Asifa Zia -The Realtor YOU want

  According to the latest   report   from   Black Knight, Inc. , a well-respected provider of data and analytics for mortgage companies, 6.48 million households have entered a forbearance plan as a result of financial concerns brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s where these homeowners stand right now: 2,543,000 (39%) are current on their payments and have left the program 625,000 (9%) have paid off their mortgages 434,000 (7%) have negotiated a repayment plan and have left the program 2,254,000 (35%) have extended their original forbearance plan 512,000 (8%) are still in their original forbearance plan 116,000 (2%) have left the program and are still behind on payments This shows that of the almost 3.72 million homeowners who have left the program, only 116,000 (2%) exited while they were still behind on their payments. There are still 2.77 million borrowers in a forbearance program. No one knows for sure how many of those will become foreclosures. There are,...

  January is new month, new year, new start. You can just do a few things this month, which will make a lasting effect. Check smoke detectors and Carbon monoxide detectors: Use the test button on each device, and change batteries, if needed. Protect your pipes from Freezing: Insulate all your outdoor exposed pipes, better to save them now then spend hefty amount of money on repairs, if they burst. Know where your water shut off valves are< and turn off the water to the outdoor hoses. Prevent Ice dams: Ice dams are areas of built-up ice that can accumulate around your roof line, causing leaks when the backed-up snow behind them begins to melt. Using a roof rake, remove snow after each storm.  Take down the holidays decorations and store them: Wrap the delicate items in bubble wrap, declutter the ornaments, give away or donate which you don't want to keep. Replace any fused bulbs, and store everything away. Clean out the kitchen and pantry: Check the dates on pantry items, th...

  Increase your chances of getting your dream house in a competitive housing market. Get prequalified for a mortgage. You’ll be able to make a firm commitment to buy and your offer will be more desirable to the seller. Stay in close contact with your real estate agent. Your agent will be on the lookout for the newest listings that meet your criteria. Be ready to see a house as soon as it goes on the market — if it’s a great home, it will go fast. Scout out new listings yourself. Browse sources such as realtor.com and local real estate listing sites. Set up alerts for the neighborhoods and characteristics you’re looking for. Drive through your target neighborhoods, and if you see a home you like for-sale, send the address and listing agent’s name to your agent, who can schedule a showing for you. Be ready to make a decision. Spend plenty of time in advance deciding what you can afford and must have in a home so you won’t hesitate when you have the chance to make an...

With a worldwide health crisis that drove a pause in the economy this year, the housing market was greatly impacted. Many have been eagerly awaiting some bright signs of a recovery. Based on the latest Existing Home Sales  Report  from the  National Association of Realtors  (NAR), June hit a much-anticipated record-setting rebound to ignite that spark. According to  NAR ,  home sales jumped 20.7%  from May to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 4.72 million in June:   “Existing-home sales rebounded at a record pace in June, showing strong signs of a market turnaround after three straight months of sales declines caused by the ongoing pandemic…Each of the four major regions achieved month-over-month growth.” This significant rebound is a major boost for the housing market and the U.S. economy. According to Lawrence Yun,  Chief Economist  for NAR, the momentum has the potential to continue on, too: “The sales recovery is ...

Not All Agents Are Created Equal In today’s fast-paced world where answers are just a Google search away, there are some who may question the benefits of hiring a real estate professional when selling a house. The reality is, the addition of more information can lead to more confusion. A real estate agent can be your essential guide, but truth be told, not all agents are created equal. Finding the right agent for you and your family should be your top priority when you’re ready to sell your house. The right agent is the person who can truly walk you through the whole process, look out for your best interest, and seamlessly lead you through all the steps along the way. In today’s complex market, the way we execute real estate transactions is changing constantly, especially as more elements can be done  virtually . Making sure you have the best advice on your side is more important than ever. So, how do you choose the perfect agent? It starts with trust. You must trust the...

Are the terms “real estate agent” and “Realtor” interchangeable?  — many consumers aren’t sure at all what the difference is between a real estate agent and a Realtor, or whether there even is one. Both real estate agents and Realtors are licensed to sell real estate, but there is a notable difference between the two. What is a Real estate agent? and how can you become one? A real estate agent is anyone who is licensed and can help people buy and sell commercial or residential property. To become a real estate agent you have to complete certain number of classes which can be from 60-90 hours of classroom instructions from accredited college, university or technical school depending on each state), pass a state exam,  and then get licensed according to each states' laws.  They also must pass an exam about state and local Real estate laws, standards and practices.   All real estate agents must pay an annual licensing fee and renew them every one or two years,...