ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT 5 Reasons Why Buying is Right! … · Southland Regional Association of...
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Free Ombudsman Program New Program Aims for Speedy, Informal Dispute Resolution Southland Regional Association of Realtors® In an effort to settle disputes in the purchase or sale of a home quickly and informally, the Southland Region- al Association of Realtors recently un- veiled its new Ombudsman Program. “Anyone in a dispute with a member of the Association who has not yet or does not want to file an official complaint can take advantage of our new, free program,” said Wendy Silver-Hale, president of SRAR. “Use of an ombudsman will help resolve disputes in a timelier and less formal fash- ion,” she said. “at benefits all parties.” In some instances, the official, formal grievance process can take up to four months or longer before a dispute is resolved. With the Ombudsman Program, the ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN THE SAN FERNANDO AND SANTA CLARITA VALLEYS www.SRAR.com | Real Estate Questions? E-mail Wendy Silver-Hale, SRAR 2012 President, c/o [email protected] Wendy Silver-Hale 2012 SRAR President FREE - Take full advantage of property-centric data, advanced mapping capabilities, market and trend data, custom configuration options, and enhanced professional reports. FREE - Generate, for your buyers and sellers, the most comprehensive, informative, personalized, and eye- catching reports in real estate. Includes three report sets; including a buyer tour, a single property report, and of course, real estate's most innovative CMA. FREE - an online real estate library that provides members with valuable data on every property in the United States - create custom reports to provide to clients and customers. FREE - allows you to set up client accounts. As a result, your clients can search for listing data which allows you to manage and keep updated on your clients’ every need. FREE - a B2B platform where you can share real estate listings with other professional organizations worldwide. SRAR offers a wide array of training oppor- tunities, including certification courses, continuing education credit courses, desig- nation courses, and hands-on technology training. We can even conduct training in your office. See the calendar on SRAR.com for a full list. Training & Education FREE - CRISNet Members have access to live tech support Monday thru Saturday. Tech Support Member Benefits FREE - Listing Syndication system advertises your listings across 300+ public listing search sites. FREE Basic Website, FREE Basic IDX, and FREE Basic Mobile IDX. FREE - provides mobile technology tools (QR codes) that allow real estate agents to deliver property information to a buyer's cell phone while they are standing at the property or on-the-go. The agent is optionally notified after each request. 5 Reasons Why Buying is Right! Owning a home is nothing like an investment in stocks or bonds. It's far better! Investors know that real estate, while still fraught with problems, pitfalls and peril, is once again the most undervalued asset class in the nation. at’s why investors have been busy for the last couple of years scooping up properties while traditional buyers sit on the sidelines dithering — indecisively wonder- ing if it’s a good time to buy. Yet owning a home is unlike any other kind of investment. It offers more. A home is an asset a buyer can use while it depreciates over time and, especially now, has the potential to grow in market value. All a buyer has to do is keep the home in good repair to maximize their investment. Here are five reasons why a homebuyer gets more for their money with a house than the stock market: • Leverage — With stocks, the buyer puts in all their money for a miniscule piece of a company. With a house, they put in a little money to get the entire house. • Tax benefits — Uncle Sam knows that owning a home can be a pain in the neck; that’s why they offer tax incentives. is may change if some politicians get their way, yet, for the moment, on what other investment can a buyer put in 5 or 10 percent of the cost of the asset, reap all the appreciation, and pay no capital gains? Live in a home for at least two years, and the buyer does not have to pay capital gains tax on up to $250,000 in appreciation if they’re single and a combined $500,000 if they’re a married couple. And that’s not Realtors Launch 2012 Grant Program First-time homebuyers are eligible for a $2,000 grant under a program launched recently by the Southland Regional Association of Realtors. This year’s version of the popular annual program, offered by the Association in conjunction with the California Association of Realtors’ Housing Affordability Fund, is aimed at first-time buyers who purchase a home with the close of escrow after the official launch date of May 7. Grants of $2,000, which need not be repaid, will be available for one year or until funds have been exhausted, whichever comes first. “A grant cannot be awarded until after escrow closes and each applicant must comply with a set of rules,” said Wendy Silver-Hale, president of the Association. “It's an extremely popular community program that Realtors are proud to extend to first-time homebuyers.” To qualify, applicants must meet an income limit, the home purchased must be within the San Fernando or Santa Clarita Valleys, and the buyer must use a SRAR Realtor member through the close of escrow. Applications for a grant will not be accepted until after escrow has closed. Grant rules, an application form, a list of LAHD-approved first-time homebuyer courses, and how to make a tax-deductible donation to the Hous- ing Affordability Fund are available on-line at www.SRAR.com. Streamlined New Short Sale Rules Realtors applauded a recent decision by the Federal Housing Finance Agency to streamline the short sale process to help more homeowners avoid foreclosure. e move calls for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to develop enhanced and aligned strategies for facilitating short sales, deeds-in-lieu, and deeds-for-lease. “We applaud the FHFA for taking this important step to streamline the short sale process,” said LeFrancis Arnold, president of the California Association of Realtors. “We have long called for similar improvements to help ensure successful short sales and look forward to hearing about additional enhancements to further reform the process.” e FHFA’s directive calls for servicers to: • Review and respond to requests for short sales within 30 calendar days from receipt of a short sale offer and a complete borrower response package; • Provide weekly status updates to the borrower if the short sale offer is still under review after 30 calendar days; • Make and communicate final decisions to the borrower within 60 calendar days of receipt of the offer and the complete borrower response package By the end of this year, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will announce additional enhancements that address borrower eligibility and evaluation, documentation sim- plification, property valuation, fraud mitigation, payments to subordinate lien holders, and mortgage insurance. individuals seeking assistance can expect to be contacted by their assigned ombudsman within two business days. e Ombudsman Program uses trained volunteers who will work with the parties from the start to the finish of a dispute. An ombudsman will contact the other party on the complainant’s behalf in an attempt to resolve the issue without the need to file a formal complaint. “e role of the ombudsman is not to take sides or determine who is in violation,” Silver- Hale said, “but rather to facilitate proper communica- tion among the disputing parties and find a resolution agreeable to all sides.” Volunteer ombudsmen are trained in and familiar with the Realtors’ Code of Ethics, California real estate regulations, and current real estate practices. ey can respond to a wide variety of inquiries and complaints. “e Association hopes that through this process, we can quickly resolve any issues consumers and Realtors may encoun- ter,” Silver-Hale said. In the event an issue proves to be too complex, a party decides against using an ombudsman, or if the ombudsman is unable to facilitate a resolution of the dispute, any of the parties can file a formal complaint through SRAR’s Professional Standards Department. Best of all, the Ombudsman Program is free and completely confidential. For more information, contact Michelle Gerhard, SRAR’s Professional Standards administrator, at 818-947-2226. e Southland Regional Association of Realtors® is one of the largest local trade associations in the nation with more than 9,000 mem- bers serving the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys. ‘The role of the ombudsman is not to take sides … but rather to facilitate proper communication between the disputing parties and find a resolution …’ all — consider the benefits of fixed-rate mortgages, property tax write-offs, interest rate deductions, and depreciation. • Control — Buying a stock means jumping into a system that pays some CEO’s 500 times the average worker’s salary, even if the company performs poorly. With a home, the buyer has control — what they buy, how much they pay, and where they live. A homeowner can improve the value with repairs and updates. A stock owner may be allowed into the next share- holders’ meeting! • Lifestyle — Some renters get to look at a concrete jungle while some owners have their children playing in their own back yard. With buying in some instances now cheaper than renting, a buyer purchases a vantage point for their family: e neigh- borhood they want to be in, and the size and style of a home that fits their needs. • Value — While home values are starting to pick up after plummeting for several years, rarely will a home be worth- less. Barring a catastrophe, a home will retain a major portion of its value, even in the worst of times. Buying a home today offers the possibility of riding the recovery of prices. Location remains key, yet timing when to buy a home is pivotal, too. It looks like the time is now. For three decades the stock market and housing prices have gone through cycles of bust and boom, yet when it rains at least owning a home keeps a roof overhead. Trying staying dry with a stock or bond certificate.
Transcript of ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT 5 Reasons Why Buying is Right! … · Southland Regional Association of...
Free Ombudsman Program
New Program Aims for Speedy, Informal Dispute Resolution
Southland Regional Association of Realtors®In an effort to settle disputes in the purchase or sale of a home quickly and informally, the Southland Region-al Association of Realtors recently un-veiled its new Ombudsman Program.“Anyone in a dispute with a member of the Association who has not yet or does not want to file an official complaint can take advantage of our new, free program,” said Wendy Silver-Hale, president of SRAR.
“Use of an ombudsman will help resolve disputes in a timelier and less formal fash-ion,” she said. “That benefits all parties.”
In some instances, the official, formal grievance process can take up to four months or longer before a dispute is resolved.
With the Ombudsman Program, the
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
The Voice FoR Real esTaTe in The san FeRnando and sanTa claRiTa Valleyswww.sRaR.com | Real Estate Questions? E-mail Wendy Silver-Hale, SRAR 2012 President, c/o [email protected]
Wendy silver-hale2012 SRAR President
FREE - Take full advantage of property-centric data, advanced mapping capabilities, market and trend data, custom configuration options, and enhanced professional reports.
FREE - Generate, for your buyers and sellers, the most comprehensive, informative, personalized, and eye-catching reports in real estate. Includes three report sets;including a buyer tour, a single property report, and of course,real estate's most innovative CMA.
FREE - an online real estate library that provides members with valuable data on every property in the United States - createcustom reports to provide to clients and customers.
FREE - allows you to set up client accounts. As a result, your clients can search for listing data which allows you to manage and keep updated on your clients’ every need.
FREE - a B2B platform where you can share real estate listings with otherprofessional organizations worldwide.
SRAR offers a wide array of training oppor- tunities, including certification courses, continuing education credit courses, desig-nation courses, and hands-on technology training. We can evenconduct training in your office. See the calendar on SRAR.comfor a full list.
Training &Education
FREE - CRISNet Members have access to live tech support Monday thru Saturday.Tech Support
Member Benefits
FREE - Listing Syndication system advertises your listings across 300+ public listing search sites.
FREE Basic Website, FREE Basic IDX,and FREE Basic Mobile IDX.
FREE - provides mobile technology tools (QR codes) that allow real estate agents to deliver property information to a buyer's cell phonewhile they are standing at the property or on-the-go. The agentis optionally notified after each request.
5 Reasons Why Buying is Right!Owning a home is nothing like an investment in stocks or bonds. It's far better!Investors know that real estate, while still fraught with problems, pitfalls and peril, is once again the most undervalued asset class in the nation.
That’s why investors have been busy for the last couple of years scooping up properties while traditional buyers sit on the sidelines dithering — indecisively wonder-ing if it’s a good time to buy.
Yet owning a home is unlike any other kind of investment. It offers more.
A home is an asset a buyer can use while it depreciates over time and, especially now, has the potential to grow in market value. All a buyer has to do is keep the home in good repair to maximize their investment.
Here are five reasons why a homebuyer gets more for their money with a house than the stock market:
• Leverage — With stocks, the buyer puts in all their money for a miniscule piece of a company. With a house, they put in a little money to get the entire house.
• Tax benefits — Uncle Sam knows that owning a home can be a pain in the neck; that’s why they offer tax incentives. This may change if some politicians get their way, yet, for the moment, on what other investment can a buyer put in 5 or 10 percent of the cost of the asset, reap all the appreciation, and pay no capital gains?
Live in a home for at least two years, and the buyer does not have to pay capital gains tax on up to $250,000 in appreciation if they’re single and a combined $500,000 if they’re a married couple. And that’s not
Realtors Launch 2012 Grant ProgramFirst-time homebuyers are eligible for a $2,000 grant under a program launched recently by the Southland Regional Association of Realtors.
This year’s version of the popular annual program, offered by the Association in conjunction with the California Association of Realtors’ Housing Affordability Fund, is aimed at first-time buyers who purchase a home with the close of escrow after the official launch date of May 7. Grants of $2,000, which need not be repaid, will be available for one year or until funds have been exhausted, whichever comes first.
“A grant cannot be awarded until after escrow closes and each applicant must comply with a set of rules,” said Wendy Silver-Hale,
president of the Association. “It's an extremely popular community program that Realtors are proud to extend
to first-time homebuyers.” To qualify, applicants must meet
an income limit, the home purchased must be within the San Fernando or Santa Clarita Valleys,
and the buyer must use a SRAR Realtor member through the close of escrow. Applications for a grant will not be accepted until after escrow has closed. Grant rules, an application form, a list of LAHD-approved first-time homebuyer courses, and how to make a tax-deductible donation to the Hous-ing Affordability Fund are available on-line at www.SRAR.com.
streamlined new short sale RulesRealtors applauded a recent decision by the Federal Housing Finance Agency to streamline the short sale process to help more homeowners avoid foreclosure. The move calls for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to develop enhanced and aligned strategies for facilitating short sales, deeds-in-lieu, and deeds-for-lease.
“We applaud the FHFA for taking this important step to streamline the short sale process,” said LeFrancis Arnold, president of the California Association of Realtors. “We have long called for similar improvements to help ensure successful short sales and look forward to hearing about additional enhancements to further reform the process.”
The FHFA’s directive calls for servicers to:• Review and respond to requests for short sales within 30 calendar days from
receipt of a short sale offer and a complete borrower response package;• Provide weekly status updates to the borrower if the short sale offer is still under
review after 30 calendar days;• Make and communicate final decisions to the borrower within 60 calendar days
of receipt of the offer and the complete borrower response packageBy the end of this year, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will announce additional
enhancements that address borrower eligibility and evaluation, documentation sim-plification, property valuation, fraud mitigation, payments to subordinate lien holders, and mortgage insurance.
individuals seeking assistance can expect to be contacted by their assigned ombudsman within two business days.
The Ombudsman Program uses trained volunteers who will work with the parties from the start to the finish of a dispute.
An ombudsman will contact the other party on the complainant’s behalf in an attempt to resolve the issue without the need to file a formal complaint.
“The role of the ombudsman is not to take sides or determine who is in violation,” Silver-Hale said, “but rather to facilitate proper communica-tion among the disputing parties and find a resolution agreeable to all sides.”
Volunteer ombudsmen are trained in and familiar with the Realtors’ Code of Ethics, California real estate regulations, and current real estate practices.
They can respond to a wide variety of inquiries and complaints.
“The Association hopes that through this process, we can quickly resolve any issues consumers and Realtors may encoun-ter,” Silver-Hale said.
In the event an issue proves to be too complex, a party decides against using an ombudsman, or if the ombudsman is unable
to facilitate a resolution of the dispute, any of the parties can file a formal complaint through SRAR’s Professional Standards Department.
Best of all, the Ombudsman Program is free and completely confidential.
For more information, contact Michelle Gerhard, SRAR’s Professional Standards administrator, at 818-947-2226.The Southland Regional Association of Realtors® is one of the largest local trade associations in the nation with more than 9,000 mem-bers serving the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys.
‘The role of the ombudsman is not to take sides … but rather to facilitate proper communication
between the disputing parties and find a resolution …’
all — consider the benefits of fixed-rate mortgages, property tax write-offs, interest rate deductions, and depreciation.
• Control — Buying a stock means jumping into a system that pays some CEO’s 500 times the average worker’s salary, even if the company performs poorly. With a home, the buyer has control — what they buy, how much they pay, and where they live. A homeowner can improve the value with repairs and updates. A stock owner may be allowed into the next share-holders’ meeting!
• Lifestyle — Some renters get to look at a concrete jungle while some owners have their children playing in their own back yard. With buying in some instances now cheaper than renting, a buyer purchases a vantage point for their family: The neigh-borhood they want to be in, and the size and style of a home that fits their needs.
• Value — While home values are starting to pick up after plummeting for several years, rarely will a home be worth-less. Barring a catastrophe, a home will retain a major portion of its value, even in the worst of times. Buying a home today offers the possibility of riding the recovery of prices. Location remains key, yet timing when to buy a home is pivotal, too. It looks like the time is now.
For three decades the stock market and housing prices have gone through cycles of bust and boom, yet when it rains at least owning a home keeps a roof overhead.
Trying staying dry with a stock or bond certificate.
