Time is running short for taking advantage of the tax credit. What you need to do now, by mid-March, and April.

There are two homebuyer federal tax credits: the first time homebuyer credit up to $8000, and the move up credit of $6500. Both of these come with specific deadlines you need to know.

To collect either credit you will have to have a home under contract by April 30. There is another deadline: The home has to close by June 30th.

What should you be doing right now?  Check out a timeline that can put you on track for a new home and the tax credit …

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HUD has just released its latest version of “Shopping for Your Home Loan – HUD’s Settlement Cost Booklet.”  On page 6, it discusses the role of a real estate broker or agent and now includes a bolded reference to exclusive buyer’s agents.  It says,

“It is your responsibility to search for an agent who will represent your interests in the real estate transaction. If you want someone to represent only your interests, consider hiring an “exclusive buyer’s agent”, who will be working for you.”

Download the free booklet and watch a revealing video about the difference between Real Estate agents.

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Two St. Louis areas ranked the best or the worst for health matters

The St. Louis Post dispatch published a report today on the healthiest St. Louis County and the least healthy.

You might be surprised to find out what area ranked the highest and which one ranked the lowest …

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Lafayette and Rockwood High Schools Ranked “Silver” by U.S. News and World Report

Good news for the Rockwood School District in St. Louis County. For the third  consecutive year U.S. News and World Report has come out with its annual report on the top schools in the nation and Rockwood schools are looking great.

Even if you do not have children, this is good news for this area of the St. Louis Real Estate market and for homeowners and possible resale value. Find out how the Rockwood Schools (elementary included) performed in a recent report by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education … and view available homes in this area. Read the rest of this entry

You probably know your Social Security number, some of your passwords, usually your PIN number. But do you know the number that will cost — or save you thousands of dollars?  Look how your credit score number can impact your monthly payment:

Better Score = Cheaper House

If a family put a 3.5% down payment on a $172,900 four-bedroom house, they would take out a loan for $166,850. Here’s what their true bottom line would look like.

Credit Score of 760+ yields a rate of 4.981% with a monthly payment of $893.75

Credit Score of 680-699 yields a rate of 5.380% with a monthly payment of $934.83

Did you get that?  The guy with the credit score in the range of 680-699 ends up paying approximately $41.00 a month MORE than the guy with a 760+ credit score!  That’s every month!

Bottom Line: You will end up paying $15,000.00 MORE for the home over the life of the loan!

If your credit score is less than 620: It will be tough to get a loan at all.

Read more about your credit score and how to get an idea what it might be … Read the rest of this entry