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   The time was right, and I could see it coming.  I knew they were ready to meet the big money people.  We had to find out "Who's got it?" and "How can we get it?"  Tough questions?  You bet, and I've got the answers. I love to chat when money talks.

Financial Planning       If you're buying with all cash, what're you doing here, slumming? Take your mug on to your next page. . .but, say, wait a while. Are you sure you don't want to use someone else's money?  Maybe Uncle's hand doesn't have to be so deep into your pocket at tax time, or maybe there's another good reason or two for borrowing.  If you don't have a financial planner and could use some expert help with this, you won't do better than to have a chat with Pat.  

Preapproval    If you're buying and not paying all cash, think of this like opening the door before you walk through it: not a law, but a sound technique for avoiding unnecessary pain.  Do not wait to stumble across your dream house, and then find yourself competing with other dreamers who are pre-approved.

The Loan Officer    doesn't just ask you a lot of really personal money questions and then show up a few weeks later with your money.  S/he assembles your application and supporting documentation into a package, which then goes to someone who you will never meet who decides whether to give you the loan.  Opportunities for snafu's are thick as a bloodhound's fleas (thick as this prose, even).

You want a loan officer who a) is not prone to attract any of these, and b) is adept at repelling those that just come up anyway.  Sign up with a pro who comes recommended out of the experience of someone you trust.  If you want my opinion, give me a call for a list of my favorite lending professionals.  Each speaks fluent Money.

Sellers  sometimes borrow against the equity in the home they're about to sell.  Some want the cash for pre-marketing preparation.  Others wish to arrange a line of credit sufficient to purchase their next home without having to make an offer contingent on their sale [and therefore less competitive].  It can happen that an improvement loan turns out to be a better solution than a sale.  It pays to think things through with the right help.

The tax effect of owning real estate is one of the cornerstones of the American Dream.  If you have been renting, you will probably be happier even than you imagined when April rolls around after your first purchase.  As usual where the IRS is concerned, an ounce of planning is much preferable to several stone of hindsight! For an expert perspective on selling and links to a wealth of related wisdom click here,   

The 1031 Exchange is a way for investors to save tax dollars when selling and buying property.  Excellent on-line information and full support for this process is available from a firm named Realty Exchangers.  

Your House Detective's fees  are paid when a result is in hand, at close of escrow--a share of the commission the Seller pays, which is itself negotiated at the time a listing agreement is signed up.

Calculate here if you've a mind to.  Calculate what?  Well, what would you like to know?  Here's a rich selection:

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