Jim Gergeni

Buying

Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you will probably make. I can help you through the entire process, step by step, to save you time and money as well as making your experience as stress-free as possible.

 For over 15 years, I have been helping clients in Sioux City, IA, South Sioux City, NE, Dakota Dunes, SD, Le Mars, IA, Hinton, IA, Sergeant Bluff, IA, Kingsley, IA, Merrill, IA and beyond. CONTACT ME today for the best information and resources.

·       How to Buy

o   Appraisals & Market Value

§  Where do I get information about closing costs?

§  What's a house worth?

§  What standards do appraisers use to estimate value?

§  What is the return on new versus previously owned homes?

§  What is the difference between market value and appraised value?

§  What is the difference between list price, sales price and appraised value?

§  What are the standard ways of finding out how much a home is worth?

§  How do you determine the value of a troubled property?

§  Can I find out the value of my home through the Internet?

o   Escrow & Closing Costs

§  Why do I need a title report?

§  Who pays the closing costs?

§  What are closing costs?

§  How can I save on closing costs?

o   Finding the Right Home

§  What do all of those real estate acronyms in the ads mean?

§  What are the pros and cons of adding on or buying new?

§  How do you choose between buying and renting?

§  How do I get the real scoop on homes I am looking at?

§  Do we dig deep and buy a dream home or settle for a starter home?

o   Home Inspections & Warranties

§  What's a home inspection?

§  How do I find a home inspector?

§  Do I need a home inspection?

o   Insurance

§  What kind of home insurance should I get?

o   Lease Options

§  Where do I get information on lease options?

§  What is a lease option?

§  How do lease options work and what are the benefits?

o   Making an Offer

§  Whose obligation is it to disclose pertinent information about a property?

§  Who gets the furnishings when a home is sold?

§  What is the difference between list price, sales price and appraised value?

§  What is the difference between list and sales prices?

§  What contingencies should be put in an offer?

§  What are the standard contingencies?

§  What are some tips on negotiation?

§  Is a low offer a good idea?

§  How do you determine the value of a troubled property?

§  Do I need an attorney when I buy a house?

§  Can you buy homes below market?

§  Are low-ball offers advisable?

o   Negotiating & Closing a Good Deal

§  Who gets the furnishings when a home is sold?

§  What repairs should the seller make?

§  What is the first step to buying a home?

§  What is the difference between list price, sales price and appraised value?

§  What is the best time to buy?

§  What do you think of get-rich-quick real estate schemes?

§  What contingencies should be put in an offer?

§  What are some tips on negotiation?

§  Should I include an inspection contingency in my offer?

§  Is there a secret to good negotiating?

§  Is a low offer a good idea?

§  How much does my real estate agent need to know?

§  How is the price set?

§  Do I need an attorney when I buy a house?

§  Can you negotiate the price on new homes?

o   Property Taxes

§  Are seller-paid points deductible?

§  Where can I learn more about appealing my property taxes?

§  What is an impound account?

§  How is a home's value determined?

§  How do property taxes work?

§  Do all loans require impound accounts?

§  Are taxes on second homes deductible?

§  Are property taxes deductible?

o   Tax Considerations

§  Where do I get information on IRS publications?

§  When is the best time to buy?

§  What is the Mortgage Credit Certificate program?

§  What home-buying costs are deductible?

§  What are the rules for mortgage credit certificates?

§  Should I buy a vacation home?

§  How do you choose between buying and renting?

§  How do I save on taxes?

§  How do I reach the IRS?

§  How are fees and assessments figured in a homeowners association?

§  Explain the home mortgage deduction . . .

§  Are there tax credits for first-time home buyers?

§  Are taxes on second homes deductible?

§  Are points deductible?

o   Whom to Contact

§  Where do I get information on lease options?

§  Where do I get information on housing market stats?

§  Where do I get information on home market stats and trends?

§  Where do I get information about housing discrimination?

§  Where do I get information about finding a real estate attorney?

§  Where do I get information about closing costs?

§  Where can I get information on buyer agents?

§  What standards do appraisers use to estimate value?

§  How do I reach the IRS?

§  How do I find a home inspector?

o   Working with a Real Estate Agent

§  Where can I get information on buyer agents?

§  What about a buyer's agent?

§  How much does my real estate agent need to know?

§  How do you find a good agent?

§  How do I find a real estate agent?

§  Can I use an agent for a new home?

·       Where & What to Buy

o   Condominiums & Townhomes

§  Where do I get information on condos?

§  Where do I get information on condo association laws?

§  How do you choose between condos and single-family homes?

§  How do I figure out the homeowners association?

§  Do condos have to be made accessible to the disabled?

§  Can condos ban smoking?

§  Can a condo association ban nudity?

§  Are one-bedroom condominiums a good investment?

§  Are condos a good investment?

§  Are condominiums risky to buy?

§  Are condominiums risky to buy?

o   Fixer-Uppers

§  Where are fixer-uppers found?

§  What kind of return is there on remodeling jobs?

§  What are some resources for info on home improvements?

§  What are some guidelines to follow when trying to find a contractor?

§  Are there programs for fixer-uppers?

§  Are there gov't programs for rehab?

§  Are there any special tax breaks for historic rehab?

§  Are fixers a good idea in bad areas?

o   Foreclosures

§  Where do I learn about HUD foreclosures?

§  Where can you find foreclosures?

§  Where can you find foreclosed HUD homes?

§  What types of foreclosure are there?

§  What happens at a trustee sale?

§  What about buying a foreclosure "as is"?

§  How do you get financing for a foreclosure?

§  How do you find government-repossessed homes?

§  Do you have to buy HUD homes through a realty agent?

§  Can I get a HUD home for as little as $100 down?

§  Are foreclosures an option?

o   New Homes & Vacation Homes

§  Where can I get a list of home builders?

§  What is the return on new versus previously owned homes?

§  What do you think of a vacation home as an investment?

§  What are some new-home cautions?

§  What are considerations to buying a new home?

§  What about new versus previously owned?

§  Should I hire a home inspector for a new home?

§  Should I buy a vacation home?

§  Do builders give financing?

§  Can you negotiate the price on new homes?

o   Tenants-in-Common & Co-ops

§  Where do I get information on co-ops?

§  Can a co-owner force someone off a shared deed?

o   What You Can Afford

§  Where do I get information on housing market stats?

§  When is the best time to buy?

§  What is the standard debt-to-income ratio?

§  What is Fannie Mae's low-down program?

§  What can I afford?

§  How much will I spend on maintenance expenses?

§  How much does my real estate agent need to know?

§  How long do bankruptcies and foreclosures stay on a credit report?

§  How do you determine the value of a troubled property?

o   Whom to Contact

§  Where do I get information on manufactured housing?

§  Where do I get information on housing market stats?

§  Where do I get information on filing consumer complaints?

§  Where do I get information on co-ops?

§  Where can I get a list of home builders?

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