Owning Your First Home

Redding Real Estate Ramblings

Visit my main real estate website that provides you with the ability to Search the MLS and to set up an account so that you can save searches and select favorite properties. I also have many saved searches for you to take advantage of. There are saved City Searches and Community Searches. We also save Foreclosure Listings and Short Sale Listings.

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Visit and learn more about The Shasta Lifestyle and the experience of living here in Shasta County.

Here are my blog sites:

Redding Properties and Land

Shasta Listings

Northern California Properties

California Properties and Land

New Homes Shasta County

Redding Elegant Homes

The Redding Golf Lifestyle

Owning Your First Home

Short Sale Help for Sellers

Redding Real Estate ~ First Time Home Buyer ~ Helping First Time Buyers!

Jeanean Gendron, Realtor, DRE#01299346 — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:21:57 +0000

I have a very nice young couple who called me about one of my ActiveRain posts on First Time Home Buyers. We talked a bit about their circumstances and decided that we felt comfortable enough for them to talk with a lender about getting pre-qualified to purchase. After completing the process with the lender, we know that we can qualify for an FHA loan and that we will be asking the seller for concessions for closing costs. We know our range and the “hunt” has begun. They are a lovely couple with a six month old daughter.

We saved a MLS search for them in their price range of all listings on the market in their area. I like my first time home buyers to get familiar with the market as a whole. They need to understand the compelling market value of the 3/2/2, central air and heat and having a good roof.

Many times, first time home buyers will look at buying anything. They will also think they can do a fixer. If we get to know the market well enough then they become knowledgeable about the market and what a “good buy” is. They also learn that sometimes you can find that “good buy” without it having to be the dreaded “fixer”. It costs money to do the fixers and most people underestimate what that cost will be. I like to actually set down and go over the numbers that will include “sweat equity hours” and the costs associated with that time. I see it over and over, where people have remodeled and spent money they will never recoup.

We met for the first time yesterday afternoon. We went over all the listings that were possibilities.

We discussed foreclosures and short sales and how they may not work for us. However, there might be something in those two categories that could. It would be my job to figure that part our with the discovery of the history and current situation of the property; talking with the listing agent; and doing a CMA to determine investment opportunity.

We picked four houses to go see out of twenty. Three short sales and 1 foreclosure.

The first short sale home (3/1/1) had a black substance in the back bath and we felt that we could not take the baby into the back part of the home. It was painted a not very attractive green throughout….very roughly painted. The kitchen had been remodeled at some point but now worn, dirty and in need of another remodel. The roof looked newer but may have been a roof installed over another roof….never the best. All in all if it had not had the black substance, functionally we could have considered the home….although I pointed out that when we get current with the market and know the market…..we will find a good value….we must be ready to move and getting them to that level of confidence would be the goal. We could do better.

The second house (3/1/1) was much better. The roof looked good. The kitchen and bathroom were original and there was wall paper that would have to go throughout most of the home. The back yard was knee high in weeds. Functionally speaking this home looked much better.

The third home was an REO and in a slightly worse location. It look good from the outside and the roof looked new. We walked in and about died. The smell was so bad that it hit us like a wall. We got in to the kitchen area….the garage had been converted (which we talked about is never the best investment…..the standard 3/2/2 is the best conventional invsestment) and the kitchen was a black hole…..we turned and left without even looking at the rest of the house. It was way overpriced.

The last home was a short sale (3/1/1) with a good roof, pergo floor and very neutral in all ways. Very functional with a new deck on the back. It had a note on the door of a Trustee Sale scheduled for 9/25/08.

My clients are not ready to make a decision yet….we don’t know the market well enough and so this might have worked, but I personally know we can do better. We are going to have to be at the right place at the right time….my job and respsonsibility is to make sure that opportunity comes around and that we are where we can make it happen.

We’ve scheduled another evening of seeing 1,2 or 3 more homes in town. We are headed to Lake California on Saturday to look at homes there.

We have begun and we will be successful in finding this nice couple a new home. They have lots going for them. He’s in construction and can update the home. She works with interior design and will be updating the look of the home. We’ve talked about doing these activities with seconds and discontinued products at Loews or Home Depot. Doing it on the “dime” is the only way to go!

I’ll keep you posted on our progress. What was that REO agent thinking on that smelly house?

I am Jeanean Gendron and you can reach me at 530 276-7417. I answer my phone. I love working with first time home buyers. Visit our website to learn about Redding and Shasta County Real Estate.

ACTIVE LISTINGS

Redding and Shasta County’s Total Real Estate Resource

Visit these websites to learn more about Redding and Shasta County Real Estate.

Jeanean Gendron, Your Redding and Shasta County Specialist

TOOLS TO HELP YOU IN YOUR REAL ESTATE GOALS

Search MLS for all Homes in Shasta County ~ Dream Home Finder

I am Jeanean Gendron, your Redding and Shasta County First Time Buyer Specialist. I love helping first time buyers. Use this site to learn about buying your first home and give me a call so we can talk about your goals.

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Redding Real Estate ~ First Time Home Buyers ~ It’s Getting Better!

Jeanean Gendron, Realtor, DRE#01299346 — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:13:09 +0000

We’ve seen market prices come down in California. Redding and Shasta County have had significant price decline in market value of homes. What two years ago was not affordable is now much more reasonable and attainable for the first time home buyer.

Talk with your lender or mortgage officer to see if you can qualify. If you do not know a lender or mortgage officer, I would be happy to refer you to several. You will need to discuss your financial goals and current situation. They will help you to determine what you can afford and the terms of the loan you will be applying for. Getting this first step out of the way, helps you to move forward with confidence. This is an important investment for people and doing it correctly will help you attain the goal.

Next we would want to discuss your goals and needs. A time frame should be established. Learning about the current market can take some time. If you’ve been researching market values on the internet, you will be ahead of the game. Seeing on the internet and actually physically being there can be different, however. If you are thinking of owning your own home, start going to Open Houses and note the square footage, number of bedrooms and baths and location of the homes as to price. These things will help us to know and understand the current market. It will make knowing when we have found a deal or the right house for the right price.

If you’ve done none of the above, that’s alright. Give me a call and I can help you begin. I love helping and working with first time home buyers and reaching the success of our goal….owning your first home.

It may be a good time for you to begin this process and if we are not quite there….give it some time and set your plan into action. It’s worth working for and goal setting is the first step to attaining the goal.

I am Jeanean Gendron and you can reach me at 530 276-7417. I answer my phone. I love working with first time home buyers. Visit our website to learn about Redding and Shasta County Real Estate.

ACTIVE LISTINGS

Redding and Shasta County’s Total Real Estate Resource

Visit these websites to learn more about Redding and Shasta County Real Estate.

Jeanean Gendron, Your Redding and Shasta County Specialist

TOOLS TO HELP YOU IN YOUR REAL ESTATE GOALS

Search MLS for all Homes in Shasta County ~ Dream Home Finder

If you like what you are reading here, subscribe to my blog and you will be notified by email of new postings. You will receive a confirmation email. Click on the link to confirm your subscription.

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Redding Real Estate ~ First Time Home Buyers ~ Diary of a Realtor!

Jeanean Gendron, Realtor, DRE#01299346 — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:13:35 +0000

I have a very nice young couple who called me about one of my ActiveRain posts on First Time Home Buyers. We talked a bit about their circumstances and decided that we felt comfortable enough for them to talk with a lender about getting prequalified to purchase. After completing the process with the lender, we know that we can qualify for an FHA loan and that we will be asking the seller for concessions for closing costs. We know our range and the “hunt” has begun. They are a lovely couple with a six month old daughter.

We met for the first time yesterday afternoon. We went over all the listings that were possibilities.

We picked four houses to go see out of twenty. Three short sales and 1 foreclosure.

We’ve scheduled another evening of seeing 1,2 or 3 more homes in town. We are headed to Lake California on Saturday to look at homes there.

I’ll keep you posted on our progress. You may want to explore these links to explore the market and become comfortable with market value and “good buys”.

ACTIVE LISTINGS

Redding and Shasta County’s Total Real Estate Resource

Visit these websites to learn more about Redding and Shasta County Real Estate.

Jeanean Gendron, Your Redding and Shasta County Specialist

TOOLS TO HELP YOU IN YOUR REAL ESTATE GOALS

Search MLS for all Homes in Shasta County ~ Dream Home Finder

If you like what you are reading here, subscribe to my blog and you will be notified by email of new postings. You will receive a confirmation email. Click on the link to confirm your subscription.

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Redding Real Estate ~ First Time Buyers ~ Real Opportunity!

Jeanean Gendron, Realtor, DRE#01299346 — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:22:18 +0000

Redding Real Estate ~ First Time Buyers ~ Real Opportunity!

With the declining market and dropping prices in home market values, first time home buyers can begin the process of looking to own their first home. With many opportunities within a Buyer’s market, first time home buyers have many options that can help them qualify and buy their first home.

More Affordable Prices–Redding and Shasta County now offer the first time home buyer much more affordable prices in this current market.

Down Payment Assistance Programs (DAP) can help qualifying first time home owners within certain income brackets with assistance in down payment programs. Bill HR3221 will do away with the DAP programs, however a new bill is being introduced to try and save these national, state and local programs. There are bills current that may reverse this Bill.

Seller Concessions can help the the first time home buyer with closing costs. It is not unusual in thi market for buyers to ask the seller for concessions (up to 6%) in non-recurring and recurring closing costs.

New First Time Home Buyer Incentive from the new Bill HR3221 will offer a tax rebate of $7,500 to first time home buyers.

When you own your own home there are additional tax benefits that allow you in most cases to pay less taxes with a tax write off (your mortgage interest). You should consult with your tax consultant to verify how this will work for you.

If you’ve been saving and educating yourself about owning your own home, this may be a good time to begin the process. You will need to work with a Realtor to assess your goals and qualifications and to see if the time is right for starting the process. It is a partnership and requires learning and knowledge of the current market conditions and the matching of your goals to our ability to get you into your first home.

I am Jeanean Gendron and you can reach me at 530 276-7417. I answer my phone. I love working with first time home buyers. Visit our website to learn about Redding and Shasta County Real Estate.

ACTIVE LISTINGS

Redding and Shasta County’s Total Real Estate Resource

Visit these websites to learn more about Redding and Shasta County Real Estate.

Jeanean Gendron, Your Redding and Shasta County Specialist

TOOLS TO HELP YOU IN YOUR REAL ESTATE GOALS

Search MLS for all Homes in Shasta County ~ Dream Home Finder

If you like what you are reading here, subscribe to my blog and you will be notified by email of new postings. You will receive a confirmation email. Click on the link to confirm your subscription.

Enter your email address:

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Redding Real Estate ~ First Time Buyers ~ The How To of Buying!

Jeanean Gendron, Realtor, DRE#01299346 — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:46:12 +0000

Redding Real Estate ~ First Time Home Buyers ~ The How To of Buying Your First Home!

As a first time home buyer in Redding, Shasta County California, you will want to work with a Realtor that can help you understand and simplify the home buying process. There are many things to consider when buying your first home. You will want to identify your needs and goals for your real estate purchase. You will want to work with the right people that can offer you knowledge, expertise and the service you deserve.

Mortgage Consulting and Financing Options

You will want to identify through referrals or through your Realtor’s recommendation a professional Loan Officer that can help you identify the right mortgage product that will meet your needs. They vary from a 30 year fixed mortgage to a solution that might have a 3-5 year horizon and provide you with more use of your money during your first years of ownership. Your Realtor can help with what you will need to do to get pre-qualified and pre-approved for your loan.

Understanding the Home Buying Process

Your Realtor can help you understand all of the critical issues you will need to be aware of. Market value and a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) on the selected property will help you understand the offer process and the steps to getting your offer accepted for the right price. Determining what your “right price” is will also be part of the process of working with your Realtor. Internet research and listing information will help you in learning market value and previewing properties will help to cement a knowledge of the market and when we identify a “good buy” and that “right priced” property.

Agency Relationships and Agreements

Your Realtor will be helping you to understand Agency and Fiduciary Responsibility. These are terms that are defined by the responsibilities the Realtor has in representing you and your financial welfare in the transaction. Your Realtor will also help you to understand the cooperating agent’s responsibilities and the seller’s responsibilities in the transaction.

Buyer Due Diligence

Your Realtor will support you in the property inspection and due diligence of the intended property. While it is the seller’s responsibility to disclose, it is the buyer’s responsibility to do a through investigation of the property through inspections and documentation research. Your Realtor will help you in finding qualified inspectors to identify any issues that may affect the value of the property. Typically, you start with a home inspection and a pest inspection. After these inspections, you may required additional inspections.

Settlement Services

Your Realtor will help you in the coordination of escrow and in the title process. Identifying and coordinating the closing of escrow on your property will be a process of communication and coordination on the part of the escrow officer and all parties of the transaction. Your Realtor will be keeping you informed and working with escrow and title to ensure a smooth closing.

Owning your first home can be a wonderful and exciting time. We want to help you enjoy the process and have a smooth and safe transaction. The How To of Buying Your First Home is an important aspect of the goal of owning your first home and we want to help you make it easy and pleasant.

Jeanean Gendron is a Realtor with Real Estate Professionals, GMAC. I specialize in helping my clients use the internet to buy and sell Redding Real Estate. I help clients with technology tools to sell homes and to help buyers find homes that fit their defined goals. Visit our websites and blog today and learn all about the Redding Real Estate Market and Shasta County, California. You will love it and we will love having you here! Call today, we can help you. I always answer my phone. 530 276-7417.

Call today and we will send you a list of homes that are available in the $150,000 to $250,000 range and would make excellent first homes and investments. You have a great opportunity to get into the real estate market and own your own home. We can help you get pre-qualified and ready to purchase.

Your First Home is ready for you and you are ready for your first home. We specialize in helping first-time home buyers find their perfect home. Call today and let’s get started working on finding you that “perfect” property. You really cannot afford to let this opportunity pass you by.

Call today and we’ll help you get started in the process of owning your own home! I am Jeanean Gendron, your Redding and Shasta County Specialist. You can reach me at 530 276-7417. I answer my phone.

ACTIVE LISTINGS

Redding and Shasta County’s Total Real Estate Resource

Visit these websites to learn more about Redding and Shasta County Real Estate.

Jeanean Gendron, Your Redding and Shasta County Specialist

TOOLS TO HELP YOU IN YOUR REAL ESTATE GOALS

Search MLS for all Homes in Shasta County ~ Dream Home Finder

If you like what you are reading here, subscribe to my blog and you will be notified by email of new postings. You will receive a confirmation email. Click on the link to confirm your subscription.

Enter your email address:

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Redding Real Estate ~ First Time Buyers ~ Buying Your First Home!

Jeanean Gendron, Realtor, DRE#01299346 — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:31:46 +0000

Redding Real Estate ~ First Time Buyers ~ Buying Your First Home!

First Time Home Buyers ~ Rental Market Versus Owning Your Own Home.

Move out of the Redding Rental Market and into your own home!

Redding Real Estate for First Time Home Buyers–If you are renting in Redding, Shasta County California you may want to consider the current interest rates as an incentive to purchase your first home. We have a declining market and there are more affordable home available to you now.Our prices are attractive and the seller many times will pay the closing costs.

The Redding Rental Market has it disadvantages from a tax perspective. When you own your own home, you have tax benefits that off set the cost of your home. You will be paying 28% higher payments than your current rent payment. This increase, however is offset by your ability to bring home more money with a higher tax deduction.

All Short Sale Active Listings

Redding and Shasta County’s Total Real Estate Resource

Visit these websites to learn more about Redding and Shasta County Real Estate.

Jeanean Gendron, Your Redding and Shasta County Specialist

Visit these Dedicated Websites for Jeanean’s Listings

www.ForeverSunsets.com

www.13400LarkCourt.com

www.CountryClubLifestyle.com

www.ElegantVictorian.com

www.ChurnCreekHome.com

www.BungalowDelight.com

www.BassPondView.com

www.CloverCreekOakRun.com

How Much Is My Home Worth ~ Search MLS for all Homes in Shasta County ~ Dream Home Finder

Shasta County MLS Listings by Price ~ Short Sale and Foreclosure Listings ~ Redding and Shasta County’s Total Real Estate Resource

If you like what you are reading here, subscribe to my blog and you will be notified by email of new postings. You will receive a confirmation email. Click on the link to confirm your subscription.

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Redding Real Estate ~ First Time Buyers ~ Opportunity In This Market!

Jeanean Gendron, Realtor, DRE#01299346 — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:59:16 +0000

Redding Real Estate ~ First Time Buyers ~ Opportunity In This Market!

Prices have come down and interest rates are attractive. We have down payment assistance programs that may help to get you in a home if you qualify. We have lower prices and good financing available through FHA, CalVet and VA loans.

Very attractive interest rates make this a good opportunity for you to purchase your first home. We specialize in helping first-time home buyers find their perfect home. Call today and let’s get started working on finding you that “perfect” property. You really cannot afford to let this opportunity pass you by. The real estate market is more affordable and interest rates are at very attractive lows.

Buyers that understand a declining real estate market will know that the a home which is in excellent condition, in a good location and priced correctly (just under market value) will not be purchased for a low ball price. These homes are not short sales nor foreclosures and the market value remains stable within the current market . After spending time with your Realtor looking at homes you will begin to have a feel for market value and when the attractive combination of a “good buy” comes together (Price, Condition and Location). Your investment in researching the internet and your local market will help you be knowledgeable about making this very important decision. Once you have identified the area you want to purchase in, become knowledge about this specific neighborhood and the market value of the homes within the specific area.

Short Sale Opportunities–A short sale is a property that is what we call “upside down” in the market. The owner owes more money on the property than the property is worth in the current market. The short sale property will be on the market for less than market value. This provides opportunity for Buyers in this current market. It is important to understand some important aspects of short sales for your success. A short sale is all about the numbers to the lender. They are most concerned with the bottom line amount of money that they will save or loose on the property. The formula on a short sale is typically 10% below market value. The listing agent on a short sale is looking for the Buyer to come in close to listing price. The lender will not approve the sale unless the offer is within a reasonable range of 10%. The Buyer will also be expected to purchase the property in an “AS IS” condition. They Buyer will also have higher closing costs and be required to purchase the Home Warranty. The sale is subject to the lenders approval. There is opportunity with short sales if listed properly. Working with an experienced Realtor will help you determine the investment opportunity and the market value of the opportunity.

Foreclosure Opportunities–REOs are Real Estate Owned property that have been foreclosed upon. The bank now owns the property. Typically, they will not negotiate or accept offers that are of a “low ball” nature. They will not provide disclosures and the property is generally sold in an “AS IS” condition. Foreclosures vary in terms of what opportunities they present. Working with a knowledgeable Realtor or Real Estate Agent can help you determine the market value for this specific home in it’s current condition. This will help you determine your opportunity. Your own investment in understanding the market will benefit you greatly in correctly investing in REOs. The stronger an offer the more likely the bank will negotiate. An all cash offer, will tend to move the bank on price.

To help our Buyers we list foreclosures and short sales on our websites for your convenience. You can look through the current list of foreclosures and short sales and we can discuss other “good buys” that are on the market and afford opportunity. Call today and we can talk about Redding CA Real Estate and the Great Deals that are available.

Redding Real Estate ~ First Time Buyers Have Great Opportunity in this market at this time!

WE CAN HELP! We provide you our main real estate website for all your Redding Real Estate needs. We also provide a Luxury Market website for those clients looking for Redding Luxury Homes of extraordinary elegance. We also offer the entire Shasta County MLS by Price for you view convenience and we offer for those investors and first time home buyers a website dedicated to short sale and foreclosure listings and information.

SEND FOR A RELOCATION PACKAGE TODAY. CALL AND WE’LL TELL YOU ALL ABOUT OUR AREA.

Call today for a free Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) on your home or your investment property and we can talk about Redding Real Estate.

Visit these links to learn more about Redding and Shasta County. City of Redding offers you information on our city current development, crime statistics and news. Redding Visitors & Convention Center provides you with the local events for music and entertainment, places to go, attractions, and where to stay. Information on our schools can be found wilth the Shasta County Office of Education. Shasta County Economic Development Department provides the demographics on trade, retail, population and employment statistics.

Jeanean Gendron ~ Your Redding Real Estate and Shasta County Specialist

Visit these websites to learn more about Redding and Shasta County Real Estate.

Jeanean Gendron, Your Redding and Shasta County Specialist

Visit these Dedicated Websites for Jeanean’s Listings

www.ForeverSunsets.com

www.13400LarkCourt.com

www.CountryClubLifestyle.com

www.ElegantVictorian.com

www.ChurnCreekHome.com

www.BungalowDelight.com

www.7058MarieLane.com

www.BassPondView.com

www.CloverCreekOakRun.com

Jeanean’s Listings Shasta MLS by Price Short Sales and Foreclosures Redding and Shasta County Real Estate Resource Luxury Homes Waterfront Homes Ranches Horse Property Golf Course Homes

How Much Is My Home Worth Search all Homes in Shasta County Dream Home Finder

Jeanean’s Listings Shasta MLS by Price Short Sales and Foreclosures Redding and Shasta County Real Estate Resource Luxury Homes Waterfront Homes Ranches Horse Property Golf Course Homes

If you like what you are reading here, subscribe to my blog and you will be notified by email of new postings. You will receive a confirmation email. Click on the link to confirm your subscription.

Enter your email address:

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Redding CA ~ Homes For Sale ~ How The Federal Tax Credit Works!

Jeanean Gendron, Realtor, DRE#01299346 — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:31:34 +0000

Redding CA ~ Homes For Sales ~ How The Federal Tax Credit Works for First Time Buyers!

First Time Buyers have a new incentive to help towards owning a home. We currently have very attractive conditions that should help new buyers enter the market and achieve their goal of owning their first home. There are local Down Payment Assistance Programs and new Loan Programs designed to help you own your first home.

The market current provides and supports opportunity for you:

Historically Low Interest Rates
Real Estate is a Reliable Investment ($10,000 dollar investment in Stock Market in a normal market typically nets 12% ROI over 10 years, $10,000 dollar investment in the Stock Market in a bull market nets a 25% ROI over 10 years, and a $10,000 investment in a home in a normal market nets a 100% ROI over a 10 year period. Real estate is a more reliable investment than stocks. Source: NAR
It’s a Buyer’s Market–Plenty of Supply and Little Demand
The Buy Smart Time–typically a good time to buy a home is when the market is recovering.
Rates are back where they were at historically lows to make mortgage payments affordable.
There is a wide selection of houses which is good news for buyers when they have good home to choose from.
Homeowners in it for the long term nearly always come out ahead when building wealth.
It is a good time to take advantage of the strong local economy.
Home sales have slowed giving buyers the advantage.

Additionally, the Government is offering a $7,500 tax credit for First Time Home Buyers!

Who is eligible? The $7,500 tax credit is available for first time home buyers only. The law defines a first time home buyer as a buyer who has not owned a home during the past three years. All U.S. citizens who file taxes are eligible to participate in the program.

What Type of Homes Qualify? All homes within the U.S., whether single-family, town homes or condos will qualify. There are conditions. The home must be used as a primary residence, and the buyer has not owned a home in the prior three years. The tax credit includes newly constructed home.

If you are thinking of buying your first home, now may be a very good time to learn about your options. Visit our website for dates for First Time Home Buying Seminars or call me to register for the seminars or for details on how you can begin getting started in this process. The time is good and there is a deadline (July 1, 2009 for this tax incentive)….so call today and let’s get started.

I love helping first time home buyers.

I am Jeanean Gendron, your Redding and Shasta County Specialist. You can reach me at 530 276-7417. I answer my phone. Visit our website to learn more about Redding and Shasta County Real Estate.

How Much Is My Home Worth Search all Homes in Shasta County Dream Home Finder