Repairing Credit Report Errors

It is possible to correct errors on your credit report. All you need to know is what your options are and how to go about it.  The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows for anyone to dispute the completeness and accuracy of claims and information in your credit file.  Here are a few tips to get you going:

Dispute Inaccurate Information – Any information on your credit report that is not entirely correct can be disputed with the credit reporting agency.  For example, if your credit report states that you are currently delinquent in making payments but it fact you were late only a few times several months ago, you can contact the credit reporting agency to dispute this item.  Other common errors are accounts reporting in the wrong name and incorrect balances.

Contact Credit Granting Company – If you have prior debts on credit cards and they are delinquent, some companies will accept a settlement from  you.  Settlements can be up to 50% of the original balance.  Companies agree to settlements in order to close out accounts and earn at least a portion of the total back, instead of nothing.   

Cleaning up your credit is not a quick task. It can take weeks or months to fix errors or to pay off old debts.  However, it will make it much easier to earn an approval on a home loan with a better interest rate and terms. 

The three main credit reporting agencies dispute contact information is below:

Equifax Dispute 

Experian Dispute 

 Transunion Dispute

 Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

How Much Does it Cost to Sell Your Home

With all the talk in the media of the real estate market being a buyers market and the startling statistics on foreclosure rates you may wonder how smart it is to sell your house now.  There are several expenses you should be aware of before listing your home, so you are not caught off guard. 

Sales commission: This is the fee charged by the listing agent and the buyers agent. This is typically between 4 and 6 percent of the total sales price.

Closing costs: While not mandatory that the seller pay these fees, it is not uncommon for the seller to cover these costs for the buyers.  These fees include property taxes, prorated property taxes and legal fees. The fees can be as much as 2 to 4 percent of the home’s sale price.

Mortgage payoff: This is the difference between your outstanding principal balance and the payments you will make before the closing date. It is important to verify if you have a pre-payment penalty for your loan, since this will increase your total payoff. 

Pre-sale repairs and/or cosmetic fixes: These fees can be as little as a $50 coat of paint or up to several thousand to replace appliances or house structure repair.  These repairs will be negotiate prior to any parties signing a final contract. It is a good idea to have an appraisal performed prior to listing your home, to have an idea of what major repairs may be needed to sell your home.

Moving expenses:  This is easy to overlook when you are selling your home. But, you are also moving somewhere new and have to pay all those costs. From moving trucks, utility deposits, and down payments. 

Selling your home does not have to be overwhelming, it will save you stress and money if you know what to expect. 

 Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Black Friday Shopping in Allen - Pictures with Santa

If you are one of the thousands that will be pounding the pavement for Black Friday, there is fun for the kids too at Village of Allen.  Kids can meet Santa and take pictures with Santa. Plus see the reindeer and interactive Christmas tree.  

Meet Santa @ Village at Allen

 Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving

 Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Homeowners Insurance Rate Increase

A change that will affect many homeowners, Farmers Insurance has filed for a 3.9% increase in Homeowner Insurance rates.  

The rate increase will go into effect in March 2011.  The rate increases effect homeowners with a Texas Family Home Policy or the Farmers Next Generation Homeowners Policy.

For policy holders that are not under one of those two policies, they will gradually be switched over.  

The rate increase is to help cover cost of claims in Texas, as they have risen.  Many claims come from weather related damages.   

Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

1189 Landon - Townhome For Lease in Allen ISD

We are offering free rent on your first month if you move in by December 31, 2010 on this gorgeous town home now for lease in Twin Creeks Villas in Allen ISD.

3 bedrooms, and 2.5 baths. Separate shower stall and garden tub.  

Fluid floor plan with very large kitchen, formal dining, vaulted ceilings in Family Room.

Low maintenance living. Use of Twin Creeks amenities which includes pool, tennis, basketball, baseball, hiking, fishing, and much more! 

Exemplary rated Allen ISD Schools

 Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Importance of the Final Walkthrough

The final walk through before you go to closing on your new home is very important. Make sure not to waste that opportunity to locate issues you may not have recognized or acknowledged when first touring the home. Any issues should be addressed prior to closing day.

A Few Key Things to Look At:

• Obtain all manuals, records of sale, warranties, and repair receipts for all the appliances and systems. Keep these in one file with easy access.
• Check the exterior. Pay special attention to the roof. If there is a sprinkler system, check this is working properly. 
• Check all windows and doors are operating and functional.
• Check for ceilings stains from water damage
• Operate all systems in the house: appliances, garage door, garage door opener, heat and A/C.  Check lights as well. 
• Verify and agreed upon repairs or upgrades have been completed.

 Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Thanksgiving Day Recipe: Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie

Are you signed up to bring a delicious desert to the office party or giving your entire family a delicious desert? Here is one simple recipe that needs less than 1 hour of your time. 

Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients

• 1 cup apple butter
• 1 cup fresh or canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3 eggs, slightly beaten
• 3/4 cup evaporated milk
• 1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Combine apple butter, pumpkin, sugar, salt and spices in a bowl. Stir in eggs. Gradually add milk and mix well.
3. Pour into pie shell.
4. Bake for about 40 minutes or until set.

Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Villas at Twin Creeks - Neighborhood Bash

**Mark Your Calendars**

 When:  Saturday, November 20th

Time:  2-4 pm

Where:  Meritage Model Home Parking Lot at Entry (Amberdale & Sophia)  Look for the Balloons

Janus Real Estate Group and Meritage Homes wants to throw  a Neighborhood Bash to welcome current residents and welcome potential new residents. 

This will be a great way to meet your neighbors, have some fun and welcome in the Holiday Season.  Just show up and say HI!

•First 10 Families get a Free Turkey just in Time for Thanksgiving (Find them in the Model Home Turkey Scavenger Hunt)

•Bounce House for the Kiddos

•Watters Creek Location Nestle Tollhouse Cookie Decorating

•Do it your Self Home Improvement Demos for the Adults presented by James “The toolman”

•Wine and Cheese Sampling in the Model Home Kitchen

•Sodas, Water and Snacks will be Provided

•Kids can set up their first savings account and a $50 US Savings Bond will be Raffled Off

•And we have some surprises in store

Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

 

Villas at Twin Creeks - Neighborhood Bash

 When:  Saturday, November 20th

Time:  2-4 pm

Where:  Meritage Model Home Parking Lot at Entry (Amberdale & Sophia)  Look for the Balloons

Janus Real Estate Group and Meritage Homes wants to throw  a Neighborhood Bash to welcome current residents and welcome potential new residents. 

This will be a great way to meet your neighbors, have some fun and welcome in the Holiday Season.  Just show up and say HI!

•First 10 Families get a Free Turkey just in Time for Thanksgiving (Find them in the Model Home Turkey Scavenger Hunt)

•Bounce House for the Kiddos

•Watters Creek Location Nestle Tollhouse Cookie Decorating

•Do it your Self Home Improvement Demos for the Adults presented by James “The toolman”

•Wine and Cheese Sampling in the Model Home Kitchen

•Sodas, Water and Snacks will be Provided

•Kids can set up their first savings account and a $50 US Savings Bond will be Raffled Off

•And we have some surprises in store

Allen ISD Townhome for Rent- Twin Creek Villas - 1112 Landon - $1550

The largest floorplan in Twin Creeks Villas.  Located at the end of a cul de sac/ corner lot.Giving you tons of privacy and room for the kids to play.

3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms, plus a Separate Study and a Loft upstairs.

Low maintenance living. The HOA maintains front yard and watering.

As a Twin Creeks Villas tenant you will have access to all Twin Creek amenities: swimming, tennis, basketball, sand volleyball, trails, and more!

The Villas is located conveniently near HWY 75, 121, Allen Business District, Telecom Corridor, Allen Premium Outlets, and Watter's Creek.

Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Agent Profile: Matt Norton

Matt has been in Real Estate since 2005 and has been a multi-million dollar producer every year in the business, including $2.6 million in sales in 2008.  Customer service is the cornerstone of his business and he has 15 years experience in the field.  

As the leader of the Norton Real Estate Team, Matt has committed himself to making the home buying/selling journey a happy, stress free, and productive process.  It is his goal to have 100% customer satisfaction.  

His wife Kristina is a Mortgage Loan Officer and together they have helped their clients get unmatched service and more importantly, results.  When clients use the Norton Real Estate Team they can rest assure that their needs are being put first.  

We consider all of our clients to be friends first and a customer second.  Being in the customer service business our entire careers we understand the value of treating people, as we would expect to be treated.  The Norton Real Estate Team does not work 8am-5pm Monday to Friday; we are available 7 days a week, 24 hrs a day to insure our clients never miss an opportunity, and that they receive the best service available.

Matt has lived in Frisco for the past 4 years, with his wife Kristina, 2 ½ year old son Braylon and daughter Kaitlyn is on the way.  Matt and his family have lived in the Dallas area for the past 30 plus years and during this time they have been an active part of the community in which they work.  They still actively participate in local Athletics, social events, and community fundraisers.  

While The Norton Real Estate Team does give 110% to our customers, we still have traditional family values and have made the community and family one of out top priorities.

 
 Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Collin County Adult Health Clinic

Collin County has approximately 126,995 people  without health insurance. In response to this, Collin County will be opening an additional Adult clinic for those that are underserved. Services include primary and preventive care, prescription medication and social services.

The clinic is open Wednesday evenings from 6 PM-9 PM and Saturday mornings from 9 AM - 12 Noon. The clinic runs on appointments only.


For more information on location or questions: 

Collin County Adult Clinic

Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Buying Real Estate for Investment

You have probably heard it before, investing in real-estate is among the best investments you could make.  Usually, the value of real estate properties increases. It may sound easy, but beginners would usually find out that it is not that easy.  It requires specific knowledge and skills- these can be achieved through research, planning and hard work.   

Before you proceed in investing your hard-earned money in real-estate, you would have to consider several things first.  For example, you would have to identify what kind of money you want to earn: short or long term.  With short term you can earn a lump sum relatively quickly through flipping houses or wholesaling.  With long term goals you can earn a steady amount over a long term, such as with rental properties.   

If directly managing homes or rental units is not your cup of tea, then you could try getting a real estate property management group.  They would be building or managing the property for you in exchange of a percentage of tenants’ monthly payments.

If it is your first time to venture in real-estate investing, then you would have to be aware of common beginner’s mistakes.  One common mistake is speculation.  Beginners would usually follow the media, buy a property and wait for its value to increase.  This could be risky. 

As mentioned earlier, real-estate investing requires research. Aside from that, you should also be prepared for the worst. If nobody buys the property, then you would have to think of other methods on how you could generate income from it.  You could lease it, rent it and think about other exit strategies.

When property hunting, keep two things in mind: location and value.  There are newly-developing places where real-estate could provide you with greater financial returns in the future—These properties will generally have a higher price.  Also, be aware of the foreclosure rate of the area surrounding any house you are considering. 

Real-estate investing is not a get rich over night program. It requires hard work and good marketing strategies.  But, with success you can have a steady supplemental income.

Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Agent Profile: Heather Anderson

Heather is Co-Owner of Janus Real Estate Group and started her Real Estate Career in 2004 working in New Home Sales with DFW Builders.  She is very well versed in Frisco, Allen, Plano, McKinney architecture, detail and design.  She implements a web based Real Estate Brokerage design and is successful in understanding how to appeal to the average buyer that starts their search online.

She is considered a buyer specialist, but works closely with people looking to lease and purchase at a later time as well.  She feels it is important to treat every tier of the Client the with honesty, integrity, caring and respect.  She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2002 with her BA in Finance and Economics and has lived abroad in London, UK and throughout Japan.  She enjoys traveling and would love to discuss where you have been and most importantly where you are going.  She will be sure to take great care of you before, after and during the Real Estate Transaction.

 

 Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

 

 

Winterizing Your Home

Inspect the Roof- You are looking for any cracked or missing shingles.  Check for any damage that might allow for leaks.  For minor repairs, roofing cement may be able to fix it.  But don’t delay on larger repairs.

Check the gutters- You will want your gutters free of leaves and debris so water (or snow) can drain properly.

Check the weather-stripping- This keeps cold air out and warm air in around doors and windows.  It is generally easier and cost effective to replace this entirely if there is any damage, versus repairing it. 

Service the heating system- Check your filters to make sure they are clean and working properly. Also check for leaks in the air ducts.

Sweep the chimney- You are checking for black, scaly build up on the inside of the chimney. It is recommended to clean an active chimney once a year. 

 Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Homebuyer Common Mistakes

Homebuyers often encounter problem areas when they look for their home to purchase.  To avoid a  frightful experience, which could lead to loss of time, effort and even worse your money here are a few common mistakes that are made in real-estate and how to avoid them.

 • Lack of research

When buying properties and houses, you will have to go back to the basics:  doing some research before proceeding with any kind of purchase. A few questions to start with to have a better grasp on the situation:  

            Reasons for putting the property on sale

Any problems about the house’s foundation that needs to be addressed.

If there are any problems in the area where the house and property is located like being near a flood zone, termite problems, etc.

If there are any problems in town area.

 • Not considering the extra costs

Aside from the upfront price of the house or property, you have to factor in the maintenance cost of the house.  Are you going to make upgrades? Are there maintenance issues that need to be taken care of in order to make the home livable? You will need a home inspection and termite inspection. Having a home warranty is a good idea as well. These are all above and beyond the cost of your home.

 • Waiting to long

There is nothing wrong with waiting for the right house but make sure you are st realistic.  It is difficult to find for a home that would fit 100% of your needs and demands.  Homebuyers who are looking for homes with this method will usually by pass homes that would meet nearly all of their standards. To avoid this, it is important to sort out priorities.  Identify the top needs that should be provided for a prospective home.

 • No professional assistance

Another mistake many homebuyers make is trying to get a house on their own.  There is nothing wrong with buying a home without any professional help;  however, it can be very stressful and take up a large chunk of your time. Real-estate agents have the resources, contacts, and tools that would be able to help make the search quicker. 

Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Election Day 2010

Today is the official Election Day. Follow this link to find out where you can go vote:

Vote Texas

Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773