Friday, June 29, 2007

Financing Tips




GET OUT THE MMAP!


One of the biggest hurdles that the average person faces when purchasing a home is how to finance such a large amount of money. Buying something for hundreds of thousands of dollars just seems unfathomable at first to most people. And, it makes the new iPhone look cheap! So, besides standard mortgages (or those dangerous sub-prime loans), what is the home buyer to do?

Well, there are many sound, creative solutions, and one of my favorites is the MMAP program.

MMAP stands for Monthly Mortgage Assistance Program, and it can help reduce your payments from $250 to $1000 per month for up to two years. And, all it requires is a simple agreement between the buyer and the seller.

Basically, the seller agrees to set aside an agreed-upon amount of the purchase price into a trust account (via the MMAP grant program), which is then used to reduce the buyer's monthly mortgage payments anywhere from $250 to $1000 per month for up to 24 months.

Even better, it is reliable and astoundingly simple to arrange. For more information, visit the MMAP website or just ask me. I've had special training to certify me to represent buyers and sellers in the MMAP program.
Have a great weekend!

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Property Spotlight




3312 Adeline Street, Oakland
Just $239,000





While there are many large homes on the market, sometimes a smaller, lower-priced residence is the best choice for first time home buyers. Today, let's take a look at a terrific 2 bedroom / 1 bath condo for sale on the Oakland/Emeryville border for just $239,000. This is one of the best deals in town! It is in an intimate newly-remodeled building with a new foundation, roof, electrical and plumbing. The unit features cool granite countertops in the kitchen, sleek floors and off-street parking. Plus, it is SOOOO close to everything that Oakland, Emeryville and Berkeley has to offer ) and it has close access to all the freeways.




If you are interested in getting into the real estate market in a low-priced, low-risk property such as this one, let's talk! I can be reached at 510-547-5970 x57 or MSmartt@jps.net. Oh, and if you have questions about special financing and incentives, let me know and we'll make it happen.






Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Welcome!


Hello East Bay Residents (& Beyond!)~

My name is Mary Smartt and welcome to my new blog--Smartt Moves with Mary Smartt. This will be an inside look at the always exciting real estate market in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. For over 10 years, I have specialized in helping clients sell and purchase homes in Berkeley, Oakland, and all across the East Bay region.

Everything you need to know about buying or selling a home can be found here on my Web site! As an experienced real estate professional in the East Bay community, I am dedicated to providing the finest service available while breaking new ground.Because today's real estate industry is becoming more sophisticated and challenging every day, you need a professional that understands the industry and is positioned to stay ahead of the game. And, with the Bay Area real estate market varying wildly from neighborhood to neighborhood, my experience is essential.

In addition to news and tips about the East Bay real estate market, we'll also take a look at the exciting cultural landscape here in the East Bay.

The East Bay is on one of the best places on earth, and to give back to my community, I also work with terrific non-profit organizations. For instance, I work with the Housing Consortium of the East Bay to help them find affordable, accessible housing for persons with developmental disabilities.

I go the extra mile to understand your goals and help you achieve them. That's why I constantly research the market and property values so your home is priced effectively from day one. My team and I make sure the general public knows your home is for sale by using innovative advertising and marketing techniques to attract potential buyers.

Call or email me today! I can be reached at MSmartt@jps.net or 510-547-5970 x57

Oh, and look what I just sold! This lovely home in Albany at 949 Ordway.