The real estate industry is just like any other major industry segment. The people that work within the industry use specific phrases and words that are not too common in other types of work. Understanding some of the common jargon will help first time buyers feel a little more comfortable with the process.   Mortgage – This is a loan that provides the financing for the purchase of a home. Buyers will sign a promissory note that explains the terms of the loan. The interest rate, amount borrowed and number of payments required to repay the debt are all laid out in this document. A mortgage is different from a car loan or a credit card since a piece of property is used as collateral for the loan. Appraisal – This is a report that explains the home's value. A professional appraiser will in... 07/17/2012

WHEDA FHA Advantage In 1934 the United States congress created FHA (Federal Housing Authority) which originally was designed to insure loans offered to contractors that were building affordable housing.  Of course, over time the mission and goals of FHA changed to insure loans offered to people who needed to buy a home.  In 1972 Wisconsin organized the Wisconsin Housing Economic Development Authority, also called WHEDA, to help people of low income afford their first home.  Now, a new program is aiding even more potential home buyers. WHEDA FHA Advantage The FHA Advantage program offered by WHEDA takes all of the benefits of a FHA mortgage and applies it to the select group of people that WHEDA serves.  Some of the features of the FHA Advantage are Borrowers without traditional credit r... 05/03/2012

Here is today's market listings update for Active three (3) bedroom ranch homes located in Evansville Wisconsin. This information was pulled from the South Central Wisconsin MLS on 2/2/2012 at 4:00 P.M. 30 total 3 bdrm ranch homes are currently listed in Evansville, WI Low listing price: $125,000 High listing price: $1,500,000 Average listing price: $240,536 Median listing price: $177,500 Average days on the market: 152 If you are looking for a 3 bedroom ranch home that has a 2 car garage and a minimum of 2 bathrooms, then the numbers do change. Those stats are listed below. 14 total 3 bdrm ranch homes, with 2 bathrooms & a 2 car garage in Evansville Low listing price: $138,500 High listing price: $245,000 Average listing price: $185,578 Median listing price: $177,000 Average days on t... 02/03/2012

Below is a list of Evansville Wisconsin area schools. You will find contact information, including phone numbers and addresses. This list is supplied by Education.com. If you are looking for specific details on Evansville area high schools, middle schools and elementary schools this is a great place to start your search. Evansville High School640 South 5th St | (608) 882-46009-12 | Evansville Community School District J C McKenna Middle School307 South 1st St | (608) 882-47806-8 | Evansville Community School District Levi Leonard Elementary School401 South 3rd St | (608) 882-4606PK, K-2 | Evansville Community School District Theodore Robinson Intermediate School420 South 4th St | (608) 882-38883-5 | Evansville Community School District Evansville Wisconsin SchoolsIf you would like furth... 11/02/2011

Evansville WI Short Sale Realtors®53536  Are you looking for an Evansville Wisconsin Short Sale Realtor® or Real Estate Agent? Rock Realty is a real estate brokerage that specializes in Short Sales and Bank Owned Foreclosures in the Evansville WI area. My name is Michael Collins, broker for Rock Realty. I have completed the Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource training and have been given the SFR designation through the National Association of Realtors®. Feel free to contact me directly at 608-921-8536 for help with any of your short sale questions. I have helped many Wisconsin home owners with their distressed property needs. REALTORS® who have earned the SFR certification know how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and fo... 09/21/2011

I wanted to bring your attention to a great tool available to you.  Rock Realty's 'Mortgage Calculator', linked below, can help you with your important mortgage decisions.  Whether you are buying new or refinancing, this tool can help you determine: -Mortgage Payment-Mortgage Principal-Should I Refinance?-Interest Only-Affordability-Paying More Each Month-Real APR-Payment Per Thousand-Should I Pay Points-How Much Income Do I Need?-Rent Vs. Buy and more...         07/19/2011

Short sales and bank owned properties can offer a great price point to the savvy buyer or investor.  Typically though, these homes do require some amount of work and repairs.  I've found that many properties just need some cosmetic ‘touch ups' like paint and landscaping.  Others however may need significant remodeling, including drywall, roofing or windows. In any event, having a mortgage available that gives you the option of financing these repairs is a huge advantage.  The two most common options currently in the market are the FHA 203K and the HomePath loans.  The Zillow article below goes over the differences in each. RegardsMichael Collins, SFRShort Sale & Foreclosure Resource If you are in the market to buy a home, chances are that you have seen at least one property that is eith... 07/06/2011

A new listing comes on the market that catches your eye. The interior photos look bright and inviting, while the exterior shots show well cared for landscaping that give the home great curb appeal. This could be the one you've been waiting for! You immediately call your realtor and set up a personal showing for the next day.  After taking off a little early from work to see the home in good daylight, you arrive at the property. What awaits you is the dissapointing realization that your dream home is locating directly next to a busy gas station! Of course this situation could have been avoided if you or your real estate agent had previously driven by the property, but often due to busy schedules it is hard to find the time.  A more simple solution is to utilize a couple of online website... 06/21/2011

ARE YOU LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL A HOME IN WISCONSIN?INTERESTED IN BUILDING A HOME OR REMODELING YOUR OWN?Rock Realty is now a member of H.I.P., a local WI discount program available to you!From the HIP websiteH.I.P. Is the Home Incentive Program for Buyers & Sellers.  It is a program for everyone...first time, next time, last time... everyone!  The HIP Program is here for you.  We got together, and the ‘we' are participating member Realtors, Builders, Remodelers and Mortgage Bankers for anyone to take advantage of this new and exciting program. What does ‘Advantage' mean? Great question and here's our answer:  If you are a Seller You should get a pre-inspection of your home --- you get a discount You should get a complete top to bottom cleaning of your home --- you get a discount You mig... 06/03/2011

Part of the requirement of receiving my Short Sale Foreclosure Resource (SFR) designation was to take a core course, 3 webinars and pass an exam. There are many great tools, resources and advice available for those upside down on their mortgage. An important point most advised was for distressed homeowners to contact their bank even before missed payments. It is estimated 50% who are going into foreclosure never call their loan servicer. That means about half never find out other options available. It is worth the effort to speak with a bank representative. Lenders have been responding to the word "immanent" when homeowners contact them. If at all possible seek a loan modification or refinance a.s.a.p. I strongly urge any homeowner approaching trouble with their mortgage to contact thei... 06/01/2011