What's your New Years Resolution

What is your New Years Resolution? If you are looking to buy or sell a home in 2011, let Jason Ryan and Associates make your resolutions come true.

Whenever you are buying a home, it should be a positive experience, and while doing so, you should do some homework first! There is a wealth of information available to you whether you are a first-time homebuyer or not. It makes the process more understandable, keeps you informed and prepares you to make wise decisions.

Jason Ryan and Associates recommend that you work with a professional Real Estate Agents such as themselves. They will save you money and time. Real estate agents with experience, education and results are usually the leaders in the industry.

Jason Ryan and Associates have accumulted a multitude of awards over the years. The most recent award includes the Platinum Club Award which is given by Re/Max International. Only 4% of the Re/Max Network has acheived this prestigious award. Re/Max has nearly 100,000 agents in more than 75 countries who continue to out-produce the competition, averaging more sales than other real estate agents.

Remember, your real estate agent is a professionally trained person that you are engaging to help you make the right decisions. Be an informed homebuyer and Happy House Hunting!

Best regards,
Jason Ryan

Did you know? Why use Re/Max Agents - Jason Ryan & Associates?

Jason Ryan & Associates closed 92 properties in 2010!

Hire 3 Agents for the price of 1.

• Our 1-800 toll-free # is available 24/7.
• Call now to buy or sell your next home!
• 888.360.7263 (360.SAND).
• Client SATISFACTION is our #1 priority!!

How Much Should I Offer on this Foreclosure?

"How much should I plan to offer...I mean...it is a foreclosure! I am sure the bank is dying to get it off of their books."

I am asked this question quite often and 90% of the time, my answer is the same..."If there are multiple offers already on the table... submit your offer quickly and I'd recommended that you offer full price!" 

Let me explain...Banks seek out the help of experienced realtors and appraisers to determine the lowest fair-market value of a property. The property will be priced lower than other homes in the neighborhood, or lower than other condos in the building, because banks are not in the business to sell real estate. If the property needs repairs, the bank will lower the sale price even more, because the costs to make repairs are deducted. If the bank is also looking at other offers in addition to yours, go ahead and make a full-priced offer, you WILL still get a good deal!

If there are no other offers, (you can ask your realtor to gather this information) still go in with a strong offer. I had a property listed with a $200,000 sales price. An agent submitted an offer for their client of $140,000. The bank would not even entertain the offer...the bank didn't even counter! 15% below asking price is a good starting point for submitting offers...if there are no multiple offers. Again, even if you end up paying full price, you still will get a great deal and have instant equity.

If you submit an offer and at the same time, other offers are coming in, you'll be asked to submit a "Highest & Best" offer. This is when you decide how much the property is truly worth to you...offer your maximum purchase price. If your offer is the highest, you win!

One more note...it doesn't matter if you are planning to pay in cash or financing. Although it would seem that a cash offer is better, banks will still take the highest offer presented. On your offer, you'll also want to have a short time frame for closing to take place. 30 days is a good number.

There's still more to learn, so call me at 888.360.SAND for additional advice. In 2010, I sold nearly 100 bank-owned properties. I am an authorized Listing Agent for Fannie Mae HomePath Properties, as well. I look forward to your questions and to helping you find a great deal!

Purchasing an Ocean Front Condo for Investment Purposes

Okay, you’ve decided to purchase an ocean front condo in Myrtle Beach. There is a lot to learn! Just because a condo sits direct ocean front, can be rented weekly, and purchased for under $100,000, it doesn’t mean that you are going to see a lofty annual profit.  If you are hoping to purchase a condo, use it 2-3 weeks out of the year, and rent weekly to cover your monthly mortgage payment, and other monthly and annual fees, then you’ll find lots of condos that qualify. If, however, you are looking to cash flow by $20-30,000/year, you’ll need to do a little number crunching.

Here’s our guide successfully purchasing a condo for annual profit.

1.      Talk to a lender and tell them that you would like to purchase an ocean front condo in Myrtle Beach. Rates and lending guidelines for homes, townhomes, land, condos and ocean front condos vary greatly. Lately, buyers are being required to put 40%+ down to purchase an ocean front condo. Next, ask the lender how much money you will be allowed to borrow. This can also be your price cap when doing your condo search. Get a proof-of-funds or pre-qualification letter up to the amount the lender is willing to let you borrow. If this lender is not willing to work with you, ask why, (perhaps there is an issue with your credit that can be resolved). Then, talk to several other lenders; just because one lender is not willing to work with you, doesn’t mean that others will not work with you, as well.

2.       Seek the help of a realtor. Currently on the market, there are lots of great opportunities to purchase bank-owned foreclosures, short-sales, and distressed properties. Realtors have the ability to research these properties for you. Ask the realtor to send you a daily list of new ocean front condo foreclosures. Banks work entirely through realtors to sell their properties, so even if you contact the bank directly regarding a property they have for sale, they are going to direct you to the realtor who has the property listed. Seek the help of a realtor who both lists and sells foreclosures; they have the best knowledge of how the process to purchase a foreclosure works. Short-sales are an entirely different process altogether; short-sales require a lot of patience because the offer/acceptance process can take months. We’ll discuss short-sales in a later blog post. With foreclosures, you'll often receive a counter-offer and/or offer acceptance within 24-48 house and some banks, like Fannie Mae, are even offering special rates with as little as 3% down if you purchase a foreclosed property they own.

3.      Now, get ready for the gritty work. From the foreclosure list, select the condos you like…eliminate the ones you don’t like. Ask your realtor to show you the ones you like. Again, eliminate the ones you don't like. Try to be unemotional about the elimination process...you're buying for investment purposes, not personal use.  

           a.  Then, ask your realtor to gather gross annual rental figures for the ones you do like.  

                 Ask for a 2 or 3 year history and then take an average; due to the state of the

                 economy, rental figures have been down for the past few years.

      b.      Next ask what the nightly, seasonal rental rates are.

c.      Ask what % the rental management company charges and what the fee covers. Ask how the units are rented…are they based on a “grading system” (…grade A,…grade B,..grade C), or are they simply rented on a rotation-basis. If on a grading system, Grade A units are rented first, because they are in better condition and/or have better views.

d.       Ask what the Property Owner’s Association fees are and what those fees cover.

e.      Ask if the building is currently undergoing an assessment or if there are any proposed assessments. The last thing you want is to close on a condo and then find out that the building is having the roof repaired or windows replaced and there is a $500/month assessment.

4.       Next, crunch some numbers and see if any of the units will give you an annual return. There may be 2 or 3 out of the entire list that you preview, but they are out there! One more bit of advice if you are planning to purchase a foreclosure...have that pre-qualification letter or proof of funds letter in your hand and be ready to make a decision quickly. The really, really good deals go fast! In our next blog, we’ll discuss making offers on foreclosure properties.

We’ve provided a lot of information here and there is even more to learn about purchasing ocean front condos in Myrtle Beach. We have the knowledge and experience to help you through the buying process. We list and sell foreclosures, as well as all other types of property. Our goal is to help 100% of our buyers find great properties at a bargain. If your goal is to cash-flow, we can help you do that too! In July alone, we’ve put 9 properties under contract, and are working on several more. Give us a call at 888.360.7263 if you have questions, or would like to speak to us directly.

About Myrtle Beach

For decades, Myrtle Beach and the surrounding areas of the Grand Strand have been a major destination for beach lovers, tourists and those looking to settle. Myrtle Beach's initial appeal is one of awe as visitors and new residents discover the many shopping, food, and leisure activities afforded by the area. Rich in both history and culture, Myrtle Beach has lent itself to the inspiration of many, an imagination from it's beautiful familybeaches and temperate climate, to it's active nightlife, and family fun. The shops and establishments along some of the historic parts of Ocean Boulevard, have become staple attractions. Fun or excitement, convenience or relaxation, Myrtle Beach is your destination for it all!

Myrtle Beach, also known as the Grand Strand, stretches out for sixty miles/100 Kms. It is the most popular and median location between the northern South Carolina coast and stretches from the North Carolina line in Little River to Georgetown as its southern most extremity.Whatever your method of travel-driving or flying- the Myrtle Beach is the perfect travel destination, and an even better place for your primary or secondary residence. As a family destination, Myrtle Beach rivals any beach in Florida, not only for it's water activities and beaches, but also for its phenomenal housing standards, entertainment, world-class golf, food venues and shopping. A major claim for the Grand Strand area is that it is a very safe place to live, with activities and civic groups for retirees, low crime rates, and wonderful school systems. The area is comprised of those looking for a second home location and families with children. The population of Myrtle Beach is growing as folks who discover the SC Coastal Area realize the real estate opportunities, the delightful southern charm and hospitality.

As a new Myrtle Beach resident or investor, you'll enjoy the friendliness and hospitality of your neighbors who also live work and invest in the SC Coastal area. Even with all of the exciting venues and attractions nearby, your family will appreciate a move to Myrtle Beach, as it moves at a peaceful pace.
The Myrtle Beach and surrounding area is evolving from a plantation culture to a high-end resort destination as babyboomers, just a step away from retirement, and young professional investors are lured by enticing entry prices. The coastal area is a decade and a half from being built out, yet our roads and infrastructure are far ahead of growth and development. As a result, coastal investment opportunities that include significant appreciation make investing in Myrtle Beach appealing.