A couple of years ago I was approached by a company dealing in international real estate and invited to become a member. They informed me that I had been recommended by my good friend, Joel Fine of the Fine Group in Park City. Well, that was very flattering, to say the least. After considerable research and discussion I joined.

The company is called Associated Realty of the Americas (AREA). It is headquartered in Arizona and is run by a fellow in his 60’s who is a graduate of Georgetown University’s (Washington D.C.) School of Foreign Service. His concept is a simple one: select real estate professionals in major urban and resort areas, tie them together (doesn’t make any difference if they are in independent offices or franchises) and market their listings to all.

To do this they set out several years ago to establish the program. What makes it unique is that they market to people who represent buyers, and not to buyers themselves. (I don’t know anyone else who uses this paradigm.)

What I have come to learn from this is that my “reach” has grown in an extraordinary fashion. By that I mean, instead of having to research who I will use as a referral agent, this is already done for me. Therefore, if I have a referral to San Francisco, I don’t need to check them out, they are already pre-screened. So, I call Mike Hood, an incredibly gifted agent, and we are on our way. What a present to agents, like me, who constantly worry about agents on the other end of a referral.

So, it is time that I do let my clients know that I am in a position to offer an expanded service. From the tip of Cabo, to shores of the Carolina’s; from Panama to Palm Springs, from Vancouver to Toronto and points in between, I am connected. Going to Seattle or New York City … I can help and in a big way.

If any clients are considering a transfer in the USA, a foreign purchase (or, just a holiday location in Mexico or elsewhere (I have access to the Mediterranean and some many exotic places), please let me know. I can really be of great help to you. And, best of all, there is no cost to you to get this first class service.

For more information about AREA you may access its website at www.areamericas.com.

Here are few categories with a list
of things you’ll need to know or find out about when applying for a mortgage
loan. This list is merely a starting point to help you to get going in a way
that you feel like you know what’s going on.

Work History
Here is a typical list of what a Lender will be looking for.

• Two years employed
• If not, the reasons for not being employed
  during the entire two years.
• If there have been job changes, have they been
  in similar types of work?
• Reasons for changes and fluctuations in income
  during the last two years.

Credit History
What a lender will be looking at in regard to your credit.

• How current are you on your bills?
• How well do you pay on time?
• Credit card debt, do you owe a lot?
• Have you defaulted on a loan?
• When you have your credit run and if the score
  is low; is everything reported correct?
• How much do you owe on loans now?
• Have you ever had a repossession?
• Have you ever been foreclosed on?
• Have you ever been turned over to a collection
  agency?
• Do you have judgments against you?
• Have you ever filed a bankruptcy? And if so,
  how long ago?

Saving Money
Lenders love people that save money. Here are some typical questions you’ll
want to know how to answer.

• Do you have a down payment saved? If so, how
  much?
• Do you have a savings account?
• Do you have access to a down payment?

How Much You Can Afford
Here are some guidelines that helps the lender to figure out how much
property you can afford.

• What’s your output versus your income each
  month?
• Generally, your monthly housing costs
  shouldn’t exceed 28 percent of your monthly gross income.
• Long-term debts; car loans, student loans,
  credit-cards shouldn’t exceed approximately 36 percent of your gross monthly
  income.

Getting Pre-qualified for a Loan

The smart thing to do is apply for a loan before
you look for a house. If you want to make an offer saying that you are
pre-qualified for a loan, you are basically saying that the lender has reviewed
your finances and credit history and has faith that you should be able to
acquire a loan and for how much. The lender can give you letter to prove it.
Sellers like it better and it makes you a better candidate when making an offer.
It also helps you because you know how much you can really afford and you can
spend all your focus ont the house search.

Use this site and Tamra’s help to get
pre-qualified for a loan and to start searching for a property today.