Are you moving to a new Rancho Cucamonga home or thinking about it? When you have young children, it can be a dramatic – or even traumatic – event. Here are a few tips to help your children adjust to a new home:

Tip # 1: Share exciting points about your new Rancho Cucamonga home.

Does the house have a big back yard? Is there a park or bike path close by? Talk about the things you might be able to do together at the new place. Build up excitement, so your kids can’t wait to see where they’re going to live.

Tip #2: Let your kids be part of the packing process, if they’re old enough.

Children like to help when there’s a lot of hustle and bustle going on. You’ve probably noticed this yourself; every time you’re busy, they become your shadow. One way to let them help is to give them a moving box to fill up. Depending on their age, you’ll probably want them in the same room as you, but a little supervised packing can keep them out from underfoot and happy.

Tip #3: Let them chose the packing labels for each room.

Online or at most local office supply stores, you can find several types of packing labels. If you choose different colored packing labels, you can let your child decide which label color or type should be used for each room. While moving in, you can even supervise a “treasure hunt” for each room’s labeled boxes.

Tip #4: Involve them in unpacking their rooms or family areas.

By asking, “Where do you think this should go,” and letting your children choose, you’re also helping them make the new house their own. If you’re worried about an oddly decorated home with a picture of Daffy Duck over the mantle, give them a few choices of places you wouldn’t mind an object being for a while. I say “a while” because if you move the objects, your child will notice, which could make it harder for them to begin feeling at home.

Moving into a new Rancho Cucamonga home is a big adjustment for anyone, not just children. However, children seem to have a harder time getting used to a new place.  Keeping them involved in the packing, moving and unpacking can help turn your new home into their new home.

If you’re looking for a new home for your family, I can help. Call me at (909)938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com to get started today.

               Brought to you by Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty

Many potential homeowners are starting to look towards Rancho Cucamonga foreclosures as a way to get the home of their dreams without spending their life savings. What they may not realize is that the sheer amount of foreclosed properties can be daunting. Some are so completely overwhelmed by the choices that they give up and walk away.

Rancho Cucamonga foreclosures can be great deals, but you’ll have a few decisions to make before you even go looking. Because there are so many options, here and throughout the nation, it’s important to figure out what type of foreclosed home is best for you.

Government Foreclosures

Homes with federally sponsored loans, such as HUD homes, are repossessed by government housing agencies. Because these homes offer a lot of opportunities for discount purchases, they move quickly.

Foreclosure Auctions

One of the most common ways to buy a foreclosure is while it’s on the chopping block of a traditional real estate auction. The auction is public, with homes sold to the highest bidder.

REO Foreclosures

Repossessed by the bank, real estate owned properties have been through a foreclosure auction without being bought. There’s not necessarily anything wrong with the home itself.  In fact, many foreclosure auctions fail to sell the home.  The primary reason foreclosure auctions do not succeed is that the auction price is more than what the property is worth. When the auction does fail, ownership reverts to the bank and the home becomes an REO.

REO foreclosures also have auctions, but the bidding process is closed and blind – no haggling allowed. You look over the available properties and come up with an offer to buy the home directly from the bank, rather than competing with other buyers in a public sale.

The good thing with REO foreclosures is that you can also set up the financing and mortgaging options through the same bank. Often, this gives the bank encouragement to give you a better price for the home.

Whether you’re looking at Rancho Cucamonga foreclosures for investment opportunities, or to buy your dream home, you have a myriad of options. Knowing what you want - before you start looking - is one of the best ways to ensure you get the deal of a lifetime!

If you’re unsure which type of foreclosed home is best for you, or if you want help finding a great deal on a foreclosure, I can help. Call me at (909)938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com for more information.

                  Brought to you by Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty.

If you pay attention to national and Rancho Cucamonga real estate at all, especially if you access news on the internet, it has to be confusing. I read stories online, and I’m amazed by the conflicting information, and I worry about how it must come across to individuals trying to buy or sell Rancho Cucamonga real estate.

For instance, only a month or two ago, experts were concerned that we didn’t have enough of a housing supply. Now, online sites like the Wall Street Journal are reporting that the U.S. actually has 103 months worth of foreclosed homes – a heavy load that would take 9 years to get rid of. Honestly, it often gives me a headache. Occasionally, it makes me laugh - in a slightly horrified, appreciating the irony type of way.

I felt the need to lighten the load a bit and share something humorous with you. The idea for this blog came from a friend of mine, who asked her 10-year-old son what he’d learned in Social Studies that day. He replied, “Nothing. We’re still looking for the government.”

Yesterday, I came across a page from Kensington Realty Advisors on which they share a bit of real estate humor. Here’s an excerpt: “LODGING - All employees are encouraged to stay with relatives or friends while on Company business. If weather permits, public areas such as parks and parking lots should be used as temporary lodging. Bridges may provide shelter in periods of inclement weather.”

Will this help you sell your house? Probably not, but it might.

You have to keep a little humor going. Tons of clichés fill our vocabulary: “when the chips are down,” “when life gives you lemons,” “look on the bright side.” They all add up to the same message, that you can’t take life too seriously – even the life of real estate.

So – when a buyer walks into your piece of Rancho Cucamonga real estate, looks around and notices a big puddle in the back yard, you can always tell them you were starting a pool.

Want to work with a professional real estate agent who knows how to get the job done while keeping life in perspective?  Give me a call today at (909)938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com.

                      Brought to you by Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty.

When you look for a mortgage, you want to find one that allows you to buy the biggest house possible for a monthly payment you can afford. This seems simple enough. All you need to do is a little division to determine your monthly payment.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the entire picture of your monthly mortgage payment, and lenders don’t always explain this to you. Here are three things you need to know about your monthly mortgage payment for your new Rancho Cucamonga home:

1. Interest and Principal. Only part of your monthly mortgage payment actually pays down your loan. A portion of your mortgage payment goes toward your loan principal and part of it pays the interest. The longer you have your loan, the more money goes toward your principal. Be aware that at the beginning of your loan term, most of your payment goes toward interest and does little to reduce the amount of money you owe on your home.
2. Homeowner’s Insurance and PMI. Typically, your lender collects money to pay your homeowner’s insurance premium. This increases the amount of your monthly payment and can change if your insurance company raises or lowers premiums. Depending on your loan amount and property value, you may also have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) which protects a lender against loss if you default on your loan.
3. Property Taxes. In most cases, your annual property taxes will be paid through your lender. The lender collects extra money each month that they pay to your local government at the end of the year. When local taxes increase or decrease, so does your payment.

Call me today at (909)938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com to help you find the home (and mortgage provider) of your dreams.

             Brought to you by Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty.

There has truly never been a better time to think about buying a new home. The current economy has created a buyers’ market like never before. This works to your advantage, and the fact that the real estate market is recovering means that buying Rancho Cucamonga real estate as a future investment is a smart move.

Consider New Construction

Builders are faced with unsold homes in developments and are willing to make deals. They are interested in all reasonable offers, and, especially if you have pre-approved financing, will negotiate with your real estate agent to give you better price and terms. It is in their best interest to get their existing homes sold.

Best Mortgage Rates in Current History

You can take advantage of the low mortgage rates  to get fantastic payments on your new Rancho Cucamonga real estate. These low rates won't last forever, so if you have good credit and solid employment, buy now to make your new home truly affordable.

Tax Credits

If you or your spouse has never owned a home, or if neither of you have owned a home as a principle residence in the past 3 years, buying a home now makes financial sense. You will get a large tax rebate at the end of the year for making a home purchase now.  However, you must act immediately because you have to have a binding contract signed no later than April 30, 2010, and close on the home no later than June 30, 2010, in order to qualify for this  first-time home buyer tax credit.

If you’re a repeat home buyer, you too might qualify for a tax credit.  Again, you must act fast.  The same dates apply for this repeat home buyer tax credit as for the first-time home buyer tax credit. 

Affordability and Availability

The market is wide open for buyers now, and finding the perfect home at a reasonable price is easier than ever before. Waiting too long can prove to be a very costly decision. The market is getting stronger and tax credits are coming to an end. Over the course of the next year, it will become increasingly more difficult to buy Rancho Cucamonga real estate at prices and rates now available.

If you would like more information on the intelligence of buying a new home now, please call me today at (909)938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com.  I look forward to talking with you.


                Brought to you by Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty

A past filing of bankruptcy does not mean you can’t buy Rancho Cucamonga real estate.  Your real estate agent may be able to help you get a mortgage or find other ways to buy a home, if you do get turned down for a traditional mortgage. 

Before you meet with your Rancho Cucamonga real estate agent, here are a few ways to prepare:

• Have a copy of your current bank statement
• Have written proof of your monthly income
• Make a list of all your current monthly bills
• Collect all your recent credit card statements
• Have a copy of your bankruptcy agreement

Put all this info in a file folder and take it to your meeting.  Your Rancho Cucamonga real estate agent will appreciate you doing your homework!

If you have straightened out your credit since the bankruptcy, you are in a much better position to get a mortgage. Hopefully, you are currently paying all your monthly bills on time and rebuilding your credit rating.

The bigger your down payment, the easier it will be to get a mortgage.  So, where can you get money for a down payment?

• Have you been having money taken out of your checks and put into a savings?
• Do you have any money market accounts?
• Do you have money invested in mutual funds?
• Do you have certificates of deposit about to come due?
• Will you be receiving a bonus from your employer?
• How about a friend or relative who would loan you the down payment?

Hopefully, you are now ready to go shopping for your new home. To get started, give me a call today at (909)938-9568r email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com.

                             Brought to you by Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty
 

In bygone days, the key to closing many of the deals on Rancho Cucamonga Homes for sale often relied on an agent’s networking skills. Those of us with a successful real estate history knew where to go to bring Rancho Cucamonga homes for sale, financers and buyers together.

In fact, the real estate community became so used to “the way things were done,” the standards for home purchasing and financing became a little lax. Today, regulators have taken aim at any less-than-transparent practices by, quite simply, changing the rules.

Were the “good ole’ days” competitive? Most definitely. Were they as competitive as they are today? Not even close.

Now, in order to complete contracts on Rancho Cucamonga homes for sale, you have more transparency and a stricter set of industry standards, particularly when it comes to working with lenders. The good news is the changes in transparency and industry standards are designed to protect you as the seller and your buyer.

With Change Comes Education

With all the changes to the real estate industry, we, as real estate agents, have to stay informed in order to serve your best interests. After all, would you really want an agent following outdated rules from 10 years ago? Probably not, especially if you knew that outdated rules might make your sales contract useless.

How do we stay informed? One way is through the NAR. The National Association of Realtors®, the nation’s largest trade organization, has started several programs to keep agents updated on exciting developments and market trends. Some of the most beneficial programs include:

• Accredited Buyer Representation (ABR)
• Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)
• Green Principles
• Graduate Realtor® Institute
• Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES)
• short sale and Foreclosure Certification (SFR)

Without continuing educational courses like these, staying updated on the real estate industry would be a lot harder. Most of us already have the experience, but ongoing training is also important. Why? So we know all the ways to attract buyers to your home, no matter what they’re looking for. In other words, learning what they’re looking for helps us to better understand what selling points your home has, and how best to market them.

Now, real estate deals are upfront and hidden agendas are (mostly) a thing of the past. Your goal, as owner/seller of one of the [city] homes for sale, is to make sure the agent you hire is up-to-date on any changes that may affect the sale.

Don’t be afraid to ask about their education and training. The best agent is the one who doesn’t hesitate to answer with a list of certifications and current courses.

If you’d like to sell your home and want an informed real estate agent,  look no further. Give me a call today at (909)938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com for a complete list of all my certifications and education.

                     Brought to you by Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty

There are a few things you can do to make the process of buying a new Rancho Cucamonga home easier and faster.  Getting pre-approved for financing is one of them.  Here are four advantages of loan pre-approval:

REALTORS® Take You Seriously

When you walk into an agent’s office with pre-approved financing, the agent knows he is not wasting his time showing you homes. If you do not have pre-approved financing be prepared for agents to ask a lot of questions and even possibly request that you get financing in hand. They are not trying to be invasive. They are avoiding "tire kickers" while helping you streamline the process.

Home Sellers Feel More Comfortable Dealing with You

When you have pre-approved financing, sellers are more apt to work with you on price, or other needs, in order to close the deal. They know that there are not going to be contingencies on a loan, or waiting and wondering if you qualify for the loan. They know they don't have to worry about turning other prospects away and then finding out you haven't been able to get a loan.

Fast Closings

Getting pre-approved for a loan means no waiting on the biggest of all hurdles before closing.  Other items needed to close on a Rancho Cucamonga home purchase usually move quickly, but loan applications can drag out and require setting a closing date far into the future to allow for the time needed.

Less Stress

Above all else, having your financing in hand before you even begin to look for the perfect Rancho Cucamonga home makes the entire process less stressful for you. Knowing you have the money to back you up when you find the home of your dreams is much better than finding paradise and having to worry about getting financed and possibly losing it.

If you would like to find out more about pre-approved home loans, I can help. Contact me at (909)938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com.

                        Brought to you by Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty
 

Whether you’re looking at Rancho Cucamonga homes, homes across the nation or homes abroad, there's always the possibility of getting caught in a scam.

Many potential homebuyers and renters choose to go it alone and find the home of their dreams without professional help. While this method of house hunting works for some it definitely doesn’t work for all, and the consequences often far outweigh the benefits. Yes, the same can apply for home sellers as well!

Real Estate Scams

Here are a few real estate scams to watch out for:

• Down Payment Assistance Programs are wonderful gifts for potential buyers of [city] homes. However, there are certain rules that have to be followed for this down payment gift to be legal. For instance, as a gift, the homebuyer doesn’t have to pay it back. Some unscrupulous companies offer Down Payment Assistance Programs but expect the money back. This isn’t a gift; it’s a loan, and illegal if the program is listed as “down payment assistance."
• Property flipping scams happen when a con artist buys a home and sells it as an investment opportunity with zero down payment, no closing costs, low interest rate, etc. Although it sounds like a great deal, it becomes a scam when the house is severely overpriced and the buyer pays way more than the house is worth.
• Craigslist is an excellent resource for those wanting to buy or sell something. However, it is also a great source for con artists, who have turned their eyes to the real estate market. The scammers take information from legitimate listings on other websites (such as REALTOR® websites) and post it as their own on Craigslist. They often mention that they had to move for some reason, but can still rent/sell the home. All the buyers or renters have to do is send them their personal information and the first month’s rent or down payment.

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget to protect yourself. Be cautious when looking for Rancho Cucamonga homes or selling them. Always check references and backgrounds. As well, if the home seller is in another country or another state, ask them if they’d be willing to use a local real estate agent.  Then be sure to verify the agent’s credentials.

If you want to buy or sell a house and need a professional, I can help. Call me at (909)938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com for more information.

                              Brought to you by Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty

Technology has improved our lives over the last ten years, but it’s also caused some problems along the way for Rancho Cucamonga real estate buyers.

As a buyer, you naturally want to take advantage of every tool and service available to make it easier to find the home of your dreams. However, the Internet, which is one of the most common places for people to shop for Rancho Cucamonga real estate nowadays, has also become a place where the unscrupulous hang out.  You can’t believe everything you read online, even when it comes to shopping for homes online.

If you’re trying to find a home, here are two things you need to be aware of:

Home Valuation Sites

Many potential buyers find an interesting home and then research the home value. This is commendable and just plain good sense. You want to make sure you’re not overpaying. Thanks to the Internet, we have sites like Zillow and Realtor.com that provide home valuations.

The problem is that these sites hardly ever agree on the home value. They can differ as much as 20% or more. While home valuation sites are an excellent place to get a ballpark estimate, you shouldn’t base your buying price on their information alone. Hire a reputable Rancho Cucamonga real estate agent who knows the surrounding area and recent sale prices.

Dream Home or Nightmare

One of the best things to happen for real estate agents and sellers alike is the ability to post digital photos and walk-through videos of the homes they’re selling. This is also great for you, as the buyer, because you can view the homes without going anywhere.

Unfortunately, many buyers take those images and videos at face value. Thanks to some high-tech graphics programs, however, you can’t guarantee that what you see is what you get. Videos and images can both be manipulated to show you the best face of any piece of property.

Any time you see a home online that you’re interested in, it’s a good idea to check Google Maps and use the Street View option. At the very least, you can usually see the front and sides of the home. If you’re still interested, visit the home in person, or, if that’s not possible for some reason, ask your [city] real estate agent to visit the home and take pictures for you.

If you’re trying to find your dream home, I can help. Call me at (909)938-9568 or email me at Randy@TeamCharlton.com for more information.


                             Brought to you by Randy Charlton of Keller Williams Realty