Weaver, LLC Realtors

Andy, Thank you for this question, I actually am asked this a lot. The answer is YES! There are programs that can help with your down payment. The one I use the most is the Iowa Finance Authority program, IFA for short. Go to: https://www.iowafinance.com/ this is for Iowans only and there are several programs. They have First Home, Homes for Iowans and Military Home Ownership Assistance grants. There are criteria you must meet but you can check right on their site. If you are interested in the IFA program, give me a call I can put you in contact with a lender who works with this program, very few do.

Amy, If the house already has an accepted offer, that means the sellers have agreed to the terms on the first buyers offer. However, once you have your offer accepted as a backup with only contingency being appraisal if the first buyers change any terms or miss any dates you could end up with the house. So, if the first buyer the if any of the terms on the first offer are not met or the terms are changed and you have submitted and gotten accepted with only contingency being appraisal (if you have a mortgage) a backup offer you could end up purchasing the home. The terms that could cause the first offer to fail and your offer placed as first are things like: Requests to have repairs done on an inspection, missed date on a home, termite, other inspection, due date on the appraisal, due date on loan commitment - and other things. So as you can see this can be a complicated situation, you really need a Realtor to help guide and advise you on becoming a backup offer.

Jorge, Many of the homes in NW Iowa were built before 1978. You do need to complete a lead based paint disclosure. If the buyer were to do any renovations they could get exposed to lead dust. Even though the lead paint is under the Latex, if it were not maintained or disturbed it could pose a health hazard.

Thank you for your question, I think this very question is on a lot of people's minds. Of course you must be preapproved for a mortgage, preferably a local bank, PRIOR to looking. Get that preapproval letter to your REALTOR 1) Get an excellent REALTOR who will do the work to find you choices. 2) Get the Exclusive Buyer's Representation signed so the Realtor knows you are serious about buying a property. 3) EVERY Realtor has tools to make your search easier. One we swear by is our Collaboration Center Searches. Once set up this will instantly notify you of any and every property that comes on the market that has the criteria that you want/need. 4) When you receive a notice from the Collaboration Center DROP EVERYTHING and go drive by the house, look at the neighborhood and drive the alley. 5) CALL ME FROM THERE if it is of interest I will do my best to get you in that day so you do not miss out.

JB, thank you for your question, it is a very good one! Exemptions like yours and homestead do make a difference if removed prior to selling a property. If you remove your 100% exemption the time between you removing it and it closing will have property taxes that will have to be prorated or credited to the buyer. Lets say you remove this 3 months prior to closing on the home you have had it on so you can apply it to your new home. You will be responsible for 3 months of taxes. If you remove an exemption always tell your LISTING REALTOR, get a statement from the county assessor that will go into the closing so those 3 months of taxes are prorated properly (held or credited to the buyer). These types of exemptions can only be put on primary residences.

Wow, I know, I'm hearing this a lot. But, I believe this is a time that will strengthen the peoples of the world and I assure you this will end. When, I don't know, but I know there are many brilliant people working hard to find effective treatments and eventually a vaccine. As for buying a home or waiting, I personally would buy, interest rates are rock bottom. Ultimately interest rate should be one of the main factors in purchasing. This of course is a very personal decision and I don't know your situation. I believe this will end, interest rates will come up, the supply of homes will remain low which means there will be stiff competition for homes as in multiple offers and higher prices. Praying every day for a vaccine, effective treatments, and that people would shelter in place as requested by the government.

Another great question, at Weaver,LLC Realtors we do what's called a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) for both our Sellers to determine what range they are most likely to sell within and for our buyers so they know what range the property is most likely to sell within. So we offer guidance to both our buyers and sellers but in the end you are the only one who can determine what you offer. We provide guidance, experience and negotiation training to assist.

Great question, in most cases the Seller pays a service fee to the Realtor's company (Brokerage). However, I have had a Buyer pay my service fee when he was looking for something very specific that was not for sale in our area. I went out and found a property that fit what he needed and talked with the owner to see if he would consider selling. He said yes, but he didn't want to pay a Realtor fee, the buyer loved the property and agreed to pay my service fee.