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New FHA Guidelines For Virginia Beach VA Real Estate

May 28th, 2010 by Dave Macklin

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is a government agency whose main objective is to help people who do not qualify for conventional lending programs obtain home loans. The FHA is not in itself a lender; rather it insures a loan, thus making banks/lenders more willing to grant a home loan on Virginia Beach VA real estate to those in underserved groups.

condoBecause of the economic downfall and the increased number of foreclosures, the FHA, in an effort to strengthen its capital reserves, as made significant changes to its policies, effective this summer. Basically, the changes involve insurance premiums, FICO scores (credit rating), seller concessions, and increased enforcement of lenders.

Mortgage insurance premiums: The previous upfront premium payment of 1.75% of the loan amount has been raised to 2.25% . The option of financing this amount into the loan is still available. In addition, the FHA has requested the authority to increase the annual MIP from its current .55% in an effort to reduce the upfront MIP costs.

FICO scores: The new minimum score for those with a 3.5% down payment has increased to 580 (up from 500). For those with a score of less than 580, a 10% down payment is required.

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Thinking Of Flipping Virginia Beach VA Real Estate?

May 13th, 2010 by Dave Macklin

Nearly everyone has heard of someone who has bought a fixer-upper or near-foreclosure house, renovated it, and then sold it at a hefty profit. Sound fairly simple and lucrative? Perhaps, but a word of caution: Don’t quit your day job just yet!

Those who earn an income, either part-time or full-time, by flipping Virginia Beach VA real estate, caution would-be flippers to understand the basics before beginning such a venture, they definitely need to:

  • house 5Assess their financial situation
  • Have time available to renovate the property
  • Possess good negotiation skills
  • Have knowledge of what renovation entails and of building codes
  • Have a practiced eye for evaluating potential value
  • Do a great deal of research to learn about the industry
  • Have a good sense of timing

Find trustworthy advisors, such as an agent, a loan officer, and a reliable subcontractor.

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Tax Tips for Owners of Virginia Beach VA Real Estate

April 13th, 2010 by Dave Macklin

That’s right, Tax Day is almost here and given the state of the economy, saving every penny is very appealing. As an owner of Virginia Beach VA real estate there are many deductions and tax credits you will want to take claim on your 2009 return…provided you qualify of course!!

taxes dueHere are a number of money-saving ways to reduce the amount of tax you owe–or even increase the amount of your refund!

First, let me explain the difference between a tax deduction and a tax credit.  A tax deduction reduces (adjusts) your taxable income. A tax credit reduces your tax dollar for dollar. You do not have to itemize deductions to claim a tax credit.

Tax Deductions for Primary Residence

Tax deductions on your primary residence include:

  • Interest paid on your mortgage
  • Refinancing points paid in 2009
  • Real estate taxes
  • Interest on major home improvement loans
  • Mortgage insurance premiums
  • Home improvements required for medical care
  • Any sales commission, legal fees, or closing costs associated with the sale of Virginia Beach VA real estate in 2009

Home Energy Efficiency Improvements Tax Credits

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Virginia Beach VA Real Estate: 7 Reasons To Own Your Own Home

March 12th, 2008 by Dave Macklin

You’ve probably seen lots of financial arguments about why you should invest in Virginia Beach VA real estate and own your own home rather than rent. This includes budgeting (no rent increases) and the tax savings you’ll most likely have. Now we’re going to give you some reasons you probably haven’t heard.

1. Freedom to pursue other goals in life once the major goal of home ownership is achieved.

Strange as it sounds, many of our first-time buyers have told us that once they bought the house, other things in their life started to fall into place. It’s as if not owning took so much of their mental energy that other goals were not worked on until that big goal was reached. So buy a home and get on with your life!

2. A greater sense of belonging to the community.

Once you own a home, you feel more attached to the city in which you live. You’re more interested in what happens in town, to the roads, schools, and shopping areas. Some people even become involved in local politics.

3. A commitment to something, a sense of stability.

Home ownership is an anchor, something that cannot be pulled out from under you. You’ll never get a notice that you have to move. You’re kids will never have to change schools. It gives you freedom to plan years ahead.

4. You can change things, a feeling of being in control.

It’s your home. You can add to it, remodel it, change the landscaping, do whatever projects you want. You have a feeling of being in control of something in your life. At work we don’t always have control of what happens, but your home is your castle and you have dominion over it. You can see what you’re building take shape before your eyes.

5. More control over the children than in an apartment complex

In a neighborhood, kids usually play in the yards or go to friend’s houses a few doors away. Our clients have told us that in an apartment complex they never knew where the kids were. They could be in any of hundreds of apartments, doing who knows what. In a home you get to know the neighbors and watch out for each other’s kids.

6. Children do better in school and feel more secure.

This one surprised us, but buyers have reported to us that their kids calmed down in school after they bought a house. We don’t know why, but it seems to work that way. We remember a single mom watching her son play in the yard, making steps in the slope and building things. She didn’t have to tell him to leave everything alone, like she did at the apartment complex. I guess kids feel the same need for control we adults do.

7. Time and money saved by not going to the Laundromat.

A small point, but if you have kids, you know the value of this one. You gain a whole evening a week when you buy a house! The wash gets done in between other things, or while you’re at work. What would you do with the extra evening you’ll have? How about going out for dessert with your spouse with all those quarters?

We’ve been in a home of our own for so long; we take these benefits for granted. We forgot what it’s like to be renters! If you have anything you can add to the list, please let us know via email. We would love to hear from you! Start your Virginia Beach VA home search.

Also read: 10 Things You Should Know About the Virginia Beach VA Real Estate Market

              6 Ways To Beat The Stress Of Buying A Virginia Beach Home

Virginia Beach VA Real Estate Market Is Different

March 11th, 2008 by Dave Macklin

houseThis was the headline of a recent advertisement in the VirginianPilot…

Our Real Estate Market Is Different.

The ad continued to read:

It is important not to interpret current home prices and home price appreciation only in the context of the housing market of 2004-2005. Over the long term, home prices in Virginia have increased moderately — and steadily.

  • In the 1990s, home prices in Virginia appreciated at an average of about 2% annually.
  • From 2000 through the 2nd quarter of 2006, average price increases were about 12% annually.
  • In the third quarter of 2007 (latest data available) the house price index for Virginia shows home prices up 3% compared to the 3rd quarter of 2006.

The average sales price for Virginia Beach VA real estate appreciated approximately 6% in 2007 compared to 2006. Read the full report.

Visit VirginiaBeachHomeSellers.com and have the current market value of your home emailed to you. And start your Virginia Beach home search here.

Virginia Beach VA Real Estate: How To Get Your Home Sold Fast

March 10th, 2008 by Dave Macklin

Virginia Beach VA real estate is taking longer to sell in the strong Buyers market we are in, than it did a few years ago. Most Sellers are concerned about the longer market times and how they get get a fast sale. As they say, time is money and if a home sits on the market longer than the average market time, it ususally doesn’t bring as high a price. Many Sellers want to know how can I get my home sold fast.

The most important decision you will make when selling your home is the agent you choose to work with. Their expertise and guidance from pricing, to marketing, to staging is invaluable and can make or break a sale.

Selling fast was important to Garen & Anna Marshall when they sold their home and moved to Northern VA. Here is what they had to say about Dave Macklin and the Butler Team:

“This letter is in reference to the superior service that we have received from Dave Macklin.  Two years ago we walked into RE/MAX Allegiance in search of a house and were lucky enough to get set up with Dave Macklin.  From start to finish the transaction went smoothly and we were very pleased.  

Two years later when we decided to sell our home we knew there was no better person suited for the job than Dave, and he has certainly proved us right! In this tough market, we were nervous as to how long it would take for the house to sell, in fact there were several houses in our neighborhood that were on the market for months until the listings eventually expired. Dave assured us he would do everything in his power to get the house sold quickly and he did! We closed within a month!  

We never had to worry about a single thing, because we knew Dave had everything taken care of. It was an absolute pleasure working with such a wonderful, knowledgeable agent and we can not say enough good things about him. Having worked with several other realtors in the past, we can honestly say agents like Dave are few and far in between. Dave is the definition of going above and beyond and you are very lucky to have him!”

The average market in Garen and Anna’s neighborhood is 49 days. Dave was able to sell their home in 26 days, 402Rennie.com. Would you like results like this when selling your Virginia Beach real estate? Visit our website, ButlerTeamHomes.com or give Dave a call at 866-222-0158 #302.

Interested in the current market value of your home? Visit HRHouseValue.com. A current market valuation will be emailed to you.

Also read: 10 Things You Should Know About Today’s Virginia Beach VA Real Estate Market


To begin your search for the perfect home or to sell your home in the Virginia Beach area,
call Dave Macklin and The Butler Team at 866-222-0158 #550.