Zillow Advice RSS: Question-Discussion-Guide,Home Buying,Cincinnati- OH

CAN YOU GET THE 8000.00 TAX CREDIT FOR THE DOWN PAYMENT IF YOU ARE IN A REPAYMENT PLAN WITH THE IRS

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:01:00 GMT

IM IN AN INSTALLMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE IRS FOR BACK TAXES FROM AN AUDIT CAN I STILL RECIEVE THE 8000.00 TAX CREDIT AND CAN IT BE USED FOR THE DOWN PAYMENT FOR A LAND CONTRACT

4 replies

First-time home buyer - need advice!

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:17:00 GMT

I'm looking to buy a home and take advantage of the current buyer's market as well as the $8,000 govt. credit for first-time buyers. I've done some research, but I'm looking for some wisdom from people who have already been down this road. I'll break down my biggest concerns but please fill me in with any advice you deem important.

-Where is a good resource for finding the best interest rates in my area (Cincinnati Ohio) for a loan?

-How easy is it to get pre-approved and what do I need to do so?

-For those familiar with the housing market right now, would looking into buying a condo, townhouse, or even looking into foreclosed homes be valid options? I'm open to all of these assuming the value is good.

-Is there a good resource for getting statistics and information about the towns in my area? I remember coming across such a website in the past that included literally everything one could imagine, from population (broke down by gender, income, etc.), crime, education and so on.

Those are the big ones. I appreciate it.

31 replies

Construction Cost Per Square Foot Difference: Ranch vs. Two-Story House

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:30:00 GMT

I have read that two-story homes are cheaper to build than ranch style homes because the foundation and roof areas are smaller, given the same square feet. Also, there are some economies with plumbing and other mechanical functions in two-story homes. My question: How big is the difference?

Given a 2400 sf ranch vs. a 2400 sf 2-story of same quality, what is the percentage difference in building costs. I've read 20% on a realtor blog, and 30% in a slate.com article.

0 replies

How can I limit a search to a particular zip code or township?

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:38:00 GMT

I receive an overwhelming number of outlying homes for sale when I attempt a limited search. I'm interested in zip code 45245, or Union Township, or even Clermont county (OH).

3 replies

Interested in Buying a home

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:31:00 GMT

Can someone call me to set an appointment for my daughter to see the house at Courtland Ave, Cincinnati, OH (Zillow Home ID 2137396009) My phone number 650-892-5977, my email Marlene.Ramirez@ucsf.edu. Thank you. Marlene

1 reply

How do I get information corrected about my home and location on my current neighborhood ???

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:38:00 GMT

0 replies

Appraisals and PMI

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:21:00 GMT

I am looking for advise on this matter. I am buying a home and close 6/29/09. I have to pay PMI and always will because it is an FHA loan. My LO tells me that my appraisal came in @ the loan amount due to sellers may want to back out if they appraise a true cost and it's more than what we have agreed to buy it for. Should I get my own appraisal after refi into a conventional immediately after closing? This appraisal isn't a true one, it just met the banks needs to get my loan without raising suspension. (atleast in my opinion) Can anyone shed some light on this and steer me in the right direction?

2 replies

what are V.A. mortgage rates

Sat, 30 May 2009 01:40:00 GMT

1 reply

What is the appropriate amount to offer off of list price?

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:19:00 GMT

4 replies

Details on 09 Stimulus?

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:53:00 GMT

I purchased a home in July of 08, am taking advantage of the tax credit for first time home buyers of $7500, which at this time needs to be paid back over 15 years. With the new stimulus amendments (homes purchased after 1/1/09) the cap is raised to 8k and does not need to be paid back. Is the payback option going to be retroactive to the $7500 credit passed in 08, or does that only apply to the new amendment? To my understanding, the new bill is an amendment to the bill passed in 08, so I figure that it is possible that it could be retroactive. Any thoughts?

3 replies

can you get preapproved if you filed a chapter 13?

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 03:49:00 GMT

4 replies

How much can I offer?

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 19:53:00 GMT

I'm a first time home buyer. I would like to keep the house I buy under 160,000. I walked through a home I really liked, they are asking 185,000. What is a reasonable offer I could make? The home has an ancient furnace! ahh!

Here is the house, take a look, its been on the market for 1.5 years.Ã‚Â
4225 Grove Ave, Norwood, Ohio 45212
http://sibcycline.com/viewlisting.asp?mls=1148446&b=CIN&p=RESI&s=SFRD&m=1&sender=SearchResults&a=4225-Grove-Ave-Norwood-OH-45212

12 replies

Need help with my first short sale purchase, I'm clueless!

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:19:00 GMT

After waiting three months to hear back about my offer on a short sale property, I finally get some news and its that another offer has been placed on the house. I have several questions regarding this, and appreciate any and all help/insight!

#1. Which offer will be more appealing to a lender (Countrywide)? My offer is $135K cash buy $5,000 earnest. The second offer is $141,000 with lender paying $4,000 in closing costs (essentially the offer is $137,000) contingent on financing.

#2. If the other offerer's pre-approval is from Countrywide, will that increase the liklihood Countrywide would accept their offer. (Countrywide would know how strong their pre-approval is, and would make more money down the road in interest.)

#3. Is it unusual, or would it be unethical for me to contact the listing agent directly with questions. I feel information is lost when I'm using my REA as the middleman for communication.

#4. How long does Countrywide (or most lenders) take to start looking at offers once a BPO comes in?

#5. I read somewhere that "Most large lenders only want one signed contract. Reference Countrywide's short sale package stating: "If there is more than one purchase contract, the seller may only submit ONE offer to Countrywide for review." http://www.trulia.com/blog/wendy_rulnick/2009/02/top_5_short_sale_myths Is this true? Does this mean Countrywide only looks at one offer at a time?

Thanks so much for any help!! I'm a new home buyer, so I'm learning a lot as I go.

5 replies

what costs (and how much)should factor into my monthly budget for buying a mult-family unit???

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 21:52:00 GMT

is there a detailed list somewhere?? or a spreadsheet with equestions?

3 replies

If the stimulus passes, I read that the 15,000 tax credit is non-refundable...

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:02:00 GMT

I usually get money back for my income taxes. How can I make this 15,000 tax credit work for me and my wife? (I plan on closing in April)

2 replies

i already claimed the 7,500 tax credit. Will i be able to get any of this new tax credit?

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:05:00 GMT

1 reply

About the approved $15,000 tax credit - Does anyone know if this would need to be repaid?

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:35:00 GMT

I know that the current $7,500 tax credit is like a 0% interest loan to be repaid over the next 15 years. I know that Congress was discussing taking away the repayment of the tax credit. I was wondering about the details of this new tax credit (for $15,000) - would it need to be repaid?

7 replies

My house is paid off. Can I take out a 2nd mortgage or equity line to buy a foreclosure

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:08:00 GMT

1 reply