Noemi Cardoso's Q&A

If you are referring to your electric box amp is short for ampere. Ampere is a measure of the amount of electric charge passing a point per unit time. Around 6.242x10(18) electrons passing a given point each second constitutes one ampere.The name Ampere comes from the French Mathematician and Physicist Andre-Marie Ampere considered the father of electrodynamics.

Well since you have waived the home inspection and by your questions I assume you are no a contractor either so your best bet is to make sure first you are getting a one year home warranty (usually new homes comes with). Also check the builder on the local business bureau (they have information on complaints and bad business practices).Start on the outside and make sure there are no signs of loose vinyl or roof shingles.  Also check the outside foundation for cracks. Make sure screens are in all windows, and that entrance ways are properly and completely installed (stairs, decks, and walkways). Also check that the outside water spigots and outlet boxes are operational. Also make sure all outside lights are working. In addition, make sure ground fault interrupter circuits have been used on outside outlets. Finally take a careful look at the gutters to make sure they have been installed properly and have a good pitch towards the drain pipes. Check the grade of the landscaping around the home foundation. The grade should be such that water will drain away from the foundation. If this is not done, expect regular basement water problems. Also check for pooled areas, where water is sitting stagnant. If you see pooled areas this is a sign that grading was not done properly. Finally, make sure the driveway was installed properly and to your satisfaction. Once you have completed the walk through around the outside of the home, it's time to check the inside. When doing the inside walk through you may want to bring along an outlet tester or small appliance such as a hair dryer to check to make sure power is operational to all outlets. When performing a walk through on the inside of the home, start with the basement. Make sure there are no leaks or puddles in the basement. In addition, check the walls for cracks. Also make sure the plumbing and wiring is neat and properly secured. Make sure that you confirm that the heating and cooling system work properly. Also check to make sure that major beams are sitting properly in the foundation sockets. Besides the obvious, (painting, scratches,appliances and outlets working properly)  look in the attic and check the roof (you should not see light coming in from the outside), if there is a fireplace turn that on and do the same to all appliances. Open all the faucets if possible at the same time,(test cold and hot water) flush the toilets to ensure water flow. Look the trims, window sills look for little cracks (which is normal to occur with time and settlement but you can ask them to fix little issues before closing), if carpet make sure they are well installed (no wrinkles) if hardwood no bulking should be noticed. Ceramic floorsmake sure grout is done properly, check all the doors and windows to make sure they function, close and lock properly.Hope this will help somehow however next time I reccomend you to hire a licensed and insured home inspector it will be the best spent money when buying a home. Good luck.

Hi JoshuaThe best way is to ask your buyer's agent to prepare a CMA on the property your are interested on. That will give you and idea what similar homes in the same neighborhood are selling for.Good luck.

Happening this Sunday 03/29/09 from 1 to 3pm.Directions: Main Road right acroos from new Partners.

Unfortunatly they can. When on a short sale situation the bank has control of the situation and does not have to accept the amount offered.Keep your eye on the property tough. I had a short sale that we asked the bank to accept an offer for 450k on a property with a mortgage balance of 475k the bank said no after 3 months of wait. Well 6 months later the property went through the foreclosure process and came back on the market for 375k.Good luck!Noemi

Bank are so overwhelmed with the number of foreclosures that for a while now they just hire and real estate agent to list the property.You should get a buyer agent to solely represent your interest. You also can go straight to the listing agent but remember the listing agent represents the bank and has the bank best interest in mind. So again having an agent that represents you will protect and will work in your best interest.Hope this will help. Good luck.Noemi

You can check the Registry of Deeds for that information. Just keep in mind that the owner might have refinanced after purchase or did a second mortgage. Your Buyer's Agent should be able to help you with that issue.Good Luck!

April 1st. Your mortgage broker should clarify you on that also what your payment will be. Good luck!

Hi JonYou can sign up and pay for Realty Trac or check with agents in your area since many foreclosures are listed with agents with MLS access.Just keep in mind that there many other good deals out there that are not foreclosures since the foreclosures are driving the prices down.My advice would be to find a prefessional Realtor in your area who deals with foreclosures and use his/hers help on guiding you through the process.Hope this will help you.Noemi CardosoRE/MAX On DemandSomerset MA

Hi SpeedyYou can find that information at the registry of deeds in your town. Then call banks and try to contact their foreclsoure departments. If you are luck enough to reach a live person who know what you are talking about chances are they wont't even bother talking with you since they are overwhelmed with files to process. The best way to buy a foreclosure will be searching your local newspaper for public auctions and also contacting real estate agents in your area since the majority of banks due to the high number of foreclosures are hiring the services of a professional to unload these properties.Foreclosures properties are sold as is and majority of banks won't give you any disclosures, properties might be winterized and you will be the responsible party to de-winterize and then winterize again, always do your homework since you will be buying a property completely without any history on it. Foreclolsure can easily become a good deal into a dreadfull nightmare so counting with the help of an experienced Real Estate professional (Foreclosure or Short Sale Agent) who will assist you on finding as much information as possible and also helping and guiding you with the paperwork and what to expect will make the whole process much easier and you will still get a good deal.Hope this will help you.Noemi CardosoRE/MAX On DemandSomerset MA