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There are always important changes happening in the real estate market, locally and nationally. These changes can affect YOU. Interest rates, zoning and tax laws, new ways to market your home and enhance its value... We can help you keep up with all the changes. As a top real estate agent it's our job to stay informed, and to know how to handle every buying or selling situation. Sign up for my periodic real estate newsletter, and we'll keep you up to date. It is free and without obligation...
Financing Your Home >When Interest Rates Rise
Many people fall out of the home buying market when interest rates start to go up. This is often a mistake. Many of the best mortgages deals become available when lenders are competing for new business and sellers are competing within a smaller buyer pool. You just have to know how to keep the costs down in order to counter the higher interest rates.
One of the best tricks is the buy-down. In a buy-down, a fee is paid at the closing to get a lower interest rate. In a soft market, an anxious seller may be lured into to paying all or part of the buy-down. Another approach is to get the seller to pay some of closing costs, thus lowering the amount of cash a buyer needs to close. Frequently the seller's costs can be used as a write-off by the buyer. Always consult with your tax advisor if you are considering such an arrangement.
If the market is softening due to rising or higher rates, the price itself becomes an area where a buyer may be able to save a lot of money on a house through skillful negotiating. Lower prices mean lower loan amounts, so don't be discouraged by higher rates--use them to your advantage.
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| Q |
What is the most expensive piece of property ever recorded?
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| A |
In October 1988, the Mediya Building in central Tokyo was quoted at 358.5 million yen ($248,000) per square foot.
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- NUMBER1EXPERT™ 
