Bennington, VT— With all the choices in today’s market, how do you go about finding the right home? It seems the more research you do, the more alternatives you discover.

It’s important to visualize your needs and plan ahead. “Know what you want in a home, what’s important to you, and what you can live without,” Troy Richardson, ABR, Broker / Owner of RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty says. “Many of us start out with a champagne taste and a beer pocketbook, so it’s important to be realistic,” he adds.

Where and what you buy will affect you for as long as you live in the house. “Get your priorities in order before you start looking or even talk to a real estate broker or sales associate,” Richardson says.

For first-time home buyers this is a new experience, so it’s especially important to do your homework. If you currently own a home, you know exactly what’s lacking. You may need another bedroom or bathroom, or a good school nearby.

First, decide where you want to live. A big part of the answer hinges on where and how you earn a living. If your job requires a lot of reading or is quite stressful, public transportation may offer valuable time to sit quietly. “Regardless, you should practice the commute in rush hour before you make a commitment. A seemingly quiet road can transform into gridlock during peak hours,” Richardson cautions.

People with children have other major considerations: school and safety. If you plan to send your children to private schools, you can live where you want assuming you can easily arrange transportation. On the other hand, a lavish public school system may indicate high local real estate taxes. Check them out.

Obviously, lifestyle is an important consideration. People who frequently dine out, go dancing and attend the theater probably belong in the city or a close-in suburb. “In other words, make sure you’re in close proximity to the things that matter most,” Richardson says.

It used to be that homes came in a limited variety, but today, you have many choices. In addition to the traditional single-family home, you can buy a townhouse, condominium or apartment condominium or co-op. 

In planned unit developments (PUDs), you can find almost any combination. In condos and other such communities, make sure the rules and regulations, as well as the by-laws, match your lifestyle. This type of housing is great for people who want to own their own space without being responsible for mowing the lawn or repairing the roof; a management company handles that.

On the other hand, you’ll pay fees for these services. “In addition to checking the documents and financial soundness of the homeowner’s association, you must determine if the monthly fees are worth the services and additional amenities such as a swimming pool or exercise room,” Richardson explains.

Affordability can be a factor not only in the type of housing, but whether it’s new or an existing home. Old houses often have fine woodwork or interesting nooks and crannies not normally found in new homes. They generally sit on landscaped lots with mature trees and grown bushes.

New homes may cost more, but you can make many more decisions on amenities, colors, carpeting and fixtures. “Make sure you’re dealing with a reputable builder, and have an attorney review all documents, Richardson says.

Selecting a real estate professional is an important first step in beginning your search. “Ask for personal recommendations to find an individual who is knowledgeable about the neighborhood and has access to the local Multiple Listing Service,” Richardson says. Make sure you feel confident about his or her knowledge and skills, and understand the business relationship that you have established between you.

Richardson is one of more than 50,000 members of the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, who have attained the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) designation. As the world’s largest association of real estate professionals focusing specifically on representing the real estate buyer, REBAC is “The Voice for Buyer Representation,” with more than 50,000 active real estate professional members of the organization throughout the world.

Troy Richardson is Broker and Owner of RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty at 203 Northside Drive in Bennington VT.  Troy can be reached at 802-447-3210 or www.TroyRichardson.com

 BENNINGTON, VT — Many consumers think that any home they might want to purchase will be listed on real estate Web sites or in newspaper sections, whether sold through brokers or by owners. And indeed, most properties can be found this way. But limiting any search to just these channels can eliminate many prospects for a new home.

“The ‘hidden’ options of auctions and foreclosures can open up greater possibilities,” says Troy Richardson with RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty. In some cases, these purchase methods can even offer opportunities to consumers who might not otherwise be able to purchase a home.
Properties are auctioned by motivated sellers for a variety of reasons, but the reasons rarely have any effect on the property itself. In the recent housing market, foreclosure has become regrettably familiar. But this creates a situation where banks and other mortgagees have a surplus of properties that they would rather divest themselves of than own.
Auctions and foreclosures can be found in most every area, too, and in almost every market segment: single-family homes, condos, resort and multi-unit properties.

Yet many consumers may be unaware of these purchase options or are reluctant to pursue them, due to a lack of knowledge. Certainly learning the ropes to these “alternative” homeownership paths can be difficult, and the cost of making a mistake can be steep.
However, working with someone who understands these industry niches can smooth out the process. “Real estate professionals who know how to manage both traditional transactions and those conducted through less well-known purchasing methods can help guide consumers through the intricacies of such alternative-method purchases,” says Richardson.

Richardson is one of more than 50,000 members of the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, who have attained the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) designation. As the world’s largest association of real estate professionals focusing specifically on representing the real estate buyer, REBAC is “The Voice for Buyer Representation,” with more than 50,000 active real estate professional members of the organization throughout the world. 

Whether down the traditional route transacting business through a seller’s agent or along less-traveled paths of finding auction and foreclosure properties, ABR-designated REALTORS® make a buyer’s best interests their own.

RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty is located at 203 Northside Drive in Bennington Vermont.  Troy Richardson can be reached at 802-447-3210  or through the website www.TroyRichardson.com.

Washington, December 01, 2009

Pending home sales have risen for nine months in a row, a first for the series of the index since its inception in 2001, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in October, increased 3.7 percent to 114.1 from 110.0 in September, and is 31.8 percent above October 2008 when it was 86.6. The rise from a year ago is the biggest annual increase ever recorded for the index, which is at the highest level since March 2006 when it was 115.2.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said home sales are experiencing a pendulum swing. “Keep in mind that housing had been underperforming over most of the past year. Based on the demographics of our growing population, existing-home sales should be in the range of 5.5 million to 6.0 million annually, but we were well below the 5-million mark before the home buyer tax credit stimulus,” he said. “This means the tax credit is helping unleash a pent-up demand from a large pool of financially qualified renters, much more than borrowing sales from the future.

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BENNINGTON, VT The old adage “There’s no time like the present” might not first come to mind when looking at today’s national housing market. But according to Troy Richardson, ABR, Broker / Owner of RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty, these homespun words of wisdom are quite appropriate when a closer look is given to individual local markets across the country. Richardson points out these favorable factors that can contribute to making this, for many consumers, a most opportune time to buy a home:

Inventory is up. When the market is hot, new listings can’t replenish the supply of homes fast enough, and that works in the sellers’ favor. In today’s market, the opposite is true, providing more choices for buyers.

Sellers are motivated. Homes that in a hot market would have been snapped up in days are now lingering unsold for weeks, even months. Factor in bank-owned properties due to the recent and unfortunate spike in foreclosures and buyers find themselves in an advantageous negotiating position they haven’t enjoyed for years.

Interest rates are down. Recent cuts in the prime rate by the Federal Reserve have sparked drops in interest rates, which at the end of January were below 6 percent for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. While banks have tightened lending requirements in the wake of increased loan defaults, homebuyers with few credit problems qualifying to purchase a home they can afford should still have little trouble securing favorable financing terms.

What’s more, a market climate like this especially favors buyers who don’t need to sell an existing property before their purchase, buyers like first-timers and those looking for a second home. This tilts the scale even more towards many buyers.

But regardless of the situation, for every buyer, the key is to work with a real estate professional that knows the local market and specializes in buyer representation – like an agent who has earned the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation.

Richardson is one of more than 50,000 members of the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, who have attained the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) designation. As the world’s largest association of real estate professionals focusing specifically on representing the real estate buyer, REBAC is “The Voice for Buyer Representation,” with more than 50,000 active real estate professional members of the organization throughout the world. 

Troy Richardson is Broker and Owner of RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty, located at 203 Northside Drive in Bennington, Vermont.  He can be reached at 802-447-3210 or www.TroyRichardson.com

Bennington VT — With all the choices in today’s market, how do you go about finding the right home? It seems the more research you do, the more alternatives you discover.

It’s important to visualize your needs and plan ahead. “Know what you want in a home, what’s important to you, and what you can live without,” Troy Richardson, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty says. “Many of us start out with a champagne taste and a beer pocketbook, so it’s important to be realistic,” he adds.
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Bennington VT — It’s often said, “What’s Past is Prologue.” In real estate, the past can indeed determine the future, when buyers choose to restore or preserve a historic property. “Opportunities abound for those wanting to purchase a historic home, but so do questions about the soundness of the investment,” says Troy Richardson, Owner/Broker of the RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty.

Before making an investment in history, Richardson recommends that potential home buyers consider these questions:
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Bennington VT — Many consumers think that any home they might want to purchase will be listed on real estate Web sites or in newspaper sections, whether sold through brokers or by owners. And indeed, most properties can be found this way. But limiting any search to just these channels can eliminate many prospects for a new home.

“The ‘hidden’ options of auctions and foreclosures can open up greater possibilities,” says Troy Richardson, Owner/Broker with RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty. In some cases, these purchase methods can even offer opportunities to consumers who might not otherwise be able to purchase a home.
(more…)

Washington, September 14, 2009

The National Association of Realtors® is calling upon its 1.2 million members to urge Congress to extend the successful homebuyer tax credit into next year.

Since its inception earlier this year, the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit has brought 1.2 million new buyers into the market—350,000 of whom would not have purchased a home without the credit, according to NAR. The credit is due to expire November 30.
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Bennington VT – With low interest rates and an abundance of inventory, buyers are seeing that now is the time to buy. And for those who were previously on the fence, the 2009 first-time homebuyer tax credit is becoming the incentive they need, allowing buyers to save thousands on a new home this year.

“The $8,000 tax credit is available to first-time home buyers who purchase a principal residence between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009,” said Troy Richardson of RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty. “First-time homebuyers who qualify are those who have not owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase. Unlike previous homebuyer tax credits, this credit does not have to be repaid and can be used as a down payment toward the purchase of the home.”

For many interested buyers, this tax credit not only provides financial support, but it allows many to realize the dream of homeownership that they may not have qualified for previously.

The details of the credit are similar to the one offered in 2008 and include the following requirements:
• Buyers must close on their home purchase by November 30, 2009
• Buyers must ensure that they are qualified first-time buyers under IRS guidelines
• Buyers must decide which year to file under, 2008 or 2009
• Buyers must file an amended 2008 return or choose to apply the credit to their 2009 tax return

The success of the tax credit thus far has increased support for legislation that would extend the tax credit beyond the current deadline, as well as that which would open it beyond first-time buyers. This is just one of many efforts under way to help people like you achieve the dream of homeownership.

With all of the requirements and restrictions for this credit, the key is to work with a real estate professional that knows the local market and specializes in buyer representation – like an agent who has earned the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation.

Richardson is one of more than 50,000 members of the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, who have attained the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) designation. As the world’s largest association of real estate professionals focusing specifically on representing the real estate buyer, REBAC is “The Voice for Buyer Representation,” with more than 50,000 active real estate professional members of the organization throughout the world.

To receive a free copy of the REBAC-published Homebuyer’s Toolkit, visit www.REBAC.net or call 800-648-6224 You may also call Troy Richardson at 802-447-3210 to receive a copy of the Homebuyer’s Toolkit.

RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty is located at 203 Northside Drive in Bennington VT. Troy Richardson’s personal real estate website can be seen at www.TroyRichardson.com.

Bennington VT, Press Release

Bennington VT: Troy Richardson with RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty has been awarded the Accredited Buyer’s Representation (ABR®) designation by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council. (REBAC) of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR).

Troy Richardson joins more than 30,000 real estate professionals in North America who have earned the ABR® designation. All were required to successfully complete a comprehensive course in buyer representation and an elective course focusing on a buyer representation specialty, both in addition to submitting documentation verifying professional experience.

REBAC, founded in 1988, is the world’s largest association of real estate professionals focusing specifically on representing the real estate buyer. There are more than 40,000 active members of the organization world-wide. THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is the world’s largest professional association, representing over 1,000,000 members involved in all aspects of the real estate industry.

You may contact the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council by telephone, (800) 648-6224, by e-mail, [rebac@realtors.org], or by visiting the REBAC website, www.REBAC.net. RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty is located at 203 Northside Drive in Bennington VT, and Troy’s personal real estate website can be seen at www.TroyRichardson.com.

Bennington VT, Press Release