Housing affordability is driving many homebuyers back into the housing market, according to a recent study by Realtor.com. Nearly two-thirds of potential homebuyers (65.2%) say they are motivated to buy a home because prices have become more affordable. One in five say foreclosure bargains have prompted them to shop for a new home, and 15.5% say they are motivated to buy soon because they believe prices have hit bottom. The federal government’s $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit was a motivation for 14.6% of those surveyed.
While lower prices are attracting buyers, they’re also prompting one in 10 sellers to delay selling their homes, the study finds. Meanwhile, two-thirds of buyers surveyed say they are not likely to buy a foreclosure in the near future.
Brian Ripp, CRS, GRI, Broker – your Bay Area Realtor
www.BrianRipp.com serving Fremont, Newark, Union City & surrounding communities. Real Estate & Property Management.
Real Estate Market Weekly Update Webcast: http://realtytimes.com/REUv/BrianRipp
Choosing the right lighting fixtures can enhance the beauty of your home, but there are other ways to brighten rooms and make the most of interior light. For example:
- Glossy surfaces tend to reflect light, while matte surfaces absorb light. Replace dark furniture and carpeting with lighter versions that will reflect more light. For a less expensive solution, opt for pale slipcovers and area rugs. Selecting white or neutral shades of paint in a glossy finish for your walls and ceilings will also make your rooms brighter
- Adding mirrors to your home décor also adds light, especially if you hang them directly across from windows.
- Keeping your windows sparkling clean will allow more sunlight into your home and help to open a dark room. You should also remove from windowsills any knickknacks that block your view and replace heavy draperies with sheers to take advantage of natural light.
- If your home still seems dark, you may want to consider adding more windows or installing a skylight.
Brian Ripp, CRS, GRI, Broker – your Bay Area Realtor
www.BrianRipp.com serving Fremont, Newark, Union City & surrounding communities. Real Estate & Property Management.
Real Estate Market Weekly Update Webcast: http://realtytimes.com/REUv/BrianRipp
1. Pay your bills on time. Payment history accounts for roughly 35% of your score. So paying bills on time is the most important thing you can do. If you’re behind, get caught up and then stay current. If you’re struggling, contact your creditors to work out a payment schedule.
2. Increase the length of your credit history. It accounts for 15% of your score. Canceling an old card or getting a lot of new credit within a short time span can hurt your score because it lowers the average age of your accounts.
3. Keep credit card balances low. Credit utilization makes up 30% of your credit score. Try to keep the amount you borrow below 25% of your available credit. Even if you pay off your credit cards every month, the average balance will still impact your score.
4. Minimize new credit requests. They account for 10% of your credit score. Every time a potential lender asks for a copy of your credit report, an inquiry is recorded. If you will be applying for a loan in the near future, don’t apply for any new credit cards beforehand. You can also ask the three main credit reporting agencies-Experian, Equifax, and Trans-Union, to stop unsolicited credit offers.
5. Maintain different types of installment and revolving debt. About 10% of your score depends on the type of credit used. How you handle revolving credit (like credit cards) carries more weight than how you deal with installment debt (such as car loans & mortgages).
Brian Ripp, CRS, GRI, Broker – your Bay Area Realtor www.BrianRipp.com serving Fremont, Newark, Union City & surrounding communities. Real Estate & Property Management.
Real Estate Market Weekly Update Webcast: http://realtytimes.com/REUv/BrianRipp
Commuting to and from the office can mean a lot of time spent in your car. Traffic and rude drivers can be frustrating, but as tempting as it may be to react to these stressful situations, resist the urge to make a bad situation worse with these driver safety rules:
- Follow the rules of the raod. Avoid such dangerous behaviors as speeding, tailgating & erratic lane changes.
- Plan ahead. Give yourself plenty of time for delays.
- Don’t tap your brakes when someone is tailgating you. You might simply be trying to give another driver a friendly reminder not to follow too closely, but it may cause an accident or be interpreted as a hostile act.
- Don’t respond to aggression and don’t make eye contact. Although you may want to tell other drivers how you feel about their driving, there is no way to know another person’s frame of mind, & you don’t want to risk escalating the situation.
- Never get out of your car. A verbal confrontation is not worth the risk of violence. If another driver approaches you, lock your doors & close your windows. If you can drive away, do so. If you have a cell phone call the police.
Brian Ripp, CRS, GRI, Broker – your Bay Area Realtor
www.BrianRipp.com serving Fremont, Newark, Union City & surrounding communities. Real Estate & Property Management.
Real Estate Market Weekly Update Webcast: http://realtytimes.com/REUv/BrianRipp
