Why Now is a Great Time to Buy!

Not sure whether now is a good time to buy a home? Buying today is full of opportunity and more consumers are coming to realize this conclusion.

In a recent monthly survey, the mortgage company Fannie Mae found that nearly three-quarters of Americans thought it was a good time to buy a home due to their expectation that purchase prices will increase within the next year. Doug Duncan, a chief economist from Fannie Mae, stated in the Wall Street Journal, “Conditions are coming together to encourage people to want to buy homes”.

So why should you buy a home right now? We’ve listed the main reasons below:

Lower interest rates. Interest rates today are some of the lowest since 1971. “Homeownership is within reach of more households than it has been for nearly two decades,” said Bob Nielsen, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).  No one is sure just how long these low rates with stick around.

Increasing rents. Rental prices have continued to climb while vacancy rates reach a low. According to Ryan Severino, a Reis senior economist, “…rents tend to spike as landlords perceive that tight market conditions afford them greater pricing power over tenants”.

Lower prices. Prices still have not returned to their 2006 levels.

Still not sure whether buying now is the best decision for you? Now is the time to find out! Whenever buying a home you need an experienced, reputable, and trustworthy agent at your side.  Our agents at Alliance Homes are here for you. Contact your local experts today!

Sources:

Apartment Rents Rise, Vacancies Plunge. ABC News. Web. 6 Jul 2012. http://news.yahoo.com/apartment-rents-rising-vacancies-10-low-140611799–abc-news-savings-and-investment.html

June 2012 Market Update. Keller Williams Realty. Web. 18 Jun 2012. http://images.kw.com/media/shared/tmre/tmire-jun12.html

Why Now is a Good Time to Buy a Home. MSN Money. 25 Jan. 2012. Web. 18 Jun 2012.  http://money.msn.com/debt-management/article.aspx?post=88a39190-6e56-47e4-a1a7-4ec8a79edfc4

Why Buy a Home? Carla Hill. Realty Times. 25 Jan. 2012. Web. 18 Jun 2012. http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20120125_whybuy.htm

Meet Connie!

Connie Smith is a licensed Manufactured Home Sales Associate & Real Estate agent.  She started her career in the late 80’s working as a Realtor for Century 21 where she was awarded top producer three times.  As a San Jose native, she is very familiar with local the local housing market and its neighborhoods.

Connie joined the Alliance Family in June of 2007.  Since then, she has helped existing mobile home residents upgrade their homes to beautiful, brand new manufactured homes, sold single family residences, and helped first-time manufactured homeowners become owners; all while earning the title of Top Re-sale Agent in 2009 & 2010.

Her success has included selling listings in their first week on the market and properly educating clients on community living and purchasing. She attributes her success to the fact that the Alliance Team has a strong network of associates that enables her to provide quality products and services to her clients.  Having been in customer service for several years, Connie understands that customer satisfaction is of utmost importance.

For more information on our other experienced and qualified agents visit our website at http://www.alliancemh.com. We are excited to help you fulfill your dream of homeownership!

Benefits of Living in Manufactured Home Communities

Manufactured home communities are not what you may think! You’ll be surprised to find out that many communities attract all types of lifestyles and offer  luxurious amenities. We’ve included a short video on what you can expect to find in these wonderful communities!

Benefits of Living in Manufactured Home Communities

For more information on communities in your area visit our website or call 888 874 8692! 

How is Your Credit Score Determined?

First of all, what is a credit score?

A credit score is a number that lenders use to estimate a borrower’s risk. When it comes to purchasing a home, a credit score plays a huge role in determining the interest rate a lender is willing to offer. Whether you’re a first time home buyer or looking for another home, it’s a good idea to obtain copies of your credit report, that way you know what you can qualify for. Now that we know what a credit score is, what factors affect it and how can you improve it? By understanding the 5 factors that can help or hurt your score you will be on your way to building a healthier credit.

 

1. Payment History (about 35%). This is the largest portion of your credit score. Make sure that you make payments within 30 days as this can negatively affect your overall credit score. Always pay your bills on time. Late payments are probably the worst thing you can do.
2. Amounts Owed (about 30%). Borrowing is certainly not a bad thing, but being in a lot of debt is. Make sure you don’t charge over half the limit on all of your credits.
3. Length of Credit History (about 15%). Having a long payment history shows lenders you have paid your bills on time and will be likely to do so in the future. So, if you’re thinking about tossing your old credit cards you may want to think again. Keeping your credit cards are important in order to keep your credit history associated with each card.
4. New Credit (about 10%). The fourth portion of your credit report has to do with the amount of accounts you have. Each time you apply for a new credit card it appears in your credit report. Applying for too many credit cards in a short period of time is seen as risky.
5. Types of Credits in Use (about 10%). Spread out your debt among different types of loans. So for example, having some debt in car loans, student loans, and mortgage is better than having all debt on only your credit card.

Take a breath! It’s not all that bad. When it comes down to it it’s all about sticking to a budget and making payments on time.

Our in-house Finance Department will advise you on credit issues you have. We strive to make the home buying process simple and stress-free! Call us today at 888 874 8692!

The information provided is obtained from an article, What Determines My Credit Score? from Trulia.com.

Brief History of Manufactured Homes

Manufactured homes today are fit to standards and upgrades of modern times.  They have come quite a long way since the 1920’s when they were first built as “trailer coaches,” which were compiled as something more comfortable to sleep in while people were traveling.  As the years went on “trailer coaches” evolved into bigger trailers with upgrades such as appliances and soon appealed to homeowners. With the rising popularity and enhancements of “trailer coaches” to manufactured homes, Congress passed a law.

According to the article, A Brief History of Manufactured and Modular Homes, from RebelHome.net, it states, “In June, 1976 -The United States Congress passed the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Act (42 U.S.C.). This means, since 1976, HUD assures that all homes are built to the rigid, consistent national standards it enforced back then and still does today”. It was from this moment on that homeowners were reassured that their home was built to a high standard.

The history of manufactured homes is significant because it is the evolution of a type of popular home. What started out as “trailer coaches” has expanded into a home fit for the ages and various lifestyles all over the country. Today, manufactured homes are identical to a regular site built home and come with the same amenities. Great strides have been made in terms of quality and remains a sound decision for affordable living. At Alliance, our brand new custom built homes come with luxurious features such as granite countertops, built-in energy efficient appliances, crown molding, wood window trims, and much more! We are more than happy to provide you with any information on manufactured homes in your area. Call 888 874 8692 today!

Looking for a Home, But Don’t Want to Change Communities?

Ever thought of upgrading to a new home?
Don’t want to leave your neighbors or community?
Is your home too small?
Looking to save on energy bills?

If you answered “yes” to all these questions, then a trade-in is the perfect solution!

This is your chance to trade to a new home. There are many benefits associated with trading in your older mobile home for a new, more energy efficient one such as lower interest rates, increase in equity, and an improvement in lifestyle. You can also experience green features such as superior insulation systems, high-performance windows & doors, tight construction and ducts, quality heating and cooling equipment, and ENERGY STAR Qualified appliances. Plus, you don’t have to worry about moving to an entirely new community. We have plenty of floor plans to fit your lifestyle and budget. You can choose from any of our customized features from our contemporary floor plans to interior upgrades.

So if you love your neighbors and your community, but would like the comfort and lifestyle that comes with a new home and value that is unrivaled on the market for any type of residence, now is the time to trade up. We will make the process a stress free one. Any of our highly reputable agents can assist you and answer any questions you may have at (888) 874-8692. Your dream home is one call away! Why Compromise?

New Year, New Home!

For many, a new year means a new you! That new you can be in the form of anything from physical changes up to purchases. 2012 can mark the year of that dream home you have always wanted!  If you have been hesitant about listing your home, or are interested into looking at new or used homes, now is prime time to list with Alliance Manufactured Homes! Let us find you the home of your dreams!  All 20 of our sales agents are more than happy to meet with you, answer questions, and show you different homes that best suite your lifestyle! Check out our website at www.alliancemh.com to learn more about our experienced agents who can find that home you have waited so long to call your own!  We can be your ally for a better future!

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!

The Alliance team would like to wish you and your family a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Can you believe it? The most widely celebrated holiday is just days away! Christmas has become a traditional holiday where family and friends gather to create unforgettable moments and share home cooked meals. Children anxiously await for a popular figure known to have many names such as Santa Clause, Saint Nicholas, and Kris Kringle to stuff their stockings and place gifts under the Christmas tree. This highly anticipated federal holiday is celebrated by many around the world. Christmas trees, house decorations, wreaths, Christmas music, caroling, gift exchanges, and card exchanges are just some of the many traditions that have become associated with the holiday.

Alliance Homes would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! We hope your holiday is filled with peace, love & laughter!

How to Winterize Your Home!

     

Along with the holiday season comes chilly weather and high electricity bills, now is a great time to prepare your home for this winter.

During these cold Winter months it’s important to have a warm and cozy living environment. There are many things you can do to increase the energy efficiency of your home.

Investing in quality insulation and windows are just some of many ways to do so and here are some great benefits to consider:

Saves energy. Our new homes are complete with Energy Star rated windows that feature advanced technologies such as glass coatings, vacuum-sealed spaces, and better weather stripping. This reduces the amount of energy used by nearly 50%! The energy efficiency of your home increases while the amount of CO2 emissions in the atmosphere decreases.

Saves money. Say good-bye to high energy bills! Great insulation and windows pays for itself in the long run. This will drastically lower the amount of money spent on heating each month and makes a huge difference year round.

Improves overall comfort. Keeping your home properly insulated and having energy star rated windows ensures stable temperatures throughout your home. Heat is better kept indoors and will keep your home much warmer.

Our Installations department is more than happy to answer any of your questions or concerns. Call (888) 874-8692 for more information!