RE/MAX's founder Dave Liniger talks about housing & the economy on CNBC. Are you aware that there's a debt forgiveness act that will expire at the end of 2012? I'm not an accountant, or an attorney - however, this act helps people who sell their home through the short sale process. When the bank takes a loss, they 1099 the homeowner and the amount of the loss is then taxable income to the homeowner - who is already financially distressed. For most people, that could result in a huge tax burden - further digging them deeper in the hole. I think Dave Liniger is on point in this video. Maybe he should run for president!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Why a real estate agent is part of your home search
Hello! Over the years as a real estate agent I have heard numerous questions from home buyers as in why not call a listing broker directly to see a home you may want to buy? "Why do I still need a buyer's real estate agent?"
Here are some quick thoughts for your consideration....
Experienced, personalized search for a home, not just a house.
Searching for a home online via Trulia or Realtor.com is usually the first step for most home buyers. What may not be so obvious is personalization and customization of your search. Data can help you look for specifications of a house. However are you searching for a home, or a house? As a REALTOR specializing in the local communities of Andover, Chelmsford, Lowell, Billerica, my team knows the communities. A community where you will raise your kids, drive to work, meet new neighbors and friends and build your life. We offer a conversation and listen to your needs that a database cannot. That is a full time job for my team of agents, to help you throughout the entire process. We help you get your loan approved, we put contingencies in place to protect your deposit, we stay on top of all deadlines and ultimately help you get your loan approved; but it doesn't end there. We're a source of referrals for professionals from decorators, painters, handy help, you name it - we have a connection and a recommendation. When interest rates change, we'll let you know if you should consider refinancing, and offer advice on who may help you. We're your Realtors for life. We're not just in it to earn a commission. We're in this business to help you and your friends and families and to earn your trust.
When you want to buy a home, we will scrub the list of everything on the market and send you only the listings that meet your needs and wants. You won't be bombarded with homes we know you will have no interest in. We save you the time by doing the work for you. All we ask is that you drive by the home to make sure the neighborhood and location suits you and if you still like it, we will set the appointment to see the inside and we'll usually have the "inside scoop" before we even get to the home. Why is that important? That is the second and more important service we offer....
Trust and Negotiation.
Experience in negotiating an offer, and having the background about the community and home to best position you in a win- win situation. Sometimes it is not the price or the offer, it is how smoothly the transaction will go through. By listening to the seller and the agent and understanding the real triggers that cause action - accept a meaningful offer, though it may not be the highest. Negotiation involves more than just back and forth emailing of documents - it is understanding what will it take to make it work. As a client, you have entrusted my team to search and negotiate a home for you. We honor and respect that trust. On more than one occassion, my clients have secured the houses they wanted, in multiple offer situations, where my clients didn't necessarily have the highest offer and were not in the best cash position. My clients, however, got their house because of me according to the other agent. We're not just negotiating the price of the house. As your agent, I am selling you to the other party and their agent. I am selling myself to the other party and agent - I need to be the agent they want to work with. Being the pushy, aggressive agent makes them think I am going to be a nightmare to work with. I'm aggressive, but with honey and not vinegar. I show them my track record and let them know I am experienced enough to overcome almost any challenge that comes your way.
Negotiation is respectful and a pleasant experience, and a win for all parties. It is having a vested stake in the local community where you are building your life and running into your clients and having them thank you. It is having the experience to identify upfront deal breakers so there are no last minute surprises that can ruin your the chances of owning your home of choice. Below are some statistics on how we out-perform other buyer's agents by negotiating lower prices on behalf of our buyer clients.
Ethics and Professional code of conduct.
Are you looking for a deal chaser or a team of professionals? Having a team and a network of agents, mortgage consultants, home inspectors and decorators working with you means that we have our professional reputation at stake, and for longevity in a fast paced business like real estate, the ethics and standards of professional conduct matter to our team, and to you. My team's professional reputation is what we build our business on.
And finally, you work with REALTORS because of....
Results and Performance from RE/MAX Prestige.
Below are my performance statistics as tracked by RE/MAX of New England. I am proud to be part of the RE/MAX PRESTIGE team covering Chelmsford, Dracut, Billerica, Concord and Andover . Our CEO of RE/MAX, International is a board member of the Kansas City Federal Reserve and is active in leading our training and providing our agents with cutting edge tools to serve you.
.jpg)
The Christina Lazrak Real Estate team based in Chelmsford, MA look forward to serving you and your family, with the home of your dreams! We are working hard to claim the #1 spot!
Please call (978)935-9668 so we can help you with your home search now. You can also visit my listings at www.christinalazrak.com
Here are some quick thoughts for your consideration....
Experienced, personalized search for a home, not just a house.
Searching for a home online via Trulia or Realtor.com is usually the first step for most home buyers. What may not be so obvious is personalization and customization of your search. Data can help you look for specifications of a house. However are you searching for a home, or a house? As a REALTOR specializing in the local communities of Andover, Chelmsford, Lowell, Billerica, my team knows the communities. A community where you will raise your kids, drive to work, meet new neighbors and friends and build your life. We offer a conversation and listen to your needs that a database cannot. That is a full time job for my team of agents, to help you throughout the entire process. We help you get your loan approved, we put contingencies in place to protect your deposit, we stay on top of all deadlines and ultimately help you get your loan approved; but it doesn't end there. We're a source of referrals for professionals from decorators, painters, handy help, you name it - we have a connection and a recommendation. When interest rates change, we'll let you know if you should consider refinancing, and offer advice on who may help you. We're your Realtors for life. We're not just in it to earn a commission. We're in this business to help you and your friends and families and to earn your trust.
When you want to buy a home, we will scrub the list of everything on the market and send you only the listings that meet your needs and wants. You won't be bombarded with homes we know you will have no interest in. We save you the time by doing the work for you. All we ask is that you drive by the home to make sure the neighborhood and location suits you and if you still like it, we will set the appointment to see the inside and we'll usually have the "inside scoop" before we even get to the home. Why is that important? That is the second and more important service we offer....
Trust and Negotiation.
Experience in negotiating an offer, and having the background about the community and home to best position you in a win- win situation. Sometimes it is not the price or the offer, it is how smoothly the transaction will go through. By listening to the seller and the agent and understanding the real triggers that cause action - accept a meaningful offer, though it may not be the highest. Negotiation involves more than just back and forth emailing of documents - it is understanding what will it take to make it work. As a client, you have entrusted my team to search and negotiate a home for you. We honor and respect that trust. On more than one occassion, my clients have secured the houses they wanted, in multiple offer situations, where my clients didn't necessarily have the highest offer and were not in the best cash position. My clients, however, got their house because of me according to the other agent. We're not just negotiating the price of the house. As your agent, I am selling you to the other party and their agent. I am selling myself to the other party and agent - I need to be the agent they want to work with. Being the pushy, aggressive agent makes them think I am going to be a nightmare to work with. I'm aggressive, but with honey and not vinegar. I show them my track record and let them know I am experienced enough to overcome almost any challenge that comes your way.
Negotiation is respectful and a pleasant experience, and a win for all parties. It is having a vested stake in the local community where you are building your life and running into your clients and having them thank you. It is having the experience to identify upfront deal breakers so there are no last minute surprises that can ruin your the chances of owning your home of choice. Below are some statistics on how we out-perform other buyer's agents by negotiating lower prices on behalf of our buyer clients.
Ethics and Professional code of conduct.
Are you looking for a deal chaser or a team of professionals? Having a team and a network of agents, mortgage consultants, home inspectors and decorators working with you means that we have our professional reputation at stake, and for longevity in a fast paced business like real estate, the ethics and standards of professional conduct matter to our team, and to you. My team's professional reputation is what we build our business on.
Results and Performance from RE/MAX Prestige.
Below are my performance statistics as tracked by RE/MAX of New England. I am proud to be part of the RE/MAX PRESTIGE team covering Chelmsford, Dracut, Billerica, Concord and Andover . Our CEO of RE/MAX, International is a board member of the Kansas City Federal Reserve and is active in leading our training and providing our agents with cutting edge tools to serve you.
The Christina Lazrak Real Estate team based in Chelmsford, MA look forward to serving you and your family, with the home of your dreams! We are working hard to claim the #1 spot!
Friday, October 12, 2012
Custom Colonial in Lowell, 30 Juniper Street
Call Christina Lazrak or Kathy Johnson (978)935-9668 to schedule showing or email me at Christina.Lazrak@remax.net. For additional listings in Lowell, Chelmsford, Ayer see my listings at. www.christinalazrak.com
Elegance at its finest! Conveniently Located near Rte 495, this Custom Colonial gives you all the space you need, inside & out, while not tying you down every weekend w/ yardwork. Enjoy the privacy of your backyard on the modern low deck w/ firepit. Inside is a beautiful mix of hardwood floors, tile & new upgraded modern carpet. A "To Die For" Master Suite, Bath & Closet. Call to hear about the current special incentives. (3 Bed, 2.5 Bath, 2400+/- SF, 2 Car Garage, 7000SF Lot, Built 2006)
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Gorgeous Golf Townhome listing MLS 71390774 in Billerica, MA
Immaculate Townhome for sale minutes from Swanson Meadows Golf course with club dinning and amenities in Billerica near Chelmsford, MA. More details are here in the property listing or feel free to contact myself at www.christinalazrak.com. Thank you from the Christina Lazrak Team www.christinalazrak.com
Chelmsford Condo for Sale - FHA approved complex !
Convenient access to major freeway, shopping and restaurants in Chelmsford with a pool and a clubhouse!
REALTORS and interested buyers please contact Christina Lazrak in Chelmsford at (978)935-9668 or visit www.christinalazrak.com for property listings and description.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Gorgeous Billerica Golf Condo for sale - Christina Lazrak Listing
Gorgeous Golf Community with easy access ! Enjoy the lifestyle this condo will afford you. Play a round of Golf, Stop at the 10th hole for a drink and dinner before strolling back to your new home. Located on the private side of the complex, relax w/ a bbq on the patio and you will not worry about getting hit by balls!
The finished attic doubles as the perfect home gym and/or media room! Bringing in the groceries is a breeze from the garage in this townhouseTo arrange a showing please contact Christina Lazrak (978) 935-9668 or click here for property details
The finished attic doubles as the perfect home gym and/or media room! Bringing in the groceries is a breeze from the garage in this townhouseTo arrange a showing please contact Christina Lazrak (978) 935-9668 or click here for property details
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Some tips and suggestions if you listing or buying your next Chelmsford, MA home
As a REALTOR in Chelmsford, I see a variety of homes, clients and buyers, and listen to their feedback. Here are some tips and suggestions if you are preparing to list or stage your Chelmsford home or condo:
Great advice from REALTY TIMES on what to do if you are preparing to sell your home or condo. Organize, declutter, clean, repair, inspect and stage! And get a great REALTOR to represent you in Chelmsford. and sell your single family or condo quickly. The article left that out but I wont!
As a REALTOR in Chelmsford, MA area where I grew up, I know you wont get this from me !
You might want to think about preparing your home for this!
Take a look at what renovation can do for your home or condo in Chelmsford! Here is a good example of a condo well renovated for sale.
More staging ideas for you as you prepare to sell your home or just decorating because you can! Look at what you can do with pillows. Gorgeous ideas from honeywerehome!
Here is another idea for adding color in the kitchen from Honey We're home.
New video series on listing and buying your single family home in Chelmsford
Christina Lazrak, real estate agent in Chelmsford and Paul Godbout, sales manager of Home Loan Investment Bank in the Merrimack Valley area are kicking off a video series on listing and buying your home in Chelmsford, Concord, MA area.
If you have any questions regarding listing your Chelmsford properties or how to gain more visibility in your real estate listings for Concord, MA please contact Christina Lazrak at (978) 935-9668 or Paul Godbout at (603)365-7973. We look forward to assisting you with your mortgage and home buying needs in Chelmsford.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
REALTOR Christina Lazrak Real Estate Week in Review Chelmsford, Concord, MA
As your Chelmsford and Concord RE/MAX Prestige real estate agent, Christina Lazrak is happy to present a synopsis of real estate news making the markets for Chelmsford real estate investors and homeowners in the Billerica,Tewksbury Concord area. The one word we know our clients like to here is "Home SOLD !"
As a real estate agent specializing in for Chelmsford properties and codos for sale, and Billerica homes and condos for sale as well as Concord, I am often asked by both investors and homeowners to share the latest news and insight on what I see out there in the property markets from Somerville, MA to Chelmsford, MA. And more often that not, how to make national events localized for the Chelmsford, Concord community of home buyers. As your REALTOR of choice in Chelmsford, I strongly encourage you to do your homework on properties and open houses, as well as MLS listings that I will send to you.
Below is a slide presentation of this week's news, homes and condos for sale that may affect home buyers and investors in the Chelmsford to Concord , Mass area together with mortgage news. As a real estate agent for the Chelmsford, Concord, Billerica community I am happy to present this report for home owners. We will also feature mortgage, credit lending and how to improve your FICO score for the home buying and mortgage approval process for Chelmsford, Tewksbury and Concord, MA home buyers. For home listings, condos for sale, and open house news for the Chelmsford and Concord Area, please click on my web site here. When you search for real estate agents in Chelmsford or REALTORS in Concord, please consider my services, Thank you. Christina Lazrak.
As a real estate agent specializing in for Chelmsford properties and codos for sale, and Billerica homes and condos for sale as well as Concord, I am often asked by both investors and homeowners to share the latest news and insight on what I see out there in the property markets from Somerville, MA to Chelmsford, MA. And more often that not, how to make national events localized for the Chelmsford, Concord community of home buyers. As your REALTOR of choice in Chelmsford, I strongly encourage you to do your homework on properties and open houses, as well as MLS listings that I will send to you.
Below is a slide presentation of this week's news, homes and condos for sale that may affect home buyers and investors in the Chelmsford to Concord , Mass area together with mortgage news. As a real estate agent for the Chelmsford, Concord, Billerica community I am happy to present this report for home owners. We will also feature mortgage, credit lending and how to improve your FICO score for the home buying and mortgage approval process for Chelmsford, Tewksbury and Concord, MA home buyers. For home listings, condos for sale, and open house news for the Chelmsford and Concord Area, please click on my web site here. When you search for real estate agents in Chelmsford or REALTORS in Concord, please consider my services, Thank you. Christina Lazrak.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
REALTOR Christina Lazrak - Chelmsford, MA # 28 Best Places to live
Did you know the following about Chelmsford, MA ? As a native raised in Tewksbury, I am so proud that Chelmsford made the top 30 of places to live! What a treat to be a Chelmsford homeowner. For those looking to move to Chelmsford, here are some additional statistics on Chelmsford . As a REALTOR for Chelmsford, I will be glad to help in any way!
From CNN best Small Towns in America -
WINNER
Located between the charming (but expensive) town of Concord and the faded industrial center of Lowell, Chelmsford offers a middle ground that appeals to many: a well-preserved historic community that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Single-family homes can be had for as little as $250,000, reasonable for the greater Boston area. The schools are strong. Kronos, a 3,000-employee software and services company, is headquartered here. And Chelmsford has a newly built arts center that often hosts community events. --N.D.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Northeast Association of REALTORS on Chelmsford Homes & New England Housing
Here is the National Association of REALTORS presentation on Housing Market that can impact Chelmsford, Concord, Lowell homeowners and buyers. Please contact me if you have questions regarding listing and looking for a home in the Chelsmford, Concord, Lowell area. Chelmsford, MA was #28 on CNN's list of Top 100 best places to live. I have a team of decorators, loan consultants that may be of service to your housing needs.
CLICK : NAR Presentaion on New England outlook
Real Estate Market Getting More Competitive Chelmsford, Boston, Lowell
Real Estate Market Getting More Competitive « CBS Boston with video
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Chelmfsord Homeowners Real Estate Information for MA-01824
Chelmsford Homeowners - Low-ball offers on homes for sale ebbing in some markets
A year ago, according to researchers at the National Assn. of Realtors, 1 out of 10 members surveyed in a monthly poll complained about low-ball offers on houses listed for sale. In the latest survey — conducted during March among a sample of 4,500 agents and brokers across the country and not yet released — there were hardly any. However the comments has shifted to declining inventory levels — fewer houses available to sell — and multiple offers on well-priced listings.
A low-ball offer typically involves a contract submitted to a seller where the price proposed by the purchaser is 25% or more below list. Low-ball offers increase sharply when there's a glut of properties available, asking prices are out of sync with local economic realities and values are depressed or uncertain. Are you seeing this in the Chelmsford, Tewksbury nieghborhood?
Beautiful condo in Chelmfsford , MA 01824
Please contact Christina Lazrak for information regarding this property in Chelmsford, MA 01824. Perfect starter home for a young family, convenient access to freeways and shopping.
Remodeling tips for Chelmsford, Lowell Homeowners
Remodeling activity is expected to pick up A according to our own Harvard based Joint Center for Housing Studies Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) Stronger pending home sales and continuing low interest rates are contributing to the rise. The LIRA projects annual spending will see healthy growth in 2012, ending the year up 5.9 percent. Get a head start on the remodeling projects Chelmsford Homeowners, whether you are selling or staying! More on home remodeling activity here
Here are the Q&A on remodeling for the talented do it yourself types :Covering exposed rafters with plywood panels - The Boston Globe
Saturday, April 21, 2012
9 mistakes to avoid in your Chelmsford home Mortgage Application
Very often, I am approached by Chelmsford condos and home buyers, and hear that their mortgage application was rejected. Often times, these Chelmsford homeowners were pretty sure they had the paper work in order and were busy browsing through the Chelmsford open houses and property listings. Then, they recieve the news about their mortgage.
Why was your loan application turned down ? Here are some common mistakes to avoid in your mortgage application. contact me if you need some assistance with your application process or selecting a loan consultant that can help you.
Nine Mortgage Mistakes to Avoid | Fox Business
Friday, April 20, 2012
Spring cleaning tips from Christina Lazrak
Hello Chelmsford Homeowners !
Spring is here and its time to look at updating the look, feel and functionality of your home. Here are some tips and suggestions, that would not cost a lot, but may well improve the value of your home. I have a list of maintenance and"handy man" type vendors, interior decorators and stagers that can help! So feel free to Contact me - In the meantime aside from Spring cleaning, here are some ways to update your home from Boston. com
10 ways to update your home without breaking the bank - Boston.com
Borrower behavior with Mortgages - Chelmsford homeowners beware !
A recent study conducted by TransUnion has revealed that, when faced with credit card, auto loan, and mortgage debt, the typical troubled borrower is most likely to let their mortgage payments slip. Four million indebted borrowers were surveyed (that's a lot of dinner-time phone calls!), and a mere 9.5% of those were delinquent on auto loans, while 17.3% were delinquent on credit card payments. Nearly 40% of the borrowers polled were behind on their mortgage, opting instead to pay auto and credit card loans.
A typical loan regardless of its purpose took 42 days to close in March, about the same as in February but down three to five days from December. The majority of loans that went through Ellie Mae were 30-year fixed-rate loans but 20% were 15 year and about 4% were ARMs. The average loan closed in March had a FICO score of 749, an LTV of 77% and a DTI of 23/35. (Loans that were denied had an average FICO of 699, 85% LTV, and a DTI of 27/43.)
More from Mortgage News Daily
Chelmsford Realtor Christina Lazrak :Mortgage mistakes to avoid
Wondering why your loan application was turned down ?Here are some common mistakes to avoid in your mortgage application. contact me if you need some assistance with your application process or selecting a loan consultant that can help you.
Nine Mortgage Mistakes to Avoid | Fox Business
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)