Thursday, September 4, 2008

SharpBuyers.com Closes first deal in East Bridgewater Massachusetts

We are happy to announce that SharpBuyers.com has recently closed its first deal in East Bridgewater Massachusetts. The SharpBuyers.com system will surely revolutionize East Bridgewater real estate. The buyer saved over $5000.00 at closing. This is the third Buyer we have worked with in Massachusetts and we are continuing our growth day by day. The goal is to make SharpBuyers.com a local household name in all of Massachusetts and to change the boring run of the mill Massachusetts real estate landscape by adding something additional value through real estate rebates along wit exceptional service. SharpBuyers.com only represents buyers and we are one of the first Massachusetts real estate companies to connect buyers to real estate brokers who will pay their closing costs. This is truly a win win for Massachusetts’s homebuyers.

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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Today's Buyers, Tomorrow's Winners

With the current mortgage crisis and adjustable rate mortgages valued in the trillions still waiting to adjust in 2008, the mortgagee fiasco will continue to drive property values downward. With that said, it is important to focus on how this will benefit investors and homebuyers alike that decide to buy during this declining market. Many people don't know this but more American became millionaires during the great depression than any other time in American history. This happened because people became desperate for cash and became relatively irrational by selling their land and for pennies on the dollar. This was obviously an extreme case but in today’s real estate market we can see glimpses of this same mentality. With so many distressed properties on the market investors and buyers alike are able to leverage the current market conditions into getting great deals and bargains that haven't been seen in over 10 years in some markets such as Arizona and California. The banks are desperate to unload these properties while sellers who are forced to sell in this market must reduce their prices to compete with all of the below market distressed homes. So have we seen the bottom yet? I don't think so. Many of the 100% adjustable rate mortgages have not adjusted yet, and as a result we will see more buyer that cannot refinance due to their homes being worth less than what they purchased them for. This market may not turn around until 2011-2012, roughly 5 years after the peak. Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: Today’s buyers will be the big winners of tomorrow. SharpBuyers.com will sweeten the deal even more by providing a real estate rebate of up to 50% of the commission to the buyer at closing.

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Thursday, June 5, 2008

SharpBuyers.com - Get A Gas Rebate!

As oil prices continue to rise, consumers are looking for ways to increase their savings at the pump. Gas prices are hitting historic highs and many consumers are beginning to panic. More and more people are using public transportation and alternatives such as biking or walking. One way that consumers can save is through real estate rebates. Everyone can benefit from real estate rebates. Anyone who refers a home buyer to SharpBuyers.com that results in a closing will receive $100 that you can use for anything you'd like including gas. Home buyers that go through SharpBuyers.com will receive a real estate rebate worth thousands of dollars. We may not be able to reduce gas prices but we can help everyone make a little extra cash to ease the burdens imposed by a difficult economy.

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Wednesday, May 28, 2008

SharpBuyers.com Enters Phoenix Arizona

As sharpbuyers continues to grow, it is getting more and more exciting. We have recently entered into Phoenix Arizona and anticipate a significant amount of business in Arizona as a whole. When my business partner and I started 9 months ago we didn't realize how fast SharpBuyers would grow on a national level. To our surprise we have had a significant amount of interest from buyers in several major cities, including Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and most recently Phoenix. The key to our success thus far is making it as easy as possible for home buyers to find us on the web. Think about it, as a home buyer, you get full service representation and a real estate rebate just because you used sharpbuyers.com. Obviously, tech savvy buyers stand to benefit the greatest because they will probably do more research on their own, but even if a buyer requires full service they still get a commission rebate. Closing costs are very expensive it only makes sense that home buyers purchase real estate using a rebate to help with these or any other costs associated with purchasing a home. Real estate rebates are the industries best kept secret, but I plan on getting the word out in a big way.
Posted By Robert Nichols

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Saturday, May 10, 2008

SharpBuyers.com Adds Home Buyer Tools

Sharpbuyers.com is dedicated to educating home buyers by providing information and resources that are vital to helping home buyers better understand the home buying process. In our efforts to provide buyers with more data, Sharpbuyers.com has added a home buyer's tools page to the SharpBuyers.com website. The SharpBuyers.com home buyer's tools include a 10 step home buyers guide, links to local information about neighborhoods, schools, mortgage pre-approval, moving solutions and a mortgage calculator. We have also provided a link to the department of justice real estate rebate page where consumers can find information about real estate rebates. Sharpbuyers.com connects buyers to local Realtors who provide quality service and a rebate that can be used towards closing costs!

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Thursday, May 8, 2008

Sharpbuyers.com 10 Steps To Buying A Home

How to Buy a home Step By Step

For most people, purchasing real estate will be the biggest investment they will ever make. It is a decision that will have lifelong implications. These effects can be either positive or negative. This is why it is important to understand the key factors to consider before purchasing real estate. As a result, SharpBuyers.com has provided this 10-step guide to give you some insight about the home buying process.

Step#1 - Figure Out How Much You Can Afford

To find out how much you can afford, it is best to speak with a Mortgage Professional. I would advise that you go your primary bank first. Your primary bank is an institution you can trust and they should be able to answer all of your questions about financing. You can also talk to a Mortgage Broker. To find a good mortgage broker you should consult with you friends and/or family who currently own a home. After talking to a Mortgage Professional you will know weather or not you need a down payment, how much of a down payment you will need, your potential interest rate and all of the necessary criteria required to qualify for a loan. Once you choose your lender and provide them with the necessary documentation, you will be given a Pre-Approval Letter that states how much you can afford, your interest rate and the terms of the loan. Key Points: 1. Not all Lenders are created equal so it is a good idea to shop around. 2. Make sure you are given a Pre-Approval letter not a Pre-Qualification letter. 3. Beware of the bait and switch technique. This is when lenders get your attention by advertising an attractive interest rate only to increase it after you are locked in.

Step#2 - Choosing the Right Property For You

The decision of what type of real estate you purchase will consists primarily of , how much you can afford and your reasons for buying. After consulting with a lender, you will know what you can afford in terms of a Condo, Single Family Home, or a Multi-Family property. The questions you should ask yourself is "What are my goals for my real estate purchase?" This will help you better define what type of property suits your needs. The financial commitment is significant, and not every property fits the needs of its potential suitor, so it is important that you consider the goals for your real estate purchase, both short term and long term. For example if it is going to be your primary residence, you want to make sure it can comfortably accommodate your current and future family i.e. children or in-laws. If the market takes an unfavorable turn and it become difficult to sell then you can still live comfortably in your home until the market recovers. Key Points: Always consider the short term and Long term goals of your real estate purchase. It all stars with your reasons for purchasing real estate.

Step#3 - Finding a Home

Now that you understand the lending process and have narrowed down the type of property you are looking for, its time to start looking. So where do you start? I would recommend finding a local real estate professional. For help finding a realtor, log on to SharpBuyers.com. The best part about this is that it is free. You will have professional representation at no cost to you, and it will surely make the process a lot smoother. Buyers Agents are paid at closing by the seller. The total commission is split between the buyer's agent and the listing agent. If you choose a buyers agent through SharpBuyers.com, you can receive up to 50% of their commission at closing. It is truly the best of both worlds. Professional representation and money in your pocket. Key Points: It is best to hire a Buyer's Agent. It is free and it will save you time and money in the process. SharpBuyers.com will refer you to a local real estate agent that will provide professional assistance and a real estate rebate at closing!

Step#4 - Attorney or No Attorney?

As a real estate professional I would strongly advise all buyers to seek the advice of an attorney before entering into any negotiations. Real estate brokers and agents are professionals at finding an ideal home and negotiating the terms, but attorneys are experts at reviewing and explaining contracts. As a result, it is best to have an attorney review all contracts before entering into any agreements with the seller. The best way to find a good attorney is to ask your real estate agent. Real estate agents regularly work with a number of attorneys in many different capacities and know which attorneys will be best based on your specific needs. It is in the agent's best interest to recommend an attorney that they know is competent, trust worthy and focused on protecting their clients interest.

Step#5 - Your Offer, Negotion 101

Before placing an offer on a home you should know how much it is worth to ensure the listing price is in line with the actual value. Ask your agent to provide you with a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis). A CMA compares homes based on size, location, condition and several other factors to estimate the value real estate in a given area. As a result you will see what similar homes have recently sold for. This will give you a better understanding of the market and help you to better gauge your offer. It is also important to understand that everything is negotiable. For example if you see any furniture, appliances, a chandelier or anything that you like, include it in the offer. This strategy can sometimes give buyers more leverage when negotiating. Even if the seller does not want to sell their personal property, it gives you the buyer an additional negotiating point. It also is important to include contingencies in the offer as well. The most common types of contingencies are a mortgage contingency and an inspection contingency.

Step#6 - Home Inspection

A home inspection is an essential part of the home buying process. Every buyer has a right to have a home inspection and I highly advise buyers to take advantage of that right, even if it is new construction. It is best to ask your agent to provide you with a recommendation for an inspector. They work with multiple inspectors and will likely refer you to an inspector that is right for your needs. Purchasing real estate is the most significant investment many people will make during the course of their lives. A home inspection will validate that you are investing in a good home or uncover significant defects that you would otherwise not have known about until moving into the home. It is far more valuable to know what you are buying before you buy, then to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into a property that is not worth it. So what happens when defects are discovered by the inspector? In most instances the buyer and seller come to a mutual agreement on how to deal with the issues. Sometimes the seller may agree to take care of the issues. In other instances the buyer may assume the responsibility for a discount in the price. It really just depends on the specifics of the defects. As a buyer, it is best to know as much about your home before you purchase it as possible.

Step#7 - Mortgage Application

Once of all the terms are finalized following the home inspection, it is now time to complete your mortgage application. The first step would be to inform your lender or bank that you have signed a P&S (Purchase and Sale Agreement). They will ask for a signed copy of the P&S along with other financial documents needed to complete your loan application. It is important to get this application in as soon as possible so the bank has as ample time to process your application. In accordance with the P&S, the bank must provide the buyer with a commitment letter or a declination letter by a specific date. The commitment letter states that the bank is going to give you the loan. The declination letter states that you have been declined for the loan and cannot purchase the property. If the lender does not supply this, they buyer runs the risk of forfeiting their deposit if they are not approved or declined for the loan within the given time. If you need more clarification on this, ask your real estate agent. Key Points: Make sure the your lender supplies you with a commitment or declination letter before the commitment date. If not you could end up losing thousands of dollars.

Step#8 Insurance Binder

After the bank provides a commitment letter, the only additional requirement is the insurance binder. Before the bank can complete the loan the buyer must purchase home owners insurance. It is best to get three quotes when shopping around for home owners insurance. The first quote should come from the provider of your car insurance. In many instances the insurance company will give you a discount for insuring your home and automobile with the same provider. You should also gets recommendation from friends & family and your Realtor. These are all sources that you can trust and it will insure you get the best. The insurance binder is then sent to the lender prior to closing. Now the funds are all set to be released on the specified closing date.

Step#9 - Reviewing The Settlement Statement

1-2 Days before you close, the closing attorney, who represents the bank lending you the funds, will provide you and the seller with a settlement statement (also called a HUD) for your review. It is important that you, your attorney and your Realtor review the charges, fees and adjustments to ensure everything is correct. The HUD will have all of the information such as the closing costs, tax adjustments, utility adjustments your real estate rebate and several other fees. It will also state the amount you need to bring to closing. Any funds brought to the closing should be done in the form of a certified or bank check. Note: The seller will have to make sure the home meets the local fire code and provide final utility bills prior closing.

Step#10 - Closing

So what do you need to bring to the closing? you will need at least 2 forms of identification, a certified or bank check for any additional funds and a good pen for all of the documents that you will be signing. The closing is typically attended by the buyer(s), seller(s), closing attorney, your attorney and the Realtors involved in the transaction. Your attorney will explain all of the documents to you prior to signing any of the disclosures at the closing. Once you are finished signing, you will receive your keys. Now its time to figure out how your going to spend your real estate rebate provided by SharpBuyers.com! Congratulations!

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Sunday, May 4, 2008

SharpBuyers.com Pays Buyers Closing Costs!

The Boston based Real Estate Referral Company, SharpBuyers.com connects home buyers throughout the United States with real estate brokers and agents that will provide full service representation and a real estate rebate that can be used towards paying buyers closing costs. Sharpbuyers.com agents will pay between 20%-50% of their commissions towards home buyers closing costs. The closing cost rebate varies based on how many properties a buyer sees accompanied by the buyers agent. The system is designed to provide buyers with the tools to become educated home buyers and rewards the most educated with a higher percentage of the commission. So why help consumers pay their closing costs through rebates? The internet has significantly changed the real estate industry as a whole. Websites like Zillow and Trulia provide detailed information to educate buyers and sellers on the home buying process and more importantly home values. With this type of data readily available, many consumers are far more educated on the home buying process than at any other point in recent history. That being said, not every potential home buyer needs or desires all of the assistance and access to information that brokers and agents typically provide. These buyers can usually locate their ideal home on their own. In most instances helping a buyer locate their ideal home is the most time consuming aspect of assisting a buyer, but if the buyer can successfully do this on their own, it only makes sense to reward them for their efforts. Brokers and agents are experts in the home buying process but only the buyer knows what home is right for them. An agents expertise is most valuable when it comes to negotiating an offer. Almost every buyer needs the assistance of a broker in properly placing an offer and navigating through the process from that point on. A lot can happen between the time an offer is placed and the closing. Thus, it is in every home buyer’s best interest to have an agent that will represent your interest once a buyer is ready place an offer. The agents in the SharpBuyers.com network are professional negotiators. Sharpbuyers.com has over 400 brokers and agents in its network. Collectively, these real estate professionals have negotiated thousands of deals. This accounts for invaluable experience. The brokers in our network include brokers and agents from RE/Max, Prudential, Coldwell Banker, EXIT and many others.

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