernation. If you are thinking about buying property, here are the top ten problems that you should steer clear of before taking the plunge. 1. Failing to Obtain Home Loan Pre-approval Documentation Getting pre-approval for a home loan is an important first step for potential buyers. Getting a mortgage pre-approval will give you a much better idea of the total loan amount you can readily borrow. Being pre-approved also indicates that you are serious about buying. Most sellers with worthwhile homes won’t even bother considering a purchase offer unless it is accompanied by confirmation of loan pre-approval. Additionally, should any pr

This stylish house is located on a private street a few meters away from Passeig de Gracia, in the heart of Barcelona . 325 built sq.m.on 3 levels and the possibility to enlarge with 100 more sq.m. It has a garden on the front, a big terrace on the top and a big patio on the back. 4 bedrooms + 1 suite and 3 bathrooms. Price: 3.000.000 euro View Larger Map Image by adam79 via Flickr For this or any other properties , please check Premium Properties Sarasota for further information

Holiday Harbor Overview Maps Photos Features Description $225,000 Single Family Home For Sale Main Features 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Interior: 1714 sqft Lot: 27,225 sqft Location 1750 QUESTAR LN Sarasota, FL 34231 Chaim Gleitmann Xena Vallone Realty (941) 312-1214 chaimgleitmann@aol.com http://www.premiumpropertiessarasota.com/ Listed by: Xena Vallone Our recent listings Holiday Harbor Short Sale Short Sale Woodlands Park Charming two bedroom, one bath turnkey furnished condo Subscribe to our listing feed See more Sarasota, FL real estate for sale

Charming two bedroom, one bath turnkey furnished condo Overview Maps Photos Description $114,000 Condominium For Sale Main Features 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom Interior: 723 sqft Location 111 Airport Ave W Venice, FL 34285 Chaim Gleitmann Xena Vallone Realty (941) 312-1214 chaimgleitmann@aol.com http://www.premiumpropertiessarasota.com/ Listed by: Xena Valllone Realty Our recent listings Holiday Harbor Short Sale Short Sale Woodlands Park Charming two bedroom, one bath turnkey furnished condo Subscribe to our listing feed See more Venice, FL real estate for sale

Short sales are not new. Lenders have been doing them for years. However, due to the increase in mortgage delinquency due to our current economic situation, the lenders are now inundated with request for short sales. Bank of America, Chase and Wells Fargo are lenders who have been very slow in their response to short sale request. Chase has indicated that they are still working on request made in June, 2009 and we are now closing in on November, 2009. The original timeframe of 60-90 days is now 90-180 days at minimum. The smaller lenders work more quickly. What’s a shortsale? If you own real property and you owe more on your mortgage then the home would appraise for and you have a hardship, then you may be able to short sale your property. A short sale is when the lender is willing to accept less than the full amount you owe. In order for your lender to consider this option the following must apply: Property must be listed with a realtor and must have a contract based on the compa

Changing or amending one or several aspects of a mortgage agreement is called loan modification . Loan modification is normally used by mortgage companies to help mortgage holders but can be used to alter the terms of any loan or debt obligation. Over the last several years the amount of loan modifications used by home owners has grown exponentially from just a handful to thousands. The reason for the sudden increase in modifications is the current mortgage and financial crisis which has impacted real estate markets across the country. Congress has decided that loan modifications are such a help for desperate homeowners that they are attempting to incentivize mortgage companies to offer them to their customers. Modifications can help amend the terms of a contract to be easier on borrowers . For instance, monthly mortgage payment amounts could be lowered or late penalties reduced. The most common use for loan modifications is to lower monthly payments or interest rates . A number

After years of saving, you are finally ready to purchase a home. You are excited, and have mustered up the courage it takes to make the big step of buying your first home. However, you are nervous because you aren’t sure you know everything you need to know. Here are 7 little known tips that will help you out when purchasing a home for the first time. Title Insurance - If you’ve worried about insurance when you were renting, you should worry about it even more now that you’re going to buy a house. Make sure that the property you’re eyeing has proper title insurance , or get one immediately. It will let you gain rightful ownership of the place. Property Survey - A property survey will let you know what you own and what you don’t. Even if you are planning to move into a well established subdivision, learn how to read a property survey, study it, and make sure there are no unclear areas. Home Inspection - Even if you know a lot about homes, any real estate professional would advise yo

Purchasing a home can be overwhelming and confusing especially for first-time home buyers. Here are some tips to help the home buying consumer obtain the best mortgage . To start, the home buyer should obtain information from several lenders. Real estate home loans are available from several types of lenders; commercial banks, mortgage companies, and credit unions. Each lender may quote you a different price so it is best to contact several lenders to make sure you get the best price. You can usually find information on what lenders are offering on both interest rates and on points in the Real Estate section of your local newspaper or on the Internet. Since this information can change daily make sure you check often. You can also get a real estate home loan through a mortgage broker which handles the transaction but doesn’t actually lend the money directly. They find a lender for you. Since they have access to many lenders you can usually find a wider selection of loan products an

Xena Vallone Realty is a full service, Sarasota area, Real Estate company offering Residential, Commercial, Property Management, Leasing and Land acquisition. Our team of experienced real estate professionals provides unparalleled expertise in the unique qualities and demands of the markets we serve. At the heart of our approach is the belief that every client and every property is special, and we are dedicated to providing careful counsel and personalized guidance throughout every real estate transaction. Xena Vallone and her Associates are committed to “setting the highest standard in the delivery of Real Estate Services.” Our customers: We are driven by our customers' needs. We provide the most professional, informative, loyal and dedicated service in the industry. The best interests of our clients will always come first and we will place the clients' concerns ahead of our own in each and every transaction, as we are dedicated to the development of long-term client relatio

Having a good real estate agent can make sure that you are getting the most out of your real estate experience. Unfortunately, not all real estate agents out there have the qualifications that you may need or could be looking for. to find the best and right real estate agent which will suit your needs in the property market, you need to take a few factors into consideration before you choose a property that would represent you. Before anything else, you should always remember a real estate agent is just like a salesman in a way that he or she is making an attempt to sell someone a house. The agent could be working for either a buyer or a seller, depending on what purpose she was hired for. However, their main mission is still to sell. It is important that you look for real estate agents that have the capacity to sell any property property. This can help put you at ease knowing that the real estate agent that you have selected can do his or her job well, thereby inflating the quantit

Can you be able to save money selling your home by owner or should you go with a real estate agent ? Question Number One: Do you have more vacant time sell it yourself. To think that you have to deal with many obligations such as work, children, family or school. Due to time restraints alone, choosing a realtor to aid in the process of selling your home might be the best choice for you. Question Number Two: Are you knowledgeable about how to sell your home? There are appraisals, contracts, inspections, restrictions about what you can and cannot say to prospective buyers and a mine field of other legal issues. Do you know the things you need to know to price your home correctly and handle the transaction? Question Number Three: Want to save money? You will need to advertise, answer calls, set appointments, show your home, meet with prospective buyers and entertain contracts. You need to shell out money for advertising costs and what is your time worth to you? Question Number Four: Ne

If you are planning on purchasing a home in the next couple of years, the one thing you may be concerned about is coming up with the down payment on your home. Although the down payment is only a percentage of the cost of the home you buy, it can still cost you thousands of dollars. Wondering where you are going to get that kind of money? Here are some easy ways to save for a down payment so you can finally have the home of your dreams. Income Tax Refunds One easy way that you can start saving up for a down payment on your home is to start saving the money from your income tax refunds. Simply fill out the right forms to have more taxes held out of your paycheck each year. You’ll never notice that this money is gone. Each year you’ll get a bigger tax refund and that money can be saved towards a nice down payment on a home. Save Your Raise Did you recently get a raise at work? If not, maybe you should ask for one. If you just had a raise or you are getting a raise, take that extra m

How Do I Pay My Reverse Mortgage Back? You will need to pay your reverse mortgage back when the last survivor moves out of the home or passes away, all borrowers permanently move from the home, you stop paying property taxes or home insurance , or the property deteriorates beyond reasonable wear and tear and you do not resolve the issues. For many retirees, a reverse mortgage can tremendously improve their quality of life. They are helping the older citizens in these states experience improved financial security and enjoy their retirement years the way they had dreamed of. For many retirees, a reverse mortgage can tremendously improve their quality of life. They are helping the older citizens in these states experience improved financial security and enjoy their retirement years the way they had dreamed of. There are no minimum income or credit requirements, but there are other requirements and homeowners should make sure that they qualify for the loan before they invest significa

In a time of financial crisis many individuals find themselves reflecting on their financial situation, especially in regards to the fluctuating housing market . No individual wants to lose their home but the search for solutions to stop foreclosure seem to be limited. Some families are forced to abandon their home while other families are relying on age appropriate individuals to find work and in many cases work more than one job. The worries related to housing foreclosures is very real as the housing market continues to struggle. A method available to help stop foreclosure and protect your family is to find a home loan modification . There are a great deal of benefits when working with a company that offers home loan modification and the following covers only a few of those benefits. There are many issues to consider when looking towards home loan modification as a solution to your housing concerns. They could be seeking to stop foreclosure and protect their home. A job loss or re