Posts Tagged ‘Home Purchases’

As of today, 3rd February 2010, the refinance rates are, as follows: (1) 30 yr Fixed Rate, Today, 5.19%, Last Week, 4.94%; (2) 15 yr Fixed Rate, Today, 4.4%, Last Week, 5.06%; (3) 5/1 ARM, Today, 4.53%, Last Week, 4.12%.

According to an article in Mortgage News Daily, “A rising trend of mortgage applications indicates an increase in home buying interest, a positive for the housing industry and economy as a whole. More home purchases can lead to more construction jobs and increased purchases of items to build a home. Furthermore, in a low mortgage rate environment, an increasing trend implies consumers are seeking out lower monthly payments which can result in increased disposable income and therefore more money to spend on discretionary items or to pay down other debt.”

The article further states, “Don’t wait for mortgage rates to decline! I stand by my statement that 4.75% could very well be the lowest mortgage rates offered in 2010…unless there is a fundamental shift in economic outlook. If you have been waiting to refinance or to buy, get out there and start the process before you miss the boat of sub 5% rates.”

Click this web-link, http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/consumer_rates/132989.aspx, to read the entire article by Victor Burek.

The Mobile Bay Metro Area, Baldwin County and Mobile County of Alabama, has ongoing (and potential future) economic projects which may have an advantage over other U. S. regions. Our real estate market should draw more positive attention in the near future.

Contact Al Cheney, Cheney Appraisal Services, Certified FHA Approved Real Estate Appraiser, Baldwin County, Mobile County, Alabama, (251) 533-2424, when requiring a residential appraisal report for refinancing, settling an estate with real property, or various other litigation reasons in Alabama. Email your orders and questions to Al at Albert@CheneyAppraisalServices.com/.

When interviewing a home inspector within The Mobile Bay Metro Area, Baldwin County and Mobile County of Alabama, ask the home inspector what type of report format he or she will provide for you. There are many styles of home inspection reports used by property inspectors, including the checklist, the use of computer generated inspection programs and the narrative style.

Some home inspection reports are delivered on site but most may take as long as 4 to 6 delivery days. All of the home inspection report systems have pros and cons.

The most important issue with a home inspection report is the descriptions given for each item or component. A home inspection report which indicates a condition as “Good,” “Fair” or “Poor” without a detailed explanation is vague and can be easily misinterpreted by a reader. An example of a vague condition would be:

Kitchen Sink: Condition – Good, Fair or Poor.

None of these descriptions will give the homeowner enough of a reason for the problem. Does the sink have a cosmetic problem? Does the home have a plumbing problem? A good home inspection report should supply you with enough descriptive information about the home’s condition and its site. An example of a descriptive condition is:

Kitchen Sink: Condition – Minor wear, heavy wear, damaged, rust stains, or chips in enamel finish. The recommendation is sealing the sink around the counter top.

As you can see, this narrative description includes a recommendation for repair. Narrative home inspection reports without recommendations for repairing deficient items may be difficult to comprehend if you have limited knowledge of construction.

You should take the time to carefully read your home inspection report and become very familiar with its comments and recommendations. Your home inspection report should have a legend, key, symbols or icons which will assist in understanding your report. It is much easier to understand the overall condition of a home if a home inspector provides sufficient information. Therefore, interview and carefully choose your home inspector wisely.

At the end of the inspection, your home inspector may provide a summary with a question and answer period. Use this opportunity to ask questions regarding terms or conditions you may lack familiarity. An experienced home inspector should be able to explain confidently with answers to your questions. If for some reason a question cannot be answered at the time of the inspection, the home inspector should research the question and obtain an acceptable answer for you. For instance, if the home inspector’s report states that the concrete foundation has common cracks. Then, consider asking, “Why are they common cracks?” An appropriate answer might be: “Common cracks are usually due to normal concrete curing and or shrinkage.”

Cheney Appraisal Services recommends that you accompany your home inspector through the entire inspection if at all possible. By doing this, it should help you better understand the condition of the home and the details of the inspection report.

Again, read the home inspection report completely and understand the condition of the home you are about to purchase. After all, it is more than likely, one of your largest investments you will ever make!

Below are most of the home inspection companies to assist you within The Mobile Bay Metro Area, Baldwin County and Mobile County of Alabama (Bay Minette, Bayou La Batre, Belle Fountaine, Bon Secour, Calvert, Chickasaw, Chunchula, Citronelle, Daphne, Dauphin Island, Eight Mile, Elberta, Elsanor, Fairhope, Foley, Fort Morgan, Grand Bay, Gulf Shores, Hollingers Island, Irvington, Josephine, Kushla, Lillian, Loxley, Malbis, Magnolia Springs, Marlow, Mauvilla, Miflin, Mobile, Montrose, Mount Vernon, Ono Island, Orange Beach, Oyster Bay, Perdido Beach ,Perdido, Point Clear, Robertsdale, Saraland, Satsuma, Semmes, Silverhill, Spanish Cove, Spanish Fort, Stapleton, Stockton, Summerdale, Theodore, Whistler, Wilmer, Wolf Bay).

Please also check resources, such as, online telephone directories for other home inspection companies. A client, homeowner and or visitor should always interview a home inspector before contracting their services.

http://www.amerispec.com/
http://cartierinspections.com/
http://www.hometeaminspection.com/
http://www.homesouthinspections.com/
http://www.affordable-home-inspections.com/
http://www.nahi.org/al-alabama-home-inspector.asp

Are you looking for Alabama Appraisers, Alabama Certified Appraisers, Alabama FHA Appraisers, Alabama Appraisers Baldwin County, and Alabama Appraisers Mobile County? Then always remember, Al Cheney, Cheney Appraisal Services, “Certified” Appraiser, when ordering home appraisals within Baldwin County and Mobile County, Alabama. Call (251) 533-2424 with your order and questions.

Are you looking for other appraisers in the southeastern part of the United States? Well, Cheney Appraisal Services is continually updating its web site with listings and web links to “Certified” Appraisers in other major cities and towns of Alabama as well as in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.