Transfer tax defeated!

The proposed transfer tax increase in Warren County was defeated. Thanks to all of the Realtors and others who made their opinions heard!

Why homeowners get rich and renters stay poor

Most people realize there are major financial advantages to owning a home over renting. This article I read today puts these advantages into context, with numbers:

http://finance.yahoo.com/columnist/article/millionaire/2585

In addition to the obvious tax advantages of owning, Bach's best point is this. While stocks go up and down, real estate will always stays steady because people will always need a place to live.

If you're still renting, it's time to start paying your own mortgage, not someone else's.

10 real estate mistakes

Here's a link to an interesting article about common mistakes made when buying or selling a house entitled 10 real estate deal-wreckers. I'd like to call attention to "Skipping the loan preapproval step" and "Hiring the wrong agent."

http://realestate.msn.com/selling/Articlebankrate.aspx?cp-documentid=178230&GT1=7637

The loan preapproval process is so important to get done before you begin looking at houses. If you skip this step, invevitably you will fall in love with a house, write an offer, and lose it to another buyer who is preapproved. Feel free to call or email me with any questions regarding preapproval, or for a referral to a good loan officer.