Asheville Area Labor Day, Did You Know?

The kiddos are back in school, the summer season is coming to an end, and that can only mean one thing, it's time for Labor Day Weekend!  Most people probably think Labor Day is just another bank holiday that gives offices an excuse to close for the day, but it does actually mean something, see for yourself here.

This weekend will be full of cookouts, parades, and good old fashion fun.  If you're in Asheville, be sure to check out LAAFF, Asheville Vaudeville at The Magnetic Field, Beach Music Weekend at The Grove Park Inn, the last Shindig On The Green & so much more.

So what ARE your plans?

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The Puffer Team, Keller Williams Professionals, Asheville, NC  28801
828-771-2300, www.homefinderasheville.com

Buying a Home: Prepare by Getting your Finances in Order

For those considering buying a home, the current real estate market presents some unique opportunities. One of the side effects of the economic roller coaster ride of the past few years is that home prices have gone down and more homes have gone on the market. For buyers, that means more choices and better deals. However, those same tumultuous years can also teach buyers a lesson: Make smart buying decisions and be wise with your finances.

Impulsive buying is never a good idea when it comes to a purchase as significant as a home. You need to be absolutely certain that your finances are in order, and healthy, to be able to get the best deal on your purchase.

There are a number of steps you can take to get ready to buy a home.

If you haven't already, start saving. At the same time, review your credit score and do what you can to either maintain it or work toward healthier credit. Both of these tasks will help make the home-buying process better for you.

Your credit is an important factor in determining the terms under which you can get a mortgage. Broadly speaking, the better your credit is, the better your interest rate will be. Because you'll be paying off your home for years to come, it's important to get the best rate possible.

Start by checking your credit report. You're entitled to one free check of your report, from several credit reporting agencies every year. As much as you need to check your report to find out what shape your credit is in, it's also essential to review it for inaccuracies or fraudulent activity, both of which can have a negative impact on your score.

If your credit health needs some work, take action immediately. Paying bills on time, reducing your overall debt and limiting new credit inquiries can all help to build your credit, but be patient as it can take time for your positive actions to impact your credit score. Nevertheless, the sooner you make the effort, the sooner you'll see results.

Finally, remember to be prudent when deciding how much you can afford for your monthly mortgage payment. While it may be tempting to buy a pricier house, the stress of struggling to make payments could diminish your enjoyment of your new home and even put you at financial risk. One rule of thumb is that most borrowers can afford a home loan that runs about two and a half times their annual salary.

Buying a home is a complex process, but is ultimately very rewarding when done right. By organizing your finances well in advance, you'll help set yourself up for success.

Copyright© 2012 RISMedia, The Leader in Real Estate Information Systems and Real Estate News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be republished without permission from RISMedia.
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When you're ready to get started, give The Puffer Team a call, 828-771-2300, or visit our website,
www.homefinderasheville.com.

Puffer Team Short Sale Listings

Remember last week when we discussed the short sale process here? We now have two more short sales on the market ready for the right buyer:

15 Grove Garden Avenue; Asheville, NC 288806 

(click on the address for more information)

 29 Cedar Hill Circle; Asheville, NC  28806

(click on the address for details) 

Interested in scheduling an appointment for one of these homes, give our Buyer Specialists at The Puffer Team a call, 828-771-2300, or contact us online at www.homefinderasheville.com.

So You Want To Buy A Short Sale?

There are a lot of opportunities to get a great deal on a new home right now; interest rates are incredibly low, foreclosures are still abundant...and then there are short sales.

Definition of a Short Sale, courtesy of CDPE:

• A homeowner is 'short' when the amount owed on his/her property is higher than current market value.
• A short sale occurs when a negotiation is entered into with the homeowner's mortgage company (or companies) to accept less than the full balance of the loan at closing. A buyer closes on the property, and the property is then 'sold short' of the total value of the mortgage.

If you are a buyer looking to purchase a short sale, know that it can take 3-6 months to get a deal closed, in most cases; if you're dealing with a local lender sometimes it's much quicker.

Here is the typical process for a short sale:

• Bank acknowledges receipt of the file. This can take 10 days to a month.
• A negotiator is assigned. This can take 30 to 60 days.
• A BPO (Broker Price Opinion) is ordered. The bank probably will refuse to share the results of the BPO.
• A second negotiator may be assigned. This can take another 30 days.
• The file is sent for review or to the PSA. This can take 2 weeks to 30 days.
• The bank may then request that all parties sign an Arm's-Length Affidavit.
• The bank issues a short sale approval letter.

Sold for $160,000

The Puffer Team has handled numerous short sales over the years.  Our most recent short sale, from offer to closing, took approximately 4 months, thankfully we found a buyer who wanted the home bad enough that he was willing to wait out the process.  In most cases a short sale will run through three or more buyers before it closes as buyers get frustrated and walk away.

If you're a buyer with patience, and willing to wait out the process, a short sale may be a better option for you than a foreclosure.  Most short sale properties are lived in and maintained, and while sometimes in slight disrepair, they are usually move-in ready.

Are you interested in learning more about buying short sales?  Give The Puffer Team a call today, 828-771-2300; click here for a list of short sales in the Asheville area.

Woodfin, NC Home By The Riverside

Looking for a home in a newer neighborhood, convenient to Downtown Asheville, with close proximity to outdoor activities?  This home is for you:

16 Stone River Drive; Asheville (Woodfin), NC  28804

(click on the address for more information)

This immaculate home features a light and bright open floor plan with hardwoods and tile throughout.  You can walk across the street to the Woodfin Riverside Park, you're less than a 10 minute drive to Downtown Asheville, and just a couple of miles from the popular outdoor river bar, The Bywater.

Want more information about this home or others in the area?  Call The Puffer Team, 828-771-2300, or visit our website, www.homefinderasheville.com.

When We're Not Working . . . . We're Creating Memories

Here at The Puffer Team we enjoy selling real estate, but just like anyone else, we do need a break from time to time.  Brad Puffer, Listing Specialist and Leader of our team, along with his wife Jolene, spent a few days in Charlotte, NC recently, just a little over 2 1/2 hours from Asheville.

While in the area they enjoyed the Nascar Driving Experience....

dinner at The Capital Grille in downtown Charlotte, where they saw Claire Daines & Morena Baccarin of Homeland eating next to them....

followed by a great concert at Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre, featuring Thompson Square, Darius Rucker, & Lady Antebellum.

 

The beautiful thing about Asheville is that we are surrounded by so many great opportunities to leave town without having to go too far, but we do love our mountains.  What did you do for fun this summer to create a lasting memory?

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The Puffer Team, Keller Williams Professionals, 828-771-2300, www.homefinderasheville.com

New Listing In West Asheville

Great opportunity for an investor or first time home buyer!  This home isn't in the West Asheville you think you know, but it's still convenient to town and offers up a lot of charm.  This bungalow is adorable and affordable!  For more information about this home click on the address:   
33 Oak Hill Drive; Asheville, NC  28806


Interested in knowing about other bungalows in the area or scheduling a showing for this home?  Call The Puffer Team today at 828-771-2300 or visit our website, www.homefinderasheville.com.

Black Mountain, NC. . . What's Not To Love?

The beautiful thing about living in the mountains of WNC is that there are lots of little towns with their own little culture and offerings.  Just 15 minutes east of Asheville you will find Black Mountain, nestled in the Swannanoa Valley.  Home to LEAF Festival, the Sourwood Festival, & Art In Bloom, Black Mountain offers a lot for the outdoor enthusiasts and artists with a quaint downtown area.

Our team has the pleasure of having a couple of homes available in the Black Mountain Area, while you're in town check them out:

3197 N Fork Left Fork Rd; Black Mountain, NC  28711

(click on the address for more information)

 419 Avena Road; Black Mountain, NC  28711

(click on the address for more information)

Call The Puffer Team today to learn more about the homes we have available, not only in Black Mountain, but other areas as well, 828-771-2300.  Feel free to also visit our website, www.homefinderasheville.com.

We've Got Your Views!

Looking for a contemporary home close to conveniences but offering outstanding views?  Check out this Weaverville home!

14 Companion Way; Weaverville, NC  28787

(click on the address for more information)

Virtual tour found by clicking here.  

While you're in the area have a glass of wine at Maggie B's Wine & Speciality Store, grab a slice of pie at Blue Mountain Pizza or take a break at Lake Louise; all of these options are just mere minutes from Companion Way.

Would you like to schedule a showing for this home or something similar, give The Puffer Team a call today at 828-771-2300, and feel free to check out our website:  www.homefinderasheville.com.

Slashing Prices & Taking Names

Looking to buy in the Asheville/WNC Mountains area?  We just listed a great home in Weaverville (convenient to their downtown restaurants/shops), and we've reduced a couple of our listings as well.

164 Kennedy Road; Weaverville, NC  28787
 (click the address for more information)

...and we just reduced these two homes:

Now $169,900 (Motivated Seller)

 

733 Garren Creek Road; Fairview, NC  28730

(click the address for more information)

Now $499,900 (Great Views) 

Convenient to Navitat

 

41 Hensley Road; Weaverville, NC  28787

(click the address for more information) 

Tis the season to buy a home, we've been receiving multiple offers on some of our listings within days of going on the market so if you don't have an agent working for you give The Puffer Team a call today, 828-771-2300, or visit our website, www.homefinderasheville.com.

This Month In Real Estate - August 2012

Check out what's happening this month in real estate:

Interested in finding out more about the local Asheville area real estate market? Give The Puffer Team a call; 828-771-2300; or visit our website: www.homefinderasheville.com.