Houston Heritage - Diego Jaramillo, Realtor®

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• Texas First Time Homebuyer Program

  First time home buyers have the opportunity this year to purchase a single family home using several national and state incentives. These incentives include the $8000 tax credit, MCC credits, gift contributions and low FHA downpayment requirements. One such item I'd like to talk about today is the TDHCA 90-Day Down-Payment Assitance Program. Read More... Posted Sunday, August 23, 2009 6:58 PM by Diego Jaramillo | 0 Comments Filed under: Home Buying Process, Buyer, Buying Process, downpayment assistance

• Veterans Buying Wheelchair Friendly Homes

  We are thankful for our men and women of service and remember them continuously. Veterans also hold a special observance and admiration for their service and valiant efforts. Veterans in the state of Texas that are wheelchair enabled or with special needs can finance through the VA (Veterans Administration). When considering looking at homes it is important to make sure the dwelling qualifies for any monies that the administration may provide for remodeling if the veteran is wheelchair enabled. I will guide you through the VA rules for single family homes, condominium and townhouses that will assist in the future home purchase in Houston. Read More... Posted Saturday, May 23, 2009 8:59 AM by Diego Jaramillo | 0 Comments Filed under: Buyer, Buying Process, VA, Veteran

• Appraisal Changes for Conv Loans Start May 1, 2009

  Buyers usually debate between conventional and FHA financing when purchasing a home. Sellers are usually on pins and needles during the appraisal period waiting on a confirmation on their home valuation by an appraiser. This Friday marks an important date for HVCC – Home Evaluation Code of Conduct. The regulation is effective May 1, 2009 with possible delays (hopefully). What is the HVCC you may ask yourselves? In short, it establishes guidelines for appraisals made for conventional financing. For those that qualify for FHA financing, this will be another incentive for going FHA. Read More... Posted Thursday, April 30, 2009 9:58 AM by Diego Jaramillo | 0 Comments Filed under: Buyer, Buying Process, Loan Checklist, Appraisal

• Buying a Condo in Houston

  Have you been wanting to buy a condominium in Houston? There are a few recent construction and foreclosure condos that have come up on the market in Houston. However, financing has become more difficult for condominiums as lenders tighten their loan approval process. Condominiums tend to resemble apartments, consisting of several units in the same building or complex. Condos share common areas like courtyards and lobbies and some even provide special services like concierge, valet, dry cleaning and other services. Some have gyms, while others have pools and saunas. Plenty of condo owners choose to buy a condo because they love the convenience of having these amenities right outside their doorways. It is important to understand financing requirements for conventional and FHA loans. Read More... Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2009 7:46 AM by Diego Jaramillo | 0 Comments Filed under: Lending Process, Buyer, Buying Process

• Houston Relocation Checklist

  Relocating can become a nightmare if you aren't prepared. Houston boasts a large number of relocations due to its many energy and medical companies. Knowing what to expect and being prepared for it is the best solution. Create a list of items that you need to attend to prior to your move and stick to the plan. This list will give you a head's up of what you should expect before relocating to Houston, TX. Welcome to your New Home! Soon enough you'll be speaking the local lingo and having pecan pie with us on a sunny day and strolling through the many Houston attractions. Read More... Posted Thursday, April 09, 2009 12:08 PM by Diego Jaramillo | 0 Comments Filed under: Buyer, Buying Process, Relocation, Moving

• Understanding & Increasing Your Credit Score

  Understanding credit is one of the most important concepts when purchasing real estate. Buyers fail to maintain a better understanding of their individual credit scores and settle for higher interest rates when purchasing. Knowing what to look for and how to care for credit is your first step to future purchase. Read More... Posted Monday, April 06, 2009 8:58 PM by Diego Jaramillo | 0 Comments Filed under: Credit, Credit Report, Buyer, Buying Process

• The State of Our Market

  It is important to read beyond the headlines and remember that recessions are actually a normal part of the business cycle. Recessions do have a valuable purpose in that they clear away weak companies and force people to spend less and save more. While this recession appears to be lasting longer than a normal recession, history has shown we will eventually emerge to a new period of economic growth and the stock markets will eventually recover their losses and hit new highs. Read More... Posted Friday, April 03, 2009 12:33 PM by Diego Jaramillo | 0 Comments Filed under: market snapshot, Buyer, Buying Process, Economy

• Flood Insurance in the Greater Houston Area

  It is common knowledge that portions of the Houston area and the Texas Gulf Coast is prone to hurricanes and storms that may cause flooding. There are certain areas classified as flood zones depending on their proximity to waterways and their location in relation to the updated flood maps. I always recommend my clients to purchase flood insurance regardless of their location in Houston just to be on the safe side. Read More... Posted Wednesday, March 25, 2009 9:48 AM by Diego Jaramillo | 1 Comments Filed under: Flood Insurance, Buyer, Insurance, Buying Process, Seller, Selling Process

• Storm Chaser Builders in Texas Gulf Coast?

  Everyone is content during the calm before the storm with mixed emotions and anxiety. Yet, the aftermath is when predatory practices surface as minions of fly by night builders come to the “supposed” rescue. Recently, there has been advertising (maybe you’ve heard on the radio or seen it on TV) regarding Storm Chasers. This reference however, isn’t for the adventurous who risk their lives studying storms and their impacts. The reference here is for builders, usually from out of state or small mom and pop companies in Texas that surfaced in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike this last year. If you have been in this situation, you know how painful it is to work with a builder who “disappears” after the construction is finished and no warranty is in place to protect you. Read More... Posted Saturday, March 14, 2009 12:45 PM by Diego Jaramillo | 0 Comments Filed under: New Construction, Buyer, Buying Process, TRCC

• The Scoop on the 2009 Homebuyer Tax Credit

  The newest addition to recent changes was The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 which authorizes a tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers that are purchasing a primary residence between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009. This tax credit is intdended to lift and provide a boost to the housing market and to buyers who are still deciding whether they should buy this year. So….who qualifies and what does it take to have a part of the bounty? Read More... Posted Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:57 AM by Diego Jaramillo | 0 Comments Filed under: First Time Home Buyer, Buyer, Buying Process

• Houston Asbestos Information

  Although Texas has many stretches of rural areas, it also has a number of large cities where asbestos problems has been concentrated. Regarded as one of the most toxic and harmful building materials, asbestos exposure can cause significant health concerns. Potential Houston home buyers or those seeking to remodel or foreclose homes should be aware that homes built prior to 1980 maintain the potential of containing asbestos. Read More... Posted Thursday, January 29, 2009 5:43 PM by Diego Jaramillo | 0 Comments Filed under: Houston Real Estate, Buyer Tools, Home Buying Process, Sellers, Selling in Houston, Buyer Information, seller disclosure, buyers, Buyer Services, Buying Process, Seller, Selling Process, Buyer Process, Asbestos

• Power of Attorney

  Title companies are often requested to close transactions involving power of attorneys for Buyers or Sellers. A power of attorney becomes convenient in multiple situations when the principal is unable to attend a closing. I usually recommend that a power of attorney be used only when absolutely necessary. Read More... Posted Friday, January 02, 2009 10:17 AM by Diego Jaramillo | 0 Comments Filed under: Buyer, Buying Process, Seller, Power of Attorney, Selling Process

• The Loan Application Process

  The loan application is usually the most frightening part of the Buying Process. One question I get asked frequently is "What should I expect when applying for a loan?". The following information is a good rule of thumb to consider when applying for a good loan for your new home. It is usually recommended that you get a pre-approval letter to submit with your offer to present a solid offer to the Seller. Preparing in advance will make the loan application process flow quickly. Read More... Posted Wednesday, December 31, 2008 8:40 AM by Diego Jaramillo | 0 Comments Filed under: Lending Process, Buyer, Buying Process, Loan, Loan Checklist