Gainesville Real Estate and Virginia Oaks Real Estate ~ How HAFA Can Help Financially Challenged Homeowners

This past November, the Treasury Department released guidelines for its new Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA), designed to help homeowners who are unable to retain their home under the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). Under HAFA, homeowners may be able to avoid foreclosure by completing a short sale or a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure (DIL). If you or someone you know is having trouble making mortgage payments, understanding this new government program is essential.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network(R), I have consulted with many clients faced with a distressed property situation. The good news is HAFA is designed to simplify and streamline the use of short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure by improving the process.

Here’s how:

• Help homeowners who are HAMP eligible but nevertheless unable to keep their home
• Use financial and hardship information already collected in connection with consideration of a loan modification
• Allow borrowers to receive pre-approved short sales terms before listing the property
  • Require borrowers to be fully released from future liability for the first mortgage debt and if the subordinate lien holder receives an incentive under HAFA, that debt as well
• Use standard processes, documents, and timeframes/deadlines
• Provide financial incentives: $1,500 for borrower relocation assistance; $1,000 for servicers to cover administrative and processing costs; and up to a $1,000 match for investors for allowing a total of up to $3,000 in short sale proceeds to be distributed to subordinate lien holders

To be eligible for HAFA, homeowners must meet the basic eligibility criteria for HAMP:

• The home must be your principal residence
• The first lien must have originated before 2009
• Mortgage delinquent or default is reasonably foreseeable
• The unpaid principal balance cannot exceed $729,750 (higher limits for 2- to 4-unit dwellings).
• The borrower’s total monthly payment exceeds 31% of gross income

Under HAFA, the forgiven debt due to a short sale will not be taxed if the amount of forgiven debt does not exceed the debt that was used to acquire, construct, or rehabilitate a principal residence. Check with your tax advisor. Please also know that while the debt will be forgiven, the short sale will be reported to credit agencies and have some degree of negative impact on your credit. Short sale agreements must be executed and returned no later than December 31, 2012.

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Ed Butler (Licensed In Virginia) RE/MAX Gateway Two Offices For Your Convenience

7521 Virginia Oaks Drive Gainesville, VA 20155

Brambleton / Ashburn Office Opening Summer of 2010

4090-B Lafayette Center Drive Chantilly, VA 20151

When It’s SOLD In Virginia Oaks, The Butler Did It!

Virginia Oaks Real Estate ~ FHA to Announce Changes This Week

Congress requires the Federal Housing Administration to maintain a capital reserve of at least 2 percent, but in October 2009 that reserved dropped below that limit. Congress and the Obama Administration asked FHA to make some changes to make sure it remains strong.

We’ll find out what those changes are later this week (the specific date wasn’t available at press time). Meantime, our friends at NAR have been discussing the issue, and say they expect changes in several areas. For example, they suggested improving FHA loan quality by, among other things, increasing ‘upfront cash’ that a borrower has to bring to the table, eliminating the ability to finance the upfront premium, increasing the cash investment required above 3.5%, and imposing a loan-to-value maximum ratio based on FICO score.

There’s a lot more to it, and you can read the details of what NAR had to say on VARbuzz.

Bottom line:

FHA will be transformed over the next few years. The changes outlined above are the beginning of the process with additional changes expected during the tenure of FHA Commissioner Dave Stevens. Going forward, FHA will continually evaluate programmatic changes and will likely withdraw them when the capital ratio returns above 2 percent. However, it is unlikely FHA will relax risk management and lender monitoring enhancements.

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Ed Butler (Licensed In Virginia) RE/MAX Gateway Two Offices For Your Convenience

7521 Virginia Oaks Drive Gainesville, VA 20155

Brambleton / Ashburn Office Opening Summer of 2010

4090-B Lafayette Center Drive Chantilly, VA 20151

When It’s SOLD In Virginia Oaks, The Butler Did It!

Gainesville Virginia Real Estate ~ Homes For Sale In Virginia Oaks ~ 7791 Virginia Oaks Drive

7791 Virginia Oaks Drive Gainesville, VA

Offered For Sale At: $625,000

MLS Comments:

BACKS TO 17TH HOLE! .38AC LOT W/PRIVACY AND BEAUTY** IN A LIKE NEW HOUSE**RENOVATED KIT(OCT 09) W/GRANITE, STAINLESS APPL AND TUSCAN CERAMIC TILE FLOOR**BIG OPEN FAM ROOM W/GAS FIREPLACE AND VAULTED CEILING**MAIN LEVEL MASTER W/BIG GARDEN BATH**BSMT HAS MEDIA ROOM WIRED FOR SURROUND SOUND AND BIG REC ROOM AREA WITH BAR**WALKOUT TO BACK YARD.

How This Property Compares:

This 4 bedroom 4.5 bathroom home is sited on a .379 acre lot located at  7791 Virginia Oaks Drive. Boasting approximately 5,000 sq ft of living space, this home in the sought after community of Virginia Oaks is well appointed.

There is currently only one other one re-sale property available in Virginia Oaks.  The other property is substantially smaller in finished square footage and is being offered for sale at a lower price. The competing property has one additional bedroom and one less full bath. It is sited on a slightly larger lot that while not backing to the golf course, does back to trees.

(Click On A Photo Below To Expand View)

Brokered by: Jobin Realty

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Ed Butler (Licensed In Virginia) RE/MAX Gateway Two Offices For Your Convenience

7521 Virginia Oaks Drive Gainesville, VA 20155

Brambleton Office Coming Summer of 2010

4090-B Lafayette Center Drive Chantilly, VA 20151

When It’s SOLD In Virginia Oaks, The Butler Did It!

Gainesville Real Estate ~ Virginia Oaks Real Estate ~ Top 3 Real Estate Mortgage Scams: What You Need To Know

RISMEDIA, November 2, 2009—Being a homeowner is one of the biggest dreams for the American people. Due to record numbers of homeownership and cheap mortgage rates, individuals who did not own a home previously are now looking for mortgages for financing their ambitions. On certain occasions, the dream of homeownership is associated with a cost that exceeds the mortgage.

For finding out how much your mortgage is going to cost you, a loan mortgage calculator often works as a user-friendly tool. Nevertheless, this tool can’t save you all the time. Similar to other forms of investment, real estate mortgage loans are also subject to scams. Mortgage frauds and scams can make you lose thousands of dollars on interest as a minimum because of excessive fees and other hidden costs. The worst that can happen is that you can lose your home to foreclosure.

According to industry professionals, there are three principal or familiar types of real estate fraud:

1. Identity theft via mortgage request
2. Bait and switch
3. Loan flipping

For preventing scams, it has been witnessed that offense is the best defense. Understand the truth and don’t hesitate to make queries.

Bait and switch is a fraudulent sales technique where a loan product is publicized at a lucrative rate (bait). However, the product or rate is subsequently changed for the gain of the lender (switch). This is an utterly illegitimate and deceitful practice. For instance, one interest rate is assured at the time of selling a loan, but a bigger rate is provided at the time of closing.

When you’re obtaining a pre-approval or mortgage quote, you believe that your question with the lender is secret, right? You’re wrong. On many occasions, important financial details about you and your mortgage requirements are hacked by vying lenders. This can happen within 24 hours of your credit bureau inquiry. Your loan officer is even unaware of this. Many firms provide countrywide accessibility to your financial details to the lenders and everybody in your city who requested for a mortgage within the last 24 hours. Any other lender can talk to these individuals the following day and give them a pre-approval for an improved mortgage loan.

One more dilemma is mortgage solicitation through telephone, the Internet or door to door. These scams involve filling in an application through fax, the Internet or over the telephone and often the rates are phony. However, it is not the largest issue to be bothered about–it is nothing but identity theft. Even though the rates are legitimate, the company would get all your important details such as your social security number that can result in mortgage scam or identity theft.

Another type of mortgage scam that is prevalent in the real estate industry is loan flipping. Loan flipping denotes frequent refinancing of a mortgage within a small time frame with very small gains to the borrower. It takes place when a borrower can’t keep up with the planned payments or constantly combines other unsecured loans into a new secured loan at the request of a lender. Lenders flipping loans ask for too much origination fee with every consecutive refinancing. They might ask for these fees on the basis of the whole loan amount, not only on the increased amount summed up with the loan principal through refinancing. In addition, every refinancing might attract prepayment penalties that can be funded as a portion of the overall loan amount, accumulating the debt of the borrower.

If you’re buying a home, looking for a home equity loan or considering a mortgage refinance, it is better to work with a trustworthy lender. You must shop around and do some homework to get the best offers. Try to stay away from furnishing any details until you’re confident that the company or individual you’re talking to is right for you.

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4090-B Lafayette Center Drive Chantilly, VA 20151

7521 Virginia Oaks Drive Gainesville, VA 20155

10135 Colvin Run Road Great Falls, VA 22066

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Gainesville Real Estate ~ Selling A Home In Virginia Oaks ~ Improving Your Home’s Value

Fast Ways to Update Your Kitchen, Increase Value

While there are many different variables that contribute to selling a home, during the course of my real estate career, I have witnessed one constant: the kitchen.

Today, the kitchen has become more of a multi-functional space than ever before, where cooking happens alongside bill paying and homework, not to mention the kitchen’s role as social hub for family and friends. That’s why it’s more important than ever to buyers and sellers alike that this key room be fresh and inviting.

While home improvement experts report that kitchen remodels provide anywhere from an 80-100% return on investment, based on my years of experience working with homeowners, I have found that just by updating certain aspects, the entire look and feel of the kitchen can be refreshed and modernized—and your home’s value increased in the process.

As design expert Melissa Birdsong, vice president for Trend, Design & Brand at Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (www.lowes.com), says, if the kitchen is outdated and tired, the whole house can feel that way; a few simple updates can make all the difference in getting the green light on the buying decision. So whether you want to update your kitchen for your own lifestyle enhancement or to help move it off the market, try these tips from Birdsong:

1. Color and light are the easiest, most cost-efficient elements to add personality and ambience to the kitchen. Use your vegetable bin and spice cabinet for inspiration! A scheme of natural greens, yellows, mustards and russets washed with dimmable overhead and under-cabinet lighting can add energy as well as create a level of calm.

2. If the existing cabinets are sturdy but the finish is sending out a distress signal, a well-executed paint job can turn it around. Mismatched appliances and worn flooring are other leading visual cues, so if the budget permits, replace them.

3. Last but not least, add sparkle and a new point of view to the kitchen by replacing the metals palette–cabinet hardware, faucet, lighting and outlet covers. A few thoughtfully chosen, simple finish updates can seal the deal.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network(R), I have access to more great ideas for improving your kitchen as well as all areas of your home…both for your own lifestyle enjoyment and to increase your home’s value. Please contact me to discuss other ways to improve your home’s value and please forward this email to your social network who may also find it helpful.

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Ed Butler (Licensed In Virginia) RE/MAX Gateway Three Offices For Your Convenience

4090-B Lafayette Center Drive Chantilly, VA 20151

7521 Virginia Oaks Drive Gainesville, VA 20155

10135 Colvin Run Road Great Falls, VA 22066

When It’s SOLD, The Butler Did It!

Want to Refinance? Heed These 10 Appraisal Tips ~ Real Estate Information ~ Mortgage Information ~ Virginia Oaks Gainesville VA

Refinancing in today’s credit-crunched market can be challenging at best. A successful refinance all begins with the appraisal, used to set the maximum amount you’re allowed to borrow against your home. The problem is, in today’s market, sinking home values are often lowering appraisals as well. If you are considering refinancing your home, heeding these important tips on appraisals before proceeding can improve your refinancing options and save you time and money:

1. Continuously research the value of your home and the other homes in your neighborhood; pay attention to foreclosures in your area as they may drive down the value of your home. As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I am well-equipped to provide you with a detailed assessment of the current value of your home.

2. Since appraisers use “comps” (comparable market sales) of local properties sold within the last six months to value your home, make sure your loan officer leverages their knowledge to research comps in your area, before ordering the appraisal.

3. If you use your own appraiser, research them first and ask your lender to cross check them for any potential issues that may delay the process. Great loan officers will always confirm your appraiser’s credentials. I can also recommend a credible appraiser to work with.

4. Direct your loan officer to work with local, experienced appraisal companies. Local appraisers have a deeper knowledge of the surrounding neighborhood and will likely be more readily available for the home inspection to speed your appraisal process.

5. The appraisal report is yours to keep. Find out in advance who pays for the appraisal—many times appraisal fees are the homeowner’s responsibility and have to be paid up front.

6. New lending regulations require two appraisals in some situations—ask at the beginning whether you’ll need one or two.

7. Commit to your lender before committing to an appraisal. Being comfortable working with your loan officer is imperative. They often will be the liaison between you and the appraisal company.

8. Make sure any major repairs are completed before moving forward with your refinance. Structural damages drive your home value down and jeopardize the approval process for today’s popular government-backed FHA loans.

9. Don’t overestimate the value of making cosmetic home improvements. The expense is rarely justified because in the appraisal world, only improvements that add square footage will significantly increase home value.

10. Rely on market value rather than tax assessments for a realistic appraisal value—in today’s market, tax value and current market value may differ widely, but your lender can only go by appraisal value.

Finally, homeowners should expect their lender to clearly explain the appraisal process and all of the steps for refinancing up front. I can also assist you in the refinance process and help point you in the right direction—just e-mail me with your questions. If you believe this information may be valuable to your social network, please feel free to forward this email.

“When It’s SOLD In Virginia Oaks, The Butler Did It!”

7 Ways to Qualify for a Mortgage ~ Real Estate Information and Homes For Sale In Virginia Oaks Gainesville VA

A few years ago, home buyers were qualifying for mortgages who normally wouldn’t qualify for a mortgage. It was easy to get a mortgage because homes were flying off the market before they were even listed for sale. Lenders saw dollar signs, so they found a way to help buyers get a mortgage while throwing lending principles out of the window.

It’s a different story in today’s housing market. Qualifying for a mortgage is harder than it was a few years ago, but it’s not impossible. As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I advise many clients on how they can qualify for a mortgage in today’s market. Here are some helpful tips:

1. Inspect all three of your credit reports. Pull your credit reports from Equifax, Experian and Transunion. Make sure that all of the information is accurate. If you find an account that doesn’t belong to you, submit the necessary form to all three credit reporting agencies to dispute the account.

2. Improve your FICO score. Unfortunately, mortgage lenders heavily weight your lending eligibility based on a score that doesn’t accurately measure your financial stability. The FICO score only measures your ability to repay a loan. Improve your score by paying down debt, paying all of your credit accounts on time, and keeping open accounts with a zero balance.

3. Save for a bigger down payment. Buying a house with a 10% or more down payment shows you are serious about becoming a homeowner. If you’re looking for a Federal Housing Administration loan, you’ll need at least a 3% down payment.

4. Increase your household income. That’s a tall order in today’s job market, but mortgage lenders want you bringing in enough money to realistically pay for the loan. Two-income families qualify easier than one-income families. Pick up a second job, become a two-income family, or start a home-based business.

5. Choose a realistic budget. The rule of thumb is a mortgage payment that is 25% of your monthly household income. Choose a price range that fits this criteria. If you make $4,000 a month, then choose a price range that gives you a mortgage payment of $1,250. The term “house poor” comes from people that spend the majority of their income on a mortgage payment.

6. Stick with one employer. Mortgage lenders like stability, especially in today’s market. If you can manage to stay with the same employer for more than two years, that will weigh in your favor.

7. Negotiate a price lower than the appraised value. If you negotiated a purchase price that is lower than the appraised value, you can consider it instant equity in the eyes of the mortgage lender. Follow the advice of your real estate agent on how to make the right offer.

Now is the time to buy, but lenders will no longer hand out loans to just anyone. Don’t let this discourage you. Take this time as an opportunity to fine tune your personal finances. For more information on how to qualify for a mortgage, please e-mail me. Also, please forward this email to any of your family or friends who might also be in the market for a mortgage.

“When It’s SOLD In Virginia Oaks, The Butler Did It!”

Exceeding Your Expectations With Our Technological Expertise!

I received a nice surprise when I arrived at the office early this morning and logged into my social networking sites. This recommendation was posted on my LinkedIn profile page. I am both gratified and humbled to receive it and I work hard every day to ensure that I live up to it!

“Having known Ed for over 15 years, I can tell you Ed is a true professional. He dedicates his efforts to helping others achieve their housing goals as well as assisting others in the business. He is giving of himself through his time, energy and knowledge of the business. Additionally, his technology skills are second to none in our industry. You will feel privileged to have Ed as your Realtor.”

Scott MacDonald, President, RE/MAX Gateway

All agents are NOT created equal! Contact me today to learn the advantages that I will provide you when addressing your Real Estate needs.

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“When It’s SOLD In Virginia Oaks, The Butler Did It!”

What You Need to Know About Buying an Urban Property

Whether it’s a waterfront condo or a downtown brownstone, multi-family dwellings like condos and lofts are gaining appeal for those considering downsizing, buying a second or vacation home, or desiring a shorter commute to work. As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I am often asked for my advice on the best way to go about choosing and buying an urban home. Here are some great tips I’d like to share from Frontdoor.com:

1. Consider co-ops.

In many high-priced cities, like New York and Chicago, cooperatives (co-ops) are the easiest way to break into homeownership. About 80% of the housing stock in Manhattan, for example, is cooperatives (co-ops). Co-ops, however, all have different financial standards. It’s important to be upfront with your real estate agent so they know what you’re qualified to buy.

If you don’t have the cash to make a 20 – 25% down payment, some co-ops will allow you to use gift money, while others will not.

Also, some co-ops require that you have a certain amount of cash reserves after the purchase—sometimes equal to the purchase price. Putting all your financial information on the table can help your agent find a co-op that’s perfect for you.

2. Explore emerging neighborhoods.

You might be able to get a deal on an urban property in an up-and-coming area, but make sure the area is well on the upswing before you buy. An emerging neighborhood can take several years to redevelop. To make sure it’s a good time to buy, investigate the area—see what stores, restaurants or cultural establishments have recently opened or are planning to open in the area. These are always good indicators of neighborhoods on the rise.

3. Investigate a potential building’s financial condition.

When you buy a condo, loft or co-op, you’re not just buying a property—you’re also buying into the building or community. HOAs govern condo communities, collecting dues and maintaining the common areas. A board of directors takes care of these tasks in a cooperative.

Hire an attorney to research the association’s financial stability and its rules before you sign on the dotted line. Your attorney should look at the corporation’s yearly financial statements to see how much money it has on hand.

If a building doesn’t have a large reserve, they can charge a special assessment fee to cover a big repair. These fees are typically announced fairly far in advance (a year or more is normal), so your attorney should also read the minutes of corporation meetings to see if any fees have been proposed.

You can also do some of your own investigating. Don’t forget to find out about the surrounding buildings and their construction plans as well. You don’t want to buy a home overlooking the water, then find out the week you move in that someone is building something taller that blocks your view.

4. Don’t plan to buy a co-op as an investment property.

Multi-family homes can be great investment properties, but cooperatives (co-ops) have very restrictive rules about renting. While condos are typically much more lenient about rentals, be sure to check the property’s covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) to make sure you’re allowed to lease it to a tenant.

For many, today’s marketplace represents a great opportunity to buy an urban dwelling that may have been out of reach in years past. If you would like more information on purchasing urban properties, please e-mail me—and please feel free to forward these tips to members of your social network who might also find it beneficial.

“When It’s SOLD In Virginia Oaks, The Butler Did It!”

The Clock Is Ticking as First-Time Buyers Intensify Their House Hunting

Tired of paying rent and enticed by a first-time home buyer tax credit, 25-year-old Garrett Rebel began his search for a home in August, scouring the suburbs of Dallas for a house to meet his current and future needs. And he’s already running out of time.

The federal tax credit for first-time buyers is “a huge motivator” for Rebel, and he may end his search if the Nov. 30 deadline arrives and he still hasn’t closed on a deal. He unsuccessfully submitted an offer on one house; after going back and forth with the seller couldn’t come to a price agreeable to both parties. “I haven’t found anything that I’ve fallen in love with,” Rebel said.

Timing is everything for many first-time buyers today. For those who purchase a home this year, the tax credit is for 10% of the purchase price, up to $8,000. Those who have owned a home in the past three years aren’t eligible. Buyers also have to meet eligibility requirements regarding income; the current credit begins to phase out for singles who make more than $75,000 and couples who make more than $150,000.

Unless it is extended, this credit will expire on Nov. 30. “We are seeing an increase in buyers wanting to get closed prior to the tax credit closing deadline,” said real-estate agent Amy Downs, who represents Rebel. “We are seeing an increase in sellers wanting to get their homes on the market and closed by this deadline. I feel that if we can get the homes priced accordingly and a strong offer by mid-October, we can beat this deadline with a reputable lender working the buy side.”

Some real-estate agents and mortgage brokers are recommending that first-time buyers close no later than the week before Thanksgiving to ensure that no holiday-related office closings or abbreviated schedules interfere with the process. That means finalizing a purchase on or before Nov. 20. In fact, to make sure you can take advantage of the credit, it’s probably best to go under contract no later than the first or second week of October, said Jim Sahnger, mortgage planner with Palm Beach Financial Network in Florida.

The National Association of Realtors reports that it’s taking about two months to complete a home sale in the current market, as lenders scrutinize borrower paperwork and issues with appraisals pop up. In short, first-time buyers probably need to select a property and make an offer by the end of this month. But rushing to meet the deadline is a double-edged sword. The purchase of a home—let alone your first one—isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly.

“For anyone, the decision to buy a house has to be a right one,” Sahnger said. “While the $8,000 can be great to have, I wouldn’t let that force you into a decision. But there is something that works and you want to take advantage of the credit, you can’t afford to delay the decision.”

For buyers who don’t make the deadline, there is a chance the credit will be extended. There are at least 20 bills drafted regarding the credit; one-third of them have been introduced recently, said Lucien Salvant, managing director of public affairs for NAR. Some proposals would not only extend the first-time buyer credit into next year, but would also expand it to include all home buyers, remove income restrictions and raise the maximum amount of the credit, up to $15,000.

By including all buyers, there could be more of a ripple effect as more Americans spend money on moving vans, lawn equipment — any items or services associated with making a move, said Jerry Howard, president and CEO of the National Association of Home Builders. NAHB and NAR have been lobbying heavily for the extension. “The first priority is going to be to renew the $8,000 credit, but we have some good arguments for expanding it,” said Jerry Giovaniello, senior vice president and chief lobbyist for NAR. He argues that the credit doesn’t cost much but has a huge impact.

If you’re a first-time buyer, however, waiting is a gamble. “What you have in front of you now is a tax credit. After that, you don’t know what you have,” Salvant said. “This thing can go all different kinds of ways.”

NAR estimates that about 1.8 million to 2 million first-time buyers will take advantage of the tax credit this year, and says that roughly 350,000 sales wouldn’t have taken place without the credit.

But the effectiveness of the credit will eventually peter out because there are only so many potential first-time buyers, said Richard Green, director of the Lusk Center for Real Estate at the University of Southern California. He said that the credit is likely getting many first-time buyers to make their purchases six months to a year earlier than they would have anyway. “In terms of how effective it is, I don’t think it does any harm at this point. It’s pushing sales forward that would have happened anyway,” he said. “You’re giving money to people who were going to buy anyway.” Increasing the credit amount to $15,000 and expanding it to everyone, however, could end up translating to higher home prices, he added.

Still, there is growing Capitol Hill support for the extension of the credit. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said it needs to be extended by the end of the year, according to a spokesman from his office. And Washington Research Group, a unit of securities firm Concept Capital, recently put the chance of extension at 60 percent.

Yet with Congress currently focusing on other issues, and concerns about the country’s rising deficit, some wonder how difficult it will be for housing to garner attention anytime soon. “All eyes are on health care,” said Bruce Hahn, president of the American Homeowners Grassroots Alliance.

According to Realtor.com, first-time buyers on average search 12 weeks to find a home. But there are ways for buyers to expedite their journey to closing: Sign up for automatic alerts for properties that fit your criteria. Many buyers start their search online, and it’s possible to sign up for e-mail alerts when properties that meet your criteria are added, Realtor.com points out. If you’re working with a real estate agent, he or she also may be able to register you for automatic alerts when homes are listed. But make sure the information you receive is fresh — you don’t have time to look at unavailable homes.

Do all you can to ensure a smooth mortgage process. Collect pay stubs, bank statements and tax returns to prove income. Get prequalified. And while your loan is in process, don’t make major purchases on credit cards — that could delay closing, said Julie Reynolds, a spokeswoman for Realtor.com.

Prepare for closing costs early. Get your insurance company and, if applicable, your homeowner association, to forward a cost estimate to the escrow company early, Realtor.com recommended in a news release. In many states, closing costs must be paid — in cash — at closing.

(c) 2009, MarketWatch.com Inc.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

“When It’s SOLD In Virginia Oaks, The Butler Did It!”