Posts by Frank Dowd
Buying or Selling a Home? This is where you’ll get ripped off.
The real estate industry is also famous for excessive junk fees and kickbacks on ancillary services. Negotiating for reduced or waived fees could save you thousands of dollars at the settlement table. Here are the fees to watch out for.
Read Full ArticleALT’s Consumer’s Guide to TRID
TRID: Get an overview of the new regulations that will reform the consumer mortgage and settlement process starting in October 2015.
Read Full ArticleThe Current Real Estate Model Is In DANGER
There are already some big hints at the decline of the traditional real estate model in the consumer’s mind, as over 90% of consumers initiate their home search by looking at online listings. There’s no doubt that the reputation and the relevancy of the entire industry is at stake, and real estate agents and brokers are approaching the crossroads.
Read Full ArticleThere are 4 keys to selling your house. The rest is nonsense.
There are four main ingredients to be successful in selling your house. All of the other nonsense is just personal promotion to justify hefty commissions.
Read Full ArticleAvoid the end of the month for your next real estate closing
Is it better to schedule your closing at the end of the month or the beginning? There’s no monetary advantage either way, but if you avoid the last few days of the month you’ll be much more likely to have a smooth closing.
Read Full ArticleWhen are my real estate taxes officially due?
If you’re moving from Philadelphia to one of the outlying suburbs you’ll need to become familiar with the different real estate related taxes, when they’re due and who collects them. In Philadelphia there’s not much to it. Real estate tax bills are due in January and are based on the calendar year (January 1, to…
Read Full ArticleStart talking money…because I’m not really listening!
Home buyers and sellers want transparency and information from their real estate agent, not a slick sales pitch. So get the price out of the way.
Read Full ArticleCan’t swing a new house because of equity?
Can’t make a move because you have little or zero equity? You have 2 options to consider before giving up or depleting your savings to make it happen.
Read Full ArticleWhat is an Affiliated Business Arrangement (ABA) and are they even legal?
An Affiliated Business Arrangement, a legal way to share profits in the real estate industry, limits consumer choice and drives up the cost of buying a house.
Read Full ArticleThe Battle Over Real Estate Commissions & Fees
When it comes to real estate and automobiles don’t try to distract me with percentages and monthly payment amounts. If you’re selling your $300,000 house, 6% doesn’t sound as expensive as $18,000. As a consumer I want to speak in actual dollars and I don’t want to pay you a penny more than I have to for your services.
Read Full ArticleThe Importance of Your Credit Report
Your credit report plays a key role when you are trying to get a mortgage to buy or refinance a home. Whether your time frame is within the next six months or the next few years, it’s time to look at your credit report and address any issues.
Read Full ArticleMessage for Wells Fargo Settlement Agents
Here is the complete communication that we received in an email from Wells Fargo dated December 10, 2014 for those of you who wish to read it in its entirety: TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure Rule In the September 24 issue of our settlement agent communication, Wells Fargo announced that we would control the generation and delivery…
Read Full ArticleGet Your Home Ready for Halloween
With nearly 42 million potential trick-or-treaters this year, you’ll want to be sure that your home meets the fun and safety standards of today’s eager Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Monster High visitors.
Read Full ArticleSmaller Real Estate Agencies Are Better
When the time comes to buy or sell a home, there are many advantages to enlisting the help of a realtor. They have the education and experience in your local market, can act as buffers between you and the seller’s agent if you’re looking at a home to purchase, and can handle the negotiations and…
Read Full ArticleHomebuyer’s Bill of Rights
Buying a home has changed dramatically over the last few years … or at least it should. Because of the emergence of websites and other Internet-based tools for homebuyers, the game has changed. Today, the homebuyer truly has an ability to be in control of the process. The problem is that many of them don’t…
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