Tricks and Tips

Go Mobile, Get our App to Get Listings on the Go!

by Matt Hernacki August 26, 2010 Real Estate - local markets

Get listing information on your cell phone with our new mobile app! Click on the logo to send the app to your cell phone or text MRHOMES to 87778. Then anytime you see a ‘for sale’ sign you can pull up the listing while you’re right in front. If you want to see it, we’ll …

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Better IL Property Tax Assessments On the Way?

by Matt Hernacki August 13, 2010 Distressed Property

At least for homeowners in counties other than Cook perhaps. We have heard for a couple of years since prices started falling that local assessors were excluding short sales and foreclosures from their assessments in order to keep revenue up. Hardly fair considering the homeowner is being hit hard if they try to sell or refinance due to …

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More Drop Outs Than Loans Modified

by Matt Hernacki June 21, 2010 Distressed Property

Check out this AP story on loan modifications today. More people drop out of the loan modification process than actually get their mortgages modified. The moral of the story is don’t wait on a loan modification that most likely will not happen. The time and false hope wasted on a loan modification is valuable time a homeowner needs …

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Been Foreclosed on, Done a Short Sale – What Next?

by Matt Hernacki January 31, 2010 Tricks and Tips

Our trusted attorney, Tom, has an excellent post today on what to expect after a foreclosure or short sale, and how to prepare if you find yourself in a similar situation.

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Loan Mod or Win Lotto

by Matt Hernacki December 12, 2009 Real Estate - local markets

You still have a slightly better chance of getting a loan modified than winning the lotto. And since getting a loan modified is like winning the lotto, you should probably be taking a shot at both if you need to. An article in the Tribune yesterday says, “Only 31,382 mortgages across the nation were permanently made more affordable.” …

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Itching to File for your First Time Buyer Tax Credit?

by Matt Hernacki December 4, 2009 First Time Buyers

You may want to give it just a couple more weeks. Our favorite attorney posted an article about the changes being made to the paperwork. Thanks Tom!

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Short Sale Help…For Real This Time?

by Matt Hernacki December 1, 2009 Real Estate - local markets

It looks like there may be some help on the way for the short sale process. We have heard some of this talk before so let’s just hope it actually becomes part of the process this time. If even some of these changes get implemented they would help things along. Read the Yahoo News story.

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Homebuyer Tax Credit Info

by Matt Hernacki November 9, 2009 First Time Buyers

Came across a good reference for tax credit questions and information put together by the NAHB. This breaks it down so it is easy to understand and you’ll be able to tell if you qualify right away. Check it out here.

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It Passes!

by Matt Hernacki November 5, 2009 First Time Buyers

The tax credit extension has now passed the House in addition to the Senate. So buyers have roughly 6 more months to take advantage of the $8,000 first time buyer tax credit. Plus the new $6,500 repeat buyer credit. More details to come, but you can read the latest here.

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Buying a Bank-Owned Home…

by Matt Hernacki October 9, 2009 First Time Buyers

Check out this movie created by San Diego Castles Broker Kris Berg. At least we can all still laugh (or cry…or both) at the process the banks and foreclosure agents put everyone through. Can’t wait to see the sequel on short sales! Watch here.

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