SMO-AutoPilot

The housing crisis isn’t really a crisis for everyone — many people have managed to benefit from the low prices and low interest rates.  For instance, an article that just showed up the other night announced that banks were planning on cutting interest rates.  If you are on top of the financial news, you can take advantage of everybody else’s crisis by buying now while the rates are low.

Another way to take advantage of the housing crisis is to buy foreclosures and other homes that are priced to sell quickly in a depressed market.  My horse trainer and her husband recently bought a foreclosed house for a fantastic deal — and it’s the kind of house they can keep forever, because it’s big enough to give them room to grow.

If you are looking for foreclosures Texas is a good place to look.  Houston real estate is full of opportunities to make someone else’s crisis your great deal!  All you have to do is be smart about how you do your real estate search.  Many sellers are getting desperate, and there are deals to be had if you know how to play the game.

Technorati Tags: housing crisis, interest rates, foreclosures Texas, Houston real estate, real estate search

When you are looking to rent a room, you can get a little bit overwhelmed by the process. There are a lot of factors to take into consideration. To make sure that you get the best deal when looking for a house share, here are a list of questions that you’ll want to take along with you to ask the landlord or other tenants:

• How much is the rent?
• When is the rent due each month?
• What is the deposit? Is it refundable?
• How are utilities paid and what is the approximate cost?
• How many people live in the flat?
• What are the basic house rules regarding guests, privacy and sharing of food / items / chores?
• Is there a lease?
• Are pets allowed in the apartment? Do any of the flatmates have them?
• How are repairs taken care of at the flat?
• What expectations will you have of me as a tenant / housemate?
• What is the surrounding neighborhood like?
• Where is the closest grocery store? Dry cleaner? Transportation?

You can find a houseshare or flat that is right for you. You just need to make sure that you ask the right questions in advance to get the best place.

Technorati Tags: looking to rent a room, find a househsare, looking for a house share

When you think about making your mortgage payment, does your heart begin to race? Chances are that’s a feeling that’s caused by fear. Making that big payment each month can be a significant source of stress. However, much of our reaction to things in life is caused primarily by our attitudes. Since you have to make that payment each month, you may as well be happier about it. The key to doing that is to focus on the purpose of the mortgage.

Yes, mortgages are another bill that we have to pay each month. But, unlike most of our bills, they’re a bill that we’re really lucky to have. Mortgages represent the fact that we are investing in our own futures. The money is going towards owning a property, something which has value and which will likely increase in value as time goes on. Unlike car insurance or utility bills, the benefits of making this monthly payment extend beyond the benefits incurred during the month of use.

To improve our daily lives, we have to alter the way we approach our daily tasks. So next time that you write out a mortgage check, think to yourself about the benefits of owning a home. Sure, there’s the responsibility of paying for it. But it signifies a purchase that allows you to create stability for your own future and possibly an inheritance for your children. That’s something to be grateful for, not something to grumble about.

Technorati Tags: mortgages, car insurance