If you need
to sell your home.... ..

Sign up now for
your free CMA!

Including the most
current sales information
in your neighborhood

If you need
to buy a home....

Set up your personal
custom OrangeCounty
web page to
track homes, save
favorites, and make
property notes..

Sign UP Now!!

We have a common Goal! Finding your new Home! Let me help you!
Ensuring you exceptional service at every step of your home buying process.

Stop Renting!

Reasons Why You Should Stop Renting
1. Rents continue to rise
2. Having no economic security, not knowing how much your rent may go up in the next two to three years.
3. No tax benefits
4. No long term wealth accumulation

TAX CREDIT Currently the government is offering a first time home buyers Tax credit of $8000k! To qualify you must be a first time home buyer-defined as anyone who has not owned a home in the last 3 years! The Senate has just voted to extent this program until April 2010. Repeat buyers who have had their homes 5 years would also get an incentive. Senators agreed on Wednesday to extend the tax credit for first-time buyers while offering a reduced credit of up to $6,500 to repeat buyers who have owned their current home for at least 5 years. The tax credit will be available to buyers who sign purchase agreements by the end of April 2010. They would have until the end of June 2010 to close on there new homes.To see if you qualify click here!

Through the California Association Realtor Housing Affordability Fund Mortgage Protection Program (C.A.R.H.A.F. MPP), first-time home buyers who lose their jobs due to layoffs may be eligible to receive up to $1,500 per month for up to six months to help make their mortgage payments. A qualified co-buyer also can participate in the program, for a reduced monthly benefit of $750 per month for up to six months in the event of a job loss. Program benefits also include coverage for accidental disability and a $10,000 death benefit. C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Fund is dedicating $1 million to the program this year, and estimates that as many as 3,000 families will benefit from the program throughout 2009.

To qualify for the Mortgage Protection Program, applicants must:
. Be a first-time home buyer – someone who has not owned a home in the last three years
. Open escrow April 2, 2009, or later, and close on or before Dec. 31, 2009
. Use a California REALTOR® in the transaction
. Purchase the property in California
. Be a W-2 employee (cannot be self-employed or military personnel)

Purchasing your first home is a big step. To break it down follow these tips and don't end up renting longer than your should! Before you begin ask yourself how long you will live in your new home. To make this process less intimidating follow some easy steps.

1.First ask yourself how long you plan to live in the property. If you plan to live there at least 3 years? This can determine the type of laon that might be best for you. There are many options available.

2. Do you Need a Downpayment? Financing is becoming more difficult these days so best to find out right away what your options are and if you will need a downpayment. There may be a few no down payment homes left but they are difficult to find right now. FHA loans are becoming very popular if you are purchasing at a price under their loan limit. For OC it will be $729k with a down payment of 3.5%

3. Get Pre-Qualified: Before you start looking for a home to purchase, you should find out what you qualify for.The price range of the homes you look at will depend on this. After getting pre-qualified, the most important thing you can dois to go ahead with the loan process and get fully pre-approved beforeyou decide or extend an offer on a home. This will give you advantageswhen you are in  the negotiating process. If you are considering a bank owned home this is absolutely necessary-no offers accepted without this!

4. Consult a Real Estate Professional ASAP. It is best to start working with a realtor right away. With their extensive experience in the local areas they will knowledgeable about any conditions affecting the local communities.

5. Pick a list of must haves and wants: Remember it will be difficult to find a home with everything you want! Prioritize!

6. Pick your Neighborhood: Location, Location, Location, You are better off buying the worst home is the best neighborhood thatn the best home in a bad neighborhood.

7. Make Your Decision! Don't wander in the world of indecision. Real Estate conditions have not been this favorable to buyers in several years! This can change at any time so don't sit on the fence too long!

Nothing can take the place of direct contact so please feel free to contact me either by phone or e-mail with any questions you have about the community of Irvine, Orange County Real Estate or to schedule an appointment to discuss your real estate buying/selling plans...

Experience Matters! Contact Mary Burke today! 949-275-6544