real-estate

Tesla wins U.S. antitrust approval to buy SolarCity

Tesla Motors Inc has won U.S. antitrust approval to buy solar panel installer SolarCity Corp , moving closer to its goal of creating a carbon-free energy and transportation company. The Federal Trade Commission said on Thursday that the deal was approved. Tesla said in July after it made its first offer that by acquiring SolarCity the two companies would form a one-stop shop for clean energy, offering consumers solar panels, home battery storage and electric cars under a single brand.

Read more here: 
Tesla wins U.S. antitrust approval to buy SolarCity

real-estate

U.S. agency rolls out refinance program for homeowners

The regulator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac unveiled on Thursday a program aimed at homeowners who are paying their mortgages on time but whose loan-to-value (LTV) ratios are too high to qualify for traditional refinance …

Go here to read the rest: 
U.S. agency rolls out refinance program for homeowners

real-estate

Goldman Sachs to invest $184 million in Brazil storage company: executive

Goldman Sachs Group Inc will invest 600 million reais ($184 million) in Brazilian storage company Metrofit over the next 6 years, betting on a recovery from the harshest recession since the 1930s, a company executive said on Friday. Metrofit, founded in 2012, is a joint venture between Brazilian real estate company TRX and U.S. company Metro Self Storage. The self storage business is growing in Brazil, despite the recession.

Original post: 
Goldman Sachs to invest $184 million in Brazil storage company: executive

real-estate

Bayer waiting for Monsanto to engage after spurned bid: sources

Bayer, however, has no plans to increase its offer without first reviewing Monsanto's confidential information, the sources said on condition of anonymity because of the confidentiality of the talks. The Leverkusen-based company needs access to Monsanto's books before it can decide whether it can pay

Original post: 
Bayer waiting for Monsanto to engage after spurned bid: sources

real-estate

Exclusive: Amazon is preparing to launch streaming music service – sources

By Julia Love SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Amazon.com Inc is preparing to launch a standalone music streaming subscription service, placing it squarely in competition with rival offerings from Apple Inc and Spotify, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. Amazon is finalizing licenses with labels for the service, which likely will be launched in late summer or early fall, the sources said. Amazon, which …

Read the original here:
Exclusive: Amazon is preparing to launch streaming music service – sources

real-estate

Exclusive: Redstone’s NAI talking to bankers about options for Paramount – sources

Sumner Redstone's National Amusements Inc is consulting investment bankers about strategic options for Viacom Inc's Paramount Pictures, including a possible stake sale, sources familiar with the situation said on Friday. National Amusements, which controls 80 percent of the voting shares of Viacom, is also keen to extract more value from the film studio's real estate holdings in Los Angeles, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. It is unclear what

See original here: 
Exclusive: Redstone’s NAI talking to bankers about options for Paramount – sources

real-estate

China orders banks to clear hurdles slowing private sector lending: sources

SHANGHAI, May 14 (Reuters) – – China's banking regulator has sent an urgent notice to banks telling them to clear bottlenecks slowing lending to private firms, sources with direct knowledge told Reuters, highlighting rising concern in Beijing about torpid private investment. Chinese banks sharply cut new lending in April after a record first-quarter credit spree, much of which appeared to go to the state sector and may have helped inflate asset bubbles in real estate and commodities. According to the document seen by Reuters, the China …

More:
China orders banks to clear hurdles slowing private sector lending: sources

real-estate

What First-Time Home Buyers Learn By Themselves

Statistics show that people are waiting until later in life to get married, and that puts marriage and home buying right alongside each other. Most people tend to find stable careers later in life, and thirties seem to be the new norm for starting a family. The flip side is that there is a lot of growing up to do in a very short time span.

There are things first-time home-buyers easily get misled by, for instance, like the prevalence of pre-payment penalties (they exist, but brokers disclose this and you can ask about it). Another thing first timers learn on the fly is that cash buyers can quickly ruin the home of one’s dreams with a single phone call.

There are a ton of first-time home buying blues you can get if you let yourself get bogged down. It’s a process, and not always a pretty one. The important thing to keep in mind is that you will eventually find a beautiful home to improve and love as your own.

Foreclosures Are Not Always Deals

The media conditions us to associate foreclosures with deals, and that’s not always the case. In fact, most of the time a foreclosure means “trash heap.” There are certainly foreclosures offered far below market value, that happen to have the benefit of being in a good area. However, you have to be aware of all potential variables that could raise flags. Inspections are a must when purchasing a foreclosure, and not every deal allows for that, or grants enough time for something thorough and convenient. Investors purchase foreclosures on hard data, but individuals have little more than their personal experience and their eyes to judge. If the property is up to your standards, it’s worth considering. Just be aware that there a host of issues that could go wrong that you and your inspector may not notice. Things like electrical or plumbing issues might crop up only after the house is lived in.

By all means, look at foreclosures and be aware of the potential for the market. Just be open to the idea that not everything is a positive. You may find that saving for a higher down payment and moving to a nicer area are better ideas.

Pre-Approval is a Must

One of the best things you can do for your prospects is to pre-qualify for a loan by talking a broker and submitting some paperwork. Real estate transactions are all about speed. The faster you are prepared to move on a deal, the more likely that deal is to happen for you. Pre-approval is especially useful when you need to relocate, as your broker’s approval will extend to just about anywhere you move. In some cases, agents will advise you not to hunt for properties until you have pre-approval, just because it makes the process harder.

However, pre-approval comes with a few bullet points you need to be aware of. It’s not a guarantee of a loan at a certain rate, it’s just the bank saying that your documents seem to be ok at a cursory glance. Pre-qualifying may also mean that you don’t pre-qualify for the loan you thought you did. Typically, pre-qualifications are done before a credit check occurs.

Talk to your bank about getting pre-qualified and pre-approved for a loan. Starting the process now will be better for you in the long run.

Negotiate over Fixing Costs

Any home that you move into is going to have something that you’ll want to change to meet your tastes as the home owner. DIY is a great option for most projects around the house, but that doesn’t count fixes that need to be done prior to moving in. When your inspection is performed, the inspector will present a list of items he believes are in need of repair. Some common examples are things like electrical outlets or air ducts in a central air system. Most of these fixes are relatively inexpensive, but you should not have to pay for these as the new owner because they were not caused by you. When it comes time to negotiate on things like cost of the house, or costs to close, you can get a bit of wiggle room if you make a few phone calls to contractors and ask about pricing.

Also, don’t forget to check every outlet and every sink. Six months after your move-in date is the wrong time to discover you have a leaky faucet or pipe in the wall.

Acquire a Trustworthy Agent

A good real estate agent is someone who guides you through the process, and helps you to understand more about the investment you’re making. They will do their best to review your property suggestions, and make a few of their own. They should be knowledgeable in loans, but don’t expect too many specifics from them on that regard. What they will know is the area. They will help you find resources related to schools in the area, as well as fun things to do and a bit of history about the region. Behind the scenes, they also handle your negotiating for you. You give the agent an idea of what you want, and they help to communicate that between you and the seller. A trustworthy agent is someone advocating for you throughout the sales process. It’s not about commission, it’s about service.

The agent is paid at closing, so you shouldn’t have to pay upfront to see a home. Sellers will sometimes pay agents to market their home in other ways, but most of the money they make comes from the sale of the home itself.

Conclusions

A first time home buyer has a lot to worry about. It can be difficult to deal with the financial reality of buying a home while you’re trying to browse for something that meets what you want out of life. The two sometimes cloud each other, and can obfuscate what you really want. The important thing is to go with your gut, read documents carefully, and communicate openly with your agent and your spouse.

 

Bio: Realty ONE Group is owned and operated by Kuba Jewgieniew, a former stock broker with experience in data-driven sales. Realty ONE Group is a lifestyle brand that manages Realty ONE Group Cares, a charity foundation that strives to better the communities served by Realty ONE Group and its agents.

real-estate

Looking for a Great Real Estate Bargain? You Just Can’t Beat a Short Sale!

A short sale isn’t a good thing for a homeowner, but it can be a great thing if you are looking for a great deal on a house.

A short sale in real estate allows a homeowner to get out of his mortgage by selling the property at an incredibly low rate. The lender usually agrees to a short sale because it is a whole lot easier than trying to foreclose on the property.

So, if you’re a buyer, you can wind up with a great house – at a price that is much lower than market value. It’s a deal that you simply can’t find in a traditional sale. A short sale can give you a chance to live in a neighborhood that you have always wanted to call home – but never thought you could afford!

If you’re looking to buy a house, make finding a quality short sale your top priority. It can definitely give you more bang for your buck!

Click here to find out more about short sales in your area. Or, click here to see a listing of short sale properties in your neighborhood!