Contratistas y Permisos: Que necesitas para poder referir TU negocio y para vender tu inversión!

Tu Casa

Por Nathalia N. Cruz-Edmonds

¿Sabía usted que si usted tiene una empresa de pintar casas en Maryland pero no tiene la licencia de la Comisión de mejoras para el hogar o como se llama en ingles, Maryland Home Improvement Commission, o por sus siglas en inglés MHIC, un agente de bienes raíces no puede referir futuro negocio? En noviembre de 2014, la Comisión de Bienes Raíces Maryland creó un reglamento que prohíbe a los agentes de bienes raíces y con penalidad de multas si es encontrado culpable de referir proveedores de servicios sin licencia. Este reglamento requiere que para para poder hacer un referido, los agentes tiene que hacer los referidos por escrito, tiene que verificar que el proveedor de servicios tiene una licencia del estado actual, informar la fecha en que el agente verificó por última la base de datos de licencias de estado y proporcionar un enlace electrónico al registro de licencias.

El agente de bienes raíces que se han encontrado violando esta regulación podría ser multado hasta $ 5,000 por infracción. Esto hará que conseguir nuevos clientes a través de una colaboración con agentes sea muy difícil. ¿Por qué es esto? Debido a que los consumidores siguen siendo afectados por los propietarios de negocios sin escrúpulos que hacen trampa, estafa y roban a la gente de buen corazón. El estado de Maryland ha considerado agentes inmobiliarios como una fuente de confianza, por lo tanto es responsable de proporcionar información precisa a sus clientes.

La siguiente es una lista de los negocios que necesitan ser adecuadamente licencia:

• Se requiere una licencia MHIC al instalar cualquier cosa que se convierte fijada permanentemente a la casa o propiedad, como baldosas y suelos de madera o un sistema de aspiración central, etc.
• Edificio o reforzar la chimenea, o la instalación de un casquillo de la chimenea, entonces se requiere una licencia de mejoras para el hogar. Servicio de limpieza no está incluido.
• Si el contratista realiza cualquiera de los servicios de reparación en la casa, entonces se requiere una licencia MHIC. No, demolición y trabajo de limpieza no se considera dentro de la definición de "mejoras para el hogar." Por lo tanto, el contratista no está obligado a tener una licencia MHIC para realizar estos servicios.
• La Comisión ha determinado que la instalación de televisores montados en la pared en las residencias no se considera "mejoras para el hogar"; por tanto, no se requiere una licencia MHIC.
• Pintura de casas se incluye dentro de la definición de "mejoras para el hogar." Esto incluye pintura interior y exterior y la pintura decorativa también.
• Sí, caminos de entrada, incluyendo caminos de grava, están dentro de la definición de "mejoras para el hogar"; por lo tanto, se requiere de un contratista autorizado para realizar el trabajo.
• No, una licencia MHIC no es necesaria para los tratamientos de ventanas interiores, como la instalación de cortinas o persianas. Esto se considera la decoración y no está dentro de la definición de "mejoras para el hogar."
• Trabajo realizado en la comunidad de bienes no cae dentro de la jurisdicción de la Comisión de mejoras para el hogar. Si un propietario contrata a alguien para construir un columpio o en el gimnasio de la selva en su casa, entonces se requiere una licencia MHIC, si la estructura se fijará de forma permanente a la tierra.
• Se requiere una licencia mejoras para el hogar, si la nave se instalará de forma permanente por el contratista en los terrenos adyacentes a la residencia. Si el contratista vende y entrega el cobertizo y simplemente lo coloca en el suelo, o sobre una base no permanente, como bloques de cemento, el contratista no está obligado a tener una licencia MHIC.
• Sí, se requiere una licencia de contratista de mejoras al hogar o subcontratista para instalar paneles solares para un dueño de casa, sin importar si los paneles se instalarán en el hogar o una dependencia adyacente a una residencia, o se adjuntará a la tierra al lado de la residencia. Se requiere un maestro electricista con licencia para conectar los paneles para el sistema eléctrico.
• Mientras que los contratistas del paisaje son licenciados por MHIC, el Departamento de Recursos Naturales de Maryland es responsable de los expertos de árboles de licencia. El trabajo de un experto árbol incluye el recorte, poda, raleo, el cableado, la conformación, la eliminación o la reducción de la corona de los árboles que son 20 pies o más de altura.

Una buena guía para saber si su empresa tiene que ser una licencia es responder a esta pregunta, es la mejora o reparación va a estar conectado permanentemente a la estructura? Si la respuesta es sí, usted necesita una licencia MHIC. Si usted tiene alguna pregunta con respecto a la regulación de licencias para en hogar, póngase en contacto con mhic@dllr.state.md.us correo electrónico o visite en línea en http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/mhic/

Para recibir ayuda y educarse o capacitarse para aprender sobre esta licencia, favor de llamar a Hispanos Sin Fronteras al (301) 933-4447 o búsquenlos en Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SomosHispanosSinFronteras.

La siguiente lista son los proveedores de servicios que el agente inmobiliario necesita buscar que tengan licencia, incluye, pero no se limita a, las referencias a los prestamistas hipotecarios, corredores de hipotecas, tasadores de bienes raíces, los inspectores de viviendas, contratistas de mejoras al hogar, fontaneros, electricistas, calefacción, ventilación y aire acondicionado contratistas y todos los demás que se requiera ser licenciado. El Reglamento cubre referencias proporcionadas en relación con "la prestación de servicios de corretaje de bienes raíces."

Otro aspecto muy importante es que al hacer renovaciones en su casa, el contratista deberá ponerse en contacto con la ciudad o el condado donde se encuentra la casa y pedir permiso o “permits” en inglés.  

Usualmente, hay que pedir permiso para hacer cambios eléctricos, instalación de refrigeración y calefacción, insolación, añadiduras o remover parte de las estructura de una vivienda, plomería, entre otras cosas.  Para un listado en específico, usted debe buscar la lista en el condado donde se encuentra la propiedad.  Si usted quiere comprar una propiedad para alquilar o para vender usted se debe de seguir estas normas para evitar problemas en el futuro.

Se requieren permisos de construcción para lo siguiente:

• Estructuras de accesorios (cobertizos, garajes, pérgolas, etc.) más de 120 pies cuadrados
• Todas las estructuras accesorias situadas en la inundación de la zona A o ubicadas en los barrios históricos
• Garajes y cocheras asociadas a viviendas unifamiliares
• En la tierra piscinas de más de 250 pies cuadrados con lámina de agua de 24 pulgadas o más
• Todas las piscinas enterradas: una barrera de seguridad de 48 pulgadas con, puertas de cierre automático de auto-bloqueo se requiere
• Muros de más de 36 pulgadas: se requieren dibujos de ingeniería desde hace más de 48 pulgadas
• Cercas más de 42 pulgadas de altura
• Cubiertas superior a 16 pulgadas sobre el grado más bajo y excede 120 pies cuadrados
• Estufas de leña, estufas de pellets y chimeneas
• Las adiciones y modificaciones estructurales en las viviendas existentes
• Encerrando de porches abiertos y cubiertas
• Excavaciones Sótano
• Cambio de uso de la estructura
• Permisos de demolición
• La clasificación más de 5.000 pies cuadrados
• Alteraciones de casas históricas

Estados y condados proporcionan números de teléfono o sitios web para el consumidor de encontrar si la empresa está licencias o para verificar si se solicitaron y aprobaron los permisos. Para algunos puede ser demasiado y demasiado caro, pero al final se le proporciona una paz de la mente. El costo de hacer negocios es alto, pero la tranquilidad de saber que la posibilidad de su quema de casa porque de no ser correctamente cableadas disminuye en gran medida.

Nathalia N. Cruz-Edmonds es un REALTOR® con Berkshire Hathaway HomeService PenFed Realty. Para programar una llamada de reunión (410) 350-5848, en su oficina (410) 464-5500 o por correo electrónico a nathaliaedmonds@gmail.com. Ella es también el dueño de Clearview Real Estate Management LLC una compañía de bienes raíces para la manejación de propiedades.

I found the house of my dreams, when can I move in?

I found the house of my dreams, when can I move in?

By Nathalia N. Edmonds

You got your mortgage pre-approval letter and know how much you can spend to buy your new home!  If you qualify, you attended the First Time Homeowner seminar.  You hired an agent and you know what type of home you are going to buy.  Now what?

Is there a limit of how many homes you can see?  No.  Should you see 100 houses versus 10 or 3?  You see as how many houses you want to see.  I tell my clients that the house you want to make yours is the house that made your heart fluttered when you entered.  Or like my mother, she heard bells and felt an overwhelming sense of peace.  A great way to take control of which houses to see is when your agent sends you daily automated emails which will alert you when a new home becomes available!  Those emails are up-to-date and with correct information.  Looking at properties in Zillow, Trulia or Redfin do not have accurate information.  In Maryland, agents pay the Metropolitan Regional Information Systems or MRIS to see all the accurate information of properties that are actively available, under contract, sold even those properties that are withdrawn.  Trust is a very important aspect of your relationship with your Agent.  Remember, if you feel your current agent is not a good fit, you may cancel your business relationship and hire someone else!  Make sure to read your agreement first.  In the state of Maryland it is mandatory to place a contract expiration date as well as instructions on how to cancel your contract with the agent and broker.

Now, you found your home but not just your new home, you found YOUR DREAM HOME!  With your approval, your agent will write an offer on your behalf.  A contract will be about 47 pages long.  It could be less or it could be more.  In this contract you will let the seller know how much you are willing to pay for their home.  How much deposit you will pay, where you will deposit that money, how you will pay for the home, if you are doing any inspections, what you want to keep from the house, acknowledge the settlement date, amongst other things.  Other things will be acknowledgement of age of the property and possibility of lead, and all kinds of disclosures depending on county and type of home you are buying, especially if the neighborhood has a Home Owner Association.  In your offer, you will have dates of when you are due to do the inspections, when to apply for your mortgage loan, when you are going to settlement!  With the offer you will need to submit your mortgage pre-approval letter and your earnest money deposit.

What is the earnest money deposit?  The EMD or escrow money, how some agents call it, is a “good faith payment” it shows the seller that you are serious about buying their home, soo serious you are willing to put money down.  This amount it is usually 1% of the sales price or 10% if you are buying the home in cash.  So if you are offering $100,000 to buy their home, you need to prove a check or money order in the amount of $1,000.00.  This EMD will only be deposited ONCE your offer is accepted by the seller.  This money will be applied towards what you need to pay to get your home, meaning, you will now have to pay $99,000 plus closing costs.

Once the seller receives the offer, he or she will evaluate the offer or several offers and make a decision.  Do not be alarmed if your agent calls you back with a new offer from the seller.  Your agent will have your best interest and inform you of what are the best choices.  But remember, you are the only person who will make the decision.  Agents are advisors and messengers.  A good agent will email you the instructions you gave them over the phone for both your records.

Immediately after your offer was accepted by the seller you MUST contact your loan officer and start your application process.  If you already got “pre-approved” why do you need to apply?  Well, the loan officer creates your file and starts getting you formally approved and get the house appraised.  They make sure you didn’t go nuts and buy a boat or got into more debt.  The underwriter also schedules the appraisal to make sure the home is good collateral for the loan.  This process could easily take about 30 to 40 days.  It is important that YOU are as responsible to close early.  If you delay giving your loan officer all the documents he/she asks, you will delay the process.  Once the appraiser returns their findings and the home is good collateral, you will get approved or denied for the loan.  BUT BE AWARE, the underwriter will check your credit the day before or the day of the settlement and approve the loan!  Buy furniture AFTER settlement NOT before!

Simultaneously, your agent will schedule all the inspections.  You should ALWAYS do a structural and mechanical inspection.  This inspection MUST be done by a Licensed Home Inspector.  You can go to https://goo.gl/x0Ic5h and search if that person is licensed!  Inspections could run you about $250 up to $500.  You can also do Lead, Mold, Termite, Radon, Chimney and others.  The buyer will ALWAYS be responsible to pay for the inspections!  And don’t forget to go to the inspections!!

Around that same time, you would have to pick a Title company to help you investigate if the property has any issues with the past ownerships or any debts due to unpaid taxes, water bills or any other liens or debts against the property.

After all these things are done, you should expect to close between 45 days or 60 days and this is only if you are asking for money!  If you are paying your future home in cash, closing will happen in about 45 days.  At settlement, you must make sure you bring the check you need to pay, if any.  If you are a first time homeowner you could get $5,000 towards closing cost and you could have ask the seller for 3% closing cost help, which in some cases, you don’t need to bring anything.  Bring your ID!  Your loan officer will have given the title company their bank information to wire the money to which the title company will pay the seller’s mortgage and give him or her the difference in a check.  The sellers will bring the keys to your future home.  After signing the new title, the receipt or HUD1, you get your keys and the seller gets their check and you go home to your new home!

If you would like to learn more about the process in buying your future home, please contact me or your preferred agent!  

Nathalia N. Cruz-Edmonds is a REALTOR with Berkshire Hathaway HomeService PenFed Realty.  To schedule a meeting call (410) 350-5848, at her office (410) 464-5500 or via email at nathaliaedmonds@gmail.com.  She is also the owner of Clearview Real Estate Management LLC a third party real estate management company in Maryland.

 

Why should you hire a REALTOR?

With shows like BravoTV’s Million Dollar Listings New York, Los Angeles and Miami the perspective of a Real Estate Agent or REALTOR is pretty impressive.  Big houses, expensive clothes, fast cars and tons of money on commissions.  Last month, in the Baltimore Metro area the average sold price for a three bedroom townhome was $172,676.00 and for a 3 bedroom single family home was $244,773.00.  Out of 539 transaction of 3 bedroom single family homes sold, 24 were above $500,000.00!  That is only 4%!  

What does that mean?  REALTORS earn about the same as you do!  The difference is that our profession is about providing a home to our clients, or a business location for your growing business.  Like with anything, it’s about the effort you put into your work that will make the difference in your paycheck.  Like when buying an expensive item, such as the newest television or a car, you will do your research but ultimately you will ask the expert.  The expert that has been to the factory where the car or television that is being made.  For a REALTOR is the same BUT BETTER!  Why is it better?  Because the sale of real estate is regulated by the state and federal government for YOUR protection.

In the state of Maryland a REALTOR or Agent, must be licensed and affiliated with a licensed Broker.  Meaning the Agent cannot work on their own.  An Agent has to be affiliated with a company like Long and Foster, Coldwell Banker, ReMax or Berkshire Hathaway HomeService.  There are other real estate brokerage that are smaller that can and will provide the same services as the big national franchises.  The most important aspect when learning this information is that when you hire an Agent you are the Broker’s client, the Agent is a representative of the Broker to help you during your transaction.

For example, if you choose to hire me as your Agent when either buying or selling your home, I will represent you but you are a client of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty.  My Broker’s responsibility is to make sure I follow the law and represent you as best as we can.  Both the Agent and the Broker has to take classes in order to renew their license every two years and the Maryland Real Estate Commission oversee the rules and regulations of all real estate transactions in the state of Maryland.  This has been created in order to protect the public of anything and everything that can cause the client to lose money and to make the real estate profession an honest one.

Are the services of the REALTOR free?  If not, who pays for them?  A REALTOR is paid, a great number of times, by the seller.  Sometimes, the buyer pays the REALTOR.  Please understand that there is no law regulating how much you need to pay your REALTOR but you should NEVER EVER pay your REALTOR in advance.  A honest law abiding REALTOR will get paid when the transaction closes.  Meaning, when you get or give keys to the home at settlement.  Some brokerage firms ask for a “broker’s fee” which is typically between $250 up to $500 per transaction which covers the cost of doing business.  Again, this fee is also paid at settlement.  It doesnot matter if you want to see 100 houses and decide you will move out of state, you will NOT PAY ANYTHING UNTIL THE DATE OF SETTLEMENT!

You might ask yourself that if you can see houses for sale in the newspaper or in the Internet, why do you still need the assistance of a REALTOR?  Did you know the average contract is about 30 pages long?  Did you know that you may not be able to do a home inspection if you forgot to tell the seller you wanted to do one?  If you are buying a home, did you know you can ask the seller for closing cost help?  If you are either selling or buying a home do you believe your house is priced correctly?  Are you paying too much for a house?  Could you get a little bit more money if you sell your home now?

All these questions and more are answered by a licensed REALTOR.  We have access to accurate available listings in the state of Maryland.  The REALTOR we will write an offer for the house you want, as well guide you in explaining the contract.  We will make sure we protect you in making sure you have the right to inspections and inform you of any defects inside your future home.  Coordinate the home inspections as well as negotiate any repairs.  We will also assist you to get the house for the best pricing as dictated by the market.

Think about it this way, you own a pizza shop and a friend calls you and asks you to use your oven to cook their frozen pizza.  You are capable to buy or sell your home on your own but wouldn’t you rather hire an expert?

Nathalia N. Cruz-Edmonds is a REALTOR with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty.  To schedule a meeting call direct (410) 350-5848, at her office (410) 464-5500 or via email at nathaliaedmonds@gmail.com.  She is also the owner of Clearview Real Estate Management LLC a third party real estate management company in Maryland.

Beautiful buildings in Baltimore City

 

I love walking around Baltimore and learn about the history of the buildings.   This one caught my eye.  Baltimore City Fire Company Engine No. 16.  It was built on 1910.  It is currently owned by Dominion Properties and it has been leased and it is schedule to re-open as a restaurant and micro-brewery this late Spring.  About the building's history, click here.

 

 

I look forward to show you more historic real estate soon!

 

-Nathalia

 

 

Getting ready to buy

Getting Ready to Buy

By:  Nathalia N. Cruz-Edmonds

With Daylight Savings starting on March 8 and the first day of Spring being on March 20th, thoughts of a new beginning start to really take shape.  Thoughts of moving is probably the first one specially because it is easier to move in warm weather than cold and it is easier to change school districts once the school year is over.  But, are you financially ready to complete this desire?

In the United States, having large amounts of cash stacked under the mattress only works in the movies like Scarface.  The reality is that cash needs to be in the bank not only because it is secured from being stolen(*) but because the Government demands it for tax purposes.  If your income is predominantly cash, you must start by opening a checking account and a savings account.  If you have an ITIN number, you are still able to open a bank account.  Usually to open a checking account, you need a government issued ID, and proof of residency whether is a copy of your lease agreement or a bill for cable, phone or utility.  Call your bank for more details.

Another big obstacle that you might be facing is lack of credit.  By definition credit is an arrangement for deferred payment of a loan or purchase.  This loan needs to be paid back, usually in monthly installments, until the balance is paid in full and sometimes you need to pay interest.  In the United States, credit is the second most important item in your financial health.  The easiest way to get credit is with a Secured Credit Card.  This credit card borrows money from an initial deposit you make when opening the account.  You can open this particular credit card with just $300.00, all banks have individual restrictions, therefore, you must call them directly to learn more about their product.  The purpose of this card is for you to use it no more than 15% of your available balance every month.  Meaning, if your available balance is $300.00 you cannot exceed $45.00 in purchases every month and then paid this used balance in full on the day your payment is due.  After a year the bank will return your initial deposit and the secure credit will convert into a regular credit.  The bank will be able to increase your credit and it will be easier to access more credit such as a mortgage!

Other ways of obtaining credit is by buying furniture, opening a credit card a major store like BestBuy, WalMart, Target, Macy’s or buy a car.  Please, do not go crazy.  Too much open credit will lower your credit score and if you do not pay your debts on time as agreed in the contract it will harm your financial credibility for SEVEN YEARS!  This means that once you start making late payments, have too many credits cards with high balances you will not be able to buy a home for SEVEN YEARS even if you paid your until your balances in full.

Finally, the first most important item of your financial health is a savings account!  You will need up to two months rent in order to move to a new place or minimum of $5,000.00 deposit if you are buying a home.  These amounts do not include the cost of moving from one home to the other.  When opening an checking account, make sure you are able to open a savings account.  Every time you get paid you should apply the 80/20 rule.  Ten (10) percent to save, Ten (10) percent to give to charity and Eighty (80) percent to pay your expenses  Having savings will also help you in a time of need such as losing a job due to weather, your car breaking down, or God forbid, paying a medical bill for yourself or a loved one.

Financial freedom is the ultimate goal which can be achieved by buying your home but in order to buy your home you must must have good financial health by having savings and good credit.  There is no better time than now to start!

Coming Soon!  PS International Team of Berkshire Hathaway Homesale Service will be representing the owners of newly remodelled houses in Essex (11 Helena Ave, Essex MD 21221) and in Dundalk.  Information will be soon available on www.pitinastucky.com.  If this is your first time buying a home, you must register to attend the First Time Homeowner Seminar at Southeast CDC on Eastern Avenue.  Visit http://goo.gl/28veRx to learn the next available date and register to attend the seminar.

Nathalia Cruz-Edmonds is a REALTOR with PS International Team of Berkshire Hathaway Homesale Realty and she is also the owner of Clearview Real Estate Management LLC.  To speak to her you can email her at nathaliaedmonds@gmail.com or call her directly at (410) 350-5848 or the office (410) 583-0400.  Visit her website at www.clearviewrem.com.

(*)To learn more about how banks in United States guarantee to secure your money please visit https://www.fdic.gov/deposit/deposits/

What is Fair Housing? How to Spot a Fair Housing Violation? How to Avoid Discriminating?

Have you ever been searching for an apartment with your kids and due to working nights, you want a third floor apartment because the buildings have three floors but the leasing agent tells you that they only have first floor apartments available?  Or due to not being able to communicate well because you have a strong accent the apartment manager told you there were no homes available?  How about if you practice Islam and when you were wearing your hijab and they sent you to the scariest part of the apartment community?  Are you pregnant and you want a one bedroom apartment but the staff at the apartment community tells you they only have two bedroom apartments?  When you walk the community do you see that the Latinos are in one building, are the Whites in another building and the African American families are on another part of the community?

The United States Federal Government has a law that protects citizens in the United States, regardless of immigration status, of any discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and disability.  This law is called Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended.  Each local and state government may have additional protections.  In the state of Maryland “marital status” and “sexual orientation” are protected classes.

In some instances, owners are allowed, within the law, to discriminate against certain individuals.  Owners of a single family home, that is their primary residence, may reject a tenant for rooms based on sex, marital status and/or sexual orientation.  As well as an owner of a building of five or fewer rental units who occupies one of those units may also reject applicants in the three categories mention above.  Additionally, religious organizations, private clubs, people convicted of manufacture and selling of illegal drugs, communities for people above the age of 55, and owners not renting to families larger than what the fire code dictates.  They can discriminate as well as long as they do it to everyone, in a constant basis and do not violate their own by-laws.

Discrimination against you for seeking a home for sale, rental and financing to purchase a home is illegal. If found to have been discriminated, owners and the person commiting the discriminating offense can be sued and fined millions which may include jail sentence.

If you feel that you have been discriminated against there is help.  Baltimore Neighborhoods Inc is the local non-profit organization that helps promotes justice in housing for all people in the State of Maryland, with the exception of Montgomery County, through fair housing and tenant-landlord programs and public information activities.

If you have any questions, concerns or file a complaint you may contact Baltimore Neighborhoods Inc by visiting their offices located in 2530 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218.  Their phone number is (410) 243-6007 or (410) 243-4400.  You can learn more by visiting their website at www.bni-maryland.org.

To learn more about Fair Housing, a federal program governed by the US Department of Housing and Urban Develpment  and submit a complaint you can visit their website http://goo.gl/1BnbN2

The best way to avoid these types of situations is by buying your own home.  If you would like to buy a home please give me a call for a free consultation or meet me in person at the Southeast CDC Home buying workshop in Spanish on Saturday January 17 from 9AM to 4PM.

Nathalia Cruz-Edmonds is a Realtor with PS International Team of Berkshire Hathaway Homesale Realty and she is also the owner of Clearview Real Estate Management LLC.  To speak to her you can email her at nathaliaedmonds@gmail.com or call her at (410) 350-5848.

Safety First! Useful tip when showing homes or when you feel seriously threatened.

A week ago the social site Reddit asked about the most random 911 calls a dispatcher had ever received.  Keith Weisinger had one that most likely saved a life!

The distressed victim had called 911 and called for a PIZZA but when in fact she was asking for help against her abusive and drunk boyfriend.  The dispatcher was quick to understand that she had not made a mistake but in fact called to report her boyfriend to the authorities for being physically abusive to her.

To learn more about the story, click here.

This brings me as to our brokerage procedure that we have when showing homes.  One is to log into a shared document when we have showings and enter the client's car information, as well as to take a picture of the car and get the license plate number.  The other one is to call the office when in distress and ask for "the red folder" and give the address. 

But this idea is even better because it eliminates someone calling a third person when in fact you can do it yourself.

I hope to God no one has to make this type of decision but better be prepared than sorry.  I only pray to remember this when I am in danger.

I want to buy a house - Now What? - Five steps to follow to get ready to buy your new home!

You want to buy a home.  Great!  Now what?

First thing:  How much can you afford?

It doesn't matter if you know the location, or how many baths you have, or which school district your kid must stay in, but how much can you afford?

If you don't already know here are some tips:

1) You MUST make a budget!  Rachel Cruze not only is she pretty but she explains stuff very easy!  Here is her video Let's Break Down a Monthly Budget!

2) Start saving and DO NOT get in additional debt!  So closing cost will be about 7% ADDITIONAL to what you will be paying for the house.  That doesn't include if your loan needs for you to put any money down.  Do not buy a car, spend more money on the credit card.  Be strong!  The Force is with you!

3) Check your credit!  Every year you get a free credit report!  Get it and make sure the stuff in there is accurate!  If it is not go online and find a way to report a discrepancy BUT mail your complaints!!  By law Credit Companies have to reply to you within 30 days because if they fail they will have to erase that inquiry!!

4) Talk to A bank!  I always get 3 quotes.  You should do the same WITHOUT them doing a hard inquiry on your credit.  See what the best options are for your with interest rates and discounts on doing automated payments!

5) Always go under 28% of your income.  The magic number that banks use to qualify you for a mortgage is that your debts cannot exceed 28% of your net monthly income.  This is not because the banks are greedy but it's because YOU need to have fun.  YOU need to eat.  YOU need to save for retirement.

I want you as much as anyone for you to buy a home but you must do it wisely.  If you already know you checklist is on point and you are ready to see some homes, please call me at (410) 350-5848 or email me at nathaliaedmonds@gmail.com.  Our website is coming up soon!

Following John Maxwell's Rule of Five

A friend of mine posted something very inspiration but like the saying goes "People remember how you make them feel" I totally forgot what the message said BUT I remember how it made me feel.  The message made me feel empowered!

So I decided to look into this John Maxwell person. 

POW!!

This is what I found "John Maxwell's Rule of Five"

It was the best hour of my life!!  Here are his Rule of Five:

• Lead – We lead ourselves and our business to fulfill our purpose.
• Grow – We grow ourselves and our business to achieve our potential.
• Create – We create world-class leadership resources and experiences.
• Excel – We chase excellence in all we do.
• Serve – We serve our clients, colleagues and community

John stated he does the following every day since he was 17:

1. Every day I read.
2. Every day I file.
3. Every day I ask questions.
4. Every day I think.
5. Every day I write.

The part that resonated with me is that in order to be an expert of any subject I have to read about it for one hour a day.  In about five years, I will be an expert.

What do I want to be an expert on?  Real Estate.  From land, to construction, to buying, to selling, to wholesale, to leasing, etc.  I should be an expert on multi-family real estate but even though I have worked in this industry for seven years, I am not passionate about it and I should be.  Better yet, I will be!

I am in the search for my own Rule of Five.  Do you know what your Rule of Five are?