12/9/2009
"I chose Rachel Smith to sell our business because she was so professional - She has helped with 3 sales all with great success. Rachel has always been honest and there when we need help. Rachel Smith is knowledgeable, experienced, and always a pleasure to work with. Rachel is the #1 REALTOR and I will recommend her to anyone with confidence."
Rita Fletcher
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Financing Your Home >When Interest Rates Rise
Many people fall out of the home buying market when interest rates start to go up. This is often a mistake. Many of the best mortgages deals become available when lenders are competing for new business and sellers are competing within a smaller buyer pool. You just have to know how to keep the costs down in order to counter the higher interest rates.
One of the best tricks is the buy-down. In a buy-down, a fee is paid at the closing to get a lower interest rate. In a soft market, an anxious seller may be lured into to paying all or part of the buy-down. Another approach is to get the seller to pay some of closing costs, thus lowering the amount of cash a buyer needs to close. Frequently the seller's costs can be used as a write-off by the buyer. Always consult with your tax advisor if you are considering such an arrangement.
If the market is softening due to rising or higher rates, the price itself becomes an area where a buyer may be able to save a lot of money on a house through skillful negotiating. Lower prices mean lower loan amounts, so don't be discouraged by higher rates--use them to your advantage.
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| Q |
In what 2003 comedy does a very large family move to a new house on Forest Avenue in Evenston, Illinois?
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| A |
"Cheaper by the Dozen", starring Steve Martin, was actually filmed in a house in Los Angeles near the Farmer's Market. |
 See More Real Estate Trivia > |
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