Great Timing: HomeFinder.com Launches Mortgage Rate Search and Mortgage Rates Hit Lowest Levels of Year

Now that’s great timing. The same week we launch real time mortgage rates search on HomeFinder.com, mortgage rates drop to their lowest level this year.

When we build things, we like to build them right. Our new mortgage rates search gives consumers real time rates, from multiple lenders, without forcing them to give up any personal information whatsoever. Have a look for yourself, here are the latest Phoenix mortgage rates, Chicago mortgage rates and Milwaukee mortgage rates.

We partnered with Mortgage Marvel, to power these results, because their mortgage rate comparison search platform offers a number of advantages to consumers looking to purchase a home:

• Genuine mortgage rates, not samples
• Every fee and cost spelled out clearly
• Rates updated in real-time
• No office visits
• No bait and switch
• No unwanted phone calls

One of the most important aspects of buying a home is getting a loan. Our new mortgage rate search should make this task faster, easier and more transparent for consumers. We especially like the accuracy and clarity of the rates and fees that our new mortgage rate search provides. Hopefully visitors to HomeFinder.com are able to find a better home loan as a result.

So if you’re in the market for a new home loan, or you’re looking to refinance your existing home loan (and who isn’t, with rates being this low), head on over to HomeFinder.com’s new mortgage page and give our new mortgage rate search a try. Happy hunting!

If you’re hoping to buy a home this year but have been on the fence about making your move, don’t forget that your window of opportunity to qualify for a potential tax credit is steadily closing.

First time and repeat buyers meeting the specified the requirements stand to receive up to $8,000 and $6,500, respectively, in federal tax credits. The catch is that the homes must be purchased on or before April 30, 2010. In special circumstances, the credits are still available as long as first time or repeat buyers enter into a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010 with the purchase transaction completed by June 30, 2010.

The National Association of Home Builders have created a great federal housing tax credit site with helpful information, tips and FAQs detailing the opportunities and conditions available to you through the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009. For your convenience, we’ve provided some fast facts below, but we encourage you to check out additional resources or discuss these opportunities more closely with your agent or broker.
Fast Facts: First Time Buyer Tax Credit

• A first time buyer is defined as any buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period preceding the initial home purchase. For married taxpayers to qualify, this (non-)home ownership stipulation must hold true for both the buyer and his/her spouse.

• A first time buyer meeting the qualification and time limitation requirements is eligible to claim the federal tax credit for any principal home purchase, including new or resale, provided that the purchase price does not exceed $800,000.

• The first time buyer tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price, up to a maximum of $8,000.

• The qualifying income limits are $125,000 for single taxpayers and $225,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return. Partial tax credits apply for buyers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) as defined by the IRS.

• Qualifying first time buyers can claim the tax credit on their federal income tax return, allowing for a dollar-for-dollar reduction in what they owe in taxes.

Fast Facts: Repeat Buyer Tax Credit

• A repeat buyer is defined as a long time resident who has owned and lived in the same home for at least five consecutive years of the eight years prior to the purchase date. For married taxpayers to qualify, both the buyer and his/her spouse must meet the required five years of principal residency stipulation.

• A repeat buyer meeting the qualification and time limitation requirements is eligible to claim the federal tax credit for any principal home purchase, including new or resale, provided that the purchase price does not exceed $800,000.

• The repeat buyer tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price, up to a maximum of $6,500. The qualifying income limits are identical to the first time buyer tax credit requirements (including additional conditions for taxpayers with MAGI).

• Qualifying repeat buyers can claim the tax credit on their federal income tax return, allowing for a dollar-for-dollar reduction in what they owe in taxes.

Ten DIY tips to get your home open house ready!

In most northern regions across the country, open house season officially kicks off in the spring shortly following the Super Bowl. For our neighbors to the south, open house season can also occur in the Fall. Regardless of where you’re coming from, an open house by any other season still provides a unique opportunity for buyers to connect with a home on a more tangible level. Despite the proliferation of online listing sites offering multiple property photos and even virtual tours, there’s still something to be said for physically walking through a home and getting a substantial feel for the layout, neighborhood and general condition of the home. For lack of a better term, it’s a crucial opportunity unlike any other, to investigate the je ne sais quoi, or “certain something” — of a potential home. For you sellers, your open house is a chance to make a great first or lasting impression.

Here are our 10 tips for spicing up your open house to romance potential buyers!

10. Breathe new life into an old home

Even if you don’t have the budget or time for a major renovation project, at the very least, you should clean your home thoroughly to make it shine like new. All surfaces should be spotless, including floors, counters, windows, walls and mirrors. You can also work small miracles with a few coats of fresh paint. But this doesn’t mean white. Don’t be afraid of a little color, just keep it neutral.

9. Take ‘you’ out of the equation
You want buyers to walk in and picture themselves living in the home. Your home should reflect a blank canvas, devoid of any personal touches including pictures and bold wall colors. On open house day, this might also mean you literally, as some buyers might prefer talking to a neutral agent, rather than you the home seller, about the home.

8. Fool the eye
Stage your home for maximum impact. If you have a smaller living area, remove heavy furniture to open up the space. If you want to detract attention away from a small feature window, arrange furniture or use wall color (in neutral tones) to play up the fireplace or tray ceilings as the primary focal point.

7. Bring on the light
Light creates energy and a positive vibe, so open up your curtains to let in natural sunlight. If you’re lacking windows, illuminate your space with strategic and functional lighting for added warmth and ambiance. Less is not more so turn all your lights on, especially if you have nice fixtures.

6. Enhance your curb appeal
First impressions are lasting impressions, so replace fading house numbers or put a fresh coat of paint on tired looking doors and mailboxes. Lawns should be neat, trim and sparkling, so run your sprinklers shortly before your open house starts.

5. Sweat the small stuff
Don’t forget about the details, such as replacing mismatched outlet covers, patching holes and rehanging or oiling squeaky doors.

4. Appeal to the nose
Nothing turns off buyers quicker than offensive odors. You might not smell your pets, but a non-pet owner definitely will. Ensure foul odors are not only eliminated, but replaced with delicious scents from fresh cut flowers or home baked treats.

3. Create a plan of attack
Make sure you or your agent have discussed a tactical plan to accomplish your open house goals. This should include strategic scheduling and a fundamental understanding of buyer behavior. Keep in mind most open houses are posted on Thursdays and Sundays, with a majority of buyers searching on Sunday morning.

2. Roll out the welcome mat
Make buyers feel at home and at ease by providing soft, inviting music, balloons at the entryway, prominent sign in sheets/brochures, and even kid-friendly activities such as coloring books and crayons. Not only will this make your home more inviting, but it will also leave the real decision makers free to focus on your home’s great features.

1. Promote, promote, promote!
It won’t matter how wonderful your house looks if no one attends your open house. So make sure you or your agent has advertised your open house both online and in print, maximizing all the channels buyers are searching. On open house day, post signs at the busiest intersections and create an effective path for buyers to easily navigate to your open house.

Good luck and let us know how these tips worked out for you. Have more tips and ideas? Share them with us at communications@homefinder.com.