Well maintained colonial with sparkling hardwood floors throughout! Large bedrooms; 2 car garage; finished rec room in basement; glass blocks and eat in kitchen. Extra room on first floor could be 4th bedroom! Great Price! Call Today to schedule your private showing!

]]> http://www.albrucker.com/90000-south-euclid-colonial-with-character/feed 0 http://www.albrucker.com/34900-old-brooklyn-duplex http://www.albrucker.com/34900-old-brooklyn-duplex#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:30:37 +0000 Al Brucker http://www.albrucker.com/?p=1310 Read More]]>

Well maintained Old Brooklyn Duplex! Three bedrooms in down unit and one bedroom in up unit. Separate electric and gas utilities. Updates include: blown in insulation throughout home, newer roof, updated electrical and plumbing and new furnace for down unit. Down unit is in very good condition. Up unit requires some cosmetics. Very well maintained overall! Great Opportunity – Call Today!

]]> http://www.albrucker.com/34900-old-brooklyn-duplex/feed 0 http://www.albrucker.com/125000-kensington-pointe-colonial http://www.albrucker.com/125000-kensington-pointe-colonial#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:14:40 +0000 Al Brucker http://www.albrucker.com/?p=1291

Case # 412-514947. HUD Owned Property – sold AS-IS, ask your agent how to submit offer. 3 bedroom – 2.1 bath colonial in Kensington Pointe with 2 car attached garage! Open floor plan and finished basement! Needs very little! Only 10 years old and a GREAT value – Call Today!

]]> http://www.albrucker.com/125000-kensington-pointe-colonial/feed 0 http://www.albrucker.com/87500-parma-colonial http://www.albrucker.com/87500-parma-colonial#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:01:22 +0000 Al Brucker http://www.albrucker.com/?p=1265 Read More]]>

Parma colonial with fresh paint throughout, 2.5 car garage and fenced yard! Exterior recently repainted and bathroom recently remodeled. Enclosed front porch offers additional square footage for three season use. Newer hot water tank. All appliances stay: Refrigerator, oven, cooktop, washer and dryer. The garage has a new insulated overhead door and is a handymans dream! Great home in great neighborhood – Call Today!

]]> http://www.albrucker.com/87500-parma-colonial/feed 0 http://www.albrucker.com/284900-spacious-colonial-in-avon http://www.albrucker.com/284900-spacious-colonial-in-avon#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:52:30 +0000 Al Brucker http://www.albrucker.com/?p=1223 Read More]]>

Come see this Amazing Avon Colonial – Great Floor Plan for a family! Four bedroom colonial (first floor den is possible 5th bedroom) with four full bathrooms! 3 car garage! Recent updates include: amazing hardwood floors in living room, dining room, foyer and kitchen; newer carpet and new kitchen counters. The master suite has a large walk in closet and there are 3 additional large bedrooms upstairs. The basement is finished and features a full bath, workshop area and plenty of storage! Enjoy spending your free time in the summer in this amazing back yard! The large multi level deck and above ground pool overlook the .81 acre yard with green space behind. Great location in Avon close to everything and I-90! Call Today!

]]> http://www.albrucker.com/284900-spacious-colonial-in-avon/feed 0 http://www.albrucker.com/costs-for-first-time-buyers http://www.albrucker.com/costs-for-first-time-buyers#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:24:29 +0000 Al Brucker http://www.albrucker.com/?p=1201 Read More]]> Buying a new home can be a huge, complex undertaking, especially when it’s your first time. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced real estate agent guiding you along the way.

In a survey conducted earlier this year by Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services (PRERS), a Prudential Financial, Inc. [NYSE:PRU] company, 75% of respondents highlighted the importance of real estate agents in the process of buying or selling their home, with only 24% saying agents are helpful but not imperative.

“Americans continue to see real estate agents as having a very important role in helping them price, buy and sell their homes,” said James Mallozzi, PRERS’ chairman and chief executive officer. “Although the data underscores the value real estate agents provide, it also shows that the industry needs to continue to work hard to meet clients’ unique needs.”

First-time buyers need to look at their financial situation and crunch the numbers to see if this is the right time to buy. Chances are the numbers they see today will be the best they will see for some time, which is why so many are considering homeownership.

Still, understanding the money that goes into a home purchase is important. The biggest mistake new buyers make is underestimating the costs of buying a house and maintaining it over time.

Homebuying requires more than a down payment as closing costs and future expenses will figure prominently. Many experts agree that homeowners should have 1%-3% of their homes’ purchase price in savings for improvements and surprise expenses. Mortgage experts also say it’s wise to have at least six mortgage payments in the bank after a closing.

While those numbers may not be feasible for everyone, if you are spending above your means on a new home, you may find yourself in financial trouble fast.

Inspections are important for the first-time buyer, as they list repairs that will be needed for the home. A buyer should put together a short-term and long-term plan based on the inspection so they know how much money they will need in the months and years ahead.

As renters, people are accustomed to paying rent and basic utilities. As homeowners, you’ll also pay for water, sewer and trash collection. Then there are property taxes, homeowner’s insurance and homeowner’s association dues, plus yard care, snow removal and other expenses unique to your location.

To be sure, buying a home is one of the largest investments you’ll make and when done wisely, it can be one of the best decisions of your life. Your real estate agent will help each step of the way, first helping you establish a realistic price point for your home purchase and a clear understanding of your monthly expenses.

Those considering homes in need of repair and renovation should consider a 203k mortgage, which enables homebuyers to finance both the acquisition and rehabilitation of the property with just one loan.

“FHA 203k purchase loans are the perfect financing vehicle for homeowners seeking the value proposition offered by REO homes,” said David Wind, president and board chairman of White Plains, N.Y.-based Guaranteed Home Mortgage Company, in a company statement this June. “Home buyers’ ‘perfect’ home can be purchased in less than perfect condition with a single-close loan product that allows repairs and remodeling.”

There are two types of 203k loans: the 203k streamline and the full 203k. The 203k streamline is the most popular among homebuyers and lenders.

“The maximum allowable in repairs is $35,000 under the 203k streamline and it does not allow any structural repairs to be done to the home, unless [the repairs are] a result of an unforeseen circumstance,” explained David Krushinsky, a certified mortgage planning specialist for Mesa, Ariz.-based AmeriFirst Financial Inc. “The full 203k allows structural repairs and will allow the buyer to exceed the $35,000 in home repairs. Both loans allow up to $1,500 in swimming pool repairs.”

Contractors chosen to perform repairs must be licensed, bonded and insured, and they usually must provide the lender with a resume and two client-reference letters.

“After the close of escrow is when all the rehabilitation work begins,” said Krushinsky. “Funds usually aren’t released immediately so it’s important for your contractor to start work in a timely manner. Typically, if they’ve been in business, they have existing relationships with vendors so they can order materials and begin work. If not, the project may take longer than anticipated.”

Since the 203k mortgage is based on the home’s potential value after repairs — not its existing value — you can be approved for a higher loan amount. The mortgages also carry long-term-fixed rates, are insured as soon as they fund, and include escrow accounts for the scheduled repairs.

Loan amounts are capped according to local FHA limits. Only owner-occupied properties of one to four units qualify for 203k mortage financing; homes also must be at least one year old.

Amazing Petros built colonial in Forestbrook Estates! Built in 2005, this 3458 square foot home boasts a large lot with wooded backdrop and a walkout basement! Features include: hardwood flooring in foyer and kitchen; ceramic tile in bathrooms; bay window in living room with copper roof; AMAZING kitchen with cherry cabs, granite counters, built in oven and cooktop & new Maytag dishwasher. The two story foyer (with split staircase) and two story family room (with a wall of windows) are just stunning! There is a first floor den (could be fifth bedroom) with french doors and the master suite is complete with a sitting area and gorgeous master bathroom! The raised deck off of the kitchen overlooks a .696 acre lot with a private wooded backdrop and also features a retractable awning! Call Today you won’t be disappointed with this home!

]]> http://www.albrucker.com/399900-stunning-broadview-hts-colonial/feed 0 http://www.albrucker.com/great-time-to-buy-in-the-greater-cleveland-area http://www.albrucker.com/great-time-to-buy-in-the-greater-cleveland-area#comments Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:32:03 +0000 Al Brucker http://www.albrucker.com/?p=881 Read More]]> It is a great time to buy a home – if there’s any doubt about this, check out this article from the Wall Street Journal. Here’s an excerpt that makes a great case to buy now in the Greater Cleveland area:

Of the 74 housing markets, Baltimore appeared to be the most overvalued. By contrast, prices in Cleveland, the most undervalued market, have returned to 1991 levels based on the price-to-rent ratio.

Check out the complete article at:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748703313304576132291585938656.html

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