Neil Mather

Dear Christine,
We are researching that property for you and we will call you within the hour.

Thank you,

Neil Mather - The Mather Team - Earlier today

Dear Mary,
You are going to get a lot of the same answers from most agents. The fact is all agents have access to the foreclosures out there and any of the agents can give you access to the foreclosures as well.

However, if you are serious about buying a foreclosure property or any other great deal out there then the main thing you should do is call us so we can get you pre-approved so you are ready to play ball and be in a winning position to beat out all the other unprepared buyers out there.

The other thing you will want to do is call us so we can discuss more with you about how we credit money back to you at the close of escrow so you can either apply it to closing costs or just keep it and use it to furnish your new home when the time is right for you. Real Estate is simple but the internet is complicating things for buyers in a market like this. If you continue to look on your own without the help of an agent you will get beat out every time by buyers who have agents. My clients know when a home is coming on the market and I make sure that your offer is submitted immediately which gives you the best chance of purchasing a property for a great deal.

There are a lot of great Realtors out there and the most important thing I can tell you in order to answer your original question is to pick a Realtor and work as a team.

We look forward to hearing from you and we can be contacted at 661-600-2422

Neil Mather - The Mather Team
Keller Williams Realty - Valencia
661-600-2422 - Fri Nov 14 2008, 10:04

Hi there Jessica,
My name is Neil Mather with The Mather Team at Keller Williams Realty in Valencia. We have over 30 years experience in Real Estate and over 1,800 transactions closed. We are a father and son team and customer service is #1 for us. We specialize in working with first time home buyers and what that truly means is getting you to the right lender who can find you the best program with the least amount of down payment and with the lowest interest rate. It also means that we understand what first time home buyers are going through and that buying a home can look like a huge mountain with several confusing paths to take to reach the top. However, we guide you the entire way and make the process actually fun and easy. Your income sounds fine yet 100% financing is virtually gone. There is a program that my lender has been talking about for buyers in your posititon with very little down however there are certain qualifications you have to meet. If that program didn't work for you then you would have to put down a minimum of 3% with an FHA loan and just know that will go up to 3.5% January 1st, 2009. There are first time home buyer grants and that would again be something you would want to talk with a lender about. I can recommend several great lenders upon request. Also, know that the price range you are looking in is very competitive. Any detached home that shows well and is priced under $350,000 is selling very quickly and with multiple offers so you will have to be competitve if you want to buy a home in this price range. Now if the home does not show well and has been on the market over 30 days then there is usually room to negotiate.
I hope I have answered all your questions and please feel free to visit our website http://www.MatherTeam.com to learn more about us and to read our past client testimonials. Also, as a first time home buyer there are a lot of advertising traps and internet pitfalls that will waste your time in buying a home. Call me and after 10 minutes on phone I will have educated you on everything to avoid as well as let you know the major differences between short sales and foreclosures and which might work best for you and your husband's purchase.

Have a blessed day and we look forward to helping you purchase your first home!

Neil Mather - The Mather Team
Keller Williams Realty
661-600-2422 - Wed Nov 5 2008, 09:41

Dear Jahari,
Each deal is different. If the bank owned property is priced well and has multiple offers on it already then there will no negotiating room you will have to compete for the property. If the property has been on the market for a little while and there are not current offers at list price then you have a good chance to negotiate with the banks for that property. Jahari, do yourself a favor and call either a Real Estate Agent that you know or if you don't know of one then give me and my father a call. You need to have a professional agent working for you in order to find any of the great deals out there. The best homes out there are selling within 48 to 72 hours if they are priced right. It doesn't cost you anything to use us as your agent and then you will have an expert helping you find the kind of home you want before all the other buyers with agents beat you out. Also, you will have someone to call when you have any real estate questions. We have over 30 years experience in real estate and over 1,800 transactions closed. Do yourself a favor and call us so you can be competely educated about this market and have true professionals helping you purchase your home.
Thanks and God Bless!
Neil Mather - THE MATHER TEAM
661-600-2422 - Sat Sep 6 2008, 14:26

Dear Buyer,
It all depends on how low in the comps the home is orginally listed. Some foreclosure homes are priced just below the comps and buyers offer lower and they get the banks to accept. Sometimes 20%-40% below list price. But there are a lot of foreclosures that are coming on the market now that are priced really well below comps and the banks are not having to take lower than list price because buyers are jumping on them within 48 hours and there are multiple offers. For example, a lot of homes that come on the market for sale under $400,000 don't last for long and are getting multiple offers again. Thats to say if it is a detached home at least 3 bedrooms and looks somewhat nice inside and at least has a small backyard. If you are looking for a home over $550,000 then the story changes and buyers are not jumping on these as quickly and you can work out a deal with the banks because they may have sat on the market for awhile.
I noticed you are from Alburquerque. I don't know your exact situation but if you are thinking about moving to Southern California, particularly beautiful Santa Clarita, please give us a call. My father and I work together as a father and son team called THE MATHER TEAM at Keller Williams VIP Properties out here in Valencia, California. We can answer any of the questions you might have about the area, the schools, home prices and recommend neighborhoods that fit for what you are looking for. If you can make it out here we also have a complimentary tour where we can drive you through each city in Santa Clarita giving you a better idea of where you might want to live. Then once you have decided what area you like we can take you on a foreclosure tour as well. If you are just casually looking for now and don't think you will make a move for another 4 to 6 months give me a call and I will sign you up on the best, brand new state of the art, private home search website call the "Home Buyer's Scouting Report". Other search websites are a waste of time and they are geared to lead generate and make you call them. This website gives you all the info you will need as a casual buyer and therefore you won't be nagged by agents calling you all the time. Let me know if that is something that would better suit you for now. If you are thinking about buying within the next month though, don't mess with websites at because the only way to find great deals is through an agent. With over 30 years of experience in real estate and over 1,800 transactions closed you can feel confident in us as your Realtor. I look forward to hearing from you and hope to answer any further questions you might have.
Thanks,
Neil Mather- THE MATHER TEAM
Keller Williams VIP Properties
661-600-2422
http://www.matherteam.com - Fri May 30 2008, 14:31