CONGRATS!!!!

Congratulations are in order to my very good friends...Tarik & Nicole!Not only did they get engaged at the top of the year but they are finally HOMEOWNERS!!!! I'm so proud of them! Didn't I tell y'all NOT to believe the HYPE...banks are STILL lending qualified people money! These two lovebirds are the proud owners of a 5 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms and full basement home in Southeast, DC! Whew...Nicole that's alot of cleaning you gonna be doing! LOL...at least I know I got a room if I ever need a place to stay! Tarik & Nicole didn't allow the media to scare them, so who's next?! Contact me today @ dianatherealtor@gmail.com so we can begin the process of YOU becoming a HOMEOWNER! Stay tuned for pics...

VOTE or DIE

We have just about 3 weeks left until we all can go vote for change! I'm sooo excited! I can honestly say that I have participated in every election since I was 18years old but this election season is by far the most passionate that I've been about. With that said, I want to make sure ALL my people know the rules and guidelines that you MUST adhere to when going to the polls. We can't afford NO screw ups!!! I don't know about y'all but I know I CAN'T do another four of this madness!
IF YOU'RE VOTING IN:

DC & VA- you are NOT ALLOWED to wear any clothing or buttons with any candidate's name or logo on it. Also, in these jurisdictions you are not allowed to campaign within 40 feet of the poll site

MD- you ARE ALLOWED to wear any candidate's paraphernalia
Let's go People! When you go Barack the Vote make sure you go correct!!! Check your local Board of Elections to find out more...Yes We Can!

Just Mary...the Revolution!

Sooo...I'm a HUGE Mary J Blige fan! It's been that way since Real Love and like all of her other fans I've followed her career and her revolution. Check out the new commercial she did for Chevy...2 cute!

Don't believe the HYPE!

While I was on hybernation, I was definately keeping up with all the real estate media. Please don't believe the HYPE! Yes, our economy is in a recession but banks are STILL granting loans. Trust that the banks want to loan you money! You just have to have DECENT credit and purchase what you can AFFORD and not live above and beyond your means!I have heard the phrase "credit crisis" so much lately that I was starting to believe it myself until I did a little research on my own. The fact is simple: if you have decent credit, you can qualify for a home mortage right around 6% or maybe a tad higher. The media has the story wrong. Banks have PLENTY of money to lend to qualified homebuyers. And sellers want to sell. Many are tired of holding on. They want to move. You can email me at dianatherealtor@gmail.com so we can discuss more about your home purchase!

My Apologies...

It's been a long time...I know! Before entering into the blogosphere I never knew how much time it would take. As I am human, alot of changes have taken place in 2008. But hey...change is good, right?! I'm committed, dedicated and passionate in everything I do, including being YOUR REALTOR! With that said....I'M BAAACCCKKK!

Daylight Savings Time

Don't forget 2 set your clocks AHEAD an hour this weekend!!! That's right Spring is coming early this year! That means we have another hour of sunlight. Let's use this extra sunlight hour to tour some OPEN HOUSES so you use that tax return the SMART way!!!

rent or BUY???

Although HOME OWNERSHIP is the first step into achieving the American dream and the best way to use "smart money", sometimes it's not always the right step depending on your circumstances. So how do you make this important decision? Here's 4 tips to consider when debating on whether to rent or buy home...

1- Your Stage of Life You're usally better off renting in the early stages of your career that may take you to another city in a year or two. If you move frequently, giving notice to a landlord is much easier than finding a buyer for your home especially if the market is soft. Typically, you should plan to stay in your home at least two years or more to recoup closing costs.

2- Your Lifestyle Buying a place to call your OWN lets you decorate and paint your home any way you want! However, it does entails regular maintenace, like cleaning the gutters, and can result in additional expenses that should be factored in your annual budget. Renting requires less responsibility and offers nearly maintenance- free living yet limits you to the way you can personalize your home. So, if you are in the habit of spending your extra $$$ at Nordstrom versus saving, then HOME OWNERSHIP is not for you at this point. You have to learn how to condition yourself to start using "smart money". Also, keep in mind that when you rent you spend thousand of dollars a year paying on a home that is NOT yours and you are increasing someone else's wealth rather than your own!

3- Your Timing If you are financially and personally ready to buy a home, there are factors within the economy to consider. The real estate market is in constant change as well as mortgage rates. But if rates are low and housing prices are on the decline, it may be a good time to buy.

4- Your Finances Depending on where you live and your needs, renting allows you to manage your monthly budget and savings rather than a home where you may have unexpected maintenance costs. Although your rent can increase every year, it will provide with the ability to save if your bigger dream is to have a nice nest egg.

Even when owning a home, savings should not be neglected. Another added benefit to HOME OWNERSHIP is the ability to deduct your propety taxes and mortgage payments on your income taxes. With these factors, paying a mortgage may come out to be just the same or cheaper than renting!!! Do the math. If you can cover the cost of a mortgage and continue to save than its time for you to email me at dianatherealtor@gmail.com so we can start visiting some Open Houses and start using "smart money"!!!

7 tips for first time home buyers

So, I know I've been on this "smart money" tip when it comes to homeownership. But there are certain things you should do before taking that wonderful step into "smart money!" Follow these 7 steps to make sure you are READY for that DREAM HOUSE...

1-Check the selling prices of comparable homes in your area. There are certain websites that you can check these including the National Association of Realtors website.

2- See what YOU can AFFORD. I have a network of experienced loan officers that you see what's your buying power. Also, keep in mind that just because you sit down with a loan officer and you find out what you can afford by NO MEANS does it bound you to a loan. This is merely done to focus your search when looking for your home. I mean really if you can only afford a $200,000 home there's no reason you should be looking at $300,000 homes! Unless you have an $100 G's just lying around that is!!!

3-Find out what your total monthly housing cost would be, including taxes and homeowners insurance. To get a feel for the maximum amount you should spend, including taxes and insurance, use MSN Real Estate's home affordability calculator. In some areas, what you'll pay for your taxes and insurance escrow can almost double your mortgage payment. To get an idea of what you'll pay in insurance, pick a property in the area where you want to live and make a call to a local insurance agent for an estimate. You won't be obligated to get the insurance, but you'll have a good idea of what you'll pay if you buy.

4-Find out how much you'll likely pay in closing costs. The upfront cost of settling on your home shouldn't be overlooked. Closing costs include origination fees charged by the lender, title and settlement fees, taxes and prepaid items such as homeowners insurance or homeowners association fees.

5-Look at your budget and determine how a house fits into it. Fannie Mae recommends that buyers spend no more than 28% of their income on housing costs. Go much past 30% and you risk becoming house poor. And this often causes you to be "upside down" on your loan...(remeber the short sale lesson earier in the week)

6-Talk to reputable real-estate agents in your area about the real-estate climate. Do they believe prices will continue falling or do they think your area has hit bottom or will rise soon? Trust in your agent, we are here to RELIEVE the stress for you. You DO NOT have to go through the BIGGEST& MOST IMPORTANT purchase of you life alone!

7-Remember to look at the big picture. While buying a house is a great way to build wealth, maintaining your investment can be labor-intensive and expensive. When unexpected costs for new appliances, roof repairs and plumbing problems crop up, there's no landlord to turn to, and these costs can drain your bank account.

Neverland Ranch may b FORECLOSED...

It looks like another celeb couldn't escape foreclosure...Sources are saying that if the King of Pop has until March 19th to come up with $24,525,906.61 his infamous Neverland Ranch will be up for public auction in Santa Barbara, Cali., in front of the county courthouse. So... if you have several millions laying around this dream home could be yours! Oh and I didn't mention that you will also get "all elevators, all railroad tracks, railroad equipment, trains, locomotives, rail cars, all ferris wheels, carousels, and the merry-go-round!!! Lets hope Mike can come up with the money...we surely don't want him to loose his "dream home."

sources: bossip.com

short Sale

There's been alot of talk in the media about "short sales". What is it exactly? Is it the same as a foreclosure? Does it negatively affect your credit? No worries Diana The Realtor is here to clear all of your questions for you! A short sale is basically selling your home for the value of it versus how much you may owe on a home. Its essentially when a person owes more money on a home than how much the home is actually worth. Ultimately this means that you are "upside down on your home." You find this VERY common when owning a car. To prevent foreclosure you may sale your home for the market value rather than selling it for a profit. When you consider this, keep in mind that you must get permission from your mortgage bank and you MUST claim the difference of what you owe and the actual sale of the home as income on your income taxes. For example: your home is worth $225,000 but you owe $300,000 on your home...you must claim the difference of $75,000 as income on your taxes. Doing a short sale will not negatively impact your credit rating! It is here to help you BEFORE foreclosre!!!

Celebrities are NOT exempt!!!

Even celebs can't escape foreclosure...it can happen to ANY of us. Now if millionaires like Marion Jones, Latrell Sprewell, and Teddy Riley cant keep their "dream homes" what do you think will happen to you if you are trying to "keep up with the Jones'?"

sources: bossip, LA Times

The Skinny on Foreclosure...

You hear everyday how the foreclosure rate is at a high point. And yes this is true...there's no denying it. What does foreclosure actually mean??? Foreclosure simply means that the bank takes your home because you can not pay your mortgage. But the bigger issue is HOW 2 AVOID it. The 1st step is to find a great loan officer that has integrity and loyalty! The reason integrity and loyalty are vital is because if your loan officer do not have these qualities they DO NOT have good intentions. There are some loan officers out there that will push a loan on you that you may qualify for on paper but not necessarily in reality. What do I mean by this...simple don't get into nothing you cannot REALLY handle!!! You may be approved for a $500,000 loan but if you're not ready to pay that $3500 monthly mortgage...DON"T DO IT!!! As my grandma use to say: "Keepin' up with the Jones' will get you in a world of trouble!!!" I definitely understand that EVERYONE wants their dream home but please don't get in over your head! You will end up in more debt than ever! At Long $ Foster, we work with the Prosperity Mortgage...contact me so we can sit down today with a honest loan officer with integrity to get you the best loan for your money!

Long Live the KING...

Happy Birthday!!!! You are MISSED BUT NEVER 4GOTTEN...I know you're enjoying your day with a smile as usual. We all Love & Miss You!

More Celebs workin' that money...

Say what you want, but Eddie is a smart man! He's taken his millions and put it to VERY good use...Eddie Murphy had this resort-sized, Mission-style $20 million monster built in the prestigious 90210 area code in 2005.

What a way 2 work that MONEY...the smart way!

Just a few weeks after the release of "I Believe", Fantasia put some of her new, hard-earned cash into a two-story brick home in Charlotte, North Carolina, worth approximately $740,00

Let me Upgrade U...

Then after she dropped her second album in December of 2006, she went out and bought this pricier home. Fantasia spent $1.3 million on this beautiful two-story pool home, which also offers a hot tub, five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and a three-car garage. Go ahead Tasia! Im not mad at you girl...what a great way to have your money work for YOU!!! There's no need to spend money unwisely...invest it! And the best is HOME OWNERSHIP!!!

Thank YOU!

I just wanted to send each of you a personal shout out who attended the open house yesterday. We had a great turn out..but guess what? You still have time tp snatch up this wonderful 2 bed 2 bath buy. With all the admenities, you really getting a steal! So you can email me at dianatherealtor@gmail.com with any questions about this or ANY other property you may like! I am NEVER too busy for YOU!!!

MUST SEE...2 BED 2BATH condo!

These pictures truly do not compare to the real thing...this is definately a MUST SEE!!! Did I mention that there's a diswasher, fireplace, balcony and TWO walk-in closets!

This could b YOURS...

Gorgeous kitchen with gernerous cabinet space and gourmet pot rack!

OPEN HOUSE

Come see this beautiful 2bed 2ba condo for sale in Columbia, MD this Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008 1-4pm. This great property has all the best admentities. You will enjoy walk-in closets, separate laundry room w/ full size washer/dryer, generous kitchen cabinets w/ gourmet pot rack, fireplace, bedroom bookshelves & a wall mounted flat screen TV!!!! And more....so come out on Sunday and put that tax return to good use!

Tax Returns....be smart 101

Why not use that nice tax return towards a future??? Buying a home with your tax money is a great way to start the year off on a good start! Buying a home will work in your favor in more ways than one. The number ONE reason is that you will get a nice tax break for home ownership! It's always good to be SMART with your finances. Stay tuned all this week with more reasons why buying a home is better than buying a liability, like a car!...remember you can always email me so we can start the process of HOME OWNERSHIP at dianatherealtor@gmail.com!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What Have You Done 4 Me Lately?

Alot of people asks me all the time...what exactly can a real estate agent do for me? Bottom line is, the REALTOR works for YOU. As your REALTOR, I will take the stress off of you. There are many reasons why I enjoy helping people with their real estate needs. First and foremost is the deep satisfaction I get from helping them realize their dreams and get through the major transition that accompanies buying, selling and moving.

That’s why, in my ongoing commitment to providing first-class service, I can confidently say that if I can’t answer a specific home-related question you have, I'm a phone call or email away from an expert in my professional network who can.

...say WHAT!!!!!!

Have you ever been listening to the news or reading the paper and you have no idea what the articles are really saing? If so, join the club people! LOL! Diana The Realtor will breakdown all those confusing synonyms that are used. Its gonna breakdown all those crazy sounding terms into something that wont leave you with...say WHAT!

ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF!

I have recently became a REALTOR with Long & Foster. So, what does that mean to you???? This means that I am a capable, devoted and committed young woman who is able and willing to assist you in making a dream into reality. The dream...HOMEOWNERSHIP!!!! I am availbale to help with every step of the home buying and selling process. With this blog, you'll find great information on today's market from an expert in the field. This way you wont have to solely rely on the news channels(sometimes they can streeeeetch the truth)!